City Council Meeting Update

The Cloverdale City Council held their first of two regular meetings scheduled in January on Wednesday, January 12th at the Performing Arts Center.

The Council meeting was led by newly appointed Mayor Todd Lands. Significant actions taken by the Council included:

Introduction of An Ordinance amending Cloverdale Municipal Code Chapters 18.05 (Commercial Zoning Districts including the Downtown Commercial and Transit Oriented Development )
Approved funding allocation of $25,000 for the Cloverdale Senior Center and $75,000 for local not-for-profit La Familia Sana
Council Subcommittee Assignments and Regional Board appointments

The Council meeting was recorded and can be accessed on YouTube at the following link: Cloverdale Council - Jan 12, 2022 - YouTube. The next regularly scheduled meeting is on January 26th.

City Council Presents Proclamation to Box Cox

The Cloverdale City Council presented a proclamation to Bob Cox for his service to the Community of Cloverdale at their January 12th meeting. The proclamation acknowledged Bob's service on the Planning Commission and City Council as well has his community volunteer efforts and work with various community organizations including the Sons of the American Legion and Cloverdale Rotary Club.

Thank you Bob (and your wife Jeannie) for your service and dedication to the City of Cloverdale!

County Health Officer Issues Updated Health Order for Covid-19

On Monday, January 10th, the Sonoma County Health Department issued an updated Health Order. Due to the rapid rise of COVID cases surging through the community, Sonoma County Health Officer Dr. Sundari Mase issued an appeal to residents to stay home as much as possible for the next 30 days and limit interactions with those outside of their immediate household.

The county’s health officer, out of an abundance of caution, also issued a Health Order canceling large gatherings to limit the further spread of the novel coronavirus in the county. Large gatherings of more than 50 people indoors, or more than 100 people outdoors (where social distancing is not feasible), are prohibited for the duration of the order. The health order also specifies that gatherings of individuals who are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 must be limited to no more than 12 people, except for family gatherings.

A video of Dr. Mase’s appeal can be viewed on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/TWFmAdRAiZg

The order took effect at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 12 and is scheduled to remain in effect until Feb. 11.

Visit www.SoCoEmergency.org for more information about the Health Order and a list of FAQs as well as information about vaccination and testing locations.

Planning Commission Meeting Update

The Planning Commission met on Tuesday, January 11th this week and approved design review of the Alexander Valley Apartments project proposed for 401 Asti Road. The project includes 75-units of affordable housing. on-site amenities including an outdoor play area, community room and landscaped areas. For more information about the project, click here.

In other business, the Planning Commission selected Chad Asey to be the Chair of the Planning Commission and Mike Shanahan Vice-Chair.

Sonoma County Transportation Authority
Vision Zero Project

The Sonoma County Transportation Authority (SCTA) and Sonoma County Department of Health Services (DHS) are collaborating on the Vision Zero Sonoma County project to create a healthier, more sustainable community for all residents in Sonoma County. This project is focused on action-oriented strategies to eliminate serious injuries and fatalities caused by traffic collisions, improving health, quality of life and economic vitality, particularly for low-income and disadvantaged communities.

Please join SCTA on January 25 at 6pm for a presentation and discussion of the draft Vision Zero Action Plan. Click here to register in advance!

Looking to get in touch with Zero Waste? Contact them and let Zero Waste know what's up! Eco-Desk (707) 565-DESK (3375)

Sonoma Clean Power Releases Annual Report

Sonoma Clean Power's 2021 Annual Report

Messages from Geof Syphers, CEO and Melanie Bagby Board Chair
Results of SCP's Bike Electric program
Progress on developing energy storage
See who's using 100% local renewable power

Learn More: Annual-Report-2021-FINAL.pdf (sonomacleanpower.org)

Resolve to be Ready

January is Resolve to be Ready month! The City of Cloverdale is encouraging all Cloverdalians to be prepared in the event of an unexpected emergency, like an earthquake.

Resolve to be Ready month is an opportunity for organizations, small businesses, and the public to practice simple, but critical, steps that can keep them safe during an earthquake.

