Board extends exclusive negotiating period for Margaritaville proposal at Lake Berryessa; county details new mussel-control steps

The Napa County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an amendment extending the exclusive negotiating agreement (ENA) with Tim Napa LLC, the development team behind a Margaritaville‑branded resort proposal at Steel Canyon on Lake Berryessa.

Supervisors voted to authorize “Amendment Number 1 to Agreement No. 8671B” at the request of county staff and the developer to allow the team additional time to complete federal and design reviews after the Bureau of Reclamation identified a larger concession area than originally expected. The motion was made by Supervisor Ramos and seconded by Supervisor Alessio and passed on a unanimous voice vote.

Why it matters: The extension preserves the county’s preferred negotiating status with the Margaritaville team while the developer revises site plans, updates financing timelines and coordinates utilities and permitting with county and federal agencies. Developers said the enlarged concession area will allow added resort programming and on‑site workforce housing they say could hold up to about 100 employee units.

What the board heard - Public works Director Steve Letterer and Lake Berryessa resort manager Lee Sears briefed the board on four sites under Bureau of Reclamation responsibility—Steel Canyon, Berryessa Pointe, Monticello and Spanish Flat—and the status of interim concessions and ENAs. Lee Sears said Steel Canyon is currently under an ENA with the Margaritaville team and that other sites are being pursued for marina or resort proposals. - Developer Tim Wilkins described changes triggered by the federal review, including an expanded concession boundary, and said the resort program has been redesigned to respond to the larger site and financing needs. Wilkins said the resort is planned as family‑oriented and would include a water park, multiple restaurants, meeting space and employee housing; the team said it has preliminary financing support and will present final site plans publicly this fall. - County staff said extending the ENA for five months would allow the developer to complete federally required steps that had delayed progress.

Mussel program update - County staff and Lake program managers reported on a mussel decontamination and tagging program operating at Lake Berryessa. The program, led by the Bureau of Reclamation and Solano County Water Agency, includes three decontamination sites on federal land, a quarantine option, and a numbered‑tag system to track boats launched on the lake. Officials said the program is modeled on Lake Tahoe best practices and is intended to prevent invasive golden mussels; early compliance and public outreach are ongoing.

Public comment and local support - Multiple lake residents and users told the board they support resort revitalization and expect local economic benefits. Speakers emphasized wildfire readiness, traffic and road capacity concerns, and urged developer commitments to public safety and community access. Several commenters praised the choice of a family‑oriented operator and pledged local support.

What the board approved and next steps - The board approved the ENA extension so the developer can finish the steps delayed by federal review. Staff will continue to coordinate with the Bureau of Reclamation on concession terms and convergence of federal approvals, and the developer indicated it will complete its revised site plan and proceed toward an environmental review in the coming months.

Ending - The board’s action maintains the county’s negotiating relationship with the Margaritaville team while the developer and federal agencies complete additional due diligence. Staff said they will return with formal agreements and permitting milestones as the project advances.