City Council - Regular Meeting

Hi. How are you? I'm good. I was going to say you vote and you voted today, right? You voted today. I actually voted I don't know a week or more ago, but I get to wear it today. Gotcha. Otherwise, it's doesn't stick anymore. Yeah, that's true. How's the uh what you call it? The the what the street Yeah. Yeah. There it is. I'm glad like a nice gray color and purple or something. [laughter] It'll be fun to see the kids enjoy themselves. Yeah, I thought actually was going to be Hello. I'm great. How are you doing? How are you? The gray suit great suit day today. yelling at you. I am secretly not matching. Hey, and at 8:00 we're going to find out what happened. It is so nice. Does anybody have New Jersey results? New Jersey election was answered. All right. Sure. Good evening everyone. I will call tonight's uh regular meeting city council for November 4th, 2025 to order.

Let's stand together and proudly recite the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Uh, madame clerk, would you kindly call roll call, please? Yes, I will. Council [clears throat] member Brando Cruz, here. Council member Melissa Lamatina, here. Council member David Oro, here. Vice Mayor Mark Joseph here. Mayor Pierre Washington here. Uh report on close session and confirmation reportable action. Madame Attorney, will you are you ready [clears throat] to just to present from tonight? Yes. Thank you, mayor. The council met in close session to first discuss uh matters relating to public employment uh public employee performance evaluation for the city manager. Secondly, conference with legal council regarding existing litigation. Several cases there. Um, city of American Canyon versus City of Valleo. Valo versus City of American Canyon. Um, I'm not going to read all of the case numbers. It's uh in the agenda. And then finally, oh, and uh a new matter, American Canyon 1 LLC uh versus City of American Canyon. That's new litigation. And then finally we also the council also discussed a matter of anticipated litigation direction was provided so far to on some of the matters to legal counsel and staff. No action has been taken. it. Uh I believe that the mayor and council may wish to go back into close session,

adjourned close session after tonight's meeting and uh continue to discuss. But as of now, there is uh no direction taken, just um I'm I'm sorry, no action taken, some direction provided to the city attorney and staff. And that is the end of my report. Thank you, mayor. Thank you, Miss Heismith. Moving on to proclamations and presentations tonight, we have an update from our own Napa County Supervisor for District 5, Belellio Ramos. Good a good a good evening, mayor and councils. This um this time change has got me a little sideways. I don't know about you, but in my middle age, it's hitting me a little bit harder and harder each uh year. It's a pleasure to be before you. Anyway, it's been a few months and I always try and make sure I come and tell you what what we're we're up to at the county. Um that relationship for you to understand what we do at the county, how it relates to the city and the services we're providing to our residents countywide is incredibly important. So, I thank you for this opportunity. I did have um some leavebehinds that I think the madame clerk sent to you and I'm going to start with the first one and that is our strategic initiatives and we didn't do a strategic plan um uh with the board of supervisors but uh I we had an amazing opportunity two new colleagues and it's a great opportunity to get together and see what that thought process is and and how we're going to prioritize uh what means most to to us and what we're able to bring. And so we really came through with these four pillars of building healthy connected communities, championing environmental sustainability and resilience, preserving Napa County's agricultural legacy, and elevating county service and workforce excellence. And I think that these are really important because it really speaks to if you look at from my perspective, you see what's at the bottom and it's our

workforce that is making all of these things lift up. We know that our agricultural heritage through the agricultural preserve is very much a part of who we are in Napa County and we've got to make sure that we sustain that going forward. But we also know that we have the the pressures of climate change and wildfires and everything else that mother nature brings our way. Luckily, we haven't had locust yet. But we know that that is that's all a very everpresent uh threat to our community. And we've got to make sure that we are not only prepared, but we are also resilient when those disasters do occur. And so this is really looking forward as to how we're going to do that. And I can't think of a better um segue into the next one of the importance of building healthy and connected communities. We know that county services, that's a safety net. We provide for the most vulnerable uh residents of our county. We are constitutionally obligated to do so. um because it's my personal opinion if we weren't I don't think anyone would actually do it. It is incredibly hard work but it is work of the heart and making sure that we have those healthy communities is important. Um and right now I mean I'm always a champion for counties but right now I've got to say counties are by far the greatest champions that our our residents have. And that is because the federal shutdown has created such an incredible impact. um disproportionately affecting our most vulnerable residents within our community. And so just to put it into context, I'm sure you everyone has heard about um the CalFresh disruption that is the SNAP benefits disruption from the federal government in Napa County. We have 10,700 residents that are receiving SNAP benefits for a total distribution monthly of 1.9 million. um 20% of those

