Edition 18 | February 22, 2024 | |
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Sharing Talents With Community
By the deadline last Friday, four residents had applied to serve the community on the City Council and they are a highly qualified bunch. In reading about them, it is clear that they not only enjoy living in St. Helena, but also care about our City and the well-being of its residents.
Each has contributed his talents for the betterment of society, and all are clearly motivated by their desire to serve the community. While Jeffrey Green serves on the Board of the UpValley Family Centers, both Christopher Warner and Doug Boeschen currently serve on City commissions. Patrick Kenealy served on the 2020 Financing Civic Infrastructure Task Force, and currently serves on a resident committee related to the proposed November 2024 real property transfer tax. Patrick has also (along with Tom McBroom and Vice Mayor Eric Hall) been validating the staff’s thinking and tallying related to the City’s long range financial forecast [By the way, City staff routinely tap the skills of City residents on a variety of purposes, so please register yourself here so that we know how you can assist the City - even if you can only help occasionally]. A current need is to help develop a program for reusable food ware and waste reduction.
On February 27, the City Council will appoint one of these four applicants and make assignments to the several local and regional committees. During the following two weeks, the new council member will receive briefings and go on site visits with department heads and other staff. The new council member will have to take a deep dive into the budget, pending legal issues, current personnel/labor relations matters, and several emerging policy issues.
The new council member, along with council colleagues, will make several important policy decisions in 2024. These include decisions on the sale of the two surplus properties, placing of a real property transfer tax and Charter City measures on the November ballot, providing direction on proposed residential and hotel developments, and approving the budget update for the next Fiscal Year.
The new council member will also learn arcane rules, such as the Brown Act, which dictates how elected and appointed officials formulate policy and communicate with each other. Among other things, the Brown Act prevents council members from responding to policy issues on social media or when more than two council members are sent an email simultaneously.
Regardless of who is appointed to the Council, staff is primed to help bring the person up to speed and help move forward the many projects and initiatives currently underway. Let’s all prepare to welcome the new council member and wish him well.
Yours In Service,
Anil Comelo
City Manager
City of St. Helena
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DOWNTOWN SPECIFIC PLAN
The City of St. Helena is embarking on an exciting public planning process through the launch of a Downtown Specific Plan in the weeks ahead. After a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process the City has selected the consulting firm Dyett and Bhatia to help lead the effort. Their familiarity with St. Helena through preparing the General Plan is an added plus.
Continue reading about the Downtown Specific Plan.
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City Launches New Website
The City of St. Helena launched its newly designed website earlier this month. The interactive website is designed to enhance accessibility, provide more services, be mobile responsive, and provide more comprehensive information to the community. The site provides enhanced accessibility, streamlined navigation, and more comprehensive resources for the community. The Parks and Recreation Department also launched a fully integrated recreation management system, providing an easier way to register for programs and activities and/or reserve facilities. This follows the January launch of St. Helena Grapevine, which provides an easy way for the community to report non-emergency related issues including potholes and parks maintenance requests.
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Create Your New Online Utility Payments Account
The City of St. Helena transitioned to a new online payments platform on February 20, 2024, for utility (water) billing. All utility customers who paid their bill online, had autopay set up, and/or had requested paperless billing will need to create a new account through Xpress Bill Pay. Xpress Bill Pay is the premier local government and service district payment provider and offers a variety of enhanced features. Learn more about Xpress Bill Pay and set up your new online account.
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Wednesday Walk & Talk
Every Wednesday at 9 a.m. Police Chief Hartley will meet at the corner of Main Street and Pope Street, and then walk one of the surrounding neighborhoods. The goal of these walks is to get to know the community members in each neighborhood better, get some exercise, and provide an opportunity for community members to ask questions, provide feedback, and/or express their public safety concerns in a positive and comfortable setting. Additional officers and City staff are welcome and encouraged to join Chief Hartley, as their schedules allow. Most walks are approximately one hour; community members can join for as long (or as short) as they would like. The first Wednesday Walk & Talk is scheduled for February 28.
