Friday Update – December 4, 2020

 City Manager’s Update (attached pdf here)

December 4, 2020

 Greetings, all.

In an effort to make the distribution of the Friday Update easier and hopefully more eye-catching, please indulge incremental changes to the format and distribution method as I work to find the right balance of relevant community information and insights into City Hall happenings…

COVID-19

Yesterday Governor Newsom announced a new regionally based Stay-at-Home Order, which will go into effect within 48 hours of when a region has less than 15% available capacity (staffed bed space) in their hospitals’ Intensive Care Units (ICU). Yolo County is in the Greater Sacramento region, while Solano and Napa County are in the Bay Area region, so the greater Winters community may be impacted at different times.

Based on the rapid surge of hospitalizations due to COVID, all regions within the State of California are expected to trigger the new regulations within the month, although five of the nine Bay Area counties issued updated orders today even though their projections were trailing beyond the Greater Sacramento region. Those Stay at Home Orders will become effective Sunday – Tuesday depending on the County. Solano and Napa Counties did not join today’s Bay Area county level orders. Unfortunately, the potential impacts of Thanksgiving mingling will not appear for another few weeks, so the numbers of those infected and ill are expected to jump significantly.

When triggered by limited ICU capacity, the new State order will be effective for a minimum of three weeks and will be lifted with the region’s projected ICU availability (a four week look ahead) meets or exceeds 15%. Availability will be assessed on a weekly basis after the initial three-week period. This metric is based on ICU staffing for ICU bed space. More information on the State order can be found here.

In addition to the State order, I learned today that Yolo County is already below the 15% ICU capacity, and the data shows that infection and hospitalization rates are rapidly climbing. The Yolo County Health Officer is considering additional restrictions for Yolo County, effective immediately.

1. No dining with anyone outside of your immediate household, even outdoors.
2. Retail establishment must restrict occupancy at 20% now (rather than when the State regional order is triggered).
3. Additional restrictions will be extended to collegiate sports to match those already in place for youth and adult sports activities. Outdoor sports and recreational activities are allowed for practice and drills, with 6’ distancing. Contact activities like scrimmages, games, and practices are prohibited.

More information for Yolo County specific health orders and guidance may be found here.

What does all this mean? Wear a mask and maintain social distancing from people not in your household bubble. More restrictions are coming as the infection rates and hospitalization climb.

Please Note:

• Yolo County Office of Emergency Services as indicated there is a potential for a Public Safety Power Shutoff this weekend due to high winds in North California. Currently Yolo County is NOT in the PSPS advisory. To monitor PG&E notifications, please click here.
• The pandemic has impacted services in so many ways. Waste Management recently shared with City staff that it is operating with half a collection crew due to staffing challenges from COVID. Until staffing levels resume, the curbside brush pile pick-up will take place every other week, alternating with sweeping every other week; Grant Street will be the dividing line for a north and south alternating schedule. Waste Management has indicated they will communicate schedule adjustments to customers via auto calls, if they haven’t already started doing so. They will also issue a press release and update their website here. For any questions or concerns, please contact Waste Management at (866) 844-1508.

Don’t Miss Out!

Valley Clean Energy is coming to Winters! The City will join Woodland, Davis, and Yolo County as part of this locally controlled electrical generation provider. VCE generates cleaner, more renewable electricity than PG&E at no additional cost.

Want to use 100% renewable energy for your electricity to show your ultra green side? You can opt up at a slight increase in cost.  PG&E will continue to distribute electricity and bill customers.

The City of Winters accounts will automatically be enrolled effective January 1, 2021; however, customers can opt out if they would like. To learn more, please visit https://valleycleanenergy.org/city-of-winters/ and  frequently asked questions https://valleycleanenergy.org/faqs/.

A Winters community workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, December 9 at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom. A link is on the VCE website.

 Did You Know?

• The Yolo County Central Landfill in Woodland has reopened Monday through Saturday for self-haul items so you can empty out your garages again and get rid of that extra stuff. No cash or EBT will be accepted; only credit card or check payments. Please see the Yolo County Central Landfill page for more information here.

• The State released new grants, loans, and tax deferrals for small businesses. Learn more here: https://covid19.ca.gov/business-and-employers/ or contact the Chamber of Commerce for more information at Home - Winters Chamber of Commerce.

New Trail and Dog Park at Grasslands Regional Park Opens December 4. Need to release that pent-up energy? Yolo County is opening its newest regional park today, located at 30475 County Road 104 about three miles south of Davis. The park includes a trail system through a working landscape, views of natural habitat and a new off-leash dog park that is approximately 10 acres of natural grassland among rows of oak trees. Now you and all the kiddos can run free.

Woot Woot!

•  I’d like to welcome our newest Police Officer, Kyle Shadman, who joined the team on November 16. Kyle is a recent Academy graduate, and we’re happy he has decided to launch his career with the City of Winters.

• Police Chief Miller was also recently appointed by the California Police Chiefs Association as their representative to the Instructor Standards Advisory Council, giving Winters a state-wide presence in the law enforcement community. We may be small but we are mighty!
• The Government Finance Officers Association notified the City that its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) for FY 2018-19 qualified for a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. This is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting, and the 17^th year in a row that the City has been so recognized by this national organization. Kudos to Financial Services Director Shelly Gunby for her outstanding efforts in this regard!