Agenda packet — Cotati City Council, October 13, 2026 (part 1 of 2)

AGENDA

JOINT MEETING OF THE COTATI CITY COUNCIL AND THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE

FORMER COTATI COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
City Council Chamber, City Hall 201 W. Sierra Avenue
Tuesday, October 13, 2026
6:00 PM REGULAR MEETING
The Cotati City Council welcomes you to its meetings that are generally scheduled for the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month. Your interest and participation are encouraged and appreciated.

City Council meeting agendas, minutes and recordings are posted on the City’s Meeting Portal at www.cotaticity.gov. For questions about the agenda or to receive the City Council agenda by e-mail, contact the City Clerk at [email protected] or 707-665-3622.

Cotati City Council Meetings will be conducted in person in the Council Chamber. To guarantee your ability to participate, you must attend the meeting in person. As a courtesy to the public, the City allows citizens the opportunity to view and offer public comments virtually through Zoom Online video conferencing platform. Technical difficulties may occur that make the Zoom platform unavailable. If Zoom is unavailable, the meeting will continue. Participants considering using Zoom should consider attending in person, if they desire to ensure their ability to view the meeting and offer public comments.

Subject to the above disclaimer, Zoom Online video conferencing is available to watch or listen in the following ways:

1. Using the following online livestream meeting portal link: https://www.youtube.com/@cityofcotati7280/streams

2. Cable T.V. Broadcast, local channel 28
Members of the public can participate in the meeting online by clicking the link below:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85049237020?pwd=KaJLOg8jLeE7IapabNuoLzyAH0l3IU.1 If you do not have the ability to join online, but would like to participate in the meeting, you can call into the meeting using your telephone, by dialing one of the following numbers and entering the meeting credentials:

Webinar ID: 850 4923 7020 Passcode: 921205
+1 (669) 900-6833 or +1 (346) 248-7799 or +1 (253) 215-8782 or +1 (301) 715-8592 or +1 (312) 626-6799 or +1 (929) 436-2866 Attendees may join the meeting any time after 5:45pm. Attendees will be muted until they are called upon for Public Comment. To make a public comment, use the “raise hand” icon on your smart device or desktop computer, or dial *9 if you are using just your telephone. Please listen carefully for the Mayor or City Clerk to address you by name (or phone number) and for the audible Zoom notification that you have been unmuted. Once you begin your public comment, your three minutes will begin.

If you would prefer to submit your public comment in writing, please email your comments to [email protected]. If you are commenting on a specific agenda item or items, please state the agenda item number(s) in the subject line of the email. All comments received via email will be provided to the City Council in writing and included as part of the record of the meeting. They will not be read aloud into the record at the meeting.

Notice is hereby given that Council may discuss and/or take action on any or all of the items listed on this agenda, in accordance with the City Council Rules of Conduct.

Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the Cotati City Council regarding any item on this agenda will be made available for inspection in the online Meeting Portal at www.cotaticity.gov and in the City Manager’s office located at 201 West Sierra Avenue, Cotati, California, during the City’s posted business hours.

Cotati City Council Agenda October 13, 2026
Accommodations: Upon request, this agenda will be made available in appropriate formats to persons with disabilities as required by Section 202 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Any person with a disability who requires a modification or accommodation in order to participate in a meeting should contact the City Clerk at (707) 665-3622 at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting.

Rules of Decorum: To avoid distraction, the following meeting etiquette shall be enforced. • Silence electronic devices, including cell phones.
• Audience members are advised to keep conversations to a minimum or conduct them outside the building. • Members of the public are prohibited from speaking, yelling, or otherwise making loud noises from the audience that disrupt the orderly proceeding of the meeting.
• Photographs or video recordings using tri-pods or other means that would be distracting are to be taken only from the designated media area. • The Presiding Officer shall request that the audience withhold expressions of support or opposition for speakers in the interest of time and to encourage the full expression of differing views.

Public Comment: Public comment on any one agenda item is limited to no more than three (3) minutes per person, in accordance with the City Council Rules of Conduct.

Waiver Warning: If you challenge decisions/direction of the City Council of the City of Cotati in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at public hearing(s) described in this agenda, or in written correspondence delivered to the City of Cotati at, or prior to, the public hearing(s).

Announcements:

A. Meeting Orientation for New Attendees/Viewers. In conformance with the Brown Act and the adopted City Council Rules, if the City Council is considering an item in which action will be taken, citizens will be invited to provide comments relevant to the item being discussed.

The meeting agenda also includes a Citizen Business item, which is the designated place on the agenda where citizens have the right to comment on any matter within the City’s subject matter jurisdiction. However, Citizen Business items do not generally receive a response because the Brown Act prohibits the City Council from taking action or considering any item that is not on this agenda, so as to ensure that other members of the community who wish to provide comment are notified in advance through a properly noticed meeting agenda. Nonetheless, in accordance with the Brown Act, the Council may briefly respond, may ask a question for clarification, or may direct an item be placed on a future agenda.

B. Measure S supports police services, a variety of recreation programs for all ages, and the maintenance of our streets, parks, and public buildings. See details on the web at cotaticity.gov.

C. Citizens interested in receiving City of Cotati community alerts via text or email are encouraged to enroll with CivicReady, by signing up on the City’s website, www.cotaticity.gov, under the “How do I” link at the top of the homepage.

D. Have you noticed a street light out, pothole, or issues in a City Park? We want to keep Cotati beautiful and running smoothly, so please let us know what needs to be fixed, by going to the City website under “How do I” and “Report a Service Request.” E. Like always, we love to hear from you, so please feel free to contact the City at 707-792-4600 or [email protected]. If you have a nonemergency issue after normal business hours, you can contact us at 707-792-4611 and of course if you have an emergency, please contact 9-1-1.

Continue to look for updates on the City's website and social media channels available on Facebook, Instagram, and CivicReady.

City Council meetings are conducted according to City Council Policy 2025-03: City Council Rules of Conduct. This policy available for inspection in the online Meeting Portal at www.cotaticity.gov and in the City Manager’s office located at 201 West Sierra Avenue, Cotati, California, during the City’s posted business hours.

Those wishing to address the Council are asked to complete a speaker card and give it to the City Clerk. When you are called, step to the podium and state your name and address for the record. Persons wishing to address the Council are not required to identify themselves or complete a speaker card; (Gov’t. Code § 54953.3); however, this information assists the Mayor by ensuring that all persons wishing to address the Council are recognized and it assists the City Clerk in preparing the City Council meeting minutes.

1. CALL TO ORDER - ROLL CALL

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND NOTICE OF WAIVING OF READING OF ALL

RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES INTRODUCED AND/OR ADOPTED UNDER THIS

AGENDA (ACTION)
A. COTATI CITY COUNCIL – REGULAR MEETING – SEP 8, 2026

3. PROCLAMATIONS (ACTION)
Cotati City Council Agenda October 13, 2026
A. ZERO WASTE WEEK PROCLAMATION
B. BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

4. PRESENTATIONS
A. SONOMA COUNTY TRANSIT PRESENTATION ON PROPOSED BUS ROUTE

CHANGES AS PART OF THE MARIN-SONOMA COORDINATED TRANSIT

SERVICE PLAN (MASCOTS)
It is recommended that the City Council receive a presentation from Sonoma County Transit.

No action will be taken.

B. PRESENTATION FROM THE FRIENDS OF THE LAGUNA
It is recommended that the City Council receive an informational presentation from the Cotati Friends of the Laguna. No action will be taken.

5. AGENDA REVIEW (ACTION)

6. CITIZEN BUSINESS AND PUBLIC COMMENT FOR CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS Any member of the public wishing to speak to the Council on any item(s) listed on the Consent Calendar or any matter(s) not listed on the agenda that are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Council may do so at this time. Pursuant to the Brown Act, the Council is not allowed to consider issues or take action on any item not listed on the agenda. Pursuant to City Council Policy 2025-03, comments of any member of the public are normally restricted to a total of three (3) minutes in length per person for matters not on the agenda and a total of three (3) minutes per person in length for any and all items on the Consent Calendar. The Mayor may extend the time limit for a reasonable time where a disability accommodation has been requested. To facilitate public comment, the timer indicator lights will display yellow when there are thirty seconds remaining, and red when time has expired.

7. CONSENT CALENDAR (ACTION)
A. PROPOSITION 1 RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT - VETERANS AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING BOND ACT OF 2026
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution supporting The Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026, which authorizes $11.25 billion in state general obligation bonds to fund several housing affordability programs.

B. ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE 2026 PLAY LIKE DJ DAY OF

THE DEAD EVENT IN LA PLAZA PARK
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution approving the 2026 Play Like DJ Day of the Dead event in La Plaza Park.

C. CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION APPROVING THE 2026 CITY

OF COTATI HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution approving the 2026 City of Cotati Holiday Tree Lighting Event.

D. CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE 2026

AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY EVENTS FARMERS MARKETS - DOWNTOWN

SHOP AND STROLL HOLIDAY EVENT IN DOWNTOWN COTATI
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution approving the 2026 Agricultural Community Events Farmers Markets Downtown Shop and Stroll Holiday Event in Downtown Cotati.

E. AUTHORIZE APPROPRIATION AND CONTRACTS WITH HANSON-BRIDGETT Cotati City Council Agenda October 13, 2026

AND PRESCOTT LAW
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution appropriating the necessary funds and authorizing the City Manager to execute agreements with Hanson-Bridgett and Prescott Law.

F. ACCEPTANCE OF THE 2026 STREET PRESERVATION PROJECT
It is recommended the City of Cotati City Council adopt a resolution accepting the 2026 Street Preservation Project, authorizing the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion with the County Clerk, and authorizing the release of retention after the 35-day noticing period with no protests.

G. ACCEPTANCE OF THE CLASS 1 PATHWAY MAINTENANCE PROJECT It is recommended the City of Cotati City Council adopt a Resolution accepting the Class 1 Pathway Maintenance Project Improvements, authorizing the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion with the County Clerk, and authorizing the release of retention after the 35-day noticing period with no protests.

H. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A CHANGE ORDER TO THE 2026/2027 PAVEMENT PRESERVATION PROJECT TO PAVE THE WATER TRENCH IN HIGHWAY 116 AT SR 101
It is recommended the City of Cotati City Council approve a Resolution approving a Change Order to the 2026/2027 Pavement Preservation Project to Pave the water trench in Highway 116 at State Route 101 and authorizes the appropriation of funds from the unappropriated water enterprise fund in the amount of $20,500, for the extra work.

8. DIRECTION ON FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

9. PUBLIC HEARINGS (ACTION)
A. APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE GENERAL PLAN TO INCLUDE A

NEW DEVELOPMENT FUNDING POLICY AND INTRODUCTION OF AN

ORDIANNCE AMENDING THE COTATI MUNICIPAL CODE TO IMPLEMENT THE

UPDATED GENERAL PLAN POLICY
It is recommended by the Planning Commission that the City Council:

1. Adopt Resolution No. X amending the Cotati General Plan to further establish policies requiring new development to mitigate its fiscal impacts; and

2. Introduce an Ordinance to modify the Cotati Municipal Code (CMC) to include objective development standards to implement the updated general plan policies to ensure that new development contributes toward the municipal service costs it creates and does not impose an ongoing fiscal burden on, or degrade service levels to, existing residents and businesses.

B. FREEWAY ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE
It is recommended by the Planning Commission that the City Council introduce an ordinance to:

1. Establishing a Freeway Oriented Development (FOD) Overlay District applicable to properties within the Commercial/Industrial zoning district located on Redwood Dr, adjacent to and visible from U.S. Highway 101; and

2. Make additional modifications to the Cotati Municipal Code to allow increased land use activities in the Commercial Industrial (CI) zoning district and city-wide, as identified and described.

10. REGULAR AGENDA (ACTION)
A. SANTA ROSA PLAIN GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY AGENCY JOINT Cotati City Council Agenda October 13, 2026

POWERS AGREEMENT UPDATE
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution approving the changes to the Santa Rosa Plain Groundwater Sustainability Agency Joint Powers Agreement and authorizing the Mayor or City Manager to execute the amended Joint Powers Agreement on behalf of the City.

B. APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT WITH ONLINE INFORMATION SERVICES, INC.

FOR UTILITY APPLICANT SCREENING AND COLLECTION SERVICES It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution approving an agreement with Online Information Services, Inc. for utility applicant screening, identity validation, and outside collection services, for an initial three-year term with two optional one-year renewals and a total amount not to exceed amount of $6,000 per year.

C. ADOPTION OF MULTI-HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution approving the 2026 Sonoma County Hazard Mitigation Plan (Volume 1), the Introduction and Cotati Annex (in Volume 2) and the appendices to Volume 2 and authorize staff to transmit the adoption documentation to Sonoma County and FEMA, as required.

D. COST-SHARING AND PROJECT ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT FOR THE HELMAN LANE–BLODGETT STREET WATER LINE EXTENSION
It is recommended the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a cost sharing agreement with the Marin-Sonoma Mosquito and Vector Control District to construct the Helman-Blodgett water main extension, subject to final acceptance by the City Attorney.

11. LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The City of Cotati recognizes that we’re on the ancestral lands of the Coastal Miwok, who are the original caretakers of this area. We respectfully acknowledge the Indigenous peoples who have been stewarding and maintaining a relationship on this land as knowledge keepers for millenia. This acknowledgment does not take the place of authentic relationships with Indigenous communities but serves as a gesture of respect to the land we are on.

12. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT & COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS

13. CLOSED SESSION
A. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS (GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957.6) CITY DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVE: CITY MANAGER OR DESIGNEE.

EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATIONS: COTATI EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION (CEA),

COTATI POLICE OFFICER'S ASSOCIATION (CPOA), COTATI POLICE MANAGERS ASSOCIATION (CPMA), AND NON-REPRESENTED EMPLOYEES.

B. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—ANTICIPATED LITIGATION SIGNIFICANT EXPOSURE TO LITIGATION PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (2) OR (3) OF SUBDIVISION (D) OF SECTION 54956.9: 2 CASES

14. INFORMATION RECEIVED AFTER THE AGENDA WAS POSTED

15. ADJOURNMENT
Cotati City Council Agenda October 13, 2026
Certification of Posting of the Notice: I declare under penalty of perjury that I am employed by the City of Cotati and that I posted this notice on the City’s website, bulletin boards of City Hall, Veterans’ Memorial Building and the SMART Train Depot, on or before October 9, 2026. /s/ Kevin Patterson, City Clerk

MINUTES

JOINT MEETING OF THE COTATI CITY COUNCIL AND THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE

FORMER COTATI COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
City Council Chamber, City Hall 201 W. Sierra Avenue
Tuesday, September 08, 2026
6:00 PM REGULAR MEETING

1. CALL TO ORDER - ROLL CALL

Mayor Lemus called the meeting to order at 6:00pm.

Attendee Name Title Status
Sylvia Lemus Mayor Present
Susan Harvey Vice Mayor Present
Ben Ford Councilmember Present
Laura Sparks Councilmember Present
John Savage Councilmember Absent
Staff Present: City Manager Damien O’Bid, City Attorney John Bakker, City Clerk Kevin Patterson, Director of Administrative Services Angela Courter, Director of Community Development Noah Housh, Director of Public Works/City Engineer Craig Scott, Police Chief Chris Simmons

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND NOTICE OF WAIVING OF READING OF ALL

RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES INTRODUCED AND/OR ADOPTED UNDER THIS

AGENDA (ACTION)
A. COTATI CITY COUNCIL – SPECIAL MEETING – AUG 18, 2026 B. COTATI CITY COUNCIL – REGULAR MEETING – AUG 25, 2026 No public comment.

RESULT: Approve [4 TO 0]
MOVER: Ben Ford, Councilmember
SECONDER: Laura Sparks, Councilmember
AYES: Lemus, Harvey, Ford, Sparks
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Savage

3. PROCLAMATIONS (ACTION)
A. LATINO HERITAGE MONTH
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Cotati City Council Minutes September 08, 2026
Mayor Lemus read the proclamation. Proclamation was accepted by Omar Galvan of Galvan’s Eatery, and students from the Rancho Cotate High School MEChA Club.

B. CREEK WEEK 2026
Councilmember Ford read the proclamation. Proclamation was accepted by Jenny Blaker of the Cotati Friends of the Laguna.

C. CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
Mayor Lemus read the proclamation, nobody was present to receive.

4. PRESENTATIONS
A. PRESENTATION BY THE COTATI LIBRARY COMMISSIONER
Presentation by Library Commissioner Tina Poles.

No public comment.

5. AGENDA REVIEW (ACTION)
City Manager Damien O’Bid recommended to continue item 7B to a date uncertain. There being no objection from the Council, the item was continued.

No public comment.

Public Comment:

Laurie Alderman of Cotati

7. CONSENT CALENDAR (ACTION)
Councilmember Sparks requested to pull item 7D from the Consent Calendar. There being no objection from the Council, the item was added to the end of the Regular Agenda. Item 7B was continued to a date uncertain during Agenda Review. Motion to approve the Consent Calendar included only items 7A, 7C, 7E, and 7F.

A. CANCELLATION OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2026 B. SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 17.42.170

ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS/JUNIOR ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS OF

THE COTATI MUNICIPAL CODE TO CONFORM TO STATE LAW
C. BIANNUAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE REVIEW
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Cotati City Council Minutes September 08, 2026
E. CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION APPROVING THE CITY OF COTATI’S 2026 COTATI CANDYLAND EVENT
F. APPROVAL OF 2026 COTATI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OKTOBERFEST EVENT

IN LA PLAZA PARK
RESULT: Adopt [4 TO 0] 7A, 7C, 7E, 7F
MOVER: Susan Harvey, Vice Mayor
SECONDER: Ben Ford, Councilmember
AYES: Lemus, Harvey, Ford, Sparks
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Savage

8. DIRECTION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
None.

9. REGULAR AGENDA (ACTION)
A. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL UPDATE FOR THE UNAUDITED FISCAL YEAR END 2025/26
Presentation by Director of Administrative Services Angela Courter.

Councilmembers discuss.

Public Comment:

Laurie Alderman of Cotati
B. 2026 PRESENTATION ON THE PENSION UNFUNDED ACCRUED LIABILITY,

POLICY COMPLIANCE, AND FUNDED STATUS
Presentation by Director of Administrative Services Angela Courter and Dmitry Semenov of Ridgeline Municipal Strategies.

Councilmembers discuss.

No public comment.

C. APPROVAL OF MEASURE O GRANT AGREEMENT - MOBILE CRISIS TEAM

SUPPORT
Presentation by City Manager Damien O’Bid.

Councilmembers discuss.

No public comment.
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Cotati City Council Minutes September 08, 2026
RESULT: Adopt [4 TO 0]
MOVER: Susan Harvey, Vice Mayor
SECONDER: Laura Sparks, Councilmember
AYES: Lemus, Harvey, Ford, Sparks
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Savage
D. APPROVAL OF THIRD AMENDED SAFE MEMORANDIUM OF UNDERSTANDING Presentation by City Manager Damien O’Bid.

Councilmembers discuss.

No public comment.

RESULT: Adopt [4 TO 0]
MOVER: Susan Harvey, Vice Mayor
SECONDER: Ben Ford, Councilmember
AYES: Lemus, Harvey, Ford, Sparks
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Savage
After the completion of this item, Council took a five-minute recess.

E. UPDATE ON THE LA PLAZA WATER FOUNTAIN
Presentation by City Manager Damien O’Bid.

Councilmembers discuss.

No public comment.

Council directed Staff to explore options for more seating in the park after the fountain is removed.

F. AWARD OF 2026/2027 PAVEMENT PRESERVATION PROJECT
Presentation by Director of Public Works Craig Scott.

Councilmembers discuss.

No public comment.

RESULT: Adopt [4 TO 0]
MOVER: Ben Ford, Councilmember
SECONDER: Susan Harvey, Vice Mayor
AYES: Lemus, Harvey, Ford, Sparks
NAYS: None
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Cotati City Council Minutes September 08, 2026
ABSENT: Savage
7D.

10. 11.

APPROVAL OF CONTRACTS EXCEEDING CITY MANAGER CONTRACTING AUTHORITY – JOHNSTON SIGN COMPANY INC. AND INDEPENDENT

INVESTIGATIVE CONSULTANTS, LLC
Item was pulled from the Consent Calendar by Councilmember Sparks.

Presentation by City Manager Damien O’Bid.

Councilmembers discuss.

No public comment.

Council approved the contracts, and directed Staff to issue an RFP for investigative services for FY 27/28 and beyond.

RESULT: Adopt [4 TO 0]
MOVER: Ben Ford, Councilmember
SECONDER: Laura Sparks, Councilmember
AYES: Lemus, Harvey, Ford, Sparks
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Savage

LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT & PLEDGE OF ALLIGIANCE
The City of Cotati recognizes that we’re on the ancestral lands of the Coastal Miwok, who are the original caretakers of this area. We respectfully acknowledge the Indigenous peoples who have been stewarding and maintaining a relationship on this land as knowledge keepers for millenia. This acknowledgment does not take the place of authentic relationships with Indigenous communities but serves as a gesture of respect to the land we are on.

CITY MANAGER'S REPORT & COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS
Report by City Manager Damien O’Bid.

Councilmembers report out on local and regional events and meetings.

12. INFORMATION RECEIVED AFTER THE AGENDA WAS POSTED

13. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Lemus adjourned the meeting at 9:12pm.
/s/ Kevin Patterson, City Clerk
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PROCLAMATION

OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COTATI
IN SUPPORT OF NORTH BAY ZERO WASTE WEEK, OCTOBER 10-17, 2026 WHEREAS, the City of Cotati has assumed a leadership role by setting Zero Waste as a goal and adopting a Zero Waste Resolution and sets a goal of Zero Waste by 2030; and WHEREAS, each year, Zero Waste Sonoma and community partners host a one-day Zero Waste Symposium as a local opportunity for industry and the public to gain insight on zero waste topics and trends, share ideas, and network; and
WHEREAS, this year, Zero Waste Sonoma has collaborated with North Bay groups and volunteers to expand the community event for the entire week in October, aimed at educating and empowering various sectors of the public to act toward zero waste; and WHEREAS, there are a variety of zero waste events throughout the North Bay, which can be found on the event calendar at https://northbayzerowasteweek.org/.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER PROCLAIMED on this day of October 13, 2026, by the City Council of the City of Cotati that the week of October 10 through October 17, 2026 is Zero Waste Week in the Cotati.

Approved:______________________________
Mayor
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PROCLAMATION

OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COTATI
RECOGNIZING OCTOBER 2026 AS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH WHEREAS, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a worldwide annual campaign to highlight the critical importance of breast cancer education, early detection, prevention, and regular screenings; and
WHEREAS, breast cancer remains one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers among women, affecting millions of individuals and families globally and in our local community; and WHEREAS, advances in early detection, medical research, and treatment protocols have significantly improved survival rates and quality of life for patients; and WHEREAS, this observance provides an opportunity to honor breast cancer survivors, support those currently battling the disease, remember loved ones lost, and recognize the dedicated healthcare professionals, researchers, and caregivers.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER PROCLAIMED on this day of October 13, 2026, by the City Council of the City of Cotati, that October 2026 is Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Cotati and urge all residents, community organizations, and healthcare providers to join in raising awareness, supporting education programs, and encouraging early detection and screenings.

Approved:______________________________
Mayor
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Cotati City Council
Agenda Staff Report
Item type: PRESENTATIONS
To: City Council
Subject: SONOMA COUNTY TRANSIT PRESENTATION ON

PROPOSED BUS ROUTE CHANGES AS PART OF THE

MARIN-SONOMA COORDINATED TRANSIT SERVICE PLAN
(MASCOTS)
Date: October 13, 2026
Written by: Damien O'Bid, City Manager
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council receive a presentation from Sonoma County Transit. No action will be taken.
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MASCOTS Phase II
Marin-Sonoma Coordinated
Transit Service Plan
October 27, 2026
Public Hearing on Proposed
Updates to Sonoma County
Transit Bus Service
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Sonoma County Transit
§ Sonoma County Transit has been in existence since 1980 § Current fixed route fleet has 28 CNG buses, 18 electric buses, and 3 gasoline cutaways; 19 routes
§ We also operate Paratransit Service, operated by the
Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership (CVNL),
with a fleet of 34 cutaways and minivans
§ FY26 at 87% of pre-COVID; 850,000 rides in FY26
§ Sonoma County Transit has free fare programs for:
• Youth (SCTCA Go Sonoma)
• Veterans (County)
• Santa Rosa Junior College (SJRC)
• Sonoma State (SSU)
• Local Routes (subsidized by local jurisdictions)
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What is MASCOTS?
§ Collaborative comprehensive analysis of
transit services in Highway 101 corridor
§ Focused on regional services
§ Grounded in post-pandemic travel
behavior and work patterns.

Goals
§ Grow ridership
§ Better use of existing resources
§ Work as if one agency
3 3
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MASCOTS Phase 1
Recommendation
Summary
§ SMART increases frequency and span to offer regular
consistent coverage as the primary service in
Highway 101 Corridor
§ Golden Gate Transit provides more frequent Marin –
San Francisco service, no all-day Sonoma service
§ Less Marin Transit duplication with GGT
§ Initial results: 28% SMART ridership increase;

8.5% GGT ridership increase
§ Phase 2: Better local bus connections to SMART in
Sonoma County
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5 MASCOTS Phase 2: Sonoma County
§ Leverage connections to SMART
§ Reduce duplication of service
§ Plan as if one bus agency in Sonoma County
§ Collaborative process focused on the customer
Context: shared fiscal and on-time performance challenges Address Challenges as if One System
§ Improve connections to reduce impact of service reductions § Focus on corridors with significant overlapping service:
• Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa Ave, Petaluma Blvd,
McDowell Blvd, Windsor-Santa Rosa 1199 of 669933
Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa
Current service: CityBus Route 1, and seven SCT
routes operate on an uncoordinated schedule
Recommendation:
§ Improve CityBus Route 1 frequency to 15 minutes
§ Interline CityBus Route 2, one-seat ride to SMART
§ All SCT regional service except Route 60 would end
at the Transit Mall; SCT Routes 20, 30, 44, and 48
would no longer serve Mendocino Ave.
§ SCT Route 60 would continue up Mendocino and
serve County Center buildings
Benefits:
§ Better connections to SMART
§ Improve frequency and reliability of all services
§ Better use of resources
6 Current Proposed
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Santa Rosa Ave, Santa Rosa
Current service: Two CityBus Routes (3, 5) and three
SCT Routes (42, 44, 48) operate on an uncoordinated
schedule
Recommendation:
§ Combine Routes 44 and 48 into a single coordinated
route that provides hourly service between Santa
Rosa, Rohnert Park, Cotati, and Petaluma
§ End the consolidated Route 48 at Transit Mall
§ Adjust SCT Route 42 for efficiency
§ Coordinate the Route 3 and Route 48 schedules for
30-minute service on Santa Rosa Ave
Benefits:
§ Improve frequency and reliability of all services
§ Better use of resources
7 Current Proposed
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N. McDowell & Petaluma Blvd, Petaluma
Current service: Duplicative service on both corridors by SCT (44, 48) and Petaluma Transit (2, 10)
Recommendation:
§ Petaluma Blvd. North only served by new consolidated SCT Route 48 (discontinue 44)
§ N. McDowell only served by PT Route 2 with increased frequency § PT Route 2 serves SMART Petaluma North and SRJC; corridor north of Corona Rd. served by SCT Route 48
Benefits:
§ Improve reliability for Petaluma Blvd. and entire Route 48 § Increased frequency on N. McDowell Blvd.
§ Improved connection to SRJC from SMART
§ Better use of resources
8 Current
Proposed
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Windsor – Santa Rosa Corridor
Current service: Duplicative service of SCT Route 62, SMART Train, and SMART Connect Bus
§ Low ridership on Route 62; high ridership on SMART
Recommendation:
§ Discontinue Route 62
§ Improve Windsor local connection to SMART (Route 60, 67) § Market SMART Connect Airport area Shuttle
Benefits:
§ Re-allocate Route 62 resources to underserved areas
§ Support MASCOTS goal of restructuring service around SMART as the backbone of North Bay Transit service
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Cotati: Routes 10, 44, 48
§ Route 10:
– Public requests for later service and better connections to SMART – SCT increasing service from 10 to 16 trips and re-designing route to offer bidirectional service to SMART
– For the morning, passengers riding SMART can transfer to Route 10 to get to school, SSU, or other destinations
– After 12:00 PM, the transfer direction is reversed from the bus to the train to allow students and commuters in Rohnert Park and Cotati to use Route 10 to connect with SMART for their trip home § Route 44/48
– Existing service is confusing with inconsistent headways and challenges remaining on time
– Consolidation of these routes into one Route 48 will allow consistent hourly service and improved reliability
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Changes That Must Happen Together
13 MUST BE IN PLACE FIRST WHICH ALLOWS SCT TO…
Mendocino Ave
Santa Rosa
CITYBUS Route 1 increases to 15-minute
service
• End regional routes at the Transit Mall
• Consolidate Routes 44 and 48
Cotati / Rohnert
Park
SCT Route 10 redesigned to keep coverage
for existing riders Consolidate Routes 44 and 48
Petaluma
PETALUMA TRANSIT More frequent Route 2
on N. McDowell
PETALUMA TRANSIT New SMART Petaluma
North – SRJC service
• Move Route 48 to Petaluma Blvd. North
(Petaluma Transit local service there ends)
• Discontinue Route 44
One coordinated launch: all partner and SCT changes take effect together on Sunday, February 14, 2027 2277 of 669933
Public Outreach to Date
14 740
MASCOTS Phase II survey
Fall 2025 · English & Spanish
• Promoted via pop-ups, social media, eblasts, bus stop flyers and open houses • 64% support a faster, streamlined 44/48
even if a transfer is needed
• 84% say moving Route 44 to Petaluma
Blvd works with more PT service on N.

McDowell
~400
Strategic Transit Plan participants
May – July 2026 · English & Spanish
• 245 community surveys + 80 onboard
passenger surveys
• 8 stakeholder interviews
• ~70 attendees at workshops: virtual,
Windsor, Sonoma Valley, Sebastopol
Oct 27
Public hearing notice & review
Per Title VI Public Participation Plan
• Press Democrat legal notice + bilingual
display ad
• Bilingual on-bus ads and Instagram /
Facebook posts
• SCTCA PAC, TTAC and TAC
• Local Jurisdiction meetings and
presentations ongoing
• Spanish interpreters at the hearing on
request
What we heard: riders prioritize frequency and reliability on core routes; 60% prioritize SMART connections 2288 of 669933
Public
Information
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Public
Information
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Next Steps and Outreach Plan
18 Oct 27
BOS public hearing
Nov 9
SCTCA Board
Nov 15
Schedules final
Feb 14
Service change effective
1 Announce
Nov – Dec 2026
• Web page, news release,
social launch (week of 11/16)
• Partner toolkit to cities, CBOs,
CityBus & Petaluma Transit
• SMART / STS: promote
SMART Connect for Route 62
• Car cards and “What’s
Changing” brochure
• Strategic Plan public
workshop on December 10
2 Educate
January 2027
• Pop-ups round 1; SRJC & SSU
tabling
• Trip planners updated (GTFS)
by ~1/24
• Printed schedules distributed
from 1/25
• Operator & customer service
briefings
3 Countdown
Feb 1 – 13, 2027
• Bilingual notices on board
and at affected stops (from
1/31)
• Pop-ups round 2; paid
bilingual ad
• Email, text & social reminders
• New stop signage 2/12–14
4 Launch & Support
Feb 14 – Mar 2027
• New service Sun 2/14;
holiday service 2/15
• Ambassadors at key stops
2/16–2/20
• Track rider issues and fix
quickly
• Outreach summary by 3/31
Informational campaign: English & Spanish materials; focus on riders losing or changing service (20X, 62, 42, 44/48) 3311 of 669933
Questions?
19 Emily Betts
Transit Manager
[email protected]
www.sctransit.com
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Cotati City Council
Agenda Staff Report
Item type: PRESENTATIONS
To: City Council
Subject: PRESENTATION FROM THE FRIENDS OF THE LAGUNA
Date: October 13, 2026
Written by: Damien O'Bid, City Manager
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council receive an informational presentation from the Cotati Friends of the Laguna. No action will be taken.
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Cotati Friends of the Laguna:

Neighbors and City, Caring for Our Waterway
1 st Annual Report 2025-
2026
Cotati City Council
October 13, 2026
Photo of volunteers
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OUR FIRST SEASON:

SEPTEMBER 2025 - MARCH 2026
• ~370 volunteer hours |

1.5 acres of Laguna
• 1,445 blackberry crowns
| 607 broom plants |
98 privets removed (5+
truckloads)
• 121 native plants
installed, plus sedge
transplanted 3355 of 669933

TIMELINE OF CFL
● September 2025: Creek Week
● October 2025 to March 2026:
-Stewardship Days
-Climate Ready Fair
-Bioblitz and tour of habitat
garden at UELF
● September 2026: Creek Week
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WORKING TOGETHER
• City
• Volunteers
• Partners
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WHY IT MATTERS
• Improved habitat
• Flood mitigation
• Reduce soil erosion
• Connection 3388 of 669933

OUR ORIGIN STORY
• 1998: Community & Environment
Commission
• 2005: Cotati Creek Critters
received $169K state grant to
plant 2,000 native trees and
shrubs along 1 mile
• 2009: interpretive signs
• 2011: added another 1/3 mile
• Monthly nature education series
• Community Voice articles
• November 2024: Celebrating the
Laguna 3399 of 669933
WHAT’S WORKING AND WHAT’S TO COME
● Success story: basket sedge
(Carex barbarae)
● 2027 plans
○ Stewardship Days
○ Educational and fun events
● What we're dreaming about:
○ Benches
○ Updated interpretive signs
○ More collaborative
opportunities
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Cotati → Laguna → Russian River → Pacific Ocean
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INVITATION
Join us
at a Stewardship Day!
Next one: Saturday, October 17
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
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THANK YOU!
tinyurl.com/CotatiLaguna
CFL Steering Committee:

Councilmember John Savage, John Dell’Osso, Maria
Alvarez, Sam Malkemus, Jenny Blaker, Robert Leys,
Yukta Mehtaji, Judith Newton
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1 1
st Annual Report for Cotati Friends of the Laguna (CFL) For August 2025-July 2026
Submitted to the City of Cotati by the CFL Steering Committee members: Maria Alvarez, Jenny Blaker, John Dell’Osso, John Savage, Judith Newton, Robert Leys, Yukta Mehtaji, and Aishwarya Kancharla.

This document seeks to share initiatives and results from our first year together, caring for our beautiful tree-lined Laguna. The natural habitat and beauty of Cotati’s stretch of the Laguna de Santa Rosa is a source of recreation, inspiration and rejuvenation for our residents as well as an important refuge for resident and migrating native wildlife. For more history see Appendix 1.

Last summer we formed a Steering Committee which met five times: on 8/1/25; 10/17/25; 1/16/26, 3/13/26, 7/20/26. This group focused on planning and coordinating with the City to host five official creek stewardship days, several smaller creek care workdays, community outreach, developing materials, and tabling at local events. Many thanks to the Cotati Historical Society for allowing us to hold meetings at the Museum.

Our main purpose in 2025 has been to remove invasive non-native plant species that have been encroaching on and smothering the native plants planted alongside the main Laguna de Santa Rosa trail in Cotati. This waterway was the focus of major habitat restoration by the
Cotati Creek Critters from 2006-2012 (see
Appendix 1). In the last year we have
focused mostly on privet, Himalayan
blackberry, and French broom removal,
and planted native plants.

We are delighted to share a review of the
CFL’s achievements over the past year.

The timing seems good to review and discuss results and future goals before we launch into the next season with the annual Russian River Creek Week event on the horizon in September (probably September 19 or 26). 4444 of 669933
2 Major Accomplishments
• We now have a name! Cotati Friends of the Laguna
• a website
• an email address
• a mailing list of approximately 80 names
• and a beautiful trifold poster display for use at events • the City created a new webpage https://www.cotaticity.gov/1724/Lagunade-Santa-Rosa Beginning with the annual Russian River Creek Week in September, 2025, we held five major Stewardship Days. (See Appendix 2 for workday details) Removing invasive, non-native plants provides more space for the native species to grow and reduces dry matter buildup caused by the berries and privet shrubs.

Where we removed dense patches of non-native berries, we transplanted basket sedge (Carex barbarae) from nearby stands. This sedge is a wetland plant that has been slowly spreading and is even outcompeting non-native blackberries in some places. Some existed prior to the Cotati Creek Critters habitat restoration project and was nurtured by careful weed management. Some was planted. Its long rhizomes (underground stems) help prevent soil erosion, it stays green all year round, doesn’t grow tall, provides cover and habitat, and requires no mowing or 4455 of 669933
3 other maintenance. We are also planting some flowering pollinators such as aster and yarrow.

We held a few other smaller-scale Stewardship Days for follow-up plant care including weeding and sheet mulching. The map below shows the overall area managed in 2025-26 by the CFL. Most of the vegetation management this year took place on the northeast side of the Laguna channel. 4466 of 669933
4 Volunteer Hour Totals for CFL Events
Volunteer hours listed below are estimates and do not include extra hours that were not recorded, including for organizing, plant propagation, and workday preparation.
2025-2026 organizer
time (hrs.)
# volunteers # hours
donated
9/20/25
Creek Week
32 43 130
11/22/25
Creek work
16 29 87
12/6/25
Creek work
16 7 18
1/24/26
Creek work
8 9 27
3/14/26
Creek work
16 15 45
Planning plus:
poster/cards/tickets
45 5? -
3/28/26
Smart Fair Tabling
8 4 16
4/18/26
Bioblitz
8 12 36
5/5/26
SSU Tabling
4 2
5/12, 5/19/ 5/26
Small group
weeding
2 2 10.5
155 128 people 370 hours
Donation of native plants valued at $280. These were propagated and donated by Maria Alvarez.
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5 Totals of Weed Removal, Natives Planted and Trash removed (for details of each Stewardship Day see Appendix 2)
2025-2026
Habitat
Restoration by
Cotati Friends
of the Laguna
2025-2026
Creek
Sections
cleared
Truckloads
of
vegetation
removed
and green
bins filled
Berry
plants
removed
Privet
shrubs
French
broom
Buckthorn,
Fire thorn
veldt
grass
#
natives
planted
Trash
buckets
Acres
Managed
(square
footage)
9/20/25
Creek Week
LakewoodLadybug Park
south-north
sweep
2 City
Truckloads
And green
bins
120
plants
removed
250 sq ft.
29 privets= 1
truckload
0 2 buckthorn 0 4 ½ acre
(21,780
sq. ft.)
9/20/25
Creek Week
Benson Lane
north to south
sweep
1 City
truckload
And green
bins
Berries not
counted
31 privets 0 0 1/5 acre
(8,712
sq. ft.)
11/22/25
Northeast side
of McGinnis
bridge
1 City
truckload &
6 Green
Bins
575
berries
A few
removed
307 large
Plants
plus
seedlings
77 natives
4 1/5 acre
(8,712
sq. ft.)
12/6/25
Northeast of
McGinnis
bridge
Mulching
natives and
light
weeding
35 berries
removed
0 Hundreds
of
seedlings
1 fire thorn 44
natives
1 1/5 acre
(8,712
sq. ft.)
1/24/26
Northeast of
McGinnis
bridge, under
and
southward
1 City
truckload
And green
bins
292 root
crowns
removed
Followed
up on Dec.
and
cleared
south of
bridge
(4570 sq
ft)
0 150
seedlings
0 0 1 1/6 acre
(7,260
sq. ft.)
3/14/26
North & South
of McGinnis
bridge
1 City
truckload
423 root
crowns
removed
38 privets 150
seedlings
2 buckthorn
1 fire thorn
2 bags
veldt grass
0 ¼ acre
(10,80
sq. ft.)
5/12/2026
Weeding
NA Weeded
@
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6 McGinnis
Bridge
5/19/2026
Weeding
NA Weeded
@
McGinnis
Bridge
5/26/2026
Weeding
NA Weeded
@
McGinnis
Bridge
Totals 5 truck
loads
Plus many
green bins
1445
berry root
crowns
removed
(1/3 acre)
98 privets
managed
across

1.5 acres
607
broom
plants
pulled
1/8 acre
cleared
6 weedy
trees, 2
bags veldt
grass
121
natives
planted

1.5 acres
of
Laguna
managed
(65,340
sq. ft.)
1 acre contains 43,560 square feet
These two maps depict the streamside areas that were managed by the CFL in 2025-26

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7 Other events CFL hosted
3/28/26: CFL staffed a table at the City’s Climate-Ready Fair at the SMART station.

John Dell’Osso and John Savage created handouts, Judith and Jenny created a posterboard, Maria, Jenny, Judith and Megan set up and staffed the table on the day.
4/18/26: Maria Alvarez led a bioblitz, using iNaturalist for a citizen science project to record as many species as we could observe in an iNaturalist project that spanned 2 days. According to iNaturalist we had 11 observers who recorded 107 different species. We hope to repeat these events more frequently in the future.

The bioblitz was followed by a visit to the beautiful native plant habitat garden at University Elementary, generously hosted by UELF Garden Coordinator Sandra Knoy.
5/5/26: We had a table at SSU’s Green Resources Fair, met SSU staff and students and added several names to the mailing list, opening the way for future collaboration with SSU groups and classes.

Collaboration with the City of Cotati
A huge shout out to the City of Cotati Public Works Department for all their amazing and critical support. We are collaborating with the City for the long-term maintenance and health of the Laguna in Cotati, and are very grateful to them for everything from hauling away the debris to working with us on a long-term maintenance plan.
• The City supported four of the Creek Stewardship days by reserving parking space, providing bins for trash, recycling and green waste from Recology, and providing a truck and staff time for hauling away debris. • 2/19/26: Maria and Jenny completed a walk-through along the trail from Elderberry/McGinnis bridge to Ladybug Park with Public Works Director, Craig Scott, and Trevor Brown, Superintendent of Public Works, to discuss the City mowing along the trail.
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8 • In general, it was agreed that the City would mow only approximately 3 ft on either side of the trail, and that CFL would flag native plants with blue (protect) and non-native invasives with orange (remove). Later the PW team carefully avoided damage to the blue-flagged plants including basket sedge growing right up to the edge of the trail.
• Maria & Jenny drew up a draft document with Craig Scott, (Habitat Restoration & Maintenance of Laguna de Santa Rosa in Cotati, & Cotati Creek, Collaboration between City of Cotati & Cotati Friends of the Laguna) outlining City and CFL responsibilities and tasks. This document now needs to be updated.

Jenny has been in communication with City staff, Carla Duncan and Autumn Buss, in connection with their Climate & Sustainability events and newsletter. They have created a new City webpage https://www.cotaticity.gov/1724/Laguna-deSanta-Rosa and have taken CFL comments and feedback into account.

Thank You for the critical collaboration with the following other organizations:
• Cotati Historical Society has provided a meeting space. • The Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation has lent us tools for Stewardship Days; and helped with some outreach.
• Rotary Club of Rancho Cotati: Robert Leys and George Malkemus have been very supportive, brought other volunteers on board, and offered future help in other ways, e.g. with publicity and possible funding. • Rotary Club of Rohnert Park Cotati: Gina Belforte has expressed interest in supporting an interpretive signage program in Rohnert Park, help with trash removal as needed, and possible funding.
• University Elementary at La Fiesta (UELF): Sandra Knoy, school garden coordinator, who joined us for our Stewardship Day on 3/14, and hosted the CFL tour of the habitat garden on 4/18, is applying for a grant from NOAA for habitat restoration. There are plenty of overlapping interests and potentials for collaboration including for Creek Week, and habitat restoration projects along the Laguna in Rohnert Park.
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9 • Conservation Corps North Bay (CCNB): Greg Sitter contacted Jenny about “litter abatement” possibilities in Cotati. He organized trash removal along parts of the Laguna west of Hwy 101 behind Helman Lane, and at the culvert near Liman Way. He has offered future help with trash removal wherever needed.
• Russian Riverkeeper: Ariel Majorana, Community Engagement Manager, has expressed an interest in organizing trash removal.

Outreach & Publicity
In addition to our mailing list, City announcements, and Rotary Club announcements, a newspaper article was published in the Community Voice on May 22, 2026, based on the wording on interpretive signs along the Laguna trail.

On May 29, a response by Jenny was published, to fill in more detail and bring readers up to date.

Scheduling of Future Stewardship Days
As a result of a discussion between City Manager Damien O’Bid and Council member John Savage, it was suggested that we create a more routine schedule with advance notice, e.g. 5 stewardship days per year with City support, including for Creek Week in September.
• Usually on 3rd Saturdays: Creek Week 9/19 OR 9/26 (TBD), 10/17, 11/21, 12/19; 1/16/27; 2/20/27; 3/20/27.
o Nov and Dec to be confirmed by Sept 21.
o Jan, Feb, Mar to be confirmed by Dec 21.
o There would be no City staff support for 10/17, 12/19.

On the Horizon for the Cotati Friends of the Laguna
We have had an incredibly successful year caring for and learning from each other and our hands-on efforts in the Laguna. We also look forward to addressing the following topics and challenges in the coming year.
• Update the Interpretive signs: The three interpretive signs installed as part of the Cotati Creek Critters project in 2009 are in need of replacement. We are reviewing costs and how to work with the City’s budget cycle. 5522 of 669933
10 • Develop communication and collaboration over areas in Cotati that are under Water Agency jurisdiction.
o Prevent damage during maintenance efforts to native plants in the area north of E. Cotati Ave to Commerce Blvd.
o Control the invasive plants such as French broom and English ivy have been encroaching for a long time. Habitat restoration is needed here too but we need to explore permitting.
• Develop a shade solution for the benches in Pocket Park • Trail re-surfacing is a subject of ongoing debate.
• Develop a list of appropriate native plants for City projects and contractors.

Appendix 1
Background & history
Cotati Creek Critters: planted 2,000 native trees and shrubs along 1 mile of the Laguna in Cotati, 2006-12, and more later, downstream of Gravenstein Way. The trees and shrubs are mostly doing well, the basket sedge has spread beautifully, but invasive non-native plants such as Himalayan blackberry, broom, privet, and others are encroaching.

Cotati Historical Society (CHS): In November, 2024, CHS hosted a very successful event, Celebrating the Laguna, with a panel of speakers and several relevant table displays. Maria, Jenny, and Michael Knappman from Rohnert Park were very involved, with CHS volunteers, in putting together a complementary display in the museum, which was up for over a year. Now there is a beautiful binder, encapsulating the display, which is still available for anyone to look at. Many thanks to CHS for reviving interest in the Laguna, and to CHS volunteers for their invaluable support.

Letter to Cotati City Council: Jenny wrote to the City Council in January, 2025, expressing some concerns about the long-term care of the Laguna in Cotati.

When John Savage joined the City Council in February 2025, she brought up the 5533 of 669933
11 same issues with him. He engaged with the questions raised with the City Manager, and this helped successfully birth CFL! Many thanks to John Savage for all his help and support.

Appendix 2
Creek Work Accomplished 2025-2026
Creek Week, 9/20/25:

Over 40 volunteers worked on invasive plant removal, with a few focusing on trash removal.
• We had two starting points, at Pocket Park, and at Benson Lane. • 120 Himalayan blackberry plants (root crowns) + another ~250 sq ft of blackberry were removed
• 60 + privets were removed
• Two truckloads of vegetation were hauled by Susan from public works! 11/22/25:

Twentynine volunteers removed invasive Himalayan blackberries and French broom just downstream of “Elderberry bridge”/McGinnis bridge, the pedestrian bridge over the Laguna de Santa Rosa between McGinnis Circle and Lincoln/Loretto Aves.

This area had previously been cleared by the Water Agency (except for most of the broom stand), but blackberry and broom were beginning to sprout back, so we took the opportunity to remove as much as possible - by the roots. We followed up with planting native sedges, rushes, asters, and yarrow, and transplanted divisions of basket sedge from areas upstream where it has spread abundantly. These plants will provide ground cover to reduce soil erosion and support local pollinators, birds, and other wildlife.
• 29 volunteers: including 7 people in 3 generations from one family! • 400 linear feet x 20 = 8,000 sq ft or about 1/5-acre area worked over - removal of Himalayan blackberries and French broom.
• 6 Recology green bins stuffed tight with blackberry root and canes, and the City truck filled.
• 4 full buckets of trash and recycling
• 77 new plants planted! - sedges, rushes, yarrow, asters, and transplants of basket sedge.
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12 12/6/25:

Downstream of “Elderberry bridge”/McGinnis bridge -Thanks to a small troop of 7 last-minute volunteers, the higher slopes were later mulched with cardboard and straw, to protect the tender new plants from weeds so that their roots will establish with the winter rains. This involved repurposing two bales of rice straw discarded from a local Halloween event! Another 44 plants were added, including yarrow and aster, green bog , and salt rush, and about 20 more basket sedge transplants.
1/24/26:

Under and upstream of “Elderberry bridge”/McGinnis bridge Nine volunteers removed 292 Himalayan blackberry crowns.
3/14/26:

Fifteen dedicated, experienced volunteers removed 423 Himalayan berry plant roots, mainly under the Elderberry/McGinnis bridge, freeing up the existing basket sedge. 38 privets were taken out on the east side of the channel, from that bridge to Benson Lane, and a few pyracanthas and Italian buckthorn plants were removed too. Some of the privets were tiny and pulled up easily by hand, others involved leveraging with a broom wrench, or sawing through 3-4-inch stems and peeling back the bark to below the soil surface. Two large sacksful of Panic veldt grass were also removed completely. This is a plant native to South Africa that has been spreading vigorously in parks throughout northern California and taking over native habitat.
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Cotati City Council
Agenda Staff Report
Item type: CONSENT CALENDAR (ACTION)
To: City Council
Subject: PROPOSITION 1 RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT - VETERANS AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING BOND ACT OF 2026
Date: October 13, 2026
Written by: Damien O'Bid, City Manager
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution supporting The Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026, which authorizes $11.25 billion in state general obligation bonds to fund several housing affordability programs.

Background
The state uses general obligation bonds to fund various housing programs. Bonds are a way the state borrows money to cover the up-front costs of a development and then repays the money plus interest over time.

Proposition 1 would allow the state to sell $11.25 billion in general obligation bonds for housing purposes. This amount consists of (1) a $10 billion bond for a variety of housing programs that would be repaid by the State’s General Fund and (2) a $1.25 billion bond that would be repaid by veterans’ payments on their home loans.

According to the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office, Prop. 1 would provide subsidies for as many as 40,000 multifamily rental units and about 1,200 beds for university students. The funds could also help up to 40,000 households, including about 2,100 veterans, with homeownership.

Analysis/Discussion
The Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026 is a measure placed on the November 3, 2026, ballot by the Legislature that would replenish existing housing programs for the development, preservation, and rehabilitation of affordable housing projects. Additionally, 5566 of 669933
the measure would provide funding to support the development of youth and veteran housing and promote homeownership in California. Here are the specific funding allocations proposed in the ballot measure:
 $5.1 billion to the Multifamily Housing Program.
 $1.25 billion to provide farm and home aid for veterans under the Veterans’ Farm and Home Purchase Act of 1974.
 $1.15 billion to the Housing Rehabilitation Loan Fund, to be used for supportive housing.

Up to 15% shall be used to assist in the acquisition, conversion, or rehabilitation of interim housing to permanent housing.
 $750 million to the Portfolio Reinvestment Program to preserve existing affordable housing projects.
 $600 million to the CalHome Program.
 $500 million to the Home Purchase Assistance Fund for home purchase assistance programs.
 $500 million for the Infill Infrastructure Grant Program to assist in the construction and rehabilitation of infrastructure to support high-density, affordable, and mixed-income housing in infill locations.
 $450 million to the Joe Serna, Jr. Farmworker Housing Grant Fund to support housing for agricultural employees and their families.
 $350 million for new affordable student housing projects.  $200 million to fund the acquisition and rehabilitation of unrestricted housing units and attach long-term affordability restrictions on housing units.  $200 million to the Affordable Housing Innovation Fund to assist local housing trust funds in developing, owning, lending, or investing in affordable housing.  $200 million to the Tribal Housing Grant Program to help tribes rebuild and reconstitute their communities.
 $150 million for youth housing defined as housing for current or former foster youth, homeless minors or youth, or youth at risk of homelessness.

Arguments in Support
Proponents of the measure argue that it gives Californians the opportunity to provide housing to working families, veterans, people with disabilities and seniors; helps prevent homelessness by keeping vulnerable persons in their homes; expands homeownership opportunities; and maintains strict fiscal accountability and transparency without new taxes. They also argue that it would jumpstart the construction of tens of thousands of shovel-ready affordable homes across California.

The League of California Cities which has long supported investments that increase the supply of affordable housing also supports Prop. 1. Cal Cities maintains that, if approved by the voters, Prop. 1 would replenish funding for several successful state programs used by cities to support affordable housing and infrastructure. Prop. 1 could also fund innovative local programs like regional housing trusts and support cities in meeting their Regional Housing Need Assessment (RHNA) goals for current and future cycles.

In addition to funding new affordable housing projects, the measure would fund the rehabilitation and preservation of existing affordable housing, increase funding for 5577 of 669933
homeownership programs, and support specific housing projects, such as student housing, infill development, supportive housing, and foster youth housing.

No argument against Proposition 1 was submitted to the California Secretary of State The full text of measure is attached, in addition to the Legislative Analysts Office (LAO) summary.

Financial Considerations
Support of Proposition 1 would not have any direct fiscal impacts to the City.

According to the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office, the state General Fund cost to repay the bond would be $500 million to $600 million annually for about 25 years. The estimated annual cost would be about one-quarter of 1% (0.25%) of the state’s total General Fund budget.

