Good evening Mayor, Vice Mayor and Council Members.

As you know, I am a long-time advocate for safe streets and against speeding, particularly on our residential neighborhoods.

I am very concerned about the number of high speed pursuits by our law enforcement on neighborhood streets.

These are the same streets where residents are walking, bicycling, running and driving.

Except for cases where someone's life is at risk, like pursuing a suspect with a kidnapped child, is there any reason to jeopardize our neighborhoods with high speed pursuits?

It seems like we are having repeated cases of high speed pursuits, and in all instances that I am aware of, they are for property crimes. The last instance was in the middle of the afternoon and ended with a crash close to a park and 2 schools where children were probably still around or returning home. In my opinion, none of this warrants jeopardizing the safety of our neighborhoods.

I’ve reviewed the Napa County Sheriff’s SO Policy Manual (Section 307). I would like to understand whether our city has further policies beyond this manual with regard to high speed pursuits in our residential neighborhoods, and whether we need to review it considering the recent surge in high speed pursuits on city streets.

“Deputies must not forget that the immediate apprehension of a suspect is generally not more important than the safety of the public and pursuing deputies.”

“An unreasonable individual’s desire to apprehend a fleeing suspect at all costs has no place in professional law enforcement.”

“High-speed pursuits expose any police department to high risk of loss of life, serious personal injury, and serious property damage. If the injured or killed are police officers, the police department suffers direct loss. If the injured or killed are private citizens, the department or the government it serves may be liable for damages, including property damage, in civil actions. When the injured parties are innocent bystanders, liability is particularly difficult to elude.”

I am concerned about owners of homes in American Canyon using or planning to use their homes for multiple individuals who are not family renting rooms out. Creating a new form of home apartments in community. I am opposed of this happening. This is a nice community of families and to start this agenda would be a grave mistake. 1) lowering home values and possible crime to increase putting a strain already on American Canyon as we see almost every day reading our police blotter.

Mayor and Council Members,

As a follow up to my previously submitted public comment regarding the community cats in American Canyon, I would like to express my support to proceed with Council member Washington's suggestion to create an ad hoc committee to explore solutions together. I truly believe that together we can collaborate to help stabilize the population humanely, improve the cats’ lives, save taxpayer dollars, address neighbors’ concerns, and help the entire community reach a solution that benefits everyone.

I also would like to be considered to be included as a member of the committee.

Thank you,
Rose Maldonado

Good Evening American Canyon Council Members:

I am very appreciative to each one of you for listening to the many concerns of the ongoing sufferings our beloved Community Cats here in our city. I am looking forward with Hope to the start of the ad hoc committee that it will grant us the opportunity to discuss ways in which we can find solutions together.
At this time, I humbly request that I may be considered to be a part of the committee, this is my earnest request.

Thank you All,

Rose Negrete

Good evening Mayor, Vice Mayor and Council,

I am here as a resident and an ally for the community cats of American Canyon. Trap-neuter-return is the only humane, effective approach to care for community cats. Both Napa Humane and Napa Animal Shelter recommend TNR. It is the minimum nationwide standard of care for community cats. Right now the city of American Canyon doesn’t have the necessary resources to care for this underserved population. Did you know it costs $1000 to get a cat spayed at our local vet? Currently the wait to get a cat into Napa Humane's Spay/Neuter Clinic is weeks out. A cat's gestation period is only two months. We could have upwards of six new kittens while we wait for our appointment. The cats didn't choose this life. Humans are responsible. It is the result of a lack of education and a lack of resources that got these animals in this situation. We need more options, both affordable and accessible, that meet the needs of our community, which includes these cats.

Thankfully, we have a lot of ideas! Let’s move forward with Council member Washington’s suggestion to create an ad hoc committee where we can come up with some solutions together.

Please consider this my request to participate in the committee.

Thank you for your time,
Michelle Leighty

Hello Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Council

Thank you for listening to my concerns at the last Council meeting about the stray and feral cat problem, aka community cats, in American Canyon, and challenges that residents face with limited resources.

Let's take the next step and proceed with Council member Washington's suggestion to create an ad hoc committee to explore solutions together. I am heartened to be part of a community that cares for all of her residents, including the small four-footed ones that others mistake for disposable.

Please also consider this my request to be included on the committee, too.