Hello, Petaluma –
It’s hard to believe it is already May! As we head into the warmer months, please remember our region is still in a drought emergency. Please visit cityofpetaluma.org/savewater to learn about current water restrictions and ways to conserve, including our Mulch Madness program which we discuss in tonight’s email. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do to help save water!
In tonight’s email, we will share information on Petaluma happenings including our Petaluma Fairgrounds Advisory Panel, current openings on City Committees and Commissions, our Mulch Madness Program, traffic circles, Bike Safety Month, Historic Preservation Month celebrations, and more. Please enjoy, share with friends, and have a lovely evening. We’ll see you in your inbox next Wednesday.
PETALUMANS TO HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF THE FAIRGROUNDS
Healthy Democracy – the nonpartisan, nonprofit designing and coordinating the Petaluma Fairgrounds Advisory Panel – has been working hard to ensure that all Petalumans have a place in the conversation considering the future of the Petaluma Fairgrounds.
36 Panelists were randomly selected through a live Democratic Lottery. Alternate panelists were also selected randomly to be on standby should any of the 36 selected Panelists be unable to participate.
The first Panel sessions will take place May 13, 14, & 15th. All large group sessions will be shown on their YouTube channel. In addition, members of the public are encouraged to stop by the event and sit in the visitor gallery. Much like a Senate visitor gallery, observers will be able to watch the Panelists in action but won’t be able to participate or interrupt the proceedings. The number of those allowed into the visitor gallery will be limited by the size of the room and Covid-protocols.
CLICK HERE to subscribe to Healthy Democracy’s email list to receive detailed updates on the process.
MULCH MADNESS IS BACK! SCHEDULE A FREE WATER-WISE HOUSECALL
The City of Petaluma is serious about water conservation and our Mulch Madness Program is proof of that. We are so dedicated to helping our water customers save water that we are offering free mulch, compost, cardboard, and an irrigation conversion kit to qualified customers who wish to sheet mulch their existing turf.
To see if you qualify, visit our Mulch Madness webpage and sign up for a free Water-Wise HouseCall. A Water-Wise HouseCall is a City program in which a trained water conservation technician will visit your home or business to evaluate your water use. The specialist will look for leaks and ways to help you use water more efficiently. Even if you don’t qualify for Mulch Madness, our technicians can show you how to save water around your home. To schedule this free service, contact us at (707) 778-4507.
THE BENEFITS OF SHEET MULCHING
- Saves money on your water bill.
- Sheet mulching the average 1,000 sq. ft. lawn could save between 12,000 and 25,000 gallons of water per year!
- Suppresses weed growth.
- Reduces labor and maintenance costs.
- Improves nutrient and water retention in the soil and improves soil structure.
- Encourages favorable soil and microbial activity.
- Improves plant vigor and health, often leading to improved resistance to pests and disease.
HELP BUILD A GREAT COMMUNITY TOGETHER – JOIN A COMMITTEE, COMMISSION, OR BOARD
Petaluma’s Commissions, Committees, and Boards (CCBs) provide important oversight to City operations and the decision-making process. We are now accepting applications for vacancies on the following City Committees and Commissions:
- Airport Commission
- Animal Services Advisory Committee
- Climate Action Commission
- Measure U Oversight Committee
- Music and Parks Commission
- Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee
- Planning Commission
- Public Art Committee
- Recreation, Music, and Parks Commission
- Senior Advisory Committee
- Sonoma County Library Commission
- Technology Advisory Committee
- Transit Advisory Committee
- Tree Advisory Committee
- Youth Commission
CLICK HERE to learn more.
GET TO KNOW THE WILD WORLD OF TRAFFIC CIRCLES
You may have noticed a new addition to the intersection of Bassett and Upham Streets: a temporary mini traffic circle demonstration. This project is designed to help slow traffic and increase safety for all road users. We are installing the circle temporarily and, over the next 6 months, will gather feedback from the community to determine how the circle is working for the neighborhood.
Some benefits of traffic circles include:
- Help to calm traffic
- Result in reduced speeds
- Eliminate left turns which increase safety because crashes, if they occur, will be at an askew angle not in a “T bone” fashion
- Require less maintenance
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reducing vehicle idling time
To learn more about traffic circles (including tips for safely navigating them) and to provide feedback on your experience of using the temporary circle at Bassett and Upham, please visit: cityofpetaluma.org/bassettuphamcircle.
