TO: Napa County Housing Commission
FROM: Jennifer Palmer, Executive Director
REPORT BY: Alex Carrasco, Project Manager
SUBJECT: Presentation on Central Air and Backup Power Options
RECOMMENDATION
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Presentation on Central Air and Backup Power Options with recommendations to staff.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Housing Commission capital improvement project ad-hoc committee identified River Ranch Center central air conditioning and backup power across all three farmworker centers as high priority needs. Staff have collaborated with Public Works contracted consultants to identify options for both projects. In August 2025, staff provided a report on backup power options to the Commission. Backup power remains on the five year capital improvement plan, however, funding remains a barrier for the project. The River Ranch Center, located in St. Helena, was constructed in 2002 and consists of two dorm wings for sixty (60) farmworkers (lodgers), three (3) staff apartments, and a cafeteria/community room. The buildings are constructed on concrete slab with radiant heating; however, no air conditioning is installed in any area. The walls are built of rammed earth with dual pane metal framed windows. The building architecture was designed to utilize convective air currents and prevailing breezes for summer cooling.
Today, staff from Lefler Engineering, Inc. will present their findings on potential solutions for River Ranch central air conditioning and staff from O’Mahony & Myer Consulting is available to answer questions on backup power for the three Centers.
PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS
1. Staff Report.
2. Public Comment.
3. Discussion and recommendations to staff.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA Guidelines section 15378 (14 CCR 15378) because the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect change to the environment.