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Express seeks first baby born in Winters
Local coach showing people how to “rise up” Features, Page 1
News, Page 2 Volume 138, Number 50 — Locally owned since 1884
Winters welcomes its newest sergeant
Community COVID testing opportunity returns By Crystal Apilado Editor-in-Chief In a new partnership with Covid Clinic, the Winters Joint Unified School District is offering rapid antigen testing to students, families, staff and community members in Winters. The efforts launched on Wednesday, Jan. 5. Covid Clinic is a not-for-profit testing provider that currently offers onsite COVID testing in school districts throughout the state and across the nation. It is as no cost to individuals who use its services. Winters JUSD had previously had a partnership with Healthy Yolo Together. However, the grant that funded the testing ended on Dec. 30.
All testing is voluntary and individuals who choose to participate in testing through Covid Clinic will need to register. Any prior registrations or waivers signed for last year’s testing are not applicable. Jenny Pinedo, Director of Special Education & Student Services, told the Express individuals will only need to complete the waiver and registration process once. There are links available on the Winters JUSD website to register ahead of time; however, devices will be available at the testing site and support for those needing it will be provided. Pinedo said registering ahead of coming to the testing site
By Aaron Geerts Express staff writer
Courtesy photo
Sergeant Manuel Cardoza was sworn in on Monday, Jan. 4 at the Winters Police Department. A formal swearing in will be scheduled at a future City Council meeting.
See TESTING, Page 5
Natural Resources Commission taking on city’s tree policy By Rick von Geldern Express staff writer
EXPRESS
The newly-formed six-member Natural Resources Commission (NRC) met for their first meeting of 2022 on Jan. 10. As a newly-created advisory commission to the Winters City Council, the commission is establishing guidelines, developing protocols, setting and understanding member roles while adhering to requirements under the Brown Act. City Manager Kathleen Salguero Trepa gave commission members a concise introduction to the Brown Act and necessary compliance for member communications and sharing of materials so as not to
violate provisions of the Act. Two of the commission’s first projects were to set goals and organize a workplan. The commission’s draft workplan that was discussed at the Nov. 15, 2021 meeting included ways to move forward and implement specific project ideas. Commission Chair Kurt Balasek said the commission discussed taking on the city’s tree policy as “sort of a manageable path to start.” Balasek previously provided commission members with a draft master tree workplan he had prepared. He felt this project would be workable as the “first one out the gate” as the commission aimed toward developing broader goals. Commissioner Carol Scianna and Balasek were appointed to form an ad hoc committee to create a draft workplan for the
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city’s tree policy and present it at the February meeting. This entails review and consideration of the city’s master tree list, promoting the tree rebate program, maintenance and community outreach. Beyond the master tree program, workplan discussions included how the committee could make recommendations to the Planning Commission on projects reviewed by the Design Review Committee, appointing an NRC member as a liaison to the Climate Action Commission and to review and make recommendations to the City on policies relevant to the NRC’s purview. Other workplan suggestions in various stages of discussion included working with Dry Creek residents to develop a native planting plan to combat creek erosion and
By Rick von Geldern Express staff writer The Winters City Council adopted Resolution 2021-89 at the Dec. 21 meeting by accepting the fiscal year 2020-21 Impact Fee and Five-Year Report. The report, submitted by Director of Administrative Services Shelly A. Gunby, is required by the State of California from local agencies that impose development impact fees. New development, such as the City of Winters is experiencing, creates the need
for new and expanded public services, infrastructure, future facilities development and maintenance. According to Gunby’s transmittal letter, “Development Impact Fees are used to finance the acquisition, construction and improvement of public facilities needed because of new development.” Development projects are charged a fee by local government agencies in conjunction with project approval and issuance of a building permit, certificate of occupancy or develop-
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Caltrans approved a night road work project that began on Monday evening and is expected to go through to this Thursday night. The night road work is focusing on the cen-
Rain for week: 0.04 in. Season’s total: 17.09 in. Last sn. to date: 2.34 in. Winters rainfall season began 7/1/21. Weather readings are taken at 9 a.m.
Night road work happening through Thursday ter median on Grant Avenue in front of the Chevron station. One west-bound lane (outside) will be open and one-west bound lane (inside) will be closed, starting from 9 p.m. this evening to 5 a.m. Night construction work will last through Thursday,
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See REPORT, Page 5
Crystal Apilado/Winters Express
WINTERS AGGREGATE
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ment agreements. From these impact fees the City established nine public facilities funds to reduce the impact and cost for water, sewer, transportation, streets, parks, public safety, fire, monitoring and storm drains. The report stated the City’s objective is to maintain its current level of service as development and the City of Winters continue to grow. It also noted that new development projects need to pay their share of the city’s
The focus of the night-time road work is to replace the temporary delineators currently set out along Grant Avenue in front of the Chevron station.
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See CARDOZA, Page 5
See PLANS, Page 5
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The ranks of the Winters Police Department grow stronger as Sergeant Manuel Cardoza recently joined the fold. Coming with years of police experience, Cardoza looks forward to serving the community. Choosing to become a police officer — especially these days — is not an easy decision. Its dangerous and demanding nature is enough to scare anyone away, but for Cardoza, becoming a police officer is something he’d wanted to do since he was a child. “I grew up in El Dorado County and wanted to be a cop since I was in the fifth grade,” said Cardoza. “I just wanted to help people
and becoming a cop seemed like a good job because I wanted to positively affect the community.” Fast forward years later and Cardoza’s ambition turned into fruition as he spent seven years at Placerville as a training officer and a K-9 unit officer as well as time serving in West Sacramento. Eventually, Cardoza began a search for a new community to serve, and Winters’ smalltown charm — like it does to so many visitors — drew him in like a magnet. As did the WPD’s impeccable reputation. “I wanted to perpetuate that professional reputation the WPD has and meet the community. I want to find
Council hears 2020-21 impact fee report
Jan. 05
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Jan. 13. City Manager Kathleen Salguero Trepa said the contractor for the Chevron station will construct a center median that will replace the temporary delineators and prevent people from crossing Grant Avenue.
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