Agenda Item #: 12A
Yountville Town Council Staff Report
DATE: October 20, 2026
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Samantha Holland, Parks & Recreation Director and John Ferons, Public Works Director & Interim Town Manager PREPARED BY: Samantha Holland, Parks & Recreation Director
RECOMMENDATION
Receive report and provide direction on the Year-Round Town Lighting Program.
DISCUSSION/BACKGROUND
In October of 2025, the Town entered into an agreement with Stafford Lights to purchase and install town-wide lighting that included installation on Town trees, buildings, walkways, and bridges. Except for the holiday sparklers and balls, the lights have remained on since the 2025 Town and Tree Lighting event.
The original installation included the purchase, installation, and a year of maintenance through the end of 2026 for the lights on the trees along Washington Street, at Town Hall and the Yountville Commons, as well as the Hopper Creek bridge at the French Laundry Garden and Villagio Vineyard. The installation included permanent lighting on the Yountville Commons, Town Hall, and Community Center buildings, as well as the walkway wall in front of Bardessono on Yount Street and the two bridges. The tree lights were installed with cabling that is conducive to year-round use while caring for the tree's health. The cabling is designed to stretch for normal tree growth. The system also provides an app-based system to monitor, change, and turn the lighting on and off or set timers for the time of year.
After a few months of regular maintenance and updates to the system, the lighting has been consistently working throughout Town. The contractor comes to Town monthly to perform maintenance, and Town staff provide feedback on issues that occur.
The cost of power for the lighting is nominal as they are all LED’s and are only on for limited hours each day.
The cost to continue an annual contract for the lighting as is would be approximately $25,000 - $30,000 per year.
This would include a budget for replacement cost of lights as needed, annual maintenance, and support for the tree lighting event.
Staff are asking for feedback on the following:
1. Should we continue to light the Town 365 days a year? If not, what is the preferred lighting schedule?
2. If the consensus direction is to not light the Town year-round, should the buildings, bridges, and the Yount Street wall continue to be lit year-round with trees turned off?
3. For either option, should any changes be made to the lighting as it is currently installed? Please keep in mind that there are some limitations on installation sites due to power access.
Based on the Town Council feedback and direction, staff will conduct begin the appropriate procurement process and return to the Town Council with a budget adjustment for the ongoing maintenance, as it was not previously included in the 26-27 budget. This contract would begin in 2027 when the current agreement ends.
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? Yes
Is it Currently Budgeted? No
Where is it Budgeted? N/A
Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? Discretionary
Is there a Staff Resource Impact? Nominal