The Vallejo Weekly | Volume 8, Issue 37

THE VALLEJO WEEKLY VOLUME 8, ISSUE 37 | DECEMBER 17, 2020

SOLANO COUNTY STAY-AT-HOME ORDER Starting Thursday, December 17, 2020 at 11:59 p.m., Solano County will implement the state’s mandated regional stay-at-home order, a protective measure to limit the spread of COVID-19 disease and support the most vulnerable community members and hospital frontline workers.

The State’s regional stay-at-home order, originally issued on December 3, 2020, identifies five regions statewide, and requires closure of all sectors, except for retail and essential services, in any region when the regional Intensive Care Unit (ICU) capacity of hospitals falls below 15 percent. The purpose of the state’s order is to address the increasing transmission among non-household members and further prevent our healthcare system from being overwhelmed.

“Solano County is experiencing high levels of transmission of COVID-19 at an alarming rate, and our hospitalizations are rising, both of which are indicators that ICU impacts are a given now, not just locally but regionally,” said Bela T. Matyas, M.D., M.P.H., Solano County Health Officer. “This time of year poses a special challenge in preventing transmission of COVID-19. While we may want to gather and celebrate with family and friends, such gatherings can cause spread of this devastating virus to our family and friends, effecting our loved ones and the community. Getting out of this situation will depend on everybody to take serious actions to reduce the spread in our community – stay home as much as possible, leave only for essential activities, don’t gather outside of your household, use a face covering in public settings always, and maintain 6 ft physical

distancing from others everywhere outside of your  household. Help keep yourself and others safe.”

Pursuant to the Regional Stay at Home Order the  following sectors are required to close or remain closed for all operations, including:             

Indoor playgrounds Indoor recreational facilities Hair salons and barbershops Personal care services Museums, zoos, and aquariums Movie theaters Wineries Bars, breweries, and distilleries Family entertainment centers Cardrooms and satellite wagering Limited services as defined by the State Live audience sports Amusement parks

The following sectors can remain open with appropriate infectious disease preventive measures, including 100% masking and physical distancing, including:    

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Outdoor recreational facilities: Allow outdoor operation only without any food, drink, or alcohol sales.

Additionally, overnight stays for recreational visits at campgrounds will not be permitted.

Retail: Allow indoor operation at 20% capacity with entrance metering and no eating or drinking in the stores. Additionally, special hours should be instituted for seniors and others with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems.

Shopping centers: Allow indoor operation at 20% capacity with entrance metering and no eating or drinking in the stores and all common areas closed. Additionally, special hours should be instituted for seniors and others with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems.

Hotels and lodging: Allow to open for critical infrastructure support only.

Restaurants: Allow only for take-out, pick-up, or delivery.

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Critical infrastructure Non-urgent medical and dental care Outdoor playgrounds Childcare

Help stop the spread of germs by practicing good hand washing and health habits, including:    

The following sectors have additional modifications, in addition to 100 percent  masking and physical distancing, including: 

Offices: Allow remote only except for critical infrastructure sectors where remote working is not possible.

Places of worship and political expression: Allow outdoor services only.

Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and warm water Cover your coughs and sneezes Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth Stay home when you are sick and keep your children home when they are sick Wear a face covering and maintain at least a sixfoot distance from others in public settings

For more information about COVID-19 in Solano County contact their warmline at 707-784-8988.

For more information about the State’s Stay Home Order, click here.

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The City of Vallejo is pleased to offer the following employment opportunities: - Deputy Police Chief - Police Cadet - Police Officer (Entry - Academy Graduate) - Police Officer (Lateral) - Police Officer (Recruit) Visit governmentjobs.com/careers/vallejo for more information and to apply.

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DECEMBER 17, 2020

FROM BLIGHT TO BEAUTY: ONE STEP AT A TIME Preview the Capitol Stairs Art Tiles that are now housed for public viewing. Showings of the tiles at Building 207 815 Nimitz Avenue, Mare Island (across from the Coal Sheds) are scheduled from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. on December 18, 19 and 20.

