Napa County Approves $1.5 Million Rescue Vehicle, Extends Cuttings Wharf Lease

The Napa County Board of Supervisors approved the purchase of a $1.5 million rescue vehicle to replace an aging vehicle removed from service. The Fire Department will purchase the Pierce Enforcer from Golden State Fire Apparatus, according to a Nov. 3 meeting agenda. The surplus vehicle was authorized for sale at public auction.

A new 20-year lease with the California State Lands Commission will continue public use of the boat launch and docks at Cuttings Wharf along the Napa River. The lease runs through October 2046 at no cost to the county.

Supervisors also reauthorized the Napa County Winegrape Pest and Disease Control District for five years, through March 2032. Assessments on qualifying vineyard properties fund inspections, monitoring and education targeting pests and diseases, including the glassy-winged sharpshooter and vine mealybug.

A separate ordinance authorizes the county’s Environmental Health Division to oversee state winery wastewater requirements within the Napa River watershed. Local inspections, monitoring and compliance oversight will be coordinated with the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board.

An agreement with the Napa Valley Transportation Authority supports development of the South Napa County Station Area Plan. The study will evaluate potential locations for a future passenger rail station and multimodal transportation hub in southern Napa County, including improved connections and access.

Two California Department of Parks and Recreation grants will support sheriff’s operations. A $60,379 grant supports off-highway patrols and emergency response in remote areas, including Knoxville. Another $68,992 will buy two replacement boat engines and two night-vision binoculars for marine patrols and search-and-rescue operations on Lake Berryessa and other county waterways, without cost to the county’s General Fund.

The public hearing on an appeal of approved Hagafen Cellars Winery modifications was continued to Dec. 15, at 9 a.m. The delay gives the applicant and appellant more time to finalize a private settlement that could resolve the appeal.