Town of Yountville
Staff Report
6550 Yount Street
Yountville, CA 94599
Agenda Item #: 5A
Yountville Town Council Staff Report
DATE: October 20, 2026
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Hilary Gaede, Communications Director/ Town Clerk PREPARED BY: Kami Noriega, CMC, Deputy Town Clerk/Records Coordinator
RECOMMENDATION
Applicant interviews for the Yountville Community Foundation to fill two (2) expiring terms.
DISCUSSION/BACKGROUND
The Town Council will interview the applicants listed below and consider the appointment of two members to the Yountville Community Foundation (YCF). The Town Council Handbook outlines the procedure as follows:
The Town Council will interview applicants at one or more meetings during which each applicant will be evaluated by considering qualifications and performance during the interview(s). To ensure a fair and transparent process, each Council Member is required to indicate their preferred applicant utilizing a ballot system. At the same or future meeting, the Town Council will consider appointing the applicant(s) receiving the highest number of ballots. In the event two or more applicants receive an equal number of ballots (“tied applicants”) and there are fewer vacancies than tied applicants, the Council will resolve the tie by holding another round of balloting exclusively among the tied applicants. At the same or future meeting, the Town Council will consider appointing the applicant(s) receiving the highest number of ballots. In the event the number of applicants equals the number of vacancies, the Town Council may waive the interviews and make the appointments based on the applicants' qualifications. This allows the Town Council to promptly fill available positions while ensuring all selected candidates meet the qualifications for their respective roles. All ballots shall be disclosable public records.
An application was received from one incumbent member:
Majel Arnold
Additional applications were received from:
Sangeeta Marwaha
Cynthia Morgan (withdrew application)
Susan Wiechers
Applicant Cynthia Morgan withdrew her application on October 16, 2026. In accordance with the Board, Committee & Commission Member Handbook, Cynthia Morgan will no longer be considered, and the withdrawal has been documented.
Applications were submitted through the Town’s online portal during the recruitment period. However, because of prolonged technical difficulties, including two unresolved support tickets with the third-party vendor, staff are unable to access or download the submitted applications for inclusion as attachments to this staff report. Before the technical difficulties arose, staff reviewed each application upon receipt and confirmed that each applicant met the minimum qualifications to serve on the YCF. The Town Council’s interview questions cover information provided by the applicants in their applications and include additional technical questions.
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