CITY OF SEBASTOPOL CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM REPORT FOR MEETING OF: April 15, 2025
=========================================================================================== To: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
From: City Manager Don Schwartz
Subject: Recap of City Council Goals and Priorities/Strategies and Next Steps =========================================================================================== RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council receive the report recapping the City Council goals and priorities/strategies as well as receipt of next steps.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The City Council conducted a goal setting workshop on April 1, 2025 and established goals that are fundamental to effective governance. The Council deliberated and established goals through June 30, 2026.
DISCUSSION:
At the goals workshop, the Council, through public participation, input from City Councilmembers, and input from staff, identified goals that staff is to review to determine if they are feasible to be completed by June 30, 2026.
The Council established six goals:
• Community Vitality
• Public Safety
• Infrastructure
• High Performance Organization
• Long Term Financial Stability
• Economic Development
The Council identified strategies and projects to achieve the goals, listed by goal on the attached matrix. It supported 62 items, with forty three (43) of them receiving unanimous support, nine (9) receiving support from four Councilmembers, and ten (10) receiving support from three Councilmembers. These exclude numerous projects recommended by staff, which the Council directed staff to consider in developing recommendations for the Council. The Council indicated the projects with unanimous support should be prioritized over items supported by four Councilmembers, which should be prioritized over items with support from three Councilmembers.
Some of the strategies/projects reflect practices that already exist, such as providing quarterly financial reports and improving our emergency management capacity. Most reflect new efforts.
Overall, there are considerably more projects than staff has the capacity to complete before July of next year.
Thus, further prioritization will be essential.
NEXT STEPS:
Staff intend to take the following steps, while being flexible to account for new information:
1. Eliminate projects from the matrix that did not receive three or more votes.
Agenda Item Number: 8
Agenda Item Number: 8
City Council Meeting Packet of: April 15, 2025
2. Add projects recommended by staff that are not included on the matrix . but were in the materials provided for the goal-setting session.
3. Develop cost estimates for projects with potential budget implications, and to the extent possible include them as items for the Council’s consideration in the FY 25-26 budget. This will focus on items receiving unanimous Council support.
4. Estimate levels of staff time required for projects, focusing on those receiving unanimous Council support.
5. Develop an action plan for Council consideration, which may be completed in phases. The action plan will reflect direction provided by Council, staff recommendation, and budget and staff resources required for each project, In some cases, projects with less Council support may be recommended for action over other projects based on resources available.
Councilmembers have proposed some of the priorities as agenda items that have been presented to the Agenda Review Committee for placement onto a future City Council meeting. Staff is recommending that these items be listed as pending on a forward agenda to allow staff the opportunity to review the items that received unanimous support at the goals session, take those items to the budget committee as part of the budget process, and bring the items forward in the context of other projects. Considering projects individually undermines the opportunity for the Council to consider the importance of particular projects in the context of your goals.
Staff Analysis:
Staff has attached the matrix of goals, priorities/strategies and highlighted the goals that had unanimous Council support.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH:
This item has been noticed in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act and was available for public viewing and review at least 72 hours prior to schedule meeting date. The City has also used social media to promote and advertise the City Council Meeting Agenda Items.
As of the writing of this staff report, the City has not received any public comment. However, if staff receives public comment from interested parties following the publication and distribution of this staff report such comments will be provided to the City Council as supplemental materials before or at the meeting.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact associated with receipt of the Matrix and recommended next steps.
RESTATED RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council receive the report recapping the City Council goals and priorities/strategies as well as receiving the next steps.
CITY COUNCIL OPTIONS:
That the City Council not support the next steps as recommended and provide direction to staff. If the Council chooses this option, the item would need to be removed from the Consent Calendar.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Matrix
2. Example of Template for Next Steps
Agenda Item Number: 8 Agenda Item Number: 8
City Council Meeting Packet of: April 15, 2025
APPROVALS:
Department Head Approval: Approval Date
CEQA Determination (Planning): Approval Date:
This action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it is not a project which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines.
