Napa council issues Black History Month and American Heart Month proclamations; local resident urges AB 1033 ADU opt-in

At its Feb. 17 meeting the Napa City Council read proclamations recognizing Black History Month and American Heart Month.

Mayor Scott Sedgley and other presenters read the Black History Month proclamation honoring the 2026 theme, "A Century of Black History Commemorations," and noted local groups such as People Before Politics for community education and programming; JT of People Before Politics accepted on behalf of community organizers and urged ongoing events beyond February. “We’ll continue to have events... and we just hope that you all can show up,” JT said.

For American Heart Month, representatives from Providence Queen of the Valley and the Queen’s Foundation accepted the proclamation and described the Queen’s Heart Safe program. Terry Smith said the hospital’s foundation funded training and outreach in 2025 and announced a plan to place 15 AEDs on elementary school campuses in 2026, accessible 24/7. “Pam Dodson trained over 5,000 Napa Valley Unified School children and community members in calendar year 2025,” Smith said, and the foundation is supporting placement of additional AEDs.

During the public-comment period, local resident Jeremy Sill urged the council to consider opting into Assembly Bill 1033, which allows accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to be converted into condominium units for sale where local jurisdictions opt in. “I think it's a great way to create new homeownership... and sell a unit,” Sill said, adding that cities must opt in and encouraging the council to explore the option.

The council noted the proclamations and the public comment; no formal action was taken on AB 1033 at the meeting.