Community Update for May 9, 2024

HAGA CLIC AQUÍ PARA ESPAÑOL

Hello, Petaluma!

Spring is in full swing! The sun is shining, the flowers are blooming, and our calendar is buzzing with activity as we make our way through May. From awesome opportunities to get involved in City projects like the new Lucchesi Skatepark, improving crosstown access for pedestrians and bikes, and learning more about our General Plan update (our city’s roadmap for growth), to the seemingly never-ending list of community festivities to attend, May is shaping up to be a wonderful month to fill your schedule with all things Petaluma!

In addition to these great events, we’ll share a bit about an exciting new initiative to help reduce traffic speeds and keep our streets safer for all our chickens crossing (and driving) our roads.

Please read on to learn more. We hope you have a lovely weekend enjoying the sunshine and all our special little city has to offer.

THIS SATURDAY! GENERAL PLAN FEST

Saturday, May 11, 9am – 2pm
Petaluma Fairgrounds

Have you ever wondered,

How do we ensure our community is ready for sea level rise and flooding?
How do we make Petaluma a more walkable city?
What can we do to support our local residents and businesses, while making it a destination for visitors?

Our General Plan Update process is underway now, and we’re asking ourselves these questions and more!

To learn more about how your City plans for the future of Petaluma, join us in person for the all-community General Plan Fest on May 11, 9:00am – 2:00pm. This family-friendly event will be held at the Petaluma Fairgrounds.

You will have an opportunity to learn more about the 14 Policy Frameworks that will form the General Plan, speak with staff, and provide your feedback. There will be plenty of activities for kids, as well.

Arrive early if you’d like to see animals leave the Fairgrounds at 10:00am as part of the Transhumance Festival! Learn more at planpetaluma.org/may-11th.

SAFER, SLOWER STREETS ARE ON THE WAY

In support of our efforts to create safer streets in Petaluma, the City Council approved an action to reduce speed limits on streets near schools and in our downtown. Over the next several months, speed limits within 500 feet of schools will be reduced from 25 to 15 miles per hour when students are present. And, speed limits in our downtown will be reduced from 25 to 20 miles per hour.

This change is designed to protect pedestrians, cyclists, and others, because higher speeds increase the likelihood and severity of collisions. Keep an eye out for new signage and check out these maps of areas where speeds will change.

Remember, It’s not about how fast you get there, but how safely you arrive. In addition to reducing the frequency and severity of collisions, driving slower increases fuel efficiency and reduces stress.

Petaluma is too beautiful — and life is too short — to speed through it. Slow the Fast Down today for safer roads and a happier Petaluma.

Want to learn more and get one of those cool signs you’ve been seeing around town? Visit cityofpetaluma.org/slowthefastdown to learn more.

NEW! PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Recruitment period for Petaluma’s Committees, Commissions, and Boards is officially OPEN — and we now have an additional committee that needs your participation!

At last Monday’s meeting, the City Council approved the creation of a new Public Safety Advisory Group — a citizen’s oversight committee to help strengthen community trust in our Petaluma Police Department and improve public safety.

We are now seeking applicants to be a part of this inaugural group. The PSAG will work in collaboration with the Police Department and the Office of the Independent Police Auditor to:

Improve public trust
Increase accountability
Ensure that police operations reflect community values
Advise the City on matters of public safety and police/community relations

To learn more about the role and selection criteria for the Public Safety Advisory Committee, or about any of the other Committees, Commissions, and Boards currently seeking applicants, visit cityofpetaluma.org/ccbs.

DRAFT FY25 BUDGET BOOK RELEASED

At Monday’s Council meeting, Councilmembers heard a presentation on the proposed City Budget for the coming fiscal year 2024-25. The document shows that the City is in a strong financial position going into next year, with planned investments in infrastructure, programs, and services that will benefit the entire community. Some upcoming capital projects include:

safe streets and active transportation improvements
updates to city facilities
a new skate park at Lucchesi Park
Petaluma River dredging
water and sewer main replacements

Petaluma embraces its future as a responsive, innovative, and effective municipal government organization. Our 2024-25 fiscal year budget represents an unwavering commitment to deliver outstanding services, safe and sustainable infrastructure and climate-first action to our community.