Administrative Services (Financial): Approval Date:
Costs authorized in City Approved Budget: ☐ Yes ☐ No N/A Account Code (f applicable)
City Attorney Approval Approval Date: N/A
City Manager Approval: Approval Date: April 8, 2025
Agenda Item Number: 8
Agenda Item Number: 8
City Council Meeting Packet of: April 15, 2025
ONE YEAR GOALS THROUGH JUNE 30 2026
GOAL COMMUNITY VITALITY
Enhance Sebastopol as a great place to live that values community health and well-being. Preserve Sebastopol’s unique character.
Strategies/Priorities
Carter Hinton Maurer McLewis Zollman
1 Restore or repair labyrinth teen memorial ($5000) X X X X X 2 Support community events with city sponsorship and
reduction of fees
X X X X X
3 Dark sky lighting X - X - X
4 Pomo and public art and updating city web site/land
acknowledgement
X X X X X
5 Drought tolerant landscaping of police and public works X - X - X 6 Affordable Housing through ADUs X X X - X
7 Tiny Homes X X X - X
8 Flower Baskets on Main Street - X X X X
9 City Ambassadors X - - X X
10 Clean up of Graffiti X X X X X
11 Festive Activities/Holiday Events X X X X X
12 Grant Writer X X X X X
GOAL PUBLIC SAFETY
Strengthen the public’s safety and improve the quality of life.
Includes supporting our first responders (police, fire, public works), responding to emergencies, protecting people, property, and businesses, and engaging in emergency preparedness community outreach, public education and prevention activities.
Strategies/Priorities
Carter Hinton Maurer McLewis Zollman
1 Explore Ways to Address Homelessness X X X X X
2 Volunteer Program Reinstituted/Increased community volunteers for downtown
X - X X X
3 Emergency Preparedness/Management X X X X X
Agenda Item Number: 8 Agenda Item Number: 8
City Council Meeting Packet of: April 15, 2025
ONE YEAR GOALS THROUGH JUNE 30 2026
9 Community Emergency Response Team – County free
offerings
X X X X X
4 Pursue no additional costs and or low cost solutions to homelessness
X X X X X
5 Coalition of Housing/Keep County or review nonprofit/change lead agenciesX X X X X 6 Keeping drugs out of town /drug enforcement/needle
exchange
X X X X X
7 Working in partnership with schools, libraries, other agencies etc - - - X X 8 Public Transparency of state required mandates for policing X - - X X 9 Revisit Infrastructure for back up of City emergency systems X X X X X
GOAL INFRASTRUCTURE
Maintaining High Quality Infrastructure, Facilities and Services includes repairing/replacing outdated city facilities, improving streets, stormwater and wastewater infrastructure
Strategies/Priorities
Carter Hinton Maurer McLewis Zollman
1 Trail Projects/ Desk top study for Apple Blossom Trail X - X - X 2 Caltrans grant – Sustainable transportation X X X X X 3 Parking Issues/downtown X - - - -
4 Potholes/Street Resurfacing X X X X X
5 Wastewater Pipes/Infrastructure/Sewer master plan X X X X X 6 Storm Drain Plan – Removal of silt X X X X X
7 CUSP Grant Application for Phase I of Naturalization of Calder Creek and Ives Park
X X X X X
8 Implementation of Rotary Centennial Plan (with revisioning of ives park) Council review first
X X X X X
9 Well 4 (updates/funding) X X X X X
10 Review of Downtown Cell Tower/Need/Safety/Anything to be done about it
- - X - -
11 Review of City Buildings/Expansion of Senior center/Library/City Hall/Community Center
X X X - X
12 SCTCA Funding Plan Cycle/Bodega Ave Bike Lanes
SCTCA Funding Plan Cycle 2
X X X X X
13 EIFD X X X X X
Agenda Item Number: 8
Agenda Item Number: 8
City Council Meeting Packet of: April 15, 2025
ONE YEAR GOALS THROUGH JUNE 30 2026
14 ADA walk way in Ives Park X X X X X
