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City Council Interim City Manager
Mayor Jill McLewis Mary Gourley
Vice Mayor Sandra Maurer [email protected]
Councilmember Phill Carter
Councilmember Neysa Hinton
Councilmember Stephen Zollman
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
MINUTES FOR MEETING OF April 7, 2026
As Approved by the City Council at their regular meeting of April 21, 2026.
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor McLewis called the meeting to order 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Mayor Jill McLewis Attended Remotely Per Brown Act Requirements Vice Mayor Sandra Maurer
Councilmember Phill Carter
Councilmember Neysa Hinton
Councilmember Stephen Zollman
Absent: None
Staff: Interim City Manager Mary Gourley
City Attorney Alex Mog
Administrative Services Director Kwong
Interim Planning Director Jane Riley, 4Leaf
Police Chief McDonagh
Public Works Director Hart
SALUTE TO THE FLAG: Mayor McLewis led the 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 meetings twice a month.
None.
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.
City of Sebastopol History Acknowledgement presented by Mayor McLewis.
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PROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATIONS/INTRODUCTIONS:
The following were presented:
• Sexual Assault Awareness Month
• WOTYC Proclamation - (Week of the Young Child)
• NPST Week - (National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week) • MOVES Proclamation - (Children's Memorial Day) 4th Friday • National Library Week Proclamation
Reference Order Number: 2026-086
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 decision.
Councilmember Carter stated he is on the WESCO Board and not of paid service.
City Attorney Mog explained the rules related to conflict and stated Councilmember Carter disclosed his position.
There were no stated conflicts of interest.
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.
The following member(s) of the public spoke during public comment:
Kate
Laura
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
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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 McLewis read the consent calendar.
Mayor McLewis asked if any Councilmember wanted to remove a consent calendar item. There were no requests.
Mayor McLewis opened for public comment. The following member(s) of the public spoke during public comment:
Kyle
Kate
Mayor McLewis called for a motion.
MOTION:
Councilmember Zollman moved and Vice Mayor Maurer seconded the motion to approve consent calendar item number(s) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.
Mayor McLewis called for a roll call vote. City staff conducted a roll call vote.
VOTE:
Ayes: Councilmembers Carter, Hinton, Zollman, Vice Mayor Maurer and Mayor McLewis Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
1. Approval of City Council Regular Meeting Minutes for Meeting of February 17, 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.
City Council Action: Approved City Council Regular Meeting Minutes for Meeting of February 17, 2026 Minute Order Number: 2026-087
2. Approval of City Council Regular Meeting Minutes for Meeting of March 17, 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.
City Council Action: Approved City Council Regular Meeting Minutes for Meeting of March 17, 2026 Minute Order Number: 2026-088
3. Adopt a Resolution authorizing John Moe, P.E., to sign certain documents as City Engineer. Mario Landeros, Interim City Engineer with GHD Inc., will be retiring from his role and John Moe, has been selected to perform this role.
Responsible Department: Public Works
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Fiscal Impact: Staff time required to prepare the agenda item is covered within existing budgeted salaries.
No additional financial impact is anticipated with approval of this item as budget contains approved allocation of $9,000 for Engineering Contract
City Council Action: Approved Resolution authorizing John Moe, P.E., to sign certain documents as City Engineer. Mario Landeros, Interim City Engineer with GHD Inc., will be retiring from his role and John Moe, has been selected to perform this role.
Minute Order Number: 2026-089
Resolution Number: 6745-2026
4. Approval of Catastrophic Policy -City Wide. This policy establishes a voluntary Catastrophic Leave Bank consistent with IRS guidance for medical emergency leave-sharing plans. The bank allows employees to donate accrued vacation, compensatory time off (CTO), or administrative leave for use by eligible employees who experience a medical emergency resulting in prolonged absence and substantial income loss after exhausting paid leave. A medical emergency may involve the employee or an eligible family member.
Responsible Department: Human Resources/Administrative Services Fiscal Impact: Staff time required to prepare the staff report is covered within existing budgeted salaries.
No additional financial impact.
City Council Action: Approved Catastrophic Policy -City Wide. This policy establishes a voluntary Catastrophic Leave Bank consistent with IRS guidance for medical emergency leave-sharing plans. The bank allows employees to donate accrued vacation, compensatory time off (CTO), or administrative leave for use by eligible employees who experience a medical emergency resulting in prolonged absence and substantial income loss after exhausting paid leave. A medical emergency may involve the employee or an eligible family member.
Minute Order Number: 2026-090
Resolution Number: 6746-2026
5. Authorize the opening of a recruitment process to fill the upcoming term for the City of Sebastopol’s representative on the Sonoma County Library Commission and approve the Requirements for City Appointed Position to the Sonoma County Library Commission.
Requestor: Councilmember Zollman
Responsible Department: Interim City Manager
Fiscal Impact: Staff time required to prepare the minutes is covered within existing budgeted salaries.
There is no additional fiscal impact with approval of this item.
City Council Action: Approved authorization to open recruitment process to fill the upcoming term for the City of Sebastopol’s representative on the Sonoma County Library Commission and approve the Requirements for City Appointed Position to the Sonoma County Library Commission.
Minute Order Number: 2026-091
6. Approval of Notice of Completion for Emergency Sewer Repair South High Street Responsible Department: Public Works
Fiscal Impact: Staff time required to prepare this agenda report is covered within existing budgeted salaries. The emergency sewer main line repair, with a final cost of $81,725, will be funded through a budget adjustment from the wastewater reserve fund.
City Council Action: Approved Notice of Completion for Emergency Sewer Repair South High Street Minute Order Number: 2026-092
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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).
7. Informational Item: 2nd Quarterly update from Building the Commons Committee Responsible Department: Public Works
Fiscal Impact: Staff time required to prepare the agenda item is covered within existing budgeted salaries.
Public Works Director Oriana Hart presented the agenda item.
Mayor McLewis opened for questions of staff. The Council asked various questions of City staff and committee.
Mayor McLewis opened the public comment period. The following member(s) of the public spoke during the public comment period:
Kyle
Mary
City Council Discussion/Deliberations/Comments:
Council continued discussion of the item.
Council received the item. No motion required.
City Council Action: None; Informational Only.
Minute Order Number: 2026-093
8. Informational Item: Development Agreement Annual Report – Piazza Hotel. Annual Report for the Development Agreement is required by State law and the DA itself. City staff will provide information on timeline of Development Agreement and What would happen upon expiration of development agreement.
Responsible Department: Planning
Fiscal Impact: Staff time required to prepare the agenda item is covered within existing budgeted salaries.
Interim Planning Director Jane Riley, 4Leaf Consultant, presented the agenda item and introduced Daniele Petrone.
