City Council
Mayor Stephen Zollman
Vice Mayor Jill McLewis
Councilmember Phill Carter
Councilmember Neysa Hinton
Councilmember Sandra Maurer
Interim City Manager
Mary Gourley
[email protected]
Meeting of Tuesday, November 4, 2025
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
MINUTES FOR MEETING OF NOVEMBER 4, 2025
As Approved by the City Council at their regular meeting of November 18, 2025.
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Zollman called the meeting to order 6:00 pm ROLL CALL:
Present: Mayor Stephen Zollman
Vice Mayor McLewis Zoom – ADA Accommodation
Councilmember Phil Carter
Councilmember Sandra Maurer
Absent: Councilmember Neysa Hinton
Staff: Interim City Manager Mary Gourley
City Attorney Alex Mog
Administrative Services Director Kwong
Public Works Operations Supervisor Billings
Vice Mayor McLewis replied she was attending by zoom via medical accommodation.
REMOTE PARTICIPATION UNDER AB 2449 (IF NEEDED): To consider and take action on any request from a Council Member to participate in a meeting remotely due to Just Cause or Emergency Circumstances pursuant to AB 2449 (Government Code Section 549539(f)). Assembly Bill 2302 (2024) (“AB 2302”) revises rules for when members of local legislative bodies may participate in meetings remotely. Specifically, it amends the number of meetings that may be attended remotely for just cause and under emergency circumstances and clarifies the definition of the term “meeting,” for purposes of remote attendance. AB 2302 caps the number of remote meetings a member can attend each year based on the frequency of a legislative body’s meetings: Five meetings per year for those meeting twice a month.
None Requested.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: The City of Sebastopol acknowledges that we live and work within the unceded ancestral homelands of the Southern Pomo and the Coast Miwok people. We pay our respect to the past, present, and future generations of these peoples, including the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria.
PROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATIONS/INTRODUCTIONS:
• Proclamation: Indigenous Peoples Day /Native American Heritage Month Reference Order Number: 2025-337
STATEMENTS OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: Conflicts of interest may arise in situations where a public official deliberating towards a decision, has an actual or potential financial interest in the matter before the Council. In accordance with state law, an actual conflict of interest is one that would be to the private financial benefit of a public official, a relative or a business with which the Councilmember is associated. A potential conflict of interest is one that could be to the private financial benefit of a Councilmember, a relative or a business with which the Councilmember is associated. A Councilmember must publicly announce potential and actual conflicts of interest, and, in the case of actual conflict of interest, must refrain from participating in debate on the issue or from voting on the issue and must remove themselves from the dais.
There were no statements of conflict of interest announced.
PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA (FIRST COMMENT PERIOD): Up to Twenty (20) Minute Time Limit (Two Minutes for up to ten speakers). Additional public comment will be held at the end of the discussion and action items for up to an additional twenty (20) minutes. Mayor has discretion to allow for additional time beyond the 20 minutes allocated for public comment dependent upon the subject matter or number of speakers.
Process for calling on Speakers: Mayor or designee shall ask for public comment as follows: Speakers to be called on in an alternate manner (One speaker in person to be called on first; then one speaker remote to be called on second with additional speakers to be called on in the same manner) based upon the time limit.
Mayor Zollman opened for public comment. The following member(s) of the public spoke during public comment:
None
CONSENT CALENDAR: The consent agenda consists of items that are routine in nature and do not require additional discussion by the City Council or have been reviewed by the City Council previously. These items may be approved by one motion without discussion unless a member of the City Council requests that the item be taken off the consent calendar.
The Mayor will read aloud the title of each consent item (either full agenda title or a simplified version of the agenda title), and ask if a Councilmember wishes to remove one or more items from the consent calendar; and then open public comment to the members of the public in attendance. At this time, a member of the public may speak for up to two (2) minutes on the entire consent calendar and request at that time that an item or items removed for discussion.
If an item or items are removed from the consent calendar, the item shall be placed at the end of the regular agenda items unless otherwise determined by the Mayor. Council Members may comment on Consent Calendar items or ask for minor clarifications without the need for pulling the item for separate consideration. Items requiring deliberation should be pulled for separate consideration and shall be placed at the end of the regular agenda items unless otherwise determined by the Mayor.
Mayor Zollman read the consent calendar.
Mayor Zollman asked if any Councilmember wanted to remove a consent calendar item. There were none.
Mayor Zollman opened for public comment. The following member(s) of the public spoke during public comment:
None
Mayor Zollman called for a motion.
MOTION:
Councilmember Maurer moved and Councilmember Carter seconded the motion to approve consent calendar items 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.
Mayor Zollman called for a roll call vote. City staff conducted a roll call vote.
VOTE:
Ayes: Councilmembers Carter, Maurer, Vice Mayor McLewis and Mayor Zollman Noes: None
Absent: Councilmember Hinton
Abstain: None
1. Approval of City Council Meeting Special Meeting – Closed Session Minutes of October 20, 2025 Responsible Department: Interim City Manager
Fiscal Impact: Staff time required to prepare the minutes is covered within existing budgeted salaries. No additional financial impact is anticipated with approval of this item.
City Council Action: Approved City Council Meeting Special Meeting – Closed Session Minutes of October 20, 2025 Minute Order Number: 2025-338
2. Approval of City Council Meeting Regular Meeting Minutes of October 21, 2025 Responsible Department: Interim City Manager
Fiscal Impact: Staff time required to prepare the minutes is covered within existing budgeted salaries. No additional financial impact is anticipated with approval of this item.
City Council Action: Approved City Council Meeting Regular Meeting Minutes of October 21, 2025 Minute Order Number: 2025-339
3. Approval of Conversion of Administrative Technician Classification to a I/II (Entry, Journey) Classification Series
Responsible Department: Human Resources Consultant/Administrative Services Director Fiscal Impact: Administrative Technician I classification as part of a two-classification series for Administrative Technician. The salary range for Administrative Technician I is 10% below that of the Administrative Technician II. No additional financial impact to the general fund is anticipated with approval of this item as the Administrative Technician position is approved and allocated in the approved budget.
City Council Action: Approved Conversion of Administrative Technician Classification to a I/II (Entry, Journey) Classification Series
Minute Order Number: 2025-340
Resolution Number: 6711-2025
4. Approval of Amendment to Pay Rates and Ranges Schedule.
Responsible Department: Human Resources Consultant/Administrative Services Director Fiscal Impact: Staff time required to prepare the agenda report. No fiscal impact.
City Council Action: Approved Amendment to Pay Rates and Ranges Schedule.
Minute Order Number: 2025-341
Resolution Number: 6712-2025
5. Amendment to Composition of Enterprise Funds Oversight Committee. Item is to reduce the number of members and appoint without interviews interested members.
Responsible Department: Public Works
Fiscal Impact: Staff time required to prepare the minutes is covered within existing budgeted salaries City Council Action: Approved amendment to Composition of Enterprise Funds Oversight Committee. Item is to reduce the number of members and appoint without interviews interested members Minute Order Number: 2025-342
Resolution Number: 6713-2025
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS/PRESENTATIONS: Informational Items or Presentations are items that are informational only and do not require action by the City Council. Presentations shall be scheduled as necessary for the promotion of an event or service or general information items to the Council and should be limited to ten (10) minutes total in length of item (total length includes questions of Council to presenter and public comment).
6. FY25-26 Quarter 1 Financial Update for Enterprise Funds. This report is for First Quarter of current Fiscal Year (July, August and September 2025)
Responsible Department: Administrative Services
Fiscal Impact: Staff time required to prepare the agenda report is covered within existing budgeted salaries.
Administrative Services Director Kwong presented the agenda item recommending the Council hear the presentation; ask questions, open the public comment, and receive the presentation.
Mayor Zollman asked for questions of the presenter/or staff. Council asked various questions of staff/presenter.
Mayor Zollman opened the public comment. The following member(s) of the public provided public comment:
Kyle
City Council Discussion/Deliberations/Direction:
The Council thanked the presenter for the informational presentation City Council Action: None Required. Informational Presentation Only.
Minute Order Number: 2025-343
7. FY25-26 Quarter 1 Financial Update for General Funds. This report is for First Quarter of current Fiscal Year (July, August and September 2025)
Responsible Department: Administrative Services
Fiscal Impact: Staff time required to prepare the agenda report is covered within existing budgeted salaries.
Administrative Services Director Kwong presented the agenda item recommending the Council hear the presentation; ask questions, open the public comment, and receive the presentation.
Mayor Zollman asked for questions of the presenter/or staff. Council asked various questions of staff/presenter.
Mayor Zollman opened the public comment. The following member(s) of the public provided public comment:
None
City Council Discussion/Deliberations/Direction:
The Council thanked the presenter for the informational presentation City Council Action: None Required. Informational Presentation Only.
Minute Order Number: 2025-344
PUBLIC HEARING(s): NONE
REGULAR CALENDAR AGENDA ITEMS (DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION):
8. Introduction and First Reading of an Ordinance, and Adoption of an Urgency Ordinance, to Add Chapter
9.36, Just Cause Eviction and Tenant Relocation, to the Sebastopol Municipal Code Regarding Regulated Units.
Responsible Department: City Attorney
Fiscal Impact: There are no direct fiscal costs associated with adoption of the proposed ordinances.
However, if the ordinances are adopted the City may receive questions from tenants and property owners, and responding to those questions will require staff time. In an effort to provide good customer service, the City’s practice is to respond to questions from the public, but to do so as efficiently as possible. Staff will return to the City Council if the amount of staff time dedicated to this ordinance is substantial.
City Attorney Alex Mog presented the agenda item recommending the Council receive the agenda report, ask questions, open the public comment, and deliberate on the request to introduce for first reading and adoption of Urgency Ordinance, to Add Chapter 9.36, Just Cause Eviction and Tenant Relocation, to the Sebastopol Municipal Code Regarding Regulated Units.
Mayor Zollman asked for questions of the presenter/or staff. Council asked various questions of staff/presenter.
Mayor Zollman opened the public comment. The following member(s) of the public provided public comment:
Melissa
Galina
Lisa
Susan
Michelle
Kate
Resident PAH
Margaret
Katarina
Oliver
Sunny
Kyle
Charles
Adam
Paul
TJ
Resident
Kate
Lena
Resident
Gayle
Resident
City Council Discussion/Deliberations/Direction:
The Council discussed the proposed ordinance.
Council took a straw vote. 4-0 support
MOTION:
Mayor Zollman moved and Councilmember Maurer seconded the motion to:
1) Introduce and waive first reading of an Ordinance to add Chapter 9.36, Just Cause Eviction and Tenant Relocation, to the Sebastopol Municipal Code regarding Regulated Units; and 2) Adopt an Urgency Ordinance to add Chapter 9.36, Just Cause Eviction and Tenant Relocation, to the Sebastopol Municipal Code regarding Regulated Units.
Mayor Zollman called for a roll call vote. City staff conducted a roll call vote.
VOTE:
Ayes: Councilmembers Carter, Maurer, Vice Mayor Hinton and Mayor Zollman Noes: None
Absent: Councilmember Hinton
Abstain: None
City Council Action: Approved Introduction and waive first reading of an Ordinance to add Chapter 9.36, Just Cause Eviction and Tenant Relocation, to the Sebastopol Municipal Code regarding Regulated Units; and 2) Adopt an Urgency Ordinance to add Chapter 9.36, Just Cause Eviction and Tenant Relocation, to the Sebastopol Municipal Code regarding Regulated Units.
Minute Order Number: 2025-345
Ordinance Number: 1159 and 1160
9. Approval for Award of Contract Executive Search Firm WBCP for Recruitment Services for City Manager Position
Responsible Department: Human Resources Consultant/City Personnel Attorney Fiscal Impact: Staff time required to prepare the minutes is covered within existing budgeted salaries; Also, recruitment of city manager services is in the approved budget for $35,000. No additional financial impact is anticipated with approval of this item.
Deborah Muchmore, Human Resources Consultant, presented the agenda item recommending the Council receive the agenda report, ask questions, open the public comment, and deliberate on the request to approve award of contract to Executive Search Firm WBCP for Recruitment Services for City Manager Position.
Mayor Zollman asked for questions of the presenter/or staff. Council asked various questions of staff/presenter.
Mayor Zollman opened the public comment. The following member(s) of the public provided public comment:
Member of the public
Kyle
City Council Discussion/Deliberations/Direction:
The Council discussed community engagement in place and request for owner for assurance to be involved in the process as discussed.
MOTION:
Mayor Zollman moved and Councilmember Maurer seconded the motion to postpone the award of contract to Executive Search Firm WBCP for Recruitment Services for City Manager Position to a future City Council Meeting.
Mayor Zollman called for a roll call vote. City staff conducted a roll call vote.
VOTE:
Ayes: Councilmembers Carter, Maurer, Vice Mayor McLewis and Mayor Zollman Noes: None
Absent: Councilmember Hinton
Abstain: None
City Council Action: Approved motion to postpone the award of contract to Executive Search Firm WBCP for Recruitment Services for City Manager Position to a future City Council Meeting.
Minute Order Number: 2025-346
ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA: Two minutes per speaker for up to twenty (20) minutes total for public comments but can be reduced at Mayor’s discretion depending upon the number of speakers or Mayor has discretion to allow for additional time beyond the 20 minutes allocated for public comment dependent upon the subject matter or number of speakers.
Craig
COUNCILMEMBER(S) REQUESTS FOR FUTURE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEMS
Councilmember Maurer requested sending a letter to Woodmark asking for pause and obtaining additional information from the owner.
Councilmember Carter and Mayor Zollman supported the request.
Minute Order Number: 2025-347
CITY COUNCIL/CITY STAFF REPORTS/COMMUNICATIONS/ANNOUNCEMENTS/FUTURE MEETINGS:
10. City Manager and/or City Clerk Reports: (This will be either verbal reports at the meeting, or written reports provided at or prior to the meeting)
a. Update on MOU For HEART Pilot Program
Reference Order Number: 2025-348
11. City Council Reports/Committee/Sub-Committee Meeting Reports: (Reports by Mayor/City Councilmembers Regarding Various Agency Meetings/Committee Meetings/Sub-Committee Meeting /Conferences Attended and Possible Direction to its Representatives (If Needed) on Pending issues before such Boards. ((This will be either verbal reports at the meeting, or written reports provided at or prior to the meeting)
12. Council Communications Received (Information/Meetings/Correspondence Received from the General Public to Councilmembers)
CLOSED SESSION: NONE
ADJOURNMENT OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Mayor Zollman adjourned the November 4, 2025 City Council Regular Meeting at 7:59 pm to the next Regular City Council Meeting of Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at 6:00 pm, Sebastopol Youth Annex, 425 Morris Street, Sebastopol, CA.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary C. Gourley
Interim City Manager/City Clerk
Attachment: Zoom Transcript
City Council Meeting - November 4, 2025
I HAVE 6:00. WE WILL CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER. IF I CAN ENCOURAGE PEOPLE THAT ARE SOMEWHERE
HALF BETWEEN THE CHAMBERS AND OUTSIDE THE CHAMBERS TO KIND OF DECIDE IF THEY ARE COMING IN OR OUT. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF QUIETSO WE CAN ALL FOCUS ON THE BUSINESS AT HAND. THANK YOU KIND SIR FOR CLOSING THE DOOR.I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE ON THE AGENDA WITH THE LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT. THE CITY
OF SEBASTOPOL ACKNOWLEDGE LIVE AND WORK WITHIN THE UNSEEDED ANCESTRAL HOMELANDS FOR THE SOUTHERN PEOPLE. WE PAY OUR RESPECTS TO THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS OF THESE PEOPLE INCLUDING THE FEDERATED INDIANS WHICH LEADS NICELY INTO OUR NICE TO PROCLAMATION. WE HAVE ONE THIS EVENING AND IT IS FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY, NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH.
PROCLAIMING NATIVE AMERICAN INDIGENOUS HERITAGE MONTH NOVEMBER OF 2025 WHERE IS THE MONTH
OF NOVEMBER HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AS NATIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH IN RECOGNITION OF
THE RICH AND DIVERSE CULTURES, TRADITIONS, HISTORIES AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF THIS LAND. WHEREAS THE CITY OF SEBASTOPOL IS LOCATED ONANCESTRAL LAND AND THE TRADITIONAL
TERRITORY OF THE COAST MIWOE PEOPLE AND WE HONOR THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF INDIGENOUS
COMMUNITIES TO OUR REGION'S HISTORY, CULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT WHEREAS CELEBRATING INDIGENOUS
CURTIS -- HERITAGE AND RICHES OUR COMMUNITY BY RAISING AWARENESS OF THE PAST, FOSTERING MUTUAL
RESPECT, SUPPORTING INDIGENOUS SOVEREIGNTY, PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR TRUTH TELLING AND
HEALING AND STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN THE MINNESOTA GOVERNMENT AND NATIVE NATIONSAND COMMUNITIES. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THATMAYOR STEPHEN ZOLLMAN HEREBY CLAIM NOVEMBER 2025 AS NATIVE AMERICAN INDIGENOUS HERITAGE MONTH. THE CITY OF SEBASTOPOL
ENCOURAGES THE COMMUNITY TO ENGAGE WITH AND SUPPORT WITH LOCAL INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIESAND
WITNESS THEREOF, I'M HERE TO SET MY HAND ON THE GREAT SEAL OF THE CITY OF SEBASTOPOL THIS FOURTH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2025. AND I HAVE REACHED OUT TO A MEMBER OF THE PROGRESSIVE TRIBAL ALLIANCE AND I DON'T KNOW IF JACK IS HERE OR IF HE IS ONLINE. I DO NOT SEE THAT. BUT I WILL MAKE SURE THAT THE PROGRESSIVE TRIBAL ALLIANCE RECEIVES THIS. THANK YOU, MARY. WE WILL NOW MOVE INTO STATEMENTS OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. AND LOOKING TO MY COLLEAGUES. FIRST, VICE MAYOR ONLINE, SEEING NONE. TO MY LEFT AT MY COLLEAGUES, SEEING NONE. WE ARE THEN MOVING ON TO PUBLIC COMMENT. AGAIN, THIS IS FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA. MARY.
THAT YOU, MARY -- MAYOR. THIS IS PUBLIC COMMENT FOR PUBLIC ITEMS NOT ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA. IS A TWO MINUTE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR 20 MINUTES TOTAL. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT, I USUALLY GO TO CHAMBERS FIRST AND THEN GO TO ZOOM. THIS IS PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA. IF THERE IS ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO MICCO PUBLIC COMMENT IN THE CHAMBERS.
SEEING NONE, I WILL GO OUT TO ZOOM. IF THERE IS ANYONE ON ZOOM THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT FOR AN ITEM NOT ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND VIRTUALLY. I'M NOT SEEING ANY. SO THERE IS NO PUBLIC COMMENT.
