Minutes — Napa City Council, January 16, 2024

955 School Street
Napa, CA 94559
www.cityofnapa.org
3:30 PM
City Hall Council Chambers
Tuesday, January 16, 2024
3:30 PM Afternoon Session
6:30 PM Evening Session
3:30 P.M. AFTERNOON SESSION

1. CALL TO ORDER: 3:30 P.M.

1.A. Roll Call:

Councilmember Alessio, Councilmember Luros, Councilmember Painter, Vice Mayor Narvaez, and Mayor Sedgley

Present:
5 -

2. AGENDA REVIEW AND SUPPLEMENTAL REPORTS:

City Clerk Carranza announced the following supplemental documents:

Items 5.A., 5.B., and 5.C. - PowerPoint Presentations.
(Copies from all supplemental documents are included in Attachment 1)

3. PUBLIC COMMENT:

Philip Trood - voiced concerns regarding encampment clean up at Kennedy Park.

Rochelle - voiced concerns regarding encampment clean up at Kennedy Park.

4. CONSENT CALENDAR:

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CITY OF NAPA
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CITY OF NAPA

MEETING MINUTES - Final

CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NAPA

Mayor Scott Sedgley

Vice Mayor Bernie Narvaez

Councilmember Liz Alessio

Councilmember Mary Luros
Couincilmember Beth Painter
January 16, 2024

CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
NAPA
Approval of the Consent Agenda
Councilmember Luros announced her recusal from participation in item

4.E. due to a conflict of interest as Foodshed Napa Valley was her client, therefore a source of income.

A motion was made by Councilmember Luros, seconded by Councilmember Painter, to approve the Consent Agenda with item 4.E. pulled for separate action.

The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye:

Alessio, Luros, Painter, Narvaez, and Sedgley
5 -

4.A.
482-2023
City Council Meeting Minutes
Approved the minutes from the December 19, 2023 Regular Meeting of the City Council.

4.B.
439-2023
Generator Purchase for City Hall / Police Department / Fire Station #1 Complex
Adopted Resolution R2024-001 authorizing the Public Works Director to execute an agreement with Bay City Electric Works for the purchase of a generator for City facilities located at 955 School Street in the amount of $191,580.00 (+ tax).

Enactment No: R2024-001

4.C.
468-2023
Salary Schedules for Full-Time and Part-Time Employees
Adopted Resolution R2024-002 documenting the salary schedules for Full-Time and Part-Time Employees.

Enactment No: R2024-002

4.D.
481-2023
Federal Advocacy and Grant Writing Services
Authorized the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Merchant McIntyre & Associates, LLC for an amount not to exceed $144,000 for federal advocacy and grant writing technical assistance services through June 30, 2025.

4.E.
483-2023
Food Delivery Services for North Napa Center
A motion was made by Councilmember Alessio, seconded by Vice Mayor Narvaez, to authorize the City Manager to execute the following amendments for the provision of meal delivery services at North Napa Center:

1. Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. C2023-156 with Foodshed Napa Valley, LLC increasing the amount by $75,000 to $150,000;

2. Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. C2023-171 with Moss and Vine Events, LLC increasing the amount by $75,000 to $175,000; and

3. Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. C2023-172 with TW Finch Enterprises, dba Filippi’s Pizza Grotto, increasing the amount by $75,000 to $150,000. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye:

Alessio, Painter, Narvaez, and Sedgley
4 -

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MEETING MINUTES - Final
January 16, 2024

CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
NAPA
Recused:

Luros
1 -

5. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:

5.A.
426-2023
2024 Legislative Platform
(See supplemental document in Attachment 1)
Deputy City Manager Molly Rattigan opened the report.

Kathryn E. Peterson, Drew Donaher, and Jason Lever of Merchant McIntyre Associates, joined via video conference and provided the staff report.

Discussion was turned over Council. Brief individual questions and comments ensued.

Mayor called for public comment; there were no requests to speak.

A motion was made by Councilmember Alessio, seconded by Councilmember Painter, to adopt Resolution R2024-003 approving the 2024 City of Napa Legislative and Regulatory Platform. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye:

Alessio, Luros, Painter, Narvaez, and Sedgley
5 -

Enactment No: R2024-003

5.B.
433-2023
Vision Zero Local Resolution of Support
(See supplemental document in Attachment 1)
Lorien Clark, Senior Transportation Planner, and Diana Meehan, Napa Valley Transportation Authority Principal Planner, provided the staff report.

Discussion was turned over to Council. Individual comments and questions ensued.

Mayor Sedgley called for public; there were no requests to speak.

A motion was made by Councilmember Painter, seconded by Councilmember Luros, to adopt Resolution R2024-004 supporting the Napa Valley Transportation Authority Vision Zero Plan and its goal of eliminating traffic collisions resulting in severe injuries or fatalities in Napa County by 2030. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye:

Alessio, Luros, Painter, Narvaez, and Sedgley
5 -

Enactment No: R2024-004

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MEETING MINUTES - Final
January 16, 2024

CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
NAPA

5.C.
461-2023
Informational Briefing on Financial Analysis and Polling (See supplemental document in Attachment 1)
City Manager Potter opened the report. Assistant City Manager Liz Habkirk, and Public Works Director Julie Lucido, joined by Consultant, Barry Barnes, Partner, TeamCivX, who joined via video conference, provided the staff report.

Mayor Sedgley called for public; there were no requests to speak.

Discussion was turned over to Council. Individual comments and questions ensued.

A motion was made by Vice Mayor Narvaez, seconded by Councilmember Luros, to direct staff to conduct outreach and return to City Council in June 2024 with additional information for consideration of a local sales tax measure for the November 2024 municipal election. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye:

Alessio, Luros, Painter, Narvaez, and Sedgley
5 -

6. CONSENT HEARINGS:

Approval of the Consent Agenda
Mayor Sedgley announced the consent hearing. There were no requests to speak; the hearing was opened and closed without comment.

A motion was made by Councilmember Luros, seconded by Councilmember Painter, to approve the Consent Hearing Agenda. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye:

Alessio, Luros, Painter, Narvaez, and Sedgley
5 -

6.A.
201-2023
Gate Fees for Materials Diversion Facility
Adopted Resolution R2024-005 establishing self-haul gate fees at the City’s Materials Diversion Facility to become effective February 1, 2024, July 1, 2024, July 1, 2025, July 1, 2026, July 1, 2027, and July 1, 2028.

Enactment No: R2024-005

7. COMMENTS BY COUNCIL OR CITY MANAGER: None.

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CITY OF NAPA
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MEETING MINUTES - Final
January 16, 2024

CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
NAPA

8. CLOSED SESSION:

City Attorney Barrett announced the closed session items.

Before the meeting went into recess, Mayor Sedgley announced his recusal from participation in item 8.B. due to ownership of property within 1,000 feet of the properties to be considered for that item.

8.A.
005-2024
CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS (Government
Code Section 54956.8): City Negotiators: Julie Lucido, Jessica Lowe, Michael Barrett, and Steve Potter. Under Negotiation: price and terms of payment for the potential acquisition of each of the following properties, with a corresponding identification of the negotiating parties for each parcel.
•
2023 Big Ranch Road (APN 038-170-008): Partial acquisition of approximate 4,704 square foot permanent easement, approximate 2,823 square foot temporary construction easement, and 240 square foot utility temporary construction easement; Property Owner: Todd J. Morse •
2033 Big Ranch Road (APN 038-170-007): Partial acquisition of approximate 2,203 square foot permanent easement, approximate 1,908 square foot temporary construction easement, and 575 square foot utility temporary construction easement; Property Owners: Michael Imfeld and Mayen Shueh
•
2047 Big Ranch Road (APN 038-170-006): Partial acquisition of approximate 2,203 square foot permanent easement, approximate 1,908 square foot temporary construction easement, and 970 square foot utility temporary construction easement; Property Owner: Rosemary Hafeli

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CITY OF NAPA
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MEETING MINUTES - Final
January 16, 2024

CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
NAPA

8.B.
006-2024
CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS (Government
Code Section 54956.8): City Negotiators: Julie Lucido, Jessica Lowe, Ian Heid, Michael Barrett, and Steve Potter. Under Negotiation: price and terms of payment for the potential acquisition of each of the following properties, with a corresponding identification of the property owner as the negotiating party for each parcel.
•
2415 Trower Avenue (APN 007-172-023): Partial acquisition of 1,650 square foot fee simple interest and 525 square foot temporary construction easement; Property Owner: Sabrina Wolfson
•
2427 Trower Avenue (APN 007-172-020): Partial acquisition of 1,650 square foot fee simple interest and 800 square foot temporary construction easement; Property Owner: Gabriel Gundling
•
2433 Trower Avenue (APN 007-172-019): Partial acquisition of 1,413 square foot fee simple interest and 341 square foot temporary construction easement; Property Owner: Gabriel Gundling
•
2437 Trower Avenue (APN 007-172-018): Partial acquisition of 1,635 square foot fee simple interest and 462 square foot temporary construction easement; Property Owner: Mary Ann Marof, Trustee of the Mary Ann Marof Living Trust 2006
CITY COUNCIL RECESS: 5:19 P.M.
6:30 P.M. EVENING SESSION

9. CALL TO ORDER: 6:30 P.M.

9.A. Roll Call:

Councilmember Alessio, Councilmember Luros, Councilmember Painter, Vice Mayor Narvaez, and Mayor Sedgley

Present:
5 -

10. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:

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MEETING MINUTES - Final
January 16, 2024

CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
NAPA

11. AGENDA REVIEW AND SUPPLEMENTAL REPORTS:

City Clerk Carranza announced the following supplemental items:

Item 12 - Email from the Napa Firefighters Association.

Item 13.A.:
- PowerPoint Presentation from City staff.
- 25 emails in support of the item utilizing a duplicate email template. - 33 emails in support of the item
- 11 emails in opposition of the item.
(Copies of all supplemental documents are included in Attachment 2)

12. PUBLIC COMMENT:
(See supplemental document in Attachment 2)
Pat Burrows, Napa City Firefighters Association - shared appreciation for conversations had regarding potential staffing of Engine 1 again. Also shared support of the City's efforts in the proposed sales tax.

13. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:

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MEETING MINUTES - Final
January 16, 2024

CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
NAPA

13.A.
473-2023
Mountain Bike Use at Alston Park
(See supplemental documents in Attachment 2)
Parks and Recreation Director Breyana Brandt provided the report.

Mayor Sedgley called for public comment. Due to amount of submitted public comment cards, time was limited to two minutes per speaker.

Jeff Kaufman - provided comments in support of expanded mountain bike use.

Hamish Johnson - provided comments in support of expanded mountain bike use.

Lori Carter - provided comments in opposition of expanded mountain bike use.

Sarah Vedder - provided comments in opposition of expanded mountain bike use.

Audrey Shallon - provided comments in support of expanded mountain bike use.

Stella Hall - provided comments in support of expanded mountain bike use.

Stella Schallon - provided comments in support of expanded mountain bike use.

Jocelyn Rice - provided comments in opposition of expanded mountain bike use.

Kena Burke - provided comments in opposition of expanded mountain bike use.

Alex Palofox - provided comments in support of expanded mountain bike use.

Marina Holman - provided comments in support of expanded mountain bike use.

Chris Benz - read letter submitted from the Napa Working Family Coalition in support of an expanded mountain bike use program.

Regina Brinker - provided comments in support of expanded mountain

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January 16, 2024

CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
NAPA
bike use.

Keith Kimbrough - provided comments in support of expanded mountain bike use.

Trevor Hall - provided comments in support of expanded mountain bike use.

Carlotta Sainato, Program Manager, Napa County Bicycle Coalition - provided comments in support of expanded mountain bike use.

T.C. Hulsey - provided comments in support of expanded mountain bike use.

Ken Potter - provided comments in support of expanded mountain bike use.

Jim King - provided comments in support of expanded mountain bike use.

Tracy Krumpen - provided comments in support of expanded mountain bike use.

Tom Sundsboe - provided comments in support of expanded mountain bike use.

Jeremy Mostafanejad - provided comments in support of expanded mountain bike use.

Erika Huether - provided comments in opposition of expanded mountain bike use.

Alex Janssen - provided comments in support of expanded mountain bike use.

Sam Devine - provided comments in support of expanded mountain bike use.

Greg Hamhl - provided comments in support of expanded mountain bike use.

J.L. Sousa - provided comments in support of expanded mountain bike use.

Yvonne Baginski - provided comments in opposition of expanded mountain bike use.

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January 16, 2024

CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
NAPA
David Pruett - provided comments in support of expanded mountain bike use.

Diane McKay - provided comments in opposition of expanded mountain bike use and shared petition that was signed by park users in opposition of the bike use.

Steve Harp - provided comments in opposition of expanded mountain bike use.

Kara Vernor, Executive Director, Napa County Bicycle Coalition - provided comments in support of expanded mountain bike use.

Brendan Kelly - provided comments in opposition of expanded mountain bike use.

Gabby - provided comments in support of expanded mountain bike use.

Tom C. - provided comments in opposition of expanded mountain bike use.

Discussion was turned over to Council. Individual comments and questions ensued.

Councilmember Painter made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Alessio, to direct staff to implement a pilot project (related to the temporary use of mountain bikes in a portion of Alston Park), no more than a six month period, between April and September of 2024 followed by additional community feedback and engagement so that Council could consider formalizing the potential additional use in the next budget cycle.

Mayor Sedgley did not call for a vote on the motion; rather, brief additional discussion ensued among members of Council regarding the intended scope of the proposed pilot project. The discussion included proceeding with the pilot project, in parallel with community engagement, for no more than six months before the winter months in 2024. In implementing the pilot project, City staff would work with the Napa County Bicycle Coalition on parameters of shared park usage by bikes along with other users of the park.

14. REPORT ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION:

City Attorney Barrett announced that there was no reportable action taken in Closed Session.

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CITY OF NAPA
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MEETING MINUTES - Final
January 16, 2024

CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
NAPA

15. COMMENTS BY COUNCIL OR CITY MANAGER: None.

16. ADJOURNMENT: 8:40 P.M.

The meeting was adjourned in honor of Ray Sercu, Betty Rhodes, and Bill O'Byrne.

The next regularly scheduled meeting for the City Council of the City of Napa is February 6, 2024.

Submitted by:
_______________________________
Tiffany Carranza, City Clerk

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CITY OF NAPA
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MEETING MINUTES - Final
ATTACHMENT 1

SUPPLEMENTAL REPORTS & COMMUNICATIONS
Office of the City Clerk
City Council of the City of Napa
Regular Meeting
January 16, 2024
F

OR THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NAPA
A
FTERNOON SESSION:

UBMITTED PRIOR TO THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING

5. A
DMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:

5.A. 2024
Legislative Platform
• PowerPoint Presentation from Merchant McIntyre & Associates

5.B. V
ision Zero Local Resolution of Support
• PowerPoint Presentation from Staff

5.C. I
nformational Briefing on Financial Analysis and Polling • PowerPoint Presentation from Staff
Federal Funding and
Legislative Strategy Update
January 16, 2024
Presented by
• Kathryn E. Peterson, Partner and General Counsel
• Drew Donaher, Senior Government Relations Associate
• Jason Lever, Government Relations Associate
City Council Regular Meeting
January 16, 2024
Supplemental - Item 5.A
From: Merchant McIntyre

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Pending Grant
Applications
• Department of Energy (DOE) Charging
F
ram
ework and Infrastructure (CFI)
grant program ($600,000).
• National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
Our To
wn grant program ($50,000).
• Department of Commerce Economic
D
eve
lopment Administration (EDA)
($327,725).
• Moved forward for consideration by
Inve
stment Review Committee.

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Connection to
Legislative Platform
• The Legislative Platform continues to
guide
and inform ongoing work.
• Engagement and energy from Napa
leade
rship and department staff is
e
xceptional.
• Funding focuses: Climate Change and
Envir
onmental Resiliency;
Transportation and Infrastructure;
Housing, Public Health, and Socia
l
S
ervices; Public Safety, Fire, and
Community Policing.

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Ongoing Work and
Upcoming Priorities
Water Resources
Development Act (WRDA).

FY25 Congressionally Directed
Spending and Community
Project Funding.

FEMA “Suite of Projects”
(AFG, SAFER, and FP&S).

Additional opportunities that
align with legislative
priorities, including climate
resiliency, transportation and
infrastructure, and housing.

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Questions?

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Napa Valley Vision Zero Plan
Napa City Council Meeting
January 16, 2024
Presented by:

Lorien Clark, Senior Transportation Planner - Cit y of Napa Diana Meehan, Principal Planner - NVTA

VISION ZERO
City Council Regular Meeting
January 16, 2024 Supplemental -
Item 5.B
From: City Staff and NVTA

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Vision & Goals
Use the Plan as a framework for making
the transportation system safer, more
comfortable, and more equitable for
users of all ages and abilities through the
Safe System Approach
“Napa Valley is committed to an equity-
focused, data-driven effort to eliminate
traffic deaths and severe injuries on our
streets by 2030.”
Vision Statement:

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The Safe System Approach
Death/serious injury
is unacceptable
Humans make mistakes Humans are
vulnerable
Responsibility is shared Safety is proactive Redundancy is crucial

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Funding Eligibility

FUNDING
Multiple grant funding programs require that jurisdictions have transportation-related safety plans to be eligible for funding, including:
• Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP)
• One Bay Area Grant (OBAG)
• Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A)

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Existing Efforts
• NVTA Community-Based Transportation Plan (2018)
• State Route 29 Comprehensive Multimodal Corridor
Plan (2020)
• Countywide Transportation Plan-Advancing Mobility
(2021)
• Countywide Pedestrian Master Plan (2016)
• Countywide Bicycle Plan (2019)
• Three member agencies have created Local Road
Safety Plans
• City of Napa LRSP (2022)
• Napa County LRSP (2022)
• American Canyon LRSP (2022)

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PROFILES &

COUNTERMEASURES

DRAFT THE VISION

ZERO PLAN

GATHER & ANALYZE

SAFETY DATA

PLAN & VISION ZERO

POLICY ADOPTION

PROCESS

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What does a Vision Zero Plan Include?