Daniele Petrone provided an update.
Mayor McLewis opened for questions from staff. The Council asked various questions of staff and Mr. Petrone.
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Mayor McLewis opened the public comment period. The following member(s) of the public spoke during the public comment period:
Member of the public
Oliver
Member of the public
Kate
City Council Discussion/Deliberations/Comments:
Council continued discussion of the item.
Council received the item. No motion required.
City Council Action: None; Informational Only.
Minute Order Number: 2026-094
PUBLIC HEARING(s): NONE
REGULAR CALENDAR AGENDA ITEMS (DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION):
9. Special Event Fee Waivers - Kiwanis Club April 4th Easter Egg Hunt. Fee Waiver has been requested in the amount of $400.00
Responsible Department: Public Works
Fiscal Impact: Staff time required to prepare the minutes is covered within existing budgeted salaries.
The fee that would be waived for this event amounts to $400.00.
Public Works Director Oriana Hart presented the agenda item.
Mayor McLewis opened for questions from staff. The Council asked various questions of City staff.
Mayor McLewis opened the public comment period. The following member(s) of the public spoke during the public comment period:
Bruce
Philena
Member of the Public
City Council Discussion/Deliberations/Comments:
Council continued discussion of the item.
Mayor McLewis called for a motion.
MOTION:
Vice Mayor Maurer moved and Councilmember Carter seconded the motion to approve Special Event Fee Waiver - Kiwanis Club April 4th Easter Egg Hunt. Fee Waiver has been requested in the amount of $400.00.
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Mayor McLewis called for a roll call vote. City staff conducted a roll call vote.
VOTE:
Ayes: Councilmembers Carter, Hinton, Zollman, Vice Mayor Maurer and Mayor McLewis Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
City Council Action: Approved Special Event Fee Waiver - Kiwanis Club April 4th Easter Egg Hunt. Fee Waiver has been requested in the amount of $400.00.
Minute Order Number: 2026-095
10. Approval of Memorandum of Understanding with Service Employees’ International Union Local (SEIU) 1021
Responsible Department: Administrative Services
Fiscal Impact: Staff time required to prepare the agenda item is covered within existing budgeted salaries.
Additional fiscal impact: The total estimated financial impact of the successor Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) over the full contract term is approximately $374,200, including workers’ compensation and general liability costs. Of this amount, $50,500 is attributable to FY 2025–26. The estimated cost for FY 2026–27 is $113,640 and will be incorporated into the proposed budget. The remaining $210,060, covering FY 2027–28 through June 30, 2029, will be incorporated into future budgets.
All costs are contingent upon City Council approval of the successor MOU. At this time, staff is not recommending any budget adjustments. The January through June 2026 costs can be absorbed within existing departmental budgets due to savings associated with vacant positions.
Deborah Muchmore, Human Resources Consultant, presented the agenda item.
Mayor McLewis opened for questions from staff. The Council asked various questions of City staff or consultant.
Mayor McLewis opened the public comment period. The following member(s) of the public spoke during the public comment period:
Kyle
Lee
City Council Discussion/Deliberations/Comments:
Council continued discussion of the item.
Mayor McLewis called for a motion.
MOTION:
Councilmember Zollman moved and Vice Mayor Maurer seconded the motion to approve Approval of Memorandum of Understanding with Service Employees’ International Union Local (SEIU) 1021.
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Mayor McLewis called for a roll call vote. City staff conducted a roll call vote.
VOTE:
Ayes: Councilmembers Carter, Hinton, Zollman, Vice Mayor Maurer and Mayor McLewis Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
City Council Action: Approved Memorandum of Understanding with Service Employees’ International Union Local (SEIU) 1021.
Minute Order Number: 2026-096
Resolution Number: 6747-2026
11. Consideration of Good Cause Determination for Automatic Removal of Planning Commissioner Due to Absences Pursuant to Sebastopol Municipal Code Section 2.24.030 Responsible Department: Planning/City Attorney
Fiscal Impact: Staff time required to prepare the agenda item is covered within existing budgeted salaries.
There are no further budgetary impacts.
Interim Contract Planning Director Jane Riley, 4Leaf Consultant, presented the agenda item and introduced former Planning Commissioner Alex Kanzler.
Mr. Kanzler made a presentation.
Mayor McLewis opened for questions from staff. The Council asked various questions of City staff, Mr. Kanzler and City Attorney.
Mayor McLewis opened the public comment period. The following member(s) of the public spoke during the public comment period:
Kyle
Evert
Daniele
Oliver
City Council Discussion/Deliberations/Comments:
Council continued discussion of the item.
Mayor McLewis called for a motion.
MOTION:
Vice Mayor Maurer moved and Councilmember Zollman seconded the motion to Re-appoint Alex Kanzler to the Planning Commission for term to expire Dec 2027.
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Mayor McLewis called for a roll call vote. City staff conducted a roll call vote.
VOTE:
Ayes: Councilmembers Carter, Hinton, Zollman, Vice Mayor Maurer and Mayor McLewis Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
City Council Action: Approved to Re-appoint Alex Kanzler to the Planning Commission for term to expire Dec 2027.
Minute Order Number: 2026-097
12. Consideration/Discussion of Request for Direction to Staff for Researching City locations for Soccer Fields.
Requestor: Councilmember Carter/Wesco Soccer
Responsible Department: Public Works/Planning
Fiscal Impact: Staff time required to prepare the agenda item is covered within existing budgeted salaries.
However, estimated processing costs for each location are listed as follows.
Youth Annex Site: $18,250 minimum deposit
Downtown Site: Planning/Zoning/CEQA: $14,000 minimum deposit + archeological monitoring costs Public Works Director Oriana Hart presented the agenda item and introduced WESCO Board member.
Mayor McLewis opened for questions from staff. The Council asked various questions of City staff, applicant, Councilmember Carter and City Attorney.
Mayor McLewis opened the public comment period. The following member(s) of the public spoke during the public comment period:
Kenyon
Oliver
Winton
Rob
Daniele
Kyle
Tim
Sue
Member of public
City Council Discussion/Deliberations/Comments:
Council continued discussion of the item.
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City Council Action: Directed staff to for WESCO to submit an application (deposit) to pay for staff time to review potential options for the downtown site such as a deed restriction; and no consideration of the youth annex location.
