City Council
Mayor Jill McLewis
Vice Mayor Sandra Maurer
Councilmember Phill Carter
Councilmember Neysa Hinton
Councilmember Stephen Zollman
Interim City Manager
Mary Gourley
[email protected]
CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
Regular Meeting of Tuesday, February 17, 2026
6:00 pm Start Time
Meeting to be held in Person and Virtual /Remote Participation In Person Location: 425 Morris Street, Sebastopol, CA 95472 City Council is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: City Council Meeting - February 17, 2026
Time: Feb 17, 2026 06:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting
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COUNCIL PROTOCOLS FOR MEETING:
This in person and virtual/remote meeting is compliant with the Governor’s Executive Order allowing for a deviation of teleconference rules required by the Brown Act. Traditional Brown Act and AB 2449 requirements can be utilized for all City Council meetings as long as required notice and posting is conducted per the Brown Act.
Please Note the presiding member of the legislative body conducting a meeting or their designee may remove, or cause the removal of, an individual for disrupting the meeting. “Disrupting” means engaging in behavior during a meeting of a legislative body that actually disrupts, disturbs, impedes, or renders infeasible the orderly conduct of the meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Due to the length of recent City Council Meetings, it is strongly encouraged that written comments be submitted to the City Council by sending them by email to: [email protected] with either General Public Comment Written in the Subject Line or the Specific Agenda Item Number or Title Written in the Subject Line. Emails are distributed to the City Council as well as posted to the City Council meeting as public comment. Public Comment questions may be directed to City staff for a response at a later time.
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
SALUTE TO THE FLAG
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.
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.
REMEMBERING THE HISTORY OF SEBASTOPOL
PROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATIONS/INTRODUCTIONS:
• CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION – Gold Ridge Fire Department • CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION – City of Sebastopol Police Department • Chief McDonagh
• Officer Josiah Wotila
• Officer Jaime Baldovinos
• Dispatcher Chris Mooney
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.
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.
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.
1. Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes for Meeting of February 3, 2026 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.
2. Approval of Second Reading for Formula Business Ordinance Updates. Updates to the Formula Business Ordinance to Clarify Applicability and Terms.
Responsible Department: City Attorney/Planning
Fiscal Impact: Staff time required to prepare agenda item report is covered within existing budgeted salaries. No additional financial impact is anticipated with approval of this item.
3. Sebastopol Kiwanis Club to Conduct their Annual Fireworks Show on July 3, 2026 located on public property of the West Sonoma County Union High School District, Analy High School, 6950 Analy Avenue, Sebastopol and finding this action exempt under CEQA Section 15304(e). At the City of Sebastopol, City Council meeting on July 28, 2021, the Council eliminated the Lottery Policy Application Process and permanently assigned the Annual Fireworks Show to the Sebastopol Kiwanis Club with the following requirements:
By January 15th of each year the Sebastopol Kiwanis Club will provide to the city information as to whether the Kiwanis will conduct or not the Annual Fireworks Show The Sebastopol Kiwanis Club holds the First Right of Refusal The Annual Fireworks Show will be scheduled on July 3rd of each year Other non-profits would be invited and included in the event as appropriate Responsible Department: Gold Ridge Fire Department/Public Works 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.
4. Approval of Process for Transition to Sonoma County Permit Sonoma- Fire Prevention Division CUPA.
Item is for authorization for City of Sebastopol to file a formal relinquishment letter with CalEPA under HSC §25404.3(f), requesting that Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) authority for Sebastopol be assigned Sonoma County Permit Sonoma- Fire Prevention Division CUPA and Authorize the City Manager to work with Gold Ridge to execute and submit all required notices, correspondence, and transition documents necessary to effectuate the transfer. If approved by CalEPA, Gold Ridge and City staff will return with remaining action items as listed later in the report.
Responsible Department: City Attorney/Gold Ridge Fire Department/Interim City Manager Fiscal Impact: Staff time required to prepare agenda item report is covered within existing budgeted salaries. No additional financial impact is anticipated with approval of this item.
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).
5. Government Specific Equipment Annual Report Out. Annual report of department’s government specific equipment.
Responsible Department: Police
Fiscal Impact: The specific equipment in question was purchased prior to 2015. The only cost is the ongoing costs of training and supplies which are currently allocated for in the existing police department budget. The fiscal impact is approximately $750.00 per year for training and supplies and is a currently budgeted item.
