Check out the new Citizen Request System called engagEPetaluma App

engagEPetaluma AppengagEPetalumaOften I walk around our city and disgusted by vandals tagging our beautiful downtown.  Previously I always had good intentions on calling it in, but would often forget. It was not an efficient process.  I am pleased to report that it is now a lot easier!  The City of Petaluma recently released a New Citizen Request System engagEPetaluma app you can download to your smart phone. Using this app I was able to quickly take a photo of the graffiti from the app and report it to Public Works.

This is how it works.

First download the app to your smart phone – I am using an Apple iPhone so I went to the Apple Store and searched “engagepetaluma” and downloaded the app.  When downloaded it takes just a minute or two to set up your account.

IMG_0954After launching the app on your smart phone, click on the large ‘+‘ icon in the bottom middle of the screen.  You will get another screen that prompts you to choose which service you are requesting to report.  In my case today, I wanted to report graffiti. It then showed my location on the map and it automatically fills the location of where you are requesting the service (So Public Works knows where to find it). It then prompts you to take a photo from your device – which I did and shown below.

engagEPetaluma Service OptionsIMG_0953 engagEPetaluma Add Photo of Service

Graffiti Petaluma Photo I took of Graffiti I was reporting to Petaluma Public Works.
Graffiti Petaluma
Photo I took of Graffiti I was reporting to Petaluma Public Works.

Almost immediately I received an email confirming my service request.

Public Works Email Confirmation

A very short time later I received an email indicating that someone from Petaluma Public Works posted the following comment on my service request:

Stephanie Oefinger:

Thank you for your submission, we value your feedback. We will make every effort to address your request in a timely manner. Thank you, Public Works & Utilities Department

Dec 29, 2015,10:18 PM UTC by Stephanie Oefinger (This is visible to Everyone)

Soon after that I received another status update indicating that the work order was “In Progress”.  On the website link that is provided in the email I was able to see all the other requests and statuses Public Works is working on.

City Works Map of Projects Submitted

I encourage everyone to download the engagEPetaluma app and start using it today. It took a few seconds of my day to stop and report something and it was extremely easy to use.  I am sure it will take a few days for them to get around painting over this tag, but at least Public Works knows about it and is working on it.

VIDEO: Do You Know What The California Water Conservation Laws Mean To You?

The California drought continues.  In the video below the City of Petaluma Public Works and Utilities Department director Dan St. John and Petaluma Mayor David Glass discuss water conservation.  As many know as a result of the California drought Governor Brown implemented mandatory water cuts and conservation.  What do those laws mean to Petalumans?  This video does a good job of breaking down the new ordinances into something you can understand (what you can and can’t do).  They also talk about what City of Petaluma has done and is now ldoing to meet with  usage restrictions.

This video is about 30 minutes long, but well worth watching to the end.

Please share this with other Petalumans.

City of #Petaluma Declares May 2015 “Health Care District Month”

Photo: Back row (from left to right): Suzanne Cochrane, PHCD Executive Assistant/Board Clerk; Elece Hempel, PHCD Board President; Front row (from left to right): Andrew Koblick, PHCD Controller; Ramona Faith, PHCD CEO; Tami Bender, Lifeline of the North Bay Home Service Representative, Healthquest Instructor and HeartSafe Community Lead Role; Tina Deason, Healthquest Coordinator and Instructor; Maria Larsen, Lifeline of the North Bay and Healthquest Program Manager

City Council Vote Pays Tribute to Petaluma Health Care District’s Work and Promotion of Health Care Awareness and Options in the Community

Petaluma Health Care District logoPETALUMA, Calif., May 5, 2015 – Petaluma Health Care District (PHCD) is pleased to announce that the Petaluma City Council voted last night to declare May 2015 as Health Care District Month. This declaration recognizes the essential role PHCD plays in Southern Sonoma County and the importance of creating and promoting health and wellness programs, services and initiatives that contribute to the health and vitality of the community.

Photo by BETH SCHLANKER/ The Press Democrat
Photo by BETH SCHLANKER/ The Press Democrat

In celebration of Health Care District Month, PHCD has formally launched its new website, www.phcd.org, and released its 2014 Annual Report, providing easy-to-access information and resources pertaining to its many community health programs and services. Throughout May, PHCD will be present at various local events, educating Southern Sonoma County residents on the district’s role in the community, including how to access its services and programs. These events include the Petaluma Kids Gran Fondo race, the Tuesday East Side Farmers’ Market on May 26 and the Saturday West Side Farmers’ Market on May 30. PHCD will culminate this month-long celebration with a breakfast in appreciation of its community partners. PHCD will also share information throughout the month on social media via its Facebook page.

From PHCD Website Lifeline Emergency Response
From PHCD Website Lifeline Emergency Response

“It’s an honor to receive this formal recognition, which we see as a platform to prompt awareness of the fact that we are here every day advocating for the health and well-being of our community. PHCD has a multitude of offerings and benefits related to community health, education, partnering efforts, and emergency and acute care services, as well as programs in place for our residents to access,” said PHCD CEO Ramona Faith. “Our belief is that good health is a state of complete physical, mental and societal well-being and not merely the absence of disease – and it takes a dedicated collaborative effort in today’s world to keep people educated on healthy habits and choices, as well as to provide access to high-quality medical care.”

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