WELCOME TO CITY OF WHEATLAND eNEWS

March 7, 2023 Issue No. 33

WHEATLAND FIRE AUTHORITY

WATERCRAFT RESCUE

The Watercraft Rescue/ Levee Patrol Program, recently initiated by the Wheatland Fire Authority (WFA), has commenced training of its personnel and is soon to be fully operational. The program has been made possible through the generous sponsorship of various organizations, including the Yuba Water Agency, South Sutter Water District, Yuba River Endowment, Heaven’s Gate, and Dell Webb. WFA finds it commendable that multiple organizations have come together to support the implementation of a program that will benefit the community by enhancing emergency response capabilities. The training of WFA personnel further demonstrates the commitment to ensuring they are well-prepared to handle any potential water-related emergencies that may arise.

MEET WHEATLAND'S

NEW FINANCE DIRECTOR

Steve Wong began work as Wheatland’s Finance Director on January 10, 2023. After 15 years of serving as the Finance Manager with the South Feather Water and Power Agency (SFWPA), Steve retired from that position in December 2022 to assume the Finance Director role with Wheatland. His responsibilities at SFWPA were similar to the duties assigned to Finance in Wheatland, including utility billing, accounting and financial reporting, budgeting, cash management and investments, project accounting, receivables, payables, payroll and assistance with the areas of personnel and risk management. Steve also has previous work experience with the City of Chico, County of Sacramento and the Woodland Joint Unified School District.

Different from the local government finance field, Steve and his wife Valerie owned and operated a number of sandwich, ice cream and bakery stores in Chico for some 20 plus years. They thoroughly enjoy spending time with their three adult children and spouses and four grandchildren!

Steve also serves on the Board of Directors for Campus by the Sea, a Christian camp and conference facility located on Santa Catalina Island, and Steve and Valerie serve as leaders for an Asian Bible Church.  

WHEATLAND POLICE CHIEF

DAMIEAN SYLVESTER

TO RETIRE IN JUNE

Wheatland Police Chief Damiean Sylvester will retire in June of this year. Chief Sylvester has served as the city’s top law enforcement official for the past three years. Recruitment for Wheatland’s next Chief of Police is underway.

During his tenure, Wheatland PD started several key programs, including Vacation Watch, the School Resource Officer Program, and the implementation of body-worn cameras.



“We will miss Chief Sylvester and the positive energy he has brought to the PD and the City of Wheatland team,” stated City Manager Jim Goodwin. “We are again seeking a highly qualified Chief to lead our department.”

CITY COUNCIL APPROVES REGIONAL SEWER PROJECT DESIGN, ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW, AND FRAMEWORK FOR AGREEMENTS WITH OLIVEHURST PUBLIC UTILITIES DISTRICT

At the regular meeting last Tuesday evening, the City Council took more key steps toward implementing a regional sewer solution for Wheatland’s future. During the meeting, the City Council approved the final engineering design for the first 8-miles of a new 13.5-mile pipeline connecting the Wheatland community to the wastewater treatment plant operated by Olivehurst Public Utility District (OPUD) along with the environmental review of the project. In addition, the City Council approved frameworks for two agreements with OPUD, an Interagency Capacity Purchase Agreement and an Interagency Operations Agreement. Approval of final agreements will be considered by the City Council later this year.

Wheatland and OPUD are currently applying to the California Water Resources Control Board, Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) for full grant funding for construction of the pipeline project. That application will be submitted this month.

CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS ARE THE SECOND AND FOURTH TUESDAYS OF EACH MONTH

The Wheatland City Council meetings are on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. Agendas are posted the Friday prior to the meeting at the following locations: 111 C Street, 404 Fourth Street and 424 Front Street on the side of the building that faces the Village Pharmacy. In addition, the agendas can be found on the website at wheatland.ca.gov. Agendas and minutes from prior meetings also are available on the website. The City Council meetings are held in the Community Center, 101 C Street. City Council meetings start at 6:00 p.m.