We made it to December! Pat yourself on the back and know that there is light at the end of the tunnel. In this e-newsletter issue you'll find information about our vaccination plan, new exposure notification technology and so much more.
Now is definitely not the time to let up. As COVID-19 cases continue to rise we're doubling down on our outreach efforts. I want to thank Mayor Leon Garcia, Vice Mayor David Oro and Council Members Mark Joseph, Kenneth Leary (Ret.) and the American Canyon Fire Protection District for joining me to hand out flyers and over 1,000 face masks. We're going to do it again, so don't be shy when you se us out and about at your local super markets. Say hi from 6 feet away.
Sincerely,
Belia Ramos
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New Regional Shelter At Home Order |
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Governor Newsom recently announced that the State is issuing a new Regional Shelter At Home (SAH) Order that will take effect for a minimum of three weeks when ICU capacity drops below 15% in a region. Following the initial three weeks, each region will be evaluated on a weekly basis to ensure ICU capacity is improving enough before removing the SAH Order. Napa County is included in the Bay Area region, which is projected to meet this threshold around mid to late December. However, the projection is fluid and subject to daily review by the State. Today's ICU capacity for the Bay Area Region is 25.7%.
This new Order when effective will include additional business closure and restrictions. Businesses like hair salons, barbershops, wineries, and personal care services will be required to close; restaurants will have to revert to take-out and delivery only; hotels and lodging may open for critical infrastructure support only; and all non-essential travel and private gatherings of any size will be prohibited. For the full list of restrictions, click here and scroll to “What does the Regional Stay Home Order do?” in the Q&A section.
Our County staff is currently reviewing this new Order and working to update our website and frequently asked questions to provide additional clarity for our community. More on this to come soon.
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COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan |
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The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) have developed a phased approach for the dispensing of a new COVID-19 vaccine. Much of how the vaccine will be distributed will be determined by the State and Federal Government. Below are the four phases that have been released. Locally, we submitted a plan to the State and CDC on December 1st to ensure that high risk and highly impacted populations are prioritized. More details on how you can access this plan will be available soon.
Click image to enlarge
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The Napa County COVID-19 testing schedule for the month of December is now available. Testing will be made available in Napa, American Canyon, St. Helena and Calistoga. Testing is by appointment only and appointments fill up quickly, so if you are trying to schedule a test and appointments are not available, please select a different city for testing or check back the next day to schedule an appointment. The Verily Drive-Thru Test Site is now offering tests for anyone over 13 years of age. For a list of testing sites in Napa County or to schedule an appointment, click here. |
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COVID-19 Exposure Notifications |
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California residents will have a new way to find out if they were exposed to COVID-19. Governor Newsom recently announced CA Notify, a new COVID-19 exposure smartphone tool available for iPhones and Androids. CA Notify was tested at University of California campuses earlier this fall and will be available statewide on Thursday, Dec. 10th. To learn now to sign up or for more information, click here.
How Exposure Notifications Work
- Your phone looks for iOS and Android phones that have Exposure Notifications turned on and keeps a rolling 14 day log of their shared identifiers.
- If someone gets a positive diagnosis, they can report it and anonymously notify those who have been near them.
- Your phone will check your log for exposure to anyone who has reported a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. If you've been exposed, public health authorities can notify you.
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Earlier this year, the County submitted a joint grant application with Burbank Housing for the State's Project Homekey program. The program allows local public entities to purchase hotels and motels, apartment buildings and other buildings and convert them to permanent housing for the homeless impacted by COVID-19. Burbank Housing is now set to close escrow on a property in the City of Napa on December 9th, which will create approximately 14 deed restricted affordable housing units for clients exiting homelessness. Burbank anticipates commencing rehabilitation and relocation services after that date with expected occupancy to occur around March 31, 2021. |
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New Devlin Road Segment Coming Your Way! |
Segment to be completed in red
I'm excited to share that the next and final segment of Devlin Road is scheduled to be constructed soon! Last month, the City of American Canyon awarded a construction contract for the half-mile segment between Green Island Road and an existing segment that dead-ends. Work is anticipated to start in December 2020, and should be completed by July 2021. Combined with existing Devlin Road segments, this new addition will offer a previously non-existent alternative to Highway 29, with the dual purpose of providing congestion relief and alternative emergency access while connecting the County's airport industrial area and American Canyon's industrial area.
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$25 Million Towards Soscol Junction Improvements |
It's official, the California Transportation Commission just approved $25 million in funding for Soscol Junction improvements, situated at the intersection of SR 29 and SR 221.
The proposed project aims to alleviate traffic by constructing a free-flowing overpass on SR-29 with two roundabouts on the west and east side of the highway allowing for turning movements in all directions that will also accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians. To view the animated rendering of the proposed project, click here.
With this award completing the funding package for the project, NVTA expects to break ground in 2022. Stay tuned!
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2021 Capital Improvement Projects
Napa County plans to work on the following projects in 2021:
Bridges:
- Replacing the Buhman Bridge
- Scour repairs on the Silverado Trail Bridge over Bell Canyon Creek
Road Paving:
- Airport Blvd.
- Patrick Rd., Mt. Veeder Rd. and Dry Creek Rd.
- Hillcrest Dr., Westgate Dr. and Atlas Peak (SR 121 to Hardman Ave.)
