City Council - Regular Meeting

going to direct you straight to your seat.

Have a good one, sir. Good evening everyone. Uh we will commence our meeting for this regular city council meeting for April 7, 2026. Let's all stand and proudly recite the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance 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, can you kindly do roll call, please? Yes. Council member Brando Cruz here. Council member Melissa Lamatina here. Council member David Oro here. Vice Mayor Mark Joseph here. Mayor Pierre Washington here. And thank you Teresa. Uh report on close session confirmation of reportable actions. Uh Miss Highmith.

Thank you, Mayor. The city council met in close session this afternoon with legal counsel to receive a status report on five matters of existing litigation. Uh case the first case city of American Canyon versus City of Valo and the following cases are city of Valo versus American Canyon at all. three other different cases and then finally American Canyon one LLC versus City of American Canyon. So of uh those are the five existing litigation matters. Direction was provided to legal counsel. No action was taken. Additionally, the council received a briefing on a single matter of anticipated litigation and again direction was provided to legal counsel and staff and no reportable action was taken. And that is the end of my report, mayor. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you. Uh moving on to our proclamations and presentations. Tonight we have two proclamations and one presentation. The first proclamation will be item number three, proclamation for April 2026 as art month. Um, if there are recipients for the arts foundation for arts month, I'll read the proclamation and then um I'll provide you an opportunity to kind of give us some feedback on your thoughts. Uh, but reading

that's right. April 2026 as arts month. Whereas the arts, including visual and performing arts, literature, music, and craft are essential facets of a vibrant, dynamic community, enriching the lives of all who create and experience them. And whereas the celebration of arts during the month of April recognizes the contributions of artists and art organizations while encountering or encouraging public participation in the arts. And whereas the art plays a critical role in the cultural, educational and economic vitality of our community, fostering creativity, innovation and unity across diverse population. And whereas through workshops, exhibitions, performances, and readings, art month will showcase the rich catastrophe of artistic talent within our community, providing a platform for artists to inspire and to be inspired. And whereas engaging with the arts during April enhances our appreciation for the many ways art enriches our lives and underscores the importance of supporting the arts year round. And whereas the American Canyon Arts Foundation, one of the oldest community organizations in American Canyon, continues to maintain, enhance, and support the role of arts by bringing artists and community members together through recreational, cultural, and economic programs, events, and exhibitions. Now therefore, I, Pierre Washington, mayor of American Canyon, on behalf of the city council, do hereby proclaim April as art month in American Canyon and call upon our community to celebrate and participate in the arts. Let us recognize the support of the artists and the art organizations that contribute to the culture we the cultural wealth of our community and encourages one another to explore,

experience, and express creativity through arts. So, thank you.

Okay. Um, thank you so much uh to everyone on the council and the mayor as well. Um, I'm coming from the Arts Council Napa Valley and I'm their uh program and admin manager uh Christa and I just wanted to highlight some programming that we've um had the pleasure of being able to support in the past all through the American Canyon Arts Foundation. So, um, in the past, we've been able to support, uh, several of the, uh, festivals and cultural celebrations that you've had, such as the, uh, Hispanic Heritage Celebration, the student art and music festival and art extravaganza. And we are looking forward to, uh, supporting future events. Uh, arts of different cultures has been so prevalent here, especially the Filipino culture. I've really enjoyed what I've been able to attend personally as as well as um you know what we've been able to um help share information about in the past. And then um I also wanted to highlight some things going on this month um here in American Canyon. There are um continual uh library programmings including craft kits, workshops, story times, and then one of my personal favorites is music time in the library where they come and bring instruments for kids to see and touch and interact with. So, um and those are programs that are happening all the time. It's not just in April. So, go enjoy your local library and also what is going on this month at the um Yes. Thank you.

All right. Hello. Hi

everybody. Um, it's a pleasure to be here. I'm the my name is Karen Borby and I'm the newly elected president of the American Canyon Arts Foundation. We have so many dreams and uh plans that I'd love to share with you, but it might take too much time. I will let you know what's happening in April. And if I have a little extra time, I'll give you a little insight into what we're looking at having happen here in American Canyon. In April, this coming Saturday, we have a fundraiser for the high school art students who want to go to Italy and have an art experience. Uh it's a sip and paint from 5 to 7. Uh 24 a person or $40 for a couple. So, there'll be wine and food and painting and uh a little bit of entrepreneurialism. I think they're selling buttons and some auction items just to get some tickets to go to Italy this summer. So, that's if you can make it, please join us. Uh number two is we have something that's new and it's called Third Thursdays and it happens every month. this month is an open mic and it's uh whoever shows with whatever they want to share is what goes. So, you know, not maybe not for the faint of heart because you just really do never know. It's usually very entertaining. Um and then finally, if April had 31 days, we would be able to put the ukulele event on the calendar. It happens to be May 1st. And with us in the room today are who's hosting it, Rowena and Willie. They have started a ukulele jam here at our uh classrooms where everybody gets together. The rooms bursting with song, with bodies, and uh that leads me to uh how we'd like to spill out into what I'm going to call our courtyard because we're getting too big

our following, which is great. So, it's going to be in the micogic uh multi-purpose room, so everybody can come and that's May 1st from 6:00 to 8:00 and it's free. Okay, so that's what's happening in April. I mentioned the courtyard. Uh we we have prettied up our classrooms. We uh now look s much more sophisticated and uh we're going to be um we have plans we don't have permission quite yet but we have plans for a mosaic that will be community uh that there will be the community participating in many of you probably will be among those who will be invited to participate and you certainly can request you don't have to wait for an invitation there's a lot of wall so there's the uh that project and um yeah, just getting the courtyard to a place where it's inviting and safe. Well, it's already somewhat that way, but it's not inviting. Okay. It needs a little work. So, that's what's up. Come uh come visit us. Come on a third Thursday. Come any any old time.

Thank you. Thank you, Karen. And the American Arts Foundation represents the very best of what makes American Canyon and our community united. And I would be remiss if I didn't ask the face of the arts foundation in my opinion at least for Mark if you have a couple of words you want to kind of mention. Uh you can always join the foundation and you can always give us money. How's that? I knew we had to do something with money. And I'd be remiss if I didn't mention our latest board member on your other side. Oh yeah. I didn't know that. Mayor. Good to know. So, thank you for those comments and then we'll come up front and take a picture with you.

