November 13, 2015
  

Class #2 of the City of American Canyon Citizen's Academy survived their nine weeks of schooling, plus a facilities tour, and are now proud graduates!  This brave and fun-loving group climbed a fire ladder, studied leaking water pipes, learned more than they wanted to know about our sewer system, saw a life guard rescue demonstration, learned about drought tolerant plants, discovered where our money comes from, had a chance to "plan" the highway, and much, much more.  Jealous?  Well, we will do it all again in the spring.  It's a great chance to learn more about your City, plus it's fun.  Watch this update for announcements in the spring.

Dana 
City Manager
 Graduates from the Winter and Fall 2015 Citizen's Academy 
Academy Tour of the City's Water Treatment Plant
Academy members looking at the complexities of the Broadway District
On the Agenda
Next Tuesday, November 17th, the City council will meet at 6:30 PM in the Council Chambers.  This week the City Council will discuss regulating or limiting new retailers that sell primarily tobacco products, e-cigarettes, cigarette lounges, vapor bars and hookah bars.  Feel strongly about these businesses, one way or another?  Attend the meeting and let the City Council know your thoughts.  The Council will also consider final adoption of an ordinance authorizing the City to join Marin Clean Energy.  A Public Hearing was conducted at our last City Council Meeting.  For more information, see the next paragraph.  To see the whole agenda, go HERE.

Last Meeting Follow Up
At our last meeting the City Council held a Public Hearing to discuss joining Marin Clean Energy (MCE).  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.  Customers will have the choice to either purchase their electricity from PG&E, as you do now, or instead purchase your electricity from MCE.  After discussion the Council decided to move forward with an Agreement to officially join MCE.  For more information about this topic, look HERE.  The City Council also discussed our wastewater system, analysis of treatment options for industrial waste, and the new master plans for our water, wastewater and recycled water systems.  To watch the City Council Meeting, you can watch the video HERE.
Fire District News
 
Every month, the American Canyon Fire District prepares an informational newsletter. Click here to read the latest edition.
Click on the flyers for more details.



Construction Updates

Kimberly Park Project

There is a whole lot going on at Kimberly Park.  The parking lot has been graded and the foundations for the lights will be started next week.  The contractor is also working on the irrigation and the storm drain system.

14-inch Water Main Replacement Project

This week the contractor replacing the 14-inch water main along Highway 29, confirmed locations of existing utilities and began the layout of the new pipe.  You've probably seen all the blue pipe along the southbound lane beginning at the airport. Next week the pipe will begin going into the ground.

Napa Junction III

Construction of Napa Junction III and Canyon Ridge Apartments is under way. All the rough grading has been completed and the under slab plumbing for the apartments has begun. 
New Street Name Signs

Our streets crew recently installed new street name signs at Elke Drive and Donaldson Way. This is the first set of street name signs with our new City logo and the larger letters now required by the State. As street name signs are in need of replacement they will be updated to the new style.

Water Reclamation Facility Membrane Replacement Project

The new membranes come with some assembly required.  There are 11 new membranes per train and our crew has completed 3 trains so far.  One more set of 11 membranes for Train 1 will be installed next week and this project will be complete.  The crew is fast and ahead of schedule, way to go!

Watson Ranch Update

Progress continues on the Watson Ranch development application.  This proposed development, located on 300 acres northeast of Napa Junction, will include up to 1,250 new homes, several parks, a new elementary school, a hotel, community plaza, amphitheater, and visitor- and community-friendly retail such as restaurants and a winery.  The City continues to study the impacts of this project on water demand, traffic, parks, schools, wastewater, city services, and other matters.  The project will require approximately 350 acre feet of water each year; the Water Supply Assessment report is nearly complete and will be presented to the City Council in December or January.  Analysis of the parks, school location and size, wastewater system and plan for neighborhood design is just about complete.  At the end of November, we expect the applicant to submit an updated Specific Plan which will provide a lot of detail about the neighborhood and the rehabilitation of The Ruins for commercial use.  The most important analysis - traffic impacts- is also nearing completion.  As discussed with the City Council previously, the project will build additional street connections from the project westward to the highway, but not extend Newell Drive to the north.  We will be presenting all these reports, nearly complete, to the City Council and community in the coming months.  Keep an eye on our Watson Ranch webpage for updates.
A Message from Recology Regarding Cart Update

If your cart was not exchanged this week, it will be exchanged next week on your normal service day.  Please place your trash cart out like you normally would and after it is emptied, another truck will come by to replace it with a new cart.  The recycling and yard waste carts will be exchanged after the new year.  Thanks for your help! If you have any questions please call Recology at (707) 552-3110.
Driver's License Option for Veterans

The 11,000 veterans in Napa County are now eligible to receive a driver's license identifying their service in the United States Armed Forces through a new statewide program. Beginning Nov. 12, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will be issuing driver's licenses with the word "veteran." 

Local veterans can visit the Napa County Veterans Service Office (CVSO), which is located at 650 Imperial Way in downtown Napa, and complete the DMV application. Veterans will need a certified copy of their discharge papers (DD-214) showing they received anything other than a dishonorable discharge or that they served in a Guard or Reserve component and were mobilized for federal active duty. The new driver's license means veterans will no longer need to carry their discharge papers to show proof of military service. Click here for more information. 
American Canyon Holiday Assistance Program 

bright_wrapped_presents.jpg
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.
Tinsel

Little TINSEL is still looking for her forever home!  November 19th will sadly be her one-year anniversary at the shelter - she's hoping someone would like to share some holiday cheer early with her and take her home. Click here to find out more about her.
Parks & Recreation News

Highlights:

Veterans Day Ceremony - Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Thank you to all who attended our Veterans Day Ceremony this past Wednesday, November 11, 2015. More than 300 residents came out to show their appreciation for current and former service members. The ceremony included patriotic songs performed by the ACMS Choir and Journey Day, US Army presentation of colors, and prayers for the troops. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by American Canyon Boy Scouts, Pack 178.

Speakers, Sgt. Ellen Hatfield, and Mayor Leon Garcia reminded us that many veterans carry the physical and emotional wounds of combat long after their tour of duty ends.  We must support these brave men and women, not just on Veteran's Day, but every day. 
Photo by J.L. Sousa_Napa Register

Look Ahead - American Canyon Holiday Events
Click here to view our Fall/Winter Activities Guide with all the classes and events happening in September 2015 through March 2016.

Upcoming Activities:

Class
Ages/Grades
Activity Date/Time
Cost
Location


All Ages

Jan. 23rd, 
Feb. 20th, 
Mar. 19th


$10/class

Varies

Young People's Performing Arts

6-18

Weekly
Saturdays
1:45 PM


$130

Senior Multi-use Center
2185 Elliott


14 and up

Monthly
Tuesdays
 7 - 9 PM

Res: $25/month
Non: $30/month
Drop in: $7/class


Recreation Center
2185 Elliott

For more information contact us at: (707) 648-7275