The Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, signed by President Biden, acknowledges and solemnly commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. As a nation, community and individuals we have experienced and witnessed systemic racism, personal biases and acknowledged the need for an equitable path forward for all persons to be free from discrimination. On Juneteenth I encourage all of us to reflect on our nation‘s past and commit to a better tomorrow.
Sincerely,
Belia Ramos
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You’ve probably noticed that things are looking a bit different. California has reopened! While new COVID-19 cases have not fully disappeared, your efforts over the last 15 months have gotten us to in-person graduations, most plastic partitions coming down and being able to leave that mask behind if you are fully vaccinated (with a few exceptions). Let’s not forget the importance of washing our hands, staying home if you have symptoms or are sick, and being kind as we are all in different places when it comes to stepping back out into the world. |
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Vaccines Administered
Napa County and our healthcare partners continue to administer vaccines at a high rate. Here are some local highlights:
Vaccines Administered: 193,478
Vaccines Per 100k: 8th in the State (of 58 Counties)
Napa County Residents Fully Vaccinated: 68%
Napa County Residents Partially Vaccinated: 75%
60+ Year-Olds Fully Vaccinated: 92%
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How to Get Vaccinated
There are many vaccination resources across Napa County and California. Individuals can register for Napa County Public Health clinics through MyTurn, and a calendar is available here. When viewing the calendar, simply click on a specific calendar event for more details and registration
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Federal Retail Pharmacy Program Locations
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Board Approves a Balanced Budget! |
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The Board of Supervisors has tentatively adopted a $533 million balanced budget. A year ago we were preparing for possibly difficult times. With gratitude to the investments in local government by the State and Federal governments, we have emerged into the 2021-2022 Fiscal Year with a robust plan to continue to provide a high level of service, plan for our future housing element, address climate change through our countywide JPA and fully fund the first year of our Community Wildfire Protection Plan and so much more. |
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In 2019, the Board adopted customs and standards for the operation of propane cannons, which are designed to frighten and prevent birds from harming agricultural crops. Among other things, the standards, available here, limit how long and what times of the day cannons can be shot. Since its adoption, there has been a 40% decline in the total number of complaints received. However, our code compliance personnel and Ag Commissioner's Office continue their educational and outreach efforts in order to minimize the impacts of these cannons on our community as much as possible. See below to learn about some of their collective efforts for this next growing season. To report a violation, please call our code enforcement personnel at (707) 253-4417 or complete an online complaint form at countyofnapa.org/1888.
Education & Outreach Efforts:
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- Annual grower discussion and reminder regarding adopted customs and standards for propane cannons
- E-mail blasts to industry groups with customs and standards and reminders of accepted use
- Targeted e-mail blasts to growers operating/farming in South County areas
- Educational outreach to growers regarding additional effective tools that help with bird pressure
- Follow-up investigation on complaints received, calls or site visits to the property operators
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- Facilitate/Coordinate communication between growers and surrounding neighbors
- Periodic evening and early morning surveillance by Ag Commissioner staff in regions with propane cannon use
- Ag Commissioner’s Office supporting Code Enforcement with follow-up enforcement
- Ag Commissioner’s Office working on developing propane cannon survey to growers to asses compliance and effectiveness
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View my latest presentation to the American Canyon City Council where I discuss the latest on propane cannons and more!
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$6.4 Million Toward Fire Fuel Mitigation |
The Napa Community Firewise Foundation has prepared a Countywide Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) – a 5-year plan to reduce fuels and prevent wildfires in Napa County. The plan is funded in large part by a CAL FIRE grant and includes projects consisting of emergency access and egress corridors, community perimeter fuel breaks, maintenance of selected historic containment lines, as well as continued support for the local Fire Safe Councils. The Board has invested $1 million to immediately kick off work and another $5.4 million in the coming FY 21/22 budget to complete the Year 1 projects. In April, work began on a fuel break around the Circle Oaks community in the Lake Berryessa Area. To view the CWPP, click here. |
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New Technology for Fire Detection & Evacuations |
IQ FireWatch Cameras – 13 FireWatch Poles located on private property that will cover 90% of the County to detect wildfire smoke earlier. Once detected, a call is generated to Napa's Central Dispatch to send fire suppression resources to the fire location. Construction is expected to take place as soon as this fall. View map.
Zonehaven – Napa County's new emergency management software that will aide our first responders to safely evacuate communities during wildfires and other emergencies. The software, available in our County now, will allow for better communication, easier to understand evacuation zones for the public and improved coordination among local agencies. Learn your zone here.
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We're Preparing... Are You?
Preparing for the unexpected is your best defense against emergencies and disasters. Knowing what to do before an emergency arises enables you to respond quickly. Don't be caught unprepared and instead make plans now to be safe then. For a full list of items to help you prepare inside and outside of your home, visit ReadyforWildfire.org and check out this short video for tips on how to create an emergency Go-Bag. Headed to the store? Download a printable list of recommended items that you can include in your own Go-Bag. |
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Did you know, the industrial parks in the Fifth District are incredibly diverse and vital to the agricultural production of our county? This summer, I will be touring one business in the Fifth District per week and sharing what they do with you. |
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Seguin Moreau Napa Cooperage
This week I visited a cooperage, AKA barrel maker. Located off of North Kelly Road, Seguin Moreau produces 20,000 wine and spirit barrels annually. The American Oak barrels are made from wood sourced from Missouri and Arkansas and sometimes French Oak. The wood comes on pallets to the Napa facility and every step from start to finish is done in Napa by those who have perfected their craft. I witnessed barrels being made for Far Niente, Savage & Cooke and J. Lohr. A big thank you to Chris Hansen and the Seguin Moreau team for letting me take a peek. Next week I’ll be visiting another agricultural supporting business in American Canyon’s Green Island Industrial Park.
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Upcoming Board of Supervisors Meetings . . .
June 22 at 9:00 a.m. on the third floor of the County Administration Building—1195 Third Street, Suite 305, Napa.
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Raised in unincorporated St. Helena and Pope Valley, Belia is a first-generation Mexican-American who was born at Queen of the Valley Hospital in Napa. She currently resides in American Canyon, but calls all of Napa County home. Belia is a business owner, educator, community advocate, and mother of three children. Belia attended St. Helena public schools from kindergarten through high school. She graduated from Saint Mary's College of California in 1999 and UC Hastings College of the Law in 2004. Belia served as an American Canyon City Council Member from 2010-2016. In 2017, Belia was elected to the Napa County Board of Supervisors. She currently serves on the following panels: Napa Valley Transportation Authority, Association of Bay Area Governments, North Bay Water Reuse Authority, Latino Caucus of California Counties and Rebuild North Bay.
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Supervisor Belia Ramos, Fifth District | Napa County Board of Supervisors |
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