City of American Canyon
Special Joint City Council & Open Space Advisory Committee 4381 Broadway, Suite 201
October 5, 2022
ACTION MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 5:02p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
ROLL CALL
Roll Call was taken.
ATTENDANCE
City Council Members Present:
Mayor Leon Garcia
Vice Mayor Mariam Aboudamous
Councilmember David Oro
Councilmember Mark Joseph
Councilmember Pierre Washington
Open Space Advisory Committee Members Present:
Chair Nance Matson
Vice Chair Scott Artis
Committee Member Barry Christian
Committee Member Tara McClinton-Horner
Committee Member Kim Hester-Williams
Absent:
City Council - None
Open Space Advisory Committee - None
Special Joint City Council & Open Space Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - October 5, 2022
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Garcia opened Public Comment.
Written Public Comment Received:
None
Oral Public Comment Received:
Justin Hamilton-Hole made a Public Comment
Mayor Garcia closed Public Comment.
AGENDA CHANGES
None
BUSINESS
1. Future of the Open Space Advisory Committee
City Manager Holley led a discussion with City Council and the Open Space Advisory Committee to determine the future of the Open Space Advisory Committee. City Manager Holley presented three (3) different options:
1. Re-authorize the Open Space Advisory Committee as the "Open Space and Bicycles Advisory Committee" and approve the FY 22/23 work plan.
2. Expand the purview of the Parks and Community Services Commission (PCS) to include "open space issues", designate the Planning Commission as the "Bicycle Advisory Committee", , and discontinue the Open Space Advisory Committee.
3. Elevate the Open Space Advisory Committee to a paid commission and expand its purview to include sustainability issues.
The City Council and the Open Space Advisory Committee participated in a discussion regarding the three presented options to determine the Open Space Advisory Committee's future.
Mayor Garcia opened Public Comment.
Written Public Comment Received:
1. Nance Matson
2. Kara Vernor
3. Tammy Wong
4. Kristin Einberger
5. Cathy Margolati
All written Public Comment received is attached to Meeting Minutes.
Special Joint City Council & Open Space Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - October 5, 2022 Oral Public Comment Received:
1. Justin Hamilton-Hole
2. Kara Vernor
3. Mario Valadez
4. Tammy Wong
5. Karina Servente
Mayor Garcia closed Public Comment.
ACTION:
Motion by Councilmember Mark Joseph, seconded by Councilmember David Oro, and carried unanimously, to approve the elevation of the Open Space Advisory Committee to a paid commission and expand its purview to include open space, sustainability issues and bike elements, AND for the Open Space Advisory Committee to submit to City Council for authorization their finalized work plan for fiscal year 22/23 that shall include sustainability issues and bike elements, AND establish an annual Joint City Council and OSAC Meeting.
Roll Call was conducted:
Ayes: Mayor Leon Garcia, Vice Mayor Mariam Aboudamous, Councilmember David Oro, Councilmember Mark Joseph, and Councilmember Pierre Washington.
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:54p.m.
CERTIFICATION
Liz Lozano
Administrative Technician
Special Joint City Council & Open Space Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - October 5, 2022 Special Joint City Council/Open Space Advisory Committee 10-05-22 17:00
Agenda Name Comments Support Oppose Neutral
1.) Future of the Open Space Advisory Committee: 4 0 0 1 Sentiments for All Agenda Items
The following graphs display sentiments for comments that have location data. Only locations of users who have commented will be shown.