The Vallejo Capitol Stairs Project needs your contribution as the project almost reaches completion.

Vallejo’s 100+-year-old Capitol Street Stairs climb the hill from downtown to Vallejo’s Historic District. Gone are the hazardous trees, damaged storm drain, and a seedy and unwholesome environment. The Stairs’ risers are about to be transformed into a beautiful mosaic mural representing Vallejo’s and Mare Island’s 170 + year’s history.

52 risers, each 10 feet wide, will be covered with custom-made art tiles created by renown artists, Aileen Barr and Colette Crutcher, who created the tiles for San Francisco's famous 16th Avenue Stairs.

The Capitol Stairs’ art tiles are completed, currently stored at Mare Island, and scheduled to be installed next spring once the City of Vallejo finishes the necessary repairs.

The tiles were paid for in part by the City of Vallejo's Cycle 2 Participatory Budgeting Grant: The Arts, Beautification and Community Development Grant. The remaining funds required to pay for the art tiles have been paid for exclusively by the generosity of Vallejo citizens! Without Vallejo's community's support, none of this could have happened.

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VALLEJO ACTIVIST KAREN SIMS PASSES AWAY It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Karen Sims on December 11, 2020. Karen’s commitment to the Vallejo community included serving the Participatory Budgeting process in various capacities including the Participatory Budgeting Steering Committee (PBSC).

During her time on the PBSC, Karen would advocate to improve Vallejo, and to civically engage Vallejo residents.

After leaving the PBSC she served as Mayor Bob Sampayan’s Campaign Manager and was most recently appointed to serve as Greater Vallejo Recreation District Board Director.

Karen will be remembered with admiration for her compassion for the youth and for always taking a proactive approach when faced with obstacles in her continuous efforts to better Vallejo.

SF BAY FERRY HOLIDAY SCHEDULE San Francisco Bay Ferry will not offer ferry service on any routes on December 25 or January 1 in observance of Christmas and New Year's Day. Current schedules on the Vallejo, Alameda/Oakland, and Richmond routes will be in effect on all other weekdays this holiday season, including December 24 (Christmas Eve) and December 31 (New Year's Eve).

Weekend service on all routes remains suspended at this time due to the COVID-19 crisis. The Harbor Bay and South San Francisco routes remain suspended. Service to Pier 41 in San Francisco and Mare Island also remains suspended.

San Francisco Bay Ferry and its parent agency WETA are committed to the health and safety of their passengers and crews. Learn more about how they are addressing COVID-19.

FLU SEASON IS HERE! Now more than ever, with Coronavirus still present, it is important that you protect yourself and the ones you love by getting your flu shot this winter.

Click here to find low-cost and no-cost vaccine flu clinics near you. For more information about getting tested for COVID-19, visit the following sites: Project Baseline, CVS Pharmacy, OptumServe.

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DECEMBER 17, 2020

EMMANUEL ARMS COMMUNITY COAT DRIVE Emmanuel Arms Community Inc. will be hosting a coat drive through the entire month of December. Every Monday in December from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. you can give or receive new and gently used coats at 900 6th Street, Vallejo.

For more information contact Assistant Pastor Johnnie Hubbard, Executive Director at (707) 642-2391 or visit emmanuelarmsinc.org.

VALLEJO SYMPHONY BRASS QUINTET HOLIDAY CONCERT The Vallejo Symphony Brass Quintet is getting into the merrymaking spirit with a concert livestreamed December 18 on the symphony’s YouTube channel.

Dubbed “Not So Silent Night,” the event begins at 6:00 p.m. and will be performed from the Empress Theatre. The concert is free and will be available for listening and viewing for 48 hours, on their Youtube Channel.

