Cloverdale Newsletter Logo
Mayor and councilmember picture at State Capitol

Mayor Lands Attend Calcities Conference at State Capitol with Newly Elected Councilmembers 

Mayor Lands and recently elected Councilmembers Marjorie Morgenstern and Brian Wheeler attended the League of California Cities ‘2023 New Mayors and Council Members Academy’ in our State Capital from January 18th-January 20th. Joined by Assistant City Manager Kevin Thompson and City Clerk Mike Maloney, our Cloverdale representatives participated in three days of educational seminars regarding the basic legal and practical framework in which city officials operate, including diversity, relationships between city council and city management, city planning, effective advocacy, financial responsibilities, legal obligations, open government, best practices and more. The attending councilmembers also had the opportunity to network and share ideas with other elected officials and city staff members from across the state. Here’s what they have to say about the experience: 

“The best part of the conference was getting to know our new councilmembers, so that we can understand and respect each other as we make decisions for our community” 

- Mayor Lands

“I found the Academy in Sacramento to be highly informative. I particularly enjoyed the Do’s and Don’ts of Conducting a Public Meeting segment. It was a humorous segment while still being educational. I also enjoyed while in Sacramento getting to know the following people better: Mayor Todd Lands, Council Member Brian Wheeler, Assistant City Manager Kevin Thompson and City Clerk Michael Maloney.” 

- Councilmember Morgenstern

“I enjoyed the great networking opportunities, and meeting leaders in the League of California Cities network. However, the best take away was the presentation on fiduciary responsibilities, bid processes, and emphasis on good stewardship of public funds”. 

- Councilmember Wheeler

Overall, the conference was a success with three days of learning, connecting, and 
Water Graphic

City Council Revises Water Shortage Emergency 

Due to improvements in our local water supply conditions, the Cloverdale City Council revised the water shortage emergency from Stage 4 to Stage 3 at the City Council meeting on January 25th.  The reduction in the water shortage emergency stage reduces conservation requirements from 35% to 25% over previous annual usage. Stage 3 aligns with the current state requirements for water conservation. 


The City Council will continue efforts to improve our water resiliency in preparation for the next drought.  The City Council will monitor the water supply conditions to determine if further reductions in the water shortage emergency state are supportable. Residents are encouraged to continue to conserve water.


For additional background information about the Council decision, please visit:  Agenda Report - Water Shortage Emergency Revision
Sonoma County Logo

Sonoma County Board of Supervisors to Consider Adopting Continuum of Care Board's Strategic Plan on Homelessness

The Sonoma County Continuum of Care Board (CoC Board) and multiple stakeholder groups worked with a consultant (Homebase: https://www.homebaseccc.org ) over the past year to prepare a region-wide Strategic Plan on Homelessness for the 2023-2027 period. The Plan includes multiple strategies and implementation steps, generally surrounding these three themes: (1) More Housing and Prevention; (2) Stronger Supportive Services; and (3) the need for the County, cities, and service providers to Operate as One Coordinated System to reach functional zero in homelessness.

On Tuesday, January 31st, the Board of Supervisors (BOS) will consider adoption of a resolution that will codify the Board of Supervisors’ approval of the Regional Strategic Plan on Homelessness, just as the Continuum of Care Board did on December 14, 2022. Following adoption of the Plan by cities and other governing bodies that participate in the Continuum of Care, County staff, city staff, CoC members, and service providers will work to implement the Plan, focusing on the Plan’s first year implementation actions.

The BOS will also consider authorizing the Department of Health Services (DHS) to issue a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) on behalf of the County consistent with the Strategic Plan’s objectives using up to $3 million of unallocated Measure O funds.

Water Supply / Rainfall Update
Water Supply Graphic
Water Supply Graphic


Army Corps Logo

USACE Announces High-Flow Release at Coyote Valley Dam 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers San Francisco District (USACE) issued a news release on January 14th announcing that they will began a series of high-flow releases from Coyote Valley Dam at Lake Mendocino starting mid-day on Monday, Jan. 16th.  The release was in response to reservoir levels and improving downstream conditions on the Russian River. 

Accordin to the USACE news release, "the recent storms have significantly increased reservoir levels well into the flood control pool at Lake Mendocino for the first time since 2020.  The high-flow release on Monday is intended to restore conditions capable of accommodating additional rainfall this season. This is the first time in nearly four years that a high-flow release is required to manage rising lake levels."  

The USACE is indicating that "significant high-flow releases of at least 3,000 cfs will be made at Coyote Valley Dam. The release is being timed to allow downstream river levels to recede while still allowing for as much time as possible to evacuate water from the dam prior to the next storm. Releases are expected to increase by approximately 1,000 cfs per hour and will be timed to coincide with decreasing river stage at downstream locations."

