Community Update for April 11, 2025

HAGA CLIC AQUÍ PARA ESPAÑOL

Hello, Community –

April is a very special time of year here in Petaluma. Not only is the weather mild and lovely, the hills and fields a lush shade of green, the freshness of spring swirling in the air (along with maybe a few allergens!), but April is also Petaluma’s birthday month!

This April 12, we’re celebrating 167 years since Petaluma was officially incorporated as a city in 1858. Back then, Petaluma was a bustling riverside hub with a population of just over 1,500 residents, many of whom were farmers, merchants, and tradespeople building a community along the banks of the Petaluma River. Steamboats transported goods and passengers to and from San Francisco, and the town’s early brick buildings (some still standing today!) began to shape the character of our historic downtown.

Fast forward to today, and Petaluma has grown into a vibrant, welcoming city of nearly 60,000, still rooted in community, creativity, and a deep appreciation for its past. In recognition of our incredible community, we are excited to announce that Petaluma has been chosen as a 2025 finalist for the All-America City Award! You can read more about it below. Here’s to honoring our history and looking ahead to an even brighter future!

We are so proud of our Petaluma community – past, present, and future! Thank you all for being part of this special place and helping make it what it is today.

Read on for our latest happenings at the City and around town, including upcoming festivals, opportunities to have your voice heard, and more. Have a wonderful weekend!

Happy Birthday, Petaluma: All-America City Award Finalist!

For our city’s 167th birthday, we are thrilled to announce that Petaluma has been chosen as a finalist for the 2025 All-America City Award from the National Civic League!

For over 75 years, the All-America City Award has highlighted and celebrated outstanding civic innovation, recognizing communities that harness the power of local collaboration to drive meaningful change. Each year, cities, towns, counties, and regions nationwide apply for this prestigious recognition, showcasing how their civic capital—the relationships, networks, and capacities that enable problem-solving and resilience—fuels progress.

This year’s twenty finalists have distinguished themselves through their commitment to strengthening environmental sustainability, using inclusive community engagement to create lasting, impactful solutions. Finalists were chosen through a competitive review process led by an independent panel of experts, with each application evaluated on the criteria of shared vision, civic engagement, inclusiveness and equity, collaboration, innovation, and impact.

Learn more about Petaluma’s application at the press release HERE. You can also visit the Award website HERE for more information.

Spring and Summer Mean Festivals (and Fun) in Petaluma!

Spring into the spirit of celebration – festival season has arrived in Petaluma! From lively street fairs to family-friendly fun, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. It’s the perfect time to explore your city, connect with neighbors, and make lasting memories.

Whether you’re sampling local flavors, dancing to live music, or simply soaking up the festive vibes, don’t miss the chance to be part of the excitement. Bring your friends and family, and celebrate all the creativity and community that make Petaluma such a special place.

Be on the lookout for these upcoming events:

Transhumance Festival – Saturday, April 12
Butter & Egg Days Parade – Saturday, April 19
Spring Antique Fair – Sunday, April 27
Salute to American Graffiti – May 15–17
Art & Garden Festival – July 13
Plus, enjoy our farmers markets all season long!

Visit www.visitpetaluma.com for more details on these and other great events.

Get Involved! Apply for Petaluma’s Committees, Commissions & Boards (CCBs)

Applications for Petaluma’s CCBs open on Monday, April 14!

Petaluma’s Commissions, Committees, and Boards (CCBs) play a critical role in providing valuable oversight to City operations and informing the decision-making process. While the City Council holds the ultimate responsibility for adopting policies, issuing proclamations, and other official acts, the CCBs help to ensure that these decisions are well-informed and take into account a range of perspectives.

The CCBs are made up of community members who volunteer their time and expertise to help guide and inform City operations. Through their work, the CCBs review and make recommendations on key issues, provide valuable feedback on proposed policies and projects, and help to build strong relationships between the City and the community.

The 2025 Annual Recruitment period to fill vacancies will run from Monday, April 14, 2025 at 8:00am to Thursday, May 29, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. The City Council will review the applications and make appointments at the City Council Regular Meeting on Monday, June 16, 2025.

Learn more and apply at https://cityofpetaluma.org/ccbs.

Please contact the City Clerk’s Office if you have any questions: 707-778-4360 or cityclerk@cityofpetaluma.org.

Your Voice Matters! Please Weigh in On Our Active Transportation Plan Draft

Petaluma’s Draft Active Transportation Plan (ATP) – our roadmap for walking, biking, and rolling safely through town – is ready for community review! This plan lays out how we’ll improve and expand access to active transportation in our city, and your feedback is key.

You can share your thoughts by:

Attending one of the following upcoming public meetings at City Hall:
- Tuesday, April 15, 5 PM – Transit Advisory Committee
- Monday, April 21, 6 PM – City Council
Submitting comments online at cityofpetaluma.org/ATP or by email to bgriepenburg@cityofpetaluma.org.

For details on how to participate in each meeting, visit cityofpetaluma.org/meetings.

Help Daily Acts Beautify Petaluma City Hall!

Have some free time Wednesday, April 16th between 11am and 3pm? Come join Daily Acts at Petaluma City Hall to help revitalize the landscape!

It’s time to breathe new life into the soil, and Daily Acts needs your help. They will be sheet mulching — layering compost, sheets of cardboard, and mulch, in order to suppress weed growth and add nutrients into the soil. Doing this will help create healthy conditions for a future planting at City Hall happening on Earth Day!

If you choose to join in, you’ll learn techniques that can be applied to any size yard, and about the water conservation strategies we embrace at City Hall.

If you’ve been looking for a way to give back and connect with your community, please join Daily Acts and lend a helping hand!

Apply to be a Vendor at the Petaluma Fair!

Don’t forget! The Petaluma Fair is happening June 19-22, 2025, and we are excited to invite local businesses and artisans to apply to be a vendor at this year’s event!

This year, the City and the 4th District Agricultural Association are updating our partnership to provide our community with a Fair that showcases the best of Petaluma. We are looking for local artisans, food vendors, musicians and more to be a part of the biggest event of the year.

The application deadline has been extended until Friday, April 25, so make sure to fill out the interest form today at cityofpetaluma.org/fair.

We can’t wait to see you at the Fair!