December 11, 2015
 
 
I was happy to see so many of you at the two Watson Ranch development community meetings.  We had standing-room-only crowds!  If approved, this project would add 2,500 new homes to American Canyon over the course of five or more years as the project builds out.  American Canyon currently is home to 5,600 families, and the project could add some new amenities for both our current and new families, including a possible community center, parks, a hotel, winery, restaurants, a wedding venue, and other attractions for residents and visitors alike.  I appreciated hearing everyone's ideas and questions at the meetings, and we are following up with the developer on each of them.  We know traffic, water, schools and parks are of great interest.  The most important message I can send:  educate yourself and stay informed.  We want to hear from you.  We will schedule more meetings and outreach opportunities in the coming months.
 Dana
 
PS:  Our next edition of the Friday Update will be a special "all holiday celebration" edition and will be sent on December 23rd.  I'm looking for stories about your non-profit, school group or neighborhood and projects you have undertaken this holiday season to help others in our community.  Food drives?  Adopt a family?  Send me your story and photo, and I'll get it in the next special update.  Let's show everyone how giving AmCan can be this season.  Respond to this newsletter, or email me directly.
On the Agenda...
Our next regularly scheduled City Council Meeting is Tuesday, December 15th at 6:30 PM.  The full agenda and each staff report detailing each item are available here.  Several items of interest will be discussed including a Public Hearing to consider the ban of Medical Marijuana cultivation, processing, deliveries and dispensaries in the City.  The Planning Commission will join the City Council to consider approval of  a Conditional Use Permit for Phase 2 of the Napa Logistics Park.  Napa Logistics Park is located south of the Napa County Airport and west of Hwy 29.  Phase 1 of the Park is a 646,000 square foot, single story warehouse that is currently under construction, expected to be complete early in 2016.  Phase 2 is anticipated to be more than 2 million square feet of industrial development.  Also scheduled for this meeting is further discussion about water supply for 2016 and selection of a consultant to update our long term water supply plan.
  
Last Meeting Follow Up
Since our last Friday Update the City Council has held three meetings.  On November 30th and December 7th the Council attended workshops to discuss the proposed Watson Ranch development.  Between the two meetings we estimate approximately 200 people attended to hear more about the project and to ask questions.  These meetings provided a broad overview of the project and additional workshops will be held in the coming months to discuss topics such as Water, Parks, Transportation and Fiscal Impact.  Stay tuned to this newsletter and our website for more information.
 
At the regularly scheduled City Council meeting on December 1st the City Council approved an agreement with the Boys and Girls Club of Napa Valley for sharing a large multi-purpose room at the new club.  This is an exciting opportunity for the City, it will allow us to increase our recreation programming and also provide much needed space for the community to use for meetings and gatherings.  The Mayor also issued a heart-warming proclamation on behalf of local cub scouts to their Hometown Heroes.  The scouts selected the City Council and local school janitors as this year's heroes.  See a picture below. Watch the meeting video here. 
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Let Nature Love your Lawn!

The weather is cooler and we've had some rain, but that doesn't mean the drought is over. We've had many reports lately of sprinklers being on while it's raining. Hope it's not you -  please take a few minutes to check your irrigation system! The water-wasting restrictions are still in effect.


See Water being Wasted?
Report it on SeeClickFix
or call (707) 647-5382
Construction Updates

Kimberly Park Project
Wet weather is not delaying the Kimberly Park Improvement Project.  The contractor has been installing curbs for the new parking lot.  The forms are being built, concrete is being poured, and as you can see below the finish work is underway. 


14-inch Water Main Replacement Project
The huge project to replace the water main along Highway 29 continues. This week the contractor connected to existing water service at Tower Road, shown in the photo below. 

Landscaping Work on American Canyon Road East and Newell Drive
Two projects will be considered at the December 15th City Council meeting to reduce the consumption of potable water in the Vintage Ranch/Zone 2 LLAD area. These projects will replace turf in the medians on American Canyon Road East and Newell Drive with water-efficient plantings along with switching overhead spray irrigation to drip irrigation. These projects will save water and meet the requirement of the State's prohibition of irrigation of ornamental turf in road medians. If approved, we expect work to begin before the end of the year. 

Utility Work - American Canyon Road
The City has issued an Encroachment Permit to the Zayo Group to  install approx. 1 mile of fiber optic cable on American Canyon Road East. Work will start on Monday and will take about 3 weeks.

Coming Soon! Flosden Rd. Resurfacing 
The southbound lanes of Flosden Road from American Canyon Road to the Southern City limits will soon be getting a much anticipated facelift. During the school winter break (December 21 - January 11) there will be some inconvenience and lane closures. Grinding, overlay, and striping will be completed by a contractor over a two-day period. Weather permitting the project will be completed in time for the New Year! 
Coming Soon - No Plastic Bags!

