Author Archives: admin
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Mar 23
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Mar 23
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03/17/2023 Notice Inviting Bids (Due 4/20/2023)
Notice Posted 03/17/2023 – Bids and RFP’s
Notices of Requests for Proposal and Bid Opportunities:
- 22-23 STREET REHABILITATION PROJECT (PROJECT NO. 030-22) / Final Questions Due 3/30/2023 @2pm PST / Bid Due Date: 4/20/2023 @2pm PST
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Mar 23
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03/10/2023 City Manager’s Update
City Manager’s Update (full doc/pdf)
March 10, 2023
Greetings, all. We have another round of storms ahead of us with a strong potential for flooding downstream of the Sierra Nevada. Flooding is NOT supposed to be like the floods of 1997. For those of you who weren’t here then, like me, click here. Rain begins again tomorrow… click here for the forecast. Flood watch through Sunday morning in the Sacramento Valley.
Don’t Miss Out!
- The last Open Mic night at the Opera House is March 16 beginning at 6 p.m. Wear your green for St Patty’s Day. Beginning in April, Open Mic Night will occur on Saturday nights on Main Street in the closure area. For more information, please visit https://wintersopenmic.org/.
- The Winters Senior Foundation speaker’s series is back! On Thursday, March 23, 2 – 4 p.m. at the Community Center, topics include “Matter of Balance / Fall Prevention,” and “Lift Strong and Safe.” The session is free and open to the public; refreshments will be served.
- Youth Day is selling ducks! Buy bulk ~ become a sponsor ~ increase your chances of winning one of the jackpots. Click here for more information. The Duck Derby is Friday, April 28, at the trestle bridge. Saturday festivities kick off with a Rotary pancake breakfast at the Community Center and then the parade, the best hometown collection of cars, floats, walkers, and kids.
- It’s Women’s History Month, and Yolo County Library’s exhibit “Herstory 1 & 2: The Legal History of Chinese American Women,” is available at County libraries through May. The curator Dr. Chiu Chang will discuss her books and the exhibit at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 25, at the Davis Branch Library. For more information, visit yolocountylibrary.org. The event is free.
- Related to Women’s History Month, Winters’ residents Gloria Lopez and Corinne Martinez will share stories and recipes from the book “American Paella,” on Saturday, March 18 beginning at 11 a.m. in Woodland. Tickets are $20. More information is here.
- March 25, from 9 a.m. – 12 noon, Senior Commissioner Mark Rowan is coordinating a litter clean up event as part of the CalTrans’ Adopt a Highway program and his volunteer effort Beautiful! Winters. Supplies are provided; bring gloves; you must wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes. Volunteers should be agile, enthusiastic, and able to carry a garbage bag with trash. Please join Mark at 9 a.m. in the Lorenzo’s parking lot. 18 years and older please; no minors. Please email is.beautiful@gmail.com for more information or to rsvp.
Please Note:
- The Yolo County Community Services Action Board is seeking input on how to better address the needs of low-income individuals and families that reside in Yolo County. The feedback provided will help establish service priorities for the 2024-25 Community Services Block Grant funding cycle. Examples of currently funded services include emergency food and shelter, housing, and homeless prevention. To provide input on service priorities, Yolo County residents are invited to participate in following survey: English survey is linked; or Spanish is here.
- The Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito & Vector Control District has notified the City that it may spray larvicide and / or adulticide applications to waters of the US. To sign up for spray alerts, please visit fightthebite.net.
- NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Health) Yolo County is looking for a board member to represent the Winters area. For more information on this wonderfully supportive organization, please visit namiyolo.org and the board recruitment packet here. NAMI advocates, supports, educates, and increases public awareness related to mental illness, helping individuals and families build better lives.
- Yolo County is offering FREE compost at the central landfill March 1 – April 30. Residents need to show proof of residency and bring their own bags and shovels. More information is here.
- The Yolo-Solano Air Quality District is sponsoring an art contest for school aged children (K-12) in support of the 2023 Clean Air Contest. Submissions are due March 31st, and should illustrate on of the four themes for this year related to Walking & Biking to School, Turn the Key and Be Idle Free, Spare the Air – Leave your Car at Home, and Clean Air is Important to Me Because…More information is here.
