Council Priorities

Designed to shape the future of our city, the General Plan sets forth a strategic vision that covers a wide range of crucial aspects, including land use, housing, transportation, climate change, community facilities, parks and recreation, historic resources, health and safety, economic development, and more, all the way through the year 2040.

In line with our commitment to responsible governance, the City Council officially adopted the General Plan in the calendar year 2022. In February 2023, we took another significant step forward by submitting our Housing Element to the State of California for approval, ensuring that our city's housing strategies align with statewide objectives.

Recognizing the importance of a consistent regulatory framework, the City Council also adopted an interim Zoning Ordinance in April 2023. This temporary measure ensures that essential procedures and land use regulations remain in harmony with the new General Plan while we diligently work on completing the comprehensive update to the Zoning Ordinance and other sections of the municipal code.

The implementation of the General Plan is an extensive endeavor that requires concerted efforts. Our city will be actively working to achieve the various goals outlined in the Plan. This process involves, at a minimum, updates to the Napa Municipal Code, resolutions, administrative regulations, as well as the introduction of new programs and policies.

To ensure the successful execution of these actions, the fiscal years 2023/24 and 2024/25 budgets have allocated funds specifically designated for staffing and necessary resources. These provisions enable our dedicated team to carry out the tasks at hand, in addition to supporting legal and consultant requirements.

Learn more about the General Plan at www.napa2040.com.

Infrastructure forms the foundation of our built environment, providing essential public facilities that support our daily lives, enhance quality of life, and drive economic growth. It encompasses a diverse range of elements, including city parks and trails, streets, sidewalks, bicycle facilities, traffic safety and control systems, storm drainage, water treatment and distribution systems, parking facilities, emergency communication systems, and City-owned buildings.

These infrastructure elements are meticulously designed and constructed to serve our community for decades to come. However, ongoing investments are crucial to ensure their maintenance, renewal, and eventual replacement. By prioritizing infrastructure investments, we can sustain high-quality systems that meet the community's needs while ensuring the City's long-term financial stability.

To achieve this, our operational departments are actively engaged in identifying and analyzing the current inventory of assets. They conduct thorough condition assessments and project current and future infrastructure needs. In addition to planned construction projects aimed at infrastructure improvements, these efforts include the development of comprehensive reports and master plans:

• We are working on an urban forestry master plan to enhance our city's green spaces and promote sustainable practices. 
• A storm drain assessment will help us understand and address drainage challenges effectively. 
• A pavement management plan is being developed to ensure well-maintained and safe roadways. 
• A parks conditions assessment and park infrastructure program will guide us in enhancing our recreational spaces. 
• We are conducting a facilities condition assessment to address the maintenance and renovation needs of our City-owned buildings. 
• Lastly, a water system master plan is underway to ensure the efficient delivery of this vital resource to our community.

To support these endeavors, we are also upgrading our technology systems for infrastructure management. This includes improving systems for customer service requests, work orders, asset management, and geographic information. These upgrades will enable us to streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and provide better services to our residents.

Comprehensive infrastructure analysis is the essential first step in positioning our City for future discussions regarding community amenities, operational configurations, and the replacement of aging infrastructure. It also enables us to address the poor conditions of many City facilities, including City-owned buildings.

At the City of Napa, we are dedicated to making informed decisions that strengthen our infrastructure and improve the lives of our residents. By investing in and maintaining our essential public facilities, we are building a sustainable future for our community.

We are dedicated to enhancing traffic safety for all modes of travel. The City's transportation network, comprising streets, bicycle lanes, and pedestrian facilities, plays a vital role in facilitating travel within our community and connecting people to their destinations. We plan to continue increasing the comfort and accessibility of our streets for bicyclists and pedestrians through a comprehensive approach that combines engineering, enforcement, education, and emergency services.

We have successfully implemented the City's pedestrian and bicycle plans, which outline strategies for creating safer and more connected pathways for non-motorized travel. Furthermore, we have completed the City's first Local Roadway Safety Plan, a comprehensive blueprint for identifying and addressing safety issues on our local roads.

We have secured traffic safety funding grants, enabling us to implement critical projects aimed at enhancing pedestrian and bicycle safety. We are proud to announce:

• The implementation of the City's first buffered bike lanes, creating dedicated spaces that provide increased safety and comfort for cyclists. 
• Upcoming updates to our Traffic Calming Guidelines to ensure the effective management of traffic flow and speed in residential areas.
• Our collaboration with partners to develop a Vision Zero Policy, which seeks to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries while promoting safe, healthy, and equitable mobility for all.

In addition to infrastructure improvements, we are actively engaged in traffic safety enforcement and education initiatives. We are in negotiations for a new red light enforcement contract to ensure compliance with traffic regulations and enhance safety at key intersections. We are also investing in technology upgrades that enhance efficiency and enable us to analyze and utilize transportation data effectively.

We will be increasing education and outreach programs that promote traffic safety awareness within our community. To strengthen traffic safety enforcement, our officers undergo specialized training in DUI enforcement and safety technology.

For many years, the City of Napa has been dedicated to ensuring that every resident has access to safe and stable housing. By prioritizing affordable housing programs and taking proactive steps to address homelessness, we are working towards a community where everyone has a place to call home.

In recent years, our City Manager initiated an effort to centralize homeless services activities within the City Manager's Office, including the establishment of a dedicated homelessness and housing services division in the fiscal year 2023/24 budget. This coordinated approach has resulted in significant progress in our response to homelessness, both in mitigating its impacts and helping individuals and families transition out of homelessness; and the new budget allocation will enhance our ability to address the complex challenges associated with homelessness effectively.

Over the next two fiscal years, our focus will be on the continued implementation of housing programs that aim to create diverse affordable housing opportunities. We will:

• Actively pursue the development of rental assistance programs, initiatives for rental rehabilitation, and assistance programs for first-time homebuyers. 
• Prioritize the preservation of our existing affordable housing stock to ensure that residents have access to long-term housing solutions.
• Continue to collaborate with the countywide transition to CalAIM, an enhanced homeless outreach program. 
• Engage in encampment clean-ups to promote public health and safety while striving for compassionate and humane solutions.
• Implement permanent supportive housing projects and seek additional funding through Homekey initiatives.
• Pursue pilot programming to cater to clients with co-occurring mental health and addiction issues. 

By addressing the complex needs of individuals experiencing homelessness, we aim to provide comprehensive and effective solutions that foster long-term stability and well-being.

Work on Heritage House/Valle Verde (90 units of Permanent Supportive Housing and Housing for Low Income Households) is underway and expected to be complete in December 2023.