Town of Yountville
Staff Report
6550 Yount Street
Yountville, CA 94599
Agenda Item #: 11C
Yountville Town Council Staff Report
DATE: August 5, 2025
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Brad Raulston, Town Manager
PREPARED BY: John Ferons, Public Works Director
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt Resolution Number 25-4382 authorizing the Town Manager to release a Request for Qualifications from design-build entities to qualify to provide design-build services for the Yountville Commons Civic & WorkforceHousing Design-Build Program.
DISCUSSION/BACKGROUND
At the June 17th Town Council meeting, Council adopted Resolution No. 25-4371 authorizing use of the “designbuild” contracting method as permitted under California Public Contract Code section 22160 et seq. This method gives the Town significant flexibility to deliver a complex, community-focused program such as the Yountville Commons with greater efficiency, collaboration, and accountability than traditional methods like design-bid-build.
For informational purposes, a primer on design-build project delivery is an attachment to this Staff Report.
The design-build approach shifts the contractual structure from two separate contracts (design and construction) into a single point of responsibility - the Design-Builder. This unified team works with the Town from early design through final completion, enabling early contractor involvement, real-time cost validation, fast-tracking of critical path work, and better alignment with community objectives like sustainability and workforce housing integration.
Key characteristics of this approach include:
• Early collaboration between designer and builder to reduce delays and change orders. • Design-to-budget integration, enabling scope refinement prior to setting a guaranteed maximum price. • Streamlined procurement, emphasizing qualifications, project approach, and best value - not just lowest price.
• Risk mitigation, by aligning deliverables and resolving issues through structured team engagement and dispute avoidance processes.
To identify the best-qualified team(s), the staff is seeking authorization to assemble and release a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) in accordance with industry best practices. The RFQ outlines the Town’s expectations regarding:
• Project scope, budget, and design excellence goals.
• Key evaluation criteria including technical expertise, team organization, past performance, financial capacity, and order of magnitude cost and timelines for similar size/scale projects. • Process milestones, including shortlist selection, proposal phase, interviews, and final award.
A template document is attached to this Staff Report to provide context to the content and appearance of the RFQ to be released along with a general outline of the recommended minimum requirements to be included in the RFQ. If authorized by the Town Council.
If authorized by the Town Council, the RFQ will be released, and Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) will be received in the month of August. In September, a staff-led Qualifications Panel will evaluate submittals and create a shortlist of design-build entities suited to potentially assist the Town with the various stages/phases of the Yountville Commons Project. The Qualifications Panel will consist of the following:
• Town Manager Brad Raulston
• Architect/Planner Brendan Kelly of Kelly Morgan Architects • Consulting Project Manager Sean Grinnell of Pound Management • Town Public Works Director John Ferons
• Chairpersons of the three advisory Committees (or their designated assignees) o Zoning and Design Review Board, Stephen Miller
o Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, Alan Tenscher o Measure S Oversight Committee, Lisa Bertolucci
Once the Town Council approves funding, the shortlisted firms will be invited to respond to a Request for Proposals (RFP), which could be issued for the various stages and phases of project development. Proposals will then be evaluated based on best value, considering not just price, but functionality, lifecycle cost, and alignment with Town objectives for each stage of development. Those stages include but are not limited to:
• Horizontal Stage
o Demolition, grading, underground utilities
• Vertical Stage
o Construction of the various structures throughout the site o Parcelization allows for transfer of ownership to other stakeholders (developers, owners etc.) To summarize, design-build provides the Town greater flexibility by using a process that will allow delivery of the highest quality product for a project such as the Yountville Commons. One of the most important ways for the Town to achieve success with a project such as the Yountville Commons, is selecting a design-builder who is best suited to perform the work for any stage/phase of the development. The RFQ represents the first step in delivering a transformational project that aligns with community priorities around sustainability, housing affordability, and civic engagement.
The attached Resolution, if approved, would authorize the Town Manager to release a Request for Qualifications from Design Build Entities interested in providing design-build services for the Yountville Commons Design-Build Program.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Exempt per California Environmental Act (CEQA) Guideline, Section 15061(b)(3).
FISCAL IMPACT
Is there a Fiscal Impact? Yes
Is it Currently Budgeted? Yes
Where is it Budgeted? CIP Projects CF-0046 (50-6000-5300) Yountville Commons & MS-0046 (71-6000-5300) Yountville Commons Measure S
Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? Discretionary
Is there a Staff Resource Impact? Nominal
STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL
Is item Identified in Strategic Plan? Yes
If yes, Identify Strategic Goal and Objective. Engaged Residents: The Town embraces our residents' commitment to community as seen through volunteerism, civic engagement, and public participation that enhances the quality of life in Yountville. Responsible Fiscal Policy: The Town maintains its fiscal health through policies designed to maximize economic opportunities, manage expenses, and ensure prudent reserves.
Briefly Explain Relationship to Strategic Plan Goal and Objective. The RFQ represents the first step in delivering a transformational project that aligns with community priorities around sustainability, housing affordability, and civic engagement. The design-build process offers a strategic opportunity to streamline delivery while upholding design excellence and fiscal responsibility.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution No 25-4382
2. Primer-Project-Delivery
3. Draft RFQ
4. Draft Minimum RFQ Requirements