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December 20, 2019

City Manager's Office

Happy Holidays, Healdsburg!

Happy Holidays to our Healdsburg community. We hope you have a happy, relaxing, and safe holiday. So City Staff can also enjoy the holidays, all City departments (except Fire and Police) will be closed on Dec. 24-27 and 31, and Jan. 1, 2020.

If you experience an emergency with your water or electric service, please contact the 24-hour utility-response hotline at (707) 431-7000 or 1-855-755-6586.

Community Services

Dec. 8: Senior Appreciation Dinner - A Dickens Affair

Staff dressed up for Senior Appreciation Dinner

Seniors eating dinner at Senior Appreciation Dinner

Senior Center and City Staff, with the support of many community volunteers, hosted the 36^th annual Senior Appreciation Dinner on Sunday, Dec. 8 at the Villa Chanticleer. This year’s event had a Charles Dickens theme that included greeters in Victorian-era garb, carolers, and special decorations and place settings. Two-hundred and twenty seniors were treated to valet parking, a red-carpet entrance, wine and cheese social hour, and a full three-course meal. Free meals were also delivered to the homes of seniors unable to attend the event. Community Services thanks all of the volunteers, sponsors, donors, and of course the attendees who make this annual event possible.

Holiday Recreation Programs

Recreation programs are wrapping up, but there are still two opportunities to enjoy the holiday season! This Saturday, Dec. 21, is the final Drop ‘N’ Shop of the year. Participants over the past two weekends enjoyed arts, crafts, cooking projects and holiday-themed activities. This Saturday’s finale includes a special appearance from Santa himself! Space is still available if families are looking for an affordable and festive child-care option while finishing their holiday shopping. http://bit.ly/holidaydropnshop

Community Services Staff are hosting a Winter Break Mini-Camp on January 2-3 that will provide children a fun and social experience while out of school. Hours have been extended to 8 AM – 5 PM to better accommodate working parents. Join us for both days or drop in for a single day: http://bit.ly/WinterBreakCamp19

Carolers Bring Festive Cheer to Downtown Healdsburg

Acclaimed strolling carolers All Aglow have been serenading businesses patrons and community members in downtown Healdsburg this holiday season. This entertainment is provided in partnership by the Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce, Healdsburg Tourism Improvement District, and the Community Services Department. The singing group’s final performances will take place this Saturday, with a special mini-concert in the plaza from 12 - 12:40 PM. While you’re strolling downtown to get your last-minute shopping done, stop by the plaza for some live holiday music.

Dec. 23: Hanukkah Celebration at the Senior Center

Senior Center staff are partnering with the Sonoma County Jewish Community Center to celebrate Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, on Monday, Dec. 23, at 4 PM at the Healdsburg Senior Center. This free celebration is open to all and includes traditional songs, prayers, live klezmer music and latkes with all the fixings. Contact the Senior Center at (707) 431-3324, or email: agrant@cityofhealdsburg.org so that we can save a seat for you. Warm wishes for a Happy Hanukkah!

Planning & Building

Update: Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

On December 16, the City Council adopted an urgency ordinance that adjusts the City’s ADU ordinance to comply with recent state legislation. The changes address reduced setbacks, the elimination of required replacement parking for garage conversions and parking and exceptions for ADUs and Junior ADUs in certain circumstances. The staff report and attachments are available on the City Council Agenda Webpage. The City’s ADU webpage and brochure have been updated to reflect the adopted changes which went into effect on December 16, 2019.

Master Fee Schedule Update

On December 16, the City Council adopted adjustments to the City’s Master Fee Schedule to bring the fees closer to a 100 percent cost recovery. The adopted changes were based on a user-fee study prepared by MGT Inc. The adopted fees will go into effect on January 1, 2020.

Public Safety

Dec. 18: Truck Fire/Hazmat Incident

Healdsburg Fire was one of the responding agencies on a truck fire at northbound U.S. Highway 101 at the South Cloverdale exit on Wednesday, Dec. 18. Fire Chief Jason Boaz was the incident commander and Fire Marshall Linda Collister was part of the Sonoma County Prevention and HAZMAT team that contained a sodium hypochlorite leak from the truck fire. The team was on the scene for at least 4-6 hours to stop and clean up the chemical leak.

Dec. 21: Free CPR Class in Spanish

The Healdsburg Reserve Firefighters Association is sponsoring a free CPR/First Aid class in Spanish to the first 20 persons that sign up. The class is this Saturday December 21, from 9 AM -4 PM at the Healdsburg Community Center, 1557 Healdsburg Ave. Please call 431-3357 or 431-3360 to sign up.

Jan. 25: Bucket Brigade Blood Drive Challenge

Once again, the Healdsburg Fire Department will take part in the annual Bucket Brigade Challenge -- a friendly competition among North Bay fire departments to see which department can host the largest blood drive. The next Bucket Brigade is scheduled or Saturday, Jan. 20, 2020, at the firehouse (601 Healdsburg Ave.).

Healdsburg Fire has placed first for the past two years; help us gather lifesaving blood for our community by signing up here.

Utility

Jan. 21: Induction Cooking Class with Chef Mateo

Image of Chef Mateo's Jan. 21 Induction Cooking Class

In partnership with Relish Culinary and local award-winning chef Mateo Granados, the Electric Department will host a cooking class featuring the culinary benefits of electric induction-heat cooking. The class (valued at $100) is $25 and will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 21, from 6-8 PM. Chef Mateo will curate a Yucatan-style dinner and demonstrate the precision of induction cooking. For more information and to sign up, go here.

Energy Reach Code Ordinance Passed

The City adopted an energy reach code ordinance that will require new buildings to use electric space and water heating while allowing natural gas for cooking, fireplaces, and pool heating. The reach code limits fossil fuels in new buildings, reducing their carbon footprint by utilizing the City’s low-carbon electricity. These mixed-fuel (electric and gas) homes will reduce emissions by .7 metric tons per year, with electric appliances continuously reducing emissions as the City’s Electric Department works toward 100 percent carbon-free electricity. The ordinance will become effective upon approval from the California Energy Commission, on March 1, 2020. For more information about the reach code, please go here.

Sunset Tank Now in Service

Over the past several months, work has steadily progressed to complete the replacement of an old redwood stave tank. City Staff are happy to report that the new tank is now in service. The new tank provides reliability to the City drinking-water system and increases the amount of water available to fight fires.

Utility Wildfire Mitigation Plan

The City has completed the first Utility Wildfire Mitigation Plan. The Plan is intended to evaluate and reduce the risk of wildfires caused by electric utility equipment. While the City builds and maintains a safe and reliable electric system, the components of this plan help assure the City is taking reasonable measure to reduce the risk of wildfires. Over the next few months the Plan will be evaluated by an independent and qualified consultant. Once the review is complete the Plan and the consultant’s report will be presented to the public and City Council for comment and consideration.

Happy Holidays from the City of Healdsburg!