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

Windsor Times article regarding Budget Workshop

An overview of our recent budget workshop was printed in the Windsor Times:

http://www.sonomawest.com/the_windsor_times

June 7 Council meeting

The Town Council's next regular meeting is Wednesday, June 7 at 6pm.

The major agenda items are as follows:

• Placing a ballot measure on the November 7, 2017 election to ask voters to extend the Town's Urban Growth Boundary (UGB)
• Recommendation of award of proposed Collection Services Agreement for garbage, recycling and organic waste
• Allocation of funding to non-profit organizations
• Adoption of Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update

The full agenda packet may be accessed here:

http://windsor-ca.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=1366

Budget Workshop - May 30 @ 6pm

Following the long Memorial Day weekend, on Tuesday, May 30 at 6pm in the Town Council Chambers, the Council will hold its biennial Budget Workshop to consider the draft Fiscal Years 2017-18 and 2018-19 budgets.

Furthermore, Councilmember Salmon has requested a reconsideration of the Council's award of a Collection Service Agreement, so this item was added to the May 30 agenda.

The agenda packet for this meeting may be accessed here:

http://windsor-ca.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=1746

Please contact me if you have any questions.

Public Review Draft Local Hazard Mitigation Plan - your input is invited

The Public Review Draft Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (draft LHMP) http://www.townofwindsor.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1038  is now available for community review and comment.  In order to develop the draft LHMP, the Town conducted community outreach last fall and winter. The outreach included a community survey as well as presentations to business and community groups. The input received helped shape the draft LHMP.  Town Council has reviewed the draft LHMP. The draft LHMP is now in the public review phase and comments received will be used to develop a final draft LHMP. The final draft LHMP will be submitted to the California Office of Emergency Services for review and approval.  The Town is inviting community members to participate in the planning process by reviewing and commenting on the Public Review Draft Local Hazard Mitigation Plan during the 30-day public review period. 

The 2011 Plan was a multi-jurisdictional plan, coordinated by the Association of Bay Area Government (ABAG), which included an Annex for the Town of Windsor. The LHMP is required to be updated every 5 years.  This Plan is the Town’s framework to mitigate risks to natural hazards and plan for a safer, more resilient future. Once complete, the Town will seek FEMA certification of the LHMP to maximize eligibility for future grant funding for hazard mitigation.

Comments may be referred to: kjordan@townofWindsor.com

Please provide comments by June 26^th at 6:00 p.m.

May 17 Town Council Meeting

The next regular meeting of the Windsor Town Council will be held on Wednesday, May 17 at 6pm in the Town Council Chambers. The packet for the meeting may be accessed here: http://windsor-ca.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=1365

The major item on the agenda is:

Recommendation for Award of Proposed Collection Service Agreement for Exclusive Residential and Commercial Garbage, Recyclable Materials, and Organic Waste Collection Services, with staff recommending that Council adopt a resolution awarding a solid waste franchise to GreenWaste Recovery, Inc., approving a 10-year Collection Service Agreement and authorizing its execution and implementation, and approving maximum service rates; and /or provide direction to staff, if desired.

Join us on May 20 for Connecting Windsor

JOIN US AT THE NEXT CONNECTING WINDSOR WORKSHOP!

"Creating a More Walkable and Bikable Central Windsor"
Saturday, May 20, 2017
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Windsor Town Hall Council Chambers
9291 Old Redwood Highway, Building 400

Note from Linda: You will see some amazing 3-D modeling and other superimposed scenarios of our roadways and connections. You'll have a chance to connect with others on these ideas and ideas of your own. I invite you to attend! 

Please see the website as well:  http://www.connectingwindsor.com/

Art is Energizing the Community

Never has a theme been more true! On Monday May 1, the Public Art Advisory Commission (PAAC) met to discuss the future of art in Windsor and more specifically, art on the two roundabouts on Old Redwood Highway. On December 21, 2016 the Town Council approved the installation of “Slice,” a sculpture by the late Robert Ellison, for the Roundabout at Windsor Road (Roundabout 2) pending a thorough engineering analysis. At the Monday PAAC meeting, the engineering report showed the concrete to be insufficient for “Slice” and the Commission recommended an alternate location will be found for the sculpture. Keiser Park is currently the top location.  Additionally, the artist agreement for “Offering,” the Bruce Johnson sculpture located on the Roundabout at Market Street, is set to expire in June 2017.

Given these circumstances, the Commission revisited the original inspiration and theme for art in those roundabouts, “Art is Energizing the Community”. The call included the following vision for the theme:

”A submission should incorporate some sort of energy production from natural elements. This project will introduce the possibility that art can be positive for the mind as well as the environment and is building from the concept that technology can also be beautiful. It is the display of art through wind, solar, movement and other kinetic opportunities.“

The PAAC is committed to this theme and now has a better understanding of the challenges which come with temporary installations. The next steps will be to identify a budget needed to commission or purchase two sculptures which reflect the original vision the Commission had for the Roundabouts. This will likely exceed the funds allocated within the Town budget and the Commission will be seeking outside donors to sponsor this project. If you or your company is interested in more information, please contact Olivia Lemen, Management Analyst, Parks and Recreation Department, Town of Windsor, at 707-838-5383 or olemen@townofwindsor.com.  

Parade and Festival this Saturday, May 6!

Please see the flyer - come out and enjoy the parade and celebrate your community!!

Welcome RRBC!

Yesterday's groundbreaking of the new Russian River Brewing Company was highlighted in today's Press Democrat:

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/6911401-181/russian-river-brewing-co-ready?ref=most&artslide=0

April 19 Town Council meeting

The April 19 Town Council meeting agenda packet is available at this link:
http://windsor-ca.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=1363

The Town Council will be considering the award of a 10-year agreement for solid waste/garbage collection services.

Furthermore, there will be an overview of a study being conducted on  how to better connect East and West Windsor for pedestrian and bicyclist movement throughout Town.

The meeting begins at 6pm and all are encouraged to attend.

Where does the Town now stand on "recreational" marijuana (per Proposition 64)?

On March 29, 2017, the Windsor Town Council held a study session at a noticed special meeting to consider what permanent regulations should be adopted for recreational (non-medical) marijuana. 

At the conclusion of its discussion and deliberations, the Town Council directed staff to prepare the necessary ordinances prohibiting all Recreational Marijuana uses and activities that Proposition 64 provides local discretion over.  Town of Windsor staff anticipates the necessary ordinances will be adopted in Summer, 2017.  A summary of the Town’s current and pending regulations pertaining to marijuana is provided in the link below.

Summary of Town of Windsor Marijuana Regulations

April 5 Council meetings

This Wednesday, April 5, we will hold a regular Town Council meeting an the annual joint Town Council meeting with the Parks and Recreation Commission. To view these agendas, please visit this page:
http://www.townofwindsor.com/721/Agendas-Minutes-Videos

Public Meeting on Prop. 64 Recreational Marijuana

This Wednesday evening, March 29 at 6pm, the Town Council will hold a special study session focused on Proposition 64 - Recreational Marijuana - and its implementation, activities, regulation and licensing in the Town of Windsor. If you have any interest in this issue, you are encouraged to attend. The packet for this meeting may be found at the following link:

http://windsor-ca.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=1724