MUCH ACCOMPLISHED, MORE TO DO
Over the past 10 years, Paul has quietly yet persistently worked with the council, staff and community to bring us together, keep us together and ensure that we work together to tackle our most pressing issues: aging infrastructure, water security, wildfire risk, employee housing, climate change, city staffing, economic vitality, and the protection of our vibrant neighborhoods. There is no question we have much work to do going forward — especially completing our long-range financial plan, taking action to secure our economic security, and creating more employee housing--but we should also celebrate all that we have accomplished together. Here is a PARTIAL LIST of the projects, initiatives, events, programs, and policies our community has developed and advanced to completion during Paul’s tenure:
Preparation for Emergencies
Developed a new Evacuation Plan and developing a new Emergency Operations Plan
Conducted the evacuation drills for community members living on the west and east sides of Main Street – more than 292 vehicles and 600 people participated
Sent out Emergency Preparedness Newsletter
Created new Disaster Preparedness page on our website
Expansion of City Revenues, Business Recovery Initiatives and Facilities
Successfully awarded $500,000 Economic Development Business Assistance Program for flexible low interest forgivable loans to small and medium sized businesses in the City of St. Helena to offset the negative impacts of COVID-19
Successfully awarded $498,281 Community Wellness & Mental Health Program for a Community Wellness & Mental Health Program for children, young adults, and families for services administered by Aldea, Inc., including outreach and prevention, education and case management, and mental health and substance use disorder treatment
Successfully awarded CalOES $257,380 Emergency Backup Power Generator Mitigation Project grant to upgrade two existing City facilities with back-up power generation capabilities and will include the purchase of two fixed generators for the City
Successfully advocated for and PASSED a ½ cent sales tax (Measure D)
Successfully approved the Farmstead Restaurant Expansion and Hotel Project
Successfully created, campaigned for, and PASSED Measure E to provide one percent in Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) increase to create local fund for employee housing projects
Successfully PASSED $19.15 million infrastructure Improvement Bond (Measure H)
Established $300,000 Business Loan Assistance Program for Businesses Affected by Pandemic
Initiated the joint-use concept for Lease of Upper Napa Valley College as City Hall and negotiated college lease of property with potential for purchase of site
Rigorous Fiscal Oversight and Financial Stewardship
Retained Bartel Associates, LLC in February 2018 to conduct an analysis and review of Pension Funding Options, directed staff to accelerate Pension Liability Payments to a 15-year term, and reaffirmed the city council’s commitment to continue accelerated payments into the fund
Created and annually updated our Long-Range Financial Forecast (LRFF)
Initiated New City Reserve Policy for Minimum Reserve of 30%
Annually Adopted balanced budget while providing significant funding for vital community nonprofits and maintaining City reserves at or above 30%
Established operating procedures, accountability policies and fraud prevention measures
Ongoing Strategic Planning
Created City’s Vision and Mission Statement to guide goal setting and council decision-making
After years of delay, adopted our 2040 General Plan Update
Initiated Downtown Specific Plan focusing on land use and circulation to create more business certainty, provide for advanced environmental review and spur financial investment
Completed a Comprehensive Zoning Code Update
Completed a State Certified Housing Element
Established broad three-year City goals, with associated 12-month achievable objectives, for Infrastructure, Long Term Economic Sustainability, Public Communication and Participation, Access to Housing, Climate Change Response and Organizational Performance
Updated our Five-year Capital Improvement Plan after years of no CIP updates
Initiated and completed the City’s Integrated Utility Master Plan
Completed a professional Facilities Condition and Needs Assessment (FCNA) to document and analyze the City's existing built facilities and assist with prioritizing capital improvements in a long-term financial plan.
Formed the St. Helena Assets and Planning Engagement (SHAPE) Committee to identify alternatives to respond to the Facilities Condition and Needs Assessment (FCNA) and our Long-Range Financial Forecast (LRFF) and to study the feasibility of concepts identified in the 2009 Visioning Statement
Environmental Stewardship, Public Health & Safety and Infrastructure
Navigated St. Helena through international pandemic emergency and numerous concurrent fire and PSPS emergencies, closely worked with City Manager to transition administration to emergency operations structure, and provided stability to community and city staff throughout the two years of ongoing emergencies
Repaved Pope Street Bridge, Dowdell, Allyn, Silverado Trail, Hunt, Sylvaner, Pratt, Railroad Avenue, Edwards, Grayson and Allyn, and constructed crosswalk improvements at Pratt and Elmhurst and ADA improvements throughout the city
Replaced Water main at Kearney and Andrea, with new and improved crosswalks and bulbouts at the intersection of Kearney Street and Madrona Avenue
Replaced Water mains at South Crane Avenue and Vallejo Street
Rehabilitated Lyman Park and Gazebo bandstand
Improved Lighting at Crane Park
Approaching completion of the construction of a $18 million Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade Project that will replace the current system with a packaged Membrane Bioreactor Treatment Facility capable of primary, secondary and tertiary treatment.
Collaborated with Napa Valley Transportation Authority (NVTA), CalTrans and PG&E for gas line, road safety improvements and traffic congestion solutions (traffic circles, Vine Trail, New Electric Buses/shuttles)
Completed Substantial Repaving Projects at Charter Oak/Allison Avenue, El Bonita/Kennedy Court /La Quinta, Railroad Avenue and Crinella Subdivision and many other streets throughout the city
After decades of delay, successfully completed the Upper York Creek Dam Removal Project by securing the required state permits and funding, initiating vegetation removal, removing the existing dam, and commencing ongoing stream and habitat restoration
With the recommendation of our community Rate Study Committee, and our expert Raftelis, passed new tiered water rates with more equitable cost allocation of water and wastewater operations
Constructed Bathrooms at Crane Park, Lyman Park and Money Way
Robust Legal Oversight and Litigation Management
Created first ever Council Policies on the Management of Legal Services
Hired Best Best & Krieger LLP as new City Attorney and substantially reduced city attorney budget
Conducted numerous short-term rental enforcement actions
Vigorously defended our neighborhoods against commercial Time-Share Intrusions by Pacaso and reached a favorable settlement
Affordable Housing for Local Employees
Initiated the development of a first-time Housing Strategy for St. Helena
Provided loan proceeds, staff support and legal assistance to the Turley Flats Affordable Housing Project and facilitated the purchase and development of 963 Pope Street by Own Town St. Helena
Negotiated Extensive Affordable Housing Contributions from Farmstead Hotel Developer
Facilitated the completion of Brenkle Court Affordable Housing Project by Our Town St. Helena
Updated Housing Impact Fees