03/05/2021 City Manager’s Update
City Manager’s Update (pdf)
March 5, 2021
Greetings, all.
COVID-19
- ⇒Yolo County and private partners are working hard to get vaccines into arms. Major kudos to Winters Health Care for their recent drive through clinics and collaboration with St Anthony’s Church. Please visit the County’s COVID Vaccine Landing Page for more information about eligibility and availability, call 211, or continue to check in with your own medical network. If you work within emergency services, childcare, education, or food and agriculture industries, or are over the age of 65, you are eligible now.
Please Note:
- ⇒Stones Throw has been granted permission to erect scaffolding at four addresses on Taylor and West Main Street this Saturday, March 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to prepare for the stucco sub-contractor who has been scheduled to begin work next week.
- ⇒Walk up services will resume beginning Monday, March 8, at the County’s service center at 111 E. Grant Avenue in Winters. More information regarding available services is at the County’s Welfare Services webpage or by calling (855) 278-1594.
- ⇒Maintenance at Bobbie Greenwood Aquatic Center is underway to repair the pump and ready the pool for use. City staff are reviewing current COVID regulations and outlining operating guidelines and funding options to present to the City Council later in March or April.
Don’t Miss Out!
- ⇒The City is updating its Housing Element of the General Plan, as required by the State of California every eight years. Staff and the consultant have prepared a pre-recorded video presentation and community survey in English and Spanish to help educate the public on the importance of updating the Element and what is means for Winters. Our own Leticia Quirarte of the Hispanic Advisory Committee provided the Spanish voice over for the presentation.
Please visit the City’s website at https://www.cityofwinters.org/housing-element-update/ to watch the video and take the survey. Your input will help us finalize an updated draft Housing Element, which will be circulated for public review. A second live workshop will be scheduled later in the Spring to present the draft Element. At this point we anticipate that workshop will be a Zoom presentation, depending on COVID guidance. The final draft will be considered by both the Planning Commission and City Council later this spring and summer.
Did You Know?
Senior Alert! The City received a $178,000 Prop 68 Park Grant for various improvements at Blue Oak and Valley Oak Parks. Including the City’s match of $44,500, the
funds will be used for a variety of new equipment and park amenities. A portion of the funds have been earmarked to install wellness equipment at Valley Oak Park, which Public Works installed this week. Go, team! The equipment is designed with seniors in mind and includes 4 fitness stations along the perimeter sidewalk that circles the park.
The older play structure for 5 – 12 year olds will also be replaced in the next few months. Valley Oak Park is located at 704 Valley Oak Drive.
At Blue Oak Park, the swing area will be converted to a new half-court basketball court, and the current play structure will be replaced with two structures, one each that is designed for either younger or older children. New swings will be installed as well. The play area will include overhead lights, new BBQs, and a water efficient irrigation controller that allows for remote irrigation programming sensitive to weather conditions. Stay tuned for more information as that work is scheduled.
As the vaccines roll out and the weather warms up, we hope to see people using the new equipment. Please bring your own hand sanitizer or wipes, and remember to wash or sanitize hands after using shared equipment. This is particularly important for children for which vaccines are not available and can frequently be asymptomatic carriers of the coronavirus.
- ⇒For those of you following regional events and governance, Yolo County Administrator Patrick Blacklock is resigning this month to accept a position as the President and CEO of Rural County Representatives of California. Patrick has been the highly regarded County Administrator for 11 years and we wish him well with his future endeavors as he continues to advocate for and serve rural California. The Board of Supervisors recently announced that Assistant County Administrator Daniel Kim will serve as Interim Administrator until a permanent Administrator is selected. Welcome, Daniel!
Upcoming Council Meeting
- ⇒No Council meeting next week. The next one is March 16 and will include honorary activities introducing new police officers, recognizing stand-out public safety employees, and presenting proclamations to Karla Ferguson and Tracy Jensen. The rest of the agenda is under development.
Woot Woot!
Winters Fire Department and AMR personnel responded to a medical emergency Monday evening for an unresponsive elderly woman. Family had already initiated CPR, which Engine 26 and AMR 334 personnel took over when they arrived. After 16 minutes of CPR and advanced lifesaving intervention, they were able to restore a pulse on scene before transporting her to a local medical facility. Two firefighters traveled with the patient to assist with care. Our good thoughts, prayers and crossed fingers are with the family, hoping for a positive outcome. Kudos to Captains Mendoza and Baumgart, Firefighter Mays and the AMR 334 personnel for their heroic efforts to save a life.
The Guerilla Gardeners are an excellent example of Winters’ community spirit and the value of volunteer contributions. These gardeners donate their time and resources beautifying planters at various locations 
downtown, including City Hall, the Post Office, the Winters Museum, Steddy Eddy’s and the Judy Tree Corner at Main & Railroad. They recently planted the planters that are part of the Main Street barricades, which really helps set a welcoming ambiance for visitors. You can find the group on Facebook: Winters Guerilla Gardeners. If you would like to donate to this community effort, donations are accepted at First Northern Bank on Main Street. A hearty thank you to all those Guerilla Gardeners!