The Vallejo Weekly - Volume 9 Issue 36

Vallejo W e e k ly Vo l u m e 9 I s s u e 3 6 September 9, 2021

Photo Courtesy of: Chanel Bishton

MAYOR’S MESSAGE Dear Vallejo Community Members, The recruitment of a City Manager is by far one of the most important decisions a City Council will ever make. At this time, we are facing many challenges, challenges that are the nature of the times. All cities are having trouble recruiting qualified applicants for high-level positions that require a degree of expertise in their field. Before the pandemic, cities were highly aware of the “Silver Tsunami,” or the high-rising, fast-approaching wave of retirees from the public sector.

The pandemic also brought about an additional yet minor wave of those who gave inward thought to their occupations, ultimately deciding to walk away from positions and retire early or start entirely new careers. The League of California Cities has also seen an uptick in the need to discuss council-city manager relations, as those relationships become more constrained, this is partly due to the additional stress placed on cities to continue operating, particularly in fiscally lean times. In Vallejo, we also have the added challenge of a highly active community. As a community, we need to focus on attacking the idea, project, or result instead of attacking the individual.

Any qualified candidate will do their due diligence in researching our City before deciding to apply. While we want to send the message that we are an involved community that keeps a close eye on our government officials, and any malfeasant or ill-intended individual need not apply, we also do not want to alarm qualified candidates to the point that they do not submit an application for consideration. We need a City Manager who will not be afraid to build trust 2

through meaningful dialogue with the community, Council, and professional staff.

There is also a need to change our strategy for recruiting. I believe we must involve the community in this process to understand what type of City Manager best fits your needs. Our approach needs to be revisionist and collaborative.

As we embark on this search for a new City Manager for Vallejo, I ask for your patience in this process. Likely, we will not be successful in finding and securing the most appropriate candidate for at least 12-16 months.

A pressing topic continuously brought to my attention are many complaints regarding litter along the tracks in Vallejo. Some individuals have taken it upon themselves to select track locations for dumping their unwanted items and trash.

Many residents do not know that the rail companies hold more legal right-ofway rights than cities themselves, so the onus falls upon them to remove this unsightly debris and maintain their trackway, though they rarely do. Council and I have alerted the City Attorney’s office to this growing nuisance. A resolution has risen with the Legislative body and California Governor regarding the requirement for a new methodology to attack this ever-increasing issue of track dumping.

Movement by the Legislature will prompt these rail companies to step up and take care of their properties. Any support you can provide to our State and Federal legislators will greatly assist us in addressing these needed areas.

Thank you all who continually individually and collectively help improve the image of our city.

Your Mayor, Robert McConnell robert.mcconnell@cityofvallejo.net

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COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP THIS SATURDAY Join us on Saturday morning, and GIVE LITTER THE BOOT! Saturday, September 11, 2021 425 Alabama Street, Vallejo 8 a.m. - 10 a.m.

Just show up - the community cleanup tool trailer will be there with all the tools you’ll need!

Masks are HIGHLY encouraged.

Be sure to tag us in your photos, and use the hashtag, #GiveLitterTheBoot!

Interested in hosting a community cleanup?

Send us an email at volunteers@cityofvallejo.net or (707) 648-8616 to get started.

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9/11 20TH ANNIVERSARY MEMORIAL CEREMONY You are invited to attend the 9/11 20th Anniversary Memorial Ceremony on Saturday, September 11, 2021, at 10 a.m. at Vallejo City Hall, 555 Santa Clara Street.

Social distancing required.

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JOIN OUR TEAM! WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN VALLEJO? BE PART OF POSITIVE CHANGE? We’re hiring!

And we’d love to have you Join our team!

Closing Monday, September 13, 2021 at 5 p.m.: - Traffic + Lighting Technician Continuous Recruitments (open until filled): - Principal Planner (Planning + Development Services) - Communications Operator I (Police) - Police Cadet (Police) - Police Officer - Entry, Academy Graduate (Police) - Police Officer - Lateral (Police) - Police Officer - Recruit (Police) Learn more and apply at governmentjobs.com/ careers/vallejo!

