Finance Administration & Police Subcommittee - April 4

The Finance Administration & Police Subcommittee is scheduled to meet Monday, April 4th at 1:30 in person at the Library Conference Room. Virtual meeting attendance is also available via Zoom.

Current Items for Discussion:

Review Draft Code Enforcement Ordinance modifying Municipal Code Chapters 1.10 through 1.15
Salary Review of the Assistant City Manager/Community Development Director and Public Works Director
Review and Discuss Proposal for Recruitment Services
Discuss Need and Potential Alternatives for Procuring Grant Writing Services
Discuss Translation Services for City Council Meetings and Other Brown Act Committees
Discuss Update of the Cloverdale Governance Manual

A copy of the meeting agenda can be found here.

Update on 4th Street Reconstruction Project

The City continue to make progress on the 4th Street reconstruction project. The City's contractors completed all concrete demolition in preparation for pouring new concrete curbs and gutters. By the end of this week, contractors expect to finish pouring concrete for all curbs, gutters, and valley gutters.

Next week, starting Monday, April 4th, the contractor will place, grade, and compact aggregate base for the sidewalk and curb ramps. On Tuesday 4/4, the contractor will start pouring the ramps and driveways continuing through the week. A pre-paving meeting is to be planned for next week to discuss paving schedule (acceptable and consistent weather/temperatures are needed), order of operations, and traffic control. The project remains on schedule and on budget.

Planning Commissioner Recruitment

The City is seeking applications for people interested in serving on the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission is comprised of five regular members. The Commission is made up of citizens who have been appointed by the City Council, for a four-year term, to review matters related to planning and development. In addition to the five regular members, two resident alternate commissioners serve for a term of two (2) years.

The Commission holds regularly scheduled meetings to consider land use matters including such things as the General Plan, Specific Plans, rezonings, use permits, and subdivisions. Planning Commission meetings are typically held the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Cloverdale Performing Arts Center located at 209 N Cloverdale Boulevard.

Applications are available here.

April Planning Commission Meeting Cancelled

The next regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting on Tuesday, April 5th has been cancelled due to a lack of agenda items. The next regular Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 3rd.

A copy of the Notice of Cancellation for the April 5th meeting can be found here.

Vandalism at City Parks

Parks Superintendent Héctor Galván reported that there has been an increase in vandalism and graffiti at local parks. Parks staff recently responded to significant graffiti at Clark Park and vandalism of park facilities at Furber Park.

At Furber Park, Vandals damaged a secured water irrigation valve that resulted in the loss of several 100 gallons of water as well as locked facilities maintained by Cloverdale Youth Soccer. At Clark Park, graffiti marred park signage and the play structure. The repair work cost City staff significant time repairing the damage. Repairing the damage takes staff time away from other critical park maintenance efforts by City staff and the unnecessary expenditure of city funds to repair the damage.

Residents are encouraged to keep an eye out and report any suspicious activity immediately to the Cloverdale Police Department by calling the Cloverdale Police Department's non-emergency line at (707) 894-2150.

Current Water Supply Update

Lake Mendocino continued to be well below the target water supply level for April. Despite the recent rainfall, Sonoma County continues to be designated as Extreme Drought by the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Read drought condition updates here.
Visit the California Water Watch website and enter your address to see how much rainfall has received to date

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Unfortunately, distracted driving is not a passing fad. It has become a trend with deadly, real consequences.

For anyone who thinks they can talk on their phone, text, apply make-up, or do any other distracting activity while driving, it’s time for a crash course in reality from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

In 2013, 3,154 people were killed and approximately 424,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver. (NHTSA)
Drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to be involved in a serious crash. (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
In 2013, ten percent of fatal crashes, 18 percent of injury crashes, and 16 percent of all motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2013 were reported as distraction-affected crashes. (NHTSA)
In 2013, ten percent of all drivers 15-19 years old involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crashes. This age group has the largest proportion of drivers who were distracted.

Distracted driving is one of the fastest growing safety issues on the roads today. Distracted drivers aren’t just a threat to themselves; they are a danger to everyone else on the road. Yes, this is a national problem, but it also affects us right here in Cloverdale. No one is immune from the dangers of distracted driving.

So please remember: One text or call during driving could wreck it all.

JOIN THE SONOMA CLEAN POWER COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Sonoma Clean Power is recruiting volunteers for openings on its Community Advisory Committee. This is a meaningful opportunity to provide input toward Sonoma Clean Power’s innovative customer benefits, renewable energy projects, and assist with shaping clean energy goals for our community.

The Community Advisory Committee comprises volunteers who typically meet once per month to make recommendations and provide input to the Board of Directors on topics such as: customer benefits, the review of budgets & rates, and the general operations of the agency. Members serve four-year terms following appointment by our Board of Directors.

CLICK HERE to learn more.

Second booster shots available for Sonoma County residents age 50

Residents age 50 and older and those who are immunocompromised are now eligible to receive a second booster of the mRNA (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) COVID-19 vaccine at county-sponsored clinics as well as at local pharmacies and healthcare providers in Sonoma County.

Under guidance approved this week by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup and the California Department of Public Health, the boosters are authorized for everyone 50 and older, as well as those who are immunocompromised, as long as it’s been at least four months since they received their first booster dose.

Immunocompromised individuals age 12 to 17 are only eligible to receive a second booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

“High risk individuals, including the elderly and immunocompromised, are still at risk from severe outcomes from COVID-19,” said Dr. Urmila Shende, Sonoma County’s vaccine chief. “Vaccine protection wanes over time, and a second booster dose is important to increase protection.”

People who qualify under the federal guidelines should contact their primary care doctor, local pharmacy or visit MyTurn.ca.gov to schedule a booster shot.