Former City Manager Jeff Kolin has now begun his new adventure as City Manager for the City of Beverly Hills. I know you all join me in wishing him well in his new position.
While the City is conducting its search for a new City Manager, I have been appointed by the City Council to serve as interim City Manager. For those of you who do not know me, prior to my retirement from the City last September, I had worked for the City of Santa Rosa in positions of Community Development Director and Director of Advance Planning and Public Policy for 26 years. That experience allowed me to become well familiar with the community and the City organization and, I believe put me in a good position to help oversee the City organization efforts during this interim period. It is anticipated that the recruitment and selection could take six months or more. I am not a candidate for the permanent City Manager position, but am interested in doing my best to assure that the City organization prepares itself for new administrative leadership and that City Council continues to receive the professional support it deserves in addressing important City issues.
I welcome communications, suggestions and observations from both City staff and community members either by email (wgoldberg@srcity.org) or by phone (543-3020).
New Year’s Resolution?
Did you make a resolution to get fit and/or stay healthy in 2010? Check out the fitness classes that are offered through Recreation, Parks & Community Services.
They offer a variety of classes including aerobic exercise, mind and body wellness, martial arts, swimming, and yoga.
Click here for more info and sign up online today!
Free Sandbags are Available to City Residents
In order to help prevent damage from flooding, free sand and bags are available to City residents at the City Municipal Services Center at 55 Stony Point Road.
Shovels will be on hand for residents to fill bags with sand. Residents should plan to transport the sandbags in a vehicle they don't mind getting dirty. The sand has been stored outdoors and is wet, so the sandbags may be heavy and muddy to transport.
City staff is monitoring the projected weather patterns and gearing up to deal with periodic street flooding, tree falls, etc.
Contact the Public Works Department at 543-3800 for more information.
Green Tip of the Month
What and how we purchase goods can reduce our impact on the environment, so what’s stopping you? Click on the link below to see a list of questions to ask yourself next time you make a purchase, big or small. http://ci.santa-rosa.ca.us/doclib/documents/Green%20Tip%20-%20Green%20your%20purchasing.pdf
For previous Green Tips, check out the Environmental Projects website at http://ci.santa-rosa.ca.us/DEPARTMENTS/UTILITIES/PROJECTS/Pages/default.aspx
NRP Annual Food Drive
The Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) would like to thank all the generous City employees who contributed to the NRP annual food drive. This year we were able to help 206 families, residing in Apple Valley, South Park, Corby Olive and Sunset/Delport to have a really nice holiday meal. Thanks to City employees and departments who pooled their money to donate cash, the fire and police unions, SRCEA and local businesses. Since NRP exceeded their fundraising goal, they will be purchasing gift cards from Lola’s Market with the extra funds that will go to families facing extremely challenging circumstances. One woman who received a food basket said, “I feel like angels descended on my doorstep just when I needed you.”
Also of note, seven participants graduated from the NxLevel Business Course sponsored by NRP and the Small Business Development Center. We want to congratulate them and wish them success in their business endeavors.
Family Needs Assistance
You might have read about a family that our Neighborhood Revitalization Program has been working with in the Press Democrat. The family had to evacuate their apartment because of mercury contamination. As a result, has lost all of their personal belongings, food and furniture. Fortunately the three children of the family, who have been very ill, will recover completely, but now the family needs to be able to find a new place to live. The Hispanic Chamber together with KBBF radio station and Wells Fargo Bank have stepped up to help the family by getting the word out on where to donate and Wells Fargo has kindly helped the family arrange a personal account for the sake of collecting donations.
Here is the info for donations:
You can send your donations to Wells Fargo Bank located at 200 B Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95402, Attention: Hector Velasquez. Please make out checks to either Magdalena Arellano or Raul Borja or you can deposit a cash donation to checking account number: 5006032659.
Santa Rosa Teen Council Member in the News!
Top Montgomery High School student and City of Santa Rosa Teen Council member, Rena Wang, was recently featured in the Press Democrat for being requested by the California Department of Education to “…return to Washington, this time as one of two California high school students selected to participate in the United States Senate Youth Program.” Last year, Rena spent six months in Washington, DC in the Congressional Page program and obviously made a huge impression!
For the past four school years, The City of Santa Rosa has been fortunate to have Rena Wang as a dedicated and accomplished Teen Council member. Her charismatic personality and quick wit allow her confidence as she facilitates weekly Teen Council meetings. Rena, a senior at Montgomery High School, also represents Santa Rosa teens at City Council meetings, sitting at the dais with a designated seat and name plate. Teen Council gives teens the opportunity to develop leadership skills, exposes them to local government and community service, and gives them a voice in our community. Congratulations Rena and good luck in Washington! Click here to read the entire Press Democrat article.
Teen Council meetings are held Mondays from 6:30-8:30 pm at Chops Teen Center (509 Adams Street, Santa Rosa) and are open to the public. For more information, contact Teen Council Advisor Erica Bosque at ebosque@srcity.org or 484-6454.
Upcoming Free E-Waste Recycling Event
To make it more convenient for residents and businesses to dispose of their e-waste properly, the Sonoma County Waste Management Agency is conducting free electronics collection events.
The next event will take place on January 27 & 28, at the southern Healdsburg Park & Ride, Healdsburg Avenue at Grant Avenue (northeast of Hwy 101) from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
For more information and a schedule of events for 2010, visit 2009-10 E-waste recycling schedule.