RESOLUTION NO. (XX)
APPROVING 2025 HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING EVENT
WHEREAS, the City of Cotati sponsors an annual Holiday Tree Lighting event, traditionally held in La Plaza Park; and
WHEREAS, California Vehicle Code Section 21101(e) authorizes temporary street closures where certain conditions exist; and
WHEREAS, it will be necessary to temporarily close certain streets, as described in this resolution and Exhibit “A,” to facilitate this event; and WHEREAS, the closure is necessary for the safety and protection of persons who are to use that portion or portions of the street(s) during the temporary closing; and WHEREAS, the Chief of Police of the City of Cotati will arrange for temporary street and lane closure and traffic re-routing, which would minimize the traffic hazard conditions and allow for orderly movement of traffic; and
WHEREAS, the Chief of Police will contact the Rancho Adobe Fire Protection District, ambulance service providers, bus service providers, and others who may need ingress, egress, or the ability to traverse the affected area and will reasonably provide for their needs; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that this event is part of a comprehensive economic development strategy by the City of Cotati in that it increases visitation to the City, promotes the Cotati community and results in increased sales tax revenues; and WHEREAS, the City Council further finds that the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the City of Cotati will not be jeopardized by the approval of this event; and WHEREAS, it will be necessary to conform to certain conditions as described in “Exhibit A,” attached hereto, to facilitate this event; and WHEREAS, the event organizers have been conditioned to provide evidence of their serve alcohol responsibly and in conformance with all rules and regulations of the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and conditioned to return the park and streets to their prior condition of cleanliness and repair as set forth in Exhibit “A” attached hereto; and WHEREAS, the action of approving a Holiday Tree Lighting event does not constitute a project as defined by California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15378; therefore, no further environmental review is required.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Cotati as follows:
1. The above recitals are true and correct and are incorporated herein by reference.
2. The closure of La Plaza Park for use for the Holiday Tree Lighting on Friday, December 5, 2025, between 8:00 am and 10:00 pm is hereby approved, to include amplified music, vendor and food truck sales, alcohol sales, and other activities as described in the accompanying staff report.
3. The temporary closure of portions of La Plaza Street, between Old Redwood Highway and West Sierra Avenue on December 5, 2025, between the hours of 12:00pm and 10:00pm is hereby approved.
4. The use of staff time and City Funds for the Holiday Tree Lighting, as further described in the accompanying staff report, is hereby approved.
5. The Conditions of Approval, attached as Exhibit A to this resolution, are hereby approved.
IT IS HEREBY CERTIFIED that the foregoing resolution was duly adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Cotati held on October 14, 2025, by the following vote, to wit:
Approved:___________________________
Mayor
Attest:______________________________
Kevin Patterson, City Clerk
Approved as to form:______________________________
City Attorney