PLAN COMPONENTS
Engagement
Invite discussion with key
stakeholders
Project Prioritization or
Location-Specific
Engineering
Recommendations
Strategies for Engineering,
Education, and
Enforcement
Partnerships
Develop internal
partnerships
High-Injury
Network (HIN)
Identification
Systematic and
Data-Driven Analysis
Strategic
Planning
Vision Statement
and Goals
Strategies for
Evaluation and
Implementation
(e.g. funding sources)
Discussion of
Existing Efforts

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Collision Data

COLLISIONS SUMMARY
Data from the Transportation Injury
Mapping System (TIMS)
• 2015-2021
• Inclusive of fatal and injury collisions
(Killed or Severe Injury-KSI)
• Excludes Property Damage Only (PDO)
collisions
• Inclusive of all public roadways across
Napa County except for any grade
separated Caltrans facilities
All Collisions
0 150
300
450
600
750
0 20
40 60
80 KSI Collisions

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Modal Breakdowns

PRELIMINARY COLLISION FINDINGS
All Collisions (2015-2021) KSI Collisions (2015-2021)
89%
6% 5%
81%
9%
10%
Collisions
involving:
vehicles only
bicycles
pedestrians

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High Injury Network (HIN)
2015-2021

COUNTYWIDE HIN
City of Napa
HIN Map:

Countywide
HIN Map:

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Collision Profiles

PROFILES
• Collision data used to find the most
com
mon and pressing characteristics of
collisions in Napa Valley
• The collisions that fall into these profiles
acc
ount for 77% of all collisions and 79%
of KSI collisions
• The data covers collisions resulting in
injur
ies between the years of 2015-2021

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List of 10 Profiles of Emphasis

1. Unsafe Speeds on Non-Urba n
Thoroughfares

2. Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

3. Broadside Collisions

4. Hit Object Collisions

5. Nighttime Collisions Along Major
Roadw
ays

6. Pedestrians Hit in Crosswalks at
Int
ersections

7. Pedestrians Hit Crossing Outside
Cross
walks or Walking in Road

8. Bicycle Collisions at Intersections

9. Highway Gateways

10. Collisions Along Highways Serving as
Main
Streets

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Engineering Countermeasures
• Engineering countermeasures are paired with each profile • A comprehensive toolbox organized by category is included in the Vision Zero Plan as Appendix A
• Example Engineering Countermeasures:
o Pedestrian improvements
o Bike lanes and bike improvements
o Intersection improvements
o Signal improvements
o Signing and striping improvements
Bike
Box
High-Vis
Crosswalk
Road
Diet
Prohibit
Turns During
Ped Phase
Curve
Advance
Warning Sign

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Non- Engineering
Countermeasures
Examples Include:
• Enforcement (i.e., targeted enforcement,
aut
omated red light cameras)
• Policy changes (i.e., programmatic speed
limit
modifications)
• Education & Public Awareness Campaigns

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Safety Projects
• Safety project were identified through the collision and data analysis and review of existing plans
• Full list of projects is included in Appendix B
• Ten Representative Projects included Countywide with two located in the City of Napa:
o Trancas Street/Redwood Road (Dry Creek Rd to Eastern City Limits) o Soscol Avenue (Trancas St to Imola Ave)

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Community Engagement
• Stakeholder Groups
o Technical Advisory Working Group
o Stakeholder Working Group
• Community Outreach
o In-Person Events
o Presentations
o Online Webpage
• Attitudinal Survey
o Provided in English and Spanish
o 585 Responses
People Agree that Roadway Safety is a
Top Priority:

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Status & Next Steps

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NVTA Board Adoption
On October 18, 2023, the Napa Valley
Transportation Authority Board adopted
the Vision Zero Plan and supporting
resolution.

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Recommended Action
Staff recommends that City Council take the
following action:

Adopt a resolution supporting the Napa Valley
Transportation Authority Vision Zero Plan and
its goal of eliminating traffic collisions resulting
in severe injuries or fatalities in Napa County
by 2030.

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Briefing: Financial Analysis
and Polling
January 16, 2024
City Council Regular Meeting
January 16, 2024
Supplemental - Item 5.C
From: City Staff

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Presentation Outline
Context:
• Projections for the City budget, services, and
infrastructure projects
• Expenditures forecasted to outpace revenue
Briefing:
• Evaluation of revenue options and feasibility
• Data from research
• Measure of community support
Recommended Action:
• Direct staff to further explore tax measure
through:
• Communication & outreach
• Tracking poll
• Returning to Council with additional
information

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City Council Priorities
Fiscal Years
2023/2024
& 2024/2025

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City Budget
Make-up
(General
Fund)

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Summary of General Fund
Budget Projections
• Modest growth in
rev
enue projected
• Expenditures are
incr
easing faster than
revenues
• Result is a projected
struc
tural deficit would
not allow for the City to
maintain current service
levels
• Current staffing levels
and cu
rrent service
levels are anticipated to
cost more than future
projected revenues

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Capital Improvement Program
2-Year Budget (General Fund)
• The general fund has very
limite
d capacity for CIP
projects
• Approximately 1% of the
gener
al fund is programmed
for general City projects
• $2.49M total programmed
over
2-years
• Over 80% of funding devoted
to r
epairs (bridges, storm
drains, parks)
• Less than 20% for new or
commu
nity enhancement
projects (Alston Park
restroom and study for
Oxbow pedestrian bridge)
New
Projects ,
$425,000
Repair
Projects ,
$2,067,000

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Financial Analysis
In addition to continuing current service levels, there is community desire to increase programs, improve services, bolsterstaffing and to fund infrastructure projects—current revenue levels are projected to fall short of even the status quo level into the future
Evaluated potential options
for increased revenue
Revenue amount generated
Allowable uses, restrictions
Voter approval requirements
Potential for community support
Options
evaluated
Transient Occupancy Tax
Parcel Tax
Community Facilities
District (CFD)
Sales Tax

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Summary of Findings
Transient
Occupancy Tax
(TOT)—each 1%
increase yields
approx. $2.5M,
paid by visitors,
existing rate is high
compared to other
communities (15%)
Finding: would not
generate sufficient
funding, would be
impactful for local
business & not
likely to gain
support (requires
50% +1 voter
approval)
Parcel Tax—paid
on property tax
bills, analysis
reviewed uniform
rate per parcel and
uniform rate per
square foot
Finding: the tax
increase to reach
even the minimum
revenue targets is
too high to be
practical (requires
67% voter
approval)
Community
Facilities District
(CFD)—paid on
property tax bills,
reviewed rates for
single and multi-
family residential
and commercial/
industrial
Finding: the tax
increase to reach
even the minimum
revenue targets is
too high to be
practical (requires
67% voter
approval)
General Sales
Tax—1% increase
yields approx.
$21M, existing rate
of 7.75% among
lowest in region,
visitors contribute
Finding: funding
level would
support
community and
safety services,
infrastructure and
building projects
(requires 50% +1
voter approval)

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Local Sales Tax Measures—General & Special
General Sales Tax
– Cities may place on ballot
– Requires 50% +1
vot
er approval
– Statewide over 75% of
mea
sures passed since 2001
– Must be placed on ballot for
gener
al election (Nov.)
– Available for all governmental
pur
poses at discretion of City
Council
– Recommended option
Special Sales Tax
– Cities and special districts may
plac
e on ballot
– Requires 66.7% voter appr oval
– Statewide less than 50% of
mea
sures passed since 2001
– May be placed on any ballot
(Sp
ecial/ Primary/General)
– Must be spent on purposes in
speci
fically defined expenditure
plan on ballot

Page 34 of 42 ends

Statewide Results: Local General Sales Tax
General
Municipal
Election
# of
General
Sales Tax
Measures
Total #
Passed by
Voters
% of
Measures
Passed
Some of the Communities
Voting for Approval
Nov 2022 47 34 72%
Sausalito, San Anselmo, Chico,
Ontario, Pacifica, Tehachapi,
Vallejo
Nov 2020 71 60 85%
Sonoma, Petaluma,
Healdsburg, San Rafael, San
Pablo, South Lake Tahoe,
Concord, Orinda
Nov 2018 58 52 90%
Sebastopol, Santa Rosa,
Alameda, Sacramento,
Pasadena, Redwood City
Nov 2016 59 51 86% St. Helena, Fairfield, Vacaville,
Suisun City, Fairfax, Capitola
Source: CaliforniaCityFinance.com

Page 35 of 42 ends

Marin
Napa
Solano
Sonoma 15

7.25%
State Min

Page 36 of 42 ends

Polling
Purpose:
• Determine level of support for a
loc
al sales tax on the November
2024 ballot for investments in
public safety, community
infrastructure, and community
services.

Process:
• Research firm prepared
questi
onnaires and contacted a
sample of likely registered voters
by text, email, and phone.
• 25 minutes duration, conducted to
measu
re level of support for a tax
initiative and programs of most
support.
• The methodology resulted in
sta
tistically valid response data.

Page 37 of 42 ends

Language from Polling
To protect and maintain funding for City of
Napa services that the State cannot take such
as:
– Repair potholes, streets/sidewalks;
– Water quality;
– Fire protection;
– Parks/recreation;
– Cleaning up
enca
mpments/abandoned vehicles;
– Connecting homeless residents to
men
tal health services;
– 911 emergency response times;
– Senior and youth programs;
– Constructing essential public
saf
ety/city facilities; and
– General government use.

Sha
ll the City of Napa measure be adopted
levying a 1¢ sales tax, raising $21 million
dollars annually, until ended by voters,
including yearly audits?

Page 38 of 42 ends

Polling Questionnaire
• Asked respondent how they would vote on the tax
measu
re
• Listed various city services/programs, asked
res
pondent if they would be more or less likely to
support measure with specific service/program
• Statements of factual informational were
pro
vided and respondent asked a second time
how they would vote on the tax measure
• Messages intended to provide critical views were
pro
vided and respondent asked a third time how
they would vote on the tax measure

Page 39 of 42 ends

Polling Data
All 3 times the measure was
read, more than 50% of
respondents said they would
definitely or probably vote yes
Positive starting point for
potential future ballot measure
Most support garnered for
services and operations related
to a safe, clean, and healthy
community

Page 40 of 42 ends

Expenditures: Critical Community
Services and Infrastructure
• At 1¢, approximately $21M annually
will be generated
• The general tax can support
investments like:
– Community infrastructure
including streets, sidewalks,
clean waterways, and parks
– Public safety, emergency
operations, and community
center services and facilities
– Youth and senior programs
• Expenditures can be phased to
make significant community
investments right away, and address
long term needs

Page 41 of 42 ends

Steps to Date
• Financial analysis of options
• Voter polling
• Discussions with leadership of
each employee bargaining group
• Provided employee briefing
• Initial discussions with several
City partners
• Developed a dra
ft
c
ommunication plan
Recommended Action:
• Direct staff to:
– Hold discussions with broad
range of City stakeholders
– Solicit feedback from
community groups and partners
– Conduct tracking poll to update
measurement of community
support
– Prepare ordinance language for
ballot measure
– Return to Council in June
2024
w
ith information for Council to
c
onsider placing the measure on
t
he November 2024 ballot

Page 42 of 42 ends

Page 1 of 2 ends

ATTACHMENT 2

SUPPLEMENTAL REPORTS & COMMUNICATIONS I
Office of the City Clerk
City Council of the City of Napa
Regular Meeting
January 16, 2023
FOR THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NAPA:

EVENING SESSION:
1 2. PUBLIC COMMENT:
• Email from Napa Firefighters Association received on January 16, 2024. 1 3. AD
MINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
1 3.A. Mountain Bike Use at Alston Park
• PowerPoint Presentation by City Staff.

I
N SUPPORT – Group message (duplicate email template)
1) Email from Chris Pulver received on January 8, 2024. 2) E
mail from Claudia Zinn received on January 8, 2024.
3) Email from Ron Lemos received on January 8, 2024.
4) Email from Sylvia Rodriguez received on January 8, 2024. 5) Email from Kristin Belair received on January 8, 2024. 6) Email from Cameron Shaw received on January 8, 2024. 7) Email from Austin Komarek received on January 8, 2024. 8) Email from Michael Schwartz received on January 8, 2024. 9) Email from Bob Frappia received on January 8, 2024.
10) Email from Amanda Sands received on January 8, 2024. 11) Email from Rich Collins received on January 8, 2024. 12) Email from Cindy Deutsch received on January 8, 2024. 13) Email from Steven Deutsch received on January 8, 2024. 14) Email from Louie Milgrom received on January 8, 2024. 15) Email from Robin Stalbaum received on January 8, 2024. 16) Email from Tim Hill received on January 8, 2024.
17) Email from Holly Ong received on January 8, 2024.
18) Email from Darin Cravea received on January 8, 2024. 19) Email from Eddy Ruiz received on January 8, 2024.
20) Email from Sarah Walz received on January 9, 2024.
21) Email from Genevie Fletcher received on January 9, 2024. 22) Email from Heather Siewert received on January 9, 2024. 23) Email from Victor Hernandez received on January 10, 2024. 24) Email from Corrie Decker received on January 15, 2024. 25) Email from Rebecca Kotch received on January 15, 2024.

I
N SUPPORT – Individual messages
1) Email from Vanessa Hauswald NorCal Cycling League received on January 8, 2024. 2) Email from Dennis Reilley received on January 10, 2024. 3) Email from Kara Vernor received on January 12, 2024. 4) Email from Napa Working Families Coalition received on January 12, 2024. 5) Email from Tom Boeddiker received on January 14, 2024. 6) Email from Trevor Hall received on January 14, 2024.

Page 2 of 2 ends

7) Ema
il from Kevin Hansen received on January 16, 2024.
8) Email from Will Carlon received on January 16, 2024. 9) Email from Jeremy Mostafanejad received on January 16, 2024. 10) Email from Keith Kimbrough received on January 16, 2024. 11) Email from Audrey Schallon received on January 16, 2024. 12) Email from Ken Rands received on January 16, 2024.
13) Email from Bill Tuikka received on January 16, 2024. 14) Email from David Schallon received on January 16, 2024. 15) Email from Samuel Brinker received on January 16, 2024. 16) Email from Greg Hamtil received on January 16, 2024. 17) Email from Ken Prosser received on January 16, 2024. 18) Email from Sally Cook received on January 16, 2024. 19) Email from Neill Allen received on January 16, 2024. 20) Email from Heather Dooley received on January 16, 2024. 21) Email from Nina Beatie received on January 16, 2024. 22) Email from Leni Khazanedar received on January 16, 2024. 23) Email from Robert Reber received on January 16, 2024. 24) Email from Douglas Marx received on January 16, 2024. 25) Email from Holly Schallon received on January 16, 2024. 26) Email from Keith Gray received on January 16, 2024. 27) Email from Regina Brinker received on January 16, 2024. 28) Email from Cecil Feaver received on January 16, 2024. 29) Email from Kevin Kern received on January 16, 2024. 30) Email from Julia Torres received on January 16, 2024. 31) Email from Elayna Trucker received on January 16, 2024. 32) Email from Thomas Hulsey received on January 16, 2024. 33) Email from Neil Mendenhall received on January 16, 2024.

OPPOSITION
1) Email from Maria Lucas received on January 7, 2024.
2) Email from Stephen P. Rae received on January 8, 2024. 3) Phone call from Lisa Thompson Jones received on January 9, 2024. 4) Email from Dosayra Meza received on January 11, 2024. 5) Email from Monica Muench received on January 12, 2024. 6) Email from Lynne Westhead received on January 12, 2024. 7) Email from Linda Cantillon received on January 14, 2024. 8) Email from Thomas Cushing received on January 14, 2024. 9) Email from Mark Phillips received on January 15, 2024. 10) Email from Lia Cicuto received on January 16, 2024. 11) Email from Ester Cruz received on January 16, 2024.

SUBM
ITTED DURING and AFTER THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING

13. ADM
INISTRATIVE REPORTS:

13.A. Mo
untain Bike Use at Alston Park
1) Email from Teri Marshall received on January 16, 2024. 2) Petition in Opposition received on January 16, 2024.

NCFA Public Comment 1/16/2024
Council,
Today’s Public Comment is nothing you haven’t heard from us already. I would like to reiterate how appreciative NCFA is of the open, ongoing conversation we’ve had with Council, our Fire Department Admin, and with the City Manager’s Office in our collective push to staff E1 downtown again. We are waiting anxiously for the audit to be completed so we can finally get into our MOU and make this a reality.

Furthermore, the NCFA E-Board has unanimously voted in favor of supporting the City’s efforts in passing the proposed sales tax in the Fall. We understand that as costs increase globally, we must adjust to continue to provide the excellent service our Community deserves. We don’t take any increase in taxes lightly, but do support collaboratively working with the City when it comes to excellence in serving our Public both in a general sense and in regard to Public Safety.

Again, as we wait for the close of the audit, I wanted to take the opportunity to thank Council for your support when it comes to the City’s Fire Protection services and Public Safety in general. Thank you.

Pat Burrows
Napa City Firefighters Association President
Item 12.A

Page 1 of 129 ends

Mountain Bike
Use at
Alston Park
City Council
January 16, 2024
City Council Regular Meeting
January 16, 2024
Supplemental - Item 13.A
From: City Staff

Page 2 of 129 ends

Recommended Action
Receive an update on the Change of
Use Request brought forward by the
Napa County Bicycle Coalition regarding
expanded mountain bike use at Alston
Park and provide direction to City Staff
regarding the recommended process.
2

Page 3 of 129 ends

Presentation Outline
• Change of Use Request
• Setting the Stage:
– Alston Park Overview
– Timeline of Major Events
– Use & Development
– Cons
ervation Easement
– P
reliminary Research
• Recommended Change
of
U
se Process
– Value of Community Input
• Project Considerations
• Discussion
3

Page 4 of 129 ends

Change of Use Request
• Napa County Bicycle Coalition brought forward a Change of
Use Request in June 2023 to expand Mountain Bike use
at Alston Park.
• City Staff held several
meet
ings with the Bicycle
Coalition to explain the
change of use process
and conduct preliminary
research.
• Public Comment received
at
the December 5, 2023
City Council Meeting
4

Page 5 of 129 ends

Alston Park – Overview
• 157-acre park acquired in 1978
• N
atural and Open Space Park
• Multi-use parkland with a history of
c
onservation & passive recreation
uses
• Oak and grassland savanna
(pri
marily Coast Live Oak & Valley
Oak)
• Home to several native California
wil
dlife species
• Napa’s largest off-leas h dog area
5

Page 6 of 129 ends

Alston Park – Overview
Visits Annually Unique Visits
(2023) (2023)
93,700 31,000
Visit Frequency Length of Visit
Average Minutes
Local Park Users 2023

Local, Bay Area & Regional Destination
6

Page 7 of 129 ends

Natural and Open Space Park
• Undeveloped area utilized
primarily for natural
resource value, and
secondarily for recreational
use
• Preserves environment
and sensitive areas
• Opportunities for nature-
based recreation, such as
trail use, bird watching and
environmental education
7

Page 8 of 129 ends

Existing Park Uses
• Conservation of Natural
Res
ources
• Hiking
• Biking (paved/gravel
area)
• H
orseback Riding
• Nature Study
• On-Leash Dog Areas
• O
ff-Leash Dog Areas
• C
ross-Country Running
• B
alloon Landing Area
8

Page 9 of 129 ends

Timeline of Major Events
Conceptual Master
Plan
1979
$4.7 million bond to
develop master plan
defeated
1981
Conservation
Easement granted to
Napa County Land
Trust
1988
Annexation of park
into the City of Napa
1989
Opened to the
public for passive
use
1990
Voters approved
adoption of City
Charter Section
180
• incorporated RUL as a
charter prohibition
1999
Voters approved
adoption of City
Charter Section 185
• Limited use Alston Park
to “passive recreation and
open space”
• Expired January 1, 2018
2003
1979 – 2003:

City defined the use of Alston Park through community
engagement, Conservation Easement and City Charter
9

Page 10 of 129 ends

Timeline of Major Events
Hot Air Balloon Landing approved
by City Council as acceptable
recreational use of the park and
not a violation of Charter Section
185
2007
Residents petitioned the City in the
form of a Change of Use request to
make all 157 acres of Alston Park
fully “off-leash”
• Did not move forward after community input
reviewed
2008
Community discussion on Alston
Park restroom and amenity
improvement
• Picnic sites removed from project due to
community input and desire to not create
any “new” uses at the park
2018
2007 – 2018:

City determined if proposed changes fit within intended use of Alston Park through community engagement processes
10

Page 11 of 129 ends

Use and Development
General Park Regulations
• NMC 12.36 - Park and Recreation Area Use Regulations
• NMC 12.36.100 - Bicycle use in parks limited to paved or gravel paths Alston Park Specific Regulations
• Intentional protections over Alston Park through a Conservation Easement to limit use to recreational activities that will not destroy, impair, or interfere with the natural, scenic, recreational, open space, and agricultural features (typically uses that do not require prepared facilities) Community Feedback
• Discussions with community regarding park use spanning 45 years since park acquisition
11

Page 12 of 129 ends

Conservation Easement
(approved 1988)
• Granted to the Land
Tr
ust of Napa County
in perpetuity
• Defined as res tricting
or conditioning certain
rights or uses to
preserve land for
future generations
• Includes permitted and
prohi
bited uses of the
land
12

Page 13 of 129 ends

Conservation Easement
Uses that are permitted and within the scope:
• All public recreation a ctivities determined to be appropriate by the City Council;
• Agricultural uses;
• N
ature study and the conservation of natural resources; and • D
evelopment and m ai ntenance of infrastructure to support permitted uses.
13 Uses which are generally prohibited:
• Subdivision of the property
• Commercial or industrial use;
• Residential housing; and
• Major changes in the general
topography and the natural
drainage property of the land.