Oh. One moment please. Thank you. Okay. Our next proclamation will be um sexual assault awareness month and I know we have some people from the news here to take to uh be recipients. So if you want to go up I'll read the proclamation give you an opportunity to kind of give us some feedback and tell us all about all the great things you're doing. Um reading the proclamation sexual har sexual assault awareness month April

2026 whereas news domestic violent and sexual abuse services provide safety support and advocacy for those experienced sexual abuse. Whereas this year we honor 25 years of sexual assault awareness month and the shared commitment to end sexual assault, abuse and harassment. Whereas rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment harm our community and that and that statistics show that over half of the women and almost one in three men have experienced sexual violence and that sexual violence affects women, minors and racial and ethnical minority groups. Whereas this sexual harassment awareness month, we underscore that we believe survivors, that we believe violence has no place in our homes, our schools, our community, and that we believe safety, dignity, and respect are privileges, but they are the respect are not privileges, but are the rights of every individual. Whereas by observing April as sexual assault awareness month, we show that our city can lead with courage and in commitment to supporting survivors and to preventing sexual violence across generations. Now therefore, IPR Washington, mayor of American Canyon, on behalf of the American Canyon City Council, do hereby proclaim April 2026 as sexual assault awareness month. and I call upon the entire community, not only in April, but all year long to take action to end sexual violence, dated April 7, 2026. Thank you so much, Mayor Washington, and to the members of the council. My name is Tracy Lamb, and I'm the executive director at News Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse Services. And what I'm about to say is difficult and maybe

triggering. So, I just want to kind of give a warning about that. Um, I know it's not as joyful as art. Art is such a beautiful expression and a healing thing for a lot of people. So, I appreciate what you're doing. Um, when I was a child, we were taught about stranger danger. But no one told me that harm could come from someone I trusted, a coach, a teacher, a stepbrother, a neighbor. No one explained how confusing it would be to find the words to describe what happened or how terrifying it would be to speak them out loud. Children and adults alike wonder, "How do I tell someone? What will happen to my family? Will I have to talk to the police? Will I have to go to court? What if they don't believe me?" We don't want to imagine that sexual abuse happens as often as it does. But awareness requires honesty and honesty requires courage. This year's sexual assault awareness month theme is we believe. Those two words matter deeply because for every survivor who comes forward, there are so many more who remain silent. carrying a burden that can last a lifetime. That is why having a confidential safe place to speak with a trained sexual assault counselor is essential. At news, our providers provide that that place, that safe space where survivors are heard, believed, and supported. Bringing attention to this issue and ensuring that this the county of American Canyon and our whole community helps that exist. And that's why we ask for these proclamations to be read each year. They're not just symbolic gestures, but they are public commitments to say to survivors, you're not alone. We believe you and healing is possible. We are culminating the month of April with an event that's happening on May 3rd at 2 o'clock in Napa. Um it's called Walk a Mile Napa Valley and it will start at the Napa Yard Oxbow Gardens across from Oxbow Market and it's just a

onem walk and it's a way to stay in a visible way. We're together. We believe and we support and we demand an end to sexual violence. So, if you'd like to register, if anybody would like to participate, we invite everyone to come and join us. And we want to thank the city of American Canyon for all the ways that they support us and the work that we do. And we also accept money. No, I'm just kidding. Um, but I do I do have the um the information in English and Spanish um to share with you. And I'll just leave that I'll just leave that here. Thank you very much for the time. I appreciate it.

Uh, and Tracy, I told uh the mayor of Napa, uh, Scott Sedgley, that you were coming tonight, and he wanted me to ask you, why aren't we able to wear the red shoes this year? Um, well, we really wanted to make a statement that um, it wasn't just about walking in women's shoes. It was about walking in anyone's shoes that maybe you're not comfortable with. And we really thought that it was a more inclusive way um, to bring that to everyone in the community. Although Scott Sedgley did walk in high heel red shoes for a couple Yeah, a couple years. Yes, thank you. Um I bet that wasn't comfortable. He walked a lot more better than I did in those shoes. So, but

I can't walk in those shoes. So, I I commend you for doing it, but it does send a powerful message about the discomfort um that people go through when they're dealing with these kinds of issues. So, please come out and walk with us. Again, wear some shoes. You don't have to wear red heels, but you could wear some shoes that maybe you're not usually comfortable walking in and bring a team and send a message and we'd love to see you all come out. I'll definitely be there. And I wanted to make sure that you know that I appreciate what you do because what feedback I've been getting back from a lot of people, both men and women who have used your services have said you provided them a place where they didn't become a victim twice. So, thank you. And we're going to take this picture with you.

Thank you. Everybody over to my Congratulations.

Uh now we have a presentation on mosquito abatement and if you could introduce who you are when you come up.

Good evening. My name is uh Wesley Mafay. I am the general manager of the Napa County Mosquito Abatement District and have been for more than 28 years. I have 38 years in mosquito control. And I'm here to talk a little bit about the district. Some of y'all have heard this before, some haven't. And also to sort of remind folks because this is that time of year where managing the water in and around the home is everything. No water, no mosquitoes. It's a very simple formula. It's real easy to overlook breeding sites. It's real easy to uh sort of forget or become complacent. And that's one of the biggest challenges that we have as a district because we cannot get into people's backyards. When I started, you know, back when the dinosaurs roamed the earth, uh it was much easier. People didn't care. You just did your job. Everybody was happy and on you went. So, let's uh just get the ball rolling here a bit. See if I can do this. Okay. What happened to the Okay, let's try this then.

