Public commenters urge broader Lake Berryessa planning and praise Napa County’s first all‑woman board

Public comment at the Napa County Board of Supervisors’ Jan. 7 meeting centered on congratulations for the newly seated supervisors and requests for broader community engagement on Lake Berryessa and the county’s upcoming general plan update.

Several speakers marked the historic composition of the board. Kevin Godwin, a behavioral‑health employee and local SEIU leader, congratulated the board and said, “Together with your leadership and the strength of our collective voice, we will fight for fair wages, safe working conditions, and the right to organize.” Mark Van Gorder, Pacific Gas and Electric’s local government relations and community affairs representative, also congratulated the board and framed the moment as an encouraging sign for his daughters.

Multiple community members asked the board to take additional steps on Lake Berryessa. Carol Coonsie asked the board to pursue broader public outreach and information sharing about options for the lake, saying current updates and outreach have been insufficient and asking the county to consider alternatives to large resort development, law enforcement needs, and whether the lake will be “family friendly or … a party lake.” Another speaker representing Napa Vision 2050 encouraged the supervisors to prioritize watershed and open space protection during the coming general plan update.

Other commenters offered personal reflections and pledges of support for the new board. Yvonne Bighinski and Patricia Dammery recounted long ties to Napa County and offered support, while Gary Margadant (co‑president of Napa Vision 2050) reiterated willingness to work with the board on watershed and open‑space issues.

Comments were received under the meeting’s public‑comment procedure; none of the public comments resulted in immediate board actions recorded on the Jan. 7 agenda.