February 12, 2016
 
 
By now you should have received your copy of the 2016 State of the City report; we mailed a copy to each resident and business in American Canyon last week.  I am fortunate enough to stay in touch with many of you regularly, but I also know that there are many residents who may receive their only city news once a year in this report.  We like to take this annual opportunity to update the entire community about your City's accomplishments in the year just completed and goals for the upcoming year.  If for any reason, you didn't get a booklet and want one please contact us or check it out online.
 
We also presented the State of the City report at the annual breakfast hosted by the Chamber of Commerce on February 4th.  This year more than 100 business leaders, local officials and community members attended to hear Mayor Garcia and several members of City Staff talk about the challenges we face and projects on the horizon.  The presentation included 2 videos: From Source to Tap takes you on a journey from where our water begins its path, how it is treated, and finally it's arrival to our homes and businesses and the Community, Parks and Recreation video reviews 2015 and looks ahead to fun stuff in 2016.  If you didn't have the opportunity to attend the breakfast, I encourage you to consider it next year.  

Holiday Closures

closed_red_sign.jpg
City offices will be closed on Monday, February 15th in observance of President's Day. Napa County offices, including the American Canyon Library will also be closed. 
On the Agenda...
The City Council has a very full agenda next Tuesday, February 16th at 6:30 PM. During a public hearing, the City Council will consider a subdivision map for the Canyon Estate project. This project will include 35 semi-custom homes on large lots on the east side of town, north of the High School and near Newell Open Space. The Council will also hear reports about the results of the City's 2015 financial audit and a review of our budget status currently. The Police Chief will give her annual report and discuss crime trends, successes and efforts underway at the Police Department. Finally, the City Council will hear the results of the comprehensive Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment conducted in 2015 and recommendations regarding city hosted special events in 2016.
Since our Last Update...
On February 2nd the City Council met to take action on several important items. First, the Council took final action to prohibit tobacco retailers, including hookah bars, vape lounges, and e cigarette retailers, from establishing new businesses in American Canyon. Additionally, the Council authorized staff to purchase install covered picnic shelters at Silver Oak Park, several at Veteran's Park, Community Park I and Northampton Park. We expect this project to be underway this summer and available for reservations in the fall! Click here to learn more about the project. Finally, the City Council considered an ordinance adopting new fees for developers of new projects in town. These new impact fees would help the city provide affordable housing to workers and other residents in American Canyon. The Council will take final action on this at their meeting next week (February 16).
Fire District News


Each month, the American Canyon Fire Protection District publishes an informative newsletter. Click here for the latest issue. 
BYOB
 
It's been six weeks - are you used to taking your own reusable bags into the grocery store yet?  It takes time for habits to form, we'll all get the hang of it soon.  Every city in Napa County has now adopted the ban on single use plastic bags.  If you haven't stopped by City Hall to pick up your free reusable bag, do so soon.  When this supply is gone - they're gone!
 
Buy American Canyon

What does Buy American Canyon mean? I will tell you! It means to seek here before going out there
 
Repeat after me, or just read this out loud; "I pledge to be more conscious of what products I buy, where I buy them and where I look for services."
 
It's tax season, where am I getting my taxes done? My son decided to give himself a little haircut and he did not do a good job. Where do I go to fix it? My sink is leaking, who should I call? I am looking for some help creating a pamphlet, where can I find a graphic designer to help me? I need some paper towels and a fishing pole...where do I go?
 
Buy American Canyon means that before I run to Amazon for an answer I will be aware of what is here. We have tax professionals, barbers, plumbers, and other businesses that provide jobs to many American Canyon locals and serve our community through their outreach. 
 
The Chamber of Commerce has been collecting information from more than 600 businesses the last two months. They have been verifying commercial, industrial and home-based business information. Now, they are transferring all of this data into an online directory that will be available to everyone soon. This directory will be available at the end of this month. This campaign is not exclusive to Chamber members, it was created for all in American Canyon. 
 
