Vallejo Weekly

Hello Vallejo,

September has arrived, ushering in the final stretch of summer and the last long weekend of the season. Even with a touch of early rainfall today, the forecast for the weekend looks warm and sunny, perfect for family barbecues, neighborhood gatherings, and time spent with friends. However you choose to enjoy the holiday, I encourage everyone to take a moment to reflect on the tremendous contributions of America’s workers and the significance of Labor Day in honoring their dedication.

Last week, I had the privilege of speaking at the August meeting of the NAACP. I shared reflections on my first 90 days here in Vallejo and offered a look ahead at the work and priorities that will guide us forward. The high level of civic engagement from residents and community leaders continues to impress and inspire me. Vallejo is a city full of passionate voices, and I look forward to deepening those conversations as we build partnerships to strengthen our community. Together, we can lay the groundwork for a better, more vibrant Vallejo.

Next Tuesday, September 8th, the City Council returns from its brief summer recess. At that meeting, the council will receive a comprehensive update from the Vallejo Police Department regarding the current status of the department and public safety efforts across the city. This is an important conversation, and it’s just one of many items on what promises to be a full and productive agenda. I encourage all residents to attend, participate, and make your voices heard. Local government works best when the community is actively involved.

As we head into the holiday weekend, I want to express my gratitude for the warm welcome I’ve received and for the continued collaboration emerging across Vallejo. Your engagement, your ideas, and your commitment to the city make a meaningful difference every day.

With Appreciation
Harry Black
Vallejo’s City Manager

City Manager Joins NAACP for Monthly Meeting and Community Recognition

City Manager Harry Black attended the Vallejo Branch NAACP’s monthly meeting on Thursday, August 27, 2026, serving as the evening’s guest speaker. During the gathering, he shared insights from his first 90 days in Vallejo. He highlighted early observations, key priorities, and his commitment to working alongside the community to move Vallejo forward. Attendees engaged in a thoughtful conversation about collaboration, civic engagement, and the path to a stronger, more unified city.

The evening also included a heartfelt celebration of Mother Billie Jean Tyson, honoring her remarkable service to the Vallejo community. The NAACP presented a resolution recognizing her many years of dedicated work with the Rescue Mission Church of God in Christ. Her contributions have left a lasting legacy, and the City Manager joined in acknowledging the profound impact she had on countless lives.

Vallejo Fire Department Strengthens Hazardous Materials Response Capabilities

When a hazardous materials emergency occurs, specialized training and coordinated response are critical to protecting the community. The Vallejo Fire Department has firefighters specially trained to respond to hazardous materials incidents, with members who serve on both the Solano County Hazardous Materials Team and the Napa County Interoperational Hazardous Materials Team.

These are separate regional teams, but they work in conjunction with one another and neighboring agencies when an incident requires specialized personnel, equipment, and expertise.

This regional approach gives Vallejo and surrounding communities access to a broader pool of highly trained hazardous materials specialists and allows agencies to coordinate their response to complex incidents.

Recently, Vallejo Fire Captain Whitney further expanded that expertise by attending Hazardous Materials Technologies: Sampling, Monitoring, and Detection (HT PER-261) at the federal Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) in Anniston, Alabama.

The intensive five-day course provided advanced, hands-on training for hazardous materials technicians in sampling, monitoring and detection during chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) incidents. Training included practical exercises designed to prepare responders for some of the most challenging hazardous materials scenarios.

For Vallejo Fire, continuing education like this is an important part of maintaining a high level of readiness. Through specialized training, participation in regional hazmat teams, and cooperation with neighboring agencies, Vallejo firefighters are prepared to bring additional expertise and resources to the scene when our community needs them most.

Hello Vallejo,

August is quickly winding down, but there’s still plenty happening before summer officially comes to an end.

The August Summer Nights series in downtown wraps up tonight, August 27. Come out, enjoy the evening, and support your local community.

This Saturday, August 28, City staff will be hosting an outreach tent at the Vallejo Farmers Market from 9 AM to 2 PM at the corner of Georgia and Marin Streets. Stop by, say hello, learn about current City initiatives, and share what’s on your mind.

Also on Saturday, the final Port of Cultures international market of the season will take place along Georgia Street from 11 AM to 8 PM. Expect shopping, demonstrations, cultural programming, and plenty of live music throughout the day.

This past weekend, Caltrans successfully completed the pavement rehabilitation of westbound Interstate 80 across the Carquinez Bridge. Over the course of 53 hours, crews removed and repaved the entire span and performed additional maintenance on the on-ramps between I‑780 and the bridge. Thank you, Caltrans, for a job well done.

