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November 15, 2019
Hello,
Last Monday, one of our largest audiences ever gathered to honor our military veterans. Guest speaker, Ann Marie Carrizales, shared her incredible story and encouraged the audience to adopt a #VeteransMindset (Never Give Up!). Her advice is applicable not only in heroic stories such as hers, and so many others but also in the daily challenges we all face – especially because of things outside of our control.
Nearly three weeks ago, PG&E suddenly shut off power everywhere in American Canyon. City officials were surprised and relieved when they finally turned it back on 66 hours later, and we hoped everything would return to normal. It has not – especially for our residents and the thousands of Bay Area commuters who use State Highway 29 every day. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) owns, operates, and maintains the traffic signals on State Highway 29 in American Canyon. And just like with PG&E’s electrical system, City officials - from the City Council down to front-line maintenance staff - are prohibited from making improvements without Caltrans approval. In the months leading up to the power shutoff, Caltrans had improved the signal timing, which reduced congestion during the morning commute. Unfortunately, PG&E’s power shutoff disrupted the signal timing, and to date, Caltrans has been unable to restore it.
Since the power shutoff, the congestion during peak hours is as bad as I have ever seen it, and City officials continue to press Caltrans to make changes. If that wasn't bad enough, on Wednesday night, a Comcast worker damaged the power supply to the Donaldson Way traffic signal, and it took the Comcast, PG&E, and Caltrans workers all day on Thursday to fix it. Caltrans workers are expected to be back out next week to work on the signals, and we will report the latest information once we have it.
We know American Canyon residents bear an unfair burden when the regional transportation and electrical systems fail. The City continues to make progress on the things we can control locally, namely the construction of parallel routes such as Devlin Road and Newell Drive. Construction activity on Devlin Road is expected to begin next summer. Also, Napa Valley Transportation Authority is developing the State Route 29 Comprehensive Multimodal Corridor Plan – please tell them what you think.
City leaders will never give up advocating for changes to our state utility and transportation systems, and we invite all residents and businesses to join our effort. Next Tuesday, November 19th, the City Council will hold a Special Meeting in conjunction with a Town Hall convened by State Senator Bill Dodd and State Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry regarding the PG&E power shutoffs. The Town Hall will feature a panel of state and local experts to hear concerns about the impacts of power shutoff and listen to new ideas that will protect the public in the future. The Town Hall is on Tuesday, November 19th, at Napa Valley College in the Little Theater (227 Napa Vallejo Highway, Napa), from 6 – 7:30 PM. Please join us!
Jason Holley City Manager
American Canyon, In the News...
Benicia, American Canyon begin playoff quests on Friday
Highway 29 traffic light knocked out; big commuter backups Thursday morning
KTVU Vandalism spree in American Canyon leaves vehicles damaged
KRON 4 Multiple cars vandalized in American Canyon
Napa Valley Register: Vandals attack more than a dozen vehicles in American Canyon
American Canyon quarterback Vance Eschenburg leads Wolves into playoff opener at Hayward
A former Marine, now a cop, told her American Canyon audience how she survived being shot
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Upcoming Meetings
- Power Shutoff & Wildfire Safety Town Hall Hosted by Senator Bill Dodd Tuesday, November 19, 2019, 6 - 7:30 PM Napa Valley College, Little Theater (227 Napa Vallejo Highway, Napa)
- Special Joint City Council/Fire Protection District Board Tuesday, November 19, 2019, 5:30 PM
- Planning Commission Thursday, November 21, 2019, 6:30 PM City Council Chambers at City Hall
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Announcements
Click here for the November Neighborhood Watch Update
Click here for Around Town Updates from our Community Development Department
American Canyon Troop Support Holiday Packages ACTS is getting ready to send some Christmas cheer to those serving away from home. They are already collecting items for the next shipment, early next year. If you'd like to make a monetary donation, mail a check to ACTS, PO Box 10097, American Canyon, CA 94503. If you need a tax record, make your check out to Vallejo VFW, write ACTS on the memo line, and mail to the same address listed above. If you would like to add your loved one to the package mailing list, ACTS continues to accept names and addresses for our troops serving in Iraq or Afghanistan areas. Contact ACTS511@comcast.net for more information.
Napa County Library Commission Opening The City of American Canyon is accepting applications from residents of American Canyon to fill a three-year term beginning February 1, 2020, as the City’s representative on the Napa County Library Commission. The Commission meets on the first Thursday of every other month at 5:00 PM. The deadline to apply is 5 PM, Friday, December 6, 2019. To apply, visit our website or call the City Clerk at (707) 647-5337 for more information.
Learn how to Be Prepared, Not Scared Come to learn cool survival skills (purify water, build a shelter, first aid), how to create a family plan, how to protect your pets, and get free resources. The Girl Scouts are hosting a free community event to help teach emergency preparedness (recommended for ages 6 -17, an adult must accompany guests under 18).
Saturday, November 16, 2019 3:30 - 5:30 PM Community Center Gym (100 Benton Way)
Season of Giving The Kiwanis Club of American Canyon is collecting donations for their annual Season of Giving program. This program supports low-income and disadvantaged American Canyon families through the American Canyon Food Pantry. Suggested donations include non-perishable food items such as cereal, canned foods, peanut butter, etc. and can be dropped off in the large marked barrel in the City Hall lobby. Contact Brian Farmer at (707) 315-2652 for more information and additional drop off locations.
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