The Vallejo Weekly | Volume 9, Issue 1

THE VALLEJO WEEKLY VOLUME 9, ISSUE 1 | JANUARY 7, 2021

KAISER WEBINAR: THE TRUTH ABOUT COVID AND THE VACCINE Kaiser Permanente is hosting a free webinar on the truth about COVID, the vaccine, and best ways to protect your family from contracting the virus. This webinar will be held on Wednesday, January 13 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. You do not have to be a Kaiser member to participate.

Presenters Dr. Walter AcuĂąa, Internal Medicine, and Dr. Shivani Reddy, Infectious Disease, will sit down with Dr. Nora Garcia-Zepeda, Pediatrics, to discuss the best ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and how you can keep your family safe. Participants are invited to be a part of the conversation by writing their questions in, and the presenters and moderator will answer as many as they can in real-time. The HouseCalls presenters will provide important information on what to do if you think you are sick, where and when to get tested and information about the vaccine, in addition to other useful resources.

Please click here to register for this event.

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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FIRE DEPARTMENT RETIREMENTS The Fire Department had several retirements in December 2020. After many years of dedicated service to the City of Vallejo, we wish each of them a long and relaxing retirement.

Pictured left to right: Mike Brooks, Battalion Chief; Joe Castor, Engineer; John Ha, Battalion Chief

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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JANUARY 1, 2020

VALLEJO WATERSHED ALLIANCE CLEAN UP The Vallejo Watershed Alliance hope you all had healthy and happy holidays. They will continue to host DIY cleanups, as done this past year, along with picking two suggested locations to clean up and providing supplies you may need to make it happen.

In January, the focus will be on River Park and City Park. Here’s how it will work: 1. Pick a day and time that you and your household or social-bubble-safe friends will pick up trash.

2. Email Info@VallejoWatershedAlliance.org with your preferred location, day, and time.

3. Need supplies? They can provide disposable gloves, trash bags, hand sanitizer, waiver and pickers, and they’ll be happy to drop them on your porch.

4. Leave the filled trash bags next to the garbage cans at the park. Once your cleanup is complete, let us know how much trash was removed, number of bags filled and any other items too big for bags. The Vallejo Watershed Alliance will notify GVRD and they will dispose of the filled bags.

5. Send a couple photos of you in action.

The usual rules of COVID still apply: Don’t do this if you feel ill or have a fever, face coverings are strongly recommended, keep at least 6 feet of social distance with people who aren’t in your household, and sneeze or cough into a tissue or your elbow.

VALLEJO PEOPLE’S GARDEN SEEKS VOLUNTEERS FOR COMMUNITY PROGRAMS Vallejo’s People’s Garden (VPG) is a non-profit collaboration of multiple volunteers which provides fresh produce for the community. VPG promotes health and wellness by growing organic fruits and vegetables for those who are in need and they also create educational opportunities for children and adults; along with educating the community about agriculture and the environment to prepare them for future gardening and farming skills.

Programs VPG offer are:   

The Harvest Sharing Program- which offers fresh organic produce to food banks, homeless centers, and senior lunch centers Green for Green- selling seeds to help sustain VPG programs Youth Educations- engaging groups, classes and neighborhood and neighborhood children in on-farm activities and learning.

Vallejo People’s Garden is always looking for extra volunteers and people to help them expand in helping the community doing simple tasks such as; planting, composting, harvesting, seeding and more.

For more information on locations, programs and volunteer information visit vallejospeoplesgarden.org or email them at volunteer@vallejospeoplesgarden.org.

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JANUARY 1, 2020

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Volunteers are needed to assist the City of Vallejo with the upcoming Point in Time (PIT) Count in January.

A point in time count is required in order for the County of Solano to receive homeless assistance funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The 2021 PIT Count will be held on January 25 and 30, with volunteer trainings held on January 11 at 6 p.m., and on January 14 at 10 a.m.

Your help as a volunteer demonstrates the compassion and generosity of our Vallejo community!

Click here for more information and to register to volunteer. Can't volunteer? You can still help by sharing this information and spreading the word!

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THE CITY OF VALLEJO IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS The City of Vallejo is requesting applications to serve on the City’s Boards and Commissions. Vallejo residents who are interested in serving on an advisory body are invited to submit an application and supplemental questionnaire for consideration.

There are currently openings on the following Boards and Commissions:      

Beautification Commission (1) Code Enforcement Appeals Board (1) Design Review Board (1) McCune Collection Commission (2) Planning Commission (1) *Greater Vallejo Recreation District (GVRD) (1)

With the exception of the McCune Collection, all appointed members must complete and file a Statement of Economic Interests, Form 700 within 30 days of appointment.