Minute Order Number: 2026-098
13. Consideration of Approval of City Council Protocols:
a. Addition of Mandatory Training Added to Policy Number 6:
i. Fiscal and Financial Training (SB 827) – Effective January 1, 2026, all local agency officials must complete at least two hours of fiscal and financial training every two years. Newly appointed or elected officials must complete the training within six months of assuming office. Officials serving prior to January 1, 2026, must complete it by January 1, 2028 (unless their term ends earlier).
b. Policies:
a) Policy Number 11: Use of Travel Funds for City Council – City Council Conferences/Training (This incorporates approved City Council Resolution) b) Policy Number 12: Ethics and Professional/Personal Conduct (Incorporates approved City Council Resolution)
c) Policy Number 13: Process of City Council Meetings
d) Policy Number 14: Conflicts of Interest and Ex Parte Communications e) Policy Number 15: Best Practices for Councilmembers
Requestor: Ad Hoc Committee
Responsible Department: Interim City Manager/City Attorney Fiscal Impact: Staff time required to prepare the agenda item is covered within existing budgeted salaries.
Additional fiscal impact: There is no additional budgeted impacts as review of the policies by the City Attorney are contained within the approved budget.
Interim City Manager Gourley presented the agenda item.
Mayor McLewis opened for questions from staff. The Council asked various questions of City staff, Ad Hoc Committee and City Attorney.
Mayor McLewis opened the public comment period. The following member(s) of the public spoke during the public comment period:
Kyle
City Council Discussion/Deliberations/Comments:
Council continued discussion of the item.
Mayor McLewis called for a motion.
MOTION:
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Vice Mayor Maurer moved and Councilmember Zollman seconded the motion to approve the policies for incorporation into the handbook and as amended:
Remove history language and add that the Mayor may provide comments on topics relative to the Sebastopol community.
Mayor McLewis called for a roll call vote. City staff conducted a roll call vote.
VOTE:
Ayes: Councilmembers Carter, Hinton, Zollman, Vice Mayor Maurer and Mayor McLewis Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
City Council Action: Approved the policies for incorporation into the handbook and as amended:
Remove history language and add that the Mayor may provide comments on topics related to the Sebastopol community.
Minute Order Number: 2026-099
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.
Kyle
COUNCILMEMBER(S) REQUESTS FOR FUTURE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEMS Councilmember Zollman reiterate importance of filling out agenda item request form and staff time usage. Mayor McLewis supported the item.
Councilmember Hinton agenda item that would take minor items under certain cost and not bring everything to budget committee. Mayor McLewis supported the item.
CITY COUNCIL/CITY STAFF REPORTS/COMMUNICATIONS/ANNOUNCEMENTS/FUTURE MEETINGS:
14. 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. Interim City Manager updated the Council on items related to the City.
15. 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)
a. Councilmembers provided updates.
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16. Council Communications Received (Information/Meetings/Correspondence Received from the General Public to Councilmembers)
CLOSED SESSION: NONE
ADJOURNMENT OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Mayor McLewis adjourned the April 7, 2026 City Council Regular Meeting at 10:25 pm to the Special City Council Goals and Priorities Setting Workshop of Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 6:00 PM.
April 14
th 2026 Special City Council Workshop will be adjourned to the next Regular City Council Meeting of Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 6:00 pm, Sebastopol Youth Annex, 425 Morris Street, Sebastopol, CA.
Respectfully submitted:
Mary C. Gourley
Interim City Manager
Attachment(s):
Raw Zoom Minutes
VITAC Minutes
WEBVTT
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Mayor McLewis: Let me just click off ofthat, and I would say, can we just holdthe meeting to order? Good evening, everyone. Mary, would you like to do roll call first? 2 00:00:13.340 --> 00:00:15.840
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Sure, thank you. Councilmember Carter? 3 00:00:17.830 --> 00:00:19.740
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Here. Councilmember Hinton? 4 00:00:19.920 --> 00:00:24.939
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Councilmember Zolman? Present. Vice Mayor Maurer? Here.MayorMcLewis?
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MayorMcLewis:Here.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Please note, all councilmembers are in attendance.
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Mayor McLewis: Alright, so let's move on to Salute to the Flag, if we can. 8 00:00:35.430 --> 00:00:36.380
Mayor McLewis: So…
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Mayor McLewis: I pledge allegiance to the flag.I apologize, I can't hearthe audience, so I need someone to lead it there for me.
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MayorMcLewis:Thankyou.
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MayorMcLewis:That'sonethingI'velearned on Zoom,notheartheaudiencewhen they're speaking,so…
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Mayor McLewis: Let's see. Obviously, I am… I just wanted to, say that I am attending this remotely. It's been posted on the agenda, 72 hours ahead with my, address. I don't have anyone in the room with me. I've posted where necessary, with the hotel, and then Ialso just wanted to let you know that
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Mayor McLewis: There are some massive storms that have rolled into here, where I'm at in Hawaii, and some of the internet is a bit…
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Mayor McLewis: So, if for somereason I lose connection, I'm hoping the Vice Mayor can take over for me. That's… they're just saying it's gonna get a little roughhere in a bit, so… 15 00:01:39.800 --> 00:01:41.350
MayorMcLewis:Anyways…
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Mayor McLewis: All right, let's see, I'm gonna move on tolandacknowledgement. So, the Cityof Sebastopolacknowledges,and pardon me,Ishould askif therewasanyoneelse that had anything theyneeded to add before Imove on with that. I think we're good. 17 00:01:57.700 --> 00:02:14.669
MayorMcLewis:Okay,soland acknowledgement.TheCityofSebastopoacknowledges 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 thesepeoples,includingtheFederated Indiansof Brayton Rancheria. 18 00:02:15.030 --> 00:02:17.069
Mayor McLewis: And as part of,
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Mayor McLewis: This year, I do rememberingthe History of Sebasopol,and I just have two quick little blurbs.
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Mayor McLewis: Just toshare with everyone, I think they're interesting.They have a bit of enforcement, theme this time. In 1966, anew radar… new radar equipment was, installed to help slow down city speeders. A little box, was actually installed, a6x9x4 box, and it was basically… it was to, increase the role in apolice effort to drastically reduce speeding. 21 00:02:48.180 --> 00:03:10.879
Mayor McLewis: within the city limits when theradar was in use, the police car with police markings marked so that it was clearly visible, even at the same distance approaching motorists. And I found this humorous simply because, Chief Pilgrim and PatrolmanRussell, when they actually installed that, and theywere demonstrating it for folks in thecity, a young gentleman wentspeeding by with his pickup truckat 60 miles an hour on
00:03:10.880 --> 00:03:35.559
Mayor McLewis: Petaluma Avenue, in a 25 mile an hourzone, and so Iwas just reading through theold papers,and it was, it was kind of humorous. And then,actually, in 1966,the city instituted a flat $5 fee for anyone who was jaywalking. They said that even though they had painted signson…nojaywalkingsignsonthecurbsand in variousplaces,peoplewere just walking over
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Mayor McLewis: The curbs and not, not adhering tothe, 24 00:03:39.870 --> 00:03:56.349
Mayor McLewis: to that… to the laws, soanyway, so they instituted this flat $5 fee in hopes to curb people. I… when I read these newspaper clips, it's… it's quite interesting. I hope some of you will spend some time at themuseum and get to know more about the history of Sebastopol.
