On June 1, the Napa Police Department, Napa City Fire Department, Napa County Sheriff’s Office, Calistoga Police Department and the California Highway Patrol launched a free  community information service called Nixle. Using Nixle, these agencies can notify residents in real time when there are public safety emergencies, traffic advisories, crime trends, safety tips and public safety agency special events. Like Twitter, messages are sent to cell phones, e-mails or other Web-enabled devices that allow instant access to information. Nixle allows subscribers to follow agencies in multiple locations, so not only can you follow your home area but also follow any area where you may have family or friends. As Nixle grows, more areas are added monthly. This service is completely free to Napa County residents, except for any charges you may incur for receiving text messages.

Nixle has secured a partnership with the International Justice and Public Safety Network, allowing local police and fire departments nationwide to send immediate alerts and advisories. Nixle is privately funded and has offices in New Jersey and California. This service is free to all governments, their agencies and organizations, non-governmental organizations and consumers.

It’s easy to register to receive messages. Simply visit nixle.com and click on the “Register Now” link. For more info about the service, visit the Nixle Web site. — Napa Police Commander Jeff Troendly

Weed abatement season

The Napa City Fire Department has announced the start of the 2009 weed abatement season.  Napa Municipal Code Chapter 8.24 requires the department to conduct annual inspections of properties for the purpose of abating hazardous vegetation and accumulations of combustible materials.  All properties are required to be cleared by June 1 of each year and then maintained throughout the fire season. The end of fire season is determined by CalFire and is typically Nov. 1, or after measurable amounts of autumn rainfall. Complaints of properties in need of weed abatement can be reported on our 24-hour Weed Abatement Hotline at 257-9275. Inspections by the Fire Department began June 1. — Napa Fire Capt. Sharon Quick

Downtown

Specific Plan    

The Downtown Napa Specific Plan Community Workshop Number 1 will take place Tuesday, June 9, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Westin Verasa Napa, 1314 McKinstry St. This will be an exciting, interactive and educational public meeting to brainstorm, discuss and create a community vision for Downtown Napa.

The Downtown Napa Specific Plan will guide the city in its planning efforts to create a more inclusive and vibrant downtown Napa. The purpose of the plan is to develop a community vision for the downtown and create tools and strategies to implement the vision through recommendations for both the public and private realms. All members of the community are invited attend this workshop to:

• Discuss assets and challenges downtown and in surrounding areas

• View an educational presentation on the area’s strengths and weaknesses

• Brainstorm opportunities to improve the area

• Participate in a combination of large and small group discussions

• Create a community vision for the future

The planning area mainly concentrates on the downtown commercial areas and the Oxbow District. For more info, please visit www.downtownnapaspecificplan.org. Questions or comments should be directed to 257-9349 or by e-mail to

jhasser@cityofnapa.org. — Jean Hasser, Principal Planner, City of Napa

Public art unveiling

An unveiling will be held Wednesday, June 3 from 4:30 to 5 p.m. at the northeast corner of Coombs and Fifth streets, the location of the new art piece “Barrel of Fun” on the Fifth Street Parking Garage. The unveiling will be followed by a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. on the Riverbend Plaza at the Historic Napa Mill during the new “Local’s Night.”  No-host refreshments, free wine tasting, art on the plaza, and entertainment are part of the festivities.

Napa artist Gordon Huether felt the west wall of the new parking garage looked incomplete and donated the art piece, a companion to his work on the east wall called “Retro Woman.” Huether received permission from Napa County, owner of the garage, to install “Barrel of Fun” at no cost to the public. — Barry Martin, Community Outreach Coordinator

 Napa City Update provides information from Napa city officials about ongoing projects of public interest. The column appears on the first Tuesday of each month. All information in the column also can be found at www.cityofnapa.org. Select “Subscribe to City Newsletter” from the Quick Links menu to register to receive a weekly update by e-mail. City Council and Planning Commission meeting agendas, minutes and video are available from the Web site as well. For more info, contact Barry Martin, Community Outreach Coordinator, at 258-7843 or at bmartin@cityofnapa.org.