MINUTES
JOINT MEETING OF THE COTATI CITY COUNCIL AND THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE
FORMER COTATI COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
City Council Chamber, City Hall 201 W. Sierra Avenue
Tuesday, June 11, 2024
6:00 PM REGULAR MEETING
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Sparks called the meeting to order at 6:00pm.
2. ROLL CALL
Attendee Name Title Status
Laura Sparks Mayor Present
Ben Ford Vice Mayor Present
Susan Harvey Councilmember Present
Sylvia Lemus Councilmember Present
Kathleen Rivers Councilmember Present
Staff Present: City Manger Damien O’Bid, City Attorney John Bakker, Deputy City Clerk Kevin Patterson, Director of Administrative Services Angela Courter, Director of Community Development Noah Housh, Director of Public Works/City Engineer Craig Scott, Police Chief Chris Simmons
3. LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The City of Cotati recognizes that we’re on the ancestral lands of the Coastal Miwok, who are the original caretakers of this area. We respectfully acknowledge the Indigenous peoples who have been stewarding and maintaining a relationship on this land as knowledge keepers for millennia. This acknowledgement does not take the place of authentic relationships with Indigenous communities but serves as a gesture of respect to the land we are on.
4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND NOTICE OF WAIVING OF READING OF ALL
RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES INTRODUCED AND/OR ADOPTED UNDER THIS
AGENDA (ACTION)
A. COTATI CITY COUNCIL – SPECIAL MEETING – MAY 13, 2024 B. COTATI CITY COUNCIL – REGULAR MEETING – MAY 28, 2024 Cotati City Council Minutes June 11, 2024
RESULT: Approve [5 TO 0]
MOVER: Susan Harvey, Councilmember
SECONDER: Ben Ford, Vice Mayor
AYES: Sparks, Ford, Harvey, Lemus, Rivers
NAYS: None
6. ANNOUNCEMENTS
A. Meeting Orientation for New Attendees/Viewers. In conformance with the Brown Act and the adopted City Council Rules, the meeting agenda includes items labeled as Action Items, where the City Council may consider the item. If the City Council considers the item, citizens will be afforded the opportunity to provide comments relevant to the item being discussed. The meeting agenda also includes a Citizens Business item, which is the designated place on the agenda where citizens have the right to say whatever they wish. However, the Brown Act prohibits the City Council from taking action or considering any item that is not on this agenda, to ensure that other members of the community who wish to provide comment are notified in advance through a properly noticed meeting agenda.
B. Measure S supports police services, a variety of recreation programs for all ages, and the maintenance of our streets, parks, and public buildings. See details on the web at cotaticity.org C. Citizens interested in receiving City of Cotati community alerts via text or email are encouraged to enroll with CivicReady, by signing up on the City’s website, www.cotaticity.org, under the “How do I” link at the top of the homepage.
D. Like always, we love to hear from you, so please feel free to contact the City at 707-792-4600 or [email protected]. If you have a non-emergency issue after normal business hours, you can contact us at 707-792-4611 and of course if you have an emergency, please contact 9-1-1. Continue to look for updates on the City's website and social media channels available on Facebook, Instagram, and CivicReady.
7. PROCLAMATIONS
A. PROCLAMATION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COTATI
CELEBRATING JUNETEENTH
Councilmember Rivers read the proclamation. Proclamation was accepted by Abby of Rancho Cotate High School.
B. PROCLAMATION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COTATI
RECOGNIZING WOMEN VETERANS DAY
Mayor Sparks read the proclamation.
8. APPROVAL OF FINAL AGENDA (ACTION)
No changes.
9. CITIZEN BUSINESS AND PUBLIC COMMENT FOR CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS Any member of the public wishing to speak to the Council on any item(s) listed on the Consent Calendar or any matter(s) not listed on Cotati City Council Minutes June 11, 2024
the agenda that are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Council may do so at this time. Pursuant to the Brown Act, the Council is not allowed to consider issues or take action on any item not listed on the agenda. Pursuant to City Council Policy 2023-01, comments of any member of the public are normally restricted to a total of three (3) minutes in length per person for matters not on the agenda and a total of three (3) minutes per person in length for any and all items on the Consent Calendar. The Mayor may extend the time limit for a reasonable time where a disability accommodation has been requested. To facilitate public comment, the Deputy Clerk will alert speakers when there are thirty seconds remaining.
