03/04/2022 City Manager’s Update
City Manager’s Update (pdf)
March 4, 2022
Greetings, all. The weather is glorious out! And we had a bit of rain for lawns and plantitas. Looking for something to do this weekend? Check the websites and social media accounts for your favorite merchants, tasting rooms and restaurants – many host activities, music, and more. And you might have a happy accident along the way, reconnecting with old friends, making new ones, or having random run ins that brighten your day or evening.
COVID-19
- Let’s hope we’re moving into a new phase of COVID mutating itself into less than it was. Mandatory masking for unvaccinated has been lifted in public places and instead masks are strongly recommended especially for unvaccinated and for individuals more at risk. Employees and workplaces, however, still must follow Cal-OSHA mandates, which includes masking for unvaccinated. Some employers require masking for all employees regardless of vaccination status. A gentle reminder to be respectful of others, masked or unmasked, and to respect signs on the door if masks are still required either for employees or the public. Masks do not define who we are; how we treat each other does.
Don’t Miss Out!
- March is Women’s History Month. Yolo County Archives and Library are sponsoring a presentation on Dr. Karen Tait’s leadership position in the field of medicine in Yolo County on Wednesday, March 9, at
3 p.m. via Zoom, linked here. Dr. Karen Tait graduated with her medical degree from the University of California San Francisco in 1978 and completed her residency in Family Practice at UC Davis Medical Center in 1981. Dr. Tait later served as the Medical Director at both Yolo General Hospital and the Yolo County Jail and Juvenile Hall, helping to ensure the health and wellbeing of Yolo County residents. - The Week of March 6 is also Women in Construction Week. Click here to participate in celebrating women in construction.
In honor of Women’s History Month, a huge shout out to women everywhere for their accomplishments every day as we lead, build, beautify, plan, engage, support, nurture, toast, dance, and grow our communities, businesses, and families. Do you see our capes?- Speaking of construction, not destined to sit at a desk and prefer to work with your hands? Yolo County in partnership with many groups and trades is offering virtual information sessions for training in the construction and building trades on March 8 and March 16, from 12 – 6 p.m. With the Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3), a learner can pick up the tools and techniques of Skilled Trades, from plumbing to electrical work to sheet metal and ironwork, under the guidance of master craftworkers. More information is here.
- Munchkin Summer Camp registration is open! City staff coordinate a day long summer camp for students 1st – 8th Two sessions are offered, June 13 – July 1 and July 5 – July 22. Tuition is $250 per session
and free to children qualifying for free and reduced lunch. More information is available here.
We Need People!
Local businesses need employees. Non-profit organizations need volunteers. Our community relies on people giving of their time, pitching in, and helping out. Don’t like limited menus and long wait times at our
local restaurants? Encourage your teens to get a job and learn life skills. Enjoy Youth Day activities? Volunteer! Saturday, April 30th, downtown will come alive with a parade, Putah Creek duck derby, and a plethora of activities in City Park. This much beloved historic Winters event needs help. Please give a couple hours to assist.
- What has impressed me about this community is how much it helps each other out and comes together to create something bigger and better than each of us individually. There are so many wonderful non-profits here, please consider getting involved: Winters Friends of the Library, Rotary, Meals on Wheels, the Historical Society, Youth Day Committee, Chamber of Commerce, Winters St Vincent de Paul Society, Winters Community Corazon, and the Downtown Business Association to name just a few. To verify non-profit status, remember to check the CA Secretary of State website here, CA Charities here and the IRS here before donating funds.
- The City needs staff for its summer aquatic program! Lifeguards, supervising lifeguard and a pool manager. More information is here. We will train new lifeguards during high school spring break (March 28
– April 3). To be a lifeguard, you must be able to tread water for 2 minutes without using your hands, complete a timed object retrieval from the deep end, and show swimming competency for 200 yards. Beyond that, we’ve worked hard to upgrade our programming and create a fun and supportive environment on the deck for staff and swimmers. For more information, contact Diana Tafolla at tafolla@cityofwinters.org or at (530) 794-6700. - Did you know that the City coordinates the Winters After School Program (WASP) at Waggoner Elementary School for both elementary and middle school children? Grant funded to support lower income
students at no cost, a team of dedicated employees engage students in STEAM oriented enrichment activities, homework assistance, and outdoor play. Tuition applies for students who do not qualify for free or reduced lunches. More information is available here. As always, we are looking for instructional aides. To apply, click here.
Non-Profit Highlight
Winters Youth Day was founded in 1933 to teach students about local governance and civic engagement. Historically, students were paired with local officials and City staff for a week, which culminated in a parade and day of festivities and activities. Youth Day is a long honored and beloved tradition here and brings former residents and students back into town. This year, Saturday, April 30, the parade and duck derby will return and a day of games and fun are in the plans for City Park. This is a volunteer driven event and they need help! Buy a duck! Proceeds from the event fund scholarships for local youth. For more information, please contact the Committee at https://www.wintersyouthday.com/
Please contact me at Kathleen.trepa@cityofwinters.org if you would like to highlight your non-profits activities and needs in a future Update.
Upcoming Public Meetings
The Hispanic Advisory Committee meets Monday at 6:30 p.m. in the Abbey Street conference room behind City Hall. They are looking for more civic minded volunteers to get involved in community-based activities. The Senior Commission on Aging meets Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom. The next Council meeting is March 15 via Zoom.
Woot Woot!
This afternoon we recognized the Fire and EMS team who helped saved a patient’s life in January after collapsing in cardiac arrest. Only 9% of patients in Yolo County who suffer cardiac arrest outside of a hospital setting survive, so today it was truly heartwarming to recognize this survivor’s story and the team who first responded: Captain Captain Mathew Schechla, Reserve Firefighter Kitsia Pelayo, Reserve Firefighter Cameron Simental, Reserve Firefighter Michael Curran, ARM Paramedic Jamie Weeks and EMT Michael Kennedy.
