Town Celebrates Cinco de Mayo!

Please join us for a Cinco de Mayo celebration on the Town Green, coordinated by our fabulous Parks and Recreation Department:

Cinco de Mayo Celebration 2016
Thursday, May 5
5 - 8 pm
Windsor Town Green

• Featuring Las Misa Negra, with special performances by local talent Ballet Folklorico Sarita and Windsor Bloco
• Children's Activities
• Food and Drinks for sale

For more information, contact the Town at 838-1260

Do you have unused medications in your home? Participate in National Drug Take Back Day

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and participating local law enforcement are coordinating a nationwide drug "take-back" day on Saturday, April 30, 2016 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This one-day event will provide residents with a no cost, anonymous collection of unwanted and expired medicines. Controlled substances will also be accepted at this one-day special event.

Two locations are participating in Sonoma County:
• Healdsburg Police Department, 238 Center St., Healdsburg
• Petaluma Police Department, 969 Petaluma Blvd., N., Petaluma,

If you miss this event, you can drop off your unwanted and expired medicines through the on-going Safe Medicine Disposal Program. For program information visit: http://www.safemedicinedisposal.org/

Town sponsoring a series of Financial Literacy Workshops in collaboration with our local banks

Click to read more about these free workshops!
http://www.ci.windsor.ca.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=911

Town of Windsor Appoints Assistant Town Manager

At its meeting of April 6, 2016, the Windsor Town Council approved several departmental reorganization proposals of staff, and authorized the filling of certain positions to the Town’s job classification scheme. One of these authorized positions is Assistant Town Manager. The Town is fortunate that the recovering economy and the Town’s revenue picture has allowed for these changes.

 In considering the needs of the Town, and the talents and skills deemed essential for this role, Town Manager Linda Kelly has considered the options which best suit the Town. Being that this position is an Executive Management position reporting to the Town Manager, Kelly will retain the discretion whether to make a direct appointment to the position or to conduct a recruitment. Kelly stated, “I consider myself fortunate to have a strong management team with many skills, talents and potential, and have looked first internally. Thus, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Administrative Services Director Camille Kazarian to the position of Assistant Town Manager.”

 Kelly added, “Camille brings a strong administrative and financial skill base to this position, as well as a great deal of experience in the private sector which will benefit the Town’s need to continue to forge innovative, efficient and cutting-edge solutions for the challenges we face. Camille has been with the Town since December 2013, starting as Finance Manager. Camille is well-respected, works collaboratively and brings a service orientation to her leadership style. In her past employment, she held management positions with large and prominent agencies in this county including Redwood Credit Union and Autodesk.”

Kelly further noted, “Some of her new duties will involve Town-wide goals and objectives, Council priorities and projects, and assisting the Town with taking advantage of opportunities and innovations brought about by the many Town-wide plans being updated at the present time, as well as improving administrative policies and procedures, and communication, coordination and collaboration internally and externally on high-profile projects and goals. She will also participate in leadership efforts to further our organizational vision and values through policy and implementation.”

 Camille holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Sonoma State University and an MBA from the University of Phoenix.

 Mayor Mark Millan noted, “Camille has demonstrated her extraordinary talents and leadership in helping the Town address a variety of challenges. She is easy to work with, well respected and her assistance will allow our Town Manager to focus her attention on the bigger issues we are working through.”

Commenting on her appointment Camille stated, “Windsor is a wonderful community to work for and I am excited to have this opportunity to help implement the Town’s goal and objectives.  It is a privilege to work with such a dedicated group of people and at the direction of our Town Manager and Council who provide progressive vision and leadership for Windsor.”

Town Launches new Economic Development Website www.discoverwindsor.com

The Town of Windsor is pleased to announce its new Economic Development website: www.discoverwindsor.com.

The website is tailored primarily for new and existing businesses and provides information on various resources such as business support services, financing, county/statewide incentives, and economic reports.  In addition, the website also includes a new Town branding campaign, “The Start of Something Good,” that highlights the diversity of local Windsor businesses with informative videos and business profiles.  A blog-style component will provide regular updates on economic development-related items taking place within Windsor.