Public Health Information
Winters participates in wastewater testing for communicable diseases. The below table shows recent changes in disease levels in regional wastewater. For those data geeks our there…
Upcoming Council Meeting
The next Council meeting is March 21st, 6:30 p.m. in the Chamber. Zoom is offered as a convenience to the public.
The City Council is also meeting on March 22nd for goal setting, which will have identify priorities, near and long term for the City. The meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the large conference room at City Hall, Abbey Street entrance.
Woot Woot!
Our Public Works employees are out rain or shine, even when many of us get to stay warm and dry inside. Our crews were out recently in the pouring rain jetting sewer lines because they had rented the equipment and needed to get the work done. A hearty thank you to these employees who work hard every day maintaining our utility systems, picking up trash, mowing lawns, fixing irrigation, digging trenches, saving puppies from storm drain pipes and fishing keys, phones, rings and all sorts of things from places many of us don’t want to stick our hands. Thank you, Public Works!
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Mar 23
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03/13/2023 Climate Action Commission Meeting
Climate Action Commission Meeting
MeetingMonday, March 13, 2023 6:30 p.m.
318 First Street, Abbey Street Conference Room Entrance
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Mar 23
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03/09/2023 PG&E Storm Response
Good morning, all. As you are likely aware, another onslaught of weather is upon us. Please see the information below from PG&E. Regionally, Yolo OES has met to prepare as well. The local weather forecast is available here. The biggest concern relates to heavy rain with warmer temperatures on top of historic snow levels, so significantly more run off.
Locally, sandbags and sand are staged outside the Public Works Corps yard at the end of East Street adjacent to Yolo Federal Credit Unions parking lot. Please bring your own shovel.
The town seems to handle a lot of water pretty well. However, for emergencies, dial 911. To reach Public Works during business hours (we are open tomorrow) for downed limbs or damage in streets or on public property, please call 530-795-4910. After hours and over the weekend, please call the non-emergency dispatch number at (530) 795-4561.
Safety officials are recommending that people avoid traveling into the foothills or mountains and to be aware of rising waters. Do not enter flooded streets or highways, especially if there is a current.
Stay safe out there. It’s time for another good book and a pot of soup.
Best, Kathleen
PG&E Mobilizing for Powerful Winter Storm Expected to Arrive in
Northern California Thursday, Spread to Rest of the State Friday
Warm Weather Event May Lead to Flooding
OAKLAND, Calif. – Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is mobilizing personnel ahead of a significant winter storm that will arrive Thursday afternoon and move across much of Northern and Central California Friday, bringing with it significant rain, snow levels rising to 6,000 to 8,000 feet north to south in the Sierra, as well as strong wind gusts.
The incoming adverse weather could result in trees, limbs and other debris falling into powerlines, damaging equipment and interrupting electric service. PG&E’s meteorology department is warning of another challenge for customers and PG&E crews – flooding due to melting snow.
“The upcoming storm will be a strong and much warmer event. Significant rain, which could total three to seven inches in the mountains, on top of the existing snowpack, will present flooding risks,” said Scott Strenfel, PG&E Director of Meteorology and Fire Science. “The wind combined with heavy rain and flooding risks can lead to access issues for our crews if trees fail and roadways flood, which can result in longer outage durations for some customers.”
Poised to respond to outages are PG&E electric crews, troublemen, distribution line technicians and system inspectors who serve as the utility’s first responders, along with personnel who will monitor electric incidents for public safety.
In addition, PG&E has opened its Emergency Operations Center and local operations emergency centers in impacted regions to more efficiently allocate crews, materials and other resources to restoration efforts.
The company is using its storm outage prediction models that help determine the potential timing, location, and number of power outages. The models allow the company to have extra crews on standby to deploy to areas hard hit by the storm. PG&E is also prestaging power poles, powerlines, transformers, and other electric equipment at yards throughout its service area to restore power to affected areas safely and as quickly as possible.
Predictions for Incoming Weather
Warmer and wet conditions are expected to return to the region Thursday as a moderately strong atmospheric river storm takes aim at the territory. Precipitation and wind then look to pick up in intensity Thursday afternoon and evening across Northern California and will spread southeast across the remainder of the state into early Friday.
