Category Archives: City Manager’s Update
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Apr 23
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Apr 23
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04/07/2023 City Manager’s Update
Please see the pdf copy: Friday Update, 04/07/2023
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Apr 23
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Grand Opening of Three Oaks Park, Saturday, April 8, 2023, 9:30 a.m.
Three Oaks Park is opening! The fence will come down Wednesday and Thursday of this week. We will cut the ribbon this Saturday, April 8 at 9:30 a.m. on the sidewalk in front of main park sign on Taylor Street.
The WJUSD high school students have coordinated an Easter Egg Hunt in the south lot (where the play equipment and shelter are) for two age groups: toddler to 5 in one section and 6 – 10 in another section at 10 a.m. Please join me in thanking the ASB for helping us inaugurate the park. Fingers crossed the weather holds.
Best, Kathleen
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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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03/09/2023 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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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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02/10/2023 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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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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01/13/2023 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.
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Jan 23
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01/06/2023 City Manager’s Update
City Manager’s Update (pdf)
January 6, 2023
Greetings, all, and welcome to 2023! From all of us at the City of Winters, we wish you a healthy, happy and joyous New Year. And it’s starting off to a be a wet one.
So far the town has handled the weather relatively well aside from the usual Road 89 ditch overflowing, ponding in low spots, and plugged drains due to leaves and debris. The soil is so saturated, please help monitor trees closely for signs of uplift, unusual leaning, etc. We did have one tree topple during the New Year’s storm and the news is certainly showing plenty of flooding, downed trees and lines, and other sorts of damage. Three more atmospheric bomb storms are headed are way so during the break, unplug drains and gutters before the next wave hits beginning tomorrow…Forecast is here. Thank you, PG&E, for hardening our utility service!
To report safety concerns on public property or in the right of way:
• For non-emergency items (no immediate threat), please call City Hall at 530-795-4910.
• For critical items that need to be addressed in a timely fashion, during business hours, please call City Hall. After 5 p.m. please call dispatch at 530-795-4561.
• For emergencies (immediate threat to life or property), call 911.
As a reminder, City Hall is open Monday – Thursday and every other Friday. We are closed today as a point of reference. The 2023 schedule will be posted shortly on the City’s website.
Sand bags are available outside the Public Works Corp yard at the north end of East Street, next to the Yolo Federal Credit Union.
Don’t Miss Out!
◊ The Winters Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for the Toast of Winters! Annual awards include Citizen of the Year, Chamber Business of the Year, Senior Citizen of the Year, and a recipient for the Theodore Winters Award. For more information or to nominate someone, please contact the Chamber directly by emailing director@winterschamberofcommerce.com or calling 530-795-2329. The deadline is this weekend so don’t hesitate to contact the Chamber.
◊ The City issued a community survey last month to gather input on downtown visioning related to trash management, outdoor dining and gathering spaces, the community center, and parking. We’ve received over 130 responses. The survey closes Sunday night so please complete a survey if you haven’t already. More information is here. The survey is available in English and Spanish.
◊ The Yolo Fire Safe Council has launched its own website at www.yolofiresafe.org. The draft Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) has been posted here. The Council welcomes public comments on the draft by Monday, January 9.
◊ The Winters History Museum has a new exhibit, “The Wide World of Winters Sports,” showcasing local phenom athletes. The Museum is a treasure, and is open Thursday – Sunday, 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at 13 Russell Street. It’s well worth a visit.
◊ CalFire has recently updated its Fire Hazard Severity Maps and has scheduled 57 public hearings throughout the state. The current revision to the maps is only for unincorporated, rural areas, which are referred to State Responsibility Areas or SRAs. More information is at Fire Hazard Severity Zones (ca.gov). CalFire is accepting public comment on the proposed revisions through February 3rd. The public hearing in Solano County is January 17 at 5:30 p.m. at the Solano County Event Center, 601 Texas Street in Fairfield. Local Contact Person: Marshall Turbeville (707) 877-1770 marshall.turbeville@fire.ca.gov. Updates to the hazard maps for incorporated areas will be released later this year.
