CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE
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!
To subscribe to receive this publication and other City information directly to your inbox, visit healdsburg gov/subscribe
To view previous issues, visit healdsburg.gov/cmupdate.
2025 ARTS FESTIVAL
Come Join Us!
September 27, 2025 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Join us for the annual Arts Festival in the historic downtown Plaza with over 45 artists, craftspeople, entertainers, and more (and don’t forget the art raffle). Shop for crafts, paintings, jewelry, and sculpture from all over the Bay Area. Take a stroll through the Plaza’s neighboring shops, restaurants and tasting room, too.
FOSS CREEK CLEAN UP
DATE:
Saturday, September 20, 2025
Location:
Abel De Luna Community Center - 1557 Healdsburg Avenue
Schedule
Check-in Breakfast
8:30 - 9:00 a.m.
(provided by Rotary Club of Healdsburg Sunrise)
Clean-up: 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Awards: 11:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Lunch: 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
(provided by Healdsburg Kiwanis)
For more information, please contact Michael Harrigan at mharrigan@healdsburg.gov
SMART STATION IN HEALDSBURG
Hello Healdsburg. There’s a train coming to town! The Board of Directors of Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) authorized extension of the SMART train through Healdsburg at its September 17, 2025 meeting.
Design work is scheduled to start in fall of this year. SMART has released an initial goal of beginning passenger train service in Healdsburg by the end of 2028. We will provide more detailed scheduling as well as periodic updates and project information as it becomes available.
Also, if you are interested in project updates from SMART on the Healdsburg extension, you can subscribe to receive e-mails here.
You can also reach out to our Public Works team with any questions about the upcoming SMART project by contacting Curt Bates at (707) 431-3335 or via e-mail at cbates@healdsburg gov
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
At the same meeting the Plan Commission will hold a Works review and provide policy recommendations on recent s changes including SB 9 (Hou Opportunity and More Efficien Act), SB 684 (Starter Home R Act), SB 1123, AB 1287 (Stat Bonus Law), and SB 1211 tha incentivizes construction of a affordable and moderate-inco units. Amendments to the Lan are necessary to ensure com state law. For more informatio project or to submit a public co please contact Senior Planne McDowell at emcdowell@hea
On September 23rd, at 6:00 p m the Planning Commission will hold public hearing to consider a Conditional Use Permit to allow a 13-bed in-patient substance abuse facility. The facility would have approximately 8 staff members on site during daytime hours with 2 employees being on site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week The project proposes to utilize the existing facility and no exterior modifications are proposed. For more information on the project or to submit a public comment, please contact Senior Planner, Ellen McDowell at emcdowell@healdsburg.gov.
National Preparedness Month
Startthe Conversation
Talking about bad things that could happen like a disaster or emergency isn’t always easy. We may think we’re protecting the people we love by avoiding these conversations, but they are important to start taking steps to get ready and stay safe
Starting a conversation today can help you and your family to take more actions to prepare. By taking simple steps, you can build your preparedness at your own pace:
Set aside a time when everyone is calm and relaxed.
It may help to hold the discussions over a set time period, so decisions aren’t rushed, and people feel more comfortable talking about the topic.
Talk about steps you’ve taken to prepare and encourage others to ask questions about preparedness actions that might work for them. For more information visit: www healdsburg gov/emergency
HOMELESSNESS CONTINUES TO DECLINE IN HEALDSBURG
Each January, Sonoma County and the City of Healdsburg take part in the Point-in-Time (PIT) Count—a one-day census of people experiencing homelessness. Though it captures only a single morning, the PIT is the federally required tool that the U S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), counties, and cities depend on to track progress, set priorities, and guide funding for homeless services.
2025 Results
Countywide: 1,952 people (–23% from 2024; lowest since 2007)
North County: 91 (–40% from 2024; 60 unsheltered, 31 sheltered)
Healdsburg: 29 (–42% from 2024; 12 unsheltered, 17 sheltered)
Why Is This Working Locally?
L&M Village, operated by Reach for Home since 2021, provides interim housing and supportive services that help residents stabilize.
The City’s CORE team and Social Services Team connect people with resources through trauma-informed outreach and case management.
State Encampment Resolution Funding has helped transition individuals from the Russian River and other sites into safer housing.
Together, these efforts mean fewer people outside, more individuals accessing shelter, and steady declines in homelessness
APPELLATION HEALDSBURG RIBBON CUTTING
On Friday, September 12, 2025, the City Council participated in the long-anticipated ribbon cutting for the Appellation Healdsburg Hotel!
A huge thanks goes to the City of Healdsburg Planning, Building, Public Works and Fire Department staff who worked tirelessly to support and collaborate with the contractor.
The average American family washes about 300 loads of laundry each year! ENERGY STAR clothes washers and dryers can help reduce your energy, water, and wastewater costs.
$75 Clothes Washer
Rebate: Front loading only, ENERGY STAR®
Most Efficient $75-175 Clothes Dryer
Rebate: Electric only, Heat Pump, ENERGY STAR® with Combined Energy Factor of 4.50+
FEDERAL TAX CREDITS FOR EVS ends September 30, 2025
Federal tax credits for new and used electric vehicles will end this month. If you have been considering an EV, be sure to act fast!
Learn more about the federal tax credit changes for new EVs at https://homes.rewiringamerica.org/federal-incentives/30d-new-ev-tax-incentive
Learn more about the federal tax credit changes for used EVs at https://homes.rewiringamerica.org/federal-incentives/25e-used-ev-tax-incentive City of Healdsburg programs for EVs remain available!
Learn more at bit.ly/COHevs
SEPTEMBER COUNCIL MEETING RECAP
In the month of September, the City Council recognized the month as National Service Dog Month, September 21 as “Sun Day”, September 26 as California Native American Day and September 15 - October 15 as Latin American Heritage Month. The City Council also updated the Parklet Guidelines, received an update on the Climate Mobilization Strategy and recent changes to State Housing Legislation and approved a Memorandum of Understanding with Magical Bridge Foundation for feasibility/planning, fundraising and schematic design work for a Magical Bridge Playground at Badger Park.
Interested in attending a City Council Meeting? The meetings are the first and third Monday’s of every month at 6:00 p m in the Council Chamber located at City Hall!
UPCOMING AGENDA ITEMS
October 6, 2025
Domestic Violence Awareness Month Proclamation
Reach For Home Quarterly Update
Appointments to the Arts and Culture Commission
Appointments to the Planning Commission
October 20, 2025
Professional Services Agreement for a Recreation Software Provider
SMART Sales Tax Ballot Initiative Presentation
November 3, 2025
Badger Park Redevelopment CEQA and Master Plan Approval
Foley Family Community Pavilion Operational Plan Review Council Protocol Update
Interested in receiving City Council Agenda Packets to your email?
Subscribe at: https://healdsburg.gov/list.aspx
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