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7TH ANNUAL CHILI COOK-OFF! Can you bring the heat!?

Vallejo’s Waterfront Weekend is hosting their SEVENTH annual Chili Cookoff on Saturday, October 2!

If you think you’ve got what it takes, blaze on over to VallejoWaterfrontWeekend.com, and sign up now!

Judging will be based on taste, aroma, quality and presentation. Teams will also be rated on spirit, gimmick , and overall fun factors.

The best of the competition will receive cash prizes (and sizzling bragging rights for the entire year, obviously)!

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COASTAL CLEANUP DAY Join more than 65,000 volunteers across the state for the largest volunteer day on the planet, Coastal Cleanup Day. This community-building event takes place every September, encouraging residents to cleanup their local shorelines, rivers, creeks, lakes, and inland waterways.

This year’s event will take place on Saturday, September 18, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for the group event. Individual DIY cleanups are also taking place throughout September. You select the time and place, and Vallejo Watershed Alliance will provide supplies. Just email Info@VallejoWatershedAlliance. org to get started.

You can find your cleanup spot for the September 18 event by calling (707) 645-8258 or emailing Info@ValcoreRecycling.org.

If you are under 18, you will need a parent or guardian to sign a waiver before participating.

All cleanup supplies will be provided, but volunteers should wear sunscreen, sturdy shoes, a hat, and gloves. If you have them, bring a bucket and reusable water bottle. When you check in at your cleanup location, you will be given trash bags, latex gloves, and a data card to tally collected items.

This year’s local cleanups are made possible through the active participation of the cities and counties of Solano and Yolo, the California Coastal Commission, Vallejo Flood & Wastewater District, Valcore Recycling, Recology Vallejo, and the Greater Vallejo Recreation District.

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VALLEJO POLICE DEPARTMENT RELEASES 2020 ANNUAL REPORT The Vallejo Police Department is pleased to announce the release of its 2020 Annual Report.

In a comprehensive look at the department’s operations, the report highlights advancements in policy reforms, community engagement, recruitment and hiring, community policing, technology enhancements, and crime prevention during an unprecedented and challenging year.

“This report is not only a labor of love, but a demonstration of our commitment to growing as a department and community,” said Chief of Police Shawny Williams. “Vision requires action, and I am extremely proud of the steps our officers and department staff have taken to bring about transformational change in the City of Vallejo.”

Click here to view the report and related press release.

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CLASSIC CAR SHOW RETURNS This year the Vallejo Waterfront Weekend’s Hot Rod and Classic Car Show will be returning.

The Hot Rod and Classic Car Show will be held on Saturday, October 2, taking place on the Vallejo Waterfront Park near the Ferry Building.

The show will be hosted by the Boyz Under The Hood Car Club and is open to all types of cars. The car show will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and cars will begin parking at 8:00 a.m. along the Vallejo Waterfront Marina Green. This show will benefit the Midsi Sanchez Foundation and Operation Care and Comfort. The Midsi Sanchez Foundation is passionately dedicated to carry forward the fight against child abuse.

Operation Care and Comfort supports troops, veterans and their families while serving in conflict regions, while serving on humanitarian missions, and when they return home.

For more information about the Vallejo Waterfront Weekend, or to register for the Car Show, please visit www.VallejoWaterfrontWeekend.com

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VALLEJO PEOPLE’S GARDEN POP UP EVENT Join Vallejo People’s Garden for this pop-up event on September 12, from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm. This free event will take place on Mare Island, 1055 Azura Drive.

There will be over 30 vendors, food, arts & crafts, and music and entertainment.

For more information, email info@vallejopeoplesgarden.org

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SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH

• Plastic sheeting and duct

WEEK 2: BUILD A KIT

• Moist towelettes, garbage

contaminated air) tape (to shelter in place) bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)

Last week we covered Step One: Make a Plan.

