Vallejo W e e k ly Vo l u m e 9 I s s u e 1 3 April 2, 2021
Photo Credit: Lee Ann Baker
ZONING CODE PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED 4/13
COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP DAY THIS SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 2021
The Vallejo City Council will hold a
Join the Solano Association of Realtors
public hearing on adopting the New
tomorrow, Saturday, April 3, from 9:00
Zoning Code, Zoning Map, General
AM to noon for a Community Clean-up
Plan Amendments, Specific Plan
Day.
Amendments, Approval of a Mitigated Negative Declaration according to the
Meet up at 1302 Springs Road in Vallejo.
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and other related actions on
The community tool trailer will be
April 13.
available to provide you with all of the tools you need to help make Vallejo
The proposed New Zoning Code
shine! #VallejoVolunteersRock!
establishes new and modified land-use regulations to guide future development
Community Clean-up Events happen
and design throughout the City.
every Saturday. For more information, email shelee.loughmiller@cityofvallejo.
View the Notice of Public Hearing by
net
clicking HERE. 2
Volume 9 Issue 13
Check out the latest job openings at the City of Vallejo by visiting www.governmentjobs.com/careers/vallejo April 2, 2021
3
#job opportunity
Deputy City Attorney
Neighborhood Law Program
The Office of the City Attorney
Departments. The ideal candidate
seeks a highly qualified,
demonstrates an interest in
innovative, community-oriented
prosecuting public nuisance
Deputy City Attorney interested
cases, providing advice to City
in public service through the
Departments, and defending the
Neighborhood Law Program
City in public safety litigation on
(NLP).
an as-needed basis. The NLP represents the City of Vallejo
This position focuses on litigation
and collaborates with community
and problem-solving quality of
groups, neighbors, and public
life issues in Vallejo. The NLP
agencies to achieve the common
prosecutes cases involving
goal of improving the quality of
illegal dumping, blight, red-light
life for Vallejo residents. The
abatement, public safety, and
attorneys will work with grass-
general public nuisance. The
roots community groups and
selected attorney will represent
other government agencies
the City in administrative hearings to identify and resolve public and state court and conduct legal
nuisances.
research to advise various City 4
Volume 9 Issue 13
The ideal Deputy City Attorney assigned to the NLP is an innovative, community-oriented self-starter who is civic-minded and passionate about public service. The perfect candidate is someone interested in practicing municipal law through affirmative public nuisance litigation and advice work. Ideally, the Deputy City Attorney would focus on this work and be open to defending the City in public safety litigation when needed. The selected candidate will work under a supervising attorney. Prior experience in litigation, background in municipal law, strong legal research and writing, oral argument, ordinance drafting, and a commitment to public interest law are desirable qualifications. The closing date for this job announcement and application period is Monday, April 19, 2021, at 5:00 PM. To apply for this amazing opportunity and more information about the recruitment selection process, please click HERE.
April 2, 2021
5
What is your role with Vallejo Water,, and how long have you been with the e City?
e I am an Associate Engineer in the Engineering Division of the Waterr Department. I have been working for the e City since July 31, 2018. I lead and d manage the Grant Program for the Waterr Department, manage several capital improvement projects (CIPs) for the e Water Department, represent the Waterr Department on the Cache Slough Habitatt Conservation Plan Steering Committee,, and advise leadership on water resourcess management strategies for our waterr assets from both a State and regional context. Why did you choose Vallejo?
o I chose Vallejo because when I came to visit, I was immediately enamored with h Vallejo; the projects I was told about, the e problems that needed solving, and the e opportunity to positively impact the e community Vallejo Water serves. I had d actually never been to Vallejo prior to o visiting the Water Department, and now I tell everybody, “Come to Vallejo! It’ss great!” What is your educational professional background?
6
and/orr
I have a Bachelor of Arts in Geographyy from San Diego State University and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering g from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. . Volume 9 Issue 13
, e
e r e d r l e r t , s r l
o h e e e d o I s
r
y a g .
While I was working on my second degree, I worked for the Southern Nevada Water Authority Northern Groundwater Resources Division on their Northern Groundwater Development Project taking measurements at the springs, streams and wells within the study area. I moved to Sacramento in 2010 to work with GEI consultants, a firm that specializes in water resources management in California. There I learned about California water from high -level staff who retired from various State agencies and others who have been consulting on water management in California for decades. I’ve worked on regional water management, state water management, urban water transfers, groundwater aquifer modeling, hydrologic forecasting, grant writing, flood response, flood management planning and more for a variety of cities, districts, and agencies across California. I have leveraged my experience here to support the Water Department in any way I can particularly in water resources management and grant writing. I have also managed a few capital projects during my time here, such as the Water Main Replacement Capital Improvement Project (WMCIP), a project that replaces aged or underperforming water mains that deliver water to customers, and the Reservoir Repair and Inspection Program, where we drain, inspect and assess the concrete water tanks that serve the various pressure zones in the City. What does a “typical” day look like for you? I’m not sure how to answer this. None of my days are “typical” anymore! First thing I do is check emails or text messages on my work phone, to identify any high priority tasks that have arisen overnight. I will check my meeting schedule for the day and identify tasks that are needed to prepare for those meetings. Then, I check my pre-existing list of things to do, such as respond to customers and review my project to-do list. Part of this to-do list includes messaging/calling consultants, contractors, internal clients, etc. to ensure projects are delivered, work is continuing, or that development is occurring. In doing this I identify my priorities for2021 the day and any deadlines April 2,
for the week that are coming up. Some days I’m in the field working on projects under construction. Other days I am focusing on the administrative tasks of procurement and contracting. I also participate in Countywide projects on water supply and environmental issues that affect access to shared water resources.