Moderate to heavy rainfall with breezy to gusty winds and possibly isolated to scattered thunderstorms are expected to continue through Friday. Winds, and thunderstorm threats will then diminish during the afternoon and evening, with scattered precipitation continuing into early Saturday.
Snow levels look to raise above 5,000 feet across the North and possibly up to 8,000 to 10,000 feet across the central/southern Sierra Thursday evening into Friday. This could lead to a major snowmelt event across the state on top of flash flooding threats from new rainfall.
Keeping Customers Informed
Customers can view real-time outage information at PG&E’s online outage center and search by a specific address, by city or by county. This site has been updated to include support in 16 languages.
Additionally, customers can sign up for outage notifications by text, email, or phone. PG&E will let customers know the cause of an outage, when crews are on their way, the estimated restoration time and when power has been restored.
Storm Safety Tips
- Never touch downed wires: If you see a downed power line, assume it is energized and extremely dangerous. Do not touch or try to move it—and keep children and animals away. Report downed power lines immediately by calling 9-1-1 and then PG&E at 1-800-743-5002.
- Use generators safely: Customers with standby electric generators should ensure they are properly installed by a licensed electrician in a well-ventilated area. Improperly installed generators pose a significant danger to customers, as well as crews working on powerlines. If using portable generators, be sure they are in a well-ventilated area.
- Use flashlights, not candles: During a power outage, use battery-operated flashlights and not candles, due to the risk of fire. And keep extra batteries on hand. If you must use candles, please keep them away from drapes, lampshades, animals and small children. Do not leave candles unattended.
- Have a backup phone: If you have a telephone system that requires electricity to work, such as a cordless phone or answering machine, plan to have a standard telephone or cellular phone ready as a backup. Having a portable charging device helps to keep your cell phone running.
- Have fresh drinking water and ice: Freeze plastic containers filled with water to make blocks of ice that can be placed in your refrigerator/freezer to prevent food spoilage.
- Turn off appliances: If you experience an outage, unplug or turn off all electrical appliances to avoid overloading circuits and to prevent fire hazards when power is restored. Simply leave a single lamp on to alert you when power returns.
- Safely clean up: After the storm has passed, be sure to safely clean up. Never touch downed wires and always call 8-1-1 or visit 811express.com at least two full business days before digging to have all underground utilities safely marked.
Other tips can be found at: Safety and Preparedness, Storm Safety, and Safety Action Center.
About PG&E
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit www.pge.com/ and http://www.pge.com/about/newsroom/.
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Mar 23
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03/08/2023 Winters Senior Commission on Aging
Winters Senior Commission on Aging Meeting
City Hall Downstairs Conference Room
318 First Street, Abby Street Entrance
Wednesday, March 8, 6:30 p.m.
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Mar 23
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03/06/2023 Hispanic Advisory Committee Meeting – Cancellation
Notice is hereby given that the Hispanic Advisory Committee Meeting of
Monday March 6, 2023, was hereby cancelled due to lack of quorum.
Presenters’ handouts were attached this notice.
The meeting is being adjourned to the next Hispanic Advisory Committee
Meeting held on Monday April 3, 2023.
Notice (pdf)
City of Winters Hispanic Advisory Committee
City Hall Downstairs Conference Room
318 First Street, Abby Street Entrance
Monday, March 6, 6:30 p.m.
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Feb 23
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02/24/2023 City Manager’s Update
City Manager’s Update (pdf)
February 24, 2023
Greetings, all. Winters fared relatively well in last night’s storm. Lots of wind and rain, but no power outages. And check out those snow-capped hills!
Please note:
March 2, 6 p.m. Joint Meeting of the City Council and the Planning Commission at the Community Room/ EOC of the Public Safety Facility. This will be a community workshop for downtown visioning. An interactive presentation will be presented (agenda and presentation will be published today on the City’s website.) Staff is requesting feedback on potential recommendations and program options for the downtown, specifically related to outdoor dining and gathering, street closures, parking, use of the alleys, and trash collection.
On March 22, Wednesday, the City Council and staff will discuss goal setting and priority projects. The meeting will take place in the large conference of City Hall, Abbey Street entrance, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Don’t Miss Out!
