With 40 days before election day, this newsletter contains a plethora of information related to propositions of great importance to the County of Napa as well as voter information.
Our Strategic Plan is in full swing. I hope you will take the time to share your opinions and ideas with us. And don't forget to join me at 6:15 p.m. on Monday, October 1 at the Boys & Girls Club in American Canyon for our Fifth District Strategic Planning Session. I need your input!
Thank you,
~ Belia Ramos
|
|
In This Issue . . .
-Board of Supervisors News
-Napa County Strategic Plan
-Elections Corner
-Housing News
-Transportation News
-Wireless Emergency Alert System Test
-Free Flu Vaccine Clinics in Napa County
-Featured Nonprofit Organization: Friends of Napa County Animal Shelter
-Centenarian Celebration
-$205,000 Raised for Parks, Programs, & Play!
-American Canyon Transportation Forum
|
|
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS NEWS
|
|
 |
Farmers use bird cannons to protect vineyards against flock of birds that damage their vineyard. However, year after year, residents have complained about the noise to various authorities, including the County's Agricultural Commissioner and law enforcement. As a result, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Supervisor Gregory and I to a new ad hoc committee that will help establish a new set of customs and standards (which will be coming back to the full Board for consideration) to address the proper use of bird cannons.
|
|
|
|
New Agricultural Commissioner!
|
The Board is happy to welcome our new Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures, Humberto Izquierdo. Humberto has over 20 years of experience within the Agricultural Commissioner's system. He has been responsible for the day-to-day administration of department budgets, programs, operations and personnel, as well as promoting the agricultural industry and being on the front lines of industry efforts to manage pests and agricultural disease. Welcome aboard Humberto!
|
|
|
|
NAPA COUNTY STRATEGIC PLAN
|
|
|
I'll be hosting a community meeting in American Canyon on October 1 at 6:15 p.m. to discuss community priorities for the 2019-2022 Strategic Plan. To Register, please
click here
. I hope to see you there!
Also, if you haven't already done so, please fill out the online survey and be a part of the Strategic Planning process. The survey is available in English and Spanish from now until October 9 and can be accessed
here
.
|
|
|
|
|
Election Day is Coming!
A friendly reminder that the General Election is
November 6, 2018
, so don't forget to exercise your right to vote!
The Voter's Choice Act now makes it easier and more convenient for you to cast your ballot. You can vote when, where, and how you want. If you are registered to vote, a ballot will be mailed to you and you may return your completed ballot by mailing it, using a Drop Box, or visiting a Vote Center. If you still need to register to vote or update your registration, visit the
California Secretary of State website
or you may also do so at one of the Vote Centers. For more information or to view a list of the Vote Centers and Drop Box locations,
click here
.
|
November Ballot Initiatives
Earlier this week, the Board discussed the November ballot propositions and took the following positions. For more information on each of the propositions,
click here
.
Supported:
- Proposition 1 - Authorizes bonds to fund specified housing assistance programs.
- Proposition 2 - Authorizes bonds to fund existing housing programs for individuals with mental illness.
- Proposition 3 - Authorizes Bonds to Fund Water Supply and Quality
Opposed:
- Proposition 5 - Changes requirements for certain property owners to transfer their property tax base to replace property.
- Proposition 6 - Eliminates certain road repair and transportation funding. Requires certain fuel taxes and vehicle fees be approved by the electorate.
|
|
|
|
TOT Increase on the Ballot
|
County residents should expect to see the 1% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) increase on the November ballot. This is a special tax paid by tourists staying in hotels that would generate about $5 million Countywide. The money would be dedicated to affordable and workforce housing programs.
Each City in the County has put the same measure on the ballot and residents living in a city will see two Measures on their ballot – one for the County unincorporated area (Measure I) and one for the city they live in. Click on the following links to view the Impartial Analysis of
Measure I
for the County of Napa,
Measure F
for the City of Napa, and
Measure H
for the City of American Canyon.
|
|
Below are some key highlights from the Annual Housing Report regarding the County's housing program activities and work plan priorities. For the full report, click on the image above.
- Since 1991, the County has expended over $20M to construct over 1,000 affordable units.
- The County dedicated $5.4M to three new projects in Fiscal Year 17-18.