THANK YOU, MARY. ON TO THE CONSENT CALENDAR. WE HAVE A NUMBER -- A COUPLE. NUMBER ONE, APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING CLOSED SESSION MINUTES OF OCTOBER 20TH, 2025. FOR THESE, THE FISCAL IMPACT IS THE STAFF TIME ACQUIRED. AND NUMBER TWO IS THE APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 21st, 2025. THE THIRD IS APPROVAL OF CONVERSION OF ADMINISTRATIVE TECHNICIAN CLASSIFICATION TO ONE, TWO ENTRY JOURNEY CLASSIFICATION SERIES. THE RESPONSIBLE DEPARTMENT IS THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT. AND I WILL READ THE FOLLOWING.
HUMAN RESOURCES CONSULTANT/ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR. AND THE FISCAL IMPACT IS AGAIN THE STAFF TIME IN PREPARING THESE MINUTES. THIS PART IS ALSOSOMETHING I'M GOING TO READ. THE SALARY RANGE FOR ADMINISTRATIVE TECHNICIAN, ONE, IS 10% BELOW THAT OF ADMINISTRATIVE TECHNICIAN NUMBER TWO. NO ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL IMPACT TO THE GENERAL FUND IS ANTICIPATED WITH THE
APPROVAL OF THIS AS ADMINISTERED OF TECHNICIAN POSITION IS APPROVED AND ALLOCATED IN THE APPROVED BUDGET. NUMBER FOUR, APPROVAL AMENDMENT TO PAY RATES AND RANGES SCHEDULE. AGAIN, STAFF TIME IS THE TIME TAKEN TO PREPARE THE MINUTES. NUMBER FIVE, AMENDMENT TO THE COMPOSITION OF ENTERPRISE FUNDS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE. ITEM IS TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS AND APPOINT WITHOUT INTERVIEWS FOR THOSEWHO HAVE REQUESTED AND SUBMITTED INTEREST. I WILL LOOK TO MY COLLEAGUES TO SEE IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO PULL ONE OF THE CONSENT ITEMS. LOOKING TO MY LEFT.
LOOKING TO THE VICE MAYOR AND SEEING NONE. AND SO MARY, IF WE CAN GO OUT FOR THE PUBLIC.
THANK YOU. THIS IS PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS ONE THROUGH FIVE. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT, AGAIN, IT IS A TWO MINUTE PUBLIC COMMENT. I'LL GO TO CHAMBERS FIRST AND THEN ZOOM. IF THERE IS ANYONE IN CHAMBERS THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT ON CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS ONLY. SEEING NONE, I WILL GO TO ZOOM. IF THERE IS ANYONE ON
ZOOM THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS ONLY, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND VIRTUALLY. SEEING NONE, THERE IS NO PUBLIC COMMENT.
THANK YOU, MAYOR -- MARY. BRINGING IT BACK TO MY COLLEAGUES FOR DISCUSSION.
AND MAKE A MOTION TO MOVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
SECOND.
ROLL CALL, MARY.
THANK YOU. SO MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER MAURER AND SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CARTER TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS ONE THROUGH FIVE. COUNCILMEMBER CARTER.
YES.
MAURER.
YES.
MCLEWIS.
YES.
ZOLLMAN, YES.
HINTON ABSENT. 4-1.
MOVING ON TO INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND PRESENTATIONS. THERE IS A FULL, MORE DISCUSSION AND INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT WE MEAN BY INFORMATIONAL ITEMS ON PRESENTATIONS. WHAT IS STATED IN
THE AGENDA IS THAT PRESENTATIONS SHALL BE SCHEDULED AS NECESSARY FOR THE PROMOTION OF AN EVENT OR SERVICE OR GENERAL INFORMATION ITEMS TO THE COUNCIL AND SHOULD BE LIMITED TO 10 MINUTES TOTAL IN LENGTH WITH UNLIMITED QUESTION AND ANSWER AFTER THAT. WE DO HAVE TWO TONIGHT. THE FIRST IS NUMBER SIX WHICH IS THE FISCAL 25-26 QUARTER ONE FINANCIAL UPDATE FORTHE ENTERPRISE FUNDS.
THIS REPORT IS THE 1st QUARTER OF CURRENT FISCAL YEAR, WHICH MEANS JULY, AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER OF 2025. LET ME FINISH READING THIS. THE RESPONSIBLE DEPARTMENT'S ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND THE FISCAL IMPACT AGAIN IS THE STAFF TIME REQUIRED TO PREPARE THE AGENDA REPORT. COUNCILMEMBER CARTER OR COUNCILMEMBER MAURER.
DO WE TAKE PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA?
WE DID.
I'M SORRY.
IT'S ALL GOOD.
BACK TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER SIX. I WILL TURN TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU MAYOR. IT EVENING COUNCIL AND THE PUBLIC. THERE IS NO PRESENTATION TONIGHT. THIS IS THE VERY 1st QUARTER FOR FISCAL YEAR25-26. SO I WILL JUST SHARE -- I WILL VERBALLY
REPORT OUT THE POINT FOR THE COUNCIL AND THE PUBLIC AND STAFF TO RESPOND TO ANY QUESTIONS THE COUNCIL AND THE PUBLIC MIGHT HAVE. I WANT TO MENTION THAT THE BUDGET COMMITTEE ALSO REVIEWED THE REPORT FOR THE 1st QUARTER, JULY, AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER OF 2025 ON OCTOBER 14TH. ONE CHANGE TO THIS REPORT THAT THE BUDGET COMMITTEE REQUESTED WAS FOR STAFF TO ADD THE 1st QUARTER OF LAST YEAR. SO THAT IT IS EASY FOR THE COUNCIL AND THE PUBLIC TO SEE HOW IT COMPARES FROM QUARTER TO QUARTER. SO KEEP IN MIND THAT THIS IS THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF THE FISCAL YEAR. AND THINGS ARE NOT LINEAR. SO IT DOES NOT LEAVE THE COMPLETE PICTURE OF THE ACTUAL THREE MONTHS. SO LET'S START WITH WATER FUNDS THAT WE BILL 21% OF THE YEARLY BUDGET, WHICH IS A BIT HIGHER-THAN-EXPECTED FOR JUST TWO MONTHS. AND THE RATE INCREASE WAS PLANNED IN THE SPILLING. AND ALSO, FOR JULY AND AUGUST, IT IS STILL THE SUMMER MONTHS. SO THE USE WAS A LITTLE BIT HIGHER. EXPENSES ARE 23% WHICH IS ON TRACK. SEWER IS AT 16% OF THE YEARLY BUDGET AMOUNT WHICH MET EXPECTATIONS. EXPENSES ARE AT 19% AND IT IS A LITTLE BIT LOWER AND AGAIN, THE EXPENSES ARE NOT LINEAR SO NOT EVERYTHING IS ALL EVENED OUT. STAFF DID COMPARE THE 1st QUARTER WITH THE RATE MODEL AND THE OUTCOME FOR THEINCOME AND EXPENSES ARE WORKING AS INTENDED. SO BOTH PERFORMS -- BOTH ARE PERFORMING AS EXPECTED. WE ARE NOT RECOMMENDING ANY ADJUSTMENT AT THIS POINTAS THE GOAL FOR THE COUNCIL.
STAFF ARE TAKING THIS ON A QUARTERLY BASIS. WE ARE LOOKING AT THIS MIDYEAR. SAID THERE WOULD BE MORE DATA SO WE KNOW WHERE THINGS STAND. WITH THAT, I WILL END THE ENTERPRISE FUND AND I'M AVAILABLE WITH MY COLLEAGUE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT THE COUNCIL MIGHT HAVE.
THANK YOU, ANA KWONG. THANK YOU FOR THE ONGOING WORK. ARE THERE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM MY COLLEAGUES BEFORE WE GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT? LOOKING LEFT.
I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU. WE HAVE DUTIFULLY GIRL HER EARLIER.
MUCH APPRECIATED. MUCH APPRECIATED TO THE HARD-WORKING STAFF ON THIS AND LOOKING AT THE VICE MAYOR, SEEING NONE. PUBLIC.
THIS IS PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE QUARTERLY FOR THE FIRST COURTER. IF YOU LIKE TO MECCA PUBLIC COMMENT, IT IS A TWO MINUTE PUBLIC COMMENT. I WILL GO TO CHAMBERS FIRST. THEN TO ZOOM. IF THERE IS ANYONE IN CHAMBERS THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS INFORMATIONAL ITEM.
SEEING NONE, I WILL GO OUT TO ZOOM. KYLE, CAN YOU UNMUTE YOURSELF PLEASE.
YES I CAN.
CAN YOU SEE THE TWO MINUTE TIMER?
YES, I CAN.
GO AHEAD PLEASE.
ANOTHER AGENDA ITEM TONIGHT IS REVISITING THIS CONSTRUCTION OF AN OVERSIGHT BODY FOR ENTERPRISE FUND. ONE OF THE THINGS I WANT TO POINT OUT ABOUTWHY IT IS THAT WE HAVE COME TO A
PLACE IN WHICH WE NEED PUBLIC OVERSIGHT OVER OUR ENTERPRISE FUND COMES FROM THE WAYS IN WHICH
HISTORICALLY THE CITY HAS CHOSEN TO CALCULATE A DISTRIBUTION OF ITS EXTENDED SHARES ACROSS VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS. TONIGHT, WHAT WE SEE IS A BREAKDOWN BY EXPENDITURES BY USE CASE. SOTHINGS LIKE SALARIES AND OTHER EXPENSE ITEMS. WHAT WE DON'T SEE IS WHAT WE HAD SEEN HISTORICALLY WHICH IS DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION OF EXPENDITURES. BECAUSE THAT WAS WHAT REALLY WAS THE SIGNAL
ABOUTWHAT WAS, SOME WOULD SAY, INAPPROPRIATE ABOUT THE WAY IN WHICH FUNDS WERE BEING DISTRIBUTED ACROSS DEPARTMENTS. FOR EXAMPLE. ONE PARTICULAR YEAR, I REMEMBER SOMETHING LIKE OVER $200,000 BEING ALLOCATED AGAINST THE COUNCIL BUDGET COMING FROM WASTEWATER AND THE WATER ENTERPRISE FUND. IT WOULD BE MY HOPE TO HELP THAT OVERSIGHT BODY AND THAT WE ARE GETTING
A BREAKDOWN OF DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION OF THESE ENTERPRISE FUNDS SO THAT THAT BODY CAN DO A
BETTER JOB OF MAKING SURE THE OVERSIGHT OF THESE FUNDS BEING DISTRIBUTED PROPERLY ACROSS THE DEPARTMENTS IS TAKING PLACE. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, KYLE FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. I WILL COME BACK TO CHAMBERS. IF THERE IS ANYONE IN CHAMBERS THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE IT PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS ITEM. SEEING NONE, I WILL GO OUT TO ZOOM. IF THERE IS ANYONE ON ZOOM THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS INFORMATIONAL ITEM, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND VIRTUALLY. SEEING NONE, PUBLIC COMMENT IS CLOSED.
THANK YOU, MARY. THAT BRINGS A QUESTION FROM ME. IT SEEMED TO BE A LOT OF CONSUMMATION IN THE COMMUNITY WHERE WE DID NOT HAVE DEPARTMENT A BREAKDOWNS. SO ARE WE GOING TO GET THE PART MENTAL BREAKDOWNS FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE GENERAL ALLOCATION FUNDS? THE COST ALLOCATION PLAN?
YES. ACTUALLY, I'M DIRECTING IT TO STAFF.
THE COST ALLOCATION PLAN, WE DID HAVE A BREAKDOWN OF ALL THE DEPARTMENT WHEN THE BUDGET WAS ADOPTED IN JULY. IT IS AN ONGOING PROCESS FOR THE COST ALLOCATION. THE BUDGET COMMITTEE DID, AND THE SEPTEMBER MEETING, DISCUSSED THE ALLOCATION PLAN. STAFF IS WORKING WITH THE CONSULTANT TO REVISIT THE COST ALLOCATION PLAN. WE WERE CONCERNED FROM THE CITIZEN REGARDING A CERTAIN DEPARTMENT. THAT WILLCOME FORTH IN THE MIDYEAR REVIEW.
THANK YOU FOR REFRESHING MY MEMORY. ALL OF THIS IS BEING TAKEN UNDER CONSIDERATION AND BEING BROUGHT BACK, TALKING ABOUT THE ALLOCATION?
YES. IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING DISCUSSION WITH THE BUDGET COMMITTEE ON THE COST ALLOCATION PLAN SUBJECTSUBJECT.
THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER CARTER.
I WANTED TO SPEAK MORE DIRECTLY TO THE QUESTION. I FEEL LIKE HE WAS LOOKING FOR A BREAKDOWN FOR
THIS PARTICULAR QUARTER INTO SEGMENTS LIKE HOW MUCH THE POLICE HAVE USED WITHIN THE BUDGET LIKE A PIE CHART. ALSO, I FEEL LIKE IT IS INTERESTING TO KNOW THAT WE HAVEN'T CREATED ANY DISBURSEMENTS YET. WE HAVEN'TMOVED FUNDS FROM ONE ACCOUNT TO ANOTHER, HAVE WE? HAVE WE TRANSFERRED IN AND TRANSFERRED OUT ANY OF THESE?
THE COST ALLOCATION PLAN WAS A POOL OF OVERHEAD. THAT HAS INCLUDED ALL THE DEPARTMENTS THAT
HAVE -- I GUESS -- THE WATER AND SEWER WOULD NEED TO REIMBURSE THE GENERAL FUND FOR THE EXPENSES THAT THE DEPARTMENTS HELP. SO THAT HAS BEEN ALLOCATED FOR THE 1st QUARTER. BUT I THINK THERE IS SOME CONFUSION REGARDING THE ENTERPRISE AND THE GENERAL FUND. THE SISTER CLAY THE ENTERPRISE FUND WERE IT IS MAINLY PUBLIC WORKS. AS FAR AS SALARY AND BENEFITS, THESE ARE PUBLIC WORKS FOLKS. THE COST ALLOCATION IS WHEN ALL THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS, OR THE OVERHEAD THAT HAS
BEEN TRANSFERRED, AS AN EXPENSE FROM WATER AND SEWER, REIMBURSE THE GENERAL FUND BECAUSE MOST OF THE COST FOR THE DEPARTMENTS ARE HOUSED IN THE GENERAL FUND. I WANT TO MAKE THE DISTINCTION BECAUSE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT, NOT THE GENERAL FUND BUT THE ENTERPRISE FUND. WAS AT YOUR QUESTION?
YES. I WAS CURIOUS. HAS THE ACTUAL TRANSACTION OF ANY FUNDS BEEN USED -- MOVED.
IT IS BEING ALLOCATED QUARTERLY.
OKAY.
I THINK THAT IS WHAT THE CALLER WAS HOPING TO SEE, WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.
OKAY. IN THE REPORT, YOU WILL SEE, IN THE DETAILS REPORT, THERE IS A LINE CALLED THE COST ALLOCATION PLAN. WHATEVER THAT BUDGET AMOUNT IS IS DIVIDED BY FOUR. SO EACH QUARTER WILL TAKE THAT
AMOUNT FOR WATER AND WE TAKE THE SAME AMOUNT DOES NOT THE SAME AMOUNT BUT A QUARTER OF IT FOR THE SEWER AND REIMBURSE THE GENERAL FUND.
THANK YOU I JUST KIND OF LIKE ASKING THESE QUESTIONS.
OF COURSE. I WOULD LIKE TO CLARIFY THIS IF THE COUNCIL AND THE PUBLIC NEED CLARIFICATION REGARDING THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE ENTERPRISE FUND AND THE GENERAL FUND AND THE COST ALLOCATION PLAN.
AND THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER CARTER FOR BRINGING THAT UP. YOU WANT TO DO THE LEGWORK NOW THAT WE APPROVE THE COMPOSITION OF THE OVERSIGHT BODY? FOR MYSELF, YES. IF THAT IS AN OFFER, I
WOULD LIKE A LOT MORE EXPLANATION OF WHAT YOU SAID VERBALLY AND THE STAFF REPORTS MOVING FORWARD. THAT IS JUST MY REQUEST.
IN THE BUDGET COMMITTEE, WE DID DISCUSS BRINGING THIS BACK TO THE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE TO DO A DEEPER DIVE ON THE COST ALLOCATION PLAN. SO THAT IS PENDING.
GREAT. THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER MAURER. WHAT THE BUDGET COMMITTEE ASKED, THAT WILL BE SOMETHING THE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE CAN START TAKING A LOOK AT AS SOON AS THEY START MEETING. I AM SEEING HEADS NOD. THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT. WE ARE HERE TO SERVE THE PUBLIC AND TO DO THE BEST JOB HE CAN. ESPECIALLY WITH THE FINANCES AND ESPECIALLY IN REFERENCE TO WATER AND SEWER. IF
NOTHING MORE ON THIS ONE, THAT WAS FERMENT FOR INFORMATION AND THEN WE WILL MOVE ON TO NUMBER SEVEN. WHICH IS THE FISCAL YEAR 25-26 QUARTER ONE FINANCIAL UPDATE FOR THE GENERAL FUNDS.
THIS REPORT IS FOR THE 1st QUARTER OF THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR JULY, AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER OF 2025.
AND THE FISCAL IMPACT AGAIN IS THE STAFF TIME FOR CREATION OF THE AGENDA REPORT. BACK TO YOU, DIRECTOR.
THANK YOU MR. MAYOR. THIS IS NOW THE GENERAL FUND REPORT OR USES A SIMILAR FORMAT AS ENTERPRISE FUND. THEY ARE COMPLETELY SEPARATE FUNDS BUT THE FORMAT LAYOUT IS PRETTY MUCH THE SAME. WHERE THERE IS THE 1st QUARTER OF THE PRIOR YEAR COMPARED TO THIS YEAR AND THE BUDGET COMMITTEE DID LOOK AT THIS ON OCTOBER 14TH. THAT WAS THE REQUEST, TO HAVE SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON FROM QUARTER TO QUARTER SO THAT IT IS EASY TO COMPARE. THIS REPORT GAVE US AN EARLIER LOOK AT TRENDS. KEEP IN MIND THE 1st QUARTER NUMBERS ARE ALWAYS LIMITED AND THERE IS NO CAUSE FOR CONCERN AT THIS POINT. THE FIRST ORDER REVENUE FOR GENERAL FUND IS AT 8.7% OF THE YEARLY BUDGET. THIS MIGHT SEEM LOW TO THE COUNCIL IN THE PUBLIC. IT IS BECAUSE OUR MAJOR INCOME SOURCES LIKE PROPERTY TAX AND SALES TAX -- PROPERTY TAX IS NOT COMING UNTIL DECEMBER. AND SALES TAX ARE HISTORICALLY -- JUST THE TIMING OF IT, IT IS ALWAYS TWO MONTHS BEHIND. AND SO WE WILL KNOW MORE WHEN WE DO THE 2nd QUARTER, WHEN WE HAVE SIX MONTHS OF INCOME. SO FOR SPENDING, ON THE EXPENDITURES SIDE, IT IS THAT 23.1% OF THE ANNUAL BUDGET. AND YOU WILL NOTICE ON THE REPORT THAT THERE ARE SOME DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE EXCEEDED THE 25% MARK AND THAT IS BECAUSE WE PAY A FULL YEAR OFUNFUNDED LIABILITY PENSION, WHICH IS A PLANNED EXPENSE FOR THE CITY AND THIS IS FUND LOADED.