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Mayor McLewis: So wehave… I'm going to move on to proclamations,presentations, and introductions. We actually have5, proclamations tonight, so I just wanted to see… I guess I'll just go down the list as they're on the agenda, and the first one we have is the Sexual AssaultAwarenessMonth.
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Mayor McLewis: And I believe, councilmember Hinton is going to one, is that correct?
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Oh,there you go. Thank you for turningme up. Yeah, sorry to, so I'm starting out with the toughest one, first off, so here we go. Proclaiming April2026asSexualAssaultAwarenessMonth,whereasSexualAssaultAwareness Month 28 00:04:54.420 --> 00:05:01.139
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Calls attention tothe fact that sexualviolence is widespread and impactseveryperson in everycommunity. 29 00:05:01.650 --> 00:05:17.540
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Sam, as the acronym says, aims to raise public awarenessaboutsexualabuse,harassment,and assault,and educatecommunitiesabout how tobeinvolved inprevention.And whereasthisyear'sSAMcampaign… 30 00:05:17.710 --> 00:05:32.840
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Which is the theme, 25 YearsStronger, Looking Back and Moving Forward, celebrates the resilience of survivors andthe communitiesthat have worked forchange. And whereas most women and men across all sexual identities whoexperiencecon…
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Contact sexual violencereported that the person whoharmed themwassomeonetheyknew,and whereasover53%of women and over 29%of men reported experiencingcon…
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Tax sexual violence, and whereas 32.9% of adults with
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Intellectual disabilities have experienced sexual violence,and whereas
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SebastopolCommunityCulturalCenter:47%of alltransgenderpeoplehavebeen sexually assaulted at some point in their lives. And whereas we celebrate 25 years of sexual assault Awareness Month, we recognize the work still ahead, and together wecan continue to shift culture, strengthen prevention, and create a world free of sexual violence. 35 00:06:14.620 --> 00:06:22.530
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And whereas, by standing in solidarity, we can build a future free from sexual violence and create a world where everyone is safe, valued. 36 00:06:22.740 --> 00:06:24.100
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And respected.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Now, therefore, be it resolved that our Mayor, Jill McLewis, on behalf of the entire City Council,proclaim the month ofApril 2026 Sexual AssaultAwarenessMonth,and
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Such,we must strive tocreate strong,connected communitiesthat takecare of one anotherand make decisions to ensure the safety and well-being of others toend sexual violence.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Our mayor has set her hand in the great seal of CitySebaspoon theseventh dayof April2026.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Is there anybody? 41 00:06:57.930 --> 00:06:58.790
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Here?
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: For this proclamation? 43 00:07:01.800 --> 00:07:02.910
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Okay,thanks.
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Mayor McLewis: All right, thank you somuch. The next one we have is,Week of the Young Child, WOTYC Proclamation, and I believe Councilmember Zollman isreading that. 45 00:07:15.180 --> 00:07:27.520
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yes,thank you, Madam Mayor, and as the incoming chair of our Child Care Planning Council, I'm honored to beable to read this proclamation proclaiming April11th through the 17th as the week ofthe young child. 46 00:07:27.520 --> 00:07:38.020
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Whereas the Week of the Young Child is an annual celebration sponsoredby the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the world'slargestearlychildhoodeducationassociation. 47 00:07:38.200 --> 00:07:47.270
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And whereas the Week of the Young Child reinforces our commitment to ensuring everychild has access to high-quality early learningexperiences.
48 00:07:47.500 --> 00:07:59.179
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Whereas children's cognitive, physical, social, emotional, andlanguage and literacy development are built on the foundation of thechild's positive interactions with adults, peers, and their environment. 49 00:07:59.330 --> 00:08:07.300
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Whereas high-qualityearlychildhoodprograms provide important benefits to children, families, and our state andnational economies. 50 00:08:07.980 --> 00:08:18.989
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Whereas high-quality early care and education help build strong developmental foundations for young children during the years ofthe greatest brain development, leading to positive outcomes for individual children. 51 00:08:18.990 --> 00:08:29.820
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And whereas increasing access to high-quality early childhood education saves taxpayers' dollars, making working families more economicallysecure,and provideschildren tosucceed
52 00:08:29.890 --> 00:08:45.409
SebastopolCommunityCulturalCenter:in school,earninghigherwages,and livehealthier lives. Now, therefore, be it resolved that our Mayor, Joma McLewis, has placed her, on behalf of theentireCityCouncil,proclaimsApril11th through the17th asWeek of the YoungChild.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: A witness thereof, she has placed her hand on the great seal of thecityofSebastopol, the seventh day of April 2026. 54 00:08:51.970 --> 00:08:59.149
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And I'll make sure that our child care coordinator receives this, because she's collecting them on behalf of allcities within the county. Thank you.
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Mayor McLewis: Thank you very much. And Iwill be readingthe National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week Proclamation, and Ihave it right here. So, let me just hear… 56 00:09:13.360 --> 00:09:36.960
Mayor McLewis: Whereas this week is a time to show our appreciationand to recognize that our health, safety, and well-being are often dependent onthe commitment and steadfast devotion of public safety telecommunicators, because emergencies can occur at any time that require police, fire, emergency, medical service, or othercritical services. And whereaswhen an emergencyoccurs,thepromptresponseoflaw enforcement,firefighters.
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Mayor McLewis: Medical personnel is critical to the protection of life and preservation of property, and whereas the safety of our police officers and firefighters is dependent upon the quality and accuracy of information obtained from citizens who telephoneSebastopol Police Department, and whereas public safety telecommunicators arethe first andmost criticalcontact ourcitizens have with emergency services. 58 00:10:00.260 --> 00:10:11.780
Mayor McLewis: And whereas public safety telecommunicators are the single vital link for our police officers andfirefighters by monitoring their activities byradio, providingthem information, and securing their safety.
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Mayor McLewis: And whereas public safety telecommunicators haveassisted with the apprehension of criminals, suppression of fires, and treatment of patients, the workof theseunseen firstrespondersisinvaluablein emergencysituations,and each of these dedicated men and women deserve our heartfelt appreciation. Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Jill McLewis, mayor, on the behalf of the entire CityCouncil, proclaim April 12th to the8th.