Oh, okay. She said use the mouse. So, all right. So a little brief overview about the district. We were formed in 1925, August 17th in fact and we have been managing mosquito population in in this county ever since. Uh we have nine full-time staff including myself. We cover the entire county all 789 square miles. Knoxville calls we are there. That's how it works. Uh we not only um perform mosquito control, but we also manage ground nesting yellow jackets. You find a yellow jacket nest in the ground, we will show up. We will take care of it. Uh the district utilizes about 3.4 million in funds every year to do this work and most of that is work in wetlands. The majority of our work is mosquito control. We also provide information and advice to the citizens concerning rodents, cockroaches. Um, if there's an insect they want identified or some other information that uh they're interested in, if we can help them, we will or we direct them to the right resource. Um, in terms of general mosquito biology, so I'm sort of moving through fairly quickly here. Keep in mind that there is the egg, the immature, the pupa, and the adult mosquito. The immature stages require water. The key is to eliminate the water where you can or to tightly screen it or cover it or control access. If mosquitoes cannot get to the water, they cannot breed. If there's no water, no bugs. Same story, same message. ways that you can manage mosquitoes. The ways that we do it and the ways that citizens can do it primarily it's physical control. Physical control means dumping the containers, sealing or

eliminating access to water. Um, in some instances, we will be involved with wetlands restoration projects because there's information that we can provide. Wetlands are a good thing when designed and managed properly. When that doesn't happen, you will have lots of mosquitoes as is exemplified by the trap that I set yesterday and went and picked up this morning and there were over 2,000 of these things inside this trap. And it was at a small wetland uh near uh South Napa. So it is a very very big deal uh when you're talking about managing the water. So physical control that is the best. It is the least toxic and done wisely and carefully can also be the least disruptive. You have biological control. That's using mosquito fish. That's using bacteria that specifically will affect the immature stages of mosquitoes. You can also use a radiated mosquitoes. We don't do that. Um, and you can use sterile male techniques. So, there are a number of different ways that you can biologically manage uh these insects. You can also use predators, although there's limited effectiveness depending on when uh the time of year, the species, etc. Third method is chemical control. This is the least preferred and has the potential to have unwanted impacts. So we try not to do that. That's our last resort. The best method is public education. You get the word out. You help folks. You educate. You remind them. And you have to keep reminding folks. Listen, I forget. I had a bucket in the backyard where I live and I forgot about it. And yeah, we got eaten alive. So you got to remember, manage that water. Now, in terms of American Canyon, we have an intensive surveillance program here. So, we do set out traps. We collect mosquitoes. Not all species carry disease. Nap County has 20 different species, but only about eight

of them are a real problem. And only about three or four of them actually carry diseases. Those particular mosquitoes that carry diseases, we will gather them. We send them to UC Davis. We test them for virus. Here in American Canyon in the last 10 years, only three times have we had or detected positive mosquitoes for Westnile virus. And when that happens, we are on it like ticks on a hound dog. We get this sucker done because we don't want these things out and about. Where we have found it has primarily been in and around the sewage treatment plant. Uh in terms of service calls, about 32% of our calls are yellow jacket, 40% are mosquito and the remainder are moreformational or folks are interested in mosquito fish. And so we call that sort of other uh let's see. So again, you'll see the message at the bottom. The key to minimizing human mosquito interactions is to effectively manage the water in and around your home. And sort of this diagram is just a reminder. There are so many places that mosquitoes can breed and it takes very little water. In fact, I think I brought a U. Well, yeah, here it is. So, depending on the species, they can breed in something as small as a bottle cap. Takes almost nothing for these guys to be off and running. clogged gutters, the little drains in the lawn, the sumps, the storm drains along the streets that don't drain properly. These guys, if they can find the water, they will and they will breed in it. Uh, so this just sort of reminds folks that there are so many different things where water can collect and mosquitoes can take advantage. But let's talk about what I'm really here about, which is that there is a new player and it is called the

yellow fever mosquito 80s egypti. Now it was introduced to California and became established around 2012 2013. It is now widespread in Southern California. It is also fairly widespread in the central valley. There have been active populations that are established that have now been found in Santa Clara, Solano, Contraosta counties, including last year a detection at Mare Island. So this is a really really big deal. This mosquito, it's called an ankle biter because it tends to stay low, meaning it most of the biting activity is from the knees down. It is specifically adapted to human behavior, meaning we leave our bottle caps, our potato chip bags, whatever it is that we're collecting water in or that we've forgotten about, this insect will find it and it capitalizes on it. One of the challenges is that this insect has many uh survival strategies. One of them being skip over position, meaning it lays an egg in one yard, lays an egg in another yard, and it just keeps on going. So, you can't just target one area and say, "I found the water. We're done." Doesn't work that way. This this is not a oneanddone bug, and it's really tough. It's also resistant to a lot of the traditional adulticides or pesticides. So, the key is going to be managing the water. the the significant message is that it's going to be a community effort. It can't be mosquito control. It can't be the citizens. It has to be both of us. And as a community effort, it's far more effective. Also, you never get them all, which means you have to be diligent and you have to keep targeting this insect. So, you look for it, you find it, you eliminate it. So, let's talk about a couple of habitats. So, you have this little saucer at the bottom of this little plant. You see where the water's collected? It's in there like nobody's business.

Burmelads, very popular plant. And what happens is water will collect in the leaf axles like you see in this photo where you see what looks like grains of sand. Those are immature mosquitoes. And it took advantage of this and it's just going to town. You also have, and people forget about the refues that can be in the IV or anywhere in the yard or even an uncovered little area that they're planning to take to the dump and they just haven't done it yet. the water collects, you get the mosquitoes. Children's toys, another popular place. And lastly, I mentioned the bottle cap because this bug really likes small sources and it's very cryptic in its behavior. So, it's very, very hard to find. So, I just wanted to sort of remind folks that we really need to be looking for the water sources. If there's questions, please call the district. phone number is uh 707-553-9610. We're happy to come out. We're happy to provide information and we really want to try to do this work with the least impact possible. Open up for questions. We appreciate that presentation, Leslie, and um the reminder. Council member Lamatina,

I just have a question about yellow jackets because I do have a nest in my yard. I'll be calling you. Not a problem. How do you do you just dig them out or you poison them or you How do you

We use a pythine dust. So, what happens is if it's a ground nest, we can only do ground nest. We're not licensed for anything on structures. That's a very different license. That said, if it's a ground nest that's been found, they're coming in and out of a hole, which is typically the case. Our guy will come out, puts on a moon suit. It's a bee suit to protect himself from being stung. We ask that the pets be kept indoors because they get curious and the yellow jackets will nail them. Come out. We have a little bulb duster. We stick a tube down in the hole. We dust it. You're going to have some very angry yellow jackets for about a day. And then about 36 to 48 hours later, the nest is dead. It's done. We use a pythine dust because we know that sometimes skunks uh will dig up the nests and they'll eat the grubs. The pythan doesn't harm the skunks. Uh it's very specific and that's how it's done.

