City of Sebastopol Resolution Number 6619-2024
Resolution No. 24/25-05
September 11, 2024
A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SEBASTOPOL AND GOLD RIDGE FIRE
PROTECTION DISTRICT ENDORSING THE PROPOSED ANNEXATION OF
THE CITY OF SEBASTOPOL'S FIRE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
INTO THE GOLD RIDGE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
WHEREAS, in May 2024, the City of Sebastopol ("City") and Gold Ridge Fire Protection District ("District") (collectively the "Parties") entered into a Memorandum of Understanding for Shared Services which resulted in greater fire and emergency medical services ("EMS") management and coordination between the two agencies and responses to emergency incidents; and WHEREAS, the Parties have initiated assessing the sharing of resources via an annexation of City fire and EMS into the District which will then be considered for approval by the Sonoma County Local Agency Formation Commission ("Sonoma LAFCO") pursuant to the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Act Local Government Reorganization Act of2000 (California Government Code section 56000 et seq.) (the "LAFCO Act") in order to best serve the residents of both jurisdictions, and WHEREAS, pursuant to California Government Code section 56855, the Parties are preparing separate contracts regarding the terms and conditions of annexation of the City's fire and EMS services into the District for a minimum of 20 years, and which Sonoma LAFCO is requested to approve; and WHEREAS, the Proposed Reorganization is subject to Sonoma LAFCO approval of the amended spheres of influence of the Parties to include the entirety of the reorganized District; and WHEREAS, the boundaries of the territory included in the reorganized District will be the are shown in Exhibit "A", the map attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference; and WHEREAS, the territory included in the Reorganized District is inhabited, as defined in the Cortese-Knox- Hertzberg Act; and
WHEREAS, the Parties desire that the Proposed Reorganization be subject to the following terms and conditions as set forth herein:
a. The name of the reorganized District shall remain the "Gold Ridge Fire Protection District." b. The reorganized District is intended to achieve greater economy and efficiency in providing fire protection and emergency services. The Parties have determined that the Proposed Reorganization is in the best interest of the Parties in order to provide better services to the residents of the reorganized District.
c. Pursuant to the provisions of California Health and Safety Code $13842 and Government Code section 56866(n), reorganized District shall continue to be govemed by a seven (7) member Board of Directors, subject to District-wide election.
d. With the exception of the Crty's fire station, which will be subject to a separate agreement; all fire and EMS assets, unrestricted, restricted or fiduciary, held by the Parties may be transferred to and become assets of the reorganized District. The reorganized District shall be the successor agency to the Parties for fire and EMS services.
The Parties shall enter into a revenue transfer agreement to City payment for the costs of enhanced fire and EMS services by reorganized District, as well as transfer of the City's allocation of Measure H sales tax revenue pursuant to Sonoma County Code section 12-60 et seq.
f. All fire and EMS services liabilities of the Parties shall be transferred to and become liabilities of the reorganized District.
g. The effective date of the Proposed Reorganization shall be the date of recordation of the certificate of completion of reorg anization pursuant to Government Code section 57200 et seq. h. Distribution of Services: The Board of Directors of the reorganized District will authorize an annual work plan for services throughout the reorganized District; and WHEREAS, the Parties hereby consent to the annexation of City fire and EMS into the District without election by the registered voters within the City and District; and WHEREAS, the Parties' find that the annexation of City fire and EMS into the District appears to be categorically exempt on the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") by virfue of section 15320 of the State CEQA Guidelines ("Class 20 Exemption") because this annexation is a reorganization of a local govemment agencies where the changes do not change the geographical area in which previously existing powers are exercised.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that (l) the Sebastopol City Council and the Board of Directors of the Gold Ridge Fire Protection District are satisfied with the proposed terms and conditions of the annexation of the City to the District and (2) the District Fire Chief is authorized to transmit this resolution to Sonoma LAFCO.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Sebastopol City Council and the Board of Directors of the Gold Ridge Fire Protection District hereby find, determine, declare, and order as follows:
e
1. The foregoing recitals are true and cor:rect and are adopted as herein for set forth above.
2. Sonoma LAFCO is requested to undertake proceedings for the proposed annexation of City fire and EMS into the District according to the terms and conditions stated above, the Pa,rties separate agreements, and in the manner provided in the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Act.
3. The Mayor of the City and President of the District Board of Directors are authorized and directed to execute this Concurrent Resolution and any other documents as Sonoma LAFCO may reasonably request to accomplish the proposed annexation of City fire and EMS into the District.
4. The Fire Chief of the Gold Ridge Fire Protection District, and/or his designee, shall be, and is hereby, authorized and directed to perform any and all acts required to complete the proposed annexation of City fire and EMS into the District, including, but not limited to, preparation and coordination of the application to Sonoma LAFCO, and preparation and filing of Notice of Exemption with the County Clerk in accordance with the provisions of CEQA and the State CEQA guidelines.
This Joint Resolution may be cxccutcd in countcrparts and is effective from the latest date of execution shown below.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Sebastopol City Council thic 1 st dav of ocbghmfof,0r?#rg vote:
VOTE:
AYES: Councilmembers Hinton, Maurer, Mclewis, Vice Mayor Zollman and NOES: None Mayor Rich
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN:N
ATTES
City
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of Directors of the Gold Ridge Fire Protection District this ll 2t'L the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
(
Mayor
ATTEST
Clerk of Board