July / August Newsletter 2021

July-August 2021 / Volume 21 / Issue 4

City of Elk Grove

NEWSLETTER Explore Our Many Cultures During Elk Grove’s Diversity Month

Better Food, Better Value Market Match Helps Stretch Food Budget

For those receiving CalFresh benefits (SNAP/EBT), the Market Match program helps those funds go even further. When funds are spent at the Laguna Gateway Center Farmers Market, shoppers have access to good food and their purchase power increases because it’s matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $10 in vouchers per household, each market day. These vouchers can be used to buy even more fresh produce at the farmers market. Volunteers with the Market Match program are on site to help with the voucher process and provide more information about the program and eligibility.

The Market Match program is administered by the Alchemist Community Development Corporation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, in partnership with the City of Elk Grove. Funding is provided by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture and private donations.

For more information, visit alchemistcdc.org/market-match.

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Join the Elk Grove Diversity and Inclusion Commission and the City of Elk Grove as we celebrate our city’s diversity for the entire month of August.

Through entertainment, music, food, art, and more, participants have the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the many cultures that make up our vibrant city. For a complete schedule of activities and events, visit elkgrovecity.org/diversity.

Shop Laguna Gateway Center Farmers Market (8245 Laguna Boulevard) Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon

INSIDE:

Page 2 • Playing it Cool • Elk Grove’s First Cool Pavement Pilot Site: Old Town Plaza • Major Swim Competition Brings Multiple Wins to Elk Grove • Be Water Wise

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• Refuse Rate Increase Effective July 1 • Celebrate Individuals Overcoming Disabilities • Your Guide to Elk Grove Services

The Boom is Back!

Elk Grove Salutes the Red, White, and Blue Sunday, July 4 | Elk Grove Park | 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The City of Elk Grove is excited for the return of our traditional 4th of July celebration Fireworks, food, music, and fun await as we celebrate our nation and our city at this 25th annual event!

Admission is free, parking is $10. Face coverings and social distancing are strongly encouraged. For details, scan code or visit elkgrovecity.org/ fourthofjuly.

elkgrovecity.org

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What’s the Story?

Vacation Checks are Back!

Local Team Uses Technology to Patrol for Illegal Fireworks Elk Grove’s Transit Services Officially Join Sacramento Regional Transit District

City of Elk Grove NEWSLETTER

CALENDAR AT A GLANCE

Playing it Cool: Elk Grove Working to Mitigate the Effects of Urban Heat Islands

Houses, roadways, and buildings all contribute to the vibrancy of Elk Grove, but they also make the city warmer than lessdeveloped outlying areas. Throughout the day, surfaces are absorbing, holding, and releasing large amounts of heat, creating an urban heat island (UHI) where temperatures can be 7 degrees Fahrenheit hotter than the countryside. While there are many physical structures in Elk Grove that contribute to the UHI effect, pavement—roadways, parking lots, and sidewalks— is a major and addressable element.

Celebrate the Grand Reopening of Old Town Plaza Wednesday, July 21 at 5:30pm.

For more information, visit elkgrovecity.org/oldtownimprovements.

Elk Grove’s First Cool Pavement Pilot Site: Old Town Plaza

Improvements to the 4.4-acre Old Town Plaza are complete, including a cool pavement treatment as part of the Cool Roadways Partnership Pilot Program. Applied to the smaller parking lot along Grove street, the treatment is lighter in color than traditional asphalt and reflects the sunlight. The effectiveness of reducing temperatures and the durability of the treatment will be studied during the pilot program. Learn more by stopping by the interpretive sign near the corner of Railroad and Grove Streets.

There are emerging and established strategies, techniques, and technologies that can help reduce the UHI impacts of pavement. In order to accelerate the evaluation and adoption of UHI mitigation techniques for pavement, Elk Grove—along with 20 other jurisdictions, non-profit organizations, and industry representatives—have partnered to form a Cool Roadways Partnership. Through this organization, Elk Grove is exploring the many different “cool” roadway solutions in terms of cost, effectiveness, and longevity. Even better, the City has already applied the cool pavement technology to its first Cool Pavement Pilot Site: Old Town Plaza.

Scan the code to learn more about UHI in Elk Grove.

Be Water Wise

Living in California means that drought is a regular occurrence, and this is one of those years.

After a winter with few storms and little snowpack—by midMay, the Sierra snowpack was down to only 5% of normal—it’s time again to be water wise.

Major Swim Competition Brings Multiple Wins to Elk Grove

Elk Grove will soon be swimming with activity as hundreds of USA Swimming athletes and their families, fans, coaches, and scouts convene at the District56 Aquatic Center for the prestigious Bill Rose Classic Sierra Nevada Summer Championship swim meet, hosted by the Elk Grove Aquatics Club Gators. This is a major victory for our community. Beyond being able to see great competition in our own town and watching Junior Olympic hopefuls in action, it is also a win for our city’s economy. Taking place over four days (July 15-18), this event will be especially welcomed by the many members of our community whose livelihoods are connected to the lodging, food and beverage, and other services visiting swim fans will need.