Thank you. Good. And thank you again, Leslie. We appreciate the presentation and the reminder of how to manage mosquitoes. Thank you, sir. Thank you for having me. At this time, I want to open up uh the floor for public comment on items that are not listed on tonight's agenda. Uh you'll have three minutes to make your statement. And please begin by stating your name for the record. And I'll go to you, madam clerk, for the call. I will call Terren McGrath, please.

Good evening, Terry. Good evening, mayor and city council members. My name is Terrence McGrath and I'm the developer owner of Watson Ranch. I'm here tonight uh to reiterate my desire to work together cooperatively on our outstanding issues as we did in mediation for 10 months in 2025. Litigation is not our preferred path and going to court is the last resort. I'd like to avoid it at all costs if humanly possible. So, first a couple comments on the lawsuit. We filed that lawsuit because we ran out of time since the tolling agreement had expired and we needed to protect our claims under the contract. We cannot dismiss that lawsuit, but there's an easy solution. ressigned the tolling agreement just like the one the city recently signed with Pro and Tory and Steve Riley. On a personal note, I know you were upset when I sued you individually and personally. I get it. It was not vindictive on my part. Trust me, it was intended to get your attention to show you the seriousness of the issues. Obviously, we dismissed it within a couple of weeks, but I'm sorry for any hard feelings or issues it created for any of you individually or collectively. So, my main purpose of being here is to address the ballot initiative, i.e. the notice of intent, which we delivered to the city last Friday. It's called your vote, traffic relief, northern access. Now, that's what we named it. Obviously, the city will name it officially. The sole purpose is a general plan amendment to connect Marcus Road to Watson Lane. for immediate access for all residents living on the east side of the railroad

tracks and does not prevent New Drive into the future whenever that may be. Manager Holly sent us a term machine on October 24th, 2025 and my team walked it with him for almost two hours on October 28th, 2025, four days later, which was super helpful. We spent two hours out there. Entire team got a ton accomplished. I stand here tonight to reaffirm my commitment to connect Marcus Road to Watson Lane and improve Watson Lane per the Holly term sheet and the conversation that occurred with him in the field on October 28th. It can be completed within two years of today and bring a huge amenity to the city as well as help Watson Ranch including the residential home sales, the hotel development as well as increasing the programming and content of the ruins. Let's show the world a better way to resolve conflict. Thank you for your time this evening.

Thank you, Mr. McGrath. Ricardo Guadino. Ricardo Gaudino. Thank you. Um, well, council, do you want a happy heart? Are you ready for a happy heart year? We're ready for your comment, Mr. Ricardo.

Okay. I have here for you a happy heart. about sold out the circus. Thank you, sir. Thank you, Washington. Sounds like we should dedicate May as cherry pie month. I'm an apple pie for I feel you.

I got it right here. Yep. We're all set. And madame clerk, if we could Madam clerk, if we could start his time once he starts his time. I certainly will. Thank you.

In English or Spanish? English.

Okay. Um, I'm Ricardo Gaino. I'm the uh historian uh director for uh USA proud learning uh four years ago. Uh we undertook serving uh the local community. Uh you don't see us because uh we provide the actual document for the students. So the distinction that we want to celebrate that will begin our conversation about learning about our community is based on the question who named America. And if you find a room full of people that don't know the answer, we're going to change that and we're going to do it this year. So, we're going to put the cornerstone that the nation needs as the only town in the United States with the name America. And we're going to do some activities that will project hometown community action. That's it. Thank you, Ricardo. help celebrate.

William Baker, you want a few more posters to if you want to talk to some of your You could just give to the clerk. Okay. Thank you, sir. Thank you, sir. Thank you, Ricardo. Good evening, Mayor and Council. My name is William Baker. For the second time in four years, I'm happy to say I'm not here to complain, but offer a compliment.

I want to give a shout out to the residents of Monteito neighborhood for their participation in our first good neighbor outreach meeting with the management of Broadway Village and city professionals from Valo. This was a true grassroots initiative by the neighbors in part partnership with Shelter Inc. about two dozen neighbors participated half in person and half via submitted questions. This level of engagement on a Friday morning speaks volumes about how much our community cares about being proactive partners in this newly open project for the unhoused. Several topics were addressed, but one critical safety issue overshadowed all others. The parking and traffic hazard at the front of the building. Before and now after recent ribbon cutting, vehicles continue to proliferate along the front of the building, especially on weekends. This is not merely a parking inconvenience. It's a documented safety hazard. Just one day before our good neighbor meeting on March 19th, a hit and run occurred at the front of the Broadway village. Parked vehicles blocking the light bike lanes in front of the building also interfere with fire and emergency services traveling south on Broadway, a vital transportation corridor. I have shared my formal concerns with Shelter Inc. and Valo officials this week. Tonight, I'm asking our city manager, police chief, and uh police chief and fire and fire chief to take an active role in monitoring this situation. I understand it is another county and another city, but Broadway is a critical thoroughfare used by commuters and emergency vehicles alike. If not already, we need American Canyon to share its concerns with the city of Valo to ensure that traffic flow and emergency access on Broadway are not

compromised. Thank you for your time and for your continued support of our neighbors safety.