Public Comment:
Shelley Berman of Cotati
10. CONSENT CALENDAR (ACTION)
A. REVISED MOU FOR THE COTATI POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION (2024-2029) B. ADOPTION OF ENVIRONMENTALLY PREFERABLE PURCHASING POLICIES RESULT: Adopt [5 TO 0]
MOVER: Ben Ford, Vice Mayor
SECONDER: Susan Harvey, Councilmember
AYES: Sparks, Ford, Harvey, Lemus, Rivers
NAYS: None
11. DIRECTION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
None.
12. PUBLIC HEARINGS (ACTION)
A. INTRODUCTION OF NOISE ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS TO RESTRICT THE USE
OF GAS-POWERED LEAF BLOWERS DURING CERTAIN HOURS
Presentation by City Manager Damien O’Bid.
Councilmembers comment.
Public Comment:
Adrienne Lauby of Cotati
Shelley Berman of Cotati
After discussion, Vice Mayor Ford motioned to amend section G(1) of the ordinance, replacing “residential zone” with “within City limits except in the industrial zone.” Motion passed 3-2.
Vice Mayor Ford then motioned to introduce the amended ordinance. Motion to introduce passed 3-2.
Cotati City Council Minutes June 11, 2024
RESULT: Motion to Amend [3 TO 2]
MOVER: Ben Ford, Vice Mayor
SECONDER: Sylvia Lemus, Councilmember
AYES: Sparks, Ford, Lemus
NAYS: Harvey, Rivers
RESULT: Introduced [3 TO 2]
MOVER: Ben Ford, Vice Mayor
SECONDER: Sylvia Lemus, Councilmember
AYES: Sparks, Ford, Lemus
NAYS: Harvey, Rivers
13. REGULAR AGENDA (ACTION)
A. COTATI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LICENSE AGREEMENT
Presentation by City Manager Damien O’Bid.
Councilmembers comment.
Public Comment:
Laurie Alderman of Cotati
RESULT: Approve [5 TO 0]
MOVER: Susan Harvey, Councilmember
SECONDER: Sylvia Lemus, Councilmember
AYES: Sparks, Ford, Harvey, Lemus, Rivers
NAYS: None
B. DISCUSS NORCAL OAKS LICENSE AGREEMENT
Presentation by City Manager Damien O’Bid.
Councilmembers comment.
Public Comment:
Kimberlyn Moffet of Cotati
Adrienne Lauby of Cotati
Shelley Berman of Cotati
Laurie Alderman of Cotati
Neil Hancock of Cotati
Anthony Fires
Chris of Santa Rosa
Jessica F.
Jennifer T. of Rohnert Park
Council provided direction to staff to meet with the league organizers of NorCal Oaks to discuss open public field time, and report back at the next Council meeting on June 25, 2024.
C. SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY REVIEW
Cotati City Council Minutes June 11, 2024
Presentation by City Manager Damien O’Bid.
Councilmembers comment.
No public comment.
Council asked for the following to be included in an updated social media policy:
-Updating language to modern terms (ex. “Websites” to “platforms/accounts”) -Addition of a human dignity clause, to prevent posting photos/mugshots of people suspected of crimes, unless there is a public safety need.
-Re-write section E(4) to provide more clarity and actionable steps for City employees who post to social media, potentially moving existing language to the “Purpose” section. -Include a norm for City Council rules regarding comments on social media by Councilmembers, to clarify that the Mayor is designated to speak on behalf of the City and Councilmembers are to refrain from speaking on items that may come before the City Council.
14. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
Report by City Manager Damien O’Bid.
15. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Councilmembers report out on local and regional events and meetings.
16. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-ACTION AGENDA ITEMS
No public comment.
17. A.
CLOSED SESSION
CONFERENCE WITH CITY LABOR NEGOTIATORS (GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957.6) CITY DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVE: CITY MANAGER OR DESIGNEE.
EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION: COTATI POLICE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (CPMA)
Mayor Sparks announced the closed session topic.
No public comment.
18. 19.
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Sparks announced that there was nothing to report out of closed session.
INFORMATION RECEIVED AFTER THE AGENDA WAS POSTED
A. INFORMATION RECEIVED AFTER THE AGENDA WAS POSTED
20. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Sparks adjourned the meeting at 10:17pm.
Cotati City Council Minutes June 11, 2024
/s/ Kevin Patterson, Deputy City Clerk