November 25, 2015
  

We've been talking about the proposed Watson Ranch/Napa Valley Ruins and Gardens project for a long time and I'm sure everyone has lots of questions.  This project includes approximately 1,250 new homes, parks, a new elementary school, a 200-room hotel and reuse of the old basalt mine ruins into commercial and community spaces.  Now is a chance to learn more!  The City will be hosting a public meeting to provide the community an overview and status report on this significant project.  Join us on December 7th at Canyon Oaks School at 6:30 PM.  We will provide snacks and childcare in case you need it.  For more information about the meeting, click HERE.  For more information about the project, go to the City's website HERE.
 
Dana
 
PS:  A very happy thanksgiving to you and your family.
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On the Agenda...
The City Council meet on Monday, November 30th at 6:30 PM to hear an update about the proposed Watson Ranch development. This meeting will be followed by a Special Community Meeting on December 7 to update the whole community (see message above for details).  
 
The next regularly scheduled City Council Meeting will be Tuesday, December 1st , 6:30 PM at City Hall.  Look here to see the complete agenda .  Occasionally we get to have fun at Council Meetings and at this meeting we will be joined by the American Canyon Cub Scouts in presenting a Certificate of Appreciation to the school janitors in American Canyon.  The Scouts selected the janitors as their Hometown Heroes as part of the scouting curriculum.  The Council will also consider authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement with the Boys and Girls Club of Napa Valley for sharing a large multi-purpose room at the new Boys and Girls Club for community use, and will consider a budget change to provide funding to pave southbound Flosden Road.
 
Last Meeting Follow Up
At their last regular meeting November 17, the City Council expressed their interest in potentially prohibiting
new tobacco and e-cigarette shops, as well as cigarette lounges, vapor bars and hookah bars.  Staff will be returning to the Council at a later date with a proposed ordinance making this change to our municipal code.  Additionally, the City Council finalized their action to offer Marin Clean Energy to electric customers in American Canyon as an option to Pacific Gas and Electric.  You will be hearing more about that in the coming months. Click here to watch the meeting. 
Construction Updates

Kimberly Park Project
The contractor is working diligently to finish up the storm drain connections before the rain hits (yes, wishful thinking!).  The picture below is of a junction box that will connect drainage from the park to an existing outlet.
A couple weeks ago about 75 people joined us in celebrating the approximate halfway point in the Kimberly Park Renovation Project.  The picture below shows attendees throwing out ceremonial grass seed for the future sports fields.
14-inch Water Main Replacement Project

This large project will replace the main water line from the airport area to South Kelly Road.  This week has been extremely productive with the installation of the first two sections, totaling 1,452 feel of pipe.  
Auger going into the existing pipe.
The technology being used is called Pipe Bursting.  Pipe bursting is considered a much safer and more efficient way to replace long stretches of pipe.  What is it exactly and how does it work?  I wondered too and this is how I understand it. 
 
First, the water is turned off in the existing pipe.  The new blue pipe is laid alongside the old pipe and as necessary is fused together to fit the length perfectly.  The blue pipe is then attached to an auger.  The auger will then travel thru the existing main and break apart the old pipe while dragging the new pipe behind filling in the space the old pipe used to occupy.  The new blue pipe will be inspected along the way, in holes that were previously dug for this purpose.  Once the pipe is completely inserted the crew will pressure test for leaks before the final connection to the water main.  

Water Reclamation Facility Membrane Replacement Project

Membranes are used in the water reclamation process to help clean the water.  We just replaced the 12 year old membranes after they filtered approximately 6.5 billion gallons of wastewater. 

New membranes.
 44 new membranes were installed and will provide more capacity and are easier for the Operators to clean and repair.  

Old membranes.








Audible Pedestrian Signals

Audible pedestrian signals, the tweeting bird sounds that you sometimes hear when you cross the street, have just been installed at the intersection of American Canyon Road and Highway 29.  These PedHeads as they are often called, will improve pedestrian safety in this area.
Tis the Season to be Green
 
Between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, Americans throw away a million extra tons of garbage each week!  Sustainable Napa County has some practical ideas about how to make easy and cost effective changes that will help reduce waste.  Read more here.

Upcoming Events 

Thursday, December 3rd
Beginning December 5th
Saturday, December 12th

Saturday, December 5th


We're Proud to be Home to Mezzetta
 
Did you know that American Canyon's own Mezzetta produces more than 200 different products?  Did you know they are the number 1 producer of peppers and olives in the entire United States?  The history of Mezzetta is very interesting and was the subject of a recent article in the Napa Valley Register.  Check it out.
Grant Funds to Help Homeless Veterans
 
Congressman Mike Thompson has helped secure a $145,101 grant from HUD Veterans Affairs to provide seventeen Section 8 housing vouchers to veterans.  The vouchers will be earmarked for use at Valley View, the future senior housing project on Theresa Avenue. Click here for more info.

Small Business Saturday - November 28th 

We've all heard of Black Friday, no explanation needed.  But have you heard about Small Business Saturday?  It reminds us that we need to support our local business men and women.  It supports the whole community too because the more successful local businesses are, the more likely other businesses will locate here.  This provides the customers with more shopping options and more revenue for the City too.
Now Might be the Time!
 
Have you been thinking you'd like to get more involved in Local Government?  This might be a great way to ease in!  Four positions are currently open for American Canyon residents; two on the Open Space Advisory Committee, one as the City representative on the Napa County Mosquito Abatement District Board and one as the City representative on the Napa County Measure A Financial Oversight Committee.  Applications are due by 5:00 PM, Monday, December 7th.  Check here for more information and an application.

Sandbags
 
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Our Public Works Department has received quite a few calls related to sandbags and the upcoming winter. The City's Corporation Yard has a sandbag station available to American Canyon residents Monday - Friday 8 AM - 4 PM. The station is self-serve and stocked with sand and bags, bring your own shovel. We will establish other stations as needed and provide that information in future updates and on our website. Call Public Works for more info at 647-4550.
Parks & Recreation News

Highlights:

On this long holiday weekend, we encourage you to join the national movement to #optoutside.  We have some amazing outdoor resources to enjoy including the Wetlands trails, Wetlands Edge Linear Path and Newell Open Space.  The following week our exciting lineup of fun holiday events kicks off for you and your family to enjoy this season. 

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. 16th, 
Feb. 27th, 
Mar. 26th


$10/class

Varies

Young People's Performing Arts

6-18

Session 2 
Jan 9th - Mar 12th
Weekly
Saturdays
12 - 1:45 PM


$130
($30 materials fee paid to instructor)

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