CITY OF SEBASTOPOL CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM REPORT FOR MEETING OF: March 17, 2026
=========================================================================================== To: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
From: Oriana Hart, Public Works Director
Subject: Approval of Letter of Support for the City of Santa Rosa Funding Request for the Llano Trunk Sewer Project
=========================================================================================== RECOMMENDATIONS:
Approve the letter of support for the City of Santa Rosa Energy and Water Funding request for the Regional Llano Trunk Sewer Line Rehabilitation Project to representatives Schiff, Padilla and Thompson and authorize the Mayor to sign the letters on behalf of the Council.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The City of Santa Rosa received a 2022 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) authorization and is applying for a federal earmark for the Llano Trunk sewer trunk lining project, which provides approximately half the flow to the Laguna Treatment Plant. Thanks to the support provided by the Subregional partners, including the City of Sebastopol, Santa Rosa Water Department received $2.293 million to begin design of the project and conduct an environmental review. The City of Santa Rosa treats wastewater at the Laguna Wastewater Treatment Plant from Santa Rosa and the Subregional partner agencies, including the City of Sebastopol. The wastewater is conveyed via the Llano Trunk Sewer Line and the line needs rehabilitation and repair.
Similar to the City of Santa Rosa’s request last year, Santa Rosa is reaching out to the Subregional partners requesting a letter of support for the project to representatives Schiff, Padilla and Thompson (Attachments 1-3).
This earmark would provide funding to begin construction on the project.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION:
The City of Santa Rosa Water Department (Santa Rosa Water) delivers approximately six billion gallons of drinking water annually, to over 54,000 customer accounts, and operates the sanitary sewer system, serving over 49,000 customer accounts, for a population of over 178,000. Santa Rosa Water also operates the Santa Rosa Regional Water Reuse System, which services businesses and residents in Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, Cotati, Sebastopol, and unincorporated portions of Sonoma County. The hub of the reuse system is the Laguna Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The Llano Trunk sewer line is a wastewater conveyance system and is identified in the Santa Rosa Water’s Sewer Master Plan as the most critical wastewater infrastructure project because the trunk line transports significant flow to the Laguna Wastewater Treatment Plant via large diameter pipelines and are in environmentally critical areas, under paved roadways, and along sewer easements.
The Llano Trunk sewer line is identified in the Santa Rosa Water’s Sewer Master Plan as the most critical regional wastewater infrastructure project because the trunk lines transport significant flow to the Laguna Wastewater Treatment Plant via large diameter pipelines and are in critical areas, under paved roadways, and along sewer easements.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
Federal funding for the Llano Trunk Sewer Lining project would benefit Santa Rosa and the Subregional partners from a financial standpoint. In addition, the proposed project would prevent a catastrophic failure that would Agenda Item Number 6
Agenda Item Number 6
City Council Meeting Packet for March 17, 2026
interrupt the System’s ability to serve businesses and approximately 230,000 residents in Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, Sebastopol, Cotati and unincorporated portions of Sonoma County.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
As of the writing of this staff report, the City has not received public comments on this item. However, if staff receives public comment from interested parties following the publication and distribution of this staff report, such comments will be provided to the City Council as supplemental materials before or after the meeting.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH:
This item has been noticed in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act and was available for public viewing and review at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled meeting date.
As of the writing of this staff report, the City has not received any public comment on this item. However, if staff receives public comment from interested parties following the publication and distribution of thisstaff report, such comments will be provided to the City Council as supplemental materials before or at the meeting. In addition, public comments may be offered during the public comment portion of this item.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
OPTIONS:
The letter could be revised if Council wishes to add verbiage or modified language.
ATTACHMENTS:
1-Letter of Support to U.S. Senator Schiff
2-Letter of Support to U.S. Senator Padilla
3-Letter of Support to U.S. Congressman Thompson
APPROVALS:
Department Head Approval: Oriana Hart Approval Date: 02/28/26 CEQA Determination (Planning): Approval Date: 3/18/25
The proposed action is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Administrative Services (Financial) Approval Date: N/A
Costs authorized in City Approved Budget: ☐ Yes ☐ No N/A Account Code (if applicable) ___________________________ City Attorney Approval: Approval Date: N/A
City Manager Approval: Approval Date: 3/11/26
Agenda Item Number 6
Agenda Item Number 6
City Council Meeting Packet for March 17, 2026
City Council
MayorJill McLewis
Vice Mayor Sandra Maurer
Neysa Hinton
Phill Carter
Stephen Zollman
Interim City Manager/
Assistant City Manager/
City Clerk, MMC
MaryGourley
[email protected]
March 17, 2026
The Honorable Adam Schiff
U.S. Senate
331 Hart Senate Office Building #112
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Schiff:
I am writing to express the City of Sebastopol’s support for the City of Santa Rosa’s Energy and Water Funding request for the Regional Llano Trunk sewer line rehabilitation project, which aligns with the City of Santa Rosa’s 2026 Federal Legislative Platform.
