Edition 20 | March 20, 2024 | |
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Optimizing City Services
At the direction of the City Council and consistent with the City Council Goals to Enhance Quality of Life for residents and to Optimize Organizational Effectiveness, staff has been exploring shared services models for several departments, including Police, Fire, Administrative Services (Human Resources), and Public Works (Water-Wastewater). The goal in doing so is to improve the quality of services, create efficiencies, and potentially even reduce the cost of services to the community. Likewise, staff continually seek ways to break down departmental silos to increase collaboration, innovation, responsiveness, and enhance staff morale. When the opportunity presented itself, staff also began exploring new models for the delivery of Library services.
There is a belief that the City could simply turnover staffing of the Library to the County and thereby save the City almost a million dollars each year. That is not true. If the City contracted with the County to provide library services, the City would be required to reimburse the County for staffing and other costs. So, while the City would be able to access the deeper and more specialized services of a much larger library agency, it would not save money. That said, we may have the ability to enhance the services to the community without contracting with the County.
In exploring various options, staff has identified the potential formation of a new umbrella department to bring together the functions of Library and Parks and Recreation. In its exploration of this service model, staff sought advice and guidance from leaders across several disciplines as well as community and department stakeholders. Specifically, the City’s management team met multiple times with Library and Park and Recreation staff as well as the Library Board of Trustees, the Friends & Foundation Board of Directors, as well as once with the Parks and Recreation Commission. In each meeting, management staff presented the proposed structure, received feedback, and endeavored to address concerns or misconceptions. While not everyone’s fears have been mollified, the initial concerns of some stakeholders seem to have dissipated. Notably, none of the concerns mentioned are insurmountable and several stakeholders touted the benefits of the consolidation. It was pointed out that several communities have consolidated Library, Parks and Recreation, and other functions and so our current endeavor is not only not new but is considered to be “best practice.” While this will be a new way to operate, the intent is to modernize our operating model and enhance civic services in several areas. This structure is similar to other cities with the rare independent Library, including San Rafael, Beverly Hills, Pleasanton, and Richmond. The article Parks and Libraries in Partnership from over 15 years ago by Diantha D. Schull, Executive Director for Libraries For The Future, aptly describes the benefits of such consolidation.
It cannot be reiterated enough that both the Library and Parks and Recreation function very well and are both beloved in the community; however, opportunities for collaboration between the two functional areas is relatively unsystematic and unstructured, which tends to isolate staff and stifle collaboration, creativity, and innovation. Because of the similarities in the reach of both the Library and Parks and Recreation departments as well as the City’s desire to broaden its arts and culture opportunities and increase community engagement, staff is recommending the formation of a new department, and that will include important functions that do not have a “home” such as Arts, Culture, Grants, and Community Engagement. This is an opportunity to rethink traditional identities and become more innovative in our approach to services.
Benefits of consolidation include, but are not limited to, enhancing of the scope and quality of services, being more innovative and inclusive, highlighting the importance of arts and culture, increasing communication between functional areas, achieving cross promotion of programs and activities, and providing opportunities for career development thus helping retain talented employees and minimizing turnover.
On March 26th, the City Council will be presented with a recommendation to create a new department. The community is encouraged to attend the meeting and/or provide input in writing in advance of the meeting.
Yours in Service,
Anil Comelo
City Manager
City of St. Helena
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Give BIG! St. Helena
An annual parent-led social fundraising campaign benefiting St. Helena’s public schools. March is the month of giving and efforts culminate on March 24, marking St. Helena’s anniversary of incorporation – March 24, 1876. Please note that Run BIG! will take place on March 29 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the area of the elementary, middle, and high schools. There will be rolling street closures managed by the St. Helena Police Department, St. Helena Parks and Recreation Department, and parent volunteers. Please use alternate routes and drive with caution.
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Create Your New Online Utility Payments Account
The City of St. Helena transitioned to a new online payments platform in February 2024, for utility (water) billing. All utility customers who would like to pay online and/or who previously paid their bill online, had autopay set up, 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. Please note that if you are mailing a check or if your checking account/bank automatically sends a physical check to pay your bill through Bill Pay it can take 7 to 10 days for it to be received from the USPS. Late-fees are based on when the payment is received, not on the postmark date. Avoid late-fees and ensure that payments are scheduled or mailed early and that all checks are signed and dated correctly. Check the address your bank has on file too. Payments can be mailed to 1088 College Avenue, St. Helena, CA 94574 OR P.O. Box 1290, Suisun, CA 94585-1290.