Please Note:
◊ Monday’s Climate Action Commission has been cancelled due to a lack of quorum. Two seats are vacant on this commission so if you have an interest in climate change, please contact cityclerk@cityofwinters.org for more information and an application.
◊ Monday’s special meeting of the Natural Resources Commission meeting has also been cancelled and rescheduled to January 23rd.
◊ The City also has vacancies on the Planning Commission and Senior Commission on Aging. If you have an interest, please let us know and watch for more information. Recruitments will be posted soon.
◊ Yolo County has appointed a new County Librarian. Diana Lopez hails from the City of Richmond where she is currently the Deputy Director of Community Services for the Library. She has 20 years’ experience serving diverse populations and is a highly skilled librarian. She begins on January 30. Welcome, Diana, to Yolo County!
◊ Three Oaks Park has finally entered its 90-day maintenance period, beginning mid-December. If all goes well, we anticipate opening the park to the public mid-March. The developer has also provided a $10,000 deposit to fund the replacement of any newly planted trees through June 30. During the maintenance period, the developer’s contractor is responsible for maintaining the park in a satisfactory condition. Provided it meets standards, it will be turned over to the City in March.
Upcoming Council Meeting – January 10, In Person Only
The next regular Council meeting is January 10, beginning at 6:30 p.m. This meeting is in-person only while we address software interface issues with our hybrid platform. The packet has been posted here. The consent calendar includes appointing Mark Rowan to the Senior Commission on Aging; Rich Marovich, Melanie Ellison, and Eric Jepsen to the Natural Resources Commission; and a proclamation recognizing our sister city Almogía, Spain. Discussion items include a rate increase by Waste Management to pass through an 8.44% increase in County tipping fees at the central landfill, and councilmember appointments to various local and regional committees, commissions, and boards.
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Dec 22
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12/09/2022 City Manager’s Update
City Manager’s Update (pdf)
December 9, 2022
Greetings, all. Last weekend’s holiday festivities were wonderful, and the tractor parade was phenomenal! Thank you to all involved!
Don’t Miss Out!
- Thursday, December 15, the Winters Senior Foundation is coordinating a holiday party at the Community Center, from 4:30 – 7:00 p.m. Live Music, no host bar. Tickets are $35. Please contact Joe Tramontana at 707-592-2721 or at tramontana@att.net. A donated children’s gift will go to the Fire Department’s Gifts for Kids program.
- Winters Open Mic Night is a “monthly gathering of musicians, poets and creatives,” held the third Thursday of the month (December 15) at 13 Main Street, upstairs in the Opera House. Open to all!
- Friday, December 16, beginning at 5 p.m. is a community sing-along at the Rotary Park gazebo.
Please Note:
- Downtown Vision and Policy Plan Community Survey - The City is gathering input from the Winters community relating to the Downtown Vision and Policy Plan. We would like to hear from you on several topics involving the future of Downtown Winters, including parking, outdoor gathering/dining, weekend street closures, etc. There is an English version and Spanish version of the community survey. Please take the survey and help us spread the word! The Community Survey will be open until January 9, 2023. For more information, check out our Downtown Vision and Policy Plan webpage here.
English - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WintersDowntownVision
Spanish - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/EncuestaComunitariaWinters
- Last week the City issued a temporary certificate of occupancy clearing the Fairfield Inn to open; however, they are still working on some items and may not have opened yet. Keep referring those family and friends, though, as they should open any day!
- City Hall will close for the holidays, beginning Friday, December 23 – Monday, January 2nd. Please plan accordingly. Building inspections must be coordinated in advance by emailing building.division@cityofwinters.org or (530) 794-6708.
Upcoming Council Meeting
Next Tuesday, December 13, the City Council will reorganize as the new council is seated. This will be the last meeting of 2022. The new Council will have its first meeting on January 10, 2023 (a special meeting since the January 3rd meeting is cancelled due to the holiday closure).
Woot Woot!
The Fire Department’s Gift for Kids program will support over 90 needy families in Winters this holiday season. A huge heartfelt thank you to the Fire Department staff and volunteers, their families and everyone who contributed funds and toys to help bring some added cheer to local families this holiday season. The Fire Department runs the program with the help of their own families to wrap all the gifts and coordinate with the families. One of the outstanding traits of the Winters community is how much and how often the people step up to support others.
