Cotati City Council
Agenda Staff Report
Item type: REGULAR AGENDA (ACTION)
To: City Council
Subject: COUNCIL ASSIGNMENTS AS REPRESENTATIVES AND
LIAISONS TO VARIOUS COMMITTEES FOR CALENDAR
YEAR 2026
Date: January 27, 2026
Written by: Kevin Patterson, City Clerk
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Council adopt a motion to assign representatives and liaisons to various committees and commissions for calendar year 2026.
Background
Each year, the City Council reviews assignments to committees, commissions and regional assignments that are directly appointed by the City Council. This is typically done concurrently with the City Council reorganization on off-election years in December. On election years when new City Council members join the City Council, appointments are typically made at the first meeting in January.
Many years ago, Cotati had weak representation regionally, so Cotati’s interests were often ignored when decisions were being made. However, over the past decade or so, Cotati has been a key player in regional discussions on a variety of issues, including water supply, transportation, solid waste and negotiating the formation of Sonoma Clean Power, all of which have directly benefited both Cotati residents and the region as a whole. Therefore, it is important to continue to be strongly engaged in regional bodies.
Analysis/Discussion
The current Cotati City Council Appointments and Assignments sheet listing the active committees is attached for review. This is a worksheet listing active committees and approximate time commitments, including a calendar of the various meetings. Current appointees may take this opportunity to update the ‘Hours/Duties’ portion of the appointments and assignments worksheet as needed.
Note that Councilmember Harvey and Vice Mayor Lemus also have appointments on statewide Cal Cities committees. Councilmember Harvey is on the Public Safety Policy Committee and Vice Mayor Lemus is on the Revenue & Taxation Policy Committee.
Councilmember Sparks has been approved by the Council for an extended leave of absence, from January 26 – May 11, 2026. The alternate appointee for committees where Councilmember Sparks is the primary member will need to attend meetings in her place for the duration of leave.
Based on prior City Council direction, the City Council had an initial non-action discussion about City Council appointments on December 9, 2025. At that meeting, the City Council made two changes proposed changes:
• Mayors’ and Councilmembers Legislative Committee: Move Councilmember Savage into the primary role with Mayor Lemus as the alternate. • Sonoma County Homeless Coalition Board of Directors (Homeless Coalition Board): Mayor Lemus expressed interest in this joint Cotati/Rohnert Park assignment, but preferred to be in the primary role.
Following the December 9 City Council meeting, staff and Mayor Lemus discussed the change to the Homeless Coalition Board with staff at Rohnert Park, as well as Councilmember Elward.
Given the length of time already served by Councilmember Elward on this assignment (3 years), it was decided that Mayor Lemus would assume the primary role and Councilmember Elward would move to alternate. The City of Rohnert Park is planning to make these changes in assignment at their January 27, 2026 City Council meeting.
Financial Considerations
None.
Environmental Issues
The action of assigning representatives and liaisons to various committees and commissions does not constitute a project as defined by California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15378; therefore, no further environmental review is required.