are your neighbors here in American Canyon. And I and I want to stress that, you know, it's I think really important to understand what this program does. What this program does is it provides safety net. It provides safety net food so that people aren't having to make those really difficult choices between med medical care and rent. And so making sure that our families are fed is a top priority. We do have a policy at the county of no backfill for what what failures may happen above us at the state and federal government. So in order to ensure that we are adhering to our to our budget policies, we actually did declare an emergency. We allocated $1 million for emergency food aid. Um, we have utilized a a uh dis uh grocery gift card distribution program that was actually utilized through um by the city and county of San Francisco. And it's going to allow us to give $50 gift cards to those um those households that hold EBT cards. And that is happening this week. And while you may have heard that there was a judge that said you have to use the reserves and it's all this technical stuff, the judge actually didn't say how much they had to fund. The federal government had to fund. They are only funding half of the monthly allocation. Eventually, when this government does open up again, um people will receive their benefits. Those are entitlements. They are entitled to receive that money. But in the meantime, um I want to assure you the Napa County Board of Supervisors is making sure that we are not going to let people go hungry. I do want to provide um a website and that website is nap food access.org and napoodaccess.org org is where we have all of the fresh uh fresh food um distributions where you can where you can go into the food banks and to the food pantries if you are an EBT recipient where you can receive the

supplemental services that we are providing um at this very moment. And I just I want to say from the bottom of my heart an incredible thank you to the food bank who has stepped up to Winston's Cup. Winston's Cup is a subdivision um a nonprofit through Winston's uh bakery in Napa and they are providing a free meal to any family that shows up with their EBT card on November 12th. Um no questions asked. They could eat it there. They could take it to go. That's incredible. And to the Napa Valley Community Foundation who has been our fiscal sponsor and being able to help us maneuver and distribute all of uh these cards. It is an incredible lift. Oh, and also the Napa Farmers Market. The farmers market is continuing their market match. Even if someone's EBT card is at zero, they will automatically give them $50 to be spent at the Fresh Food Farmers Market. Um, it takes truly a village. And so what I would say to everyone, I'll give as an example. Um, a lot of you know, Friday nights for my kids, we have sushi. and um my children gave up sushi until this whole issue is is resolved. So, we will be donating our weekly sushi outing um to one of our nonprofits that is that are helping us. So, I just uh would ask for those that are able to um to please uh be generous and for those that do need assistance, please make sure you go on to to that website. One of the things we've been working on in the county um is and it's incredibly important when you look at equity and what it means. You need to meet people where they're at. And so that is exactly what we have done. We have two rolling vehicles. We have the Napa County Probation Department and we have the HHSA Be Well mobile services. And so what these are, these are outreach vehicles to make sure that we are able to provide resources

for probation. you'll be able to go into this vehicle and actually participate in cognitive behavioral therapy. Make sure you have your check-ins with your probation officer. There will be no enforcement actions. This is really a resource and um I'm so incredibly proud of our probation department for for coming up with this idea and really um getting out and and deploying it. our HS HHSA be well um vehicle is already having rotating locations um throughout the the county. I know that they are excited to be finding one uh here in American Canyon. I may or may not have suggested that they call the city manager for that location. So you could look forward to that call coming so we can make sure that the be well program is also here and there you can receive sustainability services um like enrollment of calresh health screenings cow works um and other resources long ago you may have heard um I'm sure s council member Mark Joseph is here but we heard supervisor Codwell my predecessor talk about the re-entry facility and the re-entry facility was a great thing in concept with the state of California helped us build a facility that was going to be a dy staffed probation and correctional facility. And then uh the residents of California changed criminal justice laws. And what they did is that what would have been a population between 80 to 95 uh criminal justice clients that could be serviced at the re-entry facility to be there at night receiving cognitive behavioral therapy and to be released to work during the day. That population shrunk to eight because of the readjustments of misdemeanors and felonies in the state of in the state of California. What that translated to, in order to open that facility with the

