City Council to hire part-time employee for county climate plan
NEWS, The Wall That Heals and a Filipino Culture celebration were also on the council agenda
The American Canyon City Council on Tuesday set aside $30,000 to hire a part-time, temporary employee to implement sustainable environmental measures.
It did so as jurisdictions across California, including Napa County and American Canyon, are drafting plans under various laws on how to curb gas emissions and address climate change. Napa County’s plan, which each city has to adopt, includes strategies on how to retrofit aging building and reduce vehicular traffic.
On Sept. 16, the City Council voted to ask staff to prepare a report on the hiring of a coordinator during a presentation of the proposed Napa Regional Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. The countywide proposal, if fully carried out, could cost $1.1 billion over two decades. Comments on the draft proposal were received through Sept. 30.
On Tuesday, Vice Mayor Mark Joseph, who had urged the City Council to hire the temporary coordinator to implement some of the work, reiterated his support for the new, part-time, temporary position, noting that the Napa Regional Climate Action and Adaptation Plan is in the process of being approved.
“So, I think in the next year or two a part-time, temporary person will help American Canyon address some of the low-hanging fruit,” Joseph said. “And I think a temporary position is critical.”
The new person, once hired, would be part of the city manager’s office. The employee, whose job description, qualifications have yet to be defined, may also help with the Open Space, Active Transportation and Sustainability Commission.
Joseph said the new person could identify funding sources, including grants, help connect the public to resources and help through the process. “There’s a lot of opportunities out there,” he said.
“And I think if we approve it and we get the right person, we’re going to be very proud of ourselves and consider that we really are demonstrating leadership in environmental sustainability.”
City Councilwoman Melissa Lamattina agreed with Joseph, saying there are a lot of “low-hanging” fruits. The new person could educate the community, remind them about composting and recycling, picking up litter and forgo plastics for glass.
“I think it’s a very important position,” she said.
Nance Matson, chairwoman of the Open Space, Active Transportation, and Sustainability Commission, said the future employee will help the city with its sustainability efforts.
Matson, an energy research scientist, recommended the new hire be a college graduate with environmental science experience. The person should “step into the role with confidence,” she said. That is especially true if that person works with consulting firms and grants.
The vote was 3-1. City Council David Oro, who has questioned the position, voted against the proposal.
NEWS in the news
Also on Tuesday, the City Council presented proclamations to NEWS to mark Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse Services. NEWS, a nonprofit organization, has worked in Napa County for 44 years to help domestic violence survivors. During October, the Soroptimists International of American Canyon are partnering with NEWS to raise awareness of domestic violence and sexual abuse.
Celebrating Filipino culture
The City Council then presented a proclamation to members of the American Canyon ‘s Filipino American community. American Canyon on Saturday celebrates Manila Munchies at Shenandoah Park, 100 Sonoma Creek Way. The festival, which runs from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., celebrates Filipino heritage with food, art and music.
The mayor asked that people stand as students, including American Canyon High School students, sang the Philippines’ national anthem. Among those taking pictures Tuesday was American Canyon Middle School Principal Brian J. Howard.
The Wall that Heals arrives next week
The mayor and City Council also declared Oct. 16-19, “The Wall That Heals Week” to honor Vietnam veterans. The wall is a traveling ¾ scale replica of Washington D.C.’s Vietnam Wall Memorial. The replica is set to arrive Oct. 14. The event kicks off at 6 p.m. on Oct. 16 at Independence Park.
American Canyon is one of 31 stops for the traveling wall. It’s also the sole stop in Northern California.
American Canyon was selected out of 145 applications, said American Canyon Deputy City Manager Alexandra Ikeda, speaking on behalf of the committee that put on the event.
“This is a very big honor for us,” Ikeda said.
