City of Cotati
Sonoma County, California CITY of COTATI
February 24, 2025
2025 Chair City, City of Rohnert Park
Sonoma County Mayors' and Councilmembers' Association
130 Avram Avenue, Rohnert Park, CA 94928
Attn: Lauren Berges, MCA Clerk [email protected]
Re: Request for Reappointment to the North Bay Division LOCC Executive Board Dear Honorable Mayors and Council Members,
I am submitting this letter to you to advance my candidacy for reappointment to the above position by the Mayors' and Councilmembers' Association Board of Directors.
I have enjoyed representing Sonoma County on the NB Division LOCC Executive Board since 2010. It was my pleasure to represent Sonoma County as President of the NB Division LOCC Executive Board for 2022. During my tenure, as President, I began monthly coffee chats to allow Division members more opportunities to connect and share ideas about subjects impacting our communities. I strive to ensure that the programs are appropriate and timely for our cities. I have been active in the planning for the programs, participated in League events and shared information on League work that impacts our cities.
I continue to support the needs and concerns of our communities in meetings with our legislators. It has also been my honor to represent the NB Division on multiple Policy Committee's which help provide input to various bills that move through the legislation.
I respectfully ask for your support of my request for reappointment.
Sincerely,
Pur a doze
Susan Harvey
Cotati City Councilmember
Cc: Kevin Patterson
201 W. Sierra Ave, Cotati, CA 94931 | (707) 792-4600 | www.cotaticity.gov| @cityofcotati
ALA LUM
CITY OF PETALUMA
1858
March 8, 2025
Janice Cader-Thompson
Councilmember
Lauren Berges, MCA Clerk
RE: North Bay Division LOCC, Executive Board Appointment Dear Mayor and Council members,
I am asking your support by reappointing me for the North Bay Division of LOCC, Executive Board. As a board member I will continue to advocate on Local revenues, Climate Change, Infrastructure, Homeless and Housing and Legislative updates. As past President of the North Bay League Division. 2002, my theme was Working Together. I will continue workinc with my collogues in the North Bay to strengthen our voice.
I would appreciate your support to re-appoint me to the North Bay Division LOCC, Executive Board. If you have questions, please contact me.
Sincerely,
Janice Cader Thompson
707 774-5912
Petaluma Citv Hall
11 English Street
Petaluma, CA 94952
Phone (707) 778-4345
E-Mail:
[email protected]
19 Stephen Zollman City of Sebastopol
Mayor 7120 Bodega Avenue
Sebastopol, CA 95472
www.cityofsebastopol.gov
March 5, 2025
Chair Giudice
Sonoma County Mayors' and
Councilmembers' Association
130 Ayram Avenue
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
Attn: Lauren Berges, MCA Clerk
[email protected]
Re: Appointment to North Bay Division
LOCC, Executive Board
Dear Chair Giudice and Mayors and Councilmembers' Board Members, I am excited to submit this letter of interest for an appointment to North Bay Division LOCC Executive Board.
I have served on the Cal Cities Revenue and Taxation Policy committee and am starting my second year on the Community Services Policy Committee. Through these policy committees, I have learned a lot and have developed connections that could elevate the work of our division.
The mission of our division states that we are to develop regional informational programs and carry out grassroots activities to support specific legislative, regulatory or ballot measure goals. Under our new Administration, it is important that our programing and grassroots efforts are relevant and serve the needs of our marginalized communities, especially our brown and trans communities. Continuing my intersectional work, I have developed contacts within these communities that could help shape our programs. Those programs could then help mobilize legislative efforts.
Representation continues to matter. To my knowledge, 1 am the only elected who is a Veteran and remain one of only two queer electeds. I also come from a city that is not on the 101 corridor. Geographical diversity is an important part of diversity.
