RESOLUTION NUMBER: 6649-2025
CITY OF SEBASTOPOL
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEBASTOPOL APPROVING THE ANNEXATION OF
CITY FIRE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES INTO THE GOLD RIDGE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT AND THE DISTRICT’S REORGANIZATION APPLICATION
WHEREAS, the City previously created a Fire Ad Hoc Committee to evaluate the City potentially reorganizing its Fire and Emergency Medical Services (hereinafter, “fire services”) into the Gold Ridge Fire Protection District (the “District”); and
WHEREAS, in April 2024, the City Council received a comprehensive report from the Fire Ad Hoc Committee and City staff recommended that the City proceed with reorganizing fire services with the District, and authorized the Fire Ad Hoc Committee to lead negotiations with the District; and WHEREAS, in May 2024, the City and District entered into a memorandum of understanding for shared services which results in greater fire and emergency medical services management and coordination between the two agencies; and
WHEREAS, on October 1, 2024, the City Council adopted Resolution 6619-2024, a Joint Resolution of the City and District Endorsing the Proposed Annexation of the City of Sebastopol’s Fire and Emergency Medical Services into the Gold Ridge Fire Protection District subject to certain terms and conditions; and WHEREAS, the Fire Ad-Hoc Committee and staff have been working diligently to complete due diligence and negotiate the detailed terms and conditions of the reorganization of Fire Services with the District; and
WHEREAS, as part of this due diligence process, the City retained an experienced consultant, Citygate, to evaluate and compare the reorganization with maintaining an independent stand-alone fire district; and WHEREAS, reorganization of fire services into the District will enable the City to receive an increased level of service at less of a cost for the City’s General Fund due to the District’s economies of scale, depth of personnel, and resources; and
WHEREAS, it would cost the City at least a $1 million more from the City’s General Fund to maintain a fire department that will provide the same level of service as the District, or at least $2 million more from the City’s General Fund if City voters would not approve a new parcel tax for fire services; and WHEREAS, maintaining the City fire department with the current level of service will result in fire services being provided at level that does not meet community expectations or current standards; and WHEREAS, the City also hired a consultant to evaluate the City’s fire station, which revealed that the station needs substantial investment, which will cost millions of dollars: and WHEREAS, under the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000, the Sonoma County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) has the authority to review and approve or Docusign Envelope ID: 9BBA5CC2-E8E9-4482-B386-DF98480F289F disapprove proposals for changes in the boundaries and organization to include consolidations, and must approve the proposed reorganization of the City’s fire services into the District; and WHEREAS, the Fire Ad-Hoc Committee has completed extensive negotiations with the District, and the outcomes of those negotiations are reflected in the District’s proposed LAFCO application for reorganization; and
WHEREAS, as part of the reorganization, the City will enter into a revenue sharing agreement with the District whereby the City will make annual payment to the District of $1.11 Million, which will be increased annually in accordance with the annual percent change in the consumer price index; and WHEREAS, as part of the reorganization, all fire assets of the City, including fire apparatus and the fire station, will be transferred to the District in their as-is condition, which will be responsible for all ongoing maintenance and repair; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has carefully reviewed the District’s proposed LAFCO application for reorganization, which is included in the agenda packet for the February 4, 2025 City Council meeting; and WHEREAS, the reorganization of the City’s fire services into the District will create a higher level of fire and emergency medical services; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that proceeding with the reorganization of the City’s fire services into the District will serve the public interest and further the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of the City of Sebastopol.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Sebastopol hereby approves the Gold Ridge Fire Protection District’s proposed application of reorganization for the City’s Fire and Emergency Medical Services.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the City Council authorizes the City Manager, in coordination with the Fire AdHoc Committee, to approve minor modifications in the District’ proposed application.
The above and foregoing Resolution was duly passed, approved, and adopted at a meeting by the City Council on the 4th day of February, 2025 by the following vote:
VOTE:
Ayes: Councilmembers Carter, Hinton, Maurer, Vice Mayor McLewis and Mayor Zollman Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain:None
APPROVED: ______________________________________________________________ Mayor Stephen Zollman
ATTEST: _________________________________________________________________ Mary Gourley, Assistant City Manager/City Clerk, MMC
APPROVED AS TO FORM: ______________________________________________ Alex Mog, City Attorney
Docusign Envelope ID: 9BBA5CC2-E8E9-4482-B386-DF98480F289F