City Manager Round-Up - May

CITY MANAGER MAY ROUND-UP

The November 5, 2024 Election will feature two available four-year terms on the City Council. Voters will have the opportunity to elect representatives who will serve and make decisions impacting the community over the next four years. This election is a crucial chance for residents to influence local governance and ensure their voices are heard on key issues facing the city.

All eligible voters are encouraged to participate and cast their ballots to shape the future leadership of our municipality.

The Candidate Filing Period will be from July 15, 2024, to August 9, 2024.

For more information, please contact City Clerk, Diana Sanchez, at dsanchez@fortbragg.com or 707-961-2823 ext.104.

KELP FEST MAY 18-JUNE 16TH

The Kelp Recovery Program Demonstration Day was on May 26 at Big River, and the City of Fort Bragg shared information on the Noyo Harbor Blue Economy Visioning, Resiliency, and Implementation Plan and ways to get involved. We hope you can join us for our monthly Community Update meetings on the fourth Saturday of each month from 9-11 am at Town Hall.

Find a list of all events at www.northcoastkelpfest.org, including a free Walking Tour of Noyo Harbor beginning at 10 am on Saturday, June 15th from the high dock on the south side.

On May 25 at the Noyo Center Marine Field Station. UC Berkeley Professor and kelp taxonomist Kathy Ann Miller presented the life cycle and history of bull kelp. Several additional speakers were reporting on their findings from projects out of Caspar, Albion, and Big River and what the ecological, social, cultural, and economic implications of bull kelp loss are for us as a community.

PUBLIC WORKS UPDATES The City Hall roof has kept the dedicated City Hall staff dry for many years. Still, after a hefty rainy season, the roof has begun to show major signs of wear and tear and will be undergoing a full re-roof in the summer months of 2024. The roof will undergo a full “tear-out” down to the decking and receive a new layer of torch-down material to ensure rigidity and proper weatherproofing. New scuppers will be installed, and existing drainage facilities will be assessed to ensure water is properly draining off of the roof. To adequately seal the parapet wall's upper surface and protect the new roofing material from water intrusion, a full-cover stainless steel cap will be purchased and installed. This roofing project will be a great improvement to the City’s existing infrastructure and a much-needed enhancement to one of the City’s core facilities.

Fire Station Roof

City Hall Roof

The Fort Bragg Fire Station plays a vital role in emergency preparedness for the City of Fort Bragg, and a major issue that has been affecting the Fort Bragg Fire Station for many years now is the heavily dilapidated roof. The Fire Station, located at 141 N. Main Street has long surpassed its serviceable life and requires a new roof. The roof currently collects water in various locations and has several leaks amidst the many that have been previously repaired with patches and seal coats over the years. The roof has five main sections all at different elevations, and all done with varying materials. The plan for the summer 2024 re-roof will be to perform a full tear-out on all five sections of the roof and torch down new layers of Modified Bitumen on the four flat sections. This will provide an incredibly sturdy, yet flexible finish, well suited for harsh weather.

The remaining pitched section will be replaced like-for-like with 30-year shingles as per industry standards, and any exposed parapet wall will be sealed under a full-cover stainless steel cap. This project will be a considerable improvement to one of the City’s most critical facilities.

ROAD CONSTRUCTION UPDATE Tentatively scheduled, the slurry seal will be placed on Franklin Street from South Street to Spruce Street the week of June 10th. The work will be broken up over a period of two to four days. During the slurry seal, several blocks of roadway will be closed at a time (excluding intersections) throughout the duration of the material placement and remain closed to through traffic until dry. Final street striping and pavement marking will be completed the week of June 24th. Please coordinate alternative parking options and obey all No-Parking signage, as vehicles parked in violation of signage will be subject to towing.

COMPOST EVENT

The City of Fort Bragg planned a compost event for May 24 and May 25 which turned out to be a great success! Resources were exhausted by the end of the first day, and the City of Fort Bragg was able to get another truckload of compost delivered at 8:00 am on May 29th. This will be a self-serve event, so bring your buckets, shovels, and gloves to kickstart your summer garden, or stock up for the winter. We ask that people limit themselves to ½ yard so there is enough to go around.

We would like to thank C&S Waste Solutions for donating the compost for this event!

CITY EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT We celebrate the dedication and hard work of our city employees, who tirelessly contribute behind the scenes. Their commitment is crucial to the city's functioning, meriting our utmost appreciation and acknowledgment. This month, we look to the Community Development Department to select our May Employee Spotlight for their exceptional contributions.

Meet Sarah Peters, our celebrated Assistant Planner, who consistently demonstrates excellence in her role with unwavering dedication, embodying the core values of our community.

