| City of Sebastopol Community Newsletter |
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August 13 - August 19 Special Weekly Edition of Sebastopol Community Newsletter |
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Please visit socoemergency.org for the most up-to-date information on the coronavirus crisis in Sonoma County. |
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KNOW SOMEONE INTERESTED IN RECEIVING THIS NEWSLETTER? FORWARD THIS EMAIL.
WAS THIS EMAIL FORWARDED TO YOU BY SOMEONE ELSE? |
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GET YOUR WATER SAVING SEBASTO-PAIL NOW! |
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Water-conserving Sebastopol residents can stop by the Public Works Department office at 714 Johnson Street Monday through Thursday 8 AM to 4:30 PM to pick up a bucket.
As the Sebastopol Buckets were purchased with water enterprise funds we are asking that the buckets be supplied to current residents that have a City of Sebastopol Water account. If you don't have a City of Sebastopol Water account there is a resource for county residents where you can pick up a free water saving kit including a bucket on Saturday, August 21st. Click here for more information or see the next article.
TIP: Use your new Sebasto-Pail to collect the running water while you wait for hot water and use it to water plants. It's critical that we all do our part to save water.
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FREE WATER SAVING KITS AT REGIONAL "DROUGHT DROP BY" EVENT - AUGUST 21 |
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Water customers throughout the North Bay will be able pick up a free water saving kit during a three-county “Drought Drop By” event.
Saturday, August 21, 2021, from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Drop by for curbside pick up of a free water-saving kit*: - A one-gallon bucket to catch water for reuse
- WaterSense labeled low flow showerhead
- 5-minute shower timer
- WaterSense labeled low flow faucet aerator
- Toilet dye test tablets
- Self-closing garden hose nozzle
*While supplies last. Limit one kit per household.
Every drop saved helps maintain water flows in the Russian River and extends reservoir storage levels. |
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INPUT NEEDED! PLEASE TAKE THE WATER METER SURVEY! |
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With water conservation a top priority, the City of Sebastopol is exploring ways to give its water customers tools to gain greater control over their own usage and to be alerted to leaks in real time. Many other water providers in our region have found success with cellular water meters and an accompanying app where customers will have instant access to this information.
We are conducting a short survey of water customers to gather input on whether or not they feel that such a program would be of value. Survey results will be shared with the City Council to help inform their decision-making process about the cellular water meter program.
This survey will end on October 1, 2021. |
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IVES PARK / CALDER CREEK NATURALIZATION PROJECT KICKS OFF AT 8/24 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING |
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The City of Sebastopol adopted the Ives Park Master Plan in March 2013. One important component of this plan is to ‘naturalize’ Calder Creek, which runs through the park in a concrete channel. The City Council approved funding for the initial stages of this work, which includes a hydrology study and other planning work to redesign the channel. Additionally, the City has engaged with Waterway Restoration Institute (WRI), to work with the City and public to provide some alternative design scenarios for the creek based on public input, the Ives Park Master Plan and the basic environmental parameters needed to make the creek alive and beautiful again as it flows through Ives Park and reaches immediately up and downstream. WRI’s work is being done through a Switzer Foundation grant.
Ann Riley, Executive Director of the WRI and Jessica Hall will present a slide show illustrating what other small communities have done to restore their degraded urban creeks to provide food for thought on what Calder Creek could become. The next steps in the design process will be a public meeting in September that includes information on stream project failures and successes in order to make sure we take advantage of lessons learned in other locations, review of the Master Plan and how the creek modifications can fit into it or inform future revisions, and targeted meetings with stakeholders.
They will provide alternative design scenarios for the creek based on public input, the Ives Park Master Plan and the basic environmental parameters needed to make the creek alive and beautiful again. This effort comes at no cost to the city because of a grant made by the Switzer Foundation to Switzer Fellow Jessica Hall. |
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Santa Rosa Creek - Before |
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ZERO WASTE SONOMA MINI-GRANTS FOR REUSABLE FOODWARE |
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Zero Waste Sonoma has a mini-grant program of up to $250 to help businesses purchase reusable food ware supplies and materials. Eligible expenses for reusable food service ware may include, but are not limited to: baskets, plates, bowls, ramekins, cups, mugs, trays utensils, bulk dispensers, self-service bins, dishwashers, and payment to third-party support for reuse. Establishing a rentable Party Kit with reusable food ware is another eligible expense.
