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Community Update for April 21, 2021

Posted on April 21, 2021

Commencement Ceremony Guidelines

HAGA CLIC AQUÍ PARA ESPAÑOL

Good Evening, Petaluma –

 

Tomorrow is Earth Day and we are committed to preserving our incredible natural environment for generations to come. Did you know Petaluma has committed to becoming a carbon neutral city by the year 2030? It’s a big goal and we are taking massive action to achieve it. Learn more at CityofPetaluma.org/ClimateReady

 

In tonight’s email we’ll share COVID news from the County of Sonoma, our strategies for making important City communications available in Spanish, information on public meetings, and other news and upcoming events around town.

 

Please enjoy, share with friends, and have a wonderful evening. We’ll see you back in your inbox next Wednesday!

 

 

COVID-19 UPDATE

 

Please take a moment to check out these important COVID-19 resources and updates from the County of Sonoma:

 

Please Get Tested to Keep Our Community Safe

 

As we move down the path to reopening, testing remains a crucial piece of keeping our community safe and maintaining our forward momentum. Between 30 to 40 percent of people who have COVID-19 have mild or no symptoms, and they can then pass it on to others who might not have the same mild response.

 

County health officials recommend that those who go out into the public get tested at least once per month and those who regularly interact with the public get tested twice each month.

 

CLICK HERE to learn more.

 

 

Graduation & Commencement Ceremony Guidance

 

On March 26, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued guidance for safely holding outdoor graduation and commencement ceremonies. Outdoor, in-person ceremonies are permissible, consistent with this guidance.

 

CLICK HERE to view the guidance from the CDPH.

 

In the Orange tier (Sonoma County’s current status), 33 percent capacity is permitted for such events. All attendees, including school staff, performers, students and families, are counted toward any occupancy capacity limit. Other guidelines include:

 

  • Limit attendee groups to a household unit. People from the same household do not need to be six feet apart.
  • Audience seating must be fixed or marked, with signs to indicate by section, row, and seat. Marked seats should clearly define space for individuals with appropriate space per person (no blanket reservations or group areas).

 

 

CITY COMMUNICATIONS IN SPANISH

 

Petaluma is proud to be home to a large Spanish-speaking population. To ensure our entire community is engaged, we are committed to making as many of our City communications and public meetings available in both Spanish and English so every community member has access to important information.
We work with a local team of translators from various Spanish-speaking countries who are deeply rooted in the unique culture of Sonoma County. When translating, our team stays as true to our original text as possible, while using Spanish language that resonates with our community.
CLICK HERE to learn more.

 

Spanish Communications

 

In addition to our translations, we are currently working on a year-long project to find out what media, communication channels, and relevant content Latinos and Latinas in Petaluma are using, all for the purpose of strengthening communication between the City and the Latinx community. The goal is to generate inclusive strategies, inspire people to get involved, and give everyone access to the information, benefits, and activities that our City offers.

 

If you have questions, comments, or suggestions regarding our translations, or would like to be part of our communications discussion, please email: [email protected].

 

CLICK HERE to learn about our Spanish communications efforts.

 

AD HOC COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING RECAP

 

The first meeting of Petaluma’s Ad Hoc Community Advisory Committee was held April 20. The purpose of the AHCAC is to study and discuss issues contributing to community members not feeling safe or welcome in Petaluma and to develop recommendations to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion in our city. Those recommendations will then be considered when the City Council reviews citywide and police policies.

At this first meeting, committee members worked together to outline the best ways to collaborate and set priorities for the next 6 months. You can view recordings of the meeting via the links below:

The next meeting will take place May 18, 2021. More details, including how to attend and participate, will be published closer to the meeting date. We encourage all members of the community to attend.

