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 24, 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 Absent
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, Recreation Manager Ashley Wilson
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 – SEP 10, 2024 Cotati City Council Minutes September 24, 2024
RESULT: Approve [4 TO 0]
MOVER: Ben Ford, Vice Mayor
SECONDER: Susan Harvey, Councilmember
AYES: Sparks, Ford, Harvey, Lemus
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Rivers
Public Comment:
Laurie Alderman of Cotati
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. APPROVAL OF FINAL AGENDA (ACTION)
Mayor Sparks requested to add an agenda item on a letter of recommendation for a posthumous pardon for Sergeant Richard Penry. Council found that the issue came to the awareness after the agenda was published, and that action needed to be taken prior to the next regular Council meeting.
Mayor Sparks motioned to add the item to the beginning of the regular agenda, with a second from Councilmember Harvey. Council voted 4-0 to add the item.
Public Comment:
Laurie Alderman of Cotati
8. 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 Cotati City Council Minutes September 24, 2024
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:
Jenny Blaker of Cotati
Shelley Berman of Cotati
9. CONSENT CALENDAR (ACTION)
A. UPDATE OF THE CITY OF COTATI'S CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE B. APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A SECOND AMENDMENT TO
THE SANTERO WAY SPECIFIC PLAN REZONING CONSULTANT CONTRACT WITH 4LEAF INCORPORATED AND APPROVING A TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED
PROJECT AMOUNT
C. SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER
17.32 DENSITY BONUSES OF THE COTATI MUNICIPAL CODE
D. ACCEPT THE FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024 ANNUAL REPORT OF DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEE (AB1600)
E. APPROVAL OF PAYMENT FOR EMERGENCY SEWER REPAIR WORK IN OLD
REDWOOD HIGHWAY TO ARGONAUT CONTRACTORS AND
APPROPRIATIONFROM SEWER CAPITAL ENTERPRISE FUND
RESULT: Adopt [4 TO 0]
MOVER: Susan Harvey, Councilmember
SECONDER: Sylvia Lemus, Councilmember
AYES: Sparks, Ford, Harvey, Lemus
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Rivers
10. DIRECTION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Councilmember Lemus requested a future agenda item on a youth City Council internship.
Vice Mayor Ford requested a future agenda item on a reconsideration of an opposition resolution to Measure J.
11. REGULAR AGENDA (ACTION)
AA. LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR A POSTHUMOUS PARDON FOR SERGEANT
RICHARD PENRY (ADDED ITEM)
Presentation by Mayor Laura Sparks.
Councilmembers comment.
Cotati City Council Minutes September 24, 2024
No public comment.
RESULT: Approve [4 TO 0]
MOVER: Susan Harvey, Councilmember
SECONDER: Sylvia Lemus, Councilmember
AYES: Sparks, Ford, Harvey, Lemus
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Rivers
A. APPOINTMENT OF A LIBRARY COMMISSONER
Presentation by City Manager Damien O’Bid.
Councilmembers comment.
No public comment.
Mayor Sparks motioned to appoint Tina Poles as Cotati’s representative on the Sonoma County Library Commission.
RESULT: Approve [4 TO 0]
MOVER: Laura Sparks, Mayor
SECONDER: Susan Harvey, Councilmember
AYES: Sparks, Ford, Harvey, Lemus
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Rivers
B. APPROVAL OF 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:
Neil Hancock of Cotati
RESULT: Approve [4 TO 0]
MOVER: Susan Harvey, Councilmember
SECONDER: Sylvia Lemus, Councilmember
AYES: Sparks, Ford, Harvey, Lemus
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Rivers
Cotati City Council Minutes September 24, 2024
C. COTATI CULTURAL GRANT PROGRAM
Presentation by Recreation Manager Ashley Wilson.
Councilmembers comment.
No public comment.
Council provided direction that the scoring rubric could be modified by staff as needed as the program develops.
RESULT: Adopt [4 TO 0]
MOVER: Susan Harvey, Councilmember
SECONDER: Ben Ford, Vice Mayor
AYES: Sparks, Ford, Harvey, Lemus
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Rivers
D. AWARD CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR THE PUTNAM PARK
IMPROVEMENTS - PHASE 1 PROJECT
Presentation by Director of Public Works/City Engineer Craig Scott.
Councilmembers comment.
Public Comment:
Jenny Blaker of Cotati
Neil Hancock of Cotati
Shelley Berman of Cotati
Council directed Staff to: ensure lighting installed is shielded or designed to prevent light pollution, explore options to prevent gopher damage outside of turf areas, in case there are further solutions that could be implemented during construction, and ensure straw waddles are removed after construction.
RESULT: Approve [4 TO 0]
MOVER: Susan Harvey, Councilmember
SECONDER: Ben Ford, Vice Mayor
AYES: Sparks, Ford, Harvey, Lemus
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Rivers
E. AWARD OF CONTRACT TO CODA TECHNOLOGY GROUP FOR COTATI CITY
HALL, CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS AUDIO VISUAL SYSTEM UPGRADES Report by City Manager Damien O’Bid.
Councilmembers comment.
Cotati City Council Minutes September 24, 2024
Public Comment:
Neil Hancock of Cotati
RESULT: Approve [4 TO 0]
MOVER: Susan Harvey, Councilmember
SECONDER: Ben Ford, Vice Mayor
AYES: Sparks, Ford, Harvey, Lemus
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Rivers
12. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
Report by City Manager Damien O’Bid.
13. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Councilmembers report out on local and regional events and meetings.
14. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-ACTION AGENDA ITEMS
Public Comment:
Jenny Blaker of Cotati
15. INFORMATION RECEIVED AFTER THE AGENDA WAS POSTED
16. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Sparks adjourned the meeting at 7:57pm.
/s/ Kevin Patterson, Deputy City Clerk