THE VALLEJO WEEKLY VOLUME 8, ISSUE 29 | OCTOBER 22, 2020
MAYOR’S MESSAGE Dear Vallejoans, Have you been on Highway 37 recently and noticed that something was different as you drive by the wetlands? If you have, you know where I am going with this week's message! Earlier this week, our team of homeless outreach and engagement professionals teamed up with Vallejo Together, Public Works staff and others to begin the clean-up of the homeless encampment on the wetlands off of Highway 37 at the Wilson and Sacramento exit. During the clean-up, several tons of refuse was collected and disposed of from the site. I am also pleased to report that the homeless residents living in the wetlands played a massive part in helping our team to clean-up this site. Residents at the encampment were also notified that notices would be posted in early November, advising them when they need to vacate the property, so the wetlands' planned restoration can begin. Our Homeless Services CORE team will work closely with each resident to relocate them into transitional housing and make sure that they are connected with the services many of them desperately need. The move-out is planned to take place over the course of three days in November. Residents wishing to remain outdoors will be offered a safe place to camp, and the site
is still to be determined. In addition to the planned Navigation Center, the City is also planning to purchase a property to operate as transitional housing for our homeless residents. The City will use Project Home Key funds awarded by the state to acquire those properties, opening up approximately 104 rooms to house our homeless. The County Consortium, along with Vallejo Together and City of Vallejo Staff, meet weekly, collaborating on a strategic plan to make our residents' move and shift into transitional housing as seamless as possible. At next Tuesday's City Council Meeting, we will be discussing some of these items pertaining to the transitional housing and I invite you to listen in. You can find the City Council meeting information at cityofvallejo.net/agendas.
It will be a wonderful sight to have our wetlands restored to their natural beauty as well as see our residents move into housing where their needs can be met. It's a win-win for everyone!
MAYOR’S MESSAGE
Until next week, Vallejo, Your Mayor, Bob Sampayan
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The City of Vallejo is pleased to offer the following employment opportunities:
- Police Cadet - Police Officer (Entry - Academy Graduate) - Police Officer (Lateral) - Police Officer (Recruit)
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PERSONNEL
Visit governmentjobs.com/careers/vallejo for more information and to apply.
OCTOBER 22, 2020
DEPARTMENTS IN ACTION
PUBLIC WORKS TACKLES ILLEGAL DUMPING Illegal dumping has been a serious issue within the city of Vallejo. On average, the Public Works Department receives 170 SeeClickFix requests per month and eighty percent of those requests are for illegal dumping. The City crews picked up 76,090 pounds of trash last month alone. That's thirty tons of garbage from the streets in one month. That’s about four and a half times the weight of an elephant! If you see someone actively dumping trash/debris anywhere, call the police department immediately at 9-1-1 or (707) 648-0445 or e-mail IllegalDumping@cityofvallejo.net. Ensure you get a good description of the person dumping, the vehicle that they were driving, and if possible, the vehicle license plate number. Please try and take videos and photos of the dumper and their vehicle. Be careful. Do not compromise your safety. If you see illegally dumped trash after the fact, for debris located on public property i.e.: street, sidewalk, alley, State CalTrans, GVRD or other City owned property: Call Public Works Maintenance at (707) 648-5207 or report via SeeClickFix. For dumping on a vacant lot or private property: Contact Code Enforcement Division at (707) 6484469 or Code.Enforcement@cityofvallejo.net. For more information on how you can help tackle illegal dumping in Vallejo, click here.
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VALLEJO FIRE DEPARTMENT: BY THE NUMBERS SUPPRESSION There were 1143 calls for service within the Suppression section during the month of September, broken down as follows:
DEPARTMENTS IN ACTION
PREVENTION There were 283 total prevention responses in September, as depicted below:
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OCTOBER 22, 2020
CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF 602 GEORGIA STREET On October 13, the City Council unanimously approved an addition and major exterior renovations to an existing house at 602 Georgia Street, located one block east of Downtown. This project is located within the Architectural Heritage District, one of the City’s three historic districts. The project complies with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for historic properties by restoring the original Craftsman style, and it will bring a substantial investment in this prominent location.
DEVELOPING VALLEJO
The City Council meeting can be located here.
VALUE LIST UPDATE To help make community members aware of pending development, the Planning Division recently released the VALUE (Vallejo Asset and Land Use Entitlement) list. This list is released quarterly and provides information on all pending major development projects, as well as projects approved within the last 2 years. Project questions may be directed to the staff planner listed for each project.