For Updated information visit Here: USACE announces high-flow release at Coyote Valley Dam > San Francisco District > News Stories (army.mil) 

Parks Update

Parks Staff continued making progress on critical park maintenance and park development projects.  Park projects in progress this week include:

  1. Landscape & Lighting District - Weed Abatement

  2. Cloverdale Boulevard Maintenance
  3. Furber Park Preparation for Little League  
  4. Prescribed Burning at Cloverdale River Park

Weed Abatement in Landscape & Lighting Zones 

A full day of park staff work was allocated to the L&L District Jefferson Springs. Weed abatement was completed near the north entrance of the trail and around the park siting area. The large amounts of rain that we recently experienced generated erosion issues. The rising creek levels in Cloverdale Creek began to partially wash out retaining walls and sides of creek bank. Parks staff moved quickly to address this problem to avoid further damage.

Weed abatement in the form of organic herbicide application continued at the L&L District The Cottages and L&L district Vintage Meadows. The main goal is to suppress weeds by implementing the city’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program and use methods such as mowers, string trimmers, hand pulling as well as volunteer groups and fire crews.
parks

Downtown Corridor Maintenance

Landscaping and general clean-up continue in our downtown corridor, in preparation of our annual Citrus Fair festivities. Cloverdale sees a significant traffic through this area during the event weekend.  Park staff continue to address aesthetic improvements within the downtown corridor.

Little League Baseball Field Maintenance

Park maintenance activities this week included performing seasonal maintenance on the baseball field in preparation for the upcoming little League season.  With little league tryouts fast approaching, time is of the essence to level uneven surfaces, remove all weeds from the diamond area and clean the two dugouts. Part of this preparation also includes meetings with volunteer coaches to discuss the schedule and city policy and procedure.
parks2

Prescribed Burning at Cloverdale River Park

Sonoma County Regional Parks is planning to perform prescribed pile burning event this Monday the 30th  at Cloverdale River Park. Vegetation accumulated by the Northern Sonoma County Fire Fuels Crew will be subject to prescriptive burning to reduce excess vegetation and ladder fire fuels along the River Park Trail to prevent and minimize the impact of wildfires along the River Park Trail. The vegetation reduction effort was spearheaded by Mayor Lands in collaboration with Sonoma County Regional Parks and the Russian River Watershed Association.


Senior Center Logo

Community Notice: Cloverdale Residents Seeking Free Tax Filling Assistance in 2023


No free tax aid will be available in Cloverdale for the foreseeable future.

Check out these alternative resources.

North Coast Opportunities Ukiah 

Volunteer Prepared Taxes

413 North State Street

Ukiah, CA 95482

Dates Available: 2/3/2023 - 4/13/2023

Drop-in Only

Friday & Saturdays 12:00-5:00 PM


Healdsburg Regional Library, 139 Piper St, Healdsburg, CA, 95448-3819

Volunteer Prepared Taxes

Appointment only. 707-836-3198

Dates Open: 2/9/2023 - 4/13/2023

Appointments Only

Thursdays 10:00 AM - 03:00 PM


North Coast Opportunities Lakeport

Volunteer Prepared Taxes

850 Lakeport Blvd

Lakeport, CA 95453

Dates Available: 2/3/2023 - 4/13/2023

Drop-in Only

Tuesday & Thursdays 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM


If you want some help with filing your own taxes: https://taxaide.aarpfoundation.org/online-self-and-assisted-prep 

For additional information you can contact 2-1-1 or 800-339-9597 or text 898-211 or visit https://211sonoma.org/ 
Tax Aid 2023


EDB logo

Help Build a Better Workforce for Sonoma County

Attention Cloverdale: here is an opportunity to share concerns about workforce needs and hear about existing programs that can help. 

  • Complete the 2023 Sonoma County Workforce Development Survey, produced by the Sonoma County Economic Development Board and Workforce Investment Board.
  • English - https://survey.hsforms.com/1IovxqPJ5R5yGTwf7ywJbhQ494v2 
  • Español - https://survey.hsforms.com/1B6BVXFVQSjaqnDR2-Ry2EQ494v2 

 Read the 2021 Workforce Development Report to see how each and every answer helps build a pathway to success for businesses and workers in Sonoma County.
Air District Logo

Update from Northern Sonoma County Air District 

Northern Sonoma County Air District provided an updated on a new CAL FIRE burn permit requirement; an upcoming workshop opportunity; and to provide a District reminder to help you prepare for your upcoming open burn event.

New CalFire Permit Requirement

As of January 1, 2023, CAL FIRE now requires a CAL FIRE permit for all burns, including residential burns, in the CAL FIRE State Response Area (SRA). This is a new statewide, year-round mandate. A no-cost CAL FIRE permit is obtained through their online permit site. This doesn’t remove the requirement to also have a valid air district permit. Two permits are required because CAL FIRE is required by law to regulate fire safety and air districts are required by law to regulate sources of air pollution.