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Dec 22
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Nov 22
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11/18/2022 City Manager’s Update
SEE FULL CITY MANAGER'S UPDATE IN ATTACHED PDF
City Manager’s Update (pdf)
November 18, 2022
Greetings, all. We have a new basketball league! Please check out the information below.
And we have holiday weekend updates below. Please monitor social media, the Winter Express, Friday Updates and www.winterstractorparade.com for more information about December 2nd and 3rd activities, and please click on the website tabs for more detailed information about entertainment, parade participants, etc.
This year we have added more activities to the holiday weekend to help fund event costs and to encourage visitors to come earlier and stay later in order to help manage traffic in and out of the city. We’ve also hired a coordinator since the event has grown beyond the ability of volunteers and staff to coordinate on our own. Steven Restivo of Bay Area Pop Up Events and his team have taken the lead. Please see information at the bottom of the Update for more detailed route maps, and street closure times. Click here for entertainment information. Notices will be delivered to businesses and residences along street closures on November 30. Check your front doors, please.
Don’t Miss Out!
- The City has started a new youth basketball league program, partnering with the National Academy of Athletics. Registration is open here for the season that begins January 21. Scholarships are also available for qualifying families. This is a new partnership. If this winter’s season is a success, we can continue to build upon youth sports opportunities. The City’s landing page will be updated shortly with league information.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2ND TREE LIGHTING
New this year is a holiday marketplace in Rotary Park (2 – 9 p.m.) with different activities, music, and holiday gifts. The downtown businesses are also coordinating a hot coco crawl and elf hunt (4 - 7 p.m.) AND we will have bouncy houses and a petting zoo on the 100 Block of Main Street. Caroling at the gazebo with middle and high school students is scheduled from 5:00 – 5:45 p.m. The tree lighting is 6 p.m. Have your picture taken with Santa until 9 p.m.
Main Street will be closed from 12 noon from the Rotary Park Driveway to Second Street until 10 p.m. HOWEVER, the Railroad & Main Street intersection will be closed beginning at 3:30 p.m. and reopen as soon as it is safe for pedestrians to cross safety unassisted.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3RD TRACTOR PARADE
Saturday will be busy with lots of options! The Winters Friends of the Library have returned with their Family Holiday Festival at the Community Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The holiday marketplace in Rotary Park resumes at 10 a.m. Children’s activities (jump houses and petting zoo) open at 2 p.m. at City Park.
Street closures will begin at noon in the downtown core and radiate out to accommodate tractor staging and pedestrian traffic. Food trucks, vendors and portapotties will be located along side streets to help serve parade watchers along the entire route from Haven to Morgan.
Property owners along Main Street: Please do not tape off the street in front of your property for your exclusive use. Everyone is welcome to set out chairs to reserve a spot along the public street. Please do not block sidewalks.
Main Street Pergolas: The City is renting pergolas on Main Street to help fund event costs. If you are interested in having your name entered into a drawing to rent a pergola for $1,500, please email cityclerk@cityofwinters.org by noon on November 23. Renters will likely need to bring tables and chairs for their use since the furniture in most of the pergolas are owned and maintained by adjacent businesses.
Please Note:
- Please join us for a community meeting on Wednesday, November 30, beginning at 6 p.m. in the Community Center (Rotary Park) to learn more about the potential development of 183 acres north of Moody Slough / primarily west of Road 89 inside the City Limits. Informally dubbed the Winters-183 project, the property owner’s representatives and city staff will present information and answer questions. The property location is bookmarked here and is at the end of the update.
- It’s leaf season. Just a friendly request to dispose of leaves in green waste cans first before putting them in piles in the street. It is taking the drivers longer to collect from the street than in the cans and sometimes they can’t complete the route in one day. Thank you.
- AT&T will start work in Newt’s Expressway next Monday & Tuesday; portions of the alley will be blocked over the two days. This first stage includes minor trenching to make connections to aerial facilities at either end of the alley.