Page 14 of 129 ends

Preliminary Research
Three (3) of the 23 properties within the Napa County
Land Trust’s network permits bikes:
(1) Dunn-Wildlake* &
(2) Duff Ranch*
– 4,000-acre complex
connec
ting to Oat Hill
Mine Trail
– Existing roads (20mi) for
non-
motorized uses
(3) Okin Preserve*
– 110-ac re connector
property,
– adjacent to Las Posadas
St
ate Forest and the PUC
Forest
*Bike usage is subject to limitations, based on weather, climate conditions, or active restoration projects; and can be restricted to minimize impacts on the ground.
14

Page 15 of 129 ends

Significant Unknowns
• Environmental impacts associated with new / increased rec
reational use of trails
– No existing barriers to protect sensitive areas
– Conservation Easement prohibits any major changes in the general
topography and natural drainage properties
• Community input from high-user base / building consensus through standard City processes (e.g. within 500-ft of site) • Use of E-Bik es at Alston Park
• Resources needed to monitor usage / enforce compliance • Financial impact related to increased / new use of trails and the
impact on capital and maintenance needs
15

Page 16 of 129 ends

Change of Use Process
Step 5
Draft Final Recommendation to Council
Step 4
Review Findings with Park, Recreation, and Trees
Advisory Commission
Step 3
Conduct Community Engagement
Step 2
Develop, Budget, and Schedule Work Plan
Step 1
Preliminary Research
16

Page 17 of 129 ends

Change of Use Requests
Napa Valley Tennis Association
Music Amphitheater
Pickleball Steering Committee
UC Master Gardeners

Community Garden

Off
-
Leash / Dog Areas
17

Page 18 of 129 ends

Page 19 of 129 ends

Value of a Community Process
• Follows management precedent of community
inqui
ries outside of master plans
• Inclusive and transparent opportunity for discussing
feedbac
k & concerns
• Provides opportunity to evaluate and clarify existing unknow
ns
• Evaluates potential unintended consequences of
long
-term use change
• Provides Council with an informed recommendation
19

Page 20 of 129 ends

Work Plan Options
Align Project with Budget Cycle (Standard)
• Prepare and include in FY2025-27
• Considers project amongst other park and City priorities, existing projects & available resources
• Aligns work with Council priorities
Expedited Option
• Critical or urgent items
• Potential impact to current workplan and scheduled work (park infrastructure and capital priorities)
20

Page 21 of 129 ends

Expedited Work Plan Schedule
January – February: Select a Project Consultant (RFP
Process)
March: Execute Consultant Agreement
April – June: Conduct Community Engagement
July – August: Prepare Findings
September: Discuss with Parks, Recreation and
Trees Advisory Committee
November: Recommendation presented to Napa
City Council
21

Page 22 of 129 ends

Pilot Program Considerations
In recent months, the Napa County Bicycle Coalition requested a pilot program in the north section of the park commencing in March or April 2024 to run through the summer.
• A controlled pilot program was allowed 2019, 2021, and pa
rtially in 2022
• Would not prov ide an appropriate public process that includes a community engagement component – typical of
any change of use consideration.
• Additional park ranger and police resources to address anti
cipated conflicts within the park.
22

Page 23 of 129 ends

Change of Use Process
Mountain Bike Use at Alston Park
Step 1
Preliminary
Research
- City Attorney’s
Office
- Land Trust
- RCD
- Local and State
Entities
Step 2
Develop,
Budget, and
Schedule
Work Plan
Step 3
Conduct
Community
Engagement
Step 4
Review with
Park,
Recreation,
and Trees
Advisory
Commission
Step 5
Draft Final
Recommen-
dation to
Council
Receive an update on the Change of Use Request brought
forward by the Napa County Bicycle Coalition regarding
expanded mountain bike use at Alston Park and provide
direction to City Staff regarding the recommended process. 23

Page 24 of 129 ends

Discussion
24

Page 25 of 129 ends

From: Chris Pulver
To: Clerk
Subject: Please Allow the Alston Park Bike Pilot
Date: Monday, January 8, 2024 12:17:40 PM
[You don't often get email from [email protected]. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ]
[EXTERNAL]
Dear Napa City Council,
I am writing in support of the proposed pilot to allow off-road bike riding in the north section of Alston Park.

For decades, Napans have ridden and learned to ride in Alston Park; it's reasonable that the Park's use policy be brought in line with its use. Because many people already believe off-road riding is allowed, and because it is the "bunny slopes" of riding, updating the use policy would almost certainly not cause an influx of riders. In a park that allows runners, walkers, horses, dogs, and hot air balloons, it's time to stop excluding off-road biking--another form of passive recreation. The cycling team practiced there with a permit for three seasons between 2019 and 2022 (with 2020 off for Covid) without incident to other users, who often thanked them for being courteous.

There is no beginner, off-road riding in Napa -- a huge gap and barrier to those who are interested in this healthy recreational activity that can prepare and empower more people for many types of riding. More access to fun and interesting healthy activities means less obesity, less screen time, better mental health, and increased community connectedness. These are all positives for Napa, especially given the safety of mixing users. A recent California State Parks study found that "Actual incidents, including those involving accidents, between trail users are relatively rare."
I am asking for your support for a pilot that has numerous upsides and would be very feasible and inexpensive to implement.

Respectfully,
Chris Pulver
Dry Creek/redwood Road
Sent from my iPad
Item 13.A

Page 26 of 129 ends

From:

To: Clerk
Subject: Please Allow the Alston Park Bike Pilot
Date: Monday, January 8, 2024 12:23:44 PM
[You don't often get email from . Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ]
[EXTERNAL]
Dear Napa City Council,
I am writing in support of the proposed pilot to allow off-road bike riding in the north section of Alston Park.

Respectfully,
Claudia Zinn
Garfield Park/North napa area

Page 27 of 129 ends

From:

To: Clerk
Subject: Please Allow the Alston Park Bike Pilot
Date: Monday, January 8, 2024 12:42:00 PM
[You don't often get email from Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ]
[EXTERNAL]
Dear Napa City Council,
I am writing in support of the proposed pilot to allow off-road bike riding in the north section of Alston Park.

Respectfully,
[Ron Lemos]
[East Bell Aire Area]
Sent from my iPhone

Page 28 of 129 ends

From:

To: Clerk
Subject: Please Allow the Alston Park Bike Pilot
Date: Monday, January 8, 2024 12:42:08 PM
You don't often get email from . Learn why this is important [EXTERNAL]
Dear Napa City Council,
I am writing in support of the proposed pilot to allow off-road bike riding in the north section of Alston Park.

Respectfully,
Sylvia Rodriguez Concord California
Sent from my Galaxy

Page 29 of 129 ends

From:

To: Clerk
Subject: Please Allow the Alston Park Bike Pilot
Date: Monday, January 8, 2024 12:50:02 PM
You don't often get email from . Learn why this is important [EXTERNAL]
Dear Napa City Council, I am writing in support of the proposed pilot to allow off-road bike riding in the north section of Alston Park. For decades, Napans have ridden and learned to ride in Alston Park; it's reasonable that the Park's use policy be brought in line with its use. Because many people already believe off-road riding is allowed, and because it is the "bunny slopes" of riding, updating the use policy would almost certainly not cause an influx of riders. In a park that allows runners, walkers, horses, dogs, and hot air balloons, it's time to stop excluding off-road biking--another form of passive recreation. The cycling team practiced there with a permit for three seasons between 2019 and 2022 (with 2020 off for Covid) without incident to other users, who often thanked them for being courteous. There is no beginner, off-road riding in Napa -- a huge gap and barrier to those who are interested in this healthy recreational activity that can prepare and empower more people for many types of riding. More access to fun and interesting healthy activities means less obesity, less screen time, better mental health, and increased community connectedness. These are all positives for Napa, especially given the safety of mixing users. A recent California State Parks study found that "Actual incidents, including those involving accidents, between trail users are relatively rare." I am asking for your support for a pilot that has numerous upsides and would be very feasible and inexpensive to implement.

Respectfully,

Kristin Belair
Napa, CA 94558

Page 30 of 129 ends

From:

To: Clerk
Subject: Please Allow the Alston Park Bike Pilot
Date: Monday, January 8, 2024 12:56:10 PM
[You don't often get email from c . Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ]
[EXTERNAL]
Dear Napa City Council,
I am writing in support of the proposed pilot to allow off-road bike riding in the north section of Alston Park.

My
family enjoys Mountain Biking, and we would appreciate having a place to teach the kids before taking them to the ‘big trails’ at Skyline.

Respectfully,
Cameron Shaw
Browns Valley

Page 31 of 129 ends

From: Austin Komarek
To: Clerk
Subject: Please Allow the Alston Park Bike Pilot
Date: Monday, January 8, 2024 1:15:07 PM
You don't often get email from [email protected]. Learn why this is important [EXTERNAL]
Dear Napa City Council,
I am writing in support of the proposed pilot to allow off-road bike riding in the north section of Alston Park.

Respectfully,
Austin Komarek,
Napa Resident and small business owner.

Page 32 of 129 ends

From:

To: Clerk
Subject: Please Allow the Alston Park Bike Pilot
Date: Monday, January 8, 2024 1:28:44 PM
[You don't often get email from . Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ]
[EXTERNAL]
Dear Napa City Council,
I am writing in support of the proposed pilot to allow off-road bike riding in the north section of Alston Park.

Respectfully,
Michael Schwartz
Napa
Sent from my iPad

Page 33 of 129 ends

From:

To: Clerk
Subject: Please Allow the Alston Park Bike Pilot
Date: Monday, January 8, 2024 1:30:58 PM
You don't often get email from . Learn why this is important [EXTERNAL]
Dear Napa City Council,
I am writing in support of the proposed pilot to allow off-road bike riding in the north section of Alston Park.

Respectfully,
Bob Frappia

Page 34 of 129 ends

From:

To: Clerk
Subject: Please Allow the Alston Park Bike Pilot
Date: Monday, January 08, 2024 2:28:38 PM
[You don't often get email from Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] [EXTERNAL]
Dear Napa City Council,
I am writing in support of the proposed pilot to allow off-road bike riding in the north section of Alston Park.

The cycling team practiced there with a permit for three seasons between 2019 and 2022 (with 2020 off for Covid) without incident to other users, who often thanked them for being courteous.

There is no beginner, off-road riding in Napa -- a huge gap and barrier to those who are interested in this healthy recreational activity that can prepare and empower more people for many types of riding. More access to fun and interesting healthy activities means less obesity, less screen time, better mental health, and increased community connectedness. These are all positives for Napa, especially given the safety of mixing users. A recent California State Parks study found that "Actual incidents, including those involving accidents, between trail users are relatively rare." I am asking for your support for a pilot that has numerous upsides and would be very feasible and inexpensive to implement.

Respectfully,
Amanda Sands
Salvador Ave, Napa
Amanda Sands Hairdressing
https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?
url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amandasandshairdressing.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cclerk%40cityofnapa.org%7Cf899d81a652d49f8d83d08dc1098f6c8%7C7c2235c73aee4099a6c4bde6470cfa85%7C0%7C0%7C638403497174450265%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C62000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=%2BUKNbwiwvr2b2Hvq1f2ztuar18%2FoWPDmY5VtUqNEt6Y%3D&reserved=0

Page 35 of 129 ends

From:

To: Clerk
Subject: Please Allow the Alston Park Bike Pilot
Date: Monday, January 8, 2024 2:34:11 PM
[You don't often get email from r . Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ]
[EXTERNAL]
Dear Napa City Council,
It’s time for a change.

I am writing in support of the proposed pilot to allow off-road bike riding in the north section of Alston Park.

Off-road bicycle riding has grown rapidly in popularity in the past few years however our recreational facilities have not grown to accommodate this new sport.

Respectfully,
Rich Collins
East Berna Ave.

Napa
Sent from my iPhone

Page 36 of 129 ends

From:

To: Clerk
Subject: Please Allow the Alston Park Bike Pilot
Date: Monday, January 8, 2024 2:52:28 PM
You don't often get email from . Learn why this is important [EXTERNAL]
Dear Napa City Council,
I am writing in support of the proposed pilot to allow off-road bike riding in the north section of Alston Park.

Respectfully,
Cindy Deutsch

Sent from my iPad
Cindy Deutsch

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From:

To: Clerk
Subject: Please Allow the Alston Park Bike Pilot
Date: Monday, January 8, 2024 3:25:35 PM
[You don't often get email from Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ]
[EXTERNAL]
Dear Napa City Council,
I am writing in support of the proposed pilot to allow off-road bike riding in the north section of Alston Park.

Respectfully,
Steven Deutsch
Napa
Sent from my iPad

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From:

To: Clerk
Subject: Please Allow the Alston Park Bike Pilot
Date: Monday, January 8, 2024 3:32:01 PM
[You don't often get email from . Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ]
[EXTERNAL]
Dear Napa City Council,
I am writing in support of the proposed pilot to allow off-road bike riding in the north section of Alston Park.

Respectfully,
Louie Milgrom
Lake Park neighborhood

Page 39 of 129 ends

From:

To: Clerk
Subject: Please Allow the Alston Park Bike Pilot
Date: Monday, January 8, 2024 4:22:27 PM
You don't often get email from . Learn why this is important [EXTERNAL]
Dear Napa City Council,
I am writing in support of the proposed pilot to allow off-road bike riding in the north section of Alston Park.

Respectfully,
Robin Stalbaum
Napa River

Page 40 of 129 ends

From:

To: Clerk
Subject: Please Allow the Alston Park Bike Pilot
Date: Monday, January 8, 2024 4:37:43 PM
You don't often get email from t . Learn why this is important [EXTERNAL]
Dear Napa City Council,
I am writing in support of the proposed pilot to allow off-road bike riding in the north section of Alston Park.

Respectfully,
Tim Hill

Napa CA 94558

Page 41 of 129 ends

From:

To: Clerk
Subject: Please Allow the Alston Park Bike Pilot
Date: Monday, January 8, 2024 5:48:01 PM
You don't often get email from . Learn why this is important [EXTERNAL]
Dear Napa City Council,
I am writing in support of the proposed pilot to allow off-road bike riding in the north section of Alston Park.

Respectfully,
Holly Ong
Napa, CA
94558

Page 42 of 129 ends

From:

To: Clerk
Subject: Please Allow the Alston Park Bike Pilot
Date: Monday, January 8, 2024 7:01:21 PM
[You don't often get email from Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ]
[EXTERNAL]
Dear Napa City Council,
I am writing in support of the proposed pilot to allow off-road bike riding in the north section of Alston Park.

Respectfully,
[Your Name]
[Your address or neighborhood]
Thank you,
Darin Cravea
D&B Custom Coatings
Advanced Certified Cerakote Application Center

Page 43 of 129 ends

From:

To: Clerk
Subject: Please Allow the Alston Park Bike Pilot
Date: Monday, January 8, 2024 7:30:26 PM
[You don't often get email from Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ]
[EXTERNAL]
Dear Napa City Council,
I am writing in support of the proposed pilot to allow off-road bike riding in the north section of Alston Park.

Respectfully,
Eddy Ruiz
McPherson Neighborhood

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From:

To: Clerk
Subject: Please Allow the Alston Park Bike Pilot
Date: Tuesday, January 9, 2024 9:39:12 AM
[You don't often get email from s . Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ]
[EXTERNAL]
Dear Napa City Council,
I am writing in support of the proposed pilot to allow off-road bike riding in the north section of Alston Park.

Respectfully,
Sarah Walz
Sent from my iPhone

Page 45 of 129 ends

From:

To: Clerk
Subject: Please Allow the Alston Park Bike Pilot
Date: Tuesday, January 9, 2024 10:16:47 AM
[You don't often get email from Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ]
[EXTERNAL]
Dear Napa City Council,
I am writing in support of the proposed pilot to allow off-road bike riding in the north section of Alston Park.

Respectfully,
Genevie Fletcher
Linda Vista/Redwood
Sent from my iPhone

Page 46 of 129 ends

From:

To: Clerk
Subject: Please Allow the Alston Park Bike Pilot
Date: Tuesday, January 9, 2024 5:24:18 PM
You don't often get email from Learn why this is important [EXTERNAL]
Dear Napa City Council, I am writing in support of the proposed pilot to allow off-road bike riding in the north section of Alston Park. For decades, Napans have ridden and learned to ride in Alston Park; it's reasonable that the Park's use policy be brought in line with its use.

Because many people already believe off-road riding is allowed, and because it is the "bunny slopes" of riding, updating the use policy would almost certainly not cause an influx of riders.

In a park that allows runners, walkers, horses, dogs, and hot air balloons, it's time to stop excluding off-road biking--another form of passive recreation. The cycling team practiced there with a permit for three seasons between 2019 and 2022 (with 2020 off for Covid) without incident to other users, who often thanked them for being courteous. There is no beginner, off-road riding in Napa -- a huge gap and barrier to those who are interested in this healthy recreational activity that can prepare and empower more people for many types of riding. More access to fun and interesting healthy activities means less obesity, less screen time, better mental health, and increased community connectedness. These are all positives for Napa, especially given the safety of mixing users. A recent California State Parks study found that "Actual incidents, including those involving accidents, between trail users are relatively rare." I am asking for your support for a pilot that has numerous upsides and would be very feasible and inexpensive to implement. Respectfully, Heather Siewert district 2

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From: Victor Hernandez
To: Clerk
Subject: Please Allow the Alston Park Bike Pilot
Date: Wednesday, January 10, 2024 4:17:50 PM
You don't often get email from [email protected]. Learn why this is important [EXTERNAL]
Dear Napa City Council,
I am writing in support of the proposed pilot to allow off-road bike riding in the north section of Alston Park.

Respectfully,
Victor Hernandez,

Owner
Athletic Feat - Bicycle Works
3367 Solano Ave., Napa, CA

94558
www.athleticfeat.com
707-258-NAPA (6272)

Page 48 of 129 ends

From:

To: Clerk
Subject: Please Allow the Alston Park Bike Pilot
Date: Monday, January 15, 2024 4:43:07 PM
[You don't often get email from Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ]
[EXTERNAL]
Dear Napa City Council,
I am writing in support of the proposed pilot to allow off-road bike riding in the north section of Alston Park.

I am not a bike rider, and I use Alston Park as a walker only. I bring my dog there often. I see no issue with allowing bikes on the trail. If people, dogs, and horses can coexist, I see no reason why bikes should not be allowed.

Respectfully,
Corrie Decker
Napa

Page 49 of 129 ends

From: r
To: Clerk
Subject: Please Allow the Alston Park Bike Pilot
Date: Monday, January 15, 2024 7:24:27 PM
[You don't often get email from r . Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ]
[EXTERNAL]
Dear Napa City Council,
I am writing in support of the proposed pilot to allow off-road bike riding in the north section of Alston Park.