- Silverado Trail (from Trancas to Yountville)
- State Ln.
- Olive Hill and Mt. George
Storm Repairs:
- Livermore rd.
- Wall Rd.
- Oakville Grade
Earthquake Repairs:
Fire Recovery:
- Steele Canyon culvert and retaining wall
- Approximately 10 miles of guardrails
- Deer Park retaining wall
- Diamond Mtn. retaining wall
- Signs
To view Napa County's 5-year Capital Improvement Plan, click here.
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2020 Presidential Election Results |
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The final 2020 Presidential Election certified results are now available on the County's website. Click here to view the results. A big thank you to our Elections Department for their hard work! And congratulations to the following newly elected municipal officials:
- Pierre Washington - City of American Canyon Council
- Lisa Gift - City of Calistoga Council
- Beth Painter - City of Napa Council (District 2)
- Bernie Narvaez - City of Napa Council (District 4)
- Eric Hall - City of St. Helena Council
- Lester Hardy - City of St. Helena Council
- Eric Knight - Town of Yountville Council
- Eve Ryser - NVUSD Trustee Area No. 4
- Rudy Gonzalez - CJUSD Governing Boar Member
- Stephanie Rothberg-Allen - CJUSD Governing Boar Member
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In response to the recent wildfires, the Board amended a section of the County Policy Manual, Rebuilding After a Disaster, to provide additional flexibility for property owners in rebuilding their homes and businesses. The amendment extends the erosion control deadline to December 15th; suspends winterization inspections for graded areas; ensures the safety of temporary housing on fire-damaged property; allows destroyed wineries to temporarily relocate their operation to alternate "host" winery sites; among other things. Click here for the full list of policies aimed at assisting property owners. In addition, a chapter in our County Code entitled Disaster Recovery was amended to allow those with fire-damaged property to avail themselves of the same expedited rebuild process as has been applied to damaged properties from prior fires, as well as streamline the replanting of damaged vineyards. |
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Visit Readynapacounty.org/food to check out Napa County's food calendar, which provides a resource guide for people in need of food in our community. During this unprecedented time, these resources are available to everyone. See below for food resources that will be available this week.
Tuesday, December 8
Free Produce Boxes: 9-10am at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church
Students Grab & Go Meals: 12-1:30pm at Calistoga Junior Senior High School
Food Bank: 2:30-4pm St. Helena Community Pantry
Wednesday, December 9
Students Grab & Go Meals:
- 8-9:30am at St. Helena High School
- 12-1:30pm at Calistoga Junior Senior High School
Food Bank: 9am-12pm at Napa Store House Emergency Food Pantry
Thursday, December 10
Students Grab & Go Meals:
- 11:30am-1pm Howell Mountain Elementary School
- 11:30am-1pm Pope Valley Elementary School
- 12-1:30pm at Calistoga Junior Senior High School
Friday, December 11
Students Grab & Go Meals: 12-1:30pm at Calistoga Junior Senior High School
Free Food Markets: 2-4pm at Napa County Health & Human Services
Saturday, December 12
CalFresh Market Match:
- 7:30am-12pm at St. Helena Farmers Market
- 8am-12pm at Napa Farmer Market
- 9am-1pm at Calistoga Farmers Marker
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Napa County Library Hours |
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The Napa Library is currently open to the public for walk-in visits (appointments are no longer required). Hours will remain reduced for the time being, but you can now come in anytime during open hours in Napa and Calistoga.
In American Canyon and Yountville, we’ll also be allowing a limited number of walk-in visits. However, due to the libraries’ size, we will also continue to offer a limited number of visits by appointment.
Napa Main Library:
Monday through Saturday: 10am − 5:30pm
Sunday: 1pm − 4:30pm
50 patrons in building at a time. No reservations required.
American Canyon Library:
Monday through Saturday: 10am − 5:30pm
5 patrons in building at a time. One hour reservations or call or come in for walk-in availability. Call 707-644-1136 to make an appointment.
Calistoga Library:
Monday through Saturday: 10am − 5:30pm
8 patrons in building at a time. No reservations required.
Yountville Library:
Tuesday through Saturday: 10am − 5:30pm
2 patrons in building at a time. One hour reservations available or call or come in for walk-in availability. Call 707-944-1888 to make an appointment.
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Upcoming Board of Supervisors Meetings . . .
December 8 & 15 at 9:00 a.m. on the third floor of the County Administration Building—1195 Third Street, Suite 305, Napa.
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Raised in unincorporated St. Helena and Pope Valley, Belia is a first-generation Mexican-American who was born at Queen of the Valley Hospital in Napa. She currently resides in American Canyon, but calls all of Napa County home. Belia is a business owner, educator, community advocate, and mother of three children. Belia attended St. Helena public schools from kindergarten through high school. She graduated from Saint Mary's College of California in 1999 and UC Hastings College of the Law in 2004. Belia served as an American Canyon City Council Member from 2010-2016. In 2017, Belia was elected to the Napa County Board of Supervisors. She currently serves on the following panels: Napa Valley Transportation Authority, Association of Bay Area Governments, North Bay Water Reuse Authority, Latino Caucus of California Counties and Rebuild North Bay.
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Supervisor Belia Ramos, Fifth District | Napa County Board of Supervisors |
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