HAGA CLIC AQUÍ PARA ESPAÑOL
Hello, Petaluma —
July 4th is right around the corner and if you’re looking for some events to make the day extra festive, we’ve got you covered. From bikes to dogs to a firework display over the skies of Petaluma, we’re sure you will find something to enjoy!
Please remember, due to increased fire danger, Petaluma has prohibited the use of fireworks by the public — this includes fireworks previously considered legal. Violations are subject to fines of $1,000 or more.
Read on to learn how to make yours a very Petaluma 4th of July, plus updates regarding important work being done to our water and sewer infrastructure around town, an affordable housing waitlist opening in July, and a new system for requesting public records!
Have a great holiday!
READING AND RECEIVING OUR EMAILS
Members of our community reached out to us last week to inform us they were having trouble opening the links in our Community Update email. We looked into the issue and have been informed that email clients and security software are starting to aggressively flag links in emails, and are preventing recipients from opening them, in order to reduce phishing scams.
One way to avoid this occurring with our emails in the future, is to add us as a contact in your email software, and/or to Safelist (formerly referred to as a whitelist) us in your security program.
Copy and paste the link text below into your web browser to see how to Safelist email addresses in an email client or security program: https://knowledgebase.constantcontact.com/email-digital-marketing/articles/KnowledgeBase/5873-adding-email-addresses-to-a-safe-sender-list?lang=en_US
If you encounter this issue and don’t want to go through the Safelist process, check out our web version of the Community Update! We create an English and a Spanish web version of every Community Update email we send out, with the exact same content, to make our information as accessible as possible. Simply visit our website at https://cityofpetaluma.org/ and scroll down until you see “Latest News” on the right-hand side of the page.
We would like to extend a special thank you to the community members who reached out to us about this issue. Thank you for helping us keep our lines of communication open and accessible to all!
PLEASE REMEMBER – PUBLIC USE OF FIREWORKS IS PROHIBITED
Over the past few years, the increasing number of Red Flag weather days and devastating wildfires, and the prevalence of illegal fireworks, has presented a risk to our community too great to be ignored.
Petaluma has a ZERO TOLERANCE policy for all firework use — including fireworks previously considered legal. Property owners will be held responsible for firework activity that occurs on their property and will be cited accordingly, regardless of who possesses or lights the fireworks. Violations are subject to fines of $1,000 or more.
While anyone found using fireworks may receive a fine, there will be no fines, citations, or questions for anyone willing to surrender their fireworks prior to the 4th. If you would like to turn in your fireworks, please contact the Petaluma Fire Department at (707) 778-4390.
Though we understand fireworks are a beloved tradition for many, our top priority is to keep our residents and properties safe. We look forward to working together with you, our resourceful, creative community, to establish new traditions that honor the spirit of the 4th of July.
Visit cityofpetaluma.org/nofireworks to learn more.
NEW AMI WATER METER TECHNOLOGY COMING SOON!
Petaluma is upgrading our water meter technology to help us, and you, save water. The new technology, Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), will:
- Show your water use in real time through an online portal (Eye on Water)
- Alert you to water leaks
- Help you identify water use trends
AMI transmits water use data remotely to the City and to the online Eye on Water portal. We will be upgrading water meters throughout Petaluma in the coming months.
To learn more, please visit: cityofpetaluma.org/AMI.
PHASE 2 OF PAYRAN/MADISON UNDERGROUND WORK SET TO BEGIN IN JULY
The City of Petaluma is committed to providing clean, safe water and sewer services to our community which requires us to replace and upgrade underground pipes when they get old and stop working optimally. Our contractor, Coastside Concrete & Construction, will be making upgrades in the Payran/Madison neighborhood in the coming weeks.
This project was split into two phases:
Phase 1: Trenchless Sewer Main Replacement – COMPLETED SPRING 2024
Phase 2: Water and Sewer Main Replacement with Trenching – BEGINS JULY 2024
The work will ensure all underground lines remain in safe working condition for years to come. We will also be relocating some lines and installing new fire hydrants in the neighborhood.
Neighborhood residents will be receiving more information about the project in the mail.
To learn more and sign up to receive project updates, please visit: cityofpetaluma.org/payranmadison.
NEW PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST SYSTEM
The City of Petaluma is excited to launch NextRequest, a new public records management system to improve efficiency in responding to public records requests. The NextRequest system allows the public to make requests and receive records through a public web portal: https://cityofpetalumaca.nextrequest.com/.
Any public records requests made prior to the launch of NextRequest do not need to be resubmitted, as those will still be processed. Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at [email protected] or (707) 778-4360 with general questions or if you need assistance submitting your request.
