In This Issue: Sonoma City Party | Jean Powell Day | Sewer Main Replacement | FY 19/20 Budget
Housing Our Community | Small Cities Month | Youth Commissioner Member | "Game On" July
Wildland Fire Guide | PG&E PSPS | On the Agenda | Project Information & Updates
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Summer is in full swing in Sonoma... the parks are full of picnics, the farmers' market is full of tomatoes, the calendar is full of celebrations, and this edition of “About Town” is full of information! With memories of the 4th of July Celebration fresh in our minds, the City is now looking forward to celebrating the rich history of Sonoma, its residents, businesses and non-profits at the 23rd Annual Sonoma City Party coming up on August 1st. In addition to special events, the City is celebrating National Park & Recreation Month and National Small Cities Month in July - find more information and learn how you can participate below.

Of course, summer isn’t all fun and games. The summer season is also fire season. Please take a minute to scroll down and find Fire Safe Sonoma's Wildfire Action Guide and learn more about PG&E's Public Safety Power Shutoff program to better prepare your family, home and business in case of an emergency.

But wait…there’s more! Read on to learn about the completion of the "Housing Our Community" Town Hall Series , the new Free Tuesday Night Shuttle , the recently adopted budget , Sonoma Water's Sewer Trunk Main Replacement project, upcoming City meetings , find quick links to information and status updates for key initiatives, individual development & infrastructure projects, and save-the-date for the return of "Celebrate Sonoma" at the August 5th City Council Meeting, where City Council will recognize Jean Powell . 

Happy Summer!
SONOMA CITY PARTY
August 1, 2019 | 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
The  Sonoma City Council  and the City of Sonoma are delighted to present the  23rd Annual Sonoma City Party . The City of Sonoma hosts this community party to bring our local community together for fun, festivities and to celebrate our special town. The event is free to attend and will be held at the Sonoma Plaza on Thursday, August 1, 2019, 6:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

This Year’s Entertainment Includes:

For more detail about the entertainment, tips on how to enjoy the City Party and rules, please visit the Sonoma City Party Event Listing .

Special Thank you to our Sponsors!
SAVE-THE-DATE
JEAN POWELL DAY IS AUGUST 5TH!
Celebrate Sonoma Program Honors Jean Powell
“ Celebrate Sonoma ” is a new program started in 2019 to recognize people that make up the fabric of Sonoma. Once a month, a community member will be recognized at a City Council meeting with a presentation of a city recognition certificate honoring them by dedicating a “day” in their honor. 

The next "Celebrate Sonoma' recognition of Jean Powell, a favorite cocktail server at The Swiss Hotel , is scheduled to take place at the next City Council meeting on Monday, August 5th. The meeting begins at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers at 177 First Street West - come on down and be part of the celebration!

Learn more  about the selection and recognition process.
CSEC Youth Member Position Open

CITY OF SONOMA ANNOUNCES THE OPENING OF THE APPLICATION PERIOD FOR ONE POSITION ON THE COMMUNITY SERVICE & ENVIRONMENT COMMISSION Download PDF of Press Release Recognizing the vast knowledge and talent of our community, the City asks individuals...

Read more
www.sonomacity.org
SEWER TRUNK MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT
SVCSD Project to Breaks Ground
Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District's (SVCSD) broke ground on their multi-year sewer trunk replacement project that will replace approximately 1.8 miles of the existing 21-inch diameter sewer trunk main originally constructed in 1958 with a new 27-inch diameter main. The project is planned to be constructed in three phases, with the first beginning this summer at 6th Street West and will progress northly up State Highway 12 to Ramon Street ( see map ). Project work hours are Monday thru Friday 8AM to 6PM, excluding holidays.

The project will not affect sewer service . If you live or have a business along the construction corridor, the construction may create short-term noise, and traffic delays. Construction activities will incorporate measures to minimize and/or avoid potential noise and traffic impacts related to construction activities. Traffic controls will be in place to minimize traffic delays. Two-way traffic will remain open during construction.

Visit SVCSD's Sewer Trunk Main Replacement Project Page for more information and to sign up to receive email updates.

Questions? Contact Barry Dugan, 707-547-1930 or email barry.dugan@scwa.ca.gov
FISCAL YEAR 2019/2020 BUDGET AVAILABLE
The current adopted budget for the Fiscal Year 2019/2020 is now available to view or download in three (3) parts from the City’s website. See the Current Adopted Budget – Fiscal Year 2019/2020  Part 1 ,  Part 2 and  Part 3 .

The  Finance Department  is primarily responsible for the development and preparation of the City of Sonoma’s annual Operating and Capital Budget with recommendations from the City Manager and review, and approval, of the City Council.

The City of Sonoma adopts its budget each June for the following fiscal year, which runs from July 1 to June 30. The City’s Operating and Capital Budget is one of the most important discussions that the City Council engages in during the year. The annual budget is a policy document which sets the financial course for the City of Sonoma and defines the service priorities provided to the community.

To see past adopted budgets, comprehensive annual reports (CAFR) and audits, visit our  Financial Documents  page. See the City Manager's message (pages 3 -10) an overview.
Free Tuesday Evening Shuttle Runs Through August 6th

Introducing Route 32 Shuttle Express - a free shuttle bus for Tuesday evening Farmers' Market! Walk to, or park at, the Adele Harrison Middle School and take the shuttle directly to the Sonoma Plaza. Tuesday evenings 5 - 8:30 p.m. through August 6th.