Click HERE for more information.
PLEASE NOTE: Funding is limited, and available only on a first come, first served basis. Zero Waste Sonoma may not be held responsible if this funding runs out before you are reimbursed. |
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School has started. Please slow down and be aware of pedestrians. |
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BACK TO SCHOOL INFORMATION & RESOURCES |
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ARE YOU PREPARED FOR A PUBLIC SAFETY POWER SHUTOFF (PSPS)? |
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DOWNLOAD THE PSPS TIPS PDF HERE. |
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25% MANDATORY WATER USE REDUCTION IN SEBASTOPOL |
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On July 6, 2021, the Sebastopol City Council passed a resolution (Stage 2 Mandatory Compliance) calling for mandatory 25% reduction of water use. This resolution limits or prohibits a number of activities including outdoor irrigation, filling of swimming pools, car washing, and others. Learn more about our region’s water resources and how you can conserve them. |
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THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Are the water saving buckets available to residents on the outskirts of Sebastopol or just for city limit residents?
ANSWER: As the Sebastopol Buckets were purchased with water enterprise funds we are asking that the buckets be supplied to current residents that have a City of Sebastopol Water account.
If you don't have a City of Sebastopol Water account there is a resource for county residents where you can pick up a free water saving kit including a bucket on Saturday, August 21st. Click here for more information. |
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Have a question about the town we all know and love? Want to know more about the history of Sebastopol? We want to answer your questions. Submit a question via email to by clicking the button below. We'll post answers in our weekly newsletter and on our Facebook page. |
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COVID-19 INFO & RESOURCES |
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SONOMA COUNTY NOW REQUIRES PROOF OF VACCINATION FOR EMERGENCY PERSONNEL |
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Read the full press release HERE.
Read Sonoma County’s Health Order HERE. |
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FACE COVERINGS REQUIRED IN PUBLIC SETTINGS REGARDLESS OF VACCINATION STATUS |
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Read the full press release HERE.
Read Sonoma County’s Health Order HERE.
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RESIDENTS 12+ YEARS OF AGE ARE ELIGIBLE FOR VACCINES |
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SONOMA COUNTY EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM |
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COVID-19 FINANCIAL RELIEF |
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American Rescue Plan
All funding programs below will be administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA).
Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL)
Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG)
NEW: Community Navigator Pilot Program
Targeted EIDL Advanced Grant Status: Eligible applicants contacted by SBA
CA Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program |
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LEGAL AID OF SONOMA COUNTY IS HERE TO HELP PEOPLE IMPACTED BY COVID-19 |
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If you have employment questions, benefits questions, tenant protections questions, or any other legal issues related to the pandemic, please contact Legal Aid of Sonoma County. Visit their website here for more information. |
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EMERGENCY SAFETY & PREPAREDNESS |
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PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR LOVED ONES THIS WILDFIRE SEASON |
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During a wildfire event, the first priority is to protect yourself and your loved ones! If you are ordered to evacuate your home or the area, do so immediately.
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HAVE YOU CHECKED OUT SEBASTOPOLREADY.ORG? |
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Visit SebastopolReady.org, an emergency and disaster preparedness and readiness resource with information on how neighbors can prepare to provide care, safety and comfort simply by working together. |
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SEBASTOPOL EVACUATION MAPS |
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| As part of on going efforts with the County of Sonoma, Sebastopol now has evacuation maps. You can find links on the Fire Department page of the City's website.
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Make sure that you have signed up for:
Nixle Alerts (either online or by texting your zip code to 888777)
It is important to register for both types of alerts. If you receive Nixle alerts, read them thoroughly and click on any links.
Text Fire or Fuego (for Spanish) to 211-211 for updates.
More information on alerts may be found here. |
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All meetings will be held virtually and are open to the public to attend via web or phone link.
Agendas for upcoming meetings can be found on the City website by clicking the “Meetings” link on the home page. Agendas will contain information about participating virtually in real time when this feature is available.
