1 CITY OF PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
& PETALUMA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY
(PCDSA)
City Hall Council Chamber
11 English Street
Petaluma, CA 94952
MINUTES
Monday, March 13, 2023
GOALS AND PRIORITIES WORKSHOP
6:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor McDonnell called the special meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
• ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Mayor McDonnell, Councilmember Barnacle, Councilmember Cader Thompson, Councilmember Healy, Councilmember Nau, Councilmember Pocekay, Councilmember Shribbs
ABSENT: None
• PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
• MOMENT OF SILENCE
WORKSHOP
1. Receive an Update and Provide Direction to Staff on Council Goals and Priorities for Fiscal Years 22/23 and 23/24
City Manager Peggy Flynn kicked off the presentation and staff reviewed the Top 10 priority initiatives.
Mayor McDonnell invited questions from Council and opened public comment after each of the Top 10 priority initiatives.
1. Implementation of Hybrid Police Oversight Model and Citywide Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Efforts
Police Chief, Ken Savano, and Senior Management Analyst, Aaron Zavala, provided an overview of the priority initiative.
Mayor McDonnell opened public comment.
Taryn Obaid
Peter Tscherneff
Paul G
Ellen Obstler
Zahyra Garcia
Blake Hooper
Mayor McDonnell closed public comment.
Councilmembers asked, and staff answered, questions about the composition, selection, scope, and procedures related to the advisory group and the Independent Police Auditor.
2. Integrated Pest Management Plan: Sustainable Land Management Best Practices and Comprehensive Community Outreach Program
2 Director of Parks and Recreation, Drew Halter, and Assistant to the City Manager, Patrick Carter, provided an overview of the priority initiative.
Mayor McDonnell opened public comment.
Marlo Nelson
Alexander Cho
Lendri Purcell
Megan Kown
Nela
Julie Roys
John Hanania ceded time to Taryn Obaid
Taryn Obaid
Peter Tscherneff
Paul G
Darren Racusen
Susan Kirks
Mayor McDonnell closed public comment.
Councilmembers asked, and staff answered, questions about the process, outreach efforts, scope of the IPMP, and timeline.
3. Adoption of Retail Cannabis Ordinance
City Attorney, Eric Danly, provided an overview of the priority initiative.
Mayor McDonnell opened public comment.
Peter Tscherneff
James Clarke
John Hanania
Lauren Mendelsohn
Esaia Gonzalez
Mayor McDonnell closed public comment.
Councilmembers asked, and staff answered, questions on an array of topics, including tax implications, economic development opportunity sites and business interest, ballot measure process, outreach efforts, and experience of neighboring jurisdictions.
4. Create Citywide Electrification Plan
Climate Action Manager, Rhianna Frank, provided an overview of the priority initiative.
Mayor McDonnell opened public comment.
Peter Tscherneff
Paul G
Ben Peters
Esaia Gonzalez
Blake Hooper
Sheila B
Mayor McDonnell closed public comment.
Councilmembers asked, and staff answered, questions about electricity infrastructure, outreach efforts, rebate and incentive programs, socioeconomic equity, and alignment with PG&E, State, and Federal initiatives.
Mayor McDonnell called for a break at 9:35 p.m. and thereafter reconvened the meeting at 9:40 p.m.
Mayor McDonnell recused from the discussion of priority initiative Item 5 and left the Chamber.
5. Adoption of Tenant Protection Ordinance Package
City Attorney, Eric Danly, provided an overview of the priority initiative. 3 Mayor McDonnell opened public comment.
Peter Tscherneff
Esaia Gonzalez
Mayor McDonnell closed public comment.
At the conclusion of priority initiative Item 5, Mayor McDonnell returned to the Chamber.
Councilmember Nau recused from the discussion of priority initiative Item 6 and left the Chamber.
6. Fairgrounds: Outreach Process, Recommendations and Framework for Decision-Making
Director of Economic Development and Open Government, Ingrid Alverde, provided an overview of the priority initiative.
Mayor McDonnell opened public comment.
Peter Tscherneff
Brian Abbott
John Hanania
Jessica Umphress
Darren Racusen
Joe
Susan Kirks
Mayor McDonnell closed public comment.
Councilmembers asked, and staff answered, questions about the lease agreement, timeline, proposed vision for uses of the site and formerly adopted guiding principles, and community engagement efforts.
At the conclusion of priority initiative Item 6, Councilmember Nau returned to the Chamber.
7. Public Safety Facilities Assessment, Including New and Renovated Fire Stations
Assistant City Manager, Brian Cochran, and Fire Chief, Jeff Schach, provided an overview of the priority initiative.
Mayor McDonnell opened public comment.
Peter Tscherneff
John Hanania
Sheila B
Esaia Gonzalez
Mayor McDonnell closed public comment.
Councilmembers asked, and staff answered, questions about the funding opportunities, timeline, and potential facility locations.
Vice Mayor Cader Thompson moved, and Councilmember Barnacle seconded, a motion to continue the meeting past 11:00 p.m.; the motion passed unanimously.
8. Adoption of Tree Preservation Ordinance and Update City Policies and Procedures
Special Projects Manager, Heather Hines, provided an overview of the priority initiative.
Mayor McDonnell opened public comment.
Darren Racusen
Susan Kirks
Mayor McDonnell closed public comment.
Councilmembers asked, and staff answered, questions about the Tree Advisory Committee input, grant funding, scope, implementation, and enforcement.
9. Historic Trestle Reconstruction
Director of Public Works and Utilities, Christopher Bolt, provided an overview of the priority initiative. 4 Mayor McDonnell opened public comment; receiving none, he closed public comment.
Councilmembers asked, and staff answered, questions about flood risk, structural integrity and feasibility, legal challenges, and ownership.
10. Safe Mobility and Community Connectivity (aka Safe Streets)
Director of Public Works and Utilities, Christopher Bolt, provided an overview of the priority initiative.
Mayor McDonnell opened public comment; receiving none, he closed public comment.
Councilmembers asked, and staff answered, questions about quick build projects and outreach efforts.
City Manager, Peggy Flynn, provided an overview of other non-negotiable initiatives such as budget, utility rate study, General Plan, Housing Element, and more.
Mayor McDonnell opened public comment for goals and priorities not previously discussed.
Meenie Reddick
Michael Gralnick
Esaia Gonzalez
Mayor McDonnell closed public comment.
Council provided further comments on the topics of Council support to the Senior Advisory Committee, an update to the City’s parking ordinance, addressing day laborer rights and complaints, and future dredging efforts.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor McDonnell adjourned the meeting at 12:08 a.m.