Perhaps it's because summer is coming, or maybe it's because today I am attending the Governor's California for All
— Emergency Management Preparedness Summit, or maybe it's because the threat of disasters is ever present. Regardless of the reasons, your safety is of utmost importance to all of us at the County of Napa. Please join us tomorrow afternoon for an open house focusing on our community's emergency preparedness (read below for more details).
For most of us parents, next week is the start of summer fun, the "I'm bored" and "can I have a snack?" season. Godspeed to you and keep this
Summer Camp Guide
handy if you need reinforcements.
Sincerely,
Belia Ramos
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Community Open House & Emergency Preparedness Fair
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Please join us for the County's first Community Open House and Emergency preparedness Fair on
Tuesday, June 4th from 4-7 p.m. at the Napa County Administration Building located at 1195 Third Street in Napa.
There will be activities for children and valuable information on creating an emergency plan; building an emergency kit or "go bag"; planning for pets; evacuation routes; emergency alert sign-ups; public safety power shutoffs; and more!
Registration is encouraged for planning purposes.
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Board of Supervisors News
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New Director of Housing & Homeless Services
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The Board appointed Deputy CEO, Molly Rattigan, to serve as the County's first
Director of Housing and Homeless Services. In the past, housing and homeless services were administered through separate departments – CEO Office and the Health & Human Services Agency.
The re-classification will allow both programs to be housed under one Division, creating necessary efficiencies to improve our services. The goal is to consolidate programs and create a service model that allows a family and/or individual experiencing homelessness to be served from the moment they engage with the County to the time they are permanently housed and beyond. While Ms. Rattigan's appointment is effective immediately, the new Division is anticipated to be fully operational at the start of Fiscal Year 2019-20.
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PG&E's Wildfire Safety Program
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PG&E staff recently presented to the Board details of their Wildfire Safety Program. The program will provide enhancements to real-time monitoring of wildfire risks by way of adding 1,300 weather stations and 600 cameras; safety measures, including vegetation management, accelerated safety inspections, and proactive power shutdowns during certain weather conditions; and system hardening such as installation of more resilient poles and upgrading equipment. Concern was shared with PG&E on several program elements that have caused the most concern with our community in the last few years, including vegetation management (tree clearing) around lines on private property and last year's first
Public Safety Power Shutdown (PSPS). Good communication to our community in both cases is paramount and PG&E has made a commitment to do so. For more information on PG&E's Wildfire Safety Program,
click here.
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Click image above to enlarge
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Rehabilitation of the County Airport's main runway and a portion of the crosswind runway, originally constructed by the Army in 1942, are now well underway. The first two phases of six are now complete with construction of phase three expected to be complete in late June or early July. Although busy with construction, the Airport is still operating with the temporarily shortened 18R-36L runway at 4,146 feet while the crosswind runway remains closed. For a more detailed update on phases two and three, check out the video above from Airport Manager Greg Baer.
Additionally, the Airport's policies were recently updated allowing the Airport to be managed more safely and efficiently. Updates include improvements to safety measures; design and construction standards; and the process for leasing airport land/commercial and non-commercial aviation purposes. These updates will allow the County to effectively manage contemporary airport issues, facilitate the Airport’s desire to modernize, as well as improve its long-term financial health.
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June is LGBTQ Pride Month!
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On June 3, 2019, the County of Napa raised the rainbow flag to honor June as LGBTQ Pride Month.
LGBTQ people are a vibrant, important part of our community showing that love is love regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. We are committed to supporting visibility, dignity, respect, and equity for all who live in our County and urge every community member to be an ally to LGBTQ people, working together to reduce discrimination and adverse treatment.
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Bike to Work & School Day:
A Huge Success!
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Congratulations to the Napa County Bicycle Coalition for their huge success with Bike to Work & School Day! Over 1,400 Napa County commuters of all ages joined thousands of other Bay Area residents in leaving their cars at home and riding their bikes to work and school on May 9th. Biking is a great opportunity to see your neighborhood from a whole different perspective and not only does it improve your physical and mental health, but it also helps reduce traffic congestion and air pollution!
I would also like to congratulate the student winners of the Bike to Work and School Day Poster Contest. Pictured above are some of the winning posters, but to view them all,
click here.
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Extending Time for Fire Victims to Rebuild
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The 2017 Napa Fire Complex devastated over 700 properties within Napa County. Two years later, our community is still healing from this event. Following this disaster, staff have evaluated and worked on creating an efficient path to rebuilding for those affected by the fire. However, in the past 18 months the County has issued building permits on only 25 percent of the homes destroyed. The County has estimated that at this rate of construction, it will take another 3 years to replace all of the homes lost. As a result, the Board adopted an ordinance that will extend the expiration of emergency provisions for disaster victims by three years. This will provide additional time for property owners who are still grappling with the rebuilding process.