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Mayor McLewis: 18th,2026, as National PublicSafety Telecommunicators Week. 61 00:10:41.370 --> 00:10:54.439
Mayor McLewis: A witness whereof I, has set my hand inthe great seal of the city of Sebasibelthisseventh dayof April2026.And Idon'tknow if anyoneis,presenttoactually accept that today.
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MayorMcLewis:I'mnotaware.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Chiefof police is here. 64 00:10:56.650 --> 00:11:03.340
MayorMcLewis:Oh,ishe? Okay.Thankyou.Thankyou,Chief,forcomingandaccepting that. I'm sorry I'm not there in person.
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Mayor McLewis: Wonderful. Thank you so much. We have another proclamation, the Children's Memorial Day, let's see, is the fourth Friday. It's move… it's actually calledthe Moves Proclamation, and I believe that will beVice Mayor Maurer? 66 00:11:35.070 --> 00:11:46.379
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yes,thank you. Whereas National Child Abuse Prevention Month isanopportunitytosharetheimportanceof individualsand communities working together to keep families safe and healthy.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And whereas everyone has a role to play in making sure that ourcommunity is agreat place for children and families to thrive, and whereasallchildren deservegreatchildhoodsand should beraised in healthy,nurturing homes, free from abuse and neglect.
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SebastopolCommunityCulturalCenter:Children whoareraised in supportive,stable,and nurturing environments are more likely to leadhealthy and successful lives. 69 00:12:09.800 --> 00:12:17.950
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And whereas prioritizing the well-beingof California'schildren byimplementing policies that strengthen families 70 00:12:19.080 --> 00:12:34.329
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: We…when we ensure the healthy development of the next generation,they are more likely tocontribute positively to our communities and be productive, responsible members of society. And whereas we can't put a dollar valueon the life of achild.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: But we can play a part in ending thetragedy of child abusebysupportingchildren and families
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And whereas the Children's Memorial Day was established by the California Assembly in April1997, which formally declared the fourth Friday in April as a statewide annual observance day, on the fourth Friday in April every year, the Children's Memorial flag is to be flown statewide 73 00:13:00.150 --> 00:13:05.530
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Inmemory of all young lives lost to violence in the previousyear.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Now, therefore, be it proclaimed that Jill McLewis, Mayor of theCity of Sebastopol, on behalfof the entire City Council, do hereby proclaims the fourth Friday in April as Children's Memorial Flag Daythroughout Sebastopol in memory of children who have died by violence.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And she encourages the city to raise thememorial flag on the fourth Friday in the monthof April tohonorthe young lives lost. 76 00:13:33.850 --> 00:13:36.500
Mayor McLewis: Right, was there anyone present to accept that, or…
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Mayor McLewis: Doesn't look like it.
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MayorMcLewis:Okay.
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Mayor McLewis: Then we have one more proclamation to go to, andthat's, pardon me, the National Library Week Proclamation, by Councilmember, Carter. 80 00:13:53.460 --> 00:13:58.730
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Okay,proclaiming April 19th through the 25th as NationalLibraryWeek.
81 00:13:58.950 --> 00:14:10.190
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Whereas libraries spark creativity, fuel imagination,and inspirelifelonglearning,offeringa spacewhereindividualsof allagescan find joythrough exploration and discovery.
82 00:14:10.540 --> 00:14:22.399
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And whereas libraries serve as a vibrant community hub, connecting people with knowledge, technology, resources, while fostering civic engagement, critical thinking, and cultural enrichment. 83 00:14:23.130 --> 00:14:34.899
SebastopolCommunityCulturalCenter:Whereaslibrariesprovidefreeand equitable access to books, digital tools, and innovative programming, whereas libraries partner with schools,businesses,organizations,andmaximizeresources. 84 00:14:35.820 --> 00:14:37.800
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Whereas libraries… 85 00:14:38.130 --> 00:14:52.080
SebastopolCommunityCulturalCenter:Whereasdedicated librariansand libraryworkers provide welcoming spaces that inspire discovery, collaboration, andcreativity for all. Now, therefore, be it proclaimed that
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: thecity council, through Joe. 87 00:14:56.340 --> 00:15:06.449
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: MayorJill McLewis andthe City of Sebastopo, on behalf of theentireCityCouncil,doherebycomplain…Imean,doherebyproclaim…
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: April19ththrough the 25th isNational Library Week.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: During this week, I encourage all residents to visit their library, explore its resources, andcelebrate all ways that the library helps our community find joy.
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MayorMcLewis:Alright.
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MayorMcLewis:Wonderful.If wedon'thaveanyonehereacceptingthat,then we'll… 92 00:15:26.930 --> 00:15:31.560
Mayor McLewis: Pass those over, all ofthem over to our interim city manager, and I can moveon.
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MayorMcLewis:Okay.
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Mayor McLewis: While we're doing that, I just wondered, if anyone has, any statements of conflict of interest before we move forward with the rest ofthe agenda? 95 00:15:48.300 --> 00:15:49.330
Mayor McLewis: I don't see any…
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I justwant to acknowledge that I am on the board of Wesco Soccer Club.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And, per advisement by legalcounsel, you know, ifI could…
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: just check in, because I am not paid, and it is a public service, I've been advised that it's just an optional thing to preclude myself from the vote. But, I'm gonna stay on.
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MayorMcLewis:Okay.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Do you want to acknowledge the… No, yeah, you're exactlyright. Because it's an uncompensated position, and the organization's a 501c3,
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: You don't have a… there's no requirement to recuse yourself under any, rules.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Any applicable rules, except to disclose the position,which you'vedone.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Okay.
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MayorMcLewis:Okay,alright.
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Mayor McLewis: So anyone else before we move on to publiccomment? Nope. 106
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Mayor McLewis: All right, Mary, if you'd like to move on to our public comment for items that are not on the agenda…
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou, Mayor. So, as you just stated, this is an opportunity for public comment for items thatare not on tonight's agenda. It is a20-minute time limit for this first public comment period.There is an additional20 minutes at the end. 108
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: It is a2-minute public comment period. I go to chambers first, and then go out to Zoom. So if there's anyone in chambers that would like to make a public comment for an item not on tonight's agenda. 109
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Seeing none, I will go out to Zoom.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Kate, can you unmute yourself, please? 111
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kate: Yes. Hello?
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou. Let me see if we have their timer. Can you see the timer?
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kate: I can, thank you so much, Greg.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Please.