Pile Burning Workshop

On January 31, 2023, the University of California Cooperative Extension is offering a two part pile burning workshop. It begins with a “Hand Pile Burning Fundamentals” webinar followed by an in-person field demonstration. Topics will include: safety and liability considerations, weather conditions and interpretation, and navigating the permit process. See their workshop flyer for more info and registration. 

 Final Permit Reminder

Plan ahead and apply for your air district open burn permit two weeks before your anticipated burn event. Remember, the quickest way to apply and to pay for your permit is online at the District's website:

Open Burn Permits | NoSoCo Air  
Sonoma County Logo

Energy & Resilience Workshop Series Expand to Include In-person Events

The County of Sonoma, Climate Action and Resiliency Division is pleased to announce the latest homeowner workshops in an on-going series for those interested in learning more about the benefits of making improvements that will help make your home more energy efficient and resilient.  

The online workshops cover a range of topics including evaluating energy use, making a project plan, funding your projects, solar photovoltaics and battery storage, heat pumps for HVAC and water heating.  In addition to the online series, two in-person workshops have been added.  Presentations will include information about saving energy at home with DIY projects to making bigger improvements to increase your home’s efficiency.  Attendees will also learn the latest updates on the current and upcoming rebates along with information about the County’s property-based financing program and other resources such as no-cost consultations.

To register, please click on the workshops below that you would like to attend. All registered attendees will receive copies of the presentation and slides upon conclusion of the workshop.

Online workshops are held on Wednesdays 11:30am – 12:30pm 

  • February 1           Understanding Heat Pumps for Residential Heating and Cooling
  • February 8           Understanding Heat Pumps for Residential Water Heating

In-person workshops:

Saving Energy at Home – a Free Workshop

When:  February 18th 11:00am – 12:00pm

Where:  Santa Rosa Central Library, 211 E Street, Santa Rosa

What uses the most energy in your home?  What repairs or upgrades around the house will make the biggest impact on your energy bills?  What DIY projects can you tackle yourself?  Why all the buzz about going all-electric?  We dig into all of that and more during our free Home Energy Workshop brought to you by the County of Sonoma’s Climate Action and Resiliency Division.

Presentations will also include information about current and upcoming incentives, rebates, and financing to get your projects done.

Come early for light refreshments, giveaways, and a drawing for a Home Energy Score Rating valued up to $450*

Ahorro de Energía en el Hogar – Un taller gratuito

Cuando: 21 de febrero de 6pm a 7:30pm

Dónde: Biblioteca Roseland, 470 Sebastopol Rd., Santa Rosa

¿Qué es lo que consume más energía en su hogar?   ¿Qué tipo de reparaciones o mejoras en la casa tendrán el mayor impacto en sus facturas de energía?  ¿Qué proyectos puedes hacer tú mismo?  ¿Por qué hay todo este alboroto de hacer el cambio a todo eléctrico?  Hablaremos más a fondo de todo esto y mucho más durante nuestro Taller gratuito de Energía para el Hogar.  El taller es presentado por la County of Sonoma’s Climate Action and Resiliency Division.

La presentación también incluirá información sobre incentivos, reembolsos y los financiamientos existentes y futuros para realizar sus proyectos.

Llegue temprano y disfrute de los bocadillos.  Llévese información, algunos regalitos y entre su nombre en la rifa de una calificación de puntaje del programa Home Energy Score valorada en hasta $450 dólares*

For more information or to RSVP directly, call 707-565-6470 or email Energy@sonoma-county.org

Meeting Notices and Schedule:

The City Council has established various subcommittees to help set management objectives for city government, adopt a city budget for fulfilling those management objectives, and ensure accountability to the citizens of Cloverdale. 

Subcommittee Meeting Schedules:

Finance, Administration & Police - Next Meeting: February 1, 2023
Planning & Sustainability - Next Meeting: February 21, 2023
Public Works & Facilities - Next Meeting: February 28, 2023
Joint City/Cloverdale Unified School District - Next Meeting:  TBD
Homelessness Community Advisory Group - Next Meeting:  TBD


Council Subcommittee Schedules

For more information about City Council Subcommittees, Visit: https://www.cloverdale.net/242/City-Council-Subcommittees

 
Regional Board Meetings:

Sonoma Clean Power - February 2, 2023
RCPA/SCTA Board of Directors Meeting - February 1, 2023, March 1, and April 4, 2023
Sonoma County Library Commission - February 1, 2023
Northern Sonoma County Air District Board Meeting - February 8, 2023


Newsletter Updates - Help Get the Word Out!


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Special Events:


Cloverdale Wine Walk - Saturday, February 4 @ 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Cloverdale Wine Walk Event

14th Annual Lake Sonoma Steelhead Festival - Saturday, February 11, 2023 @ 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
14th Annual Steelhead Festival
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124 N. Cloverdale Blvd. Cloverdale, CA 95425
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