EVERYTHING IS IS TRENDING AS EXPECTED.
THE CITY OVERALL FINANCES FOLLOW A SEASONAL PATTERN, IF YOU WILL. AND AGAIN, THERE IS NO NEED FOR CONCERN AT THIS POINT I KNOW THAT IT IS LOW. WE WILL KNOW MORE WHEN WE HAVE THE MIDYEAR REPORT. IN THE REPORT, I WANTED TO POINT OUT THAT THERE IS A MENTION OF MEASURE U. THERE IS $800,000 SET ASIDE FOR PROJECTS THAT INCLUDE THREE PAYMENTS. THE EOC, THE EMERGENCY OPERATING CENTER AND THE [ INAUDIBLE ] STATION. I BELIEVE THERE HAS BEEN SOME WORK DONE TO THE EOC. I'M NOT AWARE OF ANY PROJECT FOR THE PAVEMENT TO START YET. WITH THAT, I WILL END THE GENERAL FUND REPORT BACK TO THE COUNCIL AND I'M MORE THAN HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE.
THANK YOU. AND I FORGOT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE BUDGET COMMITTEE FOR WANTING TO HAVE SOME KIND OF A REFERENCE BECAUSE IT IS HELPFUL TO HAVE A PAST YEAR QUARTER AT THE SAME TIME. BECAUSE OTHERWISE, YOUR JUST FLYING BLIND AND EVERYTHING SOUNDS GREAT. IF IT DOES NOT QUITE SYNC UP WITH A YEAR AGO FOR THE SAME QUARTER, THEN THAT IS THE PROBLEM. THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT. QUESTIONS FROM MY COLLEAGUES? QUESTIONS FROM THE VICE MAYOR? SEEING NONE, PUBLIC, AND.
THIS IS PUBLIC. ON THE SECOND INFORMATIONAL ITEM ON THE GENERAL FUND. FIRST QUARTER FINANCIAL UPDATE. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT, IT IS TWO MINUTES. I WILL GO TO CHAMBERS FIRST AND THEN ZOOM. IF THERE IS ANYONE IN CHAMBERS. SEEING ON, I WILL GO OUT TO ZOOM IF THERE IS ANYONE ON ZOOM THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE 1st QUARTER OF THE GENERAL FUND FINANCIAL, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND VIRTUALLY. SEEING NONE, THERE IS NO PUBLIC COMMENT.
THANK YOU. AND AGAIN, THANK YOU TO ALL THE HERD WORKING STAFF AND COLLEAGUES ON THE BUDGET COMMITTEE. IT IS ONE OF OUR PRIORITIES, KEEPING OUR FINANCES TOGETHER AND BEING TRANSPARENT WITH THE COMMUNITY. SO YAY FOR THAT. WITH THAT, MOVING ON TO A REGULAR CALENDAR AGENDA ITEM. THE
FIRST ONE IS NUMBER EIGHT, THE INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING OF THE ORDINANCE AND ADOPTION OF THE URGENCY ORDINANCE TO ADD CHAPTER 9.36, JUST CAUSE EVICTION AND TENANT RELOCATION, TO THE SEBASTOPOL MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING REGULATED UNITS. THE RESPONSIBLE DEPARTMENT IS THE CITY ATTORNEY. I WILL READ THE FISCAL IMPACT. FISCAL IMPACT. THERE ARE NO DIRECT FISCAL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ADOPTION OF THE PROPOSED ORDINANCES. HOWEVER, IF THE ORDINANCES ARE ADOPTED, THE CITY
MAY RECEIVE QUESTIONS FROM TENANTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS AND RESPONDING TO THOSE QUESTIONS WILL REQUIRE STAFF TIME. IN EFFORT TO PROVIDE GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE, THE CITY'S PRACTICE IS TO RESPOND TO QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC BUT TO DO SO AS EFFICIENTLY AS POSSIBLE. STAFF WILL RETURN TO CITY COUNCIL IF THE AMOUNT OF STAFF TIME DEDICATED TO THIS ORDINANCE IS SUBSTANTIAL. I WILL TURN TO THE CITY ATTORNEY.
GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS. I WON'T GO INTO THE BACKGROUND OF HOW WE GOT HERE BECAUSE THE COUNCIL IS WELL AWARE OF THAT. INSTEAD, I WILL JUST PROVIDE A SUMMARY OF THE ORDINANCE., OR THE ORDINANCES. THEY WOULD AMEND OR RATHER ADD CHAPTER 9.36 TO THE MINUTES WILL CODE TO CREATE A JUST CAUSE EVICTION, PROTECTION AND ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENT. THE ORDINANCES TAKE WHAT IS IN STATE LAW AND EXPAND ON THAT IN THREE WAYS. FIRST, STATE LAW DOES NOT
APPLY TO REGULATED UNITS WHICH ARE UNITS RESTRICTED BY A DEED OR IN AGREEMENT WITH THE GOVERNMENT AGENCY TO BE AFFORDABLE HOUSING. AND SO THIS WOULD EXPAND STATE LAW TO APPLY TO REGULATED UNITS. STATE LAW IS JUST CAUSE, EVICTION PROTECTION. ALSO, APPLY FROM THE FIRST STATE, A
TENANT -- LAWFULLY OCCUPIES THE UNIT, ACCORDING TO A RENTAL AGREEMENT, EXCLUDING TRANSIENT OCCUPANCIES, PEOPLE THAT MAY BE THERE VISITING OR STAYING OR THINGS LIKE THAT. AND, FOR -- ALSO
STATE LAW REQUIRES THAT, IF THERE IS A NO-FAULT EVICTION, THAT TENANT RELOCATION BE PROVIDED ONE MONTH. AND THAT WOULD CHANGE THAT TO BE THREE MONTHS. EITHER THREE MONTHS OF RENT OR THREE MONTHS OF THE FAIR MARKET RENT. WHICHEVER IS GREATER. THIS WOULD ONLY APPLY -- THESE CHANGES IN THE ORDINANCE WOULD ONLY APPLY TO REGULATED UNITS. ONLY AND WOULD ONLY APPLY TO PROJECTS IN THE CITY WITH AT LEAST 40 UNITS. THE COUNCIL PREVIOUSLY DIRECTED US TO LOOK AT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 40 AND 45 UNITS. THERE WAS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THEM. SO WE HAD TO -- DIDN'TBRING BACK ANY DISCUSSION OF THAT. AND THE STAFF REPORT EXPLAINS SOME OF THE REASONING BEHIND THESE DISTINCTIONS. WHILE IN EVICTION AND DISPLACEMENT CAN OBVIOUSLY BE, FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD, A
BIG DEAL FOR ANY TENANTS, IT IS ESPECIALLY SIGNIFICANT IN DISRUPTING TO TENANTS AND REGULATED UNITS
WHO HAVE, BY DEFINITION, LIMITED INCOME, LIMITED ABILITY TO PAY FOR MOVING EXPENSES OR SECURITY
DEPOSITS AND PLUS, THE FACT THAT THERE SIMPLY AREN'T, AS THE COUNCIL WILL KNOWS, ENOUGH REGULATED UNITS IN THE CITY OR THE SURROUNDING AREA TO MEET DEMAND. ANDTHE THRESHOLD WAS
CHOSEN BY THE COUNCIL AND IN PART BECAUSE LARGER DEVELOPMENTS HAVE MORE RESOURCES AND HAVE
MORE STAFF AND THEIR AND THE ABILITY TO DEAL WITH THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL BURDENS THAT THIS ORDINANCE CREATES. IT IS SORT OF A BALANCE. SO THE ORDINANCE PROVIDES THAT IT WOULD EXPIRE AUTOMATICALLY ON JANUARY 1st OF 2027. COUNCILPREVIOUSLY DIRECTED THAT IT WOULD EXPIRE IN A YEAR.
THAT WOULD SLIGHTLY -- BE SLIGHTLY OVER A YEAR. BUT IT MADE STUDENTS -- MADE SENSE. THERE ARE TWO ORDINANCES BEFORE YOU. ONE IS A REGULAR ORDINANCE. IF THE COUNCIL MOVES FORWARD WITH THAT, WE WILL INTRODUCE THAT TONIGHT. WE WILL HAVE A SECOND READING AT THE NEXT MEETING AND THEN GO INTO EFFECTTHREE DAYS AFTER THAT, WHICH WOULD BE DECEMBER 18TH, I BELIEVE. THE
EMERGENCY ORDINANCE WOULD GO INTO EFFECT, IF ADOPTED TONIGHT, WOULD GO INTO EFFECT IMMEDIATELY. IT REQUIRES A FOUR FIFTHS VOTE FOR THE COUNCIL TO ADOPTED. THE REASON AND
JUSTIFICATION FOR THE URGENCY ORDINANCE IS SPELLED OUT IN THE ORDINANCE ITSELF AND ESSENTIALLY, IT IS
NECESSARY TOPREVENT DISPLACEMENT OR EVICTIONS THAT MIGHT OCCUR BETWEEN NOW AND WHEN THE REGULAR ORDINANCE GOES INTO EFFECT.
SO WITH THAT, I WILL PAUSE FOR ANY QUESTIONS AT THE COUNCIL MAY HAVE.
THANK YOU, ALEX. TURNING TO MY COLLEAGUES TO MY LEFT, COUNCILMEMBER MAURER.
THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR WORK ON THIS. WEREALLY APPRECIATE IT. QUESTION. I KNOW WE NEEDED THE FOUR VOTES. IF WE DON'T HAVE THE FOUR VOTES, COULD WE KIND OF BIFURCATE THIS AND BRING THE URGENCY ORDINANCE BACK ON THE 18TH?
YES.
OKAY. CAN WE TAKE A STRAW VOTE TONIGHT OR NOT?
YES. YOU CAN TAKE A STRAW VOTE. WE JUST NEED TO DO IT PUBLICLY YOU CAN DO A STRAW VOTE, YES.
CAN WE VOTE ON THE URGENCY ORDINANCE AND THE SECOND ORDINANCE SEPARATELY AS WELL? YES. IT IS UP TO COUNCIL. YOU CAN DO IT SEPARATELY OR ONE MOTION TOGETHER.
OKAY, THANK YOU.
OTHER QUESTIONS FROM THE COLLEAGUES TO MY LEFT. SEEING NONE. VICE MAYOR.
YES. I HAVE A VARIETY OF QUESTIONS. YOU CAN STOP ME IF YOU WANT TO CHIME IN AND I CAN COME BACK WITH THE REST OF THEM. SO I HAVE A COUPLE. I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS FOR THE ATTORNEY AND THEN WE CAN GO FROM THERE. ONE THING I WAS A CLEAR NO VOTE FOR WAS THE URGENCY ORDINANCE LAST TIME.
THAT WAS BECAUSE THE BIGGEST THING IS NONE OF THE OTHER PEOPLE WHO WOULD BE IMPACTED THIS WERE AWARE OF THIS OR WERE IN THE ROOM. I'M WONDERING FROM THE CITY, HAVE WE HEARD ANYTHING FROM ANY OTHERS THAT MIGHT BE IMPACTED?
WE REACHED OUT TO EITHER THE PROPERTY MANAGER OR THE OWNER OF THE COMPLEXES THAT WOULD BE IMPACTED USING E-MAILS OR THAT WE MIGHT HAVE HAD ON FILE. ORIF NOT, FROM INFORMATION ON THEIR WEBSITE. WE HEARDBACK FROM ONE ENTITY EXPRESSING THE CONCERN OF WANTING TO MAKE SURE THAT
THE ORDINANCE WOULD NOT INTERFERE WITH ANY FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS AND I LET HIM KNOW THAT THERE
WAS LANGUAGE IN THE ORDINANCE THAT IT WOULD NOT APPLY TO THE EXTENT THAT FEDERAL OR STATE LAW PROHIBITS IT FROM APPLYING. AND I ASKED HIM IF HE HAD ANY OTHER COMMENTS THAT THEY WANT TO MAKE. AND HE SAID THAT THEY HAD NO OTHER COMMENTS TO THAT. AND WE DID NOT HEAR BACK FROM ANYOF THE OTHER PROPERTY OWNERS WHO -- SORRY. ADRAGONFLY JUST FLEW BY. ANY OF THE OTHER ENTITIES WEREACHED OUT TO.
OKAY. AND THEN I HAVE A COUPLE QUESTIONS MORE. ANOTHER QUESTION I HAVE IS -- AND I READ AND
LISTENED TO WHAT YOU SAID BUT CAN YOU CLEARLY DELINEATE THE PROS AND CONS OF THE URGENCY VERSUS THE STANDARD PROCESS?
THE PRO IS THAT IT GOES INTO EFFECT SOONER. SO SOMEONE WHO MAY BE DISPLACED -- FOR EXAMPLE, IF THE LEASE WERE TO EXPIRE BETWEEN NOW AND DECEMBER 18TH, THEY WOULD BE PROTECTED BY THE URGENCY ORDINANCE. SO THAT IS THE PRO. THE CON IS THAT IT DOES REQUIRE THE STATE TO MAKE VARIOUS FINDINGS TO JUSTIFY IT. SOMEONE COULD CHALLENGE THOSE AS INSUFFICIENT I SUPPOSE. BUT THAT IS WHAT WE ALSO DO THE REGULAR ORDINANCE. SO THAT WOULD BE IN PLACE, EVEN IF, FOR SOME REASON, SOMEONE
SUCCESSFULLY CHALLENGED THE ERRED -- URGENCY ORDINANCE, THE REGULAR ORDINANCE WOULD BE IN PLACE BY THAT TIME.
OKAY. WE RECEIVED A VARIETY OF LETTERS, AND I HAVE READ ALL OF THEM. A QUESTION THAT CAME TO
MIND IS, BECAUSE A LOT OF STATEMENTS WERE SAYING WE NEED TO PASS THE ORDINANCE SO THAT TENANTS CAN KEEP THEIR HOUSING. BUT YOU TELL ME. DOES THIS GUARANTEE TENANTS THE ABILITY TO STAY IN THEIR APARTMENTS? ITIS MY UNDERSTANDING IT DOESN'T. BUT CAN YOU ANSWER THAT QUESTION? IT REQUIRES A LANDLORD TO HAVE JUST CAUSE BEFORE THEY TERMINATE A TENANCY. SO THERE IS AT FAULT
JUST CAUSE SO SOMEONE VIOLATES THE TERMS OF THEIR LEASE OR FAILS TO PAY RENT, THOSE WOULD BE EXAMPLES OF AT FAULT. NO-FAULT WOULD BE THE UNIT IS BEING TAKEN OFF THE MARKET BECAUSE THE
LANDLORD NO LONGER WANTS TO BE A LANDLORD OR THERE IS GOING TO BE SUBSTANTIAL REPAIRS TO THE UNIT. SO A TENANT COULD STILL BE DISPLACED EVEN WITH THIS OCCURRING. BUT THERE WOULD NEED TO BE ONE OF THOSE REASONS.
SO IN THE CASE -- OBVIOUSLY, WOODMARK WHAT IS PRECIPITATING THIS, IN THIS CASE HERE.
SO IN THE CASE OF WOOD MARK, A TENANT THERE COULD BE DISPLACED IF THE OWNER OF WOOD MARK IDENTIFIED ONE OF THOSE REASONS FOR A PARTICULAR ATTENDANT.
SO THEY WOULD HAVE TO COMPENSATE FOR THESE, CRACK?
RIGHT. ASSUMING IT IS A NO-FAULT REASON. IF IT IS AN AT FAULT REASON LIKE ATTENDANT DID NOT PAY RENT, BUT YES, CORRECT.
I HAVE MY OWN NUMBERS BUT I'M WONDERING IF YOU HAVE THE NUMBERS FOR WHAT THE MARKET RATE WOULD BE FOR THE THREE TIMES.
I DON'T OFF OF THE TOP OF MY HEAD. I DID LOOK UP AT ONE POINT IN MY RECOLLECTION AT SONOMA COUNTY AND IT IS SOMETHING AROUND $2400 A MONTH.
SO THAT PROMPTS THE QUESTION I HAVE OF, IF DOING THOSE NUMBERS, THAT IS LESS THAN -- IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THE RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN OFFERED 10K TO MOVE? I CANNOT SPEAK TO WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN OFFERED.
IN PUBLIC COMMENTS IN THE PAST, THEY HAVE SAID THAT.
I HAVE HEARD THAT. MY UNDERSTANDING FROM SOME OF THE COMMENTS THAT THEY RECEIVED, THAT WE RECEIVED IS THAT THEY MAY HAVE HAD TO SIGN A WAIVER IN ORDER TO GET THAT $10,000. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS TRUE OR NOT BUT I THINK THAT IS WHAT SOMEBODY SAID. THIS TENANT RELOCATION WOULD BE GUARANTEED TO THEM AND THEY WOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY ANYTHING. TO CORRECT MYSELF, I JUST LOOKED
IT UP HERE FOR THE UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR, THEREFORE MARKET RENT FOR A TWO BEDROOM IN SONOMA COUNTY ACCORDING TO HUD IS $2827.
OKAY. I'M JUST TRYING TO UNDERSTAND IF THIS WAS GOING TO ACTUALLY BE LESS MONEY THAN WHAT YOU WOULD GET WITH THE ORDINANCE. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT WE ALL RECEIVED A LETTER THAT THERE ARE ONLY 14 TENANTS REMAINING IN THERE. HAVE YOU HEARD OR HAS ANYONE AT THE CITY HEARD ANYTHING DIFFERENT THAN THAT OTHER THAN THAT PUBLIC COMMENT?
NO. WE DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER INFORMATION.
OKAY. DO WE KNOW IF THE TENANTS AT WOOD MARK -- I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR IN PUBLIC COMMENTS, DO ANY OF THEM HAVE LEASES BEYOND DECEMBER? WE KEEP HEARING ABOUT DECEMBER. I HAVE NOT BEEN IN
SUPPORT OF THE URGENCY ORDINANCE AND I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT BECAUSE I HAVE HEARD ONE PERSON HAS SOMETHING EXPIRING IN DECEMBER AND THE OTHERS DON'T. MAYBE THEY CAN ADDRESS THAT THEN. AND THANK YOU MAYOR FOR INDULGING ME WITH ALL OF THESE QUESTIONS. IT LOOKS LIKE I WILL PROBABLY BE THE SWING VOTE ON THIS URGENCY ORDINANCE. SO I JUST WANT TO HAVE MY QUESTIONS ANSWERED.
