Mayor Jill Techel Receives a Proper Send Off

Thank you, Mayor Techel, for Your Service!

Appointed to City Council: 1996
Elected to City Council 1997
Elected Mayor: 2005
Retired from Office: 2020

At Tuesday's City Council Meeting (Click on the 6:30 PM Session), Mayor Jill Techel was celebrated for her many years of service to the Napa community. Mayor Techel was presented with a Proclamation, as well as a key to the City, and was given a proper send off through virtual visits from Congressman Mike Thompson, Senator Bill Dodd, and Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, and a video compilation of well wishes from local and regional elected officials, colleagues, friends and former classmates,
and most importantly, her grandchildren.

State of California: Regional Stay at Home Order

On Thursday, December 3, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom announced a new Regional Stay at Home Order that could affect Napa County (as part of the Bay Area Region, as identified in the Order) some time in the next 2 weeks. This Order would go into effect when Intensive Care Units (ICUs) reach less than 15% capacity in the region.

The Regional Stay Home Order would be in effect for 3 weeks after the trigger and instructs Californians to stay at home as much as possible to limit the mixing with other households that can lead to COVID-19 spread. It allows access to (and travel for) critical services and allows outdoor activities to preserve Californians’ physical and mental health. This limited closure will help stop the surge and prevent overwhelming regional ICU capacity. More information about regions, affected sectors and Q & A's can be found on the State of California's COVID-19 website.

In any region that triggers a Regional Stay Home Order because it drops below 15% ICU capacity, the following sectors must close:

Indoor and outdoor playgrounds
Indoor recreational facilities
Hair salons and barbershops
Personal care services
Museums, zoos, and aquariums
Movie theaters
Wineries
Bars, breweries, and distilleries
Family entertainment centers
Cardrooms and satellite wagering
Limited services
Live audience sports
Amusement parks

The following sectors will have additional modifications in addition to 100% masking and physical distancing:

Outdoor recreational facilities: Allow outdoor operation only without any food, drink or alcohol sales. Additionally, overnight stays at campgrounds will not be permitted.
Retail: Allow indoor operation at 20% capacity with entrance metering and no eating or drinking in the stores. Additionally, special hours should be instituted for seniors and others with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems.
Shopping centers: Allow indoor operation at 20% capacity with entrance metering and no eating or drinking in the stores. Additionally, special hours should be instituted for seniors and others with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems.
Hotels and lodging: Allow to open for critical infrastructure support only.
Restaurants: Allow only for take-out, pick-up, or delivery.
Offices: Allow remote only except for critical infrastructure sectors where remote working is not possible.
Places of worship and political expression: Allow outdoor services only.
Entertainment production including professional sports: Allow operation without live audiences. Additionally, testing protocol and “bubbles” are highly encouraged.

The following sectors are allowed to remain open when a remote option is not possible with appropriate infectious disease preventative measures including 100% masking and physical distancing:

Critical infrastructure

Schools
Non-urgent medical and dental care
Child care and pre-K

From Napa County:

Napa County is currently reviewing the Governor’s announcement about Regional Shelter At Home Orders, which takes place when there is less than 15% capacity in Intensive Care Units in the region. Napa County is included in the Bay Area Region. The projected date Napa County may need to make changes is December 14, 2020, however, this is fluid and subject to daily review by the State. County staff is working to update their website and frequently asked questions to respond to the public information requests received.

Stay tuned to www.countyofnapa.org/coronavirus for more information.

Let’s All Do Our Part

Wear a mask.

Don’t gather.

Physically distance.

Stay home.

For more info: covid19.ca.gov

COVID-19 Testing Update from Napa County

The Verily Drive-Thru Site has extended testing in Napa County through December 2020.

Verily has now extended testing to those 13 years of age and up. Appointments can be made by visiting www.projectbaseline.com. Testing is in high demand and while testing capacity has expanded at the site, those having difficulty scheduling an appointment should check the site daily for availability.

Napa County’s website includes a comprehensive list of other testing options including private labs and mail in testing options. Visit that site here: https://www.countyofnapa.org/2963/Testing-Locations

Upcoming Special Napa City Council Meeting

At the Tuesday, December 8, City Council Meeting, election results will be certified and our new mayor and councilmembers will be sworn in.

