CITY of COTATI
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, April 01, 2025
6:00 PM SPECIAL MEETING - GENERAL FUND STUDY SESSION
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
Attendee Name Title Status
Ben Ford Mayor [Present
Sylvia Lemus Vice Mayor Present
Susan Harvey Councilmember |present
Laura Sparks Councilmember |present
John Savage Councilmember Present
Staff Present: City Manager Damien O'Bid, 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
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The City of Cotati recognizes that we're on the ancestral lands of the Coastal Miwok, who are the
4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
After the Pledge of Allegiance was recited, Mayor Ford called for a five-minute recess before Item 5.
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 - FEB 18, 2025 Public Comment:
Braden Eggert
RESULT: Approve [5 TO 0]
MOVER: Susan Harvey, Councilmember
SECONDER: Laura Sparks, Councilmember
AYES: Ford, Lemus, Harvey, Sparks, Savage
NAYS: None
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
Public Comment:
George Barich of Cotati
Laurie Alderman of Cotati
Jessica Needham of Cotati
Braden Eggert
After Public Comment, Mayor Ford called for a five-minute recess before Item 7.
7. STUDY SESSION
A. DRAFT FINAL STRATEGIC PLANNING SUMMARY
Presentation by City Manager Damien O'Bid.
Councilmembers comment.
Council directed City Staff to return at a future meeting with a re-worked mission statement, and modify two objectives under Goal 1 to begin with an action verb.
City Council provided the following feedback on the proposed Project Priorities Work Plans for FY 25-26 and 26-27:
City Manager's/Recreation
• Move up "Investigate Library Options for Cotati" to FY 25-26 • Move up "Dogs in Park Ordinance" to FY 25-26
Administrative Services
• Move up "Business License Audit" to FY 25-26
Public Works
• City Council suggested an alternative of a combined asphalt/gravel pathway as a potential solution for the Laguna Pathway to allow for ADA access and a non-asphalt pathway, if feasible.
• City Council suggested that another utility rate study may be needed after the utility evaluations are completed.
All Departments
• Correct the status in the instances where it is completed in FY 24-25 but still appears in Cotati City Council Minutes April 01, 2025
the future workplan.
BUDGET STUDY SESSION FOR GENERAL FUND FOR FISCAL YEARS 2025/26 AND 2026/27
Presentation by Director of Administrative Services Angela Courter.
Councilmembers comment.
8. INFORMATION RECEIVED AFTER THE AGENDA WAS POSTED
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Ford adjourned the meeting at 7:42pm.
/s/ Kevin Patterson, Deputy City Clerk
Cotati City Council Minutes April 01, 2025