|
A New Path to City Leadership: District-Based Elections
Your Newsletter for Friday, November 8, 2024
|
|
Get Engaged:
Districted Elections Coming to Galt
The City of Galt is now working to transition its means of electing our City Council Members. Until now, we have relied upon a populist model of selecting our elected leaders generally known as at-will elections. Based on the at-will model, regardless of which neighborhood/region of the City where potential candidates reside, residents of the City desiring to run for City Council could follow the established process for registering and campaigning. We provide background information on this process at this dedicated web page. With at-will elections, three neighbors on the same street could potentially run for City Council and potentially win those three seats.
The City of Galt will soon begin the process to segue to district-based elections from at-will elections. The reason for this change is due to a letter received from a potential plaintiffs' attorney, Shenkman & Hughes, PC, alleging a violation of the California Voting Rights Act (the "CVRA") and threatening litigation if the City declines to voluntarily change to a district-based election system for electing council members.
A majority of the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2024-89 declaring the City of Galt's intent to transition from at-large to district-based elections. Simply stated, this means that the City will identify and designate specific areas that potential candidates may represent. For reference, our Galt Joint Union Elementary School District shifted to district-based elections for board members several years ago. (As a result, now there are elementary school board members who represent areas generally around each of our schools in the GJUESD.)
The City of Galt commits to keeping all its voters appraised of this process as we begin working with a number of subject matter experts in demographics, districting, and elections law who will guide our transition. Our first Public Hearing about district-based elections will be held on Tuesday, November 19, during the regularly scheduled City Council meeting. During this meeting, an educational overview of the district-based election process will be provided.
We encourage residents to attend and get involved as we navigate this transition. There will be a total of five Public Hearings to educate the City Council and the public and to gather input from residents on the mapping process. We appreciate your attention to this and ongoing engagement as we head towards a new way of voting for elected representation in our City.
Visit www.CityofGalt.org/DistrictElections for more information on district based elections in Galt.
|
|
Don Nottoli, Jr. Receives Key to the City
Photo: Gale Webber
L-R: Jay Vandenburg, Shawn Farmer, Paul Sandhu, Don Nottoli, Jr., Rich Lozano,
Kevin Papineau
At the October 15 City Council Meeting, the City of Galt was happy to present our own Don Nottoli, Jr. with the Distinguished Key to the City, recognizing a lifetime of public service.
Don was raised and educated in Galt and served our City and surrounding localities in Sacramento County's 5th District as a County Supervisor since being elected in 1994. He retired in 2022, having worked on projects that included the development of Mather Veterans Village; establishment of a senior safe house for elderly residents; investments in the Bradshaw Animal Shelter to improve care for the animals and achieve a greater than 90% live release rate; and his advocacy for the Sacramento Delta. Don has provided ongoing support for the Galt Teen Center and the Sunshine Food Pantry.
Before his election as County Supervisor, Don served for 16 years as chief assistant to former 5th District Sacramento County Supervisor, Toby Johnson. He began his long-standing career in local civil service when he was first elected to the Galt High School District Board of Trustees in 1978. Don served there for 17 years before winning a seat on the Galt City Council. Don matriculated at Galt High School and at California State University at Sacramento.
We're grateful to Don for his distinguished service to Galt and to the 5th District of Sacamento County.
Renew Business Licenses Online
Attention Galt Businesses: Business licenses issued by the City of Galt will expire on December 31, 2024. Individual renewal notices have been sent to all businesses.
Business License telephone support hours are: Monday through Thursday, 8:00 am to 5:30 pm PST. If you have questions or need additional information, call 209-366-7150 or send an email to Finance@CityOfGalt.org.
Additional Resources:
- Community Development Department 209-366-7230
- Cosumnes Fire Department at 916-405-7100
- Public Works Department at 209-366-7260
Keep Debris and Waste Out of Our Storm Drains
Winter rains will be here before too long. Trash and leaves can lead to plugged storm drain inlets and street flooding during rain events. Organics, trash, pollutants such as herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers, and debris are also harmful to the environment when discharged to our local drainage channels, which is the tributary to the Delta. This water is not treated or cleaned before it reaches the creeks and rivers.
Everyone, let's do our part in keeping our storm drains clear and clean:
- Ensure that you remove leaves, dirt, and trash from the streets and gutters in front of your home or business and put in the proper bins.
- Rake leaves and yard debris away from storm drain inlets and place in the yard and garden waste (green) containers. The City street sweeper is not equipped to pick up piles of leaves, so please clear the leaves from the gutter.
- Do not hose pet waste, dirt, mud, or any other contaminant into the gutter or storm drain inlet. Use a broom and/or a shovel to remove debris and put it in the trash.
- Use pesticides and herbicides carefully and in moderation, making sure to check weather forecasts and avoid the application of chemicals prior to rain.
- When cleaning oil and grease from driveways, sweep up with absorbent materials and place it in your garbage can. Do not wash down it into the gutter or storm drain.
- Never wash or dump dirt, oil, paint, cement products, chemicals, or other pollutants down the storm drains.
- Reduce, reuse, and recycle whenever you can. The animals and plants on the rivers and creeks are counting on you.
- Instead of using pesticides, encourage "good bugs" to live in your garden. Good bugs, like ladybugs, love to eat "bad bugs" like aphids.
City Ordinances require keeping streets and gutters clear of debris and the protection of storm water quality. To report concerns or have questions answered, call the City of Galt's Public Works Department at 209-366-7260.