THANK YOU. ARE THERE OTHER QUESTIONS FROM MY COLLEAGUES BEFORE WE GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT? LOOKING TO MY LEFT. NONE. I WILL SAY, WHEN WE ARE DOING PUBLIC COMMENT, THAT THERE IS A LOT AND SOMETIMES EMOTIONS CAN RUN HIGH. IF WE CAN JUST KEEP OUR REACTIONS TO A MINIMAL, THAT WOULD BE GREAT. WE WANT TOO. AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE EVERYONE FEELS HEARD AND SEEN AND ALSO, JUST THAT, YES. IF WE CAN KEEP THE FISCAL REACTIONS DOWN, THAT WOULD BE GREAT. MARY, PUBLIC.
THEY YOU, THEY ARE. THIS IS PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THE ORDINANCE ON THE JUST CAUSE EVICTION OF TENANT RELOCATION. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT, IT IS A TWO MINUTE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. I WILL GO TO CHAMBERS FIRST AND THEN GO OUT TO ZOOM. IF THERE IS ANYONE IN CHAMBERS THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT, PLEASE STEP UP TO THE PODIUM. AND I WILL JUMP IN WHEN YOU HAVE ABOUT 30 SECONDS LEFT.
MAYOR, VICE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS. MY NAME IS MELISSA PAGE. AND ONE OF THE TENANTS
AT WOOD MARK APARTMENTS THAT WOULD NOT RECEIVE RELOCATION ASSISTANCE IF AN URGENCY JUST CAUSE EVICTION ORDINANCE DOES NOT PASS TONIGHT. MY DAY JOB IS CARING FOR MY EX-BOYFRIEND'S MOM AND HELPING OUT A COUPLE IN THEIR 60s CARE FOR THEIR HOME. ON WEEKENDS, I DRIVE TO SAN MATEO TO CARE FOR ANOTHEREX'S MOM WHO IS 87 AND BEDRIDDEN. EVERY OTHER FRIDAY, I DONATE PLATELETS AND SOMETIMES PLASMA FOR PEOPLE WITH CANCER. HAVING RELOCATION ASSISTANCE WOULD ALLOW ME TO CONTINUE TO SHOW UP FOR THE PEOPLE WHO DEPEND ON MY CARE AND DONATIONS. MY SON HAS AUTISM AND ADHD AS WELL AS OTHER CHALLENGES. HAVINGA STABLE HOME HAS BEEN LIFE-CHANGING FOR US AND MANAGING BEHAVIORS AND STRESSORS. HE HAD JUST GOTTEN STUDENT OF THE MONTH AT HIS SCHOOL WHICH WAS AN INCREDIBLE ACCOMPLISHMENT FOR HIM. RIGHT WHEN I FOUND OUT WE WOULD HAVE TO MOVE. AND NOW, ALL THE PROGRESS WE HAVE MADE IS QUICKLY SLIPPING AWAY. TO THE POINT THAT IT IS HAVING -- HE IS HAVING TO BE RESTRAINED AT SCHOOL AND AT HOME DUE TO THE STRESSES CAUSING HIM.
HAVING RELOCATION ASSISTANCE WOULD GO A LONG WAY IN GIVING MY CHILD THE REASSURANCE THAT WE WILL NOT BE HOMELESS AND HELP ME TO CONTINUE TO HELP HIM. DURING A PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETING,COUNCILMEMBER HINTON SAID TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION APPLICANT, "I FULLY AGREE WITH YOU ABOUT YOUNG FAMILIES. I CAME BACK TO RAISE MY OWN HERE. HOW DO WE GET MORE?" I'M HERE TO TELL YOU THAT WE ARE ALREADY HERE. WE ARE STANDING IN FRONT OF YOU. WE ARE ASKING FOR YOUR HELP.
THE JUST CAUSE EVICTION ORDINANCE WOULD PROTECT US AND OTHER VULNERABLEPOPULATIONS. THANK YOU FOR HEARING ME.
THANK YOU, MELISSA, FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. THEN I WILL GO TO ZOOM. GALENA, CAN YOU UNMUTEYOURSELF PLEASE. GALENA, CAN YOU UNMUTE YOURSELF PLEASE? HELLO.
HELLO. CAN YOU SEE THE TIMER.
GO AHEAD WITH YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT PLEASE.
I LIVE UP AT WOOD MARK APARTMENTS. I WAS THE FIRST TENANT TO MOVE IN. I BELIEVE THAT MY LEASE EXPIRES FIRST ON DECEMBER 15TH. I'M SOON TO BE 65 YEARS OLD AND I HAVE NOWHERE TO GO AND I'M
ASKING THAT THIS URGENT ORDINANCE BE APPROVED AND WITH SOME ITERATION TO GET OUT IN DECEMBER AT CHRISTMAS. I HAVE NOWHERE TO GO. I TRULY HAVE NOWHERE TO GO. IN FACT, PRIOR -- RIGHT BEFORE THIS HAPPENED, IT WAS URGED TO ME BY A LOCAL ATTORNEY, A BANKRUPTCY ATTORNEY, TO FILE BANKRUPTCY.
YOU ARE SET IN A HORRIBLE HOUSING ON YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ANYMORE. AND I ACTUALLY DID THAT.
MY CREDIT SCORES RUINED NOW. I HAVE NOWHERE TO GO. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I'M 65 YEARS OLD. I DON'T HAVE A COUCH TO SURF ANYMORE. AND I'M ASKING THAT THIS BE PASSED AND IT BE PASSED ON AN
URGENT BASIS DUE TO PEOPLE SUCH AS MYSELF AND MAYBE A COUPLE OF OTHERS THAT EXPIRE BEFORE THE DECEMBER 18TH DATE THAT HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT TONIGHT. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, GALENA, FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. NEXT I WILL COME TO CHAMBERS. IF THERE IS ANYONE IN CHAMBERS THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT, PLEASE STEP UP TO THE PODIUM.
MAYOR, VICE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL, MEMBERS, MY NAME IS LISA. I'M SPEAKING OUT AS A CONCERNED CITIZEN OF SONOMA COUNTY AND A FRIEND OF A TENANT AT WOOD MARK APARTMENTS. I'M HERE TO ASK
YOU TO APPROVE THE EMERGENCY JUST CAUSE EVICTION NOTICE THAT TAKES EFFECT ON THE FIRST DAY OF
TENANCY FORCURRENT AND FUTURE TENANTS ACCOMPANIED BY THREE MONTHS OF MARKET LOCATION ASSISTANCE. THAT DOESN'T REQUIRE THE SIGNING AWAY OF LEGAL RIGHTS. AND URGENCY ORDINANCE IS THE
ONLY PROTECTION THAT WOULD ENSURE THAT ALL THE REMAINING FAMILIES AT WOOD MARK ARE COVERED BY THE 14TH OF SEPTEMBER. I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH SONOMA COUNTY ACTS OF KINDNESS FOR ABOUT SIX YEARS HELPING THE UNSHELTERED POPULATION MY DAUGHTER, WHO HAS BEEN ON HOUSE FOR 10 YEARS, JUST RECEIVED ASSISTANCE AND WE ARE BOTH GRATEFUL FOR THAT. AS FOR ME, I PAY $700 A MONTH TO PAY -- TO LIVE IN A SHED WITH NO RUNNING WATER. I UNDERSTAND HOW HARD IT IS TO ACCESS AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
IT DISGUSTS ME THAT SOMEBODY WOULD BE GIVEN STABLE HOUSING JUST TO HAVE IT RIPPED AWAY THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN. IF THIS DOES NOT PASS, THEN WE ARE GOING BACKWARDS AND ADDING MORE ON HOUSE PEOPLE TO THE ALREADY ENORMOUS POPULATION THAT IS CURRENTLY UNHOUSED. AGAIN, I'M HERE
TO URGE YOU TO APPROVE THE URGENCY JUST CAUSE ORDINANCE THAT WOULD TAKE EFFECT ON THE FIRST DAY OF TENANCY ACCOMPANIED BY THREE MONTHS OF MARKET RATERELOCATION ASSISTANCE. THE MERCK --
THE URGENCY ORDINANCE IS THE ONLY PROTECTION THAT WOULD ENSURE THAT ALL REMAINING FAMILIES AT WOOD MARK ARE COVERED BY THE 14TH OF DECEMBER. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.
THANK YOU, LISA FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. I WILL GO TO ZOOM. SUSAN, CAN YOU UNMUTE YOURSELF PLEASE.
THANK YOU. CAN YOU SEE THE TIMER?
I CANNOT SEE THE TIMER.
I WILL LET YOU KNOW WHEN YOU HAVE 30 SECONDS LEFT. GO AHEAD WITH YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT PLEASE IT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. MAYOR ZOLLMAN, SEBASTOPOL CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, MY NAME IS SUSAN KATE ALBERT. I'M A RESIDENT OF [ INAUDIBLE ] ONE OF MY ASSOCIATES, BOTH GALLIGAN AND HER HUSBAND BRAD HAVE BEEN RESIDENTS OF THE WOOD MARK AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMPLEX FOR 10 MONTHS. I WAS
HORRIFIED TO LEARN THAT AFTER APPLYING TO AND QUALIFYING FOR THEIR HOUSING, THEY ARE LIVING WITHIN
FULL COMPLIANCE OF THE ORIGINAL STATED TERMS AND WAS TOLD THE MANAGEMENT COMPANY WAS
UNABLE TO FILL THE UNITS WITH WORKERS AND THUS THEY WERE OPENING APPLICATIONS TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. SHE AND HER HUSBAND ARE NOW BEING EVICTED BECAUSE OF NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN. IT IS IMMORAL TO CONSIDER DO YOU HOUSING LOW INCOME SENIORS. MANY OF WHOM ARE DISABLED, SINGLE
MOTHERS WITH CHILDREN AND OTHER RESIDENTS WHO WILL SIMPLY BE FORCED TO REJOIN THE HOMELESS POPULATION IF JUSTICE IS NOT SERVED. PLEASE CONSIDER THE GRAVE AND FRAUDULENT ACTIONS OF BOTH
THE DEVELOPERS AND THE APARTMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANYWHEN YOU MAKE YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS. I KNOW YOU WILL ACKNOWLEDGE THE INJUSTICE AND ASPIRE TO TAKE THE MORAL HIGH GROUND. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, SUSAN FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. NEXT WILL COME INTO CHAMBERS. IF THERE IS ANYONE IN CHAMBERS, PLEASE GO AHEAD AND STEP UP TO THE PODIUM.
GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS MICHELLE MCDONALD. I AM A SEBASTOPOL RESIDENT AND I'M ALSO LANDLORD AND A CALIFORNIA REAL ESTATE BROKER. I SUPPORT THIS URGENCY RESOLUTION, OR ORDINANCE. THERE ARE TWO HARMED GROUPS HERE. ONE IS THE FARMWORKER COMMUNITYTHAT UNFORTUNATELY DID NOT HAVE A
FAIR SHOT AT THIS HOUSING OPPORTUNITY AND THEN THOSE THAT WERE OFFERED THE OPPORTUNITY UNDER THE BELOW-MARKET RATE SCENARIO. NEITHER GROUP SHOULD BE CASUALTIES OF THIS SITUATION. AND IT IS
REALLY PRESSING THAT YOU SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION OR URGENCY ORDINANCE FOR THE RESIDENTS OF WOOD MARK. MANY OF THESE RESIDENTS WERE BORN OR GREW UP IN THIS COMMUNITY. AND THOSE THAT
AREN'T ARE PART OF THE COMMUNITY NOW, HAVING HAD LEASES FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, IF NOT CLOSE TO A YEAR. AS CITY COUNCIL EXPRESSED RESPONSIBILITY TO BE ARGUED BUT IMPLIED RESPONSIBILITY CANNOT. THE
DEVELOPER CREATED AN UNTENABLE SITUATION, AND APPROVING THIS RESOLUTION WILL SEND A MESSAGE TO THE RESIDENTS THAT THEY ARE SUPPORTED IN THIS COMMUNITY AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS. APPROVAL ALSO
SENDS A MESSAGE TO THE DEVELOPERS AND LANDLORDS THAT ESTABLISH HOUSING, GOVERNMENT MANDATES
ARE TAKEN SERIOUSLY AND FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL WHO PARTICIPATE IN THE HOUSING MARKET IN THIS COMMUNITY. LASTLY, I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT WHILE YOU LOOK AT AN AVERAGE RENTAL MARKET.
20 SECONDS.
2875, THIS IS SEBASTOPOL IN WEST COUNTY WITH A HIGHER AVERAGE MONTHLY RENT. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. I WILL GO OUT TO ZOOM. CAN YOU UNMUTE YOURSELF PLEASE.
YES. THANK YOU.
CAN YOU SEE THE TIMER?
I CANNOT. I WOULD APPRECIATE A NOTICE.
MY NAME IS KATE SEFTON. I'M SPEAKING OUT AS A CITIZEN OF SEBASTOPOL, AS AN ELDER, AS A DEACON IN
THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH THAT NEIGHBORS WOOD MARK APARTMENTS AND SOMEONE WHO HAS WORKED FOR
YEARS WITH FOLKS WHO ARE UNSHELTERED AND/OR MOVING AS WELL AS THEY CAN INTO A SHELTERED SITUATION. WOOD MARK HAS BEEN A GOOD NEIGHBOR. THE PEOPLE THERE, THE ONES I HAVE MET, HAVE DONE VERY WELL WORKING THEIR WAY INTO STABLE LIVING AND STABLE HOUSING. IT IS NOT THEIR FAULT AND IT IS NOT ANYONE'S FAULT EXCEPT FOR THE DEVELOPER, THAT THEY ARE SUDDENLY BEING REMOVED. I'M
ASKING FOR YOU TO APPROVE THIS URGENCY EVICTION ORDINANCE SO THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING THEIR WAYOUT OF HOMELESSNESS AND INTO STABLE CITIZENSHIP, CANCONTINUE TO DO SO. AS SOMEONE WHO WORKS WITH FOLKS THAT ARE HOMELESS, I WILL TELL YOU THAT IT IS A GROWING GROUP. AS YOU KNOW. IT IS A GREAT CONCERN ALL OVER SONOMA COUNTY. AS A DEACON, I WORK WITH PEOPLE NOT ONLY WHO ARE HOMELESS OR OTHERWISE OPPRESSED, BUT ALSO ARE IN NEED OF SOCIAL JUSTICE SUPPORT. IT IS IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO MAKE AND KEEP PROTECTIONS IN PLACE FOR VULNERABLE POPULATIONS, FOR EVERYONE. NOT JUST FOR FOLKS WHO ARE MORE OBVIOUSLY IN NEED.
YOU HAVE 20 SECONDS.
THANK YOU. PROTECTIONS WE ARE ASKING FOR ARE ONE STEP YOU WOULD HAVE THE POWER AND OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE TO PROTECT YOUR CONSTITUENTS. AND I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU LISTENING TO US.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, KATE, FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. NEXT IT WILL COME BACK TO THE CHAMBERS. IF THERE IS ANYONE IN CHAMBERS THAT WOULD LIKE TO GO PUBLIC COMMENT. COHEAD AND PLEASE STEP UP TO THE PODIUM.
HELLO. I DID NOT PREPARE ANYTHING BECAUSE I DID NOT PLAN ON SPEAKING. I APPRECIATE YOU HEARING ME OUT. MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL AND VICE MAYOR. I AM COMING TO YOU AS A RESIDENT OF PETALUMA AVENUE HOMES. WE HAVE JUST FORMED, OR ARE IN THE PROCESS OF FORMING A COUNCIL BECAUSE WE HAVE NEW CORPORATE MANAGEMENT THAT HAS COME IN AND IT HAS BEEN VERY UNFORTUNATE FOR US. I AM BORN AND RAISED WEST COUNTY IN. CAME HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL AND 77 TOHASKELL ROAD AND I HAVE NEVER REALLY LEFT. THIS IS MY HOME. AND IT TOOK ME A VERY LONG TIME TO FIND AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
AND UNTIL YOU HAVE BEEN THROUGH THE STEPS OF -- I HAD A SUCCESSFUL IT CAREER, SIX FIGURES AND A BEAUTIFUL HOUSE ON BLOOMFIELD. SOMETHING PHYSICAL HAPPENS AND YOU CAN NO LONGER DO THAT,
ESPECIALLY LIVING IN A PLACE AS EXPENSIVE AS WEST COUNTY,'S -- SEBASTOPOL, IT HELPS -- ITFORCES YOU TO FIND DIFFICULT SITUATIONS. MYSELF AND MY THREE CHILDREN SHARED A 450 SQUARE-FOOT ONE-BEDROOM UNTIL WE GOT INTO PETALUMA AVENUE HOMES. I CANNOT IMAGINE HAVING TO MOVE AGAIN. I DO NOT HAVE
THE RESOURCES I FEEL FOR ALL OF THE FELLOW SINGLE MOTHERS WHO I UNDERSTAND ARE MORE THAN HALF OF THE POPULATION THAT IS LOOKING AT THESE EVICTIONS. AS A SINGLE MOM MYSELF, I CANNOT EXPRESSTHE AMOUNT OF STRESS THAT THESE PEOPLE MUST BE UNDERUNDER. AND IT CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE AT ANY TIME. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN YOU WILL END UP IN A SITUATION. 20 SECONDS.
YOU KNOW -- YOU NEVER KNOW YOU WILL END UP IN A SITUATION WHERE YOU MIGHT NEED AFFORDABLE
HOUSING AND THE TO HAVE THAT RIPPED AWAY FROM YOU, I STRONGLY URGE YOU TO VOTE YES ON THE EMERGENCY ORDINANCE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. NEXT I WILL GO OUT TO ZOOM. MARGARET, CAN YOU UNMUTE YOURSELF PLEASE.
YES. CAN HEAR ME OKAY?
I CAN.
CAN YOU SEE THE TIMER?
I CANNOT. A WARNING WOULD BE GREAT.
HELLO. MY NAME IS MARGARET [ INAUDIBLE ] THE DIRECTING ATTORNEY AT MID-LEGAL. I'M REALLY HAPPY
TO AT LEAST BE ABLE TO HOP ON HERE AND DEBATE THIS ORDINANCE IN A SITUATION THAT SEEMINGLY WAS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE WOOD MARK APARTMENT TENANTS. ITHAS BEEN NICE TO BE PART OF A COMMUNITY
THAT BANDS TOGETHER AND COMES UP WITH A WAY TO KEEP THESE FOLKS HOUSE AND THAT YOU ARE SUPPORTING THEM IN THAT EFFORT. I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE INITIATIVE TO GET AN URGENCY ORDINANCE PUT TO THE COUNCIL, TO THE CITY ATTORNEY. AND I WOULD ADD THATTHAT, THE NEIGHBORING JURISDICTIONS THAT HAVE PASSEDTHE [ INAUDIBLE ] , FROM THE COUNTY OF SONOMA COUNTY
AND PETALUMA, THEY OFFER PROTECTIONS TO ALL TENANTS AND I URGE YOU TO CONSIDER EXTENDING THESE PROTECTIONS TO ALL TENANTS. BUT THEY CAN BE TREATED EQUALLY. EVEN THOUGH SOME OF US WHO ARE NOT IN LOW INCOME HOUSING,[ INAUDIBLE ] THEY ARE EVERYWHERE AND SEBASTOPOL HOUSES A LONG -- A LOT OF THEM.