For details on live streaming the event and how to participate in the activities in and around the event, visit egacgators.com/billroseclassic.

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Refuse rate increases are sometimes necessary to account for inflation in the costs of materials, labor, and equipment, as well as landfill and regulatory fees. Elk Grove’s process for raising rates requires both the opportunity for public comment and City Council approval. In this case, the public hearing was held on June 23, 2021, at which time an increase of 2% was approved by the City Council, to be effective July 1, 2021. The specific increase for each residential account is determined by the size of the waste container, as indicated below: Rate period Through 6/30/21 Effective 7/1/21

32-gallon Cart $24.81

$25.20

64-Gallon Cart $28.32

$28.78

96-Gallon Cart $35.40 $36.00

This increase of less than $1 is necessary for Republic Services and the City to maintain a high level of service for all residents. Here’s what your monthly rate pays for: • Curbside trash, recycling, and green waste collection Customers may have • Curbside collection of home-generated sharps (by appointment) up to 3 green waste and • Curbside collection of used motor oil, oil filters, and batteries 3 mixed recycling carts • 3 bulky waste pickups per year (by appointment) at no extra charge. By • Christmas tree pickup committing to recycling • One free trip to the dump per year more and disposing • Free use of the Special Waste Collection Center services less, residents may lower their monthly rate.

For questions regarding rates or to schedule special pickup appointments, please call Republic Services at 916-635-2500. For general service information, visit elkgrovecity.org/recycle.

Celebrate Individuals Overcoming Disabilities 15th Annual Above and Beyond Awards 2021 Nominations Due August 6

The Elk Grove Water District and Sacramento County Water Agency are the primary service providers in the Elk Grove area. Each water agency is responsible for determining the level of rationing or restrictions for their service area. Stay informed about changes to state water restrictions and updates affecting your water service by checking with your water purveyor.

Sacramento County Water Agency (916) 874-6851 www.scwa.net

Elk Grove Services

CITY MEETINGS CONDUCTED VIRTUALLY

Public meetings continue to be held virtually, subject to change with revised state orders.

Individual agendas provide details on how the public can participate. Links to all meeting agendas are available at elkgrovecity.org.

Vice Mayor Stephanie Nguyen | District 4 snguyen@elkgrovecity.org Councilmember Darren Suen | District 1 dsuen@elkgrovecity.org

NOMINATIONS

Councilmember Patrick Hume | District 2 phume@elkgrovecity.org Councilmember Kevin Spease | District 3 kspease@elkgrovecity.org Did you know that City Council meetings can be viewed on Cable Channel 14, and both Council and Planning Commission meetings can be viewed streaming on the City website?

elkgrovecity.org/residents

Ask Elk Grove, City Information Line (916) 691-CITY (2489) TTY/TDD (888) 435-6092 TTY/TDD (California Relay) 711 Popular Services

Affordable Housing Services Animal Services (Pet Licensing & Microchipping) Building Permits City Maintenance e-tran / e-van (bus & paratransit) Renters Helpline/Fair Housing Report a Code Enforcement Violation

PRESENTED BY

City of Elk Grove Disability Advisory Committee

(916) 478-2254 (916) 687-3042 (916) 478-2265 (916) 687-3005 (916) 683-8726 (916) 389-7877 (916) 687-3023

Emergency Services

Fire-Medical-Police Emergency 911 Police Non-Emergency (916) 714-5115 Fire Department (Non-Emergency) (916) 405-7100 24-Hour Emergency Maintenance (916) 687-3005 (Street Hazards, Flooding, Traffic Signals, Streetlights)

Poison Control

July 5 – Independence Day (Observed)

Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen bsinghallen@elkgrovecity.org

For applications, visit elkgrovecity.org/DAC, email jramsey@elkgrovecity.org, or call 916-478-2250 (TTY/TDD 888-435-6092).

YOUR GUIDE TO

CITY HOLIDAY

ELK GROVE CITY COUNCIL

14TH ANNUAL ACCESSIBILITY AWARD

Celebrate those who have gone above and beyond in helping individuals with disabilities in Elk Grove—nominate them for the City’s Accessibility Award. The Disability Advisory Committee will review applications and recognize honorees during Disability Awareness Month in October. Eligibility is open to any business, organization, or individual providing opportunities that enrich the lives of people with intellectual, physical, or developmental disabilities. Nominations are due by 5 p.m. Friday, August 6.

Here are a few tips: • Fix leaky faucets and toilets.

• Water yards and landscaping after sunset or before sunrise to minimize evaporation and maximize the amount of water actually going to the vegetation.

• Recycle indoor water to use on plants.

• Turn off water when brushing teeth or shaving.

Elk Grove Water District (916) 685-3556 www.egwd.org

City Council July 28; August 11, 25 | 6 p.m.

Arts Commission July 15; August 19 | 6:30 p.m.

Disability Advisory Committee July 21; August 18 | 6 p.m.

