9-11-2020 Friday Update

Today is the 19^th anniversary of the attacks on the twin towers in New York City, and the Pentagon.  Many people and organizations have taken the time today to remember those who lost their lives on 9-11-01, including the Winters Fire and Police Departments with a ceremony at 8:46 am to signify when the first tower was hit.  I am reminded today in particular, of how dedicated our first responders are to our communities as I remember scenes from that day.  Here in California we have had a lot of experience depending on our first responders as we have experienced fire after fire these last few years.  I am thankful for all those police officers, sheriff deputies, and firefighters that work so diligently to keep people safe during these incidents.  Thank you to all first responders for all you do for our community.

Today we also broke ground for the newest park in the City of Winters.  3 Oaks Park will be the newest, and one of the biggest parks in the City of Winters when it is complete.   Former City Manager John W. Donlevy, Jr., was the MC for the event, and, as always, was informative on the history of the development of 3 Oaks Park.  This groundbreaking will be the final official act John will perform for our community, with the exception of presenting a project list and transition plan during the 9/15/2020 City Council Meeting.

A few things from last week:

Tuesday September 8, 2020 the Planning Commission approved the Site Plan and Design for a new Single Family Home on Orchard Lane, approved the addition of a parklet on Russell Street for expanded outdoor dining for The Preserve, and approved a tentative map to subdivide property into 7 lots on the corner of Taylor Street and Kennedy Drive.

The Senior Commission meet on Wednesday September 9, and discussed their resource guide, Blue Mountain Terrace Apartments, and discussed the fact that the City of Winters received notification of the award of the $3,500,000 grant for construction of the Senior Center(the announcement was received about half an hour after I sent out last week’s Friday update).

Thursday John Donlevy worked at Winters City Hall to complete his agenda report for the 9/15/2020 City Council Meeting.  This will most likely be the final Winters City Council meeting that John will attend.  Once he completed his agenda report, I wandered by to see that he had removed all of his personal items from the City Manager’s Office and he pointed out where a few things were for the next City Manager’s use.  That office is now completely lacking any personality whatsoever.  Where it once was an office full of information and photos about the City of Winters, and displayed a lot of the history of the City of Winters, it now is just four slightly discolored white walls.

Looking forward to next week, the 9/15/2020 Winters City Council meeting will include the following items:

We will recognize the contributions that both Dan Maguire and Carol Scianna made to the City of Winters during their time with the City of Winters as they enjoy their retirement.  We would have loved to have a party to celebrate the next part of their journey with them, but, Covid-19 has put a halt to all kinds of celebrations, and sadly, that included our ability to provide that type of recognition to Carol and Dan.  Both Dan and Carol retired from the City of Winters on June 30, 2020.

We will also receive presentations from Dana Carey with Yolo County Office of Emergency Services regarding emergency notifications an preparedness, from Fire Chief Brad Lopez providing updates on the LNU lightning complex and Markely Cove Fire, and from Kate Laddish on emergency preparedness and evacuation planning services for Seniors and People with access and functional needs.

Discussion items include The Claim for Transportation Development Act Funds for 2020-2021, Request for extending the closure of Main Street, and the request for reimbursement from Bid funds for expenses for creating the Main Street eating area for outdoor dining.

Shelly Gunby
Interim City Manager