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.
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RESOLUTION NO. (XX)
RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR PROPOSITION 1: THE VETERANS AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING BOND ACT OF 2026
WHEREAS, Cal Cities and its member cities advocate for secure investments to increase the supply of affordable housing; and
WHEREAS, Proposition 1, the Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026, will appear on the November 3, 2026 statewide ballot and authorize the state to issue $11.25 billion in state general obligation bonds to provide funding to build and preserve affordable homes and expand homeownership opportunities across California; and WHEREAS, Proposition 1 is anticipated to provide funding to fast-track numerous already-approved, shovel-ready affordable homes, turning stalled projects into homes for families who need them; and
WHEREAS, Proposition 1 is anticipated to provide funding to build homes working families can afford, so that the teachers, firefighters, and nurses who serve the City of Cotati can afford to live in the community they serve; and
WHEREAS, Proposition 1 honors our veterans by dedicating $1.25 billion solely to veterans' housing and homeownership opportunities, including the CalVet Home Loan Program, which has already helped almost a million veterans and their families; and WHEREAS, Proposition 1 helps our most vulnerable neighbors by providing funding to create and preserve housing for low-income residents, seniors, those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, foster youth experiencing homelessness, and people with disabilities; and WHEREAS, Proposition 1 does not raise taxes, but may unlock matching federal funds, bringing tax dollars Californians send to Washington back home to California; and WHEREAS, Proposition 1 comes with strict accountability, public reporting, and clear requirements, so that voters can see how many homes get built, where, and at what cost; and WHEREAS, Proposition 1 benefits veterans, seniors, low- and middle-income Californians, persons with disabilities, working families, farmworkers, students, first-time homebuyers, and our youth; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of City of Cotati finds that the safe, affordable homes and veteran housing investments made possible by Proposition 1 are in the best interest of the residents of City of Cotati.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Cotati supports Proposition 1, the Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026. 5599 of 669933
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 13, 2026, by the following vote, to wit:

Approved:___________________________
Mayor
Attest:______________________________
Kevin Patterson, City Clerk
Approved as to form:______________________________
City Attorney
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Senate Bill No.. 441177
CHAPTER 1166
An act to add P art 1166..11 ((commencing with Section 5544005500)) to Di vision 3311 of the Health and Safety Code,, and to add Article 55ab ((commencing with Section 999988..775500)) to Chapter 66 of Di vision 44 of the Military and Veterans Code,, relating to housing,, by providing the funds necessary therefor through an election for the issuance and sale of bonds of the State of California and for the handling and disposition of those funds,, and declaring the ur gency thereof,, to take effect immediately..
[Approved by Governor June 2255,, 22002266.. Filed with Secretary of State June 2255,, 22002266..]
legislative counsel’s digest
SB 441177,, Limón.. The Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 22002266..

Under existing law,, there are programs providing assistance for,, among other things,, emergency housing,, multifamily housing,, farmworker housing,, home ownership for very low and low--income households,, and downpayment assistance for first--time home b uyers.. Existing la w also authorizes the issuance of bonds in specified amounts pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond La w and requires that proceeds from the sale of these bonds be used to finance various existing housing programs,, capital outlay related to infill de velopment,, bro wnfield cleanup that promotes infill development,, and housing--related parks.. Existing la w,, the Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 22001188,, authorized,, the issuance of bonds in the amount of $$44,,000000,,000000,,000000 to finance v arious e xisting housing programs,, as well as infill infrastructure financing and affordable housing matching grant programs,, as well as financing for a specified program for farm,, home,, and mobilehome purchase assistance for veterans,, pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law..

This bill would enact the Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 22002266,, which,, if adopted,, would authorize the issuance of bonds in the amount of $$1111,,225500,,000000,,000000,, pursuant to the State General Oblig ation Bond Law..

Of the proceeds from the sale of these bonds,, $$1100,,000000,,000000,,000000 w ould be used to finance programs to fund af fordable rental housing and home ownership programs,, including,, among others,, the Multif amily Housing Program,, the CalHome Program,, and the Joe Serna,, Jr.. Farmworker Housing Grant Program,, and $$11,,225500,,000000,,000000 w ould be used to pro vide additional funding for the above--described program for farm,, home,, and mobilehome purchase assistance for veterans,, as provided..

This bill would provide for submission of the bond act to the v oters at the No vember 33,, 22002266,, state wide general election,, in accordance with specified law..

9955

STATE OF CALIFORNIA

AUTHENTICATED

ELECTRONIC LEGAL MATERIAL
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This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute..

The people of the State of California do enact as follows::

SECTION 11.. This act shall be known,, and may be cited,, as the Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 22002266..

SEC.. 22.. Part 1166..11 ((commencing with Section 5544005500)) is added to Division 3311 of the Health and Safety Code,, to read::

PART 1166..11.. VETERANS AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING BOND ACT OF 22002266
Chapter 11.. General Provisions
5544005500.. Together with Article 55ab ((commencing with Section 999988..775500)) of Chapter 66 of Division 44 of the Military and Veterans Code,, this part shall be known,, and may be cited,, as the Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 22002266..
5544005511.. This part shall only become operati ve upon adoption by the voters at the November 33,, 22002266,, statewide general election.. 5544005522.. For purposes of this part,, “fund” means the Affordable Housing Bond Act Trust Fund of 22002266 created pursuant to Section 5544005544..

Chapter 22.. Affordable Housing Bond Act Trust Fund of 2026 and Program
5544005544.. ((a)) The Affordable Housing Bond Act Trust Fund of 22002266 is hereby created within the State Treasury.. It is the intent of the Le gislature that the proceeds of bonds issued and sold pursuant to this part,, e xclusive of refunding bonds issued pursuant to Section 5544007766,, be deposited into the fund and used to fund af fordable rental housing and home o wnership programs as described in this chapter..
((b)) The proceeds of bonds issued and sold pursuant to this part for the purposes specified in this chapter shall be allocated in the following manner::
((11)) Five billion one hundred million dollars (($$55,,110000,,000000,,000000)) to be deposited into the Housing Rehabilitation Loan Fund established pursuant to Section 5500666611 to be used for the Multifamily Housing Program authorized by Chapter 66..77 ((commencing with Section 5500667755)) of P art 22.. At least 1100 percent of assisted units in each de velopment receiving these funds shall be affordable to extremely low income households..
((22)) One billion one hundred fifty million dollars (($$11,,115500,,000000,,000000)) to be deposited into the Housing Rehabilitation Loan Fund established pursuant to Section 5500666611 to be used for supportive housing,, as described in Section 5500667755..1144,, pursuant to the Multif amily Housing Program authorized by Chapter 66..77 ((commencing with Section 5500667755)) of Part 22.. The administering 9955
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entity shall of fer capitalized operating subsidy reserv es for supporti ve housing units in developments receiving these funds..
((A)) ((i)) Up to 1155 percent of this amount shall be made available as grants to eligible entities specified in Section 5500667755..11..33 to acquire capital assets for the acquisition,, con version,, or rehabilitation of interim housing to permanent housing,, including scattered site projects for persons who are homeless,, chronically homeless,, or are at risk of homelessness,, as defined in Part 557788..33 of Title 2244 of the Code of Federal Re gulations,, the purchase of affordability co venants and restrictions for units,, relocation costs for individuals who are being displaced as a result of rehabilitation of existing units,, and capitalized operating subsidies for units purchased,, converted,, or altered with funds provided by this section..
((ii)) Any program or project that uses funds recei ved for an y of the purposes described in this subparagraph shall be subject to the re gulatory streamlining provisions of Section 5500667755..11..55 of the Health and Safety Code and subdivision ((i)) of Section 5500667755..11..33..
((iii)) Any conflict between the other requirements of the Multif amily Housing Program ((Chapter 66..77 ((commencing with Section 5500667755)) of P art 22)) and this paragraph shall be resolv ed in favor of this paragraph,, as may be set forth in the guidelines authorized pursuant to Section 5544007777.. ((B)) ((i)) One hundred fifty million dollars (($$115500,,000000,,000000)) of this sum shall be used for youth housing..
((ii)) For purposes of this subdivision,, “youth housing” means housing for current or former foster youth,, homeless minors or youth,, or youth at risk of homelessness,, including,, b ut not limited to,, housing that assists them develop the skills and resources the y need to make a successful transition to independent,, self--sufficient adulthood..
((iii)) Funds made a vailable under this subparagraph shall be used only for the capital costs of de veloping,, acquiring,, rehabilitating,, or preserving youth housing,, and shall not be used to fund the operation or deli very of services..
((iv)) Any funds not encumbered for the purpose of this subparagraph within three years of a vailability shall re vert for general use in the Multifamily Housing Program authorized by Chapter 66..77 ((commencing with Section 5500667755)) of Part 22..
((33)) Seven hundred fifty million dollars (($$775500,,000000,,000000)) to be appropriated by the Le gislature,, to the program commonly kno wn as the Portfolio Reinvestment Program established pursuant to Chapter 55..55 ((commencing with Section 5500660066)) of Part 22.. Any funds not encumbered for the purposes of this paragraph by November 33,, 22003366,, shall revert for general use in the Multifamily Housing Program authorized by Chapter 66..77 ((commencing with Section 5500667755)) of Part 22..
((44)) Two hundred million dollars (($$220000,,000000,,000000)) to be appropriated by the Legislature,, to a program to fund the acquisition and rehabilitation of unrestricted housing units and attach long--term affordability restrictions on the housing units,, while safe guarding against the displacement of current residents.. Any funds not allocated by the administering entity within the 9955
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first three years shall be made available by the administering entity for the Multifamily Housing Program ((Chapter 66..77 ((commencing with Section 5500667755)) of Part 22))..
((55)) Six hundred million dollars (($$660000,,000000,,000000)) to be deposited into the Self--Help Housing Fund established pursuant to Section 5500669977..11.. The moneys in the fund shall be available for the CalHome Program authorized by Chapter 66 ((commencing with Section 5500665500)) of Part 22,, to provide direct,, forgivable loans to assist de velopment projects in volving multiple home ownership units,, including single--family subdivision,, for self--help mortgage assistance programs,, and for manuf actured homes.. These funds may also be expended for an y authorized purpose of the program.. Any funds not encumbered for the purposes of this paragraph by November 33,, 22003366,, shall revert for general use in the Multif amily Housing Program authorized by Chapter 66..77 ((commencing with Section 5500667755)) of Part 22.. ((66)) Five hundred million dollars (($$550000,,000000,,000000)) to be deposited into the Home Purchase Assistance Fund established pursuant to Section 5511334422..

Notwithstanding Section 1133334400 of the Go vernment Code and Section 5500669977..11,, these funds are hereby continuously appropriated to the California Housing Finance Agency without regard to fiscal years,, for purposes of the home purchase assistance program established pursuant to Chapter 66..88 ((commencing with Section 5511334411)) of Part 33..
((77)) Four hundred fifty million dollars (($$445500,,000000,,000000)) to be deposited into the Joe Serna,, Jr.. Farmworker Housing Grant Fund,, established pursuant to Section 5500551177..55,, to fund grants or loans,, or both,, for the construction or rehabilitation of housing for agricultural emplo yees and their f amilies or for the acquisition of manufactured housing as part of a program to address and remedy the impact of current and potential displacement of farmworker families from existing labor camps,, mobilehome parks,, or other housing..

These funds may also be e xpended for an y authorized purpose of the program.. These funds may also be used to pro vide technical assistance pursuant to Section 5544000077.. Any funds not encumbered for the purposes of this paragraph by No vember 33,, 22003366,, shall re vert for general use in the Multifamily Housing Program authorized by Chapter 66..77 ((commencing with Section 5500667755)) of Part 22..
((88)) Two hundred million dollars(($$220000,,000000,,000000)) to be appropriated by the Legislature,, to the Tribal Housing Grant Program established pursuant to Chapter 66..44 ((commencing with Section 5500665511)) to finance housing and housing--related activities that will enable tribes to rebuild and reconstitute their communities.. Any funds not encumbered for the purposes of this paragraph by No vember 33,, 22003366,, shall re vert for general use in the Multifamily Housing Program authorized by Chapter 66..77 ((commencing with Section 5500667755)) of Part 22..
((99)) Five hundred million dollars (($$550000,,000000,,000000)) for the Infill Infrastructure Grant Program of 22001199 established pursuant to Section 5533555599 of the Health and Safety Code for infill incentive grants to assist in the new construction and rehabilitation of infrastructure that supports high--density affordable and mixed--income housing in locations designated as infill.. Any 9955
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funds not encumbered for the purposes of this paragraph by No vember 33,, 22003366,, shall re vert for general use in the Multif amily Housing Program authorized by Chapter 66..77 ((commencing with Section 5500667755)) of Part 22.. ((1100)) Three hundred fifty million dollars (($$335500,,000000,,000000)) to be appropriated by the Legislature for new affordable student housing projects.. This funding shall be split evenly among the University of California and the California State Uni versity.. Funded student housing projects shall meet the terms specified in subdivision ((f)) of Section 1177220011 of the Education Code.. F or these projects,, the University of California and California State University shall meet the accountability and reporting requirements specified in subdivisions ((i)) and ((o)) of Section 1177220011 of the Education Code.. ((1111)) Two hundred million dollars (($$220000,,000000,,000000)) to be deposited in the Affordable Housing Innovation Fund established pursuant to subparagraph ((F)) of paragraph ((11)) of subdi vision ((a)) of Section 5533554455.. Mone ys in the fund shall be available,, upon appropriation by the Legislature,, pursuant to the Local Housing Trust Fund Matching Grant Program established pursuant to Section 5500884422..22 to fund competitive grants or loans to local housing trust funds that develop,, own,, lend,, or invest in affordable housing and be used to create pilot programs to demonstrate innovative,, cost--saving approaches to creating or preserving affordable housing.. Local housing trust funds shall be derived on an ongoing basis from pri vate contribution or governmental sources that are not otherwise restricted in use for housing programs.. These funds may also be e xpended for any authorized purpose of this program..

Any funds not encumbered for the purposes of this paragraph within three years of a vailability shall be re verted for general use in the Multif amily Housing Program authorized by Chapter 66..77 ((commencing with Section 5500667755)) of P art 22,, unless the Department of Housing and Community Development determines that the funds should re vert sooner due to diminished demand..
((1122)) Notwithstanding paragraphs ((11)) to ((1111)),, inclusi ve,, the Business,, Consumer Services and Housing Agency or its successor and its administering departments may ,, upon appropriation by the Le gislature,, align or streamline the programs funded pursuant to this subdi vision to improve efficiency and accelerate the deplo yment of funds,, pro vided that expenditures remain consistent with the purposes and eligible uses approved by the voters and the Legislature..
5544005566.. ((a)) The Le gislature may,, from time to time,, amend an y law related to programs to which funds are,, or have been,, allocated pursuant to this chapter for the purposes of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of those programs or to further the goals of those programs.. ((b)) The Legislature may amend this chapter in order to reallocate the proceeds of bonds issued and sold pursuant to this part among the programs to which funds are to be allocated pursuant to this chapter as necessary to effectively promote the development of affordable housing in this state.. ((c)) The Department of Housing and Community De velopment or administering entity may disb urse an y funds made a vailable to housing development projects pursuant to this chapter during the construction period.. 9955
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Chapter 33.. Fiscal Provisions
5544006600.. Bonds in the total amount of ten billion dollars (($$1100,,000000,,000000,,000000)),, exclusive of refunding bonds issued pursuant to Section 5544007766,, or so much thereof as is necessary as determined by the committee,, are hereby authorized to be issued and sold for carrying out the purposes e xpressed in this part and to reimb urse the General Oblig ation Bond Expense Re volving Fund pursuant to Section 1166772244..55 of the Go vernment Code.. Any bond,, when sold,, issued,, and delivered,, shall be and constitute a valid and binding general obligation of the state,, and the full f aith and credit of the state is hereby pledged for the punctual payment of both principal of,, and interest on,, those bonds as the principal and interest become due and payable.. 5544006622.. The bonds authorized by this part shall be prepared,, e xecuted,, issued,, sold,, paid,, retired,, and redeemed as pro vided in the State General Obligation Bond Law ((Chapter 44 ((commencing with Section 1166772200)) of Part 33 of Division 44 of Title 22 of the Government Code)),, except subdivisions ((a)) and ((b)) of Section 1166772277 of the Government Code,, and all of the provisions of that law as amended from time to time apply to the bonds and to this part,, except as pro vided in Section 5544007788,, and are hereby incorporated in this part as though set forth in full in this part..
5544006644.. ((a)) Solely for the purpose of authorizing the issuance and sale,, pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law,, of the bonds authorized by this part,, the Housing Finance Committee created by Section 5533552244 is continued in existence.. For the purposes of this part,, the Housing Finance Committee is “the committee” as that term is used in the State General Obligation Bond Law..
((b)) References to the “board” as used in this part and in the State General Obligation Bond Law,, shall mean the Housing De velopment and Finance Committee.. This authority may be delegated to the Department of Housing and Community Development or the California Housing Finance Agency for programs they administer.. The Department of Housing and Community Development is designated the “board” for programs administered by the department,, and the California Housing Finance Agency is the “board” for programs administered by the agency..
5544006666.. Upon request of the board stating that funds are needed for purposes of this part,, the committee shall determine by resolution whether or not it is necessary or desirable to issue and sell bonds,, and,, if so,, the amount of bonds to be issued and sold.. Successive issues of bonds may be authorized and sold to carry out those actions progressi vely,, and it is not necessary that all of the bonds authorized to be issued be sold at an y one time.. Bonds may bear interest subject to federal income tax.. 5544006688.. There shall be collected annually,, in the same manner and at the same time as other state re venue is collected,, in addition to the ordinary revenues of the state,, a sum in the amount required to pay the principal of,, and interest on,, the bonds each year.. It is the duty of all officers charged by law with any duty in re gard to the collections of state re venues to do and perform each and every act that is necessary to collect that additional sum.. 9955
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5544007700.. Notwithstanding Section 1133334400 of the Government Code,, there is hereby continuously appropriated from the General Fund in the State Treasury,, for the purposes of this part,, an amount that will equal the total of both of the following::
((a)) The sum annually necessary to pay the principal of,, and interest on,, bonds issued and sold pursuant to this part,, as the principal and interest become due and payable..
((b)) The sum that is necessary to carry out Section 5544007744,, appropriated without regard to fiscal years..
5544007722.. The board may request the Pooled Money Investment Board to make a loan from the Pooled Mone y Investment Account,, in accordance with Section 1166331122 of the Government Code,, for purposes of this part.. The amount of the request shall not exceed the amount of the unsold bonds that the committee has,, by resolution,, authorized to be sold,, e xcluding an y refunding bonds authorized pursuant to Section 5544007766,, less an y amount loaned pursuant to this section and not yet repaid and any amount withdrawn from the General Fund pursuant to Section 5544007744 and not yet returned to the General Fund.. The board shall e xecute any documents as required by the Pooled Mone y Investment Board to obtain and repay the loan.. Any amount loaned shall be deposited into the fund to be allocated in accordance with this part..
5544007744.. For purposes of carrying out this part,, the Director of Finance may authorize the withdrawal from the General Fund of an amount not to exceed the amount of the unsold bonds that the committee has,, by resolution,, authorized to be sold,, e xcluding any refunding bonds authorized pursuant to Section 5544007766,, less an y amount loaned pursuant to Section 5544007722 and not yet repaid and any amount withdrawn from the General Fund pursuant to this section and not yet returned to the General Fund.. Any amounts withdrawn shall be deposited into the fund to be allocated in accordance with this part.. Any mone ys made a vailable under this section shall be returned to the General Fund,, plus the interest that the amounts would have earned in the Pooled Mone y Investment Account,, from mone ys received from the sale of bonds that would otherwise be deposited into that fund.. 5544007766.. The bonds issued and sold pursuant to this part may be refunded in accordance with Article 66 ((commencing with Section 1166778800)) of Chapter 44 of Part 33 of Division 44 of Title 22 of the Go vernment Code.. Approval by the voters of the sale and issuance of bonds as described in this part includes approval of the sale and issuance of bonds issued to refund bonds issued pursuant to this part,, including an y prior issued refunding bonds.. A bond refunded with the proceeds of a refunding bond as authorized by this section may be legally defeased to the e xtent permitted by law in the manner and to the e xtent set forth in the resolution,, as amended from time to time,, authorizing that refunded bond..
5544007766..55.. Proceeds of the bonds,, in an amount not to exceed the principal amount of bonds authorized to be issued by the Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 22002266 ((excluding any refunding bonds issued pursuant to Section 5544007766)),, are e xpected to be and may be used to reimb urse any 9955
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lawfully available source used to pay costs of projects or programs ((including funds of particular state departments or agencies that may be spent on costs of the projects or programs)) authorized pursuant to the Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 22002266 and paid after No vember 33,, 22002266,, provided,, however,, any costs that are to be reimb ursed from proceeds of bonds shall not have been paid from the proceeds of any other indebtedness unless that prior indebtedness will be retired with the proceeds of the bonds.. 5544007777.. To implement the funding detailed in Section 5544005544,, the administering entity may adopt guidelines establishing requirements for administration of its financing programs.. The guidelines are not subject to Chapter 33..55 ((commencing with Section 1111334400)) of P art 11 of Di vision 33 of Title 22 of the Government Code..
5544007788.. Notwithstanding any provisions in the State General Obligation Bond Law,, the maturity date of an y bond authorized by this part shall not be later than 3355 years from the date of issuance of the bond.. 5544008800.. The proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by this part are not “proceeds of taxes” as that term is used in Article XIII B of the California Constitution,, and the disb ursement of these proceeds is not subject to the limitations imposed by that article..
5544008822.. Notwithstanding any provision of the State General Obligation Bond Law with regard to the proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by this part that are subject to investment under Article 44 ((commencing with Section 1166447700)) of Chapter 33 of P art 22 of Di vision 44 of Title 22 of the Government Code,, the Treasurer may maintain a separate account for investment earnings..
5544008833.. Notwithstanding any other provision of this part,, or of the State General Obligation Bond Law,, if the Treasurer sells bonds pursuant to this chapter that include a bond counsel opinion to the efect that the interest on the bonds is e xcluded from gross income for federal tax purposes under designated conditions or is otherwise entitled to any federal tax advantage,, the Treasurer may maintain separate accounts for the in vestment of bond proceeds and for the earnings and investment of earnings on those proceeds..

The Treasurer may use or direct the use of those proceeds or earnings to pay any rebate,, penalty,, or other payment required under federal law or take any other action with respect to the in vestment and use of those bond proceeds required or desirable under federal law to maintain the tax exempt status of those bonds and to obtain an y other advantage under federal law on behalf of the funds of this state..
5544008844.. ((a)) Subject to subdivision ((b)),, all moneys derived from premiums and accrued interest on bonds sold pursuant to this part shall be transferred to the General Fund as a credit to expenditures for bond interest.. ((b)) Amounts derived from premiums may be reserv ed and used to pay the costs of bond issuance before transfer to the General Fund.. 9955
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Chapter 44.. Accountability
5544008888.. The administering entity shall publish in an annual report detailed information regarding the investments resulting from this bond pursuant to Section 5500440088 of the Health and Safety Code..

SEC.. 33.. Article 55ab ((commencing with Section 999988..775500)) is added to Chapter 66 of Division 44 of the Military and Veterans Code,, to read::

Article 55ab.. The Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 22002266 999988..775500.. Together with Part 1166..11 ((commencing with Section 5544005500)) of Division 3311 of the Health and Safety Code,, this article shall be known,, and may be cited,, as the Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 22002266.. 999988..775511.. ((a)) ((11)) The State General Oblig ation Bond Law ((Chapter 44 ((commencing with Section 1166772200)) of Part 33 of Division 44 of Title 22 of the Government Code)),, as it may be amended from time to time,, is adopted for the purpose of the preparation,, e xecution,, issuance,, sale,, retirement,, redemption,, and repayment of,, and otherwise providing with respect to,, the bonds authorized to be issued by this article,, and the provisions of that law are included in this article,, as though set out in full in this article,, e xcept for both of the following::
((A)) Subdivisions ((a)) and ((b)) of Section 1166772277 and subdi vision ((a)) of Section 1166775555 of the State General Obligation Bond Law shall not apply.. ((B)) Paragraph ((11)) of subdivision ((c)) of Section 1166775533 of the State General Obligation Bond la w shall be replaced in full by the follo wing:: “The Treasurer shall require that a successful bidder in a competiti ve sale or underwriter in a ne gotiated sale pro vide a good f aith deposit of at least one--half of 11 percent of the principal amount of the bonds for which the bidder is the successful bidder or for which an underwriter submits a proposal.. The good faith deposit shall be in the amount that is reasonably determined by the Treasurer at least one day prior to a competiti ve sale or negotiated sale of bonds,, as applicable.. The Treasurer shall specify the form of the deposit,, which may be a cashier’s check,, a surety bond,, a wire transfer of funds,, or a combination thereof.. The deposit shall not bear interest..” ((22)) All references in this article to “herein” refer both to this article and that law as incorporated herein..
((b)) For purposes of the State General Oblig ation Bond La w,, the Department of Veterans Affairs is designated the “board..” 999988..775522.. As used herein,, the follo wing terms ha ve the follo wing meanings::
((a)) “Board” means the Department of Veterans Affairs.. ((b)) “Bond” means a veterans bond,, a state general obligation bond,, issued pursuant to this article adopting the pro visions of the State General Obligation Bond Law as provided herein..
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((c)) “Bond act” means this article authorizing the issuance of state general obligation bonds and adopting the State General Oblig ation Bond Law by reference..
((d)) “Committee” means the Veterans’ Finance Committee of 11994433 established by Section 999911..
((e)) “Fund” means the Veterans’ Farm and Home Building Fund of 11994433 established by Section 998888..
((f)) “Payment Fund” means the Veterans’ Bonds Payment Fund established by Section 998888..66..
999988..775533.. For the purpose of creating a fund to pro vide farm and home aid for veterans in accordance with the Veterans’ Farm and Home Purchase Act of 11997744 ((Article 33..11 ((commencing with Section 998877..5500)))),, and of all acts amendatory thereof and supplemental thereto,, the committee may create a debt or debts,, liability or liabilities,, of the State of California,, in the aggregate amount of not more than one billion tw o hundred fifty million dollars (($$11,,225500,,000000,,000000)),, not including the amount of any refunding bonds issued in accordance with Section 999988..776622,, in the manner provided herein.. 999988..775544.. ((a)) All bonds authorized by this article,, when sold,, issued,, and delivered,, shall be and constitute a v alid and le gally binding general obligation of the State of California,, and the full faith and credit of the State of California is hereby pledged for the punctual payment of both principal of and interest on the bonds as the principal and interest become due and payable..
((b)) There shall be collected annually,, in the same manner and at the same time as other state revenue is collected,, the sum,, in addition to the ordinary revenues of the state,, as is required to pay the principal of,, and interest on,, these bonds becoming due and payable each year.. It is the duty of all officers charged by law with any duty in regard to the collection of state re venues to do and perform each and e very act that is necessary to collect that additional sum..
((c)) On the dates on which funds are to be remitted pursuant to Section 1166667766 of the Government Code for the payment of debt service on the bonds in each fiscal year,, there shall be transferred to the P ayment Fund to pay the debt service all of the moneys in the fund,, not in excess of the amount of debt service then due and payable.. If the mone ys transferred on the remittance dates is less than the debt service then due and payable,, the balance remaining unpaid shall be transferred to the General Fund out of the fund as soon as it shall become available,, together with interest thereon from the remittance date until paid,, at the same rate of interest as borne by the bonds,, compounded semiannually.. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary,, this subdivision shall apply to all veterans’ farm and home purchase bond acts pursuant to this chapter .. This subdivision does not grant any lien on the fund,, the Payment Fund,, or the moneys therein to the holders of any bonds issued under this article.. For the purposes of this subdivision,, “debt service” means the principal ((whether due at maturity ,, by redemption,, or acceleration)),, premium,, if any,, or interest payable on any date with respect to an y series of bonds.. This subdivision shall not apply,, 9955
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however,, in the case of any debt service that is payable from the proceeds of any refunding bonds..
999988..775555.. Notwithstanding Section 1133334400 of the Government Code,, there is hereby continuously appropriated from the General Fund in the State Treasury,, for purposes of this article,, without re gard to fiscal year,, a sum of moneys that will equal both of the following::
((a)) That sum annually necessary to pay the principal of,, and the interest on,, the bonds issued and sold as provided herein,, as that principal and interest become due and payable..
((b)) That sum necessary to carry out Section 999988..775566.. 999988..775566.. For the purposes of this article,, the Director of Finance may authorize the withdrawal from the General Fund of a sum of moneys not to exceed the amount of the unsold bonds which have been authorized by the committee to be sold pursuant to this article,, excluding any refunding bonds authorized pursuant to Section 999988..776622,, less an y amount loaned pursuant to Section 999988..775577 and not yet repaid and any amount withdrawn pursuant to this section and not yet returned to the General Fund.. Any sums withdrawn shall be deposited into the fund.. Any moneys made a vailable under this section to the board shall be returned by the board to the General Fund,, plus the interest that the amounts w ould ha ve earned in the Pooled Mone y Investment Account,, from the sale of bonds for the purpose of carrying out this article..
999988..775577.. The board may request the Pooled Mone y Investment Board to make a loan from the Pooled Money Investment Account,, in accordance with Section 1166331122 of the Government Code,, for the purposes of carrying out this article,, less any amount withdrawn pursuant to Section 999988..775566 and not yet returned to the General Fund.. The amount of the request shall not exceed the amount of unsold bonds which the committee has,, by resolution,, authorized to be sold for the purpose of carrying out this article,, excluding any refunding bonds authorized pursuant to Section 999988..776622,, less any amount loaned pursuant to this section and not yet repaid and any amount withdrawn pursuant to Section 999988..775566 and not yet returned to the General Fund.. The board shall execute whatever documents are required by the Pooled Money Investment Board to obtain and repay the loan.. Any amounts loaned shall be deposited into the fund to be allocated by the board in accordance with this article..
999988..775588.. Upon request of the board,, supported by a statement of its plans and projects approved by the Governor,, the committee shall determine by resolution whether or not it is necessary or desirable to issue an y bonds authorized pursuant to this article in order to carry out the board’s plans and projects,, and,, if so,, the amount of bonds to be issued and sold.. Successi ve issues of bonds may be authorized and sold to carry out these plans and projects,, progressively,, and it is not necessary that all the bonds be issued or sold at any one time..
999988..775599.. ((a)) As long as an y bonds authorized pursuant to this article are outstanding,, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall,, at the close of each fiscal year,, require a surv ey of the financial condition of the Di vision of 9955
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Farm and Home Purchases,, together with a projection of the di vision’s operations,, to be made by an independent public accountant of recognized standing.. The results of each surv ey and projection shall be reported in writing by the public accountant to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs,, the California Veterans Board,, the appropriate policy committees dealing with veterans affairs in the Senate and the Assembly,, and the committee.. ((b)) The Division of Farm and Home Purchases shall reimburse the public accountant for these services out of any moneys that the division may have available on deposit with the Treasurer..
999988..776600.. ((a)) The Treasurer shall issue and sell the bonds authorized by this article in the amount determined by the committee to be necessary and desirable pursuant to Section 999988..775588.. The bonds shall be issued and sold upon the terms and conditions specified in a resolution to be adopted by the committee pursuant to Section 1166773311 of the Government Code.. ((b)) Whenever the committee deems it necessary for an effective sale of the bonds,, the committee may authorize the Treasurer to sell an y issue of bonds at less than their par v alue,, notwithstanding Section 1166775544 of the Government Code.. However,, the discount on the bonds shall not exceed 33 percent of the par value thereof..
999988..776611.. Out of the first mone ys realized from the sale of bonds as provided herein,, there shall be redeposited into the General Obligation Bond Expense Revolving Fund,, established by Section 1166772244..55 of the Government Code,, the amount of all e xpenditures made for the purposes specified in that section,, and the moneys may be used for the same purpose and repaid in the same manner whenever additional bond sales are made.. All moneys deposited in the fund that are deri ved from premium and accrued interest on bonds sold pursuant to this article shall be reserved in the fund and shall be available for transfer to the General Fund as a credit to expenditures for bond interest,, except that amounts derived from premium may be reserved and used to pay costs of bond issuance prior to any transfer to the General Fund..
999988..776622.. Any bonds issued and sold pursuant to this article may be refunded in accordance with Article 66 ((commencing with Section 1166778800)) of Chapter 44 of Part 33 of Division 44 of Title 22 of the Government Code.. The approval of the v oters for the issuance of bonds pursuant to this article includes approval for the issuance of bonds issued to refund bonds originally issued under this article or an y previously issued refunding bonds.. Any bond refunded with the proceeds of refunding bonds as authorized by this section may be legally defeased to the extent permitted by law in the manner and to the extent set forth in the resolution,, as amended from time to time,, authorizing that refunded bond..
999988..776633.. Notwithstanding any provision of the State General Obligation Bond Law or this article,, if the Treasurer sells bonds pursuant to this article for which bond counsel has issued an opinion to the effect that the interest on the bonds is excludable from gross income for purposes of federal income tax purposes,, subject to any conditions that may be designated,, or otherwise entitled to any federal tax advantage,, the Treasurer may maintain separate 9955
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accounts for the investment of bond proceeds and for the earnings on those proceeds,, and may use or direct those proceeds or earnings to pay any rebate,, penalty,, or other payment required by federal la w or take any other action with respect to the investment and use of bond proceeds required or permitted pursuant to federal law necessary or desirable to maintain the tax--e xempt status of the bonds or to obtain any other advantage pursuant to federal law on behalf of the funds of this state..
999988..776644.. The proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by this article are not “proceeds of tax es” as that term is used in Article XIII B of the California Constitution,, and the disbursement of these proceeds is not subject to the limitations imposed by Article XIIIB.. “Declaration of Intent” proceeds of the bonds,, in an amount not to e xceed the principal amount of bonds authorized to be issued by this article ((excluding any refunding bonds issued pursuant to Section 999988..776622)),, are e xpected to be and may be used to reimburse any lawfully available source used to pay costs of projects or programs ((including funds of particular state departments or agencies that may be spent on costs of those projects or programs)) authorized pursuant to this article and paid after No vember 33,, 22002266,, pro vided,, however,, any costs that are to be reimbursed from proceeds of bonds shall not have been paid from the proceeds of an y other indebtedness unless that prior indebtedness will be retired with the proceeds of the bonds..

SEC.. 44.. Sections 22 and 33 of this act shall become operati ve upon the adoption by the v oters of the Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 22002266..

SEC.. 55.. Sections 22 and 33 of this act shall be submitted to the v oters as a single measure,, the Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 22002266,, at the No vember 33,, 22002266,, state wide general election,, in accordance with provisions of the Government Code and the Elections Code governing the submission of a statewide measure to the voters..

SEC.. 66.. This act is an ur gency statute necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace,, health,, or safety within the meaning of Article IV of the California Constitution and shall go into immediate effect..

The facts constituting the necessity are::

In order to maximize the time available for the analysis and preparation of the proposed issuance of bonds pursuant to this act,, it is necessary that this act take effect immediately..

O
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Cotati City Council
Agenda Staff Report
Item type: CONSENT CALENDAR (ACTION)
To: City Council
Subject: ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE 2026

PLAY LIKE DJ DAY OF THE DEAD EVENT IN LA PLAZA
PARK.

Date: October 13, 2026
Written by: Ashley Wilson, Recreation Manager
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution approving the 2026 Play Like DJ Day of the Dead event in La Plaza Park.

Background
Play Like DJ is a local nonprofit organization that empowers youth through sports by creating opportunities and mentorship experiences that help young athletes play, grow, and thrive.

Through scholarships and community partnerships, their goal is to remove barriers for local youth while creating opportunities for them to succeed both on and off the field. Play Like DJ is working with Girasol Collective, a local business that desires to continue bringing cultural events to Cotati. The event is proposed to be the 2nd Annual Day of the Dead Celebration, honoring Latino traditions and promoting cultural appreciation. Girasol Collective’s owner, Rocio Alvarez, also owns a small business selling local goods at pop-up shops and events. She currently has a presence at many Sonoma County cultural events, promoting small businesses.

Girasol Collective was a recipient of the 2025 Cotati Cultural Grant Program award and used the $5,000 in grant funding to produce the first year of the Day of the Dead event in 2025 in La Plaza Park.

This year, they are proposing to host the second year of the event on Sunday, November 1, 2026, in La Plaza Park.
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Analysis/Discussion
The proposed event will feature Altars (Ofrendas) to honor loved ones with marigolds, photos, and offerings, live music from traditional mariachi and folkloric performances, children’s crafts and activities, and vendors with local goods, foods, and other items.

The event is proposed to be from 1:00pm-6:00pm with street closures on La Plaza Street behind the park between Old Redwood Highway and West Sierra Avenue. The street closure request would be from 9:00am to 8:00pm to allow for setup and cleanup before and after the event. No park closures are requested or required. The event would be free to attend.

The applicant has requested the use of amplified music, and authorization for vendors to sell goods, food, and beverages (including the sales of alcohol).

The exhibits attached to the resolution describe the street 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 on the morning of the event.

The street closure signs will also be placed by the City’s Public Works Department on the day of the event. The applicant has reviewed the insurance requirements and has indicated that they can provide adequate insurance. A Condition of Approval has been included which requires proof of insurance supplied to the City before the event.

A Condition of Approval has been included in the agenda packet. This item outlines the requirement of an approved temporary permit for the sale of alcohol, provided by the California Department of Alcohol and Beverage Control, to be supplied to the City before the event.

Financial Considerations
Girasol Collective has requested fee waivers for their event. In accordance with the Park Use and Special Event Policy regarding fee waiver requests, staff recommends that these costs be partially waived by 50%, as this event is a free community event offered by a non-profit organization, is a significant annual event, and will increase the number of visitors to the City thus providing increased opportunities to promote economic development .

Total costs and waivers would be as follows:

Fees for Play Like DJ Day of the Dead Event
Fees &
Deposit
50%
Discount
Adjusted Fees
& Deposit
Large Event Non-Resident Park Permit Fee $ 569.00 $ 284.50 $ 284.50 Small Street Closure Fee 798.00 399.00 399.00
Special Event Application Fee 57.00 28.50 28.50
Electricity Fee 18.00 9.00 9.00
Restroom Cleaning Fee 220.00 110.00 110.00
Refundable deposit (prior to event) 500.00 - 500.00
Totals $ 2,162.00 $ 831.00 $ 1,331.00
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The total cost of the waivers is $831 and would be funded by the City’s General Fund account.

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,
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RESOLUTION NO. (XX)
APPROVING 2026 PLAY LIKE DJ DAY OF THE DEAD EVENT IN LA PLAZA PARK
WHEREAS, Girasol Collective submitted an application to the City for the Day of the Dead event on September 2, 2026; 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 the Exhibits attached, to facilitate this event and improve pedestrian safety; 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 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 Sonoma County Fire District, 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 these events are part of a comprehensive economic development strategy in that they increase visitation to the City, promote the Cotati community and result in increased sales tax revenues; and WHEREAS, the City Council approves the waived permit fees and street closure fees of an amount not to exceed $831 as funded by the City General Fund; 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 these events; 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 action of approving a Day of the Dead 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 declared to be true and correct and are incorporated herein as findings of the City Council.
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2. The City Council hereby approves of the special event permit and street closure fees and staff time associated with road closures to be funded by the City’s General Fund.

3. The temporary closure of portions of La Plaza Street from Old Redwood Highway to West Sierra Avenue on November 1, 2026, between 9:00am and 8:00pm, is hereby approved.

4. Amplified music, the sales of goods, food, and beverages, including alcohol sales and other Day of the Dead activities as described in the accompanying staff report, is hereby approved.

5. The Conditions of Approval, attached as Exhibit A to this resolution, are hereby approved.

6. This Resolution shall become effective immediately.

7. Each portion of this resolution is severable. Should any portion of this resolution be adjudged to be invalid and unenforceable by a body of competent jurisdiction, then the remaining resolution portions shall be and continue in full force and effect, except as to those resolution portions that have been adjudged invalid. The City Council of the City of Cotati hereby declares that it would have adopted this resolution and each section, subsection, clause, sentence, phrase and other portion thereof, irrespective of the fact that one or more section, subsection, clause, sentence, phrase or other portion may be held invalid or unconstitutional.

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 13, 2026, by the following vote, to wit:

Approved:___________________________
Mayor
Attest:______________________________
Kevin Patterson, City Clerk
Approved as to form:______________________________
City Attorney
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EXHIBIT A

CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL

1. The applicant is granted exclusive use of La Plaza Park from Sunday, November 1st, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. through 8:00 p.m. for the event scheduled from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. This approval includes amplified live entertainment.

2. The applicant shall submit a deposit of $500 within 30 days of approval of this event.

3. Applicant shall provide the City with proof of insurance for all events and vendors, as required, to the satisfaction of the City, prior to the event.

4. Applicant shall provide the City with a map of the event, no later than 7 days prior to the event.

5. Applicant shall obtain a Daily License from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). The City authorizes the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages; a copy of the license, as well as evidence of responsible beverage service training, shall be provided to the City prior to the event date.
6 Applicant shall notify all neighboring businesses and residents of the event and street closures, no later than 14 days prior to the event. Once completed, applicant shall immediately remit verification of notices with dates, method, and contact info (addresses) to the City.
7 The applicant shall ensure that no open flames from candles are unattended, and that event staff will remain on site throughout the event to monitor candle use. 8 The applicant shall obtain the required permits and follow all regulations from the Sonoma County Environmental Health Department and shall ensure each food vendor complies with Health Department requirements.
9 The applicant shall ensure that all vendors follow Cotati Municipal Code 8.20.030 (Prohibited food service ware and products), which bans the selling or serving of food ware that contains polystyrene foam or PFAS.
10 The applicant shall comply with all local, state, and federal laws regarding trash, recycling, and composting collection and sorting.
11 The organizer shall prominently feature the City of Cotati as an event sponsor on all advertising and marketing materials.
12 The Police Department shall notify the appropriate agencies of street closures per California Vehicle Code Section 21101 (e). This Section authorizes the temporary closing of any street for celebrations, parades, local events, and other purposes when, in the 8833 of 669933
opinion of local authorities having jurisdiction, closing is necessary for the safety and protection of persons who are to use that portion of the street during the temporary closing.
13 The applicant shall ensure the public facilities (park, parking spaces, and streets) are cleaned completely and returned to pre-event conditions within 2 hours of event end time.

This includes the removal of any chalk or tape used to mark vendor spaces and returning 8 sets of trash, recycling, and compost bins to the unimproved area immediately behind the stage in the park. All litter in the park and on the surrounding streets within the fenced area shall be cleaned up by 9:30am on Monday following the event. If necessary, litter removal will be completed by Public Works or other City Staff after 9:30am and the cost will be charged to the event host at the staff hourly rate in accordance with the current fee schedule Spray paint and drilling of holes in any concrete or asphalt roadway or sidewalk area is strictly prohibited.
14 The event shall be carried out as described in the written descriptions submitted by the applicant and in compliance with these Conditions of Approval. 15 The applicant shall contact Sonoma County Fire District and comply with any permit requirements of the District.
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Cotati City Council
Agenda Staff Report
Item type: CONSENT CALENDAR (ACTION)
To: City Council
Subject: CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION
APPROVING THE 2026 CITY OF COTATI HOLIDAY TREE

LIGHTING CEREMONY
Date: October 13, 2026
Written by: Ashley Wilson, Recreation Manager
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution approving the 2026 City of Cotati Holiday Tree Lighting Event.

Background
The Annual Holiday Tree Lighting is an event that the City of Cotati sponsors each year, bringing the community to La Plaza Park to celebrate the holiday season. Continuing this year, staff intend to incorporate crafts and other goods that vendors can sell throughout the evening, as well as food vendors and trucks, live entertainment, and the sales of alcoholic beverages by the Cotati Chamber of Commerce.

Analysis/Discussion
Below is a summary of the event. The logistics, operation and participants are anticipated to be similar to the 2025 event. The request includes the following: 1) exclusive use of La Plaza Park; 2) closure of public streets, including parking spaces; 3) food truck and other vendor sales in the park; 4) the sale of alcoholic beverages by the Cotati Chamber of Commerce; 5) live, amplified entertainment as well as animals in the park.

Event Attendance Dates/Times
Holiday Tree Lighting 500-750 Friday, December 4th (4:00pm8:00pm) California Vehicle Code Section 21101 (e) authorizes the temporary closing of any street for 9900 of 669933
celebrations, parades, local events and other purposes when, in the opinion of local authorities having jurisdiction, the closing is necessary for the safety and protection of persons who are to use that portion of the street during the temporary closing. In this instance, the public street would be heavily used for horse and trolley rides, vendor logistics, porta-potties, and equipment, so closure would be in the best interest of public safety. The Police Department will notify the appropriate public and emergency response agencies of the closures.

The Holiday Tree Lighting is a yearly event that brings many children and adults together. The event will begin at 4:00 pm with vendors selling items in the park. Participants will then enjoy multiple activities and events in La Plaza Park, including amplified live entertainment, horse and trolley rides, visits with Santa, and the lighting of the tree. Exclusive use of La Plaza Park, the Bandstand, and La Plaza from Old Redwood Highway to West Sierra Avenue, including parking spaces from 8:00am through 10:00pm to allow for set-up, breakdown, and clean-up, is requested.

To maximize the safety of those attending, the Police Department would need to temporarily close La Plaza Street from Old Redwood Highway to West Sierra Avenue from 12:00 pm through 10:00 pm.

A Condition of Approval has been included which requires the California Department of Alcohol and Beverage Control to approve the temporary permit to allow for the sale of alcohol to be supplied to the City before the event.

Financial Considerations
This event is widely marketed and has increased the number of visitors to the City. The increased visitation is evidenced at the event and local businesses. The event provides increased opportunities to promote economic development and increased sales tax revenue.

Financial considerations for the City would be expenditures of approximately $24,000 in supplies, vendors, and staff costs accommodated in the FY 26-27 budget. Summary of estimated costs by function and department are below:

Staff Time
Recreation – 55 hours* $7,790
Public Works – 50 hours** 9,900
Supplies/Vendors
Emcee 500
Horse & Trolley 2,900
Rental Equipment 1,500
Band/Music 500
Craft Supplies & Decorations 500
Total $23,590
* Recreation prep work and day of event - 55 hours (20 part-time staff hours, 35, full-time staff hours)
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** Public Works prep work, day of event, and cleanup - 50 hours 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.
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RESOLUTION NO. (XX)
APPROVING 2026 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 Sonoma County Fire District, 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 City has been conditioned to provide evidence from their beverage vendor (Chamber of Commerce) that they will 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. 9933 of 669933

2. The closure of La Plaza Park for use for the Holiday Tree Lighting on Friday, December 4, 2026, 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 4, 2026, 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 13, 2026, by the following vote, to wit:

CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL

HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING

1. The City of Cotati shall ensure the public facilities (park, parking spaces and streets) are cleaned completely and returned to pre-event condition within 72 hours of the event.

2. The event shall be carried out as described in the written descriptions submitted by the applicant, approved by the City Council, and in compliance with these Conditions of Approval.

3. The City of Cotati is granted exclusive use of La Plaza Park, including closure of all public streets and parking spaces necessary to accommodate the event on Friday, December 4 th, 2026, from 8:00am to 10:00pm for the event. This approval includes amplified live entertainment, food and vendor sales, alcohol sales, and closure of La Plaza Street between Old Redwood Highway and West Sierra Avenue between 12:00pm-10:00pm.

4. The City of Cotati shall arrange for trash, recycling, and compost bins to be delivered and collected.

5. The applicant shall provide evidence of the proper Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) license as well as evidence of server training.

6. The City of Cotati shall adhere to the following approved event area:
o La Plaza Park
o La Plaza from West Sierra Avenue to West Cotati Avenue & down West Cotati Avenue
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Cotati City Council
Agenda Staff Report
Item type: CONSENT CALENDAR (ACTION)
To: City Council
Subject: CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION TO
APPROVE 2026 AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY EVENTS

FARMERS MARKETS - DOWNTOWN SHOP AND STROLL
HOLIDAY EVENT IN DOWNTOWN COTATI.

Date: October 13, 2026
Written by: Ashley Wilson, Recreation Manager
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution approving the 2026 Agricultural Community Events Farmers Markets Downtown Shop and Stroll Holiday Event in Downtown Cotati.

Background
Agricultural Community Events Farmers Markets is a 501(c)(5) non-profit company which operates several farmers' markets in the region. It currently operates markets in Santa Rosa, Marinwood, Glen Ellen, Rohnert Park, Petaluma, Downtown Novato, Fairfax, and has been operating the market here in Cotati for the past thirteen years. They have also been operating the Cotati Downtown Shop and Stroll event since 2017, which has grown in success over the years and become a local tradition among the community. Agricultural Community Events Farmers Markets has proposed this year’s Shop & Stroll event format to be like that of past years and will host many of the same vendors. A full description of event operations and a map of activities is attached to the resolution, as Exhibit B. This year’s proposed event will be on Saturday, December 5, 2026.

Analysis/Discussion
As requested, and approved in prior years, Agricultural Community Events Farmers Markets has again requested a street closure of Old Redwood Highway from East Cotati Avenue to Charles and Henry Street and the closure of the two side streets of La Plaza between East Cotati Avenue and West Sierra Avenue. It is not expected that this will significantly impact traffic, as both 9966 of 669933
Charles and Henry remain open for residents and businesses, and regional traffic diversion continues as in previous years with the closure of Old Redwood Highway.

The event in downtown Cotati on Old Redwood Highway will be free of charge to enter and is family friendly, taking place from 11:00am until 5:00pm. Street closures have been requested from 7:30am - 6:30pm to allow for set-up and clean-up. The event will include amplified music, vendors selling goods, food, and beverages (including sales of alcohol from the Cotati Chamber of Commerce and current Cotati businesses with ABC compliant establishments), as well as visits with Santa and a petting zoo. The prior years’ event received positive reviews from the downtown businesses that City staff spoke with.

The exhibits attached to the resolution describe the street closures and parking restrictions necessary to allow for the orderly movement of vehicle and pedestrian traffic during street closures. City staff will place no parking signs along Old Redwood Highway and La Plaza prior to the event and will be responsible for the road closures. Agricultural Community Events Farmers Markets has reviewed the insurance requirements and has indicated that they can provide adequate insurance. The Conditions of Approval is included within the agenda packet and includes the requirement for proof of insurance to be supplied to the City before the event.

Financial Considerations
Agricultural Community Events Farmers Markets has requested fee waivers and City support for staff time. In accordance with the Park Use and Special Event Policy regarding fee waiver requests, staff recommends that these costs be partially waived by 50%, as this event is a free community event offered by a non-profit organization, is a significant annual event, and will increase the number of visitors to the City thus providing increased opportunities to promote economic development. Total costs and waivers would be as follows:

Fees for Shop and Stroll Holiday Event
Fees &
Deposit
50%
Discount
Adjusted
Fees &
Deposit
Street Closure (w/traffic rerouting)-Old Redwood Hwy $ 1,997.00 $ 998.50 $ 998.50 Street Closure (small) - La Plaza 798.00 399.00 399.00
Special Event Application Fee 57.00 28.50 28.50
Special Event Permit Fee 142.00 71.00 71.00
Banner Installation Fee* 330.00 165.00 165.00
Refundable deposit (prior to event) 500.00 - 500.00
Totals $ 3,824.00 $1,662.00 $2,162.00
* (1/3 of fee, as event is 1 of 3 listed on banner)
The total cost of the waivers is $1,662 and would be funded by the City’s General Fund account.

MARKETS - DOWNTOWN SHOP AND STROLL HOLIDAY EVENT
WHEREAS, Agricultural Community Events Farmers Markets submitted applications to the City for the Downtown Shop and Stroll Holiday event on August 19, 2026; 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 the Exhibits attached, to facilitate this event and improve pedestrian safety; 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 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 Sonoma County Fire District, 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 these events are part of a comprehensive economic development strategy in that they increase visitation to the City, promote the Cotati community and result in increased sales tax revenues; and WHEREAS, the City Council approves the waived permit fees and street closure fees of an amount not to exceed $1,662 as funded by the City General Fund; 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 these events; 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 action of approving a Downtown Shop and Stroll 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 declared to be true and correct and are incorporated herein by reference. 9999 of 669933

2. The City Council hereby approves a portion of the special event permit and street closure fees associated with road closures to be funded by the City’s General Fund.

3. The temporary closure of portions of Old Redwood Highway from E. Cotati Avenue to Charles/Henry Street and La Plaza between W. Sierra Avenue and E. Cotati Avenue through Old Redwood Highway on December 5, 2026, between 7:30am and 6:30pm, is hereby approved.

4. Amplified music, the sales of goods, food, and beverages, including alcohol, and other Downtown Shop and Stroll activities as described in the accompanying staff report, is hereby approved.

5. The Conditions of Approval, attached as Exhibit A to this resolution, are hereby approved.

6. This Resolution shall become effective immediately.

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 13, 2026, by the following vote, to wit:

CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
Agricultural Community Events Cotati Shop and Stroll Event 2026

1. The applicant shall provide the City with evidence of the proper insurance 30 days prior to the event.

2. The applicant is granted exclusive use of Old Redwood Highway between E. Cotati Avenue and Charles/Henry Street and La Plaza Street between W. Sierra Avenue and E.

Cotati Avenue going through Old Redwood Highway from Saturday, December 5, 2026, from 7:30 a.m. through 6:30 p.m. for the event scheduled from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

This approval includes amplified live entertainment.

3. The applicant shall submit a deposit of $500 within 30 days of approval of this event.

4. The City of Cotati shall arrange for trash, recycling, and compost bins to be delivered and collected.

5. The applicant shall ensure the public facilities (park, parking spaces, and streets) are cleaned completely and returned to pre-event conditions within 2 hours of event end time.

This includes the removal of any chalk or tape used to mark vendor spaces and returning 8 sets of trash, recycling, and compost bins to the unimproved area immediately behind the stage in the park. All litter in the event area shall be cleaned up by 9:30am on Monday following the event. If necessary, litter removal will be completed by Public Works or other City Staff after 9:30am and the cost will be charged to the event host at the staff hourly rate in accordance with the current fee schedule Spray paint and drilling of holes in any concrete or asphalt roadway or sidewalk area is strictly prohibited.

6. The event shall be carried out as described in the written descriptions submitted by the applicant and in compliance with these Conditions of Approval.

7. The applicant shall provide evidence of the proper Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) license as well as evidence of server training.

8. The applicant shall provide the City with a map of the event no later than 7 days prior to each event date.

9. The applicant shall obtain the required permits and follow all regulations from the 110011 of 669933
Sonoma County Environmental Health Department, and shall ensure each food vendor complies with Health Department requirements.

10. Applicant shall notify all neighboring businesses and residents of the event and street closures, no later than 14 days prior to each event date. Once completed, applicant shall immediately remit verification of notices with dates, method, and contact info (addresses) to the City.

11. The applicant shall ensure that all vendors follow Cotati Municipal Code 8.20.030 (Prohibited food service ware and products), which bans the selling or serving of food ware that contains polystyrene foam or PFAS.

12. The applicant shall contact the Sonoma County Fire District and comply with any permit requirements of the District.

13. The applicant shall comply with all local, state, and federal laws regarding trash, recycling, and composting collection and sorting.

14. The organizer shall prominently feature the City of Cotati as an event sponsor on all advertising and marketing materials.
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Cotati City Council
Agenda Staff Report
Item type: CONSENT CALENDAR (ACTION)
To: City Council
Subject: AUTHORIZE APPROPRIATION AND CONTRACTS WITH

HANSON-BRIDGETT AND PRESCOTT LAW
Date: October 13, 2026
Written by: Damien O'Bid, City Manager
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution appropriating the necessary funds and authorizing the City Manager to execute agreements with Hanson-Bridgett and Prescott Law.

Background
From time to time, the City has the need to hear requested appeals of disciplinary actions, in accordance with City policies. To conduct appeal hearings, a neutral hearing officer and representation of the City is required.