- The large dirt pile at the Meritage location next to Taylor Street will be removed and transported to a city-owned sports park site north of Moody Slough beginning on Monday. The Meritage contractor will spread the dirt and grade out the existing mound to facilitate future development of this site. The site has been identified as a future sports park, albeit without adequate funding for development at this time.
- We’re looking for commissioners! 2 seats on Senior Commission and 1 for Planning Commission. The senior commission is helping to prepare for the senior center and coordinate services and activities for the 55+ age group, and the Planning Commission supports the City Council in land use planning and permitting. Joining a commission is a great way to get involved and learn more about local governance and community service. For more information, please contact cityclerk@cityofwinters.org.
- Home builders have been given permission to work on Friday, November 25. They are pushing hard. On a related note, Meritage is opening their sales office tomorrow with a grand opening from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Info here. Location: corner of Valley Oak & Niemann.
Council Meetings & Election Update
The next meeting is December 6, which will include business items. Please mark your calendars for Tuesday, December 13 to thank Wade Cowan, Pierre Neu and Harold Anderson for their years of service on the City Council and congratulations to three new councilmembers who will be seated that night. December 13 will be primarily ceremonial as part of the council reorganization. The new council will select their mayor and mayor pro tem. Cake and punch will follow the council meeting, so come on by to congratulate everyone. The December 20 meeting has been cancelled. Happy Holidays, all!
The election results are still not final. Please click here for updates from the Yolo County Elections Office. As of Tuesday evening, there were still 15,729 ballots left to process. The next posted election update will be Friday at 4:30 p.m. This reminds me of the old Heinz ketchup ads “anticipation.”
WINTERS 183 PROJECT LOCATION IN RED BOX BELOW
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Nov 22
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11/11/2022 City Manager’s Update
City Manager’s Update (pdf)
November 11, 2022
Greetings, all. A heartfelt thank you to all the veterans, servicemembers, and their families today, and a special recognition for those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Please see below for an exhibit sponsored by
the Friends of Yolo County Archives in honor of those who died in WWI. Semper Fi.
Don’t Miss Out!
- A new tradition has popped up in town. Sunday, November 20 from 2 – 4 p.m. is the first “Be Thankful Banquet” Thanksgiving style with all the fixings. The event will be held at St Anthony’s Parish Hall at 511 Main Street and is sponsored by St. Vincent de Paul. This non-denominational, free event is open to the community on a first come, first serve basis. Reservations are required and transportation is available by calling Al Calderone at 530-902-8920. More information is in the Winters Express article here. Donations are welcome; St. Vincent de Paul is a 501(c)3.
- Preparations are in overdrive for the holiday weekend, December 2nd and 3rd for the Tree Lighting and Tractor Parade. More information is at winterstractorparade.com. Street closures associated with the
weekend events is going before Council next Tuesday, November 15. See below for packet information / link. Please note, the events have expanded to help spread out traffic (we backed up I-505 last year…) and generate revenue to cover costs. Please watch for more information in the Winters Express and at the event website. - If you are interested in renting a Main Street pergola for the parade for $1,500, please email cityclerk@cityofwinters.org by noon on November 23rd and include your name and phone number. Names will be drawn and winners notified that afternoon. Not all pergolas will have furniture so people may need to bring tables and chairs. Proceeds help fund the event.
Please Note:
- Election results are posted on the Yolo County website here ~ click on the Winters tab. Please note, the posted results are from 10:30 a.m. November 10 when approximately 30% of the ballots county-wide
had been counted. The majority of ballots have yet to be reported. The next update will be Tuesday, November 15 at 5:00 p.m. The Council race is too close to call. - The home builders were given permission to work today and tomorrow. Given the changing economic climate and the wet weather, we are helping home construction move along when we can.
- AT&T has provided a schedule to begin its work along Newt’s Expressway. They need several weeks to pull their wire and remove the poles. Work will begin on December 5. Any Wave / Astound customers on that block should make alternative service selections soon…
- Work continues to install a permanent gas line on the trestle bridge. PG&E should complete the project by the holidays, pending any weather delays. Love that rain!
