02/11/2022 City Manager’s Update

City Manager’s Update (pdf)
February 11, 2022

Greetings, all. The City is back to full staffing after a head spinning January, so both City Hall and the Public Safety Facility will be open to walk-in service beginning on Monday, February 14, just in time for Valentine’s Day.

COVID-19

• And there are big changes on the masking front! As cases rapidly decline, Yolo County has decided to align its masking order with the recent State order, meaning effective February 16 the universal indoor masking order will be lifted in Yolo County! Vaccinated individuals may go mask-free in public places. Universal masking will still be required in specified settings, including public transit, K-12 schools, childcare, healthcare, correctional, shelter, and long-term care settings. Unvaccinated persons are required to mask in all indoor public settings. Fully vaccinated individuals are recommended to continue indoor masking when the risk may be high. More information is available here.
• COVID testing is still available at Winters Health Care, through the Winters Joint Unified School District and at various pharmacies. There are numerous options to get vaccinated as well. For information, click here.

Don’t Miss Out!

• Yolo County has established a micro-grant program for American Rescue Plan funding to support community-based projects consistent with County ARP funding goals. Micro-grants range from $1,000 -

  $10,000. For all those non-profits out there, the grant deadline is March 31. More information is available here (micro-grant link is at the bottom). Thank you, Yolo County!

• This is definitely an employee driven labor market; however, if you or anyone you know is entering the job market or is looking for a change, Yolo County is offering free resources to help people find new, sustainable career opportunities. The County Library, YoloWorks! and Starbucks have teamed up to offer virtual assistance on Thursday, February 24^th at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Attendees must register at this weblink to access the meeting: https://tinyurl.com/YoloWorks

Please Note:

• Calling all volunteers! Meals on Wheels is looking for volunteers again to deliver meals to residents in the Winters community. Please visit mowyolo.org if you can help a couple hours twice a week. Meals are distributed from the Winters Community Center.
• Calling all civic minded, community-oriented residents! The City of Winters is looking for commissioners to fill vacancies on the Natural Resources, Climate Action and Senior Commissions. These working committees serve as force multipliers for the City and work on issues related to environmental sustainability, conservation, climate change, and services to the 55+ population in the greater Winters area. Click here for more information.
• Water billing was delayed this month. Bills were mailed on Thursday. Thank you for your patience. There will be no late charges.

Did You Know?

Does this photo look a little familiar? Check out the mural on the side of the Winters Museum, 13 Russell Street. Taken by Dorothea Lange, these are Winters residents at the Turlock Assembly Center. Members of the Kato, Kozen, and Esaki families were sent there in 1942, awaiting placement in an internment camp at Gila River, Arizona… 200 Winters residents were forced into internment camps during WWII; only 20 returned. The exhibit will end March 20 to make room for a new one on Montecito, the town lost during the creation of Lake Berryessa.  Museum information is available at www.historicalsocietyofwinters.org. It is so worth a visit.

Upcoming Council Meeting

• The next Council meeting is Tuesday, February 15. The Council will consider new fees for short-term vacation rental and sidewalk vending permit programs, final acceptance of the Rancho Arroyo Pond improvements, and a professional services agreement for new city engineering services. The Police Chief will also present a report related to the City’s Automated License Plate Reader program. The agenda packet will be available here.

Woot Woot!

An enthusiastic and heartfelt Woot! Woot! to the Waggoner Elementary School PTA, and the teachers and students for helping to decorate local businesses with hearts galore. What a great lesson in placemaking, positive affirmative and civic engagement. The downtown looks spectacular for Valentine’s Day, and the students have reminded us of how much there is to appreciate in this special town, like the wooden play structure in City Park. That was one of the community assets and collaborative efforts that helped attract me to Winters. It takes a village…

Local businesses are ready to help create magical moments and provide special gifts to recognize your favorite people. Come check them out, grab a beverage and enjoy a meal.  Happy Valentine’s Day!