With your leadership the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 was passed into law, which includes an environmental infrastructure authorization for Santa Rosa’s water and wastewater infrastructure projects.
The City of Santa Rosa Water Department (Santa Rosa Water) delivers approximately six billion gallons of drinking water annually, to over 54,000 customer accounts, and operates the sanitary sewer system, serving over 49,000 customer accounts, for a population of over 178,000. Santa Rosa Water also operates the Santa Rosa Regional Water Reuse System, which services approximately 230,000 residents in Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, Cotati, Sebastopol, and unincorporated portions of Sonoma County. The hub of the reuse system is the Laguna Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The Llano Trunk sewer line is identified in the Santa Rosa Water’s Sewer Master Plan as the most critical regionalwastewater infrastructure project because the trunk lines transport significant flow to the Laguna Wastewater Treatment Plant via large diameter pipelines and are in critical areas, under paved roadways, and along sewer easements.
Santa Rosa’s Regional Llano Trunk Line project is critical to strengthening the region’s water resiliency.
On behalf of the Sebastopol City Council, we kindly request your consideration of the City of Santa Rosa’s request.
Sincerely,
Jill McLewis
Mayor
cc: Santa Rosa Water Department
Agenda Item Number 6
Agenda Item Number 6
City Council Meeting Packet for March 17, 2026
City Council
MayorJill McLewis
Vice Mayor Sandra Maurer
Neysa Hinton
Phill Carter
Stephen Zollman
Interim City Manager/
Assistant City Manager/
City Clerk, MMC
MaryGourley
[email protected]
March 17, 2026
The Honorable Alex Padilla
U.S. Senate
331 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Padilla:
I am writing to express the City of Sebastopol’s support for the City of Santa Rosa’s Energy and Water Funding request for the Regional Llano Trunk sewer line rehabilitation project, which aligns with the City of Santa Rosa’s 2026 Federal Legislative Platform.
With your leadership the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 was passed into law, which includes an environmental infrastructure authorization for Santa Rosa’s water and wastewater infrastructure projects.
The City of Santa Rosa Water Department (Santa Rosa Water) delivers approximately six billion gallons of drinking water annually, to over 54,000 customer accounts, and operates the sanitary sewer system, serving over 49,000 customer accounts, for a population of over 178,000. Santa Rosa Water also operates the Santa Rosa Regional Water Reuse System, which services approximately 230,000 residents in Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, Cotati, Sebastopol, and unincorporated portions of Sonoma County. The hub of the reuse system is the Laguna Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The Llano Trunk sewer line is identified in the Santa Rosa Water’s Sewer Master Plan as the most critical regional wastewater infrastructure project because the trunk lines transport significant flow to the Laguna Wastewater Treatment Plant via large diameter pipelines and are in critical areas, under paved roadways, and along sewer easements.
Santa Rosa’s Regional Llano Trunk Line project is critical to strengthening the region’s water resiliency.
On behalf of the Sebastopol City Council, we kindly request your consideration of the City of Santa Rosa’s request.
Sincerely,
Jill McLewis
Mayor
cc: Santa Rosa Water Department
Agenda Item Number 6
Agenda Item Number 6
City Council Meeting Packet for March 17, 2026
City Council
MayorJill McLewis
Vice Mayor Sandra Maurer
Neysa Hinton
Phill Carter
Stephen Zollman
Interim City Manager/
Assistant City Manager/
City Clerk, MMC
MaryGourley
[email protected]
March 17, 2026
The Honorable Mike Thompson
U.S. House of Representatives
268 Cannon Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Thompson:
I am writing to express the City of Seabstopol’s support for the City of Santa Rosa’s Community Project Funding request for the Regional Llano Trunk sewer line rehabilitation project, which aligns with the City of Santa Rosa’s 2026 Federal Legislative Platform.
With your leadership the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 was passed into law, which includes an environmental infrastructure authorization for Santa Rosa’s water and wastewater infrastructure projects.
The City of Santa Rosa Water Department (Santa Rosa Water) delivers approximately six billion gallons of drinking water annually, to over 54,000 customer accounts, and operates the sanitary sewer system, serving over 49,000 customer accounts, for a population of over 178,000. Santa Rosa Water also operates the Santa Rosa Regional Water Reuse System, which services approximately 230,000 residents in Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, Cotati, Sebastopol, and unincorporated portions of Sonoma County. The hub of the reuse system is the Laguna Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The Llano Trunk sewer line is identified in the Santa Rosa Water’s Sewer Master Plan as the most critical regional wastewater infrastructure project because the trunk lines transport significant flow to the Laguna Wastewater Treatment Plant via large diameter pipelines and are in critical areas, under paved roadways, and along sewer easements.
Santa Rosa’s Regional Llano Trunk Line project is critical to strengthening the region’s water resiliency.
On behalf of the Sebastopol City Council, we kindly request your consideration of the City of Santa Rosa’s request.
Sincerely,
Jill McLewis
Mayor
cc: City of Santa Rosa Water Department
Agenda Item Number 6
Agenda Item Number 6
City Council Meeting Packet for March 17, 2026