City Manager's Update | June 16, 2023

CITY MANAGER'S UPDATE

ON THE COVER

Monday was National Automotive Service Professionals Day!

From weed eaters to fire engines to police cars and vacuum trucks, our mechanics play an essential role in keeping our city running. Working behind the scenes, they ensure our firefighters, public works crews, police officers, parks crews, and more have safe and reliable equipment to get the job done Thank you, Tom Draper and Joel Higuera!

“I enjoy working on the city’s fleet, getting to know the vehicles and the people who drive them.

The diversity of equipment keeps my job interesting, from weed eaters to fire trucks, police cars to vacuum trucks There is always something new to figure out The all-electric vehicles are the newest challenge.”

- Tom Draper, Fleet Mechanic

“I enjoy working on the municipal fleet due to the broad variety of trucks, cars, heavy equipment, fire apparatus, police vehicles, small engines, hybrid, and all electric vehicles it exposes me to. I believe that it works to keep me well rounded and interested in my career The additional bonus to working for a municipal fleet is getting to communicate with personnel from all departments and get to know a good portion of the City’s workforce.”

- Joel Higuera, Equipment Service Writer/Mechanic

JUNETEENTH celebratefreedom

June 19, 1865, known as Juneteenth, is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of ending slavery in the United States It is a day of celebration of the journey and freedom of Black people in the US

In 2021, Juneteenth became an officially recognized Federal holiday.

City offices are closed Monday, June 19 in observance of the celebration. City Hall will reopen on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 7:30 a.m.

For Fire/Life Safety Emergencies: 9-1-1

For Water, Electric, Wastewater, or Street Emergencies: (707) 431-7000

JOINUSIN PLAZAPARK FOROURANNUAL JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION

Healdsburg Jazz and the City of Healdsburg are proud to present a free festival on the Plaza on Saturday, June 17, featuring a diverse range of music, art, culture, and education.

Juneteenth performances celebrate the wide range of Black music and art including gospel, early blues, New Orleans jazz, funk, R&B, spoken word, and straightahead modern swing.

Arts, crafts, and music workshops led by esteemed teaching artists will also be available

To learn more, click here

CITYOFHEALDSBURGADOPTSPOLICYFOR THEHUMANETREATMENTOFANIMALS INGRAZINGOPERATIONSFOR FIREPREVENTION

On June 5, 2023, the Healdsburg City Council unanimously adopted a Policy for the Humane Treatment of Animals in Grazing Operations for Fire Prevention The humane grazing policy is the first of its kind in Sonoma County.

The grazing policy was designed to prioritize the humane treatment and welfare of grazing animals; “This policy demonstrates the City of Healdsburg's commitment to the humane treatment of animals and our dedication to a sustainable and effective approach to fire management,” said Healdsburg Fire Marshal/Division Chief Lance Macdonald.

The City of Healdsburg incorporates vegetation management as part of its fire prevention strategy. In 2021, the City was awarded over $900,000 in grants from the California Coastal Conservancy to address wildfire risks through fuels management and the creation of defensible space. A key component of this ongoing work is leveraging the natural grazing capabilities of animals to mitigate the risk of wildfires.

This policy requires grazing contractors to adhere to a set of guidelines including:

Regular body condition appraisals of all grazing animals by the contractors

Implementation of a Herd Health Plan designed with the assistance of a licensed veterinarian

Provision of a well-rounded diet for the animals, including necessary nutrient supplements

Access to fresh water for livestock at all times

To learn more about fire fuels management and to review the grazing policy, click here.

RETAIL CANNABIS business application period

now open

The Healdsburg City Council has authorized up to two retail cannabis businesses to operate within the City of Healdsburg

The Council adopted a competitive process to select the two businesses who will receive permits.

The application period opened on Thursday, June 15, 2023, and will remain open for 45 days. The application period will close on Sunday, July 30, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.

Applications will only be accepted online through the secure portal at healdsburg.gov/cannabis.

