City Council awards $30,000 to local nonprofits
Council awarded grants, approved city manager contract and voted Mark Joseph as vice mayor for 2026
The American Canyon City Council on Tuesday awarded $30,000 worth of grants to nonprofits in the community.
The council voted to endorse the recommendations the city’s Park and Community Services Commission made on Dec. 11 after listening to presentations from 18 applicants.
The applicants included groups that help residents facing food insecurity. Other groups seeking city grants focus on sports and cultural life in the community.
Awards included seed money for a new food pantry at American Canyon High School, and a $1,000 grant for a reading program for young children.
Little League, which sought a new golf cart, played a video featuring the not-so functioning vehicle. The commissioners awarded them $4,000 for a new vehicle.
Friendors Inc., which last fall put on Manila Munchies, a celebration of Filipino culture, received $4,000.
The awardees are as follows:
• ACHS Wolfpack Music Inc. $2,000
• Ahi Swim Team: $2,000
• American Canyon High School Alliance: $3,000
• Friendors Inc: $4,000
• American Canyon Little League: $4,000
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley: $4,000
• MimiWrites Literacy Foundation: $1,000
• Napa-Solano Audubon Society: $ 1,000
• NEWS: $1,500
• Soroptimist International of AC:$1,500
• SpiritHorse Therapeutic Riding Center: $5,000
SpiritHorse Therapeutic Riding Center sought a grant to bring power to Clarke Ranch, a city-owned property leased to the nonprofit organization. Clarke Ranch is also home to 4-H organization.
Napa County Supervisor Belia Ramos, said she was speaking as a 4-H parent.
Ramos, a former city councilwoman, praised the city for its fiscal prudence, which has allowed these investments in the community.
The group is “incredibly grateful” for the $5,000, Ramos said, a 4-H parent, adding it would be happy to partner with the city to build the needed improvements.
Vice Mayor Mark Joseph agreed there should be utilities on that property and specified it should be solar power with a battery backup.
City Manager Jason Holley said the city has been looking at providing utilities at Clarke Ranch.
City Councilman David Oro asked that Clarke Ranch’s improvements be discussed at a future meeting. The City Council agreed unanimously.
City Council votes on city manager’s new contract
Also on Tuesday, the City Council voted to approve Holley’s new employment agreement as city manager.
Under the new contract effective Jan. 1, Holley will be paid an annual base salary of $303,000.
The vote was 4-1. Joseph voted “no,” saying he had reservations about the severance provisions. The severance package includes a lump sum that is equal to 18 months’ base salary.
“My concern is with the severance package, not with the rest of the contract,” said Joseph, himself a former American Canyon city manager.
City Councilman David Oro also raised concerns about the length of the severance package but nonetheless voted with the majority.
Holley’s last contract was signed in 2021. Under that contract, the severance pay was a lump sum cash payment totaling nine months’ base salary.
In 2021, the city’s manager salary was $230,000. It was $245,000 in 2022/2023. Beginning in 2023/2024, the city manager’s base salary was subject to cost of living adjustment every July 1 of between 2 percent and 4 percent.
Holley has been with the city for 12 years, including seven years as city manager. He was the city’s public works director before he was named city manager.
“I’m really excited about the opportunity to continue in this role and honored that the council would like me to do that,” Holley said.
Mayor Pierre Washington praised Holley’s leadership. “I appreciate what he brings to the table.
“I think we have stability. I think we have trust, and if there is something that’s more important to me than anything , it is having the trust. And I trust Jason,” Washington said.
“I’m proud to have him as our city manager.”
Gina Griggs, director of development American Canyon Community Cat and a parks and recreation commissioner, praised Holley as city manager, saying he has been accessible and approachable. “It is a really difficult role,” Griggs noted.
Joseph voted vice mayor for 2026
The city council unanimously voted to name Joseph vice mayor for another year.
Oro had recommended Councilwoman Melissa Lamattina as vice mayor, saying she was the top vote-getter in the 2024 municipal election.
Lamattina thanked Oro but “respectfully” declined the role. Instead, she recommended Joseph, asking him to serve another year and mentor her in preparation for the vice mayor role in 2027.
“I’d be happy to do that,” Joseph said.
Oro said the situation was “highly unusual” before voting “yes.”
“It is unusual,” Washington also said, referring to Lamattina’s decision. “I applaud you, Councilmember Lamattina, for making that recommendation.”