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PSPS PREPARATION Are you prepared for a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS)? Visit pge.com/pspsupdates, and learn what you can do today, to prepare for a future PSPS outage. Subscribe to alerts, lookup your address, view an outage map, apply for the PG&E Medical Baseline Program if you depend on power for a medical necessity, and more.
WILDLAND SAFETY Throughout California, wildfires will continue to be fueled by a build-up of seasonal dry vegetation driven by extreme dry conditions and local strong winds, making brush fuels extremely dangerous and challenging for firefighters. The Vallejo Fire Department stands ready to quickly respond and contain wildfires, but we can't do this without your cooperation. The "Ready! Set! Go!" brochure is intended to provide valuable information on being prepared in the event of an immediate evacuation order due to an emergency like a brush fire.
Both brochures can be downloaded and referred to for pre-planning and preparation. Please take the time to learn how to create and maintain a defensible space around your property and how to harden your home against flying embers. You play the most important role in protecting your family and home in the event of wildland fires evacuations and other significant emergencies. Prepare yourself by taking the necessary steps to give you, your family, and property the best chance of surviving a devastating wildfire. For additional information, please visit the Fire Department's website.
SUBSCRIBE TO ALERT SOLANO EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS In order to receive important messages during emergencies, the City of Vallejo urges local residents who live, work, play, or travel through Solano County to sign up for its emergency alert system. Alert Solano efficiently delivers messages and information during incidents and emergencies as they occur via email, cell phone, and/or text messaging. To register, click here.
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OCTOBER 22, 2020
COMMUNITY
The "Defensible Space" brochure provides critical information on proper protecting your family and property associated with the threat of wildland fires.
COMMUNITY
RIDE FREE ON ELECTION DAY Solano County Transit (SolTrans) will offer free rides on all Local and Paratransit services on Election Day, November 3. It is their commitment to offer free rides this election day to allow the community access to the polls. Reservations are required for Paratransit service, please follow normal protocol to book a Paratransit trip on November 3. “All Rides are free November 3rd, whether it’s to the polls, work, or the store. But we hope our riders will vote, too. This year, no matter how you choose to cast your vote, access to transportation should not be a barrier. We are happy to provide passengers safe transportation to and from the polls.” Said Mandi Renshaw, SolTrans Public information Officer. To find your Solano County polling place and check your voter status, click here. For help planning your trip, call Solano Mobility at 800-535-6883 and be ready to provide the starting address and the address of the polling place you will be traveling to. Customers can also plan a trip with SolTrans’ trip planner, available on the home page of SolTrans.org.
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COVID19 TESTING Help protect yourself and the people around you by getting tested for COVID-19. Public health officials globally are working together to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Expanding access to reliable screening is critical to containment efforts. For more information about getting tested, visit the following sites: Project Baseline, CVS Pharmacy, OptumServe. For updated information on COVID-19, NorthBay Healthcare holds weekly Facebook Lives, Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. During Live Chat general questions will be answered from the public by Chief Medical Officer Dr. Seth Kaufman. To visit NorthBay Healthcare on Facebook, click here.
COMMUNITY
OCTOBER IS NATIONAL CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS MONTH Held every October, National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM) is a collaborative effort between government and industry to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity and to ensure that Americans have the resources they need to be safer and more secure online. “If you connect it, protect it.” Cybersecurity starts with YOU and is everyone’s responsibility. There are currently an estimated 4.8 billion Internet users—over 62% of the world's population!4 This number will only grow, making the need to “Protect It” more important than ever. Join us and get involved by visiting cisa.gov/ncsam.
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OCTOBER 22, 2020
THE VALLEJO SMALL BUSINESS MICROGRANT APPLICATION PERIOD IS OPEN! The Vallejo Economic Development Department in partnership with Solano SBDC and the Workforce Development Board have launched a Vallejo Small Business Micro-Grant program to provide financial assistance to (small) businesses who have been financially impacted by COVID-19. Applications will be accepted through October 28th (Online and Paper applications are available). Some criteria for qualifying for the grant include:
Business Size Business Type Location (must be located in Vallejo) Ownership Type
For more details on the eligibility requirements, click here. Funding Limits
VALLEJO NEWS
Grant funds will be distributed in three categories: 1. Micro businesses with 5 or fewer full-time employees are eligible for up to $5,000; 2. Businesses with 6-10 full-time employees are eligible for up to $7,500; and 3. Businesses with 11-25 full-time employees are eligible for up to $10,000. Grant funds may be used to pay for lease/rent payments, payroll, utilities, business supplies (including PPE), expenses to comply with CV19 business opening guidelines, equipment purchases that expand operations, or investments in software or technology that allows for a shift to online operations. Other expenses may be eligible as reviewed on a case by case basis. More information and to apply, click here.
