OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Parks, Recreation, and Trees Advisory Commission Meeting - February 18, 2026

City Council — Wednesday, February 18, 2026
BodyNapa, California
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, February 18, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:17:10
Transcript — Verbatim
0:05

We good to go.

0:07

You ready?

0:09

Okay, uh good evening.

0:10

Welcome everyone to the regular uh meeting, or regularly scheduled meeting uh for the parks recreation and trees advisory commission, uh February 18th, 2026.

0:20

Um may I have roll call, please?

0:23

Bordono.

0:24

Here.

0:25

Stoltz.

0:26

Here.

0:27

Richard is absent strength.

0:29

Here.

0:30

Wallace.

0:32

Katz O'Neal.

0:34

Here.

0:35

Um apologies.

0:36

Uh how do you say your last name, Darren?

0:38

Uh Grafius.

0:40

Graphulis.

0:40

Yeah, here.

0:41

And Binum.

0:43

Here.

0:46

Great.

0:47

Um, thank you.

0:48

Um item number two, agenda review and supplemental reports.

0:52

Um we will have public comment um next.

0:55

This is an opportunity for members of the public to comment on items that are not listed on the agenda.

1:00

Following that, we'll have approval of minutes.

1:03

Um, looks like we have no presentations today.

1:06

Um, we do have uh four administrative reports.

1:10

Item 6a is to welcome our new commissioners.

1:13

Um B is a nomination and appointment of a chair and vice chair, as well as the bicycle and pedestrian advisory commission representative.

1:22

Um item 6C is the 26 PRTAC work plan, and item six D is the urban forestry management plan um and a review of the full draft.

1:33

Um, and then we will have comments by commissioners and staff followed by adjournment.

1:39

Um with that, do we have any members of the public present that wish to speak on any items that aren't on the agenda?

1:46

Seeing none, um, we will move to item four, which is the approval of minutes.

1:51

Does anyone have a motion?

1:54

I'll move to approve the minutes.

1:57

All in favor say aye.

2:01

I'll need to uh abstain.

2:03

I wasn't at the meeting.

2:05

And I was gonna say the same I'd abstain.

2:07

I was not at the meeting either.

2:10

As are the two other new commissioners.

2:13

So I'm sure Elijah's got that captured.

2:16

Um, okay.

2:17

Um we are now on to item six A.

2:20

We're gonna welcome three new commissioners.

2:24

How do you want to do this, Director Brandt?

2:26

Um, have introduce themselves.

2:28

I can introduce them.

2:30

Typically uh we have the commissioners take them just a minute or two to introduce themselves, kind of their background, their history with Napa, why they wanted to um join this commission.

2:40

I think they're all prepared to maybe say uh quick thing or two, and then it's up to you if you would like the um veteran commissioners to take a moment and introduce themselves.

2:49

Uh that's up to you.

2:50

Sounds great.

2:51

Who wants to go first?

2:55

I'll go first.

2:56

Um good evening, everyone.

2:58

My name is Simone Katz O'Neill, and I'm excited to join the Parks and Rec Commission.

3:03

Um I've been in Napa since 2014.

3:06

We actually moved six weeks before the Napa earthquake.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Environmental Protection█████████████████████████████████████████████53%
Parks and Recreation████████████████████24%
Procedural███████████████18%
Engineering And Infrastructure██2%
Public Engagement██2%
Economic Development█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Parks, Recreation, and Trees Advisory Commission Regular Meeting - February 18, 2026

The Parks, Recreation, and Trees Advisory Commission (PRTAC) held a regular meeting on February 18, 2026, starting at 2:15 PM. The meeting included the welcoming of three new commissioners, appointment of officers, approval of the 2026 work plan, and a detailed review and approval of the Urban Forestry Management Plan (UFMP). Public comments were heard on the UFMP, and several operational updates were provided.

