Vallejo Weekly | Vol 10 | Issue 18

Volume 10 | Issue 18 May 5, 2022

Photo: Sam Quinn

VA L L E J O W E E K LY

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National Drinking Water Week – May 2022 At the April 26, 2022 City Council meeting, the Council approved a proclamation declaring Drinking Water Week in Vallejo.

The Vallejo Water Department provides drinking water to the residents and businesses of Vallejo. Water from Lake Berryessa and the Delta is pumped to the Water Department in Vallejo where the water undergoes highly sophisticated chemical and electrical processes to make it safe to drink. Hundreds of water quality tests are done to ensure it meets or exceeds all standards required by the California Department of Public Health and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The water is then sent into the pipes under the streets of Vallejo where it appears in homes and business when we turn on the tap.

work on the pumps and motors that together power and control the water system. Water engineers design and manage the construction of pipelines, pumps, and tanks. Distribution pipe crews maintain the watermains that transport the water under the streets to customers’ taps. It’s a complex team effort to ensure the great quality and safe delivery of Vallejo’s drinking water. The Water Department also works closely with the community and local schools to provide conservation education and share information about current rebate programs.

The Water Department encourages members of the Vallejo community to apply for job openings in the Water Department and in the Vallejo City government. Help us hire local talent!

Photo: Mayor presenting the Drinking Water Week Proclamation to Water Director Beth Schoenberger. (Photographer: Erik Rzomp)

The Vallejo Water team produces over 5 billion gallons of water for customers every year. Certified treatment plant operators run the treatment plants and laboratory staff perform hundreds of water quality tests.

Instrumentation technicians and electrical crews manage and calibrate the water system’s thousands of devices and utility mechanics

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Water is essential for life and plays a vital role in our daily lives for drinking, bathing, cleaning, and putting out fires. During national Drinking Water Week we take a moment to appreciate the hard work performed by the folks behind the scenes at the Water Department who do what it takes to make sure there’s clean, safe, affordable, good-tasting water available when we turn on the faucet, shower or fire hydrant.

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We're Hiriing!

The City of Vallejo is pleased to offer the following Employment Opportunities: •

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Administrative Analyst II (Youth Coordinator) Assistant to the City Manager (Houselessness Manager) Code Enforcement Officer Communications Operator I Communications Operator II (Lateral) Director of Human Resources Economic Development Manager

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Employee and Labor Relations Officer Environmental Services Manager Housing and Community Development Program Manager Housing Specialist II Police Cadet Police Officer (Entry – Academy Graduate) Police Officer (Lateral) Police Officer (Recruit)

For a list of all current City of Vallejo job openings, or to subscribe to receive announcements for future recruitments, please click here.

We're seeking an Employee and Labor Relations Officer to join our team!

The Employee and Labor Relations Officer will provide the highest level of employee and labor relations expertise to oversee and administer the City’s Employee and Labor Relations programs and policies.

For more information about the position, The ideal candidate is a collaborative, effective requirements, and benefits, please review our communicator who is well-centered, thrives on recruitment brochure, HERE. complexity, and is an expert team builder whose counsel is respected by all stakeholders.

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Featured Recruitment Employee + Labor Relations Officer

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Why Are Rates Changing?

In September 2016, Governor Brown signed Senate Bill (SB) 1383 into law. SB 1383 establishes methane emissions reduction targets in a statewide effort to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants.

Food waste alone accounts for approximately 17-18% of total landfill disposal.

To comply with the requirements of SB 1383, the City of Vallejo and Recology have amended their franchise agreement to expand the solid waste services provided to customers. Unfortunately, SB 1383 is an unfunded state mandate for the organics programs that are now required.

After extensive negotiations, Recology and the City have agreed to a rate structure that will fund the costs of these expanded services.

What is Considered Organic Waste?

• Food Scraps • Coffee Grounds • Tea Bags • Food-Soiled Paper Products • Pizza Boxes • Coffee Filters • Egg and Paper Cartons • To-go Bags/Boxes (no Styrofoam or Plastic) • Green Waste • Landscape & Pruning • Leaves, Flowers • Sludge • Lumber (untreated) • Wood

What’s Changing?

Starting July 2022, residential garbage and recycling services will include: • Weekly Organic Waste Cart Service • Residents will now be able to put green waste, food waste, and foodsoiled paper in an organic waste container!

• Annually, Residents will be Mailed One Free “Dump Coupon” • Dump one load of bulky household waste at the Devlin Road Transfer Station • Increased Illegal Dumping Support HOW TO PROTEST THIS INCREASE The City will accept written protests against the proposed rate increase from property owners and customers of record (PLEASE NOTE: emails or faxes will NOT be accepted).

Objections to the rate increase can be submitted at the public hearing until the end of the public input portion of the hearing.

They can also be mailed but must be received before the Public Hearing or hand-delivered to the City Clerk mailbox located outside of City Hall (555 Santa Clara Street) at or before the Public Hearing. If the majority

(51%) of our residential customers submit valid written protests, the proposed rate increase will not be implemented.

Valid Written Protests Must Include: 1.

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Customer Name Customer Signature Service Address or Parcel Number A statement that you are protesting the proposed rate increase

Visit MyVallejo.com/Rate-Increase to learn more about planned changes to solid waste service and rates, view the public meeting schedule, and get involved in the City’s regulatory process.

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Residential Garbage, Recycling, and Organic Waste Rate Increase

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Alert Solano Val l ej o W ee kl y

Are you signed up for Alert Solano?

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Subscribe to receive real-time emergency alerts through the Solano County Emergency Alert System when events like fire evacuations, missing persons, and severe weather occur throughout Vallejo and Solano County at alertsolano.com.

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STA – Bike Month

Georgia and Marin Street in Vallejo.

