I was on the Town’s YouTube channel six minutes before the start time of 3 pm, ready to start typing rapidly, not to miss a word. And I waited and waited. How appropriate that almost a full 12 months into our learning curve for using Zoom that the meeting had been delayed by over 40 mins because of “technical difficulties.” Both computer and sound. And at 3:43 pm, the Town Council was ready to talk… and boy did they.
Mayor Dunbar gave his State of the Town address and took us all back to what seems a lifetime ago, January 2020. And as we were reminded of the many ‘adversities” that affected us all here in Yountville (which I refuse to recap), the Mayor reminded us of all the positives as we move forward. Housing opportunities, infrastructure work that is moving forward, prospects for the school property, collaborations, and a renewed volunteer spirit. “The evolution of our small town has served us extremely well. We will need to rely on that…”. The positive tones are what we will all focus on.
Both budget dissuasions were expected and maybe, not as bad as expected. December 2020 Sales tax and TOT (occupancy tax) lagged, with Property tax on track for previous years. Decrease projected Sales Tax revenue by $100,000 and decrease estimated TOT revenue for FY 2020/2021 by $1,000,000. As Director of Finance, Cecilia King stated, “Equipped to mitigate the effects of COVID 19 on this year”. And the belief is that not all of the Revenue Stabilization Budget will be needed. Much discussion was had on Public Comment concerning a hiring freeze for the position on the Planning Dept. With a full explanation from the Town Manager, this entry-level position covers many duties, and with the current rewriting of the ZODO (zoning design ordinance)amongst other job duties, this position is needed. We were reminded that three permanent part-time jobs are remaining vacant, and this planning position will be open three to four months, freeing up that money for that time frame.
Then the Council turned towards the future and began the first steps in the budget process for fiscal 2021/2022. The main words used at this time are “uncertainty” & “preliminary.” I have attached the reports below so you can see the numbers for yourself. Start your understanding of the budget process! There was a question from the public concerning making more details available for this process. Here you go: the next two meetings are Wednesday, May 5, and Wednesday, May 19, both at 9:30 am. A full agenda with the specific items from the budget discussed will be released seven to ten days before the meetings. And as I have mentioned, The Yountvillian will be doing an overview of the budget to go into the process with your eyes wide open.
I must tell you at this point that the meeting was not over until 8:48 pm!
The CPI presentation from the Public Works Director , Joe T, for 2021 into 2026 was very informative and helpful. There are some grant opportunities for the Town and the fact that Measure T and the Gas Tax provide over $650,000 in pavement and concrete work for our community. Also, over $455,000 has been deferred for fiscal 2021/2022.
The Town is getting a new electric trolley to replace the current outdated one. The art piece Slingshot, directly infant of the Community Centerhas been donated to the Town by the artist.
Leafblowers will be banned from our Town limits as of July 1. The Town has put together an extensive incentive program for both commercial and residents in Yountville. Up to $150 for a residential application and $350 for multiple commercial uses. The Town is working on extensive outreach and education for everyone. The Council discussed the budget line item at length, with $30,000 being utilized for this program. After much input, the Mayor summed it up with, … this “financial commitment is to a sizable benefit.”
That leaves us with 2080 Humboldt St and the increase of employees, which meant a rise in parking requirement. The current code states that there is one parking spot for every 300 sq st of office space. That equates to five spots for this property plus one spot for the residence. The applicant was asking for nine employees, which meant nine parking spots. Staff report could adjust to seven based on the findings. I can assure you we all learned about Use Permits and the types of Uses allowed in Yountville and what that means for this location and other commercial locations. The Vice Mayor, Kerri Dorman, made a motion to accept all the findings and allow the seven parking spots which received a second. Councilmember Mohler made a substitute motion for only six spots with an emphasis on best effort to rent the residential unit and monthly payroll reporting to keep track of employee count. This substitute motion also included providing no more than two employee spots on the street. Councilmember Mohler’s substitute motion passed 3-2 with Councilmembers Knight and Dorenbecher voting in agreement.
And that my local community members is it, in a nutshell. Do not hesitate to reach out to me, or comment with any questions. There is plenty more in my notes.
Feb. 10th Update:
This post is a follow up to the Town Council meeting on Tuesday, February 2, regarding:
9.PUBLIC HEARINGS. A. USE PERMIT AMENDMENT REQUEST – DEMEINE ESTATES Consider Adoption of Resolution Number 21-4033 for Use Permit Amendment for a professional office use at 2080 Humboldt Street for a maximum of seven (7) employees.
The Council passed and adopted Resolution Number 21-4033Approving a Use Permit Amendment for a Professional Office Use at 2080 Humboldt Street (APN: 036-061-013) for a maximum of six (6) employees.
Councilmember Mohler’s substitute motion passed 3-2 with Councilmembers Knight and Dorenbecher voting in agreement. I have included the full Resolution here so that the community can see the Conditions of Approval for the Use Permit and the Recitals and that lead the Council to this point. There are six items under the Recitals that are a timeline and nexus to the decisions. The Town of Yountville hereby approves the USE PERMIT for the Project subject to the following conditions of approval: The professional office use shall be limited to a maximum employee count of six (6) people. The Permittee shall retain a CASp specialist to determine if the van-accessible space can be moved to Humboldt Street adjacent to the subject property in a consistent manner with the Town’s General Plan and Design Standards and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and its implementing regulations. If so, space shall be designed and constructed at the Permittee’s expense. Additionally, the off-site rental fee noted in (C) below and the maximum number of employees that may park off-site as indicated in (D) below shall be reduced to one (1) vehicle.
The office use shall comply with the following:
- register all six (6) employee vehicles in the Town’s Employee Parking Management Program (EPMP),
- submit monthly certified payroll reports, due the first of every month, to Planning Department staff to confirm that employee count does not exceed six (6) people,
- annually renew registration in the EPMP, and
- annually pay an additional off-site rental fee for Town-owned parking for two (2) vehicles at the rates established in the Town’s Master Fee Schedule.
Up to five (5) employees shall park in the onsite parking lot associated with the use. When overflow employee parking is necessary, employees shall park in the zones designated in the approved EPMP for the business. At no time may shall than two (2) employees park off-site in the Town right-of-way. Employee parking is specifically prohibited on Humboldt Street and on other residential streets within or adjacent to the Old Town Historic (H) district, including the west side of Yount Street, where it abuts the H district. The apartment lease and the office lease shall be unbundled and leased separately. The office tenant shall not also lease the apartment even if under a separate lease agreement. The apartment lease shall be of a minimum term of 6-months. The property owner shall use best efforts to lease the apartment and shall submit an annual report to the Town each year regarding these efforts. The property owner shall annually submit a copy of the apartment lease to the Town to confirm conformance with these conditions.
Thank you for the easy to understand breakdown of our latest town council meeting, Jeff! The summaries of complex motions like the parking one are very helpful to those of us in town that don’t always have a chance to follow the nuances of such actions.
Additionally, the news about the electric trolley is very exciting to hear!
Glad this is working for you. And the trolley is going to have a great new look. Stay tuned.
Hey Jeff, thanks for this summary of what was clearly a very long meeting! I also enjoyed your art commission notes and agree that while I don’t love all of the Yountville art, I do love that it’s here.
Sorry that I’m late to the party, so to speak, but please clarify: what business is to be located at 2080 Humboldt?
Glad you read the summary! You are not late to the party at all, and that is, in fact, why we are posting this information. So our community has an opportunity to get access to all information about what is happening around us.
2080 Humboldt is a mixed-use building with an apartment as well as a commercial space below. There was an issue with the current tenants utilizing the apartment as additional office space and up to 11 employees on site.