THANK YOU FOR THE PUBLIC COMMENT. I WILL COME BACK TO CHAMBERS. IF THERE IS SOMEONE IN THE CHAMBERS.
MY NAME IS KATERINA. I AM A TENANT WITH[ INAUDIBLE ] APARTMENTS., SINGLE MOTHER OF TWO TEENAGERS. STUDENTS OF LOCAL SCHOOLS WITH LIFELONG TIES TO THE SEBASTOPOL COMMUNITY. I DID PREPARE A PUBLIC COMMENT BUT I WOULD LIKE TO ANSWER THE QUESTION OF THE VICE MAYOR INSTEAD.
WOOD MARK APARTMENTS HAS TWO AND THREE-BEDROOM UNITS. SO THE THREE TIMES [ INAUDIBLE ] OF THE THREE BEDROOM UNITS WOULD BE GETTING CLOSER NOW TO THE $10,000 IN SEBASTOPOL. THE URGENCY OFFER WE RECEIVED, WE WOULD GET $10,000 IF WE MOVED OUT AND RETURNED THE KEYS BY OCTOBER 31st, WHICH THE REMAINING TENANTS WERE UNABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHERE TO GO. THE ONES WHO KNEW WHERE TO GO FOUND A PLACE. IF WE LEAVE BY NOVEMBER 30TH, YOU GET $5000. IF WE WOULD STAY UNTIL THE END OF OUR LEASE, WHICH FOR ALL OF US, IS SOMEWHERE IN DECEMBER. A LOT OF US, MORE TOWARD THE END OF DECEMBER. BUT THERE ARE THOSE FEW THAT IT WOULD STILL BE BEFORE DECEMBER 18TH. PART OF THE[ INAUDIBLE ] WE HAVE TO SIGN IS A MUTUAL AGREEMENT WHICH STATED SOMETHING IN TERMS THAT WE ARE WILLINGLY GIVING UP ANY RIGHTS FOR THE UNIT. WE ARE WILLINGLYTERMINATING THE LEASE AND WE ARE
WAITING -- WAIVING ANY RIGHTS FOR ANY LEGAL ACTION TOWARD THE DEVELOPERS OR THE PROPERTY MANAGERS OF WOODMARK.
ABOUT 20 SECONDS.
THOSE ARE THE CONDITIONS. THAT IS WHY THE JUST CAUSE ORDINANCE WOULD HELP US. SO PLEASE VOTE FOR THE ORDINANCE TONIGHT.
THANK YOU, KATERINA, FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. I WILL GO OUT TO ZOOM. ALL OVER, CAN YOU MUTE YOURSELF PLEASE.
YES. CAN YOU SEE THE TIMER.
I CAN.
I HAVE A QUESTION FOR THE ATTORNEY. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A TERRIBLE SITUATION, ESPECIALLY THIS TIME OF THE YEAR. I HAVE GREAT SYMPATHIES HAVING BEENILLEGALLY EVICTED MYSELF IN THE PAST AND SAN FRANCISCO. BUT MY QUESTION SIMPLY IS, WILL THIS ORDINANCE HERE AND TO PEOPLE TO STAY IN THEIR HOMES? IT SEEMS TO ME -- I DON'T REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT THE GOAL OF THE ORDINANCE IS AT THIS POINT. AS WE JUST HEARD FROM ONE OF THE TENANTS, IF YOU ARE ABLE TO TAKE $10,000 BY THE END OF OCTOBER, THAT IS A FAR BETTER DEAL THAN YOU WOULD HAVE GOTTEN FROM THIS ORDINANCE. AND IS VERY
UNCLEAR TO ME WITH THIS ORDINANCE -- WOULD PREVENT THE REMAINING TENANTS FROM BEING EVICTED IN DECEMBER, WHICH IS A HORRIBLE THING TO CONTEMPLATE. CAN YOU HELP ME TO UNDERSTAND HOW THIS ORDINANCE IS GOING TO HELP THE TENANTS? BECAUSE FROM WHERE I'M SITTING, IT SEEMS LIKE WE ARE SPENDING A LOT OF CITY MONEY ON THE ATTORNEY FEES. AND I HAVE SAID IN PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETINGS THAT WE ARE UP AGAINST THE FEDS AND WE ARE UP AGAINST A VERY POWERFUL POVERTY DEVELOPER HERE.
I'M NOT QUITE CLEAR WHAT THE GOAL OF THE ORDINANCE IS BASED ON WITH WHAT WE HAVE HEARD HERE THIS EVENING. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, ALL OVER FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. NEXT IT WILL COME BACK TO CHAMBERS, IF THERE IS SOMEONE IN CHAMBERS.
GOOD EVENING. GOOD EVENING MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER AND VICE MAYOR. MY NAME IS SUNNY NOLAN AND I'M THE DIRECTOR OF[ INAUDIBLE ] SONOMA COUNTY. THANK YOU FOR BRINGING FORWARD THESE ITEMS TODAY. WE ALSO REALLY APPRECIATE CITY STAFF AND ALL THE WORK YOU HAVE DONE INCLUDING THE OUTREACH TO THE PROPERTY AND COMMUNITY. WE HOPE THAT IT IS COMPELLING TO YOU, VICE MAYOR,
THAT THE RESPONSES THEY RECEIVED WERE SO LIMITED, IN ADDITION TO ALL THE VERY EXTENSIVE PRESS COVERAGE. IT HAS BEEN GOING ON AT THIS PROPERTY. AND SO WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THIS COMMUNITY. MY TEAM HAS BEEN WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY SINCE SEPTEMBER. AS YOU GUYS ARE WELL AWARE, THESE ARE FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN, SENIORS, FOLKS WITH DISABILITIES. THEY HAVE BEEN LIVING IN UTTER FEAR AND UNCERTAINTY, BEING TOLD THEY WILL ONCE AGAIN BE HOMELESS. THISVERY NARROWLY FOCUSED ORDINANCE IS NECESSARY TO PROTECT THESE FAMILIES. BY REMOVING THE EXEMPTION
FROM THE STATE PROTECTION ACT FOR DEED RESTRICTED HOUSING, RESIDENTS WOULD RECEIVE RELOCATION ASSISTANCE. THEY WOULD NOT RECEIVE A RIGHT TO REMAIN IN THE HOUSING AND DEFINITELY. AND, THE
REASON WHY DEED RESTRICTED HOUSING IS EXEMPT FROM THE ORDINANCE IS BECAUSE, GENERALLY SPEAKING, IN MOST CASES, YOU CANNOT BE EVICTED WITHOUT JUST CAUSE. THAT IS WHY THIS SPECIFIC SITUATION NEEDS THIS REMEDY. THIS WOULD NOT CHANGE THE PRODUCTIONS FOR RENTERS OR CREDITS FROM LANDLORDS AT ANY OTHER TYPE OF RENTAL HOUSING. AS I JUST SAID, CURRENTLYTHE RESTRICTED HOUSING OR REGULATE IT
HOUSING, PROPERTY OWNERS ARE PROHIBITED FROM NO-FAULT EVICTIONS IN NEARLY ALL CIRCUMSTANCES BECAUSE THEY SHOULD BE.
YOU HAVE ABOUT 20 SECONDS.
AND SO THESE TYPES OF EVICTIONS ARE EXCEEDINGLY RARE. AND, WHAT HAPPENED HERE IS SO CLEARLY NOT THE FAULT OF THESE RESIDENTS. THESE ARE ONE COME MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY. AND I JUST HAVE TO SAY, AS THE MOTHER OF A 5-YEAR-OLD AND SIX EUROS WHO ARE IN PRE-K AND FIRST-RATE, A SINGLE DAY THAT
A CHILD HAS TO BE DISPLACED FROM THEIR SCHOOL IN THE MIDDLE THE SCHOOL YEAR IS IN UTTER HARM TO THIS -- TO THESE FAMILIES.
THANK YOU FOR BROOKE -- FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. NEXT TO ZOOM. KYLE, CAN YOU AND BE YOURSELF.
I CAN.
CAN YOU SEE THE TIMER?
GIVE ME THE WARNING.
I JUST WANT TO SPEAK TODAY IN A LARGER SENSE ABOUT THIS GROWING PATTERN OF MASSIVE
ACTIONAFFECTING PRIMARILY LOW INCOME RESIDENTS AND HOW JUST CAUSE EVICTION PROTECTIONS CAN REALLY MAKE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HOUSING STABILITY AND HOMELESSNESS. AND LOS ANGELES, ONE OF THE BIGGEST CASES IN RECENT MEMORY HAPPENED AT DARRINGTON PLAZA. A7 12 UNIT APARTMENT COMPLEX IN WEST LA. LAST YEAR, THE LANDLORD TRIED TO EVICT NEARLY 600 TENANTS. MANY WERE LONG-TERM LOW INCOME RESIDENTS CLAIMING THE OLD NEEDED FIRE SAFETY UPDATE -- UPGRADES. BUT IN JUNE THIS YEAR, A JUDGE RULED THE EVICTION BY LEAD STATE LAW FINDING THE OWNER'S REAL INTENT WAS TO RENOVATE, RERENT AND HIGHER -- PRICES. THAT SAVED HUNDREDS OF HOMES WOULD ONLY AFTER TENANTS ORGANIZED, HIGHER LAWYERS AND SPENT MONTHS IN FEAR AND UNCERTAINTY. CASES LIKE THIS ARE NOT ISOLATED.
NATIONALLY, THE EVICTION LAB AT PRINCETON UNIVERSITY TRACKED OVER 1 MILLION EVICTION FILINGS IN 12 MONTHS. MANY FILINGS TARGET RENTERS EARNING LESS THAN 30% OF MEDIAN INCOME. THE PEOPLE LEASED ABLE TO ABSORB RENT HIKES OR DISPLACEMENT. THESE MASSEVICTIONS DEVASTATE COMMUNITIES. THEY
BREAK APART FAMILIES WILL FORCE CHILDREN OUT OF LOCAL SCHOOLS, DRIVE LONG-TERM RESIDENTS AWAY FROM SUPPORTNETWORKS. ONE OF THE CLEAREST TOOLS WE HAVE TO PREVENT THIS IS JUST LAWS THAT REQUIRE A LEGITIMATE REASON FOR LANDLORD TO REMOVE A TENANT. RESEARCH FROM CALIFORNIA CITIES SHOWS THESE LAWS REDUCE EVICTION RATES SIGNIFICANTLY. THEY DON'T STOP LANDLORDS FROM ADDRESSING THE REAL ISSUES LIKE NONPAYMENT OR DANGEROUS CONDITIONS. BUT THEY DO STOP NO CAUSE EVICTIONS USED TO CLEAR BUILDINGS FOR PROFIT.
YOU HAVE ABOUT 20 SECONDS.
JUST BECAUSE PROTECTIONS GIVE TENANTS SOMETHING SIMPLE BUT POWERFUL. TIME. TIME TO CONTEST UNLAWFUL EVICTIONS, FIND NEW HOUSING OR ORGANIZE AND NEGOTIATE IN GOOD FAITH. THEY MAKE DISPLACEMENT HARDER AND ACCOUNTABILITY STRONGER. EMERGING THE COUNCIL TO STRENGTHEN ENFORCE AND EXPAND TENANT[ INAUDIBLE ] MY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT, KYLE. NEXT I WILL COME BACK TO CHAMBERS IF THERE IS ANYONE IN CHAMBERS THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT, PLEASE STEP UP TO THE PODIUM.
MY NAME IS CHARLES[ INAUDIBLE ] IMA SEBASTOPOL -- A NEW SEBASTOPOL RESIDENT. I'M HERE SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF A YES. MY FAMILY IS FRIENDS WITH ONE OF THE FAMILIES THAT WOODMARK AND I KNOW THE KIND OF STABILITY THIS HOUSING HAS PROVIDED. WHEN SHE FIRST TOLD US OF THIS CONVICTION, I WAS SHOCKED. I THINK THIS URGENCY BUT WOULD GO A LONG WAY TOWARD SOME KIND OF REMEDIATION FOR
THE INSTABILITY THAT I FIND HARD TO FATHOM, THAT THESE DEVELOPERS WOULD INSTILL IN THESE PEOPLE'S LIVES. I THINK IT IS JUST BORDERLINE CRIMINAL. AND AGAIN, I WAS SO THRILLED BEING A SEBASTOPOL RESIDENT AND SEEING THIS. AND SEEING PEOPLE LIVING WITH A STABLE HOUSING SITUATION. AND SOME PEOPLE TAKESTABLE HOUSING FOR GRANTED. AND I'M SHOCKED AND I URGE A YES VOTE.
THINK YOU, CHARLES FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. NEXT I WILL GO OUT TO ZOOM.
CAN YOU ADMIT YOURSELF PLEASE.
THANK YOU.
AN EASY THE TIMER?
I CAN.
MY NAME IS ADAM NAPOLEON., 20 OR EDUCATOR AND PRINCIPAL HERE AT SONOMA COUNTY. AND I WANT TO
COMMENT AS SOMEONE WHO SEES EVERY DAY, SEASON UNDERSTANDS THE IMPORTANCE OF STABLE HOUSING AND APPROPRIATE TRANSITION SUPPORT. WHAT THIS MEANS FOR OUR CHILDREN, PARENTS AND THE COMMUNITY. I A JUST CAUSE EVICTION ORDINANCE EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY. THAT INCLUDES THREE MONTHS OF MARKET RATE LOCATION ASSISTANCE STARTING FROM THE DAY OF TENANCY. PLEASE DO THE SNOW AND PROTECT OUR FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS AND THE CHILDREN WHO NEED OUR HELP. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, ADAM, FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. NEXT I WILL COME BACK TO CHAMBERS. IF YOU LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT. THANK YOU.
MY NAME IS PAUL. I HAVE MOVED TO SEBASTOPOLNEARLY SIX MONTHS AGO. VIRTUALLY BY ACCIDENT. I HAD NO MEANS TO SUPPORT FAMILY OR OTHERWISE. THAT I BELIEVED IN FEELING COME TO WILL AND SECURE IN A SMALL TOWN. I FELT IN MY HEART THE IF ANY OF US TRULY DESERVE THIS, I WOULD SAY HAVE AT IT BUT I DON'T. DESPITE ALL THE ALLEGED DECEPTION THAT HAS BEEN PLACED UPON US BY THE FOLKS BY -- AT WOODMARK RESPONSIBLE, I BELIEVE THEY MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ALL OF THIS. UNFORTUNATELY, THERE CAPITALIZING ON VULNERABILITIES AND POSSIBLE IGNORANCE. WHILE I BELIEVE THEY ARE SO THEY MISTAKEN. I BELIEVE EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU GET TO SEND A CLEAR, PRECISE AND POWERFUL MESSAGE TO THESE BAD ACTORS. TO THESEUNSCRUPULOUS ACTIONS AND BEHAVIORS. NOT IN THIS TOWN AND NOT IN THIS COMMUNITY AND NOT IN SEBASTOPOL. THE MOVE HERE MEANT A NEW ENVIRONMENT, NEW SURROUNDING, AFFORDABILITY, SAFETY. A CHANCE TO CREATE NEW FRIENDSHIPS, NEW RELATIONS, NEW IDEAS AND EXPERIENCES. I WAS EXCITED AND WILL REMAIN EXCITED FOR THE POSSIBILITY TO AGAIN HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HOPEFULLY GET INVOLVED IN THIS COMMUNITY WITH THE GIFT I HAVE BEEN GIVEN. MOST
OF THE TALENTS I SHARE WITH OTHERS AS I BELIEVE ANY DEFINITION OF A SUCCESSFUL LIFE MUST INCLUDE SERVING OTHERS. ESPECIALLY IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS, FEELING AND BELIEVING THAT I WAS SAVED AND WELCOMED. OTHER PLANS, TRIALS AND RELATIONS HAVE COME FORTH AND I HAVE TO SAY THAT I DID NOT SEE ANY OF THIS COMING.
ABOUT 20 SECONDS.
NO WE ARE A GROUP OF 12-15 FAMILIES EACH DEALING WITH THE EMINENT EVICTION AND DURING CHRISTMAS TIME. I WILL SAY, WHY IS THIS HAPPENING? WHY DOES THIS HAVE TO MATTER? IT MATTERS. AND I'M HOPING THAT ALL OF YOU PEOPLE WILL REALLY CONSIDER THAT, ESPECIALLY DURING THIS HOLIDAY TIME.
TAKE YOU, PAUL FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. I WILL GO OUT TO ZOOM. TJ, CAN YOU UNMUTE YOURSELF PLEASE.
CAN YOU SEE THE TIMER?
I CANNOT.
I WILL REMIND YOU AT 30 SECONDS. GO AHEAD PLEASE.
I'M TJ. I RECEIVE HOUSING IN SANTA ROSA. I AMSITTING HERE LOOKING TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO HOW
THEY SHOW UP FOR MY NEIGHBORS AND I'M HOPING THATYOU SET A PRECEDENT FOR THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA AS WELL WITH HOUSING, THAT YOU CARE ABOUT THE MOSTBASIC SERVICES THAT WE CAN OFFER EACH OTHER.
AND I ALSO WANT TO CONFIRM THAT EVERY DOLLAR, EVERY DIME SPENT ON LAWYER FEES OR ANY OTHER FEES IS ABSOLUTELY WORTH IT TO KEEP PEOPLE HOUSED, EVEN IF JUST FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. WE ARE
DESERVING OF DIGNITY, BOTH IN HOW WE RECEIVE FROM EACH OTHER AND ALSO IN HOW WE CARE FOR EACH OTHER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION IN PASSING THIS ORDINANCE.
THANK YOU, TJ FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. NEXT, I WILL COME BACK IN THE CHAMBER. IF THERE IS ANYONE IN CHAMBER, PLEASE.
GOOD EVENING EVERYBODY. CITY MEMBERS AN ATTORNEY, THANK YOU FOR HEARING US OUT TONIGHT. I'M
HERE TONIGHT IS A MOTHER, A FULL-TIME WORKER AND A COMMUNITY MEMBER FACING THE FEAR OF LOSING OUR HOME. I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR LISTENING. AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ADVOCATING FOR US.