Sarah and her family moved to Fort Bragg from Sonoma during the late seventies. After college, she returned to Fort Bragg and has lived here ever since. She says, "Fort Bragg is a special community, and I enjoy interacting with the people here and helping in whatever way I can."

Sarah joined the City in May 2021 as a temporary office assistant, marking a significant career shift from her previous managerial positions. She sought a fresh start during the pandemic and transitioned to a permanent role as an Administrative Assistant in the Community Development Department. In November 2022, Sarah was promoted to her current position as Assistant Planner.

MEET SARAH PETERS ASSISTANT PLANNER

Sarah enjoys the variety of tasks in CDD and never gets bored.

There is so much to learn in planning. She also enjoys working collaboratively as part of a team and remarks, "The City team is amazing."

CITY OF FORT BRAGG - IS HIRING Officer Gadge Farris completed his four-month field training on May 18th and is now a solo officer!

MAY IS AAPI HERTIAGE MONTH

In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, the City of Fort Bragg proudly recognizes the significant contributions and achievements of our diverse AAPI communities, which are integral to California's rich cultural fabric. Vice Mayor Jason Godeke presented the proclamation to Ui Wesley from Xa Kako Dile and City Manager Isaac Whippy.

With over 6 million Californians of Asian or Pacific Islander descent, we stand united in honoring the varied heritage that has enriched our state and nation.

The City of Fort Bragg honors their continuous hard work and contributions to our community.

CITY RECREATION : CV STARR COMMUNITY CENTER

UPCOMING EVENTS AT CV STARR

FORT BRAGG POLICE DEPARTMENT Fort Bragg PD will be hosting the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run on June 21st on the coastal trail. This is the second year it has been in Fort Bragg and Mendocino County. Law Enforcement from around the county will be running with local Special Olympic athletes to raise funds for the Special Olympics. They will join 100,000 law enforcement professionals from around the world as the “Flame of Hope” travels through communities to eventually light the flame at the Special Olympics. The Torch Run started in 1981 in Witchita, Kansas with six police officers and has grown into the main source of funds for Special Olympics, raising over $56 million in 2022 alone. If you would like to support the FBPD team and our Special Olympic athletes, please go to: https://p2p.onecause.com/torchrun2024/team/fort-bragg-police-department-2 Contact Sgt Ferris at pferris@fortbragg.com for more information.

CITY COUNCIL CORNER - MAY 2024

Here’s a recap of recent City Council meetings and some decisions that may interest you:

On May 13, 2024, City Council adopted Ordinance 994-2024 which Repealed and replaced Chapter 15.04 and Ordinance 990-2024 amending Chapter 15.06.

On May 13, 2024, City Council City Council adopted Ordinance 988-2024 amending Chapter 18.42.165 establishing regulations for outdoor dining.

On May 13, 2024, City Council adopted Ordinance 989-2024 amending Chapter 18.71.090 allowing planned unit developments on parcels of one acre or more.

On May 13, 2024, City Council adopted Ordinance 991-2024 amending Division 18 establishing parking standards for the Central Business District.

On May 13, 2024, conducted a Public Hearing amending Chapter 18.42.175 - to establish Regulations and Standards for Tiny Homes.

On May 13, 2024, conducted a Public Hearing amending Chapter 18.42.110 - to establish Regulations and Standards for"Tiny Home & Manufactured Home Communities" On May 13, 2024, City Council Public Hearing on the closeout activities funded by Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 20-CDBG-12043.

On May 13, 2024, City Council provided direction on the potential application for funding from Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) Program 2023.

On May 28, 2024, City Council accepted the Notice of Completion for the Bathroom and Locker Room Flooring project at CV Starr.

On May 28, 2024, City Council approved the RFP Scope of work for Professional Services to Provide Strategic and Creative Marketing Services for Visit Fort Bragg.

On May 28, 2024, City Council approved the Conceptual Designs of Melton Design Group for Bainbridge Park Enhancement Project, PWP-00096.

On May 28, 2024, City Council adopted the resolution approving contract change order #7 with Argonaut Constructors for the 2022 Streets Rehabilitation Project.

On May 28, 2024, City Council adopted a Resolution approving the contract with Redwood Roofers for the City Hall Roof Replacement Project PWP-00139.

On May 28, 2024, City Council adopted a Resolution approving the contract with Palni, Inc. for Broadband Engineering and Design Services, Assistance with Associated Project Management.

Water Safety Month The CV Starr Center hosted an eventful day filled with essential information and water safety skills to help you and your loved ones stay safe in and around the water.

UPCOMING MEETINGS/EVENTS City Council Meeting Town Hall 6 pm.

Visit Fort Bragg Commitee Meeting City Council Meeting Town Hall 6 pm.

Planning Commission Town Hall 6pm.

UPCOMING EVENTS - FIREWORKS

Saturday, July 6