Ride with Solano Transportation Authority (STA) THIS SATURDAY!

For more information, please contact Dave Belef at (650) 892-2782 or visit solanosr2s. ca.gov.

STA invites you to join them on May 7 at 9 a.m. as they ride bikes along the Vallejo Waterfront and the Bay Trail. Those interested may meet at the intersection of

For information on Bike Month events visit Solanomobility.org.

2022 Calendar Contest – “In the Eyes of the Unhoused”

Submit to: dhoffman@fight-back.org

For over 20 years Fighting Back Partnership has encouraged Vallejo’s youth to inspire our community through art as part of their annual contest. This year’s theme is “In the Eyes of the Unhoused.”

12 Winners: 4 Students per Group (Elementary, Middle, High Schol)

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR ARTWORK: Scan or take a photo of your artwork and include the following with your submission: Full Name, Age, Grade, Home Address, Phone Number, School, and Teacher’s Name

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1st Prize: $200 Visa Gift Card 2nd Prize: $100 Visa Gift Card 3rd Prize: $50 Visa Gift Card 9 Runner-Up’s: $25 Target Gift Card

Plus: all winners will receive a Certificate Award This year’s theme “In the Eyes of the Unhoused” was chosen for youth to think about the community around us. Help us learn about potential problems and advocate for change to make quality of life better. Fighting Back Partnership hopes that its calendar contest will continue to be a vessel of healing for our community through art. To watch a video about the program click or tap here.

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Enter your artwork for a chance to be featured on the 2022-2023 Calendar. The deadline to submit your artwork is May 31, 2022.The contest is open to Vallejo school students and residents ages 4 to 18 years old.

PRIZES:

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Have you ever thought about running for Vallejo City Council But Don't Know Where To Start? Well, you are in luck!

Here is your chance to learn all about what it takes to become a Vallejo City Council Candidate on the Ballot and much more!

Join Vallejo City Clerk Dawn Abrahamson for

an informational meeting on Thursday, June 9, 2022, from 6 to 8 pm. City Clerk Abrahamson will cover everything from the basics of how to run for office all the way through to the responsibilities you can expect to have as a member of the Vallejo City Council.

To join this informational session and start your journey to becoming a qualified City Council Candidate, please register for the session by clicking HERE.

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INterested in Becoming A City Council Member?

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Wildfire Preparedness Week 2022 Wildfire Preparedness Week, celebrated from May 1 through May 7, is a time that fire agencies across California and the country raise awareness on what individuals and communities can do to help protect themselves against the threat of wildfire.

By preparing well in advance of a wildfire and taking steps now to reduce wildfire risks, individuals can dramatically increase their safety, the safety of their community, and the survivability of their homes.

The Vallejo Fire Department has resources that provide critical information on how to protect your family and property against the threat of wildland fires by creating defensible space. The

Defensible Space Vegetation Management brochure is available online.

The “Ready! Set! Go” informational is intended to provide valuable information on hardening one's home and being prepared to leave your home in case of an emergency. This brochure includes a checklist of important items to take with you in case you need to leave.

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General Fire Prevention information, FAQs, and resources are available on the City’s website.

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Saturday, May 21, 2022

9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

301 Mare Island Way (Dental office parking lot) Hosted by: The Local Environmental Advocates Just show up - the community cleanup tool trailer will be there with all the tools you'll need! *Masks are HIGHLY encouraged at ALL clean-up events.

Interested in hosting a community cleanup?

Send us an email at volunteers@cityofvallejo. net or (707) 648-8616 to get started.

Join us as we Give Litter the Boot!

Get connected Vallejo INSTAGRAM | instagram.com/ cityofvallejo VALLEJO WEEKLY | vallejoweekly.com Read our free, digital, weekly newsletter and stay in the know!

SUBSCRIBE | cityofvallejo.net/subscribe Get our weekly newsletter, city council agendas, important updates and information, press releases and more delivered right to your inbox.

EMERGENCY ALERTS | alertsolano.com Get real-time alerts about missing persons, severe weather, evacuations, and more.

MYVALLEJO | myvallejo.com

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• The City of Vallejo • Vallejo Police Department • Vallejo Fire Department • Vallejo Water Department

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The Solano County Fair Returns June 16-19

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Great News! The Solano County Fair Returns June 16-19, 2022 After a Two-Year Virtual Hiatus.

The Fair is currently accepting entries from adult and child exhibition competitors. So, whether you arrange flowers, raise livestock,

decorate cakes, are a TikTok phenom or work a mean piece of wood...there are over 60 categories you can check out HERE. If you have questions you can email entries@ scfair.org or call the Fair's office at (707) 5512002.

Solano County residents are a talented bunch! Let’s see what you’ve been up to this year! The deadline to enter is May 20, so don’t delay.

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Vallejo Museum Survey Val l ej o W ee kl y

The Vallejo Museum wants to know what you think about their future!

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Provide your input and help guide the strategic plan update so they can better serve the Greater Vallejo community.

Click or tap HERE to take the survey.

Mare Island Art Studios is presenting a Spring Show! The Show will display the amazing work of painters, woodworkers, metalworkers, printmakers, photographers, videographers, sculptors, textile artists and more. See the art of all things Spring, created by the Studio’s eclectic group of artists.

Opening Reception - 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm on Saturday, May 7, 2022 Gallery Open - 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm on May 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th Where - 110 Pintado St. Mare Island, CA 94592 For more information on the event and the talented local artists participating, please click HERE.

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Mare Island Art Studios Spring Show

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Photo: Walter Gutierrez

CONTACT

cityofvallejo.net 555 Santa Clara Street, Vallejo, CA 94590 Facebook.com/cityofvallejo Instagram.com/cityofvallejo For maintenance emergencies, please call: (707) 648-5235