January 1st will be here before we know it, and the beginning of the New Year marks the end of plastic bags in American Canyon.  The toughest part is remembering to put bags in your car and then remembering to take them in the store.  Start practicing now!  To help you transition we have a FREE reusable bag for you! Stop by any City facility beginning December 21st and pick one up!
Wildlife Guests for the Holidays

Not sure if it is drought related or a combination of things, but there has definitely been more wild things checking out residential property this year.  We need to share the earth but seeing raccoons and possums looking in the back slider might be a bit much.  There are a few things we can all do to help: 
  • Do not leave pet food/water outside at night
  • Do not intentionally or unintentionally feed wildlife
  • Pick up any unwanted fruit and nuts that have fallen from trees
  • Secure vegetable gardens with netting or covers, if possible
  • Don't make it easy for wildlife to take up residence on your property
  • Don't leave old unwanted items, like furniture rotting outside
  • Keep your shed closed when not in use
  • Check for crawl spaces underneath the shed or other nesting spots
  • If storing vehicles in the back yard, make sure the windows and doors are closed
And finally, remember to be good neighbors.  Keep your pet under control, off of property belonging to other,s and always pick up after them. Click here for a list of local resources for assistance in dealing with animals. Click here for information about who might be able to help with feral cats.
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College Scholarship Program

American Canyon High School needs help supporting this year's seniors as they prepare to attend college next year.  Click here for more information and donor forms, or contact Christina Ramirez at (707) 653-1429.
Keep Your Home California 

Keep your Home California was established as part of the U.S. Treasury Department's Hardest Hit Fund. This federally funded program, allocated nearly $2 billion to help eligible low and moderate income homeowners in California avoid preventable foreclosures. Know someone who might need help with their mortgage?  Click here for more information.
Toys for Tots

American Canyon Fire Protection District in conjunction with the United State Marine Corps Reserve is sponsoring a "Toys for Tots" drive.  New unwrapped toys for children up to the age of 16 are being accepted throughout the City. For anyone wishing to provide a financial contribution in lieu of toys, please drop it at the American Canyon Fire Protection District, 911 Donaldson Way East, American Canyon CA 94503. All personal or corporate donation checks can be made out to "U.S.M.C. Reserve Toys for Tots Program". 
 Click here for more information.
Fire District News
 

Each month, the American Canyon Fire Protection District publishes an informative newsletter. Click here for the latest issue. 
City and Fire District Checks Issued 

The City of American Canyon and American Canyon Fire Protection District issue accounts payable checks on a weekly basis. Check registers are generated detailing payments to vendors which include check number, check date, invoice number, payment amount and a brief description. To access the check registers, click here
Vanna's Looking for a Home

A-D-__-P-T M-E! Need to buy a vowel? Good thing we have Miss Vanna here for ya! Vanna is an absolute doll and she's house trained. She is beyond friendly and loves her sides scratched. Her bark is unmistakable (sort of a "woo woo woo" instead of a "ruuufff") but I clearly have a hard time explaining it so you better get down to the shelter, hear her tell you how much she loves you and complete the phrase by buying a vowel and bringing Vanna home!" Click here to find out how you can adopt her.

Photos from Around Town...
Upper left:  Local Cub Scouts selected School Janitors as their Hometown Heroes of the Year
Upper right: The annual Reindeer Run attracted more than 200 runners this year!
Center: 25 AC High School students participated in Senior Shadow Day to learn about local government
Bottom left and right:  American Canyon Community & Parks Foundation dedicated a water fountain at Wetlands Trail Head
Parks & Recreation News

Highlights:

We had a great turnout for our Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony and Snow Day events! 
The cast of LIVE 105's new morning show, Kevin Klein Live joined us for our annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 3rd. Mayor Leon Garcia kicked off the festivities by lighting American Canyon's holiday tree. Santa rode his sleigh over from the American Canyon Fire Department, to find out what the kids want for Christmas, and holiday treats were provided by the Lions Club. 

When you bring snow to the Bay Area, word gets out fast! Thousands of people attended our Snow Day event, sponsored by American Canyon Pediatric Dentistry, Encore at 32 Dental, and American Canyon Orthodontics. Activities, included sledding, snow play, carriage rides, inflatables, balloon animals, face painting, train rides, crafts, and a costume contest for dogs. It was great to see so many residents get into the holiday spirit! We're busy planning a way to get those lines moving faster next year!

 

We still have plenty of holiday fun left this season!  Bring your family to these exciting events:
  • Parent's Holiday Night Out - December 12th from 6pm-9pm - Give your child (ages 5-12) a night of holiday fun with Parks & Rec.  Cost is $10 (pre-register or drop ins available).
  • Santa Sleigh Visits - December 18th & 19th from 6 - 9 PM at Walmart.
  • Holiday Decorating Contest & Tour - 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 calling (707) 648-7275. Tours run December 15th, 16th and 17th at 6:30pm.
  • I Spy the Snowman - December 15th, 16th. And 17th - Register  to hunt for items at decorated houses around town, or on our decorating tour by calling (707) 648-7275.
Click here to view our Fall/Winter Activities Guide with all the classes and events happening in September 2015 through March 2016.

Upcoming Activities:

Nature Photography
All ages
Jan 16th, Feb 27th, Mar 26th
4-5 PM
$10/class
Location: Varies
Young People's Performing Arts
Ages 6-18
Session 2: Jan 9 - Mar 12
Weekly on Saturdays
12-1:45 PM
$130 ($30 materials fee to instructor)
Location: Senior Multi-use Center
2185 Elliott Drive
Line Dancing with South Evolution Line Dancers
Ages 14+
Tuesdays 7-9 PM
Res: $25/month
Non: $30/month
Drop in: $7/class
Location: Recreation Center
2185 Elliott Drive

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