Friday the 13th Update for January, 2017
Happy Friday the 13th!
A couple items from the week:
· The upcoming City Council Meeting has the Grant/Main Traffic Signal Bid, Water and Storm Drain bid for Downtown, Pension and Unfunded Issues, an Ordinance on Zoning Text Amendment for Second Residential Units, Uniform Compensation Policies for Public Safety and Public Works Personnel and the Obligation Schedule for the redevelopment Successor Agency. It’s gonna be a party!
· I got a call from Supervisor Don Saylor’s Deputy, Tara Thronson who had some questions as a follow up to an update by the Yolo Emergency Medical Services Agency regarding ambulance and EMS services. She shared an incredible statistic that in 2013, cardiac arrest patients had a 17% chance of survival versus 2016 which saw a 31% survival. Amazing and a tribute to the work in improving ambulance and EMS service throughout the County. Great job and a credit to many folks.
Winters was a leading reason for the overall improvement of EMS services in Yolo County. In 2013, the City petitioned the State to be declared a “non-exclusive” area in the Sacramento Region which would enable us to break from the established contracting requirements. We received permission and the Cities and County came together to form a Yolo County Agency for EMS Service. The biggest credit for enabling the breakaway needs to go to the many volunteers with Winters Fire over the years who drove the Winters Ambulance and maintained the license from the State. It was because of their service we were able to re-establish the services we receive today. My hero in all of this is Barb Karlen who was one of the drivers working with Chief’s Dave Kidder and Scotty Dozier to save lives. Because of their service, you have a 31% chance of surviving a cardiac event than before.
· City Staff is working on a letter to the Judge who is overseeing the implementation of the new standards on Chromium 6 in regards to the economic impacts of implementing the new MCL. The impacts are significant and need to be known. We also plan on sending the letter to the Attorney General who has been notified about the economic issues.
· There will be one item on the January 24th Planning Commission agenda to correct an inconsistency: change language in the Muni Code to assess a rate tied to Local Agency Investment Funds. Anticipate going to Council on February 7th.
· Staff met with the Carrie Green, Executive Director of the Winters Chamber of Commerce to discuss joint venture options for economic development and business education programs between the City and Chamber. A REALLY good meeting and a lot of potential for the future!
· Lot’s happening with the Winters After School Program! Reading, science programs and participation in the Farmers Market. It is amazing the amount of learning, enrichment and support for the WJUSD students. Simply amazing!
· Staff is working on modifications to the Walnut Lane Roundabout. It looks like we may need to re-bid a modified project.
· Overall, the City performed extremely well with the big storm from last weekend. Huge kudos for the Public Works Staff who did a lot of preparation during the fall, cleaning storm drains, fixing pipe and clearing ditches, drains and outfalls. No reportable flooding in the town, only the typical closure of Rd 89 which is just based on a lot of volume from the hills. Good job to our team!
Finally, Monday January 16 will be a holiday to celebrate the life of Dr, Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the greatest Americans to bless our country. A Baptist minister, orator, father and a real patriot who gave his life in the service of advancing the many freedoms and principles which make our nation the greatest. His press for the inaliable rights of people, non-violent protest and the importance of freedom has led to some of the most profound dialogues and advancement in our history.
He is probably best known for the 1963 March on Washington and one of the greatest speeches in the history of our nation, best known as the I have a Dream Speech. Click HERE to read the speech or click HERE to watch it. Truly a remarkable day in the history of our country given by an incredible man.
As we enjoy the privilege of a day off, take some time to reminisce and learn about Dr. King and the blessing he was to the advancement of civil rights for all Americans, all races, all religions and genders.
Have a nice weekend.
John