Town Council meetings this week

The Town Council will meet twice this week.

Tonight, August 1, at 5:30pm, a closed session is scheduled.

Wednesday, August 2 at 6pm is the regular Town Council meeting.

The agendas and packets for these meetings may be accessed on this page of the Town's website:

http://www.townofwindsor.com/721/Agendas-Minutes-Videos

Leaving Town of Windsor

For those who may not have heard, back in March I provided notice to the Town Council of my intent to retire. I have been blessed with a 27-year long career in public service which has provided me with so many opportunities to serve the public and foster local democracy. It has been an amazing journey. Now it is time for me to focus on my family and other interests, at a little slower pace. The Windsor Times printed an article recently on my departure: http://www.sonomawest.com/the_windsor_times/news/town-manager-looking-forward-to-home-life/article_77870b78-6c05-11e7-af2f-affbd2d4de18.html

My last day is August 3, 2017. I am grateful for all of the opportunities I have been provided and for the confidence that the Town Council placed in me. The community of Windsor offers so much and continues to be destined for greatness! Thank you for your support of our Town.

Town Council meeting of July 19

I was off line for a while as I took some vacation time, but am back now!

Our next regular Town Council meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 19 at 6pm in the Town Council Chambers.

The major agenda items include:

• Request for relief from requirements of the Tree Preservation and Protection Ordinance for the Hembree Lane Subdivision Project
• Review of Proposed Economic Development Marketing Program
• Rescinding of resolution awarding waste collection franchise to GreenWaste Recovery (they withdrew their proposal) and consideration of awarding the contract to one of two remaining proposers

We welcome public attendance and input at the meeting.

The full agenda packet may be viewed here: http://windsor-ca.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=1369

Don't miss the fireworks! Monday, July 3rd

Windsor Kaboom! is once again presented by the Active 20-30 Club and the Town of Windsor on Monday, July 3rd from 4-10pm. Music, food, activities!

Tickets available here: http://windsorkaboom.com/ 

Read more about the event in the Windsor Times here: http://www.sonomawest.com/the_windsor_times/news/windsor-kaboom-returns-with-music-fireworks/article_36c689b4-5c25-11e7-8937-bf59619ea224.html 

Stay cool Windsor - You are welcome at Indoor Cooling Center

This week is another hot one!  Beat the heat by staying indoors and staying well hydrated. The Windsor Senior Center, 9231 Foxwood Drive, Windsor, is always welcoming to anyone who needs to beat the heat during our open business hours. Today (Wednesday, June 21^st) the Center is open from 9:00am-7:00pm. Thursday hours are also 9:00am-7:00pm, and Friday 9:00am-8:00pm. Drinking water is available at the Senior Center. Bring something to do and meet new friends while you stay cool.

Town Budget scheduled for adoption

In May-June 2017, the Town Council held a public budget workshop on the Town’s proposed two-year budget for 2017-19, and subsequently has scheduled the budget for adoption on June 21st. The budget is simultaneously an expenditure plan, a statement of priorities, and a means for continuing public services in a fiscally responsible and transparent manner. In order to foster greater community engagement and education in the process, in December 2016, the Town provided a public workshop on the process which was, for the first time, broadcast on Facebook Live in order to reach a greater audience and provide a chance for replaying the session at residents’ convenience.

In preparing the new budget, it was important to reflect upon the priorities and accomplishments of the prior two-year budget cycle, which included these major activities:

·         General Plan 2040 Update (once every 20 years)

·         Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update (once every 5-10 years)

·         Preparation for the Urban Growth Boundary election scheduled for November 7, 2017 (once every 20 years)

·         State of California Proposition 64 Recreational Marijuana policy mandates

·         Solid Waste Franchise bidding process (once every 10 years)

·         Completion and Opening of Bell Village Retail Center

·         Update to Town Website (once every 5-10 years)

·         New Discover Windsor website

·         Jaguar Way/Windsor Road Traffic Signal and intersection improvements

·         Improvements to Pleasant Oak Park, Robbins Park, and Sutton Park

·         Police Department Facility Expansion and Remodel

·         Council Chamber Upgrades

·         Participation in new Sustainable Groundwater Management Act mandates

The past two years have been robust in terms of the Town undertaking these and many other significant one-time projects and efforts.  Many of the above initiatives are mandated by the voters or law, and lack a funding source apart from the Town’s General Fund.  Some of these and other worthy projects utilized a portion of the Town’s General Fund reserves for their initiation and/or completion. The Town is now reaching a more steady state in terms of its revenues and reserves, and since many of these larger, one-time projects are completed, or near completion, a new level of “normal” expenditures is projected.

Overall, the Fiscal Years 2017-19 Budget is balanced and includes $122.5M in appropriations made up of a $103.1M operating budget, a $5.5M debt service budget and a $13.9M capital expenditures budget.  The Town has a longstanding practice of biennial budgeting, which allows for longer-term planning and forecasting as well as reduces staff time and administrative overhead required for budget preparation.

For the proposed budget, Town departments were directed to prepare sustainable expenditure plans that enable the Town to continue our conservative fiscal policies while ensuring service delivery continues uninterrupted for our residents and customers.  Our goal has been to maintain a budget that enables us to retain prudent reserves while planning for the future.

The Town welcomes any questions regarding Town finances. Questions and comments may be directed to Camille Kazarian, Assistant Town Manager/Administrative Services Director, at 838-1000. The Town also operates an on-line Virtual Suggestion Box for your convenience at http://www.townofwindsor.com/FormCenter/Town-Managers-Office-3/Virtual-Suggestion-Box-39.

Continued consideration of waste collection agreement item

There will be a special Town Council meeting on Tuesday, June 13 at 6:30pm for the Council's continued consideration of awarding a waste collection franchise. A closed session will be held that evening at 6pm.

Once available, the agenda and packet materials will be posted on this page:
http://www.townofwindsor.com/721/Agendas-Minutes-Videos