Work continues along State Route 29/Sonoma Boulevard, where crews are finishing curbs and new traffic signals as they prepare for paving next month. The City of Vallejo is also advancing several major roadway projects in preparation for paving on multiple city routes. Both efforts are expected to be completed ahead of the wet winter season anticipated for our region. We will continue to keep the community updated as progress continues.

In this Weekly, we also shared an update on the first phase of the St. Peter’s Chapel renovation. It’s exciting to see this historic jewel beginning its restoration journey, with completion anticipated in 2027.

Enjoy this final week of August, and stay connected, Vallejo.

With Appreciation
Harry Black
Vallejo’s City Manager

Volunteers Needed for Solano County’s Annual Coastal Cleanup Day

This year’s Coastal Cleanup Day will mark forty-two years of communities all over California coming together to protect their local ecosystems by picking up litter on beaches and throughout inland waterways. Solano County will host 34 sites from 9 am to 12 pm on Saturday, September 19th. Volunteers can join their neighbors at any of these sites to clean up garbage and recycle littered beverage containers to make a difference in the health and well-being of their neighborhoods, as well as lessen human impact on our smaller waterways and the ocean.

There will be at least one site in all seven cities and unincorporated Solano County. Locations are listed at cleanupsolano.org, and some sites require or encourage pre-registration. Volunteers should bring gloves, a water bottle, sun protection, trash pickers, and buckets for collecting garbage and recyclables. Some sites will have these supplies on-hand, but to make this a low-waste event, volunteers are encouraged to bring their own.

Eighty percent of garbage in our oceans comes from inland sources, so this effort aims to decrease the damage done when oceans are disrupted by litter. Site captains and volunteers will record the trash and recyclable beverage containers collected, contributing to a decades-long data set that has helped policymakers institute methods of preventing marine debris, such as the plastic bag ban.

Last year’s volunteers collected more than 21,827 pounds of trash and 903 pounds of recyclable beverage containers made from plastic, aluminum, and glass. Robyn Slater, the coordinator for Solano County’s cleanups and Education Coordinator at Solano Resource Conservation District, challenged Solano County residents to beat that in 2026: “We have 34 sites around the county, and our site captains are energized. The more volunteers that come out, the more litter and recyclables we can collect! I bet we can surpass last year’s totals if volunteers bring their friends and family out for the morning.”

This year’s cleanup also coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Coastal Act, and volunteers will help carry forward its legacy of environmental protection. The California State Legislature passed the California Coastal Conservation Act on August 23, 1976, and according to the California Coastal Commission, it has allowed for generations of Californians to enjoy the “incomparable beauty, inspiration and joy of a healthy, vibrant coast.” The Coastal Act is responsible for preserving thousands of acres along California’s coast and ensuring public access to these areas through trails and accessways from the Oregon-to-Mexico borders.

Solano County’s Coastal Cleanup Day is coordinated by the Solano Resource Conservation District and funded by local wastewater agencies and the Cities and County of Solano. Visit the event website at cleanupsolano.org for a cleanup event location near you.

Revitalizing the Past: Restoration Work Begins at St. Peter’s Chapel

St. Peter’s Chapel, the beloved and historic landmark on Mare Island, was dedicated on October 13, 1901. As the first naval chapel in the Pacific, and now the oldest naval chapel in the United States, it holds a special place in Vallejo’s history. The chapel is also home to one of the largest collections of Tiffany stained glass windows under a single roof.

Over a century of exposure has left the chapel’s exterior siding in need of significant refurbishment, a project scheduled to begin later this year. The neighboring Admiral’s Mansion will undergo an exterior restoration at the same time, returning both of these historic structures to their former glory.

Before work on the exterior could begin, the Tiffany windows needed improved protection. The City of Vallejo provided funding for this critical first phase. The windows’ protective polycarbonate plastic coverings, now yellowed and faded after three decades, are being replaced with durable protective tempered glass laminate that will not discolor over time. This upgraded shield is essential to safeguard the windows from potential damage caused by scaffolding and construction crews during the upcoming siding rehabilitation.

The new protective glass has already enhanced the interior illumination of the windows, giving them a richer, more vivid glow.

Visit St. Peter’s Chapel and explore the deep history of Mare Island and its remarkable architecture. For more information on the buildings or to schedule a tour, contact the Mare Island Historic Park Foundation via their website at mihpf.org.