I HAVE HAD A COUPLE OF E-MAILS BACK AND FORTH WITH YOU SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE ARE URGING YOU
TO APPROVE THE URGENT JUST CAUSE EVICTION ORDINANCE THAT TAKES EFFECT IMMEDIATELY AND IT INCLUDES THREE MONTHS OF MARKET RATE RELOCATION ASSISTANCE. THE $10,000 THAT WE WERE OFFERED TO LEAVE BY OCTOBER 31st DOES NOT EQUATE TO WHAT IT DOES COST. I WILL NEED A THREE BEDROOM. IT IS $33 MINIMUM A MONTH. AND SO IT IS ALMOST TO THAT AMOUNT. WHAT ABOUT MOVING FEES? I WANT TO
BE CLEAR THAT I DON'T BELIEVE, AND I THINK IT HAS BEEN DISCUSSED, THAT THE MONEY TO STAND BEHIND THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE WHAT SOME CITIZENS ARE CLAIMING. DEFINITELY COMING FROM ZOOM TONIGHT. I DON'T AGREE WITH THAT. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE DEVELOPER AND NOT THE TAXPAYERS. I HAVE LIVED HERE SINCE 2015, AND IN SONOMA COUNTY SINCE 2010, BY WAY OF LAKE TAHOE. I HAVE CHILDREN HEREWHO CAN WALK TO SCHOOL. I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW AMAZING THAT IS FOR ME. I HAVE TO COMMUTE TONOVATO. I WORK 40 HOURS A WEEK. IT IS A HUGE BLESSING TO ME. THIS TOWN HAS BEEN A BLESSING. IT HAS BEEN A BLESSING LIVING HERE WHERE I WORK AND I HAVE WORKED HARD TO BUILD STABILITY AS A SINGLE MOM.
IF A DECISION IS MADE BY THE COMPANIES, THEY HAVE DEEPLY IMPACTED OUR LIVES. THERE ARE ABOUT 60% OF US THAT ARE SINGLE MOMS. JUST TRYING TO KEEP A ROOF OVER OUR KID'S HEADS. WE WOULD HAVE NEVER MOVED THERE IF THIS WAS THE CASE. WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR HANDOUTS. WE ARE JUST ASKING FOR FAIRNESS AND PROTECTION AND FOR ACCOUNTABILITY AND I KNOW THATSEBASTOPOL WILL DO WHAT IS RIGHT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. NEXT, I WILL GO OUT TO ZOOM. IF THERE IS ANYONE ON ZOOM THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND VIRTUALLY. SEEING NONE, I WILL COME BACK TO CHAMBERS. IF THERE IS ANYONE IN CHAMBERS THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS ITEM, PLEASE COME UP TO THE PODIUM.
GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, VICE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS. MY NAME IS KATE [ INAUDIBLE ] AND A POLICY ANALYST AT [ INAUDIBLE ] COUNTY. THIS ORDINANCE IS NARROW. IT IS A MEASURED POLICY ACTION
THAT WOULD CLOSE A SMALL BUT CRITICAL GAP IN EXISTING PRODUCTIONS FOR RESIDENTS OF THE RESTRICTED OF HORRIBLE HOUSING PROPERTIES LIKEWOODMARK. AS DETAILED IN THE CITY STAFF REPORT, THIS CHANGE
WOULD AFFECT ONLY ABOUT FIVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING RELEVANCE IN SEBASTOPOL, ALL SIZABLE COMPLEX IS WITH MORE THAN 40 UNITS. AND I WANT TO REITERATE THAT YOU REALLY DON'T SEE NO-FAULT EVICTIONS FROM THESE PROPERTIES BECAUSE THEY ARE EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED. AND IF NOT FOR COMPLIANCE ISSUE
THAT HAS BEEN SELF CREATED BY DEVELOPERS OF WOODMARK, THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD ON FULL EVICTIONS. FOR FAMILIES, RELOCATION ASSISTANCE CAN QUITE LITERALLY MEAN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEENREMAINING HOUSED AND FALLING INTO HOMELESSNESS. THECASH FOR KEYS DEAL THAT
WAS OFFERED WOULD REQUIRE RESIDENTS TO MOVE OUT BY THE END OF OCTOBER, TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A 10,000-DOLLAR PAYMENT AND IT WOULD REQUIRE THEM TO MOVE OUT BY THE END OF NOVEMBER FOR $5000.
I REALLY WANT TO STRESS THAT THE COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS THERE TO GIVE -- GET OF HORRIBLE HOUSING ON
SHORT ORDER AND TRY TO LOCATE LIKELY MARKET RECENT -- MARKET RATE HOUSING AND LIKELY MORE EXPENSIVE, AT THE END OF THE LEASE, THAT IS NOT A DEAL THAT LEAVES FOLKS BETTER OFF. AND FOR MANY
RESIDENTS WHO MAY NOT HAVE ANY PLACE ELSE TO GOGO, ESPECIALLY ON SHORT ORDER, THIS JUST IS NOT A VIABLE DEAL. WITH THE SHORTAGE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPTIONS IN THE COUNTY AND WAITING LISTS
THAT EXTEND A YEAR OR MORE FOR SUBSIDIZED UNITS, MANY FAMILIES SIMPLY WON'T BE ABLE TO FIND ANOTHER SUBSIDIZED AFFORDABLE UNIT TO MOVE IN SUCH A SHORT TIMEFRAME. 15 SECONDS.
AND SO I WANT TO SAY THAT THIS DEVELOPER SHOULD HAVE TO PAY THAT RELOCATION ASSISTANCE TO ENSURE THAT FAMILIES THAT IT IS DISPLACING ARE ABLE TO REMAIN HOUSED. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THIS.
THANK YOU FOR THE PUBLIC COMMENT. NEXT IT WILL GO OUT TO ZOOM. ANYONE ON ZOOM, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND VIRTUALLY. SEEING NONE AT THIS TIME, I WILL COME BACK TO CHAMBERS. IF THERE IS ANYONE IN CHAMBERS THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS ITEM.
GOOD EVENING COUNCILMEMBERS, VICE MAYOR AND THE MAYOR. I'M LENA BLANCO. I'M A RESIDENT OF
SEBASTOPOL AND AN ORGANIZED WITH THE NORTHBAY ORGANIZING PROJECT AND THE SONOMA BAY TENANTS UNION. I WANT TO LOOK AROUND THE ROOM. TONIGHT, WE HAVE THREE OF THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMPLEXES THAT WOULD BE COVERED BY THIS PROTECTION IN THE ROOM TONIGHT. PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU LIVE AT ONE OF THOSE THREE COMPLEXES. THANK YOU. I'M GRATEFUL FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND TENACITY TO MOVE FORWARD. THIS IS ONE CRITICAL LAYER OF PROTECTIONS FOR THE WOODMARK FAMILIES
NOW TO PROVIDE THE RELOCATION ASSISTANCEAND TO MAKE SURE THE COMPANY WILL NOT JUST LET FOLKS SIGN THEIR RIGHTS AWAY. FOLKS HAVE BEEN IN A SURVIVAL MODE FOR MONTHS AND FOR YEARS. THEY ARE SAYING THAT THEY ARE FED UP WITH THAT. AND IT TAKES COURAGE AND TENACITY AND A HELL OF A LOT OF COMMITMENTS AND STRENGTH AS TENANTS TO STAND AND SAY NO MORE ABUSE. I WANT THIS TO BE FOR THE LONG HAUL AND THANK YOU AGAIN FOR LISTENING TO US. WE HAVE PAPERWORK THAT WE PUT TOGETHER AND A DATA SHEET COMING FROM THE RESIDENTS OF WOODMARK. THESE ARE THE STORIES OF WOODMARK. I WANT TO LEAD WITH THIS. THESE WERE GATHERED BY TENANTS DOOR-TO-DOORCOLLECTING RESPONSES, QUALITATIVE DATA. OUT OF THE FOLKS THAT RESPONDED, 74% SAY THE SUPPORT THEY NEED NOW IS MORE TIME TO STAY IN THEIR CURRENT HOME. I KNOW THAT IS NOT SOMETHING SEBASTOPOL CAN DO IN THIS MOMENT BUT YOU ARE ONE OF THE FOLKS WE ARE TURNING TO AS DECISION-MAKERS. ALSO, 74% NEED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO COVER MOVING COST. 63% OF RESPONDENTS SAY THAT THE SUPPORT THEY NEED IS
HELP FINDING REAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN SEBASTOPOL AND SONOMA COUNTY AND ASSISTANCE WITH SECURITY DEPOSIT AND FIRST AND LAST MONTH'S RENT. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO TAKE A LOOK AT THESE DATASHEETS AND LISTEN TO THE STORIES. I KNOW YOU HAVE. THANK YOU AGAIN.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. NEXT I WILL GO OUT TO ZOOM. IF THERE IS ANYONE ON ZOOM THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND VIRTUALLY. SEEING NONE AT THIS TIME, I WILL COME BACK TO CHAMBERS. IF THERE IS ANYONE IN CHAMBERS THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT.
GOOD EVENING. VICE MAYOR, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL AND CITY ATTORNEY. AND ALL THE REST OF THE
STAFF AND PEOPLE HERE TODAY, AND SUPPORT AND OUR FLIGHT TO GETTING A YES OR JUST CAUSE, I HAVE HAD TO BE RESILIENT FOR AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER. AND I'M DETERMINED TO PUSH THROUGH, WHETHER OR
NOT YOU VOTE YES ON THIS TODAY BECAUSE THERE IS NO -- I CANNOTAFFORD TO RELAPSE AND LOSE ALL THE PROGRESS I HAVE MADE TOWARD BETTERING MY PERSONAL SITUATION AND REACHING MY ACADEMIC GOALS.
SO I DON'T HAVE TO RELY ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND I CAN ONE DAY OWN MY OWN HOME AND BE CONTRIBUTING ONCE AGAIN TO MY COMMUNITYAS A REGISTERED NURSE. OPERATING MY FAMILY RIGHT NOW WOULD BE DETRIMENTAL. NOT JUST TO MY MENTAL HEALTH BUT MY SON WHO DOES WELL. I WISH HE COULD BE HERE TODAY TO TELL YOU HOW MUCH THIS HAS AFFECTED HIM. SO MUCH SO THAT HE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO ATTEND SCHOOL FOR THE PAST WEEK. THE HOLIDAYS ARE APPROACHING. DURING THIS TIME, I WAS HOPING TO BEGIFTED THE NEWS THAT I WOULD BE HOUSE TRICKETT CAME AFTER THE FACT. BUT I'M HAPPY THAT IT CAME AND PROVIDED SOME STABILITY. UNKNOWN WAS HOPING IT WOULD BE MORE LONG-TERM.
PLEASE SUPPORT WOODMARK FAMILIES. VOTE YES. WE NEED THIS NOW.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. NEXT I WILL GO OUT TO ZOOM. IF THERE IS ANYONE ON ZOOM THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND VIRTUALLY. GAIL, PLEASE UNMUTE.
CAN YOU SEE THE TIMER?
GAIL, CAN YOU HEAR US? YES. CAN HEAR ME?
YES. CAN YOU SEE THE TIMER?
YES.
I'M IN FULL SUPPORT OF ALL OF THE WOODMARK TENANTS. ONE BEING MY MOTHER. I KNEW THIS IS WHY I
DIDN'T WANT TO SPEAK BECAUSE IT MEANS SO MUCH THAT SHE HAS A HOME RIGHT NOW AND SHE IS REALLY HAPPY. I'M A BUSINESS OWNER IN SEBASTOPOL. I WORK MY BUTT OFF. I WANT TO BE ABLE TO HELP HER. I HAVE TWO BUSINESSES. I WORK 6:00 A.M. UNTIL 7:00 P.M. I'M DOING ALL THAT I CAN. MY HUSBAND IS AN ELECTRICIAN. WE HAVE A GREAT COUPLE OF KIDS. AND MY MOM SANDY, SHE HAS MADE THIS PLACE SO CUTE
AND SHE IS SO HAPPY AND SHE HAS BEEN ON THE WAITING LIST AT LUTHERBURBANK FOR THREE YEARS OR SOMETHING NOW. SHE IS 78 YEARS OLD. SHE DOESN'T HAVE THE MONEY. SHE IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE WORKING. SHE IS 78 YEARS OLD. SHE IS A STRONG WOMAN AND SHE HELPS EVERYBODY DO EVERYTHING. BUT SHE JUST NEEDS A HOME, YOU KNOW. LUTHER BURBANK, SHE IS STILL NOT UP ON THE LIST. SHE HAS NOWHERE TO GO. SHE CAN COME TO OUR COUCH BUT THAT IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH AT THIS STAGE. SHE IS STRESSED OUT OF HER MIND THIS IS WHY SHE IS NOTTHERE TONIGHT. BECAUSE SHE HAS -- HER STOMACH IS TURNING AND THIS IS WHAT IT DOES. AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE CAN DO. CAN WE DO ANYTHING? CAN YOU GUYS HELP? WHAT CAN WE DO? I WISH SHE COULD KEEP HER HOME. SHE IS SO HAPPY THERE. SHE LOVES HER NEIGHBORS AND IS A GREAT TENANT. ON THIS TOTALLY BREAKS MY HEART. I CANNOT SPEAK. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT SHE STAYS CLOSE TO US. WE ARE A TIGHT LITTLE FAMILY. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT SHE IS HAPPY AND HEALTHY AND THIS DOES NOT HARM HER HEALTH BECAUSE IT IS. SO APPRECIATE YOU LISTENING. MY SUN MY TIMER JUST ARE NOT.
THANK YOU, GAIL, FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. I WILL COME BACK TO CHAMBERS. IF THERE IS ANYONE IN CHAMBERS THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT.
THANK YOU ALL. THIS IS TOO HARD. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING. THANK YOU, THANK YOU AND THANK YOUATTORNEY AND STAFF AND EVERYBODY WHO HAS WORKED ON THIS. IT IS REALLY -- IT HAS REALLY BROUGHT ME BACK TO FEELING THAT THIS IS MY HOMETOWN. I JUST -- I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ACTUALLY TO ADD EXCEPT YOU ALL HAVE BEEN LISTENING. AND I HOPE THAT HAS ACTIVATED YOUR EMPATHY. AND I KNOW YOU ARE ALLEMPATHIC PEOPLE. AND YOU CAN IMAGINE EVEN PUTTING YOURSELF IN THESE PEOPLE'S SHOES.
IT IS HARD TO DO. BUT HONESTLY, THIS HAS BEEN A VERY WONDERFULLY EXPRESSIVE GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO CAN COME AND TELL YOU WHAT IS GOING ON FOR THEM. AND YES, NO KIDDING. THIS IS A SMALL PIECE OF WHAT COULD BE DONE. BUTTHIS IS YOURS TO DO. AND THE URGENCY IS CLEAR. I THINK YOU WILL GET THAT.
SO JUST LET YOUR HEART TAKE YOU WHERE IT TAKES YOU, PLEASE. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. NEXT I WILL GO BACK OUT TO ZOOM. IF THERE IS ANYONE ON ZOOM THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND VIRTUALLY. SEEING NONE AT THIS TIME, I WILL COME BACK TO CHAMBERS. IF THERE IS ANYONE IN CHAMBERS THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT.
SEEING NONE, PUBLIC, IS CLOSED.
THANK YOU, MARY. BRINGING IT TO MY COLLEAGUES FOR DISCUSSION AND/OR A MOTION. LOOKING TO MY LEFT, COUNCILMEMBER CARTER.
ALEX, I'M VERY GRATEFUL THAT YOU WERE ABLE TO COME UP WITH SOMETHING THAT IS A LITTLE BIT OF A HELP. AND I'M HOPING THE DEVELOPER CAN KIND OF SEE THIS AND COME TO A WAY TO DO A COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS OR WHATEVER, AND HOLD ON TO THESE PEOPLE'S LEASES. AND THEN START NEGOTIATING WITH THE USDA OR WHATEVER SO THAT THEY CAN REMAIN. AND WORK OUT A DEAL. BUT UNTIL THAT HAPPENS, I WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT THIS. AND IF I MAY -- I WILL JUST LEAVE IT AT THAT.
COUNCILMEMBER MAURER.
I CIRCLED BACK TO THE IDEA OF VOTING ON THIS IN TWO PARTS. OF LIKE TO SEE THE URGENCY ORDINANCE PASSED AND WE NEED FOUR VOTES. IT IS THAT POSSIBLE WE CAN DO A STRAW VOTE ON THAT BEFORE WE ACTUALLY TAKE ABOUT?
I HAVE A QUESTION. I'M NOT WILLING TO VOTE UNTIL I HAVE THAT ANSWER TO.
VICE MAYOR, GO AHEAD.
I HEARD THE PUBLIC COMMENT STATING THEY DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHETHER OR NOT -- HOW THIS WOULD ACTUALLY HELP THE RESIDENTS. I KNOW MANY ARE SAYING THAT THEY WOULD KEEP THEIR APARTMENTS. I'M
JUST WONDERING IF THE ATTORNEY CAN HELP CLEARLY DELINEATE SO PEOPLE CAN UNDERSTAND HOW THIS WOULD OR COULD HELP THE RESIDENTS THERE. IT IS OBVIOUSLY NOT CLEAR TO EVERYONE.
YES. LET ME TAKE A STEP BACK. WHEN THE LEASE EXPIRES IN CALIFORNIA, UNDER CALIFORNIA LAW,RESIDENTIAL LEASE AUTOMATICALLY GOES MONTH-TO-MONTH. EVEN THOUGH A LEASE HAS ENDED, IF A TENANT IS ASKED TO MOVE AS A FORM OF DISPLACEMENT, THEY HAVE TO BE DISPLACED FROM THEIR UNIT.
EVEN THOUGH THE LEASE HAS ENDED. SO THIS ORDINANCE WOULD APPLY IN THAT SITUATION, EVEN THOUGH A LEASE HAS ENDED. THEN, IF THERE IS NOT JUST BECAUSE, EITHER NO-FAULT OR AT FAULT, THE LANDLORD WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO EVICT THE TENANT. IF THERE IS AT FAULT -- EXCUSE ME, IF THERE IS A NO-FAULT REASON FOR EVICTION, THELANDLORD WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE TENANT RELOCATION ASSISTANCE. THREE TIMES THE MARKET RATE. THE REASONS AND STATE LAW FOR -- NO-FAULT EVICTION, THERE ARE A COUPLE OF THEM. ONE OF THEM DOES INCLUDE THAT THE OWNER IS COMPLYING WITH AN ORDER ISSUED BY A GOVERNMENT AGENCY OR A COURT TO VACATE THE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY. I CAN'T SPEAK TO WHETHER THAT APPLIES HERE OR NOT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT USDA MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE ORDERED OR WHAT THE REQUIREMENTS ARE FROM USDA FOR THIS. WHETHER ALL OF THE UNITS ARE VACATED. WHETHER THEY ARE NOT REQUIRED TO BE VACATED AT ALL. OR JUST THE PENALTY HAS TO BE PAID. I CAN'T SPEAK TO ANY OF THAT.
IF THAT REASON APPLIES, THERE WOULD BE A NO-FAULT REASON UNDER THE ORDINANCE, UNDER CALIFORNIA LAW, FOR THE EVICTION. IN WHICH CASE, TENANT RELOCATION WOULD APPLY.
