Friday Update – November 13, 2020
Greetings, all. As your new City Manager, and with my first Friday Update, I would like to thank everyone for their very warm welcome this week. I have met a number of employees, community members and county officials during this whirlwind week, and appreciate hearing people’s vision, goals, histories, concerns, priorities, adventures and furniture mishaps. From the time I crossed the bridge into Winters in August to check out the town, I have been impressed by the vision and community spirit that is evident in so many ways. The town enchanted me, and the people are wonderful. I am honored to be here and excited to dig in.
My first week has been spent figuring out where the office supplies are (old jail cell), who has coffee, and trying to organize my office and information related to all the people, projects and priorities I should focus on. I have yet to figure out how to access voice mail, so if you’re one of those blinking lights on my phone set, I apologize. I am told I will know who you are by Monday and will call you back as quickly as possible. In the meantime, you can always reach me by email at Kathleen.Trepa@cityofwinters.com.
I would also like to welcome our new City Clerk Ashley Bussart, who is replacing Tracy Jensen after many years serving the Winters community. Ashley started on Monday so she and I are launching on our new adventures together. Tracy is retiring at year’s end so we have a bit of time to get up to speed.
In terms of local news, we have a Council meeting Tuesday night. Items include:
- Several budget related items, one considering adjustments to the FY 20-21 adopted budget and the other carrying over prior year purchase orders to this fiscal year;
- An amendment to the Animal Control contract with Yolo County;
- A resolution authorizing access to State and Federal criminal history for employment, volunteering, and licensing purposes;
- An introduction and first reading of an ordinance to repeal the suspension of Transient Occupancy Tax collection, allowing for revenue to be collected by March 31, 2021; and
- A grant program to assist businesses impacted by COVID-19 with rent or mortgage assistance. Stay tuned for more information on this opportunity.
In other news, I am very pleased to share that the City has secured two new grants: an $80,000 grant to fund an emergency generator for the Senior Center project from the Yolo County PSPS program and $2,500 from the Women’s Caucus via Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry for the Senior Center furniture and fixtures fundraising campaign. That is our first contribution to the fund so thank you very much!
Finally, Yolo County remains in the Red Tier which allows limited indoor activities and dining. However, we are very close to sliding back into the Purple / most restrictive Tier so please remember we all need to help slow the community spread of COVID-19 by wearing masks, remaining 6’ apart and socially distanced, and not mingling in close proximity, especially indoors, with people outside of your family bubble.
Many thanks again for the warm welcome! And a happy belated Veteran’s Day to our Armed Forces, veterans, their families and friends, and to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. They will forever remain in our hearts and prayers. Semper Fi.
Kathleen