(If you right-click on the image below, you can open it in another window in a larger version)

Vallejo United Soccer Club Opens Fall Season in NorCal Premier League

Vallejo United Soccer Club is gearing up for an exciting fall season as they officially start the NorCal Premier League on August 22, bringing competitive youth soccer to players across multiple age groups and divisions. This season’s league schedule will take teams all around the Bay Area, with each age group placed into divisions that match their developmental and competitive levels.

The club enters the season well-prepared, thanks to a summer filled with scrimmage matches, structured play dates, and consistent training sessions. These warm-up opportunities gave players valuable game experience, built team chemistry, and reinforced core technical skills. Coaches report strong progress across all teams, setting high expectations for a successful season that is planned to run through November.

In addition to regular league play, Vallejo United squads will have the opportunity to compete in the prestigious NorCal Premier State Cup. This tournament showcases the top teams in each age group across Northern California, offering players a chance to test themselves against some of the strongest youth programs in the state.

Youth soccer participation has been steadily rising nationwide, especially following the recent excitement of the 2026 World Cup. The tournament highlighted both the growing passion for soccer in the United States and the ongoing importance of developing strong, community-based programs to help the country remain competitive on the global stage.

With momentum building locally and nationally, Vallejo United enters the fall season with enthusiasm, a solid foundation, and a commitment to helping young athletes grow in the game.

Whether your child is eager to join a competitive team or wants to enjoy recreational soccer, Vallejo United Soccer Club offers opportunities for all skill levels. Visit vallejounitedsc.com to learn more and get involved with the vibrant soccer community.

Learn more about the club here: https://www.vallejounitedsc.com/

Calling All Creatives, Event Pros, and Local Business Champions!

The City of Vallejo is gearing up for an exciting year—and we want you to be part of it. We’re officially seeking proposals for fresh, innovative programming to power our Shop Vallejo initiative for 2026–2027!

This is your chance to help shape vibrant community events that spotlight Vallejo’s local retailers and restaurants, boost economic vitality, and bring our 2024 Economic Development Strategic Plan to life. Whether you're an experienced event producer, a creative visionary, or a business-minded innovator with a passion for community, we’re ready to hear your ideas.

Have a concept that can energize Vallejo’s business community?
A bold event that will draw people in?
A creative way to elevate local shops and eateries?
Let’s make it happen—together.

Questions regarding the RFP are due by August 31, 2026

Proposal Deadline:
Submit electronically via the City of Vallejo’s PlanetBids Vendor Portal:
https://vendors.planetbids.com/portal/42510/bo/bo-detail/145068

Due no later than 3:00 PM (Pacific) on September 16, 2026.
(Late submissions cannot be accepted.)

Let’s build something unforgettable for Vallejo. Your ideas could spark the next big moment for our local economy!

David Cole, Natalie Peterson, and Julian Leon

City Crew’s Initiative Leads to A Safe Reunion

On Tuesday, August 11, a City of Vallejo team was conducting an encampment abatement project when a quick decision led to an unexpected and heartwarming outcome. Public Works staff members Julian Leon and David Cole, Assistant to the City Manager lead Natalie Peterson, and three officers from the Vallejo Police Department, were wrapping up their assigned work when Julian suggested checking a smaller, hard‑to‑see area nearby.

That extra step made all the difference.

While surveying the spot, the team encountered a young woman whom Natalie recognized from social media posts as a potential missing person. After speaking with the Vallejo Police officers, the team confirmed her identity and was able to safely reunite her with her family. IHART also reported to the location to support the young woman and offer services and comfort while awaiting reunification.

Julian’s initiative and the team’s collaboration turned a routine assignment into a moment of genuine impact, bringing a loved one home and offering a family much needed relief and gratitude. The family expressed heartfelt appreciation for the City team’s compassionate work and dedication.

A small decision, a big outcome—thank you to everyone involved for going above and beyond for our community.

City of Vallejo Receives $100,000 CalRecycle Grant to Remove Illegally Dumped Waste Tires

The City of Vallejo has been awarded $100,000 from the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) to support the removal of illegally dumped and stockpiled waste tires throughout the community. The project will focus on heavily impacted public roads, rights-of-way, vacant lots, and other public lands where illegal tire dumping poses public health, safety, and environmental concerns.

Priority will be given to locations where waste tires pose significant risks and sites located near residential neighborhoods, schools, industrial areas, and other community facilities. Tires collected through the project will be transported by permitted waste tire haulers to approved end-use facilities for proper processing and recycling.

The grant will support the City's ongoing efforts to address illegal dumping, improve neighborhood conditions, protect public health and safety, and reduce environmental hazards associated with improperly discarded tires. The project also advances Vallejo's commitment to maintaining cleaner public spaces and promoting responsible waste management throughout the community.