- The Roadmap to the Future for Yolo County Children & Youth is actively engaging community input across the County. This initiative intends to positively alter the trajectory for youth by establishing a long-term plan to help effectively coordinate services and opportunities for families. Please join the County Office of Education on Monday, February 27 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Winters Community Center. Free dinner and childcare will be provided. To register, click here.
- Winters Friends of the Library is holding its annual fruit and nut bare-root tree sale on Saturday, March 4 in the parking lot of Railroad Avenue between Baker and Edwards Streets. The sale begins at 9:00 a.m. (8:30 for members). The trees are donated by Sierra Gold Nursery in Yuba City and are being sold for $20. Proceeds from the sale will be used to enhance programs and collections at the library. For a complete list of available trees, visit wfol.org.
- The Winters Theater Company is pleased to announce its upcoming production, “Art” at the Winters Community Center, Friday – Sunday, March 17-26, directed by Andrew Fridae. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $12 for 65+; they are available here.
- The Toast of Winters is March 31, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the new Fairfield Inn. This iconic Winters event is sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce to recognize outstanding contributions to the community. Please visit winterschamber.com for more information. Tickets are $90.
- Looking for a fun weekend destination for children? Check out Explorit in Davis, a science and a nature-based activity center for school aged children. explorit.org. Open 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., the current exhibit is Rocks!
- Winters Friends of the Library coordinates a 5-week summer program, Winters Shakespeare Workshop, for teens and preteens, from June 18 – July 20. This acting program culminates with a performance of “Twelfth Night” on July 21 & 22 in City Park. For more information, click here.
- Youth Day is on! Friday, April 28 is the Duck Derby ~ about 800 ducks swim down Putah Creek. Details to buy a duck will be released soon. The Duck Derby is a major fundraiser supporting the Saturday, Youth Day festivities and youth scholarships. Saturday, April 29 is the parade! For more information and to register to participate in either the kiddie or main parade, click here.
- Travel remotely via the Fridaes’ adventures overseas! Latest installment is at https://fridae.blog
Please Note:
- Meritage has been granted authorization to pour new home foundations on Saturday, beginning at 8 a.m. to take advantage of a forecasted break in the weather, if soil conditions allow…
- The pool heater will be replaced next week!
- Please click here for a handy 2023 City Hall / City Council calendar.
- Yolo County is looking for a Planning Commissioner to fill an “at-large” seat. Anyone who resides in the County can apply. Candidates should have an interest in land use and zoning policy. To apply, click here.
COVID-19
The public health emergency associated with the COVID-19 pandemic will officially be over in California on February 28. The Federal emergency declaration is scheduled to expire in May. However, Covid is here to stay among us, mutating and spreading. For many, at most, it’s a bad cold; but for others, it can be dangerous. Public health officials recommend vaxing, boosting and masking (especially in certain settings and based on individual health risks). Vaccines and boosters help reduce the potential severity of the virus. Please respect individual choices. Free test kits are still available next to City Hall, and are still good despite expiration dates on boxes, per the County Health Officer. Onwards and upwards into our new normal!
Upcoming Council Meeting
The next Council meeting is March 7. Please note, effective March 1, ALL public meetings will be held in person in accordance with the Brown Act since the COVID public health emergency will cease on February 28. Zoom will be offered as a public convenience only for Council and Planning Commission meetings. Evening meeting access is through the Abbey Street lobby entrance.
Woot Woot!
Winters Fire participated in a field save last week, responding to a mutual aid / 911 call for someone who went into cardiac arrest during a Zoom meeting. Zoom participants called office co-workers, who performed CPR for 10 minutes before emergency responders arrived. The individual survived! CPR protocols have changed. Research shows that just rapid chest compressions are effective if delivered properly. Click here for more information and for a video here. Huge kudos to those office workers and responders who saved this individual’s life.
Winters Police also participated in a regional “save” this week. Sgt Hermosillo was on duty the other night and helped other law enforcement agencies to perform a stop on I-505, apprehending individuals who were part of a retail theft ring. They had stolen thousands of dollars’ worth of merchandise from Woodland in recent weeks. It takes a team! Well done, Sgt Hermosillo and Yolo SO.
And both the Winters High School boys and girls soccer teams have made it to the final championship round. Both play here this Saturday. The girls team plays against Hamilton at 12 noon and the boys team at 2 p.m. against Williams. Go, Warriors!