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kate: I want to comment onthe recent survey on citypriorities. I just want to point out that it did not allowpeople to ranktheir priorities, which Ithink it is amistake not to allow people to rank, as it doesn't give thecitycouncil andcity staff aclearlist of priorities. I would be curious to know if public safety was
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kate: still the number one concern of residents. My hunch says it probably is, so I think that that would be good to know, that information in any future goal-settingsituations. And then I also wanted to note that there's a new surveyon thecity's sitesregarding trees. I hope people fill out this survey andgive support to Sepast 117
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kate: tree canopy, shrubs, and foliage. It is proven that cities with more trees and plants have less surface heat and staycooler in the summer, which is important with climate change.Theyalsoprovidehabitatforbees,birds,butterflies,and otherparts of our ecosystem. Sebastopol sits on a huge ocert fir,and despite popular belief, has never come 118
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kate: close, even in drought years, to any sort of water availability concerns. So I encourage people to support our trees and plants and let the city know how you feel. And I would also like to reiterate my previous request that contractors be identifiedas such and not as city employeesin discussions.Thankyou.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou, Kate, for your public comment. Next, I will come back intochambers. If there's anyone in chambers that would like to make a public comment for an item 9, Laura?
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I just had a quick question about proclamations. I thoughtthepolicyhad been changed thatyouonlyread thefirstparagraph if noonewas here to pick it up.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou for your publiccomment. Next, I would come out to Zoom. If there's anyone on Zoom that would like to makea public comment, pleaseraiseyourhandvirtually.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Seeing none, I will come back into chambers, if there's anyone inchambers that would like tomake a publiccomment foran item not on theagenda.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Seeing none, public comment is closed, Mayor. 124
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Mayor McLewis: Okay, thank you very much. We are moving on to theconsent calendar. I will read allof the items, after that.
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MayorMcLewis:If anyonewantstopullanything.Numberone,approvalof CityCouncil regular meeting minutes for meetingof February 17th, 2026. 126
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Mayor McLewis: Number 2, approval ofCity Council regularmeetingminutes for meetingof March17th,2026.
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Mayor McLewis: Number 3, adopt a resolutionauthorizing John Moe PE to sign certain documents as City Engineer. Mario Linderos, interim city engineer withGHD Incorporated, will be retiring from his role, and John Moehasbeen selected to perform this role. 128
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MayorMcLewis:Number4,approvalof catastrophicpolicycitywide.Thispolicy establishesa voluntarycatastrophicleavebankconsistentwith IRSguidanceformedical emergencyleavesharingplans.
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Mayor McLewis: The bank allows employees todonate accrued vacation, compensatory time off, CTO, or administrative leave for use byeligible employees who experience a medical emergency resulting in prolonged absence and substantial income loss after exhaustingpaid leave.
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Mayor McLewis: A medical emergency may involve the employee or an eligible family member.
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Mayor McLewis: Number 5. Authorize the opening ofa recruitment process to fillthe upcoming term for theCity of Sebastopol's representative onthe Sonoma County Library Commission, and approve the requirements for City-appointed position to the Sonoma County Library Commission. Number 6, approval of notice of completion for Emergency Sewer Repair South High Street.
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Mayor McLewis: Let's see…
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Mayor McLewis: Does anyone have… would anyone like to pull any of the items on this list that I just read?
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Mayor McLewis: I don't see…
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Mayor McLewis: No? Okay. I don't see anyone, so, if no one has any comments, then Mary, I think that takes us to public comment. Am Icorrect?
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: You are correct. So this is forpublic comment for the consent calendar items only. If you would like to make a publiccomment, I will go to Chambers first.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Seeing none, I will go out to Zoom. 138
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Kyle, can you unmute yourself, please? 139
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KyleFalbo:Ican.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou. Can you see the timer? 141
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KyleFalbo:Ican.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Great,go ahead, please. 143
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Kyle Falbo: Regarding the engineering contract, it's interesting to read in this agenda item thatwehad a,anRFPforanactualengineeringposition. 144
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Kyle Falbo: That tookplace in December, but failed.
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Kyle Falbo: So that's really unfortunate, to hearabout it now, 3 monthslater, that that RFP failed, and it's only because of a retirement that we're going with fillingan emergency position, with an emergency RFP forthat position there. 146
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Kyle Falbo: This is a continuing trend.
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Kyle Falbo: It is, we found out, at thelast meeting.
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Kyle Falbo: That wehad to extend, the interim contract, for Mary to be the city manager because of a failed, or Iwouldn't say a failed, but
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Kyle Falbo: problems with the, the search for that position. 150
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Kyle Falbo: At somepoint, it'd be my hope that maybe Council start to look 151
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Kyle Falbo: at our, HR services contract.
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Kyle Falbo: our ability to secure quality employees, our ability to successfully complete RFPs and get competitive
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Kyle Falbo: bids on processes, and also just really just, the timely nature, of completing these things and getting these things backontothe agenda. The idea that this thing just sat for 3 months with an unfilled position, from a failed RFP with nocommunication out to the
publicabouta failed,engineeringposition,wehaven'tbeen withoutan engineering managerforyearsnow.
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Kyle Falbo: And, and I think that it's really a disservice to our community, to our infrastructure, and it's not surprising that wehave some ofthe most, you know. 155
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Kyle Falbo: disastrous road conditions inthe city of Sebastopol, because we're not actually taking seriously the need for having quality engineering within our, 156
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KyleFalbo:Within ourcity.Thanks.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou, Kyle, for your public comment. Next, I will come into chambers. If there's anyone in chambers, I'd like to make a public comment on theconsent calendar items only. Seeing none, I'll go back out to Zoom. Kate, can you unmute yourself, please?
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thereyou are. Can you see the timer still?
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kate: Yeah, right.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Go ahead, please. 161
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kate: That was, like, me not unmuting myself, but unmuted nonetheless. Okay, I just… maybe,followingonKyle's,words…
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kate: I just want to confirm that this engineer isa contract position, and the previous engineerwasalsoa contractposition.That'stheonlycommentIhave.Thankyou. 163
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou, Kay, for your public comment. Again, I will come back intochambers if you'd like tomake a publiccomment. Seeing none, I will go back out to Zoom. If there's anyone on Zoom that would like tomake apubliccomment, pleaseraiseyourhandvirtually.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Seeing none, public comment is closed on the consent calendar items.
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Mayor McLewis: All right, thank you verymuch,I appreciate that.Let's see, if there… does anyonehaveanycommentsora motion?
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I'll goahead and move theconsent counter. 167
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I'll second.
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Mayor McLewis: Alright, Mary, roll call.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou. So moved by Councilmember Zolman and seconded byViceMayorMaurertoapproveand ConsentCalendarItems1through 6. Councilmember Carter?
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yes.Councilmember Hinton? 171
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Aye. Councilmember Zolman? Yes. Vice Mayor Maurer? Yes.MayorMcLewis?
