City Wastewater Team Maintenance Update

The City's Wastewater Team led up by Senior Wastewater Operator Jay Robinson conducted important maintenance activities to ensure that the City's wastewater treatment plant and City's sewer collections systems operates efficiently and effectively.

Asphalt Pavement Maintenance at Wastewater Plant

The asphalt pavement surface was sealed this week by a local contractor to ensure that the asphaltic surface adjacent to the pant is kept in good condition. 

• Sealcoating protects and prolongs the life expectancy of asphalt pavement by filling surface damage and providing a protective layer to keep out damaging UV rays, vehicle fluids, and water.
• The low cost of regular sealcoating saves money in the long run. A properly maintained and sealed asphalt surface has an extended lifetime and reduces long-term repair costs.
• With exposure to the elements, asphalt pavement over time becomes faded in appearance. A fresh sealcoat application enhances the appearance of asphalt, making it look and wear like new.

Sewer Collection System Maintenance

The City's Wastewater Team  conducts routine maintenance and cleaning of the City's sewer collection system.  Performing routine cleaning is the best way to keep our sewer system working properly to prevent clogs and ensure safe, consistent movement of the material.

Sewer cleaners combine high-pressure waterjetting and a high-flow vacuum source to scour pipes clean and vacuum up the material causing blockages to restore and maintain normal sewer flow The Sewer Dept. completed cleaning of the underground collection system in several areas within the City including Cherry Creek and the Tarman subdivisions. Our on going sewer cleaning program has been quite successful at keeping clogs to a minimum.

Parks Update

Northern Sonoma County Fire Fuels Crew continue to make progress with the vegetation management effort along the River Park trail. This week the crew concentrated on removing  and chipping dead vegetation (see picture below) on the north side of the trail as well as assisted with the clean-up from fire we experienced last weekend. The goal for next week is to complete the River Park trail vegetation management project and shift all efforts from the First Street bridge south.
 
Additionally this week, parks staff directed much need attention to the Welcome to Cloverdale sign located on the west side of North Cloverdale Blvd. on the north entrance to the City. All weeds and grass were mowed down as well as pruning and hedging completed. All dead vegetation accumulated from this project was hauled back to the yard and was disposed of in the compost recycle container.
 
All parks and playing fields were mowed to a length higher than usual with the intent to hold a higher moisture content. Mowing height can contribute significantly to the overall health of the lawn and can also reduce the amount of water used by turf during the hot summer days.
 
Here are a few water-wise tips for maintaining the health of your landscaping and turf from City Arborist Héctor Galván:

• Mow turf height to about 3” inches
• Remove only about a 1/3 of the grass leaf at the time
• Leave clippings on lawn surface to return nutrients to the soil
• Avoid scalping the lawn and leaving bare spots
• Keep mower blade sharp to avoid damaging the grass leaf
• Water at night to slow the evaporation process
• Adjust your irrigation controllers to shorter water cycles to avoid runoff

L&L District - The Cottages received several hours of maintenance activity this week. One block of landscaping was pruned and hedged, as well as the installation of 15 yards of redwood woodchips that were broadcasted all around the numerous large shrubs and trees.

City Donates Decorative Cans to Veterans Hall

The City received a request from the managers of the Cloverdale Veterans Hall to provide waste receptacles for the front entrance of the building.  The City quickly collaborated with Sonoma County who gave us the green light to proceed with the donation and placement of the cans.

Sonoma County is concurrently making ADA access improvements to the flag pole located at the front entrance. The City donated a new decorative green garbage can that matches the existing can style of existing cans within the downtown corridor as well as a decorative blue container for recyclable materials.  City staff member Craig Johnson delivered the cans to Al Del Sid on Monday, July 25th. The Veterans Hall will service and maintain the cans.