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¡Viva Mariachi! Comes to St. Helena
The community is invited to the free ¡Viva Mariachi! Three ensembles representing mariachi programs existing at our nation’s public education system will be performing in St. Helena. This first-ever unique event is a one-evening program of mariachi performances to celebrate Mexican music and culture. Award-winning youth ensembles will demonstrate what’s possible when a community develops a Mariachi music program for its students. These Mariachi programs play a pivotal role in enhancing student success while enriching the cultural vitality and musical heritage of our institutions and the surrounding communities, while for Mexican-origin students and their families they bring a sense of pride, self-worth and belonging. Additionally, they have a proven track record of increasing student focus, academic achievement, and graduation rates. ¡Viva Mariachi! in St. Helena, St. Helena Performing Arts Center (465 Main Street), April 5 at 7 p.m. The event continues on April 6 and April 7 at Napa Valley College (Napa Campus).
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Pope Street Bridge Repaving
Earlier this week the City maintained section of Silverado Trail was repaved. Pope Street Bridge repaving began Tuesday evening. The work will continue Thursday, March 21 during the day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. While work is being completed, the Pope Street Bridge will be closed to all traffic. Alternate routes, such as crossing at Zinfandel Lane, Pratt Avenue, and/or Deer Park Road, are encouraged.
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Measure T and the Vine Trail
For the City to receive Measure T (used for street repairs and repaving) revenues, jurisdictions, like the City of St. Helena, collectively must demonstrate that at least 6.67% of the amount of Measure T revenues received each year is being committed to Class I facilities identified in the adopted Countywide Bicycle Plan/Active Transportation Plan, using funds not derived from the Measure T Ordinance. This can be accomplished by the jurisdiction showing that they have collectively set aside funds from the General Fund.
Annually the City contributes from General Fund to Fund 241 – Measure T Class I Trails to meet this requirement. All of the City of St. Helena's contributions towards the Vine Trail have all been funded from Fund 241, or the contributions for the Measure T 6.67% equivalent funds requirement.
In return, the City of St. Helena has received approximately $6.6 million to date (March 2024) in Measure T revenues that are allocated to the Streets Capital Improvement Program.
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Fix-A-Leak Week
It’s Fix-A-Leak-Week, and Flume is on a mission to help catch water leaks big and small! Often, we only think of combating the big leaks but what about the small drips that add up? Did you know: a shower dripping at 10 drips per minute wastes more than 500 gallons per year; a faucet leaking at a rate of just 1 drip per second, can amount to more than 3,000 gallons per year; and 10% of homes have leaks that waste more than 90 gallons or more per day. These tiny drips can wreak havoc on your home and your wallet. 70% of Flume users have caught a leak within a month of installing Flume’s Smart Home Water Monitor in their home! That’s why the City of St. Helena has partnered with Flume Water to empower you to keep your home leak-free. For a limited time, City of St. Helena customers can get Flume for just $55 (reg $249)! Act fast, this offer is only available until March 24.
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Every Drop Counts
As we near the end of our official rainy season, it’s important to remember to conserve water during our everyday lives. This includes interior and exterior uses. Try to use your dishwasher when possible instead of washing all of your dishes in the sink, take shorter showers, monitor how much water you’re using for your landscaping, and more. The City of St. Helena has a variety of water conservation ideas and rebates available. You can also reuse water by installing a greywater system that repurposes water used inside for your landscaping.
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Recycled Water Workshop
The City’s wastewater treatment plant upgrade project is nearing completion. Starting this summer, the City will be able to produce reclaimed water suitable for use on landscaping and food crops. The City is also planning to construct a new reclaimed water pipeline to begin distributing water to potential customers. The City is seeking public input on where this water is most needed and will be holding a public workshop at the Fire Station on March 21 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. All community members are welcome to attend, the entrance to the Training Room at the Fire Station is off Railroad Avenue.
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Blue Zones Real Age Survey
A piece of mail from the Boston University School of Public Health may hit your mailbox soon. Inside you'll find the RealAge survey. By completing this survey, you'll help Blue Zones Project - Upper Napa Valley understand how they’re doing in their efforts to make healthier choices easier for Upper Napa Valley. As their final survey opportunity, your participation is critical to help them compare our community's collective responses and work strategically to strengthen our community's well-being. Don't worry, households were chosen randomly to receive the paper survey. If you didn't receive one in the mail, you can still take the Blue Zones Real Age Survey online. Learn more about The Power of 9 - residents in blue zones live in very different parts of the world, yet they have nine commonalities that lead to longer, healthier, happier lives.
