CITY OF SEBASTOPOL CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM REPORT FOR MEETING OF: September 2, 2025
=========================================================================================== To: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
From: City Attorney Alex Mog
Interim City Manager Mary Gourley
Responsible Department: City Management
Subject: Approval of Direction to Staff (City Attorney) to prepare ordinances based upon community concerns. Proposed ordinances to address good neighbor policy to foster positive relationships between homeless service providers and the communities they serve mitigating potential negative impacts on neighborhoods and rebuild trust between residents and service providers; ordinance to address property maintenance and related community impacts; and ordinance to provide standards for public space use and address community safety concerns.
=========================================================================================== RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council Approve of Direction to Staff (City Attorney) to prepare ordinances based upon community concerns. Proposed ordinances to address good neighbor policy to foster positive relationships between homeless service providers and the communities they serve mitigating potential negative impacts on neighborhoods and rebuild trust between residents and service providers; ordinance to address property maintenance and related community impacts; and ordinance to provide standards for public space use and address community safety concerns.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This item seeks Council approval to authorize the City Attorney to research, develop, and return with draft ordinances or policy options that address ongoing concerns regarding public space use, neighborhood livability, and the relationship between service providers and the surrounding community. The City Attorney would review relevant case law, identify best practices, and prepare language for Council consideration at a future meeting.
PROCESS OF AGENDA ITEM:
1. If item remains on consent, no presentation of item is required. Item would be approved as a consent calendar item.
2. If item is removed from the consent calendar; item would be placed at the end of the regular agenda items for discussion following the process below:
a. Presentation of agenda item by the City Attorney
b. Questions and discussion from Councilmembers
c. Public comment period
d. Council deliberation and motion
BACKGROUND:
The City of Sebastopol has received increasing community concern regarding quality-of-life issues in neighborhoods and commercial areas, particularly related to unsheltered homelessness, property/site maintenance, and behavior in public spaces. In response, staff recommends developing potential ordinances or policies to address these concerns while balancing the City’s legal responsibilities and service obligations.
DISCUSSION:
Agenda Item Number: 4 Agenda Item Number: 4
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: September 2, 2025
Direction from the Council would authorize the City Attorney to review relevant case law, examine ordinances from comparable jurisdictions, and determine the legal parameters for adoption of good neighbor, property maintenance, and public space use regulations. Draft options would then be returned to Council for review, refinement, and possible adoption.
STAFF (RESPONSIBLE DEPARTMENT) ANALYSIS:
The City Manager’s Office and the City Attorney recommend that Council direct staff to conduct legal research, review best practices, and prepare draft language or policy frameworks for further discussion at a future Council meeting.
CITY COUNCIL GOALS/PRIORITIES; AND/OR GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY:
This agenda item represents the City Council goals/priorities as follows:
Goal 4: HIGH PERFORMANCE ORGANIZATION
Restoring public trust
Improve Public Communications
Enhance Sebastopol as a great place to live that values community health and well-being. Preserve Sebastopol’s unique character.
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.
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 agenda item report, the City has not received public comment. If staff receives public comments following the publication and distribution of this agenda item report, such comments will be provided to the City Council as supplemental materials before or at the meeting and will be posted to the city website.
FISCAL IMPACT:
It is anticipated that approximately 10 hours to 15 hours and can be accommodated in the general attorney fees budget and if additional hours are needed; City staff will return to Council with an update.
RESTATED RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council Approve of Direction to Staff (City Attorney) to prepare ordinances based upon community concerns. Proposed ordinances to address good neighbor policy to foster positive relationships between homeless service providers and the communities they serve mitigating potential negative impacts on neighborhoods and rebuild trust between residents and service providers; ordinance to address property maintenance and related community impacts; and ordinance to provide standards for public space use and address community safety concerns.
OPTIONS:
1. Deny the request and provide further direction to staff.
ATTACHMENTS:
Agenda Item Number: 4
Agenda Item Number: 4
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: September 2, 2025
None
APPROVALS:
Department Head Approval: Approval Date: 8-20-2025
CEQA Determination (Planning): Approval Date: 8-20-2025 The proposed action is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Administrative Services (Financial): Approval Date: 8-20-2025 Costs authorized in City Approved Budget: ☐XX Yes ☐ No N/A Account Code (f applicable) ___________________________ City Attorney Approval: Approval Date: 8-20-2025
City Manager Approval: Approval Date: 8-20-2025
Agenda Item Number: 4
Agenda Item Number: 4
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: September 2, 2025