Respectfully,
Rebecca Kotch
Browns Valley, Napa CA

Page 50 of 129 ends

Board of Directors
Matt Adams
- President
Jake Moritz
-Treasurer
Christina Toms
-Secretary
Joseph Floren
Noreen Irving
Jeff Lilndenthal
Markham Connolly

NorCal League
Staff
Vanessa Hauswald
-Executive Director
Hailey Childress
-Program Director
Storm Glover
-Administrative
Manager
Terry Curley
-Development
Manager

NorCal Sponsors
Mike's Bikes
Trek
PayDirt
Hyper Threads
Marin Bikes
Violich Farms
Trailworks
Access4Bikes
Trailworks
WTB
GU
She Sends
Foundation
5 January 2024

Re: Agenda Item- Proposed Alston Park Pilot, City of Napa Council Meeting January 16, 2024
Dear Mr. Mayor and Council Members of the City of Napa,

On behalf of the wonderful student-athletes that we serve at the NorCal Interscholastic Cycling League, I am writing to ask that you allow the proposed pilot of expanded bike access in Alston Park to move forward.

The NorCal League is proud to run an inclusive, equitable, coed, interscholastic cycling program that serves schools from San Luis Obispo all the way up to Humboldt.Currently, we have over 3000 student-athletes, and 1200+ coaches, from 110 teams, participating, and we successfully launched programming for 6th-8th graders, so we expect to have enormous growth in the coming years. The Rebobs/Napa Valley Composite Cycling team are proud members of the NorCal League and have experienced consistent growth over the last 8 years. Cycling is here to stay, and we believe this proposed change of use at Alston will help to facilitate important healthy outlets for many Napa teens.

In addition to safe cycling practices, our student-athletes and coaches adhere to a code of conduct of respectful trail etiquette, are not allowed to ride on illegal trails, and are trained in considerate passing of pedestrians, equestrians, and fellow cyclists. To that end, it is of profound importance that they have access to beginner off road facilities for learning how to ride and share trails safely. We believe that Alston Park provides exactly this space for your local Napa student-athletes.

With obesity, loneliness, and technology-related depression on the rise, gifting our young people the opportunity to get out in nature, on their bikes, is one of the easiest ways we can help mitigate these real issues. So, again, we thank you for seriously considering the proposed pilot of expanded bike access in Alston.

Thanks for your investment in the health and well-being of our future: kids. We are honored to have you along for the ride, and we hope you'll come visit us for a ride with a team, a seat in the cheering section of one of our races, or to one of our many events this year.

Respectfully,
Vanessa Hauswald
Executive Director
NorCal Interscholastic Cycling League
[email protected]

NorCal Interscholastic Cycling League - 40 Fourth St. #230 - Petaluma, CA 94952 - [email protected] - 707.548.8077

Page 51 of 129 ends

From:

To: Clerk
Subject: Please Allow the Alston Park Bike Pilot
Date: Wednesday, January 10, 2024 11:41:28 AM
[You don't often get email from Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ]
[EXTERNAL]
Dear Napa City Council,
I am writing in support of the proposed pilot to allow off-road bike riding in the north section of Alston Park.

This is a great opportunity for Napa to show that we encourage outdoor recreation for everyone. The steep, rocky hills of Skyline Park is no place for a beginner to learn to ride a mountain bike. Alston Park’s north end could provide a much needed area for novice’s to learn and practice skills required to become a responsible mountain biker.

Perhaps making mountain bike access to the north end of Alston Park official will have the unintended benefit of inspiring dog owners to keep their dogs on leash in the On Leash area of Alston Park. I am asking for your support for a pilot that has numerous upsides and would be very feasible and inexpensive to implement.

Respectfully,
Dennis Reilley
Bel Aire Neighborhood

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P.O. Box 5157 | Napa, CA 94581 | (707) 258-6318 | www.napabike.org January 12, 2024

Re: Bike Pilot in Alston Park – January 16 Hearing

Dear Mayor Sedgley and Council Members,

Thank you again for allowing the opportunity to be heard on the bike pilot in Alston Park we proposed alongside the Napa Valley Composite Cycling Team on behalf of youth, families, and others in Napa who ride off-road. What we requested during public comment in December is still our request, that off-road riding be piloted in the north end of the park only for at least six months. We have been clear from the beginning that we do not want a pilot nor any subsequent permanent change of use to include the off-leash area. The pilot requested would require no changes to the built environment and would not include any trail-building.

A pilot is the best way to determine if allowing off-road riding in a portion of the park would pose any significant issues. The pilot is appropriate because:
• It requires no changes to the environment and therefore is very low cost. • Bikes have already been ridden off-road in the park for decades, so park users are not unfamiliar with this activity.
• Bikers, dogs, hikers, and horses commonly mix in close proximity in other parks and open spaces, so the request does not implement a novel practice or novel mix of uses. • Because it is very low cost, it would not take budgeted dollars away from other planned efforts.
• It is the best way to understand the reality of a longer term proposed change, especially when conjecture about what such a change would entail varies widely in the community.

Previous proposed changes at the park, such as ball fields and picnic tables, would not have been appropriate for a pilot due to the changes they would require in the built environment. As well, it does not appear that a pilot was ever requested. Therefore, the process used in previous requests should not dictate the process for our current request. Pilots are widely used, are an excellent way to test the waters, and are an appropriate approach to use in parks.

California State Parks embraces pilot programs and are currently running two.

We are safety advocates, and we want all park users to be safe. We would not recommend the pilot if we thought it would negatively affect safety. Bikes and dogs mix without incident everyday around Napa County (Lower Moore Creek/Lake Hennessey, including single track trails, the Vine Trail, Oat Hill Mine).

This is true elsewhere around the state and country too. For example, all Marin County Open Space Trails open to bikes also allow dogs on leash and all fire roads are open to mountain bikes and dogs off leash under voice control. In total that is over 20 miles of multi-

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P.O. Box 5157 | Napa, CA 94581 | (707) 258-6318 | www.napabike.org use trails and close to 100 miles of dirt roads across 34 preserves. Dogs and bikes also share trails in both of
Marin’s National Parks (Marin Headlands and Point Reyes National Seashore) and bikes and dogs share fire roads on the 19,000 acre Mt. Tam Watershed.

Mixing bikers, hikers, and dogs is standard practice in parts of Napa and elsewhere. All of these locations are concerned with conservation, preservation of the natural world, and protection of wildlife, and it has been
demonstrated widely that those goals can be
accomplished in harmony with usage by bikes and by
dogs. Again, the requested pilot contains no novel
elements, so we know, given ample research, that bikes
are not any more detrimental to the environment or trails than hikers are.

Increasing access to biking offroad is a community need. It’s also healthy for youth, seniors, and others to have access to beginner-level offroad riding. That does not exist elsewhere in Napa.

We looked at other parks and open spaces in Napa, and none were found to be beginner-level.

Better access means more youth will build healthy habits, more seniors will be able to ride longer in life, and more people will be confident cyclists, who in turn will be more ready to ride for transportation, helping to mitigate climate change. Allowing the pilot to move forward will benefit the whole community.

Please take the time to read the following pages, which contain the FAQ we developed and which delve even
more deeply into the various considerations and
nuances of our request.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Respectfully,

Kara Vernor, Executive Director
Napa County Bicycle Coalition

(photos of youth enjoying
riding throughout Alston Park)

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P.O. Box 5157 | Napa, CA 94581 | (707) 258-6318 | www.napabike.org Expanded Bike Access Pilot in Alston Park
Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is being proposed?

Piloting increased bike access for at least six months in the northernmost section of the park, which begins at the north parking lot. Bikes are currently allowed on some paths in this section, but not all. The pilot could be further defined by certain times of day (or before or after certain times of day), certain days of the week, or both. It does not need to include e-bikes.

2. Wait, isn’t biking already allowed throughout the park?

Generations of Napa residents have learned to ride off-road in Alston Park and regularly visit the park to learn and practice. Most people believe biking is allowed, as is listed on websites.

However, upon closer inspection of Park signage, users will find that biking is currently restricted to the Park’s paved and gravel roads only. This is by City ordinance and applies to all City of Napa parks.

3. Why is more bike access needed?

Alston is the only terrain in Napa most people consider suitable for beginners and those learning to ride off-road. This is why many parents bring their children there to learn.

4. Why not just learn at Skyline?

“Not one solitary trail in Skyline, including Lake Marie Road, is considered beginner-friendly,” Darin Cravea, Skyline Park Director. Mr. Cravea has explained that though there is interest in

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P.O. Box 5157 | Napa, CA 94581 | (707) 258-6318 | www.napabike.org 2 building beginner trails, there are no near-term plans to do so, as the mountains Skyline comprises don’t really allow it. As well, Skyline is difficult to access for some, and especially youth, because nearly everyone needs to drive there and pay an entry fee, which means youth are dependent on their parents’ availability, understanding of biking and hauling bikes, and likely their financial support as well. Even if someone can overcome these barriers, they still will not have access to beginner-friendly riding.

5. What about the pump track? I heard Skyline is going to build one for little kids, too.

Pump tracks are designed for BMX style riding, not off-road riding. They are smooth courses designed so riders do not have to pedal. Conversely, riding off-road means learning to pedal through quick changes in grades, over loose debris (sticks, rocks, leaves, etc.), over roots and natural indentations, etc.—none of which are found on a smooth, wide pump track. Plus, momentum on a pump track is lost when riding a bike with suspension, as is found on mountain bikes.

6. Would increasing bike access mean an increase in Park users?

We anticipate any increase would be negligible. Most people who are interested in riding in Alston Park already ride there. As well, because it is like the “bunny slopes” of mountain biking and because it is small compared to places where intermediate and advanced riders ride, it would most likely not be a draw or a destination for mountain bikers, but just an accessible place for beginners to learn.

7. Can mixing hikers, dogs, runners, horses and bikes (and hot air balloons!) be done safely?

The evidence points to yes. A recent California State Parks study found that "Actual incidents, including those involving accidents, between trail users are relatively rare." Local leaders at Skyline Park and the Open Space District where user groups regularly mix have not received reports of collisions between user groups, and anyone who uses the Vine Trail experiences dogs, walkers, and bicycles in close proximity every day with success. As well, Napa’s cross- country mountain bike team practiced at Alston Park regularly for three seasons, between 2019 and 2022 (with 2020 off for COVID), without incident to other users, who often thanked them for being courteous and were interested to learn about the team. (Permission to ride was granted under a special use permit, which the City did not renew this year.) This pilot would take place only in an area where dogs are required to be on-leash, and would not extend biking to the off-leash area.

8. Are the trails at Alston Park safe and appropriately designed for biking?

The trail experts we spoke with believe it is a safer place to ride, given the beginner-friendly trails and ample sight lines, than other local parks. As well, according to the CA State Parks' Trails Handbook Design Requirements: "Design for multi-use trails should be based on the

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P.O. Box 5157 | Napa, CA 94581 | (707) 258-6318 | www.napabike.org 3 highest standards for the intended user groups. Equestrian trails have the highest design and construction standards, so those are the minimum standards for any multi-use trail. (Chapter

9.3)" Essentially, since Alston has already been deemed appropriate for equestrians, the standards for other users, including bicyclists, have already been met.

9. Does the Alston easement allow biking?

City staff met with City attorneys and confirmed that the easement does not prevent biking. An expired charter limited use at Alston to “passive recreation,” but even if the charter had not expired, it wouldn’t preclude biking. The type of off-road riding, called “cross-country mountain biking” that would be available at Alston is considered passive use (here is a long explanation for those interested). Even if the easement were a barrier, City officials have shown their willingness to get around it. The easement does not allow for commercial uses, yet hot air balloons are allowed to land there.

10. Would allowing bikes cause more wear on the trails than dogs, horses, and hikers? We know the City just assessed all parks and Napa’s parks, in short, are not in great shape.

Studies show that hikers and bikers produce about the same amount of wear, and horses produce much more. As the linked resource points out: “Poor design, such as [a] steep fall-line trail, causes erosion more than any particular use.”

11. Has the community given input on this proposed change of use?

The purpose of the pilot would be to gather input from a larger swath of the community. It would allow them to provide input via a survey/QR code on their actual experience of the change rather than their imagined experience, which would provide better data. We, the Bike Coalition, have reached out to many people and groups, including non-bikers, dog owners, and equestrians, and have discovered little push back about the change. Again, most people believe that biking is already allowed and are used to navigating youth and families on bikes in the Park.

12. Would a pilot mean changes to the Park? Would it be expensive?

No and no. Other than signage, which NCBC has offered to pay for, the expense would likely be limited to some staff time to design a survey and to communicate about the pilot, which could be done in the City’s newsletter. While there are likely a few more costs, essentially the cost of doing business, we are confident this is one of the lowest cost requests before the City currently. As seen in this photo, the park is already signed for multi-use trail sharing.

13. With the condition of parks overall in Napa, don’t staff already have a lot on their plates?

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P.O. Box 5157 | Napa, CA 94581 | (707) 258-6318 | www.napabike.org 4 Yes, and we are aware of the challenges they face. This is why we brought a request that is a simple proposed change of use, rather than a built environment change that would need to be budgeted and would cost a lot of money. It’s likely the City will have to say a lot of “no’s” in the coming years, and it is our opinion that this request could be a much easier yes.

14. Why didn’t the need for beginner off-road riding arise in the 2009 Park Master Plan?

Again, most people we have encountered believe biking is already allowed in the park, so they wouldn’t have recognized the need. As well, Napa is very different place for bikes in 2023 than it was in 2009. Both the Vine Trail Coalition and the Bike Coalition were just getting started in 2008, Napa now has a middle and high school mountain bike team, and between the pandemic and the availability of e-bikes, interest in biking has increased.

15. What about liability?

With California’s trail immunity statute, public entities are not liable for injuries on trails used for recreational purposes. While there are nuances to this and anyone can attempt to sue anyone for anything at any time, this provides a degree of protection that is uncommonly high.

As well, the park experts we have spoken with believe dogs, and specifically the interaction between dogs and horses, create the highest risk in terms of liability, and Alston Park already allows those users in addition to already allowing bikes on some of its paths.

16. If the City allow hikers, runners, dogs, horses, and hot air balloons in Alston Park, why not bikes?

It’s tough to say. There are pro-bike policies in Napa’s General Plan, Napa’s public works department is beginning to implement new, upgraded bike lanes, and the City supports the Safe Routes to School Partnership for the entire county (a program that encourages youth to walk or ride to school). It seems that not offering a beginner-friendly off-road riding area when one is available is inconsistent with the City’s efforts to promote biking. It also seems inconsistent with its General Plan Goal 5, “Foster connections to nature and open spaces”, and Goal 7, which includes promoting biking as part of a healthy and safe community for all.

17. How could expanding bike access at Alston Park benefit the community?

Increasing access to healthy outdoor activities is important for mental and physical health and for creating lifelong healthy habits that can improve community health and the environment.

Building bike confidence early means more youth will feel equipped to ride to school, which reduces traffic congestion around school sites and even increases academic performance.

Biking, including off-road riding, is great for youth development; it builds self-efficacy and independence and gives youth something fun to do that does not involve a screen. Learning and practicing trail etiquette young also helps teach cooperation and respect and can build good will among diverse users, who may also be neighbors. For these and more reasons, biking can contribute to a healthier, more connected community.

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1 January 12, 2024
To: [email protected]
Re: Proposed Alston Park Bike Pilot, City of Napa Council Meeting January 16, 2024

Dear Mr. Mayor and Council Members of the City of Napa, We are writing as members of the Napa Working Families Coalition, which is a combination of labor, environmental, housing and other community groups active across the city and county of Napa.

We represent a lot of families who have kids, and many of them would like to have a safe place for their kids to learn to ride in the City of Napa. Today we are writing to ask that you allow the proposed pilot of expanded bike access in Alston Park to move forward.

In the context of the general plan update, we advocated for increased investments in Napa’s bike lanes, because those investments meet our complimentary goals of creating good jobs, providing healthy low cost transportation solutions, supporting a high quality of life for working families and safeguarding the environment. We would note though that a comprehensive infrastructure for bicycles has to include more than just bike lanes. Safe places for kids to learn skills that they will use for a lifetime are important too.

Currently, there is simply no beginner, off-road riding in Napa -- a significant gap and barrier to those who are interested in this healthy recreational activity that can prepare and empower more people for many types of riding.

Expanded bike access in Alston also stands to bring working parents relief from driving of their children to activities that require money for participation. Given that the park is accessible by foot and by bike from several neighborhoods and is within riding distance from one of Napa’s largest middle schools, youth could visit the park for free and without requiring parents to leave work.

We are aware that some people have suggested that because Skyline allows bikes, that kids and their families should just go there. However, that is neither a safe nor practical alternative for beginning riders and their families. Skyline Park is difficult for youth to access because there is an entry fee and because there are no bike facilities on Imola Avenue, the road that leads to it. This means youth are dependent on their parents’ availability, understanding of biking and hauling bikes, and likely their financial support as well. Even if someone can overcome these barriers, they still will not have access to the beginner-friendly riding to get started and to build this healthy habit, as Skyline Park has only intermediate and advanced trails.

We would like to make sure that the next generation has a safe place in Napa where they can begin to build the skills they will need to be successful bicyclists. Alston Park provides an ideal location for this activity.

Thank you for your consideration,
Glenn Loveall, Napa/Solano Central Labor Council (AFL-CIO)

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2 Alicia Mijare, Sheet Metal Workers 104
Danny Bernardini, Napa/Solano Building and Construction Trades Council Chris Benz, Napa Climate NOW!
Kara Vernor, Napa Bicycle Coalition
Tim Frank, Center for Sustainable Neighborhoods
Anna Chouteau, St. Helena City Councilmember
Anne Cottrell, District 3 Napa County Supervisor

Page 60 of 129 ends

From:

To: Clerk
Subject: Alston Park bicycle proposals
Date: Sunday, January 14, 2024 4:33:50 PM
[You don't often get email from . Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ]
[EXTERNAL]
Hello Clerk and interested parties:

I firmly believe that Alston Park will be a great facility for additional bike use by mountain bike riders.

The gently sloping terrain is ideal for young riders and those biking enthusiasts who have become interested in mountain biking skills.

Perhaps some date or time limitations will accommodate various users and still please users who want to use the park for other pursuits.

This park is convenient to many residents and I hope to see mountain bike users enjoy the beauty of this area along with other residents.

Thank you,
Tom Boeddiker
Napa

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From: Beth Painter
To: Clerk
Subject: Fwd: Comments from Trevor Hall - Coach and Advocacy Lead , Napa Valley Composite Cycling - Alston Park Pilot Project
Date: Sunday, January 14, 2024 6:18:13 PM
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:

From: Trevor Hall <[email protected]>
Date: January 14, 2024 at 4:03:56 PM PST
To: Liz Alessio <[email protected]>, Scott Sedgley <[email protected]>, Mary Luros <[email protected]>, Beth Painter <[email protected]>, Bernie Narvaez <[email protected]> Subject: Comments from Trevor Hall - Coach and Advocacy Lead , Napa Valley Composite Cycling - Alston Park Pilot Project
Reply-To: Trevor Hall <[email protected]>

[EXTERNAL]
January 14, 2024
Greetings Honorable Mayor and Council Members,
Thank you for your time in reading this letter. As you know, council is set to hear an agenda item on January 16
th (13A) concerning expanded bicycle access at
Alston Park.

Over the last six-seven months I, along with the Napa Bike Coalition, met with city staff and approached them with a request to pilot an expanded bicycle access program at Alston Park. As you are also aware, members of the bike community spoke in front of council about this proposal on December 5 th, 2023. You heard
our concerns and set this as an agenda item which I am thankful for.

