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!
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To view previous issues, visit healdsburg.gov/cmupdate.
This week Freebird Development broke ground on the first phase of Affordable Housing in the Saggio Hills Development! The City celebrated with a groundbreaking event! Construction of the first 48 homes is anticipated to last 14 months, with an anticipated opening date of September 2026.
PRESCRIBED BURNS
Last week, the Healdsburg Fire Department, in coordination with CAL FIRE and local partners, successfully conducted prescribed burns at two key locations: Villa Commons and the Fitch Mountain Open Space Preserve. These operations reflect months of planning and collaboration and mark a continued commitment to proactive wildfire risk reduction and land stewardship.
The Villa Commons burn, which treated over 21 acres, represents a significant investment in wildfire defense particularly in strengthening our community’s protection from fires approaching from the northeast. This new fuel break adds a strategic layer of resilience, helping to slow or stop potential wildfire spread toward residential areas.
VILLA COMMONS AND FITCH MOUNTAIN OPEN SPACE PRESERVE
The Fitch Mountain burn carried special cultural importance. For the first time in over 150 years, fire was placed on the mountain by a Native practitioner, in partnership with tribal representatives. This ceremonial lighting and accompanying blessing underscored the deep historical and ecological role of fire on the land. Fire personnel were honored to learn from Indigenous perspectives and gain a greater understanding of the cultural dimensions of fire as a tool for healing and restoration.
These burns exemplify the intersection of public safety, environmental management, and cultural respect. They also reflect our broader goal to expand responsible land stewardship across both Villa Commons and Fitch Mountain.
We extend our sincere thanks to the community for its patience and trust during these efforts. While prescribed burning can result in temporary impacts such as smoke, these carefully managed operations are vital to protecting life and property in Healdsburg. Your support made these critical projects possible.
HELP CHOOSE THE CITY’S OFFICIAL FLOWER, PLANT OR TREE!
While the grape leaf has been part of the City’s logo for many years, it's not the official flower, plant, or tree for the City.
The City asked the Healdsburg Garden Club for assistance in identifying a short list of candidates that are native to Healdsburg and have ecological, cultural, or economic value. City Council reviewed the Garden Club's nominations and wanted the opportunity for the community to provide feedback on the nominations.
The survey is available in both English and Spanish: English Spanish
For more information about the nominations please visit: www.healdsburg.gov/cityflowerplanttree
The survey will be open until 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9.
THE CITY IS SEEKING YOUR INPUT
In preparing to submit applications for potential funding, the City of Healdsburg is seeking community input on five select projects!
The Projects:
US 101 / Dry Creek Road Interchange Intersection improvements at the Dry Creek Road and US 101 interchange
South Healdsburg Avenue Connectivity
Bike, pedestrian and roadway improvements along Healdsburg Avenue from the Memorial Bridge to Exchange Avenue.
Mill Street Complete Streets
Bike and pedestrian improvements along Mill Street from the roundabout west to US 101.
Grove Street North
Pavement repair and resurfacing along with bike and pedestrian improvements along Grove Street between Dry Creek Road and Healdsburg Ave
Pavement Preventive Maintenance
Pavement repair and resurfacing of approximately twenty streets at various locations within the City.
Please join us on July 17, 2025 from 6pm to 7:30pm in the Community Center
Multipurpose Room to learn more about the projects and provide input
If you are unable to attend, feel free to provide input directly to Clay Thistle, Principal Engineer at (707)431-3391 or cthistle@healdsbug.gov
HEALDSBURG LIBRARY REOPENS
The Healdsburg Library officially reopened on Thursday following an extensive renovation. The renovations included new carpet, furniture, shelving, and paint. A reimagined children’s area with windows, gender neutral restrooms, a new teen area and stud pod. During the renovation, the library was located at the Abel De Luna Community Center! The Community Services department generously shared their facility with the library to allow for continued library services in Healdsburg.
In partnership with the Library, the City contributed $250,000 to the renovation in support of exterior renovation costs related to ADA and infrastructure improvements including the parking lot, sidewalks, and exterior path of travel.
NECESIDADESDE VIVIENDA Encuestra Sobre
Únaseala conversación!
¡Ayude a dar forma a las viviendas para personas mayores de edad en Healdsburg!
La Comisión Asesora de Personas Mayores de Edad y el Departamento de Viviendas de Healdsburg están trabajando para garantizar que las personas mayores de edad de la ciudad tengan acceso a viviendas seguras, estables y asequibles. Como parte de este esfuerzo, estamos recogiendo información para informar a las actualizaciones de políticas, orientar los diseños de los proyectos y alinear los nuevos desarrollos de viviendas con las preferencias y prioridades de nuestra comunidad de personas mayores de edad.
Cómo
participar
Visite el comedor del Senior Center en 133 Matheson Street De lunes a viernes entre las 9am - 5pm Esta encuesta interactiva estará disponible hasta el 3 de julio
¡Queremos saber de usted!
