Interested in running for Town Council? If so, you must file nomination papers during the nomination period, which begins on Monday, July 18, and closes on Friday, August 12, for the November 8, 2022, General Municipal Election. This deadline may be extended to Wednesday, August 17, for non-incumbent residents running for Mayor if the incumbent Mayor does not file nomination papers within the regular nomination period.

The Town of Windsor’s General Municipal Election will have four seats available:

• One (1) seat for District 1 Councilmember – Four-year Term
• One (1) seat for District 2 Councilmember – Two-year Term
• One (1) seat for District 4 Councilmember – Four-year Term
• One (1) at-large Mayor seat – Two-year Term

The Town Clerk’s Office can receive nomination papers Mondays through Thursdays from 8 AM – 5 PM and Friday, August 12, from 8 AM - 5 PM. Appointments are encouraged. Go to https://www.townofwindsor.com/1353/November-2022-General-Municipal-Election for more information.

July 20: Kick-Off Event for Recycled Water Fill Station 

Please join us at 9 AM on Wednesday, July 20, at Keiser Park to kick off the Town’s new recycled water fill-station program. As California’s extreme drought stretches into its third year, the Town of Windsor is providing recycled water so local residents and businesses can irrigate their landscapes and gardens at no cost. Recycled water is highly treated wastewater that is safe and suitable for irrigation.

At the July 20 event, members of the Town Council and Town Staff will provide opening remarks before we turn on the recycled water tap – be sure to bring your clean, resealable containers to fill up! You can bring a wide range of containers, from 1-gallon milk jugs and 5-gallon containers on up. Residents and businesses can take up to 300 gallons of recycled water per trip.

Starting July 20, the recycled water fill-station will be open Tuesdays through Thursdays from 9 AM to 2 PM. Note that before you arrive at the Keiser Park fill station, you need to submit an application and take part in online training – this process shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes. For more information, including forms and training, read our news release: https://bit.ly/RecycledWaterFS

Upgrades to Starr Road-Stellar Lane Crosswalk

Construction began this week on the Starr Road-Stellar Lane Crosswalk Enhancement Project. Improvements include the installation of pedestrian-activated, rectangular, rapid-flashing beacons (RRFBs), a solar-powered streetlight, updated ADA ramps, new pedestrian yield markings, and refreshed striping.

We expect the project will be finished by the start of the new school year, but there have been delays in receiving electronic equipment such as RRFBs. This will be the first installation of a solar-powered streetlight in Windsor.

This project was originally requested in 2020 by staff and parents at Cali Calmecac Language Academy. In 2021, the Town’s Public Works Department applied for and received a Transportation Development Act (TDA) grant that allowed the Town to move forward with this project.

July 20: Public Hearing on
Vehicle Miles Traveled Policy

On July 20 at 6 PM, the Town Council will consider adopting new guidelines for the review of transportation-related environmental impacts. The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires traffic analyses to focus on the environmental effects of driving, instead of impacts to drivers.

The purpose of the new criteria is to balance the needs of congestion management with statewide goals related to infill development, promoting public health through active transportation, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The new method evaluates a project’s Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT), which measures the amount of traffic generated by a project, instead of Level of Service (LOS), which measures intersection delays.

The draft VMT policy has been the subject of a joint Planning Commission/Town Council study session, community meeting, stakeholders’ meetings, and a Planning Commission public hearing. Members of the public are invited to participate and provide input. The draft policy is available on the Town’s website.  Interested parties are encouraged to send questions or comments to Patrick Streeter, Community Development Director (pstreeter@townofwindsor.com), and participate in the meeting in person or via Zoom.  

Under Consideration: Shiloh Business Park Project

On June 28, the Planning Commission reviewed plans for a potential industrial business park at 790 Shiloh Road. The 45-acre parcel is located on the south side of Shiloh Road and along the west side of Highway 101.

The preliminary plans include three industrial buildings of approximately 470,000 square feet in total. The buildings would be single-story with a height of 32 feet and designed with flex spaces to accommodate up to 15 tenants with light industrial, manufacturing, and warehouse businesses.

The Planning Commission was supportive of developing the site to provide capacity for new industrial businesses in Windsor. However, the commission requested modifications to the architecture to better reflect the site’s gateway location and Windsor’s identity. The commission emphasized that the project should be designed to address the Town’s climate change policies.

July 18, 20 & 26: Get Your Free Water Conservation Kit

The Town of Windsor is providing free water conservation kits throughout the summer to help you continue to save water in this drought. Stop by our pop-up events to pick up a kit. Our currently scheduled events are:

• Windsor Library on Monday, July 18, from 10 AM -12 PM
• Keiser Park, Ball Park C on Wednesday, July 20, from 9 AM -11 AM
• Home Depot on Tuesday, July 26, from 10 AM -12 PM

• Efficiency showerhead
• Faucet aerator
• Garden hose nozzle with automatic shut-off valve
• Shower timer
• Two toilet leak detection tablet packets (each packet contains two tablets)
• Water wise gardening information

We hope to see you there!

Please Continue to Save Water

Windsor is still required to cut water use by 20 percent (compared to 2020 water usage): Lake Sonoma is only at 53 percent of capacity and Lake Mendocino is at 60 percent of capacity. Thank you for doing your part – last month, the Windsor community used 21 percent less water compared with the same month in 2020.

Learn more about this severe drought affecting California; the U.S. Drought Monitor is updated every Thursday: https://www.drought.gov/states/California

Did you know that unnecessary outdoor irrigation and water leaks are two of the biggest sources of water waste? Please continue to save water with these tips:

• Based on your location, follow the restricted watering schedule of irrigating only three days a week, between 7 PM – 7 AM (hand-watering is exempt):
  • West of Highway 101: Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday
  • East of Highway 101: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday
• Wash your car with an automatic shut-off nozzle attached to your hose
• Fix leaks within 72 hours!
• Adjust and monitor irrigation systems to prevent runoff and water waste

The Town of Windsor offers resources to help you cut water usage, including a water-efficient landscape rebate, a discount on the Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller, and free “Laundry to Landscape Graywater System” kits. For a complete list of current water restrictions and resources, please visit: https://www.townofwindsor.com/100/Water-Conservation

August 2: National Night Out

A message from the Windsor Police Department: Join the Town of Windsor Police Department executive and command staff at the Huerta Gym and Town Green from 5-8 PM on Tuesday, August 2, for National Night Out.

National Night Out is an annual community-building event that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. This year’s event will include hot dogs and treats -- we look forward to chatting and hanging out with our Windsor community!