You were recently provided a staff report concerning expanded use. I believe that report is misleading. The approved minutes from the December 5th meeting confirm that staff was given direction to research a pilot project. Although the report does discuss a pilot project, the majority of the report centers upon a change of use request.

I believe that the pilot project as requested is the most appropriate manner for the city to move forward with this process. A pilot project is not costly nor will it have significant impact upon the city or park users.

There are few things that I would like to address that have occurred since December 5
th:

In the staff report, Parks and Recreation Director Brandt wrote that she does not support a pilot project prior to the completion of the appropriate public process because it would cause confusion amongst the community and that the pilot would impact park users. She also believes that allowing bikes within the park

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would require additional enforcement staffing.

As a resident, I know the city successfully communicates with residents through social platforms, public notices and hearings. The report alludes that the city lacks ability to communicate which is not true. The city can and does effectively communicate. Good communication is the bridge between confusion and clarity.

Brandt’s assumptions are speculative and lack foundation.

I believe the pilot will have minimal impact on park users. As is, the parameters of the pilot restrict bike access to the far northern, on-leash, section of the park, an area where there is already permitted bike access on paved and gravel roads. We do not have any intention of expanding access to the off-leash section of the park.

Studies have shown that cyclists, hikers, dog-walkers and equestrians mix well in open space areas. There are many locations in the valley where these user groups co-exists such as Moore Creek, Angwin PUC, the VINE trail, and the Oat Hill Mine Trail. This is a consistent practice throughout the state.

I rode 1100 miles off-trail in 2023. Not once did I have a negative interaction with another user group and commonly interacted with both dogs and horses. I never saw a park ranger present at those above mentioned locations. Again, the conclusion that the pilot program will have an impact on park users and cause strain on city enforcement resources, is speculative. May I please remind you that I am and have been a police officer for 21 years. I’ve yet to respond to a call for service involving bikes, dogs, horses and hikers in conflict.

In preparation for the council meeting on January 16
th, the city posted signs at
Alston Park announcing the meeting. The signs, present at both entrances, announced that the meeting would discuss proposed change of use / pilot project for bicycle access at Alston Park. The signs too were misleading. No information was posted concerning the parameters of the pilot project. As evidenced in social media posts and amongst users at the park, this caused unwarranted concern and fear at Alston Park. Afterwards, I spent time at the park informing users of the true intentions of the pilot program. Per conversation, users had been misinformed by opposing members that:
·
New trails would be built
· Trails would sustain damage · Events would be held · Expansion would include the entire park · E-Bikes would be allowed In the meetings I/we have held with staff, it was expressed that none of the items above would be part of the expanded bicycle access pilot project (with exception to 2). Unfortunately, this led to a bit of chaos and confusion. Signatures were gathered, many of which were obtained from the signer who had little information about the pilot parameters. The signature gatherers themselves had little/no information about the scope of the pilot. One was surprised

when I informed them
of the boundaries and replied he believed it was the whole park. Once I explained the scope of the pilot to park users, many of them had changed their position.

Unfortunately, their signatures had already been gathered. Concerning item 2, studies show that bikes are no more contributors to trail wear than pedestrians. I would also like to note that last year, NVCC contributed

500 hours of trail work to
the valley. I have offered our assistance to the city and that offer remains open.

Page 63 of 129 ends

Further in the report, Parks and Recreation Director Brandt wrote that it is her belief that the project will be subject to environmental review in accordance with CEQA at the “earliest feasible time” prior to “approval”. This too is errant at face value. As there is no significant change in the environment, an exemption to CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) is applicable to this expansion.

This pilot project and expanded access has, since it’s conception, focused upon providing off-road (Mountain Bike) access to Napa’s youth and beginner riders. This is so very crucial at a time when young members of our community are spending considerable time indoors, engaged in unhealthy stagnant behavior such as watching TV or scrolling on devices. Alston is a venue that provides the opportunity for spontaneous outdoor activity where the trails are easy and safe. Other locations in the valley are designed for experienced riders, require driving to use them, or charge a fee.

At 157
acres, there is ample room for all people to enjoy this wonderful location.

I must say that the report you were provided with presents as biased. However, I hope and pray that staff are not acting as activists against this opportunity.

I am ever appreciative for your time and service. Thank you, and for the city’s permission to use Alston Park in the past via special permit when our Napa Valley Composite Cycling Team (Rebobs) athletes were displaced from Skyline Park due to fire damage. I hope they, and other Napa youth, one day again have the opportunity to enjoy this park on bike, as many have done over decades with belief their activity is legal. We desire to be within the law, bound by interscholastic and moral guidelines. I also hope the law and rules will be amicable to us.

Very respectfully submitted.

Trevor Hall
Coach, Advocacy Lead, and Napa Resident
Napa Valley Composite Cycling

Page 64 of 129 ends

From:

To: Scott Sedgley; Beth Painter; Bernie Narvaez; Mary Luros; Liz Alessio; Steve Potter Subject: Biking for young beginners in north Alston Park Date: Thursday, November 30, 2023 5:46:14 PM
Some people who received this message don't often get email from k Learn why this is important
[EXTERNAL]
Dear Napa City Councilmembers and City Manager,

I have hiked the trails in Alston Park often and have only had positive encounters with cyclists. I welcome those riding off-road, especially youth, enjoying the activity, getting outdoors, and learning to become better at a healthy recreational pursuit. For much of the time between 2019 and 2022, young cyclists rode on the park area paths and there is no known record of reported incidents between the cyclists and other park users during that time.

The Napa Valley Composite Cycling Team, in conjunction with the Napa County Bicycle Coalition, has proposed a pilot project to begin in March 2024.

The project would allow off-road riding in the north area of Alston Park, while allowing time for community feedback.

Of the 54 parks in the City of Napa, the north area of Alston Park is the most appropriate candidate for including youth cycling among the other uses.

While it is essential that the Napa Parks and Recreation Services considerations be included in your decision to approve a pilot program, I am confident that approval will enhance the community involvement and pride in our park system.

Considering the ongoing need to provide opportunities in our parks to meet community recreation options, I strongly encourage you to consider a path forward for allowing cycling in the north Alston Park area.

A pilot project could
be the best way to do so.

Sincerely,

Kevin Hansen
Westwood Neighborhood
Napa, California

Page 65 of 129 ends

From:

To: Scott Sedgley; Beth Painter; Bernie Narvaez; Mary Luros; Liz Alessio; Steve Potter Subject: Toddler Bike Access at Alston Park
Date: Wednesday, November 29, 2023 2:46:51 PM
Some people who received this message don't often get email from . Learn why this is important
[EXTERNAL]
Dear Council Members and Mr. Potter,
My name is Will Carlon and I live at 437 Post Street in Napa. My family enjoys visiting Alston Park with our dog Pepino. I am writing to urge you to support bike access in Alston Park. My son Henry (about to turn three in February) has recently learned how to ride a bike, and as a mountain biker, I'm always looking for trails for him to learn on. While he loves ripping around the Oxbow park, it would be great to get him off the pavement, and onto some real dirt! Alston Park is the perfect place to introduce new riders to the sport, and to get them comfortable on dirt trails before heading to the more advanced trails of Skyline, Moore Creek, and Angwin - none of which are particularly approachable for the beginner rider.

I understand that Napa County Bicycle Coalition and the Napa Valley Composite Cycling Team have worked with Parks & Rec staff to propose a pilot, beginning in March 2024, that would allow off-road riding north of the Park's north parking lot.

The pilot would include
feedback mechanisms for the community to provide input. I am writing today to urge you to ensure that this pilot moves forward. As I understand it, there are very few, if any, legal or financial reasons not to implement it.

For decades, Napans have ridden and learned to ride in Alston Park; I am simply asking that the Park's use policy be brought in line with its actual current use.

Because many people already believe off-road riding is allowed, and because it is the "bunny slopes" of riding, updating the use policy would almost certainly not cause an influx of riders. In a park that allows runners, walkers, horses, dogs, and hot air balloons, it's time to stop excluding off-road biking--another form of passive recreation. The cycling team practiced there for three seasons between 2019 and 2022 (with 2020 off for Covid) without incident to other users, who often thanked them for being courteous.

There is no beginner, off-road riding in Napa -- a huge gap and barrier to those who are interested in this healthy recreational
activity that can prepare and empower more
people for many types of riding. More access to fun and interesting healthy activities means less obesity, less screen time, better mental health, and increased community connectedness. These are all positives
for Napa, especially given the safety of mixing
users. A recent California State Parks study found that " Actual incidents, including
those involving accidents, between trail users are relatively rare." I am asking for your support for a pilot that has numerous upsides and would be very easy to implement--a very feasible and reasonable request.

Best regards,

Page 66 of 129 ends

Will Carlon

Page 67 of 129 ends

From:

To: Scott Sedgley; Beth Painter; Bernie Narvaez; Mary Luros; Liz Alessio; Steve Potter Subject: Biking at Alston Park
Date: Tuesday, November 28, 2023 11:27:30 AM
Some people who received this message don't often get email from . Learn why this is important
[EXTERNAL]
Dear Council Members and Mr. Potter,
My name is Jeremy Mostafanejad and I live at 2341 Chad Court, Napa. As a parent who rides mountain bikes as my primary form of fitness (and fun), I am writing to urge you to increase bike access in Alston Park. Working with Parks & Recs staff and considering their concerns, the Napa County Bicycle Coalition along with the Napa Valley Composite Cycling Team proposed a pilot to begin in March 2024 that would allow off-road riding north of the Park's north parking lot only, along with feedback mechanisms for the community to provide input. Please ensure this pilot can move forward, as there are little to no legal or financial reasons not to implement it.

I learned how to mountain bike at Alston Park in 1992 and for decades, other Napans like myself have ridden and learned to ride in Alston Park; I am simply asking that the Park's use policy be brought in line with its use. Because many people already believe off-road riding is allowed, and because it is the "bunny slopes" of riding, updating the use policy would almost certainly not cause an influx of riders. In a park that allows runners, walkers, horses, dogs, and hot air balloons, it's time to stop excluding off-road biking--another form of passive recreation. The cycling team practiced there for three seasons between 2019 and 2022 (with 2020 off for Covid) without incident to other users, who often thanked them for being courteous.

As Board Secretary at Skyline Park, I can tell you that there is no beginner, off-road riding in Napa -- a huge gap and barrier to those who are interested in this healthy recreational
activity that can prepare and empower more people for many types of riding. At Skyline, all of the trails are intermediate to advanced - providing access at Alston would create a first step for beginners who would eventually progress to more advanced trail systems like Skyline or Moore Creek. More access to fun and interesting healthy activities means less obesity, less screen time, better mental health, and increased community connectedness. These are all positives for Napa,
especially given the safety of mixing users. A recent California State Parks study found that "Actual incidents, including those involving accidents, between trail
users are relatively rare."
I am asking for your support for a pilot that has numerous upsides and would be very easy to implement--a feasible and reasonable request. I look forward to commenting and hearing more at the next City Council meeting on December 5th.

Best regards,

Page 68 of 129 ends

Jeremy Mostafanejad

Page 69 of 129 ends

From: Keith Kimbrough
To: Scott Sedgley; Beth Painter; Steve Potter; Mary Luros; Bernie Narvaez Subject: Let kids and beginners ride at Alston Park
Date: Monday, November 20, 2023 6:50:22 PM
You don't often get email from [email protected]. Learn why this is important [EXTERNAL]
Dear Council Members and Mr. Potter,
My name is Keith Kimbrough and I live at 1121 Clark Street, Napa. As a park user who walks there/ brings my dog, I am writing to urge you to increase bike access in Alston Park. Working with Parks & Recs staff and considering their concerns, the Napa County Bicycle Coalition along with the Napa Valley Composite Cycling Team proposed a pilot to begin in March 2024 that would allow off-road riding north of the Park's north parking lot only, along with feedback mechanisms for the community to provide input. Please ensure this pilot can move forward, as there are little to no legal or financial reasons not to implement it.

For decades, Napans have ridden and learned to ride in Alston Park; I am simply asking that the Park's use policy be brought in line with its use. Because many people already believe off-road riding is allowed, and because it is the "bunny slopes" of riding, updating the use policy would almost certainly not cause an influx of riders. In a park that allows runners, walkers, horses, dogs, and hot air balloons, it's time to stop excluding off-road biking--another form of passive recreation. The cycling team practiced there for three seasons between 2019 and 2022 (with 2020 off for Covid) without incident to other users, who often thanked them for being courteous.

There is no beginner, off-road riding in Napa -- a huge gap and barrier to those who are interested in this healthy recreational

activity that can prepare and empower more
people for many types of riding. More access to fun and interesting healthy activities means less obesity, less screen time, better mental health, and increased community connectedness. These are all positives

for Napa, especially given the safety of mixing
users. A recent California State Parks study found that "Actual incidents, including those involving accidents, between trail

users

are

relatively rare."
I am asking for your support for a pilot that has numerous upsides and would be very easy to implement--a very feasible and reasonable request.

Best regards,
Keith Kimbrough
The Hub Napa

707.253.2453
thehubnapa.com

Page 70 of 129 ends

From:

To: Steve Potter; Beth Painter; Bernie Narvaez; Mary Luros; Liz Alessio; Scott Sedgley Subject: Audrey Schallon 8th grade-Alston Park Access
Date: Sunday, November 19, 2023 11:48:52 AM
Some people who received this message don't often get email from . Learn why this is important
[EXTERNAL]
Dear Mr. Potter and City Council Members,
I am writing this letter regarding mountain biking at Alston Park. I’m a thirteen-year-old girl and I race mountain bikes competitively for the local mountain bike team; The Rebobs. The two places I typically train at are Moore Creek and Skyline Park. I am young and both places are too far for me to ride on my own. Many of the hills at Alston are perfect for intervals and the loops are good at practicing endurance and stamina. As a racer I need that exercise to stay fit for every season, and every kid in general needs exercise.

Alston is the perfect place for me to ride a few times a week to get a solid but short workout. I can also ride with my friends, and my little sister who can grow more confident and learn skills that would allow both my friends and my sister to eventually ride Moore Creek and Skyline in the future. It also helps me to be prepared for races in the spring and summer. Most kids who would be using Alston if it opened to bikes already use it.

I went to Alston just a few days ago with one of my friends who is just learning how to mountain bike. It was the perfect place to teach her basic skills and we had a lot of fun. People were also very happy to see us. All my friends live by Alston, and when we are hanging out, we could bike there which is beneficial to our health both mentally and physically. It is also a great place to teach my little sister, who I love mountain biking with.

Alston is a great place and should be enjoyed by everyone, not just hikers and runners. So, I leave you with a quote by John Burroughs who says that “Nature itself is the best physician.” Kids need to be in nature and when you’re in nature you’re connecting with your roots and most kids would rather be on mountain bikes than walking. Nature can heal us both mentally and physically.

Therefore, I challenge every one of you to go to Alston and see what it's like. Please consider lifting the ban on mountain bikes at Alston.

Sincerely,
Audrey Schallon
8 th grade Rebob and Redwood Middle School student

Page 71 of 129 ends

From:

To: Scott Sedgley; Beth Painter; Bernie Narvaez; Mary Luros; Liz Alessio; Steve Potter Subject: Let kids and beginners ride at Alston Park
Date: Saturday, November 18, 2023 11:38:38 AM
Some people who received this message don't often get email from Learn why this is important
[EXTERNAL]
Dear Council Members and Mr. Potter,
My name is Ken Rands and I live at 1400 Thompson Ave., Napa. As a cyclist, both road and mountain, I am writing to urge you to increase bike access in Alston Park. Working with Parks & Recs staff and considering their concerns, the Napa County Bicycle Coalition along with the Napa Valley Composite Cycling Team proposed a pilot to begin in March 2024 that would allow off-road riding north of the Park's north parking lot only, along with feedback mechanisms for the community to provide input. Please ensure this pilot can move forward, as there are little to no legal or financial reasons not to implement it.

There is no beginner, off-road riding in Napa -- a huge gap and barrier to those who are interested in this healthy recreational
activity that can prepare and empower more people for many types of riding. More access to fun and interesting healthy activities means less obesity, less screen time, better mental health, and increased community connectedness. These are all positives for Napa, especially given the safety of
mixing users. A recent California State Parks study found that " Actual incidents, including those involving
accidents, between trail users are relatively rare."
I am asking for your support for a pilot that has numerous upsides and would be very easy to implement-- a very feasible and reasonable request.

Best regards,
--
Ken Rands

Page 72 of 129 ends

From:

To: Steve Potter; Scott Sedgley; Beth Painter; Bernie Narvaez; Mary Luros; Liz Alessio Subject: Bicycle access for children in Alston Park
Date: Friday, November 17, 2023 11:20:56 AM
Some people who received this message don't often get email from . Learn why this is important
[EXTERNAL]
Dear Council Members and City Manager Steve Potter
My name is Bill Tuikka, I have been a Napa resident since 1989, living at Drive. Most of you know me as a member of the Cultural Heritage Commission, a board member of Napa County Landmarks, and now a retired city planner. I am also a member of the Napa Bicycle Coalition and The Eagle Cycling Club, as I have been an avid cyclist since my teenage years.

I am writing to you to allow increased bike access in Alston Park. I understand that the Bicycle Coalition, along with the Napa Valley Composite Cycling Team has been meeting with Parks & Rec staff to begin a pilot program that would begin in March, 2024. This pilot would allow off road riding north of the park's north parking lot only, along with feedback mechanisms for park users to provide input on the program. I am asking that the Council strongly considers moving this pilot forward, as there are no legal or financial reasons not to implement it. Updating the use policy would almost certainly not cause an influx of riders. An examination of the internet already has many websites that state that biking is an activity in Alston park, along with hiking, trail running, dog walking, equestrian use and even hot air balloon landing
The Napa Valley Composite Cycling Team practiced there from 2019 until 2022 without any incidents to other users.

Napa is unique in that there are no beginner, off-road riding trails in Napa. Unlike the cities in Marin County, where there is China Camp in San Rafael, with a variety of terrain choices, or the multitude of off-road trails in the Novato area, and in Sonoma County around Petaluma, with varied and gentle terrain. Most of the trails in Napa, like Skyline Park, are steep and very challenging. That is a huge barrier to those teens who are interested in getting outdoors on easily accessed terrain. Allowing off road in Alston Park would mean more access to fun, healthy activities, and less screen time, less obesity, better mental health, and increased connectedness to others in our community. In my neighborhood there are children who, for example, live only a block away from others, who don't even know each other because of different school attendance or grade level.

Back in the 60's during my teenage years, we were
outside on our bikes, all over town. We knew all the kids in the neighborhood. That is not the case with today's youth.

I am asking for your support for a plot program that has tremendous upsides, and would be very easy to implement.

The youth of Napa deserve a place to be outside in a safe environment.

With best regards,
Bill Tuikka

Page 73 of 129 ends

From: Schallon, David
To: Steve Potter; Scott Sedgley; Beth Painter; Bernie Narvaez; Mary Luros; Liz Alessio Subject: Cycling Access at Alston Park
Date: Friday, November 17, 2023 7:36:57 AM
Some people who received this message don't often get email from [email protected]. Learn why this is important
[EXTERNAL]

Dear Mr. Potter and City Council Members,

I’m writing this letter as part of the effort to allow mountain bike access at Alston Park.

There’s
really no reason not to allow it.

Alston Park is a very user friendly, low risk place for beginner mountain bikers to learn basic skills.

It’s also where a lot of kids in north and west Napa can get to on their own to be outside exercising away from devices. As it is, most people in Napa think it’s legal to ride Alston.