- Front yard and parkway landscaping helps beautify the community; however, we have been receiving concerns about tall shrubs, hedges and overgrown trees that are blocking views at corners, making it difficult for drivers to see when entering a street. We will begin reaching out to some property owners as we follow up on site distance concerns. On a related note, we’ve installed a new stop sign at Haven and Main to remind drivers to stop before entering Main. Please watch for families and children entering the park area.
- The Climate Action Commission meeting is Monday, November 14, via Zoom. The packet is here.
- As the holidays approach, there are so many opportunities to help families in need. It’s a good idea to check charitable donation status before donating money. Non-profits like Yolo Food Bank feed thousands of families across the County. Then there is the Toys for Tots program, sponsored by the Yolo County Chambers of Commerce (info below or call 530-574-2060) and the Winters Volunteer Fire Fighters also coordinate a gift drive for needy information. Please contact the Fire Department for more information or stay tuned for next week’s Update.
- Head’s Up! The 530 area code region will get a new area code overlay in 2023, meaning new numbers will be issued with a different area code within Yolo County. More information about area overlay zones
is at https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/AreaCodes. Stay tuned for more information.
COVID-19 +
- Friendly reminder that free COVID test kits are at City Hall in a vending machine in the little parking lot. Public health officials strongly encourage people to be fully vaxed and boosted for COVID and for the flu; it looks as if flu season will be a doozy this year…
Upcoming Council Meeting – November 15
The meeting is hybrid, in person and via Zoom. The consent calendar includes a request to schedule a special meeting on December 13 to seat the new Council and cancel the December 20 meeting as well as a contract to replace the pool heater (and an update on other needed repairs at the pool). Discussion items include a $5,000 contribution toward the Yolo Roadmap to the Future project, an extension for the NeighborWork Tentative Subdivision Map, street closures for the December 2-3 holiday weekend (tree lighting and tractor parade), and a basketball league recreation services agreement with National Association of Athletics. The packet is here.
Woot Woot!
The Chamber’s tractor and tree decorating contest is back! Help make Winters the merriest place to be this season. Purchase a tractor or trailer cut out from the Chamber by calling 530-
795-2329 and pull those holiday decorations out. A huge shout out to everyone, including the staff at City Hall, who decorate for the seasons. It is you all, and these efforts plus so many more that have helped make Winters one of the most charming small towns in California!
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Nov 22
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11/04/2022 City Manager’s Update
City Manager’s Update (pdf)
November 4, 2022
Greetings, all. Last weekend’s Harvest Festival was outstanding by all accounts! Thank you, downtown Winters, the track boosters, and everyone involved in a phenomenal weekend. Don’t forget the Salmon Festival
tomorrow beginning at 11 a.m. in Rotary Park. And if you were lucky enough to get tickets, the shrimp feed at the Fire Department is tomorrow evening.
Speaking of salmon, catching salmon during spawning is not allowed under State regulations. Let’s let them procreate in the creek and admire them without harm. Want to learn more about our salmon, click here.
Don’t Miss Out!
DON’T FORGET TO VOTE! Tuesday, November 8 is election day. You may vote in person at the Public Safety Facility EOC training room from Saturday, November 5th through the 7th: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and on Tuesday, November 8th: 7:00 a.m. to 8 p.m. Polls close at 8 p.m. You may drop off your ballot at the Public Safety Facility or at Lorenzo’s Market from 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. through the 7th or until 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. More information is here.- Yolo County has 30 days to certify the election, which includes counting electronic, mail in or drop off ballots. To monitor local election results, please visit https://www.yoloelections.org/election-returns/returns#winters. There is also a tab for each agency from local to federal.
- The City Council will certify the local election results on the same evening as the Council reorganization, which is tentatively scheduled for December 13 at a special meeting, subject to Council approval.
- This is the final weekend to visit the Winters History Museum’s Remembering Monticello exhibit. It’s an excellent one so if you haven’t seen it already, please swing by the museum at 13 Russell Street, Thursday – Sunday, 1 – 5 p.m. Love history? They need more docents…The next exhibit will highlight sports. If you have any historic memorabilia or a good story to share, please reach out to Gloria Lopez or Tom Crisp.
- Yolo County is hosting a free tire recycling event at the Clarksburg Corporation Yard at 51230 Clarksburg Road. Residents may bring in up to 9 tires free of charge. More info is here.
