Cotati City Council
Agenda Staff Report
Item type: CONSENT CALENDAR (ACTION)
To: City Council
Subject: ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE 2026
COTATI SHORT FILM FESTIVAL EVENT IN LA PLAZA
PARK AND THE COTATI ROOM OF THE RAY MILLER
COMMUNITY CENTER.
Date: April 14, 2026
Written by: Ashley Wilson, Recreation Manager
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution approving the 2026 Cotati Short Film Festival event in La Plaza Park and the Cotati Room of the Ray Miller Community Center.
Background
On Axis Productions is a local production company owned by Cotati residents with deep roots in Sonoma County. Spending several years directing the Hermosa Beach Film Festival, the owners Tom and Maura Kearney came back to Sonoma County and would like to bring their experience to Cotati. With a desire to celebrate local filmmakers and inspired content creators, they are proposing the first annual Cotati Short Film Festival.
On Axis Productions is a recipient of the 2026 Cotati Cultural Grant Program award and will use the $5,000 in grant funding to produce the proposed Cotati Short Film Festival event on September 26, 2026 in La Plaza Park and the Ray Miller Community Center.
Analysis/Discussion
The proposed event will feature free family friendly entertainment and vendors selling food, local goods, and other items for purchase.
The event is proposed to be from 1-6pm in the Cotati Room and 6pm-10pm in La Plaza Park.
The applicant has requested use of the Cotati Room from 12pm to 6:30pm for setup and takedown and use of the park from 4pm-11:30pm for setup and takedown. There are no street closures requested, but there are parking space closures requested along the park side of La Plaza Street between Old Redwood Highway and West Sierra Avenue for vendor booths. The parking space closures are requested for the duration of the park permit time, from 4pm-11:30pm. No park closures have been requested. This event will be free to attend.
The applicant has requested the use of amplified music, and authorization for vendors to sell goods, food, and beverages.
The exhibits attached to the resolution describe the parking space closures necessary for the orderly movement of vehicle and pedestrian traffic during street closures. City staff will place no parking signs on La Plaza Street and West Sierra Avenue the morning of the event.
Financial Considerations
On Axis Productions has requested fee waivers for their event. In accordance with the Park Use and Special Event Policy regarding fee waiver requests, staff recommends that the park permit costs be fully waived as this event is a first year of an ongoing free community event and has the potential to increase the number of visitors to the City. The event would provide increased opportunities to promote economic development and increase sales tax revenue.
Additionally, a fee waiver has been requested for the use of the Cotati Room. This is not included in the fee waiver request section of the Park Use and Special Event Policy as it is a facility rental request, which falls under the Facility Use and Reservation Policy. This policy allows the City Manager or designee to make exceptions for organizations. Since this is a new request that coincides with a park fee waiver request, staff request the City Council waives the facility rental fees along with the park permit fees, except for the deposits for each and the cleaning fee for the Cotati Room, as it is a direct cost to the City.
Total costs and waivers would be as follows:
The subsidy of the total fees of $1,944.50 is provided as a waiver to the City’s General Fund.
Separately the General Fund will provide $5,000 in a grant award that will be used to offset the costs of producing the first-time event. Grant funding will be used to purchase event supplies, pay event staff, and pay for event marketing.
Environmental Issues
This action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it is not a project which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, pursuant to CEQA Guideline section 15378.
Description Waived Fees Deposits & Fees
Not Waived
La Plaza Park
Large Event Resident Park Permit Fee 384.00$
Small Street Closure Fee 769.00$
Special Event Application Fee 54.00$
Electricity Fee 17.00$
Restroom Cleaning Fee 220.00$
Refundable deposit 500.00$
Total for La Plaza Park 1,444.00$ 500.00$
Cotati Room
Rental Fee 500.50$
Cleaning Fee 167.00$
Refundable deposit 500.00$
Total for Cotati Room 500.50$ 667.00$
Total La Plaza Park & Cotati Room 1,944.50$ 1,167.00$