Edition 25 | May 30, 2024

Budget Reality

A city’s budget tends to reflect the community’s priorities and preferences. Generally, the percentage of monies spent on various programs is generally stable with occasional augmentations for specific programs and initiatives. The Proposed Operating & Capital Budget for FY 2024-25 (PDF) outlines a proposed budget-balancing strategy that addresses the community's immediate service needs, while positioning St. Helena to enhance delivery of services and projects in coming years. As such, it represents a responsible spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year and considers City Council’s Goals, multi-year capital planning, and investing available resources in strategic priorities. The proposed budget update anticipates the use of approximately $2.8 million from General Fund (GF) reserves to balance the budget. With this projected withdrawal, the General Fund reserve is projected to be 31%; and while it is above the council policy of 30%, continued withdrawals from reserves would be imprudent.

The Proposed Budget reflects our current fiscal reality as a result of continued resource limitations. The City's long-term fiscal health must be addressed through more sustainable approaches to the community’s service priorities into the future. In that regard, the outcome of proposed hotel developments and likely real property transfer tax ballot measure will determine whether the City can meet community expectations and/or address the need for infrastructure improvements.

Investing in high-impact projects: The proposed budget allocates over $1.3 million to improve the City’s roadways and to develop various plans, including: a Streets Master Plan, a Parks Master Plan, and a Downtown Specific Plan. The Downtown Specific Plan will create a framework for our downtown including economic development. Once completed, the plan will contain detailed development standards and various implementation measures that will inform both future downtown streetscape changes and new infill development.

The $500,000 used for road improvements will augment Measure T monies and will result in significant enhancement to the City’s streets. The goal is to increase the Pavement Condition Index (PCI) score for City streets – which was 47 in 2023 – to exceed 70 as soon as possible. 

City staff is also taking several other measures to enhance safety. This includes investing more time and money to reduce vegetation, as well as reviewing Fire Department policies, training, and processes. Several departments, including Police and Fire, are also working collaboratively to modernize the City’s Disaster Operations Plan and Evacuation Plan. As part of this effort, in the next few months the City will be providing all residents and businesses with updated information to help prepare for disasters and to drill for evacuation.

Setting the path forward through innovative services and organizational effectiveness: The proposed budget recognizes that it is important to use each dollar wisely and to optimize the performance of the City’s small staff (80 full-time and 12 part-time employees). To that end, the City continues to invest in technology and organizational resilience to ensure our ability to provide high-caliber services through the Excellence in Service Initiative which includes investments in staff development and employee recognition, along with workforce attraction and retention.

Members of the City Council spend lots of time and make many important decisions, and budgetary decisions are particularly challenging, so the community is in debt to the City Council for their leadership and commitment. I have seen first-hand the amount of time, care, and personal sacrifice each member of the council makes for the benefit of the community. For example, Council Member Anna Chouteau today has four meetings the first started at 11 a.m. and the last will end around 8 p.m. I am profoundly thankful for the time they devote to understanding and making thoughtful decisions, I am also very grateful for our highly motivated executive leadership team and the entire City staff for their commitment to providing outstanding services to our community.

Yours In Service,

Anil Comelo

City Manager

City of St. Helena

Downtown Sidewalk Repair Project - Community Presentation

The St. Helena Public Works Department will host a community presentation to discuss the Downtown Sidewalk Repair Project. Learn more about the projects aimed at revitalizing our downtown sidewalks. The presentation will highlight the design, scope, and schedule for the projects. Staff will be available to discuss the projects and answer questions. St. Helena Fire Station Training Room (entrance on Railroad Avenue), May 30 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

May 28, 2024

City Council and Financing Authority Joint Meeting:

• Approved installment sale financing (bonds) to provide financing of water system improvements (PDF). The first series of bonds is anticipated to go towards improvements like the replacement of the Bell Canyon Intake Tower and the SMART meters project. Watch the joint meeting.

Reports by Staff and City Council, Staff Briefings:

• An update on pedestrian improvements for the intersection of Kearney Street and Madrona Avenue (PDF) was provided based on a recommendation from the Active Transportation & Sustainability Committee. Watch the presentation regarding these pedestrian improvements.
• Director Leach also invited the community to the Main Street Sidewalks Presentation on May 30 at 6 p.m., and spoke to some of the Public Works items on Consent.
• Director Jahns provided information about Community Soccer Night on Friday, May 31, the event will be taking place on the soccer fields at St. Helena High School, and the Progress Pride Flag Raising at Lyman Park/1480 Main Street on June 3 at 4 p.m.

