05/13/2022 City Manager’s Update

May 13, 2022 (pdf)

Greetings, all. It will be glorious out this weekend. Looking for things to do? Visit Yolo tracks events and deals as does our own local visitors bureau Discover Winters. If you have never been to Park Winters, oh my goodness – join the garden tour on Saturday at noon.

Don’t Miss Out!

• The History Museum has a new exhibit ~ Remembering Monticello. The museum is open 1 – 5 p.m. Thursday – Sunday at 13 Russell Street. The Historical Society is also looking for volunteers if you have a love of history, fascinating memorabilia and just like hanging with a stuffed bear and random visitors. For more information, historicalsocietyofwinters.org.
• The State of California Department of Housing & Community Development is hosting a virtual job fair on May 24. To register, please click here.
• Yolo County is offering an information session about the Pre-Apprenticeship training program for the trades that will begin in June. More information is in the press release.
• We’re looking for vendors to participate in the July 3^rd Fireworks show ~ food trucks, tents, informational booths, merchandise. Please contact tafolla@cityofwinters.org for more information. To donate to the fireworks fund, checks can be made out to the City of Winters / Fireworks fund. This year’s show will cost about $20,000.

Did You Know?

• A bear was recently sighted in the Putah Creek orchards area southwest of the city. For more information regarding the sighting and links to bear safety tips, please follow the link to the Winters Police Department Facebook page. Links are provided to English and Spanish resources.
• Here’s a new reuse - recycling opportunity…The Central Landfill is now accepting textiles for reuse and recycling to meet SB 1383 mandates. Textiles are the 6^th most prevalent material type in the overall landfill waste stream, and the experts indicate 95% of it is reusable or recyclable. Who knew?? For more information, click here. I’m guessing there might be some creative folks out that might be inspired by that tidbit…

Please Note:

• Final depth of Well 8 in Winters Highland is 803 feet. Well construction is going smoothly. Thank you to a great team out there.
• COVID testing continues at the WJUSD parking lot, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. https://school.covidclinic.org/ . Covid infection rates are escalating due to a new Omicron sub-sub-variant. For more information about testing and vaccination opportunities, please click here.

Upcoming Council Meeting – May 17^th, via Zoom

The packet for Tuesday’s Council meeting has been published here. It’s include an agreement for a new audit firm, a recommended appropriation to close out the Blue Oak Park improvements, the appointment of a new assistant city attorney, two agreements with Eco Green for upgraded facility lighting, and the second reading of the social host liability ordinance and administrative citations for use of illegal fireworks. The County will provide an update on animal services and the Natural Resources Commission will present their annual work plan. The only discussion item relates to a speed study conducted for W. Main and Niemann Streets and the establishment of a 25 mph speed zone for W. Main and 30 mph  for Neiman. The staff report is here.

As a reminder, public comment may be provided during the Council meeting or submitted in advance by emailing the cityclerk@cityofwinters.org.

Woot Woot!

May 15 – 21^st is Public Works Week!! These crews maintain roads, parks, and facilities; they provide water and treat wastewater. They are the backbone of any community, the unsung heroes in emergencies and disasters next to Police and Fire. They come with big trucks, drive big equipment and have big hearts. They pull puppies out of storm drains and fish keys from yucky places. So please thank our local Public Works employees when you see them out and about in the community.

Please join us in recognizing Peace Officer Memorial Day on Sunday, May 15, honoring law enforcement officers who have lost their lives or been injured in the line of duty. More than 800,000 law enforcement officers serve at the local, state and federal level. Locally, Yolo County will recognize its fallen officers on noon at May 19 at the old courthouse in Woodland, 725 Court Street. Winters Police Department will host this year’s event. The guest speaker is Officer Kadi Griess whose father, CHP Officer Kirk Griess was killed in 2018 on Interstate 80 in Fairfield. Our hearts go out to Officer Kirk Griess’ family and to all those who lost loved ones in the line of duty, including Davis Officer Natalie Corona who was killed in 2019 while investigating a traffic accident.