minimum staffing that would be required, it was going to cost us $86,000 per client in the building. Frankly, there was no way I was ever going to do that. Um, so we sat on it and we sat on it for a while. Um, but we have found a a new way and what we have found is that this is going to make a great behavioral health treatment center uh within an investment from the community uh corrections partnership and with the county of Napa. We're going to make sure that we are transitioning this into a mental health rehabilitation center, a sobering center and to really be able to bring the next level of treatment into Napa County. I am incredibly excited for what this will be. Um it will be different in in layout. Um the bones are going to stay the the same on the outside, but I look forward to sharing uh what that programming and how we're going to move forward on that going. Now, the important part is we own this building free and clear. Uh, next I I think you all all know housing is something that is incredibly near and dear to my heart and um at all levels whether it's uh addressing the unhoused, whether it's affordability or whether it's just the supply of housing. The truth is we have a lot of concerns here in terms of housing. One of the things that we looked at, we commissioned these four reports and these four reports um are available on our on our website and they're really really great because what they they they talk about is even if a family can afford the rent, they can't find a place to rent. And so the state of housing looks at the healthy mix of housing that a community needs to have. I don't need to go further than here to tell you we don't have condominiums. That is entry-level housing. Entry level housing is important so that you can have that

cyclical change of housing. Those transfers that are happening is revenue into the county, revenue into the city, and without that movement of housing. We experience that problem here in American Canyon. People buy an incredibly large house, more than what they need, and then they just sit on it. And we actually don't have properties moving um throughout. We also commissioned a farm worker uh needs study and what we really found it was just to solidify what we knew. We need more family farm worker housing. We have a lot more female farm workers and so that single male farmworker center model is certainly not going to serve us into the future. Then we went into the needs assessment and this is really like what is it that we need to plan for? Um that was really helping us all of this was helping us inform what do we need to do in terms of housing impact fees. Um you may have um heard uh we raised the housing impact fees at the at the county of Napa. They are phased in over a three-year period. Um, but what we're really looking at is making sure that the burdens that are in that are increased by development in the county and the unincorporated county are being accounted for. And so, um, all of these very, um, detailed and informative reports were commissioned by Generation Housing out of Santa Rosa that will be having a greater presence here in Napa County. Um, next, uh, the general plan. general plan is, you know, something that we most definitely um you know, it's it's one of those I would say one one once in a career type move, right? The last time this was updated was in 2008. I I wasn't sitting at any one of these seats in 2008 and it's time to take a look. And so we are starting with our baseline data report. our baseline data report is, you know, where we're

seeing where are we now so that we can truly take that inventory and be able uh to move forward. And so we have a series of workshops that are coming up next week. And I definitely encourage you um to share this uh let us know. It's important that we have a presence and input from American Canyon, from the South County. There are in-person workshops available. There are also virtual workshops available. Um, next I um I'm happy to share last year with the help of the Arts Foundation, we had a very successful first student art contest. And to me, I think one of the things in and why I'm doing this is there's nothing like this here in in the fifth district in the southern portion of the county where we are recognizing um youth artists and the work that they bring forward. And so we are doing it again. This is part of our of the district 5's community grants program and in partnership with the arts foundation. And what is exciting is that we will have an artist reception on December 10th. I've provided uh you the council with a flyer. I would ask if you know anyone reaching out to teachers um anyone in the community that you think is is even if if they don't think they're a good artist that's what we want to encourage right we want to encourage those expressive um features of our of our young kids. So, the reception for the artists will be at on December 10th at 4:30. And of course, anyone is welcome to attend. And then you just stick around for our open house. And this is District 5's open house. One of the things we're doing countywide. Each of the supervisors is hosting an open house. And um I I am excited. We'll have the high school

