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 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.
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.