Make a Resolution

Make an emergency plan: choose a safe place to meet, learn evacuation routes, and establish an out-of-town contact.
Take a current photo of you and your pet together in case you get separated during a disaster.
Get to know your neighbor and invite them to be a part of your emergency plan.
Snap photos of important documents and save them in a secure place or online.
Set up group text lists so you can communicate with friends and family during emergencies.
Take a class in CPR and first aid.
Keep and update emergency supplies; remember to include cash.
Have back-up power sources available to charge devices in case of a power outage.
Snap pictures of your property for insurance purposes.
Check your insurance for coverage on disasters like floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes.
Sign up for alerts and warnings. Download the FEMA app to get real-time alerts, safety tips, and locate open shelters.
Save for a rainy day! Start and grow your emergency fund.
Financially prepare for the New Year. Find out how with the Emergency Financial First Aid Kit.
Spend within your means. Use a personal budgeting worksheet to help plan for holiday expenses and beyond.
Build up your savings. Put a small amount in your account the first of every month beginning January 1.

For more information about making an emergency Plan, visit: Make A Plan | Ready.gov

Hazardous Waste Round Up - Jan. 18th

Zero Waste will be conducting a hazardous waste round up in Cloverdale on Tuesday, January 18th from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

The Hazardous Waste Round Up event is By appointment only. Click here to schedule an appointment. The exact event location will be emailed to you with your confirmation. Appointments must be made at least 24 hours in advance and events are limited to 80 participants.

Drought Persists Despite Wet Start to Water Year 2022; State Prohibits Wasteful Water Use

Despite ample rainfall in the first three months (Oct.-Dec.) of Water Year 2022, most of California including Sonoma County remains in a severe drought.

In response to the Drought, the State Water Resources Control Board has adopted emergency regulations prohibiting wasteful water practices with the possibility of imposing fines for violators. Prohibited activities include watering landscaping during or within 48 hours of measurable rainfall, producing runoff with outdoor irrigation, and using potable water to clean driveways. Shut-off nozzles must be used when washing a car. According to Water Board, “the prohibitions apply to all water users, including individuals, business and public agencies, and can be enforced through warning letters, water audits or fines. The prohibitions will remain in place for one year unless extended, modified or removed.” The specific regulations can be found at the Water Board website. Water waste can be reported at https://savewater.ca.gov.

City Hall Closed in Observation of MLK Day January 17th

In observation of the Martin Luther King (MLK) Day, City Hall will closed January 17th. As always, City Hall is open 24/7 online where you can find access to building permit applications, business licenses, or even pay your water bill. Come take a look at the City Web Site.

Free Community Health Worker Training Starts February 1

The County of Sonoma Department of Health Services is pleased to announce our Community Health Worker (CHW) Certificate Program conducted through our training partner, City College of San Francisco (CCSF). This CDC grant-sponsored scholarship program provides free tuition and textbooks exclusively for Sonoma County residents in a two-semester course that trains and certifies students to work in the fields of public health, health care, and social services.

If you’re interested, please consider applying for the scholarship.

CHW Certificate Requirements
Applicants must apply for and be accepted into the scholarship program, then complete the following:

Student enrollment in Community College of San Francisco (link below).
14 units of online core CHW classes, including Health 201, 202, 203, and 203W
3-4 units of approved online elective classes
A 120-hour internship placement (150 hours for paid internships)
A final performance-based exam administered by local public health experts

The opportunity for financial support through the Centers for Disease Control’s “CHW COVID Response and Community Resilience Grant” is provided exclusively to Sonoma County residents without respect to immigration status. Applicants must demonstrate a sincere commitment to complete all requirements and to serve the community of Sonoma County in a CHW role or similar.

Instructions for Scholarship Application
Please submit the completed scholarship application form (link below), along with a letter of recommendation from a current or past supervisor or professional colleague, to Christine Luckin at christine.luckin@sonoma-county.org.

>> Download Scholarship Application
>> Enroll in CCSF

Scholarship applications will be accepted until January 19, 2022 for the Spring 2022 program.

Please contact either Christine Luckin (Christine.Luckin@sonoma-county.org) or Kim Caldewey (Kim.Caldewey@sonoma-county.org) with questions.