The scheduled program:    

“Carol of the Bells” by Mykola Leontovych, arranged by Gary Olson; Christmas Jazz Favorites No. 1, arranged by Lennie Niehaus “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” by Johnny Marks, arranged by Arthur Frackenpohl “Sleigh Ride” by Leroy Anderson, arranged by Keith Snell And 12 other Christmas carols, arranged by Jack Gale

For more information, click here.

STORYTIME WITH SANTA’S ELF Love Is... and one of Santa’s elves will present a reading of two favorite Christmas stories, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and “The Night Before Christmas!”

This is a free event that will be held via Zoom and Facebook live. Those children joining via Zoom will receive a free book from Another Chapter , limit to 15 children per session. To register, please visit here The second reading, “The Night Before Christmas,” will be on December 23 at 7:00 p.m.

For more information about these events, visit Love Is... on Facebook.

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PG&E AND COVID-19 IMPACTS As COVID-19 cases rise throughout the state, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) continues to offer support in numerous ways for customers navigating the unprecedented pandemic and reminds their customers that they’re here to help.

“We immediately took action earlier this year to provide support for customers financially impacted by the pandemic and all of those protections remain in place as we move into 2021. We are also reminding customers about the various resources and programs we have available to help them lower their energy costs,” said Laurie Giammona, PG&E’s Chief Customer Officer and a Senior Vice President.

Actions to Protect Customers PG&E intends on maintaining the following customer protections through April 16, 2021: 

Moratorium on service disconnections for non-payment for residential and small commercial customers

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Post-enrollment verification and re-enrollment requirements have been suspended for the California Alternate Rates for Energy Program (CARE) and Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) Program (FERA)

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Security deposits are being waived for small commercial customers (residential customers are not required to submit security deposits)

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Customers on the Medical Baseline program offering customers with qualifying medical conditions a lower monthly rate on energy bills are not being asked to re-certify through a doctor or other eligible medical professionals for up to one year.

More Energy Saving Resources and Financial Assistance Programs To take advantage of additional programs, tools and savings opportunities, PG&E recommends customers become more familiar with the following: 

Separate from CARE, income-qualified households with three or more persons can apply for the FERA at pge.com/FERA for an 18% discount on their electric bill.

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Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help (REACH) provides income- qualified customers with financial assistance during times of hardship. Customers impacted by COVID-19 will be provided with up to an additional $100 in bill payment assistance through April 16, 2021. The program is funded

by PG&E through tax-deductible contributions from customers and employees. To donate, click here.

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The federally-funded Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides financial assistance to help offset eligible household energy costs, including heating, cooling and home weatherization expenses. To learn more, dial 211 or (866) 675-6623 for LIHEAP income guidelines and a list of participating agencies

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Convenient ways to pay that can help better manage energy costs. Start by logging onto your PG&E online account to monitor energy use and check or compare your rate plan. Explore programs, like Budget Billing to help avoid or manage unanticipated high bills.

For more information on PG&E’s response to the virus visit pge.com/covid19/.

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DECEMBER 17, 2020

Fire Department Training Chief Matt Fenzl. "These recruits have not only learned how to be professional firefighters, but how to creatively conquer any obstacle." As an added precaution, recruits were The Vallejo Fire Department Recruit Class 20-1 tested weekly for the virus. graduated their intensive five month new-hire academy on December 9, bringing 15 fresh Training Captain Morty Culverwell jestfully added, "If firefighters from the training grounds to the fire you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably stations. doesn't lead anywhere!" referring to the unique challenges the new recruits learned to overcome.

"This large recruit class is a welcomed addition to our stations," stated lead instructor Aaron Klauber. The Vallejo Fire Department averages an attrition "Our staffing levels have been strained for years, rate of about five employees per year. This comes and their presence will provide a welcomed relief to from both retirements and from firefighters leaving our hard working men and women here in the Vallejo for competing fire departments. This large class size Fire Department." will make up for several years of under-hiring.

