Cotati City Council
Agenda Staff Report
Item type: REGULAR AGENDA (ACTION)
To: City Council
Subject: Recognition of Former Planning Commissioners Hancock and Moore Date: May 23, 2023
Written by: Damien O'Bid, City Manager
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution recognizing former Planning Commissioners Hancock and Moore for their long service to the community.
Background
Neil Hancock has served the City of Cotati for over 14 years as a Planning Commissioner. Neil was appointed and re-appointed by three successive City Council members: Robert Coleman, John Dell’Osso and Ben Ford.
Lisa Moore has served the City of Cotati for 32 years, including as a Community and Environment Commissioner, a Planning Commissioner and a City Councilmember and Mayor.
Given the length of service, it is customary to recognize outgoing Planning Commission members by resolution for their years of service to the community.
Analysis/Discussion
Neil Hancock consistently advocates for the safety of bicyclists and walkers, and for the importance and benefits of improved bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure and connectivity; riding his bicycle or walking to Planning Commission meetings; and encouraging anyone he could interest in a bike ride or walk to “ground truth” existing conditions.
Neil also consistently advocates for water quality issues, including on behalf of those winged, scaled, and microscopic aquatic critters unable to speak for themselves and with whom we all share our waterways.
Neil and his life partner Jenny consistently “walked-the-talk”, pushing the City to implement sustainability elements into all of the City business activities, making daily decisions to reduce their own climate footprint and even constructing the first fully permitted straw bale building in Cotati.
Lisa Moore has served the City of Cotati since 1990, serving on the Community and Environment Commission, a Planning Commissioner and a City Councilmember and Mayor through some of the City’s most tumultuous issues and momentous planning efforts. Her contributions to the Downtown Specific Plan, Santero Way Specific Plan, and the current City General Plan, as well as numerous other plans, have established the character of Cotati that make it unique and a wonderful place to live and raise a family.
Through all of this service, Lisa managed to also work full-time, often bringing her professional experience and perspective to help to inform her public service. Lisa was never shy about sharing her opinions to improve the City, even if it was contrary to a certain other council member who lived in the same household.
Financial Considerations
None.
Environmental Issues
The action of recognizing City Planning Commissoners does not constitute a project as defined by California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15378; therefore, no further environmental review is required.