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Next week the nation takes time out to honor and pay tribute to our Veterans. In American Canyon, we hold a Veterans Day Ceremony to honor all current and former service members whose bravery has kept America free. Please plan to join us at the ceremony.
Wednesday, November 11th at 11:00 AM
Community Center Gym, 100 Benton Way
All City facilities will be closed on Wednesday, November 11th in observance of Veterans Day.
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Pumpkin Patch at the Pool
The American Canyon Community and Parks Foundation held the First Annual Pumpkin Patch at the Pool and it was a great success. More than 200 people showed up, ready to swim for their pumpkins. In addition to swimming, participants enjoyed poolside crafts, balloon animals, and lunch. A great time was had by all! Plan to be there next year.
Have a Happy & Safe Halloween
Halloween is fun and who doesn't like candy! Local law enforcement wants everyone to stay safe while still having fun. They have issued a great list of safety tips for parents, the trick-or-treaters and residents. Check it out.
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On the Agenda....
Next Tuesday, November 3rd, the City Council will meet at 6:30 PM in the Council Chambers. The City Council will conduct a public hearing to hear from the community about joining Marin Clean Energy. MCE is a public, not-for-profit electricity provider that gives electric customers the choice of having their electricity supplied from clean, renewable sources-such as solar, wind, bioenergy, geothermal, and hydroelectric-at competitive rates. If the Council decides to proceed, customers will have the choice to either purchase their electricity from PG&E, as you do now, or instead purchase your electricity from MCE. The Council will also discuss moving forward with our wetlands discharge permit at the water reclamation facility and, at the same time, study options for expanding our ability to process industrial wastes. This is an important step in better serving the industrial park businesses as well as improving our ability to produce recycled water. Finally, the City Council will hear an update on the water, recycled water and wastewater collection system master plan updates and discuss federal legislative priorities for 2016. Check out the full agenda HERE.
Last Meeting Follow Up
Since our last update, the City Council has held two meetings. On October 20th, the City Council appointed Rich Peterson to the Planning Commission and considered moving forward with a joint-use agreement with the Boys and Girls club. The City Council tentatively committed $350,000 to fund the joint use agreement and assure that the City will have long-term use to the new facility planned for construction in 2016. For more information about the very cool Boys and Girls Club project, look HERE. Want to watch the meeting? You can see meeting video (as well as minutes and agenda materials) HERE.
On October 27th the City Council held a workshop to discuss the many strategic plan projects underway related to water, recycled water and wastewater. The updated long-term master plans for these three systems are nearly complete. These plans will prioritize projects that will improve our systems and bring older sections up to new standards. In addition, and most importantly, we are embarking our updated Urban Water Master Plan. This important plan will evaluate long-term water demand projections, identify current water supplies, and make recommendations for new water supplies if needed. The Council discussed the importance of continuing with our water-thrifty ways even if it starts raining and the drought technically ends. Much more to come on this important topic in the coming months. The meeting video is available HERE.
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Beginning on Monday, November 9th, Recology will be replacing your green trash cart with a new grey cart. You don't have to do a thing! Just put your trash out on your usual day and when you get home the garbage will be gone and you will have a new cart. Please let Recology know if you have any questions, (707) 552-3110. |
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Floods? Really?
Although it hardly seems possible, weather forecasters are predicting a very wet winter in California. While we have been primarily focused on water conservation projects for the last year, our crews have turned their attention to storm drain maintenance, just in case El Nino really does visit us. The City's storm drain system consists of several creeks and underground drains that move rain water throughout the City to the wetlands and Napa River. Some of the rain flows openly into the creeks while some of the rain enters drainage inlets in the streets. There are several projects our crews have completed in recent weeks to help ensure we don't get caught off guard with heavy rains and everyone stays dry. For example, Rio Del Mar channel near 7-11 has been cleared, the creek aprons under roadways have been inspected and cleared, and the drainages in the eastern subdivisions have been checked. The storm drain system contains screens that prevent unwanted debris from entering the wetlands and river system; these screens have been inspected and cleared. We are repairing our second vactor truck so that we have two trucks available this winter for clearing drains if they get clogged in a hard rain.
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| | Donaldson Way Channel - Before |
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| | Donaldson Way Channel - After |
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The Kimberly Park project will improve drainage in the area and prevent the flooding experienced in that neighborhood in heavy storms. However, since the project is not yet complete, we are preparing contingency plans to be sure the new drainage basin functions properly in the event of heavy rains. Finally, are you aware that, during heavy rain, rain water leaks into the sewer system and heads to the wastewater treatment plant along with sewage? This can overwhelm the treatment plant during big storms. We are clearing one of the storage basins at the plant to allow for overflow and, within the next few weeks, the plant's filtering system will be entirely replaced which will significantly increase the amount of wastes that can be processed quickly. We need you to keep your eyes out for us! If you see a clogged drainage inlet or blocked storm drain, please report it using See Click Fix.
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Arts Master Plan Open House
Thursday, November 12th , 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Public Safety Building, 911 Donaldson Way
Would you like to see public art around town? We'd love to know what you think! What should it look like, where might it go and how should we pay for it? Drop by the Open House and share your thoughts, have a light refreshment and meet Gordon Huether, a world renowned local artist who has done many pieces of public art all around the world. Questions? Email William He.
