Sign up for our newsletter!

If you'd like to get this City Manager's Update sent directly to your email inbox every two weeks, go to our "Notify Me" page to sign up. Thank you.

April 23, 2021

**Make Every Day Earth Day**

We only have one home. Let's do all we can for it.

This year, we celebrated Earth Day (April 21) in the midst of a drought. Rainfall has been scant in our region for months, and we face another potentially dangerous wildfire season. It is crucial to save water and take other conservation-related and climate-change actions.

Please read the posts below for simple steps that make a tangible difference. We also encourage you to look at other conservation and sustainability resources.

Drought Emergency Declared in Russian River Watershed

California Governor Gavin Newsom was at parched Lake Mendocino on April 21 to declare drought in Sonoma County. Photo credit: Sonoma Water.

This week, Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a drought emergency in the Russian River Watershed, which spans Mendocino and Sonoma counties. Our region was specifically identified because our sole source of drinking water is rainfall; unfortunately, we have received only 30 percent of typical precipitation.

The governor's proclamation emphasized the urgent need to prioritize drought response and preparedness resources. As a result, at the next City Council meeting on May 3, City Staff will provide an update and recommend conservation measures to help blunt the effects of the drought.

Use These Outdoor Water Conservation Tips

Nearly 20 percent of Healdsburg’s total water use goes to residential outdoor irrigation and watering. To help ensure there’s enough water for everyone, we ask all Healdsburg community members to take these steps:

Cut the frequency and duration of your landscape irrigation and watering:
- water no more than ever other day
- don’t water the sidewalk and driveway.
Do not install a pool this year.
Do not install grass or water-intensive plants this year. Instead, plant more hardy and drought-resistant native species. Go here for more information.
Apply 3 inches of mulch and compost to your landscaping to help retain moisture.
Find and fix leaks — you may be eligible for an adjustment on your utility bill as a result.

Report Repaired Leaks to Save Money

We waste 1 trillion gallons of water nationwide.

Did you know that the average household that has water leaks wastes nearly 10,000 gallons every year? In addition,10 percent of homes with leaks waste 90 gallons or more per day, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Common household leaks include worn toilet flappers, dripping faucets, and other leaking valves. These types of leaks are often easy to fix. Not only will you stop wasting water (especially problematic in this drought), you may be eligible for a water-leak adjustment from the City’s Utility Billing Department. Go here to learn how to fix water leaks.

The department will consider excess usage from the water leak when calculating your Seasonal Sewer Average (SSA), which drives future sewer billing. SSA rates are calculated using four months of water usage (January - April); the new SSA rates go into effect in May. To report repaired leaks, please contact utilitybilling @ ci.healdsburg.ca.us or call (707) 431-3171.

Healdsburg’s Electricity Mix Becoming More Sustainable

Healdsburg's mix of electricity resources

For more than 100 years, the City of Healdsburg has owned and operated its own electric utility. Because we own geothermal (at the Geysers) and hydroelectric power plants, the City has for decades provided electricity with a high renewable and carbon-free content to its residential and business customers.

In most years, the City’s electricity ranges between 50 percent - 60 percent carbon-free. With the addition of our floating solar array, another large-scale solar project coming online in early 2022, and a contract for more in-state hydroelectric generation, Healdsburg’s electricity will continue to cut carbon intensity and associated greenhouse gas emissions. Further, Healdsburg and the Northern California Power Agency (NCPA) are developing green hydrogen that can be used at the Lodi Energy Center to fill energy demands when solar and hydro are not available.

By developing new clean energy resources, the City is providing affordable and sustainable energy to meet the needs of our Healdsburg customers. If you'd like to support renewable energy, we encourage you to sign up for the Healdsburg Green Rate.

Easy Climate Actions That Use Less Energy

Easy ways to make your home more energy efficient.

Old-school energy efficiency is a cheap and easy solution to lower your utility bill, reduce demand on the state’s electric grid, and lighten your household carbon footprint. But what exactly does energy efficiency look like around your home?

Seal up your house by caulking and weatherstripping cracks and crevices, and increase attic and wall insulation.
Improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling system by duct sealing and performing routine HVAC tune-ups.
Assess your aging appliances. Plan for the replacement of your gas heating appliances with an ultra-efficient electric heat pump. Go here for information on switching from fossil fuel gas to electric -- one of the best things you can do for the climate.

Wildfire Mitigation: Weed Abatement Inspections

green bins full of tree limbs and bushes

The Healdsburg Fire Department began weed abatement inspections on residential and commercial properties earlier this week. Let’s have a fire-safe season: Please start cutting back high weeds, trimming up tree limbs at least 6 ft. off the ground, and removing other “ladder fuels” on your property. Learn how to create defensible space on your property.

Nuisances will be declared on properties that fail to cut back these fire fuels at the May 17 City Council meeting. Final inspections will be completed the first week in June. If you have questions about the Fire Department’s weed-abatement inspections, please call Fire Marshal Linda Collister at (707) 431-3125.

