Community Wildfire Protection Meeting

Click the press release to read about an upcoming meeting sponsored by Fire Safe Sonoma regarding a Community Wildfire Protection Plan, on Aug. 6th from 7-9 p.m. at the Sonoma Fire Station, 630 2nd Street West.

Next City Council Meeting

The City Council meeting of August 6th has been cancelled for a summer break. The next regular City Council meeting will be held on August 20th at 6:00 p.m.

Actions from the Council meeting of July 16th

At its regular meeting of July 16th, the City Council's actions included the following:

• Recognized the following Sonoma businesses for their participation in the Green Business Recognition Program: El Pueblo Inn, Friedman's Home Improvement, Wine Country Film Festival, Barking Dog Roasters, Sonoma Valley Bank and Haus.
• Approved a continuation of the City-Chamber-County Joint Economic Development Program for another two years, with the City's financial contribution to the partnership lowered as a result of the County picking up a greater share of the cost with respect to the program's assistance to the Springs.
• Awarded a consultant contract to Natural Logic of Berkeley to assist with implementing the City's environmental sustainability goals and resource conservation efforts, in an amount not to exceed $30,000.
  
• Awarded a bid for the City Hall and Police Facility parking lot rehabilitation project to Pipeline Excavators, the lowest responsible bidder, in the amount of $181,823.
• Due to the City Hall parking lot rehabilitation project (above), authorized the Public Works Director to relocate the Tuesday night Farmers' Market to public street frontage on First Street East and First Street West (on Aug. 5th and 19th).
• Approved the Community Services and Environment Commission recommendation to co-sponsor with Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition a "Bike Rally" at Depot Park on Saturday, September 6, 2008.
• Approved a lease agreement to allow for the development of petanque courts at Depot Park.
• Considered further modifications to the draft Mobile Home Conversion Ordinance, per the request of Council Member Barbose, and directed staff to add language to the ordinance indicating that a conversion to homeowner ownership is not to be undertaken for the purpose of avoiding rent control. The amended ordinance will be brought back to the Council meeting of August 20th.
• Reviewed year two of the City's two-year budget and authorized major budget amendments to undertake environmental remediation of the old fire station, the City Hall renovation, and demolition of existing buildings at an site proposed for future affordable housing. The Council also adopted amendments adjusting General Fund expenditures downward by approximately $50,000 less than planned, in order to maintain a conservative fiscal approach in light of the State of California's budget crisis and its potential impact on city governments.
• Decided to allow property owners in the former assessment districts of Fryer Creek and Sonoma Valley Oaks to apply for refunds on prior assessments paid. All residents in these areas will be receiving letters from the City within the next two weeks regarding this matter.
• Directed staff to draft an ordinance providing for expanded neighbor and public notification requirements for new single family homes and residential additions in the Historic Overlay Zone, requested by Council Member Barbose.

Student Art Contest

The 100^th City Hall Commemoration Committee, lead by City Historian George McKale, is seeking entries for a student art contest to come up with the official poster for the 100^th City Hall Anniversary Celebration. The contest is open to all Sonoma Valley students grades K through 12. Additional information and the entry forms are available at City Hall (City Clerk’s Office) or may be downloaded by clicking here.

Students have until July 31^st to submit their artwork.

July 16th City Council agenda packet posted

The meeting agenda and packet for the City Council's July 16th meeting is now available for viewing at the following link:
http://www.sonomacity.org/default.aspx?PageId=50
The major discussion items are as follows:

• Consideration of further modifications to the mobile home conversion ordinance, requested by Council Member Barbose
• Mid-Term Budget Review and Adjustments for Fiscal Year 2008-09
• Consideration of refunding assessments to residents in the former landscape assessment districts
• Discussion of public notice for design review of new residences and residential additions in the historic overlay zone, requested by Council Member Barbose

Place to "cool off" at the Vintage House

Please take note that the Vintage House Senior Center, 996-0311, 264 First Street East, will stay open later upon request to serve as a "cooling center" if needed for community members - seniors or any age - to have a cool place to go in the heat. People should arrive or call the Vintage House by 4 p.m. if they need evening hour services.

County approves $400K in funding to City for utility undergrounding

Please click the image to read the press release.

Excessive Heat Warning Issued

The California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES) and the National Weather Service have updated the "Heat Advisory" criteria to " An Excessive Heat Warning" until Friday, July 9th, 2008 for Sonoma County (and the greater Bay Area) due to the hot weather we are experiencing.

Per National Weather "an Excessive Heat Warning means that a prolonged period of dangerously hot temperatures will occur. This excessive heat warning is being issued utilizing a new heat health warning system. It is targeted at the elderly or infirmed, who might be much more sensitive to heat and thus at greater risk. Individuals who fall into this category should be especially careful by drinking plenty of water, reducing outdoor exposure, staying out of the sun, seeking a cooler location for the day if no air conditioning is available in the living quarters, and asking a friend or relative to check on you frequently."

The following temperatures are forecast for Sonoma County during this heat event:

Wed (7/9) - Areas of smoke. Sunny and hot, with a high near 101. Calm wind becoming west southwest between 6 and 9 mph. Evening temp of 65.

Thurs (7/10) - Areas of smoke. Sunny and hot, with a high near 100. Calm wind becoming west southwest between 6 and 9 mph. Evening temp of 62.

Friday (7/11) - Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. South southwest wind between 3 and 11 mph. Evening temp of 52.

Sat/Sun - Sunny, with a high near 84.

The coast should see temperatures in the 70s - 80s.

A Smoke Advisory still remains in place for those with heart or lung disease (see County Home page for more info or http://www.sonoma-county.org/health/ph/news/20080624smoke.htm).

Remember to stay hydrated and cool, and do not leave small children or animals in vehicles. For more heat emergency tips go to Sonoma County's Public Health Preparedness website at: http://www.sonoma-county.org/health/ph/phpreparedness/heat/

The California Independent System Operator requests that people be sure to conserve energy - so we don't overload the system.

The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) is forecasting very high demands throughout the state during this entire week. To help alleviate the stress on the system, PG&E has already activated the Critical Peak Pricing (CPP) Program, which is part of PG&E's demand response portfolio. In addition, PG&E requests that all customers voluntarily reduce any additional usage possible from 12:00 Noon to 6:00 PM to help prevent the need for the CAISO to declare an emergency. PG&E thanks you in advance for your efforts to reduce load and help maintain electrical supply reliability.

Disaster Council meeting

The next regular meeting of the Sonoma Disaster Council will be held on Thursday, July 10th at 3:30 p.m. Click the image to view the agenda. The meeting is open to everyone.

4th of July Fireworks Display!

Click the image to read the press release regarding the annual fireworks show. Thank you to Sonoma Valley Fire and Rescue Volunteer Firefighters Association for organizing the spectacular show. We have received some calls regarding the safety of the show in fire season. The firefighters take many precautions in putting on the show and will only present the show if they are certain that it can be executed in a safe manner, given the weather conditions and other factors. The show is paid for through donations and we thank everyone who has donated toward the cost of the show!