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UpStage Napa Valley PlayFest 2024
PlayFest 2024 will take place in October at Grace Episcopal Church on Spring Street. The local event focuses on short, 10 to 15-minute plays, a genre that began in the late1970's and has soared in popularity, becoming one of the most popular and accessible types of plays today. Upstage Napa Valley is calling all playwrights & aspiring writers to submit their works for its Fourth Annual playwriting festival. This year’s theme is “Just a bit outside.” Submissions must be original, 15 minutes in length, have no more than three characters, and have one set. The submission deadline is April 15.
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SHUSD Parent Survey
Every three years, the St. Helena Unified School District develops a revised Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) which outlines goals and actions designed for successful student outcomes. A key part of this plan is collecting input from community partners that have a vested interest in these goals. To collect input, they are asking that that the community complete a short survey. Please complete the survey by March 22 at 4 p.m.
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Click the underlined event names for more information.
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Blue Zones Project Community Meal: Blue Zones Project Upper Napa Valley is partnering with Sunshine Foods and Grace Episcopal Church to offer meals for the community on Wednesdays, starting March 20 and running for 12 weeks, to June 5. Bring a bowl, utensils, and the beverage of your choice. Food available until it’s gone, arrive early. Grace Church, Wednesdays beginning at 6 p.m.
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Recycled Water Workshop: The City’s wastewater treatment plant upgrade project is nearing completion. Starting this summer, the City will be able to produce reclaimed water suitable for use on landscaping and food crops. The City is also planning to construct a new reclaimed water pipeline to begin distributing water to potential customers. St. Helena Fire Station - Training Room, March 21 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (enter the Training Room from Railroad Avenue).
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Wednesday Walk & Talk: Police Chief Hartley meets with community members for a walk every Wednesday morning. 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. Join the next walk on March 27 that will walk Hunt Avenue. Wednesday's at 9 a.m., meet at the corner of Main Street and Pope Avenue.
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Gabriel Moraga - The North Bay's Unknown Explorer: The Susanne Salvestrin Lecture Series continues with this exploration into Gabriel Moraga, a Spanish Army officer who explored the Central Valley in the early 1900s. Moraga's travels took him deep into the interior of California as far as the Sierra Nevada. Yet few people know about his reconnaissance missions to the North Bay. Learn more about this soldier-diplomat, his encounters with Native people, Yankee sailors, and Russian colonists, and how he affected the region, from speaker Dr. Damien Bacich. St. Helena Historical Society, Heritage Center Museum (1255 Oak Ave), April 3 at 4 p.m.
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Stevenson Poetry Night: An annual celebration of the art of the spoken word at Stevenson Poetry Night! Part of Arts Council Napa Valley’s Arts in April program the evening will feature several works by Robert Louis Stevenson and offer the opportunity for other poets to recite a favorite work and/or perform an original piece. All poets and languages are accepted and encouraged. We encourage all who are interested in participating to sign up in advance. Day-of sign ups will be treated on a first-come, first-served basis. Robert Louis Stevenson Museum at the St. Helena Public Library, April 3 at 5:30 p.m.
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City of Immigrants: The new exhibit celebrates the historic mass migration from 1820 to 1920, gives a taste of how these early immigrants contributed to the growth and culture of the St. Helena area. The exhibit is a joint effort of the St. Helena and Napa County Historical Societies, and was sponsored in part by Arts Council Napa Valley. St. Helena Historical Society’s Heritage Center (1255 Oak Avenue), first Saturday of each month from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
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¡Viva Mariachi! Festival at Napa Valley College: A a unique opportunity for our community to learn how Mariachi programs are thriving throughout the U.S because of their effective role in student success, all while enriching the cultural vitality and musical traditions of their institutions and surrounding communities. St. Helena Performing Arts Center and Napa Valley College (Napa Campus), April 5 to April 7.
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Save the Date - Fentanyl Safety Event: The City of St. Helena and UpValley Family Centers will present Song for Charlie - The New Drug Talk, a 30-minute film outlines the dangers of fentanyl and fake pills. The film will be followed by an expert panel discussion focused on learning how to keep loved ones safe. Cameo Cinema, April 24 at 5 p.m.
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Save the Date - Napa Climate Solutions Showcase: Designed to help local renters, home owners, small businesses, developers, property managers, real estate agents, representatives of community organizations (e.g., Fair Housing), and others gain a greater understanding of the resources available to make homes more efficient and save money. American Legion Hall. 1240 Pearl Street, Napa. April 27 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
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City of St. Helena
1088 College Avenue
St. Helena, CA 94574
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