Proclamations and Public Recognitions:

• May as National Mental Health Awareness Month. Visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
• June 7 as Gun Violence Awareness Day and June as Gun Violence Awareness Month.
• June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month.
• Watch the proclamations being read.

Consent Items:

• Reviewed and approved the 2023 St. Helena Annual Housing Element Progress Report (PDF).
• An amendment to a professional services agreement with a Housing Element consultant to explore alternative sites, units, or other options for replacing Housing Element Opportunity Site #10 (PDF).
• Authorization to pay invoices from Aaction Rent for emergency pump rentals at the Wastewater Treatment Plant (PDF) for high flow events due to extended rain season.
• Purchase of two 8-inch trailer mounted pumps to assist with prevention of sanitary sewer overflows (PDF) and other potential flooding events.
• Purchase of a trailer mounted jetting unit (PDF) for use in sewer jetting, spill dilution, and clean-up.
• Establish a capital improvement project for the Bell Canyon Dam (PDF). The primary goals are to ensure regulatory compliance through subsurface exploration and laboratory testing, update records and documentation, install new monitoring equipment, analyze seepage and stability, and provident mitigation design alternatives.
• Approval to conduct a Community Survey (PDF) at the end of 2024 by Godbe Research that will follow up on a survey completed in late 2022.
• Pavement Restoration Project awarded to Argonaut Contractors (PDF). The work will include Pratt Avenue, Hunt Avenue, Spring Street, Birch Avenue, Vidovich Lane, and the Sylvaner subdivision, among other items.
• Action to allow City to apply for Transportation Development Act Article 3 Grant funding for Quick Build Traffic Calming Projects (PDF). If awarded, the funds would be used for a project on North Crane Avenue at Spring Street and South Crane Avenue at Crane Park. Previous projects utilizing this funding included improvements to pedestrian crossings at Pratt Avenue at Highway 29 and Elmhurst Avenue at Highway 29.
• Authorization to fly a ceremonial flag recognizing LGBTQ+ Pride Month (PDF) during in June at City Hall.
• April 2024 Review and Forecasting of City Water Supply Availability (PDF).
• Watch the discussion of Consent Items that were pulled.

Old Business:

• Directed staff to prepare a report analyzing the effects of the Noble House proposal, "St. Helena Agritourism Initiative" (PDF). Watch the presentation, discussion, and public comment about the initiative.

New Business:

• Resolution identifying sidewalk segments for which maintenance is the responsibility of the City (PDF). Watch the presentation, discussion, and public comment about the responsibility of sidewalk maintenance.
• Presentation of updated Cost Allocation Plan to allocate personnel costs (PDF) to various funds as appropriate including Water and Wastewater funds. Watch the presentation and discussion about the cost allocation plan.
• Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 to 2024 and 2024 to 2025 Mid-Cycle Budget Report (PDF) and consideration of resolution approving mid-cycle budget adjustments for FY 2024 to 2025. Watch the mid-cycle budget presentation and discussion. Read more about the mid-cycle budget update in the St. Helena Star.

Review the meeting agenda and watch the meeting.

• Did you know that you can sign up to have agendas emailed to you in advance of every City Council, Commission, and Board Meeting?

Click the underlined event names for more information.

• St. Helena Calendar: Learn more about our business community’s upcoming community events.

• Downtown Sidewalk Repair Presentation: Learn more about two upcoming projects aimed at revitalizing our downtown sidewalks. The presentation will highlight the design, scope, and schedule for the projects. Staff will be available to discuss the projects and answer questions. St. Helena Fire Station Training Room (entrance on Railroad Avenue), May 30 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

• Bothe State Park Hike: Come hike the beautiful Redwood Trail at Bothe State Park. This is a moderate out-and-back hike with an elevation gain of 393 feet that takes approximately one and a half hours to complete. After the hike, some gentle stretches will be led by Kerry Brackett. Meet at the last parking lot, past the Ranger booth. Call for details (707) 963-8555 x101. Redwood Trail, Bothe State Park, May 31 at 9 a.m.

• Community Soccer Night: After a successful event in 2023, the St. Helena Parks and Recreation team is bringing back Noche Comunitaria de FÚTBOL (Community Soccer night). You can expect the same great family activities and food as last year, plus Youth Soccer Clinics from Napa Valley 1839 FC and Challenger Sports, and an Adult (16+) 4 vs. 4 Soccer Tournament (pre-registration required for tournament only). St. Helena High School Soccer Fields, May 31 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

• St. Helena Striders Walk: Take advantage of our natural surroundings for fun and fitness. The group meets the first Saturday of each month. Join to meet new people, get exercise and fresh air, and enjoy the scenery. West Side Walk - Meet at Napa Valley Coffee Roasting Company, June 1 at 9 a.m.