THANK YOU, ALEX. ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS, DISCUSSIONS, COUNCILMEMBER MAURER.
I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN DISCUSS THIS RIGHT NOW BUT I WILL ASK THE QUESTION AND YOU CAN LET ME KNOW. CAN WE ALSO SEND A LETTER TO THE DEVELOPER AND PROPERTY MANAGER ASKING FOR A PAUSE ON THE EVICTIONS? AND ASKING FOR MORE INFORMATION. FOREXAMPLE, TELLING THEM TO FILE THE WAIVER FOR THESE REMAINING 14 TENANTS, ASKING FOR A PAUSE? ASKING FOR FINDING OUT WHAT THE STATUS IS.
AND IT LOOKS LIKE 28 PEOPLE WHO MOVED AND THE APARTMENTS FILLED WITH FARMWORKERS. GETTING MORE INFORMATION FROM THE DEVELOPER AND THE PROPERTY MANAGER. IF THAT IS SOMETHING WE CAN DISCUSS IN TERMS OF GIVING DIRECTION TO STAFF.
WE ARE NOT AGENDA LYSED TONIGHT FOR THAT TYPE OF DIRECTION. BUT CERTAINLY INDIVIDUALLY, COUNCILMEMBERS COULD MAKE THAT REQUEST. OR YOU COULD REACH OUT TO THEM DIRECTLY YOURSELVES AS WELL.
GREAT. THANK YOU FOR THE DISCUSSION. I'MPREPARED TO MOVE THE RECOMMENDATION AND THE STAFF REPORT.
GO AHEAD, VICE MAYOR.
ONE LAST THOUGHT I HAVE IS, IS THERE ANY LEGAL LIABILITY WITH THE CITY BEING SUED FROM THESE DEVELOPERS THAT OWN THESE PLACES? IF THIS IS VOTED IN.
I HAVE TO SAY, WE CAN NEVER GUARANTEE THAT NO ONE WILL EVER SUE. THERE ARE MANY OTHER CITIES WITH SIMILAR ORDINANCES IN PLACE THAT HAVE NOT FACED ANY LITIGATION.
THANK YOU.
I WILL GO AHEAD AND MOVE THAT WE INTRODUCE THE FIRST READING OF THE ORDINANCE TO ADD CHAPTER91.936, JUST CAUSE EVICTION AND TENANT RELOCATION TO THE COVID TEAM IN A CIVIL CODE, REGARDING REGULATE UNITS AND ADOPTING AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE TO ADD CHAPTER 9.36, JUST CAUSE EVICTION AND TENANT RELOCATION TO THE COVID TEAM AND CIVIL CODE REGARDING REGULATED UNITS.
I WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS THAT FIRST. BECAUSE I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A STRAW VOTE ON IT FIRST.
OKAY. THERE HAS BEEN A REQUEST FOR A STAR VOTE. I'M IN FAVOR OF WHAT I JUST STATED. SO THERE ARE THREE.
I'M SORRY. YOU SAID THIS IS FOR THE URGENCY?
YES. A STRAW VOTE ON THE URGENCY ORDINANCE.
I WANT TO MAKE A COMMENT BEFORE A VOTE. IF YOU WANT ME TO DO THAT NOW, I CAN DO THAT.
SURE.
OBVIOUSLY, EVERYONE KNOWS I WAS A NO VOTE LAST TIME FOR THE URGENCY. AND IT IS BECAUSE AFTER
ATTENDING THE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS FOR A DECADE AND WATCHING SO MANY URGENT MATTERS THAT
WERE VOTED ON, WHICH REALLY RESULTED IN THINGS THAT WERE NOT BENEFICIAL TO THE CITY AND SOMETIMES IT'S, OOPS, WE SHOULDN'T HAVE DONE THAT. BASED ON THAT HISTORY, THAT IS WHY I ALMOST
ALWAYS VOTE OR MAYBE ALWAYS HAVE VOTED NO ON URGENCY ORDERS BECAUSE I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING GOOD RESULT FROM THIS CITY COUNCIL. AND AGAIN, I HAVE ATTENDED FOR AT LEAST A DECADE NOW BEFORE HE EVER RAN FOR COUNCIL. AND MY FRUSTRATION IS I AM SITTING HERE NOW IN THIS ROLE. I JUST HAVE NOT SEEN ANYTHING GOOD FROM IT. I WANT TO EXPRESS THAT I STILL FEEL CONCERNED ABOUT THIS AND I'M AGAIN, NOT SUPPORTIVE OF DOING URGENCY ORDINANCES. THAT BEING SAID, HOWEVER, I
UNDERSTAND -- I GUESS ONE OF THE WHAT TO SAY IS I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THIS WILL TRULY HELP, OTHER THAN THE FINANCIAL PEACE. AND OF THE FINANCIAL PEACE IS BIG FOR MANY PEOPLE. IT WOULD BE FOR ME AS WELL. AND UNDERSTANDING THAT MAYBE PERHAPS NOT EVERYONE WOULD HAVE RECEIVED THE MONIES THAT APPARENTLY WERE OFFERED. I JUST WANT TO SAY I HAVE CONCERN ABOUT THIS. I DO NOT LIKE URGENCY ORDINANCES. BUT GO AHEAD AND DO THE STRAW VOTE AND WE CAN GO FROM THERETHERE.
OKAY. THANK YOU, VICE MAYOR. DOING THE STRAW VOTE. WE HAVE THREE. AND I GUESS WE'RE LOOKING FOR YOU AS WELL.
I'M GOING TO BE WILLING TO DO A THUMBS UP. BUT WITH THAT CAVEAT, I WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND MY REASONING BECAUSE AGAIN, THINGS HAVE NOT GONE WELL WHEN I HAVE WATCHED THESE ORDINANCES.
BUT JUST FOR THE PURPOSE OF MOVING THIS FORWARD IN HOPES THAT THIS WILL HELP SOME PEOPLE, AND I'M HOPING FOR THAT. THAT IS THE ONLY REASON I'M GIVING THIS A THUMBS UP. BECAUSE I DO NOT LIKE THE HISTORY THAT THIS COUNSEL HAS HAD IN THIS CITY WITH DOING URGENCY ORDINANCES. IF I HAVE BEAT THAT HORSE ENOUGH FOR EVERYONE TO UNDERSTAND WHERE I'M COMING FROM. BUT I DO UNDERSTAND THE URGENCY THESE FOLKS FEEL. SO I WILL GIVE A THUMBS UP FOR IT TONIGHT DESPITE HIGH PERSONALLY FEEL.
PLEASE, FOLKS. AGAIN, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE HAS THEIR SPACE TO BE HEARD. SO VICE MAYOR, REFINISHED?
YES. I'M SORRY.
MOTION. SECOND. ROLL CALL.
SO MOVED BY ZOLLMAN. SECONDED BY MAURER. AND ORDINANCE TO CHAPTER 9.36, JUST CAUSE EVICTION
AND TENANT RELOCATION TO THE MUSICAL CODE REGARDING REGULAR DENTS AND AN URGENCY ORDINANCE TO ADD CHAPTER 9.36 JUST CAUSE EVICTION RELOCATION TO THE MUNICIPAL CODE FOR REGULATED UNITS.
COUNCILMEMBER CARTER. COUNCILMEMBER SEBASTOPOL PUSHED MAURER. VICE MAYOR MCLEWIS. MAYOR ZOLLMAN. COUNCILMEMBERHINTON IS ABSENT. THE MOTION PASSES 4-0.
THANK YOU. MOVING ON TO THE LAST ACTION ITEM. COUNCILMEMBER MAURER.
I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOUR RESIDENTS. YOU HAVE DONE A BRILLIANT JOB ORGANIZING. I WANT TO THANK LEGAL AID AND FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION. YOUR FEEDBACK HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL. AND WE
WILL JUST KEEP LOOKING TO SEE IF THERE IS ANYTHING MORE WE CAN DO IN TERMS OF POSSIBLY ASKING FOR A PAUSE ON THIS AND CALLING FOR MORE ACCOUNTABILITY. I WANT TO THANK OUR STAFF, LAWYER AND
COUNSEL IN VICE MAYOR AND MAYOR AND OTHER COUNCILMEMBERS WE HOPE THIS HELPS IN SOME SMALL WAY. THANK YOU WILL.
THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER MAURER. MOVING ON TO THE LAST AGENDA ITEM. REGULAR CALENDAR AGENDA ITEM WHICH IS AGENDA ITEM NUMBER NINE. APPROVAL OF AWARD OF CONTRACT. EXECUTIVE SEARCH FIRM WBCP FOR RECRUITMENT SERVICES FOR THE CITY MANAGER POSITION. THE RESPONSIBLE DEPARTMENT IS HR. THE FISCAL IMPACT IS STAFF TIME REQUIRED TO PREPARE THE MINUTES IS COVERED BY THE EXISTING BUDGET. ALSO RECRUITMENT OF THE CITY MANAGER SERVICE IS IN THE APPROVED BUDGET FOR $35,000. NO ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL IMPACT IS ANTICIPATED WITH APPROVAL OF THIS ITEM. I'M NOW TURNING TO THE HR CONSULTANT, DEBORAH.
.
GOOD EVENING MAYOR ZOLLMAN, VICE MAYOR MCLEWIS AND COUNCILMEMBERS. WITH THIS ITEM. ON APRIL 15TH, THE CITY MANAGER SEPARATED FROM THE CITY. AND SINCETHAT TIME, THE MAYOR HAS SERVED AS INTERIM CITY MANAGER, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER AND CITY CLERK. INAUGUST, THE COUNCIL APPROVED THE CITY TO GO OUT FOR A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. FOR SEARCH FIRMS. AND WE DID THAT AND PUT THOSE OUT TO A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT SEARCH FIRMS. WE HAD FIVE RESPONSES COME BACK. OFTHOSE FIVE, TWO WERE AVAILABLE AND ALSO SELECTED TO COME FORWARD FOR AN INTERVIEW. THOSE WERE CPS HR CONSULTING AND WENDY BRONNER CONSULTING PARTNERS. WE ARE ASKING TONIGHT FOR YOU TO APPROVE AN AGREEMENT AND AWARD THE CONTRACT TO WENDY BROWN CONSULTING PARTNERS. I WANT TO SAY
THOSE INTERVIEWS WERE DONE AND UP PUBLICLY NOTICED MEETING AND AT A PROCESS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT WAS OFFERED. AND SO, AT THIS POINT, WE'RE JUST LOOKING TO AWARD THE CONTRACTCONTRACT.
I'M GOING TO PAUSE. SO THAT THE DOOR CAN BE CLOSED. SO WE CAN CONCENTRATE ON THE REST OF OUR MEETING. THANK YOU FOR CLOSING THE DOOR. ARE THERE QUESTIONS FROM A COLLEAGUES WITH HR CONSULTING TO THE LEFT? VICE MAYOR.
I JUST HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT, UNDER ONE OF THE CONCERNS -- PLEASE, IF WE CAN KEEP THE DOOR CLOSED. WE ARE FINISHING THE REST OF THE COUNCIL BUSINESS.
APOLOGIES VICE MAYOR.
AND OWEN HERE IT SAYS, WHEN WE DID THESE INTERVIEWS, I WAS NOT SUPPORTIVE OF THIS PARTICULARCOMPANY. AND THAT WAS SIMPLY BASED ON CONCERN OVER THE LACK OF EXPERIENCE FOR THE GENTLEMAN THAT WAS THERE. I SEE AN HERE THAT IT HAS WENDY, WHO IS THE OWNER. I JUST WANT TO
HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE DISCUSSION THAT HAPPENED THERE AND HOW INVOLVED SHE WILL BE WITH US. THAT WAS MY REASON. THAT AND THE FACT THAT THEY DIDN'T SEEM TO REALLY ANSWER A LOT OF OUR QUESTIONS. I'M JUST WONDERING HOW THAT WENT AND HOW INVOLVED WILL SHE BE WITH THIS PROCESS.
ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION. DURING THE NEGOTIATION FOR THE CONTRACT, THAT WAS ONE OF THE MAIN TOPICS THAT WAS BROUGHT UP. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT SHE HAS COMMITTED TO BE ON ANY COUNCIL MEETINGS AND PARTICIPATE IN WHATEVER FASHION THE COUNCIL NEEDS HER TO DO THAT.
IS THAT ON SOLELY IF WE REQUESTED OR IS THAT THE DEFAULT THAT SHE WILL BE PRESENT? I BELIEVE IT IS WRITTEN IN THE CONTRACT.
I SAW HER NAME LISTED BUT I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY.
WE HAVE AN E-MAIL FROM OUR LABOR ATTORNEY THAT DID LIST THE AREAS IN WHICH SHE WOULD BE PARTICIPATING. MARILLA GILLETT -- -- MY RECOLLECTION IS THAT IT WAS FAIRLY SUBSTANTIAL. BUT I WOULD GET THAT OUT TO YOU.
I THINK WE NEED THE INFORMATION NOW. THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT UP. TURNING TO MAYOR.
DO YOU HAVE THAT?
THE LANGUAGE IN THEIR IS THAT WENDY WILL BE ONE OF THE PRIMARY STAFF TO BE ASSIGNED TO THE RECRUITMENT. SHE WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE KEY PHASES OF THE RECRUITMENT TO KICK OFF THE MEETINGS AND IS PRESENT FOR THE INTERVIEW PANEL AND[ INAUDIBLE ] AND IS PROVIDING SUPPORT DURING THE CANDIDATE SCREENING PROCESS.
OKAY. SO MAY BE PRESENT. I WANT TO CLARIFY. I DIDN'T WANT TO GET INTO THIS. I WAS NOT SUPPORTIVE AT ALL FOR THIS COMPANY. I DIDN'T WANT TO GET INTO THIS AND HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT HOW SHE WILL BE. I DIDN'T FIND THE OTHER OPTIONS.
RIGHT. THANK YOU VICE MAYOR. I TOO AM CONCERNED. WHATEVER WAS IN THE E-MAIL IS NOT IN THEPROPOSED CONTRACT. YOU ARE ASKING US TO PASS THE PROPOSED CONTRACT WITH THIS ENTITY, CORRECT? IS ATTHE REQUEST? I AM CONCERNED. ONE, THAT THAT INFORMATION HAS NOT MADE ITS WAY INTO THE CONTRACT THAT WE HAD HAD BEFORE US. AND THAT THE PUBLIC HAS HAD NOTICE OF THIS AS WELL.
CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHY IT IS WE ARE HERE IN THIS SITUATION?
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE CONTRACT LANGUAGE IS THE BASIS OF THE NEGOTIATION THAT OUR LABOR ATTORNEY HAD WITH THE FIRM AND THAT THAT IS THE ASPECT IN WHICH THEY WOULD BE SUPPORTING. I BELIEVE THERE WAS A STRONG COMMITMENT TO BEING HERE FOR THE CITY AND THE COUNCIL. BUT I'M LEFT WITH WHAT IS IN THE CONTRACT AS WELL.
WELL, I HAVE CONCERNS.
I WILL SAY THAT I WAS NOT PART OF THE NEGOTIATIONS. I DO NOT KNOW THE CONVERSATIONS THAT TOOK PLACE. BUT IF THE COUNCIL IS CONCERNED, THE COUNCIL HAS THE OPTION TO POSTPONE THIS UNTIL THE NEXT MEETING WE CAN MAKE A CLEAR DELINEATION IF THAT IS THE COUNCIL'S WISH.
THAT IS DEFINITELY WHERE I'M LEANING. SAME CONCERNS AS THE VICE MAYOR. I NEED TO SEE WHAT THE
COMMITMENTS ARE IN WRITING DISSEMINATED TO THE PUBLIC AND THE FACT THAT WE HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO SEE IT IN WRITING IN THE FORM OF A CONTRACT. THOSE AREMY QUESTIONS. COUNCILMEMBER MAURER.
I'M OKAY WITH IT.
OKAY. WE NEED TO PASS A MOTION TO DELAY. ISTHAT CORRECT? PUBLIC COMMENT FIRST.
WITHOUT COUNCILMEMBER CARTER.
THIS IS KIND OF A SIDEWAYS QUESTION. I WAS WONDERING IF HALFWAY THROUGH THE PERFORMANCE OF THIS CONTRACT, COULD WE DECIDE THAT THIS IS NOT GOING WELL FOR US? YES. THE CITY WILL HAVE INCURRED COST BUT WE CAN TERMINATE AT ANY POINT.
AND WE CAN GO BACK AND AS YOU SAY, BRING THIS BACK TO BE NEGOTIATED. WE ARE NOT ON A DEADLINE.
WE ARE NOT IN A HURRY TO MAKE THIS DECISION. THIS NEEDS TO WORK FOR THE COUNCIL AND THE CITY AS A WHOLE.
OKAY. GREAT. I GUESS WE WILL GO TO PUBLIC COMMENTS AND, MARY.
THANK YOU, MAYOR. THIS IS PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR THE CITY MANAGER RECRUITMENT FOR THE WENDY BROWN FIRM. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT, I WILL COME TO CHAMBERS FIRST. SEEING NONE, I WILL GO TO ZOOM. SORRY, KYLE. HOLD ON A SECOND. APOLOGIES. I'M SORRY. GO AHEAD.
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE SPOKE AT THISCOUNCIL IN THE THREE YEARS I HAVE LIVED INSEBASTOPOL.
THIS TIME IN MY LIFE. I LIVE HERE ONCE BEFORE. ANYWAY, I'M PROBABLY NOT PAYING ENOUGH ATTENTION. I HAVE BEEN TO THESE MEETINGS. I DO READ THE LOCAL PAPER AND IT DOES A GREAT JOB. I'M NOT CLEAR. AND 35,000 I GUESS IS JUST CHANGE FOR7000 -- HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE HERE? 7000 OR SOMETHING. I DON'T UNDERSTAND I GUESS. THIS IS ME BEING IGNORANT I GUESS OF THE POLITICAL WAY IT WORKS. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS LADY FIRST OF ALL HAS DONE AN INCREDIBLE JOB SINCE HE HAS BEEN GONE. I CAN'T
UNDERSTAND HOW YOU CANNOT FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO COME TO THE COMMUNITY, ALREADY IN THE COMMUNITY, OR EVEN HER, TO BECOME THE CITY -- I DON'T GET IT. I DON'T UNDERSTAND YOU ARE ALWAYS GETTING CONSULTING FIRMS. THIS IS LIKE A SMALL ONE COMPARED TO SOME OF THE OTHER ONES I HAVE SEEN. I GUESS I JUST DON'T GET THAT. THAT COULD BE MY[ INAUDIBLE ] BUT WHATEVER, SPEND YOUR MONEY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRIVATE COMMENTS. KYLE, CAN YOU UNMUTE YOURSELF PLEASE.
I CAN.
SORRY ABOUT THAT. CAN YOU SEE THE TIMER STILL?
NO BUT THAT'S OKAY.
GO AHEAD PLEASE.