Analysis/Discussion
As a member of the California Intergovernmental Risk Authority (CIRA), the City obtains excess coverage from Public Risk Innovation, Solutions, and Management (PRISM). PRISM provided the City with several neutral hearing officer options, as well as potential options for City representation. After the review and evaluation of the options, as well as the relative availability of the potential options, staff is recommending Hanson Bridgett, LLC for representation and Prescott Law as a neutral hearing officer.

Financial Considerations
The proposed services are expected to not exceed $60,000; $40,000 for Hanson-Bridgett and $20,000 for Prescott Law. These funds are not currently budgeted, so it is requested that the City Council approve a budget amendment and corresponding appropriations of the necessary funds from the unencumbered General Fund balance.
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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.

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CONTRACTS WITH HANSON-BRIDGETT AND

PRESCOTT LAW, INCLUDING THE NECESSARY APPROPRIATION
WHEREAS, as a member of the California Intergovernmental Risk Authority (CIRA), the City obtains excess coverage from Public Risk Innovation, Solutions, and Management (PRISM); and
WHEREAS, PRISM provided the City with several neutral hearing officer options, as well as potential options for City representation; and
WHEREAS, after review and evaluation of the options, as well as the relative availability of the potential options, the City Council desires to contract with Hanson Bridgett, LLC for representation and Prescott Law as a neutral hearing officer; and WHEREAS, 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.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council hereby finds that:

1. The above findings are true and correct.

2. The City Council authorizes the City Manager to execute agreements with said contractors for services in an appeal hearing.

3. The City Council approves the budget amendment and corresponding appropriations of the necessary funding for appeal hearing from the unencumbered General Fund balance, not to exceed $60,000; $40,000 for Hanson-Bridgett and $20,000 for Prescott Law.

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 13, 2026, by the following vote, to wit:

Approved:___________________________
Mayor
Attest:______________________________
Kevin Patterson, City Clerk
Approved as to form:______________________________
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City Attorney
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10/7/2026 6:45:12 PM Page 1 of 3
Budget Adjustment Register
Cotati, CA Adjustment Detail
Packet: GLPKT16364 - 10/13/26 - $60K CONTRACT HANSONBRIDGETT & PRESCOT Adjustment Number Budget Code Description Adjustment Date BA0000111 Adopted Budget for FY 2026… Amend.- Contract w/ Hanson-Bridgtt & Prescott Law 10/13/2026 Per council resolution, amend budget and add appropriations for an amount not to exceed $60,000 for fiscal year 2026/27 for appeals hearing officers and legal services.

Summary Description:

Account Number Account Name Adjustment Description Before Adjustment After 101-23-80286-000000 SVCS-LEGAL-SPCL Amend.- Contract w/ Hanson-Bridgtt & Prescot… 0.00 60,000.00 60,000.00 October: 60,000.00
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Budget Adjustment Register Packet: GLPKT16364 - 10/13/26 - $60K CONTRACT HANSON-BRIDGETT & PRESCOT 10/7/2026 6:45:12 PM Page 2 of 3
Budget Budget Description Account Account Description After Budget Code Summary
Before Adjustment
2026-2027 Adopted Budget for FY 20… 101-23-80286-000000 SVCS-LEGAL-SPCL 0.00 60,000.00 60,000.00 2026-2027 Total: 0.00 60,000.00 60,000.00
Grand Total: 0.00 60,000.00 60,000.00
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Budget Adjustment Register Packet: GLPKT16364 - 10/13/26 - $60K CONTRACT HANSON-BRIDGETT & PRESCOT 10/7/2026 6:45:12 PM Page 3 of 3
Fund After
Fund Summary
Before Adjustment
Budget Code:2026-2027 - Adopted Budget for FY 2026/27 Fiscal: 2026-2027 101 0.00 60,000.00 60,000.00
Budget Code 2026-2027 Total: 0.00 60,000.00 60,000.00
Grand Total: 0.00 60,000.00 60,000.00
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Cotati City Council
Agenda Staff Report
Item type: CONSENT CALENDAR (ACTION)
To: City Council
Subject: ACCEPTANCE OF THE 2026 STREET PRESERVATION

PROJECT
Date: October 13, 2026
Written by: Craig Scott, Director of Public Works/City Engineer Recommendation
It is recommended the City of Cotati City Council adopt a resolution accepting the 2026 Street Preservation Project, authorizing the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion with the County Clerk, and authorizing the release of retention after the 35-day noticing period with no protests.

Background
The City’s Five-Year Capital Improvements Plan includes a list of street paving projects. The paving projects are based on a Pavement Management Program (PMP), updated every 2 years, which guides the identification and prioritization of street pavement maintenance projects. The PMP provides strategies to prioritize the annual roadway projects based on their condition and treatment costs. Pavement maintenance projects are significantly funded by, and made possible by Measure S, the City’s local revenue measure and grant matching funds. The City Council continues to prioritize street repair and maintenance to reduce long-term maintenance costs.

Since July 2020, the City has completed approximately $15.9 million in roadway improvements, increasing the Pavement Condition Index (PCI) to the mid-70’s. These investments have made considerable progress in improving the condition of our roadways, making Cotati’s streets among the best in Sonoma County.

Analysis/Discussion
The 2026 Street Preservation Project (Project) included pavement preservation treatments for E.

Cotati Avenue from Baytree Court east to the City limits, asphalt repairs in the north bound bike lane on Old Redwood Highway just past Valparaiso Avenue, localized asphalt repairs on Old Redwood Highway between Hwy 116 and William Street, stamped crosswalk repairs at William/George and Old Redwood Highway and across Santero Way at E. Cotati Avenue. The pavement preservation treatments consisted of repairing failed areas with dig outs and paving, 111155 of 669933
crack seal, and slurry seal. The final paved areas were then restriped. On March 10, 2026, City Council awarded the construction contract to American Asphalt repair & Resurfacing Co. for a total construction amount of $463,000. On June 29, 2026, the City Engineer determined the work to have been completed in accordance with the Project Plans and Specifications and recommends the Project Improvements for City acceptance.

Financial Considerations
The Project’s total authorized budget is $722,800.00, and accounts for design, construction, construction management and inspection, and direct costs. The actual completed project cost is $658,493.89 which is 8.9 percent below the authorized budget. The remaining unspent funds will be returned to the unappropriated General Fund.

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. 111166 of 669933
RESOLUTION NO. (XX)
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF COTATI CITY COUNCIL ACCEPTING THE 2026

STREET PRESERVATION PROJECT IMPROVEMENTS, AUTHORIZING THE

CITY CLERK TO FILE THE NOTICE OF COMPLETION WITH THE COUNTY CLERK, AND AUTHORIZING THE RELEASE OF RETENTION AFTER THE 35 DAY NOTICING PERIOD WITH NO PROTESTS.

WHEREAS, the City’s Five-Year Capital Improvements Program includes a list of paving projects, and the paving projects are based on a Pavement Management Program (PMP), updated every 2 years, which guides identification and prioritization of pavement maintenance projects; and
WHEREAS, the PMP provides strategies to prioritize annual roadway projects based on condition and treatment costs; and
WHEREAS, pavement maintenance projects are significantly funded by, and made possible by, Measure S, the City’s local revenue measure; and City Council continues to prioritize street repair and maintenance, and, since July 2020, the City has completed approximately $15.9 million in roadway improvements, and these investments have considerably improved roadway conditions; and
WHEREAS, the 2026 Street Preservation Project (Project) included pavement preservation treatments for E. Cotati Avenue from Baytree Court east to the City limits, asphalt repairs in the north bound bike lane on Old Redwood Highway just past Valparaiso Avenue, localized asphalt repairs on Old Redwood Highway between Hwy 116 and William Street, stamped crosswalk repairs at William/George and Old Redwood Highway and across Santero Way at E. Cotati Avenue; and
WHEREAS, the pavement preservation treatments consist of repair of failed areas (dig outs/repairs), slurry seal and restriping; and
WHEREAS, on March 10, 2026, City Council awarded the construction contract to American Asphalt Repair & Resurfacing Co for a total construction amount of $463,000; and WHEREAS, on June 29, 2026, the City Engineer determined the work to have been completed in accordance with the Project Plans and Specifications and recommends it for City acceptance; and
WHEREAS, the Project’s total authorized budget is $722,800, and accounts for design, construction, construction management and inspection, and direct costs; and WHEREAS, the actual Project total cost is $658,493.89, which is approximately 8.9 percent below the authorized budget, and the remaining funds will be returned to the unappropriated General Fund; and
WHEREAS, 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, 111177 of 669933
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.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that

1. Finds that the above recitals are true and correct and incorporated herein by reference; and

2. Accepts the contract work performed on the 2026 Street Preservation Project; and

3. Directs the City Clerk to record the attached Notice of Completion for said contract work within 15 days of the date of resolution and provide a copy to the contractor (Cal. Civil Code §9204); and

4. Authorizes the City Manager to release any remaining contract retention to American Asphalt Repair & Resurfacing Co., thirty-five (35) days after the recordation of the Notice of Completion, provided that no liens or stop notices have been filed against the Project.

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 13, 2026, by the following vote, to wit:

Kevin Patterson, City Clerk City of
Cotati
201 W. Sierra Avenue
Cotati, CA 94931-4217

NOTICE OF COMPLETION
(ACCEPTANCE OF IMPROVEMENTS)
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT:

1. The City Council of the City of Cotati has accepted the improvements at the City Council meeting of October 13, 2026 for the 2026 Street Preservation Project.

The nature of the City of Cotati’s interest, as owner, of the property is as public right-of-way.

2. The improvements were completed and deemed complete by the Director of Public Works/City Engineer on June 29, 2026, with a total project cost of $658,493.89.

3. The name of the original contractor for the work of improvement was American Asphalt Repair & Resurfacing Co, Inc for a total constructed amount of $431,433.

4. The Contractor has provided the City with a maintenance bond and guaranty in the amount of 10 percent of the construction contract amount ($43,143.00) for a period of one (1) year from the date of City Council acceptance of the improvements.

5. This Notice of Completion constitutes the City’s acceptance of the improvements for this project.

I am the City Engineer/Public Works Director for the City of Cotati, a Municipal Corporation. I make this verification on behalf of the City of Cotati. I have read the Notice and know its contents. I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct.

Dated: _________________ ___________________________
Craig A Scott
City Engineer/Public Works Director
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Cotati City Council
Agenda Staff Report
Item type: CONSENT CALENDAR (ACTION)
To: City Council
Subject: ACCEPTANCE OF THE CLASS 1 PATHWAY MAINTENANCE

PROJECT
Date: October 13, 2026
Written by: Craig Scott, Director of Public Works/City Engineer Recommendation
It is recommended the City of Cotati City Council adopt a Resolution accepting the Class 1 Pathway Maintenance Project Improvements, authorizing the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion with the County Clerk, and authorizing the release of retention after the 35-day noticing period with no protests.

Background
The City has a pathway that extends along the length of the Laguna De Santa Rosa as it winds through the City. The Pathway begins at Commerce Boulevard and runs generally southward, ending at Ladybug Park in Rohnert Park. The portion of the trail between Gravenstein Way and E. Cotati Avenue was paved asphalt, which was in poor condition and needed repair or replacement. At public meetings to consider the pathway design, the community called for its replacement with a natural fine compacted gravel material. The goal of the natural surface is to enhance the experience of trail users and slow e-bikes on this relatively narrow multi-use trail, with a material that is easily repairable by Public Works. Therefore, the direction was to remove the asphalt and replace it with a natural material as close as possible to the sections of trail between McGinnis Bridge south to Ladybug Park.

Analysis/Discussion
On April 14, 2026, City Council awarded the Class 1 Pathway Maintenance Project (Project) construction contract to AGD General Engineering, Inc. The work consisted of removing the existing asphalt pathway between Gravenstein Way and the pedestrian bridge just north of E.

Cotati Avenue, installing and compacting base material, pathway edging, replacing cross drains, and installing a finishing course. Work also included installation of foundations for trash and 112200 of 669933
recycling receptacles at two locations along the route. On August 24, 2026, the City Engineer conducted a final inspection of the Project and determined the Project to have been completed in accordance with the Plans and Specifications and recommends the Project improvements for acceptance.

Note that the trash cans were not installed as part of this project and staff are reviewing options for trash enclosures, such as bear boxes, to address neighbor odor concerns.

Financial Considerations
The Project’s total authorized budget is $210,000, and accounts for design, construction, construction management and inspection, and direct costs. The actual project total cost is $187,261.50, which is 10.8 percent below the authorized budget. The remaining unspent funds will be returned to the unappropriated General Fund.

RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF COTATI CITY COUNCIL ACCEPTING THE CLASS 1 PATHWAY MAINTENANCE PROJECT IMPROVEMENTS,

AUTHORIZING THE CITY CLERK TO FILE THE NOTICE OF COMPLETION

WITH THE COUNTY CLERK, AND AUTHORIZING THE RELEASE OF
RETENTION AFTER THE 35 DAY NOTICING PERIOD WITH NO PROTESTS WHEREAS, the City has a pathway that extends along the length of the Laguna De Santa Rosa as it winds through the City, and the Pathway begins at Commerce Boulevard and runs generally southward ending at Ladybug Park in Rohnert Park; and WHEREAS, the portion of the trail between Gravenstein Way and E. Cotati Avenue was paved asphalt, which was in poor condition and needed repair or replacement; and WHEREAS, at public meetings to consider the pathway design, the community called for its replacement with a natural fine compacted gravel material, with the goal of the natural surface is to enhance the experience of trail users and slow e-bikes on this relatively narrow multi-use trail that was also easily repairable by Public Works; and WHEREAS, the direction was to remove the asphalt and replace it with a natural material as close as possible to the sections of trail between McGinnis Bridge south to Ladybug Park; and
WHEREAS, on April 14, 2026, City Council awarded the Class 1 Pathway Maintenance Project (Project) construction contract to AGD General Engineering, Inc., and the work consisted of removing the existing asphalt pathway between Gravenstein Way and the pedestrian bridge just north of E. Cotati Avenue, installing and compacting base material, pathway edging, replacing cross drains, and installing a finishing course; and WHEREAS, work also included installation of foundations for trash and recycle receptacles at two locations along the route; and
WHEREAS, on August 24, 2026, the City Engineer conducted a final inspection of the Project and determined the Project to have been completed in accordance with the Plans and Specifications and recommends the Project improvements for acceptance; and WHEREAS, the Project’s total authorized budget is $210,000, and accounts for design, construction, construction management and inspection, and direct costs, and the actual Project total cost is $187.261.50, which is 10.8 percent below the authorized budget, and the remaining unspent funds will be returned to the unappropriated General Fund; and WHEREAS, 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.
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NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the City of Cotati City Council

1. Finds that the above recitals are true and correct and incorporated herein by reference; and

2. Accepts the contract work performed on the Class 1 Pathway Maintenance Project; and

4. Authorizes the City Manager to release any remaining contract retention to AGD General Engineering, Inc., thirty-five (35) days after the recordation of the Notice of Completion, provided that no liens or stop notices have been filed against the Project.

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 13, 2026, by the following vote, to wit:

Kevin Patterson, City Clerk City of
Cotati
201 W. Sierra Avenue
Cotati, CA 94931-4217

NOTICE OF COMPLETION
(ACCEPTANCE OF IMPROVEMENTS)
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT:

1. The City Council of the City of Cotati has accepted the improvements at the City Council meeting of October 13, 2026 for the Class 1 Pathway Maintenance Project. The nature of the City of Cotati’s interest, as owner, of the property is as public right-of-way.

2. The improvements were completed and deemed complete by the Director of Public Works/City Engineer on August 24, 2026, with a total project cost of $187,261.50.

3. The name of the original contractor for the improvement work was AGD General Engineering, Inc. for a total contractor constructed amount of $185,504.05.

4. The Contractor has provided the City with a maintenance bond and guaranty in the amount of 10 percent of the construction contract amount ($18,550.40) for a period of one (1) year from the date of City Council acceptance of the improvements.

5. This Notice of Completion constitutes the City’s acceptance of the improvements for this project.

Dated: _________________ ___________________________
Craig A Scott
City Engineer/Public Works Director
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Cotati City Council
Agenda Staff Report
Item type: CONSENT CALENDAR (ACTION)
To: City Council
Subject: CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A CHANGE ORDER TO THE
2026/2027 PAVEMENT PRESERVATION PROJECT TO PAVE
THE WATER TRENCH IN HIGHWAY 116 AT SR 101
Date: October 13, 2026
Written by: Craig Scott, Director of Public Works/City Engineer Recommendation
It is recommended the City of Cotati City Council approve a Resolution approving a Change Order to the 2026/2027 Pavement Preservation Project to Pave the water trench in Highway 116 at State Route 101 and authorizes the appropriation of funds from the unappropriated water enterprise fund in the amount of $20,500, for the extra work.

Background
On September 8, 2026, City Council awarded the Construction contract for the 2026/2027 Pavement Preservation Project and work began on September 28, 2026. Despite contingency being authorized on projects, it is sometimes necessary to return to City Council for unforeseen extra work exceeding prior authorization.

Analysis/Discussion
Late in the design of the Project, Staff decided to add the pavement of a water line trench left from an emergency water line leak repair in the Spring of 2026. It is common to “pick up” isolated rough patches of pavement in paving projects since there is an economy of scale resulting in lower prices for the work. Since the water line trench is in Caltrans right-of-way, a Caltrans Encroachment Permit was applied for, and it was uncertain during bidding of the Project whether the permit would be issued in time for this work to be included in the Project.

Two weeks following award, the Caltrans permit was issued and Staff requested change order pricing from the Contractor. The attached quote was reviewed by the City’s Construction Manager and Staff and determined to be reasonable and recommended for approval. The work 112255 of 669933
includes extensive traffic control and, in accordance with Caltrans conditions is to be done at night to lesson traffic impacts at the busy interchange. The Construction Management consulting firm indicated there would be no increase in their contract amount due to the addition of this change order work. Once approved, the Contractor will schedule and perform the work which is expected before the second week of November.

Financial Considerations
The prior authorized Project funding did not include the change order work for the Highway 116 water trench paving. Therefore, $18,228.00 for the quoted amount plus $2,275 contingency for a total appropriation and budget amendment of $20,500, is being requested from the water enterprise unappropriated fund for the extra work.

Due to the significance of this emergency repair, the project has been submitted to our insurance coverage and as such we are anticipating receiving a reimbursement in full for this amount.

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COTATI
APPROVING A CHANGE ORDER TO THE 2026/2027 PAVEMENT

PRESERVATION PROJECT FOR PAVING OF THE WATER LINE TRENCH IN HIGHWAY 116 AT STATE ROUTE 101 AND APPROPRIATING $20,500 FROM THE WATER ENTERPRISE FUND.

WHEREAS, on September 8, 2026, the City Council awarded the construction contract for the 2026/2027 Pavement Preservation Project; and
WHEREAS, an emergency water line repair performed in Spring 2026 resulted in a water line trench within Highway 116 near State Route 101 requiring permanent pavement restoration; and
WHEREAS, following issuance of the required Caltrans Encroachment Permit, City staff obtained change order pricing for the pavement restoration, which was reviewed by City staff and the City’s Construction Manager and determined to be reasonable; and WHEREAS, the proposed work requires an appropriation of $20,500 from the Water Enterprise Fund, consisting of $18,228.00 for the change order and $2,275.00 for contingency, with the City anticipating reimbursement through its insurance coverage; and WHEREAS, the work qualifies for a Class 1 Categorical Exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 because it consists of repair and maintenance of existing facilities involving negligible or no expansion of existing use.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Cotati hereby:

1. Approves the change order to the 2026/2027 Pavement Preservation Project for paving of the water line trench in Highway 116 at State Route 101;

2. Authorizes a budget amendment and appropriation of $20,500 from the unappropriated Water Enterprise Fund balance.

3. Authorizes the City Manager, or designee, to execute the change order and any related documents necessary to complete the work within the authorized funding; and

4. Finds that the work is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301
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 13, 2026, by the following vote, to wit:
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Approved:___________________________
Mayor
Attest:______________________________
Kevin Patterson, City Clerk
Approved as to form:______________________________
City Attorney
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I N C. EST. 1976
Post Office Box 26770
San Jose, CA 95159 Phone (408) 293-9516 Fax (408) 293-3633 To: Rick Seanor Quote Date:

Firm: Green Valley consulting Engineers Bid Date/Time
Phone: 707-621-1511 City
Fax: Contr. NO
Email:

Job:

ITEM NO. DESCRIPTION UOM QUANTITY UNIT PRICE TOTAL
option 1 Plant Opening SF 186 $138.50 25,761.00 $
option 2 October 8th SF 168 $108.50 18,228.00 $
option 3 Pre Load and Cover SF 168 $92.50 15,540.00 $
Includes:

Price Good October 31, 2026 No. of Days 1 DAY
Thru Each Add'l DAY: $17,500.00
Exclusions: Permits, Fees, Bonds (Bondable @ 1%), Removal of Parked Cars, A/C Patching, Heavy Cleaning/Dirt Removal/Pressure Washing, OCIP/CCIP/WRAP Participation OR Fees, Builder's Risk Insurance, Participation in any Local Hiring / Workforce Agreement of any kind, Terms of Quote: Payment Within 30 Days of substantial completion of our work / NO RETENTION ON PROJECTS UNDER $ 20,001.00

AND CANNOT BE SUPERSEDED BY ANY OTHER TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT SCHEDULING OF ANY WORK BETWEEN NOVEMBER 1 AND MAY 1 IS SUBJECT TO OUR SOLE DISCRETION AND A WEATHER RELEASE MAY BE REQUIRED

PRICE INCLUDES A ONE-YEAR WARRANTY FOR MATERIALS AND WORKMANSHIP BEGINNING ON SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION OF OUR WORK Accepted
By: Date:

Title:

Mob and Demob of Equipment (Equipment will be delivered with trucks coming to site and leave at end of shift, Grind, Sweep, Tack, Pave and Roll 3" over 168sqft per the attached and provided drawing Traffic Control - Lane Shift, we will grind & pave 1 lane and put traffic in second, once complete we will switch sides and grind & pave 2nd lane + shoulder, We will provide a TCP with standard signage (Road Con Ahead, Rt/Lt Lane Closed Ahead, Rt/Lt Lane Closed, coming from off ramp and East Bound 116. Basic Road Con Ahead on West Bound 116. Arrow boards are not included in pricing but can be added if required. We will close 1 turn lane on off ramp for both sides of 116. We will flip the single lane closed on EB 116 as required. This is a standard lane shift Traffic Plan with no full time flagging. If arrow boards required, we will need additional trucks to get to site ahead of work.

Repair of power steering marks (inherent to materials being used), QA/QC/TESTING, SWPPP/WPCP/BMPs, Sealing of curbs/berms/ditches,

SEE ABOVE
Traffic Police, Tack/Prime Coats, Flood Testing, Leveling Courses, Rut Filling, Security Classes/Badging, Mailings, Saturday & Sunday Work, Night Work, Any and ALL Contractual Share Payments or Agreements, Utility Cover Adjustment, Installation of Posts/Signs, Curb Painting, Bollard Painting, Wheel Stops, Sandblasting or Grinding of any type, Informational Signage of any kind, TOTAL
Crackfilling, Rout/Sawcutting of cracks, Herbicide or Soil Sterilant, Clearing/Grubbing, Vegetation / Tree Trimming, Job-Site Scales, CMS Boards, Railroad or VTA Traffic Control / Insurance / Permits / Classes / Fees of any type, Federal Wages, Fiber or fiberglass additives of any kind, JJ Waiters
CA Lic. # 315789 A, C-12 ------ DIR Reg. # PW-LR-1000898576

GRAHAM CONTRACTORS IS UNION SIGNATORY
Quote Submitted By:

CONDITIONS OF THIS QUOTE, UNLESS AND UNTIL THE PARTIES THEREAFTER SIGN A MUTUALLY ACCEPTABLE WRITTEN AGREEMENT October 6, 2026
2026/2027 Pavement Preservation Project
Cotati
PA#097-2

THIS QUOTATION AND CONDITIONS MUST BECOME PART OF ANY CONTRACT OR PURCHASE ORDER,

IF CONTRACTOR OR OWNER DIRECTS GRAHAM CONTRACTORS TO PROCEED WITH THE WORK SET FORTH ABOVE,

EVEN IF SAID DIRECTION IS ONLY MADE VERBALLY OR ELECTRONICALLY, THEN CONTRACTOR AGREES TO THE TERMS AND Grading/Base Prep/Watering, Formal OR Certified OR Scaled OR Site-Specific Traffic Control Plans, Attenuator Vehicles, Flaggers

G R A H A M

C O N T R A C T O R S
patch on HWY 116
Stripe/Marker Removal, Stripe/Marker Replacement, Stripe/Marker Protection, Temporary Delineation of any type, Job-Specific Calibration,

QUOTATION
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Budget Adjustment Register
Cotati, CA Adjustment Detail
Packet: GLPKT16352 - 10/13/2026 - Street Repair for Water Main Event -
Adjustment Number Budget Code Description Adjustment Date BA0000110 Adopted Budget for FY 2026… Budget Adj-St Repairs Related to Water Main Break 10/13/2026 Amending the budget per city council resolution related to approving a change order to the 2026/2027 pavement preservation project for paving of the water line trench in highway 116 at state route 101 and appropriating $20,500 from the water enterprise fund.

Summary Description:

Account Number Account Name Adjustment Description Before Adjustment After 402-00-81000-000000 OPER TRANS OUT-WTR CPTL Trans. funds for water portion of street repairs 0.00 20,500.00 20,500.00 October: 20,500.00
605-19-67000-49PWGL OPER TRANS IN - STREET IMPRV. Trans. funds for water portion of street repairs -750,000.00 -20,500.00 -770,500.00 October: -20,500.00
605-19-91300-49PWGL STREET IMPROVEMENTS Increase Budget for Change Order Repairs 750,000.00 20,500.00 770,500.00 October: 20,500.00
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Budget Adjustment Register Packet: GLPKT16352 - 10/13/2026 - Street Repair for Water Main Event - 10/7/2026 10:45:50 PM Page 2 of 3
Budget Budget Description Account Account Description After Budget Code Summary
Before Adjustment
2026-2027 Adopted Budget for FY 20… 402-00-81000-000000 OPER TRANS OUT-WTR CPTL 0.00 20,500.00 20,500.00 605-19-67000-49PWGL OPER TRANS IN - STREET IMPRV. -750,000.00 -20,500.00 -770,500.00 605-19-91300-49PWGL STREET IMPROVEMENTS 750,000.00 20,500.00 770,500.00 2026-2027 Total: 0.00 20,500.00 20,500.00
Grand Total: 0.00 20,500.00 20,500.00
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Budget Adjustment Register Packet: GLPKT16352 - 10/13/2026 - Street Repair for Water Main Event - 10/7/2026 10:45:50 PM Page 3 of 3
Fund After
Fund Summary
Before Adjustment
Budget Code:2026-2027 - Adopted Budget for FY 2026/27 Fiscal: 2026-2027 402 0.00 20,500.00 20,500.00
605 0.00 0.00 0.00
Budget Code 2026-2027 Total: 0.00 20,500.00 20,500.00
Grand Total: 0.00 20,500.00 20,500.00
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Cotati City Council
Agenda Staff Report
Item type: PUBLIC HEARINGS (ACTION)
To: City Council
Subject: APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE GENERAL

PLAN TO INCLUDE A NEW DEVELOPMENT FUNDING

POLICY AND INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDIANNCE

AMENDING THE COTATI MUNICIPAL CODE TO

IMPLEMENT THE UPDATED GENERAL PLAN POLICY
Date: October 13, 2026
Written by: Noah Housh, Director of Community Development Recommendation
It is recommended by the Planning Commission that the City Council:

1. Adopt Resolution No. X amending the Cotati General Plan to further establish policies requiring new development to mitigate its fiscal impacts; and

Background
As demonstrated in recent budget documents and fiscal studies including the 2015 Fiscal Impact Study by David Taussig & Associates Inc. and a 2026 analysis by Kosmont, California cities can face ongoing fiscal challenges in providing municipal services to new residential development.

Since the adoption of Proposition 13, property tax revenues generated by new housing have not always covered the full cost of police protection, park maintenance, roadway maintenance, stormwater management, administrative services, and other municipal operations required to serve new residents. As a result, many jurisdictions have sought mechanisms that ensure growth does not create an ongoing fiscal deficit and/or erode the quality of services provided to existing residents. Specific to Cotati, the attached and referenced studies specifically identify that the property and sales tax increases derived from the development of new residential units do not create enough tax revenue to fund the additional services the City will be required to provide to the residents of those units.
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One of the most widely used tools is the Community Facilities District (CFD), established pursuant to the Mello-Roos Community Facilities Act of 1982. CFDs are a geographically defined area where property owners may fund a portion of municipal services and facilities through a voter-approved special tax levied on properties within the district.

The legal authority for using CFDs to offset the fiscal impacts of development was reinforced in a California Court of Appeal decision involving the City of San Ramon and provides support for the implementation of such policies. In that case, San Ramon conditioned a new development on providing a funding mechanism to cover the difference between the costs of serving the project and the revenues generated by the project. and the developer petitioned the City to establish a CFD as a means of satisfying the condition. It later sued arguing that the City’s condition and the CFD were unlawful. The Court upheld the City’s actions.

The City of Cotati has a mechanism similar to San Ramon’s. The City established Public Services CFD 2017-01 through Resolution No. 2017-60, specifically designed to support municipal services including police protection, park maintenance, roadway and landscape maintenance, stormwater services, and other ongoing municipal functions associated with new development. When the City considers new development projects, it conditions them on annexing to the CFD. Since its formation, multiple residential projects have been annexed into the CFD through the City’s discretionary development review process.

Because the existing framework is discretionary, it relies on the City staff, the Planning Commission, or City Council proposing and/or adopting a condition of approval governing the project. Such conditions, like any discretionary actions, are subject to negotiation and may change from time to time. Given recent changes in state housing laws which move more project decision making processes to ministerial actions, staff recommends that the City’s existing policy should be made objective. Doing so would ensure, to the greatest extent possible, that the policy could be applied to “by right” projects that the City must approve if they meet the City’s “objective standards.” The proposed policy changes also ensure that the City’s policy is underpinned by the City’s General Plan.

On September 21, 2026, the Planning Commission considered updating the General Plan and modifying municipal code through the attached draft resolution and ordinance at a noticed public hearing. After conducting the public hearing and considering the proposed policy changes, the Commission voted unanimously (4-0-1) to recommend that the City Council approve the policy changes. More details on the Commission consideration are provided below.

Analysis/Discussion
For each new residential unit constructed within the City, Cotati receives only a limited share of the resulting property tax revenue, together with modest increases in sales tax and other local revenues. Fiscal analysis conducted during the formation of CFD 2017-01 determined that revenues generated by new residential development do not fully offset the cost of providing municipal services to those homes. Consequently, new development may result in a net fiscal burden on existing residents if mechanisms are not established to recover those service costs. 113344 of 669933
The City Council established CFD 2017-01 specifically to address this challenge and to ensure that growth contributes to the ongoing costs of police protection, park maintenance, roadway maintenance, stormwater services, and other municipal operations from which these future residents will benefit. This finding that new residential units are a net cost to the City was reaffirmed by a recent (2026) fiscal analysis conducted to inform the potential formation of a Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD). The proposed policy framework is intended to respond to both the changing nature of housing policy and the continued funding deficit created by new residential development by formalizing the City's longstanding objective that growth should pay its fair share of the municipal service costs it creates and that those costs should not be shifted onto existing taxpayers.

General Plan Amendment
California planning law establishes the General Plan as a community's long-term policy framework and requires all actions taken by the City to be consistent with the General Plan.

Instituting the City's growth funding philosophy within the General Plan would provide a policy foundation for funding strategies while allowing implementation of individual efforts through separate mechanisms and Council actions. As such, staff recommend adding one additional policy (stated below) to the Community Services and Facilities Element of the General Plan.

Proposed Policy CSF-1.7: Growth Participation in Municipal Service Funding New development shall contribute its fair and proportional share toward the ongoing municipal service costs generated by that development that exceed the revenues generated by that development, if any, which is referred to as the deficit. The City shall determine the amount of the deficit from time to time based on individual development types (multi-family, single family, commercial) on either a city-wide level or narrower geographies if appropriate. The determination shall be based on factors including development revenues, service demand, development intensity, anticipated fiscal impacts, geographic service areas, and the relationship between development and the public services necessary to serve that development. The City shall provide at least one funding mechanism that development can use to satisfy the obligation.

Cotati Municipal Code Amendment
The second element of the staff recommended policy changes to address the financial impacts of serving future development is an amendment to the Cotati Municipal Code (CMC). The language proposed below is intended to create an objective development standard, consistent with other zoning level land use regulations, that applies when a service funding deficit is identified. These amendments specifically reference the CFD as the City’s identified tool for addressing the funding shortfall and propose a tiered approach to covering the actual cost of annexing to the CFD (currently running approximately $2000-$3000). As proposed, the City would fund the annexation process for smaller developments (defined as four units or less), while larger developments (five or more residential units) will fund the process for their inclusion into the CFD. Development of ADUs and residential additions are proposed to be exempt from annexation into the CFD.

Proposed CMC Section 17.30.110: Satisfaction of General Plan Growth Financing Policy A. General Plan Policy CF-1.7 requires development to contribute toward any fiscal deficit 113355 of 669933
created by the development, requires the City to determine the deficit from time to time, and requires the City to make available a funding mechanism that allows a development to satisfy the obligation. This section implements the policy and establishes an objective standard that requires compliance with General Plan Policy CF-1.7.

B. The City Council shall determine the deficit from time to time based on the factors set forth in Policy CSF-1.7. The City Council may determine that residential additions, accessory dwelling units, and junior accessory dwelling units, due to their accessory nature, do not have a deficit. All development projects shall, in accordance with General Plan Policy CSF-1.7, contribute funding to eliminate the deficit. The proposed mechanism used to satisfy the foregoing requirement shall be confirmed by the Director prior to the issuance of the first building permit in the development project, and the Director shall confirm that an enforceable mechanism to satisfy the requirement is in place prior to the granting of any occupancy.

C. The City maintains one or more Community Facilities Districts into which development projects can be annexed as a means of satisfying the obligation. Development projects of 5 or more units shall pay the costs of annexation.

General Plan Consistency
Staff has identified that the proposed amendments to the General Plan and Title 17 (Land Use) of the Cotati Municipal Code to establish a City policy mechanism by which residential growth shall pay its fair share of municipal service costs are consistent with the current General Plan.

The policy intent of the General Plan is to ensure future growth does not degrade the current level of City services, as is demonstrated by the existing objectives and policies listed below.

Objective CSF 1A Ensure that New Growth and Development do not Exceed the City’s Ability to Provide Necessary Public Services and do not Overburden Existing Public Services and Facilities
Policy CSF 1.1 Require all development projects to demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the City Engineer, that the City’s public services and utilities can accommodate the increased demand for services associated with the project.

Policy CSF 2.33 Ensure that the Police Department has adequate staff and equipment to accommodate existing and planned population growth in Cotati.

The proposed General Plan and municipal code text amendments will help to further the established objectives and policies of the General Plan identified above, primarily by ensuring adequate funding is available to offset the financial costs each new residential unit imposes on the provision of city services. Specifically, the proposed policy language in CSF1-7 ensures the financial impact of each new residential unit is calculated on a regular basis and that a mechanism to make certain these deficits can be compensated is always available to developers of residential units.
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The proposed CMC revisions similarly build on the existing General Plan policy direction, creating objective development standards applicable to all new residential units by which the financial impacts to the provision of city services are funded. As residential development projects are increasingly moving to by-right, ministerial review and decision-making processes (SB 35, AB 2011, SB 684, etc.), situations are created whereby the city cannot ensure this new growth does not degrade current service levels or exceed the city’s ability to provide the necessary public services. The traditional mechanism of a condition of approval on a residential project is not available to a ministerially approved project, so the staff has had to identify a contemporary policy mechanism to ensure General Plan consistency. The change in the regulatory framework of housing approvals necessitates updated development standards to ensure the City’s General Plan policies are implemented for future residential projects constructed in Cotati.

Findings.

Amendments to the General Plan and municipal code are governed by CMC Section 17.62.070, which sets forth the process by which the City may amend the land use policy documents of the City. In addition to the noticing and public hearing requirements, this section directs that certain findings must be made by the Planning Commission and City Council in their action(s) to amend the General Plan and/or municipal code. Specifically, the Planning Commission and City Council must find that the proposed General Plan Amendment to establish City policy that growth should pay its fair share of municipal service costs and the amendment to the Municipal Code implementing the General Plan policy through objective development standards applicable to future residential development:
a. Is consistent with the goals and policies of all elements of the General Plan, and any applicable specific plan.
b. The proposed amendments would not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience, or welfare of the city.
c. The proposed project has been reviewed in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
d. The proposed amendment is internally consistent with other applicable provisions of this Zoning Code.
e. Additional finding for zoning code amendments: The proposed amendment is internally consistent with other applicable provisions of this Zoning Code; Staff has identified that the findings can be made to support the proposed changes to the Cotati General Plan and municipal code in that the proposed General Plan amendments will serve to implement the existing policy direction of the General Plan which directs that future growth not exceed the City’s ability to provide services, that the new units can be serviced by the City, that the current levels of service being provided are not degraded, and that adequate police services can be maintained. The proposed General Plan amendment is intended to both provide an ongoing mechanism to ensure these findings are met for all future residential growth, and to also ensure the cost of these services is known as development occurs. The CMC amendments also ensure these same considerations are made by creating an objective policy applicable to all future residential development.
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September 21, 2026, Planning Commission Consideration
During their second September meeting, the Commission considered a draft resolution and ordinance proposing to amend the Cotati General Plan and municipal code to create additional policy to minimize the financial impacts of new residential development on the provision of city services. After considering the materials and discussing the potential consequences of inaction, the Commission voted unanimously (4-0-1) to recommend that the City Council support the proposed policy changes and adopt the resolution to amend the general plan and introduce the ordinance to amend the code to implement the amended policies.

Financial Considerations
Other than the staff time to create the updated policies, there are no direct fiscal impacts to the current fiscal year or adopted City budget. However, these amendments are intended to ensure the costs of future development are adequately funded, and potential impacts to current residents are offset by alternative funding sources into future fiscal years.

Environmental Issues
The proposed General Plan Amendment and City Council Policy are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), the Commonsense Exemption, because it can be seen with certainty that the proposed action will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable physical change in the environment. The actions establish policy guidance only and do not impact development potential, approve any specific development project or allow any infrastructure improvements. 113388 of 669933
& Associates, Inc.

DAVID

TAUSSIG
Public Finance
Public Private Partnerships
Urban Economics
Clean Energy Bonds
Newport Beach
San Francisco
San Jose
Riverside
Dallas

FISCAL IMPACT STUDY

COTATI, CALIFORNIA
JANUARY 16, 2015
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FISCAL IMPACT STUDY

COTATI, CALIFORNIA
Prepared By
David Taussig & Associates, Inc.
2250 Hyde Street, 5th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94109
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION PAGE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY....................................................................................................................................... I SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................1 SECTION 2. DESCRIPTION OF RECURRING FISCAL REVENUES AND COSTS...........................3 SECTION 3. FISCAL IMPACTS ..................................................................................................................11

APPENDICES
Appendix A: Fiscal Impact Model
Appendix B: Downtown Specific Plan
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Fiscal Impact Study January 16, 2015
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
I. PURPOSE OF STUDY
The objective of this Fiscal Impact Study (the “Study”) is to analyze the fiscal impacts of new development on the City of Cotati (the “City”). In an effort to standardize the analysis, David Taussig & Associates (“DTA”) has evaluated the Downtown Specific Plan (the “Project”) as a sample development because it is reflective of the trends in, and vision for, the City. Additionally, DTA selected the Project as it has been fully reviewed and analyzed by City staff and City Council, thus its parameters and data are well verified and documented. As follows, the Study analyzes the recurring fiscal impacts of the Project’s development on the City General Fund.

II. TYPES OF FISCAL IMPACTS TO CITY OF COTATI EVALUATED IN THE STUDY The purpose of the fiscal analysis component of this Study is to estimate the net fiscal impacts of the Project’s proposed development on the City General Fund. The fiscal impacts identified in this Study include recurring municipal revenues and costs to the City General Fund that result from the land use scenario analyzed. City General Fund revenues are generated from a variety of revenue sources, including property taxes, sales taxes, fees, and fines. Costs to the City General Fund are associated with a variety of services, such as police protection, public works maintenance, and general government services.

III. DESCRIPTION OF DOWNTOWN SPECIFIC PLAN PROJECT
The sample development, in this case the Downtown Specific Plan, involves 59.5 acres that are generally bounded by Highway US 101, northern City limits, Arthur Street, and Page Street. The plan-boundary includes the areas commonly referred to as “downtown,” La Plaza Park, and Old Redwood Highway (see Appendix B). At build-out, the Project will be comprised of 331 apartment units and 237,050 square feet of commercial space that includes retail, office, and restaurant uses. The Downtown Specific Plan implements a variety of goals and policies in the Cotati General Plan by providing a renewed vision and standards for the continuing enhancement of the downtown area, some of which include: maintaining historic character while improving the walking and bicycling system; housing design that accommodates a diversity of income levels; and prioritizing sustainable development that is both energy efficient and resource conscious.

IV. CONCLUSIONS OF ANALYSIS RELATED TO PROJECT
Following are the major conclusions related to the fiscal impacts of the Project:

A. FISCAL IMPACTS
As reflected in Table A below, the Net Fiscal Impact on the City General Fund is estimated to be an annual deficit of $161,277, based on $821,590 in fiscal revenues and $660,313 in fiscal costs. 114422 of 669933
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TABLE A

To the extent that this fiscal deficit impacts the City’s ability to provide services at expected levels, another revenue source may need to be made available.

DTA recommends establishing a Community Facilities District (“CFD”) for public services that will generate an average of $600 per residential unit to cover the projected annual General Fund shortfall created by the Project’s residential component. This recommendation is made all the more relevant by the struggling markets for retail and office space in Cotati (as reflected by high vacancy rates) – this fact will likely encourage new development to prefer selecting residential development in lieu of nonresidential development in the coming years. 114433 of 669933
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SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION
The objective of this Fiscal Impact Study (the “Study”) is to analyze the fiscal impacts of new development on the City of Cotati (the “City”). In an effort to standardize the analysis, David Taussig & Associates (“DTA”) has evaluated the Downtown Specific Plan (the “Project”) as a sample development because it is reflective of the trends in, and vision for, the City. Additionally, DTA selected the Project as it has been fully reviewed and analyzed by City staff and City Council, thus its parameters and data are well verified and documented. As follows, the Study analyzes the recurring fiscal impacts of the Project’s development on the City General Fund.

I. SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY
Fiscal impacts arising from a land development plan can be broadly categorized as one of two types: one-time impacts or recurring impacts. Each of these broad types may, in turn, be divided into a revenue component and a cost component. For purposes of this Study, it has been assumed that one-time revenues would directly offset one-time costs; thus, the fiscal impacts considered in this Study focus on ongoing, or recurring, fiscal impacts of the Project on the City General Fund.

To the extent that revenues are generated outside of the City’s General Fund (e.g., special district revenues) or costs are incurred by the City outside of the General Fund (e.g., costs financed through a special district), they are not directly included within this fiscal analysis.

The fiscal impacts projected for the Study are based generally on the Multiplier Methodology. The primary Multiplier Methodology used to project the fiscal impacts in this Study was the Per Capita-Employee (“Persons Served”) Methodology. The Persons Served Methodology considers the fact that the exact relationship of service demands and revenue-generating potential between residents and employees is difficult to measure. Thus, utilizing a service population, or Persons Served population, comprised of all residents and 50% of employees is common fiscal practice, and suggests that a resident generally has twice the fiscal impact of an employee. This methodology involves calculating the average City-wide revenues/costs per Persons Served, utilizing the fiscal year (“FY”) 2014-2015 City budget, and applying these revenue/cost factors to the specific number of Persons Served projected for the Project.

DTA also used a Per Employee Methodology in the Study to project recurring fiscal factors based on employment only, such as business receipts and business license tax revenues. Similar to the Persons Served Methodology discussed above, the Per Employee Methodology involves calculating the average City-wide revenues/costs per employee, utilizing the FY 2014-2015 City budget, and applying these factors to the specific number of employees projected under the given scenario.

While most recurring revenues analyzed in the Study are projected using the Multiplier Methodology, some major revenue sources, including property taxes and sales taxes, are calculated using a Case Study Methodology that involves calculating the marginal revenues to be specifically generated by a particular land use, instead of applying an average City-wide revenue factor. For purposes of the Study, all recurring revenues and costs are stated in constant (un-inflated) 2015 114444 of 669933
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dollars, based on the assumption that the relative impacts of inflation in future years will be the same for both of these fiscal impact categories.

II. LIMITATIONS
A. ACCURACY OF INFORMATION
The fiscal model in the Study contains an analysis of revenues, costs, and impacts to the City resulting from the Project. This model is based on both (i) information provided to DTA by the City staff and (ii) certain DTA assumptions taken from DTA’s municipal cost database, as compiled by DTA from previous impact studies prepared by the firm. The sources of information and basis of the estimates calculated in the Study are stated herein. While DTA is confident that the sources of information are reliable, DTA does not express an opinion or any other form of assurance on the accuracy of such information. The analysis of fiscal impacts contained in this report is not considered to be a “financial forecast” or a “financial projection” as technically defined by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. The word “projection” used within this report relates to broad expectations of future events or market conditions. Since the analyses contained herein are based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to uncertainty and variation depending on evolving events, DTA cannot represent that such estimates will definitely be achieved. Some assumptions inevitably will not materialize, and unanticipated events and circumstances may occur; therefore, the actual results achieved may vary from these projections stated throughout the Study.
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SECTION 2 DESCRIPTION OF RECURRING FISCAL REVENUES/COSTS The following section presents the recurring revenue and cost impacts to the City General Fund and the methodology and assumptions utilized in the Study to project these impacts. Detailed numerical analyses of the revenue and cost impacts subsequently discussed in this section are contained in Appendix A.

I. ANALYSIS OF RECURRING REVENUES
CASE STUDY METHOD:

A. PROPERTY TAXES – SECURED AND UNSECURED
Property tax revenues are conservatively projected based on the City’s estimated share of the general 1% property tax levy. Total secured property tax revenues received by the City from the land uses will equal approximately 12.36% of the basic 1% property tax levy from the Tax Rate Areas (“TRAs”) encompassing the Project. Please note that the gross tax increment, as calculated by the Sonoma County (the “County”) Auditor-Controller, has been reduced to account for the projected Education Revenue Augmentation Fund (“ERAF”) property tax shifts. Please refer to Table 2A below and Exhibit 4 of Appendix A for details regarding the secured and unsecured property tax assumptions utilized in the fiscal impact analysis.

Unsecured property taxes are levied on tangible personal property that is not secured by real estate.

Examples of unsecured property includes trade fixtures (e.g., manufacturing equipment and computers), as well as airplanes, boats, and mobile homes on leased land. In generating the fiscal impact models for this Study, DTA has assumed that unsecured property values average 2.75% of the secured value for residential land uses, and 10.00% of the secured value for non-residential land uses.

B. PROPERTY TRANSFER TAX
Per California Revenue & Taxation Code §11901, et seq. and the Cotati Municipal Code §3.08.020, sales of real property are taxed by the County at a rate of $1.10 per $1,000 of property value, whereas for property located in the City, the property transfer tax is divided equally between the City and the County, with the City receiving $0.55 per $1,000 of transferred property sale or resale value, excluding assumed liens or encumbrances. Per typical baseline assumptions, DTA assumes that residential development changes ownership at an average rate of 10% per year and that non-residential development changes ownership at an average rate of 5% per year, and that continuing liens and encumbrances are insignificant.

C. PROPERTY TAX IN-LIEU OF VEHICLE LICENSE FEE
The passage of Proposition 1A in California in 2004 enacted a constitutional amendment that introduced a new methodology to calculate property taxes in-lieu of VLF. Per California Revenue and Taxation Code §97.70, the property tax in-lieu of VLF amount now grows in proportion to the growth rate of gross assessed valuation in a city or county. Property taxes in-lieu of VLF revenues 114466 of 669933
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are projected to grow with the change in the City-wide gross assessed valuation of taxable property from the prior fiscal year. Property tax in-lieu of VLF revenues constitute an addition to other property tax apportionments and were calculated for purposes of this Study at $0.67 per $1,000 increase in assessed valuation on a City-wide basis. Please refer to Table 2A below and Exhibit 4 of Appendix A for details regarding the property tax assumptions utilized in the fiscal impact analysis.

TABLE 2A – PROPERTY TAX ASSUMPTIONS
Property Tax Assumptions
Property Tax
Valuation Per Unit
Secured Property Tax – Net Apportionment Factor to the City of Cotati as a Fraction of 1.0% Property Tax Rate (Net of ERAF) Unsecured Property Tax – Unsecured Taxes as a % of Secured Property Value
$265,000

12.36%

2.75% - Residential

10.00% - Non-Residential
Property Transfer Tax
Residential Property Turnover Rate
Non-Residential Property Turnover Rate
Transfer Tax as a % of Price
Property Transfer Tax Passed Through to City

10.00%

5.00%

0.11%

50.00%
Property Tax In-Lieu of VLF
City of Cotati – Total Assessed Value (FY 2013-14)
City of Cotati – VLF Prop. Tax In-Lieu Revenues (FY 2014-15) VLF Property Tax In-Lieu per $1,000 Assessed Value
$793,206,819
$531,233
$0.67
D. MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE FEES
(I). BACKGROUND
Prior to June 1, 2004, the Motor Vehicle License Fee (“VLF”) tax rate was equal to 2.00% of the value of a vehicle, with 0.65% paid by the vehicle owner and an additional 1.35% supplemented with a backfill from the State General Fund. A large portion of those funds was allocated to cities (42.50%) and counties (42.50%) based on population, while newly-incorporated cities received an additional population subvention based on three (3) times the number of registered voters for the first seven (7) years after incorporation.

As discussed earlier, in 2004, the VLF allocation was altered. The California Legislature implemented the “VLF Swap” in which the VLF was lowered to 0.65%. The resultant loss of city revenue was swapped with an augmentation of property tax, termed property tax in-lieu of VLF.

These amounts grow annually based on the annual increase in assessed value within each respective jurisdiction (again, see above).
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(II). SUPPLEMENTAL LAW ENFORCEMENT FUNDING (“SLESF”) AND OTHER STATE

LAW ENFORCEMENT GRANTS
As a part of the 2009 state budget agreement, a number of law enforcement grant programs previously funded by the state general fund were instead funded in FY 2009-10 and FY 2010-11 by a temporary 0.15% state VLF increase, which ended on June 30, 2011. The additional 0.15% VLF rate was intended to generate around $500 million annually – the tax generated $414 million in FY 2009-10 and $442 million in FY 2010-11.
(III). SENATE BILL (SB) 89 - FEES SHIFTED TO FUND STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT GRANTS
SB89, signed in 2010 by Governor Brown, effectively eliminated the 0.65% VLF revenue that was being allocated as a general fund revenue source to California cities. Provisions in SB89 shifted hundreds of millions of VLF revenues to fund the state law enforcement grants beginning FY 2011-12. The SB89 plan operated as follows:
 The “Vehicle License Registration Fee” was increased by $12 to produce approximately $300 million in FY 2011-12. This fee funded state DMV vehicle license registration operations, thereby “freeing up” $300 million of VLF revenue that had been used to fund DMV operations. This money was transferred to a new Local Law Enforcement Services Account (“LLESA)” to fund the law enforcement grants.  In addition, beginning July 1, 2011, SB89 transferred the remaining VLF revenue (after the Local Revenue Fund allocation for county health and welfare programs) previously allocated to cities and counties to the LLESA.

SB89 took $130 million of city general revenue and shifted it to save state law enforcement grant programs. Less than $100 million of these grant funds have or will come back to cities, earmarked for police services. But these funds will likely continue to be offset by the loss of city VLF.

Therefore, VLF (as opposed to property tax in-lieu of VLF) revenue was not analyzed as a Project revenue source in this Study.

E. SALES AND USE TAXES
Direct sales tax revenues are generated by retail sales from businesses within City limits, with

2.00% of taxable sales receipts passed through to the City due to Measure G, which was passed in June 2014. Exhibit 5 of Appendix A reflects taxable sales receipts per square foot for each onsite non-residential land use type, based on data from the Urban Land Institute’s Dollars & Cents of Shopping Projects publication and total taxable sales receipts for the Project, based on information provided by the City.

Indirect sales tax revenues, as also summarized in Exhibit 5 of Appendix A, are generated by the purchases made by the Project’s residents and employees within the City. Based on studies 114488 of 669933
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outlined in the International Council of Shopping Centers’ Office Worker Local Retail Spending Patterns, DTA assumed that each on-site employee spends nearly $4,554 annually within the City.

TABLE 2B – SALES TAX ASSUMPTIONS
Sales Tax Assumptions
% Sales Tax Passed Through to City of Cotati [1] 2.00%
Local Employee Spending (Annual) $4,554
Capture Rate of Employee Spending (within City) 25%
Displacement Rate (of existing taxable sales within City) 20% Taxable Sales per Square Foot – Retail $175
Taxable Sales per Square Foot – Restaurant $250
[1] Includes Measure G charge of additional 1.00%, passed June 2014, effective October 1, 2014.

F. INVESTMENT INCOME REVENUES
Investment Income revenues are generated by the increase in General Fund Revenues resulting from the Project. This increase reflects growth in the following revenue categories: property taxes, sales taxes, and multiplier revenues (as discussed below).

Revenues from this source are estimated by multiplying the Projected Recurring General Fund Revenues Available for Investment of $817,543 by the estimated Local Agency Investment Fund (“LAIF”) investment fund rate of return of approximately 1.0% by the LAIF Percentage of Earnings Cost factor of 50%. This calculation results in estimated Investment Income (less Earnings Cost) of $4,047 (which when added to $817,543 equals $821,590). LAIF factors are determined quarterly by the California State Treasurer whose office governs the investment of revenues by municipalities.

Please refer to Table 2C below and Exhibit 6 of Appendix A for details regarding the investment income assumptions utilized in the fiscal impact analysis.

TABLE 2C – INVESTMENT INCOME ASSUMPTIONS
Investment Income Assumptions
Investment Period for Recurring Non-Interest General Fund Revenues 12 Months Estimated Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF) Rate of Return 1.00% Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF) Percentage of Earnings 50% Projected Recurring General Fund Revenues Available for Investment $817,543 114499 of 669933
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MULTIPLIER METHOD:

G. BUSINESS LICENSES
Business Licenses are based on the City’s collection of fees for various types of permits and community programs. Revenues are forecasted using a Per Employee Multiplier Method that results in a total multiplier of $23.90 per Employee.

H. FRANCHISE FEES
Franchise Taxes, including Cable TV, Electric, Gas, Garbage, etc., were forecasted at $37.52 per Persons Served using the Per Capita-Employee Multiplier Method. Please note that this revenue multiplier has been reduced by 25% to account for only the portion of these revenues that is expected to be variable with population and employee growth in the City.