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Feb 23
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02/23/2023 – Upcoming Storm
Good afternoon, all. I just received an email from Yolo OES regarding the upcoming storm that will arrive Thursday morning. It looks as if it will be historic for cold, snow at low levels (down to 1,000’) and high winds, especially in higher elevations. Damage is expected to be significant above 2,500 feet (downed lines, trees, etc). Within Yolo County, the forecast includes potential wind gusts up to 30-50 mph. It’s time to batten down the hatches again and secure lighter items so they don’t blow around. Please watch for downed limbs and trees, and report any obstacles in the road or damage to public infrastructure to City Hall during work hours: 530-795-4910, or to 530-795-4561 after hours. City Hall will be open this Friday.
The weather advisory is from Thursday, 10 a.m. – Friday, 4 p.m. Rain will begin tomorrow afternoon / evening. Travel into the hills and higher elevations is not recommended due to the predicted historic snowfalls and damage from high winds. This looks like a good weekend for soup, binge watching your favorite show, or a good book.
Best, Kathleen
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Feb 23
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02/22/2023 City of Winters/WJUSD 2×2 Meeting
CITY OF WINTERS/WINTERS JOINT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
2X2 MEETING
VIA ZOOM TELECONFERENCE
See Agenda for Zoom Info.
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
5:00 PM
The meeting will be held via Zoom
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Feb 23
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02/20/2023 Natural Resources Commission Meeting Cancellation
Notice is hereby given that the regular Natural Resources Commission Meeting of Monday, February 20, 2023 is hereby cancelled.
The meeting is being rescheduled to a special Natural Resources Commission Meeting to be held on Monday, February 13, 2023 @ 6:00 PM Teleconference via Zoom.
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Feb 23
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02/10/2023 City Manager’s Update
City Manager's Update (pdf) click to view full Update
February 10, 2023
Greetings, all. The utility newsletter that used to be included in with the utility bills is coming back by popular demand, which means the Friday Update will no longer be weekly. The bilingual utility insert will help reach those who are not English readers or on social media and is part of a multi-pronged approach to reach different community groups.
I’ll prepare this newsletter the 2nd & 4th Fridays of the month and then prepare the utility newsletter the 3rd week in time for envelop stuffing. As always, if you have an item of community interest that you would like to include in the Friday Update, please email me at Kathleen.trepa@cityofwinters.org by Thursday evening. I’ll cull items for the monthly newsletter. Any thoughts on what we should name the monthly newsletter?
Don’t Miss Out!
- Tomorrow, Saturday, February 11 the Yolo County Fair Museum will be open from 10 – 1 p.m. About a dozen regional historical groups worked together to create the exhibit that highlights people and events that have shaped Yolo County through the generations. Enter through Gum Avenue; admission is free. The museum will be open the 2nd Saturday of every month.
- There is a joint Planning Commission – City Council meeting on Thursday, March 2, from 6 – 9 p.m. at the Public Safety Facility’s Community Room. This is intended to be a community workshop to discuss various policy options and recommendations for the Downtown Visioning Project. The focus has been on outdoor dining and gathering, Main Street closure schedule, parking, trash management and a few other items sprinkled in, like the Community Center. Please attend if you have opinions on how we live, work, and play downtown. This is an in-person meeting only.
- Winters HealthCare and UC Davis are hosting a cancer prevention health care fair at City Park on Saturday, March 11. A number of health care and community partners will be onsite to share information and resources. A reminder that regular preventative wellness screenings can help catch cancer early!
- Wednesday, March 22 is Council goal setting in the downstairs conference room of City Hall, Abbey Street entrance, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. This is a public meeting to establish project priorities. The date was changed from February 18 – our apologies for any confusion.
- Fourth Friday is back, along with programming on Main Street by the Downtown Business Association (DBA). This year’s Spring Festival is Friday, March 24 (Main Street will be closed from Main – First Street); Saturday, March 25 (Main Street will be closed from Second – Elliot, including the intersection for a craft show); and Sunday, March 26. Please note the approved road closures. More information will follow.