Date: Tuesday, December 8, 2020

Time: 3:30 PM

Location: Napa City Hall Council Chambers
955 School Street, Napa

Follow this link to access the special meeting agenda for December 8, 2020:

City Council of the City of Napa Special Meeting

Deadline Approaching: Apply Now for Board & Commission Openings

The City of Napa is looking for residents who want to make a difference in their community and engage their communities in local government issues and policies. Think you might be a good fit? The City Clerk is accepting applications from Napa Residents for a total of eight openings; one to serve on the Building and Fire Code Board of Appeals; three to serve on the Planning Commission; one to serve on the Napa Valley Transportation Active Transportation Advisory Committee; one to serve on the Napa County Library Commission; one to serve on the Napa County Local Food Advisory Council; one to serve on the Napa County Mosquito Abatement District Board. Please submit application by 5:00 p.m. Friday, December 11, 2020.

Learn more at https://www.cityofnapa.org/268/Boards-Commissions.

City of Napa's Water Division Annual Hydrant Flushing Program Underway

The City of Napa Water Division began our annual Hydrant Flushing Program during the first week of December 2020. This year’s program is expected to continue through April 2020. This year’s program started in the south by the college and continue generally from south to north. This year’s program will not include downtown and will not include the hillsides.

Hydrant flushing is an important maintenance activity to clean and flush the City water mains. Fire hydrants are opened to move a large volume of water at a higher-than-normal velocity through the mains. This procedure mobilizes particles and minerals that have settled over time and flushes them out of the system. This activity assists the City in maintaining the highest quality of water in the public water system.

Learn more and check out the maps here: www.cityofnapa.org/HydrantFlushing

Check out our Fire Safety Poster Contest - Entries Due December 7th!

We invite you to participate in our Fire Safety Poster Contest. Full instructions and a printable poster page can be found on our Fire & Life Safety Day webpage at https://www.cityofnapa.org/962/Fire-and-Life-Safety-Day. One winner will be selected from the following age groups: 6-9, 10-14, and 15-18. Entries are due by December 7th!

While you are visiting the Fire and Life Safety Day page, check out all the other educational and entertaining fun we have to offer!

And don’t miss the Spanish-language fire safety page - Napa Fuego: https://www.cityofnapa.org/969/Napa-Fuego!

Preparing for the Rainy Season

When winter comes in Napa, it brings the rainy season. This means that the City is at the risk of heavy rainfall and flooding. A little preparation goes a long way to take care of your home during heavy rains. Here are some tips to keep your home safe and dry:

- Remove leaves and debris from gutters throughout the year and get your roof and gutters inspected
- Check the inside of the house for signs of water leaks (mold, water rings, paint discoloration)
- Check doors and windows to ensure they seal properly
- Have sandbags on hand for low areas of your house to keep water at bay during a flood

For more information on how to get and use sandbags, visit https://www.cityofnapa.org/299/Getting-Using-Sandbags.

Napa Fire Department Joins Toys for Tots Once Again

With the holiday season in full swing, the City of Napa's Fire Department is once again participating the Toys for Tots program. The Fire Department accepts new, unwrapped toys at any one of our five fire stations:

- 930 Seminary St.
- 1501 Park Ave.
- 2000 Trower Ave.
- 251 Gasser Dr.
- 3001 Browns Valley Rd.

This is a wonderful way to spread holiday cheer to children who may not otherwise receive gifts this holiday season. When dropping off toys, please remember to wear a face covering and drop off the toys in the toy boxes located in front of each fire station.

Don't Fall Victim to Porch Pirates This Holiday Season

With deliveries soaring during a socially-distant holiday season, packages can become easy targets for "porch pirates." To try and prevent your deliveries being stolen:

- Have your packages delivered to your work, if you are not working from home
- Have your packages held at a local post office for pickup
- Request that your package has signature confirmation upon delivery
- Ask your carrier to place packages in an area out of plain view
- Set up a security camera, if you are able

Stay safe this holiday season, Napa!

Stay Connected!

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