TO: MAYOR AND COUNCIL
FROM: KRISTINA MILLER, CITY MANAGER
DATE: March 18, 2022
CITY MANAGER:
Water Arrearage Grant Program:
Some City residential water users will receive a credit on their past due amounts for their water bill, as a result of funding the City received from the State of California Water Arrearage Grant Program. Most will still owe back due amounts. A payment program will be offered per the City’s Administrative Policy for Utility Billing adopted by Resolution 01-14-2020-01 on January 14, 2020. To qualify for a payment plan you must:
- Submit a letter from a primary health provider that discontinuation of water would pose a serious threat;
- Must be on public assistance as described; and
- Be willing to enter into an alternative payment schedule.
Letters notifying those who received the credit along with options to pay the remaining amounts due have been sent. The process for water shut-offs will begin. This new process may be news to some, as this policy was approved at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. What was formerly known as “promissory notes to pay” will no longer be accepted.
Utility Payment Assistance Grant Program
Very few applications have been received to date. If you were impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic and owe late payments for water, sewer, internet, or PG&E, please visit www.corning.org to check if you qualify and to access the application. You must live within Corning City Limits to apply. First come first served. Apply now!
Strategic Planning
A Strategic Planning Workshop will be held at 9 AM on April 2nd. During the workshop the City will develop a snapshot of the State of the City landscape with community input, and produce strategic directions, priorities, and goals with metrics. I strongly encourage public participation in this workshop. The workshop will be facilitated by Scott Winter. Mr. Winter has facilitated strategic planning for the City of Chico, City of Live Oak, City of Wheatland, and Butte Community College.
Solano Street Corrections
The City Council will consider approval of Specifications, Plans, and Bid documents for the correction of work completed in 2016 to Solano Street between 4th and 6th streets.
COVID-19 Updates
COVID-19 case rates and the positivity rate are low.
Upcoming Meetings
- March 17, 2022: I will be attending a City Managers’/Administrators meeting.
- March 18, 2022: I will be attending an Everett Freeman Governing Board meeting.
- March 23, 2022: I will attend a Groundwater Commission meeting.
- March 24, 2022: I will be attending a Northern California Cities’ Self-Insurance Fund meeting.
PUBLIC WORKS:
Street Surveys:
NorthStar has started the topographic surveys this week and will finish on Monday at the Clark Park Parking Lot and the Jennings Heights area.
Solano Street Audible Push Buttons:
Staff will be working with Caltrans to install the audible crossing push buttons at the signalized intersections along Solano Street. The work is tentatively scheduled to start this upcoming week.
PLANNING/RECREATION:
PLANNING:
Training:
On Friday March 18th, Planner II/Recreation Coordinator Christina Meeds will be attending an Annual Planning Laws Conference on via zoom, subjects addressed will be Land Use, Environmental Law, and Real Estate.
Housing Element Report:
Christina Meeds is currently working on the annual Housing Element Report for HCD (Housing and Community Development) and OPR (Office of Planning and Research). This annual reporting is due in April; once completed they will be available for public review.
RECREATION:
Tuesday Night Market:
Corning’s Tuesday Night Market has quite the lineup scheduled. You are not going to want to miss out on the fun evening planned in downtown Corning so mark your calendars for next Tuesday, April 5th from 5-8PM.
Playground Equipment Replacement:
The targeted dates for the installation of new playground equipment at two City Parks is as follows:
- Children’s Park is tentatively scheduled for the end of April; and
- Clark Park is tentatively scheduled for early May.
You may notice caution tape around these two areas during the construction period as Public Works is preparing the grounds for the installation.
City Pool Season Update:
The City is currently seeking a Pool Manager and Assistant Manager for the 2022 Summer Season. At this time, the City is unable to determine whether we will have the ability to extend this year’s pool season. An update will be provided in the coming weeks when staff finalizes and confirms pool staffing levels for the summer.
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
Patrol:
In addition to responding to 175 calls for service, a total of 44 officer reports were taken and there were 131 officer-initiated incidents, including 67 traffic stops. Officers made 20 misdemeanor and 3 felony arrests. Officers issued 31 citations, of which; 17 were misdemeanors, 6 were infractions, 8 were parking during the period of March 9, 2022, through March 16, 2022.
Training:
Officers continue to participate in POST Portal Training and Lexipol Daily Training Bulletins. Other POST on-line training continues for Patrol and Dispatch personnel.
“Focus on the outcome not the obstacle.”
FIRE DEPARTMENT:
Corning Volunteer Fire Department (CVFD) Call Volume:
The Corning Volunteer Fire Department responded to 17 calls for service last week, they consisted of: 12 medicals, 1 mutual aid traffic collision, and 4 public service.
The Orland, Capay, Artois, and Bayliss Volunteer Fire Department Call Volumes:
The Orland, Capay, Artois, and Bayliss Volunteer Fire Departments were dispatched to a combined total of 17 calls for service last week, they consisted of: 6 medicals, 3 fires, 4 traffic collision, 2 public service, 1 hazardous condition, and 1 investigation.