Bird Bikes Have Arrived

The City recently applied for and received grant funding for a three-year electric bike share program. We selected Bird Rides to be the provider. Our flock of bikes have arrived and are ready to use.

Download the Bird App to access the bikes! If you are a CARE customer, non-profit employee, in a state of federal assistance program, a Pell Grant recipient, a senior citizen or a U.S. Veteran you are eligible for a reduced rental rate.

Every time you use an electric vehicle or walk or bike instead of using a gas-powered vehicle, you are doing your part to reduce Green House Gas emissions! The app will show you the nearest bike available for use. Bike stations are being proposed at these initial locations, which may expand based on ridership:

- Foss Creek Pathway at Railroad Depot
- Healdsburg Avenue at Plaza Park
- North Street at West Plaza
- Public parking lot near 434 Healdsburg Avenue
- Foss Creek Pathway near City Hall
- Giorgi Park
- Community Center
- Barbieri Brothers Park

Healdsburg Celebrates Dia de Muertos

Over 4,000 people came out on Sunday to celebrate Dia de Muertos, honoring friends and family members who have passed. This year marks the sixth Dia de Muertos festival that the City has hosted. We are grateful for our partner Corazón Healdsburg, community alter coordinator Yolanda Giron, marigold artist Jessica Martin, car show coordinator Jorge Flores, Healdsburg Tourism Improvement District and our other sponsors, and all of the amazing volunteers who came together to help make this day special. ¡Gracias! 

Foley Family Community Pavilion Project Update

This week representatives of the Foley Family Community Pavilion design team met on site to review and select materials that will be used for the project. The selection process is more art than science, ensuring that the project retains the historical context of the existing building while using modern building materials and techniques. The project design work is on track to begin construction in early summer 2023 with completion anticipated in late summer 2024. For more information, please visit the project website at www.healdsburg.gov/foleypavilion

Vegetation Treatment Plan Work Continues

Grazing has begun in the Ridge Open Space Preserve and will continue through the end of the year. Both sheep and goats will graze treatment areas as we continue to work to create calming zones and fire breaks in the foothills above Healdsburg.  Please remember to keep your dogs on leashes while enjoying the preserve. The Park will remain open for most of this vegetation treatment. It is worth noting that all grazing animals have gone through a thorough health screening, with a Licensed Veterinarian prior coming to the site and will have a herder on site 24 hours a day. The animals' health will be evaluated daily by trained herders and monthly by a veterinarian. This project is a continuation of the Coastal Conservancy Grant managed by Healdsburg Fire Department.

Thanks to a great partnership with Russian River Keeper, a two-week Arundo Donax removal project was completed along the Badger Park river path. This important work helps to improve overall river ecology and will help to keep our community more fire safe. This project was funded and completed by the Russian River Keeper organization in partnership with Healdsburg Fire Department.

Rainwater Catchment Installation Event

Now is the perfect time to install a rainwater harvesting system. These systems divert rainwater from roof gutters and downspouts into storage tanks that can be reused for outdoor irrigation needs. Join the City of Healdsburg and Daily Acts Sunday, November 20th, from 10:00am-1:00pm to learn how to set up your own rainwater catchment system! This event will demonstrate, provide information, and teach the skills needed to install your own rainwater catchment system. Learn more at https://dailyacts.org/events-cal/irwm-healdsburg-rain-tank-installation/

Now is also the perfect time to replace your thirsty lawn with a beautiful and water smart landscape to permanently save water outdoors. Rebates of $0.50 per gallon of rainwater storage and $1.00 per square foot of lawn conversion are available here: bit.ly/CoHWaterRebates

Reminder: Please turn off your automatic irrigation now that we have entered the cooler and wetter months!

L&M Village Update

Work on the L&M Village continues with our project partners Reach for Home, Burbank Housing and DMR Builders in advance of the November 21, 2022 opening date. The scope of work includes creating ADA accessible rooms, installation of fire altering and fire suppression systems, installing sidewalks and repaving the parking lot, among many other improvements. At the end of construction, there will be 22 new transitional housing units to serve those experiencing homelessness in our community. For more information on the L&M you can visit: https://healdsburg.gov/1028/LM-Village-Information or reach out the City’s Housing Director, Stephen Sotomayor, at [email protected]. 

Utility Pole Replacements

As we increase our dependency on electricity, the importance of a safe and reliable power grid increases. As part of the City’s ongoing and proactive maintenance of the City’s power grid, Healdsburg’s line-workers continue their focus on replacing utility poles that have outlived their useful life throughout Healdsburg. Over the past few weeks, city staff replaced a pole supporting the 670-foot Dry Creek crossing. This river crossing is critical to maintaining electric service to the City’s wastewater treatment plant and necessary to receive generation from the City’s floating solar project. City crews also replaced a pole on University Street. Both projects allow for the safe operation of the City’s electric system while reducing the chances of power outages. Pictured are Apprentice Lineworker Cade DeForge and Journey Lineworker Chayton Osmon.

New Wastewater Treatment Regulations Approved

During the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board’s last meeting, the City of Healdsburg’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit was approved. The NPDES permit defines the regulatory obligations for the treatment of the City’s wastewater including required monitoring, testing, and reporting to the Regional Water Quality Control Board. These requirements help assure the City’s wastewater is collected and treated properly to prevent pollution of our creeks and rivers.

Development of the new permit required many hours of city staff time and direct collaboration with the Regional Board. These efforts resulted in achieving the common goal of protecting the environment and our waterways through the development of an appropriate amount of testing, monitoring, and oversight.

Planning Commission Meeting

On Tuesday, November 8^th at 6:00 p.m. the Planning Commission will consider a Major Design Review, Density Bonus and Housing Incentives, and Tentative Map applications to construct 118 affordable housing units, associated open space, parking and community facilities on an approximately 12-acre site located at 450 Parkland Farms Boulevard. Houses will be comprised of two-story townhomes, and two- to three-story stacked flats. The meeting will include an opportunity for public input. Please contact the Planning Department at 707-431-3348 or [email protected] for further information. 

Upcoming Holiday Events

Our Community Services Team is working behind the scenes on the planning processes for the holidays. Watch for more information coming soon on these events:

Merry Healdsburg Tree Lighting                  Friday, December 2

Senior Appreciation Dinner                          Sunday, December 4
Community Posada in the Plaza                  Friday, December 16