GVRD TEN-YEAR MASTER PLAN Greater Vallejo Recreation District (GVRD) is developing a comprehensive 10-year master plan to see where their parks can grow, how their programs can expand, what improvements can be done for their facilities, and better ways to serve the community. They would like feedback from the Vallejo community about their master plan to guide the district for the next 10 years. Please fill out the survey and share your thoughts on the plan. The survey can be taken online at vallejoparksurvey.org/open or by scanning the QR code. Take the survey in person by visiting the GVRD office at 395 Amador Street.
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VALLEJO NEWS
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OCTOBER 22, 2020
COMMISSION ON CULTURE AND THE ARTS GRANTS $80,000 in community art grants will be awarded by the Commission on Culture and the Arts. There are three categories in which to apply: Performing Arts, Visual Arts and Cultural Events. At least one award will be given in each category. Projects must be completed by 2021 and grantees must make a final presentation to the Commission on Culture and the Arts upon completion. There are two $10,000 grants, five $5,000 grants and twelve $2,500 which will be awarded. Grants to organizations will be awarded to groups that provide our community with access to high quality artistic experiences, build audiences and provide opportunity for greater understanding and appreciation of the arts. Grants for artists will be given to allow artists to explore and create, help to build audiences, and provide support in career development. There will be a Zoom workshop on October 25 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m, November 2 at 7:00 p.m., and November 8 at 2:00 p.m. Interested parties should email renayconlin@vallejoarts.org. Once your proposal is submitted, a selection committee will review all the grants applications and make decisions about awardees. The deadline for submission is November 17 by 6:00 p.m.
VALLEJO NEWS
For more information about this grant, click here.
CALIFORNIA LAUNCHES COVID19 LANDLORD-TENANT RESOURCE WEBSITE Tenants in California have protections from eviction under state and federal law, as well as under local laws in some cities and counties. The website Housingiskey.com provides information to tenant and landlords about protections under a new state law called the Tenant, Homeowner, and Small Landlord Relief and Stabilization Act of 2020 (as known as AB 3088), which took effect on August 31, 2020. This law protects tenants with a COVID-related financial impact from eviction for nonpayment of rent. It also protects tenants from “no cause” evictions, meaning an eviction where the landlord does not state a reason. However, depending on a tenant’s specific circumstances and where they live, they may have other protections from eviction that apply to them. If a tenant receives an eviction notice from their landlord, they should speak with a lawyer as quickly as possible to find out what rules apply to their specific situation. For additional information about tenant and landlord matters, please see the recently revised publication, California Tenants – A Guide To Residential Tenants’ and Landlords’ Rights and Responsibilities, or email Landlord-tenant@dre.ca.gov.
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VALLEJO NEWS
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OCTOBER 22, 2020
HALLOWEEN EVENTS & FALL FESTIVITIES
As a reminder, the City of Vallejo encourages you to celebrate Halloween safely during COVID19, by following the below guidance from Solano Public Health. We’ve rounded up a few local options to help you and your family celebrate the holiday safely in this special section of the Vallejo Weekly!
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HALLOWEEN PLANT SALE AT VALLEJO PEOPLE’S GARDEN The Vallejo People's Garden will be hosting a Halloween Plant Sale and Potluck on Saturday, October 31 from 2:00 - 6:00 p.m. The sale will include carnivorous plants, succulents, microgreens, seeds and more. The Vallejo People's Garden is based in Mare Island and located behind the Global Center for Success (1055 Azuar Drive). Please adhere to social distancing practices and wear a mask.
For more information, email info@vallejopeoplesgarden.org.
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OCTOBER 22, 2020
HALLOWEEN EVENTS & FALL FESTIVITIES
The Vallejo People's Garden is committed to bringing organic, sustainable, locally-produced food and nutrition programs to Vallejo in order to create healthier communities.
HALLOWEEN EVENTS & FALL FESTIVITIES
GVRD OUTDOOR MOVIE NIGHT Greater Vallejo Recreation District (GVRD) is presenting the film Beetlejuice, during their outdoor movie night at Dan Foley park on October 24. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. and movie starts at 7:00 p.m. This event is free, but pre-registration is a must, there will be no registration available at the gate. Registration receipt needs to be presented either printed or on a mobile device for entry. Registration is available by pre-order online, over the phone, or by stopping by GVRD’s front desk only at 395 Amador Street. Guests will be queued into aisles and spaces by parking staff to ensure physical distancing. Vehicle must fit in one paid parking space. Larger vehicles such as SUVs and trucks will be parked toward the back to allow best viewing for all guests. ADA parking spots are available near the restroom. Please alert GVRD at the time of registration if you need an ADA parking spot. Show parking staff a valid handicap sticker or license plate when you check in at the entrance gate. To view all the rules and pre-registration, click here.
