Town of Yountville
Staff Report
6550 Yount Street
Yountville, CA 94599
Agenda Item #: 13A
Yountville Town Council Staff Report
DATE: August 4, 2026
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Hilary Gaede, Communications Director/ Town Clerk PREPARED BY: Hilary Gaede, Communications Director/ Town Clerk
RECOMMENDATION
Receive the Town Manager Recruitment Community Engagement Summary.
DISCUSSION/BACKGROUND
To support the recruitment of the Town's next Town Manager, the Town engaged Ralph Andersen & Associates to conduct a community engagement process. The purpose of the engagement was to gather input from residents, businesses, community organizations, and Town staff regarding the qualities and experience desired in the next Town Manager, and the key issues facing the community.
The Town promoted the community engagement opportunities through a variety of communication channels to maximize public awareness and participation. Information about the listening sessions, online survey, and opportunities to provide written comments was shared through Town press releases, the Yountville Connection newsletter, the Town website, the Town's social media channels, and calendar event email notifications. Collectively, these outreach efforts were intended to provide broad public awareness and multiple avenues for participation, recognizing that community members engage with Town communications through different platforms.
The community engagement process was conducted during June and July 2026 through five engagement methods designed to provide multiple opportunities for participation and feedback. These included:
• Business and Hospitality Listening Session held on July 13, 2026, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., attended by 10 participants representing the local business and hospitality community, in addition to two members of the media. Approximately 90 invitations were distributed in advance of the session. • Resident and Community Listening Session held on July 13, 2026, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., attended by 53 community members, in addition to one member of the media. Approximately 27 invitations were distributed in advance of the session.
• Individual stakeholder interviews conducted between June 29 and July 8, 2026, including meetings with Thomas Keller, representing Thomas Keller Restaurant Group; Gary Jabara, representing The Estate Yountville; Natalie Leighton, Executive Director of the Yountville Chamber of Commerce; and community member Carrie Hays. Outreach was also conducted to Robin Chambers, who declined to participate, and Holly Holtzen of the Veterans Home of California, from whom no response was received.
• An online community survey, which received 49 responses. • A dedicated public input email, which received 13 written submissions totaling 13 pages of comments. • Department Head engagement, with participation from all five Town Department Heads, who provided input primarily on the leadership qualities and management attributes desired in the Town's next executive leader.
Each engagement method was intended to capture perspectives from different segments of the community.
Listening sessions provided opportunities for facilitated discussion with residents and the business community, while individual interviews gathered input from major employers, community organizations, and other stakeholders. The online survey and dedicated public comment email allowed additional opportunities for participation by those unable to attend the listening sessions, and Department Head engagement focused primarily on the leadership qualities and management attributes desired in the Town's next executive leader.
The consultant noted that participation in the survey and engagement activities was voluntary and selfselected rather than randomly sampled. Accordingly, the results should not be interpreted as statistically representative of the community as a whole. Rather than presenting individual comments, the report synthesizes recurring themes identified across all engagement methods, and comments are paraphrased rather than quoted verbatim.
Across all engagement methods, participants consistently emphasized the importance of recruiting a collaborative, transparent, and experienced municipal leader with integrity, humility, strong communication skills, emotional intelligence, and the ability to build trust across the community. Stakeholders also expressed a desire for a candidate with demonstrated experience in municipal budgeting, land use and development, organizational leadership, and working effectively with elected officials and community stakeholders.
Participants identified several key issues they believe will require the next Town Manager's attention. The Yountville Commons project emerged as the most frequently cited issue across every stakeholder group, followed by affordable and workforce housing, rebuilding community trust, fiscal sustainability, Council dynamics, economic vitality, strengthening relationships with the Veterans Home community, and maintaining transparent community engagement.
The Community Engagement Summary also includes a compilation of suggested interview questions developed from community input. The recommendations are organized around five primary themes: the Yountville Commons, conflict and crisis management, motivation and fit for the position, leadership style, and verification of the candidate's track record and prior experience. These recommendations will assist the Town Council in evaluating candidates during the interview process.
The Community Engagement Summary is presented to the Town Council as part of the ongoing Town Manager recruitment process. The report documents the public engagement conducted by the executive recruitment consultant and summarizes the recurring themes identified through that process. The findings will be used to help inform candidate evaluation and the Town Council's interview process.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Exempt per California Environmental Act (CEQA) Guideline, Section 15061(b)(3) as an activity that has no potential for causing a significant effect on the environment.
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
ATTACHMENTS
1. Town Manager Recruitment Community Engagement Summary