Thank you, William. Janette Goit. Good evening, Mayor Washington, City Council members, members of the public. Um, I'm here today because I was here on March 17th when the students spoke up. Um I'm focusing on the ones that um spoke about climate, the climate issue, but um there were other students that spoke about the Red Cross. They were working with Red Cross. Anyway, I was really um impressed by them and I didn't say anything that night. So then I wrote to the no newspaper and they took they they let me put it in the paper. So I'll just read it to you if you don't mind. So, I attended the American Canyon City Council meeting on March 17th. I want to express my deep gratitude and admiration for those students who spoke up in support of Congressman Thompson's HC Cons 46. This is a um a concurrent resolution focuses on um climate restoration and safety for future generations. The three students, by the way, I learned that from this from them. The three students, Ari, I'm going to say their names wrong, too. Arya Adi, a senior at Vintage High, Alexander De Gagos, a junior at New Techch High, and Katherine Bet, a senior at American Canyon High School, all spoke so eloquently about a topic so important to them and their generation. I am sure you have made your parents and your high schools very proud. It takes a great deal of courage to speak up at city council meetings, but you all did so well. I know how difficult it is to speak up at city council meetings

because I speak up from time to time and I just started and I'm in my 70s. I'm not 17. So, thank you once again and continue to do the good work. This is to the students. Your advocacy really matters in this world. I would also like to thank the city council for moving up the students presentations early in the meeting being that it was a school night. And then one more shout out to the red the the students. I don't have their names but they spoke and worked work for the Red Cross. So that's all. Thank you Janette.

I have no more speaker cards. I do have one hand raised online if we're ready for that. Okay. Yeah, for for let the person with the hand up and then we'll have Cindy do it next. I sure will. Okay, we're uh we are call we're going to call Hugh Marquez. It's just going to take me a moment to get him on here. Go ahead, Hugh. Can you hear me?

Yes, we can. Hello, city council uh mayor. Um I just wanted to commend our parks uh division. and I attended the parks commission meeting uh the last meeting and I wanted to commend Ally and her crew for the forethought in thinking about the future of our city and what our city deserves as far as having park uh uh parks and community uh buildings. Um anyway, I just I attended the meeting. Uh it was good to see the the the forethought that that that our our our parks committee, our parks commission has and that our parks director and the crew that support her are doing to help make our parks a better place. Thank you.

Thank you, Hugh. Cindy,

I'm assuming this is on. Yes. Great. I apologize for not putting card in. I just came back from a school board meeting, so I'm running a little behind today. Cindy Beerman, community member. Um, good evening, council and mayor and neighbors. Um, I just want to bring some history a little bit. I know Mark Joseph remembers this. He was uh city manager at that time. Um, I'm talking about the troop support sign that we have out here. Back in 2004, I came to the city council because at that time our servicemen were not feeling supported. They were in Afghanistan and they were in Iraq. As a mom with a young man that was over there, a soldier, you know, you can't do a whole lot. You can't run over there and protect them, although I would if I could. Um, but the next best thing I can do was give them the mental support. So, I came to the city council and I asked for a troop support sign. They asked me how big. I told them if they could see it overseas, that would be perfect. but we couldn't do that and they granted that and they allowed me the opportunity to go get it designed here in town which uh I don't think the company's here anymore and the city paid for it at that time it was parks uh excuse me uh city council was over at the parks and rex the old one at that time that's how long 2003 2004 I think and then uh logic's property on Donaldson way in 29 Mickey you said hey you put it up there because at that time. That was the city's bulletin board. They had the signs up there and they paint it and change it and that was our event announcement. So, they put it on the top of that. Um, I'm going to tell you what, the veterans in this city had come out and they built uh Ben Anderson brought bought these bricks to make a garden bed around it. Mickey gave us flowers and and they come out and they kept it cleaned and kept it nice and everything for all those years. Then Rich Ramirez entered in the picture of city manager and he decided, "Oh, that shouldn't be there no more." And it

took an act of Congress, but we got it to where they were going to shove it inside for a while. And we fought that and then he says, "Well, we're going to put it out here at the new city hall. That's what they wanted. I wanted it safe. Even though it's not my sign, it meant a lot." And so they agreed, "Yeah, we're going to move it out here. We'll make it nice and we're going to light it up." There were some other things that they said they were going to do about the sign. It never transpired, but that's okay. It was safe. It showed it was lit up. It's always been pretty good if the lights go out. Hey, lights out. And you know, 200 well 2001 when some of when some of this started. The sign came in like I said in 2003 2004. I'd have to go home. Excuse me. I'm probably longer. In October at the Walle Hills, I ran into Jason uh Holly, our city manager. I said, "Hey, the lights out." "Oh, okay. Yeah, I'll get it." Okay. I ran into I came here this last meeting. Said, "Hey, the light's still out. I'll make a note of it." The light's still out. So, I'm hoping three times the charm because we have our men and women back in harm's way. They're in some very precarious places. And that sign should be shining, right? And I wish to goodness they could see it overseas again, but they can't. But it needs to be lit. We need to give that sign the respect it deserves so it could show the respect that our men and women deserve. So, excuse my voice is shaking because it is near and dear.

Cindy, you're at time. Thank you. So, please have them do it. Thank you. Thank you, Cindy. Uh, any other cards or I have no cards and no other hands raised online. Thank you, Madam Clerk. So, we'll close public comment at this time and go for agenda changes. Are there any agenda changes? Um, council, seeing none, I'll accept a motion to accept the consent calendar. I'll I'll make that motion. Okay, we have a motion and second. I'll second.

Thank you. Madam clerk, can you do a roll call, please? Council member Cruz, yes. Council member Lamatina, yes. Council member Oro, yes. Vice Mayor Joseph, yes. Mayor Washington, yes. Uh for public hearing, we actually do not have anything for public hearing this evening. So, we'll move on to business item, which we have one business item of on the agenda. Let's start with item 13, American Canyon Police Department 2025 annual report. Chief Greenbird, excuse me.

