Resolution No. 2025-XXX N.C.S.
Resolution No. 2025-XXX N.C.S.
of the City of Petaluma, California
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE
COOPERATIVE FUNDING AGREEMENT NO. 51301E1 BETWEEN
THE SONOMA COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY AND THE CITY OF PETALUMA
FOR THE PETALUMA TRANSIT INCREASE BUS SERVICE, AFFORDABILITY, AND
FIRST/LAST MILE CONNECTIONS PROGRAM AS PART OF THE GO SONOMA EXPENDITURE PLAN
WHEREAS, the Sonoma County Transportation Authority (SCTA) Board of Directors adopted a Strategic Implementation Plan that sets forth its program and implementation policies with regard to the use of funds provided under the 2020 Go Sonoma Act Expenditure Plan and Ordinance (Go Sonoma) approved by the voters of Sonoma County on November 3, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the SCTA adopted that certain resolution 2024-019GS that amended the “Go Sonoma SIP” to clarify the implementing policy in the distribution of funding for the Fare Free program, defining 2% of measure funding to be held for reimbursement to eligible transit agencies in Sonoma County; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Go Sonoma and the Strategic Implementation Plan, SCTA and Petaluma Transit would like to enter into a Cooperative Funding Agreement to define the framework to enable the two parties to work cooperatively in providing specific transit services consisting generally of fare free transit ridership in Sonoma County; and
WHEREAS, the proposed action is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(2), in that entering into cooperative agreements does not meet CEQA’s definition of a “project,” because the action does not have the potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, and because this action constitutes administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment; and WHEREAS, if this action qualified as a “project” under CEQA, it would be exempt under the Common Sense Exemption (CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3)), as the funds will be allocated to increasing affordability for riders under the existing public transit system, with the goal of reducing vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by single- occupancy vehicles.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Petaluma as follows:
1. That the above recitals are true and correct and are incorporated into this Resolution as findings.
2. Finds that the proposed action is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(2), in that entering into cooperative agreements does not meet CEQA’s definition of a “project,” because the action does not have the potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, and because this action constitutes administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment. And if this action qualified as a “project” under CEQA, it would be exempt under the Common Sense Exemption (CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3)), as the funds will be allocated to expanding the City’s existing Resolution No. 2025-XXX N.C.S.
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2 public transit system, with the goal of reducing vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by single-occupancy vehicles and CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) as it helps fund the City’s existing program.
3. Authorizes the City Manager or her designee to execute Cooperative Funding Agreement No. 51301E, attached hereto as Attachment A, and all subsequent documentation between the Sonoma County Transportation Authority (SCTA) and the City of Petaluma.
Under the power and authority conferred upon this Council by the Charter of said City.
REFERENCE: I hereby certify the foregoing Resolution was introduced and adopted by the Council of the City of Petaluma at a Regular meeting on the 5th day of May 2025, by the following vote:
Approved as to
form:
__________________________
City Attorney
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
ATTEST: ______________________________________________
City Clerk
______________________________________________
Mayor
Resolution No. 2025-XXX N.C.S.
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2 Attachment A
Cooperative Funding Agreement No. 51301E1