- There are currently six affordable housing projects underdevelopment for a total of 190 units.
- The Worker Proximity Housing Program has provided over $3.8M in down payment assistance
- The County launched the Junior Accessory Dwelling Units Loan Program in June 2018 and staff is already working though the application process with 7 interested property owners.
|
|
|
Updates to the County's List of Road Projects
The County recently updated its five-year list of road projects under the Measure T program. A few of the updates to the list include, a shared project between the County and the Napa Sanitation District that will result in less disruption to the neighborhood and reduced costs; and including all of the SB-1 projects on the list, which provides flexibility in case an SB-1 project needs additional funding or SB-1 gets repealed. Thanks to Measure T, we will begin to significantly increase the roads budget and start the long road to recovery. To view the updated list of projects,
click here
.
|
Earlier this week the Napa County Road Crew began installing both right and left turn lanes on Soscol Ferry Road and turn lanes on Devlin Road. Work is scheduled to continue until next week. The crew will begin paving the intersection up to the Caltrans right-of-way and restripe. Work hours will be from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Road closures are as follows:
- North-east bound Soscol Ferry will be closed to all traffic, from 200 yards south-west of Devlin to Hwy 29. Traffic will be detoured onto Napa Valley Corporate Way to Hwy 221.
- Both direction of Devlin from Soscol Ferry to Villa Romano will be closed. Traffic will be detoured onto Airport Boulevard.
|
|
|
|
WIRELESS EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM TEST
|
|
Napa County will be testing the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) System. Those with cell phones that are in the Napa County area on October 9, 2018 around 9:30 a.m. should expect to receive a test message via mobile text message.
The text message will read:
"TEST message Napa County. www.countyofnapa.org/IPAWS for feeback. No other action needed."
For more information, please
click here
.
|
|
FREE FLU VACCINE CLINICS IN
NAPA COUNTY
|
|
|
Napa County Public Health will offer free seasonal flu vaccine shots to anyone over three years of age. For the full schedule of seasonal flu vaccine clinics, visit the
Napa County Public Health Webpage
. Residents unable to attend the flu vaccine clinics or with children less than three years of age can call the Public Health Immunization Clinic at (707) 253-4270 for a free appointment.
|
|
|
|
FEATURED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION: Friends of Napa County Animal Shelter
|
|
Join Friends of Napa County Animal Shelter for the first ever "A Tail to Remember" Benefit. With your help, they can continue to fund vital programs to help the shelter animals and shelter alumni with urgent veterinary needs. Your support will fund much needed community outreach and education to under-served communities so pets can stay with their families and out of the shelter. To register and purchase tickets,
click here
.
|
|
|
This year, twenty Napa County centenarians honored us with their participation in our celebration. They shared some incredible life stories with their fellow centenarians and about 100 family members and friends, citizens, and local officials. It was my pleasure to celebrate this wonderful occasion with Fifth District residents Ethel, Paula, and Laura, who together have 304 years of experience!
|
|
|
|
$205,000 RAISED FOR PARKS,
PROGRAMS, & PLAY!
|
|
AMERICAN CANYON
TRANSPORTATION FORUM
|
|
|
October 15, 2018
6:00 to 7:30 PM
American Canyon City Council
4381 Broadway St., Suite 201
Join Senator Bill Dodd for the American Canyon Transportation Forum to discuss transportation issues. Hear from state and local transportation officials (including myself). Ask questions and share your priorities. To RSVP contact Angelica Mancuso at (707) 224-1990 or
[email protected]
. I hope to see you there!
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Board of Supervisors Meeting . . .
Join the Board on
October 9, 16, 23, & 30 at 9:00 a.m.
on the third floor of the County Administration Building—1195 Third Street, Suite 305, Napa.
|
|
Belia, who lives in American Canyon, was born in Napa and raised in unincorporated St. Helena and Pope Valley. She calls all of Napa County home. Belia is a business owner, educator, 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. Prior to serving on the Board of Supervisors, Belia served as an American Canyon City Council Member from 2010-2016. In 2017, Belia began serving on the Board of Supervisors. In April, she became Board Chair, and currently serves on the following panels: 25
th
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.
|
|
Supervisor Belia Ramos, Fifth District | Napa County Board of Supervisors |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