Good evening, mayor, council members, and members of the community. Uh for those you don't that I have not met, my name is Rick Greenberg, and I'm your police chief here at Maring Canyon. Uh tonight I'm pleased to present to you the 2025 annual police report for the American Canyon Police Department. So the city of American Canyon contracts with the Nappy County Sheriff's Office for Law Enforcement Services. Uh we have done so for quite some time. Our staffing level in 2025 as this slide uh depicts is the same as in 2024 and it is 26 sworn officers, two police technicians which are nonsworn. Uh they issue parking citations and they help us out with traffic collisions and tow vehicles. And then one rec record records technician who's also nonsworn and she works at the front counter at the police department answering phones and uh handing out police reports to folks that need copies of them. Of the 26 officers, we have uh two K9 handlers with their furry partners, Brick and Ruger. We have two full-time motor officers, two school resource officers, and then one community resource officer. Currently, the contract for the law enforcement services between the city and the sheriff's office is $9,759,81. That's a big number, but it also includes several other services that the sheriff's office provides, and I'll kind of I'll briefly go through those. Uh it includes evidence storage and processing. So, anytime we seize evidence and have to keep it for court, uh the sheriff's office houses that for us. uh includes detectives and also a a full-scale narcotics division, a drone team, a SWAT team, a dispatch call center, which is 24 hours, an explosive

ordinance team, a mobile field force, and then also includes all the hiring and training for the officers in American Canyon. So, like I like to refer to it as it's like an all-inclusive contract for the city. calls for service. So in 2025 we had 14,923 calls for service which is higher by approximately 147 calls as we had in 2024. We had a total of 704 arrests which is an increase of 188 from 2024. As in past years, as you can see uh from the chart here on the slide, uh most of the arrests involve people not that don't reside here in American Canyon. There are people passing through crimes of opportunity. Uh parts of this is a pretty I mean uh there's almost 200 more arrests um last year than the prior year. Um, part of that is an increase from proactive policing that the officers out on the street are doing and then also from the adoption of Proposition 36, which was enacted back in December of 2024. So, this proposition changed some misdemeanor theft and drug charges from misdemeanor to felonies. It basically reversed back to how it was before. Uh, our statistics show that we had 46 felony arrests associated with this new proposition. And then lastly, officer sees 45 guns off the streets of American Canyon, which is just under one gun per week. So, they've been busy uh traffic enforcement. Uh in 2025, we had a a decrease in citations on local roads, but an increase of citations issued on Highway 29. Uh we also had a

decrease in school bus stops citations. These are the when the school bus stops and they have the flashing red lights, you're supposed to stop and not continue around them. Um so we had a decrease in those and also with uh stop sign violations. So hopefully that's that that's because motorists are, you know, o obeying those laws and getting educated, especially on the school buses. Um, traffic collisions on the local roadways, we had a decrease. Uh, whereas on Highway 29, we had an increase. And then unfortunately, uh, in 2025, we had two fatal traffic collisions, which was actually our first in two years. I spoke uh briefly about the police technicians and this is kind of highlighting highlighting what they do. Um I'm pleased to announce that in 2025 both these positions were filled for an entire year which is something we didn't have for a couple years. And as you can see from the stats they were they were busy bees. Uh another they I'll go through their their stats real quickly. Um they had 83 uh general parking citations. Five of those were handicops. Uh the big number is the 72-hour. These are your abandoned vehicles that have been parked on the on the streets for more than 72 hours. Uh 370 that's that's like one a day that they issued. And then of that 370 of those citations issued, uh 77 vehicles were towed. And then just one of the other services um that this position offers is um a free child car seat inspection to make sure they're installed properly. And they'll actually they'll actually install them for you. And we do we do that. We offer that service at the police department just by appointment only and you can schedule one online or

call directly and and come on down and and they'll do it for you. And we also host um several of these events throughout the year with allied agencies. And our next one is actually next month on the 23rd of May and it's from 8 to 11 over at the Boys and Girls Club. So in 2025, this is something new for us. We we applied for this grant. It was a state grant and we received it and it's for impaired driving enforcement and the money for this grant is funded by state tax that's collected from the cultivation and sale of cannabis in the state of California. So we received a a grant for $87,557 and that was to purchase this vehicle, this Ford Mustang uh for impaired driving enforcement. Now you might see it's kind of unique. It's uh we call it ghosted. Uh it's not undercover. It's it's a fully marked vehicle. It's just uh more inconspicuous. Uh so we we host um not necessarily DI DUI checkpoints, but we call them roving DUI patrols. Uh other agencies come help us and then we go help them. Uh so it's great and we usually do those obviously in the evening hours when um impaired driving's is happening the most. So, some crime statistics and um pleased to announce in 2025 we did not have any homicides, although we did have an increase in violent crimes and assaults. Our thefts, including automobile theft, were slightly down from 2024. And we had 50 vehicle pursuits, which are up by seven from last year. And of those 50 pursuits, 10 of those were terminated by supervisors for uh various

safety reasons, whether it to be to officers or or the just the general public. We continue to be above the state average on crime clearance rates, and that's solving crime. Uh we're 10 and a half% uh more above the state average on violent crime, and then 30.9% uh above the state average on property crimes. This these two positions are really important in our community. These are the school resource officers or SRO's as they're commonly referred to. Uh Officer Husel has continues to be the SRO at the middle school and then officer Coleman out at the high school. Uh both these both schools had a slight increase in calls for service and actual police reports taken in 2025 compared to the year prior. uh these positions, the city shares a contract with the school district and they they each pay for half and the current contract rate is 193,345 each. And then I want to throw a little I want to advertise our top this program we uh participate in is called top the cops and last year we started doing it. Uh it's out at Sonoma Raceway and it's for high school age kids that have a valid driver's license of course and they can come out and race against law enforcement officers in their community. So this year once again we'll be participating out there. The first one's next week on Wednesday and it starts at 5:00 p.m. at Sonoma Raceway just right on the other end of 37 and we'll have our uh Ford Mustang out there racing against the high school kids.

Does the students get a head start? Uh, depends on what kind of car they have. Yeah. What What's the win rate with our cops versus the students? Well, this year we have the Ford Mustang, so I don't know. It might even out the odds a little bit for us. All right.