I. USE OF MONEY AND PROPERTY (NON-INTEREST REVENUES)
Use of Money and Property Revenues, including Facility and Park Rentals, were forecasted at $8.67 per Persons Served using the Per Capita-Employee Multiplier Method.

J. LICENSES, PERMITS, CHARGES FOR SERVICES
Licenses and Permits are based on the City’s collection of fees for various types of permits and community programs. Furthermore, charges for services include fees related to Plan Checks, Building Inspections, and similar City services and activities. Revenues were projected at $17.09 per Persons Served, based on the Per Capita-Employee Multiplier Method. Please note that this revenue multiplier has likewise been reduced by 25% to account for only the portion of these revenues that is expected to be variable with population and employee growth in the City.

K. INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVENUES
Intergovernmental Revenues are forecasted using a Per Capita-Employee Multiplier Method that results in a total multiplier of $3.49 per Persons Served. Please note that this revenue multiplier has been reduced by 50% to account for only the portion of these revenues that is expected to be variable with population and employee growth in the City.

L. MISCELLANEOUS REVENUES
Finally, Miscellaneous Revenues, including Weed Abatement, Damage to City Property, and Reimbursements, were projected at $4.94 per Persons Served utilizing the Per Capita-Employee Multiplier Method. Please note that this revenue multiplier has also been reduced by 50% to account for only the portion of these revenues that is expected to be variable with population and employee growth in the City.
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TABLE 2D – OTHER GENERAL FUND REVENUES (MULTIPLIER METHOD) Category Amount Methodology
Business Licenses $23.90 Per Employee
Franchises $37.52 Persons Served, plus 25% Discount
Use of Money and Property $8.67 Persons Served
Licenses, Permits, Charges for Services $17.09 Persons Served, plus 25% Discount Intergovernmental Revenues $3.49 Persons Served, plus 50% Discount Miscellaneous Revenues $4.94 Persons Served, plus 50% Discount Please refer to Exhibit 7 of Appendix A for more details on the case study assumptions and revenue multipliers utilized in the Study.

II. ANALYSIS OF RECURRING COSTS
CASE STUDY METHOD:

A. INFRASTRUCTURE
The Project will require the construction of new infrastructure to be ultimately owned by the City and maintained by the City’s General Fund. At this time, it is estimated that these public infrastructure improvements will consist of 5.8 lane miles of roadway, six (6) signalized intersections, five (5) streetlights, 2.1 acres of parks, eight-hundred (800) parking spaces, and 2.2 acres of medians and parkways.

These improvements were multiplied by estimated annual cost figures for each category derived from the DTA Public Works Database, resulting in annual Infrastructure and Parks Maintenance costs of $161,215.
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TABLE 2E – INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIREMENTS (CASE STUDY METHOD) Infrastructure to be
Maintained by City General Fund Cost Per Unit
Lane Miles of Roadway $7,834
Signalized Intersections $4,938
Streetlights $126
Acres of Parks $10,955
Acres of Medians & Parkways $14,953
Parking Spaces $12
B. PUBLIC SAFETY
Public safety services include those costs associated with Law Enforcement and Patrol, Administration, Traffic Enforcement, Crime Prevention, Emergency Response, and Community Services. Police Protection services will be provided to the Project by the City of Cotati’s Police Department.

Based on the City’s General Plan, the City’s target level of service is 2.30 sworn officers per 1,000 residents at an estimated annual cost of $150,000 per officer, including support staff. Thus, based on an expected residential population of 808, approximately two (2) additional officers would be required to service the Project’s residents. Therefore, including support staff, Police Protection costs for the Project as a whole are projected at $278,865 per year at buildout.

C. GENERAL GOVERNMENT COSTS
General Government costs are projected at a marginal rate of 17.88% of the City General Fund recurring costs, based on the assumption that the FY 2014-2015 General Government expenditures, equaling $1.6 million, will remain at the same relative proportion of the FY 2014- 2015 City General Fund non-governmental expenditures of approximately $4.4 million in future years. The current percentage of General Government expenditures to City General Fund nongovernmental expenditures is approximately 35.8%; however, these General Government costs are not expected to increase on a one-for-one basis as a result of the land use development depicted in this Study. Therefore, this Study assumes that General Government costs increase at an estimated marginal rate of 50%, or 17.88%, of the existing General Government cost overhead rate. This approach results in annual General Government costs of $100,178. 115522 of 669933
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MULTIPLIER METHOD:

D. ENGINEERING
Engineering costs relate to the issuance of permits for and inspection of construction and private development projects in the City and were forecasted at $22.91 per Persons Served using the Per Capita-Employee-Multiplier Method.

E. COMMUNITY/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Community Development and Economic Development costs were forecasted at $63.12 per Persons Served based on the Per Capita-Employee Multiplier Method.

F. MISCELLANEOUS EXPENDITURES
Miscellaneous Expenditures were projected at $19.66 per Persons Served utilizing the Per CapitaEmployee Multiplier Method.

TABLE 2F – OTHER GENERAL FUND COSTS (MULTIPLIER METHOD) Category Amount Methodology
Engineering $22.91 Persons Served
Community/Economic Development $63.12 Persons Served
Miscellaneous $19.66 Persons Served
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SECTION 3 FISCAL IMPACTS
I. TOTAL RECURRING REVENUES: CITY OF COTATI
Total recurring revenues to the City equal approximately $821,590 per year. As illustrated in Table 3A below, the largest percentage of revenue is attributed to direct sales tax (55.4%), property tax revenues (secured and unsecured) (17.1% of total), and property tax in lieu of VLF revenues (8.9%), together constituting approximately 81.4% of total recurring revenues to the City General Fund. Exhibits 1-7 of Appendix A provide additional details about all recurring revenues and the assumptions used in their derivation.

TABLE 3A

RECURRING FISCAL REVENUES (CITY GENERAL FUND)
Category Amount Percent*
Direct Sales Tax $455,136 55.4%
Secured Property Tax $134,738 16.4%
Property Tax In-Lieu of Vehicle License Fee $73,034 8.9% Indirect Sales Tax $46,493 5.7%
Franchises $42,619 5.2%
Licenses, Permits, Charges for Services $19,413 2.4%
Business Licenses $15,660 1.9%
Use of Money $9,848 1.2%
Unsecured Property Tax $5,616 0.7%
Other/Miscellaneous Revenues $5,611 0.7%
Property Transfer Tax $5,411 0.7%
Investment Income $4,047 0.5%
Intergovernmental Revenues $3,964 0.5%
Motor Vehicle Licensing Fees $0 0.0%
Total Revenues $821,590 100.0%
*Numbers may not sum due to rounding
II. TOTAL RECURRING SERVICES COSTS: CITY OF COTATI
As illustrated in Table 3B below, total annual recurring costs to the City are estimated at $660,313 per year. A majority of the costs are estimated to result from Police Expenditures. Exhibits 2 and 8-11 of Appendix A provide additional details about all recurring costs and the assumptions used in their derivation.
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TABLE 3B

RECURRING FISCAL COSTS (CITY GENERAL FUND)
Category Amount Percent*
Police/Code Enforcement $278,865 42.2%
Infrastructure Maintenance $161,215 24.4%
General Government $100,178 15.2%
Community/Economic Development $71,699 10.9%
Public Works – Engineering $26,024 3.9%
Other/Miscellaneous $22,332 3.4%
Total Costs $660,313 100.00%
*Numbers may not sum due to rounding
III. OVERALL NET FISCAL IMPACT TO THE CITY OF COTATI
As shown in Table 3C below, the overall fiscal impact to the City as a result of revenues generated by the Project is a recurring annual fiscal surplus of $161,277 based on the generation of $821,590 in recurring annual revenues and $660,313 in recurring annual costs. Annual revenues are projected to equal 1.24 times the associated City General Fund costs. A summary of the overall fiscal impacts to the City is provided in Exhibit 12 of Appendix A.

TABLE 3C

NET FISCAL IMPACT (CITY GENERAL FUND)
Category Amount
Total Recurring Revenues $821,590
Total Recurring Costs ($660,313)
Annual Recurring Surplus/(Deficit) $161,277
Annual Recurring Surplus/(Deficit) per Residential Unit ($616.60) Annual Recurring Surplus/(Deficit) per Non-Residential Sq. Ft. $1.54 It is important to note that the residential component of the Project will ultimately result in an increased demand for public services to the City that will only be partially offset by additional Project fiscal revenues generated by that residential component. To the extent that this fiscal deficit impacts the City’s ability to provide services at expected levels, another revenue source may need to be made available. DTA recommends establishing a Community Facilities District (“CFD”) for public services that will generate an average of $600 per residential unit to cover the projected annual General Fund shortfall created by the Project’s residential component. This recommendation is made all the more relevant by the struggling markets for retail and office space in Cotati (as reflected by high vacancy rates) – this fact will likely encourage new development to prefer selecting purely residential development in the coming years. http://localhost:9010/resources/Clients/Cotati/FIR (2014)/Fiscal Impact Study v. 5.docx 115555 of 669933

APPENDIX A

FISCAL IMPACT MODEL
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EXHIBIT A-1

COTATI, CALIFORNIA

CITY GENERAL FUND REVENUES (BY TYPE)
I. Demographics and Other Data
2014 Estimated City Population [1] 7,288
2014 Estimated Employees in City [2] 3,431
2014 Persons Served Population [3] 9,004
Notes:
[1] California Department of Finance, Housing and Population Information, January 1, 2014. [2] Employment Development Department, City of Cotati employment estimate (4th quarter 2013). [4] Certain revenues are not expected to increase one-to-one with the new development. A discount was applied to reflect the estimated ratio of fixed revenues to variable revenues and/or one-time to recurring revenues.

II. City Revenue Sources (by Type)
Revenue Fiscal Impact Fiscal Impact
Revenue Type Total Revenues Type Basis Discount [4] Revenue Factor Tax Revenue $4,343,074 Persons Served $0.00
Property Tax $786,927 Recurring Case Study 0% NA
Sales Tax $1,832,538 Recurring Case Study 0% NA
Property Transfer Tax $25,300 Recurring Case Study 0% NA Measure A and Use Tax $1,698,309 Recurring Case Study 0% NA Business Licenses $82,000 Recurring Per Employee 0% $23.90 Franchise Fees $450,400 Recurring Persons Served 25% $37.52 Interest Income $10,000 Recurring Case Study 0% NA
Use of Money and Property $78,100 Recurring Persons Served 0% $8.67 Licenses, Permits, Charges for Services $205,200 Recurring Persons Served 25% $17.09 VLF/Property Tax Compensation $531,233 Recurring Case Study 0% NA Intergovernmental $62,900 Recurring Persons Served 50% $3.49 Net Transfers In $0 Non-Recurring NA 0% NA
Other / Miscellaneous $89,000 Recurring Persons Served 50% $4.94 Total Recurring Revenues $5,851,907
[3] Assumes City population plus 50% of employees.
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EXHIBIT A-2

COTATI, CALIFORNIA

CITY GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES (BY TYPE)
I. Demographics and Other Data
2014 Estimated City Population [1] 7,288
2014 Estimated Employees in City [2] 3,431
2014 Persons Served Population [3] 9,004
Notes:
[1] California Department of Finance, Housing and Population Information, January 1, 2014. [2] Employment Development Department, City of Cotati employment estimate (4th quarter 2013). [3] Assumes City population plus 50% of employees.
[4] Certain revenues are not expected to increase one-to-one with the new development. A discount was applied to reflect the estimated ratio of fixed revenues to variable revenues and/or one-time to recurring revenues.

II. City Expenditures (by Type)
Fiscal Impact
Expenditure Type Total Expenditures Revenue Type Fiscal Impact Basis Discount [4] Revenue Factor

GENERAL GOVERNMENT
City Council $71,650 Recurring Case Study 0% NA
City Manager $360,700 Recurring Case Study 0% NA
Administration $240,400 Recurring Case Study 0% NA
Legal $195,000 Recurring Case Study 0% NA
Non-Departmental $645,550 Recurring Case Study 0% NA
Public Info Services $51,000 Recurring Case Study 0% NA

NON-GENERAL GOVERNMENT
Police Department $2,820,300 Recurring Case Study 0% NA Engineering $206,250 Recurring Persons Served 0% $22.91 Community/Economic Development $568,325 Recurring Persons Served 0% $63.12 Street Maintenance $380,900 Recurring Case Study 0% NA
Park Maintenance $220,550 Recurring Case Study 0% NA
Other Maintenance/Miscellaneous $177,000 Recurring Persons Served 0% $19.66 Total Recurring Expenditures $5,937,625
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EXHIBIT A-3

COTATI, CALIFORNIA

LAND USE AND DEMOGRAPHICS SUMMARY

FUTURE LAND USE DATA
I. Developable Land Use Description
A. Residential Land Uses Number of Units [1]
Single Family Detached 0
Apartments/Condos 331
Townhomes 0
B. Commercial Land Uses Sq. Ft. [1]
Retail 94,820
Office 94,820
Restaurant 47,410

DEMOGRAPHIC DATA
II. Demographics
A. Residential Land Use Population Persons per Household [2] Persons per Household 2.44
B. Non-Residential Land Use Employee Generation
Commercial Land Uses Sq. Ft. per Employee [3]
Retail 400
Office 325
Restaurant 375

POPULATION AND EMPLOYEES (CALCULATIONS)
III. Residential Land Use Type Number of Units Residential Population Single Family Detached 0 0
Apartments/Condos 331 808
Townhomes 0 0
IV. Non-Residential Land Use Type Sq. Ft. Total Direct Employees Retail 94,820 237
Office 94,820 292
Restaurant 47,410 126

POPULATION AND EMPLOYEES (TOTALS)
V. Total Projected Residential Population 808
VI. Total Projected Direct Employees 655
VII. Total Persons Served Population 1,136
NOTES:
[1] Source: City of Cotati.
[2] California Department of Finance, Housing and Population Information, January 1, 2014. [3] Source: DTA Public Works Database.
* All figures subject to rounding 115599 of 669933
EXHIBIT A-4

COTATI, CALIFORNIA

PROPERTY TAX REVENUE ANALYSIS

GENERAL PROPERTY TAX ASSUMPTIONS
I. Property Tax Allocation (as a Portion of the 1% General Property Tax Levy) Category / Code General Fund [1]
City of Cotati [2] 0.12355680

12.36%
II. Homeowner's Exemption
Homeowner's Exemption (Annually) $7,000
Percent of Sale Units Taking Homeowner's Exemption [3] 90%

ASSESSED VALUATION ASSUMPTIONS
III. Assessed Valuation - Projected Land Uses
Residential Land Uses
A. Single-Family Detached Units
Number of Units [4] 0
Estimated Sales Price per Unit [5] NA
Total Estimated Net Taxable Value (Includes Estimated Takedown from Homeowner's Exemptions) $0 B. Apartments/Condos
Number of Units [4] 331
Estimated Sales Price per Unit [5] $265,000
Total Estimated Net Taxable Value $87,715,000
C. Townhomes
Number of Units [4] 0
Estimated Sales Price per Unit [5] NA
Total Estimated Net Taxable Value $0
Non-Residential Land Uses
D. Retail
Estimated Number of Sq. Ft. [4] 94,820
Estimated Valuation per Sq. Ft. [5] $90
Total Estimated Net Taxable Value $8,533,800
E. Office
Estimated Number of Sq. Ft. [4] 94,820
Estimated Valuation per Sq. Ft. [5] $90
Total Estimated Net Taxable Value $8,533,800
F. Restaurant
Estimated Number of Sq. Ft. [4] 47,410
Estimated Valuation per Sq. Ft. [5] $90
Total Estimated Net Taxable Value $4,266,900
G. Total Land Use Net Taxable Value (Includes Takeout from Homeowner's Exemption) $109,049,500 Residential $87,715,000
Non-Residential $21,334,500
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EXHIBIT A-4

COTATI, CALIFORNIA

PROPERTY TAX REVENUE ANALYSIS

OTHER PROPERTY TAX REVENUE ASSUMPTIONS
IV. Unsecured Property Taxes - Assumptions [6]
Residential
Unsecured Taxes as a % of Secured 2.75%
Non-Residential
Unsecured Taxes as a % of Secured 10.00%
V. Property Tax Transfer - Assumptions [7]
Residential Property Turnover Rate 10.00%
Non-Residential Property Turnover Rate 5.00%
Transfer Tax as a % of Assessed Value 0.11%
Property Transfer Tax Passed Through to City of Cotati 50.00% VI. Motor Vehicle Licensing Fees - Assumptions
Vehicle Licensing Fees per Capita NA
VII. Property Tax In-Lieu of Vehicle License Fee - Assumptions Total City of Cotati Gross Assessed Value [8] $793,206,819 City of Cotati Property Tax In-Lieu of Vehicle License Fee [9] $531,233 Property Tax In-Lieu of Vehicle License Fee Increase per $1,000 Assessed Value $0.67 Fiscal Impact Calculation
VIII. Fiscal Impact Category Fiscal Impact Amount
A. Secured Property Tax
Residential Land Uses
Single-Family Detached $0
Apartments/Condos $108,378
Townhomes $0
Non-Residential Land Uses
Commercial Land Uses
Retail & Restaurant $15,816
Office $10,544
B. Unsecured Property Tax
Residential Land Uses
Single-Family Detached $0
Apartments/Condos $2,980
Townhomes $0
Non-Residential Land Uses
Commercial Land Uses
Retail & Restaurant $1,582
Office $1,054
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EXHIBIT A-4

COTATI, CALIFORNIA

PROPERTY TAX REVENUE ANALYSIS
C. Property Transfer Tax
Residential Land Uses
Single-Family Detached $0
Apartments/Condos $4,824
Townhomes $0
Non-Residential Land Uses
Commercial Land Uses
Retail & Restaurant $352
Office $235
D. Motor Vehicle Licensing Fees [10] $0
E. Property Tax In-Lieu of Vehicle License Fee [11]
Projected Residential and Non-Residential Land Uses $73,034 Residential $58,745
Non-Residential (Retail, Office, and Restaurant) $14,288 Total Property Tax Revenues $218,799
Residential $174,927
Non-Residential $43,871
NOTES:
[1] Based on "General Fund" levy for Tax Rate Area (TRA). Data provided by the County of Sonoma Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector's Office.

TRA allocations adjusted for ERAF. Note, figure does not include non-General Funds. [2] Post ERAF rates based on the weighted average of the rates applicable to the TRAs in the Project. [3] Estimate, subject to change.
[4] Please see Exhibit A-3. Subject to change.
[5] Estimated prices based on examination of current for-sale listings for newly constructed dwelling units in the City of Cotati. [6] Based on typical DTA baseline assumptions.
[7] Source: California Revenue & Taxation Code §11901, et seq.; Cotati Municipal Code §3.08.020. [8] Source: California Local Government Finance Almanac; Fiscal Year 2013-14, City of Cotati total assessed value. [9] Source: City of Cotati Operating Budget, Fiscal Year 2014-2015. [10] City of Cotati no longer receiving motor vehicle licensing fees. [11] Property Tax in-lieu of Vehicle Licensing Fees applies to incremental property value. * All figures subject to rounding
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EXHIBIT A-5

COTATI, CALIFORNIA

SALES TAX REVENUE ANALYSIS

INDIRECT SALES TAX ASSUMPTIONS
I. Residential Indirect Sales Tax Assumptions
A. Mortgage Assumptions
Projected Residential Units
Single-Family Residential and Multi-family
Projected Sales Price per Unit $265,000
Average Mortgage (20% Down Payment) [1] $212,000
Annual Mortgage Payment (8% for 30 Years) [2] $18,667
Additional Annual Taxes & Insurance (2.00%) $5,300
B. Disposable Income Assumptions
Projected Residential Units
Single-Family Residential and Multi-family
Average Household Income (3:1 Income to Household Payment Ratio) [1] $71,900.91 Retail Taxable Expenditures (as a % of Disposable Income) [3] 26.53% C. Other Indirect Sales Tax Assumptions
Employees (annual spending per employee) [4] $4,554
Retail Taxable Sales Capture
City of Cotati Retail Taxable Purchase Capture [5] 25%
Other Sales Tax Assumptions
% to the City of Cotati [6] 2.00%

DIRECT SALES TAX ASSUMPTIONS
II. Non-Residential Direct Sales Tax Assumptions
A. Taxable Sales per Sq. Ft. [7]
Non-Residential
Retail $175
Office $0
Restaurant $250
B. Displaced Taxable Sales
Displaced Existing Taxable Sales within the City of Cotati [8] 20%

FISCAL IMPACT CALCULATION
III. Fiscal Impact Category Fiscal Impact Amount
A. Indirect Sales Tax
Projected Residential Land Uses
Single-Family Residential and Multi-family $31,573
Employee Taxable Sales $14,920
B. Direct Sales Tax [7]
Projected Non-Residential Land Uses
Commercial Land Uses
Retail $265,496
Office $0
Restaurant $189,640
Total Sales Tax Revenues $501,629
Residential $31,573
Non-Residential $470,056
NOTES:
[1] DTA estimates. Subject to change.
[2] DTA estimate. Annual payment includes principal, interest, property taxes, and homeowner's insurance. [3] Source: BOE 2008 Consumer Expenditure Survey.
[4] Source: "Office Worker Retail Spending Patterns: A Downtown and Suburban Area Study," ICSC (2004). Adjusted for inflation assuming 3% annual inflation rate. [5] Estimate, subject to change.
[6] Source: Cotati Municipal Code §3.05.050. Includes Measure G charge of additional 1.00%, passed June 2014, effective October 1, 2014. [7] Based on the median sales per sq. ft. figure for retail centers as outlined in "Dollars and Cents of Shopping Centers" (2008) published by the Urban Land Institute. [8] Estimate, subject to change.
* All figures subject to rounding
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EXHIBIT A-6

COTATI, CALIFORNIA

INVESTMENT INCOME REVENUES ANALYSIS

ASSUMPTIONS
I. Investment Income Assumptions
Investment Period for Recurring Non-Interest General Fund Revenues 12 Months Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF) Rate of Return [1] 1.0% Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF) Percentage of Earnings Cost [2] 50.00%

FISCAL IMPACT CALCULATION
II. Fiscal Impact Category
Residential
Fiscal Impact
Non-Residential
Fiscal Impact (Employees) Fiscal Impact Amount
Total Property Tax Revenues (Exhibit 4) $174,927 $43,871 $218,799 Total Sales Tax Revenues (Exhibit 5) $31,573 $470,056 $501,629 Total Multiplier Revenues (Exhibit 7) $57,963 $39,152 $97,115 Projected Recurring General Fund Revenues Available for Investment $264,463 $553,079 $817,543 Plus: Investment Income (Less Earnings Cost) $1,309 $2,738 $4,047 Total Recurring General Fund Revenues $265,772 $555,817 $821,590 NOTES:
[1] Estimate, subject to change.
[2] Assumed Administrative Earnings Costs. Subject to change. * All figures subject to rounding
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EXHIBIT A-7

COTATI, CALIFORNIA

MULTIPLIER REVENUE SOURCES ANALYSIS

ASSUMPTIONS
I. Multiplier Revenues
Revenue Category Multiplier Factor [1] Revenue Projection Basis Business Licenses $23.90 Per Employee
Franchise Fees $37.52 Persons Served
Use of Money and Property $8.67 Persons Served
Licenses, Permits, Charges for Services $17.09 Persons Served Intergovernmental $3.49 Persons Served
Other / Miscellaneous $4.94 Persons Served

FISCAL IMPACT CALCULATION
II. Fiscal Impact Category
Residential
Fiscal Impact
Non-Residential
Fiscal Impact (Employees) Fiscal Impact Amount
Business Licenses $0 $15,660 $15,660
Franchise Fees $30,327 $12,292 $42,619
Use of Money and Property $7,008 $2,840 $9,848
Licenses, Permits, Charges for Services $13,814 $5,599 $19,413 Intergovernmental $2,821 $1,143 $3,964
Other / Miscellaneous $3,993 $1,618 $5,611
Total Multiplier Revenues $57,963 $39,152 $97,115
NOTES:
[1] Based on City of Cotati Operating Budget, Fiscal Year 2014-2015. * All figures subject to rounding
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EXHIBIT A-8

COTATI, CALIFORNIA

MULTIPLIER EXPENDITURES ANALYSIS

ASSUMPTIONS
I. Multiplier Expenditures
Expenditure Category Multiplier Factor [1] Expenditure Projection Basis Police Department NA Case Study
Engineering $22.91 Persons Served
Community/Economic Development $63.12 Persons Served
Other Maintenance/Miscellaneous $19.66 Persons Served

FISCAL IMPACT CALCULATION
II. Fiscal Impact Category
Residential
Fiscal Impact
Non-Residential
Fiscal Impact (Employees) Fiscal Impact Amount
Police Department $0 $0 $0
Engineering $18,518 $7,506 $26,024
Community/Economic Development $51,020 $20,679 $71,699
Other Maintenance/Miscellaneous $15,891 $6,441 $22,332
Total Multiplier Expenditures $85,429 $34,626 $120,055
NOTES:
[1] Based on City of Cotati Operating Budget, Fiscal Year 2014-2015. * All figures subject to rounding
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EXHIBIT A-9

COTATI, CALIFORNIA

PUBLIC SAFETY CASE STUDY EXPENDITURES ANALYSIS

POLICE PROTECTION COSTS
I. Assumptions
Cost per Sworn Officer
Cost per Sworn Police Officer [1] $150,000
Officers per 1,000 Residents Target [2] 2.30
Police Force
Land Use Type Residential Population Officers per 1,000 Residents Additional City Officers Single Family Detached 0 2.30 0.000
Apartments/Condos 808 2.30 1.859
Townhomes 0 2.30 0.000
TOTAL 808 N/A 1.859
II. Percentage Attributed to City Land Uses
% of Persons Total Project Police Costs Total Costs
Demographic Type Served Population (Additional Officers x Cost per Officer) Attributed to Land Use Residential 71% $278,864 $198,435
Non-Residential (Employees) 29% $278,864 $80,430
TOTAL 100% N/A $278,865
Total Police Protection Costs $278,865
Notes:
[1] Based on City of Cotati Operating Budget, Fiscal Year 2014-2015. [2] Proposed level of service target based on City General Plan Update (September 2011), page 5-3. *All figures subject to rounding*
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EXHIBIT A-10

COTATI, CALIFORNIA

CASE STUDY EXPENDITURES ANALYSIS
Infrastructure & Parks Maintenance Costs
I. Estimated Additional Infrastructure Requirements [1] Fiscal Impact Amount Estimated Lane Miles of Roadway 5.8
Estimated Number of Signalized Intersections 6
Estimated Number of Streetlights 163
Estimated Acres of Parks 2.1
Estimated Acres of Medians & Parkways 2.2
Estimated Acres of Open Space/Slopes 0.0
Estimated Acres of Basin 0.0
Estimated Mileage of Storm Drains 0.0
Estimated Parking Spaces 800
Estimated Mileage of Sidewalks/Trails 0.0
II. Estimated Annual Costs [2]
Roadway Maintenance Costs per Lane Mile $7,834
Traffic Signal Maintenance per Intersection $4,938
Street Light Maintenance per Light $126
Park Maintenance Costs per Acre $10,955
Median and Parkway Maintenance Cost per Acre $14,953
Open Space/Slope Maintenance per Acre $517
Basin/Lake Maintenance per Acre $5,164
Storm Drain Maintenance Per Mile $1,177
Parking Space Sweeping per Space $12
Sidewalk/Trail Mileage per Lineal Mile $3,497
Residential Non-Residential
Fiscal Impact Fiscal Impact (Employees)
71% 29%
III. Estimated Annual Infrastructure Maintenance
Roadways $32,250 $13,071 $45,321
Signalized Intersections $21,083 $8,545 $29,628
Street Lights $14,562 $5,902 $20,465
Parks $16,348 $6,626 $22,974
Medians/Parkways $23,644 $9,583 $33,227
Open Space $0 $0 $0
Basin $0 $0 $0
Storm Drains $0 $0 $0
Parking Spaces $6,831 $2,769 $9,600
Sidewalks/Trails $0 $0 $0
Total Infrastructure & Parks Maintenance Costs $114,718 $46,497 $161,215 NOTES:
[1] Source: City of Cotati. Subject to change.
[2] Based on data obtained from the DTA Public Works database, in concert with research from the Engineering News-Record. * All figures subject to rounding
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EXHIBIT A-11

COTATI, CALIFORNIA

GENERAL GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURES ANALYSIS

ASSUMPTIONS
Total Recurring General Fund Expenditures (excluding General Government Overhead) [1] $4,373,325 Recurring General Government Overhead Expenditures (as a % of Total Recurring General Fund Expenditures) [2] 35.8% Marginal Increase in General Government Costs 50%

FISCAL IMPACT CALCULATION
I. Fiscal Impact Category
Residential
Fiscal Impact
Non-Residential
Fiscal Impact (Employees) Fiscal Impact Amount
Total Multiplier Expenditures (Exhibit 8) $85,429 $34,626 $120,055 Total Police Expenditures (Exhibit 9) $198,435 $80,430 $278,865 Total Infrastructure Expenditures (Exhibit 10) $114,718 $46,497 $161,215 Projected Recurring General Fund Expenditures $398,582 $161,553 $560,135 Plus: General Government Costs $71,285 $28,893 $100,178 Total Recurring Expenditures $469,867 $190,446 $660,313 NOTES:
[1] Based on City of Cotati Operating Budget, Fiscal Year 2014-2015. [2] General Government Overhead Expenditures defined as costs for City Council, City Manager, Legal, etc. * All figures subject to rounding
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EXHIBIT A-12

COTATI, CALIFORNIA

NET FISCAL IMPACT SUMMARY
RECURRING GENERAL FUND REVENUES [1] AMOUNT PERCENT OF TOTAL Secured Property Tax $134,738 16.4%
Residential $108,378 13.2%
Non-Residential $26,360 3.2%
Unsecured Property Tax $5,616 0.7%
Residential $2,980 0.4%
Non-Residential $2,636 0.3%
Property Transfer Tax $5,411 0.7%
Residential $4,824 0.6%
Non-Residential $587 0.1%
Motor Vehicle Licensing Fees $0 0.0%
Residential $0 0.0%
Non-Residential $0 0.0%
Property Tax In-Lieu of Vehicle License Fee $73,034 8.9% Residential $58,745 7.2%
Non-Residential $14,288 1.7%
Direct Sales Tax $455,136 55.4%
Residential $0 0.0%
Non-Residential $455,136 55.4%
Indirect Sales Tax $46,493 5.7%
Residential $31,573 3.8%
Non-Residential $14,920 1.8%
Business Licenses $15,660 1.9%
Residential $0 0.0%
Non-Residential $15,660 1.9%
Franchise Fees $42,619 5.2%
Residential $30,327 3.7%
Non-Residential $12,292 1.5%
Use of Money and Property $9,848 1.2%
Residential $7,008 0.9%
Non-Residential $2,840 0.3%
Licenses, Permits, Charges for Services $19,413 2.4%
Residential $13,814 1.7%
Non-Residential $5,599 0.7%
Intergovernmental $3,964 0.5%
Residential $2,821 0.3%
Non-Residential $1,143 0.1%
Other / Miscellaneous $5,611 0.7%
Residential $3,993 0.5%
Non-Residential $1,618 0.2%
Investment Income $4,047 0.5%
Residential $1,309 0.2%
Non-Residential $2,738 0.3%
Total Recurring General Fund Revenues $821,590 100%
Residential $265,772 32%
Non-Residential $555,817 68%
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EXHIBIT A-12

COTATI, CALIFORNIA

NET FISCAL IMPACT SUMMARY
RECURRING GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES [2] AMOUNT PERCENT OF TOTAL Police Department $278,865 42.2%
Residential $198,435 30.1%
Non-Residential $80,430 12.2%
Engineering $26,024 3.9%
Residential $18,518 2.8%
Non-Residential $7,506 1.1%
Community/Economic Development $71,699 10.9%
Residential $51,020 7.7%
Non-Residential $20,679 3.1%
Other Maintenance/Miscellaneous $22,332 3.4%
Residential $15,891 2.4%
Non-Residential $6,441 1.0%
General Government $100,178 15.2%
Residential $71,285 10.8%
Non-Residential $28,893 4.4%
Infrastructure & Parks Maintenance Costs $161,215 24.4% Residential $114,718 17.4%
Non-Residential $46,497 7.0%
Total Recurring General Fund Expenditures $660,313 100% Residential $469,867 71%
Non-Residential $190,446 29%

NET FISCAL IMPACT
Total Annual Recurring General Fund Surplus/(Deficit) $161,277 Residential ($204,095)
Non-Residential $365,371
Total Annual Revenue/Expenditure Ratio 1.24
Residential 0.57
Non-Residential 2.92
Total Fiscal Surplus/(Deficit)
Residential (per Unit) ($616.60)
Non-Residential (per Sq. Ft.) $1.54
NOTES:
[1] Please see Exhibits 4-7 for the derivation of these calculations. [2] Please see Exhibits 8-11 for the derivation of these calculations. * All figures subject to rounding
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APPENDIX B

DOWNTOWN SPECIFIC PLAN
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City of Cotati EIFD - Fiscal Impact Analysis DRAFT
Summary of Estimated Fiscal Impacts to City
Year 5 Year 10 Year 20 Year 30 Year 40 Year 50 Year 55
2031 2036 2046 2056 2066 2076 2081
Stabilized
Escalation
Rate
Year 0-50
Nominal
Total
Year 0-50
Present Value @

3.0%
City of Cotati Revenues
Property Tax $154,600 $358,500 $481,800 $647,500 $870,186 $1,169,457 $1,355,721 3.0% $29,651,900 $11,784,200 Property Tax Allocation to EIFD @ 50% ($77,300) ($179,300) ($240,900) ($323,800) ($435,160) ($584,819) $0 3.0% ($14,827,400) ($5,892,500) Property Tax In-Lieu of MVLF $91,000 $211,000 $283,600 $381,100 $512,167 $688,309 $797,939 3.0% $17,452,800 $6,936,200 Property Tax In-Lieu of MVLF Allocation to EIFD @ 50% ($22,750) ($52,750) ($70,900) ($95,275) ($128,042) ($172,077) $0 3.0% ($4,363,200) ($1,734,000) Property Transfer Tax $5,100 $11,900 $16,000 $21,400 $28,760 $38,651 $44,807 3.0% $980,900 $390,000 Sales and Use Tax - Direct - Bradley Burns $40,600 $94,200 $126,600 $170,100 $228,600 $307,220 $356,152 3.0% $7,789,400 $3,095,600 Sales Tax - Direct - Measure S $33,100 $76,800 $103,200 $138,700 $186,401 $250,508 $290,407 3.0% $6,352,000 $2,524,400Sales and Use Tax - Indirect - Bradley Burns $40,700 $94,400 $126,800 $170,400 $229,003 $307,761 $356,780 3.0% $7,803,400 $3,101,200Sales Tax - Indirect - Measure S $33,200 $77,000 $103,400 $139,000 $186,804 $251,049 $291,035 3.0% $6,365,200 $2,529,700Other Tax $45,200 $104,800 $140,800 $189,200 $254,269 $341,716 $396,143 3.0% $8,665,000 $3,443,700License and Franchise $87,300 $202,400 $272,000 $365,600 $491,336 $660,314 $765,485 3.0% $16,742,100 $6,653,600Rents $12,100 $28,100 $37,700 $50,700 $68,137 $91,570 $106,155 3.0% $2,321,400 $922,500Other Revenues $24,800 $57,500 $77,200 $103,800 $139,499 $187,474 $217,334 3.0% $4,753,300 $1,889,000Charges for Services $35,500 $82,400 $110,700 $148,800 $199,975 $268,749 $311,554 3.0% $6,814,300 $2,708,100Transfers In + Reimbursements $23,500 $54,500 $73,200 $98,400 $132,241 $177,721 $206,028 3.0% $4,506,500 $1,791,000Estimated Total Revenues $526,650 $1,221,450 $1,641,200 $2,205,625 $2,964,176 $3,983,604 $5,495,539 $101,007,600 $40,142,700 Estimated Total Revenue with NO EIFD Contribution $626,700 $1,453,500 $1,953,000 $2,624,700 $3,527,377 $4,740,500 $5,495,539 City of Cotati Expenditures
City Council $1,800 $4,200 $5,700 $7,700 $10,348 $13,907 $16,122 3.0% $351,800 $139,700 City Manager $10,800 $24,900 $33,500 $45,100 $60,611 $81,456 $94,429 3.0% $2,064,600 $820,400 Administrative Services $5,500 $12,800 $17,200 $23,200 $31,179 $41,902 $48,576 3.0% $1,061,600 $421,700 Community Development $23,800 $55,300 $74,300 $99,800 $134,123 $180,250 $208,959 3.0% $4,570,700 $1,816,500 Public Works - Engineering $15,100 $34,900 $46,900 $63,100 $84,801 $113,966 $132,117 3.0% $2,888,900 $1,148,000Public Works - Streets $47,800 $110,800 $148,900 $200,100 $268,918 $361,403 $418,965 3.0% $9,164,200 $3,642,100Public Works - Storm Water Mgnt. $8,400 $19,400 $26,100 $35,100 $47,171 $63,395 $73,492 3.0% $1,607,300 $638,800Public Works - Govt. Buildings $17,000 $39,500 $53,100 $71,400 $95,956 $128,956 $149,496 3.0% $3,269,300 $1,299,100Public Works - Parks $43,300 $100,300 $134,800 $181,200 $243,518 $327,267 $379,393 3.0% $8,298,000 $3,297,800Police $484,000 $1,122,200 $1,508,200 $2,026,900 $2,723,984 $3,660,807 $4,243,878 3.0% $92,820,100 $36,888,200Recreation $46,800 $108,500 $145,900 $196,000 $263,408 $353,998 $410,380 3.0% $8,976,500 $3,567,500Code Compliance $24,900 $57,800 $77,700 $104,400 $140,305 $188,558 $218,590 3.0% $4,781,100 $1,900,100Estimated Total Expenditures $729,200 $1,690,600 $2,272,300 $3,054,000 $4,104,321 $5,515,864 $6,394,398 $139,854,100 $55,579,900 Estimated Annual Net Fiscal Impact ($202,550) ($469,150) ($631,100) ($848,375) ($1,140,145) ($1,532,260) ($898,859) ($38,846,500) ($15,437,200)Revenue / Cost Ratio 0.72 0.72 0.72 0.72 0.72 0.72 0.86 0.72 0.72Net Annual Loss without a CFD (102,500) (237,100) (319,300) (429,300) (576,943) (775,364) (898,859) Notes:

Assumes installation of necessary public infrastructureValues in 2026 dollarsSelect years shown for illustration May 2026 Page 1 of 1
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City of Cotati EIFD - Fiscal Impact Analysis DRAFT
Summary of Estimated Fiscal Impacts to City
Year 5 Year 10 Year 20 Year 30 Year 40 Year 50 Year 55
2031 2036 2046 2056 2066 2076 2081
Stabilized
Escalation
Rate
Year 0-50
Nominal
Total
Year 0-50
Present Value @

3.0%
City of Cotati Revenues
Property Tax $154,600 $358,500 $481,800 $647,500 $870,186 $1,169,457 $1,355,721 3.0% $29,651,900 $11,784,200 Property Tax Allocation to EIFD @ 50% ($77,300) ($179,300) ($240,900) ($323,800) ($435,160) ($584,819) $0 3.0% ($14,827,400) ($5,892,500) Property Tax In-Lieu of MVLF $91,000 $211,000 $283,600 $381,100 $512,167 $688,309 $797,939 3.0% $17,452,800 $6,936,200 Property Tax In-Lieu of MVLF Allocation to EIFD @ 50% ($22,750) ($52,750) ($70,900) ($95,275) ($128,042) ($172,077) $0 3.0% ($4,363,200) ($1,734,000) Property Transfer Tax $5,100 $11,900 $16,000 $21,400 $28,760 $38,651 $44,807 3.0% $980,900 $390,000 Sales and Use Tax - Direct - Bradley Burns $40,600 $94,200 $126,600 $170,100 $228,600 $307,220 $356,152 3.0% $7,789,400 $3,095,600 Sales Tax - Direct - Measure S $33,100 $76,800 $103,200 $138,700 $186,401 $250,508 $290,407 3.0% $6,352,000 $2,524,400Sales and Use Tax - Indirect - Bradley Burns $56,100 $130,000 $174,700 $234,700 $315,417 $423,894 $491,410 3.0% $10,749,000 $4,272,000Sales Tax - Indirect - Measure S $45,700 $106,000 $142,500 $191,500 $257,360 $345,870 $400,958 3.0% $8,769,000 $3,484,800Other Tax $67,800 $157,200 $211,200 $283,900 $381,538 $512,755 $594,424 3.0% $13,000,500 $5,166,500License and Franchise $87,300 $202,400 $272,000 $365,600 $491,336 $660,314 $765,485 3.0% $16,742,100 $6,653,600Rents $12,100 $28,100 $37,700 $50,700 $68,137 $91,570 $106,155 3.0% $2,321,400 $922,500Other Revenues $24,800 $57,500 $77,200 $103,800 $139,499 $187,474 $217,334 3.0% $4,753,300 $1,889,000Charges for Services $35,500 $82,400 $110,700 $148,800 $199,975 $268,749 $311,554 3.0% $6,814,300 $2,708,100Transfers In + Reimbursements (less CFD) $23,500 $54,500 $73,200 $98,400 $132,241 $177,721 $206,028 3.0% $4,506,500 $1,791,000Transfer in from Services CFD 2017-01 $213,700 $471,800 $575,100 $772,886 $1,038,695 $1,395,919 $1,618,252 3.0% $35,899,000 $14,436,800Estimated Total Revenues $790,850 $1,810,250 $2,373,700 $3,190,011 $4,287,108 $5,761,515 $7,556,625 $146,591,500 $58,428,200 City of Cotati Expenditures
City Council $1,800 $4,200 $5,700 $7,700 $10,348 $13,907 $16,122 3.0% $351,800 $139,700 City Manager $10,800 $24,900 $33,500 $45,100 $60,611 $81,456 $94,429 3.0% $2,064,600 $820,400 Administrative Services $5,500 $12,800 $17,200 $23,200 $31,179 $41,902 $48,576 3.0% $1,061,600 $421,700 Community Development $23,800 $55,300 $74,300 $99,800 $134,123 $180,250 $208,959 3.0% $4,570,700 $1,816,500 Public Works - Engineering $15,100 $34,900 $46,900 $63,100 $84,801 $113,966 $132,117 3.0% $2,888,900 $1,148,000Public Works - Streets $47,800 $110,800 $148,900 $200,100 $268,918 $361,403 $418,965 3.0% $9,164,200 $3,642,100Public Works - Storm Water Mgnt. $8,400 $19,400 $26,100 $35,100 $47,171 $63,395 $73,492 3.0% $1,607,300 $638,800Public Works - Govt. Buildings $17,000 $39,500 $53,100 $71,400 $95,956 $128,956 $149,496 3.0% $3,269,300 $1,299,100Public Works - Parks $43,300 $100,300 $134,800 $181,200 $243,518 $327,267 $379,393 3.0% $8,298,000 $3,297,800Police $484,000 $1,122,200 $1,508,200 $2,026,900 $2,723,984 $3,660,807 $4,243,878 3.0% $92,820,100 $36,888,200Recreation $46,800 $108,500 $145,900 $196,000 $263,408 $353,998 $410,380 3.0% $8,976,500 $3,567,500Code Compliance $24,900 $57,800 $77,700 $104,400 $140,305 $188,558 $218,590 3.0% $4,781,100 $1,900,100Estimated Total Expenditures $729,200 $1,690,600 $2,272,300 $3,054,000 $4,104,321 $5,515,864 $6,394,398 $139,854,100 $55,579,900 Estimated Annual Net Fiscal Impact $61,650 $119,650 $101,400 $136,011 $182,788 $245,652 $1,162,227 $6,737,400 $2,848,300Revenue / Cost Ratio 1.08 1.07 1.04 1.04 1.04 1.04 1.18 1.05 1.05 Notes:

Assumes installation of necessary public infrastructureValues in 2026 dollarsSelect years shown for illustration June 2026 Page 1 of 1
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RESOLUTION NO. CC – 2026 – xx

A RESOLUTION OF THE COTATI CITY COUNCIL FINDING THE GROWNTH

PARTICIPATING IN MUNICIPAL SERVICE FUNDING GENERAL PLAN

UPDATE IS NOT A PROJECT UNDER CEQA AND ADOPTING THE GROWTH

PARTICIPATING IN MUNICIPAL SERVICE FUNDING GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT APPLICABLE TO FUTURE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT; FILE NO. PA#26-35
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to ensure that growth contributes proportionately toward the cost of public facilities and infrastructure needed to serve development; and WHEREAS, As demonstrated in recent budget documents and fiscal studies including the 2015 Fiscal Impact Study by David Taussig & Associates Inc. and a 2026 analysis by Kosmont, California cities can face ongoing fiscal challenges in providing municipal services to new residential development. Since the adoption of Proposition 13, property tax revenues generated by new housing have not always covered the full cost of police protection, park maintenance, roadway maintenance, stormwater management, administrative services, and other municipal operations required to serve new residents. As a result, many jurisdictions have sought mechanisms that ensure growth does not create an ongoing fiscal deficit and/or erode the quality of services provided to existing residents; and
WHEREAS, starting in 2017, the City of Cotati has documented an ongoing fiscal deficit in the provision of City services to newly constructed residential development, and WHEREAS, the City established Public Services CFD 2017-01 through Resolution No. 2017-60, specifically designed to support municipal services including police protection, park maintenance, roadway and landscape maintenance, stormwater services, and other ongoing municipal functions associated with new development, and WHEREAS, residential development projects are increasingly moving to by-right, ministerial review and decision-making processes (SB 35, AB 2011, SB 684, etc.), creating situations whereby the city cannot ensure this new growth does not degrade current service levels or exceed the city’s ability to provide the necessary public services through the traditional mechanism of a condition of approval, and
WHEREAS, California Government Code establishes the General Plan as the City's long-range policy framework; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that public service financing policies promote fiscal sustainability and orderly development; and
WHEREAS, on September 21, 2026, the Planning Commission of the City of Cotati 117766 of 669933
held a duly noticed public hearing to consider and review a resolution and an ordinance proposing a General Plan Amendment establishing City policy that growth should pay its fair share of municipal service costs and an amendment to the Municipal Code implementing the General Plan policy through objective development standards applicable to future residential development, and to make a recommendation to the City Council regarding its adoption.

WHEREAS, on October 13, 2026, the Cotati City Council held a duly noticed public hearing to consider and introduce a resolution proposing an amendment the General Plan to implement a new General Plan policy CSF1-7 Growth Participation in Municipal Service Funding, to ensure new development contributes its fair and proportional share toward the ongoing municipal service costs generated by that development.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Cotati does hereby find:

SECTION 1: Recitals.

The above recitals are true and correct and are incorporated into the findings herein.

SECTION 2: Record
The Record of Proceedings (“Record”) upon which the City Council makes its decision includes, but is not limited to: 1) the 2015 General Plan, 2) the FEIR certified for the 2015 General Plan, and 3) all staff reports, City files and records, and other documents prepared for and/or submitted to the Commission and City Council related to adoption of the amendments to the Cotati General Plan to incorporate the proposed Policy CSF1-7 and all referenced identified changes to the Cotati Municipal Code to facilitate implementation.

SECTION 3: General Plan Consistency
The Council of the City of Cotati does hereby find that the General Plan Amendment establishing City policy that growth should pay its fair share of municipal service costs and the amendment to the Municipal Code implementing the General Plan policy through objective development standards applicable to future residential developments as set forth in the attached resolution and Ordinance, are in the best interest of the City in that they will further established goals, policies, and implementation programs of the General Plan to ensure new residential development does not degrade the current level of City services and that services can be provided to this new development.

Specifically, these amendments are consistent with and implement the following General Plan policies and objectives:

Objective CSF 1A
Ensure that New Growth and Development do not Exceed the City’s Ability to Provide Necessary Public Services and do not Overburden Existing Public Services and Facilities Policy CSF 1.1
Require all development projects to demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the City Engi 117777 of 669933
neer, that the City’s public services and utilities can accommodate the increased demand for services associated with the project.

Policy CSF 2.33
Ensure that the Police Department has adequate staff and equipment to accommodate existing and planned population growth in Cotati.

The proposed General Plan and municipal code text amendments will help to further the established objectives and policies of the General Plan by ensuring adequate funding is available to offset the financial costs each new residential unit imposes on the provision of city services.

Specifically, the proposed policy language ensures the financial impact of each new residential units is calculated on a regular basis and that a mechanism to guarantee these identified deficits can be compensated is always available.

The proposed CMC revisions similarly build on the existing General Plan policy direction, creating objective development standards applicable to all new residential units by which the financial impacts to the provision of city services are funded. Ministerial review and decisionmaking processes create situations whereby the city cannot ensure new growth does not degrade current service levels or exceed the city’s ability to provide the necessary public services. The proposed CMC amendment will help to ensure the City’s General Plan policies are implemented for future residential projects constructed in Cotati.

SECTION 4: Findings
The Planning Commission of the City of Cotati does hereby find that the proposed ordinance to amend the Cotati General Plan and Title 17 (Land Use) of the Cotati Municipal Code:
a. Ensures and maintains internal consistency with the goals and policies of all elements of the General Plan, and any applicable specific plan and the applicable provisions of the zoning code in that the proposed amendments will serve to implement the policy direction of the General Plan to support the ongoing funding of public services at current levels as new development is approved through both discretionary and ministerial processes and build upon the current policy direction of the zoning code through the implementation of an objective development standard.
b. Would not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience, or welfare of the city given that the amendments would ensure the public services which serve and maintain the public health, interest, safety, convenience, and welfare are provided adequate funding into the future and that the legal authority for using CFDs to offset the fiscal impacts of development has been reinforced by the California Court of Appeal (in a decision involving the City of San Ramon) providing support for the implementation of such 117788 of 669933
policies. Specifically, San Ramon conditioned a new development on providing a funding mechanism to cover the difference between the costs of serving the project and the revenues generated by the project and the City to established a CFD as a means of satisfying the condition. In response to litigation, the Court upheld the City’s actions and the City of Cotati has implemented a mechanism similar to San Ramon’s. The City established Public Services CFD 2017-01 through Resolution No. 2017-60, specifically designed to support municipal services including police protection, park maintenance, roadway and landscape maintenance, stormwater services, and other ongoing municipal functions associated with new development.
c. The site is physically suitable (including absence of physical constraints, access, compatibility with adjoining land uses, and provision of utilities) for the requested and/or anticipated land use developments given that the proposed policy will be City-wide and cover the development of all future residential uses.
d. The proposed amendment is consistent with no-net-loss provisions and will not reduce the residential density of any parcel without a concurrent and off-setting increase in density being adopted for an alternate location given that no new development is proposed or limited by this action.
e. The proposed project has been reviewed in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and are hereby found to be exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), the Common Sense Exemption, because it can be seen with certainty that the proposed action will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable physical change in the environment. The actions establish policy guidance only and do not approve any specific development project or infrastructure improvement.
f. The proposed amendments is internally consistent with other applicable provisions of the General Plan and Zoning Code is found to be true in that all modified areas of the code have been reviewed to ensure consistency across the other related land use regulations and the proposed amendments take the next logical step in implementing the current policy direction as new residential development decision making processes come into law.

Section 5. Compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act.

The Planning Commission of the City of Cotati does hereby find that the proposed resolution to amend the Cotati General Plan is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), the Commonsense Exemption, because it can be seen with certainty that the proposed action will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable physical change in the environment. The actions establish policy guidance only and do not approve any specific development project or infrastructure improvement.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Cotati City Council does hereby adopt a resolution to amend the Cotati General Plan Chapter 4. Community Services and Facilities to establish City policy that growth should pay its fair share of municipal service costs as dictated and identified below, applicable to future residential development. 117799 of 669933
Policy CSF-1.7: Growth Participation in Municipal Service Funding New development shall contribute its fair and proportional share toward the ongoing municipal service costs generated by that development that exceed the revenues generated by that development, if any, which is referred to as the deficit. The City shall determine the amount of the deficit from time to time based on individual development types (multi-family, single family, commercial) at either on a city-wide level or narrower geographies if appropriate. The determination shall be based on factors including development revenues, service demand, development intensity, anticipated fiscal impacts, geographic service areas, and the relationship between development and the public services necessary to serve that development. The City shall provide at least one funding mechanism that development can use to satisfy the obligation.

THEREFORE, 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 13, 2026, by the following vote, to wit:

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

NAYS:

ABSENT:

Approved:___________________________
Chair
Attest:______________________________
Carla Duncan, Permit Technician
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ORDINANCE NO.

AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COTATI AMENDING THE COTATI MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADD SECTION 17.30.110 SATISFACTION OF

GENERAL PLAN GROWTH FINANCING POLICY, APPLICABLE TO FUTURE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT, CITYWIDE; FILE NO. PA#26-35
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to ensure that growth contributes proportionately toward the cost of public facilities and infrastructure needed to serve development; and WHEREAS, As demonstrated in recent budget documents and fiscal studies including the 2015 Fiscal Impact Study by David Taussig & Associates Inc. and a 2026 analysis by Kosmont, California cities can face ongoing fiscal challenges in providing municipal services to new residential development. Since the adoption of Proposition 13, property tax revenues generated by new housing have not always covered the full cost of police protection, park maintenance, roadway maintenance, stormwater management, administrative services, and other municipal operations required to serve new residents. As a result, many jurisdictions have sought mechanisms that ensure growth does not create an ongoing fiscal deficit and/or erode the quality of services provided to existing residents; and
WHEREAS, starting in 2017, the City of Cotati has documented an ongoing fiscal deficit in the provision of City services to newly constructed residential development, and WHEREAS, the City established Public Services CFD 2017-01 through Resolution No. 2017-60, specifically designed to support municipal services including police protection, park maintenance, roadway and landscape maintenance, stormwater services, and other ongoing municipal functions associated with new development, and WHEREAS, residential development projects are increasingly moving to by-right, ministerial review and decision-making processes (SB 35, AB 2011, SB 684, etc.), creating situations whereby the city cannot ensure this new growth does not degrade current service levels or exceed the city’s ability to provide the necessary public services through the traditional mechanism of a condition of approval, and
WHEREAS, California Government Code establishes the General Plan as the City's longrange policy framework; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that public service financing policies promote fiscal sustainability and orderly development; and
WHEREAS, on September 21, 2026, the Planning Commission of the City of Cotati held a duly noticed public hearing to consider and review a resolution and an ordinance proposing a General Plan Amendment establishing City policy that growth should pay its fair share of municipal service costs and an amendment to the Municipal Code implementing the General Plan policy through objective development standards applicable to future residential development, and to make a recommendation to the City Council regarding its adoption. 118811 of 669933 WHEREAS, on October 13, 2026, the Cotati City Council held a duly noticed public hearing to consider and introduce an ordinance proposing an amendment to the Municipal Code implementing the General Plan policy through objective development standards applicable to future residential development, and to make a recommendation to the City Council regarding its adoption.