 

CITY COUNCIL NEWS: UPCOMING TOPICS

 

Join us for the first of two workshops, on Monday, April 26 at 6pm to discuss and develop the City’s Goals and Priorities.
At Monday’s meeting, the Council, community, and City staff will review what has been completed, refine and add new objectives, and begin prioritization of those workplan items. On Monday, May 24, Council will finalize the prioritization for the next two-year cycle.
Our current goals are divided into 5 categories:

 

  • A City That Works for Everyone
  • Our Environmental Legacy
  • A Safe Community That Thrives
  • An Economy That Prospers
  • Spaces and Places that Inspire

 

CLICK HERE to learn more about our Goals and Priorities. Details about the meeting, including how to attend and participate, will be posted to our website closer to the meeting date.

 

 

HELP CLEAR THE WATER TO CELEBRATE EARTH DAY

 

This Earth day, help keep our community and waterways clean by joining the Friends of the Petaluma River and the Petaluma Wetlands Alliance for a 3-day Shollenberger Park Cleanup.

 

This event runs 4/22 – 4/24 from 9am – 11am. For more information and to volunteer, please register online at FriendsofthePetalumaRiver.org/Events

 

 

GET HEALTHY WITH US!

 

Our Parks and Recreation Department, in partnership with the Petaluma Health Care District, is excited to present “May Your Health Move Forward: Petaluma Walking Day Reimagined”, an interactive virtual event that will take place during the month of May.

 

Community members will be invited to participate in a series of fun-filled health and wellness activities, including fitness challenges, healthy recipes and meal prep plans, park-based scavenger hunts, and a whole lot more.

 

For more information, check out the official event page HERE and be sure to follow both our Parks and Recreation Department (@PetalumaParksandRec) and the Petaluma Health Care District (@PetalumaHealthCareDistrict) on social media.

 

 

SHORT ON RENT MONEY? COTS CAN HELP

 

We are proud to partner with COTS to help those in our community struggling with paying their bills during the pandemic.

 

Households within City of Petaluma limits who have been impacted by COVID-19 may be eligible for rental assistance from COTS. Household income must be below 80% Area Median Income. COTS can pay up to 6 months of graduated rental assistance to qualified households.

 

Please contact Sarah Vetter at 707.200.8221 or [email protected] with questions or to determine eligibility. CLICK HERE to learn more about the program.

 

CLICK HERE to learn about more City and County-funded rental assistance programs.

 

 

SHOP THE KENTUCKY STREE OUTDOOR MARKETPLACE THIS WEEKEND!

 

We would have been celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Butter & Egg Days Parade this weekend, so let’s make it a safe and fun celebration for us all. Come and meet your downtown merchants and local makers at the Kentucky Outdoor Marketplace and Shop Local Petaluma!

 

Join us Saturday April 24, 11am-5pm, on Kentucky Street between Western and Washington streets. Masks and social distancing required.

 

CLICK HERE to learn more.

 

TREATED WOOD DISPOSAL EVENT

Treated wood, which is often used in fences, is designed to resist rot when in prolonged contact with water and the soil and is legal to be sold in the state. However, treated wood is problematic in that there are very few options for legal disposal of the material at the end of its use.
Zero Waste Sonoma is holding a FREE, one-time disposal event for treated wood waste for residents (not businesses) on Sunday, April 25 in northern Santa Rosa. Appointments are required, and residents must follow all laws regarding the transportation of hazardous waste (no more than 125 pounds at a time).
CLICK HERE to learn more.

 

 

WE’RE HIRING

The City of Petaluma is looking for talented people to join our team! Please click the links below for more information about our open positions. CLICK HERE for a full list of career opportunities.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

The City of Petaluma is hard at work for our community. Please check out our upcoming meetings and click on the links below for more information:
April 26, 6pm – Workshop of the Petaluma City Council and Petaluma Community Development Successor Agency 
April 27, 6:30pm – Youth Commission 
April 28, 7pm – Technology Advisory Committee 
Check for upcoming meetings, agendas, and how to participate on the City’s meeting webpage: https://cityofpetaluma.org/meetings/

 

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