- Youth Day is on!! Saturday, April 29 is the parade and festivities in City Park. The famous duck dump into Putah Creek is Friday. Buy a duck and help support this much beloved tradition, now in its 85th
Please Note:
- The City Council approved the seasonal closure for Main Street from Railroad to the mid-block crossing, beginning on Friday, March 24 – Sunday October 29, 2023. The weekend schedule has changed, however, so that Main Street will open around 10:30 a.m. on Sundays.
- Three Oak Parks entered its 90-day maintenance period on December 13. If the developer continues to meet maintenance standards, the park will open around March 14! Watch for more information for a grand opening celebration in April!!
- Next week we’ll open a recruitment for lifeguards and a pool manager! Please encourage any students who want a great summer job to apply ($18-$25 / hour) depending on position and qualifications. The City will offer lifeguard credentialing over 4 Sundays, beginning March 12, 8:30 – 5 p.m. We are looking for a qualified adult pool manager! Please help us make this upcoming season a success!
- We need commissioners! For Planning, Climate Action and Senior Commissions. If you’re interested in learning more about local governance and feel passionate about land use, climate change, natural resources or senior community programming, please click here.
- Girl Scout cookies are coming to a location near you! Please visit Winters Collective and Arco (2/24 and 2/25), Steady Eddy’s and Arco (3/4), Arco (3/5), Steady Eddy’s (3/11) and Winters Collective (3/17). Times vary so visit often! And you’ll be sure to find booths staffed by young entrepreneurs.
- Pool Update: we continue to wait on the permit from County Health to replace the heater, which we hope to have next week (everyone is short staffed…). The equipment is here and will not take long to install. The recruitment to hire lifeguards should open next week. The lifeguard credentialling will need to occur over 4 Sundays, beginning March 12. If we have enough returning lifeguards, we should be able to open the beginning of April per the traditional schedule.
Upcoming Council Meeting
The next meeting is February 21.
Woot Woot!
A huge Woot! Woot! to Officer Brandon Kenney who was unanimously selected by his peers as the 2022 Winters Police Department Officer of the Year. Congratulations! Our officers are committed to serving the Winters community with integrity every day; we thank them for their service.
A big welcome to Shery Enos, our new senior accountant who joined us from the City of Vacaville. We are thrilled to have someone with her expertise and credentials onboard to help tackle a back log of projects. Welcome, Shery!
And a big thank you to Teacher Melanie Ellison (and a new Natural Resources Commissioner) who brought her 6th grade students to the Nature Park for a trash clean up. The storms brought a lot of debris downstream, which is a reminder to all of us to not litter or dispose of items in creek beds. Everything in the street eventually finds its way into our waterways. Thank you, students and Ms. Ellison!
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Feb 23
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02/13/2023 Climate Action Commission Meeting
Agenda (pdf)
Climate Action Commission Meeting
Teleconference Meeting
Monday, February 13, 2023 6:30 p.m.
To join this meeting via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88624467689?pwd=MGFCemVGUXIxZmxycEc3SEdhcVBJUT09
Meeting ID: 886 2446 7689
Passcode: 822116
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Jan 23
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01/27/2023 City Manager’s Update
City Manager’s Update (pdf)
January 27, 2023
Greetings, all. Loving the sunshine after all the rain!
Don’t Miss Out!
- Yolo County has extended the deadline to apply for a microbusiness COVID-19 grant to May 12, 2023. Eligible businesses must have begun operations before December 2019, had less than $50,000 in revenues in 2019, have fewer than 5 employees, and didn’t already receive a Small Business Relief Grant. Not sure who is left ~ looking for really small businesses ~ please click here for more information.
Please Note:
- Calling parent volunteers! The 2nd–3rd grade boys basketball recreation group needs more parent volunteers. Our league registration fees were based on parents helping to keep score and referee. Please reply to Ben Freeland’s emails if you can volunteer and help contain costs for next year’s registration. Thank you!
- Yolo Pharmacy, 23 Main Street, now offers free disposal of expired and unwanted medications, free mail-back sharps containers for diabetes patients and free prescription delivery to your home. And just a reminder – parking is on the street and not in the park, please. The medicine drop off box at the Police Station is no longer available; it’s at Yolo Pharmacy.
- Good news, upcyclers and thrifters! The Big Blue Barn Thrift Store at the Yolo Central Landfill is now open every Thursday, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. (44090 CR 28H in Woodland). The barn is also open on the 3rd Saturday of every month for a 50% sale. Mark your calendars for 2/18. Field trip!
