City Manager's Update | May 3, 2024

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

Saturday, May 4th 10:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M Opening Ceremony: 10:45 a.m.

Music, Artwork, Mountain Hikes, Kids Activities, Dog Park Activities, Hot Dog BBQ, and More!

Please Note: No event parking at the Villa. Event parking and FREE shuttle (for humans and dogs!) from the High School Parking Lot, 1024 Prince Avenue, 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

More Information: www.healdsburg.gov/fitchmountain

ON THE COVER

The City of Healdsburg is excited to announce our new Compost Hub in partnership with Zero Waste Sonoma!

The Compost Hub is located at Badger Park, on the East Side of the Community Garden and is available from Dawn to Dusk! This hub allows you to access compost for your yard and garden year around. The compost is certified USDA organic, OMRI listed, CDFA listed, and is produced from local facilities that process material collected from residential green carts. The compost does not contain biosolids or manure. We just ask that you bring own container and shovel.

For additional information on the compost hub, please visit: Zero Waste Sonoma

A NEW AND UNIQUE STOP SIGN ON THE FOSS CREEK PATH

Last week, students from the Marce Becerra Academy (located on the Healdsburg High Campus), working with Linus Lancaster and Thor Topp of Healdsburg High School, local artist Jennifer Utsch, and Healdsburg Public Works, created a fabulous piece of public art. The stop sign, located along the Foss Creek Pathway is a wonderful addition to the art you see as you walk, run or bike the pathway.

The stop sign was designed by Kevin Herrea and assisted by Diego Asuncion and Santiago Garcia. The welding and fabrication was done by Phynn Azlant while doing an internship at Black Iron Welding, and the installation was performed by Katie Beth and Pidge Farias Flecther.

Please STOP by to see the great work of the City’s young artists

HEALDSBURG SCATTERED SITE RIBBON CUTTING

On April 25, 2024, the Healdsburg City Council, in partnership with Burbank Housing Development Corporation, conducted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Monte Viña Apartments, the final development of the city's 90-unit Scattered Sites affordable housing initiative.

Launched in 2019, this initiative has successfully added 39 new affordable units to Healdsburg's housing inventory and remodeled 51 existing units to extend their affordability. The properties involved in this project include 500 Piper Street, 531-535 University Street, 1302 Prentice, and 1689 Canyon Run.

The Scattered Sites initiative aimed to preserve housing for local workforce families by renovating existing buildings at a fraction of the cost of new construction, thereby providing them with stability and affordability. This project underscores Healdsburg’s dedication to providing long-term affordable housing solutions for its residents.

For leasing inquiries related to the Scattered Site properties, please visit Burbank Housing's property page.

2024 SPRING/SUMMER REC GUIDE

Exciting news – our Spring/Summer 2024 Activity Guide is hot off the press! Dive in and discover a world of fun and enriching experiences for the family. We offer programs for preschoolers, youth, adults, and Active Adults.

Family Fun: From lively events to engaging classes, we've got activities that'll bring smiles to every face.

Youth & Adult Classes: Explore new interests or sharpen your skills with our diverse range of classes tailored for all ages.

Active Adults 55 or better: Join us for exclusive events and classes designed just for you.

Plus, there are plenty of volunteer opportunities to give back to the community and make a difference.

Don't miss out on all the excitement! Check out the guide now and mark your calendars for an unforgettable season of fun and growth.

Check out our digital version here. or pick up a hard copy at the Community Center!

JOIN THE PLANNING COMMISSION! help shape healdsburg

The City Council of the City of Healdsburg is seeking qualified applicants to fill three openings on the City of Healdsburg Planning Commission

Members of the Planning Commission are required to:

Attend two meetings per month generally at 6:00 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month

Reside within City limits of Healdsburg

Disclose economic interest as required by the Fair Political Reform Act and the Local Conflict of Interest Code

Complete the required AB 1234 Ethics Training

Interested in applying?

Applications are available on the City’s website under Boards and Commissions, or by emailing rallan@healdsburg.gov.

