November 2019
We have a lot to be thankful for this November. As our community continues to heal from the October 2017 Sonoma Complex Fires, we once again had our strength tested last week by the Kincade Fire that came close to reaching our City. Although the Santa Rosa City limits were physically untouched by the fires, many of us feel the damage that it caused to the homes and businesses in the County and neighboring counties. And just as our neighbors reached out to help us, we are here to help them through this trying time. Many have asked where best to donate or volunteer, and we’d like to refer you to the County of Sonoma’s How to Help information page for guidance.
What we can be truly thankful for is that no lives were lost. Thanks to a great deal of preparation and many lessons learned from the 2017 fires, first responders were able to act quickly, protect life, and limit damage to property. We want to thank our community for remaining vigilant and heeding evacuation notices, making it possible for first responders to move quickly into areas to protect homes and businesses. The City’s Emergency Operations Center activated for nine days straight during the power shutoffs and Kincade Fire to work in partnership with our neighboring communities and to ensure we were able to quickly respond to the needs of our citizens during the emergency. Please know that your City remains committed to this level of support now and in the future.
A HEARTFELT THANK YOU to the nearly 5,000 first responders, as well as hundreds of emergency workers, elected officials, government employees, volunteers, comfort animals, and others that came together to protect, feed, shelter, and support our community and neighboring communities during these challenging times.
Your City Connections Subscription –
For Monthly News and Updates During an Emergency
The City Connections Newsletter is a great way to stay informed about what is happening in your community, as well as receive timely emergency updates. Throughout October, the City of Santa Rosa used the subscriber list of this newsletter to communicate during the power shutoffs and the Kincade Fire, and it is one of many ways we will continue to reach our citizens with updates in the event of future emergencies. Please help share this newsletter by forwarding to family, friends, and neighbors in Santa Rosa. If this newsletter was forwarded to you, sign-up to get on the subscriber list HERE.
Benefits for Santa Rosa Residents Impacted by
Kincade Fire and Fire Evacuations
Santa Rosa residents who suffered lost wages, loss of food, or other hardships as a result of the Kincade Fire and the resulting evacuations may qualify for certain benefits from providers such as CalFresh, CalWORKS, Job Link, Medi-Cal, the Veterans Service Office and more. Learn more about the services available to potentially assist impacted residents, by visiting the County of Sonoma Emergency website. READ MORE
Food Distribution Events Provide Groceries to
3000+ Residents
 More than 3,000 residents impacted by the power shutoff and Kincade Fire evacuations were provided free groceries during two consecutive days of food distribution organized by the City of Santa Rosa and in partnership with R.O.C. Sonoma County, Catholic Charities, the American Red Cross, Redwood Empire Food Bank, Community Action Partnership, and Santa Rosa Firefighters Local 1401. The food distribution events were held on 10/31 at Finley Community Center and 11/1 at the Fire Department Training Tower and more than 31,000 pounds of food was distributed. READ MORE
2017 Fire Recovery
Please Take the 24-Month Post-Fire Recovery and Insurance Survey
Our partners at United Policyholders (UP) have launched their 24-month Roadmap to Recovery Survey to track progress and problems and gather information about insurance and recovery in Santa Rosa following the 2017 wildfires. Information collected in the survey will help UP and the City to better support the community during long-term recovery. Your identity will be kept confidential when the survey results are analyzed. Please consider taking a few minutes to complete this survey if you were impacted by the 2017 fires. TAKE SURVEY
Restoring Street Lights
City crews continue to repair, re-energize and reactivate over 500 City-owned streetlights that were damaged during the Tubbs Fire. Several streetlights in the Hidden Valley, Crown Ridge and Rincon Ridge neighborhoods have been successfully replaced and re-energized. It is taking longer to restore street lights in certain areas where the situation is more complex, such as the Skyfarm area where unique carriage light fixtures are difficult to replace, and in the Fir Ridge and South Ridge neighborhoods of Fountaingrove where destroyed wooden poles require an alternative replacement, and in the Coffey Park neighborhood where the entire street light infrastructure system required a complete re-design due to the extent of the damage. Check the status of streetlight restoration by neighborhood on the Rebuild website. READ MORE
Continued Risk of Flooding and Mud, Debris Flows from 2017 Wildfires
The City of Santa Rosa and the County of Sonoma continue to encourage residents living in and around the areas burned by the Sonoma Complex Fires to prepare their property for the rainy season and remain alert for possible threats from intense winter storms. Properties within the burn scar areas, and downstream of those areas, still have an elevated risk for flash floods, rock falls, debris flows, and mud flows. READ MORE
Submit Neighborfest Applications Now
The City of Santa Rosa's Community Advisory Board (CAB) is excited to announce that applications for the 2020 Community Improvement Grant-Neighborfest Program are now being accepted! Neighborhood groups, including neighborhood associations, homeowner associations, and less formal neighborhood groups; nonprofits; service clubs; community organizations; and schools may apply for funding to hold a Neighborfest event and to implement a project or activity during their Neighborfest event. Applications are due by January 6, 2020.
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Fulton Road Detour Plan in Place
Pavement reconstruction operations are underway on Fulton Road from West Third Street to Occidental Road. The southbound lanes are closed with traffic detours in place. The southbound lanes are anticipated to re-open prior to the closure of the northbound lanes, which is expected to occur on Tuesday, 11/12 at 2:00 a.m. Paving of the northbound lanes are scheduled for completion by Saturday, 11/23, weather permitting. Diamond grinding and permanent striping installation will occur sometime after paving operations are completed.
