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, May 13, 2025
6:00 PM REGULAR MEETING
1. CALL TO ORDER - ROLL CALL
Mayor Ford called the meeting to order at 6:00pm.
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
2. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-ACTION AGENDA ITEMS
Public Comment:
Michael Ceremello
George Barich of Cotati
Laurie Alderman of Cotati
The meeting was subsequently disrupted during the Land Acknowledgement statement, which is read after Public Comment on Non-Action Agenda items per Resolution 2025-14, City Council Policy 2025-02.
3. 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 – APR 22, 2025 Public Comment:
Laurie Alderman of Cotati
George Barich of Cotati
Cotati City Council Minutes May 13, 2025
RESULT: Approve [5 TO 0]
MOVER: Susan Harvey, Councilmember
SECONDER: Sylvia Lemus, Vice Mayor
AYES: Ford, Lemus, Harvey, Sparks, Savage
NAYS: None
4. 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.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.
Mayor Ford opened public comment as a result of further disruptions to the meeting from a member of the audience during the reading of the announcements.
Public Comment:
George Barich of Cotati
5. PROCLAMATIONS
A. PROCLAIMING MAY 2025 AS ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER
HERITAGE MONTH IN COTATI
Vice Mayor Lemus read the proclamation. Proclamation was accepted by members of the Asian American Pacific Islander Coalition of the North Bay.
B. PROCLAMATION DECLARING MAY 2025 AS BIKE MONTH
Cotati City Council Minutes May 13, 2025
Mayor Ford read the proclamation. Proclamation was accepted by Eris Weaver of the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition.
Mayor Ford opened this item for public comment.
Public Comment:
George Barich of Cotati
6. PRESENTATIONS
A. ZERO WASTE SONOMA UPDATE
This agenda item was not heard, due to the presenter being unable to attend the meeting.
7. AGENDA REVIEW
No changes.
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 is not allowed to consider issues or take action on any item not listed on the agenda. Pursuant to City Council Policy 2025-02, 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
George Barich of Cotati
Michael Ceremello
Neil Hancock of Cotati
Jenny Blaker of Cotati
9. CONSENT CALENDAR (ACTION)
A. APPROVAL OF 2025 CITY OF COTATI SUMMER MOVIES IN THE PARK, FOOD
FESTIVAL, AND NATIONAL NIGHT OUT EVENTS IN LA PLAZA PARK B. CONSIDERATION OF REVISED MISSION SQUARE (457) RETIREMENT PLAN
AGREEMENT
C. ACCEPTANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER AUDIO VISUAL SYSTEM
UPGRADE PROJECT
D. ADOPT UPDATED RECORDS RETENTION SCHEDULE
E. CONSIDERATION OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT TO PROVIDE
ROOFING REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT CONSULTATION FOR THE POLICE STATION, SUNFLOWER PARK RESTROOM, AND WELL 2
F. APPROVAL OF A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES TO DESIGN THE 2026 PAVEMENT PRESERVATION PROJECT Cotati City Council Minutes May 13, 2025
G. RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR ASSEMBLY BILL 564 TO HALT THE STATE
EXCISE TAX INCREASE ON CANNABIS
RESULT: Adopt [5 TO 0]
MOVER: Susan Harvey, Councilmember
SECONDER: Laura Sparks, Councilmember
AYES: Ford, Lemus, Harvey, Sparks, Savage
NAYS: None
10. DIRECTION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
None.
11. PUBLIC HEARINGS (ACTION)
A. CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING PRELIMINARY DESIGN
REVIEW, A TREE REMOVAL PERMIT, PARKLAND DEDICATION, AND A VESTING TENTATIVE MAP TO ALLOW CONSTRUCTION OF A 178-UNIT MULTIFAMILY MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT ON A 10.62-ACRE PROPERTY
LOCATED NORTHWEST OF THE INTERSECTION OF REDWOOD DRIVE AND STATE ROUTE (SR) 116 AND FINDING THE PROJECT CONSISTENT WITH THE
COTATI GENERAL PLAN AND ITS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT AND
EXEMPT FROM FURTHER ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW UNDER CEQA
GUIDELINES SECTION 15183 (PA#22-07 / APNs 046-286-017, -018, -019 & -020) Presentation by Senior Planner JP Harries and Adam Foster of City Ventures.
Councilmembers comment.
Public Comment:
Jamie Tabor of Santa Rosa
Omar Lopez of Santa Rosa
Elizabeth Craven of Rohnert Park
Sonia Bycla-Barwick of Healdsburg
George Barich of Cotati
Laurie Alderman of Cotati
Chris Palomo
Neil Hancock of Cotati
Council added/modified the following conditions on the project:
1. Thirty-three (33) of the condominium units shall be pre-plumbed and prepared for ground floor ADU installation. Installation of the ADUs shall be offered as an option to prospective buyers.
2. All on-site amenities, including the swimming pool and pool house, must be accessible to all Project residents, including those in the apartment building. The Homeowners Association's CC&Rs shall clearly specify the process or method for granting access to Project residents who are not HOA members but wish to use the facilities. Any fees for Cotati City Council Minutes May 13, 2025
access must be proportional to the costs of maintaining and operating these amenities, and be calculated on a sliding scale, based on income categories.
3. If the Highway 116 Corridor Improvement Project, including signalization of the planned intersection, is not completed prior to occupancy of any unit, the Project shall install “No Left Turn” or “Right Turn Only” signs at all vehicular exit points from the development onto SR-116, unless Caltrans requires alternative intersection treatments for highway access.
RESULT: Approve [5 TO 0]
MOVER: John Savage, Councilmember
SECONDER: Laura Sparks, Councilmember
AYES: Ford, Lemus, Harvey, Sparks, Savage
NAYS: None
B. CITY FEE SCHEDULE UPDATE
RESULT: Approve [5 TO 0]
MOVER: Susan Harvey, Councilmember
SECONDER: Sylvia Lemus, Vice Mayor
AYES: Ford, Lemus, Harvey, Sparks, Savage
NAYS: None
Presentation by City Manager Damien O’Bid.
Councilmembers comment.
No public comment.
12. REGULAR AGENDA (ACTION)
A. FISCAL YEAR 2024/25 - THIRD QUARTER - FINANCIAL UPDATE Presentation by Director of Administrative Services Angela Courter.
Councilmembers comment.
Public Comment:
Laurie Alderman of Cotati
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.
Cotati City Council Minutes May 13, 2025
15. INFORMATION RECEIVED AFTER THE AGENDA WAS POSTED
16. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Ford adjourned the meeting at 10:23pm.
/s/ Kevin Patterson, Deputy City Clerk