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, September 10, 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 Manager 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 – REGULAR MEETING – AUG 27, 2024
Cotati City Council Minutes September 10, 2024
RESULT: Approve [4 TO 0]
MOVER: Susan Harvey, Councilmember
SECONDER: Sylvia Lemus, Councilmember
AYES: Sparks, Harvey, Lemus, Rivers
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: Ford
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 DECLARING SEPTEMBER 2024 AS LATINO HERITAGE MONTH
Councilmember Lemus read the proclamation. Proclamation was accepted by students of Rancho Kotate High School M.E.Ch.A. Club.
B. NATIONAL SERVICE DOG MONTH
Mayor Sparks read the proclamation. Proclamation was accepted by Benjamin Veith of Canine Companions.
C. PROCLAMATION THAT THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 16-23, 2024 IS POLLUTION PREVENTION WEEK AND SEPTEMBER 22-29, 2024 IS CREEK WEEK IN THE
RUSSIAN RIVER WATERSHED
Cotati City Council Minutes September 10, 2024
Vice Mayor Ford read the proclamation.
8. APPROVAL OF FINAL AGENDA (ACTION)
City Manager Damien O’Bid recommended to move item 12B to directly before item 12A.
No public comment.
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 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:
Neil Hancock of Cotati
Laurie Alderman of Cotati
10. CONSENT CALENDAR (ACTION)
A. ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION APPROPRIATING ADDITIONAL WATER CONSERVATION IN THE WATER ENTERPRISE FUND AND APPROVING A SUBAWARD AGREEMENT WITH SONOMA WATER B. ADOPTION OF THE REVISED CITY-WIDE SALARY SCHEDULE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024/25
C. AWARD CONTRACT FOR PROFESSIONAL AUDITING SERVICES AGREEMENT
FOR THE CITY OF COTATI
D. APPROVAL OF 2024 COTATI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MUSIC OKTOBERFEST
EVENT IN LA PLAZA PARK
E. AWARD OF THE CONSTRUCTION AGREEMENT AND CONSTRUCTION
MANAGEMENT AND INSPECTIONS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
FOR THE SIDEWALK GAP CLOSURE PROJECT
RESULT: Approve [5 TO 0]
MOVER: Susan Harvey, Councilmember
SECONDER: Ben Ford, Vice Mayor
AYES: Sparks, Ford, Harvey, Lemus, Rivers
NAYS: None
11. DIRECTION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Councilmember Rivers requested an item on the expectations of City Council when there is a lengthy agenda at the next strategic planning meeting.
Cotati City Council Minutes September 10, 2024
12. REGULAR AGENDA (ACTION)
B. APPROVAL OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW FOR THE HIGHWAY 116/WEST
COTATI AVENUE INTERSECTION SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT
(PROJECT) AND A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH MARK
THOMAS & COMPANY, INC FOR DESIGN SERVICES FOR THE HIGHWAY 116/WEST COTATI AVENUE INTERSECTION SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS
PROJECT AND AUTHORIZING APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS FOR THE PROJECT Presentation by Director of Public Works/City Engineer Craig Scott.
Councilmembers comment.
Public Comment:
Laurie Alderman of Cotati
Neil Hancock of Cotati
Council voted to approve the environmental review for the Hwy 116/W. Cotati Ave Intersection Safety Improvements Project. Council requested that the professional services agreement with Mark Thomas & Company, Inc, be brought back for further discussion at the next regular meeting on September 24. Council requested that staff provide billing rate comparisons for similar companies to compare the rates and costs before voting on approval.
RESULT: Approve [5 TO 0] ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW ONLY
MOVER: Susan Harvey, Councilmember
SECONDER: Ben Ford, Vice Mayor
AYES: Harvey, Ford, Lemus, Rivers, Sparks
NAYS: None
A. CITY COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS AND ASSIGNMENTS - POLICE ADVISORY
SELECTION SUBCOMMITTEE
Report by City Manager Damien O’Bid.
Councilmembers comment.
Public Comment:
Laurie Alderman of Cotati
Council appointed Councilmembers Lemus and Rivers to serve on the Community-Police Advisory Committee Selection Subcommittee. Council also determined that the subcommittee would be active until the end of March 2025, or the first meeting of the Community-Police Advisory Committee, whichever comes first.
Cotati City Council Minutes September 10, 2024
RESULT: Approve [5 TO 0]
MOVER: Laura Sparks, Mayor
SECONDER: Ben Ford, Vice Mayor
AYES: Harvey, Ford, Lemus, Rivers, Sparks
NAYS: None
C. APPOINTMENT OF A VOTING DELEGATE AND ALTERNATE TO THE 2024
LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES (LOCC) ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Presentation by City Manager Damien O’Bid.
Councilmembers comment.
No public comment.
Council voted to appoint Councilmember Harvey as the voting delegate, and Councilmembers Lemus & Rivers as the voting alternates. Council provided direction to Councilmember Harvey to support the proposed Resolution at the General Business Meeting, and discretion to vote in the City’s best interest if other votes come up.
RESULT: Approve [5 TO 0]
MOVER: Sylvia Lemus, Councilmember
SECONDER: Ben Ford, Vice Mayor
AYES: Sparks, Ford, Harvey, Lemus, Rivers
NAYS: None
13. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
Report by City Manager Damien O’Bid.
14. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Councilmembers report out on local and regional events and meetings.
15. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-ACTION AGENDA ITEMS
Public Comment:
Laurie Alderman of Cotati
16. INFORMATION RECEIVED AFTER THE AGENDA WAS POSTED
17. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Sparks adjourned the meeting at 9:06pm.
/s/ Kevin Patterson, Deputy City Clerk