02/12/2021 City Manager’s Update
City Manager’s Update (pdf)
February 12, 2021
Greetings, all.
It is glorious outside today! A perfect start to a great weekend to stroll our parks, trails and downtown. I can’t think of a better place to shop, wine and dine. Happy Valentine’s Day!
COVID-19
- -If you are interested in getting a COVID vaccine, there are several ways:
- Volunteer at a County vaccination clinic, and assist with set up, take down, registration, screening, traffic control, etc. Translators in particular are very helpful. You must be 16 years of age and
- Complete the “Medical Points of Dispensing (MPOD” course at
http://yolopodclasses.org.
Upon completion of the class, individuals will be given the option to
submit a volunteer application to Yolo County.
3. For additional questions, contact the Yolo County volunteer
coordinator at volunteer.coordinator@yolocounty.org.
- -Contact your medical provider for information on where you fall on the priority list based on age, underlying medical conditions, employment, etc.
- -Monitor CVS and other major pharmacy chains, which are beginning to roll out the vaccine.
- -Monitor County vaccination clinics here.
- -Register for MyTurn at https://myturn.ca.gov/. This site is run by the California Department of Public Health. Right now this service is focused on the largest metropolitan areas in California (San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco); however, efforts are underway to expand this service statewide.
Please Note:
- -Please note City Hall is closed on Monday, February 15, for Presidents’ Day.
- -The Winters Unified School District is accepting public comment until March 12, regarding a draft environmental clean up plan related to the removal of contaminated soil at Winters High School. The soil contamination is from lead based paint and termiticide that was commonly used decades ago, and banned in the 1970s. The clean up plan is coordinated by the State Department of Toxic Substances Control. More information is available at the WUSD website.
Did You Know?
- -Yolo County recently announced its assistance to help Winters Health Care open a pharmacy at the Grant Avenue facility to provide discounted prescriptions for uninsured individuals through the federally regulated “340B” program. While the Winters Health Care facility was designed to accommodate an onsite pharmacy for its patients, the clinic partnered with Eagle Drug to provide those services for its patients. Since the pharmacy closed, Winters Health Care patients along with the community have had to obtain their prescriptions elsewhere, and not all pharmacies participate in the 340B program. On February 5, the Board of Supervisors approved a $215,000 grant to help fund the outfitting of the new pharmacy at Winters Health Care, which will also be open to the public.
In addition, as reported in the Winters Express, Yolo Pharmacy recently shared its interest in opening a location in one of the vacant suites on Main Street. Winters went from one pharmacy to none to two in quick succession.
Upcoming Council Meeting
We have a Council meeting on Tuesday, February 16, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Two primary topics will be before the City Council.
Financial Services Director will provide an update on the City’s Finances, including a presentation of the City’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2020, an investment report, a treasurer’s update on the current budget, and an update on the City’s unfunded liabilities related to employee benefits. While the good news is that the City ended FY 19-20 with less of a deficit than projected, we still dipped into the reserves by approximately $339,000 for the General Fund and Community Development Department. A significant portion of this deficit was due to reduced revenue associated with COVID-19. However, the City has dipped into reserves for the last ten years, which is indicative of a structural deficit that must be addressed. Staff has worked hard through the years to address this issue, and Director Gunby will share some of those efforts in her report. As staff develops the FY 20-21 budget, we will continue to seek ways and implement strategies to contain costs and enhance revenues.
Also on the agenda is a request before the City Council to discuss whether there is interest to consider lifting the moratorium on commercial cannabis businesses, prompted by a letter from the Winters Downtown Business Association and Chamber of Commerce. As the community is aware, in 2016 California voters passed Proposition 64 legalizing adult-use, non-medical marijuana. Since that time, many agencies have passed ordinances allowing and regulating some form of commercial cannabis activity or banning it outright, as the City of Winters did in 2017.
The goal for Tuesday’s Council meeting is to discuss any potential interest in developing regulations that would allow some form of cannabis businesses in town, or not; and if so, what that process might look like and at what cost. Council is not considering whether to approve any regulations or even commit to approving any regulations.
Woot Woot!
Police Chief John Miller is pleased to announce that Officer Thomas Letterman was selected by his peers as the 2020 Winters Police Department Officer of the Year.
A new officer to Winters, Ofc Letterman was recognized for several efforts during his first year with the City:
- -Appointed Cadet Advisor and established lesson plans for the Cadets emphasizing POST Learning Domains and the value of accountability.
- -Mental Health Backpack program – became aware of the program, engaged vendor to receive a sample, and then made proposal to obtain the backpacks for all patrol units.
- -Organized packets for homeless outreach and mental health services.
At the City of Winters, staff take great pride in their service to the community, and each other, and I’m please to join Chief Miller in recognizing Ofc Letterman. For more information about our police team, please visit http://www.winterspolice.org/behind-the-badge-who-we-are/.