Historic Preservation Committee July 12; August 9 | 6:30 p.m.

Diversity and Inclusion Commission July 20; August 17 | 6 p.m.

Planning Commission July 1, 15; August 5, 19 | 6 p.m.

Trails Committee July 19; August 16 | 6 p.m.

Refuse Rate Increase Effective July 1

(800) 222-1222

Utilities

Elk Grove Water District Electricity (SMUD) Gas (PG&E) Garbage and Recycling (Republic Services) Sacramento County Water Agency Sacramento Area Sewer District

(916) 685-3556 (888) 742-7683 (800) 743-5000 (916) 635-2500 (916) 875-7246 (916) 875-6730

Things to Do

Cosumnes Community Services District (916) 405-5600 Parks and Recreation Elk Grove Aquatics Center (916) 883-2782 Explore Elk Grove exploreelkgrove.com Senior Center of Elk Grove (916) 685-3160 Teen Center USA (916) 686-6942 Wackford Community & Aquatics Complex (916) 405-5600

Education

California Northstate University Cosumnes River College Elk Grove Unified School District Sacramento Public Library

cnsu.edu crc.losrios.edu egusd.net (916) 264-2700

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City of Elk Grove NEWSLETTER

City of Elk Grove 8401 Laguna Palms Way Elk Grove, CA 95758

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE CITY OF ELK GROVE

8401 Laguna Palms Way Elk Grove, CA 95758 (916) 478-2206 elkgrovecity.org Kristyn Laurence Public Affairs Manager klaurence@elkgrovecity.org Lupe Murrietta Graphics & Multimedia Program Manager lmurrietta@elkgrovecity.org

Elk Grove Postal Resident

SCAN ME with your smart phone for up-to-date information

about the City of Elk Grove.

The City does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission to, access to, or operations of its programs, services, or activities. Questions, concerns, or complaints may be forwarded to the City’s ADA Coordinator.

What’s the Story?

For your chance to win up to $200, you tell the story. The Elk Grove Arts Commission invites authors 18 years or older to participate in its short story contest. Fiction or nonfiction stories must be connected to Elk Grove and contain no more than 2,000 words. Deadline to enter is August 1.

Winners will be announced Saturday, October 9, during the Great Read Book Faire located at District56. For more details, visit elkgrovecity.org/bookfaire.

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Vacation Checks are Back!

After a pause due to COVID-19, Elk Grove Police Department’s Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) are once again out patrolling our neighborhoods Monday through Friday. Looking after homes whose owners are away, VIPS hold any delivered packages and inspects the perimeter of the home, checking for signs of entry. To request vacation check services, visit the Elk Grove Police Department Service Center at 8400 Laguna Palms Way or complete the online form at elkgrovepd.org.

Local Team Uses Technology to Patrol for Illegal Fireworks

Some types of fireworks are outlawed in California because they are dangerous. Every year, the use of illegal fireworks leads to injury, fires, property loss, and even death. The Elk Grove Police Department, Elk Grove Code Enforcement, and the Cosumnes Fire Department will be working together to keep our community safe. New technology Fireworks that carry is an important part of this effort. Again this the “Safe and Sane” year, the team is utilizing its Unmanned Aircraft seal are permitted for System (UAS) Program as well as its Real Time use between Information Center to assist personnel in the field June 28 and who are specifically assigned to respond to reports July 5. Fireworks that of illegal fireworks. do not carry the State Fire Marshal’s “Safe Anonymously report illegal and Sane” seal are firework activity by scanning illegal in the State of the code or email California. fireworks@elkgrovepd.org.

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Elk Grove’s Transit Services Officially Join Sacramento Regional Transit District

In 2005, Elk Grove took on fixed route bus service within its jurisdiction to promote quality transit services at reasonable prices, with paratransit services being added the following year. With e-Tran, Elk Grove took over transit operations from routes previously operated by Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT). For the last 16 years this arrangement has served the city well, but when times change it is good public policy to evaluate opportunities. After a comprehensive analysis, Elk Grove has determined that the right decision going forward is to merge e-Tran back into the SacRT system effective July 1, 2021.

There were many factors that lead to this decision. Under General Manager/ CEO, Henry Li, SacRT has made significant improvements over the last several years, from significantly better financials to improvements in quality of service. As part of a larger regional organization, Elk Grove and SacRT together are better positioned to compete for critical grants than either organization would be on its own. From economies of scale in purchasing to major projects—such as extending the light rail Blue Line to Elk Grove—there are numerous benefits to our residents through this merger.

Impacts to e-Tran Users: • Schedules and routes (including fixed-route services) will remain the same.

• Paratransit service will improve (transfers are no longer required.)* • Fares will remain the same.

• Signage and buses will remain the same but with added SacRT. branding and customer contact information. * e-van paratransit service will still be available for trips within the City of Elk Grove and SacRT GO Paratransit Services will be available for regional trips outside the city.

For answers to more questions that come from a change like this, visit sacrt.com/elkgrovetransit.