Hoping that the third time will be a charm, the Winters City Council unanimously approved a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) be sent to the California State Department of Housing and Community Development at their regular Feb. 4 meeting. The $3.5 million grant will help fund a proposed senior center adjacent to the new Winters Healthcare building. However, the grant is an application, which means it needs to be reviewed and accepted, Winters Economic Development and Housing Manager Dan Maguire said. A similar application sent in January was not approved. “We are cautiously optimistic about this round,” Maguire said. “It is first come first served and we are ready.” The sentiment of those who spoke at the public hearing prior to the vote was they are ready for a senior center. “This is a wonderful project to get seniors out of the house,” former Winters Senior Foundation President Karen May said. “We’re not getting any younger,” Pioneer Presbyterian Church Pastor Bruce Chapman said. “Let’s do this while we can.” Better animal care The Council agreed to join in an Animal Services Joint Power Agency (JPA) agreement to look at reorganizing animal care services in Yolo County. The agreement will next go to city councils in Davis, Woodland and possibly West Sacramento for review and a vote in the weeks ahead. This phase of the JPA agreement includes development of a shared vision, mission, goal, objectives and strategic planning. An inaugural meeting of the JPA is planned for this Spring. Council member Wade Cowan is the Winters JPA representative. Housing numbers for the future As required by California law, the City of Winters will need to update the Housing Element of its general plan. Last submitted to, and approved by, the state in 2013, the next Housing Element, the city’s sixth, must be completed and submitted by May 30, 2021. In order to meet that deadline, the Council approved a Request for Proposal (RFP). The RFP will allow the council to select a qualified consultant to assist with the development of a Housing Element document that will meet the requirements of the California State Housing and Community Development Department (HCD). The process will include a combination of the following:
- Review and summation of previous the Housing Element
- Establishment of an advisory committee
- Community engagement
- Regional housing needs allocation in coordination with The Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG)
- Housing needs assessment
- Preparation of the draft Housing Element including goals, policies and programs.
- General Plan amendments—if applicable
- Environmental documentation
- Adoption and submittal to HCD.
