Parks, Recreation and Trees Advisory Commission Special Meeting - February 19, 2025

The Parks, Recreation and Trees Advisory Commission (PRTAC) held a special meeting on February 19, 2025 at 6:00 PM at Fuller Park, 560 Jefferson St, Napa. The meeting included a presentation from the Napa County Resource Conservation District (RCD), election of officers, discussion of city council focus areas, adoption of the 2025 work plan, updates on capital improvement projects, and a report from the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission representative.

Approval of Minutes

• The minutes of the regular meeting of November 20, 2024 were approved unanimously.
• The minutes of the special joint meeting of January 28, 2025 were approved with a correction: Commissioner Stults noted he did not make the motion attributed to him in the minutes. With that correction, the minutes were approved unanimously.

Presentation: Napa County Resource Conservation District (RCD) Annual Update

• Allie from the RCD presented an update on partnerships with the city, including: support for the Urban Forest Management Plan (community engagement, volunteer tree planting, educational workshops; two of three public meetings and two of four tabling sessions completed; two of four volunteer events completed or planned – Arbor Day at Kennedy Park and a planting at the golf course in May/June); a Forest Service grant (from the Inflation Reduction Act) for urban and community forestry, currently paused due to federal funding uncertainty – the grant focuses on planting and stewardship in disadvantaged communities, community-led stewardship, and workforce training; a forest management plan for Westwood Hills Park (mapping, French broom removal, eucalyptus hazard, potential prescribed burn, $200,000 in state funding allocated); weed removal events at Westwood Hills over the past three years (35-80 volunteers per event, focusing on French broom, oblong leaf spurge, English ivy, and Himalayan blackberry); the Acorns to Oaks program at Alston Park (over 6,000 oaks planted over 11 years, 4,500 students and volunteers engaged, but 80-85% mortality due to vole population increase; strategies include clearing bare earth, biodegradable tree tubes, and potential use of contracted crews for mowing).
• The RCD also works with the city on a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) funded by CalFire, water conservation education (12th year, climate-friendly garden tour on May 17, 2025), and climate action programs and outreach (bilingual workshops, workshops on reducing plastic, habitat gardening, and repair; e-bike and EV charging outreach).
• Commissioners asked about French broom management (ongoing, need for consistency), the CWPP’s scope (including infrastructure like fire roads), and potential for education signs at trailheads. Commissioner Streng noted that recreational broom pulling is common and suggested education.

Administrative Reports

6A: Nomination and Appointment of Chair and Vice Chair

• Commissioner Bordona was nominated and unanimously re-elected as Chair. Commissioner Stults was nominated and unanimously re-elected as Vice Chair.

6B: City Council Focus Areas FY2025/26 – 2026/27

• Staff provided a verbal update on the City Council’s special workshop on January 28, 2025. The council rebranded “priorities” as “focus areas” and adopted six equal-weight focus areas for the two-year budget cycle starting July 1, 2025: Climate Action, Roads and Traffic Safety, Economic Resilience, Parks and Community Spaces, Community Engagement, and Housing. Staff noted that the upcoming budget cycle will be the first to include additional revenue from Measure G, which may increase funding for parks and roads.

6C: 2025 PRTAC Goals / Workplan

• The commission reviewed the 2024 work plan and noted three incomplete items (Napa Little League presentation, Master Gardeners update, second urban forestry workshop). The draft 2025 work plan includes routine items (operating budget, CIP, park tours, urban forestry discussions) and new items such as a second park tour and discussion of parks and recreation facilities. Commissioner Hoenicke proposed adding regular updates on climate action to align with the city’s climate emergency resolution. Commissioner Streng suggested modifying Goal #4 (bike and trails connectivity) to include urban forestry and trees, making it more representative of the commission’s mission. Staff agreed to wordsmith the goal and bring a revised version to the March meeting. The commission also discussed engaging the school district on tree equity and collaborating with the Master Gardeners. The work plan will be finalized at a future meeting.

6D: Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Project Update

• Staff presented an update on playground replacement projects. Six sites were identified from the 2023 conditions assessment. Two are complete and open: Vineyard Park (full replacement, ADA ramp, new surfacing) and Springwood Park (largest footprint, includes zip line, walkway replacement, sand volleyball court improvements – zip line funded by Napa Parks and Recreation Foundation). Four sites are in progress: Zini Park (retrofit, walkway replacement), Century Oaks (full replacement, second largest footprint – partial funding from Napa Valley Aloft via the Park and Rec Foundation), Lake Park (full replacement, excavation for fall height), and Vine Hill (largest scope, includes playground retrofit, skate ramp removal, drainage improvements, new two-to-five feature). The senior center parking lot was also improved (ADA upgrades, new crosswalk). Future projects: Fuller Park playable art (design approved by council, budget increased from $1.3M to $2.3M, plus contingency to $2.5M; construction anticipated late 2025) and Alston Park restroom (contractor selected, spring construction).

6F: Parks Division and Recreation Division Updates

• Staff acknowledged the Napa Lighted Art Festival (14 installations, three projection sites that ran for the first two weekends). Oxbow Commons was closed for several days after the February 4 storm due to flooding; reopened after cleanup. Trancas Crossing was closed and reopened on February 15. Main Street boat dock remains closed due to debris and float repairs. The Fuller Park and Alston Park projects were approved by council the previous evening.

Comments by Commissioners and Staff

7A: Report by Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission Representative (Commissioner Hoenicke)

• Commissioner Hoenicke reported on the Lincoln Avenue rehabilitation project (Measure T funded). The project will include a road diet, Class II bike lanes, traffic calming, and a median strip. He suggested using white asphalt to reduce heat island effect and recommended planting trees in the median strip. A public meeting on the draft design will be held on March 3, 2025, from 5:30 to 7:00 PM at the City Council Chambers. The BPAC will hold a special meeting on March 13 to weigh in. Commissioner Hoenicke also noted that PG&E’s undergrounding programs have been eliminated due to changes at the California Public Utilities Commission.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes approved with correction for January 28, 2025 (unanimous).
• Chair and Vice Chair re-elected (unanimous).
• 2025 work plan discussed but not finalized; staff will revise Goal #4 to include urban forestry and trees, and will consider adding regular climate action updates. Final work plan to be brought to March meeting.
• CIP projects continue as reported; Fuller Park and Alston Park projects approved by council.
• Public input invited on Lincoln Avenue project at March 3 meeting.
• Next regular meeting scheduled for March 19, 2025.