Friday Update on February 1 2019
All,
Some quick points from the week:
First, the items on this weeks City Council Agenda:
February 5, 2019
- Final Acceptance of Well 2 Rehabilitation Project
- Resolution 2019-02, Approving Certain Errata to the Implementing Agreement for the Yolo Habitat Conservation Plan/Natural Community Conservation Plan
- Promotional Swearing-In of Sergeant Jose Hermosillo
- Request for Matching Funds for Vehicle Purchase
- Animal Services Joint Powers Agency – Agreement Development
- Informational Item: General Plan Health and Safety Element
- The “Before I Die Wall” Presentation by Liz Romero, Gerontological Specialist and Community Ambassador from Yolo Hospice
Now the notes:
- The City will be contacting homeowners affected by the flooding in the Dry Creek Meadows Subdivision on Monday.
- Hooby’s Brewing received their final building inspection approvals today. Look for them to open around the third weekend of February.
- City Staff successfully completed the “tie in” of the West Main Sewer Pump Station. The project was a big step for our wastewater system which will eventually result is the diversion of almost 30% of the flow from the East Street Pump Station, increasing the efficiency and capacity of our wastewater system.
We are in full implementation mode of the Downtown Parking Master Plan. A couple key points:
- Parking Regulation: All ordinances have been revised and will be in full effect within the next few weeks. Enforcement times, fines and posting of signs, striping of curbs are all on the cusp of completion.
- Enforcement: Staff has been trained, citations ordered and delivered and the chalk stick is ready. We will begin with a process of warnings then move into citations in February.
- Striping: the entire Downtown has been re-painted. Additional diagonal spaces have been added on Abbey and Main. In the end, we will net in excess of 20 additional spaces from the striping. The last striping will occur on First Street, Edwards and Baker in the coming months. We have focused on the enforcement areas first then will move to the rest of the core area.
- First Street Parking Lot: The Winters Hotel construction will move off the property where the parking lot will be constructed in March. The lot will bring 38 parking spaces and a new alley. This should be a big deal for those along Central Main Street who will see almost a doubling in spaces, a lighted parking lot, paseo parkway onto the mid block and added convenience for many. We expect the parking lot to be done in May/June and ready when the hotel opens.
Combined new spaces from both striping and the new parking lot will be somewhere near 68 spaces.
- Waste Management has hired a new contractor to take over street sweeping, beginning in March. Also discussed compacting for recycling & trash, and front loaders will still be needed for compost. Contamination and overage fines for commercial accounts have begun ($150/overage, $50 contamination). Also, recycling can’t include plastic bags.
- Staff has been working on finalizing the City’s Climate Action Plan. The document will cover a six (6) year period to 2025 and include a revised implementation program which provides for public education, adoption of some key programs meant to reduce greenhouse gases. Look for the plan to go before the City Council in May.
- Staff will be working with Yolo Housing on a new service agreement. Our partnership has resulted in some cost savings and efficiency which may result in a reduction in the rate portion dedicated to capital equipment replacement. Good stuff!
- Staff is working with the Putah Creek Council on the installation of interpretive signs on the creek trail portion next to the PG&E Facility.
- A tour of the new Yolo Food Bank on Wednesday showed the advancement of this critical service in Yolo County.
- 3rd Annual Movie Night with the night shift will be held on March 16th at 5:30 p.m. in the Public Safety Facility’s fire bay – “The Grinch” will be featured.
- The Community Wildfire Protection Plan Draft is almost ready for public viewing. Look for a release prior to the upcoming meeting of the Winters Fire District Board Meeting.
- Attended a great SACOG Regional Manager’s meeting; SACOG rep said Winters was the perfect city for the “Green Means Go” pilot program that includes infill projects, travel options and EV options to decrease gas emissions in the region.
- For all the no growthers out there, its time to get a refill on the big bottle of tums and the Costco size Excedrin because the State is ready to release the new Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) numbers with direct correlation to transportation and road funding. Staff attended a RHNA meeting with SACOG and although the City will be receiving $125K, these funds can’t be used to update the housing element. Staff will look for an alternate way to utilize these funds within the context of RHNA and affordable housing.
- The EDAC report will be re-written, and based on the recommendations from the EDAC, it’s a good time to go to the Planning Commission and City Council about the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) process as everyone’s numbers are going up.
- Regarding transit, the City pays a large amount of money for Yolo Bus. Micro transit models may be explored. We need to look at the needs for seniors. An app on a phone could enable someone to be picked up along the scheduled route. There is a lot of potential here.
Getting ready for the Super Bowl. My recommendation is two growlers from Berryessa Brewing, including their new Couch Potato IPA. My prediction on the Super Bowl is to take the OVER on the parlay card and look for Tom Brady to get ring #6- Patriots 36 Rams 21
Have a safe weekend.
John