- The teachers at Waggoner Elementary and Rominger Middle School need assistance with supplies, please! My daughter is a second grade teacher and I am continually surprised by how much teachers spend of their own money to support their students. Please consider assisting. More information is here.
- Youth Day needs volunteers! Please consider helping to keep this cherished community tradition alive. The event is always the last Saturday of April (4/29 this year). The current chairman of 45 years (WOW!) needs help growing the next chapter of community leaders. Please click here for more information. Thank you, Mike, Carol, Kathy and all the others for your years of dedicated service.
- The Small Business Administration is offering disaster loans for businesses severely impacted by the winter storms. The application filing deadline for physical damage is March 16 and for economic injury is October 16, 2023. More information is here.
- Our local Trauma & Grief Support Program (TAGS) continues to look for volunteers for this very difficult role, helping survivors with unexpected loss. More information is here or if interested in learning more, please contact Sgt Hermosillo at hermosillo@winterspolice.org /530-795-2261. Training and a background clearance are required.
Upcoming Council Meeting
The next meeting is February 7.
Please note, commission meetings will be in person beginning in March. Meetings will be held in the large conference room, Abbey Street entrance. The Planning Commission will still be hybrid (Zoom and in-person) in the Council Chamber.
COVID-19
Yolo County recently released this chart documenting COVID related deaths through various waves of infection in Yolo County. It’s a tragic reminder that COVID is remains with us as it continues to mutate.
It’s important to remember that people have individual health needs and risks, and determine for themselves and their families whether to mask, vaccinate, and get boosted. While public health officials continue to recommend these measures to maximize community protection, these are now mostly personal choices (depending on employment). Please respect them.
Woot Woot!
We are thrilled to announce the arrival of our new Fire Chief Jack Snyder on February 6. Chief Snyder and his family are returning home after his service as Fire Chief in Elko, NV. He was hired in Elko as Deputy Chief in 2017 and promoted to Chief in 2021. Previously the Chief worked for the City of Vacaville from 2012 to 2017. Chief Snyder is also reserve Fire Chief with the Utah National Guard and a Fire Technology Instructor. He served in the US Air Force as a firefighter, rising to the rank of Battalion Chief. Chief Snyder has two associates, a bachelors and a masters in Fire Science and emergency management. He is highly credentialed and committed to community service. He and his family have strong ties in the area, and we are all eager for him to settle in, as are they. Please join me in welcoming Jack Snyder to Winters!
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Jan 23
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01/23/2023 Natural Resources Commission Mtg.
Natural Resources Commission Meeting Monday, January 23, 2023, 6:00pm Via Zoom Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85727799402?pwd=MVZOWW5mRHVlYzd2WTlGSGlwQ3NBdz0 9
Meeting ID: 857 2779 9402
Passcode: 545067
One tap mobile 16699006833
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Jan 23
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01/13/2023 City Manager’s Update
City Manager’s Update (pdf)
January 13, 2023
Greetings, all. More rain has begun as the next atmospheric river hits northern California this weekend. Saturday will have moderate to heavy rain. Avoid leaving town if you can and be careful out there if you do. It looks as if we have a dry patch beginning on Tuesday. Yay! The forecast is here.
City Hall Tidbits
- City Hall is closed on Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Day as well as Friday, January 20 as part of our regular alternating Friday closure schedule. The 2023 calendar has been updated here. Utility payments and correspondence for City Hall can be left in the secured drop box in front of City Hall.
- The Building Division was closed to the public this week and will likely be for a portion of next week due to staff absences. We have arranged for back up inspection services and temporary building official support. Please continue to call 530-794-6708 and leave a message. Staff are monitoring calls and emails (building.division@cityofwinters.org) for service. We apologize for any inconvenience and hope to be back in the saddle soon.
- We need you! We have vacancies on several commissions: Planning, Senior Commission on Aging, and Climate Action. Please click here for more information.
- Solano County Water Authority (SCWA) and approximately 30 students from the Center for Land Based Learning will plant about 300 trees in Phase 3 of the creek restoration project on February 2nd. This phenomenal non-profit strives to “inspire, education and cultivate future generations of farmers, agricultural leaders and natural resource stewards.”