15 Removal and/or replace of Chain Link Fence at Ives Park X - X X X 16 Preserve and Clean Up of Laguna Wetlands Open Bathroom during daytime hours (near ball field/little league)
- - X - X
17 Pickleball courts - - X X -
18 Add Items to List from Staff:
Water / Sewer Master Plan
City buildings
X X X X X
GOAL HIGH PERFORMANCE ORGANIZATION
Strategies/Priorities
Carter Hinton Maurer McLewis Zollman
1 Achieving staffing/ Program targets that match best
standards and efficiency/operational staffing
efficiencies/baseline budgets/performance management
X X X X X
2 Avoid builder remedy X X X X X
3 Slow down major decisions X X X - -
4 Restoring public trust X X X X X
5 Utilizing technology (AI) X - - X X
6 IT Audit (approved during earlier Council Meeting) X X X X X 7 Improve Public Communications X X X X X
8 Shared Services X X X X X
9 Cross Training of Administrative Staff/Actions from Class and Comp Study and Staffing Assessment
X X X X X
GOAL LONG TERM FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
Achieving Greater Fiscal Resilience and Long Term Fiscal Sustainability
Strategies/Priorities
Carter Hinton Maurer McLewis Zollman
1 Balanced Budget X X X X X
Agenda Item Number: 8
Agenda Item Number: 8
City Council Meeting Packet of: April 15, 2025
ONE YEAR GOALS THROUGH JUNE 30 2026
2 Quarterly Financial report/annual long term budget
reductions
X X X X X
3 Measure U Priority Resolution reviewed during Budget
Process
X X X X X
4 Enterprise Oversight Committee; weave into budget committee process – biannual review of enterprise funds
X - X X X
5 Publish Reports on Budget Illustrating Budget (Budget at a Glance)
X X X X X
6 Diversify City Revenue base X X X X X
7 Update Financial Policies/Ensure meets CIRA X X X X X 8 Increasing Revenue Base X X X X X
9 Update of Impact Fees and More Information X X X X X
10 Grants from Regional Bodies X X X X X
11 Review of Zoning Codes for streamlining of permitting X X X X X
GOAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Strategies/Priorities
Carter Hinton Maurer McLewis Zollman
1 Growing Businesses Together X X X X X
2 Attract and support market rate housing X - X X X
3 Support chamber in advertising the City (branding) X - - - - 4 Presentation from new CDD on economic
development/plans/strategy/ responsibility of who (what department) is keeping track of businesses?/ How we are working as part of economic development /working with
broker who are working with people who are seeking
spaces/how develop relationships
X X X X X
5 Clarification on Sebastopol downtown business association merging with chamber of commerce
X - - X X
6 Audit of are we getting business licensing fees/what is city hall doing to keep eye on city getting its fees?
X X - X X
7 Formula Business Review of Ordinance X - - X X
8 Business surveys X - - X X
Agenda Item Number: 8
Agenda Item Number: 8
City Council Meeting Packet of: April 15, 2025
ONE YEAR GOALS THROUGH JUNE 30, 2026
GOAL
Title
Council
Priority TBD Status Timeline
Department
Responsible Constraints
Potential Costs to
City Budget Additional Notes Carter Hinton Maurer McLewis Zollman 1 Restore or repair labyrinth teen memorial
($5000)
Public
Works/Engineering Funding/Staff Time
City staff to work with Councilmember Maurer on plan
for funding and transfer of teen memorial to new
location.
X X X X X
2 Support community events with city
sponsorship and reduction of fees Ongoing Ongoing
Public
Works/Engineering
Staff time to review permit/fee
waiver request/prepare agenda
item
None other than loss
of revenues
Waivers are reviewed by Council on a case by case
basis at a City Council Meeting.