MAY IS NATIONAL BICYCLE SAFETY MONTH
May is National Bicycle Safety Month, and the Petaluma Police Department is encouraging drivers to slow down when passing bicyclists, and asks bicyclists to be visible, predictable, and safe on the road.
“Bicyclists are safest when they act like, and are treated the same as, drivers,” Traffic Sergeant, Walt Spiller said. “Please share the road with bicyclists and think of them as your closest friends or family. We all want to get where we need to go safely, whether that is in the car or on a bike.”
To increase public safety for both cyclists and drivers, the Petaluma PD suggests the following safety tips:
Drivers
- Slow down. Give at least three to five feet of space when passing a bike.
- Wait for a safe place to pass when driving behind a bike, especially on narrow roads. California law requires drivers to provide at least three feet of space between a vehicle and bicycle.
- If making a right turn, assume a bicyclist is traveling through the intersection unless they signal otherwise.
- When making a left turn, yield to oncoming bicyclists just as you would for other drivers.
- Look for cyclists before opening a car door.
- Never drive distracted or impaired.
Bike Riders
- Be predictable, safe, and seen: obey traffic laws, use hand signals, use lights at night (front white light and rear red reflector), and wear a helmet.
- Bicyclists must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow-moving vehicle.
- Avoid the door zone: do not ride too closely to parked cars.
- If there’s a bike lane, use it, unless making a left turn, passing, or approaching a place where a right turn is allowed.
- Yield to pedestrians. Bicyclists must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians within marked crosswalks or within unmarked crosswalks at intersections.
Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
MAY IS NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION MONTH – CELEBRATE PETALUMA’S RICH HISTORY WITH US!
During the month of May, the City of Petaluma’s Historic and Cultural Preservation Committee and the Petaluma Museum Association would like to invite you to visit and learn about our city’s history, historic districts, and landmarks. Every year, local preservation groups, state historical societies, and business and civic organizations across the country celebrate Preservation Month through events that promote local history, historic places, and heritage tourism.
This year, many local organizations are collaborating to provide a month’s worth of events and activities to celebrate Petaluma’s history and to underscore the importance of historic preservation. Collaborating groups include:
- Petaluma Museum Association/Petaluma Historical Library and Museum
- City of Petaluma/Historic and Cultural Preservation Committee
- Sonoma County Public Library /Petaluma History Room
- Heritage Homes of Petaluma
- Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park
- Heritage Network of Sonoma County
Visit our website cityofpetaluma.org/historicpreservationmonth for a schedule of events and learn about our city’s rich history.
HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO TOMORROW, PETALUMA!
Looking for a place to celebrate? Check out this list a list of Sonoma County celebrations from the Press Democrat HERE.
PETALUMA HEALTH CARE DISTRICT INTRODUCES “BLUE ZONES”
Petaluma Health Care District (PHCD) is thrilled to introduce the Blue Zones team to Petaluma. Please join us at the Kick-Off to hear the Blue Zones story and meet members from the Blue Zones expert team as they begin their work in our community.
What is the Blue Zone Initiative?
Blue Zones is a community-wide, well-being improvement initiative designed to make healthy choices easier. This is done by encouraging sustainable changes in the built environment, building environments and social networks, often suggesting policy changes throughout a community including such places as worksites, schools, restaurants, grocery stores, faith–based communities, convenience stores and neighborhoods.
Informed by their research of the world’s longest-lived cultures and their work in over 50 cities across the country, Blue Zones helps communities live better and longer by improving their environment. Participating cities and counties have seen double digit drops in obesity, smoking, and stress, along with significant improvements in workplace productivity, healthcare costs, and civic engagement.
Join us on Tuesday, May 17th, at New Life Christian Fellowship from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (check-in begins at 4:30 p.m.) for an evening event to learn more about Blue Zones and what to expect in the months ahead. Their team will be calling on community leaders to learn more about the Petaluma area and collaborate to build a plan for change.
RSVP HERE to the event.
More information can be found on the Blue Zones Activate Petaluma web page here.
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.
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:
Check for upcoming meetings, agendas, and how to participate on the City’s meeting webpage: https://cityofpetaluma.org/meetings/