Welcome New City Clerk Mike Maloney!

On May 3rd, the City Council approved an employment agreement with Mike Maloney to serve as the City's City Clerk. Mike will oversee the City Clerks Office which is responsible for the agenda process for the City Council, Planning Commission and Council subcommittees as well as the election process among other duties.

Mike comes to us from the City of Santa Rosa, where he worked for several years in the Planning and Economic Development Department.Mike enjoys being active and all the outdoor recreational opportunities in Cloverdale, so much so, he recently moved to Cloverdale. Please help us welcome Mike as our new City Clerk and city resident!

May 2022 Population Estimates for Sonoma County

New Population Figures Released for Cloverdale

The California Department of Finance (DOF) released the May 2022 Population estimates. According to DOF’s estimates, the City of Cloverdale’s population declined 1.4% from 9,029 in January 2021 to 8,905 in 2022. This follows a decline from 2020. Overall, Population in Sonoma County and the State declined in 2022 as well.

Attached below is the link to the DOF's press release including population figures for Sonoma County.

May 2022 Population Estimates Press Release (ca.gov)

Water Supply Update – Drought is Still Here. Save Water

The drought is still here. Water supply levels at Lake Mendocino and Lake Sonoma remain at historic lows. Water is a resource that our community shares, and it is critical that we all continue to protect and conserve this valuable resource. The City of Cloverdale and Sonoma Marin Saving Water Partnership (SMSWP) urge our community to keep up the great work and effort – water saved now, is water we can use later. For water saving tips and programs you can take advantage of to conserve water and save money, visit SavingWaterPartnership.org.

The Sonoma Water weekly water supply graphic (below) provides a comparison of storage levels during 2020, 2021 with current 2022 water storage for our two main reservoirs, Lake Sonoma, and Lake Mendocino. You can stay informed about Current Water Supply Conditions, Drought Updates, Actions, and Information by going to: SonomaWater.org/current-water-supply-levels.

Construction of Pickleball Courts Approved by City Council

The City Council approved the construction of two pickleball courts at this weeks City Council meeting! the pickleball courts will be installed at Furber Park adjacent to park trail.

Pickleball is a fast growing fun sport that can be enjoyed by all ages. We are proud to be able to install two new courts to accommodate the growing interest in the sport. We are anticipating the construction of the new courts will begin in early summer.

May Is National Bicycle Safety Month

May is National Bicycle Safety Month. Established in 1956, National Bike Month is a chance to showcase the many benefits of bicycling — and encourage more folks to giving biking a try.

In support of bicycle safety, Cloverdale Police Department encourages drivers to slow down when passing bicyclists, and asks bicyclists to be visible, predictable, and safe on the road.

Please share the road with bicyclists and think of them as your closest friends or family.
To increase public safety for both cyclists and drivers, please consider the following safety tips:

Drivers

Slow down. Give at least three to five feet of space when passing a bike.
Wait for a safe place to pass when driving behind a bike, especially on narrow roads. California law requires drivers to provide at least three feet of space between a vehicle and bicycle.
If making a right turn, assume a bicyclist is traveling through the intersection unless they signal otherwise.
When making a left turn, yield to oncoming bicyclists just as you would for other drivers.
Look for cyclists before opening a car door.
Never drive distracted or impaired.

Bike Riders

Be predictable, safe, and seen: obey traffic laws, use hand signals, use lights at night (front white light and rear red reflector), and wear a helmet.
Bicyclists must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow-moving vehicle.
Avoid the door zone: do not ride too closely to parked cars. If there’s a bike lane, use it, unless making a left turn, passing, or approaching a place where a right turn is allowed.
Yield to pedestrians. Bicyclists must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians within marked crosswalks or within unmarked crosswalks at intersections.

Family Bike Workshop - 6/4/2022 Cloverdale

Families are invited to learn how to ride together in a safe and fun way at our FREE Family Bicycling Workshops.

Fun games and a neighborhood ride!