X X X X X
3 Pomo and public art and updating city web
site/land acknowledgement Dec-25
City
Administration/City
Attorney
Research of Land
Acknowledments from other
cities
None other than Staff
time
X X X X X
4 Clean up of Graffiti
Public
Works/Engineering
Funding of Staff/materials for
removal X X X X X
5 Festive Activities/Holiday Events Dec-25 X X X X X
6 Grant Writer
As soon as
possible City Administration
Costs for RFP/Contract or costs
for hiring of grant writer X X X X X
GOAL
Title
Council
Priority TBD Status Timeline
Department
Responsible Constraints
Potential Costs to
City Budget Additional Notes Carter Hinton Maurer McLewis Zollman 1 Affordable Housing through ADUs X X X - X
2 Tiny Homes X X X - X
3 Flower Baskets on Main Street - X X X X
GOAL
Title
Council
Priority TBD Status Timeline
Department
Responsible Constraints
Potential Costs to
City Budget Additional Notes Carter Hinton Maurer McLewis Zollman 1 Drought tolerant landscaping of police and
public works X - X - X
2 City Ambassadors X - - X X
3 Dark sky lighting X - X - X
GOAL
Title
Council
Priority TBD Status Timeline
Department
Responsible Constraints
Potential Costs to
City Budget Additional Notes Carter Hinton Maurer McLewis Zollman 1 Explore Ways to Address Homelessness X X X X X
2 Revisit Infrastructure for back up of City
emergency systems
X X X X X
3 Emergency Preparedness/Management X X X X X
4 Community Emergency Response Team –
County free offerings X X X X X
5 Pursue no additional costs and or low cost
solutions to homelessness X X X X X
6 Coalition of Housing/Keep County or review
non-profit/change lead agencies X X X X X
7 Keeping drugs out of town /drug
enforcement/needle exchange X X X X X
GOAL
Title
Council
Priority TBD Status Timeline
Department
Responsible Constraints
Potential Costs to
City Budget Additional Notes Carter Hinton Maurer McLewis Zollman 1 Volunteer Program Reinstituted/Increased
community volunteers for downtown X - X X X
GOAL
Title
Council
Priority TBD Status Timeline
Department
Responsible Constraints
Potential Costs to
City Budget Additional Notes Carter Hinton Maurer McLewis Zollman 1 Public Transparency of state required
mandates for policing X - - X X
GOAL
Title
Council
Priority TBD Status Timeline
Department
Responsible Constraints
Potential Costs to
City Budget Additional Notes Carter Hinton Maurer McLewis Zollman 1 Working in partnership with schools, libraries,
other agencies etc. - - - X X
GOAL
Title
Council
Priority TBD Status Timeline
Department
Responsible Constraints
Potential Costs to
City Budget Additional Notes Carter Hinton Maurer McLewis Zollman 1 Caltrans grant – Sustainable transportation X X X X X
UNANIMOUS SUPPORT
Priority/Strategy
UNANIMOUS SUPPORT
COMMUNITY VITALITY
Enhance Sebastopol as a great place to live that values community health and well-being. Preserve Sebastopol’s unique character.
COMMUNITY VITALITY
Enhance Sebastopol as a great place to live that values community health and well-being. Preserve Sebastopol’s unique character.
Priority/Strategy
NO FULL CONSENSUS (4 Votes)
COMMUNITY VITALITY
Enhance Sebastopol as a great place to live that values community health and well-being. Preserve Sebastopol’s unique character.
Priority/Strategy
NO FULL CONSENSUS (3 Votes)
PUBLIC SAFETY
Strengthen the public’s safety and improve the quality of life. Includes supporting our first responders (police, fire, public works), responding to emergencies, protecting people, property, and businesses, and engaging in emergency preparedness community outreach, public education and prevention activities.
Priority/Strategy
Priority/Strategy
PUBLIC SAFETY
Strengthen the public’s safety and improve the quality of life. Includes supporting our first responders (police, fire, public works), responding to emergencies, protecting people, property, and businesses, and engaging in emergency preparedness community outreach, public education and prevention activities.
Priority/Strategy
NO FULL CONSENSUS (4 Votes)
PUBLIC SAFETY
Strengthen the public’s safety and improve the quality of life. Includes supporting our first responders (police, fire, public works), responding to emergencies, protecting people, property, and businesses, and engaging in emergency preparedness community outreach, public education and prevention activities.
Priority/Strategy
NO FULL CONSENSUS (3 Votes)
PUBLIC SAFETY
Strengthen the public’s safety and improve the quality of life. Includes supporting our first responders (police, fire, public works), responding to emergencies, protecting people, property, and businesses, and engaging in emergency preparedness community outreach, public education and prevention activities.
