Greetings!

Although you wouldn’t know it from the weather outside, summer is over and fall is here. We’ve spent the last month focusing on cleaning up American Canyon, and tomorrow, Saturday, September 29th, is the final push to help get rid of unwanted items.  Two weeks ago we had a huge group of volunteers helping with Coastal Cleanup Day. My oldest son and I joined the hundreds of community residents all helping to clean-up trash from our creeks and wetlands. Now is the chance to properly dispose of difficult items so they don’t end up elsewhere. Got old tires laying around? – We’ll take them. How about unused medication squirreled away in your medicine cabinet? We’ll take that too - DO NOT FLUSH THEM DOWN THE DRAIN! Or maybe you have an old mattress or TV? Yup, we’ll take those too at our “Final Sweep Event” tomorrow from 9 AM - 3 PM.  

Take care,

Jason Holley, Public Works Director

P.S. – you may be wondering about recent construction activity around town. The City’s website has the latest information – it will be a busy fall, so please check for updates regularly.

All City Offices will be closed in observance of Columbus Day on Monday, October 9th and will re-open on Tuesday, October 10th. If you have a Police or Fire emergency call 911. For non-emergencies call (707) 253-4451. If you have a Public Works related emergency please call the answering service at (707) 995-8674.

On the Agenda...

The City Council will meet again on Tuesday, October 3rd, at 6:30 PM at City Hall. Kicking off the meeting will be several presentations. First, John Tuteur, County elections official, will make a presentation about the change to all-mail balloting in the 2018 election. If you have questions or are interested in this important topic, be sure to attend. Second, Clay Gregory from Visit Napa Valley will make a presentation about the economic impacts of tourism on American Canyon and the entire Napa Valley. Finally, the American Canyon Chamber of Commerce will launch their upcoming "Buy American Canyon First" campaign urging residents to shop local and representatives from American Canyon High School will update the Council on school events and accomplishments.  

Additionally, the City Council will consider an agreement that extends the time Napa Logistics Park (in the Green Island area) can complete their project, an additional six month moratorium on the manufacture and sales of marijuana in American Canyon, award a contract for construction of sewer upgrades on Theresa Avenue, and approve funding for landscaping the PG&E substation on American Canyon Road and Highway 29. Click here for the full agenda.

Since our Last Update...

Your City Council has met twice since our last update. On September 19th the City Council received a report on 2017-2018 Communications and Neighborhood Services Division goals. Status reports were also provided to the Council on the SR29 Signal Interconnect Project (TR15-0300) and the Devlin Road Segment H Extension Project (TR14-0200). Click here to watch the meeting video. The City Council met again on September 26th to provide direction to staff regarding park options and receive information regarding preliminary traffic analysis in conjunction with the Broadway District Specific Plan. Click here to watch the meeting video.

Future Meetings...

All meetings are held at 6:30 PM at City Hall unless otherwise noted. Check  here a few days before the meeting for the full agenda.

Wednesday, October 4th - Open Space Advisory Committee

Thursday, October 12th - Parks & Community Service Commission

Last Chance to Sign up for CERT Training

Napa Valley Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a community based and community supported volunteer organization that can assist the local community in a disaster. The next session begins next week right here in American Canyon. Click here for more information.

Postal Service Meeting Update

On Tuesday, September 19th, several representatives from the local and regional US Postal Service attended a community meeting hosted by Congressman Thompson. More than 100 residents attended to ask ask questions and provide feedback to the USPS. Some residents expressed continuing concern about mail theft and the security of the cluster boxes. In the last year, the USPS has replaced many of the boxes and improved the locks in others, and the incidence of mail theft has been significantly reduced. 

The primary concern expressed by residents was the lack of an acceptable post office in American Canyon. Numerous citizens expressed frustration with the very limited operating hours, cramped conditions, long lines, lack of available PO boxes, and generally insufficient services available to a community the size of American Canyon. A representative of the Postal Service explained the process for requesting a new post office, a process which could take many months to complete. 

The City and Congressman Thompson will be working on submitting a package for USPS consideration in the coming weeks. Also, several residents asked if the USPS could consider adding service hours now, rather than wait for a new post office. The representatives from the Postal Service could not make any commitments for changes, but did indicate they would consider additional hours and staff. If you have comments or concerns, please feel free to respond to this email or contact Congressman Thompson's office at (707) 226-9898. 

Mailbox Replacements

Congressman Thompson’s office is very involved in postal issues in American Canyon and has passed along this message for the City to share with anyone whose mailbox was recently replaced. 

Residents can pick up their new mailbox keys at the Post Office located at 2635 Napa Street in Vallejo. For those residents that absolutely cannot pick them up in Vallejo, call the Post Office at (707) 642-3071 and provide their name and address to Lynda Taylor, Jackie Knoxs, Khandi Green, or Postmaster Jones to make alternative arrangements.

If residents cannot get through to the Post Office on Napa Street (in Vallejo) to provide their names, they can contact me in the Napa office.

Maira Ayala, Congressman Mike Thompson’s Office, (707) 226-9898

Free ESL Class

Napa College is offering a free “Prep for College” ESL course at American Canyon High School. The course emphasizes basic grammar and vocabulary to help prepare students for credit ESL classes at Napa College. Register at the beginning of any class!