choir will be getting uh us started. If you weren't able to purchase a ticket to their holiday concert, you can come hear their warm up here at City Hall just downstairs. Um, and we're really uh excited to be uh now celebrating one year of being here and I am so incredibly grateful to the city for that partnership. I can tell you, I was just sharing with Fran and Beth that I I I'm so grateful to have this office and those relationships and city staff walking in and my inbox has gone down, Jason. You don't email me as much because you just walk in the door and I very much appreciate that. And I think that um I'm I'm kind of shocked that we did it any other way for the first eight years that I had the opportunity to be your supervisor. So, I just want to thank you. I'm happy um to answer any questions. We are generally here at city hall on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Um Melissa is always here. Um my MTC schedule as I am serving as a commissioner right now in the Metropolitan Transportation Commission has me out two of those Wednesdays, but I come in in the afternoon. Uh and uh sometimes on Wednesday afternoons, you'll even see my son and his bike uh in in the office coming to to grab a a Coke Zero. But stop by any time and um and please let us know one if you have any questions or two if there's any way that that we can assist. Thank you. Uh thank you Supervisor Ramos and and for keeping us well informed. Um and I also want to acknowledge that I I heard that you were also collecting food downstairs for people. So thank you for what you're doing for for those who need the assistance. We do have a few questions. Uh starting with Council Member Lamatina. Thank you for that presentation. Um, a quick question about the uh be well. Is

that able to make it to Beressa or No, it it is able to make it to Beressa. And so what um how we are structuring is making sure that we are staffing it and understanding it right now in those areas that we know we have a greater population. It will require greater coordination, but I know that there are discussions to even take it out to like the Pope Valley um the farm center and and other places. We do have fire stations that we can locate it out at. Um but really we're trying to assess the greatest impact. So if we only have about 10 clients out there, might be better to to travel out there separately instead of just the the be well. Great. Thank you. Of course. Uh any other questions? Seeing none. Again, thank you for what you do for You can say something. No, I was Oh, okay. Thank you for what you do for American Canyon. We appreciate you representing us so well. Thank you. Thank you so much. [applause] Uh we have one presentation or actually one proclamation uh which is item number five for Veterans Day. Do we have a recipient for Veterans Day? Beth. Beth. Beth. [laughter] Thank you, Beth Marcus. You're welcome. I'm going to read the proclamation and then allow you an opportunity to kind of give uh Excuse me. Mayor, is your microphone turned on or maybe you need to speak a little bit closer to it. There we go. Speak up. Can you hear me now? Testing. Testing. Better be right in front of it. Okay, it's all close now. Thank you for coming up, Beth. I'm going to read the uh proclamation for Veterans Day 2025. the city of American Canyon proclamation veterans day 2025 whereas November 11th is annivers is the anniversary for ar and I'm going mispronounce this but arm

armush signed by the allies and the German in 1918 which ended world war I after four years of conflict president Woodro Wilson issued the first the first arm arm mutis I know I'm tearing it up but uh Armuas Day proclamation in November of 1919 and set the tone for further observations. Uh and whereas the name changed from arm arm mut which is lucky for me to veterans day by the act of congress in 1954 when President Eisenhower called on citizens to observe the day in honor of all who had served in America America's war through the years. And whereas the city of American Canyon recognizes the significance of lasting contributions made by our veterans who have dedicated their lives to the service of our great nation. And whereas the history of the United States is rich with the deeds of those American Canyon residents who have served in our armed forces in honor and distinction. And whereas today we recognize these courageous men and women who represent the best of our nation and our community have to offer. And with their service, these veterans have proven that Americans freedoms are worth protecting. And whereas the community is deeply grateful for the sacrifices made by each and every veteran and their families. and we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that they receive the care, support, and respect they deserve. And whereas we invite American Canyon community to join us in honoring the brave men and women who have served our country at Veterans Day ceremony on November 11th, 2025. The ceremony will

take place at 11:00 a.m. in the American Canyon Middle School Gymnasium. Together, we proudly recognize and pay tribute to the veterans of the past, the present, and the future. Now, therefore, I, Pierre Washington, on behalf of the city council, do hereby proclaim November 11th, 2025 as Veteran Day in American Canyon. [applause] I guess it's my turn. Yes, Beth. I don't know where my fellow U members are, but anyhow, um I stand here not only on behalf of myself, but I had a an uncle and a brother and a granddaughter that was all in the service. And uh I'm proud of our our continued um presence. And all I can say is that when I went into the service, I went went in hoping I could fight, but I wasn't allowed to at that time. They, you know, the only way you could go to war is if you were a nurse, and I wasn't a nurse. But, um, I tell you what, if they had me today, I would go back and do whatever I had to do. But it it was I look back at it now and I think it was sort of the best time of my life because it really is rewarding to do something for your country and not just for for you. And I try to carry that through by um continuing to do things with our community here by volunteering to do whatever I can. Um that's where you learn and hopefully instill it in your your children, your grandchildren and my great-grandchildren. So, thank you for this um and you always set a great example for the community, me. So, thank you for what you do. Thank you for your service. Thank you and Brando and everybody else here who is uh also um veterans. Okay, we're going to come up and take a picture with you up here.