THIS ITEM HAS BEEN POSTPONED AND WILL NOT BE HEARD AT THIS MEETING; THIS ITEM WILL BE
CONTINUED TO A FUTURE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
PUBLIC HEARING(s):
6. BOLD Program Participation Discussion & Action. Item includes a presentation on CMFA’s BOLD Program; a Resolution joining the CMFA; and a resolution authorizing participation in the BOLD program for the Canopy Housing Project. All costs can be reimbursed through the BOLD program Responsible Department: Planning Department/Administrative Services/City Attorney Fiscal Impact: Staff time required to prepare agenda item report is covered within existing budgeted salaries. There is no cost or liability for the City to join CMFA as a member. In addition, all of the costs and expenses related to the formation, issuance of bonds and ongoing administration for the CFD formed by the BOLD Program for The Canopy project is the responsibility of City Ventures and/or CMFA and there is no liability or fiscal impact on the City. The City will be reimbursed for any staff time expended on the program.
7. Surveillance Ordinance: Public Hearing to consider First Reading and Introduction of Ordinance to amend Chapter 8.80 of the City’s Surveillance Technology and Community Safety Ordinance.
Responsible Department: City Attorney/Police
Fiscal Impact: There is no fiscal impact of this ordinance. The ordinance itself does not authorize the purchase of any equipment, which would be handled through the City’s normal budget and procurement process.
REGULAR CALENDAR AGENDA ITEMS (DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION):
8. Discussion of the Sebastopol Community Cultural Community Center Short- and Long-Term Plan and provide direction to staff. Present the Memorandum prepared by Toni Bertolero regarding short- and long-term plan for the community center and discuss recommendations for Council’s direction.
Responsible Department: Public Works
Fiscal Impact: There is no fiscal impact with receipt of this item. The cost for the memo preparation is approved in the CIP budget.
9. BAYREN Program – Water $ave Closure. The Water $ave Program through BAYREN is closing and BAYREN is proposing options for the City to consider with program closure Responsible Department: Administrative Services/City Attorney Fiscal Impact: BayREN has offered to settle the City’s remaining WUSave obligation for $13,141.23, a major reduction from the full $30,020.57 owed. The recommended split is $7,409.94 from the General Fund and $5,731.29 from the Water Fund, which would fully close out the program.
Declining the offer means eight more years of repayments and ongoing administrative work to manage a discontinued program.
Accepting the settlement is the most cost-effective option, reduces workload, and cleanly closes the program.
10. Discussion and Consideration of 2026–2027 City Council Goals and Priorities – Meeting Date, Facilitator, and Process. The item asks the Council to decide on:
a. Whether to hire an external facilitator for a dedicated goal-setting workshop. b. Handle the process internally without a facilitator. c. And to set a specific date for the goals/priorities discussion session.
This is to guide policy, budgeting (especially for FY 2026-27), and operations for the coming period.
Responsible Department: Interim City Manager
Fiscal Impact: Proposals submitted range from $4400 - $9125. The FY 25 26 Budget did not allocate or fund a facilitator for the goals and priority setting. If approved, a budget amendment would be required.
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.
COUNCILMEMBER(S) REQUESTS FOR FUTURE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEMS CITY COUNCIL/CITY STAFF REPORTS/COMMUNICATIONS/ANNOUNCEMENTS/FUTURE MEETINGS:
11. 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. Departmental Reports
b. Animal Control Inspection Reports -Police
12. 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)
13. Council Communications Received (Information/Meetings/Correspondence Received from the General Public to Councilmembers)
CLOSED SESSION: NONE
ADJOURNMENT OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING
February 17, 2026 City Council Regular Meeting will be adjourned to the next Regular City Council Meeting of Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at 6:00 pm, Sebastopol Youth Annex, 425 Morris Street, Sebastopol, CA.
American Disability Act Accommodations/Accessibility: A request can be made orally or in writing, and submitted to the ADA Coordinator by email: [email protected] or to the City Clerk’s Office so as to avoid delay in reviewing and processing the request. Requests can be made by contacting the ADA Coordinator’s Office at (707) 823-8597, via email at [email protected] or by mailing such a request to the ADA Coordinator’s Office located at 7425 Bodega Avenue, Sebastopol, CA. Note that if you contact the ADA Coordinators Office, via mail, you need to make the request early enough that a response can be timely provided.