• Cancer Can Take a Hike: Take a lovely morning hike in the beautiful Napa Valley. Hike in the name of someone who currently is in treatment with cancer, someone you love that beat cancer, or in the name of an angel no longer with us due to cancer. There will be a raffle, prizes, fun takeaways, and most especially a community coming together. 100% of the proceeds goes towards helping patients in Napa County currently in treatment. Bothe Napa Valley State Park, June 2, starting at 9 a.m.

• Renee Austin Artist Reception: An artist and storyteller. Her new series, “American Chaos,” grew out of news reports of mass shootings, restricted rights, and fake news. It is meant as a wake up call to inspire people to think about the problems surrounding Americans today and to use their voice to vote for people and policies that will help calm the chaos. The paintings will be on exhibit through the month of June. St. Helena Public Library, June 4, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

• Blue Zones Project Community Meal Finale: Join us for our final Blue Zones Project Upper Napa Valley community meal after 12 wonderful weeks! We’ve enjoyed spending time together and building these new relationships. Thank you for being a part of this journey! This meal will also be a special birthday celebration for our local St. Helena resident, Ester Akersloot, who is turning 98! Grace Episcopal Church, June 5 at 6 p.m.

• Eco Fitness Hikes: Do you love fitness and the beautiful outdoors? Join fitness instructor Kerry Brackett for a great hike/workout through Bothe State Park. This one-hour class is held the second Saturday of each month. As the group hikes through the redwoods, Kerry will offer a variety of exercises to work the whole body! She will finish with additional core exercises and stretches. Bothe Napa Valley State Park, June 8, starting at 9 a.m.

• Red Cross and Adventist Health St. Helena Blood Drive: An estimated 38 percent of Americans are eligible to give blood or platelets, but of those, less than 10 percent actually donate each year. If you are healthy and eligible, please come out to donate. Most donations take about an hour (from arrival to departure), so book your appointment, roll up your sleeve and become a part of this lifesaving mission. Advance registration requested. Adventist Health St Helena (St. Helena Hospital - 10 Woodland Road), June 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Children's Petting Zoo: Come interact with the pets of Cute and Cuddly Petting Zoo! These friendly animals can't wait to make some new friends! Limited spaces available, advance registration requested. St. Helena Public Library, June 12 at 10:30 a.m.

• Classic Car Show - Rally 4 Rianda: Join Rianda House for its 10th annual event showcasing classic cars, good company, and fun. Food, music, beer, and wine await – come one, come all! Adams Street (east of Library Lane), June 16 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

• Citywide Evacuation Drills: The City will be conducting emergency evacuation drills for the community. The first will be for those living on the west side of Main Street/Highway 29 on June 19. Those living on the east side of Main Street/Highway 29 will have a similar drill in September. The City will be sending more information out via email and on social media as the date gets closer.



• Inaugural Pickleball Tournament: Although the tournament spots are filled, come cheer on the players and enjoy food trucks and festivities. All proceeds benefit UpValley Family Centers. Crane Park on June 22 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Save the Date - St. Helena Community Forum: Learn more about City finances and get your questions answered by members of the City Council and City Staff. Cameo Cinema, June 24 at 6 p.m.

• Save the Date - Protect Yourself from Scams: The Napa County District Attorney's Office in conjunction with Molly's Angels of Napa Valley and Napa County Health and Human Services Agency invites local seniors to attend the first ever Senior Against Financial Exploitation (S.A.F.E.) Workshop designed to teach senior citizens how to protect themselves from common scams and other types of financial abuse. All seniors are welcome. St. Helena Performing Arts Center (1401 Grayson Avenue), June 28 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

• Save the Date - Dinner at the Museum: Enjoy a paella dinner among artifacts that document the region’s history dating back 10K years to the area’s native people, the Wappos. Look forward to tapas, Gerard’s Paella, salad, dessert from the CIA, and Napa Valley wines. St. Helena Historical Society and Museum (1255 Oak Avenue), July 20 at 5:30 p.m. 

• Save the Date - Napa Valley Puppetry Festival: The White Barn scores another win for the arts this summer by hosting the Napa Valley Puppetry Festival: three days of performances, workshops, hands-on demonstrations, and general merriment for kids (of all ages) and their families on the Barn's indoor and outdoor stages. The White Barn, July 26 to July 28.

City of St. Helena

1088 College Avenue

St. Helena, CA 94574