This is most likely because it doesn’t make any sense for it to be off limits to bikes.

I’m aware that you can ride the paved and gravel roads in the park, but there’s hardly any and it’s not enough to be worthwhile. My daughter is 13 years old and is a competitive athlete who races mountain bikes.

She doesn’t have access to places to train without someone giving her a ride, but she could ride to Alston.

I will admit that I have ridden with her and my other daughter at Alston and we’ve been greeted positively by other trail users without exception. They need opportunities to challenge themselves and Alston is a great place for it.

Allowing access would not flood the park
with bikers, as most people who would ride the park already do. One of the bad things about the park is that almost no one uses a leash for their dogs in the on leash area and there’s dog feces all over the place. This is the area that we want open to biking. Hikers in the north end of the park who don’t want to deal with off leash dogs still have to deal with them since the dogs can run up to them.

Mountain bikers can keep safe distances from hikers and have friendly interactions with others. The kids in the community need this the most.

At a time in our history when kids spend less
time outside and more time playing video games and watching YouTube, we need to remove barriers keeping them from exercising.

Respectfully,

Dave Schallon
Valero Instrument Specialist
(707) 745-7516
Cell (707) 590-6122

Page 74 of 129 ends

From:

To: Scott Sedgley; Beth Painter; Bernie Narvaez; Mary Luros; Liz Alessio; Steve Potter Subject: Bicycles in Alston Park
Date: Thursday, November 16, 2023 4:20:26 PM
You don't often get email from Learn why this is important [EXTERNAL]
Dear Council Members and Mr. Potter,
My name is Samuel Brinker and I live at , Napa. I live just down the street from Alston Park and walk there almost every day. I was very surprised to learn that bikes are not allowed in the park. Currently the park is used by runners, walkers, horses, dogs, and even hot air balloons, but somehow cyclist are not allowed there? That does not make sense and is certainly not equitable. I t's time to stop
excluding off-road biking as it is no less deserving of the public space than any other type of recreation.

Every day I see children riding along Wine Country Ave and along the sidewalks in the neighborhood.

Wouldn’t it be better for all if they had a place away from traffic like Alston Park to enjoy cycling? I have been told the Napa Valley school cycling team practiced in Alston Park for three seasons between 2019 and 2022 (with 2020 off for Covid) without incident to other users, who often thanked them for being courteous.

This is not surprising, as a r
ecent California State Parks study found that
"Actual incidents, including those involving accidents, between trail users are relatively rare.” I would like to see you immediately approve access to the park for cyclists. However, I understand the Napa County Bicycle Coalition along with the Napa Valley Schools Composite Cycling Team proposed a pilot to begin in March 2024 that would allow off-road riding north of the Park's north parking lot only, along with feedback mechanisms for the community to provide input. At a minimum, please ensure this pilot can move forward, as there are little to no legal or financial reasons not to implement it.

Regards,
Samuel Brinker

Page 75 of 129 ends

From:

To: Scott Sedgley; Beth Painter; Bernie Narvaez; Mary Luros; Liz Alessio; Steve Potter Subject: Open Alston Park To Kids Wanting To Ride Their Bikes Date: Wednesday, November 15, 2023 10:02:33 PM
You don't often get email from . Learn why this is important [EXTERNAL]
Dear Council Members and Mr. Potter,
My name is Greg Hamtil and I live at , Napa. [As a park user who walks/runs, I am writing to urge you to increase bike access in Alston Park. Working with Parks & Recs staff and considering their concerns, the Napa County Bicycle Coalition along with the Napa Valley Composite Cycling Team proposed a pilot to begin in March 2024 that would allow off-road riding north of the Park's north parking lot only, along with feedback mechanisms for the community to provide input. Please ensure this pilot can move forward, as there are little to no legal or financial reasons not to implement it.

There is no beginner, off-road riding in Napa -- a huge gap and barrier to those who are interested in this healthy recreational
activity that can prepare and empower more people for many types of riding. More access to fun and interesting healthy activities means less obesity, less screen time, better mental health, and increased community connectedness. These are all positives for Napa, especially given the safety of
mixing users. A recent California State Parks study found that " Actual incidents, including those involving
accidents, between trail users are relatively rare."
I am asking for your support for a pilot that has numerous upsides and would be very easy to implement-- a very feasible and reasonable request.

Best regards, Greg Hamtil

Page 76 of 129 ends

From: Ken Prosser
To: Scott Sedgley; Beth Painter; Bernie Narvaez; Mary Luros; Liz Alessio; Steve Potter Subject: Open Northern End of Alston Park to Cyclists
Date: Wednesday, November 15, 2023 1:25:47 PM
You don't often get email from [email protected]. Learn why this is important [EXTERNAL]
Dear Council Members and Mr. Potter,
My name is Ken Prosser and I live at 126 Cooks Court.

As a long-time Napa resident and park user (including 6+ years coaching our local middle and high school MTB team, the Rebobs who were afforded a permit for 3 years via Parks and Rec to utilize the northern end of Alston with ZERO issues), I am writing to urge you to increase bike access in Alston Park. Working with Parks & Recs staff and considering their concerns, the Napa County Bicycle Coalition along with the Napa Valley Composite Cycling Team/ Rebobs proposed a pilot to begin in March 2024 that would allow off-road riding north of the Park's north parking lot only, along with feedback mechanisms for the community to provide input. Please ensure this pilot can move forward, as there are little to no legal or financial reasons not to implement it.

There is no beginner, off-road riding in Napa -- a huge gap and barrier to those who are interested in this healthy recreational

activity that can prepare and empower more people for many types of riding. More access to fun and interesting healthy activities means less obesity, less screen time, better mental health, and increased community connectedness. These are all positives

for Napa, especially given the safety of mixing users. A recent California State Parks study found that "Actual incidents, including those involving accidents, between trail

users

are

relatively
rare."
I am asking for your support for a pilot that has numerous upsides and would be very easy to implement--a very feasible and reasonable request.

Best regards,
Ken Prosser
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / Ken Prosser Kenji Designs // www.kenjidesigns.com You. Better. 707 738 8500

Page 77 of 129 ends

From:

To: Scott Sedgley; Beth Painter; Bernie Narvaez; Mary Luros; Liz Alessio; Steve Potter Subject: Let kids and beginners ride at Alston Park
Date: Tuesday, November 14, 2023 8:37:30 PM
Some people who received this message don't often get email from Learn why this is important
[EXTERNAL]
Dear Council Members and Mr. Potter,
My name is Sally Cook and I live at , Napa. As a park user who walks there, I am writing to urge you to increase bike access in Alston Park. Working with Parks & Recs staff and considering their concerns, the Napa County Bicycle Coalition along with the Napa Valley Composite Cycling Team proposed a pilot to begin in March 2024 that would allow off-road riding north of the Park's north parking lot only, along with feedback mechanisms for the community to provide input. Please ensure this pilot can move forward, as there are little to no legal or financial reasons not to implement it.

There is no beginner, off-road riding in Napa -- a huge gap and barrier to those who are interested in this healthy recreational
activity that can prepare and empower more
people for many types of riding. More access to fun and interesting healthy activities means less obesity, less screen time, better mental health, and increased community connectedness. These are all positives
for Napa, especially given the safety of mixing
users. A recent California State Parks study found that " Actual incidents, including
those involving accidents, between trail users are relatively rare." I am asking for your support for a pilot that has numerous upsides and would be very easy to implement--a very feasible and reasonable request.

Best regards,
Sally Cook

Page 78 of 129 ends

From:

To: Scott Sedgley; Beth Painter; Bernie Narvaez; Mary Luros; Liz Alessio; Steve Potter Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Let kids and beginners ride at Alston Park
Date: Tuesday, November 14, 2023 4:21:40 PM
Some people who received this message don't often get email from . Learn why this is important
[EXTERNAL]
Dear Council Members and Mr. Potter,
My name is Neill Allen and I live at . in Napa. As a hiking park user, I am writing to urge you to increase bike access in Alston Park. Working with Parks & Recs staff and considering their concerns, the Napa County Bicycle Coalition along with the Napa Valley Composite Cycling Team proposed a pilot to begin in March 2024 that would allow off-road riding north of the Park's north parking lot only, along with feedback mechanisms for the community to provide input. Please ensure this pilot can move forward, as there are no legal or financial reasons not to implement it.

There is no beginner, off-road riding in Napa -- a huge gap and barrier to those who are interested in this healthy recreational
activity that can prepare and empower more
people for many types of riding. More access to fun and interesting healthy activities means less obesity, less screen time, better mental health, and increased community connectedness. These are all positives
for Napa, especially given the safety of mixing
users. A recent California State Parks study found that " Actual incidents, including
those involving accidents, between trail users are relatively rare." I am asking for your support for a pilot that has numerous upsides and would be very easy to implement--a very feasible and reasonable request.

Best regards,
Neill
Neill Allen
Napa,CA

Page 79 of 129 ends

From:

To: Beth Painter; Bernie Narvaez; Mary Luros; Liz Alessio; Steve Potter; Scott Sedgley Cc: Kara Vernor
Subject: Let kids and beginners ride at Alston Park
Date: Tuesday, November 28, 2023 8:41:50 PM
You don't often get email from . Learn why this is important [EXTERNAL]
Dear Council Members and Mr. Potter,
My name is Heather Dooley and I live at , Napa. I am a frequent hiker at Alston park and also am a bicyclist. I would be happy to see bicyclist use the park for off road riding. There is enough room for both cyclist and hikers. Let's encourage outdoor recreation.

I am writing to urge you to increase bike access in Alston Park. Working with Parks & Recs staff and considering their concerns, the Napa County Bicycle Coalition along with the Napa Valley Composite Cycling Team proposed a pilot to begin in March 2024 that would allow off-road riding north of the Park's north parking lot only, along with feedback mechanisms for the community to provide input. Please ensure this pilot can move forward, as there are little to no legal or financial reasons not to implement it.

For decades, Napans have ridden and learned to ride in Alston Park; I am simply asking that the Park's use policy be brought in line with its use. Because many people already believe off-road riding is allowed, and because it is the "bunny slopes" of riding, updating the use policy would almost certainly not cause an influx of riders. In a park that allows runners, walkers, horses, dogs, and hot air balloons, it's time to stop excluding off-road biking--another form of passive recreation. The cycling team practiced there for three seasons between 2019 and 2022 (with 2020 off for COVID) without incident to other users, who often thanked them for being courteous.

There is no beginner, off-road riding in Napa -- a huge gap and barrier to those who are interested in this healthy recreational
activity that can prepare and empower more
people for many types of riding. More access to fun and interesting healthy activities means less obesity, less screen time, better mental health, and increased community connectedness. These are all positives
for Napa, especially given the safety of mixing
users. A recent California State Parks study found that " Actual incidents, including
those involving accidents, between trail users are relatively rare." I am asking for your support for a pilot that has numerous upsides and would be very easy to implement--a very feasible and reasonable request.

Best regards,
Heather Dooley
(cell only) no land line

Page 80 of 129 ends

From:

To: Scott Sedgley; Beth Painter; Bernie Narvaez; Mary Luros; Liz Alessio; Steve Potter Subject: Let kids and beginners ride at Alston Park
Date: Tuesday, November 14, 2023 4:01:30 PM
Some people who received this message don't often get email from . Learn why this is important
[EXTERNAL]
November 14, 2023

Dear Council Members and Mr. Potter,

My name is Nina Beatie and I live at Napa. [As a park user who walks there/brings my dog/rides my horse], I am writing to urge you to increase bike access in Alston Park. Working with Parks & Recs staff and considering their concerns, the Napa County Bicycle Coalition along with the Napa Valley Composite Cycling Team proposed a pilot to begin in March 2024 that would allow off-road riding north of the Park's north parking lot only, along with feedback mechanisms for the community to provide input. Please ensure this pilot can move forward, as there are little to no legal or financial reasons not to implement it.

In 2002 approximately, my two sons learned to ride on the trails in Alston Park.

These are fond memories and wonderful experiences. Currently, there is no beginner, off-road riding in Napa -- a huge gap and barrier to those who are interested in this healthy recreational
activity that can prepare and empower more
people for many types of riding. More access to fun and interesting healthy activities means less obesity, less screen time, better mental health, and increased community connectedness. These are all positives
for Napa, especially given the safety of mixing
users. A recent California State Parks study found that " Actual incidents, including
those involving accidents, between trail users are relatively rare."

I am asking for your support for a pilot that has numerous upsides and would be very easy to implement--a very feasible and reasonable request.

Best regards,

Nina Beatie

Page 81 of 129 ends

Page 82 of 129 ends

From:

To: Bernie Narvaez; Beth Painter; Liz Alessio; Mary Luros; Steve Potter; Scott Sedgley Subject: Let kids and beginners ride at Alston Park
Date: Monday, November 20, 2023 9:22:21 PM
Some people who received this message don't often get email from . Learn why this is important
[EXTERNAL]
Dear Council Members and Mr. Potter,
My name is Leni Khazanedar and I live at ., Napa. As a park user who walks there, I am writing to urge you to increase bike access in Alston Park.

Working with Parks & Recs staff and considering their concerns, the Napa County Bicycle Coalition along with the Napa Valley Composite Cycling Team proposed a pilot to begin in March 2024 that would allow off-road riding north of the Park's north parking lot only, along with feedback mechanisms for the community to provide input. Please ensure this pilot can move forward, as there are little to no legal or financial reasons not to implement it.
--
Thanks,
Leni

Page 83 of 129 ends

From:

To: Scott Sedgley; Beth Painter; Bernie Narvaez; Mary Luros; Liz Alessio; Steve Potter Subject: Trial period for making bike access at Alston Park legal and equitable Date: Monday, November 20, 2023 10:36:54 AM
You don't often get email from Learn why this is important [EXTERNAL]
Dear Council Members and Mr. Potter,
As a parent of a former member of the Napa Valley Composite Cycling Team (a.k.a., the Rebobs, a youth mountain biking team) and as a frequent hiker and dog walker at Alston Park, I would like to express my support for the request by the Rebobs team and the Napa County Bicycle Coalition to officially allow bike riding on dirt trails within the northern portion of Alston Park
on a low-risk/low-cost trial basis beginning in March 2024.* Unlike either Skyline Wilderness Park or Kennedy Park, Alston Park and its dirt trails offer young and novice riders this important combination of features:
- Free access to the general public;
- Safe and convenient access from adjacent neighborhoods via sidewalks and bike lanes; - Good variety of safe, beginner-appropriate, multi-use dirt trails.

When my sons were younger, I taught them basic trail riding and trail etiquette at Alston Park, and my older son continued practicing there with the Rebobs team prior to the pandemic.

Because the only signage regarding bike riding in the park are reminders to heed trail right-of- way rules (horses > hikers > bikers), many individuals continue riding safely on these trails, unaware of the fine print in the City of Napa’s Municipal Code (Section 12.36.100.D) that technically limits bike riding in all City parks to only improved (i.e., paved or gravel) paths.

The Municipal Code provides no explanation for this exclusion. Presumably this clause goes largely unenforced (except against the Rebobs, who have remained highly respectful of trail access rules in all locations) because trail riding has not impacted other users’ enjoyment of the park.

Providing beginning bikers equal access to Alston's basic trails is fundamental to fostering healthy, life-long sharing of the outdoors. And if the experience at Skyline Park is any indication, having legal and equal access to Alston’s trails will make the Rebobs team and other budding mountain bikers the park’s most energetic stewards and volunteers for trail maintenance. Therefore, it should be with considerable reward and benefits—with little to no risk, effort, or cost to the City—to grant bike riders trial access to Alston’s multi-use dirt paths and trails.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Robert Reber
Napa Resident
*Please note, I express this support solely as an individual resident of Napa and not in any way related to my role as a newly appointed member of the City’s Bicycle & Pedestrian

Page 84 of 129 ends

Advisory Commission.

Page 85 of 129 ends

From:

To: Scott Sedgley; Beth Painter; Bernie Narvaez; Mary Luros; Liz Alessio; Steve Potter Subject: Let kids and beginners ride at Alston Park
Date: Saturday, November 18, 2023 1:42:18 PM
You don't often get email from Learn why this is important [EXTERNAL]
Dear Council Members and Mr. Potter,
My name is Doug Marx and I live at , Napa. I am a member of the Eagle Cycling Club and ride my road bike on roads throughout the city. I also own a mountain bike and like to ride at Skyline and Moore Creek. While I enjoy these parks, the trails in both parks are mostly steep and often technical and cannot be enjoyed by anyone who is new to mountain biking.

I know that the Napa County Bicycle Coalition along with the Napa Valley Composite Cycling Team have been discussing opening a portion of Alston Park to bicycles. I am writing to urge you to consider their proposal to increase bike access in Alston Park.

They
proposed
a pilot to begin in March 2024 that would allow off-road riding north of the Park's north parking lot only, along with feedback mechanisms for the community to provide input. Please ensure this pilot can move forward, as there are little to no legal or financial reasons not to implement it.

For decades, Napans have ridden and learned to ride in Alston Park; I am simply asking that the Park's use policy be brought in line with its current use. Because many people already believe off-road riding is allowed, and because it is the "bunny slopes" of riding, updating the use policy would almost certainly not cause an influx of riders. In a park that allows runners, walkers, horses, dogs, and hot air balloons, it's time to stop excluding off-road biking--another form of passive recreation. The cycling team practiced there for three seasons between 2019 and 2022 (with 2020 off for Covid) without incident to other users, who often thanked them for being courteous.

There is no beginner, off-road riding in Napa -- a huge gap and barrier to those who are interested in this healthy recreational
activity that can prepare and empower more people for many types of riding. More access to fun and interesting healthy activities means less obesity, less screen time, better mental health, and increased community connectedness. These are all positives for Napa, especially given the safety of
mixing users. A recent California State Parks study found that " Actual incidents, including those involving
accidents, between trail users are relatively rare."
I am asking for your support for a pilot that has numerous upsides and would be very easy to implement-- a very feasible and reasonable request.

Sincerely,
Doug Marx

Page 86 of 129 ends

From:

To: Steve Potter; Scott Sedgley; Beth Painter; Bernie Narvaez; Mary Luros; Liz Alessio Subject: Bike Access at Alston Park
Date: Friday, November 17, 2023 1:13:30 PM
Some people who received this message don't often get email from . Learn why this is important
[EXTERNAL]
Dear Mr. Potter and City Council Members,
This letter is regarding mountain biking at Alston Park. Our family lives near Alston Park and I use the recreation area at least three days a week. On occasion, I see people riding bikes there, I don’t think most people are aware that bikes are only allowed on the paved portions of the park. I often take my two daughters there on weekends or when they have school holidays. Our eldest daughter is a competitive mountain bike rider and is starting her third season of racing mountain bikes for our local team; The Napa Valley Composite Cycling team/The Rebobs. Our daughter is 13 years old and the only place for her to train is Skyline Park or Moore Creek, both too far away for her to ride her bike safely by herself. Alston Park is the perfect place for her to train a couple of days a week and maintain the fitness she needs to be race ready. It also gives her the opportunity to ride there during the off season and with her younger sister and friends for a fun ride where they are outside, learning skills and not inside on a device! Our younger daughter is not as advanced on the bike yet, and Alston is a great place for her to learn skills and confidence in a recreation area that is not as advanced as Skyline. When I have allowed them to ride their bikes there, I always receive positive compliments and people are genuinely happy to see kids exercising, riding up a hill on their bike. I have watched firsthand my youngest daughter build a lot of confidence riding the hills on the north end of the park. Most importantly, it is in our neighborhood, and she can go there with her sister.