What is the biggest challenge in your role? Trying to live up to my own expectations. Some things I volunteered for, a great many others I was asked to do. Regardless of what role I am filling on any given day, I have an expectation of how I will perform in that role.
In between all of this, since I am working from home a lot still due to COVID, I drop the kids off at daycare, identify who is picking them up, and juggle the school schedules and deadlines. At the end of that, I juggle what’s for dinner, who’s got homework, and the bedtime routine. What are you most proud of? I’m most proud of the fact that I continue to try to achieve the “have it all” balance of career and family. While small sacrifices or compromises are made all the time, I refuse to compromise giving up one for the other, as both are integral to who I am as a person. I am very proud of recently winning the $2M grant from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for our Meter Replacement and Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Conversion Project. I worked nights and weekends on that application so to have it be awarded was a really emotional moment for me. I can’t wait to see how that project rolls out over the next few years.
What is your favorite part of your job? Knowing that the work I am doing has a physical and positive impact on the world. Knowing that something other than my own ego drives me to deliver good work and be the best that I can be for the residents and customers of the Water Department. Water is the single most important asset that Vallejo has— without water we literally cannot live. Water is the first thing a community must find and sustain in order to exist and flourish. I love fighting to protect Vallejo’s rights to it and I love trying to find our best ways to manage it equitably.
As we honor and celebrate Women’s History Month how do you feel that gender diversity has either helped or hindered you in your career? I think it has helped in the sense that the doors for women engineers had been opened by other women prior to my arrival. I still see the gender divide in the professional setting but that divide is getting smaller. I have hope that within my lifetime it will become non-existent. What advice do you have for women looking to enter into the Water industry? Sit at the table, even if you think you don’t belong there. Don’t be afraid to take that space for yourself. Also, get very familiar with the phrase, “I’m not finished speaking.”
7
Annual
Water Quality Report Water Testing Performed in 2020
WATER QUALITY REPORT 2020 Each year the City of Vallejo provides a Water Quality Report to its customers to tell them about important water quality information. To be more environmentally responsible, we are no longer printing large quantities of the report; however, the report is now available HERE on the City’s Website, or you can click the image to left to open the report. If you would like a paper copy or a copy of the report emailed to you, please call 707-649-3473 or email Danielle.Bonham@cityofvallejo.net
City of Vallejo System, CA4810007 City of Vallejo Lakes System, CA4810021 8
30073-I-0037
Volume 9 Issue 13
Congressman Mike Thompson recognizes Vallejo’s Senior Community Development Analyst, Annette Taylor as 2020 Woman Of The Annette Taylor, Senior Community Development Analyst
Year for Solano County. Thompson said, “Annette Taylor has been a local leader her whole life. As the former Vice President of the NAACP Vallejo Branch, she’s helped to advance opportunities and quality of life for Black women. She’s also championed small businesses and ensuring equity and equality in all facets of public life. She truly embodies the best qualities of public service, leadership, and civic-mindedness and I’m honored to name her Solano County’s 2020 Woman of the Year.” Read the full press release HERE.
April 2, 2021
#vallejocelebrates
VALLEJO CELEBRATES, ANNETTE TAYLOR, SOLANO COUNTY’S 2020 WOMAN OF THE YEAR
9
UPCOMING COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP DATES HOST: Solano Association of Realtors WHEN: Sat. April 3, 2021, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM WHERE: 1302 Springs Rd. Vallejo HOST: Beautification Commissioner Phillip Balbuena and friends WHEN: Sat. April 10, 2021, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM WHERE: Meet at the corner of Curtola Parkway and Maine St., Vallejo HOST: Emmanuel Temple WHEN: Sat. April 17, 2021, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM WHERE: 900 6th St., Vallejo HOST: Visit Vallejo & Leadership Vallejo WHEN: Sat. April 24, 2021, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM REGISTER: To register for this event please go to visitvallejo.com/thebigclean For more information on community clean-up events, please email shelee.loughmiller@cityofvallejo.net
10
Volume 9 Issue 13
Vallejo W e e k ly WWW.CITYOFVALLEJO.NET 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.