SERVING THE CITY OF BELMONT
Davina Hurt is a mother, city council member, attorney, environmental advocate, and AI enthusiast. For the City of Belmont, Davina has served as Mayor, Vice Mayor, Council Member and Planning Commissioner. She is now running for re-election to continue protecting and refining Belmont over the long term. Davina’s experience and strong regional partnerships allow her to deal proactively with the impacts of COVID-19 and implement an economic recovery plan offering real solutions which will ensure a strong vibrant, inclusive community for years to come.
Davina’s priorities for Belmont are focused on:
Delivering essential city services that support a great quality of life for every resident
Protecting the unique character of Belmont’s neighborhoods
Deepening the vitality of our community through the creation of housing for all income levels along our transportation corridor
Revitalization and walkability of a more defined downtown
Attracting new jobs in the commercial zone east of Highway 101
partner with local schools to support education
placemaking with art
maintaining great police and fire departments
investing in our vital infrastructure needs in streets, sidewalks and sewers.
BELMONT FIRST
Guided by her passion for community justice and accountability, Davina started her service to Belmont through her appointment to the City of Belmont High Speed Rail Committee. Seeing a need to support existing businesses and attract new businesses, Davina accepted another appointment to the Belmont Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. While economic development for city enjoyment is a cornerstone of her platform, early on she also recognized the need to also contribute a fresh, modern vision to the emerging Belmont Village element and thus joined the ad hoc committee.
Frustrated by the rigors of her own home construction project in Belmont, Davina was inspired to improve the process and help fellow residents have a better experience. Davina applied and was appointed to the Belmont Planning Commission, eventually serving as Vice-Chair. She worked tirelessly project by project to improve the community, ensure public transparency, efficiency and results.
LEADERSHIP IN SAN MATEO COUNTY & BEYOND
First elected to the Belmont City Council in November 2015, Davina’s colleagues unanimously voted to appoint her Mayor in December 2018. Davina was the first African-American woman to deliver a State of the City address in the City of Belmont. Davina also serves on multiple regional policy boards including The Bay Area Air Quality Management Board and Cities/Councils of Government of San Mateo County, where she serves as Vice-Chair.
EXPERIENCE AND ACTION
After practicing at private law firms in San Francisco and Menlo Park, Davina now devotes much of her time to her family and to the community. In addition to her work as a legal consultant and City Council member, she is involved with many local organizations, and focuses much of her effort in supporting women, young people, voting rights and addressing poverty.
President of the Board of Directors of Samaritan House
Chairperson on the Department of Consumer Affairs California Court Reporters Board.
Member of the Charles Houston Bar Association.
Recipient of the Brighter Day Public Leaderships Service Award
Yaseen Foundation Civil Liberties Life Achievement Award.
Speaker, SAMCEDA Thred Talks on Regionalism
Numerous panels on housing and social equity throughout the county.
One of the founding members of the Downtown Harvest Festival
City of Belmont seed library at the Belmont Public Library.
BACKGROUND AND EDUCATION
Born in Gary, Indiana and raised in Rockwall, Texas with her parents and two siblings. Davina is a proud mother of one teen daughter with whom she enjoys traveling, enjoying the local outdoors and the arts. Davina has been grateful to call Belmont home for 15 years.
Davina received degrees from Baylor University and Santa Clara University School of Law with a specialized Certificate in International Public Law. She trained at the Rene Cassin International Institute of Human Rights in Strasbourg. While in law school, Davina fought predatory lending practices and worked in the emerging housing and landlord/tenant department at the Bay Area Legal Aid of San Jose. Davina also accepted a judicial externship for the Honorable Judge James Ware in the United States District Court of the Northern District of California.
RESPONDING TO COVID-19
As we struggle with the COVID-19 public health crisis, Davina is focused on:
Maintaining essential city services and public safety operations.
Allowing for city programs like libraries, parks & recreation, and senior nutrition to continue with strict safety protocols.
Supporting local small businesses to operate as allowed to keep people safe and avoid permanent closures.
Addressing the financial impacts of COVID-19 on the city’s budget by prioritizing funding of essential city programs and services.
Working with the County Health Department to ensure residents and staff in Belmont’s senior living communities are protected against infection.
Working with the Belmont-Redwood Shores School District to support planning for a safe return to campus.
Ensuring Belmont residents are informed with accurate information on a timely basis.
Since the “Shelter-in-Place” orders were imposed in March, Davina has been working side-by-side with County officials, City Council and City staff to ensure:
Funds for emergency small business grants.
Vital Senior programs remain in place.
Virtual recreation services for residents of all ages.
Pursuing opportunities for restaurants to operate outside.
Ensure PPE used by the city during critical services.