Lighting of the Night: Now Accepting Parade Submissions
We are looking for families, community groups, churches, businesses, bands, dance troupes, karate classes, etc., to be part of this fun event. Create your own unique holiday scene on your designated float or vehicle. Decorate a vehicle, design a fun float, practice your royal wave, and highlight your organization for all the community to see. For more information and to apply to be in our Annual Holiday Parade, click this link. To see parade rules, follow this link.
Galt! We would like to learn what you like about our City's parks, what you would improve, and what new amenities you'd like to see.
Take a few minutes to let us know via this easy-to-access survey. Simply scan the QR code or visit www.SurveyMonkey.com/r/H7C2Z7X to provide us with your answers. We're continuing the good work of reaching out and asking for your input so that our parks and open spaces in Galt will ultimately reflect the combination of your desires and needs. The best way to let us know those values is to participate in this survey.
Thanks for your attention to this - let's build our parks just right for Galt.
Community Workshop: Thursday, December 12 at 6:30 pm
Did you attend the previous Community Workshop to share ideas on the future of our parks and open spaces in Galt? Did you just complete the Community Survey to share your input? Whether you've participated or are new to the process, join us at the Littleton Community Center on Thursday, December 12 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm to confirm the results of our Community Survey. Visit our Web page at this link to learn more.
Galt Youth Basketball Needs Volunteer Coaches
Are you passionate about basketball and looking to make a positive impact in our community? The City of Galt's Youth Basketball Program needs YOUR help.
We are seeking volunteer coaches for Galt's youth basketball teams spanning Grades 1 through 8. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just love the game, we welcome your enthusiasm and dedication to nurturing our young players.
For more information and to sign up as a coach, visit our website: www.CityOfGalt.org/YouthSports.
|
|
City of Galt Recruitments
Interested in applying for a position with the City of Galt? Here are our open positions.
Click on the Careers button to learn more.
|
|
GJUESD November 2024 Newsletter
|
|
|
We'll have a fun weekend at the Fall Harvest Festival, November 9 and 10 at the 4th Street Promenade. Admission is FREE. Join us for carnival rides, midway games, live music, and community connection. For more information about this 2-day event, click here.
Calling all young artists ages 7 to 12 to join our Kids Thanksgiving Art class with fine artist, Nancy Quiaoit, on Thursday, November 21 from 3:45 to 4:45 pm. The cost of the class is $24, which includes all materials. Families, sign up your young creators for this class now, which is a fantastic way to give the gift of memories. Follow this link to register today!
At our Annual Christmas Cookie College, you'll learn to make five different cookie recipes and take home 6 of each type of cookie. The 8:00 am to 1:00 pm session is for bakers 7 to 14 years old. The 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm session is for those 15 years and older.
The registration fee for this fun event is $99 per person with a $30 supply fee due at class. The location for this year's Christmas Cookie College is the Chabolla Community Center Kitchen, 600 Chabolla Ave. For more information and to register, visit the Web page here. You can also call 209-306-7180 about this event.
 |
Is now the right time for a peaceful gift to yourself? How about a gift of experience to or with a friend? We invite you to join us for "A Merry Mindful & Heartful Holiday Retreat" by Jennifer Newkom. Jennifer will lead this new, 2-hour class in learning the basics of mindfulness and the practices of lovingkindness, compassion, gratitude, and sympathetic joy. In the hustle and bustle of all the seasonal celebrations, this class could be perfect for reclaiming peace and purpose.
This class is open to all levels of experience and all backgrounds/belief systems. We will be seated in chairs. You may bring a small blanket or pillow for extra comfort. The cost is $20 for this session. You can register at this link: https://APM.ActiveCommunities.com/Galt.
For more information, contact Jennifer at JenniferNewkom@yahoo.com. You can also call 209-366-7180.
Our Annual Holiday Market on 4th Street Promenade is an event that everyone eagerly anticipates. It's perfect for finding unique, one-of-a-kind, and special gifts for holiday giving. We're still accepting vendors for this event. If you're interested in being a Holiday Market vendor, call 209-366-7115 or send an email to JGarcia@CityOfGalt.org.
 |
Lighting of the Night is one of our City's most beloved annual events. It's a time to gather our whole community for an evening of bundled-up fun for all ages. This year, Lighting of the Night will feature the Saturday Holiday Market on the 4th Street Promenade, Photos with Santa at 4:30 pm, Christmas Caroling at the Littleton Center at 5:15 pm, and the Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6:15 pm. The LOTN Parade kicks off at 6:30 pm at the Marian O. Lawrence Library and concludes at the Chabolla Community Center, as shown in the map below. Make sure to get this event into your calendars and set your alerts for this wonderful community gathering. For more information about LOTN, call 209-366-7115 or send an email to JGarcia@CityOfGalt.org.
Time to make holiday memories with art! Register now for Kids Christmas Art with fine artist Nancy Hayden Quiaoit on Thursday, December 19. For $24, which includes all supplies, young artists will create holiday theme artwork while enjoying holiday music.
- The 3:45 pm to 4:45 pm time slot is for artists 5 to 7 years old. Register here.
- The 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm time slot is for artists 8 to 12 years old. Register here.
Mark your calendars and register soon. We'll gather at the Chabolla Center for these fun classes to make gifts and the happiest of memories. For more information, call 209-366-7180.
|
|
|
380 Civic Dr
Galt, CA 95632
Phone: (209) 366-7100
|
|
|
|
|
