Bike to Work Day

Today, May 15th, is Bike to Work Day! Six of our City employees rode their bikes to work and I want to commend their participation and commitment to the Bike to Work Day program. Pictured here are: Wendy Atkins, Assistant Planner; Rob Gjestland, Senior Planner; Cathy Lanning, Administrative Services Manager; Carol Giovanatto, Assistant City Manager; Teresa Leveille, Administrative Assistant. Not pictured but participating was Jeff Paganini, Fire Captain.

Report graffiti

Graffiti is a crime that blights our neighborhoods and is a detriment to our community. Please report graffiti to the Sonoma Police Department at 996-3602 or to the Sonoma Public Works Department at 938-3332. Reports of graffiti may also be emailed to Administrative Clerk Eithne Bullick in the Public Works Department at ebullick@sonomacity.org. Help us keep Sonoma looking beautiful.

Heat warning from County Office of Emergency Services

The County of Sonoma sent us the following heat warning:

The California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES) and the National Weather Service have activated their "Heat Warning" criteria for the greater Bay Area due to forecasts for some unusually hot weather in the next few days. It will seem like an early summer for Sonoma County, with temperatures rising to 94-96 degrees on Thursday and then dropping back down to the mid 80s over the weekend.

Other Bay Area highs to be expected:

San Francisco = Thurs/90 Fri/92

San Jose = Thurs/101 Fri/98

Concord/Livermore = Thurs/96-97 Fri/105-107

Hollister = Thurs/102

Low humidity is expected, which means a low heat index (it won't feel this hot). Additionally there will be an increased fire risk with the high temperatures and as winds increase Wednesday afternoon.

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/

City Council actions from the meeting of May 7th

Council actions from the meeting of May 7^th included:

• At the request of Mayor Sanders, recognized foreign exchange student host families: The Molavi Family, host of Khairurrijal Adhad of Indonesia; The Dukes/Hodges Family, host of Sirush Khalatyan of Armenia; The Armstrong Family, host of Ben Brett of Germany
• Council considered and requested more information regarding a joint powers agreement establishing a separate public agency to operate and maintain a public safety communication system in Sonoma County. Staff will return with this item at the May 21^st Council meeting with more information.
• As the Community Development Agency (CDA) Board, approved a community development loan for improvements at 400 First Street East, in the amount of $92,000, for development of restaurant improvements.
• As the CDA Board, approved an increase in the façade matching grant program from $1,000 to $2,500 with a larger project category of $5,000 for larger business frontages.
• Approved prezoning and annexation of 20144 Fifth Street East.
• Authorized the call for bids for the City Hall Renovation Project, which includes repainting, recarpeting, cabinetry refinishing, ADA improvements and minor remodeling.
• At the request of Mayor Sanders, discussed current graffiti abatement efforts and requested staff to research alternate funding sources for graffiti removal.
• As the CDA Board, considered the CDA’s current affordable housing development opportunity sites, and directed staff to return to the Board with options for disposing of the Fifth Street West property; and pursue a low and very low income rental development, to serve as a model of water and energy conservation, at 19340 Sonoma Highway.
• At the request of Mayor Pro Tem Brown, adopted a resolution opposing the California Department of Food and Agriculture Aerial Spray Program to eradicate the light brown apple moth.
• At the request of Mayor Pro Tem Brown, adopted a resolution supporting H.R. 5844, Federal legislation to transfer Skaggs Island from the Department of the Navy to the National Fish and Wildlife Service for inclusion in the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

New Water Operations Supervisor

Public Works Director Milenka Bates is very pleased to announce that City employee Steve MacCarthy (Mac) has been promoted to Water Operations Supervisor. Steve was appointed as Acting Water Operations Supervisor in May of 2007 and has provided insight and leadership throughout the transition of key Public Works personnel. Mac began his career in Public Works as a Maintenance Worker for the Streets department in 1999, he then transferred to the Water department in 2001. Mac has completed certifications for Water Treatment and Distribution and continues to pursue educational opportunities. Congratulations, Mac!

New web page on City Historian

A new City web page on our City Historian George McKale has been created here:
http://www.sonomacity.org/default.aspx?PageId=499
The page was created by City Clerk Gay Rainsbarger, who is serving as the staff liaison to our volunteer City Historian.

Sonoma Disaster Council meeting

The first meeting of the newly reactivated Sonoma Disaster Council will be held on Thursday, May 8th at 3:30 p.m. Click to view the agenda. The meeting is open to the public.