City Manager's Update | August 25, 2023

CITY MANAGER'S UPDATE

DIVERSITY,EQUITY+INCLUSION

In April 2021 the City Council decided to begin work on improving inclusion and equity, enhancing community engagement, and improving marginalized residents' access to government.

Shortly thereafter, the Council selected Acosta Latino Learning Partnership (ALLP) to help guide this work

Over the course of the last year the City and ALLP have conducted nine community events to discuss issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the community.

All events were planned with a bilingual audience in mind. Events offered live interpretation, childcare services, and snacks. Events included diverse participation from across our community and region.

As a result of that work, a draft DEI plan has been developed and was presented at the August 7, 2023 City Council Meeting. A workshop is being scheduled for later this fall to discuss implementation of the plan recommendations.

The report is available online now in English, with a Spanish language translation to be added to the website soon.

To review the draft DEI report click here.

To review a summary of the recommended actions, click here.

key measures + actions survey

WORKFORCE HOUSING SURVEY + FORUM

Healdsburg’s workforce housing is at a crossroads, and your expertise and input is crucial.

The Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce and the City of Healdsburg have partnered to host a series of Workforce Housing Forums

The first forum will concentrate on the needs of our business community, and this will be followed by a forum specifically for our workforce community in October.

Your participation is vital in shaping the future of Healdsburg’s housing landscape.

workforce housingsurvey

If you are a Business Community Member, we invite you to take the Workforce Housing Survey now. As a valued business owner, your insights are essential to building a thriving and sustainable community, and your thoughts will shape strategies that directly address employee housing challenges. The survey will close on September 1, at 5 p.m.

Click here to take the survey in English

Click here to take the survey in Spanish

jointhe conversation

Be part of the workforce housing discussion and join us for the first forum on Tuesday, September 26 from 8:00 - 10:00 a.m., at the Healdsburg Community Center.

This event is free with registration. Register now here

More information regarding speakers will be available soon.

Thank you for your dedication to Healdsburg. Together, we can make a lasting impact on workforce housing.

POINT-IN-TIMECOUNTSHOWS HEALDSBURGMAKINGSTRIDES INREDUCINGHOMELESSNESS

The Point-in-Time (PIT) count released earlier this week, shows Healdsburg is making strides to reduce homelessness The PIT Count data is used to track progress towards ending homelessness in Sonoma County, identifying potential gaps in services, and informing future planning for providing homeless services.

The annual one-day snapshot, conducted in January of 2023 found a total of 33 individuals experiencing homelessness in Healdsburg, down from 97 individuals in 2022. These results align with broader positive trends in Sonoma County and the Northern Sonoma County that also had reductions in their homeless populations.

Much of the progress can be attributed to the opening of the L&M Village, a transitional housing facility for individuals experiencing homelessness. The City facility is operated by Reach for Home and includes a broad array of supportive services and assistance aimed at moving participants toward permanent housing solutions.

The L&M Village was funded through the State of California’s Project Homekey program and with funding from the Sonoma County Community Development Commission.

Since the opening of the L&M Village in October of 2022, over 25 individuals have engaged in the program. Among them, 10 participants have successfully transitioned into permanent housing or have become housing-ready. “The L&M Village's role has been pivotal in assisting with the effort to address homelessness not only in Healdsburg, but all of North County,” said Housing Director Stephen Sotomayor “We have more work to do, but the PIT count makes it clear that we are making progress and heading in the right direction.”

Recognizing that homelessness is a regional challenge, the City of Healdsburg is grateful for the ongoing partnerships and support provided by Reach for Home, the County of Sonoma and the State of California.

To view the County of Sonoma 2023 Point-in-Time results, click here.

MITIGATION PLAN LOCAL HAZARD

Did you know that having a local hazard mitigation plan (LHMP) can help reduce the impact of natural disasters on our community?

The City of Healdsburg is vulnerable to: droughts wildfires flooding landslides earthquakes

An LHMP identifies risks and vulnerabilities that area-specific natural disasters pose, serves as a long-term strategy for reducing identified risks and associated impacts to people and property, and provides a framework for future requests for Federal assistance.

The City of Healdsburg has published the 2023 LHMP Public Review Draft as part of the five-year LHMP update process. The 2023 LHMP update process will work to reassess risks outlined in the 2018 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan and provide the City with the necessary tools to prioritize future actions for reducing those risks.

Scan the code or visit healdsburgemergency.org to read the draft Plan and provide feedback before Friday, September 1.

healdsburgemergency.org

HEALDSBURG'S BUSINESSLICENSES ARENOWONLINE!

On Thursday, June 1 the City of Healdsburg launched its new, online business license portal.

The online portal streamlines the application process and allows businesses the ability to:

Apply and renew entirely online Track their progress in real-time Complete a secure, online payment Receive their license electronically immediately upon completion

The previous business license application and renewal processes required businesses to manually complete paper forms and return them via mail and/or in person to City Hall.

If you have not renewed your City of Healdsburg business license that expired on June 30, 2023, be sure to do so before September 1, 2023, to avoid late fees.

To learn more about the new process, and to apply online, visit healdsburg.gov/businesslicense.

SUPERIOR REPORTING AWARD: WATER

The City of Healdsburg has received a Superior Reporting Award for Quarter 1 2023 from the State Water Resources Control Board for submitting complete reports on time and providing critical water level data, demonstrating a commendable commitment to supporting California’s statewide drought response

Staff have consistently met regulatory reporting requirements Working together, residents, businesses, and staff, have also achieved significant water conservation during the multi-year drought.

Thank you to everyone for your water conservation efforts!

For more information on current state-wide wasteful water restrictions and resources available, please visit healdsburg.gov/water2023.

WATER + ENERGY EDUCATION PROGRAM

sonoma-marinsavingwaterpartnership

As a member of the Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership, City of Healdsburg schools and teachers have access to the Water and Energy Education Program

The Water and Energy Education Program at Sonoma Water helps students and educators learn about the vital role of water and energy in Sonoma, Mendocino, and Marin counties.

This program provides free classroom visits, field trips, contests, grants, teacher workshops, school supplies, and more to schools in our service area. This increases environmental awareness and stewardship through scientific inquiry and hands-on, experiential education.

Sign up for free programs and resources at sonomawater.org/education.

AMTRAK:

nowofferingbus-onlytickets throughouttheentireroute

Amtrack's Route 7 is now offering bus-only tickets throughout their entire route! Purchase a bus-only ticket and enjoy direct connections to all of the incredible stops along Route 7including one right here in Healdsburg.

No need to worry about transfers they've got you covered from start to finish With 18

PICKLEBALL COMMUNITY CELEBRATES COMPLETION OF NEW COURTS

On Wednesday, City staff joined the pickleball community to celebrate the completion of the new pickleball courts at the Healdsburg High School sports complex!

A BIG thank you to community advocates and organizers Mathieu Isaacs, Graham Freeman, Zoe Schwartz, Pierre Ratte, and many others for their work in helping to bring these courts to reality!

Thank you also to the Healdsburg Unified School District for partnering on this project which will benefit students and community members alike.

For more information about the courts, use times, and scheduling, please click here.