All completed applications must be submitted to the Office of the City Clerk by 5:30 P M , Tuesday, May 7, 2024

WATER RATES

public hearing

City Council Meeting

City Hall Council Chamber

May 6, 2024 - 6:00 p.m.

For an average single-family home, the proposed rates are expected to increase monthly combined water/wastewater bills by roughly $35.

WHY ARE NEW RATES BEING PROPOSED?

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Introduces 3 tiers for residential water While rate increases will be significant for high water users, they will be more modest for waterefficient customers

120 miles of utility pipeline. 1/3 of pipes are over 50-100 years old, needing replacement for overall reliability.

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Surface rights on the Russian River (from Lake Mendocino) make up 80% of our water supply. Increased pumping capacity along Dry Creek (from Lake Sonoma) will bolster our water resiliency.

QUESTIONS?

Phone

707-431-3307

In Person

401 Grove St., Healdsburg

UtilityBilling@healdsburg gov

Learn More

www.healdsburg.gov/ratestudy Email

Water and Wastewater represent individual utilities within the City that rely on collecting sufficient rate revenues to support the cost of providing each service. Cost inflation, lower than expected water sales, new water treatment requirements, and the need to replace centuries old water pipelines are all driving these increases. We recognize that rate increases create a burden for many customers. We also acknowledge the frustration when commendable conservation efforts are cited as one of the causes. The reality is that the costs to operate the water and sewer systems do not go down when usage goes down. The City has deferred investments in our aging infrastructure in recent years, but that is not sustainable in the long run. We also need to make investments to diversify our water supply and reduce the need for drastic cutbacks in future droughts.

WHAT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE?

CARE Program: 15% discount on water charges and 20% on sewer and stormwater charges for households at or below 200% of the current Federal Poverty Income Guidelines

Free Toolkits: Do-It-Yourself Energy and Water Saving Toolkit with free items, returnable devices, and tips at the Healdsburg Library

Smart Living Healdsburg: Rebates on water efficient products, appliances, and landscapes

To avoid increased annual bills, families could replace 1,500 square feet of lawn with drought-tolerant landscaping and save nearly 40,000 gallons per year A front-loading energy efficient clothes washer could also save $155 per year.

Tips & Tricks: Remember to check your toilet for leaks, check your irrigation system regularly for breaks, and turn off water when not in use. Find more tips at savingwaterpartnership.org.

TARIFAS DE AGUA

audiencia pública

Reunión del Consejo

Municipal

Sala del Consejo del Ayuntamiento

6 de mayo de 2024 - 6:00 p.m.

Para un hogar unifamiliar promedio, se espera que las nuevas tarifas aumenten las facturas mensuales combinada de agua y aguas residuales en aproximadamente $35.

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Introduce 3 niveles para agua residencial Mientras que los aumentos de tarifas serán significativos para los usuarios que consumen más agua, serán modestos para los clientes eficientes. 120 millas de tuberías de utilidades. 1/3 de las tuberías tienen más de 50100 años y necesitan ser reemplazadas para garantizar la confiabilidad.

Los derechos de superficie en Russian River (del Lake Mendocino) representan el 80% de nuestro suministro de agua. Una mayor capacidad de bombeo a lo largo de Dry Creek (desde Lake Sonoma) reforzarán nuestra resiliencia hídrica

¿PREGUNTAS?

Teléfono 401 Grove St , Healdsburg 707-431-3307

En Persona

Correo Electrónico UtilityBilling@healdsburg.gov

Aprender Más

www.healdsburg.gov/ratestudy

¿POR QUÉ SE PROPONEN NUEVAS TARIFAS?