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American Canyon Holiday Assistance Program
American Canyon Family Resource Center (ACFRC) and Toys for Tots have joined to form the Holiday Assistance Program for American Canyon families in need of assistance during the holidays. Registration will be held from 10 AM - 3 PM on Mondays - Thursdays between Monday, October 5th and Thursday, November 26th at the ACFRC (3423 Broadway, Suite D1). Click here for the flyer. Families who are interested in food assistance from the American Canyon food pantry Season of Giving program may sign up at the same times through November 20.
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Literacy Tutors Needed
The Napa County Library Literacy Center is seeking volunteers to tutor people learning how to read. Those interested in becoming a tutor will be trained for free at the American Canyon Library, 300 Crawford Way. For more information contact Robin Rafael at (707) 253-4283.
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Construction Updates|
The storm drain lines are being installed by the contractor at Kimberly Park. This work will take approximately ten days. Grading of the future parking lot will happen next.
14-inch Water Main Replacement Project
The contractor will be establishing temporary water services to the businesses and residents along Hwy 29 this week. Next week they will pothole and start establishing the bore pits.
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Water Reclamation Facility Membrane Replacement Project
The new membrane (filter) cassettes to upgrade the Water Reclamation Facility arrived this week. Starting next week, the plant operators will begin the process of removing the old cassettes and replacing them with new ones. The entire process should take 4-5 weeks. |
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Water Updates
Do we really need to rinse recyclables?
This question came in through our customer feedback program. "If we are trying to conserve water, why do we have to rinse out cans first. Doesn't Recology rinse them anyway?". We asked Recology:
"They do not have to be rinsed, however large amounts of food inside containers should be scooped out as well as you can. All containers go through a cleaning and decontamination process anyway, so you are absolutely right, rinsing is a waste of water".
We love to hear your water saving ideas. Keep them coming!
Water Conservation Status
The community is doing an awesome job saving water. For the month of October, our City used 32% less water than the same period in 2013. Please keep it up! Even when it starts raining (fingers crossed), we need to be vigilant and continue to conserve.
Vintage Ranch Reclaimed Water Conversions
Reclaimed water conversions are happening all the time in American Canyon. This week three locations in Vintage Ranch, Tower Park, Shenandoah Park, and Silver Oak Park, completed conversion from potable water to reclaimed water for landscaping. These conversions will save 41 acre feet of potable water, that's just over 13 million gallons of water a year!
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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Acorn Planting Day
Saturday, November 7th
11 AM - 2 PM
Newell Open Space
Free & open to all ages
| Veteran's Day Ceremony
Wednesday, November 11th
11 AM
Community Center Gym
Flyer |
Arts Master Plan Open House
Thursday, November 12th
6:30-8 PM
Public Safety Building
911 Donaldson Way East
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Parks & Recreation News
Highlights:
Winter Swim Registration Opens Tuesday, November 10th
Save the Date - Wednesday, November 10th is opening registration day for all of our Winter Swim Lessons! This is your chance to sign up for all aquatic programs that run from January through March.
Look Ahead - American Canyon Holiday Events
- Holiday Tree Lighting - December 3rd at 6:30 PM, at the Senior Multi-Use Center
- Snow Day - December 5th from 3 - 6 PM, at Shenandoah Park. Bring your kids to enjoy snow, sledding, carriage rides and much more!
- Santa Sleigh Visits - December 5th & 6th from 6 - 9 PM at Safeway; December 18th & 19th from 6 - 9 PM at Walmart.
- Holiday Decorating Contest - Residents can enter their home or business for a chance to win in our new categories: most twinkling lights, most white lights, most colorful, and the People's Choice award! Free to enter, register by December 11th.
- Decorating Tours - December 15th, 16th and 17th at 6:30 PM.
- I Spy the Snowman - December 15th, 16th. And 17th - Register your team by December 11th, to hunt for items at decorated houses around town, or on our decorating tour.
- Parent's Holiday Night Out - December 12th from 6 - 9 PM - Give your child (ages 5-12) a night of holiday fun with Parks & Rec. Cost is $10 (pre-register or drop ins available).
Click here to view our Fall/Winter Activities Guide with all the classes and events happening in September 2015 through March 2016.
Upcoming Activities:
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Class
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Ages/Grades
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Activity Date/Time
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Cost
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Location
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All Ages |
Saturday, November 7th 11 AM - 2 PM
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FREE |
Newell Open Space |
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6th-8th |
Session III: 11/10/15 - 12/17/15
Tue: 3 - 5 PM
Wed: 1 - 3 PM
Thur: 3 - 5 PM
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$50 (residents only) |
Community Center Gym |
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14 and up |
Monthly
Tuesdays 7 - 9 PM |
Res: $25/month
Non: $30/month
Drop in: $7/class
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Recreation Center |
For more information contact us at: (707) 648-7275
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Left - City Attorney, Sonny Bono and Deputy City Clerk, Cher entertain staff. Top middle - Parks and Recreation Director Willie Wonka with a couple of his Oompa Lumpas, Bottom - The Community Development Department won best costume at our Annual Halloween Party.
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Left - David Garcia working on a rain barrel at a recent workshop, Top middle - Rich Peterson, Planning Commission, Top right - Noel Schmitt, Parks and Community Services Commission, Bottom - Gene Sullivan, Fire Service Fee Review Committee
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