Napa City Council issues proclamations for Bike Month, child-abuse prevention and week for young children; shelter presents 'Pet of the Month'

The Napa City Council used part of its April 21 agenda for community proclamations and presentations.

Mayor Scott Sedgley read proclamations designating May 2026 as National Bike Month and May 14, 2026 as Bike to Work and School Day; he noted a BikeFest on May 3 at Oxbow Commons and an Energizer station at 1601 1st Street. Kara Varner of the Napa County Bicycle Coalition accepted the proclamation and thanked city departments and volunteers for efforts to make Napa more bike friendly.

The council also proclaimed April 2026 as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Jenny Olsen of COPE Family Center accepted on behalf of COPE and the Child Abuse Prevention Council, stressing that prevention work focuses on supporting families and addressing neglect tied to economic stress, food insecurity and immigration-related fear. Olsen offered to leave the 2026 Child Abuse Prevention Council report with city staff.

Mayor Sedgley read a proclamation recognizing the Week of the Young Child (April 11–17, 2026). Ashley Walker, executive director of First 5 Napa County, described program outcomes: distribution of over 650 free car seats since August and nearly 11,000 books mailed to children under 5 through a Dolly Parton Imagination Library partnership (since June 2, 2025). Walker noted ongoing challenges: child care shortages, post-pandemic education setbacks and low local literacy benchmarks.

Earlier in the meeting a shelter representative introduced Theodore, an approximately 12-year-old cat whose owner passed away; shelter volunteers said he is spayed/neutered, recently had dental work, and adoption fees would be waived for immediate placement.

The proclamations were ceremonial; the council did not take formal policy action on any of the topics during this meeting, but staff and nonprofit representatives used the occasion to highlight upcoming events and community needs.