NOW THEREFORE THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COTATI DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1: Recitals.

The above recitals are true and correct and are incorporated into the findings herein.

SECTION 2: Record
The Record of Proceedings (“Record”) upon which the City Council makes its decision includes, but is not limited to: 1) the 2015 General Plan, 2) the FEIR certified for the 2015 General Plan, and 3) all staff reports, City files and records, and other documents prepared for and/or submitted to the Commission and City Council related to adoption of the amendments to Title 17 (Land Use) of the Cotati Municipal Code to incorporate the proposed Section 17.30.110 and all referenced identified changes to the Cotati Municipal Code to facilitate implementation.

SECTION 3: General Plan Consistency
The Council of the City of Cotati does hereby find that the amendments to Title 17 (Land Use) of the Cotati Municipal Code to establish a City policy mechanism by which residential growth shall pay its fair share of municipal service costs are consistent with the current General Plan.

The policy intent of the General Plan to ensure future growth does not degrade the current level of City services, is demonstrated by the existing objectives and policies listed below.

Specifically, these amendments are consistent with and implement the following General Plan policies and objectives:

Objective CSF 1A
Ensure that New Growth and Development do not Exceed the City’s Ability to Provide Nec essary Public Services and do not Overburden Existing Public Services and Facilities Policy CSF 1.1
Require all development projects to demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the City Engineer, that the City’s public services and utilities can accommodate the increased demand for serv ices associated with the project.

Policy CSF 1.2
Require new development to offset or mitigate impacts to public services and facilities to ensure that service levels for existing users are not degraded or impaired by new develop ment, to the satisfaction of the City Engineer.
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Policy CSF 2.33
Ensure that the Police Department has adequate staff and equipment to accommodate existing and planned population growth in Cotati.

The proposed CMC revisions implement the existing General Plan policy direction, creating objective development standards applicable to all new residential units to ensure their financial impacts to the provision of city services are funded. The change in the regulatory framework implemented through these CMC revisions ensure the City’s General Plan policies are implemented for future residential projects constructed in Cotati by committing the city to providing a funding mechanism to residential developers to off-set these costs and ensuring that the per unit funding deficit is determined based on a known set of factors.

SECTION 4: Findings
The City Council of the City of Cotati does hereby find that the proposed ordinance to amend Title 17 (Land Use) of the Cotati Municipal Code to implement the identified changes to the Cotati Municipal Code:
a. Ensures and maintains internal consistency with the goals and policies of all elements of the General Plan, and any applicable specific plan and the applicable provisions of the zoning code in that the proposed amendments will serve to implement the policy direction of the General Plan to support the ongoing funding of public services at current levels as new development is approved through both discretionary and ministerial processes and build upon the current policy direction of the zoning code through the implementation of an objective development standard.
b. Would not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience, or welfare of the city given that the amendments would ensure the public services which serve and maintain the public health, interest, safety, convenience, and welfare are provided adequate funding into the future and that the legal authority for using CFDs to offset the fiscal impacts of development has been reinforced by the California Court of Appeal (in a decision involving the City of San Ramon) providing support for the implementation of such policies. Specifically, San Ramon conditioned a new development on providing a funding mechanism to cover the difference between the costs of serving the project and the revenues generated by the project and the City to established a CFD as a means of satisfying the condition. In response to litigation, the Court upheld the City’s actions and the City of Cotati has implemented a mechanism similar to San Ramon’s. The City established Public Services CFD 2017-01 through Resolution No. 2017-60, specifically designed to support municipal services including police protection, park maintenance, roadway and landscape maintenance, stormwater services, and other ongoing municipal functions associated with new development.
c. The site is physically suitable (including absence of physical constraints, access, compatibility with adjoining land uses, and provision of utilities) for the requested and/or anticipated land use developments given that the proposed policy will be City-wide and cover the development of all future residential uses.
d. The proposed amendment is consistent with no-net-loss provisions and will not reduce the residential density of any parcel without a concurrent and off-setting increase in density being 118833 of 669933 adopted for an alternate location given that no new development is proposed or limited by this action.
e. The proposed project has been reviewed in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and are hereby found to be exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), the Common Sense Exemption, because it can be seen with certainty that the proposed action will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable physical change in the environment. The actions establish policy guidance only and do not approve any specific development project or infrastructure improvement.
f. The proposed amendments is internally consistent with other applicable provisions of the General Plan and Zoning Code is found to be true in that all modified areas of the code have been reviewed to ensure consistency across the other related land use regulations and the proposed amendments take the next logical step in implementing the current policy direction as new residential development decision making processes come into law.

SECTION 5: Compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act.

In conformance with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the City Council finds that the proposed amendments to the Cotati Municipal Code identified herein are related to and implement the goals, policies, and objectives of the 2015 General Plan and the 2023-31 Housing Element, and therefore finds that these proposed revisions conform to CEQA Guidelines Section 15183, which provides a streamlined review of the environmental impacts of the project by tiering from the program level analysis prepared for the Cotati General Plan and its certified EIR and/or the Housing Element and its certified Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND), and other previously completed environmental analysis.

The Council further finds that all adopted mitigating General Plan policies and mitigation measures identified in the 2015 General Plan EIR and/or 2023-2031 Housing Element MND address any potential environmental impacts of the proposed code changes. Finally, future project-specific environmental analysis of any permit or variance proposed under the amended Code will be required and will allow project-specific impacts not previously identified or anticipated to be addressed.

SECTION 6: Amendment to the Cotati Municipal Code. Chapter 17.30 Standards for All Development and Land Uses, is amended to add Section 17.30.110 Satisfaction of General Plan Growth Financing Policy, to read as follows:

17.30.110 Satisfaction of General Plan Growth Financing Policy A. General Plan Policy CF-1.7 requires development to contribute toward any fiscal deficit created by the development, requires the City to determine the deficit from time to time, and requires the City to make available a funding mechanism that allows a development to satisfy the obligation.

This section implements the policy and establishes an objective standard that requires compliance with General Plan Policy CF-1.7.

B. The City Council shall determine the deficit from time to time based on the factors set forth in Policy CSF-1.7. The City Council may determine that residential additions, accessory dwelling units, 118844 of 669933 and junior accessory dwelling units, due to their accessory nature, do not have a deficit. All development projects shall, in accordance with General Plan Policy CSF-1.7, contribute funding to eliminate the deficit. The proposed mechanism used to satisfy the foregoing requirement shall be confirmed by the Director prior to the issuance of the first building permit in the development project, and the Director shall confirm that an enforceable mechanism to satisfy the requirement is in place prior to the granting of any occupancy.

SECTION 7: Construction and severability.

It is the intent of the City Council of the City of Cotati to supplement applicable state and federal law and not to duplicate or contradict such law, and this ordinance shall be construed consistently with that intent. If any section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this ordinance, or its application to any person or circumstance, is for any reason held to be invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining sections, subsections, subdivisions, paragraphs, sentences, clauses or phrases of this ordinance, or its application to any other person or circumstance. The City Council of the City of Cotati hereby declares that it would have adopted each section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase hereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more other sections, subsections, subdivisions, paragraphs, sentences, clauses or phrases hereof be declared invalid or unenforceable.

SECTION 8: Effective date.

This ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days after its adoption pursuant to the California Government Code.

SECTION 9: Publication.

The city clerk shall cause this ordinance to be published and/or posted as required in Section 36933 of the California Government Code.

Approved:

Mayor
Attest:

Kevin Patterson, City Clerk
Approved as to form:
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John Bakker, City Attorney
This document is a true and correct copy of Ordinance Number and has been published or posted pursuant to law. California Government Code § 40806 Kevin Patterson, City Clerk
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City of Cotati
City Council
Growth Financing Policy
File No. PA#26-35
October 13, 2026
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Project Description
Proposed policy framework to ensure new development does not create a fiscal burden on existing residents and businesses.

1. A General Plan Amendment establishing City policy that growth should pay its fair share of municipal service costs;

2. An amendment to the Municipal Code implementing the
General Plan policy through objective development standards applied to future residential development.
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Background
• Fiscal challenges serving new development since Prop 13 • Many cities look for additional revenue through non-property tax sources - Community Facilities Districts (CFDs)
• Cotati established CFD in 2017 -Condition projects to annex into CFD as part of entitlement
• New housing laws = nondiscretionary housing approvals -Creates a need for updated funding policies
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Community Facilities District Process
4 Land Use Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Maximum
Special Tax
Single Family
Residential
$644.86/Dwelling Unit
Multi-Family
Residential
$429.91 per Dwelling Unit
• 2015 Taussig & Associates Study-Identified Deficit
• 2017 Resolution-Set Tax & Boundary-City Wide
• Funds a variety of City services-police, parks flood and stormwater, city staff
• Implemented through discretionary approvals and building permits
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Proposed General Plan Amendment
General Plan is city’s long-term policy framework- all actions must be consistent. Instituting growth funding philosophy in the General Plan provides a policy foundation
Proposed Policy CSF-1.7: Growth Participation in Municipal Service Funding
New development shall contribute its fair and proportional share toward the ongoing municipal service costs generated by that development…
The City shall determine the amount of the deficit from time to time based on individual development types (multi-family, single family, commercial)… The determination shall be based on factors including development revenues, service demand, development intensity, anticipated fiscal impacts, geographic service areas… The City shall provide at least one funding mechanism that development can use to satisfy the obligation.
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Proposed CMC Amendment
• Implementing action proposed for CMC: Section 17.30.110 -Objective Development Standard
• Applicable when service deficit is identified
• Identifies CFD as an existing tool to address funding deficits • Proposes a tiered approach for covering costs of annexation based on project size
-4 units or less-City pays
-5 units or greater-developer pays
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Proposed 17.30.110
Satisfaction of General Plan Growth Financing Policy
7 A. General Plan Policy CF-1.7 requires development to contribute toward any fiscal deficit created by the development, requires the City to determine the deficit from time to time, and requires the City to make available a funding mechanism that allows a development to satisfy the obligation. This section implements the policy and establishes an objective standard that requires compliance with General Plan Policy CF-1.7.

C. The City maintains one or more Community Facilities Districts into which development projects can annex into as a means of satisfying the obligation. Development projects of 5 or more units shall pay the costs of annexation. 119933 of 669933 General Plan Consistency
8 Objective CSF 1A New Development does not Exceed the City’s Ability to Provide Necessary Public Services and does not Overburden Existing Public Services
Policy CSF 1.1 Require all development projects to demonstrate that the City’s public services and utilities can accommodate the increased demand for services associated with the project.

Policy CSF 1.2 Require new development to offset or mitigate impacts to public services to ensure that service levels for existing users are not degraded or impaired.

Policy CSF 2.33 Ensure that the Police Department has adequate staff and equipment to accommodate existing and planned population growth in Cotati. 119944 of 669933
Required Findings
Amendments to the General Plan and municipal code: CMC Section 17.62.070 9 a. Is consistent with the goals and policies of all elements of the General Plan, and any applicable specific plan.
b. The proposed amendments would not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience, or welfare of the city.
c. The proposed project has been reviewed in compliance with the CEQA d. The proposed amendment is internally consistent with other applicable provisions of this Zoning Code.
e. Additional finding for zoning code amendments: The proposed amendment is internally consistent with other applicable provisions of this Zoning Code; 119955 of 669933
Recommendation
10 It is recommended by the Community Development Department and Planning Commission that the City Council:

1. Adopt Resolution No. X amending the Cotati General Plan to establish policies requiring new development to mitigate its fiscal impacts; and

2. Introduce an Ordinance to modify the Cotati Municipal Code (CMC) to include objective development standards to implement the general plan policies to ensure that new development contributes toward the municipal service costs it creates and does not impose an ongoing fiscal burden on existing residents and businesses.
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Thank you!
Noah Housh
Community Development Director
[email protected]
707-665-3635
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Cotati City Council
Agenda Staff Report
Item type: PUBLIC HEARINGS (ACTION)
To: City Council
Subject: FREEWAY ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE
Date: October 13, 2026
Written by: Noah Housh, Director of Community Development Recommendation
It is recommended by the Planning Commission that the City Council introduce an ordinance to:

2. Make additional modifications to the Cotati Municipal Code to allow increased land use activities in the Commercial Industrial (CI) zoning district and city-wide, as identified and described.

Background
In June 2025, the City Council adopted the 2026/27 fiscal year work plan which included a project for the Community Development Department to develop a freeway-oriented zoning overlay. The City's freeway-adjacent commercial properties represent a significant economic asset located along and in close proximity to a primary gateway into Cotati. Properties in these locations differ from traditional neighborhood-serving commercial locations in that they provide high visibility to regional travelers and motorists, expanded customer access, and the ability to directly advertise to regional customers. These unique characteristics provide economic opportunities and benefits to businesses locating at these locations and the goal of this ordinance would be to allow flexibility for these locations to be leveraged by the Cotati business community.

Beginning in February 2026, City staff engaged directly with property owners and businesses in the proposed freeway-oriented overlay area to gather their input regarding the proposal. In discussions with property owners and business operators, several ideas to support reinvestment and business attraction were voiced including adding flexibility and modernizing signage regulations; loosening restrictions on temporary and promotional sales activities; and allowing 119988 of 669933
expanded commercial uses in the zoning district.

Building on these efforts, staff evaluated strategies employed by other Sonoma County and California jurisdictions to support highway-commercial zoning districts and properties.

Examples throughout the state range from sign and billboard-oriented regulations (Lemoore, CA) to a separate zoning district with a completely unique development standards (Santa Fe Springs, CA). Locally, none of the other Sonoma County jurisdictions have a freeway-oriented overlay district specifically, however elements such as the City of Sant Rosa “auto-row sign program”, do exist within the County. The overlay district proposed for consideration in Cotati is intended to provide additional business support and flexibility, while maintaining compatibility with surrounding development and preserving community character.

On July 20, 2026, the Planning Commission conducted a public workshop to gather input and provide direction on the potential FOD overlay district. A summary of the Planning Commission comments and direction is provided below.

On July 28, 2026, the City Council held a second public workshop to continue gathering input from the community and providing direction to staff regarding the zoning updates to initiate the formal FOD Ordinance. A summary of the Council direction is also included below.

On September 21, 2026, the Planning Commission considered the draft ordinance to create the FOD Zoning Overlay. After conducting the public hearing and discussing the proposal, the Commission voted unanimously (4-0 with 1 absent) to recommend that the City Council introduce the ordinance. More details on the Commission discussion and recommendation are provided below.

Analysis/Discussion
Project Description
Consideration, introduction and first reading of an ordinance to create a Freeway Oriented Development Zoning Overlay applicable to properties within the Commercial/Industrial zoning district located on Redwood Dr, adjacent to and visible from U.S. Highway 101 and make additional modifications to the Cotati Municipal Code to allow increased land use activities in the Commercial Industrial (CI) zoning district and city-wide.

Both the overlay district and other identified zoning code modifications are intended to support economic development and local business activity by recognizing the unique operational and economic opportunities of freeway-oriented commercial and industrial businesses; the economic activity generated in the CI district; and the benefits of supporting commercial activities throughout the community.

The overlay and other CMC modifications would supplement the underlying zoning district(s) regulations by providing:

1. Enhanced and modernized signage standards to improve business visibility;

2. Increased flexibility for temporary and promotional sales events; and

3. Expanded permitted and conditionally permitted land uses. 119999 of 669933
Purpose of a Freeway Oriented Overlay District
A Freeway-Oriented Development (FOD) zoning overlay is a tailored set of development regulations imposed over an existing base zone for properties adjacent to major highways. These zoning tools are primarily designed to balance the high visibility and circulation improvements adjacent to freeways with community aesthetics, economic opportunity, and land use compatibility. Specific aspects of such a district may include land use and economic development, circulation or access requirements, building design, and/or aesthetic considerations.

In Cotati, a majority of the properties under consideration for inclusion in the FOD overlay are fully built out, and the city has well developed design and landscaping requirements. These characteristics limit the need for a new set of distinct development criteria. Rather than envision complete redevelopment of the freeway adjacent neighborhood, the proposed regulations are intended to recognize the existing freeway-oriented commercial properties ability to function as regional-serving destinations and implement limited changes to the development standards that differ from neighborhood-scale commercial criteria. Given this, the purpose of the identified proposed FOD Overlay District is focused to:
-Encourage re-investment in freeway-visible commercial properties; -Promote business retention and attraction;
-Increase economic activity and tax-generating uses;
-Improve visibility of existing businesses;
-Facilitate adaptive reuse of existing commercial buildings; and -Provide regulatory flexibility appropriate for freeway-oriented commercial development.

Summary of Proposed Code Amendments
After engaging with the business community, the public, the Planning Commission and the City Council to consider potential changes to the City regulations, staff have prepared an ordinance to create a Freeway Oriented Development (FOD) zoning overlay. In drafting these changes to the municipal code, it became apparent that some of the changes being considered could serve to improve the land use regulations beyond just the properties fronting onto Redwood Drive.

Specifically, additional updates to modernize the City’s sign code; expansion of the allowable land uses and temporary sales events in the Commercial/Industrial zoning district; and additional flexibility in uses permitted through the Limited Term Permit process have been included in the draft ordinance.

A complete summary of these changes is provided below and all details are included in the attached redlined draft of the municipal code.

Creation of a Freeway Oriented Zoning Overlay
The draft ordinance includes provisions to create and implement a Freeway Oriented Development (FOD) Zoning Overlay, specifically limited to the approximately 15 parcels in the Commercial/Industrial zoning district, fronting Redwood Drive. 220000 of 669933
Sign Code Revisions
Visibility is a critical factor in the success of any business and creates unique opportunities for freeway visible businesses. Therefor the overlay district would increase sign allowances and flexibility by allowing:
• An additional 50 square feet of signage, per business; • Taller freestanding signs where site conditions warrant; Other sign code elements are proposed City-wide including:
• Increased flexibility for multi-tenant wayfinding and directory signage; • Allowing an additional 2-feet in height for monument signs (to a maximum of 8-feet); • Modernization of the illumination methods for signs;
• Eliminating the requirement for sign programs for multi-tenant properties The FOD overlay would continue to regulate signage to ensure compatibility with community aesthetics, traffic safety requirements, and surrounding land uses. Based on input received from existing businesses and property owners, staff find these modifications will improve commercial visibility while maintaining appropriate design standards. In addition to the freeway-oriented code changes proposed with the FOD overlay, staff are proposing additional changes to the sign code to streamline and modernize the signage review process throughout the City. These changes are intended to allow more unique sign designs, provide options to improve individual business visibility and modernize the allowable signs within the city. See the attached Exhibit A for additional information regarding the proposed sign code changes.

Temporary Sales Events and Promotional Activities
Many businesses rely upon periodic promotional activities to generate customer traffic and increase revenues. Existing regulations limit the frequency and duration of these types of “sales event” activities and often require approval of a Limited Term Permit. The fee for such a permit is $1,096 and can take approximately 45-60 days for a decision.

The changes identified in the code would allow properties within the CI Zoning District the ability to hold seasonal sales events, including outdoor merchandise displays up to four times per year. Such events would include holiday sales events; vehicle sales promotions; and businesssponsored community events. Adoption of these changes should balance enhanced economic activity with neighborhood compatibility and staff is recommending the following objective operational standards to address potential impacts.
▪ Maximum duration;
▪ Neighborhood notification;
▪ Hours of operation;
▪ Parking and access requirements;
▪ Noise limitations;
▪ Site maintenance; and
▪ Public safety considerations.

Separate from the changes proposed to the outdoor displays and sales code language to authorize temporary activities, changes are also proposed to Section 17.62.030 the Limited Term Permit 220011 of 669933
(LTP) regulations. Staff are proposing to clarify the allowable activities authorized through a limited term permit. Specifically, these changes would authorize “pop-up” style retail and entertainment activities and clarify off-site construction staging requires an LTP approval. These changes are intended to clarify certain additional uses which may be explicitly authorized through the LTP process, rather than relying on the broad “Similar Temporary Activities” language currently used for such requests.

Expanded Land Use Opportunities
Additional changes to the Commercial/Industrial (CI) zoning district include broadening the range of commercial uses permitted within the CI district, including the designated freewayoriented areas. Based on input received from business and property owners, staff finds that expanded land use opportunities will encourage occupancy of vacant commercial space and support long-term economic sustainability. The attached redlined land use table (Exhibit B Table 2-3) identifies several uses proposed to be permitted “by right” and others proposed to go from a Use Permit to a Minor Use Permit to reduce the fees and time associated with the review of the requested activity.

Examples of uses proposed to be permitted by right include: Doctors Offices Examples of uses requiring a Minor Use Permit or Use Permit include:

Small Recycling Facility-Up to 5,000 sq. ft. (Currently allowed by-right) Specialized Schools/Training Facility
Antique or Collectible Store
Medial Clinic/Urgent Care
Adult Daycare
Additional zoning information is available within the Cotati Municipal Code:
https://ecode360.com/46697372#46697372
More information regarding the definition of each of these uses can be found in the City’s zoning glossary: https://ecode360.com/46701370
General Plan Consistency
Staff finds creation of the proposed FOD Overlay District, and the other zoning code modifications consistent with several goals and policies of the Cotati General Plan, including those related to economic vitality and land use. Specifically, these policies include:

Economic Vitality
Policy EV 1.1: Attract and retain economic sectors in which Cotati has competitive advantages and capitalize on these strengths in order to diversify local economic activities.

Policy EV 1.12: Encourage the growth of new commercial enterprises within appropriately zoned areas while maintaining the stability of the existing commercial businesses.

Policy EV 1.15: Support and encourage the continued success and growth of Cotati’s industrial area
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Land Use
Action LU1.b: Either combine the Commercial/Industrial and General Industrial districts into a single district that accommodates the range of industrial and commercial uses allowed in the Commercial Industrial land use designation or amend the Commercial/Industrial and General Industrial designations to accommodate the range of uses allowed in the Commercial/Industrial land use designation.

Policy LU 1.4: Require new development to occur in a logical and orderly manner, focusing growth on infill locations and areas designated for urbanization on the Land Use Map (see Figure 7.1), and be subject to the ability to provide urban services, including paying for any needed extension of services.

Policy LU 3.6: Support the continued development and intensification of employmen t centers throughout all non-‐residential areas of the City.

Staff response: The proposed amendments would promote business attraction and retention, while also encouraging growth of new commercial investment, employment opportunities, and generation of local revenues in the industrial area of the City. Additionally, allowing expanded signage, sales events and land use in the area would create new opportunities to attract regional customers. Further, these changes would expand the range of allowed uses in the Industrial district; focus growth on infill parcels in urbanized areas; and support intensification of employment centers in a non-residential area of the City. Based on this, staff have identified the proposed changes as consistent with the overall intent and policy direction of the General Plan.

Findings.

Amendments to the municipal code are governed by CMC Section 17.62.070. This section sets forth the process by which the City may make amendments to the land use policies of the City.

In addition to the noticing and public hearing requirements, this section directs that certain findings must be made by the Planning Commission and City Council in their actions to amend the municipal code. Specifically, the Planning Commission of the City of Cotati must find that the proposed ordinance to amend Title 17 (Land Use) of the Cotati Municipal Code to establish the FOD Zoning Overlay and implement other identified changes to the Cotati Municipal Code:
a) Is consistent with the goals and policies of all elements of the General Plan, and any applicable specific plan.
b) The proposed amendments would not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience, or welfare of the city.
c) The proposed project has been reviewed in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
d) The proposed amendment is internally consistent with other applicable provisions of this Zoning Code.

Additionally, the following findings must be made by the Commission and Council in order for changes to the zoning map to be implemented.
e) The sites proposed to be rezoned to the overlay are physically suitable (including absence 220033 of 669933
of physical constraints, access, compatibility with adjoining land uses, and provisions of utilities) for the requested zoning designations and anticipated land uses/developments; and f) The proposed amendment is consistent with no-net-loss provisions and will not reduce the residential density of the parcel without a concurrent and off-setting increase in density being adopted for an alternate location.

Staff has identified that the findings can be made to support the proposed changes to the Cotati municipal code in that the proposed text and map amendments will serve to implement the policy direction of the General Plan to support and encourage the continued success of the industrial district; will help to accommodate a range of land uses in the CI zoning district; and will help the City to provide a business friendly environment for both new and existing companies.

Additionally, the changes are seeking to expand the allowable land uses in a limited area of the city, expand on the sales and service activities available to create employment and shopping opportunities for residents and will modernize the sign illumination methods allowed, citywide. All modified areas of the code have been reviewed to ensure consistency across the other related land use regulations and across the areas proposed to be modified through this action; and the FOD overlay is being applied to 15 parcels which fronts onto Redwood Drive, an arterial connector providing regional access and freeway visibility. Finally, no residentially designated properties are proposed to be included in the map amendments.

Planning Commission Recommendations
On July 20, 2026, the Planning Commission held a workshop to consider the potential code changes proposed under the Freeway Oriented Development (FOD) overlay concept. After reviewing all of the material and hearing from several members of the public, the Planning Commission indicated general support for the project and made the following recommendations:
• Expand boundary south along Redwood Dr to 76 gas station • Supports allowing more sales and promotional activities by-right • Supports additional sign height and size
• Supports allowing additional temporary signs to support sales events • Revise the sign illumination requirements to modernize lighting, sign types and electrification methods
• Continue prohibition on electronic message board signs • Be conscious of unintended consequences of changing regulations, including light pollution and visual blight
• Keep updated regulations to west side of Hwy 101 only with this project City Council Direction to Staff
On July 28, 2026, the City Council conducted a workshop to review all of the potential code changes identified under the conceptual Freeway Oriented Development (FOD) overlay concept.

After considering the Planning Commission recommendations and hearing from several members of the public, the Council provided a range of potential policy changes necessary to move the FOD into formal adoption. While direction to staff was not unanimous on every recommendation, the Council indicated general support for the project and provided the 220044 of 669933
following general direction to move forward with the FOD Ordinance. • Keep the initial boundary of the Overlay west of Hwy 101, focused on the Industrial zoning district
• Ensure regulations do not allow the proliferation of pole signs • Do not extend formula-based businesses into Industrial zoning district • Do not expand allowances for drive through retail sales • Require neighbor notification for streamlined marketing and sales events • Limit poles sign types and additional square footage to Freeway oriented zoning overlay • Require a conditional use permit for recycling facilities September 21, 2026, Planning Commission Public Hearing
During the second September Planning Commission meeting, the Commission considered the proposed FOD Ordinance at a duly noticed public hearing. After conducting the hearing and considering all public comments, the Commission voted unanimously (4-0 with 1 absent) to recommend the Council introduce the ordinance. Public comments voiced at the meeting identified concerns with the potential expansion of automobile traffic in the area considering the number of homes likely to be constructed on the west side of Hwy 101. In response, individual commissioner comments expressed concerns over these future residents having to travel to the east side of Cotati to access certain amenities and services. In making their recommendations, members of the Commission continued to voice support for expanding some of the allowances of the FOD ordinance beyond the proposed boundary. Specifically, the recommendation to support the ordinance included:

1. Support for 25-foot maximum height for freeway-oriented pole and freestanding signs.

2. Direction to add cyclists to the zoning standards that reference automobiles and pedestrians.

3. Reconsideration for areas allowing formula-based businesses.

Financial Considerations
There are no identified impacts to the current fiscal year budget (FY 26/27) other than the staff time taken to draft the ordinance and manage the process.

Environmental Issues
The potential impacts of the proposed project were analyzed and addressed to a less-thansignificant level in the Cotati General Plan Update EIR (SCH# 2013082037), which was certified by the Cotati City Council on March 24, 2015, and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15183 allows a streamlined environmental review process for projects that are consistent with an existing zoning, community plan or general plan policies for which an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was certified. As noted, the proposed project is consistent with the land use designations and densities established by the Cotati General Plan, for which an EIR was certified. In conformance with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Community Development Department, Planning Division and the COtati Planning Commission has found that this project is consistent with the previously adopted goals, policies 220055 of 669933
and objectives to the 2015 General Plan and associated environmental impact analysis.

Therefore, the project environmental analysis and determination conforms to CEQA Guidelines Section 15183, which provides a streamlined review of the environmental impacts of the project by tiering from the program level analysis prepared for the Cotati General Plan and its certified EIR.
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ORDINANCE NO.

AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COTATI

FINDING THE CREATION OF A FREEWAY OPRIENTED DEVELOPMENT (FOD)

OVERLAY CONSISTENT WITH THE GENERAL PLAN EIR AND AMENDING THE

MUNICIPAL CODE TO CREATE THE FOD OVERLAY, REZONING
APPROXIMATELY 15 PARCELS TO THE FOD OVERLAY, AND FURTHER AMEND TITLE 17 (LAND USE) OF THE COTATI MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTERS 17.20; 17.22;

17.28; 17.38; 17.42; AND 17.62 TO FURTHER IMPLEMENT THE FOD AND

IMPLEMENT OTHER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RELATED MODIFICATIONS TO THE COTATI LAND USE POLICIES; FILE NO. PA#26-17
WHEREAS, on March 24, 2015, the Cotati City Council adopted its updated General Plan (Resolution No. 2015-12), which identifies the City’s vision for the future and specifically highlights the industrial zoning district as an important source of economic activities to be supported through amended policies and expanded land use activities; and WHEREAS, on March 24, 2015, the Cotati City Council also certified the City of Cotati General Plan Environmental Impact Report (EIR), which reviewed potentially significant environmental effects resulting from the plan’s implementation and developed measures and policies to mitigate those impacts to less-than-significant levels; and WHEREAS, based on the record, the City Council finds that the proposed zoning code amendments are consistent with and facilitate the General Plan and associated EIR; and WHEREAS, in June 2025, the City Council adopted the 2026/27 fiscal year work plan which included a project for the Community Development Department to develop a freewayoriented zoning overlay.; and WHEREAS, in February 2026, City staff engaged directly with property owners and businesses in the proposed freeway-oriented overlay area to gather their input regarding the proposal. Discussions with property owners and business operators identified several policies changes to support reinvestment and business attraction including adding flexible and modernized signage regulations, loosened restrictions on temporary and promotional sales activities, and allowing expanded commercial uses in the zoning district.; and WHEREAS, on July 20, 2026, the Planning Commission conducted a public workshop to gather input and provide direction on the potential FOD overlay district. Specific recommendations from the Planning Commission included expanding the FOD boundary; allowing more sales and promotional activities by-right; allowing additional sign height and size while also modernizing the sign lighting requirements but continuing a prohibition on electronic message board signs; being conscious of potential light pollution and visual blight impacts and keeping these updated regulations to west side of Hwy 101, and
WHEREAS, on July 28, 2026, the City Council conducted a workshop to review the potential code changes identified under the conceptual Freeway Oriented Development (FOD) overlay concept. After considering the Planning Commission recommendations and hearing from several members of the public, the Council indicated general support for the project and provided direction to move forward with the FOD Ordinance, including keeping the Overlay west of Hwy 101 and focused on the Industrial zoning district; ensuring regulations do not allow the proliferation 220077 of 669933
of pole signs; not extending formula-based businesses into Industrial zoning district; not expanding allowances for drive through retail sales; requiring neighbor notification for streamlined marketing and sales events; and require a conditional use permit for recycling facilities; and WHEREAS, on September 21, 2026, the Planning Commission of the City of Cotati held a duly noticed public hearing to consider and review an ordinance proposing to create the FOD zoning overall and implement additional changes to the land use code to finalize and implement the FOD policies, and make a recommendations to the City Council regarding its adoption.

WHEREAS, on October 13, 2026, the City Council of the City of Cotati held a duly noticed public hearing on the proposed ordinance to establish amendments to the Cotati Municipal Code to create the Freeway Oriented Development (FOD) zoning overlay, rezone approximately 13 parcels to the FOD, and correct errors and streamline permitting processes, reviewed the staff report, received a presentation from the Planning Division, and considered all oral and written comments submitted to the City regarding the Ordinance prior to voting to introduce the Ordinance.

NOW THEREFORE THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COTATI DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1: Recitals.

The above recitals are true and correct and are incorporated into the findings herein.

SECTION 2: Record
The Record of Proceedings (“Record”) upon which the City Council makes its decision includes, but is not limited to: 1) the 2015 General Plan, 2) the FEIR certified for the 2015 General Plan, and 3) all staff reports, City files and records, and other documents prepared for and/or submitted to the Commission and City Council related to adoption of the amendments to Title 17 (Land Use) of the Cotati Municipal Code to establish the Freeway oriented Development (FOD) zoning overlay and implement other identified changes to the Cotati Municipal Code to facilitate implementation.

SECTION 3: General Plan Consistency
The Council of the City of Cotati does hereby find that the amendments to Title 17 (Land Use) of the Cotati Municipal Code to establish the FOD Overlay and implement other identified changes to the Cotati Municipal Code to support the Commercial/Industrial zoning, as set forth in this Ordinance, are in the best interest of the City in that they will further established goals, policies, and implementation programs of the General Plan to increase the number of high quality jobs and generate revenues for the City by supporting the continued success and growth of Cotati’s industrial area.

Specifically, these amendments are consistent with and implement the following General Plan policies and objectives:

Policy EV 1.1: Attract and retain economic sectors in which Cotati has competitive advantages and capitalize on these strengths in order to diversify local economic activities.

Policy EV 1.12: Encourage the growth of new commercial enterprises within appropriately 220088 of 669933 zoned areas while maintaining the stability of the existing commercial businesses.

Policy EV 1.15: Support and encourage the continued success and growth of Cotati’s industrial area
Action LU1.b: Either combine the Commercial/Industrial and General Industrial districts into a single district that accommodates the range of industrial and commercial uses allowed in the Commercial Industrial land use designation or amend the Commercial/Industrial and General Industrial designations to accommodate the range of uses allowed in the Commercial/Industrial land use designation.

Policy LU 1.4: Require new development to occur in a logical and orderly mann er, focusing growth on infill locations and areas designated for urbanization on the La nd Use Map (see Figure 7.1), and be subject to the ability to provide urban services, incl uding paying for any needed extension of services.

Policy LU 3.6: Support the continued development and intensification of employment centers throughout all non-‐residential areas of the City.

The proposed map and text amendments will help to further the established goals, policies, and implementation programs of the General Plan identified above, including business attraction and retention, while also encouraging growth of new commercial investment, employment opportunities, and generation of local revenues in the industrial area of the City. By allowing expanded signage, sales events and land uses new opportunities to attract regional customers would be created for properties under these regulations.. Further, these changes would expand the range of allowed uses in the Commercial Industrial district; focus growth on infill parcels in urbanized areas; and support intensification of employment centers in a non-residential area of the City. Based on this, staff has identified the proposed changes as consistent with the overall intent and policy direction of the General Plan.

SECTION 4: Findings
The City Council of the City of Cotati does hereby find that the proposed ordinance to amend Title 17 (Land Use) of the Cotati Municipal Code to establish the FOD Zoning Overlay and implement other identified changes to the Cotati Municipal Code:
a. Is consistent with the goals and policies of all elements of the General Plan, and any applicable specific plan in that the proposed text and map amendments will serve to implement the policy direction of the General Plan to support and encourage the continued success of the industrial district; will help to accommodate a range of land uses in the CI zoning district; and will help the City to provide a business friendly environment for both new and existing companies; and b. The proposed amendments would not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience, or welfare of the city given that they are seeking to expand the allowable land uses in a limited area of the community, expand on the sales and service activities available to create employment and shopping opportunities for residents and will modernize the sign illumination methods allowed, citywide; and c. The proposed project has been reviewed in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and are hereby found to be consistent with the program Final Environmental Impact Report (SCH# 2013082037) for the Cotati General Plan Update that was certified on March 24, 2015 (Resolution Number 2015-11) and no new environmental impacts peculiar to the project site(s) have 220099 of 669933
been realized or identified, therefore no additional environmental analysis is required under CEQA, including Section 15183, and therefore pursuant to Section 15168 of the CEQA Guidelines, as such no further environmental review is required; and
d. The proposed amendment is internally consistent with other applicable provisions of this Zoning Code is found to be true in that all modified areas of the code have been reviewed to ensure consistency across the other related land use regulations and across the other areas proposed to be modified through this action; and
e. The sites proposed to be rezoned to the overlay are physically suitable (including absence of physical constraints, access, compatibility with adjoining land uses, and provisions of utilities) for the requested zoning designations and anticipated land uses/developments in that the FOD overlay is only being applied to 15 properties each of which fronts onto Redwood Drive, an arterial connector providing regional access and freeway visibility; and
f. The proposed amendment is consistent with no-net-loss provisions and will not reduce the residential density of the parcel without a concurrent and off-setting increase in density being adopted for an alternate location is found to be given that no residentially designated properties are proposed to be included in the map amendments..

SECTION 5: Compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act.

SECTION 6: Amendment to the Cotati Municipal Code. Chapter 17.20 Zoning Map, Section

17.20.020 Table 2-1, is amended to read as follows:

17.20.020 Table 2-1 Zoning Districts
Special Purpose and Overlay Zones
CP Coordinated Planning Overlay All
FOD Freeway Oriented Development Overlay Commercial Industrial MHP Mobilehome Park All Residential
Citywide
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Overlay
MHPSSenior
Mobilehome
Park
Overlay
All Residential
PF Public
Facility
Public Facilities
TOC Transit
Oriented
Community
Overlay
Specific Plan; Open Space/Parks; Low-Medium Density
Residential Medium Densit Residential; High Density
Residential; General Commercial;
SECTION 7: Amendment to the Cotati Municipal Code. Chapter 17.22 Allowable Land Uses, Section 17.22.020 Table 2-3 is amended to modify the land uses of: Recycling-Small collection facility; Commercial recreation facility-Indoor -More than 5,000 sq. ft.; Alcoholic beverage sales; Antique or collectible store; Second hand store; Tasting room; Medical services-Doctors office and -Clinic, urgent care; Adult daycare to read as follows:

Allowed Land Uses and Permit Requirements for Commercial, Mixed Use, and Industrial Districts (excerpt)
P Permitted use, zoning clearance required
MUP Minor use permit
UP Use permit required
S Permit requirement set by specific use regulations
– Use not allowed
Permit Required by District Specific Use
Land Use(1) Regulations

CE CG CD CI PF
Recycling – Small collection
facility
UP UP – UP – 17.42.150
Recreation, Education and Public Assembly Uses
Commercial recreation facility –
Indoor – More than 5,000 sq. ft.

UP MUP – MUP –
School – Specialized
education/training
UP(2) UP(2) UP(2) MUP UP
Retail Trade(3)
Alcoholic beverage sales UP UP UP UP – 17.42.030
Antique or collectible store MUP P MUP MUP –
Retail display gallery – P P P – 17.90.020
Second hand store MUP MUP MUP MUP –
Table 2-3
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P Permitted use, zoning clearance required
MUP Minor use permit
UP Use permit required
S Permit requirement set by specific use regulations
– Use not allowed
Permit Required by District Specific Use
Land Use(1) Regulations

CE CG CD CI PF
Tasting room MUP P P P –
Services – Business, Financial, Professional
Medical services – Doctor office UP P
(2) P(2) P –
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P Permitted use, zoning clearance required
MUP Minor use permit
UP Use permit required
S Permit requirement set by specific use regulations
– Use not allowed
Permit Required by District Specific Use
Land Use(1) Regulations

CE CG CD CI PF
Medical services – Clinic, urgent
care
UP – – MUP –
Services – General
Adult day care UP – – MUP UP
SECTION 8: Amendment to the Cotati Municipal Code. Chapter 17.28 Special Purpose Zone and Overlay Zone Standards is amended to add Section 17.28.080 to read as follows:

17.28.080 Freeway Oriented Development (FOD) overlay zone.

A. Purpose. The FOD overlay zone may be applied to Commercial/Industrial properties on the west side of Highway 101 having a property line within one thousand feet of the freeway right-of-way.

The FOD zoning overlay is consistent with and implements the CI land use designation of the general plan.

B. Allowable Land Uses and Planning Permit Requirements. The land uses allowed within the FOD zoning overlay and the planning permit requirements for establishing an allowed use are determined by Section 17.22.020 Table 2-3 (Allowable land uses and planning permit requirements) of this title.

C. Development Standards. Subdivision, site planning, development, and new land uses on a site within the FOD zoning overlay shall comply with the development standards and use criteria of the current underlying primary zoning district. Sign standards shall be those identified in CMC Chapter

17.38. SECTION 9: Amendment to the Cotati Municipal Code. Chapter 17.38 Signs, is amended to read as follows:

CHAPTER 17.38
SIGNS
§ 17.38.010. Purpose.

The regulations established by this chapter are intended to appropriately limit the placement, type, size, and number of signs allowed within the city, and to require the proper maintenance of signs. The purposes of these limitations and requirements are to:

A. Avoid traffic safety hazards to motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians, caused by visual distractions and obstructions;
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B. Promote the aesthetic and environmental values of the community by providing for signs that do not impair the attractiveness of the city as a place to live, work, and shop;
C. Provide for signs as an effective channel of communication, while ensuring that signs are aesthetically proportioned in relation to adjacent structures and the structures to which they are attached; and
D. Safeguard and protect the public health, safety, and general welfare. (A (part), 2004; Ord. 766 § 2 Exh)
§ 17.38.020. Applicability.

A. Signs Regulated. The requirements of this chapter shall apply to all signs in all zoning districts.

B. Applicability to Sign Content. The provisions of this chapter do not regulate the message content of signs (sign copy), regardless of whether the message content is commercial or noncommercial.

C. Definitions. Definitions of the specialized terms and phrases used in this chapter are in Article 9 (Glossary) under "Sign."
(A (part), 2004; Ord. 766 § 2 Exh)
§ 17.38.030. Sign permit and master sign plan requirements.

A. Sign Permit Required. No sign shall be constructed, installed, or modified, unless a sign permit is first obtained in compliance with this chapter, or the sign is allowed without sign permit by Section 17.38.035 (Exemptions from sign permit requirements).

1. Compliance with Standards Required. No sign permit or master sign plan shall be approved for an existing or proposed sign unless the sign is in compliance with all applicable requirements of this chapter.

2. Building Permit Required. The installation of a sign may require a building permit. 221144 of 669933

3. Compliance with Permit Required. After approval of a sign permit and/or sign plan, each sign site shall comply with the permit and plan.

4. Temporary Signs. Temporary signs shall comply with Section 17.38.070(G).

B. Review Authority.

1. Director. The director shall review sign permit and master sign plan applications and approve only those that comply with the findings required in subsection E of this section. The director may also refer a sign permit application to the design review administration for review and recommendation, either for the individual sign permit, or as part of a development project that is otherwise subject to design review.

2. Conditions of Approval. The director may require conditions of approval that are deemed reasonable and necessary to achieve the purpose, intent, and objectives of this chapter.

C. Sign Permit Procedures.

1. Application Requirements. An application for a sign permit shall be prepared, filed, and processed in compliance with Chapter 17.60 (Permit Application Filing and Processing).

2. Application Contents. Each application shall include all of the following:
a. Plans for the sign, drawn to scale, showing the proposed location of the sign in relation to other signs on the site and adjacent properties, structures, and uses;
b. A complete color scheme for the sign, and design drawing of the sign; c. Sufficient other details of the proposed sign to show that it complies with the provisions of this chapter;
d. Written permission from the property owner for the placement of the proposed signs on the site;
e. Computation of the total sign area, the area of each individual sign, the height of each sign, and the total number of existing and proposed signs on the parcel;
f. An accurate indication on the plot plan of the proposed location of each present and future sign of any type, whether requiring a permit or not; g. If a sign permit application is filed for a site with existing signs, the application shall detail how the applicant will correct all nonconforming signs on the site as part of the installation of the proposed signs; and h. Other information as required by the department.

D.. Findings for Approval. The approval of a sign permit shall require that the 221155 of 669933 review authority first make all the following findings, as applicable:

1. The proposed signs do not exceed the standards of Sections 17.38.060 (Zoning district sign standards) and 17.38.070 (Standards for specific sign types), and are of the minimum size and height necessary to enable pedestrians and motorists to readily identify the facility or site from a sufficient distance to safely and conveniently access the facility or site;

2. That the placement of the sign on the site is appropriate for the height and area of a freestanding or projecting sign;

3. That a flush or projecting sign relates to the architectural design of the structure;

4. That signs do not unreasonably impair the visibility of existing signs on adjacent properties;

5. The placement and size of the sign will not impair pedestrian or vehicular safety;

6. The design, height, location, and size of the signs are visually complementary and compatible with the scale and architectural style of the primary structures on the site, any prominent natural features on the site, and structures and prominent natural features on adjacent properties on the same street;

7. The proposed signs are in substantial conformance with the design criteria in Section 17.38.050(G); and

8. The proposed signs are of a color, height, letter type, location, material, shape, size, and style that is appropriate for the use of the premises, enhancing to the premises, and harmonious with the surrounding neighborhood.

E. Expiration and Extension of Sign Permit Approval.

1. Approval of a sign permit shall expire twelve months from the date of approval unless the sign has been installed, or a different expiration date is stipulated at the time of approval. Before the expiration of a sign permit approval, the applicant may apply to the department for an extension of an additional twelve months from the original date of expiration. In response to an extension request, the review authority may make minor modifications, or deny further extensions.

9. The expiration date of the sign permit shall be automatically extended to concur with the expiration date of the companion building permit or other applicable permits.
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§ 17.38.035. Exemptions from sign permit requirements.

The following signs are allowed without sign permit approval; provided, that they comply with Section 17.38.050 (General requirements for all signs), and any required building permit is obtained.

A. Nonstructural Modifications and Maintenance.

1. Modifications to sign copy on conforming signs, or changes to the face or copy of conforming changeable copy signs;

2. Nonstructural modifications of the face or copy of an existing conforming sign provided the modifications are consistent with the previously approved sign permit or master sign plan; and

3. The normal maintenance of conforming signs, except as identified in Section

17.38.080(B).

B. Service Station Advertising Signs. Service station signage as required by California Business and Professions Code Sections 13530 through 13540.

1. Duration. Temporary signs may be placed and maintained for a total maximum period of seventy consecutive days, no more than two times per calendar year (with a minimum of thirty days between postings), unless a longer time period is granted by the appropriate review authority in conjunction with an approved development project or limited term permit.

2. Placement. Temporary signs shall be located only on private property with the property owner's permission and shall not be sited so as to impede visibility of the street and/or traffic control signs to motorists, pedestrians or bicyclists.

3. Illumination. Temporary signs shall not be illuminated either internally or externally.

4. Number and Size. Temporary signs shall be limited to a total aggregate sign area of twelve square feet in residential zoning districts or twenty square feet in nonresidential zoning districts unless larger number or sizes are granted by the appropriate review authority in conjunction with an approved development project or limited term permit. See Section 17.38.050(A) for sign area measurement regulations.

5. Height. Temporary signs shall not exceed six feet in height when measured in accordance with Section 17.38.050(B).
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D. Governmental Signs. Signs installed by the city, county, or a federal or state governmental agency, including but not limited to, the following:

1. Emergency, informational, and warning signs necessary for public safety or civil defense;

2. Traffic signs erected and maintained by an authorized public agency;

3. Legal notices, licenses, permits, and other signs required to be displayed by law;

4. Signs showing the location of public facilities (e.g., public telephones, restrooms, and underground utilities); and

5. Any sign, posting, notice, or similar sign placed by or required by a governmental agency in carrying out its responsibility to protect public health, safety, and general welfare.

E. Miscellaneous Signs. The following are not considered signs for purposes of implementing this chapter and do not require a sign permit though they may be subject to requirements of the city's design review process and/or issuance of a building permit:

1. Street Addresses. Street address numbers not exceeding twelve inches in height;

2. Official Flags. Flags of national, state, or local governments, or nationally recognized religious, fraternal, or public service agencies; provided, that:
a. The length of a flag shall not exceed one-fourth the height of the flag pole;
b. The height of the flag pole shall not exceed twelve feet within a residential zoning district and thirty feet within a nonresidential zoning district; and
c. No private flag pole shall be located within a public right-of-way or required setback;
d. No private flag pole shall be located within a public right-of-way or required setback;

3. Ornamentation and Decoration. Symbols, pictures, patterns, and illumination approved as architectural ornamentation or decoration by the director;

4. Architectural Markers. Markers incorporated into building or landscape architecture on private property; provided, that none of these exceed four square feet.
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§ 17.38.040. Prohibited signs.

All signs not expressly allowed by this chapter shall be prohibited. Examples of prohibited signs include, but are not limited to, the following:

A. Abandoned signs;
B. Animated and moving signs, including electronic message display signs, and variable intensity, blinking, or flashing signs, or signs that emit a varying intensity of light or color, except time and temperature displays (which are not considered signs), and barber poles;
C. Internally illuminated cabinet (can) signs;
D. Off-site signs (e.g., billboards), except as allowed by Section 17.38.070(G)(2); E. Obscene signs;
F. Roof signs;
F. Because of the city's compelling interest in ensuring traffic safety, signs that simulate in color, size, or design any traffic control sign or signal, or that make use of words, symbols, or characters in a manner that interferes with, misleads, or confuses pedestrian or vehicular traffic;
G. A sign in the form or shape of a directional arrow, or otherwise displaying a directional arrow, except as approved by the director, or as required for safety and convenience and for control of vehicular and pedestrian traffic within the premises of the subject use;
H. A sign attached to or suspended from a boat, vehicle, or other movable object that is parked within a public right-of-way, or located on private property so that it is visible from a public right-of-way; except a sign painted directly upon, magnetically affixed to, or permanently affixed to the body or other integral part of a vehicle that covers no portion of a vehicle window;
I. A sign burned, cut, or otherwise marked on or affixed to a rock, tree, or other natural feature;
J. A sign placed within a public right-of-way, except as provided by Section

17.38.050(E);
K. Temporary and portable signs, except as specifically allowed by Section

17.38.070(G), including the following:

1. A-boards and other portable sidewalk signs,

2. Balloons and other inflatable devices,

3. Flags, except as specifically allowed by Section 17.38.035(E)(2), and

4. Pennants and streamers, except in conjunction with an approved limited term permit or event approved by the city or as allowed in Section 17.38.070(G). 221199 of 669933 § 17.38.050. General requirements for all signs.

The following rules shall govern the computation of sign area:

A. Sign Area Measurement. The measurement of sign area to determine compliance with the sign area limitations of this chapter shall occur as follows:

1. Surface Area. The surface area of a sign shall be calculated by enclosing the extreme limits of all framing, emblem, logo, representation, writing, or other display within a single continuous perimeter composed of squares or rectangles with no more than eight lines. See Figure 3-12.

Figure 3-12. Sign Area Measurement

2. Sign Structure. Supporting bracing or framework that is clearly incidental to the display itself shall not be computed as sign area.

3. Multi-Faced Signs. The sign area for a sign with more than one face shall be computed by adding together the area of all sign faces.

4. Three-Dimensional Objects. Where a sign consists of one or more threedimensional objects (e.g., balls, cubes, clusters of objects, sculpture, or statuelike trademarks), the sign area shall be measured as their maximum projection upon a vertical plane. See Figure 3-13.

5. 222200 of 669933
Figure 3-13. 3-D Sign Area Measurement

5. Time and/or temperature device. The area of any time and/or temperature device incorporated into a sign shall not be included in the calculation of total sign area.

6. Sign Lighting. Permanently installed illuminated panels, visible tubing, and strings of lights outlining all or a portion of a structure, other than lighting that is primarily for indirectly illuminating architectural features, signs, or landscaping, shall be deemed "signs" subject to this chapter and shall be counted as part of the allowed sign area. Each line of tubing or lights shall be deemed to have a minimum width of at least six inches for the purpose of are calculation.

B. Sign Height Measurement. The height of a sign shall be computed as the vertical distance from the lowest point of the base of the sign at normal grade, to the top of the highest attached component of the sign. See Figure 3-14.

Figure 3-14. Sign Height Measurement

1. Normal Grade. Normal grade shall be construed to be the lower of either the:
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a. Existing grade before construction; or
b. Newly established grade after construction, exclusive of any berm, filling, mounding, or excavating solely for the purpose of locating the sign.

2. Where Normal Grade Cannot be Determined. In cases in which the normal grade cannot reasonably be determined, sign height shall be computed on the assumptions that the elevation of the normal grade at the base of the sign is equal to the elevation of the nearest point of the crown of a public street or the grade of the land at the principal entrance to the principal structure on the parcel, whichever is lower.

C. Sign Height Limitations.

1. Maximum Height for Freestanding Signs. A freestanding sign shall not exceed a height of eight feet above normal grade.

2. Maximum Height for Signs on Structures. The top of a sign mounted on a structure shall not extend higher than the lesser of:
a. The window sills of the second floor;
b. The top of the wall to which the sign is attached, in the case of a one-story structure; or
c. Twenty feet above normal grade.

See Section 17.38.070(D) of this chapter for exceptions to the above requirements for freeway-oriented signs.

D. Sign Location Requirements. Each sign shall be located in compliance with the following requirements, and all other applicable provisions of this chapter:

3. Each sign shall be located on the same site as the subject of the sign, except as otherwise allowed by Section 17.38.070 of this chapter for a specific sign type.

4. No sign shall project over public properly, or the public right-of-way, except where the city has granted an encroachment permit in addition to a sign permit.

5. No sign shall be placed so as to interfere with the operation of a door or window. A sign that covers architectural features shall be discouraged.

6. Maximum Height for Signs on Structures. The top of a sign mounted on a structure shall not extend higher than the lesser of:
a. The window sills of the second floor;
b. The top of the wall to which the sign is attached, in the case of a one-story structure; or
c. Twenty feet above normal grade.

See Section 17.38.070(D) of this chapter for exceptions to the above requirements for freeway-oriented signs
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Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/CO4398 on 2026-05-21 D. Sign Location Requirements. Each sign shall be located in compliance with the following requirements, and all other applicable provisions of this chapter:

7. Each sign shall be located on the same site as the subject of the sign, except as otherwise allowed by Section 17.38.070 of this chapter for a specific sign type.

8. No sign shall project over public properly, or the public right-of-way, except where the city has granted an encroachment permit in addition to a sign permit.

9. No sign shall be placed so as to interfere with the operation of a door or window. A sign that covers architectural features shall be discouraged.

E. Signs Placed Within the Public Right-of-Way.

1. No sign shall be allowed in the public right-of-way except for the following:
a. Public signs erected by or on behalf of a governmental agency to convey public information, identify public property, post legal notices, or direct or regulate pedestrian or vehicular traffic;
b. Bus stop signs installed by a public transit company; c. Informational signs of a public utility regarding its lines, pipes, poles, or other facilities; or
d. Emergency warning signs erected by a governmental agency, a public utility company, or a contractor doing authorized within the public rightof-way.

2. Any sign installed or placed within the public right-of-way other than in compliance with this section shall be forfeited to the public and be subject to confiscation.

4. A sign permit shall not be required for city signs placed within the public right- of-way.
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F. Sign Design, Construction, and Maintenance. All signs shall be designed, constructed, and continuously maintained in compliance with the following standards:

10. Compliance with Applicable Provisions. All signs shall comply with the applicable provisions of the uniform codes of the city, any other applicable city ordinances, resolutions, or regulations, and this chapter.