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Waterways Advisory Committee Seeking New Members
City Council is seeking applications from interested citizens in order to fill four volunteer at-large positions for the Waterways Advisory Committee. Members of this committee review public and private development proposals adjacent to creeks in Santa Rosa and apply the goals and standards in the Citywide Creek Master Plan. Applicants must be residents and registered to vote in the City of Santa Rosa. Applications are due in the City Clerk’s Office by 5:30 p.m. on Monday, November 18, 2019. For additional details about the Committee, contact Clare Hartman, Deputy Director – Planning, at chartman@srcity.org or 543-3185.
LEARN MORE
Discounted Downtown Parking Permits for Commuters
 Did you know that the City offers discounted permits for low-wage employees and commuters? The permits are available for $31/month, a 50% discount from the regular rate. The commuter permit is available at the 1st Street garage, located next to the Transit Mall. The low wage employee permit can be used at the 1st Street garage and the 7th Street garage. READ MORE
It’s Time to Give Your Irrigation System a Rest
 During late fall and winter, irrigating is not necessary to maintain a healthy landscape. Irrigation, combined with indoor water use, during the winter will increase your monthly sewer usage charges. This is because sewer caps are calculated during the winter months, and it is assumed that only indoor water is being used during that time. LEARN MORE
Events and Community Meetings
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Winter Lights
 Friday, November 29, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m., Courthouse Square in Downtown Santa Rosa
Santa Claus is coming to Downtown for Winter Lights. Witness the annual tree-lighting celebration where you and the family can enjoy live music, ornament painting, a bouncy jump house, and the ugly sweater contests. Get into the winter spirit with warm food and tasty local beverages, including free hot chocolate for the kids. Bring your camera and you may even get a picture with Old St. Nick himself. READ MORE
45th Annual Handmade Holiday Crafts Fair
December 7, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. & December 8, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Finley Community Center,
2060 W. College Ave
Celebrate the season with gifts for yourself or loved ones in this festive shopping experience featuring over 90 local artists. Enjoy live entertainment and shop for quality, hand-crafted holiday décor, home goods, jewelry, bath and body products, edibles and more! All products sold by the artists. LEARN MORE
Santa Rosa Police Host Community Listening Sessions
November 13, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m., Southwest Session at Roseland University Prep, 1931 Biwana Dr.
November 14, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m., Downtown Session at DeTurk Round Barn, 819 Donahue St.
Chief of Police Rainer Navarro invites you to attend one of the Community Listening Sessions, conveniently scheduled at locations across the City of Santa Rosa. In these roundtable meetings, you will be able to voice your concerns regarding public safety issues in your neighborhood. Space is limited, please RSVP online. LEARN MORE
City Council to Consider New Kawana Springs
Community Park Master Plan
November 12, at or after 5:00 p.m., Council Chambers, City Hall, 100 Santa Rosa Ave
City Council will receive public comment prior to acting on a request to adopt a Master Plan and Mitigated Negative Declaration for Kawana Springs Community Park. The plan for the new 19-acre park includes a fitness course, community garden, half basketball court, sand volleyball court, outdoor table tennis court, pump track, dog park, bathrooms, bocce court, open turf, gathering pavilion, picnic areas, children’s play area, parking, and a paved trail adjacent to Kawana Springs Creek. LEARN MORE
Help Restore Santa Rosa Creek
Saturday, November 16, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., near 4271 Streamside Dr.
Join the Santa Rosa Creek Stewardship Team and Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation for the Streamside Drive Restoration Project along the Santa Rosa Creek. Volunteers will be planting native sedges, removing blackberry bushes, and picking up litter. Gloves and tools provided. LEARN MORE
Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery Workday
Saturday, November 16, 9 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery, 1600 Franklin Ave.
Sign up to join the Rural Cemetery Preservation Committee in beautifying the cemetery, such as weeding and landscaping projects, painting, repairing borders and restoring plots. LEARN MORE
Volunteer Day at Colgan Creek
November 23, 2019, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m., Elsie Allen High School near Burgess Dr.
Help the community cleanup and nurture the restored Colgan Creek. Learn about the many native California plants that grow along creeks and help them establish a foothold. Tools and refreshments provided. LEARN MORE
Current Job Openings
The City of Santa Rosa offers great career opportunities with excellent salary, a generous benefits package, including retirement through CalPERS, a competitive leave package, a choice of three health plans, flexible spending program, and top of the line, employer paid vision and dental coverage.
 Civil Engineering Technician I, II, III | Full-Time | $56,754.00 to $94,989 Annually | Water
Civil Engineering Technicians in the Engineering Resources Division of the Water Department perform a variety of routine, intermediate, or advanced level paraprofessional engineering in office, laboratory, and field work, including the performance of plan check, design maintenance and/or inspection of water distribution and wastewater collection systems. Closes November 11, 2019 at 11:59 p.m.
Communications Dispatcher | Full-Time | $70,088.00 to $85,162.00 Annually | Police
Communications Dispatchers receive, triage, and process emergency and routine calls form the public requesting police or other emergency services, as well as, track status and location of police units and monitor police radio frequencies.Open until filled.
Bus Operator Trainee | Part-Time | $18.04 - $19.78 Hourly | Transit
Bus Operator Trainees are trained by the City to be a CityBus Driver; no commercial license required. Drivers safely operate a transit bus, transport passengers on a fixed route basis, and effectively interact with the public. Open until filled.
VIEW ALL JOB POSTINGS
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