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Mayor McLewis: Yes.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Motion passes unanimously, and could I just respond topubliccommentreallyquick?Thepreviousengineerwasa consultant,andthis RFP is also… John Moe is a engineeringconsultant tothe city as well. 174
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MayorMcLewis:Okay.
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MayorMcLewis:Alright.
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Mayor McLewis: We're going to move on to informational items, and presentations. We like to limit these to 10 minutes total in length, and so number 7 isthe informational items, second quarterly update from Building theCommons Committee, and I guess, isPublic Works doing this presentation, or who is it that…
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yes, Lara. I'm gonna give it a brief presentation, then we'll pass it to theCouncil to discuss.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Sothis is the second quarterly report out forthe Building theCommonssubcommittee. In this quarter, theycreated two ad hoc subcommittees oftheBuilding theCommonsCommittee. One was afinance committee that looked at six potential locations for the project, and kind of did a strategic analysis of those locations, prioritizing them for kind of short-term 179
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: needs and longer-term needs,for the visionof the Commons. And the second committee was, public outreach 180
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center:committee, I'm saying the name wrong, but I'll let you guys get me when Iget there. Looking at, like, reaching out to our business partners and potential, import… good lord… important folksin the… and… 00:27:07.330 --> 00:27:08.909
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I will stop now. 182
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: they're developing some outreach material and questions so that they can reach out to thecommunity and definethe priorities for the comments and needs. And I'm just gonna stopand pass it to you guysnow. 183
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: So, with that, I will turn it over to the Council if they would like to…
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Mayor McLewis: Oh, I'm sorry, you were turningout over to someone else to, to do, to present more. Okay, so, questions?
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Mayor McLewis: And is it possible I can't see allthe council with the camera where it's at? 186
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MayorMcLewis:Thankyou.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Am Imeant to… or are wemeant to say a few words, or… Yeah, now I'm turning it over to youguys to say. 188
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MayorMcLewis:Oh,okay.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: about your work on thecommittee. Okay, we… I am personally on the, finance subcommittee with, a few othermembers. 190
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And,we have gone througha very lengthy process to identify all the city properties that could be available. We've lookedthrough a stack of differentkindsof financingforparticular,
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Ways to go through…
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: a purchase or build process, and we've analyzed these, in a number of ways that Ithink are listed in the documents. It'd be way toomuch for me to go through now, because I think that wasan hour-longpresentation in itself. 193
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: But,
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: The sum… summary is, you know, we've identified things, and more importantly, we've identifiedhow we could finance it if we did move forward, and what the process would look like.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yes, and I will say, staff dep… 196
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: did not get the name of it correct, and I'm not entirely sure what was…
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: causefor the humor, becausea lot of work has went into this. I am thechairof thecommunityneeds assessment, and that means going out to try to figure out the stakeholders in ourcommunity 198
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And what their thoughts are about having a shared community space.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: So, throughout the entire committee, they submitted 30 names, and myself and four… three others are charged with, doing at least a half-hour to40-minute interview with the four people to find out exactly what their needs are and their level of interest in trying to have this plaza, put into 200
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: place.I have to say, as thechair ofthe overall committee, I'm impressed each time with the level of timeand dedication that our fellow citizens
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: volunteers put into this project, and the public is definitely… we welcome you on Zoom publiccomment, andthe next meeting is coming up nextTuesday.Thanks.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And just to follow up, in our outreach, we've gotten pretty good feedback. There have been quite a few people that we are engaging with that are potential partners in this, andquite a few people are interested in it.It's great to get out into the communityand figure what everybody else's needs are. 203
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: She'smuted.
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Mayor McLewis: Sorry, I apologize. I was just gonna say, I just said questions, Vice Mayor Maurer.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: So myquestion is, doyou have a model where thiskind of shared communitybuildingworks,and isin practice,and ishappening? 207
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: No.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yeah, there are different, campus models through different towns, but it's not something I can refer to off the cuff. 209
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: But I do know that, 210
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: thereare different versions in California also that share this model. They're expanded library concepts that do not go as far as we might go. Often, they might havea bookstore, coffee shop, restaurants, or someother, 211
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center:childcare facilityattached, like, one's, like, in Walnut Creek or something, but
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: We are attempting to go a little further than some others, but there arecommunity resources in Boulder that also are activity centers. And I can chime in that our sister city in Japan, because our mayor actually,whenshe went for her visit, apparently that's what theirmayor took them to, which was asituation and acity that is the same size as ours, that had no money at all.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And they partnered with a for-profit bookstore. 214
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And it's not coincidentalthatour vice chair of the full committee is RM Harrell, who is theCEO of Copperfields. So, there are models out there, and I would encourage people to explore them and join inthe conversation. 215
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Mayor McLewis: And just to add to the information for the librarythere in Takeo, theyalso partner with, a commercialcoffee shop.
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Mayor McLewis: So, there's the coffee shop in there, there's the bookstore, there's the library. It's… anyone who has the opportunity to go there, you would be delighted to see it, and they also have a gift shop, so…
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Mayor McLewis: Anyway, I have a question, but I can't tell if I… Councilmember Hinton, was that… go ahead.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yeah, I had a question. So it doesn't appear… it has strengths, weaknesses, and it appears they're all 2…or12 to 13 million to 20 million for most of them, all but one. Did you guys rank them? Like, is it… or is it…is that a future thing?
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Because…
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yeah,so initially, we're just gonna go through them agnostically,you know, to see, what theygenerally look like, andthen we will go through and figure out what…
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: With our community's feedback feels the best beforeweassign weightsand rank.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Also, I'll chime in the fact that, you know, going through the list of 30 stakeholders that thecommittee put together, part of the questions, which ispartof thepacket,Iwould encouragepeople,there'sa wholesectiononour website that goes through and has our past minute.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: To find out who those 30 people are, and to add people, to that list. We're happy to do it, but going through those questions. 224
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: That the committee came upwith would address some of the questions that Councilmember Hinton just raised, as far as how viable the money is, and how quickly could any of it be secured, so… 225
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Mayor McLewis: So…
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Mayor McLewis: I just… and I've read a lot of this, and maybe I missed it somewhere. I was just wondering howmuch haveyou discussed… A lot of theseorganizations are nonprofits, 501c3s, and maybe I missed it in here somewhere, but how much haveyou talked about how the logisticsof howthat would work, commingling of funds?Like, these are all separateorganizations,and Imean,sothere'salways… 227
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Mayor McLewis: When you get down, I just, you know, I just dida merger of two nonprofits, so there were a lot of, things that we had to address, so I just wondered, has that been, like, discussed extensively to understand where…
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Extensively to the point whereit's useful. I mean, there's the point whereyou're actuallycontracting and entering in agreements or, like, figuring out what fits the best, but we have discussed, like, what doesthe model looklike for different types of situations? There's a build situation, there's, like, a refurbished situation.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And there is, like, a buy and, like, remodel situation.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And insome cases, there would be a, if there were a wholepropertypurchase.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Then… then it would be like. 232
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Like, a renter-type situation, where these are… 233
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: people that pay rent for theirportion ofthe part, and there is noco-minglingof funds.There'sonemasterpersonof theproperty,and each of these are individual sublets. Sort of like thecontract that a Starbucksin an airport might have.