• Manual can opener (for food) • Local maps

This week we’re covering Step Two:

• Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery

Build a Kit! • When building your home’s emergency kit, make sure to consider the unique

BE SURE TO:

needs of each person in your family, and review your emergency kit at least

Keep canned food in a cool, dry

once a year to ensure it meet’s your

place.

family’s changing needs.

Store boxed food in tightly closed plastic or metal

• Water (one gallon per person per

containers.

day for several days, for drinking

Replace expired items as

and sanitation)

needed.

• Food (at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food) • Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert • Flashlight • First aid kit • Extra batteries • Whistle (to signal for help) • Dust mask (to help filter 20

Learn more, and download helpful checklists, at ready.gov.

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VALLEJO POLICE DEPARTMENT TO HOST TACOS WITH A COP SEPTEMBER 25 The Vallejo Police Department cordially invites you to join them for “Tacos with a Cop” on September 25, 2021 from 11:00 am-3:00 pm at the Vallejo Waterfront Park.

The police and community event will feature a series of K-9, drone and motors demonstrations, resource and recruiting booths and a live SWAT truck viewing. The event will also include raffles, bike helmet giveaways, snow cones, music and delicious tacos provided by Vallejo’s very own Tacos Jaliscos.

California Highway Patrol and the Robert Poblete Foundation will also be in attendance.

Please join us for this community engagement event and opportunity to connect, build and grow together.

WHO: Vallejo Police Department WHAT: Tacos with a Cop WHEN: September 25, 2021 from 11:00am - 3:00pm WHERE: 295 Mare Island Way, Vallejo, CA 94590 WHY: Community Engagement For more infromation, click here.

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NOW HIRING: TRAFFIC + LIGHTING TECHNICIAN I/II JOIN OUR TEAM! We’re looking to fill a recruitment for a full-time Traffic + Lighting Technician I/II! To learn more and apply, visit governmentjobs.com/ careers/vallejo.

Recruitment closes on Monday, September 13 at 5 p.m.

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THE PB VOTE IS NOW! The Cycle 7 Participatory Budgeting

Georgia Street, Friday, September 10, 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

• Saturday Farmer’s Markets,

(PB) vote is happening now through

Downtown Georgia Street, Saturday,

October 7. Vallejo residents, including

September 11,18, and 25, 9:00 a.m.

those living in the unincorporated

- 2:00 p.m.

areas, are invited to vote on which

• Mare Island PedalFest, 850 Nimitz

community projects to improve the City

Avenue, Sunday, September 26,

will go to Council for funding approval.

8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.

• Vallejo Waterfront Weekend, Vallejo

Residents are allowed to vote for up

Waterfront, Saturday, October 2,

to two projects on the 11-proposal

8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

ballot. Projects fall into the following categories:

Learn more about the projects on the

• Infrastructure (e.g., road repair,

ballot by visiting the voter guide(s) by

waterways, etc.)

• Purchase of equipment (e.g.,

selecting your preferred language here (English, Spanish, Filipino).

diggers, trucks, technology equipment, etc.)

• Programs and services (e.g., youth basketball, housing services, etc.)

The Cycle 7 ballot is the outcome of a 6-month process in which Vallejo volunteers and City staff liaisons screened, evaluated, and researched

Residents 14 years and older can vote

over 800 ideas submitted by community

online at www.pbvallejo.org, or in-

members.

person in City Hall, and a cell phone number and valid Vallejo address are

Individuals or organizations interested

required for online voting.

in serving as poll workers or joining the Get Out the Vote (GOTV) outreach

Alternatively, residents can visit polling

team can register online. For additional

booths at:

information, visit www.pbvallejo.org.

• Second Friday Art Walk, Downtown 27

Vallejo W e e k ly WWW.CITYOFVALLEJO.NET 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.