There are other kids in the neighborhood that would also benefit from a change in the current ordinance. We are at a critical time in history when our leaders need to provide opportunities for our children to be outside exercising more often and while they can walk and run at Alston, the mountain biking opportunities are limited and prevent more kids from the healthy benefits of the sport.

I am most curious to hear the reasons you do not support allowing kids to ride mountain bikes at Alston Park. I cannot find one reason why it isn’t a good idea. These kids are our future, let’s show them we are open to providing them opportunities within their neighborhood and community that benefit their mental and physical health.

Sincerely,
Holly Schallon

Page 87 of 129 ends

From:

To: Scott Sedgley; Beth Painter; Bernie Narvaez; Mary Luros; Liz Alessio; Steve Potter Subject: Let kids and beginners ride at Alston Park
Date: Friday, November 17, 2023 9:48:41 AM
You don't often get email from . Learn why this is important [EXTERNAL]

Dear Council Members and Mr. Potter,
My name is Keith Gray and I live at Napa. As a park user who walks there, I am writing to urge you to increase bike access in Alston Park. Working with Parks & Recs staff and considering their concerns, the Napa County Bicycle Coalition along with the Napa Valley Composite Cycling Team proposed a pilot to begin in March 2024 that would allow off-road riding north of the Park's north parking lot only, along with feedback mechanisms for the community to provide input. Please ensure this pilot can move forward, as there are little to no legal or financial reasons not to implement it.

There is no beginner, off-road riding in Napa -- a huge gap and barrier to those who are interested in this healthy recreational
activity that can prepare and empower more
people for many types of riding. More access to fun and interesting healthy activities means less obesity, less screen time, better mental health, and increased community connectedness. These are all positives
for Napa, especially given the safety of mixing
users. A recent California State Parks study found that " Actual incidents, including
those involving accidents, between trail users are relatively rare." I am asking for your support for a pilot that has numerous upsides and would be very easy to implement--a very feasible and reasonable request.

Best regards
Keith Gray

Keith's iPad

Page 88 of 129 ends

From:

To: Scott Sedgley; Beth Painter; Bernie Narvaez; Mary Luros; Liz Alessio; Steve Potter Subject: Let kids and beginners ride at Alston Park
Date: Thursday, November 16, 2023 8:59:57 PM
Some people who received this message don't often get email from . Learn why this is important
[EXTERNAL]
Dear Mayor Sedgley, Council Members, and Mr. Potter,
My name is Regina Brinker. My husband and I own a home on Malaga Court, a short walk from Alson Park. I am writing to urge you to increase bike access in Alston Park.

Please ensure this pilot can move forward, as there are little to no legal or financial reasons not to implement it.

I walk or run in the park on most days and notice a wide variety of groups use the park. There are occasional bike riders in Alston Park. The riders are conscientious of others on the trail, and I have never felt about sharing the park with them.

I am asking that the Park's use policy be brought in line with its use. Because many people already believe off-road riding is allowed, and because it is the "bunny slopes" of riding, updating the use policy would almost certainly not cause an influx of riders.

Thank you.

Regina Brinker

Page 89 of 129 ends

From:

To: Scott Sedgley; Beth Painter; Bernie Narvaez; Mary Luros; [email protected]; Steve Potter Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Let kids and beginners ride at Alston Park
Date: Thursday, November 16, 2023 12:30:07 PM
You don't often get email from Learn why this is important [EXTERNAL]

Dear Council Members and Mr. Potter,
My name is Maury Feaver and I live at , Napa. As a park user who walks and brings my dog, I am writing to urge you to increase bike access in Alston Park.

For decades, Napans have ridden and learned to ride in Alston Park; I am simply asking that the Park's use policy be brought in line with its use. Because many people already believe off- road riding is allowed, and because it is the "bunny slopes" of riding, updating the use policy would almost certainly not cause an influx of riders. In a park that allows runners, walkers, horses, dogs, and hot air balloons, it's time to stop excluding off-road biking--another form of passive recreation. The cycling team practiced there for three seasons between 2019 and 2022 (with 2020 off for Covid) without incident to other users, who often thanked them for being courteous.

There is no beginner, off-road riding in Napa -- a huge gap and barrier to those who are interested in this healthy recreational
activity that can prepare and empower more people for
many types of riding. More access to fun and interesting healthy activities means less obesity, less screen time, better mental health, and increased community connectedness. These are all positives
for Napa, especially given the safety of mixing users. A recent California State Parks study found that "Actual incidents, including those involving accidents, between trail
users are relatively rare."
I am asking for your support for a pilot that has numerous upsides and would be very easy to implement--a very feasible and reasonable request.

Best regards,

Page 90 of 129 ends

Sent from my i phone

Page 91 of 129 ends

From:

To: Scott Sedgley; Beth Painter; Bernie Narvaez; Mary Luros; Liz Alessio; Steve Potter Subject: Let kids and beginners ride at Alston Park
Date: Wednesday, November 15, 2023 8:13:21 PM
Some people who received this message don't often get email from . Learn why this is important
[EXTERNAL]
My name is Kevin Kern and I live in the Browns Valley Neighborhood here in Napa. As a park user who walks my dog here frequently, I am writing to urge you to increase bike access in Alston Park. Working with Parks & Recs staff and considering their concerns, the Napa County Bicycle Coalition along with the Napa Valley Composite Cycling Team proposed a pilot to begin in March 2024 that would allow off-road riding north of the Park's north parking lot only, along with feedback mechanisms for the community to provide input. Please ensure this pilot can move forward, as there are little to no legal or financial reasons not to implement it.

There is no beginner, off-road riding in Napa -- a huge gap and barrier to those who are interested in this healthy recreational
activity that can prepare and empower more people for many types of riding. More access to fun and interesting healthy activities means less obesity, less screen time, better mental health, and increased community connectedness. These are all positives for Napa, especially given the safety of
mixing users. A recent California State Parks study found that " Actual incidents, including those involving
accidents, between trail users are relatively rare."
I am asking for your support for a pilot that has numerous upsides and would be very easy to implement-- a very feasible and reasonable request.

Sincerely,
Kevin Kern

Page 92 of 129 ends

From:

To: Scott Sedgley; Beth Painter; Bernie Narvaez; Mary Luros; Liz Alessio; Steve Potter Subject: Let kids and beginners ride at Alston Park
Date: Wednesday, November 15, 2023 12:34:29 PM
You don't often get email from Learn why this is important [EXTERNAL]
My name is Julia Torres and I live in the Browns Valley Neighborhood here in Napa. As a park user who walks my dog here frequently, I am writing to urge you to increase bike access in Alston Park. Working with Parks & Recs staff and considering their concerns, the Napa County Bicycle Coalition along with the Napa Valley Composite Cycling Team proposed a pilot to begin in March 2024 that would allow off-road riding north of the Park's north parking lot only, along with feedback mechanisms for the community to provide input. Please ensure this pilot can move forward, as there are little to no legal or financial reasons not to implement it.

There is no beginner, off-road riding in Napa -- a huge gap and barrier to those who are interested in this healthy recreational
activity that can prepare and empower more people for many types of riding. More access to fun and interesting healthy activities means less obesity, less screen time, better mental health, and increased community connectedness. These are all positives for Napa, especially given the safety of
mixing users. A recent California State Parks study found that " Actual incidents, including those involving
accidents, between trail users are relatively rare."
I am asking for your support for a pilot that has numerous upsides and would be very easy to implement-- a very feasible and reasonable request.

Sincerely,
Julia Torres

Page 93 of 129 ends

From:

To: Scott Sedgley; Beth Painter; Bernie Narvaez; Mary Luros; Liz Alessio; Steve Potter Subject: Let kids and beginners ride at Alston Park
Date: Tuesday, November 14, 2023 6:55:31 PM
Some people who received this message don't often get email from Learn why this is important
[EXTERNAL]
Dear Council Members and Mr. Potter,
My name is Elayna Trucker and I live at As a park user who walks there often, I am writing to urge you to increase bike access in Alston Park. Working with Parks & Recs staff and considering their concerns, the Napa County Bicycle Coalition along with the Napa Valley Composite Cycling Team proposed a pilot to begin in March 2024 that would allow off-road riding north of the Park's north parking lot only, along with feedback mechanisms for the community to provide input. Please ensure this pilot can move forward, as there are little to no legal or financial reasons not to implement it.

There is no beginner, off-road riding in Napa -- a huge gap and barrier to those who are interested in this healthy recreational
activity that can prepare and empower more
people for many types of riding. More access to fun and interesting healthy activities means less obesity, less screen time, better mental health, and increased community connectedness. These are all positives
for Napa, especially given the safety of mixing
users. A recent California State Parks study found that " Actual incidents, including
those involving accidents, between trail users are relatively rare." I am asking for your support for a pilot that has numerous upsides and would be very easy to implement--a very feasible and reasonable request.

Best regards,
Elayna Trucker

Page 94 of 129 ends

From:

To: Scott Sedgley; Beth Painter; Bernie Narvaez; Mary Luros; Liz Alessio; Steve Potter Subject: Alston Park pilot project
Date: Tuesday, November 14, 2023 4:02:43 PM
You don't often get email from t . Learn why this is important [EXTERNAL]
Dear Council Members and Mr. Potter,
My name is T.C.Hulsey and I live at . As a resident of north Napa, I am writing to urge you to increase bike access in Alston Park. Working with Parks & Recs staff and considering their concerns, the Napa County Bicycle Coalition along with the Napa Valley Composite Cycling Team proposed a pilot to begin in March 2024 that would allow off-road riding north of the Park's north parking lot only, along with feedback mechanisms for the community to provide input. Please ensure this pilot can move forward, as there are little to no legal or financial reasons not to implement it.

This park allows runners, walkers, horses, dogs, and hot air balloons. It's time to stop excluding off-road biking. I have been an avid cyclist for 60 of my 66 years and believe that it is one of the healthiest activities for folks of all ages. There is no beginner, off-road riding in Napa -- a huge gap and barrier to those who are interested in this healthy recreational activity that can prepare and empower more people for many types of riding. More access to fun and interesting healthy activities means less obesity, less screen time, better mental health, and increased community connectedness. Children that are raised riding bikes are more likely to eschew automatically choosing travel by auto and embrace more environmentally friendly means of transit, thereby improving the environment for everyone.

The cycling team practiced there for three seasons between 2019 and 2022 (with 2020 off for Covid) without incident to other users, who often thanked them for being courteous.

I am asking for your support for a pilot that will not only benefit those using the park for cycling now, but also benefit all valley residents in the future by fostering a more environmentally sound means of transportation, easing the flood of cars currently choking our roadways.

Page 95 of 129 ends

Nolan (10) and Asher (8) at Alston Park November 2017

January 16, 2024
Dear City Council Members,
My name is Neil Mendenhall I have lived in Napa for the past 15 years and currently live in the Coventry Manor Neighborhood. I’m a lifelong cyclist and my boys have been riding since they were 3 years old - they are now 16 and 14. My 16 year old is currently the Captain of Napa Composite Cycling Team and I am one of the assistant coaches. I grew up in the town of Sonoma where I built forts and rode bikes in open ﬁelds and down by the creeks near where we lived. These days there are far fewer open ﬁelds to play in and the accessible areas by the river here in Napa frequently have small homeless encampments.

Skyline is an amazing park, but it is diﬃcult for younger kids to get to without a parent to drive them.

Alston is also amazing as it has an oﬀ leash ﬂat area for dog owners to let their dogs run free and a wilder hilly sec�on with a creak, small canyons, and large trees for more mixed uses. Kids have been riding their bikes in this wilder sec�on of the park for as long as I’ve lived in Napa without any incident. I only became aware of the park being closed to bikes on unpaved trails when our local mountain bike team had to get a special permit the last couple of years to ride there. For two years we brought a whole team of middle school and high school kids to Alston Park for prac�ces and to my knowledge there were

Page 96 of 129 ends

no problems, instead we got smiles and comments from people who were happy to see kids outside riding bikes. Last year, the City didn’t renew the permit, so we have been trying to get access back for kids – not to overrun the park with hard core mountain bikers as some fear (the park is not large or advanced enough for serious mountain bikers to even want to go there). Please consider opening this sec�on of Alston for all so younger kids can have easier access to the kinds of places that were available to us when we were kids.

Thank you!
Neil Mendenhall

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From: Clerk
To: Samantha Pascoe
Subject: FW: Change of use request for Alston Park
Date: Monday, January 8, 2024 4:18:43 PM
-----Original Message-----
From: Maria Lucas < >
Sent: Sunday, January 7, 2024 11:25 AM
To: Clerk <[email protected]>
Subject: Change of use request for Alston Park
[You don't often get email from . Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification
]
[EXTERNAL]
NO on the change of use request to designate Alston Park as a mountain biking park Thank you Sent from my iPhone

Page 98 of 129 ends

From: Beth Painter
To: Clerk
Subject: Fwd: Alston Park Mountain Biking
Date: Monday, January 8, 2024 3:55:28 PM
Begin forwarded message:

From: Stephen Rae < >
Subject: Alston Park Mountain Biking
Date: January 8, 2024 at 3:50:22 PM PST
To: [email protected]
You don't often get email from . Learn why this is important [EXTERNAL]
Beth
Please do not allow Mountain Bike usage on trails along the north side of Alston Park.

Mountain Bikes and pedestrians, as well as all other trail users, do not mix well.

As well as damage to trails, encountering bikes while walking is a safety issue.

There are other biking opportunities available to mountain bikers. Let’s maintain a safe park!
Steve
Stephen P. Rae, Bryologist - Plant Ecologist
Napa Valley California

Page 99 of 129 ends

From: Samantha Pascoe
To: Clerk
Cc: Tiffany Carranza; Steve Potter; Michael Barrett; Liz Habkirk; Breyana Brandt; Ali Koenig Subject: Public Comment via Phone re Alston Park - 1/16/24 CC Meeting Date: Tuesday, January 9, 2024 4:09:38 PM
Good afternoon Mayor and Council (bcc’d),

I received a call today from Lisa Thompson Jones who is opposed to allowing bikes at Alston Park. Her concerns are the following:

Confusion regarding where bikes are allowed to ride.

If we do allow bikes, consider special days/hours.

Who will be monitoring the cyclists?
What will be the consequences if a cyclist is inconsiderate, and displays bad behavior?

This will be entered into the official records for the January 16th Council meeting.

Sam

Samantha Pascoe
Deputy City Clerk
Pronouns: She/her
City of Napa – City Hall
955 School Street, Napa, CA 94559
Phone

(707) 257-9662
Email

[email protected]
Website www.cityofnapa.org

Page 100 of 129 ends

From:

To: Clerk
Subject: Mountain Biking at Alston Park
Date: Thursday, January 11, 2024 3:17:04 PM
[You don't often get email from Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ]
[EXTERNAL]
To whom it may concern,
Alston park is a beloved space for dog owners and our loving pets. Writing to request that NO mountain bikes be used/allowed at Alston Park. Alston Park is a beloved space for the dog owner community and mountain bike usage would deeply disrupt our walks and time at the park.

Sent from my iPhone

Page 101 of 129 ends

From:

To: Clerk
Subject: MOUNTAIN BIKING AT ALSTON PARK
Date: Friday, January 12, 2024 2:51:20 PM
You don't often get email from Learn why this is important [EXTERNAL]
I am opposed to expanding/encouraging Mountain Biking at Alston Park. There are people of all ages using/walking at Alston Park -- there are seniors using walking sticks and canes, there are family groups with children of all ages including toddlers.

I have seen toddlers sitting in the middle of trails to look at a bug. There are dogs running, chasing each other, chasing balls. There are school outings with dozens of children on trails.

These various activities are not compatible with Mountain Biking and this is because the essence, thrill and joy of Mountain Biking is to go as fast as possible.

With
increased numbers of people Mountain Biking in the park, there will be inevitable confrontations and accidents.

The risk for accidents will be higher when there are
groups Mountain Biking. Trails are small and a group of bikers will cover the entire width of a trail.

It may be suggested that Mountain Biking could be limited to just the on-leash northern part of the park, but this will NOT work. Currently there is bicycling and Mountain Biking in the park and those bicyclists can be seen biking on all the trails in the park, despite the signs at both parking lot entrances to the park which state that "Bicycles are allowed ONLY on asphalt and graveled trails".

Finally if the City of Napa designates Alston Park a destination for Mountain Biking thereby encouraging such activity, then when there are accidents (a person or a dog is hit/injured) the City of Napa will be liable and will be sued.

Page 102 of 129 ends

From:

To: Clerk
Subject: Mountain Biking at Alston Park
Date: Friday, January 12, 2024 6:23:29 PM
You don't often get email from Learn why this is important [EXTERNAL]
Good evening,
Unfortunately, I am unable to attend in person on January 16th. I am writing to express my deep concern and very strong objection to the "potential expansion of Mountain Bike use at "Alston Park", being discussed at the City Council Meeting scheduled for 6:30 pm on January 16th.

I've been walking my dog nearly every day for the past 8 years at Alston Park, as it's one of
VERY few off leash dog parks in this area. It's also the largest and, in my opinion, has the most beautiful views! I thoroughly enjoy being able to walk at my own pace and enjoy the peaceful, scenic surroundings, while my dog is able to be off leash and enjoying his own walk, exercise, and meeting other
dogs.

The idea that Mountain Bikes could soon become a feature in this park is absolutely abhorrent to me! People of ALL ages, from seniors to young children accompanied by family members, walk at Alston on a regular
basis. Some of those people simply go to the park to sit in peaceful, beautiful surroundings, and experience the beauty and essence of Nature. Some people like to jog around the trails, while many others go there to walk. Other people
allow their dogs to play with other dogs, run around, chase after a ball, or simply walk off leash.

It seems to me that the only thing Mountain Bikers care about is speed!!! I walk/hike at Skyline Park where dogs are NOT allowed on the trails, but Mountain Bikes are! It is extremely dangerous on some trails because the majority of Mountain Bikers don't use a bell, or other warning, to let a person walking/hiking on a trail know that they're approaching, either in front or behind them. I've personally had to step off a trail VERY quickly in order to avoid being hit by a Mountain Biker.

Alston Park was intended to be a place for people to walk, either with or without a dog.

Allowing Mountain Bikes would be inviting an accident to happen, and it WILL!!! Dogs run around freely! People walk in groups, with a partner, or on their own. We should NOT have to be constantly looking around to see if a Mountain Bike is speeding towards us!

Has the City Council taken into account that it may well be liable for an injury to any adult, child, or dog resulting from a collision with a Mountain Biker??

I sincerely hope, and trust, that the City Council will act with due diligence and NOT agree to this "potential expansion" of allowing Mountain Bikes at Alston Park!!! People, with or without a dog, must be able to walk and know that they are safe! Sincerely,
Lynne Westhead

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I am both a neighbor of Alston Park as well as a former City of Napa Parks Department employee. I retired in 2010 as a supervisor. I am writing to you regarding Alston Park and those interested in allowing mountain biking in the north end of this native park.

As you are probably aware the park, while a City Park, is also part of the Land Trust of Napa County. The land trust of Napa County is a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the character of Napa by permanently protecting land. The Land Trust has a role in overseeing the park and its uses. All should be mindful of the intent of this trust as it relates to Alston Park and make decisions based on Alston’s use that respects the parks ecosystem. Any decisions made should always be about preserving its unique natural setting for the public, and habitat use, now and into the future.

This open space was/is a gift, a treasure meant to be preserved. It’s a place to escape the noise of the city to decompress, reset and enjoy nature, social trails, seasonal creeks, and streams. All while participating in low impact activities that do not disrupt native plants, social trails, animals, habitat, and landscape. These types of activities keep the park more in its natural state for public use and for all to enjoy now and into the future.

