Happy New Year, Petaluma!
We wish you all smooth sailing throughout 2024…and speaking of smooth sailing, below you’ll read more about how Petaluma is improving our roads while putting your safety first.
Thanks to the voter approved local revenue measure (Measure U) we’ve been able to make significant improvements to our roads across Petaluma. Your investment is repaving roads, expanding bike and pedestrian connectivity, and creating safer routes throughout our City. Throughout the coming year, we’ll be using the green badge you’ll see below to denote projects supported by Measure U. We’re excited to put the spotlight on your investment at work in 2024.
Stay safe this year, Petaluma! Thanks, as always, for reading along.
New Pavement Map Tracks Street Improvements
Petaluma is home to 396 lane miles of streets, 350+ miles of sidewalk, and 51 signaled intersections. These roads and walkways channel the life of our community, and keeping them in working order is a job we take very seriously.
It’s no secret that through the years Petaluma roads have earned a reputation for being less than smooth.
Since Measure U began generating local funding in April 2021, we have allocated $45 million in funding to repairing, reconstructing, and repaving roads citywide.
Our city streets have a long road to recovery but thanks to Measure U, and residents like you, we are on our way!
Visit cityofpetaluma.org/streetpavement to explore the map and see what we’ve done so far and what’s to come.
Helping Our Chickens Cross the Road
To improve pedestrian safety at our signalized intersections, we have implemented a 5 second “leading pedestrian interval” to the majority of the intersections in the City. A leading pedestrian interval (LPI) typically gives pedestrians a 3 to 7 second head start in advance of vehicles turning.
LPIs make it easier to see pedestrians in the intersection by giving pedestrians time to get well into the crosswalk where they are more visible to drivers. LPIs can reduce pedestrian-vehicle collisions by as much as 60%.
When the LPI is activated, motorists may notice that the pedestrian will receive the walk symbol 5 seconds before the traffic signal turns from Red to Green.
Increased Bike & Pedestrian Safety on McDowell – pending approval
Have you noticed a smoother surface and safer walking/biking conditions on N. McDowell lately? We are pleased to report our North McDowell Improvement project is complete!
We have created the following on N. McDowell Blvd. from Sunrise Parkway to Old Redwood Highway:
- A safer, smoother roadway surface
- Improved traffic flow and safety
- Elements designed to reduce traffic speed
- Enhanced sidewalks, curbs, & pedestrian crossings
- Upgraded bike lanes
- Better access to transit
Wondering about the green pylons you see along the road? These were installed along with striping on the road to separate bicycles from vehicles. The separation makes it safer and more comfortable for people riding their bikes in the designated pathway.
This project was made possible, in part, by funding from Measure U — our voter-supported local revenue measure. Thank you, Petaluma, for making these amazing improvements possible!
However, while the City-led N. McDowell work is complete, you may see more road work when SMART begins construction of Petaluma’s second station, which will include extending the existing multi-use path to Penngrove.
Visit cityofpetaluma.org/mcdowell to learn more.
Safe Routes to School Task Force
The City of Petaluma is proud to partner with the Sonoma County Safe Routes to School Program to create the first ever Petaluma Safe Routes to Schools Task Force!
The Task Force, which launched in September 2023, includes representatives from school districts, City staff, the Safe Routes to School program, law enforcement, and related community stakeholders.
Meetings take place on the 3rd Thursday of the month, from 4-5:30pm and are open to the public. The Task Force is facilitated by the Sonoma County Safe Routes to School Program.
The December meeting focused on sharing data collected from a safety audit conducted by the Task Force at and around McDowell School. School representatives and parents discussed safety concerns and identified areas for improvement. The Task Force plans to conduct similar audits at schools around Petaluma in the coming months.
Please join us for our next meeting:
Date/Time: Thursday January 18, 4-5:30pm
Location: City Hall, Council Chambers, 11 English Street
Thanks to all taking part in this program. Your efforts have a huge impact in our mission to keep our children safe!
Learn more HERE.
Downtown Business Improvement District
Ever wonder how the seasonal decorations, art projects, and events in the downtown area are coordinated and funded? Much of it happens thanks to the required fees and volunteer efforts of the Downtown Business Improvement District (BID). The 2024 BID assessment and budget will be considered in a public hearing at the January 8, 2024, City Council meeting. Click HERE to view the staff report and HERE to learn more about the BID.
Laundry-to-Landscape Rebates
Did you know the City of Petaluma now offers rebates for Laundry-to-Landscape (L2L) greywater systems? L2L greywater systems divert rinse water from your clothes washer directly to your landscape. Using water from your clothes washer to help maintain your landscape can reduce the amount of potable water used for irrigation and reduce water entering our sewer system. It’s a cost-effective, sustainable option to irrigate your landscape and requires no permitting. Click here to learn more about our rebate programs.
Our community partner, Daily Acts, will be hosting two events this month for you to learn more about L2L greywater systems:
- Wednesday, January 17 | 5:30pm – 7pm: L2L Office Hours
- Saturday, January 27 | 9am – 3pm: L2L Workshop
JOIN OUR PETALUMA TEAM!
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.
Associate/Senior Civil Engineer
Police Officer (Current Academy Attendees & Graduates)
Public Safety Dispatcher – Lateral
Senior Transit Planner (Grants Management) / Transit Planner II
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:
January 8, 5:30pm – City Council/PCDSA Regular Meeting
January 11, 9:00am – Senior Advisory Committee Meeting
January 11, 4:00pm – Transit Advisory Committee Meeting
January 11, 6:30pm – Climate Action Commission Meeting
January 17, 3:30pm – Tree Advisory Committee Meeting
January 17, 6:00pm – Recreation, Music & Parks Commission Meeting
January 22, 6:30pm – City Council/PCDSA Regular Meeting
Check for upcoming meetings, agendas, and how to participate on the City’s meeting webpage: https://cityofpetaluma.org/meetings/