Overall Sentiment
I Neutral: 25%
No Rasponse 75%
Agenda Item: eComments for 1.) Future of the Open Space Advisory Committee Overall Sentiment
SupportiD -
Огровніо»
/ Neutrak25%
No Rlesponse(75%%)
Kristin Einberger
Location:
Submitted At: 8:29am 10-05-22
Hello. My name is Kristin Einberger and I am Chair of PCS. I would like to comment on Option 2 of the OSAC Work Plan discussion with the City Council. Though it is true that OSAC and PCS may be working on a of couple items together, most notably perhaps the Clark Ranch Master Plan, the comment that their work can be absorbed into PCS with minimal additional resources because many of their proposed activities are already on our PCS Work Plan is, I believe, somewhat short sided. The Work Plan of PCS for this fiscal year has already been set and adding the Eco Center, Jaeger Open Space, an update of the Newell Management Plan, guidance related to volunteer conservation and more would add a great deal to an already large work plan to be accomplished in the next 9 months. I would recommend that the Council explore other options. Thank you.
T L Wong
Location:
Submitted At: 7:45pm 10-04-22
I walk, bicycle, or run every day in our city, for recreation and transportation. I particularly love the views of our Wetlands, appreciate the wildlife who live there, and enjoy seeing the community use and appreciate it for the wonderful resource it is. I am thankful every day for our City's foresight and OSAC's contribution in developing it.
Our city is fortunate to have a strong partnership with the American Canyon Community Parks Foundation and the future establishment of the Eco-Center. With this synergy in mind, the possibility of merging PCS and OSAC into one commission (sans bicycling) is intriguing. I believe by leveraging the city's relationship with ACCPF for them to emphasize more of the current PCS responsibilities, this could enable the newly combined PCS/OSAC to absorb OSAC roles & responsibilities.
I am glad to see bicycling discussed. I have bicycled nearly 200 miles within our city limits this year. The vast majority of this mileage is replacing car trips to my community garden, and occasionally the dentist, post office, library or community meetings.
There is a need to execute the city's plan to expand and improve bicycle infrastructure, making it safer for users of all ages and abilities. To that goal, I believe a new bicycling commission with defined roles & responsibilities is best, with applicants specifically selected for their personal interest, knowledge of best practices and standards, as well as current available resources or lack thereof in our city.
I applaud the staff report for including sustainability. In my opinion, this is a huge area, and of utmost importance.
Bicycling is a large part of the Climate Action interim plan, so I can see the synergy that would be created by combining the two interests into what NCBC proposes, an "Active Transportation and Sustainability Committee".
So, either having separate committees for bicycling and sustainability, or leveraging the synergy of a combined committee, makes sense to me.
I do not support adding bicycling to the existing city commissions. I feel strongly that a new group with members interested in the respective topic and selected specifically for that purpose will fulfill this critical responsibility best.
Furthermore, I strongly recommend having youth participation in the PCS/OSAC, sustainability and bicycling commission(s), as regular members or non-voting members, considering even a two-year term if that makes it more compatible with school terms.
Kara Vernor
Location:
Submitted At: 3:16pm 10-04-22
The Napa County Bicycle Coalition urges you to consider a 4th option as is done in St. Helena with their "Active Transportation & Sustainability Committee. " Under the OSAC, which attempts to incorporate a Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC), it seems that bicycles have been a focus only at times. In speaking with one OSAC member, they could not recall focusing on a bike project in the past two years, and none of the proposed OSAC workplan for 22/23 includes bike-related projects. Though OSAC is formally the BAC, it does not appear that staff has been eliciting advice on bike-related projects, so it seems the OSAC is the BAC in name only (though not that either).
OSAC has also been the BAC since 2010, and its description still reads "serves in an advisory capacity to the City Council about matters pertaining to open space, trails and related issues" with no mention of bicycles.
Considering how the OSAC will move forward brings an opportunity to establish a true BAC, and there are many reasons to do so. Even with bicycle-friendly staff who have the best intentions of implementing the Bike Plan and Complete Streets policies, staff are often faced with tough decisions. Is the community in support of better bike facilities that also cost the City more? Which facility is best given potential right-of-way battles? These dilemmas benefit from the input of citizens, and citizen support is often key to moving a project forward. As well, new and improved solutions can come out of BACs; Napa is on track to implement its first buffered bike lane because of the design introduced via their BAC attendees (rather than via staff).