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St. Helena Police Begins Transition to Electric Vehicles
The St. Helena Police Department is reducing its carbon footprint by purchasing three electric cars and one hybrid truck, becoming the first law enforcement agency in Napa County to move away from traditional internal combustion vehicles. The department’s revamped fleet includes a Tesla Model 3 for the police chief, two Ford Mustang Mach-E patrol vehicles, and a Ford Maverick Hybrid pickup. Read more about the Police Department’s transition to electric vehicles in the St. Helena Star.
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St. Helena Grapevine Stats
As of February 20, 2024, 144 reports have been made on the St. Helena Grapevine for a variety of issues, from potholes to parks maintenance and more. Of those requests, 96 have been completed and an additional 46 are open or in the process of being addressed. While the City, including our Public Works Department, are only able to respond to items on City property and/or within the City right-of-way, our team does try to connect requestors with the correct property owner when issues arise outside of areas the City is authorized to assist with.
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Elm Tree Tunnel Work
The Tree Tunnel was planted by the Beringer brothers along Highway 29 along the frontage with the Beringer. Many of the trees are at the end of their life and many have succumbed to Dutch Elm Disease. Over the last few years, Caltrans and the City have been replacing the older trees with new Elm trees. These new trees are a varietal that is more resistant to Dutch Elm Disease. The new trees are also being planted farther off the road and with greater spacing from each other. This is all being done to promote a longer life than the first generation of trees enjoyed. The project is being conducted in phases to preserve as much of this historic landscaping for as long as possible. Eventually, the entire tree tunnel will consist of new trees, which will then need several decades to grow back into the tree tunnel most of us remember. The work, which can be delayed because of weather, is scheduled to begin on February 26. One-way traffic controls will be in effect while work is being completed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Grayson Avenue Repaving Complete
The City of St. Helena’s Public Works Department and its contractor, Team Ghilotti, completed the reconstruction and repaving of the entire length of Grayson Avenue between Main Street and South Crane Avenue in mid-February. In addition to the repaving, this project improved bus turnout areas, added shoulders, and added additional drainage features.
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Cellular Water Meter Pilot Program
The City's Underground Utilities Division of the Public Works Department has been researching new water meters for many months and, in early February, launched a pilot program by installing 10 new "end points and registers" to existing meters on City-owned service connections. The goal of the pilot program is to demonstrate the effectiveness of this upgraded technology to secure funding and then roll out the upgrades across the system. The implementation of this technology will greatly increase operations staff ability to focus on other priorities and reduce or eliminate the need of staff to do re-reads on the meters. Many of the meters currently in operation are 15 to 20 years old, outliving their expected usage lifetimes. While the readings remain accurate, staff often does manual meter re-reads on approximately 25% of the meters in the system, since they no longer send a radio signal to the reading device.
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Teen Field Trip to Scandia Golfland!
Join the Parks and Recreation staff for a teen field trip on Saturday, March 9 to Scandia Golfland in Fairfield! Teens ages 11 to 15 will receive a 4 hour unlimited fun card for golf, arcade, and more! Transportation is included. Advance registration for the trip is required online or by calling (707) 968-9222.
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Orin Swift Ribbon Cutting
While their expanded and renovated tasting room officially opened its doors at the end of October, Orin Swift held their ribbon cutting on February 15. More businesses, including two restaurants (Ray Ray’s Tacos and Capo 29) and a tasting room (JCB) are expected to open soon.
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Community Garden - Spots Available
The community garden at Jacob Meily Park continues to thrive since its inception nearly 14 years ago. Located in the northeastern corner of the park, it transformed an underutilized part of the park into a truly beautiful, productive, and tranquil place. The garden opened on Earth Day in April 2011, and operates as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) volunteer organization. The fully fenced area includes 30 individual gardens, which are rented for a nominal fee that goes towards insurance. There are a few 80 sq. ft. gardens available and the open enrollment period is now through March 1, 2024. The annual fee is $60, plus a $35 deposit. Those interested in learning more can contact Susann Ortega via email at sthelenagarden@gmail.com.