Please Note:
- The City Council introduced a new ordinance to ban the sale of flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes, in the City. Final adoption is scheduled for the December 6.
- Saturday work has been approved for the Walnut 10 contractor to finish work before next week’s rains.
- Did you know about the Big Blue Barn thrift store at the Yolo central landfill? The barn is open the third weekend of every month, 50% off on Saturdays. 44090 County Road 28H, Woodland. Where my mom is from, it’s called the Dumptique. Complete a survey about County recycling services and your information will be entered into a drawing for $30 in free disposal.
- On November 1st, Chief Miller introduced our two trauma and grief support volunteers (TAGS). This important program provides next of kin notification and emergency psychological response services.
They provide critical support to families who have experienced an unexpected loss. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the Police Department at (530) 795-2261. And thank you to our volunteers. - Holiday drives are getting into full swing to support families in need and seniors this Thanksgiving and holiday season. There are multiple ways to contribute with time, goods, and donations. Before donating funds, please make sure you check for non-profit status through the CA Department of Justice here and the IRS here. To promote your charitable drive, please email trepa@cityofwinters.org.
- The Special Education Department of Winters Joint Unified School District will be hosting Parent Training Nights on a variety of Special Education topics. During each of these sessions, dinner and childcare
will be provided for children three years of age and older to facilitate your ability to participate. These training sessions will be held at Shirley Rominger Intermediate School. These sessions will be presented in both English and Spanish and materials will be in both languages. Click here to find a list of the training dates along with the topics to be presented at each of these sessions.
Upcoming Council Meeting
The next meeting is November 15. Tentatively scheduled items include a recreation contract for a youth basketball league, street closures related to Tractor Parade weekend (12/2 & 3), and the extension of the NeighborWorks self-help housing tentative subdivision map. We will also request that the Council schedule a special meeting on December 13 to seat the new City Council and cancel the regularly scheduled meeting for December 20.
Woot Woot!
Congratulations to our WHS Ag Sales Team who competed at the National FFA convention. As a team they placed Silver in their competition, which put them in the middle of the pack of 37 teams. One team member, Allison Aguiar, placed first in the country in the individual competition! Amazing job by all these students. Way to represent Winters and California!
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Oct 22
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10/28/2022 City Manager’s Update
City Manager’s Update (pdf)
October 28, 2022
Greetings, all. It’s Harvest Festival time! Tonight is Fourth Friday, Saturday is the Main Street Market from Railroad to Second, and Sunday is the Spooktacular Race. The downtown will be popping! Please watch for pedestrians, runners, goblins, etc.
Don’t Miss Out!
The salmon have arrived in Winters! See if you can spot any from the bridge. Don’t forget the Salmon Festival is Saturday, November 5, beginning at 11 a.m. at Rotary Park.- Our local businesses need you! Are you looking for a full or part-time job to help make ends meet? To just help out? Help save the environment and your gas tank; walk or ride your bike to work. Please swing by your favorite store or restaurant, like Steady Eddy’s and Carboni’s, to apply. Steady Eddy’s offers minimum wage + tips, a great work environment, and the staff there
help build community. Please email carla@steady-eddys.com for more information. - Want to explore the world through the eyes of the Fridaes? Well, you can, through their https://fridae.blog as they travel through Southeast Asia on their current trip, or scroll down and see where they’ve been since 2018! The photos are wonderful. Thank you, Rebecca and Woody, for sharing.
Please Note:
- We are hearing anecdotal reports of campaign signs being vandalized or removed. Please don’t do that. An open, unfettered election is core to our democracy and that includes the public’s right to understand the issues before the community and for people to promote and vote for candidates they feel best represent their interests. Please respect people’s freedom of speech and right to participate in the election process. By the way, tampering with signs is a misdemeanor and a finable offense.
- Property taxes are due November 1st and delinquent if unpaid by December 12. Don’t forget!
- The sewer contractor for Walnut 10 has been given permission to camera lines on Saturday.
- The Fire Department Shrimp Feed is sold out. 250 tickets went quickly.