VALLEJO FIRE DEPARTMENT WELCOMES ACADEMY GRADUATES

This academy not only faced challenges brought on by the large class size, but also due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. "Our normal training classroom simply isn't large enough to allow for appropriate social distancing. The fire service prides itself in adapting to overcome any challenge. As such, we found ways to hold our classes outdoors, virtually or in non-traditional classrooms" boasted

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An added bonus is the benefit of a FEMA SAFER grant, which largely subsidizes the cost of the 15 new firefighters. A SAFER (Staffing For Adequate Fire And Emergency Response) grant is designed to assist municipalities with boosting fire department staffing levels by covering the majority of the cost of a new firefighter over their first three years with the department.

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The 15 new firefighters will remain on a probationary status through their first full year of employment. The Vallejo Fire Department also participates in the California Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee, which outlines a rigorous training regiment for the new firefighters over their first three years. The department benefits from this program by receiving monetary reimbursement for hours spent training.

Fire Chief Daryl Arbuthnott congratulated the recruits in person last week during their final days of preparation for mandated State Fire Training skills testing. Chief Arbuthnott expressed his pride in the 15 new recruits graduating this COVID-era academy, stating "This is a monumental day for Vallejo residents and I am delighted to see these new Apprentice Firefighters begin their careers."

Chief Arbuthnott continued, "These new Firefighter Apprentices will be inserted into the daily line up of staffing, filling several existing vacancies. This class also represents nearly one-third of the Department's overall suppression staffing, which means their training and development is critical to ensure their safety. Class 2020-1 will now enter the practical phase of their training and development."

"This graduation is special because it occurred during a global pandemic requiring adherence to physical distancing guidelines and considerable financial constraints, without compromising the high quality level of training. I am also proud of the Department's training staff and suppression members that assisted in the recruits' instruction. I want to also acknowledge the City's elected leadership and staff for supporting this grand challenge" concluded the Fire Chief.

California's fire season has grown longer and more destructive year after year. In fact, not only have the last five fire seasons out paced all previous fire seasons, but the 2020 fire season again broke records for the most acres burned- quickly topping the 4 million acre mark. This year, the Vallejo Fire Department deployed firefighters across the state, from the Lake Fire near Los Angeles, to the August Complex near the Oregon border.

These new recruits will have their opportunity to help combat California growing fire season soon enough.

Recruit Class President, Liam Clauzel described the past four months as extremely arduous, but also rewarding. "I have a 30 plus year career ahead of me, and the challenges that this academy class overcame together has created a bond that we will share for the rest of our time here in the Vallejo Fire Department."

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DECEMBER 17, 2020

DEPUTY POLICE CHIEF RECRUITMENT Candidates inspired by their call to public service are invited to apply for the position of Deputy Police Chief with the Vallejo Police Department. The Deputy Police Chief will have a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role assisting the Chief in leading an organization through a time of change in societal expectations and approaches to policing. While this position will not be without its challenges, the candidate selected for this position will have the ability to make impacts that will last long beyond his/her tenure.

The ideal candidate for this position will be able to inspire confidence and trust of Department staff, City officials, and community members. They will be approachable, responsive, confident, and trustworthy. They will demonstrate a personal commitment to engaging community members and forming relationships based on understanding and compassion, and will encourage the same in all members of the Police Department.

Candidates should possess a Bachelor's Degree (or ability to complete the Bachelor's Degree within one year of hire, at least four (4) years of experience at the Police Lieutenant level or above, at least two (2) years of experience at the Police Captain level or above, and an Advanced Peace Officer's Standards and Training Certificate.

The application period for the position of Deputy Police Chief will close on January 31, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. To apply for this opportunity, or for more information about this position, please click here.

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View previous issues of the Vallejo Weekly, here.

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CITY OF VALLEJO | 555 SANTA CLARA STREET | VALLEJO, CA | 94590 CITYOFVALLEJO.NET | VALLEJONEWS@CITYOFVALLEJO.NET