From: Diana Rich
To: Mary Gourley
Subject: Fwd: Some Thoughts
Date: Tuesday, September 20, 2022 4:57:24 PM
Mary: Could you please forward the email below to the full City Council, as requested by Karen McClure, who sent it to me? Thank you. Diana
Please reply to: Diana Rich
Sebastopol City Council
[email protected]
Begin forwarded message:
From: Karen < >
Subject: Some Thoughts
Date: September 19, 2022 at 6:21:07 PM PDT
To: [email protected]
Hi Diana,
Hi Diana,
We have some ideas/concerns that we wanted to pass on to you and ask you to share with fellow Council members.
The first has to do with our never ending traffic problems. Has the City Council ever explored an electric bike franchise? We’ve just returned from a trip to Santa Barbara where, as you may know, State Street is blocked off from cars and electric bikes are everywhere for easy check out. It is, without cars, such an appealing place to walk. It seems to me that if several of our cities came together this would make our County a much more desirable place to live as well as visit.
Particularly, I am wondering if Santa Rosa has ever considered turning 4th St or Mendocino Ave into a pedestrian only route? I know Sebastopol is limited to do this - but if several cities joined forces into allowing electric bikes it could solve a lot of our problems.
Second, as you also may know, raccoons are an increasing health threat to downtown residents and pets. A neighbor suggested that rebar be used to cover the storm drains and redirect these animals to a more rural area. He suggested the City council look into this issue. I have no idea if this is something that could be done or is effective. From my own experience, these animals are increasingly brazen and incredibly resistant to deterrents. For example, we have tried predator poop, motion detected sprinklers, red pepper, ultrasonic devices, chicken wire, a plastic owl and many more things. I have contacted several organizations, including Wildlife Rescue, and about ten different exterminators, who have no additional solutions. I do think this has become a pubic health issue as these animals often carry rabies. They are now so bold they are literally knocking on our patio door in the early evening.
Look forward to your response.
Thank you,
Karen Mcclure and Vaughan Whalen