TO ANSWER THE LAST SPEAKER'S QUESTION. I DON'T ACTUALLY WANT ANY OF THESE PEOPLE TRYING TO FIND A CITY MANAGER. I WANT A CONTRACT PROFESSIONAL WHO KNOWS HOW TO FIND EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP, AFFECTIVE EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP, TO DO THIS WORK. HOWEVER,ABSOLUTELY EN POINTE WHEN IT COMES TO THE WAY THAT OUR CITY CHOOSES TO SUBCONTRACT OUT WORK. THIS SHOULD BE DONE BY CITY EMPLOYEES.
THE FACT THAT WE CAN'T KEEP LEADERSHIP ROLES IN OUR CITY AND HAVE HAD TO SUBCONTRACT THAT WORK OUT, IS ABYSMAL. SO I'M REALLY HOPING THAT WE HAVE A GREAT EXECUTIVE SEARCH FIRM THAT KNOWS HOW TO DO THEIR JOB, IN ORDER TO FIND US ALL AVOID CANDIDATES FOR THE ROLE MOVING FORWARD. WHAT I NEED TO SPEAK TO IS PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. I THINK THERE IS A MISINTERPRETATION ABOUT WHAT I'M STATING ABOUT PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THE PROCESS. PUBLIC ARE STAKEHOLDERS IN THE PROCESSPROCESS.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO ME THAT MYCOUNCILMEMBERS, WHO ARE DEBATING THE CHOOSING OF AN EXECUTIVE SEARCH FIRM, HAVE COMMUNICATED THE NEED FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THE PROCESS. THIS ISNOT ABOUT, IT WAS A BUBBLY HELD MEETING NOTICED AND IT WAS THE ABILITY OF PUBLIC COMMENT. THAT IS NOT WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HERE. DID YOU ARTICULATE TO THE SEARCH COMMITTEE THE IMPORTANCE OF
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THIS PROCESS, SO THIS REALLY NONDESCRIPT TIMELINE BEING DESCRIBED IN THE CONTRACTINCLUDES THAT AS A REQUIREMENT OF THE PROCESS? BECAUSE TO ME, PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THE PROCESS IS IMPORTANT.
15 SECONDS.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT COUNCILMEMBERS MAKING THESE DECISIONS ARE ARTICULATING THE NEED FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THE PROCESS. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, KYLE, FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. NEXT I WILL COME BACK TO THE CHAMBERS. IF THERE IS ANYONE IN CHAMBERS THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT. SEEING NONE, I WILL GO BACK TO ZOOM. IF THERE IS ANYONE IN ZOOM THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND VIRTUALLY. SEEING NO PUBLIC COMMENTS, CLOSING THE ITEM.
RINGING FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION OR MOTION. COUNCILMEMBER MAURER.
YES. TO RESPOND TO THE PUBLIC COMMENT. THAT IS THE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION HAS BEEN ARTICULATED AS PART OF THIS AND IT IS A REQUIRED PART OF THE PROCESS. AND, I AGREE THAT MARY IS THE BEST. AND I
KNOW THAT IS NOT WHAT WE ARE VOTING ON RIGHT NOW BUT IF SHE WOULD BE WILLING, I WOULD LOVE TO BUMP MARY UP INTO THE REGULAR CITY MANAGER POSITION. BECAUSE SINCE SHE HAS BEEN AND TRIM CITY MANAGER AND BEFORE SHE WAS OF AN APPOINTED THAT, SHE HAS DONE HER WORKIN A STELLAR WAY. SHE IS THE BEST.
I THINK WE ALL AGREE.
I CANNOT IMAGINE WE WILL FIND ANYBODY BETTER.
THANK YOU.
WE NEED YOU. SOMEBODY CALLED ME TODAY AND SAID, WE NEED MARY. HOW DO I GET MARY? WELL, MARY, WE NEED YOU.
AGREED. I WILL GO AHEAD AND MOVE THAT WE CONTINUE THIS ITEM. IS THERE A SECOND FOR THAT? SECOND.
AND ROLL CALL, MARY.
I HAVE A QUESTION FOR WHAT YOU MEAN CONTINUE THIS.
DELAY IT. CONTINUE.
OKAY. I WANTED TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTOOD BEFORE I VOTED. SOMETIMES IT IS HARDER WHEN YOU ARE ON ZOOM.
I DID NOT ARTICULATED VERY WELL. BUT I THINK WE ARE IN AGREEMENT THAT WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE
THIS TO GET MORE OF THE INFORMATION THAT WE HAVE REQUESTED ACTUALLY IN A CONTRACT FOR OUR REVIEW AND FOR THE PUBLIC'S REVIEW BEFORE WE ARE ASKED TO VOTE ON IT.
SOMBER -- MOVED BY ZOLLMAN AND SECONDED BY MAURER TO DELAY THE CONTRACT FOR THE CITY MANAGER POSITION TO INCLUDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REQUESTED. COUNCILMEMBER CARTER.
YES.
MAURER.
YES.
MCLEWIS.
YES.
ZOLLMAN.
4-1.
AN ADDITIONAL COMMENT TIME. THIS IS FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA.
THANK YOU. AS STATED, THIS IS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA. IF YOU DID NOT SPEAK DURING THE FIRST PUBLIC COMMENT, THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK NOW.
GOOD EVENING. CRAIG LITWIN FROM SEBASTOPOL. I WANT TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON IF YOU DID NOT MAKE IT TO THE QANTAS HALLOWEEN EVENT AT THE PARK, IT WAS A LOT OF FUN. YEAR TWO, SUCCESS, SAFETY.
NO ISSUES. PUBLIC WORKS SPENT OVER BACKWARDS TO HELP IN ANY WAY TO MAKE SURE THE POWER WAS ACCESSIBLE. THE CITY AND STAFF MOVED THROUGH THE PROCESS AND GOT THE APPLICATION THROUGH. WE HAD WONDERFUL SEBASTOPOL TIMES THERE AS WELL. THANK YOU TOUR THANK YOU KINDLY. SO THANK YOU.
IT WAS FUN. THE KIDS LOVED IT. NEXT YEAR, HALLOWEEN IS ON A SATURDAY. SO WE ARE KIND OF IN OUR SWEET SPOT. IF THE WEATHER HOLDS, WE WILL HAVE ANOTHER GREAT PARTY NEXT YEAR. AND WE WOULD
LOVE TO FIGURE OUT MORE WAYS TO INCLUDE THE CITY AND THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND UTILIZE THE PARK IN EVERY WAY POSSIBLE. THANK YOU AGAIN.
THANK YOU, CRAIG, FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. NEXT I WILL GO OUT TO ZOOM A. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT FOR AN ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND VIRTUALLY. SEEING NONE, COMING BACK TO CHAMBERS. IF THERE IS ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT.
SEEING NONE, PUBLIC, IS CLOSED.
MOVING ON TO COUNCILMEMBER REQUESTS ABOUT FUTURE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEMS. LOOKING TO THE COLLEGE TO MY LEFT, COUNCILMEMBER CARTER.
I JUST WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK[ INAUDIBLE ] AND THE SW100 CREW FOR AN EXCEPTIONAL COMMUNITY EFFORT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU. ARE THERE CALLS FOR AGENDA ITEMS? COUNCILMEMBER MAURER.
I WOULD LIKE TO RECOMMEND WE HAVE AN AGENDA ITEMWHERE SOMEONE FROM THE CITY, I'M NOT SURE WHO WOULD BE, WOULD SEND A LETTER TO THE WOODMARK PROPERTY MANAGER ASKING FOR A PAUSE. AND OBTAINING MORE INFORMATION, ASKING THEM TO FILE A WAIVER. JUSTGETTING MORE INFORMATION FROM THEM.
I WILL SECOND THAT.
I WILL THIRD THAT.
THANK YOU.
ADDITIONAL.
SUPERVISOR HOPKINS, LEGAL AID TOLD ME SHE WAS WRITING A LETTER TO THEM. MAYBE THAT COULD BE COORDINATED WITH HER.
THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER MAURER. ADDITIONALAGENDA ITEMS. LOOKING TO THE VICE MAYOR. SEEING NONE. TUBING ON TO CITY COUNCIL, CITY STAFF REPORTS. TURNING TO OUR WONDERFUL IN ROOM CITY MANAGER.
THANK YOU, MAYOR. IS ATTACHED TO THE AGENDAREPORT, THE AGENDA PACKET IS THE UPDATE ON THE [ INAUDIBLE ] FOR THE PROGRAM. WE HOPE TO HAVE THAT IN PLACE. REVIEWING THE MOU, WE WERE HOPING TO HAVE IT ON THE AGENDA. THE COMMITTEE MEETING IS TOMORROW. I WANT TO THANK THE PUBLIC FOR THE SUPPORT AND COMPLEMENTS ON THE HALLOWEEN DECORATIONS DOWNTOWN. WE HAVE ALREADY NOW STARTED THE WINTER DECORATIONS. WEHOPEFULLY WILL GET THOSE UP WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS AND WORKING WITH THE CHAMBER AND THE DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION ON THAT AS WELL. AND SO MAKING A COLLABORATIVE EVENT.
YES, THANK YOU. AND WITH THAT, I'M TURNING TO MY COLLEAGUES FOR ANY UPDATES THEY WOULD LIKE TO SHARE STARTING WITH COUNCILMEMBER MAURER.
SEVERAL OF US WENT TO THE SONOMA COUNTY MAYORS MEETING AND HEARD MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOMELESS SITUATION IN THE COUNTY. I AM THE LIAISON TO THECENTER FOR THE ARTS. I ATTENDED THE ART OPENING FOR 1000 SHADES OF GREEN. AND THANKING LAURA AT THIS NUMBER WAS TIMES A NEWS FOR THE ARTICLE ON THAT SHOW AS WELL. I ALSO WENT TO THE INCUBATOR PROGRAM AT THE LIVERY. I MET WITH CAITLIN, THE LEGAL AID ON THE JUST BECAUSE ORDINANCE. AND I REALLY APPRECIATED THEIR FEEDBACK ON THE ORDINANCE BECAUSE IT WAS LIKE GETTING A SECOND -- LIKE GETTING A SECOND OPINION ON THAT. AND IT WAS VERY HELPFUL TO HEAR FROM LEGAL AID. ACTUALLY WHEN THE BALLOON FESTIVAL HAPPENED THIS
WEEKEND, I DID SOME DRIVING AROUND TOWN LIKE THREE DAYS IN A ROW CHECKING OUT THE SCENE TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING WAS OKAY. I WAS CURIOUS. WILL THIS OVERRUN THE CITY? WHAT IS HAPPENING DOWNTOWN? WHAT ABOUT THE PARKING? AND SO, I MET WITH ALLISON GOODWIN. IT IS THE CEO OF THE FOOD BANK, ON MONDAY. AND FOUND OUT THAT IF ANYONE IS IN NEED OF FOOD, THEY CAN JUST SHOW UP AT ONE OF THESE PLACES. IN SEBASTOPOL, THERE ARE A COUPLE IN SEBASTOPOL. ONE IS AT SAINT SEBASTIAN'S AND ANOTHER AT STATE -- SAINT STEPHEN'S. AND YOU CAN JUST SHOW UP AND GET FOOD IF YOU WANT IT. IF
YOU NEED A PROXY, WHAT YOU WOULD DO IS CALL THE FOOD BANK AND SIGN UP AND THEN YOU PUT THE NAME OF THE PERSON WHO WILL PROXY FOR YOU. WHAT THAT IS, THIS IS SOME PROTECTION FOR IMMIGRANTS, OR PEOPLE WHO ARE HOME WRITTEN OR HOUSEBOUND WHO CANNOT GO AND GET FOOD. AND
SO, THEN THE PROXY CAN COME AND SHOW UP AND PICK UP FOOD AND THEY CAN DO THAT FOR MORE THAN ONE PERSON. AND THEN THERE IS ANOTHER THING THEY JUST PUT OUT THAT IF YOU WENT SHOPPING, THERE IS AN URGENT NEED RIGHT NOW FOR FOOD. AND SO ALLISON SAID THAT USUALLY THERE IS AN INCREASE IN LIKE 500 PEOPLE A MONTH INCREASE. AND THE PAST MONTH, IT TRIPLED. BASICALLY TRIPLED. THE NEED HAS TRIPLED, FOR FOOD. AND SHE GAVE ME A LITTLE TOUR OF THE PLACE. THEYWERE MAKING FOOD IN THE KITCHEN. SO WHEN PEOPLE COME AND PICK UP THEIR FOOD, THEY ARE GIVEN SOMETHING TO EAT RIGHT THEN AND THERE. SO THEY WERE MAKING FOOD FROM DONATIONS. THEY HAD BIG 5-GALLONOF CLOVER MILK THAT THEY WERE MAKING RICE PUDDING AND THEY WERE MAKING PUMPKIN CUPCAKES. AND IT WAS JUST SO TOUCHING TO SEE THE ENORMITY OF THIS EFFORT. SO PEOPLE CAN HELP OUT. THERE IS A REAL URGENT NEED RIGHT NOW. PEOPLE CAN HELP OUT BY DONATING AND BY VOLUNTEERING. AND IF YOU GO TO THE STORE AND YOU BUY A COUPLE OF EXTRA THINGS. SAY YOU DO THAT FOR A WHILE. YOU CAN HAVE SOMEBODY PICK IT UP NOW. THEY WILL HAVE A VOLUNTEER THAT WILL GO AROUND AND PICK UP DONATIONS RIGHT AT YOUR HOUSE. OR YOU CAN DROP IT OFF AT WHOLE FOODS. OR THERE MIGHT BE OTHER PLACES TO DROP IT OFF. BUT
IT WAS VERY TOUCHING TO SEE HOW LARGE THIS EFFORT IS AND HOW GREAT THE NEED IS AN OUR COMMUNITY. AND THEN, SAME DAY I MET WITH THE SOCIAL SERVICE GROUPS WITH CRAIG LIT LYNN HERE AND
THIS REPRESENTS THE ONENESS CLUB AND THE GRANGE AND THERE WERE THREE OTHERS THERE FROM THE EASTERN STAR, SUNRISE ROTARY AND WHO COULD REPRESENT THEROTARY AND THE LIONS CLUB. AND THEY ARE HELPING TO PLAN A FOOD DRIVE COMING UP FOR THE HOLIDAYS. AHOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE. AND THEY ARE ALSO MAKING AN EFFORT TO EDUCATE OTHERS ABOUT THEIR GROUPS AND WHAT THEY DO. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER MAURER. ADDITIONALONES. VICE MAYOR? COMMENTS? SURE. I ATTENDED OBVIOUSLY THE AGENDA REVIEW. I JUST WANTED TO FOLLOW-UP A LITTLE BIT MORE WITH WHAT COUNCILMEMBER MAURER WAS TALKING ABOUT. A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW I'M THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR IN MY PAYING JOB FOR REPRESENT THE ADVOCACY GROUP FOR ALL THE FOOD MANUFACTURERS IN THE BAY AREA. SO I'M INTIMATELY AWARE OF ALL OF THESE ISSUES. AND I WANTED A QUICK COMMENT.
THERE ARE NUMBER OF OUR LARGER MANUFACTURERS IN THE NORTH BAY WHO HAVE A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT PROGRAMS. THAT ARE HAPPENING.'S OF COURSE PEOPLE CAN REACH OUT TO ME IF THEY WANT TO KNOW.
THEY ARE WORKING DIRECTLY WITH THE FOOD BANK AND THE FARMERS MARKETS. AND SO THERE ARE SOME INTERESTING THINGS HAPPENING THERE. OTHER THAN THAT, I'M -- THAT IS ALL I HAVE TO OFFER RIGHT NOW.
I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE HAS ANYTHINGANYTHING.
THANK YOU, VICE MAYOR. COUNCILMEMBER CARTER.
THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER MAURER FOR STARTING US OFF WITH THE FOOD SITUATION. BEING OUR LIAISON TO THE HOMELESS COALITION BOARD, IS INTRICATELY TIED TO ALL SORTS OF HEALTH CONSEQUENCES.
MENTAL HEALTH BEING ONE OF THEM. THE FOOD SITUATION, ESPECIALLY FOR THE UNDOCUMENTED AND FOR THE FOLKS THAT CANNOT LEAVE THEIR HOUSE ARE OF MOST IMPORTANCE. SO YES, I WILL DOUBLE DOWN ON WHAT COUNCILMEMBER MAURER EXPLAINED ABOUT THE PROXY SYSTEM. ANYONE LISTENING AT HOME, IF YOU
HAVE PEOPLE IN THOSE SITUATIONS, PEOPLE THAT ARE AFRAID TO GIVE PERSONAL INFORMATION OR CANNOT LEAVE THE PROXY SYSTEM, IT IS AWESOME. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS CALL THEIR NUMBER. HAVE SOMEONE BE ADDED TO YOUR DATA FILE TO PICK UP. ANDAS COUNCILMEMBER MAURER SAID, IT CAN BE FOR A NUMBER OF DAYS. SO PLEASE DO REACH OUT. AND THANKS TO LAURA FROM SEBASTOPOL TIMES, OUR INTERFAITH -- I SHOULD KNOW WHAT IT IS. THE INTERFAITH -- YES, THEY ARE THE[ INAUDIBLE ] PLACE. PLEASE SOME PEOPLE THERE. THEY ARE LOVELY GROUP OF PEOPLE AND WORKING WITH OTHER FAITH-BASED GROUPS. WE ARE ALL GOING TO UNITE AND KEEP PEOPLE FED. AND THE SEBASTOPOL COMMONS, WE CAN CONTINUE TO HAVE GREAT MEETINGS. THE NEXT ONE IS MONDAY. WEDEFINITELY DID BREAK OUT INTO SUBCOMMITTEES TO KEEP THE WORK GOING ON A TIMELY FASHION. WE HAVE A FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEE AND WE ALSO HAVE COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT. PLEASE DO SEND IN YOUR COMMENTSAT ANY TIME THROUGH THE [ INAUDIBLE ] AND THE NEXT MEETING IS NOVEMBER 10th AT 2 -- 2 P.M. AND IF THERE IS NOTHING MORE, I THINK WE MIGHT BE ADJOURNED.
I WANT TO REMIND THE PUBLIC THAT WE ARE CLOSED NOVEMBER 11th FOR VETERANS DAY FOR THE CITY.
VICE MAYOR.
I FORGOT TO MENTION. I KNOW IT IS HAPPENING. THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER SEVENTH UNTIL THE 21st. JUST A
HEADS UP THAT THE SEBASTOPOL WORLD FRIENDS WILL BE HOSTING THE WORLD DELEGATION WITH UKRAINIANS. IWANTED TO MENTION THAT WILL BE GOING ON. AND THENEXT MEETING, I WILL MENTION IT AS WELL. BUT JUST TO GIVE PEOPLE A HEADS UP.
EXCELLENT. WITH THAT, WE ARE ADJOURNED. THEREFORE, WE ARE ADJOURNED. THANK YOU EVERYONE. [Event Concluded]