[applause] Perfect. Thank you. And as everyone knows, I'm really glad that they changed the name to Veterans Day. Uh, moving on to public comments. At this time, I'd like to open up public comment for any items that are not on tonight's agenda. Do, madame clerk, do we have any? I do. I had two speaker cards. I'm gonna call Nancy Nebrinski. Hello, Nancy. Hello. Um o over the last three years there has been a group playing pickle ball and today there were 16 of us out there. O

over the over the week there is usually 50 50 to 75 people playing either basketball, tennis, pickle, pickle ball, and then there's a children's playground. We're we're requesting based on the fundamental need that we have at least one portaotty, but two would be nice out there. We and and also the drinking fountain is is been broken, but there's plenty of people out there. It's the the you know where the pickle ball courts are, too. And then we have another request. Thank you. You'd like to introduce yourself? Yeah. Hi, I'm Susan Watkins and uh thank you for allowing me to uh do a brief talk and um so I'm grateful to be retired here in American Canyon and we have a lot of uh great people that I've met recently as I uh take up pickle ball in addition to tennis and um it's it's uh getting a bit tough actually with only one tennis court and two pickle ball courts to actually time you know we actually talked to the different groups all talked to each other and say, "Well, what time are you guys going to be there? What time are you going there?" But it's it's kind of tough to to try to use so to to get access to the courts when there are so few. And um so I know the over on Melvin um Road, the two tennis courts there have really not been usable for a long long time. Uh they have a lot of cracks in those courts and um the if you even try to the tennis balls are all gritty if you get done playing there. And uh so I didn't know if there was a plan. Um we've been told that uh it was on the list for those courts to be redone. And uh so just wanting to inquire um whether uh there's a plan for redoing the the courts on Melvin Road and whether that's just

going to be for tennis or whether we might do a similar thing uh as on Elliot Drive where there's a combination of tennis and pickle ball for all the enthusiasts out there. Thank you. Thank you, Susan. And thank you, Nancy. I have no other speaker cards. I have no hands raised online. No one online. No hands raised. No one inside the room with their hands up either. I'll close uh public comment. Uh and return to council for any agenda changes on the agenda. We have uh four items hearing. None. Now, may I will entertain a motion? I'll make that motion to approve the consent calendar. I'll second. Thank you. We have a second. Madam clerk, can we do a roll call? [clears throat] Council member Cruz. Yes. Council member Lamatina. Yes. Council member Oro. Yes. Vice Mayor Joseph. Yes. Yes, Mayor Washington. Yes. Thank you, madam clerk. Uh, next is public hearing. We do not have any public hearing items for this evening. So, we'll move on to business items where there is one business item number 10, energy independence and affordable act letter of support. And I would ask Mr. Holly, do we have a speaker for that? We have someone online. I'm going to move her over and just a representative from Congressman Thompson's office will be joining us up on the big screen. Okay, here in a moment. There's Anna. Anna Chateau. Anna, can you hear us? You're muted.

There we go. Hi. Hello Anna. Speak a little closer into your microphone if you could, Anna. And we're ready when Okay. Yes. Go ahead. Can we hear you a little bit better, Anna? Just a little bit. Is there something wrong with the audio? I tested it. It's It's okay. Okay. All right. Good ne Good evening, everyone. Thank you for having me. I am Anna Chau. I am a representative for Congressman Mike Thompson. And I'm here tonight to respectably ask for the mayor and the council's support for his American energy independence and affordability act. This is his commitment for lowering costs, creating jobs, and a clean environment. This important legislation restores critical clean energy tax incentives that help families and small businesses and local governments reduce costs, which I know you will like. It creates jobs and also secures Americans energy futures. So communities like American Canyon are on the front lines of the rising energy cost. And the transition to cleaner, more resilient economy. So this we we're calling it the green energy bill is really going to how we're going to have clean energy tax credits for solar, wind, and advanced manufacturing as well as for energy efficient homes, commercial buildings, clean vehicles. All of that's going to have a direct impact in our community. So, it's really going to make it easier for homeowners to improve energy efficiency, allow small businesses to lower overhead costs, and enable our local governments to modernize public infrastructure while while saving taxpayer dollars. So, I really hope that you can support it tonight, and I'm here if you have any questions. Thank you, Anna. Uh, are there any clarifying questions or concerns from the council? Vice Mayor,