- PG&E will soon begin replacing the temporary gas line on the trestle bridge with a permanent line, which will require some tree trimming and tree removal on the south side of Putah Creek on the upper bank. Work will be completed by November 24.
- As the cost of living goes up, the California Public Utilities Commission offers financial assistance related to various utility services for qualified households. More information is here.
- I just learned about STEAC, a Davis based non-profit that works through other non-profits or government agencies to provide financial support for rent and utilities to prevent homelessness, to help people gain and maintain financial independence, and provide food assistance. Please visit their website and if any of the services are of interest, please reach out to RISE for referral services. They are located at 200 Baker Street, Room 5, 530-794-6000. St. Vincent de Paul Society is another great organization that can help families in need.
- History buffs, the Fall edition of The Archives Ledger is available here.
- Mark your calendars, the Planning Commission is holding a special meeting on November 17 to continue the public hearing on the Grand Prince Odeum. The meeting will be hybrid (in person and Zoom access). The packet will be posted the week of November 14. The regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting of November 22 will likely be cancelled ~ no business items.
Upcoming Council Meeting
The November 1st meeting has one discussion item – a proposed ordinance banning flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes, within the City of Winters. Consent calendar items included an updated Community Services Officer I/II classification, ratification of emergency repairs to aerators at the wastewater treatment facility, contract amendment with Ample Electric for the EV charging station at the First Street parking lot, and an update on repurposing of the OES PSPS grants. The Police and Fire Chiefs will also provide an overview of this week’s Winter Apartments fire. The packet is here.
Our agenda platform Granicus has been having trouble with video services. We hope the video playback will be restored soon.
Woot Woot!
Tuesday night’s fire at the Winter Apartments was certainly a very scary event that could have had a tragic ending. Thankfully, all the occupants managed to escape with the help of one of the tenants who heard her neighbor’s smoke detector go off in the middle of the night, saw the orange glow out the window and alerted the others. She likely saved their lives. The Fire Department and overnight police officers responded quickly, entering the building to look for occupants. Thankfully, our first responders also were uninjured. And finally a shout out to the apartment manager who is working to relocate those tenants to other vacant units within the complex. The Fire Chief reports she has been outstanding. Red Cross and several community-based volunteers are offering assistance. It certainly takes a village.
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Oct 22
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10/21/2022 City Manager’s Update
City Manager’s Update (pdf)
October 21, 2022
Greetings, all. Lots going on around town. Don’t miss the fall festival activities the weekend of October 28 – 30th. Fourth Friday, the Saturday craft show, and Sunday’s road race on the southside of Grant Avenue.
Downtown will be busy and runners will be loop through neighborhoods on Sunday. Please be careful. More information is on Discover Winters at https://www.discoverwinters.com/events. Also, Waggoner Elementary School will once again do their Halloween Parade on Monday. Please drive carefully and watch for adult chaperones assisting with street crossings.
Don’t Miss Out!
- The salmon are coming! The runoff from last year’s atmospheric bomb storm degraded water quality so much last year we didn’t see many, if any, salmon. However, Putah Creek Streamkeeper Max Stevenson reports the salmon will soon begin their 26-mile journey from the toe drain. We’re hoping the gravel fluffing will encourage spawning. Don’t forget the Salmon Festival is November 5 in Rotary Park.
- The Winters Joint Unified School District is hosting a free community flu clinic at the District Board Room on Tuesday, October 25, from 3 – 7 p.m., 909 W. Grant. No appointments necessary. Thank you, WJUSD, for this important public health service! Public health officials expect this year’s flu season will be quite virulent.
Please Note:
We’ve been notified that a wind event is likely for western Yolo County beginning Sunday 6 a.m. through Monday at 2 p.m. PG&E is planning for a potential PSPS shut down, and reports that approximately 99 Winters accounts are expected to be in the PSPS shut down zone (map below). Please visit PG&E to verify your address and make sure you sign up for alerts. As a reminder, PG&E made a number of changes to the circuits, separating the Winters core from the countryside, as part of reconstruction following the LNU fire. Information is subject to change as weather conditions progress.- The Winters Cemetery District is drilling a new well as their previous well ran dry last summer. It’s taken a year to get on the schedule; work begun on Monday.
