Serving on a Board or Commission

Overview

The Town of Yountville relies on dedicated residents to serve on local advisory boards, committees, and commissions (BCCs). These groups offer valuable community input to the Town Council on topics such as land use, public art, recreation, and housing.

Serving on a BCC is a meaningful way to get involved, contribute your skills, and help shape the future of Yountville.

What members do

As a BCC member, you will:

Evaluate trends and issues in your subject area
Identify and prioritize local concerns
Recommend actions to the Town Council
Help align Town decisions with community goals

All members are encouraged to attend Town Council meetings to stay informed and engaged with local decision-making.

Download:
Board, Committee & Commission Member Handbook (PDF)

Member Responsibilities and Expectations

Scope of authority

Most BCCs are advisory only. They provide recommendations to the Town Council but cannot set policy, commit resources, or act independently. The Zoning & Design Review Board and Yountville Community Foundation have limited authority to take certain actions.

Your role as a member

Serve the public interest by listening to residents and encouraging inclusive input
Work collaboratively with staff and fellow members
Maintain professionalism and focus during meetings
Comply with open meeting laws under the Brown Act

Attendance

Regular attendance is required. Members who miss three meetings in a calendar year may be subject to removal. If you cannot attend, notify your chair and staff liaison as early as possible.

Understanding How Meetings Work

Types of meetings

Regular meetings follow a set schedule
Special meetings are called as needed with 24-hour notice
Adjourned meetings are rescheduled meetings due to lack of quorum or other factors

Agendas and minutes

Agendas must be posted at least 72 hours before a regular meeting
Staff prepares the agenda with the chair
Meeting minutes summarize the discussion and actions taken
Minutes must be approved by the BCC and posted online as the official record

Voting and motions

All motions require a second and majority vote to pass
Members must recuse themselves if they have a conflict of interest
Avoid abstentions that result in a tie vote

Working with Town Staff and Council

Staff liaisons

Each BCC has an assigned staff liaison who:

Prepares the agenda and staff reports
Provides technical background
Records and posts minutes
Assists with follow-up to the Town Council

Staff members do not vote or direct the BCC’s decisions—they serve as support and advisors.

Relationship with the Town Council

The Town Council appoints BCC members and makes all final decisions. Recommendations from BCCs are typically included in staff reports for Council review. BCC chairs may be asked to attend or present at Council meetings.

Training, Technology, and Communications

Required ethics training

State law requires all members to complete ethics training within 30 days of appointment and every two years after that. Training is provided by the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC). The Town Clerk tracks compliance.

Town email use and public records

Members must use their assigned @yville.com email address for all official BCC business. Avoid using personal email, text, or social media to conduct Town business.

All communications related to your role—including email, text, voicemail, and social media—may be subject to disclosure under the California Public Records Act (CPRA).

To stay compliant:

Do not email a quorum of your board
Avoid “Reply All” in group messages
Only use Town-provided platforms for official communications

How the Town Delivers Services

Yountville provides high-quality services with a small team of full-time staff, supplemented by part-time workers and contracted service providers.

Examples of contracted services

Law enforcement: Napa County Sheriff’s Office
Fire and emergency medical services: Napa County / CAL FIRE
Building and plan review: Private consulting firms
Public works and maintenance: Contractors for street sweeping, tree services, sewer, water, and paving
Technology, communications, and janitorial services: Private vendors
Art, recreation, and programming: Independent instructors and nonprofit partners

This hybrid service model allows the Town to stay flexible, cost-efficient, and responsive to the needs of the community.

Additional Resources

Boards and Commissions

View current Boards & Commissions and member listings