nothing to clarify, but uh I'm happy you're bringing this forward. I'm happy the congressman is trying to push this uh issue again. I know he was instrumental in in building it as part of the inflation reduction act. Uh so my attitude is I liked it the first time, I I'd like it again. So uh I'm certainly supportive of of doing something to uh endorse that from our perspective. Thank you. Vice Vice Mayor. Uh if there's no other questions, I'll open it up for public comment for any questions on item number 10 for Anna. Anyone in the room have any questions? Seeing none in the room. Madam clerk, do we have anybody online? Nothing online. Thank you. Well, Anna, it seemed like it's going to be a short evening for you. We appreciate the information and we know that you're working hard for our Congressman Mike Thompson. So, thank you for what you do as well. Um, and with that, I would like to make a motion to authorize the mayor to sign a letter of support for the Federal Energy Independence and Affordability Act. We have a motion. Do I have a second? I'll second. We have a second. Madame Clerk, can you do roll call, please? Council member Cruz, yes. Council member Lamatina, yes. Council member Oro, yes. Vice Mayor Joseph, yes. Mayor Washington, yes. And thank you again, Anna, and have a good night. Oh, thank you so much. Thank you all for your service. It's such a joy to hear you do your business and see what good hands American Canyon is in. So, thank you. Good night. Thank you. Good night. Night. Uh, there's no other business item, but we now have the manager and staff and oral reports. Mr. Holly, uh, we don't have any other updates, mayor. Thank you. And this night is just a quick reminder, Veterans Day ceremony is next Tuesday at 11. Okay. Okay. Thank you. So then we'll just move on to our mayor and council

comments and committee reports. Starting with you, Mr. Vice Mayor. Well, uh I don't have anything to report other than to reinforce what Supervisor Ramos uh mentioned earlier. The uh her office and the art foundation is sponsoring that fall student art contest. So, if you're young, um, or even if you aren't, if you're a middle schooler or a high schooler in the fifth district, get that photography, that painting, whatever. Get it in turned in. The deadline is November 14th, next, not this Friday, but the Friday after. Thank you. Thank you, Vice Mayor. Council member Oro, I have nothing to add. Council member Lamatina, nothing to report. Council member Cruz. Yeah, Mr. Mayor, thank you. Just a reminder again on 11-11 at 11, uh, we have the veterans um, event at the ACMS. And for those also that would like to attend another veterans event, there's one in Bonicia at the Veterans Memorial Hall. Um, that's going to be at on Sunday 11:9 and it will start at 8 o'clock. That's all I have, Mr. Mayor. Thank you. Okay. And if I understand correctly, that for veterans is a free breakfast. Yes, Mr. Mayor, that is a free free breakfast. I understand um Assemblywoman Lori Wilson Wilson will be there in attendance as well. Okay. Um I don't have anything else to report, but I do want to acknowledge that my neighbor Cynthia is here today and just want to say thank you for coming out. Thank you. Um, and I believe a reporter from the current was here earlier, uh, Miss Griffin, and, um, it was nice seeing her as well. Other than that, uh, we've had a light calendar, and you're about to say something. I wanted to just follow up on the public comment. If we could get a report back on, uh, the portaotties at Elliot Park uh, and some idea of the Melvin Park

renovation schedule. um either now if you've got it or or at a future council meeting. I don't have it now. Staff's going to be in touch with the residents and give them some information. Then I'll have a report for council um as a whole uh later on this week probably. Perfect. Thank you. Thank you. And any other future agenda items hearing? None. Quick evening. So we've concluded our business for this evening. We are ajourned. Good night American Canyon, but we are going to go back into close session. Right on the top.