All City Board and Commission members must complete AB 1234 Ethics training and file a Certificate of Completion within 30 days of appointment. *Applicants for the Greater Vallejo Recreation District (GVRD) must be residents of the City of Vallejo. The appointment is to fill a vacancy and will expire on December 31, 2023.

In most instances, to be eligible for appointment, applicants must be residents of the City of Vallejo.

Information regarding the duties of each board and commission and specific criteria for appointment may be found within each application. With some exceptions, appointments are typically for a term of four (4) years.

Applications must be received no later than close of business on Friday, January 22, 2021.

City Council virtual interviews have tentatively been scheduled for Wednesday, January 27 starting as early as 5:00 p.m. Depending upon the number of applications received an additional date of Monday, February 1 has been reserved for interviews. Applicants must attend the interview in order to be considered for appointment.

Application forms and supplemental questionnaires are accessible in several ways: The City’s website, located on the on the Boards and Commissions page 

At City Hall, Office of the City Clerk, 555 Santa Clara Street, 3rd Floor, Vallejo, CA

By e-mail at dawn.abrahamson@cityofvallejo.net, or by phone at (707) 648-4527

By US Postal Mail: City of Vallejo, C/O City Clerk, PO Box 3068, Vallejo, CA 94590

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JANUARY 1, 2020

ART FOR AIR The Vallejo Citizen Air Monitoring Network is inviting artists of all ages to show their art in the “Art for Air” contest. The grand prize is a $500. There will be separate judging and first-, second-, and third-place prizes for entries in the age 5 and higher categories.

“Healthy air is vital to life, and we want to see your art about having healthy air in Vallejo,” said Dr. Trina Mackie, Associate Professor of Public Health at Touro University California. “Your art can help raise awareness about how important clean air is to our environment.”

RULES: 1. Create art that is about healthy air or good air quality. Submit your paintings, drawings, photographs, collages, etc.

2. To enter, submit pictures of your personal artwork about what healthy air means to you. High quality JPEG format pictures (300 dpi or better) are due by a Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2021 deadline.

Submit entries here. At the link, artists submitting their work will be asked to provide contact information, a title, and a description of the work. Parents must submit work for individuals under 18. No pictures of identifiable people will be accepted. Artists retain all rights to use their artwork; but submitting the work gives VCAMN the right to use the work in an unlimited way.

PRIZES:

First, second, and third prize winners will receive cash or merchandise prizes. Winners will be selected in the age categories 5 years and up. Entries from artists under age 5 will be honored with a certificate. There will be a grand prize winner receiving a $500 cash prize, along with other special recognition. All winners will have their work featured on the VCAMN website. The work also will be shared with public officials.

DEADLINE: All entries must be received by midnight on Valentine’s Day February 14, 2021. The public will be able to participate in voting online beginning February 21, 2021. Information on how to vote will be announced in February. Winners will be announced on International Awesomeness Day on March 10, 2021.

CALIFORNIA SMALL BUSINESS COVID-19 RELIEF GRANT PROGRAM APPLIATION PERIOD EXTENDED $475 million of funding administered by the California Office of the Small Business Advocate will be distributed to successful small business grant applicants. The deadline to apply for grant money has been extended to January 13, 2021.

To find out more about the application and eligibility, visit hcareliefgrant.com/.

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JANUARY 1, 2020

Caltrans District 4 has scheduled the following full overnight closures as crews continue to work on the Springs Road Overcrossing: Eastbound Interstate 80 in Vallejo on Wednesday, January 13, from 11:59 PM until 5:00 AM on Thursday, January 14 Westbound Interstate 80 in Vallejo on Thursday, January 14, from 11:00 P.M. until 4:00 AM Friday, January 15 I-80 will be completely closed in one direction at a time for two consecutive nights to elevate the bridge. A detour will be in place. During the I-80 closure times, eastbound or westbound I-80 onramps in Vallejo will be closed as needed to facilitate the work safely. Detour signs will be posted.

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I-80 Detours: Motorists traveling eastbound on I-80 will need to access I-780 to State 29 to State Route 37 to I-80 Motorists traveling westbound on I-80 will need to take SR-37 to SR-29 to I-780 to I-80.

A 24-hr shuttle service continues to be available for pedestrians and bicyclists who need to safely cross Springs Road Overcrossing. One shuttle stop will be located on each side of the bridge. Please call (415) 263-4000 to use this service.

To learn more about the project, please visit i80sixbridgesvallejo.com or call the hotline at (510) 286-5620.

SERVICE LINE WARRANTIES OF AMERICA How does the Vallejo Water Department help homeowners protect themselves and support programs for Vallejo youth?

The Service Line Warranties of America SLWA warranty protection program.