It would be an honor to serve. If anyone has questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Sincerely,
Signed
Stephen Zollman
Sebastopol Mayor
[email protected]
2 2/15/25,9:54 PM Gmail - letter of interest for AGOS Advisory Committee M Gmail Lauren Berges <[email protected]>
letter of interest for AGOS Advisory Committee
2 messages
John Shribbs <[email protected]> Sat, Feb 15, 2025 at 5:51 PM To: Lauren Berges < [email protected]>
Cc: Peggy Flynn <[email protected]>, Kevin McDonnell <[email protected]> Lauren Berges, MCA Clerk [email protected]
2025 Chair City, City of Rohnert Park
Sonoma County Mayors' and Councilmembers' Association
130 Avram Avenue, Rohnert Park, CA 94928
Lauren et al,
I am interested in continuing my work with the Ag and Open Space Advisory Committee for another 2- yan currently vice chair of the committee and, if continue, will probably be nominated for one of the three executive committee positions.
My background includes a PhD in Horticulture, MS in Pest Management, BS in Biology, and Teaching Credential for teaching science in public high schools. My PhD thesis was on groundcover management in apple tree orchards and have worked in cotton, road and transmission line vegetation management, multiple horticulture crops, sugar beets, and riparian/wetland habitats. I have also been involved with local environmental nonprofits for over 25 years including Friends of the Petaluma River and Petaluma Wetlands Alliance. I also helped found ReLeaf Petaluma and am on their board and we achieved plating our 2000*h tree recently. Currently I am the chair of Maintenance and Restoration for PWA Board and actively working on improving our public Petaluma wetlands.
My work experience includes about 25 years in the pesticide industry and 17 years teaching high school science. I built a native plant nursery and permaculture outdoor classroom at Casa Grande HS while teaching there. During my 12-year tenure doing research for an international AgriChem corporation, l worked on international herbicide development with emphasis on the corn and soybean markets.
I want to advance the opportunities that AG and OS can provide. Please consider me for another 2-year term.
John
Kevin McDonnell <[email protected]> Sat, Feb 15, 2025 at 7:53 PM To: John Shribbs <[email protected]>, Lauren Berges <[email protected]> Cc: Peggy Flynn <[email protected]>
Good on you. I'm glad you're applying. I will likely not apply for Ag & OS this cycle.
Kevin
From: John Shribbs < [email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, February 15, 2025 5:51 PM
To: Lauren Berges <[email protected]>
Cc: Peggy Flynn <[email protected]>; Kevin McDonnell <[email protected]> Subject: letter of interest for AGOS Advisory Committee [Quoted text hidden]
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/1/?ik=8cbee50ff6&view=pt&search=all&permthid=thread-f:1824176929267715240&simpl=msg-f:182417692926771524... 1/1 Dear Selection Committee,
I am writing to express my strong interest in joining the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District Citizens Advisory Committee. As someone deeply passionate about land conservation and agricultural preservation, I would be honored to contribute to the committee's vital work in protecting our region's open spaces and farmlands.
Growing up in Marin County, I was fortunate to live at the end of a quiet street, adjacent to a privately owned parcel of land. When that land was eventually designated as Open Space, it was a transformative moment for the entire community. The preservation not only safeguarded the natural beauty of the area but also provided a shared space for hiking, gatherings, and picnics. This experience reinforced my belief in the immense value of Open Space—not only for its scenic and recreational benefits but also for its critical role in environmental conservation.
Agricultural preservation is equally essential, as it sustains biodiversity, strengthens local communities, and supports the economy. Protected farmland fosters habitats for wildlife, enhances soil health, reduces water pollution, and ensures a reliable local food supply. Moreover, it sustains countless jobs within the agricultural and food sectors, reinforcing the importance of preserving these lands for future generations.
I am eager to play an active role in safeguarding Sonoma County's Open Space and farmland, ensuring that these invaluable resources remain protected for years to come.
Agriculture is at the heart of our region's identity, and as a key contributor to the nation's food and wine industries, Sonoma County must continue to uphold its legacy of sustainability and responsible land stewardship.
I would be honored to serve on this committee and contribute my perspective, dedication, and experience to further its mission. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to the opportunity to support this important work.