PROJECT-BASED HOUSING VOUCHER WAITLIST ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS JULY 1-31
The Sonoma County Housing Authority is accepting applications for three-bedroom housing vouchers from July 1 to July 31. These vouchers are for families with very low income, meaning they earn 30% or less of the area’s average income. For example, a family of four must earn $37,750 or less per year to qualify.
To apply, families need to share their income details and any special qualifications. You can only apply for units at the following locations:
- Alta Madrone Apartments in Sonoma
- Fetters Apartments in Sonoma
- Logan Place in Petaluma
- Crossroads Apartments in Santa Rosa
- Fife Creek Commons in Guerneville
- Windsor Redwoods Apartments in Windsor
- The Randall Apartments in Healdsburg
If you want to apply, you must do so between July 1 and July 31. You need to say which apartment list you are applying for on your application.
You can apply online at www.waitlistcheck.com/CA085 or in person at the Housing Authority’s office at 1440 Guerneville Road, Santa Rosa. The office is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on July 31 if you apply in person, or by 11:59 p.m. if you apply online.
Read the full press release to learn more HERE.
FOURTH OF JULY EVENTS
Petaluma has some good old fashioned fun scheduled for the 4th of July! Please join us at one, some, or all of the following events.
STARS & STRIPES, DOGS & BIKES IS BACK!
Thursday, July 4 | 11:00am – 2:00pm
This daytime event features a bike parade, dog costume contest, farmers market vendors, jump houses, kid’s activities, and MORE!
Lucchesi Park, 320 N. McDowell Blvd
BIKE PARADE
Thursday, July 4 | 10:30am (check in at 10:15am)
Start — Prince Park, 2301 E. Washington St
Finish — Lucchesi Park, 320 N. McDowell Blvd
PRE-REGISTER HERE and CLICK HERE to view the parade map.
DOG COSTUME CONTEST
Thursday, July 4 | 12:00pm
Enter your Yankee Doodle Doggie to win! Preregister or come the day of at 11:30am to the Rec Tent to sign up!
Categories include:
- Best in Show
- Patriotic Pooch
- Glamour Paws
- Crafty Canine
- & Funny Fido
Call (707) 778-4399 for more information.
All canine participants must: Be always leashed, be up to date on vaccinations, be spayed or neutered, and be friendly with other dogs/people.
INDEPENDENCE DAY FIREWORKS
July 4, 2024 | around 9:30pm
Look to the skies on the evening of July 4th to enjoy a high-elevation fireworks display over Petaluma! The high elevation allows for the firework show to be viewed from many spaces throughout the City! Stay tuned for an updated map of viewing locations.
The high-elevation format of the show allows for easy viewing from parks and neighborhoods all over town. Fireworks will be launched from the Petaluma Fairgrounds, which will be CLOSED for public safety (high-elevation shows like this require a larger staging area and “fall zone” to ensure safety).
Click HERE to view a map of the best parks to view fireworks!
Click HERE to download a PDF version of the interactive map.
THE FLOATHOUSE FIREWORKS PADDLE
Thursday, July 4 | 9:00pm-10:30pm
Experience this annual spectacle of light from the water on “Petaluma’s Longest Park”, The Petaluma River. Just show up at The Floathouse (summer location: access via public docks on the NW side of the basin by Water Street/Balshaw footbridge). They’ll have the boats ready to go, and you and your friends simply step aboard, joining in a joyous flotilla, paddling to prime viewing spots, marveling at the illumination in the dark night sky and reflected on the water.
$50/person. Limited to 20 guests. Book HERE.
4TH OF JULY CHORAL CONCERT AND BELL RINGING
Thursday, July 4 | 10:00am- 11:15am
Each year since 1962, communities across the country gather on July 4th and simultaneously ring bells 13 times to remind us of the original colonies and founding of our country. The Petaluma Museum commemorates this annual tradition with music, history, and the ringing of the historic Korbel Bell. Following the ceremony, enjoy refreshments and community under the beautiful oak tree in the museum’s courtyard.
Petaluma Historical Library and Museum
20 4th Street
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.
Police Officer (Current Academy Attendees and Graduates)
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:
June 27, 6:00pm – Public Art Committee Meeting
July 1, 6:30pm – City Council/PCDSA Regular Meeting
July 3, 6:30pm – Pedestrian & Bicycle Advisory Committee Meeting
July 9, 6:00pm – Planning Commission Meeting
July 11, 9:00am – Senior Advisory Committee Meeting
July 11, 4:00pm – Transit Advisory Committee Meeting
July 15, 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/.