Priority/Strategy
NO FULL CONSENSUS (2 Votes)
INFRASTRUCTURE
Maintaining High Quality Infrastructure, Facilities and Services includes repairing/replacing outdated city facilities, improving streets, stormwater and wastewater infrastructure.
UNANIMOUS SUPPORT
EXAMPLE OF NEXT STEPS TEMPLATE Agenda Item Number: 8
Agenda Item Number: 8
City Council Meeting Packet of: April 15, 2025
2 Potholes/Street Resurfacing X X X X X
3 Wastewater Pipes/Infrastructure/Sewer
master plan X X X X X
4 Storm Drain Plan – Removal of silt X X X X X
5 CUSP Grant Application for Phase I of
Naturalization of Calder Creek and Ives Park X X X X X
6 Implementation of Rotary Centennial Plan
(with revisioning of ives park) Council review
first
X X X X X
7 Well 4 (updates/funding) X X X X X
8 SCTCA Funding Plan Cycle/Bodega Ave Bike
Lanes. SCTCA Funding Plan Cycle 2 X X X X X
9 EIFD X X X X X
10 ADA walk way in Ives Park X X X X X
11 Add Items to List from Staff:
Water / Sewer Master Plan.
City buildings
X X X X X
GOAL
Title
Council
Priority TBD Status Timeline
Department
Responsible Constraints
Potential Costs to
City Budget Additional Notes Carter Hinton Maurer McLewis Zollman 1 Review of City Buildings/Expansion of Senior
center/Library/City Hall/Community Center X X X - X
2 Removal and/or replace of Chain Link Fence
at Ives Park X - X X X
GOAL
Title
Council
Priority TBD Status Timeline
Department
Responsible Constraints
Potential Costs to
City Budget Additional Notes Carter Hinton Maurer McLewis Zollman 1 Trail Projects/ Desk top study for Apple
Blossom Trail X - X - X
GOAL
Title
Council
Priority TBD Status Timeline
Department
Responsible Constraints
Potential Costs to
City Budget Additional Notes Carter Hinton Maurer McLewis Zollman 1 Preserve and Clean Up of Laguna Wetlands
Open Bathroom during daytime hours (near
ball field/little league)
- - X - X
2 Pickleball courts - - X X -
GOAL
Title
Council
Priority TBD Status Timeline
Department
Responsible Constraints
Potential Costs to
City Budget Additional Notes Carter Hinton Maurer McLewis Zollman 1 Parking Issues/downtown X - - - -
2 Review of Downtown Cell
Tower/Need/Safety/Anything to be done
about it
- - X - -
GOAL
Title
Council
Priority TBD Status Timeline
Department
Responsible Constraints
Potential Costs to
City Budget Additional Notes Carter Hinton Maurer McLewis Zollman 1 Achieving staffing/ Program targets that
match best standards and
efficiency/operational staffing
efficiencies/baseline budgets/performance
management
X X X X X
2 Avoid builder remedy X X X X X
3 Restoring public trust X X X X X
4 IT Audit (approved during earlier Council
Meeting) X X X X X
5 Improve Public Communications X X X X X
6 Shared Services X X X X X
7 Cross Training of Administrative Staff/Actions
from Class and Comp Study and Staffing
Assessment
X X X X X
GOAL
Title
Council
Priority TBD Status Timeline
Department
Responsible Constraints
Potential Costs to
City Budget Additional Notes Carter Hinton Maurer McLewis Zollman 1 Slow down major decisions X X X - -
2 Utilizing technology (AI) X - - X X
GOAL
Title
Council
Priority TBD Status Timeline
Department
Responsible Constraints
Potential Costs to
City Budget Additional Notes Carter Hinton Maurer McLewis Zollman Priority/Strategy
INFRASTRUCTURE
Maintaining High Quality Infrastructure, Facilities and Services includes repairing/replacing outdated city facilities, improving streets, stormwater and wastewater infrastructure.
Priority/Strategy
NO FULL CONSENSUS (4 Votes)
INFRASTRUCTURE
Maintaining High Quality Infrastructure, Facilities and Services includes repairing/replacing outdated city facilities, improving streets, stormwater and wastewater infrastructure.