11. Permanent Materials and Attachment. Except for banners, flags, temporary signs, and window signs conforming with the requirements of this chapter, all signs shall be constructed of permanent materials and shall be permanently attached to the ground, a building, or another structure by direct attachment to a rigid wall, frame, or structure.

G. Design Criteria for Signs. The following design criteria shall be used in reviewing the design of individual signs. Substantial conformance with each of the following design criteria shall be required before a sign permit or building permit can be approved.

1. Color. Colors on signs and structural members should be harmonious with one another and relate to the dominant colors of the other structures on the site.

Contrasting colors may be utilized if the overall effect of the sign is still compatible with the structure colors and prevailing colors in the surrounding neighborhood (where a theme can be identified).

2. Design and Construction.
a. All permanent signs shall be designed by professionals (e.g., architects, building designers, landscape architects, interior designers, or those whose principal business is the design, manufacture, or sale of signs), or others who are capable of producing professional results. b. All permanent signs shall be constructed by persons whose principal business is building construction or a related trade including sign manufacturing and installation businesses, or others capable of producing professional results. The intent is to ensure public safety, achieve signs of careful construction, neat and readable copy, and durability so as to reduce maintenance costs and to prevent dilapidation.

3. Materials and Structure.
a. Sign materials (including framing and supports) shall be representative of the type and scale of materials used on the site of the sign. Sign materials shall match those used on the structure and on other signs. b. No sign shall include reflective material.
c. Materials for permanent signs shall be durable and capable of withstanding weathering over the life of the sign with reasonable maintenance. 222244 of 669933
Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/CO4398 on 2026-05-21 c. The size of the structural members (e.g., columns, crossbeams, and braces) shall be proportional to the sign panel they are supporting. In general, fewer larger supporting members are preferable to many smaller supports.
d. The use of individual letters incorporated into the building design is encouraged, rather than a sign with background and framing other than the structure wall.

4. Street Address. The review authority may require that a sign include the street address of the site, where it determines that public safety and emergency vehicle response would be more effectively served than if the street address were displayed solely on one or more structures on the site.

C. Copy Design Guidelines. The city does not regulate the message content (copy) of signs; however, the following are principles of copy design and layout that can enhance the readability and attractiveness of signs. Copy design and layout consistent with these principles is encouraged, but not required.

1. Sign copy should relate only to the name and/or nature of the business or commercial center.

2. Permanent signs that advertise continuous sales, special prices, or include phone numbers, etc., should be avoided.

3. Information should be conveyed briefly or by logo, symbol, or other graphic manner. The intent should be to increase the readability of the sign and thereby enhance the identity of the business.

4. The area of letters or symbols should not exceed forty percent of the background area in commercial districts or sixty percent in residential districts.

5. Freestanding signs should contain the street address of the parcel or the range of addresses for a multi-tenant center.

D. Sign Lighting. Sign lighting shall be designed to minimize light and glare on surrounding rights-of-way and properties.

1. External light sources shall be directed and shielded so that they do not produce illumination or glare off the site, on any object other than the sign.

2. Sign illumination shall not blink, flash, flutter, or change light intensity, brightness, or color.
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Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/CO4398 on 2026-05-21

3. Colored lights shall not be used at a location or in a manner so as to be confused or construed as traffic control devices.

4. Neither the direct nor reflected light from primary light sources shall create hazards for pedestrians or operators of motor vehicles.

5. Light sources shall utilize hard-wired lighting technology that is energy efficient. Incandescent lamps shall be prohibited.

E. Maintenance of Signs.

1. Each sign and supporting hardware, including temporary signs, shall be maintained in good repair and functioning properly at all times.

2. Any repair to a sign shall be of materials and design of equal or better quality as the original sign.

3. A sign that is not properly maintained and is dilapidated is a public nuisance, and may be abated in compliance with the municipal code.

4. When an existing sign is removed or replaced, all brackets, poles, and other supports that are no longer required shall be removed.
§ 17.38.060. Zoning district sign standards.

Each sign shall comply with the sign type, area, height, and other restrictions provided by this section, in addition to the provisions of Section 17.38.070, Standards for specific sign types.

A. Low Density and Neighborhood Zones. Each sign in the RR, RVL, NL, NM, or NU zoning districts shall comply with the requirements in Table 3-11.

Table 3-11
Sign Standards for Low Density and Neighborhood Zones
Allowed Sign Types Maximum Sign Height
Maximum Number of
Signs Allowed per
Parcel
Maximum Sign Area
Allowed per Parcel
Wall or freestanding Wall signs: below edge
of roof; Freestanding:
4 ft.
1 of either allowed sign
type per street frontage
12 sq. ft. maximum
each; 24 sq. ft. total for
all signs
B. Mixed Use Corridors and Districts. Each sign in the TOC, CG, CE, OSC, OSR, CD, and CI zoning districts and all properties within an adopted Specific Plan shall comply with the requirements in Table 3-12.
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Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/CO4398 on 2026-05-21 Figure 3-15. Examples of Sign Types
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Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/CO4398 on 2026-05-21 Table 3-12
Sign Standards for Mixed Use Corridors and Districts
Allowed Sign Types Maximum Sign Height Maximum Number of Signs Allowed per Parcel Maximum Sign Area Ground-mounted and Ground-floor Signs
Awning
Freestanding
Projecting, Wall
Directory
Below roof(1)
6 ft.

Below roof(1)
Single tenant site or structure: 3 of any
combination of allowed sign types per primary
structure frontage.
1 of any allowed sign type per secondary
frontage.

Site or structure with 4 or more tenants:
1 of any allowed sign type per business frontage.

A site with multiple tenants shall accommodate all
tenants on any monument sign serving that site.
1 directory sign not to exceed 12 sq. ft. is also
allowed to identify individual occupants of multitenant locations.

Maximum sign area per parcel. The total sign area of all signs on a parcel shall not exceed the following:

1. 1 sq. ft. for each linear ft. of primary building frontage;

2. 0.5 additional sq. ft. for each linear foot of secondary building frontage;

3. Each use is allowed a total sign area of at least 25 sq. ft. regardless of frontage length; and

4. The total sign area per use shall not exceed 100 sq. ft.

Maximum sign area per building frontage. The total area of all signs on a single building frontage shall not exceed the total linear feet of that frontage.

Suspended Below eave/ canopy; at least 8 ft.
above a walking surface
Site with 4 or more tenants: is allowed an additional freestanding identification sign of 0.25 sq. ft. for each linear ft. of total primary structure frontage, up to 100 sq. ft. maximum.

Freeway Oriented Wall,
Freestanding or Pole Signs
25-feet 1 Freeway oriented pole sign shall be allowed
per parcel, where allowed by CMC 17.38.070
Up to 50 additional square feet of signage per business may be granted for a freeway oriented sign where allowed by CMC 17.38.070 A site with multiple tenants must accommodate all tenants on any freeway oriented pole or freestanding sign.

Temporary/ Portable See Sections 17.38.070(A) and 17.38.070(G) Window See Section 17.38.070(I)
Other Types As allowed by Section 17.38.070, Standards for specific sign types Second Floor Signs
Awning, Projecting, Wall, Directory Below roof(1) 1 per tenant space 12 sq. ft. for each tenant. 1 directory sign not to exceed 12 sq. ft. is also allowed to identify upper floor occupants.

Window See Section 17.38.070(I)
Notes:
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(Ord. 766 § 2 Exh. A (part), 2004; Ord. 823 § 2(C) Exh. C (part), 2009; Ord. 935, 6/24/ 2025)
§ 17.38.070. Standards for specific sign types.

Proposed signs shall comply with the following standards applicable to the specific sign type. Each sign type listed in this section shall be included in the calculation of the total sign area allowed on a parcel by Section 17.38.060, Zoning district sign standards, unless this section explicitly provides otherwise. Each sign shall also comply with the sign area, height, and other requirements of Section 17.38.060, Zoning district sign standards, and all other applicable provisions of this chapter.

A. A-Board and Other Portable Sidewalk Signs. Each business may display one Aboard or other similar portable sign (Figure 3-16) in compliance with the following standards:

Figure 3-16. A-Board Sign

1. Limitation on Location. An A-board sign shall be allowed only on private property.

2. Sign Size. Each sign shall not exceed a width of thirty inches. Sign height shall be limited to forty-eight inches. Sign height shall be measured perpendicular from the placement surface to the highest point of the A-board sign. A-board signs shall be counted as part of the total sign area on a site for the purposes of determining compliance with Section 17.38.060 (Zoning district sign standards).

3. Sign Placement. An A-board sign shall be placed only on private property within the boundaries of the applicable business' street frontage, and shall be positioned so that it will not:
a. Obstruct required ADA sidewalk clearance;
b. Impede any line of sight for motorists at vehicular public right-of-way intersections, as recommended by the city engineer; or
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c. Interfere with people exiting and entering parked cars.

4. Design and Construction Standards. A- board sign design and appearance including any graphics and/or text, shall reflect attractive, professional design, and be durable and stable when in place.

5. Stabilization. The sign shall be stabilized to withstand wind gusts or shall be removed during windy conditions.

6. Daily Removal. The sign shall be removed at the close of business each day.

7. Maintenance. The sign shall be continuously maintained in good condition with no peeling paint or other deterioration.

B. Awning Signs. The following standards apply to awning signs (Figure 3-17) in all zoning districts where allowed by Section 17.38.060 (Zoning district sign standards):

Figure 3-17. Awning Sign

1. Signs on awnings are limited to ground level or second story occupancies only.

2. Awnings shall not be internally illuminated. Direct exterior lighting may be allowed. Translucent awning materials are prohibited.

C. Freestanding Signs. The following standards apply to freestanding signs (Figure 3- 18) in all zoning districts where allowed by Section 17.38.060 (Zoning district sign standards):

Figure 3-18. Freestanding Sign

1. Multiple signs shall be separated by a minimum of seventy-five feet to ensure adequate visibility for all signs. The review authority may waive this 223300 of 669933 requirement where the locations of existing signs on adjacent properties would make the seventy-five-foot separation impractical, or there is no other alternative.

2. A sign shall not project over public property, vehicular easements, or rightsof-way, except as permitted by the review authority, and shall not obstruct a traffic safety sight area, as determined by the review authority.

3. To assist emergency response personnel in locating the site, freestanding signs should contain an illuminated street address plate. Numbers shall be a minimum of six inches in height and shall not be included in calculations of allowed sign area.

D. Freeway-Oriented Signs. A freeway-oriented sign may be approved in compliance with the following requirements:

1. Permit Requirement. Use permit or a Sign permit approval is required for a freeway-oriented sign in keeping with the location and process requirements outlined below.

2. The director may approve a sign permit to allow a freestanding, pole or a buildingmounted freeway-oriented sign:
a. Within the FOD zoning overlay, and

3. The Planning Commission may approve a use permit to allow a freestanding, pole or a building mounted freeway-oriented sign:
a. Within a CI, CG or SPD zoning district;
b. On a parcel on the east side of the Highway 101 freeway having a property line within five hundred feet of the freeway right-of-way; or a parcel on the west side of Highway 101 having a property line within one thousand feet of the freeway right-of-way.

In these cases, the director may approve sign placement on a building façade, pole or monument sign visible from the freeway, with sign height not exceeding the limitations established for such signs, including the top of the wall to which the sign is attached.

4. Required Findings. The approval of a use permit for a freeway-oriented sign shall require that the commission first find that the use or site cannot be adequately identified by other signs allowed within the applicable zoning district, in addition to the other findings required for use permit approval by Section 17.62.050.

E. Murals. A mural placed on the wall of a structure may be allowed in any commercial or industrial zoning district as follows:

1. A mural without text visible from a public right-of-way may be allowed in addition to (not counted as part of) the sign area allowed by Section 17.38.060, Zoning district sign standards; a mural with text shall comply with the sign area limitations applicable to the site.

2. Murals that illustrate the local setting and history as sources of inspiration are encouraged.
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3. The size, colors, and placement of the mural shall be visually compatible with the structure architecture, and the mural shall serve to enhance the aesthetics of the city.

F. Projecting Signs. The following standards apply to projecting signs (Figure 3-19) in all zoning districts where allowed by Section 17.38.060 (Zoning district sign standards):

Figure 3-19. Projecting Sign

1. The maximum projection of a sign from a structure wall over a public right- of-way shall not exceed thirty-six inches over a sidewalk. Larger projections from the structure wall over private property may be approved by the review authority. Any projection over a public right-of-way shall require an encroachment permit.

2. The top of a projecting sign shall not exceed the lesser of fourteen feet, eave height, parapet height, or sill height of a second floor window. No portion of the sign shall project above the eave line of a sloped roof or the top of the parapet on a flat roof.

3. A projecting sign shall maintain a minimum clearance of eight feet from the bottom of the sign to the finished grade below.

4. Icon signs using shapes or symbols uniquely suited to the business, creative shapes, and three-dimensional signs are encouraged. See Figure 3-20.

Figure 3-20. Use of Icons/Symbols
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5. Each sign shall be graphically designed for pedestrians, with a maximum area of nine square feet on each sign face, regardless of the length of the building frontage.

6. Sign supports shall be well-designed and compatible with the design of the sign.

G. Commercial Temporary Signs. The following temporary commercial signs are allowed within the TOC, CG, CE, OSC, OSR, CD, and CI zoning districts and all properties within an adopted Specific Plan subject to the applicable requirements:

1. Banners and Pennants. Temporary banners and pennants on private property shall comply with the following requirements:
a. The use of a banner or pennants may be allowed only for a licensed business for a total of thirty days each year. Each business and event is also allowed the one-time use of a banner for either the first thirty days after the commencement of the business, or during all days of a permissible sales event.
b. The application for a temporary sign permit for banners or pennants shall include the dates proposed by the applicant for scheduled banner use. c. A bond shall be posted for a banner permit as required by the director.

The bond may be called if the temporary banners are not removed within two days after the date when the permit required their removal. d. Shall be located on the same property as the business being advertised or where the event is occurring.

2. Off-Site Signs. Because of the city's compelling interest in ensuring traffic 223333 of 669933
safety and the city's interest in improving public convenience, off-site signs may be allowed on private property in compliance with the requirements of this subsection, with a sign permit.
a. Where Allowed. An off-site sign for commercial purposes may be approved within the TOC, CG, CE, OSC, OSR, SPD, CD, and CI zoning districts and all properties within an adopted Specific Plan, only on sites where:
i. The review authority determines that a property owner has taken advantage of all permanent signs allowed by this chapter, and site visibility remains seriously impaired; and
ii. The structure which houses the business that is the subject of the sign message is on a parcel that is located more than one hundred fifty feet from a predominant public street frontage, the site is developed with all other signs allowed by this chapter, and the business entry and the other exterior signs allowed for the site by this chapter are not visible from the predominant public street. The "predominant public street" is the major vehicular route that provides access to the site and surrounding area; and
iii. Visibility of signage on the receiving parcel is not impaired, required landscape area is not removed or damaged, and off-site signage is integrated into the receiving parcel signage to every extent possible.

For purposes of this section, "receiving parcel" means the parcel on which the off-site sign will be located.
b. Sign Standards. An approved off-site sign shall comply with all the following requirements and the sign standards for the applicable zoning district in Section 17.38.060, Zoning district sign standards:
i. Number, Size, and Height Limitations. Only one off-site freestanding sign shall be allowed. The sign shall not exceed a height of eight feet.
ii. Design and Construction Standards. The appearance of the sign, including any graphics and/or text, shall reflect attractive, professional design, and the sign shall be durable and stable. iii. Placement Requirements. The sign shall be placed only on private property, at the location specified by the sign permit.

H. Wall Signs. The following standards apply to wall signs (see Figure 3-21) in all zoning districts where allowed by Section 17.38.060 (Zoning district sign standards):
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Figure 3-21. Wall Sign

1. Sign Location. A wall sign may be located on any primary or secondary structure frontage.

2. Projection from Wall Surface. A wall sign shall not project more than twelve inches from the surface to which it is attached.

F. Window Signs. The following standards apply to permanent window signs (see Figure 3-22) where allowed by Section 17.38.060 (Zoning district sign standards):

Figure 3-22. Window Sign

1. Sign Location. Window signs shall be allowed only on windows located on the ground level and second story of a structure frontage.

2. Maximum Sign Area. Permanent window signs shall not occupy more than twenty percent of the total window area.

3. Sign Materials. Window signs shall consist of individual letters, logos, or symbols applied to, stenciled on, or etched into the glass surface; however, neon signs with transparent backgrounds may be hung inside the window glass.

4. Temporary Window Signs. Temporary window signs are prohibited. 223355 of 669933 § 17.38.080. Nonconforming signs.

A. General Requirements. A nonconforming sign shall not be:

1. Changed to another nonconforming sign;

2. Structurally altered to extend its useful life;

3. Enlarged;

4. Re-established after damage or destruction to fifty percent or more of the value of the sign, or its components, as determined by the building official.

A. Public Nuisance Declared by Director. Any sign erected or maintained contrary to the provisions of this chapter may be declared to be a public nuisance by the director and proceedings for its removal may take place in compliance with the municipal code.

B. Public Nuisance Declared by Council. The director may ask the council to declare a sign a public nuisance under the following conditions:

1. The sign is significantly damaged either in support structure or sign face, as determined by the building official;

2. The sign is illegible either through erosion, fading, or rusting of the sign face or through faulty or missing illumination; or

3. The sign is unsafe for pedestrians or vehicles.

C. Removal of Abandoned Sign. A sign shall be removed by the owner or lessee of the premises upon which the sign is located when the business that it advertises is no longer conducted on the premises. If the owner or lessee fails to remove the sign, the director shall give the owner thirty days' written notice to remove it. Upon failure to comply with the notice, the director may have the sign removed at the owner's expense.

D. Violations.

1. Any of the following is a violation of this chapter and subject to all penalties and procedures identified in Chapter 17.89 (Enforcement and Penalties) and the municipal code.
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a. To create, erect, install, or maintain any sign in a way that is inconsistent with any plan or permit governing the sign or the parcel on which the sign is located;
b. To fail to remove any sign that is created, erected, installed, or maintained in violation of this chapter or for which the sign permit has lapsed.

2. Each sign created, erected, installed, or maintained in violation of this chapter shall be considered a separate violation when applying the penalty portions of Chapter 17.89 (Enforcement and Penalties) of this title.

3. Each day of a continued violation shall be considered a separate violation when applying the penalty portions of Chapter 17.89 (Enforcement and Penalties) of this title.
§ 17.38.100. Appeal.

After denial of an application for a sign permit, the applicant may appeal that action in compliance with Chapter 17.84 (Appeals) of this title. The review authority shall act to grant or deny the appeal within sixty days of receipt of the request for review/appeal. § 17.38.110. Judicial review.

Any permit issued or denied in compliance with this chapter shall be subject to expedited judicial review to the extent provided by the time limits identified in Code of Civil Procedure Section 1094.8 et seq.

SECTION 10: Amendment to the Cotati Municipal Code. Section 17.42.130 Outdoor displays and sales. B, is amended to read as follows (excerpt):

B. Temporary Outdoor Displays and Sales. Businesses in the CI zoning district shall be permitted to hold three (3) day seasonal or promotional sales events including the outdoor display and sales of merchandise up to a maximum of four (4) times per year, subject to the following requirements and conditions. For all other temporary outdoor displays and sales see Section 17.62.030 (Limited term permit) of this title.

SECTION 11: Amendment to the Cotati Municipal Code. Section 17.42.130 Outdoor displays and sales. C. 1., 2. and 6. are amended to read as follows (excerpt):

1. The outdoor display of merchandise shall not exceed a height of six feet above natural grade, unless a greater height is allowed through permit approval.

2. Outdoor display and sales areas shall not encroach into required setback areas or the public rightof way. In zoning districts where no setback area is required, the outdoor sales area shall be set back a minimum of ten feet from adjoining property lines unless otherwise allowed through permit approval.

3. An outdoor display or sales area shall not entitle a site to additional signs, beyond those allowed by Chapter 17.38 (Signs) of this title. 223377 of 669933 SECTION 12: Amendment to the Cotati Municipal Code. Section 17.62.030 Limited Term Permit is amended to read as follows:
§ 17.62.030Limited term permit.

A. Purpose. This section establishes procedures for the granting of limited term permits for short-term activities.

B. Applicability. A limited term permit allows the short-term activities listed in subsection E of this section, that may not comply with the normal development or use standards of the applicable zoning district, but may otherwise be acceptable because of their temporary nature. This section does not apply to weekly or otherwise frequently recurring farmers markets, which are instead subject to use permit approval as required by Section 17.22.020, Tables 2-2 and 2-3 (Allowable Land Uses) or to seasonal or promotional sales events in the CI Zoning District, which are instead subject to the requirements of Section 17.42.030 B.

C. Review Authority. A limited term permit may be approved or denied by the director, in compliance with this section.

D. Exempt Temporary Uses and Activities. The following temporary uses and activities are allowed without obtaining a limited term permit. Temporary activities that do not fall within the following categories shall comply with subsection E of this section:

1. Emergency Facilities. Temporary facilities to accommodate emergency public health and safety needs and activities;

2. Garage Sales. Garage sales, not to exceed three per year, and two consecutive days for each sale;

3. Public Property, or Public Right-of-Way. Activities conducted on public property that are approved by the council or as otherwise required by the municipal code;

4. Fund-Raising Car Washes. Fund-raising car washes, not to exceed six per year, on property within a commercial or industrial zone, or on institutional property;

5. Tents and Similar Temporary Structures. A tent or similar temporary structure; provided, that it is located on a site for a maximum of seventy-two consecutive hours, by the end of which it shall be entirely removed from the site. No site shall have a tent or similar temporary structure more than two times per year.

6. Garden stands and produce stands as allowed by Section 17.22.020, Table 2-2[1] (Section

17.22.020) (Allowable Land Uses).

7. Seasonal or promotional sales events in the CI zoning district, as allowed by Section

17.42.130 B.
[1] Editor's Note: Table 2-2 is included as an attachment to this title 223388 of 669933
E. Temporary Uses Allowed with a Limited Term Permit. A limited term permit may authorize the following temporary activities within the specified time limits. Other temporary or short-term activities that do not fall within the categories defined below shall instead comply with the planning permit requirements and development standards that otherwise apply to the property.

1. Events. Arts and crafts exhibits, carnivals, circuses, concerts, fairs, festivals, flea markets, food events, outdoor entertainment/sporting events, rodeos, rummage and second hand sales, and swap meets for up to seven consecutive days, or six three-day weekends, within a twelve-month period, allowed only on property within the CE, CG, CD, SPD, CI, IG, and PF zoning districts.

2. Location Filming. The temporary use of a specific site for the location filming of commercials, movies, videos, etc., for the time specified by the director, but not to exceed twelve months.

3. Model Homes and Temporary Real Estate Sales Offices. One or more model homes within a subdivision, including a temporary real estate sales office, may be authorized prior to the completion of a multifamily residential project and/or residential subdivision in compliance with the following standards:
a. A paved, off-street parking lot with two spaces per model home unit, handicapped parking in compliance with Section 17.36.060 (Disabled/handicapped parking requirements) of this title, and landscaping shall be provided. The review authority may allow the use of on-street parking in lieu of a parking lot where it is demonstrated that two spaces per model home can be accommodated immediately in front of the model home; no parking spaces will be located in front of an occupied residence; and handicapped accessibility to the sales office in compliance with Section 17.36.060 of this title will be maintained. b. Individual utility connections shall be provided to each model home. c. The sales office, any structure not incompliance with applicable setback requirements, and any off-street parking shall be converted back to residential use and/or removed prior to the issuance of the certificate of occupancy or within fourteen days from the sale of the last lot in the subdivision, whichever occurs first.
d. Landscape and irrigation plans shall be reviewed as part of the limited term permit, and all model home landscaping shall comply with Chapter 17.34 (Landscaping Standards) of this title. No irrigation shall cross a property line.
e. The model home or temporary real estate office shall be used only to sell units within the subdivision within which model home is located.
f. All required permits (e.g., tentative map, hillside development permit, grading permit, etc.) shall be secured prior to commencing any work.

4. Seasonal Sales Lots. Seasonal sales activities (e.g., Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.) including temporary residence/security trailers, on nonresidential properties, for up to thirty-five days.

5. Construction yards—Off-site. Off-site contractors' construction yards, including a work trailer in 223399 of 669933 conjunction with an approved construction project or material staging. The limited term permit shall expire and the construction yard shall be removed immediately upon completion of the construction project, or the expiration of the companion Building Permit, authorizing the construction project, whichever first occurs.

6. Pop-up retail, including general retail, restaurants, entertainment, arts activity, or other similar activity as determined by the Director, for a 12-month period, with up to two one-year extensions, for a maximum of three (3) years, when located within an existing structure(s) or temporary structure(s) (no construction of new permanent structures/facilities).

7. Interim activities on vacant or underutilized sites, when located within an existing structure(s), defined area or temporary structure(s) (no construction of new permanent structures/facilities), including arts activities and general entertainment, or similar activities as determined by the Director, for a 12-month period, with up to two one-year extensions, for a maximum of three (3) years, when conducted on non-residential properties

8. Similar Temporary Activities. A temporary activity that the review authority determines is similar to the other activities listed in this subsection, and compatible with the applicable zoning district and surrounding land uses.

F. Development Standards. The review authority shall establish the following standards based on the type of temporary use, using the requirements of the applicable zoning district and Articles 2 and 3 for guidance:

1. Access, floor areas, heights, landscaping, off-street parking, setbacks, signs, utilities, and other structure and property development improvements and features;

2. Measures for removal of the activity and site restoration, to ensure that changes to the site do not limit the range of possible future land uses otherwise allowed by this land use code; and

3. Limitation on the duration of approved "temporary structures," to a maximum of one year or as otherwise permitted through a formal extension process, so that they shall not become permanent or long-term structures.

G. Application Filing and Processing. An application for a limited term permit shall be filed and processed in compliance with Chapter 17.60 (Permit Application Filing and Processing) of this title. It is the responsibility of the applicant to establish evidence in support of the findings required by subsection I of this chapter.

H. Project Review, Notice and Hearing. Each application shall be reviewed by the director to ensure that the proposal complies with all applicable requirements of this land use code.

1. Public Notice and Meeting. Prior to a decision on a limited term permit, the director shall hold a public meeting. The city shall provide notice of the public meeting in compliance with the following:
a. Contents of Notice. The notice shall include the following information and any additional information determined by the director to be appropriate: 224400 of 669933 i. Meeting Information. The date, time, and place of the meeting, and the name of the meeting body or officer; the phone number and street address of the department where an interested person may call or visit to obtain additional information; and ii. Project Information. A general explanation of the matter to be considered; and a general description, in text and/or by diagram, of the location of the real property that is the subject of the meeting.
b. Method of Notice Distribution. Notice shall be mailed or delivered at least 10 days prior to the date of the meeting to the following:
i. Owners of the Project Site. The owners of the property being considered in the application; and
ii. Affected Owners and Occupants. All owners and occupants of real property as shown on the latest county equalized assessment roll, within a radius of 500 feet from the exterior boundaries of the parcel that is the subject of the meeting.

I. Findings and Decision. A limited term permit may be approved only after the review authority first finds that the requested activity complies with the development standards in subsection F of this section, and therefore, that the establishment, maintenance, or operation of the temporary activity would not be detrimental to the public health, safety, or welfare of persons residing or working in the neighborhood of the proposed activity.

J. Post Approval Procedures. The procedures and requirements in Chapter 17.64, Permit Implementation, Time Limits, and Extensions, and those related to appeals in Chapter 17.84, Appeals, shall apply following the decision on a limited term permit application.

1. Condition of the Site Following Temporary Activity. Each site occupied by a temporary activity shall be cleaned of debris, litter, and other evidence of the temporary activity on completion or removal of the activity and shall thereafter be used in compliance with the provisions of this land use code.

SECTION 13: Rezoning of Certain Parcels and Amendment to the Cotati Zoning Map.

The zoning map of the City of Cotati is amended to rezone 15 parcels to the FOD Overlay, maintaining the Commercial Industrial (CI) based zone and to reaffirm the Cotati General Plan designation of Commercial Industrial. Specifically, 141 Helman Ln (144-020-004); 159 Helman ln (046-281-003); 7911 Redwood Dr (144-020-005); 7611 Redwood Dr (144-010-086 & 144-010-084); 7601 Redwood Dr (144-010-084); 425 Houser St (144-010-037); 412 Houser St (144-010-093); 432 Houser St (144-010-092); 407 Aaron St (144-010-030); 410 Aaron St (144-010-029); 415 P224411 of 669933 ortal (144-010-016); 6819 Redwood Dr (144-010-011); 6515 Redwood Dr (144-010-013); & 6811 Redwood Dr (144-010-012) are rezoned to add the FOD Zoning Overlay to their existing CI Zoning designation.

SECTION 14: Construction and severability.

SECTION 15: Effective date.

This ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days after its adoption pursuant to the California Government Code.

SECTION 16: Publication.

The city clerk shall cause this ordinance to be published and/or posted as required in Section 36933 of the California Government Code.

Approved:

Mayor
and has been published or
Attest:

Kevin Patterson, City Clerk
Approved as to form:

John Bakker, City Attorney
This document is a true and correct copy of Ordinance Number posted pursuant to law. California Government Code § 40806 Kevin Patterson, City Clerk 224422 of 669933
City of Cotati
Freeway Oriented
Zoning Overlay
Potential Boundary of Freeway
Oriented Zoning Overlay
This area is proposed to be
granted additional flexibility in
the City’s zoning standards
including:

Increased Signage
Allowances for Events
More allowed uses
Redwood Dr
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CHAPTER 17.38
SIGNS
§ 17.38.010. Purpose.

A. Avoid traffic safety hazards to motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians, caused by visual distractions and obstructions;
B. Promote the aesthetic and environmental values of the community by providing for signs that do not impair the attractiveness of the city as a place to live, work, and shop;
C. Provide for signs as an effective channel of communication, while ensuring that signs are aesthetically proportioned in relation to adjacent structures and the structures to which they are attached; and
D. Safeguard and protect the public health, safety, and general welfare. (A (part), 2004; Ord. 766 § 2 Exh)
§ 17.38.020. Applicability.

A. Signs Regulated. The requirements of this chapter shall apply to all signs in all zoning districts.

B. Applicability to Sign Content. The provisions of this chapter do not regulate the message content of signs (sign copy), regardless of whether the message content is commercial or noncommercial.

A. Sign Permit and/or Master Sign Plan Required. No sign shall be constructed, installed, or modified, unless a sign permit and, where applicable, master sign plan approval is first obtained in compliance with this chapter, or the sign is allowed without sign permit by Section 17.38.035 (Exemptions from sign permit requirements).

2. Building Permit Required. The installation of a sign may require a building permit.
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3. Compliance with Permit and/or Plan Required. After approval of a sign permit and/or sign plan, each sign site shall comply with the permit and plan.

4. Temporary Signs. Temporary signs shall comply with Section 17.38.070(G).

B. Review Authority.

1. Director. The director shall review sign permit and master sign plan applications and approve only those that comply with the findings required in subsection E of this section. The director may also refer a sign permit application to the design review administration for review and recommendation, either for the individual sign permit, a master sign plan, or as part of a development project that is otherwise subject to design review.

2. Conditions of Approval. The director may require conditions of approval that are deemed reasonable and necessary to achieve the purpose, intent, and objectives of this chapter.

C. Sign Permit Procedures.

1. Application Requirements. An application for a sign permit shall be prepared, filed, and processed in compliance with Chapter 17.60 (Permit Application Filing and Processing).

D. Master Sign Plan Requirements.
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1. When Required. A master sign plan shall be required for:
a. A new nonresidential project with four or more tenants; and b. Major rehabilitation work on an existing nonresidential project with four or more tenants, that involves exterior remodeling, and/or the modification to fifty percent or more of the existing signs on the site within a twelve-month period. For the purposes of this chapter, major rehabilitation means adding more than fifty percent to the gross floor area of the structures, or exterior redesign of more than fifty percent of the length of any facade within the project.

Each sign installed or replaced within the nonresidential project shall comply with the approved master sign plan.

2. Content of Plan.
a. A master sign plan shall include all the information and materials required by subsection (C)(2) of this section, and shall provide standards for the uniform style, construction, height, size, and placement of signs within the proposed project.
b. A master sign plan shall be included with any planning permit required by the city for the development of the parcel on which the sign is proposed to be located, and shall be processed simultaneously with the other plan.

3. Revisions. The director may approve revisions to a master sign plan in compliance with Section 17.64.090 (Changes to an approved project).

D. Findings for Approval. The approval of a sign permit or master sign plan shall require that the review authority first make all the following findings, as applicable:

1. The proposed signs do not exceed the standards of Sections 17.38.060 (Zoning district sign standards) and 17.38.070 (Standards for specific sign types), and are of the minimum size and height necessary to enable pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists to readily identify the facility or site from a sufficient distance to safely and conveniently access the facility or site;

2. That the placement of the sign on the site is appropriate for the height and area of a freestanding or projecting sign;

3. That a flush or projecting sign relates to the architectural design of the structure;

4. That signs do not unreasonably impair the visibility of existing signs on adjacent properties;

5. The placement and size of the sign will not impair pedestrian or vehicular safety;

6. The design, height, location, and size of the signs are visually complementary 224477 of 669933
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and compatible with the scale and architectural style of the primary structures on the site, any prominent natural features on the site, and structures and prominent natural features on adjacent properties on the same street;

7. The proposed signs are in substantial conformance with the design criteria in Section 17.38.050(G); and

E. Expiration and Extension of Sign Permit Approval.

1. Approval of a sign permit or master sign plan shall expire twelve months from the date of approval unless the sign has been installed, or a different expiration date is stipulated at the time of approval. Before the expiration of a sign permit or master sign plan approval, the applicant may apply to the department for an extension of an additional twelve months from the original date of expiration.

In response to an extension request, the review authority may make minor modifications, or deny further extensions.

2. The expiration date of the sign permit or sign plan shall be automatically extended to concur with the expiration date of the companion building permit or other applicable permits.
§ 17.38.035. Exemptions from sign permit requirements.

The following signs are allowed without sign permit or master sign plan approval; provided, that they comply with Section 17.38.050 (General requirements for all signs), and any required building permit is obtained.

A. Nonstructural Modifications and Maintenance.

1. Modifications to sign copy on conforming signs, or changes to the face or copy of conforming changeable copy signs;

2. Nonstructural modifications of the face or copy of an existing conforming sign installed in compliance with a sign plan provided the modifications are consistent with the previously approved sign permit or master sign plan; and

3. The normal maintenance of conforming signs, except as identified in Section

17.38.080(B).

B. Service Station Advertising Signs. Service station signage as required by California Business and Professions Code Sections 13530 through 13540.

C. Noncommercial Temporary Signs. Noncommercial temporary signs, except as otherwise authorized by California Civil Code Section 713, are allowed without a sign permit, subject to the following requirements:
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3. Illumination. Temporary signs shall not be illuminated either internally or externally.

5. Height. Temporary signs shall not exceed six feet in height when measured in accordance with Section 17.38.050(B).

D. Governmental Signs. Signs installed by the city, county, or a federal or state governmental agency, including but not limited to, the following:

1. Emergency, informational, and warning signs necessary for public safety or civil defense;

2. Traffic signs erected and maintained by an authorized public agency;

3. Legal notices, licenses, permits, and other signs required to be displayed by law;

4. Signs showing the location of public facilities (e.g., public telephones, restrooms, and underground utilities); and

5. Any sign, posting, notice, or similar sign placed by or required by a governmental agency in carrying out its responsibility to protect public health, safety, and general welfare.

1. Street Addresses. Street address numbers not exceeding twelve inches in height;

2. Official Flags. Flags of national, state, or local governments, or nationally recognized religious, fraternal, or public service agencies; provided, that:
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a. The length of a flag shall not exceed one-fourth the height of the flag pole; b. The height of the flag pole shall not exceed twelve feet within a residential zoning district and thirty feet within a nonresidential zoning district; and c. No private flag pole shall be located within a public right-of-way or required setback;

3. Ornamentation and Decoration. Symbols, pictures, patterns, and illumination approved as architectural ornamentation or decoration by the director;

4. Architectural Markers. Markers incorporated into building or landscape architecture on private property; provided, that none of these exceed four square feet.
§ 17.38.040. Prohibited signs.

All signs not expressly allowed by this chapter shall be prohibited. Examples of prohibited signs include, but are not limited to, the following:

A. Abandoned signs;
B. Animated and moving signs, including electronic message display signs, and variable intensity, blinking, or flashing signs, or signs that emit a varying intensity of light or color, except time and temperature displays (which are not considered signs), and barber poles;
C. Internally illuminated cabinet (can) signs;
D. Off-site signs (e.g., billboards), except as allowed by Section 17.38.070(G)(2); E. Obscene signs;
F. Pole signs and other freestanding signs over six feet in height; F. Roof signs;
G. Because of the city's compelling interest in ensuring traffic safety, signs that simulate in color, size, or design any traffic control sign or signal, or that make use of words, symbols, or characters in a manner that interferes with, misleads, or confuses pedestrian or vehicular traffic;
H. A sign in the form or shape of a directional arrow, or otherwise displaying a directional arrow, except as approved by the director, or as required for safety and convenience and for control of vehicular and pedestrian traffic within the premises of the subject use;
I. A sign attached to or suspended from a boat, vehicle, or other movable object that 225533 of 669933
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Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/CO4398 on 2026-05-21 is parked within a public right-of-way, or located on private property so that it is visible from a public right-of-way; except a sign painted directly upon, magnetically affixed to, or permanently affixed to the body or other integral part of a vehicle that covers no portion of a vehicle window; J. A sign burned, cut, or otherwise marked on or affixed to a rock, tree, or other natural feature;
K. A sign placed within a public right-of-way, except as provided by Section

17.38.050(E);
L. Temporary and portable signs, except as specifically allowed by Section

17.38.070(G), including the following:

1. A-boards and other portable sidewalk signs,

2. Balloons and other inflatable devices,

3. Flags, except as specifically allowed by Section 17.38.035(E)(2), and

4. Pennants and streamers, except in conjunction with an approved limited term permit or event approved by the city council resolution, or as allowed in Section 17.38.070(G).
§ 17.38.050. General requirements for all signs.

The following rules shall govern the computation of sign area:

A. Sign Area Measurement. The measurement of sign area to determine compliance with the sign area limitations of this chapter shall occur as follows:

Figure 3-12. Sign Area Measurement

2. Sign Structure. Supporting bracing or framework that is clearly incidental to the display itself shall not be computed as sign area.
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3. Multi-Faced Signs. The sign area for a sign with more than one face shall be computed by adding together the area of all sign faces.

4. Three-Dimensional Objects. Where a sign consists of one or more three225566 of 669933 Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/CO4398 on 2026-05-21 225577 of 669933
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dimensional objects (e.g., balls, cubes, clusters of objects, sculpture, or statuelike trademarks), the sign area shall be measured as their maximum projection upon a vertical plane. See Figure 3-13.

Figure 3-13. 3-D Sign Area Measurement

5. Time and/or temperature device. The area of any time and/or temperature device incorporated into a sign shall not be included in the calculation of total sign area.

Figure 3-14. Sign Height Measurement
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1. Normal Grade. Normal grade shall be construed to be the lower of either the:
a. Existing grade before construction; or
b. Newly established grade after construction, exclusive of any berm, filling, mounding, or excavating solely for the purpose of locating the sign.

C. Sign Height Limitations.

1. Maximum Height for Freestanding Signs. A freestanding sign shall not exceed 225599 of 669933
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a height of sixeight feet above normal grade.

See Section 17.38.070(D) of this chapter for exceptions to the above requirements for freeway-oriented signs.

D. Sign Location Requirements. Each sign shall be located in compliance with the following requirements, and all other applicable provisions of this chapter:

1. Each sign shall be located on the same site as the subject of the sign, except as otherwise allowed by Section 17.38.070 of this chapter for a specific sign type.

2. No sign shall project over public properly, or the public right-of-way, except where the city has granted an encroachment permit in addition to a sign permit.

3. No sign shall be placed so as to interfere with the operation of a door or window. A sign that covers architectural features shall be discouraged.

E. Signs Placed Within the Public Right-of-Way.

2. Any sign installed or placed within the public right-of-way other than in compliance with this section shall be forfeited to the public and be subject to confiscation.

3. In addition to other remedies identified in Chapter 17.89 (Enforcement and Penalties) of this title, the city shall have the right to recover from the owner, or person placing the sign, the full costs related to the removal and disposal of the sign.
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4. A sign permit shall not be required for city signs placed within the public rightof-way.

F. Sign Design, Construction, and Maintenance. All signs shall be designed, constructed, and continuously maintained in compliance with the following standards:

1. Compliance with Applicable Provisions. All signs shall comply with the applicable provisions of the uniform codes of the city, any other applicable city ordinances, resolutions, or regulations, and this chapter.

2. Permanent Materials and Attachment. Except for banners, flags, temporary signs, and window signs conforming with the requirements of this chapter, all signs shall be constructed of permanent materials and shall be permanently attached to the ground, a building, or another structure by direct attachment to a rigid wall, frame, or structure.

1. Color. Colors on signs and structural members should be harmonious with one another and relate to the dominant colors of the other structures on the site.

3. Materials and Structure.
a. Sign materials (including framing and supports) shall be representative of the type and scale of materials used on the site of the sign. Sign materials shall match those used on the structure and on other signs. b. No sign shall include reflective material.
c. Materials for permanent signs shall be durable and capable of withstanding weathering over the life of the sign with reasonable maintenance. 226633 of 669933 City of Cotati, CA
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d. The size of the structural members (e.g., columns, crossbeams, and braces) shall be proportional to the sign panel they are supporting. In general, fewer larger supporting members are preferable to many smaller supports.
e. The use of individual letters incorporated into the building design is encouraged, rather than a sign with background and framing other than the structure wall.

H. Copy Design Guidelines. The city does not regulate the message content (copy) of signs; however, the following are principles of copy design and layout that can enhance the readability and attractiveness of signs. Copy design and layout consistent with these principles is encouraged, but not required.

1. Sign copy should relate only to the name and/or nature of the business or commercial center.

2. Permanent signs that advertise continuous sales, special prices, or include phone numbers, etc., should be avoided.

3. Information should be conveyed briefly or by logo, symbol, or other graphic manner. The intent should be to increase the readability of the sign and thereby enhance the identity of the business.

4. The area of letters or symbols should not exceed forty percent of the background area in commercial districts or sixty percent in residential districts.

5. Freestanding signs should contain the street address of the parcel or the range of addresses for a multi-tenant center.

I. Sign Lighting. Sign lighting shall be designed to minimize light and glare on surrounding rights-of-way and properties.

1. A sign shall be illuminated by lights shining on the sign rather than by lights within the sign; except that a freeway-oriented sign in compliance with Section

17.38.070(D) of this chapter may have internal lighting.

1. External light sources shall be directed and shielded so that they do not produce illumination or glare off the site, on any object other than the sign.

2. Sign illumination shall not blink, flash, flutter, or change light intensity, brightness, or color.
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3. Colored lights shall not be used at a location or in a manner so as to be confused or construed as traffic control devices.

4. Neither the direct nor reflected light from primary light sources shall create hazards for pedestrians, bicyclists or operators of motor vehicles.

5. No lamp that exceeds fifteen watts shall be placed so that the face of the lamp is visible from a public right-of-way or adjacent property.

5. Light sources shall utilize hard-wired fluorescent or compact fluorescent lamps, or other lighting technology that is of equal or greater energy efficient. Incandescent lamps shall be prohibited.

J. Maintenance of Signs.

1. Each sign and supporting hardware, including temporary signs, shall be maintained in good repair and functioning properly at all times.

2. Any repair to a sign shall be of materials and design of equal or better quality as the original sign.

3. A sign that is not properly maintained and is dilapidated is a public nuisance, and may be abated in compliance with the municipal code.

4. When an existing sign is removed or replaced, all brackets, poles, and other supports that are no longer required shall be removed.
§ 17.38.060. Zoning district sign standards.

Each sign shall comply with the sign type, area, height, and other restrictions provided by this section, in addition to the provisions of Section 17.38.070, Standards for specific sign types.

A. Low Density and Neighborhood Zones. Each sign in the OSC, OSR, RR, RVL, NL, NM, or NU zoning districts shall comply with the requirements in Table 3-11.

Table 3-11
Sign Standards for Low Density and Neighborhood Zones
Allowed Sign Types Maximum Sign Height
Maximum Number of
Signs Allowed per
Parcel
Maximum Sign Area
Allowed per Parcel
Wall or freestanding Wall signs: below edge
of roof; Freestanding:
4 ft.
1 of either allowed sign
type per street frontage
12 sq. ft. maximum
each; 24 sq. ft. total for
all signs
B. Mixed Use Corridors and Districts. Each sign in the TOC, CG, CE, OSC, OSR, SPD, CD, and CI zoning districts and all properties within an adopted Specific Plan shall comply with the requirements in Table 3-12.
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Figure 3-15. Examples of Sign Types
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Sign Standards for Mixed Use Corridors and Districts
Allowed Sign Types Maximum Sign Height Maximum Number of Signs Allowed per Parcel Maximum Sign Area Ground-mounted and Ground-floor Signs
Awning
Freestanding
Projecting, Wall
Directory
Below roof(1)
6 ft.

Below roof(1)
Single tenant site or structure: 3 of any
combination of allowed sign types per primary
structure frontage.
1 of any allowed sign type per secondary
frontage.

Site or structure with 4 or more tenants:
1 of any allowed sign type per business frontage.

Maximum sign area per parcel. The total sign area of all signs on a parcel shall not exceed the following:

1. 1 sq. ft. for each linear ft. of primary building frontage;

2. 0.5 additional sq. ft. for each linear foot of secondary building frontage;

3. Each use is allowed a total sign area of at least 25 sq. ft. regardless of frontage length; and

4. The total sign area per use shall not exceed 100 sq. ft.

Maximum sign area per building frontage. The total area of all signs on a single building frontage shall not exceed the total linear feet of that frontage.

Freeway Oriented Wall,
Freestanding or Pole Signs
25-feet 1 Freeway oriented pole sign shall be allowed
per parcel, where allowed by CMC 17.38.070
Up to 50 additional square feet of signage per business may be granted for freeway oriented signs where allowed by CMC 17.38.070 A site with multiple tenants must accommodate all tenants on any freeway oriented pole or freestanding sign.

Window See Section 17.38.070(I)
Notes:
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§ 17.38.060 § 17.38.070
(Ord. 766 § 2 Exh. A (part), 2004; Ord. 823 § 2(C) Exh. C (part), 2009; Ord. 935, 6/24/ 2025)
§ 17.38.070. Standards for specific sign types.

A. A-Board and Other Portable Sidewalk Signs. Each business may display one Aboard or other similar portable sign (Figure 3-16) in compliance with the following standards:

Figure 3-16. A-Board Sign

1. Limitation on Location. An A-board sign shall be allowed only on private property.

3. Sign Placement. An A-board sign shall be placed only on private property within the boundaries of the applicable business' street frontage, and shall be positioned so that it will not:
a. Obstruct required ADA sidewalk clearance;
b. Impede any line of sight for motorists at vehicular public right-of-way intersections, as recommended by the city engineer; or
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4. Design and Construction Standards. The review authority shall approve an Aboard sign only if it first determines that the design and appearance of the sign, including any graphics and/or text, will shall reflect attractive, professional design, and that the sign will be durable and stable when in place.

5. Stabilization. The sign shall be stabilized to withstand wind gusts or shall be removed during windy conditions.
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6. Daily Removal. The sign shall be removed at the close of business each day.

7. Maintenance. The sign shall be continuously maintained in good condition with no peeling paint or other deterioration.

B. Awning Signs. The following standards apply to awning signs (Figure 3-17) in all zoning districts where allowed by Section 17.38.060 (Zoning district sign standards):

Figure 3-17. Awning Sign

1. Signs on awnings are limited to ground level or second story occupancies only.

2. Awnings shall not be internally illuminated. Direct exterior lighting may be allowed. Translucent awning materials are prohibited.

C. Freestanding Signs. The following standards apply to freestanding signs (Figure 3- 18) in all zoning districts where allowed by Section 17.38.060 (Zoning district sign standards):

Figure 3-18. Freestanding Sign

1. Multiple signs shall be separated by a minimum of seventy-five feet to ensure adequate visibility for all signs. The review authority may waive this requirement where the locations of existing signs on adjacent properties would make the seventy-five-foot separation impractical, or there is no other alternative.

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of-way, except as permitted by the review authority, and shall not obstruct a traffic safety sight area, as determined by the review authority.

3. To assist emergency response personnel in locating the site, freestanding signs should contain an illuminated street address plate. Numbers shall be a minimum of six inches in height. Street address numbers not exceeding six inches in height and shall not be included in calculations of allowed sign area.

D. Freeway-Oriented Signs. A freeway-oriented sign may be approved in compliance with the following requirements:

1. Permit Requirement. Use permit or a Sign permit approval is required for a freeway-oriented sign in keeping with the location and process requirements outlined below.

2. Where Allowed. The director may approve a sign permit to allow a freestanding, pole or a building-mounted freeway-oriented sign:
a. Within the FOD zoning overlay, and

E. Murals. A mural placed on the wall of a structure may be allowed in any commercial or industrial zoning district subject to design review, and as follows:

1. A mural without text visible from a public right-of-way may be allowed approved in addition to (not counted as part of) the sign area allowed by Section

17.38.060, Zoning district sign standards; a mural with text shall comply with the sign area limitations applicable to the site.

2. Murals that illustrate the local setting and history as sources of inspiration are encouraged.

3. The approval of a mural shall require that the review authority first find that The size, colors, and placement of the mural shall be are visually compatible with the structure architecture, and that the mural will shall serve to enhance the aesthetics of the city.
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F. Projecting Signs. The following standards apply to projecting signs (Figure 3-19) in all zoning districts where allowed by Section 17.38.060 (Zoning district sign standards):

Figure 3-19. Projecting Sign

3. A projecting sign shall maintain a minimum clearance of eight feet from the bottom of the sign to the finished grade below.

4. Icon signs using shapes or symbols uniquely suited to the business, creative shapes, and three-dimensional signs are encouraged. See Figure 3-20.

Figure 3-20. Use of Icons/Symbols

5. Each sign shall be graphically designed for pedestrians, with a maximum area of nine square feet on each sign face, regardless of the length of the building 227788 of 669933 City of Cotati, CA
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frontage.

6. Sign supports shall be well-designed and compatible with the design of the sign.

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safety and the city's interest in improving public convenience, off-site signs may be allowed on private property in compliance with the requirements of this subsection, with a sign permit.
a. Where Allowed. An off-site sign for commercial purposes may be approved within the TOC, CG, CE, OSC, OSR, SPD, CD, and CI zoning districts and all properties within an adopted Specific Plan, only on sites where:
i. The review authority determines that a property owner has taken advantage of all permanent signs allowed by this chapter, and site visibility remains seriously impaired; and
ii. The structure which houses the business that is the subject of the sign message is on a parcel that is located more than one hundred fifty feet from a predominant public street frontage, the site is developed with all other signs allowed by this chapter, and the business entry and the other exterior signs allowed for the site by this chapter are not visible from the predominant public street. The "predominant public street" is the major vehicular route that provides access to the site and surrounding area; and
iii. Visibility of signage on the receiving parcel is not impaired, required landscape area is not removed or damaged, and off-site signage is integrated into the receiving parcel signage to every extent possible.

For purposes of this section, "receiving parcel" means the parcel on which the off-site sign will be located.
b. Sign Standards. An approved off-site sign shall comply with all the following requirements and the sign standards for the applicable zoning district in Section 17.38.060, Zoning district sign standards:
i. Number, Size, and Height Limitations. Only one off-site freestanding sign shall be allowed. The sign shall not exceed an area of four square feet or a height of sixeight feet.
ii. Design and Construction Standards. The appearance of the sign, including any graphics and/or text, shall reflect attractive, professional design, and the sign shall be durable and stable. iii. Placement Requirements. The sign shall be placed only on private property, at the location specified by the sign permit.

H. Wall Signs. The following standards apply to wall signs (see Figure 3-21) in all zoning districts where allowed by Section 17.38.060 (Zoning district sign standards):
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Figure 3-21. Wall Sign

1. Sign Location. A wall sign may be located on any primary or secondary structure frontage.

Maximum Sign Area. In addition to the limitations on sign area in Table 3-12, Section 17.38.060, the area of the largest wall sign shall not exceed seven percent of the area of the building facade on which the sign is mounted or painted, including the area of windows, doors, and recesses.

2. Projection from Wall Surface. A wall sign shall not project more than twelve inches from the surface to which it is attached.

F. Window Signs. The following standards apply to permanent window signs (see Figure 3-22) where allowed by Section 17.38.060 (Zoning district sign standards):

Figure 3-22. Window Sign

1. Sign Location. Window signs shall be allowed only on windows located on the ground level and second story of a structure frontage.

2. Maximum Sign Area. Permanent window signs shall not occupy more than twenty percent of the total window area.

3. Sign Materials. Window signs shall consist of individual letters, logos, or 228833 of 669933
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symbols applied to, stenciled on, or etched into the glass surface; however, neon signs with transparent backgrounds may be hung inside the window glass.

4. Temporary Window Signs. Temporary window signs are prohibited. § 17.38.080. Nonconforming signs.

A nonconforming sign is any permanent or temporary sign that was legally established and maintained in compliance with the provisions of all applicable laws in effect at the time of original installation but that does not now comply with the provisions of this land use code.
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A. General Requirements. A nonconforming sign shall not be:

1. Changed to another nonconforming sign;

2. Structurally altered to extend its useful life;

3. Enlarged;

4. Re-established after a business is discontinued for thirty days; or

5. Re-established after damage or destruction to fifty percent or more of the value of the sign, or its components, as determined by the building official.

B. Maintenance and Changes. Sign copy and face changes, nonstructural modifications, and nonstructural maintenance (e.g., painting, rust removal) are allowed without a sign permit up to a maximum of twenty-five percent of the existing total area of the sign. Face changes not including copy, and any nonstructural modifications exceeding twenty-five percent of the existing total area of the sign, and any structural changes shall comply with all applicable standards of this chapter.
§ 17.38.090. Public nuisance, abatement, and violation.

B. Public Nuisance Declared by Council. The director may ask the council to declare a sign a public nuisance under the following conditions:

1. The sign is significantly damaged either in support structure or sign face, as determined by the building official;

2. The sign is illegible either through erosion, fading, or rusting of the sign face or through faulty or missing illumination; or

3. The sign is unsafe for pedestrians or vehicles.

D. Violations.

1. Any of the following is a violation of this chapter and subject to all penalties and procedures identified in Chapter 17.89 (Enforcement and Penalties) and the municipal code.
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Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/CO4398 on 2026-05-21 a. To create, erect, install, or maintain any sign in a way that is inconsistent with any plan or permit governing the sign or the parcel on which the sign is located;
b. To fail to remove any sign that is created, erected, installed, or maintained in violation of this chapter or for which the sign permit has lapsed.