City Council Meetings: - Meeting Days: First and Third Tuesday of each month
- Meeting Time: 6pm
- Livestream Link: http://bit.ly/sebcctv
- To submit comments before the meeting:
- For Items Not on the Agenda: Members of the public may submit written emails/comments for items not on the agenda either by email as a public record or by public comment during the public comment period of the virtual City Council meeting. All written emails/comments will be provided to the entire City Council as a public record but will not be read into the minutes at the City Council meeting. Written emails/comments should be received by 5:00 pm of the Council Meeting Date for submission to the entire City Council prior to the meeting and will be included as a part of the record of the meeting. Please submit your comments via email for this meeting to mgourley@cityofsebastopol.org
- For Items Listed on the Agenda: Members of the public may submit written emails/comments for items listed on the agenda either by email as a public record or by public comment during the public comment period of the agenda item during the virtual City Council meeting. Email comments must identify the Agenda Item Number in the subject line of the email. All written emails/comments will be provided to the entire City Council as a public record but will not be read into the minutes at the City Council meeting. Written emails/comments should be received by 5:00 pm of the Council Meeting Date for submission to the entire City Council prior to the meeting and will be included as a part of the record of the meeting. Please submit your comments via email for this meeting to mgourley@cityofsebastopol.org
Planning Commission Meetings:
Design Review Board Meetings:
- Next Meeting: There are currently no meetings scheduled.
Public Arts Committee Meetings:
- Next Meeting: There are currently no meetings scheduled.
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Improve Your Life, Career, and Skills
Are you a student in higher education or interested in enriching your life, changing careers, and embarking on your own personal learning journey? We've put together a list of adult education digital resources to support your educational needs and improve your skills, whether for school or for fun.
- LearningExpress Library features nearly 1,000 online tutorials, practice tests, and eBooks for all ages.
- Learn business, technology, and creative skills with video tutorials from LinkedIn Learning.
- Students of any age can connect with free tutors and more at Tutor.com.
- Great Courses are expertly-produced audio and video courses by professors such as Neil DeGrasse Tyson. Access the Great Courses collection on Kanopy, OverDrive, and hoopla.
Looking for more? See the full list of adult education eResources. We also have resources for our school age patrons!
Visit us online or in person at one of our branches. Be sure to check out open jobs at Sonoma County Library here.
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Nunca dejamos de aprender
¿Es estudiante de escuela o universidad? ¿Le interesa añadir algo extra a su rutina diaria, está pensando en una nueva carrera, o simplemente le gusta aprender? Hemos reunido una lista de recursos en línea gratis para apoyar al aprendizaje personal de adultos y sus metas profesionales.
- LearningExpress ofrece cursos para mejorar las habilidades escritas, orales y gramaticales en español y sus habilidades matemáticas además que prácticas para el GED y el examen de ciudadanía estadounidense e información sobre la tarjeta verde
- LinkedIn Learning les da acceso a tutoriales en línea sobre una amplia gama de temas de tecnología, creatividad y negocios en español
- Tutor.com tiene tutoría gratis en vivo en línea para estudiantes de cualquier edad además que un servicio de revisión de ensayos.
- Kanopy es una manera gratis de ver películas y documentales en línea. El sitio web está organizado por temas académicas, incluso los negocios, las ciencias y las artes.
- OverDrive y hoopla le dan acceso a miles de libros y audiolibros electrónicos
¿Busca más? Aquí está la lista completa de todos los recursos de aprendizaje en línea para adultos. También tenemos recursos escolares en línea para niños y adolescentes.
Visítenos en línea o en persona en una de nuestras sucursales. Asegúrese de consultar los trabajos disponible en la Biblioteca del Condado de Sonoma aquí.
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GOT APPLES? RESERVE THE SLOW FOOD SEBASTOPOL APPLE PRESS |
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It’s apple season in Sonoma County, and the Slow Food Sebastopol Community Apple Press opened to the public on Saturday, August 7th at the Luther Burbank Experiment Farm in Sebastopol, and runs every weekend until October 24th. People are welcome to bring their own apples and a group of volunteers will assist them in making fresh pressed apple juice.
Reservations required. Click here to reserve the apple press. Interested in volunteering? Click here for more information. |
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PEACETOWN SUMMER CONCERT SERIES RETURNS |
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…and all of Sebastopol becomes Peacetown, USA every Wednesday evening from 4:30-7:30 from July 7th to September 8th. The Peacetown Summer Concert Series has traditionally been held at Ives Park. Because of the uncertainty around COVID restrictions, Peacetown has relocated to The Barlow and will now include all of the cultural treasures of Sebastopol. Select downtown and Main Street restaurants, merchants and galleries (including the Sebastopol Center for the Arts) will offer expanded hours and special programs every Wednesday evening. Visit Peacetown.org for the most current details and musical lineup. |
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