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Fire Recovery Program Expanded & Extended
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Napa Valley Community Foundation (NVCF) has extended the deadline for their program that helps Napa County residents rebuild homes that were lost in the wildfires. The program will remain available until at least July 31, 2019, and expanded to provide cash grants to eligible residents who sold their fire lots, but are purchasing replacement homes in Napa County. To date, NVCF has assisted 62 homeowners with cash grants of up to $35,000 each to cover underinsured losses and 47 renters have received cash grants of up to $12,500 each to replace essential household contents. Thank you NVCF for stepping up and helping our community during these difficult times! To learn more about eligibility criteria or submit an application, homeowners can call (844) 368-1711 or
click here.
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Napa Community Firewise Foundation
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The Napa Community Firewise Foundation (NCFF) is a non-profit organization aimed at reducing wildfire hazards and improve fire-safety awareness in our County. They work with local Fire Safe Councils to educate and assist community members in this effort through public awareness and specific programs.
Sign-up on the new
NCFF website to be informed about fire issues, learn tips and prevention techniques, and register your information to assist law enforcement and fire officials in the event of an emergency or evacuation.
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What is Defensible Space?
Defensible space is a natural or landscaped area, around a structure, maintained and designed to reduce fire danger.
What is the Napa County Fire Hazard Abatement Ordinance?
What Does the Ordinance Require of Property Owners?
- Remove combustible vegetation on undeveloped parcels 1 acre or less in size.
- 10 feet: Remove tree limbs 10 feet from chimneys
- 30-100 feet: Remove flammable vegetation and dead plants
- 100 feet: Cut grasses down to less than 4 inches and limb trees 6 feet off the ground.
For more detailed information review the
Defensible Space Guidelines or contact the Napa County Fire Marshal's Office at (707) 299-1464.
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County Awards $913,622 in Grant Funds to Local Non-Profits
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Earlier this month, the Board awarded a total of
$649,985 in grant funds to local non-profits as part of the
Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement Grant Award Cycle. The organizations receiving funding will use these funds to provide a wide range of services in our community, including mental health services, prenatal care, rehabilitation services, LGBTG resources, foster youth support, and more! For a detailed list of the award recipients,
click here.
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In additional
$263,637 in grant funds was also awarded to 20 different local arts organizations to aid in the growth of our unique artistic culture in the County. The awards are allocated to two main categories – organizations that primarily focus on arts and culture activities for residents of Napa County and organizations that generate a significant percentage of their patronage/attendance from visitors outside of the County. Award recipients will utilize these funds for infrastructure repairs, professional development, special programs & projects, and more.
Click here, to view the list of award recipients.
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Below Market Rate
Home Ownership Opportunity!
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15 Karen Drive is a 3 bedroom/1 bathroom home, being offered at $386,955 through the City of American Canyon's
Below Market Rate Affordable Home Ownership Program
. To be eligible for the program, you must be an income eligible first-time homebuyer.
Click here
for more details and to determine eligibility.
Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on June 7, 2019.
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Become a Part of Team Napa County
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Do you want to provide direct input to the Napa County Board of Supervisors and other County leaders? Then become a part of team Napa County by applying for one of the County's advisory committees, commissions, and boards. Put your knowledge, energy, and passion to work for your community.
Current Openings:
- Community Corrections Partnership Executive Committee
- Unincorporated Napa Valley Tourism Improvement District Governing Committee
- Child Care and Development Council
- Youth Opportunities Commission
- Airport Advisory Commission
- Fire Services Advisory Committee
- Advisory Board on Alcohol and Drug Programs
- In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Advisory Committee
- Flood Control and Water Conservation District Floating Alternate Director
- Dangerous Animal Hearing Panel
- Napa Valley Transportation Authority Citizen Advisory Committee
- Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council
- Housing Commission
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2/3 of Wildfire Victims Were Underinsured... Are You?
Friday, June 14
1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Silverado Resort & Spa
(1600 Atlas Peak Road)
United Policyholders is hosting a special event were they will have insurance experts on hand to review your policy and give you guidance to protect your assets and build financial safety nets for disaster resiliency. Thirty minutes could save you 30 months of pain. To reserve a spot, call
(415) 393-9990 or email
[email protected].
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City of American Canyon
Emergency Preparedness Event
Saturday, June 29
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Public Safety Facility
(911 Donaldson Way East)
More info coming soon!
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Upcoming Board of Supervisors Meetings . . .
June 4, 10*,11*, 12* & 18 at 9:00 a.m.
on the third floor of the County Administration Building—1195 Third Street, Suite 305, Napa.
*Fiscal Year 2019-20 Budget Hearings
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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: 25
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District Agricultural Association, 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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