Date: 06/04/2022
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM PT

Kids receive a free blinky light! Join the Bicycle Coalition’s certified cycling instructors for a fun workshop for parents and kids. Children must be able to ride a bike and ready to take to the road with their parents. Parents are allowed to trail their children in trailers or child seats too. Children and parents must participate in the clinic together and bring their own bikes and helmets.

This event will be held at Cloverdale Citrus Fair (1 Citrus Fair Drive, Cloverdale)

For more information, contact Tina Panza at 707-545-0153 or saferoutes@bikesonoma.org.

Asti Road Bridge Project Update

Sonoma County Department of Transportation and Public Works (TPW) is working on establishing a permanent Bridge at Asti Road. A Permanent Asti Bridge will provide an additional, reliable, year-round egress, particularly during disaster emergencies, which are an increasingly frequent threat.

The total estimated project cost is $20 million, and the County proposes to fund $16 million. Property owners may be required to fund up to $4 million of project costs, dependent on any grant moneys that may be available.

For more information, visit the TPW project page: Permanent Asti Bridge (ca.gov)

TPW’s first videos on what will be a series of perspectives on the construction of a new bridge in Asti can be accessed at the links below:

https://fb.watch/cRmkAHa3NO/
https://youtu.be/MW0XCqSUERA

Hometown Hero Banners are Back

Hometown Hero Banners were reinstalled on light poles this week throughout Downtown Cloverdale. Cloverdale is proud to be home to veterans and to men and women currently serving in our military.

We are excited to continue our Hometown Hero Project so our community can show support. Come downtown to view the banner and celebrate our howtown heros serving in the military! A big thanks to Craig Johnson for installing the Hometown Heroes Banners.

Get Savvy. GridSavvy.

Sonoma Clean Power is launching GridSavvy Rewards, a new way for our customers to earn rewards for
saving energy during hours of high electricity usage on the grid. Residential customers with a SmartMeter™ are eligible to sign up. If you are an existing GridSavvy electric vehicle or smart thermostat customer, you can still participate!

You can choose to be notified of SCP’s energy-saving events via text or email and can unenroll at any time. To confirm your enrollment and to view the GridSavvy Terms & Conditions, please visit www.sonomacleanpower.org/earnrewards.

Energy-saving events

SCP will call an energy-saving event when the electrical grid is stressed because there is a high demand for electricity. You’ll receive a notification up to 24 hours in advance via text or email that there is an opportunity to save energy and earn rewards. An energy-saving event can last one to four hours, typically between 4 p.m. - 9 p.m., and may occur a few times per month. SCP will provide you with energy savings tips and actions you can take to help you earn more rewards.

City Launches Water Upgrade $ave Program

BayREN’s Water Upgrades Save program officially launched in the City of Cloverdale! Utility customers will receive an introduction/invitation letter in the mail inviting customers to save water and money with the City of Cloverdale’s new Water Upgrades $ave program.

The Water Upgrade Save Program is designed to help homeowners and single-family renters install water and energy efficient upgrades — like high-efficiency toilets, showerheads, and aerators. You’ll see little-to-no upfront cost and a monthly utility-approved on-bill charge that is significantly lower than the estimated savings. So you start saving right away!

How to Upgrade and Save:
Step 1. Enroll by clicking on Water Upgrades Save | Bay Area Regional Energy Network (bayren.org) or call (Toll-free) 1.877.846.8795. The enrollment form for the City of Cloverdale is found here.
Step 2. Get a Free Assessment
Schedule your free home assessment to learn about potential water savings.
Step 3. Choose Your Upgrades
Including high-efficiency toilets, showerheads and aerators, and low-water-use landscaping.
Step 4. Schedule Your Installation
Schedule a date and time that works best for you and a qualified program contractor will come to install your upgrades.
Step 5. See Water Savings
You’ll see savings immediately because you’ll use less water and energy!
There’s little-to-no upfront cost, no new debt, no lien and no credit check. If you move, the charges and savings apply to the people who come after you!