Unfortunately, a portion of the work requires 24-hour drilling and there isn’t enough space to install sound walls. Overnight work is expected to be completed around 10/26. For additional information or concerns, please contact Sheila Carbahal at the cemetery at (530) 795-2475, wcd415@sbcglobal.net. - The City’s Design Review Committee comprised of two councilmembers, two planning commissioners and senior staff met with Farmstead representatives to provide additional input on the evolving site plan for this 62-acre project on the northside of Grant Avenue. The environmental work remains on hold while the developer refines the site plan.
- In other development updates, residential construction continues at the Hideaway and Walnut 10 (both are Meritage projects). Shandalla Estates is proceeding with 6 of their 18 homes and will continue in phases based on sales. Homes By Town has received building permits for new models for alley loaded homes in the Hideaways. Three Oaks Park is coming along nicely, trees are being replaced and the turf has improved dramatically. A portion of park sidewalk needs to be replaced and a final tree inspection, along with some other punch list items, remain before the park can enter its 90-day maintenance period. We know the public is frustrated with these delays, as are we; however, the developer has been making good progress so we’re hopeful we’ll be able to start the final countdown toward an opening in 90 days in the coming weeks.
- Finally, the Fairfield Inn is moving along with new financing in place; final construction includes a kitchen, the pool, frontage work, and some interior work. The
developer has set an outside opening date of December 15th based on Marriott inspections and the completion of critical items; we hope just in time for the holidays! - The City Council candidates forum for five open seats was held on October 13 at the Winters Library. Hosted by the Winters Express and Democracy Winters, the videotapes are now available, links below. The links below are provided for public information purposes only as the City as an agency does not endorse any candidate.
- Democracy Winters: https://youtu.be/okVNnxszaag
- Winters Express: https://youtu.be/AjuFhHYfdeY
- Unfortunately, another resident learned the hard way to not leave their car unlocked with the keys in it while popping into a store for a quick errand. It was stolen and recovered in Redding the next day. Chief Miller reports this is the sixth car stolen under similar circumstances in his six years here. Please help deter crimes of opportunity and remember to lock car doors when parked anywhere and not leave valuables in sight.
- PG&E has completed their work for the undergrounding along Newt’s Expressway. They have removed their aerial facilities and cut the tops of the poles along the alley. We are still waiting
on AT&T for final design for their work and a schedule. AT&T will remove the poles once they are done, and then the City will follow with the final lift of asphalt on the alley.
COVID-19
- The Governor announced that the state of emergency for the pandemic will end on February 23, 2023, meaning all emergency regulations will end. Public meetings will be primarily back in person. Remote access will be provided for Council and Planning Commission. Masks are always welcome based on individual need and comfort.
- Public health officials are strongly recommending that people receive the full suite of COVID-19 vaccinations available based on age group to minimize the risk of serious illness. New variants are evolving and with colder weather on the horizon, a spike in community transmission is expected. The new bivalent booster helps to protect against the Omicron sub-variants and are readily available, including at Winters Healthcare.
Upcoming Council Meeting
The next Council meeting is November 1, via Zoom and in-person.
Woot Woot!
Congratulations to Lynne Secrist who was recently named 2022 Yolo County Woman of the Year by Congressmember John Garamendi. Lynne has supported youth musical education as a teacher in the Winters Joint Unified School District for thirty years and since her retirement continues to be engaged in community service, particularly in musical opportunities and as a guerrilla gardener helping to beautify downtown. See the Winters Express article linked here for more information about her contributions through the years, and thank you, Lynne! This village thrives because of engaged residents like Lynne so if you love Winters and want to contribute, there are no shortage of opportunities.
And congratulations to our inbound WJUSD Superintendent Dr. Rody Boonchouy! The School Board recently announced his appointment following a comprehensive recruitment effort. Dr. Boonchouy will begin November 30 and is coming to us via the Davis Joint Unified School District, so a hearty welcome to Winters! I would also like to thank Acting Superintendent Phoebe Girimonte for her outstanding support and collaboration during her interim role. We look forward to maintaining our ongoing collaborations with the WJUSD into the future.