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. Fire/Life Safety Emergencies 9-1-1
DISTRICT ELECTIONS
On March 17, 2025, the City Council held its fourth public hearing to review eight draft maps submitted by the public, alongside four draft maps advanced from the third public hearing. After thoughtful deliberation, the Council chose to prioritize Draft Map A as the foundation for an ordinance. This ordinance will be presented for City Council consideration at the fifth public hearing on April 7, 2025. There is still time for the community to weigh in on this decision. Members of the public are encouraged to provide their feedback at the next public hearing. For additional information, please visit healdsburg.gov/districtelections.
Draft Map A
PARKS UPDATES
Despite the rain showers, our dedicated parks team has been hard at work, tackling important projects and making much needed repairs. They’ve recently completed the Memorial bricks installation at Villa Dog Park, repaired the Community Center playground slide, and added a charming new seed and book house at Badger Park Garden.
We’re thrilled to see the community enjoying these new features and are excited to continue improving and enhancing our parks for everyone to enjoy!
INVASIVE FRENCH BROOM REMOVAL AT FITCH MOUNTAIN PARK & OPEN SPACE PRESERVE!
Join us on April 18, 2025 at 10 AM for a rewarding opportunity to give back while enjoying the beauty of nature! Healdsburg Community Services and LandPaths invite you to roll up your sleeves and help remove invasive French Broom at Fitch Mountain Park & Open Space Preserve.
This hands-on effort is about more than just clearing brush – it’s about protecting and restoring our precious open spaces for future generations. Your time and energy will directly contribute to a healthier, more vibrant ecosystem.
What to bring:
A picnic lunch, snacks, and plenty of water
A backpack to carry your gear
Sturdy boots or shoes that can handle muddy terrain
Long pants (recommended for protection)
Your own work gloves
A hat and sunscreen
Hand sanitizer
For additional information and to register please visit LandPaths website online HERE.
Come make a difference and enjoy a day outdoors with us!
THE SATURDAY FARMERS’ MARKET RETURNS APRIL 12!
Founded in 1978, the Healdsburg Certified Farmers’ Market is one of the original twenty-two Certified Farmers’ Markets in California. This is a mutual benefit, nonprofit organization, owned and operated by the farmers and vendors of the market.
The Healdsburg Certified Farmers’ Market features a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, as well as flowers, cheeses, honey, olive oil, bread, wild fish, pasturefinished meat, and fresh eggs. The market also has delicious cooked food, packaged food product and beautiful handmade craft.
healdsburgfarmersmarket.org
ARTS, CULTURE, AND CREATIVITY MONTH!
On March 17, 2025 the City Council proclaimed that April 2025 is "Arts, Culture, and Creativity Month" in Healdsburg! Arts, Culture & Creativity Month celebrates the impact the arts have on our community, and the vibrant cultural and creative character that makes Healdsburg so unique. This statewide initiative celebrates the vital role that the arts play in building a thriving community.
Throughout the month, Healdsburg will showcase its remarkable creative scene with dynamic performances, exhibitions, and hands-on activities. Everyone is invited to celebrate and advocate for arts, culture, & creativity by experiencing events produced by local artists, cultural organizations and arts educators. From gallery openings and live music to theater productions and interactive workshops, there are opportunities for all ages to participate.
For more information about upcoming events please visit our website, HERE.
SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL NEIGHBORHOOD
SITE ASSESSMENTS
Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is a collaborative initiative between the City of Healdsburg Public Works Department, the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition, and the Sonoma County Transportation & Climate Authorities (SCTA). This spring, the SRTS team will be conducting Neighborhood Site Assessments at all six Healdsburg schools.
What is a Site Assessment?
In partnership with each school’s administration, the SRTS team will lead a neighborhood walk to identify barriers and challenges for students and families walking and biking to/from school and explore opportunities to improve safety and comfort. Following the walk, participants will engage in a brief mapping workshop to document concerns and ideas for improvement.
Why Conduct a Site Assessment?
The information gathered during these site assessments will inform each school’s SRTS Plan, which includes:
An Infrastructure Improvements Plan (IIP) recommending roadway and sidewalk changes to calm traffic and enhance safety.
Education and encouragement tools for active transportation like walking and biking. Potential treatments such as crosswalks, speed humps, or traffic circles.
Who Should Participate?
The site assessments are intended for school staff, students, parents and guardians, though other interested parties may join.
Learn more about the Safe Routes to School program on SCTA’s website: https://scta.ca.gov/srts
Assessment Schedule:
Monday, April 14
Healdsburg Elementary School | 8:00 – 9:30 AM
Meet at the front entrance Walk begins promptly at 8:10 AM.
St. John the Baptist Catholic School | 1:30 –3:00 PM
Meet at the Church Gate east street entrance. Walk begins promptly at 1:40 PM.
Tuesday, April 15
Fitch Mountain Campus & Healdsburg High School | 8:00 – 9:30 AM
Meet at the Fitch Mountain Campus front entrance. Walk begins promptly at 8:10 AM.
The Healdsburg School | 1:40 – 3:10 PM
Meet at the front entrance. Walk begins promptly at 1:50 PM.
Thursday, April 17
Healdsburg Junior High School | 1:50 – 3:20 PM
Meet at the main entrance Walk begins promptly at 2:00 PM
PARKLET PROGRAM UPDATE
The Ongoing Parklet Program was launched in January 2023, and staff committed to revisiting the program with the City Council for further discussion and potential modifications before the end of 2025. We encourage you to participate in this important conversation at the City Council meeting on April 7, 2025! Additionally, please share your comments with us at publicworks@healdsburg.gov.
BIRD BIKE UPDATE
In 2021, the City of Healdsburg was awarded a federal grant to launch a pilot e-bike share program and entered into a three-year partnership with Bird Co. for its implementation.
Bird recently notified the City of their intent to terminate the agreement and we regret to announce that the e-bike share program will be concluding its operations in Healdsburg. This initiative has provided valuable learning opportunity into active transportation programs, and we are grateful for the opportunity to partner in this effort. We remain hopeful for the possibility of another bike share program in the future.
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
On Tuesday April 22nd, the Planning Commission will review and consider a Major Design Review for the Boys and Girls Club. The project proposes to retain the existing gym, and proposes demolition of the existing structure beyond the gym to make way for a new state of the art facility. The proposed facility will contain a 10,782 square foot clubhouse that will include a culinary, art, STEM, learning lab, performing arts, and teen program around a central activity hub. The project will also update the existing 4,800 square foot gym, and add new outdoor spaces and upgrade the parking, sidewalks, landscaping and utilities.
Please reach out to Ellen McDowell, Senior Planner, at 707-473-4463 or emcdowell@healdsburg.gov with any questions.
UPCOMING AGENDA ITEMS
April 7, 2025
Fire Department Annual Update
Marie Sparks Volunteer Awards
Public Hearing on District Elections
Parklet Program Update
L&M Village Quarterly Update
April 18, 2025 (Special Meeting)
City Council Goal Setting
April 21, 2025
Laura Fish Somersal Park Phase I Schematic Design Review
Fire Hazard Severity Zone - 1st Reading
Presentation of Multicultural Wellness Center
Concepts
2025 SSMP Audit
May 5, 2025
2nd Reading - District Elections Notice of Completion for Recycled Water
Pipeline Notice of Completion for Fire Substation
Healdsburg Avenue Complete Streets Update
SCTA Grant Priority List
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
