Town of Yountville
Staff Report
6550 Yount Street
Yountville, CA 94599
Agenda Item #: 12A
Yountville Town Council Staff Report
DATE: September 15, 2026
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Ken MacNab, Interim Town Manager
Celia King, Administrative Services Director
PREPARED BY: Ken MacNab, Interim Town Manager
Celia King, Administrative Services Director
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt Resolution Number 26-4441 appointing and approving an employment agreement with the Town Manager.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
Recruitment Process
The Town Manager position became vacant on May 1, 2026. The Town Council by adoption of Resolution Number 26-4411 appointed Ken MacNab to serve as the Interim Town Manager “for a period commencing on May 5, 2026, until the hiring of a Town Manager or through September 30, 2026, whichever occurs first, under the CalPERS Annuitant Employment Agreement and consistent with the requirements of Government Code section 21221, subd. (h).”
At the Town Council meeting on June 2, 2026, the Town Council selected Ralph Andersen & Associates to lead the recruitment process for a regular full-time Town Manager. At the end of June, materials were published announcing the recruitment and soliciting the submittal of applications on or before July 24, 2026.
Per the direction of the Town Council, Ralph Andersen & Associates conducted extensive and follow up community engagement efforts during the month of July 2026. These efforts included an on-line community survey (49 responses), a public input email address (13 emails received), and two community listening sessions:
one for residents and one for businesses. 53 residents took part in the resident listening session, and 10 business representatives took part in the business listening session. The recruiter also conducted one-on-one interviews with the largest private employers in Town, the Town’s Department Heads, and individual Town Council Members. A summary of comments received during the community engagement process is provided as Attachment 4 to this report and was discussed at a previous Town Council meeting, too.
At the close of the application period, a total of forty two applications were received. During the month of August, the Town Council reviewed the applications and selected six candidates to be interviewed. Two of the six candidates advanced for a final interview in late August. After this extensive recruitment process, the Town Council unanimously selected Ms. Heather Abrams as their top candidate.
Ms. Abrams is an experienced and highly regarded Town Manager known for collaboration and integrity. Until appointment to the Town Manager position in Yountville, she served as Fairfax’s Town Manager for the last four years and excels in strategic planning, municipal budget management, recruiting and retaining highly effective staff, supporting a diverse coalition of Council Members, and engaging the community on matters of interest and concern including development projects. Her educational background includes a B.A. from the University of California at Berkeley and a M.B.A. from California State University Monterey Bay. She also received a Harvard Kennedy School Executive Certificate in Public Leadership and is an ICMA (International City/County Management Association) Credentialed Manager.
Current Need for a Town Manager
The selection of a Town Manager is one of the most important responsibilities of the Town Council, requiring an understanding of local government operations, public administration, personnel management, and the often complex interplay between political, regulatory, and community interests. Under the Council-Manager form of government, which the Town follows, the Town Manager is the administrative head of the Town government, carrying out the policy decisions of the Town Council and overseeing all Town operations. With the permanent, full-time position vacant since May 1, 2026, any delay in the appointment would impede the Town’s operations and initiatives for another six to eight months, leaving the community and Town staff without a person exercising the critical duties of Town Manager.
Filling the position now recognizes the vital importance of this position to Town operations and provides stability and continuity in the months ahead, including for several important matters to be considered by the Town Council. These include a strategic planning and goal setting workshop scheduled for February 2027 with planning currently underway; negotiation of new labor agreements with employee bargaining units in spring 2027; ongoing discussions about the Yountville Commons property; and initiation of a water and wastewater rate study. The appointment of the Town Manager is needed to ensure these, and other initiatives, stay on track and to ensure effective management and uninterrupted service to the community.
Delaying the appointment would postpone important decisions, increase the burden on existing staff, and risk losing a highly qualified candidate identified through a competitive recruitment process.
Appointment and Approval of Employment Agreement
The Town Council must formally make the appointment and approve the employment agreement for this position. The Resolution attached to this staff report accomplishes both. Mayor Mohler and Council Member Trippe served as the Town’s primary negotiators in negotiating the terms of the employment with Ms. Abrams.
The employment agreement includes terms consistent with past employment agreements with Town Managers as well as the ability for Ms. Abrams to borrow from the Town up to $750,000 to purchase a primary residence within the first twelve months of employment. The loan’s interest rate will be set at 1% more than what the Town could otherwise earn on its investments, making this arrangement beneficial for both the Town and Ms. Abrams:
The Town will earn a higher return than it otherwise would be able to investing the funds, and Ms. Abrams receives a more affordable interest rate in a competitive and costly housing market. The loan also ensures that Ms. Abrams will be able to reside in or as close to Town as possible to better serve the community.
Pursuant to the Brown Act, an oral report regarding the salary, salary schedule, and compensation paid in the form of fringe benefits will be made during the meeting and prior to the Town Council taking final action.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Exempt per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guideline, Section 15061(b)(3) as an activity that has no potential for significant effect on the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
Is there a Fiscal Impact? Yes
Is it Currently Budgeted? Yes
Where is it Budgeted? General Fund Operating Departments Salary and Benefits Budget Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? Mandatory
Is there a Staff Resource Impact? No
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution Number 26-4441
2. Exhibit A to Resolution Number 26-4441 – Employment Agreement
3. Employment Agreement Conditions for Housing Assistance
4. Summary of Comments Received from Community Engagement Efforts
5. Public Comment Received Prior to Agenda Publishing