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February 13, 2024
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The City of St. Helena’s new website was previewed for the City Council, showing its enhanced accessibility, streamlined navigation, and comprehensive resources. The City also unveiled its new Parks and Recreation online registration and reservations system, and reminded the Council and community about the St. Helena Grapevine that launched in January.
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There was a program update for the Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Of the 43 projects scheduled to start this fiscal year, 33 have already been started. This does not include additional emergency fixes to various infrastructure across the City, including the repair of a valve and filter at the Stonebridge Wells in early February to help keep water flowing to parts of our City. Of the planned projects about 90% are currently on track to be completed on-time. Read more about the Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan in the St. Helena Star.
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The City Council also had an update regarding the second reading for code updates relating to water service, sewer service, and sidewalk ownership before approving the updates, while noting that some additional updates may need to be made in the future to further clarify items within the code.
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The Council reviewed staff reports and recommendations before approving a variety of items including a quarterly grant report for the period ending December 31, 2023; affirming use of Affordable Housing Trust Fund Monies for Our Town St. Helena's affordable housing project on Pope Street; contracts for: human resources assistance, uniform services, HVAC repair and maintenance, mechanical repair for maintenance of various equipment including vehicles and trailers, and maintenance, testing, and repair for the City’s emergency generators; and a new Recreation Manager position. All items, with the exception of the new position, were included in the City’s budget.
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The City did not exercise its right to purchase an affordable housing unit on Voorhees Circle, allowing the unit to remain as a deed restricted affordable home and sell privately to a new, qualified buyer.
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Review the complete meeting agenda and watch the meeting.
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Click the underlined event names for more information.
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Unleash Your Inner Artist: A sip-and-paint class with an experiential twist includes artful wines and instruction led by local cooperative Nimbus Arts. It's the perfect way to unwind with friends or make new ones during an afternoon of creativity. February Theme: Mustard Flower Landscapes of the Napa Valley. Acaica Barn at Alila, February 23 at 4 p.m.
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UpStage Napa Valley’s Comedy Play, “Dead Accounts”: Jack’s mother and sister question his unexpected return to his childhood home in Cincinnati. Is he coming home to stay? Is he running away from Manhattan and ending his marriage? And where did he get all that money? This comedy written by Theresa Rebeck confronts the timely issues of corporate greed, small town values, and whether or not your family will always welcome you back. . . with no questions asked. Grace Episcopal Church, February 23 and 24, March 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, and 10.
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Opera Gala Recital: St. Helena High School with Robert Louis Stevenson Middle School invite the community to their Opera Gala Recital. Chamber singers will be singing solos and choral works from operas such as La Traviata by Verdi and Le Nozze Di Figaro by Mozart. The show will be directed by Alba Gonzalez-Arredondo and Ted Von Pohle. St. Helena Performing Arts Center, February 25 at 3 p.m.
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Bearing Witness - The Reckoning Project: A virtual conversation with war correspondent and human rights reporter Janine di Giovanni. Hosted by the Saint Helena Forum. Available for viewing on February 28.
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Children's Tea Party - Learn About Afternoon Tea: A whimsical afternoon tea where guests will learn the art and manners of "high tea" while sipping on lemonade and tea snacks. Ages 5 and up! No more than 4 people per group (including adults). Advance registration required. St. Helena Public Library, March 1 at 4 p.m.
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Pawsport Napa Valley: Pawsport is back and bigger than ever! The event has expanded from one weekend to the entire month of March and features even more experiences. This dog-friendly month of wine tasting and restaurant going benefits Napa Humane’s life-saving programs and services for Napa Valley companion animals. 24 fabulously pup-friendly Napa Valley wineries and restaurants, March 1 to March 31.
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Grease: It's one of the world's most iconic and loved musicals and nothing beats the feeling you get. Going back to Rydell High, Danny, Sandy, Kenickie, Rizzo and the whole gang are back. Fun for the whole family presented by St. Helena Drama. St. Helena Performing Arts Center, March 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, and 17.
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City of St. Helena
1088 College Avenue
St. Helena, CA 94574
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