04/16/2021 City Manager Update
City Manager’s Update (pdf)
April 16, 2021
Greetings, all. We enjoyed seeing you this week! I’ve met so many people during my five months, and yet as I have been reminded, I am only just now meeting people. With the warmer weather it’s been a great time to visit outdoors, dine downtown, and explore all of the park improvements underway.
COVID-19
◊ We are still in the Orange Tier and will remain so until at least April 28. We had hoped we might be able to move into Yellow Tier next week, but not so. The County metrics will be reassessed next week.
◊ More cases of COVID-19 variants are being identified in the County; these variants spread more easily, may cause more severe disease, and may be resistant to available treatments. Our best risk mitigation measures: wear a mask in public, avoid indoor gatherings with people outside your household or who have not been vaccinated, get vaccinated, and keep getting tested. Identifying asymptomatic people is critical, especially since youth cannot be vaccinated at this stage. The County’s press release is here.
◊ The Governor has announced new regulations and timelines; it’s hard to keep up... For any questions about what stage we’re in, what’s allowed, what’s not, check out the County’s very handy landing page here.
Please Note:
◊ COVID-19 testing is still a key way to control the virus spread among asymptomatic people. Free testing is still available at the Winters Community Center on a walk-in basis every Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., 201 Railroad.
◊ This was our first week with the new schedule to accommodate our 9/80 schedule, where employees work longer days and take the 10th day off. So, City Hall was closed Friday, April 16, and will be open Friday, April 23, and so on. Our website calendar has been updated with closure information; click here to check.
Don’t Miss Out!
◊ Looking for a summer job! We’re hiring a pool manager and lifeguards. For more information, please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/CITYOFWINTERS.
◊ On Monday, April 26 at 4:00PM, the Yolo County Fire Safe Council, Yolo County Resource Conservation District, the Green Valley Fire Safe Council and ForEverGreen Forestry are presenting a webinar for homeowners and landowners in Yolo and Solano County to prepare their homes for the upcoming wildfire season. Learn how to enhance your wildfire survivability and steps to take in preparation for and during an evacuation. This event will be held on Zoom and can be accessed at: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__APh1o8DSB6KDGhwYqEAWw
◊ The City Clerk has initiated two recruitments: The Planning Commission will have four open seats July 1. The current incumbents will step down so this is a great opportunity for people interested in land use, architecture, design, place making, and economic development. For more information, please visit https://www.cityofwinters.org/planning-commission/. The Senior Commission on Aging also has three seats expiring June 1. The Senior Commission advises the Council on senior community affairs and is focusing on the new senior center that will be constructed in the next year. To apply for either commission, please complete an application, which can be downloaded from the website or picked up at City Hall. For more information, please see https://www.cityofwinters.org/winters-senior-commission-on-aging/.
Did You Know?
◊ Did you know that the Winters Fire Department provides service to the City of Winters and the Winters Fire Protection District, over 80 square miles, with primarily volunteers? The Chief, 3 captains and 1 engineer are full-time paid staff, and the volunteers receive stipends, gear and a lot of training. We could use your help! Check out the Fire Department website to learn more about the department at http://www.wintersfire.org/ and apply at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/CITYOFWINTERS. Join a team motivated by service to others and each other. The volunteers also spearhead toy drives for children during the holidays, fundraise for worthwhile causes in town, and are generally hard working, big hearted community members.
◊ The old Winters high school is getting demolished on Monday, April 19, now that the new building is operational. To share your memories, please see the info the in the box or contact the Winters Museum or Winters Historical Society, info below.
The Winters Museum
13 Russell Street, Winters, CA
Email: wintersmuseum@gmail.com
Website: www.wintersmuseum.org
Historical Society of Winters
13 Russell Street, Winters, CA
historicalsocietyofwinters@gmail.com
www.historicalsocietyofwinters.org
Upcoming Council Meeting
◊ We have a full agenda for Tuesday night’s Council meeting. Of particular interest may be the update on opening the pool June 1st and the discussion related to the annual fireworks show and fireworks booths. The Council will also consider modifying the schedule on Main Street to close the street Friday afternoon and reopen it early Monday mornings. The revised schedule better matches the weekend activity downtown. Council will also consider a CDBG application for FY 21/22 to fund a senior center coordinator for a three-year period. There are also a number of other items on the agenda. The meeting begins at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom. Link here to the agenda packet.