CMR May
MAY 2024
KELP FEST MAY 18 – JUNE 16TH
The Kelp Recovery Program Demonstration Day was on May 26 at Big River, and the City of Fort Bragg shared information on the Noyo Harbor Blue Economy Visioning, Resiliency, and Implementation Plan and ways to get involved. We hope you can join us for our monthly Community Update meetings on the fourth Saturday of each month from 9-11 am at Town Hall.
Find a list of all events at www.northcoastkelpfest.org, including a free Walking Tour of Noyo Harbor beginning at 10 am on Saturday, June 15th from the high dock on the south side.
On May 25 at the Noyo Center Marine Field Station, UC Berkeley Professor and kelp taxonomist Kathy Ann Miller presented the life cycle and history of bull kelp. Several additional speakers were reporting on their findings from projects out of Caspar, Albion, and Big River and what the ecological, social, cultural, and economic implications of bull kelp loss are for us as a community.
PUBLIC WORKS UPDATES
The City Hall roof has kept the dedicated City Hall staff dry for many years. Still, after a hefty rainy season, the roof has begun to show major signs of wear and tear and will be undergoing a full re-roof in the summer months of 2024. The roof will undergo a full “tear-out” down to the decking and receive a new layer of torch-down material to ensure rigidity and proper weatherproofing. New scuppers will be installed, and existing drainage facilities will be assessed to ensure water is properly draining off of the roof. To adequately seal the parapet wall’s upper surface and protect the new roofing material from water intrusion, a full-cover stainless steel cap will be purchased and installed. This roofing project will be a great improvement to the City’s existing infrastructure and a much-needed enhancement to one of the City’s core facilities.
The Fort Bragg Fire Station plays a vital role in emergency preparedness for the City of Fort Bragg, and a major issue that has been affecting the Fort Bragg Fire Station for many years now is the heavily dilapidated roof. The Fire Station, located at 141 N. Main Street has long surpassed its serviceable life and requires a new roof. The roof currently collects water in various locations and has several leaks amidst the many that have been previously repaired with patches and seal coats over the years. The roof has five main sections all at different elevations, and all done with varying materials. The plan for the summer 2024 re-roof will be to perform a full tear-out on all five sections of the roof and torch down new layers of Modified Bitumen on the four flat sections. This will provide an incredibly sturdy, yet flexible finish, well suited for harsh weather. The remaining pitched section will be replaced like-for-like with 30-year shingles as per industry standards, and any exposed parapet wall will be sealed under a full-cover stainless steel cap. This project will be a considerable improvement to one of the City’s most critical facilities.
ROAD CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
Tentatively scheduled, the slurry seal will be placed on Franklin Street from South Street to Spruce Street the week of June 10th. The work will be broken up over a period of two to four days. During the slurry seal, several blocks of roadway will be closed at a time (excluding intersections) throughout the duration of the material placement and remain closed to through traffic until dry. Final street striping and pavement marking will be completed the week of June 24th. Please coordinate alternative parking options and obey all No-Parking signage, as vehicles parked in violation of signage will be subject to towing.
COMPOST EVENT
The City of Fort Bragg planned a compost event for May 24 and May 25 which turned out to be a great success! Resources were exhausted by the end of the first day, and the City of Fort Bragg was able to get another truckload of compost delivered at 8:00 am on May 29th. This will be a self-serve event, so bring your buckets, shovels, and gloves to kick- start your summer garden, or stock up for the winter. We ask that people limit themselves to ½ yard so there is enough to go around.
We would like to thank C&S Waste Solutions for donating the compost for this event!
CITY EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
MEET Sarah Peters
Assistant Planner
We celebrate the dedication and hard work of our city employees, who tirelessly contribute behind the scenes. Their commitment is crucial to the city’s functioning, meriting our utmost appreciation and acknowledgment. This month, we look to the Community Development Department to select our May Employee Spotlight for their exceptional contributions.
