Town of Yountville
Staff Report
6550 Yount Street
Yountville, CA 94599
Agenda Item #: {{section.number}}A
Yountville Town Council Staff Report
DATE: March 5, 2024
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Brad Raulston, Town Manager
PREPARED BY: Brad Raulston, Town Manager
RECOMMENDATION
Approve recommendation to submit letter to the California Public Utilities Commission on behalf of the Town Council regarding AT&T landlines in Yountville.
DISCUSSION/BACKGROUND
The Council functions as a unified entity, requiring individual Council Members to adhere to established communication protocols outlined in the Town Council Handbook. The established procedure states, “The Council acts as a body and it is important that individual Council Members understand general guidelines when communicating on behalf of the Council or Town. On occasion, Council Members may wish to communicate about an issue on which the Council has not yet taken a position or for which the Council has no position. In these cases, the Council Member should be mindful of their role and make it clear that they are expressing a personal view, rather than that of the Council. Members of Council will often be requested to correspond with residents, businesses, and public agencies. Such correspondence might be a response to an inquiry, a reference for an individual or business, etc. In the case of communicating the Town’s position on a policy matter, the Town Manager will generally handle such correspondence. It is appropriate for the Council to use Town letterhead, email addresses, and Council titles when sending correspondence that communicates official Town business.
Council Members may request staff support from the Town Manager to prepare and send such correspondence.
Town letterhead, email, staff support, and postage may not be used for personal or political purposes.” The letter before Town Council today is addressed to the California Public Utilities Commission and highlights the importance of AT&T landline services for the safety and well-being of residents in the Town of Yountville.
The letter emphasizes that during various life-threatening situations such as earthquakes, fires, power outages, and storms, landlines may be the only reliable means of communication when internet and cell phone services falter. Yountville relies heavily on landlines due to the area's unreliable cell service and discontinuing AT&T landline services poses significant risks. Additionally, the letter underscores the need to balance technological advancements with the needs of vulnerable populations and emphasizes the indispensable role of landlines in ensuring community safety during emergencies.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Exempt per California Environmental Act (CEQA) Guideline, Section 15061(b)(3)
FISCAL IMPACT
Is there a Fiscal Impact? No
Is it Currently Budgeted? N/A
Where is it Budgeted? N/A
Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? Discretionary
Is there a Staff Resource Impact? No
STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL
Is item Identified in Strategic Plan? Yes
If yes, Identify Strategic Goal and Objective. Quality of Life: The Town enhances the livability of Yountville by providing well-maintained public facilities, parks, and trails, and quality programs and events.
Briefly Explain Relationship to Strategic Plan Goal and Objective. Infrastructure such as landlines plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and well-being of residents during emergencies.