Any section of Alston Park designated for mountain bike use would not only tear up the trails, cause unsafe conditions and destroy natural habitat. It would not keep it in its natural native state. This park isn’t intended for this type of use. There are other areas/sites currently more suitable for off road bikes.

As you may recall, an interest group pushed for ball fields @ Alston’s south end several years back and that effort failed. The failure was due to not only public outcry but reminders of the intent of this park as a native park for the public to enjoy as is.

Some people will argue that hot air balloons are allowed in the park so mountain bikes should be allowed. The original agreement regarding using city property to land hot air balloon companies was they are allowed to land for emergency landings and emergency landings only.

The Land Trust of Napa County, which monitors the park’s conservation easement, asked the then Napa City Council to decide if commercial balloons carrying paying customers are an appropriate Alston activity. The question to the City Council was put forth to them because Hot Air Balloon (HAB) companies were using Alston routinely and some believed excessively to retrieve equipment and customers.

The council voted 4-1 to continue allowing HAB landings designating them recreational not commercial. Councilwoman Inman the lone no vote stated “I believe it’s private recreational activity and it’s a distinctly commercial activity”.” Only people with money ride balloons.” I agree with her.

My hope is that you keep Alston’s ecosystem preserved. There are so few native open space areas for the public to retreat to and enjoy the natural beauty. This land with its

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rich history and unique setting is a treasure. The City of Napa needs to preserve this land for the public to use in its natural state and setting. I urge you to not allow off road bikes/cycling in city parks, Protect and preserve Alston Park for the public to experience in its natural native state.

Thank you for your time,
Linda Cantillon

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To Napa City Council Members
Cc Napa City Clerk, Ms. Breyana Brandt, Ms. Ali Koenig
Bcc None
Subject Opposing mountain bikes at Alston

Please accept these comments in opposition to allowing mountain bikes in the off -leash area of Alston Park. My frequent-user dogs have deputized me to represent their interests, which I assure readers are passionate (as are mine).

In summary,

1 – Alston Off-leash is a local treasure. The off-leash area is an important community resource for thousands of dog owners and their canines. It is an attraction, even, for which I can vouch from personal experience.

2 - There are very few areas, anywhere, devoted to dogs-being-dogs, whereas mountain bikes have ample current access to much more interesting and challenging venues and terrain.

3 - This proposed change would inevitably lead to unnecessary conflicts, injuries both human and canine, and litigation that would implicate park management.

4 - The easy solution then might be to ban dogs - who don’t vote or enjoy legal standing or much in the way of due process rights under the law.
___

1 – Alston Off-leash is a community treasure. First, the general population statistics. If the pet food manufacturers are right in their estimates (and they have reason to be), the number of dogs in the City and County are as follows:

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Napa City canines: 19,200 (placed nose-to-butt, that’s over 7 Miles of dogs) Napa County canines: 33,900

It’s interesting that we tend to frame canine-related stuff in terms of ‘dogs,’ but bike stuff in terms of ‘riders.’ So, to give both ends of the leash their due, the numbers of dog owners are as follows:

Napa City dog owners: 31,200
Napa County dog owners: 55,200

I do not know how many mountain bike enthusiasts there are for comparison, but I would be surprised if it is even half that number.

Next, what Off-leash areas are open to dogs:

Alston Off-leash area and dog park
Kennedy Dog Park
Shurtleff Dog Park

By comparison (and although I do ride a mountain bike), I am not aware of how many trails (in addition to roads) are already available to riders. I do know that there is a sufficient number that a published website “Ten Best Mountain Bike Trails in Napa County” is available:
https://www.komoot.com/guide/1801001/mtb-trails-in-napa-county.

Others may have good census/usage data; I believe it is safe to say that Alston is the gem of the local facilities - many acres of walking trails where people-and-their-companions are free to roam. It is nearly unique in its size and scope, providing a gorgeous venue for both species to get out and enjoy the relatively natural landscape. Over hundreds of personal visits, I have never been involved in, or even seen any dust-ups between canines. That’s not really surprising, as it’s nobody’s territory, but a wonderland of smells for a scent-based species. It is safe to say that Alston gets hundreds of visits, daily.

I can also vouch for the fact that it’s a regional attraction - my family and our pups often made the trek up from our former East Bay home to revel in a visit - and often take-in a meal at Gott’s or Filippi’s. I know of only one other, similar off-leash open space in the nine-county greater Bay Area. The point being that this facility is a precious community resource and needs tending.

2. The importance of dogs-being-dogs. There’s a concept in animal welfare called ‘telos’ – defined by a leading veterinary ethicist (Dr. Bernie Rollin) as what makes “fish gotta swim, and birds gotta fly.” In other words, all animals have an essential nature, and ought to get to express it.

Canines are not, by their nature, a leashed species. We train them to it and they comply to please us, but it is surely not their preference - any more than it is ours. What I observe with my Border Collie and Setter-blend at Alston is that they can just be dogs there – exploring, romping, following scents, hunting voles (unsuccessfully) and meeting occasional fellow travelers, both canine and human.

Alston is a place of telos.

Dog parks are useful, popular places, but their limited size also limits their ability to let dogs let loose.

And for our human purposes, we all know that a tired dog is a good dog. In my perfect world, there’d be many other Alstons, but the land-use competition for space is fierce, and dogs are rarely well- represented. That makes it essential to preserve and protect those places we have.

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3 – The inevitable conflicts between bikes and dogs. Logically, this is self-evident, but the evidence doesn’t always follow the logic. It does here, however, as published studies have documented that riders and canines are not a good pairing.

For example, a published National Institutes of Health study reports that nearly one- percent of all Emergency Room visits involving bikers resulted from canine interactions. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29679952/#:~:text=Conclusions%3A%20Approximately%201%25%20of%20injuries,one%2Dh alf%20sustained%20a%20bit That’s a minor fraction of the whole, but a major number – roughly 30,000 riders seriously injured enough to seek hospital care – no word on how the dogs fared, nor the property damages.

We are left to guess how many more accidents did not involve hospitalizations – that number is unknown but is surely many multiples of 30,000. An attorney’s website indicates that there were some 35,000 such biker injuries in 2018 alone. He writes:

“In 2018, more than 35,000 cyclists visited the emergency room for injuries attributable to dogs. https://floridacyclinglaw.com/services/bicycle-accidents-caused-by-dogs. Over the past five years I have represented approximately a dozen cyclists whose brushes with dogs have left them with serious injuries, totaled bikes, permanent scars and thousands of dollars in medical bills. ”

A
nother attorney website opines as follows:

“… When encountering a dog, whether leashed or unleashed, try to give it and its owner lots of room and plenty of warning before approaching. This is especially true on paths/trails that are commonly used by cyclists, pedestrians and dog walkers. If attempting to pass too closely or quickly, the animal’s first reaction might be to snap or lunge at you or your bike, resulting in you getting bitten or tangled up in the leash.

The bottom line is that bicycles and even the friendliest of dogs do not mix well. Try to avoid the encounter or, if you are cycling with friends, simply ride faster than everyone else!”

https://www.dugganbikelaw.com/canine-crashes
Pet insurers even recommend against biking with your own pet:
“There are various things that you need to bear in mind if you’re considering riding your bike with your dog alongside. It’s not something I’d recommend because you can’t risk assess at the same speed when you’re riding your bike as you would if you were slowly walking somewhere. ” https://www.animalfriends.co.uk/dog/dog-advice/dog-first-aid/bike-safety-with-your-dog We can readily conclude that this mixing of dogs and riders will end badly, too often. What happens then? The fact that there are attorneys specializing in such cases strongly suggests that litigation will follow. No one could seriously believe that such lawsuits will not implead the civic authorities whose actions facilitated those injurious, expensive contacts.

Well then, isn’t the answer to train those unruly curs not to chase bikes? I think not. There are two approaches to addressing risk – either avoid it (don’t go there) or manage it (as by training). Here, we would be asking the dog-owning park users to confront and manage risks that they have purposely avoided by bringing their companions to an enclosed, fenced area set aside for the purpose of such visits. Few will do so. Frankly, they shouldn’t have to, and I’m not even certain how such training could be practically pursued. 4 – After enduring those injuries and lawsuits, the relevant authorities would likely ban dogs.

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As indicated above, dogs don’t vote and they seldom enjoy anything like legal due process, so when the proposed, misguided and unnecessary experiment fails, there will be an easy answer: ban them from the off-leash area. “After all, there’s already a small dog park there, and they need to be contained.”
That outcome would be a shame and a loss to the community – both human and canine.

In summary, we know that Alston Off-leash is a well-subscribed community resource. We know that there are many, many places to ride mountain bikes in the North Bay. We know that incidents will inevitably occur, and we know that they are often accompanied by serious medical and legal consequences.

Let’s not go there. The best solution is not to embark on a program that we already know will fail, with bad consequences all around. Please vote this change down.

With thanks for your review and consideration, and best regards to the community you serve,

Thomas F. Cushing, Esq.

Senior Adjunct Professor
Golden Gate University; UC Berkeley Ext.
415.307.1600
[email protected]

Page 110 of 129 ends

From:

To: Clerk
Subject: Alston Park 1//16/24 City Council Agenda Item 13. A. File 473-2023 Date: Monday, January 15, 2024 3:03:36 PM
[You don't often get email from Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ]
[EXTERNAL]
(resending with my name)
Mayor Sedgely and Honorable Council members,
I wish to express my opposition to the proposal to allow bicycles on the trails in Alston Park. Many of the trails are not wide enough to accommodate hikers and bicycles at the same time, and many people walk their dogs in the area proposed for the pilot bike program. Dogs and bicycles don’t often mix well and even when they are on leash as required in that area, a dog startled by a bicycle passing from behind or appearing at a corner can cause catastrophic results. Bikes travelling downhill at a fast speed may not have the ability to stop or maneuver in time to avoid a confrontation. Alston Park is arguably the premiere dog park in the Bay Area and the parking lots are often full with dog owners enjoying the trails. Please do not diminish the quality of the park by allowing incompatible uses.

Thank you,
Mark Phillips

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From:

To: Clerk
Subject: Alston Park - Please no Bikes
Date: Tuesday, January 16, 2024 9:04:11 AM
[You don't often get email from . Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ]
[EXTERNAL]
Dear City of Napa, I live in Brown’s Valley and often go for hikes in Alston Park. I love the quiet surroundings and the many neighbors enjoying the park.

I am aware of the bike request and am kindly asking the Council to not allow bikes on the walking paths.

Thank you for your consideration.

Lia Cicuto
Sent from my iPhone

Page 112 of 129 ends

From:

To: Clerk
Subject: Mountain Bike at Alston Park
Date: Tuesday, January 16, 2024 10:13:50 AM
[You don't often get email from t . Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ]
[EXTERNAL]
To whom it may concern,
I am writing in regards of this matter. I will do my best to attend the meeting to see the layout of your proposal.

However, I am against any change of use towards this park.

I have been truly enjoying the calm and peaceful atmosphere of this park, comparing it with other areas in Napa City.

When my kids were little there was no fun places to take them, except for Parque Fantástico. It was ok to go for a while, but kids wanted more. I found myself in the position to drive further distances to find other activities to do since Napa has more attractions for wine and eating lovers. I don’t drink so wine tasting is not my thing. I always wonder why Napa does not have places like in Utah or Colorado (Family oriented areas).

Utah has so many places and most of the cities have their own public pool center for families to go during summer or cold winters, just to mention an attraction. My kids are now teenagers and my time of enjoyment is Alston Park.

We adopted, 2 years ago, a dog and Alston Park is a wonderful park for our little Gio. Gio enjoys his freedom time with other dogs and even though I don’t know everyone’s name, we know each others faces. I do 30 minutes walk at the leash free area with my dog and 1 hour more at the “on leash” area.

I love my time walking these trails. You can see elders hiking, tourists descending from Hot Air Balloons, school bringing teenagers to do some training, ladies gathering to support each other during their exercises; but overall, Alston Park is quiet and that is something I can’t find walking my dog on the streets of Napa, nor other places.

I grew up in Mexico City and believe me, this gift of calm is hard to get.

Please, find another area to bring the sport these neighbors are looking for.. Don’t take the beauty of this Park with the extreme excitement the bike riders are looking for. My family are bikers and I know they love the excitement of it, but even if this is not a biker track proposal, but a mountain bike, it will take away the best part of Alston Park.

Mountain bike requires a large extension of property to make it work, and sorry, but I oppose to it. Many elderly people walk these Park to keep their health sharp, others, like me, attend this park to keep our minds away from our busy life and to make our pets feel free and safe from busy streets and the danger from cars. We all can experience a kind of freedom. Please, don’t take that away from us!!! Regards,
Esther Cruz Olguin.

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From: Beth Painter
To: Clerk
Subject: Fwd: Alston Park Mountain Bike Use?
Date: Tuesday, January 16, 2024 5:54:58 PM
Attachments: image003.png
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:

From: Teri Marshall <[email protected]>
Date: January 16, 2024 at 5:30:19 PM PST
To: Breyana Brandt <[email protected]>, Beth Painter <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: Alston Park Mountain Bike Use?

You don't often get email from [email protected]. Learn why this is important [EXTERNAL]
Hi again,

Sorry I’m not well enough to head out in the rain for tonight’s meeting, but I would like to say that after reading the proposed pilot program for beginner-friendly mountain biking to be designated on the on-leash trail at Alston, I think it’s a terrific idea.

It’s safe to say that most Alston patrons were not aware that Skyline does not offer beginner-friendly routes.

Besides, as I said earlier, loads of kids and beginner cyclists are already out there learning to ride, and it’s not a problem.

Also, the proposal rightly pointed out that any advanced mountain bikers would not be interested in Alston’s mild terrain and will continue to go to Skyline, so it shouldn’t pose a threat to the more vulnerable populations that rely on Alston for outdoor recreation (elderly and their caregivers, developmentally disabled and their caregivers, toddlers, etc.).

Many thanks for following the process to involved the community.

Feel free to reach out to me directly if I can be of any further assistance.

Kind regards,

Page 114 of 129 ends

Teri

Teri Marshall
(707) 363-1902
EvergreenLodge.com
& RushCreekLodge.com

From: Teri Marshall <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, January 8, 2024 12:50 PM
To: Breyana Brandt <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Alston Park Mountain Bike Use?

Thank you very much.

Funny enough we see people on mountain bikes there from time to time and it’s not a problem. I assumed it was already allowed.

See you on the 16th!
Teri Marshall
Evergreen Lodge and Rush Creek Lodge & Spa at Yosemite
[email protected] and [email protected]
EGL: 209-379-2606 and RCL: 209-379-2373
mobile: 707-363-1902

Page 115 of 129 ends

On Mon, Jan 8, 2024 at 10:42
AM Breyana Brandt <[email protected]>
wrote:

Hi Teri,
Thank you for reaching out regarding the proposed Change of Use at Alston Park.

The full Council agenda for the January 16, 2024 meeting will be available online this Thursday afternoon.

Below you will find some of the
highlights of the discussion.

Please feel free to reach out to me directly if
you have any questions.

Alston Park Proposed Change of Use Discussion:

The Napa County Bicycle Coalition has recently initiated efforts to encourage the City to allow mountain biking at Alston Park.

While the
Parks and Recreation Department desires to support community initiatives, as well as recreational activities in general, this specific change in use request has many complexities around it.

Those leading the change
of use initiative have proposed a pilot project to allow for Mt. Bike use at Alston Park beginning in March 2024.

Change of use requests in City parks come up often and require resources to analyze and conduct appropriate community engagement and outreach to develop a recommendation to Council. Upon preliminary research, the following complications arose around Alson Park specifically.

Napa Municipal Code Prohibits includes a general prohibition of off- road bicycles in City parks that would need to be addressed.

The restrictions under the existing Conservation Easement to Napa County Land trust, enacted in July 1988, would need to be considered.

As a multi-use park, specifically an off-leash dog park, conflicts of use and competing priorities should be considered and
appropriately mitigated.

Existing park users and the surrounding neighborhood should be engaged in a discussion regarding the proposed change of use.

Park
users and adjacent residents within 500-feet of the park have not been fully notified as per City standards for initiating Change in Use projects.

Park master planning documents are intended to guide park use and development to align with community consensus and limit special interest intentions. Although current master planning documents do not identify a need for expansion of mountain bike trails, we aim to be flexible and responsive to changing community needs.

Further
exploration of general community and park user consensus should be pursued.

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You don't often get email from [email protected]. Learn why this is important As the City does not operate any existing mountain bike facilities or trails, there are concerns of the environmental impact and corresponding impacts to the trails that may require additional maintenance in the future to maintain properly. It is unknown if additional budget allocations would be necessary.

Given these potential complications at Alston Park, other parks that are more underutilized should be analyzed and considered for the proposed use as part of the community engagement process.

City staff will be recommending that further analysis of the impacts to the park and the community engagement component should occur prior to commencing a pilot project.

Even if expedited, this work will be completed
prior to April 2024.

Best,

Breyana Brandt
Parks & Recreation Director
Parks & Recreation Services, City of Napa
1500 Jefferson Street, Napa, CA 94559
Phone (707) 258-7897
Email

[email protected]

From:

Teri Marshall <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, January 6, 2024 2:20 PM
To: Clerk <[email protected]>; Beth Painter
<[email protected]>
Subject: Alston Park Mountain Bike Use?

[EXTERNAL]
Hello from 2505 MacMillan Street!

Thank you for posting the Community Notice at Alston regarding a proposed change of use request for Mountain Biking at the park.

Looking for the details online and coming up short on all search attempts.

Page 117 of 129 ends

Would you be so kind as to share the proposed changes ahead of the January 16th meeting?

Thanks again,
Teri

Teri Marshall
(707) 363-1902
EvergreenLodge.com
& RushCreekLodge.com

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Page 118 of 129 ends

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Alston Park Petition
A Petition to the Napa City Council to stop the proposed Change of Use Request forAlston Parl^to include Moyntain Bikes at Alston Park. The signatures below reject the use of mountain bikes at aH_regions of the park.

Page 124 of 129 ends

Alston Park Petition
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A Petition to the Napa City Council to stop the proposed Change of Use Request for Alston Park to include Mountain Bikes at Alston Park. The- signatures below reject the use of mountain bikes at all_regions of the park.

The contact person for this petition is: Diane McKay, , Napa, CA 94558 NameAddressSignatyre
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Page 125 of 129 ends

Alston Park Petitiont
A Petition to the Napa City Council to stop the proposed Change of Use Keenest for Alston Park to include Mountain Bikes at Alston Park. The signatures below reject the use of mountain bikes at alj_regions of the park.

The contact person for this petition is: Diane McKay, , Napa, CA 94558
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Page 126 of 129 ends

Alston Park Petition
A Petition to the Napa City Council to stop the proposed Change of Use Request for Alston Park to include Mountain Bikes at Alston Park. The signatures below reject the use of mountain bikes at ajl_regions of the park.

The contact person for this petition is: Diane McKay, , Napa, CA 94558
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A Petition to the Napa City Council to stop the proposed Change of Use Request for Alston Park to include Mountain Bikes at Alston Park. The signatures below reject the use of mountain bikes at aH_regions of the park.

The contact person for this petition is: Diane McKay, , Napa, CA 94558
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Page 128 of 129 ends

The contact person for this petition is: Diane McKay, , Napa, CA 94558
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Page 129 of 129 ends

Napa City CouncilJanuary 16, 2024

Napa City Council
January 16, 2024