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Jon Davis Town Manager

Hello Windsor! 


Summer is officially here! Not only was June 21, the longest day of the year, but it was also the first official day of the summer season. That means July 4th is now right around the corner. 

 

Come celebrate with us for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, Windsor Kaboom!, a family-friendly fireworks event on July 3, at Keiser Park. Windsor Kaboom! in partnership with the Town and the Active 20-30 Club will showcase live music from local performers, delicious food, and a Kid’s Zone; an event for the whole family. For more information and to purchase tickets visit https://windsorkaboom.com 


In the spirit of togetherness and celebration, I wish you a happy Independence Day. Stay safe, enjoy your time with friends and loved ones, and please don’t forget those who made this day possible!


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SPOTLIGHT – PARKS AND FACILITIES DIVISION

The sun is shining, school is out, and concerts have returned to the Town Green—it’s officially summer in Windsor! While we enjoy the warm weather, the Town of Windsor’s Parks and Facilities Maintenance Division is busier than ever, ensuring the Town’s public spaces are clean, properly maintained, and ready for the season’s events.


Windsor is home to 19 community and neighborhood parks. The parks maintenance crew is comprised of 10 full-time staff and several part-time staff servicing approximately 110 acres of public parks and 26 miles of streetscapes. Working 7 days per week, 365 days per year, the crew operates in a Total Efficient Area Maintenance (or TEAM) system. Developed and implemented by Parks and Facilities Superintendent Charlie Johnson in 2011, the TEAM approach involves two-person teams tackling a quadrant of town, with each team responsible for the care and maintenance of their area, including all pruning, irrigation, field maintenance, restroom, and garbage servicing.


The facilities crew is comprised of two full-time staff, who maintain the Town’s public buildings, including the Civic Center, Huerta Gymnasium, Community Center, Windsor Senior Recreation Center, Bluebird Center, and the Public Works Corporation Yard. Their workload varies daily and typically includes troubleshooting electrical, plumbing, and HVAC issues; their latest projects included installing the Wisdom Tree Mural on the side of the Huerta Gymnasium and preparing the Senior Recreation Center for its grand reopening. 


Working behind the scenes with the Superintendent and crew are two administrative staff. They provide customer service to the public and support the division with invoicing, contract processing, and special projects.


This year’s toughest challenge? Weeds. Record rains followed by warm weather contributed to the robust growth of weeds this season. While they may be an eye sore, the weeds reflect the Town’s efforts to protect the environment, the public, and worker health and safety through its Integrated Pest Management Policy. The policy bans the use of synthetic pesticides and fosters the use of organic alternatives. 


“We test approved products as they become available, but we still rely heavily on mechanical methods,” Johnson explains. Circuit Rider’s Ecological Restoration Crew has provided additional weed abatement support this season. “We appreciate the community’s patience as we develop a healthier, organic, and natural landscape environment.”


An uptick in graffiti is another challenge the team has faced this season. Along with rapid removal procedures, cameras have been installed in various parks and are accessible to the Town of Windsor Police Department should the footage be necessary.


While responding to vandalism is less than idyllic, the tight-knit team takes pride in knowing that the Town’s public spaces are clean and safe. As many crewmembers are also Windsor residents, they make every effort to respond quickly and provide excellent service. Johnson encourages residents to contact the division directly with any concerns.


“We do our best, but the residents are our eyes and ears,” Johnson states.


With exciting projects in the works, including a pickleball court, the Keiser Park Master Plan, a pump track, and more, the Parks and Facilities team looks forward to helping make Windsor a safe, clean, and fun place to work and play!  


The Parks and Facilities Maintenance Division can be contacted by phone at (707) 838-5399.  

NEW YOUTH COMMISSIONERS

The Parks and Recreation Commission (Commission) welcomed two new Youth Commissioners, Isabella Gorenec and Nico Riley-Turner at the June 14, meeting.


Youth Commissioners are selected by an election process facilitated by Windsor High School teachers and the Associated Student Body (ASB) Leadership class and then recommended to Town Council for an appointment. Isabella and Nico will serve a one-year term and will represent their peers’ opinions and perspectives at Commission meetings. 

CONSUMER CONFIDENCE REPORT

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires the Town to release a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) on the Town’s water quality on an annual basis. The CCR for the calendar year 2022, can be found on the Town’s website and was included in the June 10, water bill.  


The CCR is intended to provide the following information: 

  • Where the water comes from
  • A list of regulated contaminants 
  • Provides potential health effects from contaminants
  • A comparable list of contamination levels  


For more information on the CCR and understanding your water quality report visit EPA Understanding your Water Quality Report (epa.gov)

WINDSOR PARKLET GUIDELINES AND AGREEMENT

On June 7, the Town Council established a three-year pilot program to allow parklets into the public right away in downtown Windsor. At this meeting, the Town Council also adopted the Windsor Parklet Guidelines and Agreement which identifies the goals, policies, processes, and procedures, for parklets in Windsor.


All businesses that wish to continue to operate a parklet in the public right of way must submit a complete Minor Use Permit application to the Town by September 4. Permitted parklets will be required to pay rent to the Town of Windsor for the use of the public parking spaces. For more information contact Kevin Locke by email at klocke@townofwindsor.com or by phone at (707) 838-5004.


Created by the Town in July 2020 in response to COVID-19 public health restrictions, the program allows local businesses to use public parking spaces for outdoor dining and commerce.

WORLD ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY

June 15 was World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD). 