To stay informed on the cannabis process, please subscribe to receive cannabis information via email by visiting healdsburg.gov/subscribe, scroll down to the "News Flash" section, and select "cannabis."

Questions?

Questions can be directed to cannabis@healdsburg.gov. Submitted questions will be included in a regularly updated Frequently Asked Questions document at healdsburg.gov/cannabis.

CLIMATE STRATEGY UPDATE

healdsburg.gov/cms

DRAFT MEASURE + ACTION OPTIONS

The City is developing a Climate Mobilization Strategy to guide future efforts to confront climate change. The strategy will focus on identifying key measures and actions that will be most impactful in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, while also being community driven, feasible, and equitable.

We are excited to share a draft list of preliminary measures and actions for consideration at the Tuesday, June 20, 2023 City Council meeting, which begins at 6 p.m.

Click here to view the draft list and staff report.

Thank you to all the community members that have provided your feedback and input so far!

Please join us, tune in, or let us know your comments on the draft list. Please also watch for an invitation to an inperson Public Workshop/Community Open House and online survey this summer. We anticipate presenting the full Climate Mobilization Strategy to Council in September 2023.

ACTIVETRANSPORTATIONPLAN

advisory

committee applications now being accepted

The City of Healdsburg is seeking qualified applicants for the Healdsburg Active Transportation Plan (ATP) Advisory Committee

The Advisory Committee will play a pivotal role in forming the City’s Active Transportation Plan, and will work to create a roadmap to enhance biking and walking as viable modes of transportation.

The plan’s main objectives include enhancing safety and mobility for nonmotorized users, promoting public health, and implementing various projects to benefit different types of non-motorized users.

In addition to the Advisory Committee, there will be other opportunities for public involvement, such as through community meetings, workshops, and focus groups.

To apply, please click here.

DIYENERGY+ SAVINGS TOOLKIT

takethenextstep towardswater andenergy conservation

The Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Toolkit is a free resource available to checkout at the Healdsburg Public Library

The toolkit contains free items such as dimmable LED lightbulbs, shower heads, and aerators for you to install in your home. It also includes measuring devices, such as a Kill-a-Watt meter, infrared laser thermometer, and refrigerator thermometer (and a guide for how to use them).

Follow the DIY Toolkit Guidebook to walk you through simple steps and tips to help reduce your home's energy and water use!

For more information please visit SmartLivingHealdsburg.org

Two recent high school graduates are currently interning with the Public Works Department through a program lead by the North Coast Builders Exchange (NCBE).

The North Bay Construction Corps (NBCC), a program of the North Coast Builders Exchange, is an afterschool, three-month basic construction training program for seniors in their last semester of high school Classes are taught by local contractors and construction managers Participants are introduced to a variety of trades and earn certifications in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and CPR/First Aid. The final portion of the program consists of a two-week paid internship for students 18 and older.

In prior years the program graduates interned solely with private contractors, however this year the NCBE invited public agencies to participate. The City of Healdsburg was the only local public agency able to work to sponsor the interns within a very short deadline.

We hope to continue to support this valuable community program in future years!

PUBLIC WORKS

DONUTS + DOORS

the senior center reopens!

We are pleased to announce the reope completion of the entrance improvemen

In recognition of our commitment to the Friendly Community designation, this lo project replaced hard-to-open swing do automatic sliding doors among other im

Thank you to everyone who joined us for "Donuts and Doors" to celebrate our reopening!

COOKIES + COUNTERS

community development center grand reopening!

We are pleased to announce the reopening of the Community Development Center following the completion of our front counter improvements project.

This long-planned project will improve upon our commitment to exceptional customer service.

The improvements allow us to better serve our customers in submitting applications and picking up permits. In addition, we have a new counter space for staff to review plans and other materials with customers in a more comfortable setting.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by the "Cookies and Counters" reopening celebration this week!

CURRENT EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Want to love where you work?

Check out our open positions here.

Full-Time: Fire Captain

Part-Time:

Parking Enforcement Officer

Parks and Facilities Aide

Recreation Leader I-III

Senior Center Recreation Leader