- In addition to salmon, beavers have now been spotted and FILMED in Putah Creek, playing with all the flotsam floating downstream. Thanks to Kate Laddish for sharing this video here of three beavers trying to stay afloat on a log. There is a lot of material out there for them to create some really good dams…We also have reports of otters and muskrats”! The wildlife is enjoying the Nature Park.
- A couple young solicitors working for a solar company have appeared in town. They do not have appropriate permits and are not affiliated with PG&E. They have been asked to leave by our friendly officers.
- The City of Winters is a member of the Solano Economic Development Corporation, which has partnered with EVCS to encourage the installation of EV charging stations. If you’re interested in exploring a partnership with a third party to install an EV charging station at a retail, commercial, industrial, or multi-unit dwelling location, please click here for more information.
Don’t Miss Out!
- The Winters Lions club is hosting a blood drive at the Community Center on Tuesday, January 17 from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. All donors 21 or older will be entered into the BIG GAME for drawing a prize package valued at $27,400. Woo Hoo! Sounds like a trip for two to the Super Bowl! There’s a blood shortage so pleas consider donating.
- It’s Girl Scout Cookie season! There are four troops in town, selling online and taking pre-orders during January. Cookie deliveries and booth sales are scheduled for mid-February through March at Steady Eddy’s, Acro, and the Winters Collective. A big shout out to these young entrepreneurs and their helper families.
- Council goal setting has been scheduled for Saturday, February 18, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the large conference room, Abbey Street entrance at City Hall. The meeting is open to the public. The Council and staff will discuss goals and priorities in an informal workshop setting. There will be opportunities for public comment.
- Mark your calendars for the Winters Friends of the Library Fruit Tree Sale, Saturday, March 4 beginning at 9:00 until trees are sold out, in the parking lot on Railroad between Baker & Edwards. WFoL members get first dibs beginning at 8:30 a.m. If you’re not a member, you can join at the door! Bare root trees are only $20; limit 10 per customer.
- And if you want to learn more about fruit tree care, Yolo County Health & Human Services Agency (HHSA) is offering a free interactive workshop on January 21, from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. at the Hanna & Herbert Bauer Memorial Community Garden in Woodland. Pre-registration is required by contacting David Linebarger at (530) 666-8429 or linebarger@yolocounty.org. More information is here.
COVID-19
There is a new variant of concern, among the many sub-variants of the Omicron strain. XBB.1.5 is rapidly gaining dominance, and per usual more infectious than the previous. It has better sticking properties to latch on. The screen shot below is from Monday’s health briefing showing the rapid increase of COVID concentrations in wastewater, particularly in Davis. While flu and RSV appear to be on the decline, it is still a good time to make sure vaccinations and boosters are up to date, and to not go to work or in public if you are sick. Health officials are also strongly recommending mask wearing indoors.
Upcoming Council Meeting – January 17 – Hybrid!
Council meets next Tuesday, remote and in person. We continue to work on the system and will replace the clerk computer; however, we should be able to get through Tuesday with some adjustments. The packet is available here. It’s a very small agenda: a resolution establishing administrative citation fines and a local emergency declaration related to winters storms that will allow us to recover storm-response expenses. The federal emergency declaration for the initial 17 counties was extended to Yolo County this week, allowing county jurisdictions to apply for reimbursement of eligible expenses. The local emergency declaration is the first step in that process.
Woot Woot!
A big shout out to all the first responders, public works employees, Emergency Operations teams, regular people and supportive groups who have assisted with responding to the onslaught of winter storms. While the City of Winters has fared relatively well, so many areas have been devasted by flooding, wind damage, and power outages. So many people have pulled together to help those in need. A huge thank you for everyone’s contributions, big and small, far and wide.
On a related note, about mutual aid to others, at Wednesday’s senior commission, the group discussed concerns for elderly living on their own who might have a medical event or fall unbeknownst to others. Being left unattended for days could have devastating results for that person. If you live next door to someone who might need an extra hand or appreciate being checked on, please reach out to them. Establish a signal that all is ok, so when the blinds don’t open or some other private code doesn’t change, the neighbor can pop over to check.
The Winters community ethos of service to others / service to community runs strong here. These individual bonds and connections weave the fabric that make Winters the truly magical village it has been and continues to be.