3. Each day of a continued violation shall be considered a separate violation when applying the penalty portions of Chapter 17.89 (Enforcement and Penalties) of this title.
§ 17.38.100. Appeal.

17.28.080 Freeway Oriented Development (FOD) overlay zone.

A. Purpose. The FOD overlay zone may be applied to Commercial/Industrial properties on the west side of Highway 101 having a property line within one thousand feet of the freeway right-of-way.

The FOD zoning overlay is consistent with and implements the CI land use designation of the general plan.

17.38. 228888 of 669933
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Allowed Land Uses and Permit Requirements for Commercial, Mixed Use, and Industrial Districts P Permitted use, zoning clearance required
MUP Minor use permit
UP Use permit required
S Permit requirement set by specific use regulations
– Use not allowed
Permit Required by District Specific Use
Land Use(1) Regulations

CE CG CD CI PF
Agricultural and Open Space Uses
Animal keeping S S S S – 17.42.040
Market Garden P P P – – 17.42.230,

17.42.240
Industry, Manufacturing and
Processing, Wholesaling
Agricultural product processing – – – P –
Artisan/craft product
manufacturing(5)
MUP MUP MUP P –
Brewery – Brew pub MUP MUP MUP MUP –
Brewery – Production – – – MUP –
Construction contractor – – – UP –
Food and beverage product
manufacturing
– – – MUP MUP
Furniture and fixtures manufacturing,
cabinet shop
– – – P –
Industrial research and development – MUP – P –
Laboratory – Medical, analytical,
research and development
P P – P –
Laundry, dry cleaning plant – – – UP –
Manufacturing/processing – Light – – – P –
Manufacturing/processing – Medium
intensity
– – – MUP –
Manufacturing/processing – Heavy – – – UP –
Media production P P – P –
Printing and publishing UP UP – P –
Recycling – Reverse vending
machine
MUP MUP – – –
Recycling – Small collection facility UP UP – UP – 17.42.150 Recycling – Medium collection – – – UP – 17.42.150 228899 of 669933 Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/CO4398 on 2026-05-21 facility
Storage – Outdoor – – – UP – 17.42.140
Storage – Personal storage facility
(mini-storage)
– – – – –
Storage – Warehouse, indoor storage – – – UP –
Wholesaling and distribution – – – UP –
Winery – Boutique – UP – MUP –
Winery – Production – – – MUP –
Recreation, Education and Public Assembly Uses
Adult-oriented business – – – S – 17.40
Commercial recreation facility –
Indoor – 5,000 sq. ft. or less
UP P – P –
Commercial recreation facility –
Indoor – More than 5,000 sq. ft.

UP MUP – MUP –
Commercial recreation facility –
Outdoor
– – – UP –
Community garden(8) P P P – UP 17.42.220,

17.42.240
Conference/convention facility –
5,000 sq. ft. or less
UP MUP UP(2) MUP UP
Conference/convention facility –
More than 5,000 sq. ft.

UP UP UP(2) UP UP
Health/fitness facility UP P UP(2) P –
Library, museum P P MUP P P
Meeting facility, public or private –
5,000 sq. ft. or less
UP MUP MUP(2) MUP MUP
Meeting facility, public or private –
More than 5,000 sq. ft.

UP UP UP(2) UP UP
Park P P P – P
School – Elementary, middle,
secondary
UP(2) UP(2) – – UP
School – Specialized
education/training
UP(2) UP(2) UP(2) MUP UP
Sports and entertainment assembly – – – UP UP
Studio – Art, dance, martial arts,
music, etc.

P P MUP(2) P –
Theater UP MUP MUP MUP UP
Residential Uses
Accessory dwelling unit P P P – – 17.42.170
Emergency/transitional shelter – – S – S 17.42.072
Home occupation P P P – – 17.42.080 229900 of 669933
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Low barrier navigation center P P – – –
Microenterprise Home Kitchen
Operation (MEHKO)(9)
P P P P – 17.42.270
Residential care facility for the
elderly (RCFE)
UP MUP – – UP
Residential care facility, 7 or more
clients
UP – – – UP
Residential component of a mixed
use project
P P P – – 17.39.030,

17.39.040,

17.42.100
Supportive housing P P – – –
Retail Trade(3)
Accessory retail or services P P P P P
Alcoholic beverage sales –
Associated with a restaurant(4)
P P P P – 17.42.030
Alcoholic beverage sales UP UP UP UP – 17.42.030
Antique or collectible store MUP P MUP MUP –
Artisan shop P P P P –
Auto and vehicle sales and rental – UP – MUP –
Auto parts sales with no installation
services
– P – P –
Bar, tavern UP UP UP – –
Building and landscape materials
sales – Indoor
– P – P –
Building and landscape materials
sales – Outdoor
– UP – MUP – 17.42.130
Construction and heavy equipment
sales and rental
– – – MUP – 17.42.130
Convenience store UP UP – UP –
Drive-through retail – UP – UP – 17.42.070
Extended hour retail UP MUP MUP MUP –
Farm supply and feed store – P – P –
Farmers market(8) MUP MUP MUP MUP UP
Food cart(10) P/MUP P/MUP P/MUP P/MUP P/MUP 17.42.250
Food truck(10) P/MUP P/MUP P/MUP P/MUP P/MUP 17.42.250
Formula-based fast food restaurant S S S -- – 17.42.071 Fuel dealer (propane for home and
farm use, etc.)
– – – UP –
Furniture, furnishings and appliance
store
P P UP P –
Garden stand P P P – – 17.42.130,
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17.42.230
General retail – Less than 5,000 sq.
ft.

P P P P –
General retail – 5,000 sq. ft. to
20,000 sq. ft.

P P P P –
General retail – More than 20,000 sq.
ft.

UP P UP P –
Groceries, specialty foods – 10,000
sq. ft. or less
P P P P –
Groceries, specialty foods – More
than 10,000 sq. ft.

UP MUP UP MUP –
Mobilehome, boat, or RV sales – – – MUP –
Night club UP UP UP – –
Outdoor display and sales MUP MUP MUP MUP – 17.42.130
Plant nursery – MUP – MUP –
Restaurant – Outdoor dining on
private property(6)
P/
MUP
P/
MUP
P/
MUP
P/
MUP
– 17.42.130
Restaurant – Outdoor dining in
public right of way
P P P P 17.42.130
Restaurant, cafe, coffee shop P P P P –
Retail complex UP P UP P –
Retail display gallery – P P P – 17.90.020
Second hand store MUP MUP MUP MUP –
Service station (nonfossil fuels sales) UP UP UP – – 17.42.180 Sidewalk vending P P P P P 17.42.260
Tasting room MUP P P P –
Warehouse retail – MUP – UP –
Services – Business, Financial, Professional
ATM P P P P –
Bank, financial services P P UP P –
Business support service P P P
(2) UP –
Medical services – Doctor office UP P
(2) P(2) P –
Medical services – Clinic, urgent
care
UP – – MUP –
Office – Accessory P P P P P
Office – Business/service UP UP(2) P
(2) P –
Office – Government MUP MUP MUP MUP MUP
Office – Processing UP(2) MUP UP(2) MUP –
Office – Professional/administrative P P P
(2) P –
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Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/CO4398 on 2026-05-21 Adult day care UP – – MUP UP
Catering service – – – P –
Child day care center MUP P MUP MUP UP
Equipment rental – – – MUP – 17.42.140
Kennel, animal boarding – MUP – MUP –
Lodging – Bed and breakfast inn
(B&B)
P P MUP – –
Lodging – Boutique hotel or motel UP UP UP – –
Lodging – Hotel or motel UP UP UP – –
Maintenance service – Client site
services
– – – P –
Mortuary, funeral home UP – – – –
Personal services P P P P –
Personal services – Restricted UP(2) – – – –
Public safety facility UP UP UP UP P
Repair service – Equipment, large
appliances, etc.
– – – P –
Social service organization MUP(2) MUP(2) – MUP UP
Vehicle services – Major repair/body
work
– – – MUP –
Vehicle services – Minor
maintenance/repair
– – – MUP –
Veterinary clinic, animal hospital MUP P – P –
Transportation, Communications and Infrastructure
Ambulance, taxi, or limousine
storage
– – – UP –
Broadcasting studio – UP(2) UP(2) MUP –
Electric vehicle charging station(7) P P P P P 14.38
Parking facility, public or
commercial
UP UP UP – P
Telecommunications facility S S S S S 17.44
Transit station or terminal UP UP UP UP UP
Utility facility – – – UP UP
Vehicle storage – – – UP –
Key to Zoning District Symbols
CE East Cotati Avenue
Corridor
CI Commercial/Industrial
District
CG Gravenstein Highway
Corridor
PF Public Facility District 229944 of 669933
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Notes:
(1) See Article 9 for land use definitions.
(2) Use allowed only on second or upper floors, in compliance with Section 17.24.050(C), Limitation on the Location of Allowable Land Uses, or behind an allowed ground floor street frontage use. (3) See Section 17.42.165, Retail use maximum floor area. (4) When the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control allows customers under twenty-one years of age on the premises.
(5) Artisan/craft product manufacturing uses proposed in the CE, CG, CD, HC, LP, NG, and CA districts must be located within buildings and suites designed and oriented to engage and encourage pedestrian activity and interaction with the surrounding uses. Uses in these districts must also include retail storefront presence and design characteristics, with production and manufacturing design elements (such as loading doors, material storage, etc.) oriented away from the primary entrances and street frontages of developments where they are located. (6) MUP required for outdoor dining on private property in the CD district when the outdoor dining location is within one hundred feet of a dwelling on a different property that is zoned RR, RVL, NL, NM, or NU. (7) Permitted as an accessory use.
(8) Fees for community garden and farmers market planning permit applications shall be calculated at fifty percent of the fees set forth in the fee schedule as described in Section 17.60.060, Application fees. Use permit approval shall require that the review authority first find that the proposed use will be compatible with any nearby residential uses. Notices of public hearings shall be mailed to property owners within a radius from the subject site of six hundred feet, or greater at the director’s discretion.
(9) Allowed in residential occupancies only.
(10) MUP required for a food truck or food cart on private property in the CD district when the food truck or cart location is within one hundred feet of a dwelling on a different property that is zoned RR, RVL, NL, NM, or NU, or for multiple food trucks and/or carts operating simultaneously on a single property. (11) Use must comply with Section 14.38 to be considered a permitted use. 229955 of 669933
§ 17.42.130 Outdoor displays and sales.

A. Applicability. The provisions of this section apply to temporary and permanent facilities for outdoor display, sales (e.g., garden nurseries, lumber yards, news and flower stands, and similar uses where merchandise is displayed for sale), and outdoor eating areas, where allowed by Chapter 17.22 (Allowable Land Uses) of this title.

17.62.030 (Limited term permit) of this title.

1. All adjacent property and business owners shall be notified of the event and planned activities a minimum of seven days prior to the event. Efforts must be made to reduce identified impacts on these adjacent properties and businesses.

2. Adequate parking shall be provided on-site and, as necessary, in the vicinity to accommodate event guests and employees.

3. Live amplified music shall be limited to between 11:00am and 5:00pm during any event.

4. It is not anticipated that the events would be detrimental to the public health, safety, or welfare of persons residing or working in the neighborhood of the proposed activity.

5. The site shall be cleaned of debris, litter, and other evidence of the temporary activities on completion or removal of the activities and shall thereafter be used in compliance with the provisions of the Land Use Code.

6. No alcohol shall be served or consumed on-site.

7. Provide temporary traffic control at the start/end of events as needed based on visitation and capacity. Any parking monitors/attendants and any persons directing traffic shall wear reflective vests.

8. Any use of porta potties shall provide protection from storm drain impacts, including secondary containment, or sealing of any on-site storm drains until the porta-potties are removed from the site.

9. If a tent will be used during any of the events, a Sonoma Fire permit and inspection is required prior to the event.

C. Permanent Outdoor Displays and Sales. The permanent outdoor display and sale of merchandise shall comply with the following standards:

1. The outdoor display of merchandise shall not exceed a height of six feet above natural grade, unless a greater height is allowed through use permit approval. 229966 of 669933

2. Outdoor display and sales areas shall not encroach into required setback areas or the public right-of way. In zoning districts where no setback area is required, the outdoor sales area shall be set back a minimum of ten feet from adjoining property lines unless otherwise allowed through use permit approval.

3. Displayed merchandise shall occupy a fixed, specifically approved location that does not disrupt the normal function of the site or its circulation, and does not encroach upon driveways, landscaped areas, parking spaces, or pedestrian walkways. A display shall not obstruct intersection visibility or otherwise create hazards for pedestrian or vehicle traffic.

4. The outdoor display and sales area shall be directly related to a business occupying a permanent structure on the subject parcel.

5. The review authority may require that outdoor sales and activity areas other than vehicle sales lots, produce stands, and nursery product sales be screened from the view of adjoining public rights-of way by decorative walls, fences, or landscaping.

6. An outdoor display or sales area shall not entitle a site to additional signs, beyond those normally allowed by Chapter 17.38 (Signs) of this title. § 17.62.030Limited term permit.

A. Purpose. This section establishes procedures for the granting of limited term permits for short-term activities.

C. Review Authority. A limited term permit may be approved or denied by the director, in compliance with this section.

1. Emergency Facilities. Temporary facilities to accommodate emergency public health and safety needs and activities;

2. Garage Sales. Garage sales, not to exceed three per year, and two consecutive days for each sale;
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3. Public Property, or Public Right-of-Way. Activities conducted on public property that are approved by the council or as otherwise required by the municipal code;

4. Fund-Raising Car Washes. Fund-raising car washes, not to exceed six per year, on property within a commercial or industrial zone, or on institutional property;

6. Garden stands and produce stands as allowed by Section 17.22.020, Table 2-2[1] (Section 17.22.020) (Allowable Land Uses).

7. Seasonal or promotional sales events in the CI zoning district, as allowed by Section

17.42.130 B.
[1] Editor's Note: Table 2-2 is included as an attachment to this title E. Temporary Uses Allowed with a Limited Term Permit. A limited term permit may authorize the following temporary activities within the specified time limits, but in no event for more than twelve months. Other temporary or short-term activities that do not fall within the categories defined below shall instead comply with the planning permit requirements and development standards that otherwise apply to the property.

1. Events. Arts and crafts exhibits, carnivals, circuses, concerts, fairs, festivals, flea markets, food events, outdoor entertainment/sporting events, rodeos, rummage and second hand sales, and swap meets for up to seven consecutive days, or six three-day weekends, within a twelvemonth period, allowed only on property within the CE, CG, CD, SPD, CI, IG, and PF zoning districts.

2. Location Filming. The temporary use of a specific site for the location filming of commercials, movies, videos, etc., for the time specified by the director, but not to exceed twelve months.

3. Model Homes and Temporary Real Estate Sales Offices. One or more model homes within a subdivision, including a temporary real estate sales office, may be authorized prior to the completion of a multifamily residential project and/or residential subdivision in compliance with the following standards:
a. A paved, off-street parking lot with two spaces per model home unit, handicapped parking in compliance with Section 17.36.060 (Disabled/handicapped parking requirements) of this title, and landscaping shall be provided. The review authority may allow the use of on-street parking in lieu of a parking lot where it is demonstrated that two spaces per model home can be accommodated immediately in front of the model home; no parking spaces will be located in front of an occupied residence; and handicapped accessibility to the sales office in compliance with Section 17.36.060 of this 229988 of 669933
title will be maintained.
b. Individual utility connections shall be provided to each model home. c. The sales office, any structure not incompliance with applicable setback requirements, and any off-street parking shall be converted back to residential use and/or removed prior to the issuance of the certificate of occupancy or within fourteen days from the sale of the last lot in the subdivision, whichever occurs first.
d. Landscape and irrigation plans shall be reviewed as part of the limited term permit, and all model home landscaping shall comply with Chapter 17.34 (Landscaping Standards) of this title. No irrigation shall cross a property line.
e. The model home or temporary real estate office shall be used only to sell units within the subdivision within which model home is located.
f. All required permits (e.g., tentative map, hillside development permit, grading permit, etc.) shall be secured prior to commencing any work.

5. Construction yards—Off-site. Off-site contractors' construction yards, including a work trailer in conjunction with an approved construction project or material staging. The limited term permit shall expire and the construction yard shall be removed immediately upon completion of the construction project, or the expiration of the companion Building Permit, authorizing the construction project, whichever first occurs.

1. Access, floor areas, heights, landscaping, off-street parking, setbacks, signs, utilities, and other structure and property development improvements and features;

2. Measures for removal of the activity and site restoration, to ensure that changes to the site do not limit the range of possible future land uses otherwise allowed by this land use code; and

H. Project Review, Notice and Hearing. Each application shall be reviewed by the director to ensure that the proposal complies with all applicable requirements of this land use code.

1. Public Notice and Meeting. Prior to a decision on a limited term permit, the director shall hold a public meeting. The city shall provide notice of the public meeting in compliance with the following:
a. Contents of Notice. The notice shall include the following information and any additional information determined by the director to be appropriate:
i. Meeting Information. The date, time, and place of the meeting, and the name of the meeting body or officer; the phone number and street address of the department where an interested person may call or visit to obtain additional information; and ii. Project Information. A general explanation of the matter to be considered; and a general description, in text and/or by diagram, of the location of the real property that is the subject of the meeting.
b. Method of Notice Distribution. Notice shall be mailed or delivered at least 10 days prior to the date of the meeting to the following:
i. Owners of the Project Site. The owners of the property being considered in the application; and
ii. Affected Owners and Occupants. All owners and occupants of real property as shown on the latest county equalized assessment roll, within a radius of 500 feet from the exterior boundaries of the parcel that is the subject of the meeting. 330000 of 669933
I. Findings and Decision. A limited term permit may be approved only after the review authority first finds that the requested activity complies with the development standards in subsection F of this section, and therefore, that the establishment, maintenance, or operation of the temporary activity would not be detrimental to the public health, safety, or welfare of persons residing or working in the neighborhood of the proposed activity.

1. Condition of the Site Following Temporary Activity. Each site occupied by a temporary activity shall be cleaned of debris, litter, and other evidence of the temporary activity on completion or removal of the activity, and shall thereafter be used in compliance with the provisions of this land use code.

2. Performance Security for Temporary Structures. Prior to issuance of a limited term permit them applicant shall provide performance security in a form and amount acceptable to the review authority to guarantee removal of all temporary structures, cleanup and restoration of the site within thirty days following the expiration of the limited term permit. 330011 of 669933
Subject: July 28 2026 City Council Meeting Item 7.B FREEWAY ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT ZONING OVERLAY (Workshop)
Dear Mayor Lemus, Vice Mayor Harvey, and Councilmembers Ford, Savage and Sparks, For the upcoming workshop, I would like to urge the City to consider Cotati’s commitment to Vision Zero. Anything that increases driver distraction while operating a vehicle at highway speeds does not align with Vision Zero goals. Nationally, society accepts a grim trade-off—over 40,000 traffic deaths annually—in exchange for "freedom of the road". We should actively work locally to reduce these risks.

Regarding the focus on business signs on the west side of Hwy 101, when traveling south on Hwy 101 :

1. A (planned) bicycle overpass at the Rohnert Park/Cotati boundary,

2. a line of redwood trees,

3. utility poles running parallel to the highway,

4. poplar trees, and

5. a large billboard near the Laguna.

Existing signs appear to be reasonable visible. Driving south, I can easily read AAA Auto & Tire Center, Sonoma Backyard, Dunn-Edwards Paints, Fishing Tackle, the grandfathered “HarleyDavidson Motorcyle” pole sign, and the Lowe’s monument sign when exiting. Signs in this short stretch adjacent to Hwy 101 are already fully visible.

We should not cut down the few existing trees along Redwood Drive nor discourage planting additional trees. While we live in an attention economy where businesses seek visibility, highspeed highway traffic requires focus; distractions on Hwy 101 directly increase collision risks.

Furthermore, temporary signs—such as balloons, pennants, or streamers—should not be permitted citywide, especially along Redwood Drive. Along Redwood Drive, these items pose an immediate safety hazard if they come into contact with high-voltage lines and cause electrical shorts.

Additionally, please keep in mind that over 600 new residential units are proposed along the north side of Hwy 116. It would be a major benefit if new residents could safely walk to Apple Valley Plaza rather than relying on automobile trips along Redwood Drive, which is already pedestrian-challenged.

I do not support expanding "Formula-Based Restaurants" into more areas. Doing so would generate new Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) and draw customers away from established local dining options, such as those in Apple Valley Plaza. Given our automobile-reliant culture and the national obesity epidemic, why would we add formula fast food or expanded alcohol sales to the Commercial Industrial (CI) district, likely spurring more automobile trips and increasing VMT?
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Specific Comments on Code Provisions:
• Proposed Changes to § 17.38.040.F (Prohibited Signs): There appears to be no consideration for the high-voltage utility lines running along the freeway. Subsection F applies citywide and should be maintained even if height limits are increased (e.g., the potential eight-foot increase per § 17.38.050.C.2).
• Regarding Table 3-12 (Maximum sign area): Property owners should decide their own sign layouts. Please remove the clause: "A site with multiple tenants must accommodate all tenants on the freeway-oriented sign, utilizing only the additional 50 square feet." • Section 17.22.020 (Table 2-3): In the Commercial Industrial (CI) column, the City should disallow changes regarding Alcoholic Beverage Sales (UP) and Formula-Based Fast Food Restaurants (S).

Finally, a few clarifying questions:

1. Will active or digital signs featuring rotating tenant displays or changing advertisements be permitted?

2. If a business operates a private mailbox facility with 500 "tenants" or advertisers, would all of them be permitted on a freeway-oriented sign?

3. In Table 3-12, can the definition for "freeway-oriented wall, freestanding, or pole sign" explicitly specify "adjacent to Redwood Dr" on a per-parcel basis? This section, from the Cotati boundary to Helman Lane, measures approximately 3,300 feet.

Thank you for considering these points.

Sincerely, Neil Hancock
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July 27, 2026
TO: Cotati City Council
RE: Item 7B, Freeway Oriented Development Zoning Overlay Dear City Council members,
I recently learned of a proposal that will be considered at tomorrow’s City Council meeting, and wanted to express some of my concerns regarding the proposed changes.

First of all, since some of the proposed changes, including especially the Expanded Land Use Opportunities, could potentially have a significant impact on the local community, I would like to suggest that residents in those areas should be given an opportunity to understand more fully and to provide input on these proposed changes. As a resident along the 116 corridor, I am particularly concerned about the implication that these changes could be extended further south to include the stretch of land from Hwy 116 to Helman Lane, and potentially along Hwy 116. I hope that the Council will take the time to consider these changes more carefully and not rush the approval.

I am referring specifically to the language in Part One of the opening paragraph: “with an initial focus on the industrial district west of the freeway.” This comes across to me as an opening to challenge many of the historical priorities of the Cotati community.

Given that much of the land on either side of Hwy 116 is zoned for residential uses, there is considerable potential for conflicting interpretations of the proposed zoning overlay. It is important to consider the possible impacts of these proposed changes on the residential community in that area.

I understand the expressed desire for increased visibility on the part of the existing businesses, and also the desire on the part of the City to promote business retention and attraction. Those are reasonable goals. I believe these desires could be met with a somewhat more circumscribed proposal. My concern is that the proposed zoning overlay opens the door to far more significant changes. Language that supports my concerns can be found in the Analysis and Discussion section on the purpose of the proposed overlay, i.e. to “Provide regulatory flexibility appropriate for freeway-oriented commercial development.” This would include “broadening the range of commercial uses permitted within designated freeway oriented areas,” as detailed under the section on “Expanded Land Use Opportunities.” Thank you for considering my concerns and for all of the work you do to care for our City.

Sincerely,
Debora Hammond
7701 Isabel Dr.
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Outlook
Planning Commission 9/21/26, Item 8A: Freeway Oriented Development Zoning Overlay From Jenny Blaker <[email protected]>
Date Mon 9/21/2026 8:30 AM
To Ryan Long <[email protected]>; Kimberlyn Moffet <[email protected]>; Shelley Berman <[email protected]>; Sarah Sparks <[email protected]>; Carla Duncan <[email protected]>; Noah Housh <[email protected]>
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To: Cotati Planning Commissioners
Agenda item 8A: Freeway Oriented Development Zoning Overlay Dear Planning Commissioners
It’s important to support Cotati businesses and I thoroughly support improving wayfinding directional signage as needed within the area under discussion, to enable potential customers to find and locate businesses. Some of the existing signs are clear and visible, others are hard to see – too small, too dark, unclear, poorly located, shaded by vegetation, etc. A sign at entrances to the area could include a map to help people locate particular businesses.

But I question the proposals for more and increased freeway-oriented signage. While the original “auto-oriented business” language has now been dropped from this discussion, the staff report refers to the Santa Rosa “auto-row sign program.” I hope nowhere in Cotati will ever look anything like Santa Rosa’s auto row! Encouraging freeway-oriented business flies in the face of Cotati’s longstanding policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and Vehicle Miles Traveled while encouraging active transportation and transit-oriented development.

By far the most important consideration should be safety and promoting Vision Zero, to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries. Large, colorful, signs along the freeway are a visual distraction for motorists. Some of the signs are already highly visible and I’m not sure that adding an extra 2 feet in height from 6 feet to 8 feet would make an effective difference for the purpose of attracting customers but they would be more distracting. Pennants, streamers and balloons would only add to the confusing visual clutter and should not be allowed. The largest and most visible sign in that area right now is for River Rock Casino! When and why and by whom was it approved, and can it be removed? It has nothing to do with promoting local business!
What really is the demand from the local businesses in this area? When I asked the Community Development Director how many businesses there are in this area, and what their requests were, he replied: “There are approximately 160 businesses in the industrial district and I sent engagement letters to each and got no responses. I then sent a separate letter to those fronting onto Redwood Drive about the FOD and received calls from about 3. To get a more robust response, I have been 330077 of 669933
visiting each of the businesses personally and have been able to chat with people representing approximately 10-15 of the businesses to-date. The concepts presented at the workshops were based on information and issues that came up in those conversations.” It doesn’t sound as though freeway signage has been a high priority for the businesses in general in this area. In which case, couldn’t this be dealt with on a case-by-case basis? It would be interesting to have more of a detailed breakdown of what specific support the businesses are asking for.

The changing local context has not been considered. There will be substantial new housing on Hwy 116. There will be a new east-west bike bridge over the freeway for the Copeland Creek bike trail, increasing bicycle traffic on the Cotati/Rohnert Park border north of this area. Both these offer opportunities for more locally-oriented rather than freeway-oriented business and there could be a focus on increasing and improving pedestrian and bicycle safety and connectivity.

To what extent do freeway signs actually promote business? Nowadays people are more likely to do their research online first, rather than altering course to find a particular business while driving on the freeway. Years ago, the Chamber of Commerce used to circulate a directory promoting local businesses. Perhaps a directory similar to the well-known Art Trails and Farm Trails brochures could be circulated at Cotati events, from the Farmers’ Market to the Accordion Festival, to bring attention to Cotati businesses, as well as online?
While I welcome some of the suggested new uses such as medical offices and care facilities, I do think careful thought needs to be given to compatibility between these and uses such as paint shops, auto repair, recycling facilities, and others where potentially polluting activities need to be highly controlled and carefully monitored. Wasn’t the original purpose of zoning specifically to separate industrial uses from more sensitive human-centered uses?
Lastly, there are references to 13 parcels and 15 parcels. Which is correct? I hope you will carefully consider these and the other thoughtful public comments that were presented to the City Council on July 28 by several members of the community, both in writing and at the meeting.

Sincerely
Jenny Blaker
City of Cotati emails and website have changed from .org to .gov. Please update the email address in your contacts accordingly. Under the Public Records Act (California Government Code §7920.000- 7931.000), e-mail messages of local agencies are public records which are subject to disclosure to the public or may be subpoenaed.
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Outlook
Freeway Oriented Zoning Overlay
From Auto Phoenix <[email protected]>
Date Wed 7/1/2026 10:09 AM
To Noah Housh <[email protected]>
CAUTION:EXTERNAL SENDER
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I am writing in support of, and to inquire as to current status of the proposed zoning overlay for Redwood Dr mentioned in the letter sent out on 4/21/26.

Is there more detailed information available about what the specific changes and regulations will be, and when they will go into effect?
Thank you,
Auto Phoenix
6811 Redwood Dr Ste B
707-792-1512
City of Cotati emails and website have changed from .org to .gov. Please update the email address in your contacts accordingly. Under the Public Records Act (California Government Code §7920.000- 7931.000), e-mail messages of local agencies are public records which are subject to disclosure to the public or may be subpoenaed.
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1 July 26, 2026
Re: Cotati City Council meeting, July 28, 2026 - Item 8B, Freeway Oriented Development Zoning Overlay
Dear Mayor Lemus and Cotati City Council members
I was sorry to miss the Planning Commission on July 20, owing to a commitment to another meeting at the same time, but have watched the video of the PC meeting. Given that the meeting was supposed to be a public hearing I was surprised not to have heard about it until I received the agenda.

I appeal to you to slow down, step back, and take the long-term view on this item. I’d like to request at least one more well-publicized public workshop that involves business owners as well as Cotati residents, rather than rushing to a conclusion in October.

I urge you NOT to extend the area under consideration to south of Helman Lane to Gravenstein Way.

Signs there would not visible from Hwy 101 anyway, being hidden behind redwood trees; this is not part of the industrial zone but will include housing and includes restaurants and other small businesses in the Apple Valley Plaza.

I urge you to protect Cotati’s small-town character and safeguard decades of deliberate, thoughtful planning:

Local residents and visitors alike cherish Cotati’s small town, walkable, community-oriented, character.

Cotati has always prided itself on its unique and distinct history and agricultural heritage, far from generic suburbia. That is what drew most of its residents here, and that is what causes many visitors to come to Cotati to participate in its events and eat in its restaurants.

This did not happen by accident but is the result of careful, thoughtful, and deliberate long-term planning over many decades. This has involved many hours, weeks and months of work by staff, by the former Design Review Committee, the Planning Commission, and City Council, with engaged public participation via multiple workshops, surveys, and public meetings.

The kinds of efforts that come to mind include:

The ban on drive thru’ businesses, around 2001. The only drive thru’ businesses I can think of in Cotati right now are Walgreens, and the gas stations and car washes. Other cities in California, including Napa, are currently considering bans on drive thru’s for the first time. Cotati was ahead of the curve. Why would we step backwards on this now? It would seem contrary to Cotati’s efforts in other areas to support “active transportation” and “transit-oriented development,” values which should be consistent throughout the City.

Restrictions on big box stores, 1997. Cotati voters passed Measure F on November 4, 1997, to restrict commercial retail in any single building to a maximum of 43,000 sq ft, in response to a proposal from 331111 of 669933
2 American Stores Co to build a 65,000 sq ft Lucky’s mega superstore. Measure B, November 4, 2003, created an exemption for Lowes, by a tiny margin of voters.

Formula-based fast-food restaurants. Cotati approved a temporary ban on formula-based fast- food chain restaurants in March 5, 2007, in order to protect the small-town character and support small, locally-owned, independent businesses. This issue was revisited in October 2011, when the City Council “capped the number of chain fast-food restaurants in town, limiting them to eight in three zones and banning them outright downtown.”
In addition, there have been numerous efforts over the years to emphasize walkability, including the “Walkable Cotati” visioning process in 2001; then “Active Transportation” to support pedestrians and those on wheels of all kinds; and “Transit-Oriented Development,” all in line with keeping Cotati small, pedestrian-friendly, and in response to climate change and statements and policies about climate and environmental sustainability.

Many important factors haven’t been taken into consideration:

Purpose of Industrial Zoning. My understanding is that the original purpose of zoning was to separate uses such as industrial, commercial, and residential partly to protect public health and safety, as well as community character. Would we really want a doctor’s office, senior citizen care center, child care center or restaurant next to an auto service repair, paint shop, or recycling center, for example? Local residents’ needs. I wonder what future residents on Hwy 116 close to Hwy 101 would like – perhaps, in appropriate areas, a small grocery store, a bakery, restaurants, a neighborhood coffee shop? – places customers could safely walk or wheel to. A bicycle shop! – Cotati could do with one of those again! If appropriate, perhaps these local needs could be added to the mix of possibilities, rather than assuming that all the commercial traffic will be from Hwy 101.

New bridge at Copeland Creek. The City of Rohnert Park plans to create a pedestrian bridge over Copeland Creek to connect its eastern and western sides.1, 2, 3 This trail that will eventually connect east to Crane Creek Park and west to Sebastopol. This will influence the character of the northern boundary of the industrial zone along Copeland Creek – and creates an opportunity to segue with compatible creek-related concerns along the Laguna in Cotati.

The Laguna de Santa Rosa runs through the heart of Cotati’s industrial zone, which is bounded on the north by Copeland Creek (in Rohnert Park). Parts of the Laguna downstream are wetlands of international significance. There is a new City webpage highlighting the Laguna de Santa Rosa. This area is ripe for habitat restoration, from regular trash removal to planting of native plants to create shade and habitat along the waterway. Existing trails could be nurtured as part of the larger care and concern for the Laguna de Santa Rosa., which could be made more of a feature. Perhaps – if in an appropriate location - there could be bicycle and coffee shop facing the Laguna trail, for people stopping off on their way to Sebastopol on the future bike trail? I would happily take any City Council 331122 of 669933
3 members and others, who haven’t already explored the trails in northwest Cotati on foot, to do so.

It’s a gem waiting to be discovered and appreciated.

Recycling Center. One of the Planning Commissioners urged caution over the idea of a “small recycling center” because of potential air pollution. There is also potential for toxic leakage into the Laguna, which hasn’t been mentioned.

Bearing all of this in mind, the red flags for me are:

The idea that this is an “initial focus” that could be extended to other areas of Cotati, without adequately considering the potential impacts and unintended consequences.

The concept of auto-oriented development, which seems entirely contrary to Cotati’s policies for active transportation and transit-oriented development. This phrase conjures up an image of parts of Santa Rosa Avenue, faceless and characterless, with big box stores, huge parking lots, large expanses of asphalt and concrete, lots of vehicle traffic, large and confusing signage everywhere, and very little option for getting there safely any other way than by car. This truly is the “generic suburbia” that Cotati has been making efforts to distinguish itself from for so long.

The threat of lifting restrictions on fast food chains. These restrictions were considered in detail for months. They shouldn’t be tossed out without careful thought. Cotati has many wonderful, unique, locally and independently owned restaurants and coffee shops that we all enjoy. Recently there has been an influx of burgers and pizzas, it seems to me more than enough for one small town. Over the years there have been discussions about equitable access to fresh food and avoiding “food deserts,” and I’d like to see this taken into account too, not to impose anything on anyone but to make sure that everyone who wants it has access to healthy, fresh, food, preferably local, seasonal, and organic when possible, rather than extending auto-oriented fast-food chains, especially larger-scale franchises which could threaten truly independent locally-owned businesses downtown and in the nearby Apple Valley Plaza.

Signs
What makes for effective signage? It seems to me that signs in this area have two purposes:
a) Attracting attention from the freeway. This applies only to the buildings directly adjacent to Redwood Drive. They can only be seen fleetingly from the freeway. Some of the existing signs are clearly visible at a glance, including Harley Davidson’s and Dunn Edwards. I don’t think making them larger would achieve anything.

There is one huge billboard that I would classify as confusing visual clutter. It advertises the River Rock Casino! Why here, and who agreed to it and why? I think larger signs, balloons, streamers etc., would only make for more distracting, visual clutter. 331133 of 669933
4 b) Signs that help direct people to specific businesses. Some of them are well-placed, clear, bright, visible, and seem to be doing their job. Others are hard to see, because they are not placed in a prominent location, or the font or graphics make them hard to read, or they are shaded or hidden by landscaping vegetation, for example. In some cases, the product is obvious from the name, but in others it is hard to tell what the business is offering. I’d suggest that the design and placement of the signs is actually more significant than their size.

I’d appreciate an explanation of the difference between a Master Sign Plan (which is being proposed for elimination) and a Directory Sign which lists several businesses at one location.

These seem to be helpful in locating businesses on the ground especially when more than one share the same address or driveway.

I think it would be helpful to have a public hearing with residents and business owners together to look at details of signing and lighting so that everyone can better understand the options and consider common benefits as well as possible unintended consequences. This could also be an opportunity for residents to meet business owners, learn about what’s available, and brainstorm about how to help get the word out. Is there a Cotati business directory that could be made available locally and distributed through the City, Chamber of Commerce, perhaps the library (if allowed) and at downtown locations?
I sympathize with the business owner who wants to display his goods outdoors, but could this be limited to specific events such as, say, a week-long sale. 70 days twice per year, i.e. 5 months in the year, doesn’t seem much of a limitation. What are the pros and cons for businesses, their neighbors and customers?
It didn’t sound as if all the business owners had the same priorities or requests or that the solutions would be the same for each of them. Perhaps their requests could be dealt with on a case-by-case basis rather than instituting a blanket set of rules that may not be applicable to each of them depending on the location and type of business.

Please allow enough time to consider – and include public input on - each of these issues carefully and in depth before making any changes which may have unintended negative consequences and which may be hard to reverse once implemented.

Thank you for your service and for the opportunity to comment.

Sincerely
Jenny Blaker
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5 Rohnert Park Bicycle and Pedestrian Overcrossing
1 https://www.rpcity.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/698/Rohnert-Park-Highway-101-Bicycle-andPedestrian-Overcrossing-Feasibility-Study-PDF?bidId= 2 https://app.cloudpano.com/tours/Jbbng-FRS8
3 https://scta.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Rohnert-Park-CBTP-Report_Final.pdf Rohnert Park Highway 101 Bike and Pedestrian Crossings Feasibility Study (2022) Highway 101 is a major barrier to east-west travel in Rohnert Park, particularly for cyclists and pedestrians, and creates gaps in the City’s active transportation network. In 2020, the City conducted a Feasibility Study of potential bicycle and pedestrian crossings of Highway 101. It evaluated seven potential crossing locations, solicited community input through public meetings and an online survey, and assessed alignment alternatives. In October 2021, the City Council expressed their unanimous support for the Study's recommendations and directed City staff to pursue the "Butterfly Bridge" concept at Copeland Creek, which includes a touchdown plaza on the east side along Commerce Boulevard. The General Plan and Active Transportation Plan both recommend implementing a bicycle and pedestrian crossing at Copeland Creek, located in the southern portion of the study area. 331155 of 669933
July 26, 2026
Mayor Lemus, Vice Mayor Harvey, and Council Members Ford, Savage and Sparks, It is my privilege to have been given the opportunity by you to serve as one of your Planning Commissioners in our beloved city of Cotati.

Coming before you tonight is a proposed plan by Director Housh for a new Freeway Oriented Development (FOD) Overlay District. As he was presenting the plan to the Planning Commission I saw Pandora’s Box open. I’ve taken a lot of time to think about it, and I’d like to explain my objections.

Director Housh referred to the proposed FOD as “the economic engine” of our city. He believes that having larger signs beside Highway 101 will attract commerce to Cotati.

I do not agree. The reason we are having an economic downturn is people are making purchases online and avoiding brick and mortar businesses altogether. Gas prices are skyrocketing, rent is going up and the cost of food is through the roof. People are not spending money on non-essentials.

When I became a commissioner, I was told that my job was to think about the future and make decisions knowing that they would effect Cotati 20 years from now. This FOD is the Pandora’s Box:

Allowing 25 foot signs along Redwood Drive and abolishing our Drive Through prohibition in that area is the beginning of dismantling decisions made 20 plus years ago. Those decisions which preserved Cotati’s small town character are precious to me today. If we approve this here, what’s to stop businesses in other parts of town to expect the same? Across the freeway on Commerce. The Gravenstein (Highway 116) Corridor district. Along East Cotati Avenue. On Old Redwood Highway.

Bigger signs and Drive Through’s make us Anywhere USA. Let’s build on what’s special about Cotati. Clearly, Cotati knows how to put on a community party and attract folks to our town center.

More people appear to be attending the farmers market. More people than ever attended this years Kids Day Parade. More people than ever attended Music in the Park. Thousands of people attend the Accordion Festival every year. While people are in town enjoying Cotati, let’s advertise and promote all the unique and wonderful businesses they can patronize.

More ways of educating our residents about shopping locally and why it matters are also part of the solution. It’s an opportunity to boast about all Cotati has to offer and why shopping local makes the events people enjoy possible. The City of Cotati chooses to give back to its residents by using tax dollars to put on these events. Residents need to know that by supporting Cotati businesses and keeping our tax dollars here, they directly benefit.

Another thought: People I speak with tell me they come to Cotati specifically to shop at Oliver’s. Our City Council of yesteryear decided to invest in Steve Maass’ dream and look at what grew. Perhaps investing in more homegrown dreams will be your legacy as a Council Member.

In short, there are ways to bring commerce to the city without allowing 25 foot signs, changing our drive through ordinance, or allowing another formula based fast food business. We are not the only city having an economic downturn. This proposed Freeway Oriented Development Overlay District will not fix the problem.
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If businesses need signs that are not currently legal, they have the right to ask the city for a variance.

This is a more inclusive and transparent process that allows Cotati’s businesses, residents and elected officials to make joint decisions about Cotati’s future.

I appreciate the dedication of our staff for thinking about our economic viability. Being a civil servant or an elected official is not easy. I am humbled by the job you all do. Council, I appreciate your openness and good intention to hold space for what past councils enacted. I appreciate each of you for being thoughtful and wise when these tough decisions come before you.

The best thing I ever saw at a Kid’s Day Parade was our (then) 90 plus year old founder, Prue Draper, dressed in a Chicken Suit dancing down Old Redwood Highway. She was formidable, fun, spoke her mind and ALWAYS had Cotati’s best interest in her heart. 25 foot chickens??? THAT would attract commerce to Cotati.

Shelley Berman
Cotati
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From: Elyse Lord
Sent: Monday, July 27, 2026 8:26 AM
To: Ben Ford <[email protected]>; Sylvia Lemus <[email protected]>; John Savage <[email protected]>; Susan Harvey <[email protected]>; Laura Sparks <[email protected]>
Cc: Damien O'Bid <[email protected]>; Craig Scott <[email protected]>; Henry Babits <[email protected]>; Kevin Patterson <[email protected]> Subject: Item 8B – Freeway Oriented Development Zoning Overlay CAUTION:EXTERNAL SENDER
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Dear Mayor Lemus and Members of the City Council:

I'm writing regarding Item 8B, the proposed Freeway Oriented Development Zoning Overlay. I've reviewed some public comment submitted ahead of this hearing. I believe the proposed policy change is associated with difficult tradeoffs among freeway-oriented businesses, existing local businesses, community character, and city revenue. In general, I would position myself to be in favor of slow growth, although I have some questions and suggestions I hope the Council will entertain.

Where I Agree with the Citizen Concerns Already Raised
Cotati's slow-growth approach (e.g., the drive-through ban, the big-box size cap, the fast-food chain limits, the emphasis on walkability) wasn't accidental. It came about after citizens protested in droves and pushed back against the recommendations of a nolonger employed City of Cotati Economic Development pro-growth new-hire. This slowgrowth approach has allowed Cotati to stay Cotati, a beloved place that is very distinct from Rohnert Park, Petaluma, or Santa Rosa. I don't think that slow-growth should be discarded lightly. In addition, I share the following concerns:

1. Loosening the fast-food ordinance or approving new drive-throughs in this corridor could undercut work the community specifically fought for, especially when nearby cities already offer the same handful of chain options.

2. Extending the overlay south of Helman Lane doesn't seem well justified. The Redwood cover appears to block freeway sightlines there, and that stretch includes housing and small independent businesses rather than industrial frontage.
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3. Treating this overlay as a one-off "initial focus" risks becoming a precedent applied elsewhere without the same scrutiny, unless the Council makes it clear that any future expansion requires its own full public process.

4. Larger or digital signage may add visual clutter without clearly helping businesses more than good placement and legible design would.

Where I See Gray Areas Due to the Competing Needs of Stakeholders I recognize the Council is revisiting policy because of the competing needs of stakeholders. I acknowledge the following to be true and therefore important to discuss with all stakeholders’ needs in mind:

1. Some businesses along Redwood Drive may genuinely depend on freeway visibility to stay viable. Restricting signage and use flexibility too tightly could push some of these customers to Rohnert Park or Santa Rosa rather than to downtown Cotati, which would mean a quieter but real loss of local jobs and lease revenue.

2. Restricting fast-food and drive-through uses here may simply shift that demand to neighboring cities rather than eliminate it, meaning Cotati could forgo tax revenue and jobs without necessarily reducing regional traffic or emissions. This is worth weighing even for those of us who would strongly prefer not to see more chain restaurants locally.

My Request for the Council
I'd urge the Council to be explicit that this is a decision about who gains and who bears the cost, and not a decision where everyone benefits equally. That is--

1. Keeping current restrictions largely intact would likely benefit existing downtown and independently owned businesses, residents who value the town's current character, and environmental interests tied to the Laguna de Santa Rosa. It may come at some cost to freeway-adjacent business owners who could have benefited from more visibility or flexibility, and to city revenue that might otherwise flow to neighboring jurisdictions.

2. Loosening restrictions as proposed would likely benefit property owners along the freeway corridor and chain franchises seeking entry, and could increase city sales tax revenue if those businesses succeed. It may come at a cost to existing independently owned restaurants and downtown businesses facing new competition, to residents who value the town's character, and potentially to the Laguna de Santa Rosa watershed if industrial or recycling uses expand nearby without added safeguards.
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Before acting on Item 8B, I respectfully ask the Council to:

1. Clearly identify the principal tradeoffs the proposal is intended to make, including expected effects on freeway-oriented businesses, existing local businesses, community character, and city revenues.

2. Limit any overlay to areas where the stated objectives are demonstrably applicable, and make clear that any future geographic expansion will require its own independent public process.

3. Hold at least one additional, well-publicized workshop with affected businesses and residents to refine the proposal before final adoption.

Whatever decision the Council ultimately reaches, I believe it will be stronger if those tradeoffs are made explicit.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Elyse Lord
332200 of 669933
From: Marlina Eckel
Sent: Monday, July 27, 2026 1:34 AM
To: Ben Ford <[email protected]>; Sylvia Lemus <[email protected]>; John Savage <[email protected]>; Susan Harvey <[email protected]>; Laura Sparks <[email protected]>
Cc: Damien O'Bid <[email protected]>; Craig Scott <[email protected]>; Henry Babits <[email protected]>; Kevin Patterson <[email protected]> Subject: Comments for City Council meeting on Item 8B, Freeway Oriented Development Zoning Overlay
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Dear Mayor and City Council members and staff,
I have become aware of the conversations to potential zoning changes called Freeway Oriented Development Zoning Overlay and would like to submit the following comments and observation for consideration on item 8B of the agenda. I am not able to attend as I am taking care of my 91 year old mother at the time. However, I did watch the Planning Department presentation and these are my thoughts.

Cotati IS different because it has taken a measured and slow approach to growth. It looks and feels different from most towns and cities. That is a benefit. I recall when a friend visited me in Cotati and one of the first things he commented on was how impressed he was that our town is not full of large signage. He stated that our town must be very progressive in obviously having ordinances that differentiated it from most towns where you are bombarded with signage. At that time, I didn’t even realized that such a thing exists. I just took it for granted…how “quaint” our town appears. However, that lack of signage was impressive to him. Since then I have been aware of this distinction, and for me that is a selling point to our town. That being said, I do understand a business owner needing their business found and I guess freeway visibility helps to be discovered. Let’s not be garish about it. And in no way do I support moving digital signs. They are a distraction to drivers. 332211 of 669933
I follow real estate trends and developments avidly. I do know that interest in Cotati housing has tremendously heated up. It is distinct from the other nearby cities because of how we have developed. Let’s not mess that up. Seriously, this is a great place as a result of slow growth. You can get all the usual stuff anywhere. Just jump the border north.

I do not support any change to the Fast Food ordinance. Citizens worked long and hard on this. If you fell you must allow in this area, then the allotment should be taken away from another section that has not used up it’s allotment. And I do not support drivethroughs. There are enough of them just north and south of us. Especially burger joints. Can we distinguish ourselves with something different? There is already a Burger King and just north of the border a Carl’s Jr, McDonalds and In and Out. A Habit Burger already exists in SR. Why do we support peppering the freeway with crap? If we extend the overlay to the 76 station, does that mean that Burger King will put up one of those huge freeway signs? I absolutely don’t support that. It seems like stopping the overlay north of 116 makes sense. There are redwood trees between the Mercy/hot tub place and the freeway. Signage wouldn’t work south of Helmen lane anyways.

I will watch the development of this with interest but I am leery that this will set a precedent throughout town which I will absolutely not support. I will state strongly that any other areas that would become ripe for such consideration go through a thorough process; not that any changes decided now be automatically granted to other areas without due process.

Healthy Regards,
Marlina Eckel
With husband Christian Miedler in full support of my comments 332222 of 669933
Re: Cotati City Council meeting
July 28, 2026
Agenda Item 7B, Freeway Oriented Development Zoning Overlay Dear Mayor Lemus and Cotati City Council members,
I was greatly disturbed by this Zoning Overlay and was prompted to take several drives in the proposed expanded area. It occurs to me that the signage is too close to the only exit to Cotati heading South. If you wanted to get off and explore and missed the exit, you would have to drive to Petaluma and then make your way back.

What other creative ideas might the city come up with to make people aware of the businesses in the industrial area? A scavenger hunt with a prize? A sign before the Cotai exit that says these businesses are available at next exit? Flyers available at the farmer's market? Music festivals to make people aware of offerings in Cotati? Cotati spent almost a decade designing the city to be pedestrian oriented and now we want to focus on cars with expanding drive-thru opportunities. WHY? I'm not sure signage is the answer for struggling businesses. I wonder how much of the sale tax revenue in Cotati is from Online Sales. It seems to me there should be more focus on what attracts people to come to Cotati. Is it the character and charm? How is this proposal linked to Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District? There seems to be pressure for the city to develop to enhance its property tax revenue base. Does this skew the approval process for projects? Are we looking for large scale to add to the city's revenue stream?
What is the purpose of our city? To line the coffers of developers, or to enhance the lives of its residents who will be here after the developers have banked their profits and moved on to the next profit-producing project? Let's protect the residents who will be left in the wake, and have to deal with the impact of the change in their lives imposed by poorly thought-out projects.

I would urge you to slow the process down and not throw out all of the work that has made Cotati what it is, or isn't, today.

Thanks to citizens encouraging the Council, Planning Commission, and Design Review, we don't have a mammoth Nokia Building that was scheduled to be built where the Lowe's sits currently. We don't have big boxes. We don't have a drive through on every corner. We have a fast food restaurant moratorium.

We have Oliver's, now an employee-owned business, which the city saw fit to loan money to once upon a time. What a success story that has become. 332233 of 669933
Kindest regards,
Linell Hardy
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RESOLUTION NO. PC – 2026 – xx

A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF COTATI

FINDING THE CREATION OF A FREEWAY OPRIENTED DEVELOPMENT (FOD) OVERLAY CONSISTENT WITH THE GENERAL PLAN EIR AND

RECOMMENDING THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPT AN ORDINANCE TO CREATE THE FOD OVERLAY, REZONING APPROXIMATELY 13 PARCELS TO THE FOD OVERLAY, AND AMENDING TITLE 17 (LAND USE) OF THE COTATI

MUNICIPAL CODE TO FURTHER IMPLEMENT THE FOD AND MAKING

OTHER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RELATED MODIFICATIONS TO THE LAND USE POLICIES; FILE NO. PA#26-17
Whereas, on March 24, 2015, the Cotati City Council adopted its updated General Plan (Resolution No. 2015-12), which identifies the City’s vision for the future and specifically highlights the industrial zoning district as an important source of economic activities to be supported through amended policies and expanded land use activities; and WHEREAS, on March 24, 2015, the Cotati City Council also certified the City of Cotati General Plan Environmental Impact Report (EIR), which reviewed potentially significant environmental effects resulting from the plan’s implementation and developed measures and policies to mitigate those impacts to less-than-significant levels; and WHEREAS, in June 2025, the City Council adopted the 2026/27 fiscal year work plan which included a project for the Community Development Department to develop a freewayoriented zoning overlay.; and WHEREAS, in February 2026, City staff engaged directly with property owners and businesses in the proposed freeway-oriented overlay area to gather their input regarding the proposal. Discussions with property owners and business operators identified several policies changes to support reinvestment and business attraction including adding flexible and modernized signage regulations, loosened restrictions on temporary and promotional sales activities, and allowing expanded commercial uses in the zoning district.; and WHEREAS, on July 20, 2026, the Planning Commission conducted a public workshop to gather input and provide direction on the potential FOD overlay district. Specific recommendations from the Planning Commission included expanding the FOD boundary; allowing more sales and promotional activities by-right; allowing additional sign height and size while also modernizing the sign lighting requirements but continuing a prohibition on electronic message board signs; being conscious of potential light pollution and visual blight impacts and keeping these updated regulations to west side of Hwy 101, and WHEREAS, on July 28, 2026, the City Council conducted a workshop to review the potential code changes identified under the conceptual Freeway Oriented Development (FOD) 332255 of 669933
overlay concept. After considering the Planning Commission recommendations and hearing from several members of the public, the Council indicated general support for the project and provided direction to move forward with the FOD Ordinance, including keeping the Overlay west of Hwy 101 and focused on the Industrial zoning district; ensuring regulations do not allow the proliferation of pole signs; not extending formula-based businesses into Industrial zoning district; not expanding allowances for drive through retail sales; requiring neighbor notification for streamlined marketing and sales events; and require a conditional use permit for recycling facilities; and
WHEREAS, on September 21, 2026, the Planning Commission of the City of Cotati held a duly noticed public hearing to consider and review an ordinance proposing to create the FOD zoning overall and implement additional changes to the land use code to finalize and implement the FOD policies, and make a recommendations to the City Council regarding its adoption.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Planning Commission of the City of Cotati does hereby find:

SECTION 1: Recitals.

The above recitals are true and correct and are incorporated into the findings herein.

SECTION 2: Record
The Record of Proceedings (“Record”) upon which the City Council makes its decision includes, but is not limited to: 1) the 2015 General Plan, 2) the FEIR certified for the 2015 General Plan, and 3) all staff reports, City files and records, and other documents prepared for and/or submitted to the Commission and City Council related to adoption of the amendments to Title 17 (Land Use) of the Cotati Municipal Code to establish the Freeway oriented Development (FOD) zoning overlay and implement other identified changes to the Cotati Municipal Code to facilitate implementation.

Specifically, these amendments are consistent with and implement the following General Plan policies and objectives:

Policy EV 1.1: Attract and retain economic sectors in which Cotati has competitive advantages and capitalize on these strengths in order to diversify local economic activities. 332266 of 669933
Policy EV 1.12: Encourage the growth of new commercial enterprises within appropriately zoned areas while maintaining the stability of the existing commercial businesses.

