Cotati City Council
Agenda Staff Report
Item type: CONSENT CALENDAR (ACTION)
To: City Council
Subject: RESPONSE TO THE 2024-25 CIVIL GRAND JURY, ANIMAL
SERVICES
Date: September 23, 2025
Written by: Damien O'Bid, City Manager
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council, by motion, authorize the City Manager to send the proposed response to the Sonoma County Civil Grand Jury regarding the 2024-25 report on animal services.
Background
Under State law the Civil Grand Jury is an independent institution that oversees the legislative and administrative departments that make up county, city, and special district governments. The Civil Grand Jury has the power to investigate them to ensure that they are efficient, honest, fair and dedicated to serving the public and individual citizens.
The Civil Grand Jury functions as an arm of the judicial branch of government and operates under the authority of the Sonoma County Superior Court. Jurors are selected to serve for a one year term (July 1 to June 30). At the beginning of the Civil Grand Jury term, the 19 members establish committees that focus on broad topic areas (e.g., health, law, education, finance, environment, etc.). Each Jury has the authority to select whatever topics it feels are important to investigate. Jury members are citizens that must meet certain eligibility criteria and if eligible are interviewed by the presiding Superior Court Judge and ultimately selected by drawing.
Analysis/Discussion
For FY 2024-25, the Civil Grand Jury selected the following topics:
• Sonoma County Airport
• Permit Sonoma 2025
• Local Fees, Local Subsidies
• Animal Services in Sonoma County
• Sonoma County Emergency Evacuation Plans
• Who can afford to live in Sonoma County?
• Sonoma County’s Surplus Property Disposal
The consolidated report can be found here: https://sonoma.courts.ca.gov/system/files/grandjury/sonoma-county-civil-grand-jury-consolidated-report-2024-2025.pdf Of the reports, only the Animal Services in Sonoma County requires a response from the City of Cotati. The proposed response is attached for consideration by the City Council.
Financial Considerations
There are no direct financial considerations with approving the response to the Sonoma County Civil Grand Jury. Note that if the County forms an animal services task force, it may require a commitment of staff resources. However, the scope of that, if any, is unknown at this time.
Environmental Issues
Where it can be determined with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA review.
This general rule can be applied to activities which could be subject to the CEQA process, but which logic dictates should not be subject to CEQA review. Therefore, based on the information provided above, the proposed resolution is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 14.03.021 of the CEQA Guidelines in that there is no possibility that the activity may have a significant impact on the environment.