So we ask you, will you Buy American Canyon? Read more about it in the Napa Valley Register by clicking HERE.
Adapting to Rising Tides

February 25th Workshop - 8:30 AM - Noon
American Canyon City Hall
 
The San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) will be holding an important workshop in American Canyon on February 25th. Learn what Napa County can do to help with rising tides and the current and future flooding and other hazards they will create. Register here. Contact Nelson Cortez with questions or for more information.
Construction Updates

Kimberly Park Project
The Contractor is taking advantage of the good weather.  The picture below is the new pedestrian path that will eventually circle the entire park.  The path should be complete, up to the Elliott Drive entrance, by the end of next week.
Kimberly Park Improvement Project
14-inch Water Main Replacement Project
The construction phase of the project to replace the water main along Highway 29 is complete. All the pipe has been replaced and new valves installed. The water has been restored to all fire hydrants and fire protection systems.  We only have a few remaining domestic services that will be restored by the end of the week.  Next week the contractor will be hydro seeding all the disturbed areas. Work on the project should be completely finished by the end of next week. No more leaks! 
Composting Workshops

Closeup image of old woman hands holding compost. Senior female hands holding a handful of peat free compost
Learn how to turn yardwaste and kitchen scraps into wonderfully rich compost to use as a soil amendment or mulch in your garden. Discover the basics of backyard composting, worm composting and grasscycling. Become familiar with tools, techniques, and types of composting bins. All this knowledge on home composting can be gained at upcoming,
FREE Home Composting and Worm Composting Workshops that will be held from March through June at locations in the City of Napa, American Canyon, Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga. Interested persons can see complete details and register here. The American Canyon workshop will be held at the Senior Multi-use Center, 2185 Elliott Drive on Wednesday, May 18th at 6:30 PM.
American Canyon Visitor Guide and Business Directory

The American Canyon Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the upcoming inaugural edition of the American Canyon Visitor Guide and Business Directory. This full color guide will serve our community in multiple ways by welcoming guests during their visit.  It will also include a comprehensive directory of businesses located in American Canyon. 

To become an advertiser for this American Canyon-focused guidebook that will be distributed throughout the City of American Canyon and the Napa Valley please contact Anthony McDemas by email or by phone at (805) 603-6267. 
Parks & Recreation News

Upcoming Events:

American Canyon High School Career Day 
Wednesday, March 16th, from 8:30 AM - 1:30 PM
3000 Newell Drive, American Canyon

This is a great opportunity for businesses to educate students about their industry, network with 40+ professionals, advertise employment and internship opportunities, as well as support a great cause! Register to reserve a marketing table for your business today! Sponsored by: American Canyon High School, City of American Canyon, Kasama Lee and American Canyon Orthodontics.

Nominations for Community Service Recognition Awards
The Parks & Recreation Department is accepting nominations for community service recognition awards until Friday, March 11th at 5 PM. The five awards open for nominations include: Certificate of Community Appreciation, Organizational Award, Gateway Award, Business of the Year Award and Youth of the Year Award. Click here more information.

Look Ahead:

The Summer Activities Guide will be mailed to homes at the end of February, with registration opening on March 9, 2016!  Get an early start planning your spring and summer activities, to include our fabulous Summer Day Camp, new Middle School trips, and much more.

Click here to view our Fall/Winter Activities Guide with all the classes through March 2016.

Upcoming Activities:

Line Dancing with Evolution Soul Line Dancers
Ages 14 and up
Tuesdays
Res: $25/month
Non: $30/month
Recreation Center
The word DANCE printed on clothespin clipped cards in front of defocused glowing lights.     Note  Visible grain at 100 , best at smaller sizes

Senior Trip - San Francisco Orchid Society's 64th Annual Pacific Orchid Exposition
18+
Friday, February 26th
9 AM - 4 PM
$20 (transportation only)

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