Uh, so animal services, this is also an additional contract that the city has with the county for animal services, which is actually a division of the sheriff's department sheriff's office as well. And that current contract is $69,163. Uh calls for service for animal services countywide, including Maring Canyon, were slightly down in 2025. And just for information on on the duties that that these officers do, their duties range from investigating dangerous animal incidents such as like dog bites, um capture capturing stray animals, and investigating abuse or neglect. and our explore program. We we brought this back two years ago, I believe, uh during co it kind of got pushed to the wayside for obvious reasons and we brought it back and it's been successful and we've had more and more interest every year. Uh last year we had four students in our explorer program and this this program is open to students ages 14 to 18 and who are in school with a 2.5 GPA and with no less than a C in all subjects. So they they have to go to school and actually be getting good grades kind of like when they play sports. Uh the goal is to provide training and hands-on work experience and mentor mentorship to through the students in our organization. Uh police or explorers are required to meet regularly, attend community events with us and maintain active participation within the training program. In the summertime, they get to attend a week-long academy and it's hosted by allied agencies. And last year this picture is of their graduation day and they uh it was in coordination with the Vakavville Police Department and I believe this year Fairfield um police department is putting it on at their training facility and uh we can you can for information on how to register for this or or fill out an actual application. You can go to our

website and the application is is right on the website. So we take great pride in our community engagement at the police department along with our community policing. Uh we host and attend many city sponsored events and these are these some these pictures here are just like a snapshot of a small snapshot of what we're involved with this year. We were honored uh to actually get to escort the wallet heels into the city of American Canyon. It was really emotional event for officers. Uh every year we have national night out here in the city. It's a big event for Maring Canyon. Uh this year's is t it's always the first Tuesday of August. So this year it's August 4th and if you've never been involved in National Night Out, I highly recommend it and getting some of your neighbors together and hosting a party. You can do that on our website as well that'll be opened up soon for for an applications for that. And then we introduced this uh a a program called Chill with the Cops. And you know, everybody you hear Coffee with the Cops, we just weren't getting the engagement uh that we hoped for with Coffee with the Cops. So, we started chill with the cops and we we uh coordinate with uh 7-Eleven on American Canyon Road and we uh hand out free slurpies to the kids after school and it it's great. And well, we usually we had one at the beginning of school and we usually have one at the end of school. So, we'll be announcing that. And these are just cons uh some ways you can reach us. Uh, make sure you follow us on all of our social media pages for uh, press releases, messages to the community, and also on our website just for general information, including this year's full annual report. This isn't the actual full annual report. The full one will actually be online. And that's the end of my presentation. Any questions?

Thank you, Chief. That was uh, for for me, I think you guys are doing an amazing job. And every time I talk to somebody in the community, they're always telling me how great you guys are responding and and and very visible in the community. So, thank you for what you do and the time that you take to make people feel safe. Uh, with that said, I will go to I think it's well, okay, Council Member Branth Cruz,

Chief, first of all, thank you for the uh report and thank you for all what you and the men and women of American Canyon PD do. We really appreciate your services. Just a few questions just to follow up. Um, with the advent of Prop 36, obviously there was like there was a a rise in arrest. Did you see property crimes start going down?

Not I mean uh not necessarily. I'd have to look at the report to to actually give you a a straight answer on that and not just guess. Um, but I don't know. You know, it's the first year. This is the first year that it's actually been a full year since it's been enacted. So, it's it's hard to It'll be it'll be interesting to see what happens in this up and cominging year and year after that. It' be easier to gauge that and answer that question, I believe.

Absolutely, Chief. Thank you for that. Um, we're talking about police texts and how they go out and they do sites and things of that nature. Do they go out and patrol and see what's in violation or is it calls for service? a mix of two. I asked that only because of the Broadway area where there's, you know, vehicles parked uh uh illegally. Are they actively enforcing that?

Yes. So, they're proactive and reactive. We, you know, they get we encourage folks to call dispatch to report um those types of circumstances and not online. But yes, it's both proactive, reactive. Uh the Broadway hour, the hours for the Broadway parking is typically when they're not working. Uh, so they don't work 24 we don't have a we do not have a police technician 24 hours a day like we do a normal sworn police officer. So the graveyard teams are out there doing that type of enforcement after after the hours of the police decks are working.

Awesome. Thank you. One last question, Chief. Um, firearms, you guys are doing an awesome job. How many firearms did you confiscate this last year fiscal year roughly? 45 for the calendar year. Amazing job, Chief. And thank you for what what you guys do. Appreciate it. Thank you, Vice Mayor Joseph.

I want to thank you as well. Uh, and just as an aside, when I was looking at it, I thought it was chilly with the cops, not chill. So, I was kind of thinking, you know, this would be good cuz I could do some chili, but uh that's just cuz apparently I don't see well. Um, a couple of comments. one, it it looked like our calls for service is more than half of the total sheriff's office calls. So that's because we're the most second most populated in the county of Napa with, you know, city of Napa being obviously Yeah. much larger.

So that's just, you know, struck me as kind of amazing, but you're right. Um, and then the other one that I really wanted to drill down on is, and it's a good thing because our clearance rate for property crimes is dramatically higher than the the state average. Any insights on how we're more successful at catching those kind of bad guys? So mostly because you know your bigger agencies, your bigger cities, they don't have the time or resources to investigate property crimes as much as they do uh crimes against persons.

Uh so you know obviously I you know I don't want to speak for other agencies, but you know that's that's kind of in talking with them that's kind of where it falls under. Okay. That and that makes sense. I mean if you had to choose between a robbery and a breakin I'd probably worry about a robbery too. So, it's kind of the additional benefit of not having as many people crimes gives us the ability to focus on the property. Correct. A great report. Thank you for your your support and for the whole department. Thank you. Uh here no other questions or comment from council. I like to open it up for public public comment on item number 13 for any public comment. Madam clerk, do we have any?

I do have one online. Okay. Okay. back up here.

Hugh Marquez, go ahead.

Hello, Chief. Um, I want to thank you and your department for the great work you have done this year. Um, you definitely have uh protected our city very well by uh constant reports of your department of our department of the city's department uh getting guns off the street. It seems like a continual thing that you guys are stopping people and getting unlawful guns off. I I have one question for you is I am on social media on on American Canyon Happenings Next Door and a lot of people continue complaining about people running stop signs and whatnot. And my question to you is what method is best to inform the police and the city as a whole uh of any kind of um problems that that uh people see. Is it the CC click fix it app? Is it uh going on the city website? because when people complain, I try, as a resident here, um I try to guide them to help get their um their issues uh corrected or at least to the proper uh agency. And so I was just curious uh if you could uh give me or give me or give the the public an idea of what would be the best method because I know you don't the city staff does not follow social media. Uh and then I and I believe uh in the past it was see click fix because then there is a stat there's actual record of what what has been seen. Um and that way the city public works whatever uh department the city parks if they have their if somebody has

an issue uh this the the city as a whole can see and and try to remedy it. Again um I was curious of what would be the best method for residents to inform you of any nefarious things that would go on that are not a 911 that are non-emergency call. Thank you. Thank you, Hugh.