Councilmember Oro recently called for American Canyon to be a "bike-first city," a measure of which can be found in the "Bicycle Friendly Community" designation. A prominent factor weighed in this determination is whether a city has a BAC. Nationally, BACs are considered key to establishing bikeable cities. As well, Councilmember Joseph recently mentioned that Students for Climate Action may focus its efforts on bicycles this year, and a BAC would open a channel of regular communication about design and progress, providing a convenient way to participate in local government.
Please consider a 4th option that establishes an Active Transportation & Sustainability Committee or choose Option 3 with the caveat that staff commit to at least bimonthly reviews of bicycle-related projects so that the committee truly does yield advice on bike infrastructure.
Nance Matson
Location:
Submitted At: 11:45am 10-04-22
Nance Matson comments for Oct 5th, 2022 Joint City Council / OSAC Meeting, part 1 Thank you for taking the time to discuss the various options for the ongoing work related to Open Space, Trails and Bicycles in American Canyon.
Since we last met with you on May 31st, I was told that OSAC would not meet until after City Council approved our workplan. Thus, the October 5th join meeting is the first time that OSAC members will be able to comment on the three options proposed by staff.
I'm submitting my comments in writing and look forward to our discussion.
Thanks,
- Nance Matson, OSAC Chair
Options
- Three options are interesting
- Option 1 - re-authorization:
o l am in favor of this option
• OSAC has shown over the years that we have the desire and expertise to participate successfully in the areas described in the reauthorization resolution.
o Re-authorization means that we don't lose momentum on current grant funded projects and Open Space, Trails and Bicycle activities.
o Re-authorization means that there continues to be a dedicated committee focused on keeping our open spaces natural and our trails and bicycle route systems available to our community. - Option 2: Expand the purview of PCS to include "open space issues" and designate the Planning Commission as the bicycle committee to:
o PCS and Planning commissioners are all quite capable and are committed to the success and growth of our community, but I have two questions:
Does PCS have the bandwidth and expertise and desire to take on "open space issues", specifically the Newell Master Plan and review and further development and management input for Open Space and Trails? Given the specific role of the planning commission is to review and decide on development applications, can they pivot to advocate greater bike transportation within American Canyon and push forward the implementation of the bike master plan and serve as the bike advisory committee? Do they have the bandwidth to do so? (continued in next comment)
Cathy Margolati
Hi. My name is Cathy Margolati and l am a member of the PCS commission. I want to comment on the proposed options for the future of the OSAC committee I am concerned about Option 2 as a viable solution moving forward. At our last joint Council and Commission Meeting a work agenda was set for the next fiscal year for PCS of which no items are those that OSAC works on. If this option was selected attention and detail to areas in which OSAC has focused and worked on would unfortunately be left untouched. Moving forward, as PCS proposes items to Council for for future consideration, you will find a long list of outstanding areas that are not related to Open Space/Bike Safety.
The OSAC committee members have many combined areas of expertise and knowledge that are relied upon for our valued Open Spaces and will be needed when our City possibly is gifted space in the Jaegar property. I feel that their role should continue as it is or as a newly formed Commission.
Thank you.
Nance Matson comments for Oct 5th, 2022 Joint City Council / OSAC Meeting Thank you for taking the time to discuss the various options for the ongoing work related to Open Space, Trails and Bicycles in American Canyon.
Since we last met with you on May 31st, I was told that OSAC would not meet until after City Council approved our workplan. Thus, the October 5" join meeting is the first time that OSAC members will be able to comment on the three options proposed by staff.
I'm submitting my comments in writing and look forward to our discussion.
Thanks,
Nance Matson, OSAC Chair
Options
- Three options are interesting
- Option 1 - re-authorization:
• I am in favor of this option
• OSAC has shown over the years that we have the desire and expertise to participate successfully in the areas described in the reauthorization resolution. • Re-authorization means that we don't lose momentum on current grant funded projects and Open Space, Trails and Bicycle activities. • Re-authorization means that there continues to be a dedicated committee focused on keeping our open spaces natural and our trails and bicycle route systems available to our community.