Priority/Strategy
NO FULL CONSENSUS (3 Votes)
INFRASTRUCTURE
Maintaining High Quality Infrastructure, Facilities and Services includes repairing/replacing outdated city facilities, improving streets, stormwater and wastewater infrastructure.
Priority/Strategy
NO FULL CONSENSUS (2 Votes)
INFRASTRUCTURE
Maintaining High Quality Infrastructure, Facilities and Services includes repairing/replacing outdated city facilities, improving streets, stormwater and wastewater infrastructure.
NO FULL CONSENSUS (3 Votes)
LONG TERM FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
Achieving Greater Fiscal Resilience and Long Term Fiscal Sustainability NO FULL CONSENSUS (1 Vote)
HIGH PERFORMANCE ORGANIZATION
Priority/Strategy
UNANIMOUS SUPPORT
HIGH PERFORMANCE ORGANIZATION
Priority/Strategy
EXAMPLE OF NEXT STEPS TEMPLATE Agenda Item Number: 8
Agenda Item Number: 8
City Council Meeting Packet of: April 15, 2025
1 Balanced Budget X X X X X
2 Quarterly Financial report/annual long term
budget reductions X X X X X
3 Measure U Priority Resolution reviewed
during Budget Process X X X X X
4 Publish Reports on Budget Illustrating Budget
(Budget at a Glance) X X X X X
5 Diversify City Revenue base X X X X X
6 Update Financial Policies/Ensure meets CIRA X X X X X 7 Increasing Revenue Base X X X X X
8 Update of Impact Fees and More Information X X X X X
9 Grants from Regional Bodies X X X X X
10 Review of Zoning Codes for streamlining of
permitting X X X X X
GOAL
Title
Council
Priority TBD Status Timeline
Department
Responsible Constraints
Potential Costs to
City Budget Additional Notes Carter Hinton Maurer McLewis Zollman 1 Enterprise Oversight Committee; weave into
budget committee process – biannual review
of enterprise funds
X - X X X
GOAL
Title
Council
Priority TBD Status Timeline
Department
Responsible Constraints
Potential Costs to
City Budget Additional Notes Carter Hinton Maurer McLewis Zollman 1 Growing Businesses Together X X X X X
2 Presentation from new CDD on economic
development/plans/strategy/ responsibility of
who (what department) is keeping track of
businesses?/ How we are working as part of
economic development /working with broker
who are working with people who are seeking
spaces/how develop relationships
X X X X X
GOAL
Title
Council
Priority TBD Status Timeline
Department
Responsible Constraints
Potential Costs to
City Budget Additional Notes Carter Hinton Maurer McLewis Zollman 1 Attract and support market rate housing X - X X X
2 Audit of are we getting business licensing
fees/what is city hall doing to keep eye on city
getting its fees?
X X - X X
GOAL
Title
Council
Priority TBD Status Timeline
Department
Responsible Constraints
Potential Costs to
City Budget Additional Notes Carter Hinton Maurer McLewis Zollman 1 Business surveys X - - X X
2 Clarification on Sebastopol downtown
business association merging with chamber of
commerce
X - - X X
3 Formula Business Review of Ordinance X - - X X
GOAL
Title
Council
Priority TBD Status Timeline
Department
Responsible Constraints
Potential Costs to
City Budget Additional Notes Carter Hinton Maurer McLewis Zollman 1 Support chamber in advertising the City
(branding) X - - - -
TOTALS
5 votes = 43
4 votes = 9
3 votes = 10
2 votes = 3
1 vote = 3
Priority/Strategy
Priority/Strategy
UNANIMOUS SUPPORT
LONG TERM FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
Achieving Greater Fiscal Resilience and Long Term Fiscal Sustainability Priority/Strategy
NO FULL CONSENSUS (4 Votes)
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
NO FULL CONSENSUS (3 Votes)
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Priority/Strategy
NO FULL CONSENSUS (1 Vote)
UNANIMOUS SUPPORT
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Priority/Strategy
NO FULL CONSENSUS (4 Votes)
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Priority/Strategy
EXAMPLE OF NEXT STEPS TEMPLATE Agenda Item Number: 8
Agenda Item Number: 8
City Council Meeting Packet of: April 15, 2025