Meet Sarah Peters, our celebrated Assistant Planner, who consistently demonstrates excellence in her role with unwavering dedication, embodying the core values of our community.
Sarah and her family moved to Fort Bragg from Sonoma during the late seventies. After college, she returned to Fort Bragg and has lived here ever since. She says, “Fort Bragg is a special community, and I enjoy interacting with the people here and helping in whatever way I can.”
Sarah joined the City in May 2021 as a temporary office assistant, marking a significant career shift from her previous managerial positions. She sought a fresh start during the pandemic and transitioned to a permanent role as an Administrative Assistant in the Community Development Department. In November 2022, Sarah was promoted to her current position as Assistant Planner.
Sarah enjoys the variety of tasks in CDD and never gets bored. There is so much to learn in planning. She also enjoys working collaboratively as part of a team and remarks, “The City team is amazing.”
CITY OF FORT BRAGG NEW HIRES
MAY IS AAPI HERTIAGE MONTH
In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, the City of Fort Bragg proudly recognizes the significant contributions and achievements of our diverse AAPI communities, which are integral to California’s rich cultural fabric. Vice Mayor Jason Godeke presented the proclamation to Ui Wesley from Xa Kako Dile and City Manager Isaac Whippy.
With over 6 million Californians of Asian or Pacific Islander descent, we stand united in honoring the varied heritage that has enriched our state and nation. The City of Fort Bragg honors their continuous hard work and contributions to our community.
CMR April
APRIL 2024
Oneka Technologies Update
The City of Fort Bragg and Oneka Technologies are partnering to deploy California’s first wave-powered desalination project. The entire desalination process will take place about ½ mile offshore from a modular buoy. The energy from the ocean activates a wave-actuated pump that moves seawater through reverse osmosis membranes, delivering fresh water through an underwater pipe to shore at the City’s Waste Water Treatment Facility. An environmental analysis pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is being prepared for a one-year pilot/demonstration. Several agencies are involved in the permitting conversation including the Department of Fish and Wildlife; California Coastal Commission; State Lands Commission; Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Indians; and more. Studies prepared to inform this pilot project include, but are not limited to: a Benthic Habitat Survey; Essential Fish Habitat; Sensitive Species Survey; Entrapment Study and Mitigation; Brine Discharge Technology; and Subsurface Intake Feasibility. Stay tuned for updates as this project progresses, and sign up for “Blue Economy” e-notifications on the City’s website, as well as the e-newsletter from Noyo Ocean Collective.
Public Works Updates
The City of Fort Bragg is excited to announce a new initiative aimed at improving pedestrian safety within the community. Starting in May, the City will begin painting red curbs at the approach to any marked or unmarked crosswalks, extending them to comply with California Assembly Bill 413. This new measure is designed to increase visibility and awareness for pedestrians crossing the street, helping to reduce the risk of accidents and improve overall safety for residents and visitors alike. By extending the red curbs to the crosswalks, drivers will be reminded to slow down and yield to pedestrians, making the streets of Fort Bragg safer for everyone.
On April 9th and 10th, the City hosted a Federal/State Resource Workshop intending to connect regional partners working on coastal climate resiliency projects to resources to move initiatives forward. Discussion included emergency egress and circulation on N. Harbor Drive, which involves finding a new location for dredging activities, removing soil containment cells, restoring the beach, and connecting the Noyo Headlands coastal trail to the harbor. Other topics included a seismic retrofit of the fire station and Veteran’s Hall, adding additional resources to CV Starr Center, construction of new reservoirs and underground distribution pipes, improvements at Mendocino Coast College to support kelp restoration activities, blue STEM workforce opportunities, and more. Stay tuned…
CITY EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
MEET RUBY ACOSTA
ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR
We celebrate the dedication and hard work of our city employees, who tirelessly contribute behind the scenes. Their commitment is crucial to the city’s functioning, meriting our utmost appreciation and acknowledgment. This month, we look to CV Starr Community Center to select our April EmployeeSpotlight for their exceptional contributions.