NOTICE: All Resolutions and Ordinances introduced and/or adopted under this agenda are waived of all reading of entire resolution(s) and ordinance(s). The City of Sebastopol is a general law city formed under the laws of the State of California. With respect to adoption of ordinances and resolutions, the City adheres to the requirements set forth in the Government Code. Unless otherwise required, the full reading of the text of standard ordinances and resolutions is waived.
SB 751 Legislative bodies of local agencies must publicly report: (1) any action taken and (2) the vote or abstention on each action taken by each member present for the action at a meeting.
If you have any questions regarding this meeting, please contact the City at Email: [email protected] or [email protected] or please call: 707-823-1153. The public is advised that pursuant to Government Code section 54957.5 all writings submitted to the City Council are public records and will be made available for review at City Hall during normal business hours. The Sebastopol City Council welcomes you in person or remotely to its meetings that are generally scheduled for the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month. Your interest and participation are encouraged and appreciated.
Government Code Section 54953.
(a) All meetings of the legislative body of a local agency shall be open and public, and all persons shall be permitted to attend any meeting of the legislative body of a local agency, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.
(b)
(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the legislative body of a local agency may use teleconferencing for the benefit of the public and the legislative body of a local agency in connection with any meeting or proceeding authorized by law. The teleconferenced meeting or proceeding shall comply with all requirements of this chapter and all otherwise applicable provisions of law relating to a specific type of meeting or proceeding. (2) Teleconferencing, as authorized by this section, may be used for all purposes in connection with any meeting within the subject matter jurisdiction of the legislative body. All votes taken during a teleconferenced meeting shall be by rollcall.
There are times that the City Council open meetings may not be live streamed due to technical issues; if that is the case, the meeting will be video-taped and uploaded as soon as possible to the City Web Site. In the event of a disruption that prevents the legislative body from broadcasting the meeting to members of the public using the call-in option or internet-based service option, or in the event of a disruption within the local agency’s control that prevents members of the public from offering public comments using the call-in option or internet-based service option, the legislative body shall take no further action on items appearing on the meeting agenda until public access to the meeting via the call-in option or internet-based service option is restored. Actions taken on agenda items during a disruption that prevents the legislative body from broadcasting the meeting may be challenged pursuant to Section 54960.1.
COUNCIL PROTOCOLS FOR MEETING RESTATED:
This in person and virtual/remote meeting is compliant with the Governor’s Executive Order allowing for a deviation of teleconference rules required by the Brown Act. Traditional Brown Act and AB 2449 requirements can be utilized for all City Council meetings as long as required notice and posting is conducted per the Brown Act.
Please Note the presiding member of the legislative body conducting a meeting or their designee may remove, or cause the removal of, an individual for disrupting the meeting.
Prior to removing an individual, the presiding member or their designee shall warn the individual that their behavior is disrupting the meeting and that their failure to cease their behavior may result in their removal. The presiding member or their designee may then remove the individual if they do not promptly cease their disruptive behavior. This paragraph does not apply to any behavior described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b).
(b) As used in this section:
(1) “Disrupting” means engaging in behavior during a meeting of a legislative body that actually disrupts, disturbs, impedes, or renders infeasible the orderly conduct of the meeting and includes, but is not limited to, one of the following:
(A) A failure to comply with reasonable and lawful regulations adopted by a legislative body pursuant to Section 54954.3 or any other law.
(B) Engaging in behavior that constitutes use of force or a true threat of force. (2) “True threat of force” means a threat that has sufficient indicia of intent and seriousness, that a reasonable observer would perceive it to be an actual threat to use force by the person making the threat.
How can I provide Public Comment on Zoom?
The Mayor will request public comment during the Public Comment period on the agenda and during each Public Hearing and Regular Calendar Item. Once the Mayor has announced the public comment period, please do one of the following.
USING A COMPUTER OR SMART PHONE:
• Click on the “Raise Hand” feature in the webinar controls. This will notify City staff that you have raised your hand and you would like to speak.
• City staff will unmute your microphone when it is your turn to provide public comment. • A prompt will appear to confirm you would like to be unmuted. Once you accept the prompt, you will have two minutes to provide public comment.
• Once your public comment has ended, you will be muted again.
USING A REGULAR PHONE:
• Dial *9 (star 9), this will notify City staff that you have “raised your hand” for public comment. • City staff will unmute your microphone when it is your turn to provide public comment. *6 (star 6) is used to mute/unmute.
• You will hear “you are unmuted” and then you will have two minutes to provide public comment. • Once your public comment has ended, you will be muted again