Mayor Dunbar has come to us over many years (12 to be exact) reminding us of our community of Yountville and all our accomplishments. Below is his last State of the Town address as he moves on.
My State of the Town address one year ago focused on how unconventional 2020 had been, with the COVID-19 outbreak, social and racial justice elevating in our awareness across the country, and catastrophic wildfires once again impacting our sense of safety and security in Napa County.
Reflecting on 2021, we did not break free from the global public health crisis, and we continued to witness incidents that remind us we have much more work ahead to achieve equity and justice for all.
This past year, we did, thankfully, avoid a repeat of the wildfires that have taken lives, damaged property and threatened our livelihoods in recent years.
What stands out to me this year is that, more than ever, we need to be prepared for more than what we used to consider normal.
We need to think creatively and collaboratively about how we maintain the charm, personality and success of our community.
At the same time, we should embrace the ongoing evolution of Yountville that has respected our heritage, provides for us today, and will shape our future.
If all this sounds especially reflective and even philosophical, it’s because when I started to think about the state of our town, I realized this will be my last such address as I serve my 12th year as Mayor and 18th year on the Town Council.
It’s causing me to reflect on more than just the previous calendar year.
I’m saving a more complete retrospective for another time, but I’m proud of the many accomplishments Yountville has achieved during my tenure through collaboration with residents, elected colleagues, Town staff, our business leaders, and local government advocacy organizations.
Last year, I concluded my years in leadership on the League of California Cities Board of Directors during which I was able to include my Town, County and North Bay colleagues in advocacy and policy discussions that benefitted all of us.
Being actively engaged in the legislative process and to have access to timely and relevant information through Cal Cities helped us protect and serve our residents and business owners during some of the most challenging times we’ve ever experienced.
Last year, out of 482 California cities, only the Town of Yountville was projected by the State Auditor to receive insufficient stimulus funds and tax dollars to cover COVID-19 related revenue losses. All other cities were made whole through a combination of federal COVID-19 relief and tax funding.
Despite that dire analysis, Yountville remained in a healthy financial position due largely to our long-term fiscal management and rapid economic recovery in our core lodging and hospitality sectors. Our Council worked together last year to lead our Napa County partners with several economic support initiatives.
The Town also avoided cuts to programs, services and staffing that plagued most other cities.
We were able to continue serving our entire community – without interruption – in every circumstance.
Residents and local organizations rose to the occasion during the public health crisis last year as well. In particular, I worked closely with our Town staff, County elected officials and staff, Yountville Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Whitney Diver McEvoy, resident and winery owner Lydia Mondavi, Glen Newhart of St. Helena Hospital Foundation and County health officials to help set up testing and vaccination clinics, and to get much-needed information out to the public in a timely manner.
Many of our community members volunteered over several months staffing these clinics to help keep us healthy and safe.
We avoided a new environmental disaster in 2021, but we continue to manage drought conditions even after more than 11 inches of record rainfall during one October weekend alone.
The Town invested more into refurbishing Yountville Community Park, including new parking and a new public restroom, which provided additional benefit to local families and others who found enjoyment using the park amenities.
The installation of the Hopper Creek pedestrian bridge connected the last puzzle piece to complete our town-wide pathway system.
The Napa Valley Museum – Yountville finally reopened after an extended closure due to the pandemic. Unfortunately, the neighboring Lincoln Theater remains dark due to the pandemic and CalVet lease issues.
In our own Yountville family, we celebrated the well-earned retirements of Public Works Director Joe Tagliaboschi, Planning & Building Director Sandra Liston and Town Clerk Michelle Dahme. We welcomed John Ferons, Kirsty Shelton and new father Eddy Gomez, who were hired to take over those positions.
We honored the careers of Yountville Sergeant John Hallman and Napa County Sheriff John Robertson upon their retirements after decades of protecting and serving us.
We added new businesses despite the difficult economic times, including North Block Restaurant, Regiis Ova Caviar and Champagne Lounge, Tina Stephens women’s boutique, Cornerstone Cellars wine tasting, and Divine Chakra Spa.
Yountville Community Church reopened after a three-year renovation.
As happens every Sept. 11th morning, our community came together in front of our World Trade Center Memorial to remember the lives lost and people forever changed by the terrorist attacks 20 years ago in lower Manhattan, in a Pennsylvania field and at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
In a typical year, our media attention mainly is focused on our world-renowned food, wine, hospitality, art and natural beauty. However, Yountville repeatedly found itself in the national spotlight in 2021 thanks in part to a highly-scrutinized California Governor’s dinner at a local restaurant and the opportunism of some of his subsequent recall election opponents.
Now, looking ahead, Yountville will look – and will be – different in 2022.
As early as this first day of February, a new member of our community was expected to be appointed to fill a vacated Council seat for the next 10 months.
In November, as many as three members on the Town Council could change, and a new Mayor will emerge to lead our Town for the first time since 2010.
The construction of a new $269 million, 240-bed Skilled Nursing Facility at the California Veterans Home is on the verge of breaking ground. It will provide an elevated and modern level of care to our worthy servicemembers.
New housing that could prioritize supporting military veterans and Veterans Home caregivers grows closer to reality after years of thoughtful discussion involving Town officials and representatives of key state agencies.
We await the leadership and ideas new owner Gary Jabara will bring to revitalize the 22-acre Estate Yountville property that covers much of the west side of town.
Yountville continues to enjoy a strong financial position that affords us the ability to invest in capital projects, support our local business sectors, advance environmental initiatives, expand our art scene and provide myriad low cost and free programs, activities and services for our residents.
I also dare to say that because the fiscal health and quality of life we enjoy has been sustained for so many years – despite a global public health crisis, record wildfires, drought and other challenges – some might think it’s easy, or to be expected, or underappreciated all that we have and have accomplished.
This year, with the challenges we know and new one’s we will face, we might find out just how hard it is to make it look easy.
Without question, though, our continued success and high quality of life will require, as it always has, the hard work and dedication of our town leadership and staff, along with the collaboration and engagement of our residents and business leaders.
I look forward to continue being a part of that effort again in 2022.
Thank you.