- Option 2: Expand the purview of PCS to include "open space issues" and designate the Planning Commission as the bicycle committee to:
• PCS and Planning commissioners are all quite capable and are committed to the success and growth of our community, but I have two questions:
• Does PCS have the bandwidth and expertise and desire to take on "open space issues", specifically the Newell Master Plan and review and further development and management input for Open Space and Trails? • Given the specific role of the planning commission is to review and decide on development applications, can they pivot to advocate greater bike transportation within American Canyon and push forward the implementation of the bike master plan and serve as the bike advisory committee? Do they have the bandwidth to do so?
- Option 3: Elevate OSAC to a paid commission and expand its purview to include sustainability.
• This is an interesting option. I read the Climate Action Plan report and listened to the presentation at City Council on September 6th. I am impressed with the initial work and the report lays out a framework that a standalone committee or OSAC can run with. City Council is in the early stages of figuring out the next steps, so it may not move to a committee (or OSAC) quickly. With my career in Matson Comments Oct 5 2022 Joint City Council / OSAC Meeting 1 energy efficiency, this is in my wheelhouse. I look forward to finding out if other OSAC members are interested in expanding our purview to include the sustainability and climate action plan work.
Work Plan History
I reviewed OSAC's work plans and minutes. In the early days (2006-2009), we were working off our original charge. It appears that OSAC specific work plans may have been bundled into open space related Capital Improvement budget approvals by council. Starting in 2010, we developed annual work plans, many of which did come to City Council for review and approval. Looking at our minutes over the years, we were essentially within OSAC's purview and approved work plans. There were often discussions and coordination with other entities that enhanced work plan items and moved our Open Space and Trails even further (such as the RCD work in Newell and, along with PCS, reviewing developer plans regarding parks, bicycle and pedestrian circulation and Open Space areas. Other than Napa Cove and the apartments on Silver Oak trail, I think we've reviewed every residential development in town since the Napa Junction apartments near Walmart).
Here are my thoughts on the Current Work Plan:
- Newell Management Plan
• Committee member Myer and I did a read through the plan in 2013 and presented our findings to OSAC, including a list of sections that might need updating. Funds were approved by Council in or around 2019 to hire a consultant to update the plan, I believe at the same time as the Parks & Community Services Master Plan was to be updated. When the Parks & Rec Element subcommittee reconvened in 2021, I don't recall that the Newell Management Plan was included in the work scope.
• When the plan is updated, we do need to include the Napa Land Trust in the process as they hold the conservation easement.
- Update the Parks & Community Services Master Plan
• PCS was assigned the task of writing the Parks & Community Services Master Plan. In 2006, we were asked to help and we wrote the Open Space and Trails chapter (Myers/Christian) and the Bicycle and Pedestrian chapter (Novak/Stanfield).
• Parks & Rec Element subcommittee met in 2021 and provided initial comments, but that subcommittee has not met since. Matson and Artis were assigned to represent OSAC on this subcommittee.
- Implementation of the Clarke Ranch Master Plan
• OSAC had representatives on the initial feasibility study committee (Novak, 2007) and the original master plan subcommittee (Novak and Matson, 2017).