Sincerely,
Marjorie Morgenstern
Councilmember, City of Cloverdale
CITY OF PETALUMA
POST OFFICE BOX 61
PETALUMA, CA 94953-0061
1858
Karen Nau February 18, 2025
Vice Mayor, District 3
SCMCA City Selection Committee
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Re: Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District Letter of Interest To Whom it May Concern,
Please accept my request for your support for my appointment to the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District. Agriculture, water, farmlands, wildlife and quality of life in Sonoma County is very important to me. I would love to have an opportunity to contribute to future decisions in this area.
kaised on a local Family Farm in Petaluma, I learned the importance of Agriculture an My family's land is near the
Petaluma Urban Growth Boundary, so it was very important for me to protect it by supporting the recent ballot measure to expand the UGB for another 50 years, as well as volunteering to help defeat Measure J, which would have harmed our local agricultural businesses and put our local farms/ranches in jeopardy.
In the past, I have raised awareness to the importance to our local State Parks and keeping them open to the public. My love of the community and history earned me the Petaluma 1995 Good Egg Award. Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park is one of the County's first ranchos, owned by jeneral Vallejo. It is an example of how important Agricultural lands are to our area, an rotecting and maintaining the waterways for wildlife et My first term on the Petaluma City Council was 2004-2008. During that term, the City approved a 20-year General Plan. In 2022, 1 was elected again, as the District 3 Councilmember and ain, Petaluma is working to finalize another 20-year General Plan. Looking to the tuture, membering the past, is important to me. Quality of life for my family, friends, and neighbo is my commitment, as I serve on the City Council. I would very much like to have an opportunity Thank you for the opportunity to submit my name to this County committee. I ask for your Petaluma Citv Hall support as a new member. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at (707) 529-2487 Il English Street or [email protected].
Petaluma, CA 94952
hone (707) 778-4345 Sincerely,
or (707) 529-2487
E-Mai Nonen
[email protected]
Vice Mayor, Dist. 3
City of Petaluma
City of
2) Santa Rosa
February 14, 2025
Sonoma County Mayors' & Councilmembers' Association
Re: Measure H Citizen's Oversight Committee - Letter of Interest Honorable Mayors and Councilmembers,
I am writing to express my strong interest in serving on the Measure H Oversight Committee and to seek your recommendation for this critical role. As someone who has firsthand experience with the devastation of wildfire and has dedicated years to recovery, resiliency and public safety efforts, I believe I am uniquely qualified to provide oversight and strategic guidance for Sonoma County's fire initiatives.
In the aftermath of the 2017 Tubbs Fire, which destroyed my home and forever changed our community, I co- founded Coffey Strong, a neighborhood-led recovery group that became a model for disaster response across the country. Through this work, I gained extensive experience navigating government processes, advocating for residents, and ensuring that recovery efforts remained transparent, efficient, and community driven. I have traveled the United States sharing this experience from Colorado, Paradise & Oregon to most recently Los Angeles.
Since then, I have continued my commitment to disaster resilience and public service as a Santa Rosa City Council Member, where I serve as Chair of the Public Safety Subcommittee. In this role, I have worked closely with local, state, and federal agencies to secure resources for fire prevention, emergency preparedness, and long-term recovery. I have also been a strong advocate for expanding firefighting resources, improving evacuation planning, and ensuring that communities across Sonoma County have access to critical disaster response funding.
Additionally, I am a founding board member of the Santa Rosa Fire Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting firefighters and enhancing wildfire prevention and emergency response efforts in our region. Through this work, I have gained valuable insight into the challenges facing our fire agencies and the opportunities we have to improve public safety through strategic investment and community collaboration.
My background in both community leadership and public policy equips me with the knowledge and perspective needed to serve effectively on the Measure H Oversight Committee. I understand the importance of responsible fiscal management, clear communication with the public, and ensuring that the investments made through Measure H truly enhance the safety and resilience of our communities.
