Friday Update on Thursday September 15 2016
All,
Short yet informative (my Friday is absolutely crazy so I am sending this a little early)!
- The Bureau of Reclamation has selected FX10 International, Inc, owned by Winters residents John and Linda Frazier as the concessionaires for Markley Cove. The contract is for a 30 year period and will bring stability and upgrades to our end of the lake. John and Linda along with the Frazier Family have operated Markley Cove for the past 40 years! They are a really important Winters business and have been stalwart over the past 15 very difficult years at Lake Berryessa. The award of the contract to the Fraziers is really good news for our town and the future moving forward in our region! I personally cannot say enough about the Fraziers, they are a class act and kept their dignity during some pretty tough years dealing with the concession re-bid process. This is a good thing for Winters!
- Carrie Green is the new Executive Director for the Winters Chamber of Commerce. She brings an impressive background and is well in tuned with Winters. I met with Carrie for a bit and I think she is going to do a wonderful job!!
- City Council Meeting for Tuesday will feature Chromium 6 compliance strategy and authorization, hire of a Parking Study Consultant, funding for the Salmon Festival, Sound permits for WHS Homecoming and the Festival De La Communidad and an update on improvements and future plans for the play areas at City Park.
- The Chromium 6 numbers are not encouraging. Right now, combined water and sewer will exceed $200 per month (not including consumption). The following is from our consultant regarding the views of State and Federal bureaucrats regarding excessive utility rates in small towns:
“EPA’s stated view on potable water—that it is affordable if it costs less than 2.5% of small community Medium Household Income- MHI—influences the perceived affordability of combined water and wastewater bills. Specifically, it is commonly inferred that EPA would consider a combined annual water and wastewater bill of less than 4.5% of MHI to be affordable (2.5% for water, plus 2% for wastewater services and CSO controls).”
“Winters is a small community per EPA definition, meaning current combined water and ww rates would be ‘affordable’ in Winters as long as they do not exceed about $220/month…easy to say sitting in D.C.”
“In CA, under current funding program guidelines, there are no favorable terms based on water rate affordability until local water rates exceed 1.5% of community MHI.”
It is amazing that the view of these regulators is so callused that they cannot consider the impacts on seniors and low income persons and families. Imagine being a senior on a fixed income of $600 a month suddenly seeing your utility bills go from $78 per month to $220 (more than 30% of your income!). You still need to pay electricity, phone, tv and other living expenses. Not to mention food………. From the City Staff standpoint, it is simply mind boggling trying to work this issue.
- The Winters Friends of the Library will have another great event this Saturday September 17 from 3-6 pm. Books and Brews will happen at Berryessa Brewing. Local authors will be there to talk about their books, sell some (with proceeds to WFOL). The lineup includes Steve Ackley, Kelly Hess, Jesse Loren, Beth McMillen, Lisa Nalbone, Lorraine Rominger, Tamsen Schultz and Spring Warren.
- Putah Creek/Coastal Clean-up Day is this Saturday, September 17. Bring gloves, closed toe shoes and a water bottle for a day of cleaning up the creek. Meet at the Rotary Park Gazebo beginning at 8:45!
Finally, I went to Calle’s Carnival last Sunday at Creekside Park and it was awesome!! The friends and supporters of Leslie Pinkston made a very special fundraising event which did out community proud! There are many things which show the kindness of living in a small town, and this was truly special!
WHS Plays Dixon High School this Friday at Dr Sellers Field. JV kickoff is at 5:30 and Varsity at 7:30!
Have a nice weekend! Go Warriors!!
John