Parks & Rec Element subcommittee redrafted the plan in 2021, but the plan has not come back to OSAC and PCS for review before coming to Council. - Eco Center
Matson Comments Oct 5 2022 Joint City Council / OSAC Meeting • ACCPF asked in April 2022 for us to schedule a joint PCS/OSAC walking meeting at the Eco Center site so that we could see their proposed project and so they could get input from the committee/commission. That meeting has not yet been scheduled. I understand that the Eco Center is not a city project and that we have no jurisdiction over the Eco Center. Similar to other development projects in town, I'd like to understand the Eco Center project in terms of park, open space and trail amenities as well as hear about their potential recreation and environmental programs. OSAC has discussed getting a kayak launch in the area since 2006, so that will be of interest to the committee. - Jaeger Open Space
• Similar to our work regarding the development of the Newell Open Space and the Napa River Trail System, OSAC is well poised to review proposed use, trail systems and review and modify our current trail regulations if needed. - Volunteer Projects
• OSAC has been involved in Open Space and Trails-related volunteer projects since our inception in 2006. The baton has been passed back and forth between the committee and staff over the years. What should the committee's role be? Should we review and suggest volunteer projects? Should we be involved in the planning and implementation? Staff and OSAC need to discuss this part. - (add?) City Bicycle Committee Activities
• OSAC was designated by the City Bicycle Advisory Committee in 2010. • The Bicycle Plan, written by committee members Novak and Stanfield included in the original Parks & Community Services Master Plan, was integrated into the NVTA Countywide Bicycle Plan.
• Over the years, OSAC has reviewed and provided recommendations to City Council on each update to the Countywide Bicycle Plan, the first time in 2007 and the latest in 2019-2020. PCS was involved in at least one of these review cycles. Our original bicycle circulation plan has withstood the test of time, with very minor changes over the years.
• OSAC started looking at Vine Trail segments through American Canyon in 2008. I think Paoli Loop is the last segment to figure out, but I may be wrong. • In 2012 and perhaps earlier, OSAC looked into going through the Bicycle Friendly Community application process as we would not only be certified at a specific level, we would get a roadmap from them on how to improve conditions for bicycling and guidance on what we'd need to do as a city to get to a better, bikeable community. We were told by staff that we would need help from Public Works to complete the application and that Public Works did not have the bandwidth to add it to their workplan. The Bicycle Friendly Community application may still be useful to do.
• Since then, various bike routing issues have come to the attention of OSAC and we have reviewed and provided comments. We were told that the complete streets process requires bicycle paths be included, further clarification is needed on what that means.
Matson Comments Oct 5 2022 Joint City Council / OSAC Meeting 3 • In talking with Planning Commissioner Wong over the summer, She and I discussed the bike plan and implementation. She mentioned that often the Planning Commission, in their review of development plans, looks at bicycle related issues such as bike parking and, I believe, bike access. A question she raised is whether we need to update our bicycles codes. Is this something the bicycle committee can be involved with?
I want to make sure we don't lose sight of any projects that have been on OSAC's radar, including projects with current grant funding:
Grant Funding - Progress is being made on all three of these, but when do these funds expire? Newell Habit Conservation Fund $86,753 with $86,753 city funding (50/50 match) • ADA parking lot and trail improvements for first 0.5 miles of Newell access trail. • 2 year extension was reported in Sept 1, 2021 OSAC meeting packet - Measure AA - $450,000 Wetlands Restoration, Reclamation, and Recreation Project - Environmental Education Facilities Grant $250,000
Funds have been set aside for Newell Open Space Projects by:
- ACCPF (Creekside trail improvements, $$ amount is?, timeline is?) - Canyon Estates ($100k or $250k? I don't think a plan is in place for how these funds will be used).
- Grazing Fees Fund ($$ amount is?)
Here are some outstanding trail projects that I am aware of, not including the many routes in the bicycle plan:
- Vine Trail (Paoli Loop section, connector to Napa and Vallejo) - SF Bay Trail (Kensington-Kimberly section) - we started looking at this in 2008, a feasibility study was completed in 2009-10, permitting started in 2016 but the project has been on hold for a few years.
- River to Ridge Trail
- SF Bay Water Trail (presentation in 2012)
I hope you find this helpful and I look forward to our discussion on Wednesday night.
Thanks,
- Nance Matson, OSAC Chair
Matson Comments Oct 5 2022 Joint City Council / OSAC Meeting 4