Chemise Road Prescribed Burn

Prescribed burn on steep hillside at Chemise Road

On Wednesday, Healdsburg Fire participated in a prescribed burn on Chemise Road with the Northern Sonoma County Fire Protection District and Ember Fire Consulting. The prescribed burn was on 35 acres on a steep hillside with thick vegetation, about 6 miles northwest of Healdsburg city limits.

The community ordered the prescribed burn to help make the area more fire-resistant ahead of wildfire season. Chemise Road was very close to the 2020 Walbridge Fire, which was stopped at the bottom of the canyon with the help of a local dozer operator.

Vaccination Appointments Available at Alliance

Alliance Medical Center is offering the COVID-19 vaccine to community members next Tuesday, April 27, in Windsor’s Huerta Gym, and Wednesday, April 28, at Healdsburg High School. The available times are 5:30 - 7:30 PM on both days.

Walk-ins and appointments are accepted. For more information on where to get the COVID-19 vaccine in Sonoma County, go here.

Update: 3 North Street Project

On April 19, the long-planned 3 North Street Community Pavilion and Farmers Market project advanced one step closer to reality: The City Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding between the City and the Foley Family Charitable Foundation to fund the project's next phase. This work includes finalizing the project's design, securing the required approvals, and developing construction drawings for the project.

Once the design is completed, the project will move into the construction phase with completion anticipated sometime in 2023. The City is grateful for the Foley Family’s support for this much-anticipated community project.

Healdsburg Farmers' Market Launches 2021 Season

The Healdsburg Farmers’ Market kicked off its 2021 season last Saturday, April 17. Our local farmers’ market features seasonal produce, flowers, cooked and packaged food, handmade crafts and much more. The Healdsburg Farmers’ Market takes place every Saturday (8:30 AM – 12 PM) through December in the west plaza parking lot and every Tuesday (9 AM – 12:30 PM) through October on the downtown plaza.

Did you know that the Healdsburg Farmers’ Market was founded in 1978 and is one of the original 22 certified farmers’ markets in California? It’s the perfect place to purchase your healthy, fresh, and local goods and meet and mingle with other community members. For more information, please visit www.healdsburgfarmersmarket.org

Summer Camp Returns in June

Registration is now open for Summer Camp HBG, a traditional camp program for children ages 2.5 – 11 years. Campers will experience games, crafts, songs, cooking, STEM projects, and more in this program, which offers half-day and full-day options.

In addition, we will continue to provide funding support so all children can attend camp. Our Community Services team is gearing up for a summer full of fun and excitement while following all current health and safety guidelines. For more information and to register, visit the Healdsburg Community Center, give us a call at (707) 431-330, or go to: www.cityofhealdsburg.org/summer2021

Business Parklet Program Extended until 2023

On April 5, the Healdsburg City Council extended the temporary parklet permit program for local businesses until January 2023.

Created in June 2020 to support Healdsburg businesses by providing access to outdoor public spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic, the program was originally scheduled to expire on December 31, 2021. This extension allows businesses more time to recoup their investments in the parklets and gives City Staff the time to further develop guidelines and design standards and analyze a long-term parklet program.

City staff will continue to collaborate with our local businesses and community to create a framework for a long-term program and bring a proposal to a future City Council meeting. For more information on the City’s business parklet program, please visit: https://www.ci.healdsburg.ca.us/987/Marketspace-Opening-Public-Spaces

Moving Towards More Sustainability - Planning & Building

The Planning and Building Department is eliminating unnecessary paperwork through our online Citizen Self-Serve On-Line Permit Service.

Many routine home and business improvements that require a permit -- such as water-heater replacements, some electric vehicle charging stations, home electric storage units, re-roofing projects and solar panel installations -- can easily be accomplished online. In fact, in the first three months of the year, 62 projects have been approved this way.

Looking ahead, the department sees opportunities to increase reserved electric vehicle parking spaces and require additional charging stations in new developments with the implementation of the Cal Green Building Standards, which becomes effective on July 1, 2021. The department is also using electronic plan check software and other equipment that eliminates the waste caused by traditional blueprint submittals.

Happy Yoga Classes for Older Adults

Senior Center Staff recently launched a series of Hasya Yoga classes, known as Happy Yoga, for Healdsburg’s older adults. Happy Yoga uses humor and playful exercises to increase endorphin circulation. Research suggests that exercises in this type of class can help relieve stress, improve blood flow, strengthen the immune system, and allow seniors to bond with their peers in a safe setting.

If you're a senior or know a senior who would benefit from Happy Yoga classes, please call the Senior Center at (707) 431-3324, or email: senior @ cityofhealdsburg.org.

May 5-6: Healdsburg Airport Runway Closed

The Healdsburg Municipal Airport runway will be closed from 8 AM - 5 PM on Wednesday and Thursday, May 5-6, so a City contractor can crack-seal the airport's runway. The runway will be closed during this work, but access to hangers and airport services will remain open.

Crack sealing is necessary to preserve the runway's pavement and prevent water from intruding into the underlying base material, which would result in more costly repairs. For questions or concerns, please contact Senior Engineer Clay Thistle at cthistle @ ci.healdsburg.ca.us or call (707) 431-3391.