March 2, 2018
Hello,

The League of California Cities honors the hard work and dedication of elected officials through its Mayors and Council Members Torch Program. Each year, elected officials from throughout California earn recognition for enhancing their own knowledge and skills in order to better serve the public. Last night, the City hosted a meeting of various elected officials from across the North Bay and our very own Mayor Leon Garcia and Vice Mayor Ken Leary were awarded the League’s “Level Three Achievement Leadership in Action”. Out of the more than 2,000 elected officials statewide, only 8 received this award in 2017 - and American Canyon is the only City to have two winners! This accomplishment is a remarkable testament to Leon and Ken’s leadership and dedication to this community. I am very proud of their commitment and I hope you are too.
Left to Right: Vice Mayor Ken Leary, Elizabeth Patterson, Mayor of Benicia, Mike Healy, Vice Mayor of Petaluma, Mayor Leon Garcia
You may have heard the Water Rate Study is wrapping up. Last year the City Council commissioned a Water Rate Advisory Committee of citizens and ratepayers to work with staff to make recommendations regarding water rates. After months of review, the Committee and staff are finished with their recommendations. They are recommending eliminating the “drought surcharge” and replacing the old rate structure with a new, simpler formula. This new structure will provide enough revenue to undertake $14M in necessary capital improvements over the next five years. Importantly, it will set aside $0.5M to pay for conservation programs and purchase additional water supplies if necessary during the next drought.

In order to be sensitive to concerns about drastic increases in cost, the idea is to take an incremental approach, with rates stepping up each year for the next five years (rather than a large increase all at once). The new formula has 2 “tiers" for residential customers. In Tier 1, the first 10 units (748 gallons = 1 unit) per month would cost $6.07 per unit. After that (Tier 2), each unit will cost $6.65 per additional unit. In addition, the stand-by fee (“fixed meter charge”) is proposed to increase from $6.23 to $6.82 per month regardless of how much water is used. 

The average American Canyon family uses 8 to 9 units per month, and after the first increase later this year, their bill would increase from $48.15 to $55.35 per month. Thereafter, the plan calls for increases of 9.5% in January of each year.

Staff and the Committee presented these recommendations to Council on February 20th and has created a webpage devoted to this topic. Our next step is go out into the community and present our recommendations to you. Staff is holding two meetings next week and we hope to see you there:

  • Monday, March 5th, from 6:30 -7:30 PM at Canyon Oaks Elementary School (475 Silver Oak Trail)

  • Thursday, March 8th, from 6-7 PM at the Senior Multi Use Center (2185 Elliott Drive)

Lastly, it is supposed to continue to storm on and off again over the weekend, so please drive safely and slowly during rainy conditions.  

Thanks and take care,
Interim City Manager

P.S.
The early bird ticket pricing ($35) for the Community Recognition Ball is extended to March 16th. Get your tickets before they sell out! It's also not too late to nominate those wonderful volunteers, click here for more information.
On the Agenda...

The City Council will meet again on Tuesday, March 6th, 6:30 PM at City Hall. The full agenda is now available.

Since our Last Update...

Your City Council met on February 20th, the recording is now available

Future Meetings...

Open Space Advisory Committee will meet on Wednesday, March 7th at 6:30 PM in the Oat Hill Conference Room at City Hall, 2nd floor. The agenda is available now.

Parks & Community Services Commission will meet on Thursday, March 8th at 6:30 PM, in the City Council Chambers, 4381 Broadway, 2nd floor.  The agenda is available now.
Read the latest newsletter from your County Supervisor Belia Ramos.
Voter's Choice Act Workshops

The Voter's Choice Act became law in 2016 to make voting more convenient and accessible. As a pilot county, Napa County will be 100% Vote By Mail for the June 5, 2018 Primary Election. Learn about vote centers and ballot drop boxes. Discover what changes are coming, test out the new equipment, and find out how you can participate at one of these upcoming Voter's Choice Act Workshops:

March 5 - 5:30 PM: Napa County Library - 580 Coombs St.
March 7 - 5:30 PM: American Canyon Library - 300 Crawford Way
March 21 - 6:00 PM: Art Room, Yountville Community Center - 6516 Washington St.
March 27 - 5:30 PM: Calistoga Community Center - 1307 Washington St.
March 29 - 5:30 PM: St. Helena Library - 1492 Library Ln.
Construction Updates

You may be wondering about recent construction activity around town. We provide updates every Friday on our website about our cone zones.
Under construction concept design background - orange highway traffic construction cones with white stripes isolated on white
Community Calendar

Helping Hand Indo American & the American Canyon Arts Foundation will be hosting Holi A Festival of Colors, an incredible and colorful celebration of Spring. The event is FREE and open to all ages. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided.

When: 3-5 PM on Sunday, March 4th

Where: Shenandoah Park (100 Sonoma Creek Way)

American Canyon Middle School PTO will host the 5th Annual Casino Night. A fun filled evening with silent auctions and raffle prizes.

When: 6:30-9:30 PM on Friday, March 9th
Where: American Canyon Community Center (300 Benton Way)

You can find these events, and others on the Community Calendar. Interested in adding your event to the community calendar? Click here for more information.
Inspire Fun with Us!

Are you energetic, creative and responsible? If yes, we want YOU to apply for the position of  Recreation Leader or Lifeguard. Recreation Leaders provide leadership, supervision, and assistance in various recreation programs, including day camp, youth and adult sports, and special events. Lifeguards observe the activity of swimmers in and around the American Canyon Aquatics Pool and provide lifesaving services as needed. Lifeguards also assist and teach with swim lessons and other pool-related activities.

Recreation Opportunities

Aquatics


Cooking


Youth Sports


Adult

H&R Block Tax Return Q&A-  March 12

Join us in honoring our community volunteers with a social hour, catered dinner, and awards presentation. Tickets are available at Parks & Recreation,100 Benton Way, or online.
Report concerns, pay your water bill, receive information on current projects, community events, and more.  Download our app to have a connection to your City right at your fingertips. 

Click on Activity Guide pictured above to view fall activities. Click here to register for activities online.