Roll Call and Agenda Review

  • Commissioners present: Bordono, Stoltz, Strength, Wallace, Katz O'Neal, Grafius, Binum. Richard absent.
  • Agenda reviewed and approved. No public comments on non-agenda items.

Approval of Minutes

  • Motion to approve minutes from the previous meeting carried. Commissioners Katz O'Neal, Grafius, and Binum abstained as they were not present at that meeting.

Welcome of New Commissioners

  • Three new commissioners introduced themselves: Simone Katz O'Neal (resident since 2014, heavy park user), Darren Graffius (landscape architect, passionate about public space and environmental issues), and Trajan Vinum (student representative from New Tech, interested in ecology and entomology).
  • Existing commissioners briefly shared their backgrounds.

Nomination and Appointment of Chair, Vice Chair, and BPAC Representative

  • Chair: Commissioner Brian Bordono was nominated and re-elected unanimously.
  • Vice Chair: Commissioner Rex Stoltz was nominated and re-elected unanimously.
  • Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (BPAC) Representative: Simone Katz O'Neal was nominated and appointed unanimously. The BPAC meets every other month on Thursdays at 4:00 PM. The role is a non-voting liaison to report back to PRTAC.

2026 Work Plan Approval

  • Staff presented an updated 2026 work plan reflecting prior commission feedback. Key changes: the Napa Park and Recreation Foundation was moved from a partner presentation to a standing agenda item. Two park tours are planned (tentatively including harvest property, Fuller Park, and Las Flores Community Center renovation).
  • Commissioner asked about integration of Placer AI data for park usage; staff noted it is planned for June.
  • Motion to approve the work plan carried unanimously.

Urban Forestry Management Plan (UFMP) – Full Draft Review and Approval

  • Presentation: Parks and Urban Forestry Manager Jeff Giddings presented the 85-page UFMP, a 40-year guiding document developed over five years with funding from a Cal Fire grant (grant period ends March 30, 2026). The plan includes:
    • Section 1: Current state – 21.5% tree canopy coverage (2.5% above Sacramento), over 34,000 trees inventoried via TreeKeeper GIS software.
    • Section 2: Community and stakeholder engagement, including issues and opportunities.
    • Section 3: Goals and recommendations (the core action plan).
    • Section 4: Measuring progress.
    • Appendices: Budget, ordinance matrix, community survey results.
  • Key data: Three-quarters of canopy is on private property; 18% canopy increase from 2012 to 2022; city plants 200-400 trees annually.
  • Commissioner questions and discussion:
    • Commissioners praised the plan's depth and organization. Questions focused on implementation first steps (e.g., proactive maintenance, using inventory to prioritize removals, education/outreach to property owners).
    • Concern about tree removal in sidewalk projects (e.g., Brown's Valley) and replacement delays. Staff explained that canopy data helps prioritize planting areas and that the inventory includes opportunity sites for new trees.
    • Discussion of budget constraints: Current tree planting expenditure is 0.4% of total city fiscal budget; spending on trees is 1.2 to 1.3 times less than comparable cities. Staff noted the plan provides data to pursue grants and justify budget requests.
    • Requests for a shorter public-facing summary of the plan to improve community engagement.
    • Questions about tree species selection, right-of-way constraints (narrow planter strips), and coordination with development projects.
  • Public Comments:
    • Linda Brown (Napa Climate Now): Congratulated staff; asked for clarification on criteria for significant trees (trees designated by council resolution); expressed concern about narrow planter strips leading to loss of large canopy trees; inquired about use of permeable tree surrounds and bump-outs; asked about glyphosate use around tree bases.
    • Jim Wilson (Napa Climate Now): Referenced a student project showing tree loss outpacing gain; noted a film titled “Deforestation Sounding the Alarm”; cited the city's net-zero climate goal by 2030; commended the plan for including climate references but urged stronger action to ensure the urban forest becomes a net carbon sink in the near term.
    • Rhino Honicy: Congratulated the commission; urged deep engagement with PG&E regarding line clearance practices that harm mature trees; recommended certified arborists for all trimming; and suggested collaboration with public works for better implementation.
  • Commissioners' additional comments:
    • Emphasis on the plan's value for informing the city's Climate Action Plan and future development reviews.
    • Noted the need for staff to play a role in private development tree preservation, especially near riparian areas.
    • Encouraged attendance at the city council meeting on March 17, 2026, where the UFMP will be presented for formal adoption.
  • Motion: To approve the UFMP and forward it to city council for formal review and adoption. Motion carried unanimously (all commissioners present voted aye; student representative's voting status noted as potentially needing bylaw clarification).

