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 22, 2025
6:00 PM REGULAR MEETING
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Ford called the meeting to order at 6:00pm.
2. 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 – MAR 25, 2025 B. COTATI CITY COUNCIL – REGULAR MEETING – APR 8, 2025
Public Comment:
Michael Ceremello
George Barich of Cotati
Laurie Alderman of Cotati
RESULT: Approve [5 TO 0]
MOVER: Laura Sparks, Councilmember
SECONDER: Susan Harvey, Councilmember
AYES: Ford, Lemus, Harvey, Sparks, Savage
NAYS: None
3. 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.
Cotati City Council Minutes April 22, 2025
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.gov 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.gov, under the “How do I” link at the top of the homepage.
D. Have you noticed a street light out, pothole, or issues in a City Park? We want to keep Cotati beautiful and running smoothly, so please let us know what needs to be fixed, by going to the City website under “How do I” and “Report a Service Request.” E. 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.
4. APPROVAL OF FINAL AGENDA (ACTION)
No Changes.
5. 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:
Laurie Alderman of Cotati
Adina Flores
Joanne Jaeger of Cotati
Cheryl
Michael Ceremello
George Barich of Cotati
6. CONSENT CALENDAR (ACTION)
Before the Council voted on the consent calendar, Mayor Ford announced that he was recusing himself from the vote on Item 6D, due to being employed by Sonoma State University. There were two separate motions on the consent calendar, one for Items A-C, and one for Item D.
A. 2025 COTATI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EVENTS
B. APPROVAL OF 2025 CITY OF COTATI KIDS DAY EVENT IN LA PLAZA PARK C. MEASURE S ANNUAL REPORT AND LETTER FROM OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023/24
D. APPROVAL OF A LETTER REQUESTING STATE FUNDING SUPPORT FOR THE
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM, INCLUDING SONOMA STATE Cotati City Council Minutes April 22, 2025
UNIVERSITY
RESULT: Approve [5 TO 0] ITEMS A-C
MOVER: Susan Harvey, Councilmember
SECONDER: Laura Sparks, Councilmember
AYES: Harvey, Ford, Lemus, Sparks, Savage
NAYS: None
RESULT: Approve [4 TO 0] ITEM D
MOVER: Susan Harvey, Councilmember
SECONDER: Laura Sparks, Councilmember
AYES: Lemus, Harvey, Sparks, Savage
NAYS: None
RECUSED: Ford
7. DIRECTION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
None.
8. REGULAR AGENDA (ACTION)
A. CONSIDERATION OF UPDATES TO THE CITY COUNCIL RULES OF CONDUCT Presentation by City Manager Damien O’Bid.
Councilmembers comment.
Public Comment:
Michael Ceremello
Laurie Alderman of Cotati
Council directed Staff to remove “or repetitious” from Section IV(Q), repetitious or dilatory comments discouraged.
RESULT: Approve [5 TO 0]
MOVER: John Savage, Councilmember
SECONDER: Sylvia Lemus, Vice Mayor
AYES: Ford, Lemus, Harvey, Sparks, Savage
NAYS: None
B. POTENTIAL 2025 DISCUSSION TOPICS FOR THE SONOMA COUNTY MAYORS
AND COUNCILMEMBERS
Presentation by City Manager Damien O’Bid.
Councilmembers comment.
Cotati City Council Minutes April 22, 2025
No public comment.
Council decided on the following top ideas:
-Mental Health (treatment facilities, Measure O funding) -Education
-Housing/Homelessness
Other ideas discussed included mobilizing residents in our communities for volunteering (through CVNL, etc.), transportation coordination and the Library JPA.
RESULT: Approve [5 TO 0]
MOVER: Susan Harvey, Councilmember
SECONDER: Laura Sparks, Councilmember
AYES: Harvey, Ford, Lemus, Sparks, Savage
NAYS: None
C. DISCUSS CAL CITIES REQUEST FOR LETTERS OPPOSING SB 634 (PEREZ), AB 647 (GONZALES) AND SUPPORTING AB 650 (PAPAN)
Presentation by City Manager Damien O’Bid.
Councilmembers comment.
No public comment.
RESULT: Approve [5 TO 0]
MOVER: Susan Harvey, Councilmember
SECONDER: Laura Sparks, Councilmember
AYES: Harvey, Ford, Lemus, Sparks, Savage
NAYS: None
9. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
Report by City Manager Damien O’Bid.
10. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Councilmembers report out on local and regional events and meetings.
11. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-ACTION AGENDA ITEMS
Public Comment:
Laurie Alderman of Cotati
12. INFORMATION RECEIVED AFTER THE AGENDA WAS POSTED
13. ADJOURNMENT
Cotati City Council Minutes April 22, 2025
Mayor Ford adjourned the meeting at 7:45pm.
/s/ Kevin Patterson, Deputy City Clerk