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R. HAT PRESENTS CRUISE-IN CONCERTS AT THE SOLANO COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS
On the following day, Mr. Hat Presents a very special Halloween Cruise-In Concert featuring The Mother Hips, with The Mad Alchemy Liquid Lightshow. The show will be hosted on October 31 from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.. For more information about this event or to purchase tickets, click here Click here for this event's Facebook event page. Cruise-In concerts utilize an array of safety measures to achieve zero transmissions. All attendees must wear a mask and socially distance from other groups when outside their vehicles, and each vehicle and its occupants (up to 5 adults, each must have a seat belt in the vehicle) are assigned a 15x20' area in which you can park and dance or hang out on the driver's side. Restroom attendants will limit crowding and disinfect surfaces every half hour. There will be a high-quality FM broadcast so you can listen inside your vehicle. Food and beverages will be ordered via phone (full bar and two food trucks with vegan options). PAGE 17
OCTOBER 22, 2020
HALLOWEEN EVENTS & FALL FESTIVITIES
Mr. Hat Presents Cruise-In Concerts at the Solano County Fairgrounds. Upcoming acts include the legendary Los Lobos, with special guests The Doobie Decibel System; visuals by The Mad Alchemy Liquid Lightshow on October 30 from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. For more information about this event or to purchase tickets, click here. Click here for this event's Facebook event page.
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HALLOWEEN EVENTS & FALL FESTIVITIES
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS VIRTUAL COOKING CLASS Join Chief Lisa Núñes-Hancock as she hosts an in Spanish virtual cooking class for a Dia de los Muertos on October 29 at 5:00 p.m. This class will incorporate pumpkins to make a traditional Dia de los Muertos dessert. Chief Lisa will also exhibit her alter for this special day. This class is free and open to the community. To register, click here or visit Sustainable Solano on Facebook. For more information about this event, contact gabriela@sustainablesolano.org or call (707)339-8623.
HALLOWEEN EVENTS & FALL FESTIVITIES
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OCTOBER 22, 2020
HALLOWEEN EVENTS & FALL FESTIVITIES FALL-TOBER WITH GVRD GVRD will host events in October to celebrate Halloween. For more information about these events, contact (707)648-5267 or visit GVRD.org. Family Pumpkin Carving Contest Receive a free pumpkin carving kit from GVRD and enter into their carving contest by pre-registering for one. The kit will include one large pumpkin, carving kit, activities and pumpkin contest rules. Carve, paint, embellish, or decorate your pumpkin with the whole family. To enter into the contest, post a photo on Facebook or Instagram using GVRD’s hashtag #GVRDBOO20. There is a limit to one entry per family and winners will be announced on November 2. Pick-ups can be scheduled between October 26 to October 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 395 Amador Street. Deliveries can be scheduled for October 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Vallejo only. Boo! Drive & Dash GVRD invites the community to enjoy Halloween festivities on October 30 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at 395 Amador Street. Dress the kids up and bring them by to see the spooky Halloween decorations and lights, as well as local community organizations. At the end of the parade of lights, each child will receive a boo box of treats to enjoy, while supplies last. To enter the costume contest, post a photo through Facebook or Instagram using hashtag #GVRDBOO20, winners will be contacted November 2. Virtual Pup’kin Patch GVRD will host their second annual pup’kin patch pooch parade and costume contest through Zoom on October 31 at 10:00 a.m. (Please note the zoom call will be recorded to share on their Facebook page) Each participant will have 2 minutes to show off their pet to the rest of the participants and share a bit about them. Winners will be announced on November 2. Registration is required before 3:00 p.m. on October 30. Send an email of the pet in costume with your name and pet’s name to cstephan@gvrd.org. Entry is $5 per family and zoom link will be emailed.
Subscribe to the Vallejo Weekly, and other City communications, here. View previous issues of the Vallejo Weekly, here. Submit your positive community story or event for consideration in the Vallejo News section, here.
CITY OF VALLEJO | 555 SANTA CLARA STREET | VALLEJO, CA | 94590 CITYOFVALLEJO.NET | VALLEJONEWS@CITYOFVALLEJO.NET