Parks and Recreation Foundation Update

  • Commissioner Brian Bordona (also on foundation board) reported: $15,000 allocated for youth swim scholarships ($10,000 from foundation budget, $5,000 from a PG&E grant). Board meeting tomorrow may increase that amount. Foundation funds near $50,000, boosted by Give Guide campaign (original goal $7,500; raised over $9,000).

Park Maintenance and Recreation Division Updates

  • Kennedy Park restroom near boat ramp closed due to broken water line; repair contract in progress.
  • Lighted Art Festival deinstallation underway; staff assisted artists.
  • Final planting event under the grant: Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the Napa Golf Course (9 AM to noon). Approximately 160 trees to be planted (species include Valley and Live oaks), limited to 40 volunteers. Registration through Napa RCD.
  • Additional updates: New public pickleball courts constructed by Gasser Foundation near the movie theater; to be operated and maintained by Parks and Recreation on a temporary basis, opening by end of month. Also, a soccer pitch operated by Napa United is under construction.

Comments by Commissioners and Staff

  • Commissioners commended staff on the Lighted Art Festival and the new pickleball courts.
  • Noted the positive synergy of new recreational amenities drawing people to the downtown area.

Key Outcomes

  • Minutes approved (3 abstentions).
  • Chair and Vice Chair re-elected unanimously.
  • Simone Katz O'Neal appointed as BPAC liaison.
  • 2026 Work Plan approved unanimously.
  • Urban Forestry Management Plan approved unanimously for forwarding to city council (scheduled March 17, 2026).
  • Next regular meeting: March 18, 2026.

Adjournment

  • Meeting adjourned at approximately 4:00 PM (duration about 1 hour 45 minutes).

Meeting Transcript

We good to go. You ready? Okay, uh good evening. Welcome everyone to the regular uh meeting, or regularly scheduled meeting uh for the parks recreation and trees advisory commission, uh February 18th, 2026. Um may I have roll call, please? Bordono. Here. Stoltz. Here. Richard is absent strength. Here. Wallace. Katz O'Neal. Here. Um apologies. Uh how do you say your last name, Darren? Uh Grafius. Graphulis. Yeah, here. And Binum. Here. Great. Um, thank you. Um item number two, agenda review and supplemental reports. Um we will have public comment um next. This is an opportunity for members of the public to comment on items that are not listed on the agenda. Following that, we'll have approval of minutes. Um, looks like we have no presentations today. Um, we do have uh four administrative reports. Item 6a is to welcome our new commissioners. Um B is a nomination and appointment of a chair and vice chair, as well as the bicycle and pedestrian advisory commission representative. Um item 6C is the 26 PRTAC work plan, and item six D is the urban forestry management plan um and a review of the full draft. Um, and then we will have comments by commissioners and staff followed by adjournment. Um with that, do we have any members of the public present that wish to speak on any items that aren't on the agenda? Seeing none, um, we will move to item four, which is the approval of minutes. Does anyone have a motion? I'll move to approve the minutes. All in favor say aye. I'll need to uh abstain. I wasn't at the meeting. And I was gonna say the same I'd abstain. I was not at the meeting either. As are the two other new commissioners. So I'm sure Elijah's got that captured. Um, okay. Um we are now on to item six A. We're gonna welcome three new commissioners. How do you want to do this, Director Brandt? Um, have introduce themselves. I can introduce them.

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