The Windsor Senior Recreation Center currently has 276 purple flags out front which represent how many reports of elder abuse occurred in Windsor in 2022. The purpose of WEAAD is to provide an opportunity for communities around the world to promote a better understanding of the abuse and neglect of older persons by raising awareness of the cultural, social, economic, and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect. 


In addition, WEAAD is in support of the United Nations International Plan of Action acknowledging the significance of elder abuse as a public health and human rights issue. WEAAD serves as a call to action for individuals, organizations, and communities to raise awareness about elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. 


What can you do about Elder Abuse? Call Adult Protective Services at (707) 565-5940 or for information and assistance at (707) 565-INFO (4636). For more information on WEAAD visit National Center on Elder Abuse. 

WISDOM TREE MURAL CELEBRATION

On the evening of June 16, the installation of the Wisdom Tree Mural was celebrated to inspire and cultivate a greater understanding and admiration of our diverse communities. The mural was created by the Native community in collaboration between the Town's Public Art Advisory Commission and Pomo artists Bonnie Lockhart, Eric Wilder, and Jewelina Acosta. It is located on the north side of the Huerta Gym, located at 9291 Old Redwood Highway Building 200.


To learn more about the event and the project vision, visit: https://www.townofwindsor.com/1434/Wisdom-Tree-Mural-Project


TORCH RUN FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS 

Law enforcement personnel ran throughout the County on June 16, carrying the Flame of Hope as they raised funds and awareness for the Special Olympics.


The 2023 Northern California Torch Run has over “3,500 law enforcement personnel from 200 different Northern California law enforcement agencies participating with Special Olympics athletes known as Guardians of the Flame”. The Town’s Chief of Police Mike Raasch participated with local law enforcement personnel.  


For more information visit the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Northern California. 

NEW RECREATION CLASS! UKULELE 101

Ukulele 101 is an adult beginner-friendly class for first-time ukulele players. Students will learn the basics of this fun and personality-filled instrument! Ukuleles are provided for the class, but if you have your own bring them with you! 


This Adult program (18+) begins on July 11, for a 3-week session. The Ukulele 101 class will be held at the Windsor Senior Recreation Center. Cost: $60R/ $70NR. 


Click here to register. Have any questions? Call (707) 838-1250 or (707) 838-1260.

HOW TO REPORT NOISE DISTURBANCES

Continuous noise can be an issue and may violate the Town code. The Town has a noise ordinance that provides guidelines for residents and businesses to follow, and should the noise be louder than allowed, you can act!  


  1. If the noise occurs at nighttime (6PM - 7AM) loud parties, music, late-night construction, or disturbances such as yelling or shouting should be reported to the Windsor Police Department (707) 565-2121. In addition, it is recommended to fill out a Violation Complaint Form.
  2. If the noise occurs during the daytime (7AM - 6PM) that is continuous, sustained noise over an extended period (over 24 hours) of construction, lawn care, or animals, fill out a Violation Complaint Form. 


For more helpful information on the Town’s regulations visit the Town Zoning Ordinance. The noise guidelines are outlined in Section 27.20.030 - General Performance Standards, Item F – Noise.

2023 WINDSOR DAY PARADE

The Windsor Day Parade is back for the second year in a row coming this FALL! The parade will be on Saturday, September 30, at 10AM with a post-parade festival and concert on the Town Green! The applications to participate in the parade are now available at Kiwanis Club of Windsor (kiwaniswindsor.org). 


More information on the post-parade festival and concert is coming soon!

JOIN OUR TEAM

We're Hiring

The Town of Windsor is looking for talented people. For information on open positions, click here for the full list. If you have questions about working for the Town, please reach out to our Human Resources team at hr@townofwindsor.com


Join our team! Go here to apply.

UPCOMING TOWN MEETINGS AND WORKSHOPS

Public Meetings & Workshop

Here are some public Town meetings and workshops coming up in June – we’d love to see you. You can always find meeting information on the calendar on the Town website homepage. 


June 26, 6PM: Special Joint Town Council and Windsor Unified School District Meeting

June 28, 4:30PM: Public Art Advisory Commission

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY

Summertime may bring extreme temperatures presenting potentially dangerous and life-threatening conditions.  Are you prepared for an emergency or power outage? Follow these helpful PG&E tips: 

  1. Sign up for outage alerts and updates by visiting Public Safety Power Shutoff.
  2. Have a READY-TO-GO-BAG with essential items by downloading PG&E emergency supply kit checklist.
  3. Know your evacuation zone by visiting the Town of Windsor Evacuation Zone tool. 
  4. Have an emergency plan by downloading PG&E plan checklist.
  5. Create a personal/family safety plan and establish a meet-up location. 
  6. Keep mobile phones and devices charged or have a portable charger.
  7. Do you know how to open your garage door manually? Visit and watch a PG&E video.


For more information on emergency preparedness visit Town of Windsor/emergency-preparedness or socoemergency.org/get-ready.

A MESSAGE FROM SONOMA COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT

4th of July safety message from Sonoma County Fire District:


FIREWORKS of ANY KIND are ILLEGAL in THE TOWN OF WINDSOR and all areas of the Sonoma County Fire District, this includes “Safe & Sane” fireworks! As we roll into the 4th of July holiday, SCFD wants to remind everyone to do their part in preventing fires and injuries caused by fireworks.


NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) states that throughout the nation over the last several years, approximately half of the reported fires on the 4th of July were started by fireworks! Please do your part to make this 4th of July holiday fire and injury free.


We recommend that you attend the awesome Windsor KABOOM show and leave the fireworks to the experts!


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Town of Windsor

9291 Old Redwood Highway

Windsor, CA 95492

(707) 838-1000

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