The warranty program, endorsed by the National League of Cities, helps protect homeowners from the cost of exterior water service lines, and interior plumbing and drainage line breakdowns, including: 

Up to $8,500 per service call for covered exterior water service line repairs

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Up to $3,000 per service call for covered interior plumbing and drainage line repairs

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Multiple service calls annually (up to your service call limit)



24/7 repair hotline

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Priority repair status

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Repairs performed by licensed, insured contractors

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One-year guarantee on all covered repairs

While The City of Vallejo does not pay for the program, the City does receive a small stipend as a benefit of the partnership. The stipend is used to directly fund youth scholarships and opportunities in the community, such as the City's annual summer intern program. As a direct result of this partnership, the Water Department was able to partner with New Dawn Vallejo Corporation in 2019 to sponsor eight Vallejo-area high school students and provide water utility education and exploration of future career paths. While the pandemic put a hold on the 2020 intern program, we will resume internship and career development opportunities for Vallejo youth with the collected funds as soon as it is safe!

Keep an eye out for additional SLWA program information in your mailbox

this week!

Questions? Check out a list of FAQ's here.

For more information, or to enroll in this program, visit slwa.com or call (844) 257-8796.

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JANUARY 1, 2020

GVRD PROPOSITION 68 MEETING The Greater Vallejo Recreation Department (GVRD) is working on grants to receive Prop 68 funds that will improve parks in Vallejo. These bonds are unique in that they do not require any city matching of funds.

This state money can make a giant difference to the parks in Vallejo. They are in the last round of funding totaling almost $400 million.

GVRD is currently working with grant writers and developers in order to create a vision for their seven parks. GVRD is inviting community members to join in a meeting to give feedback on the Plunge and Franklin Middle School complex on January 12 and February 3 at 6:30 p.m.

For more information about GVRD and Prop 68, click here.

VALLEJO WATER DEPARTMENT STAFF CONTINUE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS TO ENSURE WATER QUALITY STANDARDS ARE MET DESPITE PANDEMIC-RELATED CHALLENGES Though the COVID-19 pandemic has created a shift in the way many of us do business, including additional sanitizing protocols, mask requirements, staggering staffing, working remotely (where possible), and ensuring strict social-distancing protocols, the City of Vallejo's Water Department personnel continue to perform routine and essential functions - despite these pandemic-related challenges and obstacles.

One of the many "behind-the-scenes" efforts to ensure your drinking water meets all required safety safety requirements includes regular, onsite "sanitary surveys," conducted in cooperation with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB).

A sanitary survey is a complex, thorough, and proactive public health measure, and is conducted at every public water system agency, nationwide, every three years. These evaluation reviews by regulatory agenices provide an opportunity for the SWRCB to ensure all agencies, including Vallejo Water, continue to remain in compliance with existing regulations. Vallejo Water Department's December sanitary survey included assessment of the Department's proper monitoring and reporting, as well as evaluation of proper operation and maintenace of pumps and storage tanks. As expected, the audit went extremely well, and the Department continues to be in compliance.

For additional information on sanitary surveys, visit epa.gov/dwreginfo/sanitary-surveys.

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JANUARY 1, 2020

SOLTRANS ROUTE 82 GOES TO SF FERRY TERMINAL Solano County Transit (SolTrans) added a pilot bus service to the San Francisco Ferry Terminal in early December in response to public requests for increased bus service from Vallejo to San Francisco. The new pilot bus connects Vallejo to San Francisco during peak commute hours. The trips will operate on weekdays from the Vallejo Transit Center (VTC), serving El Cerrito del Norte BART and then on to San Francisco Ferry Terminal on the Embarcadero before returning to Vallejo.

To encourage riders to try the new service, the 6:15 a.m. departure from VTC to San Francisco will be free from January 1, 2021 to February 1, 2021; all other Route 82 trips will be the regular posted fare - Adult $10, Youth $8 and Reduced $5.

The Route 82 pilot schedule consists of one early morning roundtrip that will depart the VTC at 6:15 a.m. and arrive at the Ferry Terminal just after 7 a.m. and an afternoon round trip that will depart VTC at 4:15 p.m. towards San Francisco and leave the San Francisco Ferry Terminal at 5:45 p.m. Staff will decide on permanently adding the pilot Route 82 to the SolanoExpress Lines based on ridership and funding in the Fall of 2021 and change the name to fit in with the already existing color lines Red and Yellow. The additional service is an initiative out of the San Francisco Plan Bay Area 2050 increasing direct public transportation from Vallejo to San Francisco.

SolTrans continues to offer its late-evening northbound Route 82 departure from San Francisco at 10:29 p.m., which is the last direct connection to Solano County from San Francisco.

For more information about this service, click here.

Subscribe to the Vallejo Weekly, and other City communications, here.

View previous issues of the Vallejo Weekly, here.

Submit your positive community story or event for consideration in the Vallejo News section, here.

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