Community Update for March 15, 2024

HAGA CLIC AQUÍ PARA ESPAÑOL

Happy Friday, Petaluma! With the sun finally shining, we’re going to keep this intro short: we’d much rather you read the exciting updates below!

We have news on the Fairgrounds property and how you can enjoy it, praise for Petaluma’s Housing Element from the Governor’s Office, a progress report from Petaluma’s Independent Police Auditor, and more.

Enjoy your weekend, Petaluma. We’ll see you in your inboxes at the end of the month!

Petaluma Fairgrounds Update: Spring 2024

Watch your mailboxes, Petaluma! Residents should be receiving our Spring 2024 Fairgrounds Update any day now, with news about our community’s upcoming Fair (June 20-23) and how YOU can start to enjoy the 55-acre property at the heart of our city all year round!

Don’t want to wait for the mail? Click HERE for a PDF of the brochure, and learn more at cityofpetaluma.org/fairgrounds.

Housing Element 2023 Progress Report

Did you know that all cities within the state of CA are required by law to create a certain number of housing units across income levels in order to meet/maintain enough housing for our community, now and into the future? This requirement is called the Regional Housing Need Allocation (RHNA). In Petaluma, our RHNA requirement is to create 1,910 new housing units by 2031, distributed by income categories (very low, low, moderate, and above moderate-income units).

In Petaluma, our plan to meet the state’s RHNA requirement is called our Housing Element. At Monday’s City Council meeting, Petaluma’s Housing Manager Karen Shimizu presented the 2023 Housing Element Progress Report to share how we are implementing our plan to increase housing options in Petaluma. And…spoiler alert: we’re killing it.

In its first reporting year, the city has permitted 395 units (20.7% of our RHNA) with an additional 309 units currently going through the planning and entitlement process. Furthermore, the City issued 251 building permits on new housing units to start construction in 2023 and completed an additional 340 permits, which is the final step prior to move-in.

Since it was approved by the City Council in 2023, the City’s Housing Element has already been recognized by housing advocates as the “Best Overall Housing Element in California” by Yes in My Backyard Law (YIMBY Law). Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office also just announced that Petaluma is one of only seven cities to achieve the coveted “Pro-Housing Designation” this year – which makes us eligible for special funding from the state. The city has submitted an application to the Pro-Housing Incentive Program (PIP) which could provide up to $840,000 for the city’s housing program.

Want to learn more about our Housing Element? Read the full document HERE.

You’re Invited: Independent Police Auditor Reception

We are thrilled to invite you to join us at City Hall (11 English St) on Monday, March 18th, from 5:15 – 6:15 p.m. for a reception prior to the next City Council meeting. Over light refreshments, you’ll have a chance to meet our Independent Police Auditor (IPA) team, delve into the details of our first annual police audit report, and ask questions about the IPA’s findings.

This reception gives residents a chance to learn more about our achievements over the past year and pick up a copy of the report. We can’t wait to share the outcomes of our dedicated efforts to enhance transparency, accountability, and policing practices in our community

Progress Continues on the New Skatepark

We are excited to share the latest news on progress made for the new Lucchesi Skatepark! Our team is wrapping up technical assessments of the site (located at Lucchesi Park across from the tennis courts) this Spring as we move closer to finalizing the park design this Summer!

Projects like this require a lot of steps to be taken prior to the start of construction. We’ll be checking back in with the community to share the final design, the project budget, as well as anticipated construction schedule. We look forward to inviting you all to the next community meeting to weigh in. Stay tuned and stay engaged!

The Lucchesi Skatepark project has truly been a collaboration with our community. Heartfelt thanks to all who provided input and help us bring this awesome project to reality. We look forward to our continued work together!

Visit cityofpetaluma.org/skatepetaluma to learn more. Don’t forget to sign up to receive project updates while you’re there!

Exploring New Ways to Walk, Bike, & Roll Across Town – Share Your Thoughts

Interested in new or better routes to walk, bike, or roll across town? We are currently studying how to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety and access when trying to travel from one side of town to the other – and we want to hear from you!

On February 29, we held a workshop with our community during which discussed ways to enhance crosstown travel for those walking, biking, or rolling at the following locations:

Corona Road
Rainier Avenue
Lynch Creek Trail
Pedestrian Overcrossing at McKenzie Ave. (catwalk)

Thanks to all who attended and shared input.

We also are running an online survey to capture community feedback. We’ve received nearly 300 responses to date and would love to hear more! Please CLICK HERE to take the survey today (survey will close March 17).

Learn more and sign up to receive project updates at cityofpetaluma.org/101crossings.

1st Annual Downtown Cleanup Day

To celebrate the start of spring, Petaluma’s Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) invites you to a community-wide Clean Up Day! Together, we’ll work to refresh our streets and create a welcoming environment for businesses, locals, and our visitors. The BID, City Public Works, PDA, Rebuilding Together Petaluma, and the Downtown Streets Team will be in attendance to assist and provide supplies.

Date and Time: Tuesday, March 19, 2024, 8am-10am
Meeting Point: [TBD]

Tasks:

Graffiti / Sticker Removal: Let’s paint over the unwanted marks and restore the beauty of our community.
Trash Pickup: Together, we can make a significant impact by clearing litter from our streets and public spaces.
Planter Beautification: Help fill planters with fresh flowers and greenery, adding a touch of color to our downtown area.

ReLeaf Petaluma Offers Free Trees To Neighbors

ReLeaf Petaluma is launching a new Residential Tree Program to provide free trees to residents in certain neighborhoods in Petaluma! Learn all the details at ReLeaf’s Residential Tree Program Informational Meeting Wednesday, March 20th from 6:30-7:30pm in the Petaluma Library Community Room.

Topics covered will include:

Do you qualify for a tree?
Which tree species are approved?
Where can your tree be planted?
What is the best location for your tree?
Caring for your tree after planting.
The benefits of trees.

The program will start by offering free trees to residents in the Midtown neighborhood bordered by Payran Street, Lakeville Street, East Washington Street, and the Petaluma River. Later in the year, the Program will expand to the neighborhood bordered by Payran Street, Hwy 101, East Washington Avenue, and the Petaluma River. Following that, ReLeaf will focus on the neighborhood bordered by South McDowell Boulevard, Stuart Street, McNeil Street, and McGregor Avenue.

If you live or rent in one of these neighborhoods, you are invited to find out more about having a beautiful free tree installed in your yard.

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.

Assistant Engineer I/II

Associate/Senior Civil Engineer

Part Time Airport Ramp Attendant

Part Time Recreation Leader (Summer Camps)

Police Officer (Current Academy Attendees and Graduates)

Police Officer – Lateral

Police Officer Trainee

Project Manager

Public Safety Dispatcher – Lateral

Public Works Inspector I/II/Senior

Senior Transit Planner (Grants Management) / Transit Planner II