11/19/2021 City Manager’s Update
City Manager’s Update (pdf)
November 19, 2021
Greetings, all. I love the seasonal decorations that come with fall here in Winters and the Scarecrow Festival did not disappoint. Thank you to the Chamber and all the participating businesses and households who created wonderful scarecrow displays. And a Woot! Woot! to the Fire Department, which won Spookiest in the Business category, and to the Police Department for their honorable mention as one of the Winters Express Editor picks. Way to go, Team!
Next up ~ let the tractor decorating begin! See below for more information. Tractor Parade planning is in the final stages and we need volunteers! Please contact the Chamber if you want to Learn about volunteer opportunities and sign-up HERE!!
Don’t miss the Holiday Hoopla section at the end for upcoming major events and activities.
COVID-19
- Vaccinations and booster shots are available for all adults, and vaccines for children, throughout the County. My first visit to Winters Health Care for my booster was outstanding. So simple. No line, pleasant staff, walk in service: The facility, its service and the people who work there are a community gem. Cases are rising again; please consider vaccinating, boosting and masking to flatten this latest curve.
- Want to volunteer at a vaccination clinic and help boost – no pun intended – our vaccination rates? Please click Press Release (PDF).
Please Note:
- City Hall will be closed Thursday and Friday next week for Thanksgiving. From all of us to all of you, have a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends.
- Speeders! Please be respectful of our residential neighborhoods, especially on W. Main, and respect posted speed limits on your way to work or to drop off kids at school. Please be aware of children, bicyclists, and pedestrian, especially on W. Main in the mornings and afternoons. We are increasing enforcement and will cite for excessive speeds.
- The Yolo Subbasin Groundwater Agency (YGSA) has issued its draft Groundwater Sustainability Plan, which is available here. To learn more about the important work that has been done to manage our valuable water resources, the YGSA has prepared a video series that provides a brief overview of the YSGA’s purpose, the conditions of the Yolo Subbasin, and the draft sustainable management criteria included in the Yolo Subbasin GSP. Please click here.
- The October Fire Department newsletter has been posted, here. Check it out! The newsletter includes how to donate toys for the holidays for our local families in need and links to the new wildfire
camerasthat have been installed near Winters. - County Redistricting Update: At its November 9 meeting, the Board of Supervisors voted to keep Winters in its current District 2. At the November 23rd meeting, County staff will return with additional information related to two remaining district map options.
- The Notice of Preparation (NOP) for the Farmstead Environment Impact Report (EIR) has been released (linked here) and public comments will be accepted through December 17. The environmental review process is regulated under State law. A “scoping meeting” provides regulatory agencies and the public with an opportunity to provide comments on the scope and content of the EIR. The scoping meeting will be held via Zoom on November 30, 2021, at 2:30 PM. Meeting information is included in the linked NOP. More information about the proposed project in general is available at on the City’s website here. Please note the information provided is based on the developer’s proposal and does not necessarily represent the final subdivision. It is important for the community to provide feedback and help inform project outcomes.
- Fundraising for the new senior center is moving along. A new website is under development (here) and the City Council just approved naming rights within the center and the grounds to recognize major donors. All donations will be managed by the Yolo Community Foundation and used expressly to support outfitting the new senior center.
Did You Know?
- On November 16, the City Council approved the formation of a new Climate Action Commission, which will assist with implementing and overseeing the goals of the recently adopted Climate Action Plan, linked here. We’re looking for people with expertise in environmental sciences and / or with a passion for addressing climate change. A recruitment for commissioners will open soon. Staff expects the seat the new commission in February 2022. The commission will meeting one night a month, schedule to be determined.
Woot Woot!
Congressman Garamendi recently recognized Carol Scianna and Susie Stocking of Winters for their community contributions at the 8th annual Women of the Year event for the 3rd Congressional District. Congratulations to Carol for her work on behalf of the Winters community and to Susie for her contributions honoring veterans laid to rest at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery. She is the force behind laying 28,000 wreaths on cemetery headstones for the holidays. The Winters Express article is here.
Holiday Hoopla
Tractors & Trees! December 1 – January 2nd
The Chamber is rolling out the Trees & Tractors decorating contest. And to add to last year’s cut outs, get a trailer! More information is on the Chamber’s website here. And if you’re really into tractors, I just spotted tractor string lights in the window of Ace Hardware…
Holiday Tree Lighting – Friday, December 3, 4 – 8 p.m.
New this year, the holiday tree lighting will occur on Friday to provide more space for more family-friendly activities. Downtown will be lit up and so come on down to visit, shop, and get merry.
Tractor Parade!! – Saturday, December 4
The parade begins at 6:30 p.m. from City Park to Elliot Street, although tractors will stage from St. Anthony’s and load up on trailers at Morgan Street. They will be everywhere! The parade can be watched along the complete route so plenty of room to spread out. The tree lighting and the parade have been separated into two nights to create more space and a fun filled weekend.
Main Street will be closed from Railroad to 4th beginning at 4 p.m. and rolling closures will occur as needed to support the tractor staging, line up and then the parade. If you live downtown or are trying to get downtown, plan accordingly and be patient and merry.
Holiday Bazaar & Makers Event, December 11, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Get ready to shop! Our first major makers event will be Saturday, December 11 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Main Street will be closed from Railroad to 2nd.
The event will include live music, food trucks, raffle items, and over 100 vendors. New toys and non-perishable food will also be collected to support holiday drives.
The empty lot next to Ace off Newt’s Expressway will be available for 15 minute parking to zip in and out for pick up / take out.