Learn more at cityofpetaluma.org/fy2025proposedbudget.

JOIN US WEDS MAY 22 TO TALK ABOUT THE NEW LUCCHESI SKATEPARK

Our team is working through design and permitting in preparation to break ground on a new, state-of-the-art skatepark in 2025! The skatepark, which will be located within Lucchesi Park near the Novak Drive entrance in the grassy area between the tennis courts, soccer, and Miracle League fields, will offer a dedicated area for all ages and abilities who enjoy skateboarding, biking, scootering, and rollerblading to hone their skills and connect with others.

Join us Wednesday May 22 for a community meeting during which City staff and our partners at Grindline, Inc. will:

Provide a project update and look at what’s ahead
Explore design features and orientation
Discuss construction schedule and potential impacts

When: Wednesday, May 22, 6pm – 8pm
Where: Petaluma Senior Center (211 Novak Drive)

Spanish interpretation will be available upon request. Please email [email protected] to arrange for interpretation services.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Visit cityofpetaluma.org/skatepetaluma to learn more and sign up to receive project updates.

JOIN US AT CITY HALL TO DISCUSS NEW WAYS TO WALK, BIKE, & ROLL ACROSS TOWN – WEDS MAY 29, 6PM

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!

Using community input provided in the March online survey and at the first Community Meeting, we have developed alternative ways to enhance crosstown travel for those walking, biking, and rolling at Corona Road, Rainier Avenue, Lynch Creek Trail, and the Pedestrian Overcrossing at McKenzie Ave. (catwalk).

Please join our next meeting where we will:

Review the public input received
Share and gather feedback on improvement concepts for each crossing location
Seek input and answer questions from the community

When: Wednesday May 29, 6pm – 8pm
Where: Council Chambers at City Hall, 11 English Street, Petaluma

Spanish interpretation will be available upon request. Please email [email protected] to arrange interpretation.

This Study is made possible by funding from Measure M, the 2004 Traffic Relief Act for Sonoma County.

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

We look forward to seeing you there!

PLACE MAKING: PRESERVATION & TOURISM EVENT WEDNESDAY MAY 15

Everyone is invited to Sonoma County Tourism’s Place Making: Preservation & Tourism event at the rehabilitated Carlson-Currier Silk Mill now operating as Petaluma’s newest “old” hotel, the Hampton Inn on Wednesday, May 15 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm! There will be a lively panel discussion, moderated by Katherine J. Rinehart, about tourism’s role in place-keeping and place-making at the state and local levels.

Refreshments, tours and a brief historical presentation by Petalumans of Yesteryear are included.

Click HERE for further information or to purchase a ticket. Note, the $5.00 ticket fee will be donated directly back to the Petaluma Historical Library & Museum.

MAY 16 IS BIKE TO WORK DAY!

May is Bike to Wherever Month, and May 16th is Bike to Work day!

If you can safely bike to work, we invite you to join us along with thousands of folks throughout the Bay Area – in a host of cycling activities, challenges, and classes throughout the month of May. Get fit, save money, have fun, and maybe even win some prizes!

For more information, CLICK HERE.

JOIN THE FIRST EVER PETALUMA RIVER RUN SATURDAY MAY 18!

You are invited to participate in the inaugural Petaluma River Run on May 18th. The run starts at 8:30 AM at Steamer Landing Park. The event was created to raise awareness of new trails along the Petaluma River and support the good work of Friends of the Petaluma River and Petaluma River Park. Please register today at petalumariverrun.com.

This will be a fun-filled community oriented event out on the Steamer Landing and Petaluma River Parks. Let’s get the word out about this!