Read more
www.sonomacity.org
WE LOVE OUR SMALL CITY!
July is National Small Cities Month
Did you know that July is National Small Cities Month? The National League of Cities hosts Small Cities Month annually. This year's theme for Small Cities Month is:  Why I Love My Small City: Stories of Resilience, Courage & Community . 

We're celebrating our small city and would LOVE to hear (or read, or see) the reasons why you love Sonoma. Send photos, stories, lists, poems, quotes, songs or whatever form you prefer to express your affection for Sonoma to stracy@sonomacity.org .

Submissions may be shared on social media, e-newsletters and/or the City's website. Please indicate in your email, if you prefer to remain anonymous.
"HOUSING OUR COMMUNITY"
 TOWN HALL SERIES COMPLETED
Thank you to all who attended the Housing Our Community Town Hall Series . The series has been completed, but there is still work to be done! Sign up to receive "Housing Our Community" news and updates and keep the housing conversation going.

A report on the Town Hall Series is scheduled for the August 5th City Council Meeting. Tune in to watch the presentation on our CivicWeb portal or YouTube channel .

Special "Thanks" to The Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce , Whole Foods Sonoma and the Vintage House for helping make the series a success!

Learn more about Housing Opportunities & Strategies in the City and visit the  Housing Our Community page to watch recordings of previous town halls, and to subscribe to receive email updates about "Housing Our Community."
Happy National Park & Recreation Month! - City of Sonoma

Since 1985, America has celebrated July as the nation's official Park and Recreation Month. Created by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), Park and Recreation Month specifically highlights the vital and powerful role local parks...

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www.sonomacity.org
READY, SET, GO! WILDFIRE ACTION GUIDE
It's fire season, are you prepared?
Download the READY, SET, GO Wildland Fire Action Guide to learn more about the wildland urban interface, defensible space, making your home fire resistant, checklists, and create-your-own action guide to help prepare you and your property from wildland fire. For additional resources and information, visit  www.firesafesonoma.org . 

The Ready, Set, Go! (RSG) Program works in collaboration with existing wildland fire public education efforts. RSG is brought to you in partnership with Fire Safe Sonoma, and amplifies the common goal we all share for wildland fire preparedness. For more information about preparing for emergencies, visit our  Emergency Preparedness page.
PG&E PUBLIC SAFETY POWER SHUTOFF
Learn how to prepare for possible de-energization
As part of their  Community Wildfire Safety Program , Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) is implementing additional precautionary measures to help reduce the risk of wildfires. If extreme fire danger conditions threaten a portion of the electric system serving your community, it may be necessary to turn off electricity in the interest of public safety. This is called a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS).

SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR
See Events Scheduled at Sonoma Plaza and Depot Park
Wondering what's happening at the Plaza this weekend...or next? See the City's special event calendar  to find out what 2019 events happen when on the Sonoma Plaza and Depot Park. The Special Events Calendar lists community special events (e.g. festivals, farmers market) held at City facilities, such as the Plaza or Depot Park. 

For a list of other events in and around Sonoma, please see the events calendar at Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau:  sonomavalley.com/events

For information on planning a special event at a City venue, please visit the Special Event Planning page.
City Accepting Resumes for Accountant Position through 7/31

The City is currently accepting resumes for a full-time accountant position ($68,418 - $83,163 per year). Deadline to submit resumes is July 31st, 2019.

Read more
www.sonomacity.org
ON THE AGENDA
Visit our new meetings portal, CivicWeb , to easily find the calendar and agendas for all upcoming City Council and Commission meetings, locate and review the relevant staff reports, and view televised meetings (live or later). You can also search the City's Municipal Code and subscribe to the agendas for meetings that interest you . It's a great way to get engaged with your city government.

UPCOMING MEETINGS
  • August 5 - City Council
  • August 14 - Community Services & Environment Commission
  • August 19 - City Council
  • August 20 - Design Review & Historic Preservation Commission
  • September 4 - City Council
  • September 11 - Community Services & Environment Commission
  • September 12 - Planning Commission
  • September 16 - City Council
  • September 17 - Design Review & Historic Preservation Commission
  • October 7 - City Council
  • October 9 - Community Services & Environment Commission
  • October 10 - Planning Commission
  • October 15 - Design Review & Historic Preservation Commission

For more information and details on the meetings listed above, please visit CivicWeb directly or via the homepage link at s onomacity.org .
PROJECT INFORMATION & UPDATES
Find quick links to information and status updates  for key initiatives, individual development and infrastructure projects in the city of Sonoma.
KEY INITIATIVES
I n accordance with the goals and priorities established by the City Council, several major policy decisions and other key initiatives are part of the current workplan. Select a topic to learn more and see the latest updates on each Key Initiative.

ADDITIONAL KEY INITIATIVES "COMING SOON"
  • Broadway Streetscape
  • Cemetery Program
  • Downtown Parking
  • Plaza & Depot Parks Enhancement & Connectivity
DEVELOPMENT & PLANNING PROJECTS
Learn more and see the current status of planning projects
Click on the links below for information and status updates for individual projects.  Visit our CivicWeb portal for  agendas and meeting reports  for past and upcoming meetings of the Planning Commission, Design Review and Historic Preservation Commission, or the City Council.
IN THE WORKS
See current and upcoming infrastructure projects
Click on the links for information and status updates for individual projects. Infrastructure projects are typically part of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) ; a planning and budgeting document for improvements to the City's infrastructure. The CIP includes projects to improve the City's streets, sidewalks, bikeways, and storm drainage; water distribution system, wells and pumps; parks and open space; cemeteries; and City buildings.
STAY CONNECTED
The greater the involvement of our citizens, the stronger our community will be. Here are some of the ways you can stay connected with the City of Sonoma!