Cotati City Council
Agenda Staff Report
Item type: REGULAR AGENDA (ACTION)
To: City Council
Subject: UPDATE ON THE LA PLAZA WATER FOUNTAIN
Date: September 8, 2026
Written by: Damien O'Bid, City Manager
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council receive an update on the planned removal of the decommissioned water fountain in La Plaza Park and provide direction to staff, if any.
Background
In 1971, the Cotati Public Works Department built the decorative water fountain in La Plaza Park. For many years, this water fountain has been out of service, initially as a water savings measure during drought years but eventually because it no longer functioned. Once it was permanently out of service, the standing water in the basin became a mosquito breeding issue as well as a potential drowning hazard for small children. As a result, the City filled the basins with soil. However, the fountain is now very old and poses a safety hazard for people that regularly climb onto it.
In the adopted 2019 Parks Master Plan, the fountain was one of the park elements explicitly slated for removal, as described in the narrative for La Plaza Park, attached.
Analysis/Discussion
Beginning in October 2026, PG&E will begin work in La Plaza park to replace an aging high pressure gas main that runs through the park. The alignment of the gas line will require trenching and heavy equipment immediately adjacent to the water fountain, which is likely to damage and destabilize the feature.
Given the prior intent to remove the water fountain from the park and the immediately adjacent destabilizing work, the staff are intending to direct PG&E to remove the fountain and surrounding asphalt in the course of their work and restore the area as turf to match the surrounding area. This will implement the direction in the Park Master Plan, remove a potentially hazardous feature, and free up space in the park for the many events throughout the year.
The primary ad-hoc use of the feature is as a seat (on the lower tier) and as a location to place the Christmas tree during the holiday. However, there are a variety of benches, tables, and other features that are used for seating throughout the park, so staff do not believe that this informal seating needs to be replaced at this time. However, in the Park Master Plan, additional seating and other features are planned to compliment the planned improvements, rather than placed throughout the park without intent, where they often obstruct event set up or general activities.
For the Christmas tree, a new tier or stand will be required to maintain the current height.
Financial Considerations
There is no cost impact with removing the water fountain and surrounding asphalt and restoring the area, as this would be performed by PG&E as part of their gas main replacement work. Staff anticipate some minor costs (expected to be less than $2,000) for either purchase of a new tier for the Christmas tree or construction of a temporary stand for the holidays. This additional cost is not expected to require a budget adjustment, as they are planned to come from the general operations already budgeted. As such, no appropriations or budget adjustments are being requested.
Environmental Issues
This action is found to qualify for a Class 1 Categorical Exemption under CEQA Section 15301 in that the project consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of the existing or former use.