CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE
Photo Credit: Will Bucquoy
THE CITY MANAGER'S UPDATE
City Manager Jeff Kay
The City Manager's Update is a bi-weekly, digital publication, and includes current information and news, program and project updates, upcoming events, recruitment opportunities, and more!
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To the Healdsburg Community,
The past year was bookended by major milestones in our efforts to build stronger community infrastructure. At this time last year, we celebrated the opening of a new fire substation on the north end of town — a critical resource that enhances our capacity during red-flag and other high-risk conditions. Now, in 2025, we are putting the finishing touches on the Foley Family Community Pavilion a longplanned project transforming one of our historic downtown buildings into a bright, welcoming space for community events and for the Healdsburg Certified Farmers' Market.
Speaking of events, this past weekend, Healdsburg continued our tradition of kicking off the holiday season with the Merry Healdsburg tree lighting celebration. This year's crowd was the largest yet and it was great to see the community come together to celebrate. And then on Sunday, City officials and volunteers hosted a warm and cheerful Senior Appreciation Luncheon for more than 200 of our older residents.
What stands out for me is that while we work hard on infrastructure and City services, it’s the people of Healdsburg — caring, active, and connected — who truly make this place what it is. To everyone in Healdsburg, I wish you a healthy, peaceful holiday and look forward to another bright year together.
Jeff Kay City Manager
WARD STREET NEIGHBORHOOD
IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT
The City has contracted with BKF Engineers to start the design of the Ward Street Neighborhood Improvements Project, which includes potential infrastructure improvements within the roadways of Adeline Way, Ward Street, Palm Avenue, and South University Street.
The first phase of the Project is the preparation of a Needs Assessment to identify missing areas of sidewalk and assess the pavement, utilities and drainage issues throughout the neighborhood.
The Needs Assessment is anticipated to be completed in Summer 2026. Public outreach meetings will then be scheduled to review the Needs Assessment and gather input on what improvements are recommended for the construction project.
Over the next several months, residents can expect to see workers in the neighborhood conducting surveys of the roadways, sidewalks and utilities. If you have any information that would be helpful for the project, or have questions or concerns, please contact Terrie Zwillinger at (707) 431-3575 or tzwillinger@healdsburg.gov.
CALIFORNIA’S NEW DAYLIGHTING LAW
California’s new daylighting law went into effect in 2025. Daylighting is the simple concept that safety is improved by removing parked cars next to crosswalks. By keeping the area next to crosswalks clear of parked vehicle obstructions people walking and people driving or riding on the street can see each other better. The Healdsburg Police Department may issue parking citations to vehicles in violation of this law.
The new law prohibits parking within 20 feet of a marked or unmarked crosswalk on the approach side of the street (15 feet if there are curb extensions), regardless of whether the curb is painted red. To assist with safety and compliance of the new daylighting law, the City of Healdsburg is painting red curbs on various streets. The following graphics show examples of how the daylighting law and red curbs are applied at intersections.
LA NUEVA LEY DE ILUMINACIÓN NATURAL DE CALIFORNIA
La nueva ley de iluminación natural de California entró en vigencia en 2025 La iluminación natural es el concepto simple de que la seguridad se mejora al eliminar los automóviles estacionados junto a los cruces peatonales. Al mantener el área junto a los cruces peatonales libre de obstrucciones de vehículos estacionados, las personas que caminan y las personas que conducen o viajan en la calle pueden verse mejor. El Departamento de Policía de Healdsburg puede emitir citaciones de estacionamiento a vehículos que violen esta ley.
La nueva ley prohíbe estacionarse a menos de 20 pies de un cruce peatonal marcado o no marcado en el lado de acceso de la calle (15 pies si hay extensiones de acera), independientemente de si la acera está pintada de rojo. Para ayudar con la seguridad y el cumplimiento de la nueva ley de iluminación natural, la ciudad de Healdsburg está pintando bordillos rojos en varias calles. Las siguientes gráficas muestran ejemplos de cómo se aplican la ley de iluminación natural y las aceras rojas en las intersecciones.
CITY OF HEALDSBURG HOLIDAY CLOSURE
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2025 -
FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2026
City Offices will be closed in observance of the holiday season.
City Hall will reopen on Monday, January 5, 2026 at 7:30 a.m.
healdsburg.gov
@cityofhealdsburg
CIUDAD DE HEALDSBURG CIERRE POR DIAS FESTIVOS
MIÉRCOLES, 24 DE DICIEMBRE DE 2025 -
VIERNES, 2 DE ENERO DE 2026
Las oficinas de la ciudad estarán cerradas en observancia de la temporada navideña.
El Ayuntamiento volverá a abrir el miércoles 5 de enero de 2026 a las 7:30 a.m.
COOKING THIS UPCOMING HOLIDAY?
help us keep fats, oils and grease (FOGs) from clogging your pipes and harming the environment
As you cook up a feast this holiday season... don't forget that fats, oils, and grease (FOGs) clog your pipes - and harm the environment!
Too often grease is washed into the plumbing system (usually through the kitchen sink) sticking to the insides of sewer pipes. Over time, grease can build up both on your property and in the public mains - and block the entire pipe. Blockages can result in an expensive and quite unpleasant cleanup.
Here are some simple steps on how you can help:
❌Never pour grease down sinks or drains, or into toilets
��Put baskets or strainers in sink drains to catch food scraps and other solids
��Visit zerowastesonoma.gov/materials/oil-cooking-grease for information on how to properly dispose of FOGs
$75ClothesWasherRebate: Frontloadingonly,ENERGYSTAR® MostEfficient
$75-$175ClothesDryerRebate: Electriconly,HeatPump,ENERGY STAR®withCombinedEnergyFactor of4.50+ TheaverageAmericanfamily washesabout300loadsof laundryeachyear!ENERGYSTAR clotheswashersanddryerscan helpreduceyourenergy,water, andwastewater*costs.
$75ReembolsoparaLavadorasde Ropa:solocargafrontalyENERGY STAR®MásEficiente
$75-$175ReembolsoparaSecadoras deRopa:soloeléctricaconbombade caloryENERGYSTAR®confactorde energíacombinadode4.50omás ¡UnafamiliapromediaenE.E.U.U. lavaunas300cargasderopaalaño! Laslavadorasysecadorascon certificaciónENERGYSTARpueden ayudarleareducirsuscostosde energía,aguaydrenaje*.
UPCOMING AGENDA ITEMS
January 5, 2026
The January 5, 2026 Meeting has been cancelled
January 20, 2026
City Council Protocol Update
Proposed Microtransit Work Plan
Badger Park Schematic Design Contract
MOU with Corazon Healdsburg and Healthcare Foundation – Abel De Luna Community Center Improvements
February 2, 2026
Prune Packers Baseball Club Facility Use Agreement
February 17, 2026
Housing Legislation Land Use Code Amendments (SB 9 and SB 684/SB 1123) 1st Reading
NOTE: The schedule is tentative and subject to change pending final publication and posting of the City Council meeting agenda Agendas can be found here Interested in receiving City Council Agenda Packets to your email?
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Photo Credit: Will Bucquoy
Photo Credit: Rick Tang Photograpy
Thank you to everyone who came out and celebrated Merry Healdsburg and the 42nd Annual Senior Appreciation Dinner with the City of Healdsburg! We wish you a wonderful Holiday Season!
Photo Credit: Will Bucquoy