Meet Ruby Acosta, our esteemed Administrative Coordinator. She consistently showcases excellence in her role with unwavering dedication, embodying our community’s core values. Ruby, a native of Fort Bragg, started part-time at the C.V. Starr Community Center in February 2018, initially at the front desk. Recognizing her hard work, she swiftly rose to the position of Senior Administrative Assistant in 2019. This achievement motivated her to pursue her current role, a responsibility she takes immense pride in. Ruby finds fulfillment in her job, cherishing her role within the Center’s team. When not working, she enjoys quality time at home with her two cats, indulging in video games, and exploring new recipes. Ruby excels in the “behind the scenes” aspects of her job, relishing tasks like creating event flyers, monthly newsletters, website editing, and crafting short videos for the front desk display. Her proficiency with various applications adds a rewarding and enjoyable dimension to her work. Ruby is thankful for her supportive coworkers who provide constant encouragement and assistance.
CMR March
MARCH 2024
We Welcome Our Sister City - Otsuchi
On March 18, 2024, we had the pleasure of hosting guests from our sister city, Otsuchi, in the City of Fort Bragg. A heartfelt welcoming ceremony took place, which included a special gift exchange between the visiting group and our esteemed Mayor Norvell at Town Hall.
STREETS REHAB UPDATES
During the month of March, the intersection of Oak and Harold was paved and is pending the installation of high-visibility striped crosswalks to be deemed complete. Argonaut Contractors also completed the re-pavement of the 500 block of South Harold and the 100 block of Chestnut Street as well as a few smaller street sections.
Project Look Ahead; As long as forecasted weather remains clear, contractors will be rapidly working through the remaining tasks to complete the other streets programmed for this project. The first week in April, Boatyard Drive and West Fir Street will be repaved.Also during this week, crews will begin some of the signage and striping for areas of the project that are paved. In the second week of April, construction crews will return to N Franklin Street and continue working their way north to the project limits. The work scheduled for April 8th-12th includes pavement rehabilitation in the 300 and 400 block of North Franklin.Noticing for this work will be disseminated at the end of the prior week, to provide advance notice to impacted businesses. Signage and striping work will continue over a 4 week period, which includes refreshing the red paint on the stamped crosswalks in the Central Business District.
CITY EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
MEET ADRIANA MORENO RAMOS
FINANCE TECH III
We celebrate the dedication and hard work of our city employees, who tirelessly contribute behind the scenes. Their commitment is crucial to the city’s functioning, meriting our utmost appreciation and acknowledgment. This month, we look to the Finance Department to select our March Employee Spotlight for their exceptional contributions.
We are thrilled to shine a spotlight on one of our most dedicated and hardworking finance technicians, Adriana Moreno Ramos. Adriana is a wonderful, caring, and loving mother of two. She grew up in Fort Bragg and has always enjoyed giving back to her community. You can often find her volunteering as a soccer coach for the local recreation league. In her free time, she loves walking the coastal trail and going to the beach. As a diligent finance technician, she takes pride in efficiently processing business licenses. She enthusiastically states, “I am continually learning, but I take pleasure in being among the first to discover new businesses opening in the city.”With an unwavering commitment to accuracy and attention to detail, Adriana consistently demonstrates a profound understanding of financial principles and procedures. Her proactive approach and willingness to go above and beyond exemplify the qualities of a true professional, making her an invaluable asset to our organization.Adriana’s diverse background in the food service industry and healthcare has uniquely prepared her for her current role in the City’s finance department. Over the last two years, she has shown dedication and is thrilled to be part of such an exceptional team. It is a privilege to recognize Adriana for her unwavering dedication and outstanding contributions to the finance department’s success.
CITY OF FORT BRAGG NEW HIRES