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January 29, 2021

Update on COVID-19 Distribution

Sonoma County has administered 34,802 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to date. The county continues to ramp up vaccination distribution and is now vaccinating Phase 1a Tier 1, 2 and 3 populations; it plans to expand to the much larger Phase 1b population group early in February.
 
This week, Sonoma County also announced a new clinic for seniors 75 and older in partnership with OptumServe at the Rohnert Park Community Center. More info: https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/CAO/Press-Releases/Sonoma-County-to-take-part-in-pilot-vaccination-program/
 
Please note that this site will expand to more community members in early February – we will provide more details soon. Other vaccination clinics with a capacity totaling 2,500 vaccinations per day include:
 
- Huerta Gym in Windsor. This site will also be targeted to those ages 75 and up.
- Sonoma County Medical Association clinic for health-care providers at Grace Pavilion
- Safeway clinic for in-home supportive services workers at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds
- Clinical health-appraisals clinic for public-health field workers at the county administration building
- AMR and fire agency clinic for first responders and law enforcement at the public health lab
- DEMA consulting clinic for community health promoters at Roseland Library
- The fitness center at Santa Rosa Junior College’s Petaluma campus
 
In February, these clinics will begin serving Phase 1b populations, which includes teachers, emergency service workers, and food and agriculture workers
 
The County’s vaccine distribution website (https://socoemergency.org/emergency/novel-coronavirus/vaccine-information/) is continually updated with detailed information about the vaccination rollout, safety and how the vaccine is being disseminated.
 
While you wait for your turn to get vaccinated, please continue to follow safety protocols and get tested. For COVID-19 testing sites in Sonoma County, go to the testing and tracing page at https://socoemergency.org/emergency/novel-coronavirus/testing-and-tracing/ and the pop-up testing calendar (https://socoemergency.org/events/category/pop-up-testing/).

Feb. 1: City Council Meeting

The next City Council meeting will be held online at 6 PM on Monday, Feb. 1 via Zoom. The meeting includes an update from the City Manager on COVID-19 as well as an update on the arts and culture and parks, river access, and connectivity master-planning process. Other items of interest include an update on the downtown Marketspace program and a report on the water and wastewater rate study.

The City Council meeting can be watched live on the City website at http://healdsburgca.iqm2.com/Citizens/default.aspx (go to the Feb. 1 meeting date) as well as on the City’s main Facebook page: www.facebook.com/cityofhealdsburg.

If you would like to provide public comment, please join the meeting as a participant. Full instructions on how to join the meeting can be found in the meeting agenda packet: http://healdsburgca.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=1&ID=2048&Inline=True

New Interim Community Development Director

Luke Sims has joined the City of Healdsburg as the interim Community Development Director. He has served in local government for 36 years, for municipalities including the cities of Santa Monica, Pasadena, San Pablo, Scottsdale, and San Leandro.

Most recently, Luke worked as the Director of Community Development for the City of Dublin, from which he retired in 2019. He has an M.A. in architecture and urban planning from UCLA and a B.S. in urban and regional planning from Cal Poly, Pomona. Please join us in welcoming Luke to Healdsburg!

Feedback Wanted on Local Road Safety Plan

We're preparing a local roadway safety plan to identify and analyze areas in Healdsburg with known traffic collisions, evaluate possible high-risk locations, and create counter measures to improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists as well as vehicle drivers.

The City has contracted with GHD, Inc. to prepare the plan, which was made possible through a state grant. Provide input via an interactive map and survey here: https://lrsp.mysocialpinpoint.com/healdsburg.

The survey will be live until February 28. Please keep checking the project website for additional information such as plan documents, safety projects, and additional surveys. If you have questions, please email: publicworks@ci.healdsburg.ca.us.

Water Supply Update: Drought-like Conditions Continue

This week’s rain was sorely needed, but our water supply levels are still low. Lake Mendocino, which supplements Healdsburg’s drinking water, is at 40 percent of targeted storage levels.

Please help us conserve our shared drinking water. Here are some ways to save:

• Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth. Faucets use about 2.2 gallons per minute, so it adds up!
• Place extra buckets and tubs outside during rain events for rainwater capture to water houseplants and flush toilets.
• Replace old toilets with low-flow models. Doing so can cut water use in half and is eligible for cash back from Healdsburg’s water-conservation rebate program. 

2021-2022 Measure V Survey

Our annual Measure V survey was mailed to all community members earlier this month, but if you’d rather take the survey online, here are the links. The deadline to submit feedback is Friday, Feb. 12.

English: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GH2K67G
Espanol: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Esp2021

Measure V is a half-cent sales tax that helps fund vital city services and programs, including public safety, street maintenance and repair, city facilities, and economic development. All the revenue is spent locally to benefit Healdsburg residents.

For more information on Measure V, go to: https://www.ci.healdsburg.ca.us/405/Measure-V-Measure-T

Feb. 2-3: Russian-River Friendly Landscaping Workshop 

Learn how to grow a beautiful yard and garden for Sonoma County’s microclimate.  The Russian River Watershed Association is hosting a free virtual landscaping workshop series on February 2-3.

Find out how to reduce fire risk, conserve water, prevent erosion, increase biodiversity, and sequester carbon. Register here: https://bit.ly/3ae5RvD

Road Work on Healdsburg Avenue

Earlier this week, the developer of the Mill District mixed-use project began utility (water, sewer and storm drain) and roadway work on Healdsburg Avenue, south of the roundabout to Exchange Avenue. This work is scheduled to last through April, weather permitting.

Two lanes of traffic will remain open at all times. There is also a pedestrian and bicycle handling plan in effect for this area. "Share the road" signs are installed on Healdsburg Avenue for cyclists, who may detour around the work zone via the Front Street area.

Behind on your utility bill? Pay what you can now.

While late fees and disconnections for non-payment are currently on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the balance on your City of Healdsburg utility account is still accumulating. In the near future, past due account balances will be subject to late fees and interruption of service due to non-payment. 
 
We are here to help, such as providing assistance with a customized payment plan. In the meantime, we strongly encourage account holders with a past due balance to pay what they can now at  https://www.onlinebiller.com/healdsburg/.
 
Are you receiving assistance to reduce your utility bill?  You may be eligible for the State of California LIHEAP program and the City's C.A.R.E. program. Income guidelines and applications are available at https://www.ci.healdsburg.ca.us/173/Utility-Programs. If you have questions, please email utilitybilling@ci.healdsburg.ca.us or call (707) 431-3307.

Add Insulation to Save Water and Money

Adding attic and wall insulation is a low-cost way to reduce heating and cooling and save money on utility bills. In this climate zone, we recommend 12-14 inches of attic insulation but homes built before 1980 only have 6 inches.

Healdsburg residents are eligible for two rebates through Healdsburg Electric and BayREN that cover up to 75 percent of total installation costs. In addition, Healdsburg CARE customers may be eligible for free insulation with no out-of-pocket expenses.

Healdsburg’s electric rebate information is here: smartlivinghealdsburg.org. BayREN program details are here: https://bayrenresidential.org/ For more information, please contact us at conservation@ci.healdsburg.ca.us or call (707) 431-3122.