Updates from the Police, Finance, Public Works, and Planning Departments
Police Department:
Under the direction of Chief Parker, the Cloverdale Police Department has undergone significant changes in its personnel and leadership, reflecting its ongoing commitment to service excellence and community engagement.
• Officer Katie Vanoni t
ransitioned to the role of Detective, bringing a wealth of experience and dedication. With a background in Criminal Justice from SRJC and Sonoma State, she has overseen the resolution of over 700 cases and collaborated with various law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, DEA, and local investigative units. Her involvement in high-profile cases, such as assisting in a murder investigation with the Sonoma County Multi-Agency Incident Response Team, underscores her commitment to public safety and justice.
• Officer John Camara has been promoted to Patrol Sergeant after 24-year career at the Cloverdale Police Department. With a diverse range of roles, including K-9 Officer and tactical rifle instructor, Sergeant Camara has been instrumental in drug investigations, apprehensions of wanted individuals, and confiscation of illegal weapons. His proactive approach to addressing community concerns, particularly regarding homelessness, highlights his dedication to fostering a safe and secure environment in Cloverdale.
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Officer Rickey Rhodes has been assigned as the School Resource Officer (SRO), with 12 years of law enforcement experience and extensive training background. His commendable service record underscores his commitment to serving the community and ensuring the safety of Cloverdale’s youth. School Resource Officer Rhodes will soon commence duties, initially working one day a week. This arrangement will continue until the Police Department is fully staffed, then will transition to full-time.
Finance Department:
On February 14th, the City Council received a mid-year report and presentation about the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Budget, reflecting the strategic vision set forth by the City Council, emphasizing key city-wide goals and initiatives. The mid-year financial report covering July – December 2023 provides a mid-year overview of expenditures and revenue for various funds, including the General Fund, major enterprise funds (sewer, water, and airport), special funds (Measure M Transportation Fund and gas Tax).
General Fund Analysis:
The General Fund is crucial for funding essential services such as Public Safety, Parks, and Planning. Key points from the mid-year report include:
• Revenue sources are around 50% of the budget, with property tax slightly over budget but Cannabis Excise Tax and Sales Tax revenues lower than forecast.
• The estimated ending year General Fund unassigned fund balance corresponds to an 18% budget reserve and a total reserve balance of 55% including assigned and committed reserve account balances.
• Overall Expenditures are on target with the budget, with department expenditures ranging from 26% to 53% of their respective budgets.
Budget Amendments and Adjustments:
• The City Council approved budget amendments totaling $1,203,580 for projects and additional expenditures, which reduce the overall general fund reserve balance to 55%.
• Additional amendments were approved for the Water Enterprise Fund ($126,609) and the Sewer Enterprise Fund ($128,488).
By closely monitoring revenue and expenditure trends, the City Council can make any adjustments needed to ensure the City remains well-positioned to address current needs and plans for the future. A copy of the mid-year report is included with the City Council agenda here: https://www.cloverdale.net/agendacenter. The City of Cloverdale also maintains an Online Budget Book and Transparency Portal where the community can follow and track budget expenses and revenue.
Public Works Department:
The Public Works Department continues their work to maintain and improve our city’s infrastructure and has been hard at work maintaining the water system that provides Cloverdale residents with clean drinking water year-round. The Water Treatment Plant team is making progress on three critical projects.
• Replacement of the Cherry Creek (Southcrest) Water Tank With the assistance of a professional engineering firm, the City completed a hydraulic evaluation of the 200,000 gallon Cherry Creek reservoir. The city favors a two-tank alternative which would allow the possibility of keeping the existing tank in service while a new tank is constructed.
• Implementation of the Smart Water Meter System. The City of Cloverdale is continuing the final installation of meters as part of the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) system. This project involves replacing and upgrading approximately 3,300 water meters with “WaterSmart Meters,” enabling near real-time updates to the city’s customer portal. Through an online web portal, residents will have the ability to monitor their water consumption and make informed decisions to manage their usage.
• Implementation of SCADA for the City’s Water Transmission system. The Water treatment plant provides around the clock access to important treatment plant operational data and automated function control. The SCADA system is being extended from the Treatment Plant to the Transmission System and undergoing updating and maintenance to provide safety of operation and security of the treatment plant
computerized system.
Community Development & Parks Department:
The Planning Department plays a vital role in shaping the future of Cloverdale. The Community Development & Parks have been busy delivering new park improvements including:
New pickleball courts at Furber Park, new basketball courts at City Park, new restroom in the Plaza, A new dog park at the Train Depot, acquisitions and planning for a new 250 acres
open space.
Community Development has also been updating the City of Cloverdale’s General Plan. After recently completing an update to the City’s General Plan Housing Element, the City is undertaking the following planning projects:
• Update of the General Plan Circulation Element – The process of updating the General Plan Circulation has been initiated by the City with the assistance of a transportation and planning firm.
• Update of the City’s Mobile Home Rent Control Ordinance. The City Council is considering updates to the existing Mobile Home Rent Control Ordinance to provide improved regulations of rent control in mobile home parks. In addition to adopting a mobile home rent control ordinance, the City may make changes to its Zoning Code in order to protect mobile home residents.
Conclusion:
The City of Cloverdale extends our gratitude for the community’s continued support and engagement. The City thrives on the active participation and enthusiasm of its residents. We encourage you to stay informed, get involved, and be part of the positive changes happening in our community.
Remember, your voice matters, and together we can build a brighter future for Cloverdale!