Accomplishments

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Accomplishments in Mayor Geoff Ellsworth’s First Term as St. Helena Mayor

 

LIST OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS

So much has been accomplished during my first term as St. Helena’s mayor. With my leadership style and commitment to community, coupled with the dedication, advocacy, initiative and experience of the St. Helena City Council, city manager and staff, volunteer committees and numerous community organizations and residents, we have made great strides in handling many long-delayed, high-priority issues, as well as addressing other challenges that affect the quality of life in our community.

I'd like to offer a special thank you to St. Helena Vice Mayor Paul Dohring.  Much progress over the last few years in St. Helena was initiated by his efforts since getting on the City Council in 2014, and in his role as vice mayor during my term he has contributed a great deal to our accomplishments and decision making process with his skills, advocacy and thoughtful approach to governance.

Some of our accomplishments include:

  • Passed the General Plan after more than a decade of delay

  • Removal of York Creek Dam after decades of delay

  • Facilitated environmental work now underway on wastewater treatment plant upgrades

  • Engaged in a comprehensive engineering approach with two separate firms on a water, stormwater and sewer master plan and an engineering-based water rate analysis

  • Completed the establishment of internal financial controls

  • Established a considerable financial reserve

  • Amortized expenses in the city’s pension fund based on best management

  • Developed stronger connections with the League of California Cities 

  • Advanced advocacy towards climate resilience, including passage of 2019 Climate Proclamation citing year 2030 to achieve drawdown goals

  • Hired a new legal firm and city attorney resulting in significant cost savings to the city

  • Advanced work on a comprehensive zoning code update

  • Supported Fire Department restructuring, creating more coverage and quicker response times

  • Coordinated with PG&E on new transmission lines to help minimize PSPS power shutoff events 

  • Increased efforts on community fire/emergency awareness and preparedness

  • Raised fire relief funds for Paradise/Butte County related to Camp Fire

  • Continued awarding  approximately $200,000 annually to our Non-profits to promote the city's mission and help meet the needs of our most vulnerable residents

  • Prioritized city council discussions on police procedure policy and practice

  • Prioritized city council discussions on racial and social equity

  • Moved forward on a comprehensive housing strategy, including passage of an indemnity ordinance, a practical application of land banking and an ADU ordinance

  • Advanced plans for a downtown streetscape/sidewalk program

  • Initiated forums for community engagement on plans for city hall, library and other civic projects such as streetscape and zoning code update

  • Completed Hunt St. sidewalk gap closure for better pedestrian safety and access

  • Installed downtown restrooms on Money Way and renovated restrooms at Lyman Park and Crane Park

  • Renovated Crane Park skatepark

  • Renovated Crane Park tennis courts and fencing

  • Installed new ADA drinking fountains and bottle-filling stations at parks and in public spaces

  • Acquired a new, cleaner-energy street sweeper for better efficiency

  • Increased maintenance budgets for city buildings and infrastructure, increased city street paving budgets

  • Joined MCE's "Deep Green" energy program for better environmental stewardship for our city

  • Continued advocacy and partnership with organizations such as the Napa Valley Transportation Authority (NVTA ) and the Napa County Bicycle Coalition to support a more walkable and bikeable town, as well as advancing progress on upvalley Vine Trail segment.

  • Established a ceremonial flagpole at Lyman Park and co-sponsored numerous multicultural events and celebrations of inclusivity

  • Advanced  health and safety goals including ban on sales of flavored tobacco products to help curb youth vaping and advanced advocacy to diminish use of synthetic pesticides

  • Fostered and encouraged arts, culture, community celebrations, concerts and events like Neighborhood Table, Jingle All the Way downtown skating event, holiday tree lighting and enhanced 4th of July celebrations

  • Responded proactively to the COVID 19 emergency by enhancing social services and fiscal assistance for residents and businesses, and worked with municipal, county, state and federal partners to provide increased free testing and regional coordination 

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 In addition to the collective work of the Council I have also fostered a local community health forum, a community multicultural group, an environmental sustainability group, created a service group website, Club 25 to encourage adhering to posted speed limits and advocated for economic diversification in the Long-Range Financial Forecast

 

 
 

Paid for by Geoff Ellsworth for Mayor 2020 FPPC# 1407177