I would be honored to contribute my experience and leadership to this important committee. I respectfully ask for your recommendation and support as I seek this appointment, and I welcome any opportunity to discuss how we can work together to strengthen Sonoma County's disaster preparedness and response efforts.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Jeff Okrepkie
Councilmember, City of Santa Rosa
[email protected] |707.531.0056
CC: Santa Rosa City Council and City Manager
City Manager's Office
100 Santa Rosa Avenue, Room10
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
Phone: 707-543-3010 Fax: 707-543-3030
CITY OF HEALDSBURG
MAYOR EVELYN L. MITCHELL
CITY OF HEADSBURG 401 Grove Street
Healdsburg, CA 95448-4723
CALIFORNIA • SINCE 1867 Phone: (707) 431-3317
Fax: (707) 431-3321
Visit us at www.healdsburg.gov
February 24, 2025
Clerk of the Board
County of Sonoma, Board of Supervisors
575 Administration Dr., Room 100A
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Attn: Kyreen Gonzalez, [email protected] Cc: Lauren Berges, [email protected]
RE: Appointment to the Measure H Oversight Committee
Dear Honorable Mayors and Councilmembers:
I am writing to express my interest and request your support for my appointment to one of the two Measure H Oversight Committee seats appointed by the Sonoma County Mayors & Councilmembers Association.
Measure H has given us an opportunity to make transformational investments in fire prevention and protection. I believe my skills and experience align well with the goals of the Measure H Oversight Committee.
Serving on the Healdsburg City Council for the last six years, a city with its own independent Fire Department, I have developed a keen understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing our first responders. I have learned first-hand, through the numerous fires that have affected Healdsburg in the last several years, the toll fires take on a community. My dedication to public service employees and my ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams make me confident I can bring an energetic perspective to the Committee. My goal would be to work in partnership with Sonoma County's cities and fire districts to ensure they are empowered to develop local and regional strategies to best meet the goals of Measure Hand, ultimately, to best enhance the safety of our communities.
As a Finance/Accounting Professional, with over twenty years of experience in finance, I bring a deep understanding and knowledge of what it means to provide transparency and ensure fiscal accountability. These skills will be invaluable when reviewing the receipts and expenditures and the annual reports from each Agency's use of Measure H.
Appointment to the Measure H Oversight Committee
February 24, 2025
It would be an honor to put my experience to work for you on the Measure H Oversight Committee and I humbly ask for your support.
Sincerely,
Evelyn L. Mitchell, Mayor
City of Healdsburg
City of Sonoma - Sonoma Sister Cities:
No. 1 The Plaza THE CITY
Sonoma, California 95476-6618
Phone (707) 938-3681 Fax (707) 938-8775
E-Mail: [email protected]
CALIFORNIN Penglai, China
Tokaj, Hungary
March 6, 2025
Clerk of the Board
County of Sonoma, Board of Supervisors
575 Administration Dr., Room 100A
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Attn: Kyreen Gonzalez, [email protected] Dear Board Members:
I respectfully request your support for my appointment to the Measure H Oversight Committee.
As a Councilmember and past Mayor, I have had the opportunity to work closely with the Sonoma Valley Fire District and Chief Akre. Sonoma is unique in that we contract with the district rather than having a city-run fire department. As we all know, Sonoma Valley is home to some of the most fire-prone areas, as identified in the recent Cal Fire report. Ensuring strong fire prevention and emergency services remain the top concern of our residents.
For the past two years, I have also had the privilege of serving on the LAFCO Board, where I have been involved in discussions on multiple fire district consolidations. This experience has given me a deep understanding of fire district needs throughout the county. Additionally, at the state level. I have worked alongside the California Professional Firefighters on key statewide ballot measures to increase funding for fire districts.
I am confident that my experience at the local, county, and state levels will allow me to contribute valuable leadership to the Oversight Committee, strengthening our collective efforts to keep Sonoma safe, prepared, and well-funded.
I would sincerely appreciate your support in endorsing my candidacy. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or would like to discuss my qualifications further. I can be reached at (707) 337-3796 or via email at [email protected].
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your support.