Thank you, Hugh. And yes, we do have a non-emergency dispatch line and that is always open for to call and report stuff like that. Uh, as well as Cclick Fix, both are documented and we'll we'll get a message to us. Cclick Fix, we actually will respond and and give you a resolution on things um whatever that outcome might be. So, it's always good to leave a name and number on Cclick Fix. A lot of a lot of folks when we get reports of, you know, um minor crime or traffic issues, they don't they report anonymous and then we have no way of contacting them. So, it's it's really hard to let people know that we're actually out there trying to trying to resolve the the situation that they present us. So, uh Cclick Fix is good. Always can call dispatch. And when you're reporting it, it's a lot of times these traffic violations are occurring during like school pickups and drop offs or heavy commute times. So, if it's easier for me to have officers out there at specific times of the day, if I know those types of violations are occurring more frequently at those times of the day versus just sending somebody out there at a random time. So, if hopefully that answers your question.

I think it did. Um, any other questions online? Anybody again inside? Beth.

Uh, yes. I just want to thank the chief because um it was about three or four months ago. In fact, I called Jason first and my at the field across the street from me um on Poco and Melvin Road. There's this guy came out with this popup tent from AT&T. It's like he was selling phones on the corner and I called Jason to find out is this legit or whatever. So, I called the police department. Man, they were there within seven minutes. But I don't know what the outcome was, but he left. But it was just weird that he'd set up a table, big ANT tent, and had phones out there. It was really uh f But you guys did a good good job and you always do a good job. I live by myself. Now that the whole world knows um but always feel safe. I mean, we have a great police department and fire department. I I thank you for your service.

Thank you, Beth. If there's no other comments in the room, I'll close public comment and turn back to the council for further discussion or an agreement to accept this as a read and file. Good report very much. So, we will accept as a as a read and file. Thank you again, Chief, for your leadership and what you do for our city. And now we'll move on to our management and staff oral reports. Mr. Holly,

yeah, deputy city manager has some updates for us. Thank you, city manager Holly. Mayor Council, I'm here to tell you all the wonderful things that are happening around the city over the next couple weeks. Starting on April 11th, we have a wetlands cleanup from 9:00 a.m. to 11 a.m. This is provided to you by the American Canyon Community Parks Foundation. Also that day, we have an American Canyon Trails community program. You can learn all about the mammals down at the wetlands from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00. Also that day uh you've heard about earlier this evening, the Arts Foundation will be hosting a sip and paint at the Michelic Center. It's going to be from 5:00 pm to 7 p.m. You can purchase your tickets to participate. And then the following day on April 12th, uh Napa Solano Ottabon Society will be hosting a bird walk at the wetlands from 9:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. That is a free opportunity for you to learn about all the wonderful birds down at the wetlands. And then that same day over at Shannondoa Park, the uh hosted by Helping Hand IndoAmerican will be holding their annual Holy Festival of Colors and that is from 2 to 5:00 p.m. And then on April 13th, join the American Canyon Community Parks Foundation and Seroptimus International of America of American Canyon at Wetland's Edge Trail from at 10:00 a.m. for a monthly slow and stroll. And then on April 15th, the American Canyon High School along with the American Canyon Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a job fair from 1 PM to 5:00 pm. And then on April 25th, if you have not done so already, we will be hosting the community recognition dinner. Tickets are still on sale until April 13th. Uh, and this event will be held at the Double Tree Hotel from 5:00 pm to 8:00 p.m. Thank you so much. Um, Ally, the fair, the job fair, is that at the high school?

It is at the high school. Okay. Thank you. That's correct. Right, Beth? Thank you. Thank you for that report. Anything else, Mr. Holly? No. Uh, with that said, we'll move on to our city mayor and council comments and committee report, starting with you, Vice Mayor Mark Joseph.

Well, uh, I did submit my written report, so you've got that. And then just as a flashback uh history tidbit, Ricardo, um the name always sticks with me. He's he's aged like I have, but um many many years ago he came to the city with an idea to have a circus and we held I think a couple of circuses uh basically where Tractor Supply is now. Either that or where Walmart is. um big huge success. Um so yeah, like I said, that's a flashback from the history books.

Thank you. Uh council member David Oral. Yeah, I don't have a written report, but I did attend a LFCO meeting yesterday where they elected a new public member. So, starting May 4th, the new public member will be a gentleman by the name of Jeffrey Qu Cross Cross White. And Ken Lir's term ends on that day. So, that's the big news over there. I'll type it all up, but I thought you guys should know that sooner than later. Okay. Did Ken not um apply again? There were four applicants, three interviewed. Okay.

The existing voting members of LAFCO, I am not a voting member. I'm an alternate. Uh voted for uh Jeffrey Crosswit. Okay. Thank you. Uh Council Member Lamatina. Nothing to report. Council member Cruz.

Uh yeah, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh I did submit my my report. Uh but I did have a meeting with um North Bay, the executive committee. We talked about um our different uh policies that we all collectively belong to. Uh we did talk about the assembly and senate bills that was discussed that uh we um advise staff on what uh we'd like them to move forward on. Um I particularly um I not support but I uh represent public safety and in two weeks I will be attending the leadership summit at the capital and I believe uh council member Oro will be uh are you on the uh are you one of the instructors?

Uh I'm speaking at that event. Yes. Along with the mayor of uh uh of Cissoon City. So we have a a panel on misinformation and AI happening. So, I look forward to supporting Council Member Orura on that event. And that's all I have, Mr. Mayor. Thank you.

Thank you. Um I as well I've submitted my um my report. Um and the only thing I wanted to add is that I see that a couple of my neighbors, Willie and and Roman here from the ukuleles that they was mentioning earlier. And if you haven't heard them play, um you would be amazed. I know they go to all the meet me in the streets as well and the entertainment. I try to put my booth right next to them so I can hear them play. So, thank you for coming tonight. Um, future agenda items. Um, any future agenda items from the council hearing? None. Okay, then with that, uh, we've concluded our business for this evening. We are adjourned. Good night, American Canyon.