Los Departmentos de Agua y Aguas Residuales representan utilidades individuales dentro de la Ciudad que dependen de la recaudación de ingresos suficientes por tarifas para cubrir el costo de brindar cada servicio La inflación de los costos, las ventas de agua inferiores a las previstas, los nuevos requisitos de tratamiento del agua y la necesidad de sustituir las tuberías de agua que llevan siglos funcionando son los motivos de estos aumentos Reconocemos que los aumentos de tarifas crean una carga para muchos clientes También reconocemos la frustración cuando se citan los encomiables esfuerzos de conservación como una de las causas La realidad es que los costos de funcionamiento de los sistemas de agua y alcantarillado no disminuyen cuando baja el consumo En los últimos años, el Ayuntamiento ha aplazado las inversiones en nuestras anticuadas infraestructuras, pero eso no es sostenible a largo plazo. También tenemos que invertir para diversificar nuestro suministro de agua y reducir la necesidad de recortes drásticos en futuras sequías

¿QUÉ RECURSOS ESTÁN DISPONIBLES?

Programa de CARE: 15% descuento en agua y 20% en aguas residuales y pluviales para hogares que alcancen o menos del 200% de las actuales pautas federales de ingresos por pobreza

Kits de Herramientas Gratuitos: Kit de herramientas para ahorrar energía y agua con artículos gratuitos, dispositivos retornables y consejos en la Biblioteca

Vivir Eficiente en Healdsburg: Reembolsos en productos, electrodomésticos y jardines que ahorran agua

Para evitar un aumento en las facturas anuales, las familias podrían reemplazar 1,500 pies cuadrados de césped con un paisaje eficiente y ahorrar casi 40,000 galones por año Una lavadora de ropa eficiente de carga frontal también podría ahorrar $155 por año.

Consejos: Recuerde revisar su inodoro para fugas, revisar su sistema de riego regularmente para ver si hay problemas y cerrar el agua cuando no esté en uso. Encuentre más consejos en savingwaterpartnership.org.

CURRENT EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Interested in joining the Healdsburg team? Check out our open positions at healdsburg.gov/jobs.

Full-Time:

Park Maintenance Worker I/II

Part-Time:

Lifeguard-Swim Instructor

Recreation Leader I-II (Swim Center)

Recreation Leader I-III (After School Programs, Summer Camp, Sports Programs)

PLANNING COMMISSION

MEETING

On May 14th the Planning Commission will hold a Public Hearing to consider three items. First the Commission will consider General Plan Consistency for the City's Capital Improvement Projects for 2024-2029 Second, they will consider a General Plan amendment to incorporate the City's Local Hazard Mitigation Plan by reference into the 2030 General Plan

Third, they will consider a Design Review application for 444 Healdsburg Avenue. The project proposes a 1,200 square foot commercial space on the ground floor, a 2,780 square foot single family residence and a 510 square foot accessory dwelling unit.

If you have any questions regarding the projects, please reach out to Ellen McDowell, Senior Planner at emcdowell@healdsburg.gov or 707-4734463.

Zero Waste Sonoma recently received a grant from CalRecycle to offer periodic solar panel collection events for residents of Sonoma County!

Their next collection event will be at the Healdsburg Community Center on May 10, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. The event is open for residents of Sonoma County! To drop-off solar panels, an appointment is required. To make an appointment click here.

Fore more information, please email ZWS-SolarRecycling@SonomaCounty.org.

No panels from businesses or other counties will be accepted.

UPCOMING AGENDA ITEMS

May 6, 2024

Water and Wastewater Rates Public Hearing

Discussion and Direction Regarding Growth Management Ordinance (GMO) Options

Saggio Hills and Badger Park Design and Prioritizing

May 13, 2024

Budget Work Session

May 20, 2024

FY2023-24 Quarter Three Financial Update

Council Subcommittee Selection for Planning

Commission Applicants

Introduction of the Model TT Fire Engine

Update from the Sonoma County Library

Receive Quarterly Update on the L&M Village

NOTE: The schedule is tentative and subject to change

June 3, 2024

FY2024-25 & FY2025-26 Budget Adoption

Pride Month Proclamation

Gun Violence Awareness Month Proclamation

June 17, 2024

Weed Abatement Public Hearing

Landscaping and Lighting Assessment District

Public Hearing

Growth Management Ordinance – Ballot

Determination

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