Councilmember
C: Lauren Berges, [email protected]
City Council
Councilmember Neysa Hinton
02 CALIFORN
March 14, 2025 City of Sebastopol
Sonoma County Mayors and Councilmember's Association
c/o Mary Gourley
Re: Request for Appointment to the Measure H Oversight Committee Dear Mayor and Councilmembers,
I seek your support for my appointment by the Mayor and Councilmembers of Sonoma County to the Measure H Oversight Commission. It would be my honor to serve and represent our nine cities and our citizens on this oversight committee that has responsibility to review annual audits. These annual reports will include positions, equipment, and facilities funded, including activities related to fire prevention ensuring compliance with requirements of the Measure H sales tax.
I have been an elected councilmember in the City of Sebastopol since 2016. During that time my expertise in budgeting includes having served on my city's annual in-depth budgeting process for 5+ years. I also have served on various sub-committees related to our fire department over the past eight years as we discussed moving from a city department to joining the neighboring fire district of Gold Ridge Fire Protection District.
Through this process, I have grown in my knowledge related to fire departments and believe this uniquely qualifies me as the right fit for one of the two appointments representing Sonoma County cities on this new oversight position.
I will come to this appointment position with experience in both city managed fire departments as well as a deep understanding of fire districts. The nine Sonoma County cities are almost equally split between the two types of Currently, the cities of Healdsburg, Petaluma, Rohnert Park and Santa Rosa have municipal fire departments, and the cities of Cloverdale, Cotati, Sonoma and Windsor are part of various fire districts. I currently sit on the Sebastopol Fire Sub-Committee and have spent hours in committee working on Sebastopol's plan to go from a municipal fire department run by City of Sebastopol to becoming part of the Gold Ridge Fire District. Sebastopol is going through the LAFCO process currently hoping to finalize the re-organization process with Gold Ridge Fire District by July 1, 2025.
Measure H funding is so important to our community and effort to increase fire services. Estimated at 62 million each year, annual reporting and oversight of these new dollars is a promise to the community and ourselves. With the past fires we have faced in recent years locally, not to mention throughout the State of California., additional dollars help us fund needed expansion of services due to changing climate conditions. The tax measure revenue with oversight assures funds to vital fire protection services and additional personnel and building upgrades help our community have the funds needed to provide vital fire services.
It would be my honor to have your support for appointment to the Measure H Oversight Committee, and I respectfully ask for your vote.
Sincerely,
Neysa Hinton
Councilmember, City of Sebastopol
[email protected]
(707) 890-1753
7120 Bodega Avenue, Sebastopol, California 95472 Tel. 707.823.1153 Fax. 707.823.1135 www.cityofsebastopol.org
3/16/25,11:06 AM Gmail - Measure H Oversight Committee
M Gmail Lauren Berges <[email protected]>
Measure H Oversight Committee
1 message
Jill McLewis <[email protected]> Fri, Mar 14, 2025 at 10:54 PM To: Lauren Berges <[email protected]>, Mary Gourley < [email protected]> Honorable Mayors, Vice Mayors, and Councilmembers:
I'm writing to express my interest in serving on the Measure H Oversight Committee. Working on this committee would be an extension of the work I've been doing as a member of the Sebastopol/Gold Ridge ad hoc committee which has been considering and now working toward consolidation after a number of years. This work has allowed me to gain a deep understanding of finances, staffing, equipment, and facility needs of fire departments. I am well-versed in the budgeting process and understand the complexities involved in managing fire districts. Additionally, my familiarity with levels of call service, the safety our community deserves, and the impact of these factors on consumer insurance rates equips me with a compreensive perspective on the operational and financial challenges facing our fire services.
Moreover, I've gained significant experience with the consolidation and LAFCO process.
This experience has really given me a clear understanding of the opportunities and challenges associated with merging resources and improving service delivery. I believe this background uniquely positions me to provide valuable oversight and guidance as part of the Measure H Oversight Committee.
I am committed to ensuring that Measure H funds are used effectively and transparently to strengthen our fire services and enhance public safety. It would be an honor to serve and contribute my experience and insights on the committee.
Thank you for considering my application.
Sincerely,
Jill McLewis
Vice Mayor
City of Sebastopol
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/1/?ik=8cbee50ff6&view=pt&search=all&permthid=thread-f: 1826638367924046131&simpl=msg-f: 1826638367924046131 1/1