Mondays and Wednesdays, October 16th – December 4th, 3:30 - 5:30 PM, American Canyon High School, Room A133.

American Canyon Schools Meeting on October 3rd

The NVUSD Facilities Master Plan includes major projects for the American Canyon community, including a new middle school next to American Canyon High School, a new site for Napa Junction Elementary, and other work.

 

A community meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 3rd, to share the plans and schedules for these schools. The meeting will take place in the theater at American Canyon High School, starting at 7 PM.

 

Click here for more news from NVUSD.

Community Calendar

Join SpiritHorse to Celebrate Cowboys Day tomorrow, Saturday, September 30th from 3 - 7 PM. They'll have country music, western barbecue, roping, horse rides and games. 

Join your neighbors and police officers for coffee and conversation on National Coffee with a Cop Day on Wednesday, October 4th at Napa Junction Starbucks, 9-10 AM.

Shop the Fall Native Plant Sale, 10 AM - 4 PM., Saturday and Sunday, October 7 and 8 Napa’s Skyline Park.

Stop in at American Canyon High School's AC's Night Out on October 11th from 5-8 PM at American Canyon High School. The whole community is invited to come out to enjoy a DJ, photo booth, food trucks, performances, carnival style games and a jumpy house! 

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.

Food, Fun, and Community - American Canyon Farmers' Market

This week’s vendors include Nyia Yi, (Asian and domestic veggies), Esquivel Farms, (assorted produce), and Bay Fresh, (strawberries), Up Valley Coffee Pedalers, Lo Strano Gatto, Sticky Business BBQ, Mi Fiesta, Eat Right Edibles, WeBPoppin, Tender Fork Market, Achadenia Cheese Company, Soaptree Soaps, and Gian’s Gems, and Napa Knives. Napa Master Gardeners, American Canyon Chamber of Commerce, American Canyon Arts Foundation, and LGBTQ Connection will have informational booths at the market.

American Canyon singer/songwriter Amber Snider will be performing folk, rock, blues and country music.

Kids will love coloring their own apron at the Parks & Recreation booth!

Chamber of Commerce- Buy Local

The American Canyon Chamber of Commerce has launched a Buy Local First Campaign! Be on the lookout for an Incentive Card, arriving in residents’ mailboxes in October and November. This card will be your key to receiving promotions or discounts from participating businesses to thank residents for buying local first! Stop at the Buy Local table at the Farmer's Market on October 1st to learn more about the Buy Local First Campaign, take the Buy Local Pledge and snap a selfie!

American Canyon Welcome Center 

Every month, the Welcome Center features a local artist from the American Canyon Arts Foundation. The art is usually available for purchase, so you can find your next masterpiece!

Community Subsidy Grant Application Period is Now Open

The City of American Canyon is now accepting Community Subsidy Grant applications from community organizations that serve American Canyon residents. Grant application forms and policy information are available at the Parks and Recreation Department office, (100 Benton Way), and online. Completed applications must be received by 5 PM on Wednesday, October 18, 2017. For more information, contact Sherri Cassidy at (707) 647‐4569.

Recreation Opportunities

Lean Mean Teen – October 1

Calling All Teenagers! Learn to prepare simple snacks and meals to help fuel you with energy throughout your day. This class is taught by CIA graduate Chef Aaron LeRoi, who cooks healthy meals for local VIPS, including the Oakland Raiders! Advance registration required.

Adult Trip to Ella's CatHouse- October 3, 11 AM - 1 PM

Enjoy some couch time and play with adoptable feline friends! The group will stop for lunch at 12PM. Bring a sack lunch or purchase lunch/snacks from nearby vendors. Advance registration required. Bus departs from the Senior Multi-Use Center (2185 Elliott Drive)

Chamber of Commerce Presentation- October 3, 10 AM

Enjoy coffee and conversation with Mandy Le from the American Canyon Chamber of Commerce. No registration required. Senior Multi-Use Center (2185 Elliott Drive).

Tiny Tot Training- Session starts October 8

Participants will be taught sports basics, (throwing, catching, kicking, hopping), and introduced to the coordination and cooperation needed to get a head start in sports. Advance registration required. Community Center (100 Benton Way)

Halloween Trivia Night- October 13, 7-9 PM, SMUC

Adults- Enjoy a night of friendly competition, food and fun! Advance Registration required. Call (707)647-5350 to register. Senior Multi-Use Center (2185 Elliott Drive)

Fit Food Prep 101- October 15, 2 - 4 PM, SMUC

Learn to prepare simple, fast, and healthy meals with Chef Aaron. CIA graduate Chef Aaron LeRoi prepares healthy meals for many local VIPs, including the Oakland Raiders! Advance registration required. Senior Multi-Use Center (2185 Elliott Drive).

We'd like to extend a huge thank you to the 175 volunteers who came out to Coastal Cleanup Day. American Canyon had the most volunteers in Napa County and removed 318 pounds of trash!

Volunteers included groups from American Canyon High School, Amcor, American Canyon Community Church, American Canyon Lions Club, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and individual residents.

Thank you to Recology Vallejo-American Canyon, American Canyon Orthodontics, Mid City Nursery, Inc., Dunkin' Donuts, and Wallaby Yogurt Company for sponsoring this event!

What an amazing show of support for this community!

(Photos by Vincent Lin)