Napa City Council on Tuesday unanimously adopted budgets for 2013-14 and 2014-15, but residents along Napa Creek said they objected to funds included in both years' spending plans to begin studies for a north-south connector road near their homes.
"We're against the opening up of Linda Vista (Avenue) across the creek," said Joe Catania, one of about 35 residents at Tuesday's meeting. Catania submitted copies of a petition he said was signed by more than 100 neighbors opposed to extending Linda Vista Avenue south over Napa Creek to Robinson Lane and Browns Valley Road.
Residents representing eight neighborhoods that are grouped "like a necklace" around the creek said the bridge would ruin the bucolic atmosphere of their communities and would lower property values.
"I think this is a nightmare," said Margan Holloway. "Everyone thinks this is a done deal -- I say, 'Not on my watch.'"
Holloway, Catania and others said they are not opposed to the budget's inclusion of plans for a new $3.7 million fire station in nearby Browns Valley. But they said the Linda Vista extension and bridge was not necessary to provide better emergency vehicle access to and from the new station.
"All the schools have fields where the children play -- it's our parks," said Dotia Scriven. "This would go right through the fields."
Mayor Jill Techel assured residents that if studies determine that the Linda Vista bridge is and connector route are viable, that all residents will be informed and play a integral part in the process.
"The bridge is not just for the fire station," said Councilman Scott Sedgeley. "It's also for traffic circulation as a whole."
About $60,000 is included in the 2013-14 budget for a topographical survey of the area and also to verify property lines and boundaries, said Napa Public Works Director Jack LaRochelle.
About $710,000 is included in the 2014-15 budget for environmental studies and permits, he added.
"There are a lot of permits and agencies involved," LaRochelle said of the environmental work, which would likely include a full-scale environmental impact report. "It's a big deal."
Besides the Linda Vista project and a request for more money for the Napa Senior Center, the rest of the budgets were adopted without comment. Earlier budget discussions have included a meeting on May 21 and a public hearing on June 4, Techel said.
According to the city's budget letter summary, the total for all city funds -- both general fund (tax-supported) and enterprise fund (non-tax-supported) -- is $181.7 million in 2013-14 and $172.5 million in 2014-15. The new fiscal year begins July 1.
"It is a balanced budget," said Finance Director Bill Zenoni. No new taxes, assessments or major fee adjustments are included.
Revenue is expected to grow 2.2 percent in 2013-14 and 4.5 percent in 2014-15, the higher figure due mainly to expected increases in property, sales and transient occupancy tax revenues due to an upsurge in activities in those areas.
Staffing in general-fund-financed areas is expected to increase from the current 365 full-time positions to 367 in 2014-15; general fund part-time staff will increase from the current 399.83 to 410.57 in 2014-15.
In the enterprise-fund-financed staffing, the numbers will rise from 63 current full time workers to 67 in 2014-15; part-time enterprise-funded workers will rise from the current 70.43 positions to 73.66 in 2014-15.
Among the staff increases, Napa will add a new parks maintenance laborer position in both of the two years. Also, a new police sergeant will be added in the second year.
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