Policy LU 3.6: Support the continued development and intensification of employme nt centers throughout all non-‐residential areas of the City.

The proposed map and text amendments will help to further the established goals, policies, and implementation programs of the General Plan identified above, including business attraction and retention, while also encouraging growth of new commercial investment, employment opportunities, and generation of local revenues in the industrial area of the City. Specifically, by allowing expanded signage, sales events and land uses new opportunities to attract regional customers would be created. Further, these changes would expand the range of allowed uses in the Commercial Industrial district; focus growth on infill parcels in urbanized areas; and support intensification of employment centers in a non-residential area of the City. Based on this, staff has identified the proposed changes as consistent with the overall intent and policy direction of the General Plan.

SECTION 4: Findings
The Planning Commission of the City of Cotati does hereby find that the proposed ordinance to amend Title 17 (Land Use) of the Cotati Municipal Code to establish the FOD Zoning Overlay and implement other identified changes to the Cotati Municipal Code:
a. Is consistent with the goals and policies of all elements of the General Plan, and any applicable specific plan in that the proposed text and map amendments will serve to implement the policy direction of the General Plan to support and encourage the continued success of the industrial district; will help to accommodate a range of land uses in the CI zoning district; and will help the City to provide a business friendly environment for both new and existing companies. b. The proposed amendments would not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience, or welfare of the city given that they are seeking to expand the allowable land uses in a limited area of the community, expand on the sales and service activities available to create employment and shopping opportunities for residents and will modernize the sign illumination methods allowed, citywide.
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c. The proposed project has been reviewed in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and are hereby found to be consistent with the program Final Environmental Impact Report (SCH# 2013082037) for the Cotati General Plan Update that was certified on March 24, 2015 (Resolution Number 2015-11) and no new environmental impacts peculiar to the project site(s) have been realized or identified, therefore no additional environmental analysis is required under CEQA, including Section 15183, and therefore pursuant to Section 15168 of the CEQA Guidelines, as such no further environmental review is required. d. The proposed amendment is internally consistent with other applicable provisions of this Zoning Code is found to be true in that all modified areas of the code have been reviewed to ensure consistency across the other related land use regulations and across the other areas proposed to be modified through this action; and
e. The sites proposed to be rezoned to the overlay are physically suitable (including absence of physical constraints, access, compatibility with adjoining land uses, and provisions of utilities) for the requested zoning designations and anticipated land uses/developments in that the FOD overlay is only being applied to 15 properties each of which fronts onto Redwood Drive, an arterial connector providing regional access and freeway visibility; and f. The proposed amendment is consistent with no-net-loss provisions and will not reduce the residential density of the parcel without a concurrent and off-setting increase in density being adopted for an alternate location is found to be given that no residentially designated properties are proposed to be included in the map amendments..

Section 5. Compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act.

The Planning Commission of the City of Cotati does hereby find that the proposed ordinance to amend Title 17 (Land Use) of the Cotati Municipal Code to establish the FOD Zoning Overlay and implement other identified changes to the Cotati Municipal Code are consistent with the program Final Environmental Impact Report (SCH# 2013082037) for the Cotati General Plan Update that was certified on March 24, 2015 (Resolution Number 2015-11) and no new environmental impacts peculiar to the project site(s) have been realized or identified, therefore no additional environmental analysis is required under CEQA, including Section 15183, and therefore pursuant to Section 15168 of the CEQA Guidelines, as such no further environmental review is required.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Planning Commission of the City of Cotati does hereby recommend that the City Council introduce an ordinance to amend Title 17 (Land Use) of the Cotati Municipal Code to establish the FOD Overlay and implement other identified changes to the Cotati Municipal Code to support the Commercial/Industrial zoning, as set forth in the attached Ordinance, including the following specific elements:

1. Support for 25-foot maximum height for freeway-oriented pole and freestanding signs.

2. Direction to add cyclists to the zoning standards that reference automobiles and pedestrians.

3. Reconsideration for areas allowing formula-based businesses. 332288 of 669933
THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY CERTIFIED that the foregoing resolution was duly adopted at a regular meeting of the Planning Commission of the City of Cotati held on September 21, 2026, by the following vote, to wit:

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

NAYS:

ABSENT:

Approved:___________________________
Chair
Attest:______________________________
Carla Duncan, Permit Technician
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City of Cotati
City Council
Freeway Oriented Development
Zoning Overlay Ordinance
Introduction
October 13, 2026
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Background and Previous Actions
§ June 2025-FY 2026/27 CD Workplan-Freeway Oriented
Overlay
§ February 2026-Engagement Efforts Began
§ Freeway Oriented Development Defined & Evaluated &
Cotatified
-Intensify land uses to encourage reinvestment, reuse and retention
§ July 20, 2026, Planning Commission Workshop
§ July 28, 2026, City Council Workshop
§ September 21, 2026, Planning Commission Public Hearing 2 333311 of 669933
Council Goals & General Plan Policies
General Plan
• Objective EV 1A-Diversify the
local economy
• Objective EV 1D-Strengthen and
expand the industrial sector to
increase the number of highquality jobs and generate
revenues that support city
services
3 Adopted Council Goals
• Long-Term Vitality
• Addressing Climate Change
• Best-In-Class Services
• Community Engagement
• Equity and Diversity
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Engagement Efforts
4 Focused on Industrial Neighborhood
• Primary Economic Engine of Cotati
• General Plan Priority Area
• Staff Letter Writing
• Staff Business Visits
• Previous Policy and Land Use
Considerations
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Freeway Oriented Development
Overlay: Cotatified
Existing FOD Area is fully developed therefore priorities include:
• Encourage re-investment in freeway-visible commercial properties; • Promote business retention and attraction;
• Increase economic activity and tax-generating uses;
• Improve visibility of existing businesses;
• Facilitate adaptive reuse of existing commercial buildings; and • Provide flexibility appropriate for freeway-oriented commercial 5 333344 of 669933
Freeway Oriented Development: Cotatified
6 Lowes
PODS
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City of Cotati
Freeway Oriented
Zoning Overlay
Proposed Boundary of Freeway
Oriented Zoning Overlay (13
properties, 15 individual parcels):

Increased Signage
-Similar to Past Approvals
Allowances for Sales Events
-Eliminate need for LTP
More Allowed Uses
-Updated Land Use Tables
Code Clean Up & Streamlining
Redwood Dr
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Similar to Existing Non-Conforming Signage
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Proposed Increased FOD Signage
9 Increased sign area
Additional 50 square feet per business
Expanded monument sign types
Allow Pole Signs-Reauthorizing past allowances
Taller freestanding signs along Redwood Dr
Up to 25-feet max height
Citywide: 8-foot monument; multi-tenant directory,
modern lighting & eliminate sign program mandate
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Expanded Sales & Promotional Event Opportunities
10 Commercial/Industrial District flexibility:
-Seasonal and holiday sales events/displays;
-Four times per year
-No Limited Term Permit-saving time and $
Allowed “by right”; establish standards for:
-Hours of operation;
-Parking and access;
-Noise limitations;
-Site maintenance; &
-Public safety.
-Neighbor Notification
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Expanded Land Use Opportunities
11 Broaden range of commercial uses permitted within
Commercial Industrial Zoning District.

Permitted by-right:

Doctors Offices
Minor Use Permit or Use Permit:

Small Recycling Facility (5,000 sq. ft. +)
Specialized Schools/Training Facility
Antique or Collectible Store
Medial Clinic/Urgent Care
Adult Daycare
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July Commission Recommendations
• Expand FOD boundary south to 76 gas station
• Allow more sales and promotional activities by-right
• Supports additional sign height and size
• Allow additional temporary signs to support sales events • Modernize lighting, sign types and electrification methods • Continue prohibition on electronic message board signs • Be conscious of unintended consequences-light pollution and visual blight
• Keep updated regulations to west side of Hwy 101
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July City Council Direction
• Keep the FOD west of Hwy 101, focused on the Industrial zoning district
• Ensure regulations do not allow the proliferation of pole signs • Do not extend formula-based businesses into Industrial zoning district • Do not expand allowances for drive through retail sales • Require neighbor notification for streamlined marketing and sales events
• Limit poles sign types and additional square footage to FOD overlay • Require a conditional use permit for recycling facilities 13 334422 of 669933
General Plan Consistency
• Economic Vitality Policy EV 1.1: Attract and retain economic sectors in which Cotati has competitive advantages…
• Policy EV 1.12: Encourage the growth of new commercial enterprises within appropriately zoned areas…
• Policy EV 1.15: Support and encourage the continued success and growth of Cotati’s industrial area.
• LU1.b: Either combine…or amend the Commercial/Industrial and General Industrial designations to accommodate the range of uses allowed in the Commercial/Industrial land use designation.
• Policy LU 1.4: Require new development to occur in a logical and orderly manner, focusing growth on infill locations and areas designated for urbanization…
• Policy LU 3.6: Support the continued development and intensification of employment centers throughout all non-‐residential areas of the City. 14 334433 of 669933
Required Findings
• a. Is consistent with the goals and policies of all elements of the General Plan, and any applicable specific plan.
• b. The proposed amendments would not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience, or welfare of the city. • c. CEQA Compliant
• d. The proposed amendment is internally consistent with other applicable provisions of this Zoning Code.
• e. The sites proposed to be rezoned to the overlay are physically suitable (including absence of physical constraints, access, compatibility with adjoining land uses, and provisions of utilities) for the requested zoning designations and anticipated land uses/developments; and • f. The proposed amendment is consistent with no-net-loss provisions and will not reduce the residential density of the parcel without a concurrent and off-setting increase in density being adopted for an alternate location. 15 334444 of 669933
September Commission Recommendations

1. Support for 25-foot maximum height
for freeway-oriented pole and
freestanding signs.

2. Direction to add cyclists to the zoning
standards that reference
automobiles and pedestrians.

3. Reconsideration for areas allowing
formula-based businesses.
16 334455 of 669933
Recommendation
It is recommended by the Community Development
Department and the Planning Commission that the City
Council introduce an ordinance to:

1. Establishing a FOD Overlay District applicable to
properties within the Commercial/Industrial zoning district located on Redwood Dr, adjacent to and visible from U.S.

Highway 101; and

2. Make additional modifications to the Cotati Municipal Code to allow increased land use activities in the
Commercial Industrial (CI) zoning district and city-wide. 17 334466 of 669933
Questions?
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Cotati City Council
Agenda Staff Report
Item type: REGULAR AGENDA (ACTION)
To: City Council
Subject: SANTA ROSA PLAIN GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY

AGENCY JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT UPDATE
Date: October 13, 2026
Written by: Damien O'Bid, City Manager
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution approving the changes to the Santa Rosa Plain Groundwater Sustainability Agency Joint Powers Agreement and authorizing the Mayor or City Manager to execute the amended Joint Powers Agreement on behalf of the City.

Background
The Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement (JPA) for the Santa Rosa Plain Groundwater Sustainability Agency was fully executed on May 25, 2017. On August 8, 2019, the City of Sebastopol joined the GSA per Section 5.03.

JPA Section 4.06 – Public Meeting for Periodic Review of Agreement requires that “to ensure that the Agency's governance structure addresses the interests and concerns of those affected by its activities, the Board shall conduct a public meeting at the following milestones to review the terms and conditions of this Agreement and discuss whether any amendments to this Agreement are necessary or advisable:
o Upon completion of the initial fee study
o Within three years of submittal of the GSP to DWR
o At least once every ten years after adoption of the GSP At such public meeting the Administrator and Agency Counsel shall make a report to the Board recommending any amendments to the Agreement, and if directed by the Board shall draft proposed amendments to this Agreement for consideration by the governing boards of each Member.”
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Two of JPA Section 4.06 milestones were met in recent years (completion of the initial fee study in June 2019 and submittal of the GSP in January 2022). During the current year, GSA staff and General Counsel have been reviewing the JPA in collaboration with member agency staff to see if the past eight years of operational experience warranted any proposed amendments. The agency’s Bylaws, approved by the Board of Directors on February 8, 2018, were also reviewed.

Based on this review, GSA staff found the JPA and Bylaws to be predominantly effective in addressing the interests and concerns of member agencies and constituents. Some proposed changes were identified in both documents that in staff’s opinion would add clarity, improve efficiency, and increase operational and process flexibility as the agency evolves. A first draft of these proposed changes was shared with the Board at the October 30, 2025 meeting.

Since that meeting, GSA staff, General Counsel, and member agency staff have incorporated Board feedback and reviewed the proposed changes to ensure consistency with other GSA policies. Proposed changes are found in JPA sections 6.02, 7.06, 9.03, and 10.06 and Bylaws sections 3.1 and 5.1. There are other proposed minor edits throughout.

Analysis/Discussion
Potential Edits to Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement
Section 6.02: Directors & Alternates: To address a recurring challenge of convening a supermajority (8) of Board members for business items identified in the JPA, GSA staff recommend adding the option for Members to appoint a Second Alternate Director, if necessary, who would be appointed by an official action of their respective Member. The Second Alternate Director would be limited to attending no more than two meetings per calendar year. This change could provide GSA Members additional personnel options to attend quarterly Board meetings.

See Attachment 2 for proposed language adjustments.

Section 7.06: Supermajority Voting Requirement: To better align with the Bylaws and clarify that a supermajority (8) vote is required to adjust the total number of Advisory Committee seats or categories of appointments; and clarify that individual biennial Advisory Committee appointments do not require supermajority votes, GSA Staff recommend updating the “Modifications to the composition and number of Advisory Committee members” section.

Potential updated language: “Modifications to the composition of the Advisory Committee as set forth in Section 6.3(b) of the Bylaws, including changes to the total number of Advisory Committee members, Member appointees, and interest-based appointees, including changes to the categories of interest-based appointees.”
Additional updates recommended in Section 7.06 include adding references to other supermajority items referenced in other sections of the JPA to improve clarity.

Section 9.03: Employees and Management: In order to simplify voting requirements and align with the Petaluma Valley and Sonoma Valley JPAs, GSA staff recommend changing the supermajority vote requirement to a majority vote requirement for contracting with member 334499 of 669933
agencies for technical and outreach services. Administrative services would continue to require a supermajority vote per a request from member agency staff. See Attachment 2 for proposed language adjustments.

Section 10.06 – Budget: Existing JPA language requires that the GSA adopt a budget by April 1st of the prior fiscal year, which can be challenging to meet. In order to provide increased flexibility of the timing of annual budget approvals, GSA staff are recommending changes that would allow for the budget to be approved anytime before the start of the Fiscal Year that the budget is for, unless the GSA is directly funded by Member contributions, in which case the preliminary budget for the GSA would be adopted no later than 90 days before the start of the ensuing fiscal year.

Additional Changes: Minor additional changes were made throughout to contextualize the document as the amended and restated JPA, remove language that is no longer relevant, update definitions, and clarify language. All of these changes are included in Attachment 2.

Potential Edits to Bylaws
Section 3.1(a) APPOINTED STAFF: Administrator: To provide clarity on the Administrator’s ability to represent the GSA via written correspondence, GSA Staff and Counsel recommend adding Administrator authority to prepare, sign, and transmit routine written correspondence on behalf of the Santa Rosa Plain GSA so long that it is consistent with and advances the sustainability goals of the GSP. For nonroutine/policy correspondence where the Board has not given prior direction or the GSP is unclear, then the proposed language would direct the Administrator to obtain majority approval from the Board. However, if the matter is time sensitive, then the proposed language would allow the Chair or Vice Chair of the Board to approve the letter, as long as it is disclosed and submitted to the Board at the next meeting. See Attachment 5 for the exact proposed language changes – Section 3.1(a)(i)(N).

Section 5.1. LOCATION; TIMING: GSA Staff and Counsel recommend updating Section 5.1 to accurately reflect current meeting timing and provide for more flexibility in meeting scheduling.

Under the proposed language, the Board would annually adopt a resolution establishing the regular meeting schedule for the ensuing fiscal year, allowing for greater flexibility based on the current needs of the agency. See Attachment 5 for the exact proposed language changes – Section 5.1.

Additional Changes: Minor additional changes were made throughout to update the Bylaws to align with the proposed JPA updates, enhance the clarity of the document, improve compliance with relevant laws, or better align with standard operations of small government agencies. See Attachment 5 for the exact proposed language changes.

Financial Considerations
The proposed JPA edits do not have any direct fiscal impact to the City.

Environmental Issues
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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.

JOINT EXERCISE OF

POWERS AGREEMENT
creating the

SANTA ROSA PLAIN

GROUNDWATER

SUSTAINABILITY AGENCY
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i
Table of Contents
RECITALS...........................................................................................................................................1 AGREEMENT TERMS.......................................................................................................................2 Article I: Definitions..........................................................................................................................2 Section 1.01 – Definitions....................................................................................................................2 Article II: Agency Creation................................................................................................................4 Section 2.01 – Creation of the Agency. ...............................................................................................4 Section 2.02 – Purpose of the Agency. ................................................................................................4 Article III: Term.................................................................................................................................4 Section 3.01 – Term. ............................................................................................................................4 Article IV: Powers..............................................................................................................................4 Section 4.01 – Powers..........................................................................................................................4 Section 4.02 – Exercise of Powers.......................................................................................................6 Section 4.03 – Water Rights and Consideration of all Beneficial Uses and Users of Groundwater in the Basin...............................................................................................................................................6 Section 4.04 – Preservation of Powers.................................................................................................7 Article V: Membership ......................................................................................................................8 Section 5.01 – Members.......................................................................................................................8 Section 5.03 – New Members. .............................................................................................................9 Article VI: Directors and Officers......................................................................................................9 Section 6.01 – Board of Directors........................................................................................................9 Section 6.02 – Directors and Alternates...............................................................................................9 Section 6.02.03 Ex Officio Member . ...............................................................................................10 Section 6.03 – Officers of the Board..................................................................................................10 Section 6.04 – Appointment of Officers of the Board. ......................................................................10 Article VII: Board Meetings and Actions........................................................................................10 Section 7.01 – Initial Meeting............................................................................................................10 Section 7.02 – Regular Meeting Schedule. ........................................................................................10 Section 7.03 – Conduct of Board Meetings. ......................................................................................11 Section 7.04 – Quorum. .....................................................................................................................11 Section 7.05 – Voting.........................................................................................................................11 Section 7.06 – Supermajority Voting Requirement. ..........................................................................11 Section 7.07 – Unanimous Voting Requirement................................................................................11 Article VIII: Board Committees.......................................................................................................12 Section 8.01 – Committees of the Board. ..........................................................................................12 Section 8.02 – Advisory Committee. .................................................................................................12 Article IX: Operations and Management .........................................................................................12 Section 9.01 – Administrator and Plan Manager. ..............................................................................12 335533 of 669933
ii
Section 9.02 – Legal Counsel and Other Officers..............................................................................12 Section 9.03 – Employees and Management. ....................................................................................13 Section 9.04 – Principal Office. .........................................................................................................13 Section 9.05 – Bylaws........................................................................................................................13 Section 9.06 – Official Seal and Letterhead.......................................................................................13 Section 9.07 – Conflict of Interest Code............................................................................................13 Article X: Financial Provisions........................................................................................................13 Section 10.01 – Establishment of Funds. ...........................................................................................13 Section 10.02 – Initial Agency Funding Commitments.....................................................................13 Section 10.03 – Fiscal Year. ..............................................................................................................15 Section 10.04 – Treasurer, Controller and Annual Audit. .................................................................15 Section 10.05 – Funds; Property; Bonds............................................................................................15 Section 10.06 – Budget. .....................................................................................................................15 Section 10.07 – Payments To The Agency. .......................................................................................16 Article XI: Relationship of Agency And Its Members ....................................................................16 Section 11.01 – Separate Entity. ........................................................................................................16 Section 11.02 – Liabilities..................................................................................................................16 Section 11.03 – Indemnity and Insurance..........................................................................................16 Section 11.04 – Agreements With Member Agencies.......................................................................17 Section 11.05 – Withdrawal of Members. .........................................................................................17 Section 11.06 – Termination of Members..........................................................................................17 Section 11.07 – Continuing Obligations upon Withdrawal or Termination. .....................................18 Section 11.08 – Dissolution. ..............................................................................................................18 Section 11.09 – Disposition of Property Upon Termination .............................................................18 Article XII: Miscellaneous Provisions..............................................................................................18 Section 12.01 – Agreement Complete. ..............................................................................................18 Section 12.02 – Amendment..............................................................................................................19 Section 12.03 – Successors and Assigns............................................................................................19 Section 12.04 – Dispute Resolution...................................................................................................19 Section 12.05 – Execution In Parts Or Counterparts. ........................................................................20 Section 12.06 – Member Authorization.............................................................................................20 Section 12.07 – No Predetermination or Irretrievable Commitment of Resources...........................20 Section 12.08 – Notices. ....................................................................................................................20 Section 12.09 – Severability And Validity Of Agreement.................................................................20 Section 12.10 – Singular Includes Plural. ..........................................................................................21 SIGNATURE LINES................................................................................................................... 21 335544 of 669933
iii
EXHIBIT A.................................................................................................................................. 23 EXHIBIT B.................................................................................................................................. 24 Advisory Committee to the Agency Board .................................................................................. 24 Membership .......................................................................................................................................24 Member Appointment........................................................................................................................25 Application Timeline .........................................................................................................................25 Advisory Committee Member Terms ................................................................................................26 Decision Making and Governing Board Consideration .....................................................................26 Public Process....................................................................................................................................26 335555 of 669933
1 SANTA ROSA PLAIN GROUNDWATER

SUSTAINABILITY AGENCY JOINT EXERCISE OF

POWERS AGREEMENT
THIS JOINT EXERCISE OF POWERS AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) forming the Santa Rosa Plain Groundwater Sustainability Agency (“Agency”) is made and entered into as of ___________________, 2017 (“Effective Date”), by and among the public agencies listed on the attached Exhibit “A” (collectively “Members” and individually “Member”) for the purpose of forming a Groundwater Sustainability Agency (“GSA”) and achieving groundwater sustainability in the Santa Rosa Plain Groundwater Basin.

RECITALS
WHEREAS, the comprehensive groundwater legislation collectively enacted and referred to as the “Sustainable Groundwater Management Act” at California Water Code Section 10720 et. seq. (“SGMA”) initially became effective on January 1, 2015.

WHEREAS, the stated purpose of SGMA, as set forth in California Water Code section 10720.1, is to provide for the sustainable management of groundwater basins at a local level by providing local groundwater agencies with the authority and technical and financial assistance necessary to sustainably manage groundwater.

WHEREAS, SGMA requires the designation of Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (“GSAs”) for the purpose of achieving groundwater sustainability through the adoption and implementation of Groundwater Sustainability Plans (“GSPs”) or an alternative plan for all medium and high priority basins as designated by the California Department of Water Resources.

WHEREAS, each Member is a local agency, as defined by SGMA, within the Santa Rosa Plain Groundwater Subbasin (“Basin”) which is designated basin number 1-55.01 in Department of Water Resources Bulletin No. 118 and which is designated as a medium priority basin.

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 10723 of the California Water Code, SGMA authorizes a water corporation regulated by the Public Utilities Commission (“PUC”) or a mutual water company to participate in a GSA through agreement.

WHEREAS, certain PUC-regulated (PUCR) and mutual water companies (MWC) within the Basin have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding for the purpose of selecting a common representative to serve as a member of the GSA Board (“MWC/PUCR MOU”).

WHEREAS, SGMA requires that the Basin have a designated GSA by no later than June 30, 2017 and an adopted GSP by no later than January 31, 2022.

WHEREAS, SGMA authorizes a combination of local agencies to form a GSA by entering into a joint powers agreement.

WHEREAS, the Members are authorized by the Joint Exercise of Powers Act (Chapter 5 of Division 7 of Title 1 of the California Government Code) (“Act”) to create the Agency for the 335566 of 669933
2 purpose of jointly exercising those powers granted by the Act and any additional powers which are common among them.

WHEREAS, the Members, individually and collectively, have the goal of cost effective sustainable groundwater management that considers the interests and concerns of all beneficial uses and users of groundwater.

WHEREAS, in order to promote efficiency and sharing of resources, the Members, individually and collectively, encourage coordination between GSAs in Sonoma County.

WHEREAS, the Members hereby enter into this Agreement to establish this Joint Powers Authority to form a GSA and undertake the management of groundwater resources pursuant to SGMA.

AGREEMENT TERMS
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the matters recited and the mutual promises, covenants, and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Members hereby agree as follows:

Article I: Definitions
Section 1.01 – Definitions.

As used in this Agreement, unless the context requires otherwise, the meaning of the terms hereinafter set forth shall be as follows:
(a) “Act” shall mean the Joint Exercise of Powers Act, set forth in Chapter 5 of Division 7 of Title 1 of the California Government Code, sections 6500, et seq., including any amendments thereto.
(b) “Administrator” shall mean the person or entity appointed by the Board pursuant to Section 9.01.01 to manage the operation of the Agency. (c) “Agency” shall mean the Santa Rosa Plain Groundwater Sustainability Agency, which is a separate entity created by this Agreement pursuant to the provisions of California Government Code sections 6500 et seq.
(d) “Agreement” means this Santa Rosa Plain Groundwater Sustainability Agency Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement.
(e) “Basin” shall mean the Santa Rosa Plain Groundwater Subbasin which is designated basin number 1-55.01 in Department of Water Resources’ Bulletin No. 118 and as its boundaries may be modified from time to time through the procedures described in California Water Code section 10722.2 or by the Department of Water Resources under its separate authority. (f) “Board of Directors” or “Board” shall mean the governing body of the Agency as 335577 of 669933
3 established by Section 6.01 of this Agreement.
(g) “Bylaws” shall mean the bylaws adopted by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 9.05 of this Agreement to govern the day-to-day operations of the Agency. (h) “Director” and “Alternate Director” shall mean a Director or Alternate Director appointed by a Member pursuant to Section 6.02 of this Agreement. (i) “Ex Officio Member” shall mean an entity invited to participate in the Agency pursuant to Section 5.02 of this Agreement.
(j) “Fiscal Year” shall mean July 1st through June 30th pursuant to Section 10.03 of this Agreement.
(k) “Groundwater Sustainability Agency” or “GSA” shall have the meaning set forth in California Water Code section 10721(j).
(l) “Groundwater Sustainability Plan” or “GSP” shall have the meaning set forth in California Water Code section 10721(k).
(m) “Local Agency” or “Local Agencies” shall have the meaning set forth in California Water Code Section 10721(n).
(n) “Member” or “Members” shall mean the local agencies listed in the attached Exhibit “A” that have executed this Agreement, including any new Members that may subsequently join this Agency with the authorization of the Board, pursuant to Section 5.02 of this Agreement.
(o) “MWC/PUCR Director” shall mean the person selected to represent the Basin area mutual water companies and PUC regulated utilities on the GSA Board pursuant to the MWC/PUCR MOU.
(p) “Plan Manager” shall mean the person appointed by the Board to oversee the preparation and implementation of the GSP and who has been delegated management authority for submitting the GSP, GSP amendments, annual reports, and five-year assessments and serving as the point of contact between the Agency and the Department of Water Resources. The Plan Manager shall be a professional engineer, professional geologist or certified hydrogeologist, or someone who has demonstrated experience and knowledge in the foregoing areas as determined by the Board.
(q) “Sustainable Groundwater Management Act” or “SGMA” shall mean the comprehensive groundwater legislation collectively enacted and referred to as the “Sustainable Groundwater Management Act” (“SGMA”) as codified in California Water Code Sections 10720 et seq. and as may be amended in the future.
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4 Article II: Agency Creation
Section 2.01 – Creation of the Agency.

There is hereby created a joint powers agency known as the Santa Rosa Plain Groundwater Sustainability Agency (“Agency”). The Agency shall be, to the extent provided by law, a public entity separate from the Members of this Agreement.

Section 2.02 – Purpose of the Agency.

The purpose of this Agreement, and the creation of the Agency, is to provide for the joint exercise of powers common to the Members, to specifically include powers granted by SGMA, for the purpose of cooperatively carrying out the requirements of SGMA, including, but not limited to, serving as the GSA for the Basin.

Article III: Term
Section 3.01 – Term.

This Agreement shall become operative on the Effective Date, provided that at least two of the Members listed in Exhibit A have executed this Agreement by said date. If an eligible agency listed in Exhibit A has not executed this Agreement by May 12, 2017 it will lose its right to join through execution of this Agreement and its membership will be subject to the process for inclusion of new Members set forth in Section 5.02, provided, however, that if an eligible agency is diligently pursuing approval of this Agreement from its governing board and has obtained approval not later than May 26, 2017, then it shall be allowed to join without adherence to Section 5.02.

This Agreement shall remain in effect until terminated by the unanimous written consent of all then active Members or until there are less than two Members remaining in the Agency; provided, however, that this Agreement shall remain in effect during the term of any contractual obligation or indebtedness of the Agency that was previously approved by the Board.

Article IV: Powers
Section 4.01 – Powers.

The Agency shall possess the ability to exercise those powers specifically granted by the Act and SGMA. Additionally, the Agency shall possess the ability to exercise the common powers of its Members related to the purposes of the Agency, including, but not limited to, the following:

4.1.1 To designate itself the GSA for the Basin pursuant to SGMA.

4.1.2 To adopt rules, regulations, policies, bylaws and procedures governing the operation of the Agency and the adoption and implementation of the GSP.

4.1.3 To develop, adopt and implement a GSP for the Basin pursuant to 335599 of 669933
5 SGMA.

4.1.4 To adopt ordinances within the Basin consistent with the purpose of the Agency as necessary to implement the GSP and otherwise meet the requirements of SGMA.

4.1.5 To employ agents and employees.

4.1.6 To obtain legal, financial, accounting, technical, engineering, and other services needed to carry out the purposes of this Agreement.

4.1.7 To conduct studies, collect and monitor all data related and beneficial to the development, adoption and implementation of the GSP for the Basin.

4.1.8 To perform periodic reviews of the GSP including submittal of annual reports.

4.1.9 To require the registration and monitoring of wells within the Basin.

4.1.10 To issue revenue bonds or other appropriate public or private debt and incur debts, liabilities or obligations.

4.1.11 To exercise the powers permitted under Government Code section 6504 or any successor statute.

4.1.12 To levy taxes, assessments, charges and fees as provided in SGMA or otherwise provided by law.

4.1.13 To regulate and monitor groundwater extractions within the Basin as permitted by SGMA, provided that this Agreement does not extend to a Member’s operation of its system to distribute water once extracted or otherwise obtained, unless and to the extent required by other laws now in existence or as may otherwise be adopted.

4.1.14 To establish and administer projects and programs for the benefit of the Basin.

4.1.15 To cooperate, act in conjunction and contract with the United States, the State of California, or any agency thereof, counties, municipalities, special districts, groundwater sustainability agencies, public and private corporations of any kind (including without limitation, PUC regulated utilities and mutual water companies), and individuals, or any of them, for any and all purposes necessary or convenient for the full exercise of the powers of the Agency.

4.1.16 To accumulate operating and reserve funds and invest the same as allowed by law for the purposes of the Agency and to invest funds pursuant to California Government Code section 6509.5 or other applicable State Law. 336600 of 669933
6 4.1.17 To apply for and accept grants, contributions, donations and loans under any federal, state or local programs for assistance in developing or implementing any of its projects or programs for the purposes of the Agency.

4.1.18 To acquire by negotiation, lease, purchase, construct, hold, manage, maintain, operate and dispose of any buildings, property, water rights, works or improvements within and without the respective boundaries of the Members necessary to accomplish the purposes described herein.

4.1.19 To sue or be sued in its own name.

4.1.20 Any additional powers conferred under SGMA or the Act or under applicable law, insofar as such powers are needed to accomplish the purposes of SGMA, including all powers granted to the Agency under Article 4 of the Act which are in addition to the common powers of the Members, including the power to issue bonds or otherwise incur debts, liabilities or obligations to the extent authorized by the Act or any other applicable provision of law and to pledge any property or revenues of the rights thereto as security for such bonds and other indebtedness.

4.1.21 Any power necessary or incidental to the foregoing powers in the manner and according to the procedures provided for under the law applicable to the Members to this Agreement and to perform all other acts necessary or proper to fully carry out the purposes of this Agreement.

Section 4.02 – Exercise of Powers.

In accordance with California Government Code section 6509, the foregoing powers shall be subject to the restrictions upon the manner of exercising such powers pertaining to the County of Sonoma.

Section 4.03 – Water Rights and Consideration of all Beneficial Uses and Users of Groundwater in the Basin.

As set forth in California Water Code section 10723.2, and any future amendments to SGMA, the GSA shall consider the interests of all beneficial uses and users of groundwater in the Basin, as well as those responsible for implementing the GSP. Additionally, as set forth in California Water Code section 10720.5(a), and any future amendments to SGMA, any GSP adopted pursuant to this Agreement shall be consistent with Section 2 of Article X of the California Constitution and nothing in this Agreement modifies the rights or priorities to use or store groundwater consistent with Section 2 of Article X of the California Constitution, with the exception that no extraction of groundwater between January 1, 2015 and the date the GSP is adopted may be used as evidence of, or to establish or defend against, any claim of prescription.

Likewise, as set forth in California Water Code section 10720.5(b), and any future amendments to SGMA, nothing in this Agreement or any GSP adopted pursuant to this Agreement determines or alters surface water rights or groundwater rights under common law or any provision of law that determines or grants surface water rights.
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7 Section 4.04 – Preservation of Powers.

Nothing set forth in this Agreement is intended to abrogate the powers of any Member, independent of the Agency, including but not limited to police power, as applicable. The adopted GSP shall not authorize any water supply augmentation to the Basin with groundwater extracted from another groundwater basin within the jurisdiction of a Member without the express consent of that Member.

Section 4.05 – Coordination between Basins.

In order to maintain consistency and the efficient use of resources, to the extent feasible, the Agency shall endeavor to coordinate between and among the other Sonoma County GSAs for administration, matters involving public communication and outreach, and for developing frameworks to support groundwater management, which may include agreement to certain areas of coordination, provided that the Agency retain its own authority and that such recommendations are ratified by the Board. The Agency may clarify and acknowledge coordination among the other GSAs through a document or agreement if deemed appropriate.

Section 4.06 – Agreement with MWC/ PUCRs.

The Agency will enter into a single participation agreement with the Basin area mutual water companies and PUC-regulated entities located within the Basin who are parties to the MWC/PUCR MOU to allow participation in the GSA as authorized by SGMA. Such participation agreement shall allow the selection of one representative, as well as an alternate, pursuant to the MWC/PUCR MOU to serve as the MWC/PUCR Director and Alternate Director on the GSA Board. The participation agreement with the MWC/PUCRs shall contain the same provisions regarding termination, suspension of voting rights, and continuing obligations upon withdrawal or termination as those that pertain to the Members pursuant to Sections 11.06 and 11.07.

Section 4.07 – Public Meeting for Periodic Review of Agreement.

To ensure that the Agency's governance structure addresses the interests and concerns of those affected by its activities, the Board shall conduct a public meeting at the following milestones to review the terms and conditions of this Agreement and discuss whether any amendments to this Agreement are necessary or advisable:
 Upon completion of an initial fee study
 Within three years of submittal of the GSP to DWR
 At least once every ten years after adoption of the GSP At such public meeting the Administrator and Agency Counsel shall make a report to the Board recommending any amendments to the Agreement, and if directed by the Board shall draft proposed amendments to this Agreement for consideration by the governing boards of each Member. This section shall not preclude the Members from making amendments of this Agreement at other times as deemed necessary or appropriate by the Members, in accordance with Section 12.02 of this Agreement.
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8 Article V: Membership
Section 5.01 – Members.

The Members of the Agency shall be the local agencies listed on the attached Exhibit “A”, so long as their Membership has not been withdrawn or terminated pursuant to the provisions of Article XI of this Agreement.

Section 5.02 – Ex Officio Members.

An entity that is pursuing formation of a local public agency that is qualified to join the Agency under the provisions of SGMA and the Act, may submit to the Agency documentation of its formation process. Such documentation shall include:

5.02.01 For an entity going through Sonoma County Local Agency Formation Commission (Sonoma LAFCO):
 All documentation submitted to the Sonoma LAFCO, including:
o Complete Application/Petition Packet
o Plan for Services, which shall include its five-year plan, budget and funding information, and staffing plan, and which shall demonstrate that the entity will meet the SGMA definition of local public agency and provide an analysis of how the entity will support SGMA implementation o Map, showing boundaries and parcels
 Documentation of Sonoma LAFCO’s approval or conditional approval of entity’s application/petition
Upon receipt of the above documentation, the entity will be invited to join the Board as an Ex Officio Member, with no voting rights. Such Ex Officio participation will cease upon any of the following:
 If LAFCO granted conditional approval, failure to meet any of the required conditions
 Failure to conduct the required elections for formation within timeframe required by LAFCO
 Failure of required elections for formation to pass
 Failure to complete formation process within three years of becoming Ex Officio Member

5.02.02 For an entity going through a special legislative process outside Sonoma LAFCO:
 Final text of the enacted and enrolled bill which shall demonstrate that the entity will meet the SGMA definition of local public agency and include provisions regarding how the entity will support SGMA implementation  Documentation that the bill has been chaptered by the Secretary of State Upon receipt of the above documentation, the entity will be invited to join the Board as an Ex Officio Member, with no voting rights. Such Ex Officio participation will cease upon any of the following:
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9  Failure to conduct required elections, if any, for formation within the timeframe specified by the legislation, if any. If no timeframe is specified, within one year of the effective date of the legislation.  Failure of required elections, if any, for formation to pass.  Failure to satisfy other requirements, if any, specified in the legislation for formation within the timeframe specified by the legislation, if any. If no timeframe is specified, within one year of the effective date of the legislation.

Section 5.03 – New Members.

Upon submittal of an application for membership, new Members shall be admitted to the Agency so long as: 1) the new Member is located or has jurisdictional boundaries within the Basin; 2) the new Member is a local public agency or another entity authorized by SGMA that is qualified to join the Agency under the provisions of SGMA and the Act; and 3) the new Member agrees to the terms of this Agreement, including applicable financial obligations, which may be determined based at no more than an equal share of the unreimbursed Funding Commitments of the other Members pursuant to Section 10.02 or as established pursuant to Section 10.07.

Once an application is accepted by the Board of Directors, this Agreement is executed by an authorized representative of the new Member, and the new Member satisfies any applicable financial obligation of the new Member, the attached Exhibit “A” shall be amended to reflect the new Member, and such action by the Board shall not be subject to the requirements of Section

12.02. Article VI: Directors and Officers
Section 6.01 – Board of Directors.

The Agency shall be governed and administered by a Board of Directors (“Board”) which is hereby established and which shall be composed of one voting seat per Member and one voting seat for the MWC/PUCR MOU Representative. The governing board shall be known as the “Board of Directors of the Santa Rosa Plain Groundwater Sustainability Agency.” All voting power shall reside in the Board.

Section 6.02 – Directors and Alternates.

Directors and Alternates shall be appointed as follows:

6.02.01 Members: Each Member shall appoint one Director and one Alternate Director to the Board. The Alternate Director shall serve and assume the rights and duties of the Director when the Director is unable to attend a Board meeting. The Directors and Alternate Directors shall be elected or appointed officials of their governing bodies.

Directors and Alternate Directors shall serve at the pleasure of the Member appointing them and they may be removed at any time, with or without cause, in the sole discretion of their 336644 of 669933
10 respective Members. Each Director and Alternate Director shall hold office until their successor is selected by their Member and the Agency has been notified of the succession.

In the event that a Director or Alternate Director loses their position as an official of their Member’s governing body, that Director position shall become vacant and that Member shall appoint a new Director.

6.02.02 MWC/PUCR: The MWC/PUCR MOU Director, and an Alternate Director, shall be selected in accordance with the MWC/IOU MOU and any applicable provisions of the participation agreement.

Section 6.02.03 Ex Officio Member: For any Ex Officio Member established pursuant to Section 5.02, the Ex Officio Member shall appoint one representative who shall reside within the proposed geographic boundaries of the Ex Officio Member. The Ex Officio Member may participate in Board discussions but shall have no voting rights.

Section 6.03 – Officers of the Board.

Officers of the Agency’s Board shall consist of a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson. The Chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the Board, while the Vice-Chairperson shall perform the duties of the Chairperson in the absence or disability of the Chairperson. The Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson shall exercise and perform such other powers and duties as may be assigned by the Board.

Section 6.04 – Appointment of Officers of the Board.

The Board shall annually elect the Officers of the Board from the Directors. Officers of the Board shall hold office for a term of two years commencing on July 1 of every other calendar year and they may serve for multiple consecutive terms. Officers of the Board may be removed and replaced at any time, with or without cause by a Board vote. In the event that an Officer of the Board loses their position as a Director, that Officer of the Board position shall become vacant and Board shall elect a new Officer from existing Board members to serve the remaining Officer term.

Article VII: Board Meetings and Actions.

Section 7.01 – Initial Meeting.

The initial meeting of the Board, which shall be held for purpose of meeting the requirements of California Water Code Section 10723, including decision of the Agency to serve as the GSA for the Basin, shall be held at a location overlying the Basin on or before June 20, 2017.

Section 7.02 – Regular Meeting Schedule.

The Board shall establish by resolution, bylaws, or other procedure a regular meeting time and place at the initial meeting of the Board. The Board may vote to change the regular meeting time and place provided that the new location remains at a place overlying the Basin. 336655 of 669933
11 Section 7.03 – Conduct of Board Meetings.

Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be noticed, held, and conducted in accordance with the provisions of The Brown Act (California Government Code sections 54950, et seq.).

Section 7.04 – Quorum.

A quorum of the Board shall consist of a majority of the Directors.

Section 7.05 – Voting.

Each Director shall have one vote. A majority vote of the Directors is needed for the adoption of any action, except those which require a supermajority three-fourths vote or a unanimous vote.

Section 7.06 – Supermajority Voting Requirement.

A supermajority vote is three-fourths of the Directors. Items that require a supermajority vote to pass consist of the following, which may be amended from time to time by the Board by a supermajority vote, or as may otherwise be required by this Agreement (See Sections 9.03, 11.06 and 12.02.02) or by law:
 Bylaws adoption, modification or alteration
 GSP adoption, modification or alteration
 Removal of Advisory Committee members
 Modifications to the composition and number of Advisory Committee members  Adoption of assessments, charges and fees
 Adoption of regulations and ordinances
 Adoption or modification of annual budget, including capital projects  Property acquisition (excepting rights of way)
 Appointment of Fiscal Agent and Treasurer, subject to the provisions of Section

9.03 and/or Section 10.04, Administrator, Plan Manager or General Legal Counsel  Minor, administrative amendments to this Agreement not subject to Section

12.02.02 Section 7.07 – Unanimous Voting Requirement.

Items that require a unanimous vote of the Board to pass consist of the following, which may be amended from time to time by the Board by a unanimous vote, or as otherwise required by law:
 Financial Commitments of the Members, whether through the budget approval process or otherwise
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12 Article VIII: Board Committees
Section 8.01 – Committees of the Board.

The Board of Directors may from time to time establish one or more advisory committees or establish standing or ad hoc committees to assist in carrying out the purposes and objects of the Authority. The Board shall determine the purpose and need for such committees and the necessary qualifications for individuals appointed to them.

Section 8.02 – Advisory Committee.

The Board shall establish an Advisory Committee. Meetings of the Advisory Committee shall be noticed, held, and conducted in accordance with the provisions of The Brown Act (California Government Code sections 54950, et seq.). Through the use of the Advisory Committee, the Board shall ensure that the development of the GSP includes the meaningful participation of all beneficial uses and users of groundwater in the Basin.

Composition of the Advisory Committee is intended to represent the beneficial uses and users of groundwater identified in SGMA. A Committee member’s participation shall not violate the California Political Reform Act of 1974 (Gov. Code, § 81000 et seq.), the provisions of California Government Code section 1090 et seq., or any other applicable law. The Advisory Committee’s purpose and membership is described in Exhibit B.

Article IX: Operations and Management.

Section 9.01 – Administrator and Plan Manager.

9.01.01 Administrator: The Board may appoint an Administrator, from time-to-time as and when it deems appropriate. If appointed, the Administrator shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors and his/her duties and responsibilities shall be set forth by the Board. The Administrator shall have the authority to hire employees, consistent with the approved budget.

9.01.02 Plan Manager: The Board shall appoint a Plan Manager. The Administrator and Plan Manager may be the same individual. The Plan Manager shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors and his/her duties and responsibilities shall be set forth by the Board.

Section 9.02 – Legal Counsel and Other Officers.

The Agency may appoint General Legal Counsel who shall serve at the pleasure of the Board. Subject to the limits of the Agency’s approved budget, the Board shall also have the power to appoint and contract for the services of other officers, consultants, advisers and independent contractors as it may deem necessary or convenient for the business of the Agency, all of whom shall serve at the pleasure of theBoard. The appointed General Legal Counsel and other appointed officers of the Agency may be employees or contractors of one or more of the Members, in accordance with Sections 9.03 and 11.04. Appointment of a General Legal Counsel from among Member employees or contractors shall be subject to all applicable Rules of Professional Responsibility, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, each of the Members expressly reserve and do not waive their rights to approve or disapprove of potential conflicts of Agency General Legal Counsel.
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13 Section 9.03 – Employees and Management.

In addition to, or in lieu of, hiring employees, the Agency may engage one or more Members to manage any or all of the business of the Agency on terms and conditions acceptable to the Board of Directors. Any Member so engaged shall have such responsibilities as are set forth in the contract for such Member’s services, which shall be approved by a super-majority vote of the Directors representing the non-contracting Member.

Section 9.04 – Principal Office.

At the initial meeting of the Board, the Board shall establish a principal office for the Agency, which shall be located at a place overlying the Basin. The Board may change the principal office from time to time so long as that principal office remains at a location overlying the Basin.

Section 9.05 – Bylaws.

The Board shall adopt Bylaws governing the conduct of meetings and the day-to-day operations of the Agency on or before the first anniversary of the Effective Date of this Agreement.

Section 9.06 – Official Seal and Letterhead.

The Board may adopt, and/or amend, an official seal and letterhead for the Agency.

Section 9.07 – Conflict of Interest Code.

The Board shall adopt and file a Conflict of Interest Code pursuant to the provisions of the Political Reform Act of 1974 within six months of the Effective Date. The Board may review and revise the Conflict of Interest Code from time to time as appropriate or when required by law.

Article X: Financial Provisions
Section 10.01 – Establishment of Funds.

The Board shall establish and maintain such funds and accounts as may be required by generally accepted public agency accounting practices. The Agency shall maintain strict accountability of all funds and report all receipts and disbursements of the Agency on no less than a quarterly basis.

Section 10.02 – Initial Agency Funding Commitments.

In order to initially fund the Agency, the Members, as well as the MWC/PUCRs pursuant to the participation agreement, shall each provide the funding commitment amounts listed in the tables below (“Funding Commitment”), with the Funding Commitment to be paid by the identified due dates in the tables below. Such Funding Commitments may be made by payment to the Agency, providing services to the Agency through an agreement with the Agency, or through a combination of both. If any portion of a Member’s Funding Commitment is to be provided through a services agreement, such Member shall strive to enter into a services agreement with the Agency by the initial due date. The timeframe for payment of any remainder amounts shall be determined 336688 of 669933
14 by the Board of Directors based on the funding and operational needs of the Agency, and shall be due and payable within thirty (30) days of request for funds as issued by the Agency, provided that billing of Members may take into account the larger agency Members’ ability and willingness to make payments prior to the smaller agency Members. To the extent the Agency is able to secure other funding sources in the future, and to the extent permitted by law, the Agency shall reimburse any Funding Commitment amount to each Member on a proportionate basis.

Fiscal Year 2017-18:

Total FY 2017-18
Commitment
Initial
Commitment
amount due by
July 31, 2017
City of Cotati $ 55,000 $ 18,000
City of Rohnert Park $ 55,000 $ 18,000
City of Santa Rosa $ 55,000 $ 18,000
Town of Windsor $ 55,000 $ 18,000
Gold Ridge Resource
Conservation District
$ 55,000 $ 18,000
Sonoma Resource Conservation
District
$ 20,000 $ 6,600
County of Sonoma $ 55,000 $ 18,000
Sonoma County Water Agency $ 55,000 $ 18,000
MWC/PUCR* $ 55,000 $ 18,000
TOTAL $460,000 $150,600
For Fiscal Year 2018-19, the Members shall each be prepared to make the following Funding Commitment to the Agency based on a projected annual budget amount of $530,000, provided, however, that it is understood and agreed that the actual funding needs of the Agency may vary and will depend on the actual 2018-19 budget as adopted by the Board. In the event the funding needs are greater than those anticipated in the proposed fiscal year 2018-19 budget, any excess Funding Commitment is subject to Board approval pursuant to Section 7.07. * The Initial Funding Commitment of the MWC/PUCRs shall be due within 30 days of final approval and execution of the MWC/PUCRs participation agreement or by July 31st, whichever date is later.
336699 of 669933
15 Total FY 2018-19
Commitment
Initial Funding
Commitment
amount due by
July 31, 2018
City of Cotati $ 64,000 $ 21,000
City of Rohnert Park $ 64,000 $ 21,000
City of Santa Rosa $ 64,000 $ 21,000
Town of Windsor $ 64,000 $ 21,000
Gold Ridge Resource
Conservation District
$ 64,000 $ 21,000
Sonoma Resource Conservation
District
$ 20,000 $ 6,600
County of Sonoma $ 64,000 $ 21,000
Sonoma County Water Agency $ 64,000 $ 21,000
MWC/PUCR $ 64,000 $ 21,000
TOTAL $532,000 $174,600
Section 10.03 – Fiscal Year.

The Fiscal Year of the Agency shall be July 1 to June 30.

Section 10.04 – Treasurer and Annual Audit.

The Sonoma County Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector shall act as the initial Treasurer for the Agency. The Treasurer shall perform all usual and customary duties of their offices for the Agency, including but not limited to receiving all deposits, issuing warrants per direction, and other duties specified in Government Code section 6505.5. The Board may transfer the responsibilities of the Treasurer, by three-fourths supermajority vote of the Board, to any other person or entity as the law may provide at the time (see e.g., Government Code section 6505.5). The Board shall cause an independent annual audit to be made by a certified public accountant, or public accountant, in compliance with Government Code section 6505.

Section 10.05 – Funds; Property; Bonds.

The Board may from time to time designate the officers and persons, in addition to those specified in Section 10.04 above, who shall have charge of, handle, or have access to any funds and/or property of the Agency. Pursuant to California Government Code section 6505.1, each such officer and person shall file a bond in an amount designated by the Board.

Section 10.06 – Budget.

The Board shall adopt a budget for the Agency for the ensuing Fiscal Year not later than April 1
st of each year. The Board may authorize mid-year budget adjustments, as needed. 337700 of 669933
16 Section 10.07 – Payments To The Agency.

All fees, costs and expenses incurred by the Agency may be funded from: (i) voluntary contributions from third parties, such as grants; (ii) voluntary contributions, advances or loans from the Members or other sources; (iii) bond revenue; (iv) taxes, assessments, fees and/or charges levied by the Agency under the provisions of SGMA or otherwise provided by law; and, (v) subject to the unanimous vote of the Board, assessments on the Members to carry out the activities of the Agency generally applicable to all Members.

Article XI: Relationship of Agency And Its Members.

Section 11.01 – Separate Entity.

In accordance with California Government Code Sections 6506 and 6507, the Agency shall be a public entity separate and apart from the parties to this Agreement.

Section 11.02 – Liabilities.

In accordance with California Government Code section 6508.1, the debt, liabilities and obligations of the Agency shall be the debts, liabilities and obligations of the Agency alone and not of its Members. The Members do not intend hereby to be obligated either jointly or severally for the debts, liabilities or obligations of the Agency, except as may be specifically provided for in California Government Code Section 895.2 as amended or supplemented.

Section 11.03 – Indemnity and Insurance.

11.03.01 Indemnity. Funds of the Agency may be used to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the Agency, each Member, each Director, and any officers, agents and employees of the Agency for their actions taken within the course and scope of their duties while acting on behalf of the Agency. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Agency agrees to save, indemnify, defend and hold harmless each Member, each Director, and any officers, agents and employees of the Agency from any liability, claims, suits, actions, arbitration proceedings, administrative proceedings, regulatory proceedings, losses, expenses or costs of any kind, whether actual, alleged or threatened, including attorney’s fees and costs, court costs, interest, defense costs, and expert witness fees, where the same arise out of, or are attributable in whole or in part, to the conduct, activities, operations, acts, and omissions of the Agency.

11.03.02 – Agency Insurance and Liability Coverage Requirements.

The Agency shall be required to obtain insurance, or join a self-insurance program in which one or more of the Members participate, appropriate for its operations. Any and all insurance coverages provided by the Agency, and/or any self-insurance programs joined by the Agency, shall name each and every Member as an additional insured for all liability arising out of or in connection with the operations by or on behalf of the named insured in the performance of this Agreement. Minimum levels of the insurance or self-insurance program shall be set by the Agency in its ordinary course of business. The Agency shall also require all of its contractors and subcontractors to have insurance appropriate for their operations. All amounts coverages and 337711 of 669933
17 provisions of the insurance policies identified in this Section 11.03B shall be subject to the approval of Agency Legal Counsel.

Section 11.04 – Agreements With Member Agencies.

The Board may approve agreements with one or more Members that agree to undertake activities to benefit the Agency and further its purposes by a majority vote of the Directors representing the non-contracting Members.

Section 11.05 – Withdrawal of Members.

Any Member shall the have the ability to withdraw by providing one hundred eighty (180) days written notice of its intention to withdraw. Said notice shall be given to the Board and to each of the other Members.

A Member shall not be fiscally liable for the adopted budget provided that the Member provides written notice one hundred eighty (180) days prior to the adoption of the budget.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Member shall have the ability to withdraw by providing not less than ninety (90) days written notice of its intention to withdraw prior to the adoption of the 2018-19 budget. A Member shall not be fiscally liable for the fiscal year 2018-19 Funding Commitment provided that said Member has provided a timely notice of its intent to withdraw to the Board and each of the other Members.

In the event of a withdrawal, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect among the remaining members as set forth in Section 11.07 below.

Section 11.06 – Termination of Members.

Any Member’s failure to meet its funding obligations pursuant to Sections 10.02 or 10.07 of this Agreement may be treated as a breach of this Agreement and the Board may vote to terminate such Member. Such termination shall be approved by unanimous consent of all Directors except the Director of the Member proposed to be terminated. In lieu of termination, the Board may in its discretion vote to suspend a Member’s voting privileges for failure to meet its funding obligations pursuant to Section 10.02 or 10.07 until the Member has satisfied its funding obligations. Such suspension of voting privileges shall be approved by a supermajority vote, as defined in Section

7.06 above but excepting the Director of the Member proposed to have its voting privileges suspended. In the event a Member’s voting privileges are suspended, that Member shall not be counted for purposes of determining a majority or supermajority vote in accordance with Sections

Cotati City CouncilOctober 13, 2026

Cotati City Council
October 13, 2026