Check it out!  www.discoverwindsor.com

 

 

 

 

Town Offers Civic Center Visioning Charrette Workshops

The Town of Windsor invites the Windsor community to take part in an exciting study regarding the future use of the existing Civic Center site. Led by consultants Wallace, Roberts, and Todd, LLC (WRT), the Town will be offering 4 open house-style workshops ("charrettes") where the community will have the opportunity to provide feedback and input. "The Town Council has for many years had long-term objectives for the Town Green which include fully activating the potential offered by the Green for active retail and other resident-and visitor-serving uses. The study will capture the community’s thoughts and vision for our future," stated Town Manager Linda Kelly.

The Civic Center Visioning Study was approved by the Windsor Town Council on March 2, 2016 to help identify future uses of the area and surrounding spaces. Guided by the Town’s current General Plan Update, the study will provide direction on urban form, public amenities, and economic viability of future development. The charrettes will include visual diagrams and concept alternatives, as well interactive and engaging dialogue sessions with the consultants and Town staff. Mid-day walking tours will also be conducted and will focus on discussion topics such as retail and land use, mobility, and history/culture/ecology. Findings will be presented to the Town Council and Planning Commission sometime in August and September, with dates yet to be announced.

Charrette Program Schedule

· Monday, May 23, 2016: Kick-off event, 6:00pm-8:00pm, Town Hall, 9291 Old Redwood Highway, Building 400 (Council Chambers)

· Tuesday, May 24 & Wednesday, May 25, 2016: Working session, 10:00am-8:00pm, Windsor Visitors Center, 9001 Windsor Road

· Thursday, May 26, 2016: Working session, 10:00am-5:00pm, Windsor Visitors Center, 9001 Windsor Road

· Thursday, May 26, 2016: Wrap-up event, 6:00pm-8:00pm, Town Hall, 9291 Old Redwood Highway, Building 400 (Council Chambers)

For questions regarding the charrette sessions, please contact Economic Development Manager Robert Ramirez rramirez@townofwindsor.com, by telephone at 707-838-5339 or by email at rramirez@townofwindsor.com.

Town to review local plan to address climate change

Draft Climate Action 2020 Plan

 The Regional Climate Protection Authority (RCPA) has prepared a draft climate action plan (CAP), Climate Action 2020: A Regional Program for Sonoma County Communities (CA2020).  CA2020 is a collaborative effort between RCPA, the County of Sonoma, and all nine Sonoma County cities to reduce county-wide greenhouse gas emissions and to respond to the effects of climate change.  CA2020 establishes a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 25-percent below 1990 levels by 2020, with all participating jurisdictions contributing to the reduction.  Achieving the reduction is proposed through a combination of state, regional, and local measures. 

The Town of Windsor is a participating jurisdiction in CA2020.  The draft CA2020 Plan will be presented at a joint Town Council and Planning Commission meeting at the date, time and location noted below in order to obtain input from the Town Council, Planning Commission, and the public.  The Town of Windsor encourages interested parties to attend the meeting and comment on the draft CA2020 Plan. 

For More Information: Kim Jordan, Planner, 707-838-5331/kjordan@townofwindsor.com

Meeting Date/Time: Wednesday May 4, 2016 at 6:00 p.m.

Location: Town of Windsor Council Chambers, Building No. 400, 9291 Old Redwood Highway, Windsor

General Plan Update - Land Use Alternatives

At Monday’s special joint Town Council and Planning Commission study session, the Council and Commission continued discussion on land use alternatives for the 10 identified “focus areas” throughout Town. Approximately 25 members of the public attended the meeting. At the regular Town Council meeting on April 20, the Council will decide on a preferred land use alternative for each of the focus areas, which will be the basis for updating the General Plan goals, policies, and implementation programs, and preparing the land use and circulation diagrams and the associated Environmental Impact Report. Public input will also be received at the April 20 meeting.

 

Town Council to Decide on Preferred General Plan Update Land Use Alternatives

On Wednesday, April 20, 2016 at 6:00pm, the Town Council will meet to determine preferred land use alternatives for 10 "focus areas" throughout Windsor. This meeting follows a joint Town Council and Planning Commission meeting held on April 4, 2016 to discuss the alternatives and solicit public feedback, as well as three public outreach meetings held in early March 2016. The Town Council will continue to receive public input on the land use alternatives at the April 20, 2016 meeting.

Details on the focus area alternatives can be obtained by visiting www.Windsor2040.com or by contacting Community Development Technician Sheila Wolski at swolski@townofwindsor.com or by telephone at (707) 838-5337.