Para más información, por favor póngase en contacto con el Departamento de Vivienda en 707-431-3568
PUBLIC EV CHARGERS user fee changes
Public EV charger user fees at City-owned stations will change beginning July 1, 2025, per Resolution 98-2024. This change is being implemented to: better cover operational costs while remaining affordable incentivize charging during periods of abundant clean energy prompt drivers to move their vehicles when finished charging provide discounts for low-income customers
Find out more at www.headsburg.gov/867/Electric-Vehicles.
7:00am-5:00pm $1.00 per hour
5:00pm-8:00pm $1.70 per hour
8:00pm-7:00am $0.60 per hour
$0.50 session fee every 4 hours
A 50% discount is available for Healdsburg Electric CARE customers. Contact conservation@healdsburg.gov for instructions to request the discount.
CARGADORES PÚBLICOS DE VEHÍCULOS ELÉCTRICOS cambios en las tarifas de usario
Las tarifas de los usuarios de cargadores públicos de vehículos eléctricos en las estaciones propiedad de la Ciudad cambiarán el 1 de julio de 2025, según a la Resolución 98-2024. Este cambio se está implementando para: cubrir mejor los costos operativos sin dejar de ser asequible incentivar la carga durante períodos de energía limpia y abundante animar a los conductores a mover sus vehículos cuando terminen de cargar ofrecer descuentos para clientes de bajos ingresos Obtenga más información en www.healdsburg.gov/867/Electric-Vehicles.
7:00am-5:00pm $1.00 cada hora
5:00pm-8:00pm $1.70 cada hora
8:00pm-7:00am $0.60 cada hora
$0.50 tarifa de sesión cada 4 horas
Un descuento de 50% está disponible para clientes de Healdsburg Electric CARE. Escriba a conservation@healdsburg.gov para instrucciones a solicitar el descuento.
WATER QUALITY REPORT 2024
The 2024 Water Quality Report is now available. This report contains important information about the City's drinking water and summarizes testing results from many water quality samples collected throughout the year. Key takeaways include:
The City continues to provide a safe and reliable source of water for the community.
The report provides testing results for substances and contaminants in 2024.
The City's drinking water met all U.S. EPA and State health standards.
City staff continue working to meet increasing requirements and regulations as efficiently as possible. View the report at healdsburg.gov/WaterReports.
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE water supply and regulations
The City is preparing for meeting ever-increasing regulatory requirements, such as PFAS testing, lead service line inventory, and the State’s new Making Water Conservation a California Way of Life regulation. The City is also working on multiple water supply projects to diversify our water supply and make us more resilient in future droughts and changes to water sources, such as the decommissioning of the Potter Valley Project. These projects include:
Dry Creek Well Field Restoration
Aquifer Storage and Recovery Wells
Municipal Recycled Water Pipeline
Dry Creek Water Rights Amendment
Sonoma Water Agency Purchased Water Agreement
To learn more about these projects and other Frequently Asked Questions for water, visit healdsburg.gov/WaterFAQ.
REPORTE DE CALIDAD DEL AGUA 2024
Ya está disponible el Reporte de la Calidad del Agua de 2024. Este informe contiene información importante sobre el agua potable de la Ciudad y resume los resultados de las pruebas de muchas muestras de calidad del agua recogidas a lo largo del año. Los puntos claves incluyen:
La Ciudad continúa proporcionando una fuente segura y confiable de agua para la comunidad.
El informe proporciona los resultados de las pruebas de sustancias y contaminantes en 2024.
El agua potable de la Ciudad cumplió con todas las normas de salud de la EPA de EE.UU. y del Estado.
El personal de la Ciudad continúa trabajando para cumplir con los requisitos y regulaciones crecientes de la manera más eficiente posible.
Ver el reporte en healdsburg.gov/WaterReports.
PLANEANDO PARA EL FUTURO suministro de agua y regulaciones
La Ciudad se prepara para cumplir con los requisitos regulatorios crecientes, como las pruebas de PFAS, el inventario de líneas de servicio de plomo y la nueva regulación estatal "Making Water Conservation a California Way of Life". La Ciudad también trabaja en varios proyectos de suministro de agua para diversificar nuestro suministro y aumentar nuestra resiliencia para futuras sequías y cambios en las fuentes de agua, como el desmantelamiento del “Potter Valley Project”. Estos proyectos incluyen:
Restauración del campo de pozos de Dry Creek
Pozos de almacenamiento y recuperación de acuíferos
Tubería municipal de agua reciclada
Enmienda a los derechos de agua de Dry Creek
Acuerdo de compra de agua con Sonoma Water Agency
Para obtener más información sobre estos proyectos y otras preguntas frecuentes sobre el agua, visite healdsburg.gov/WaterFAQ.
UPCOMING AGENDA ITEMS
August 4, 2025
Pavement Condition Presentation
Badger Park Redevelopment CEQA and Master Plan
Review of Affordable Housing Local Preference Policy
Healdsburg Chamber of CommerceContract Renewal
Villa Chanticleer Historic Preservation Award and Operational Update
August 18, 2025
Women’s Equality Day Proclamation Parklet Program Modifications
Update on State Housing Laws
Title Six Implementation Plan Presentation
September 2, 2025
Latin American Heritage Month
Proclamation
National Service Dog Month Proclamation
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