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Mayor McLewis: Got it. Thank you.
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Mayor McLewis: Are there any otherquestions,Vice Mayor? 236
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I'd just like to request that thiscommittee, the next time you report out, you bring examples ofmodels from othercities that actuallyare crea… that have already created
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: a building or shared buildings that include, like, such big,groups like the Senior Center, the Community Center, thelibrary. I'd just like to see a model for that, because it seems like you're trying to do a lot in onespace,especially if you're doing outreach.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: to invite others, other groups, to join inthis effort, too. So, that would help me.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thanks.
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Mayor McLewis: I would chime inthat I would second that. I think it would be very helpful to better understand, that aspect.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yeah, I firmly agree with case studies and learning from other places first,yes.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou.
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Mayor McLewis: Any other questions from anyone? I don't want to miss anyone. I don't see anyone'shands.
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Mayor McLewis: Okay, so if not,then we can goout to public comment. 245
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou, Mayor. So this is for public comment on the secondly quarterly report from Building the CommonsCommittee. If you would like to make a public comment, again, it is 2 minutes. I come to chambersfirst. Seeingnone,I will go out to Zoom.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Kyle, can you unmute yourself, please? 247
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KyleFalbo:Ican.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou, can you still see the timer? 249
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Kyle Falbo: It's okay, but I won't be2 minutes.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Okay,go ahead, please. 251
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Kyle Falbo: So… I reallylike the amount of, of,
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Kyle Falbo: thought and process has gone on so far in, In… in this direction. 253
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Kyle Falbo: But what I think my concern is, is that, this is a… this is a public meeting, and there is an audience here that isthe public, and it really just isn't clear from the materials or from what was presented tonight about exactly what is the problem that theCommons are trying to solve.
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Kyle Falbo: at some point, there's gonna need to be some sort of a public buy-in.You know…
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Kyle Falbo: Maybe each of you as individual council members has some sense of obligation of beingconnected tothepublicand beingableto,like.
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Kyle Falbo: convincethe public that this is something that they want to buy into, financially, or as acommunity. But I think part ofthat is being able toarticulate it in a waythat folks will understand,and understand exactlywhatIsaid before,whichis, what is the problem that the Commons are trying to solve?
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Kyle Falbo: So hopefully in a future presentation, those just kind of basics can be part of that presentation. Thanks.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou, Kyle, for your public comment. Next, I will come into chambers.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Seeing none, I will go back out to Zoom. Mary, can you unmute yourself, please?
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mary cone: Yes, thankyou. I just have a quick question. Is this costingus anything, the taxpayers, the city, thiscommittee? I'm just wondering about that. Thanks! 00:38:28.730 --> 00:38:35.430
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou for your publiccomment, Mary. Next, I will come back intochambers, if there's anyone in chambers like tomake a public comment onthis informational item.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Seeing none, I will go back out to Zoom. If there's anyone on Zoom that would like to make a public comment, please raise your hand virtually.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Seeing none, public comment is closed on this item.
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Mayor McLewis: All right, thank you. Back to the dais. If anyone, wants to… has any comments.
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Mayor McLewis: Councilmember Carter?
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Mayor McLewis: Now everyone up… went upat once. I think, you wereup first, Phil. 267
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Go ahead.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Just to address the why, we have several, buildings that need… we're outgrowing the Senior Center. It's a… it's a desperate need immediately. The library is at 100% capacity. It should… in 2016, it wassupposed to… 269
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Double in size, so they've got a request. 270
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: We'retight in city hall space,and thecommunity center also needs some love. But also, we have other nonprofits that need a place to present, need to play…meet, and some other services that could use space. 271
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And inorder to provide those, we're trying to figure out what… what…
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: properties can be maximized,or where is the… where are there efficiencies? Should we put more money intocertain buildings, or should we,
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: You know, how do we expandcapacity for the things that we need, especially the seniorsthat are in the library, which are… which are bursting?
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yes,thank you, Councilmember Okar. I was going to say the same. We'veheard repeatedly that the Senior Center, andthe Senior Center is well represented, by amember onthe board.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: on the full standingcommittee, about their need and their quick need tohave something happen. And they have turned to thecity numbers of times to figure out what really is our plan. The community center, they were on the committee, and I understand that they'retrying to come back onto thecommittee, because as Councilmember Carter said, they have a lot of theirown needs. 276
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: due to flooding, etc. The library, yes, there is statistical and past studies that show that
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: It is also needing, for a number of reasonsthat this Council has addressed in the past, the need for increased staffingin order tomeet the number of patrons that come in, not only fromSebastopol, but from the West County. 278
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Othernonprofits, Gravenstein Health Actionhas nophysicalspace,and they'reliterallypayinga contractorwhoworksoutof herhome.So, there are a lot of reasons why, I feel like, at least for our nonprofits. 279
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: we can do better, and then also our for-profit businesses are stepping up. Again, not everycity has aCEO of a national chain, sitting as their vicechair, so I'llthrow that out there.
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Mayor McLewis: And Vice Mayor Maurer, you had your hand up. 281
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I'd like to hear directlyfrom the Senior Center at your next report, because the last I heard, they'd open onSaturday, and maybe our liaison can help us understand this more, but
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: They're listed as a criticalneed. 284
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And, so I questioned that one, and I'd like to hear from them onthat. And…
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I havegreat concerns about the community center. A couple years ago, we were told that if that building flooded again, it would not be insurable, and this is serious. This building floods. Every 10 years or so, it floods. It hasn't flooded fora few years.The last time it flooded.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: thecity received probably close to a million dollars in insurance, and we were told that it was no longer insurable because of the risk. So, I'm surprised to seethat it's listed… it's not listed as a criticalneed.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: SoI'd like to, you know, flagthat for the committee, and ask you to, look into that, because to me, that seems the most serious. 288
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou. Thank you for yourwork. Absolutely, and I just kindof wanted to toss out that I forgot about the administrative efficiency of sharing one roof, thecost efficiencies that cancome withthat. You know, someof these 289
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Have3 layers of the… of doing just about the same kind of booking activity, and sometimes there's, like, an efficiency as far as that goes. 290
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Mayor McLewis: Did anyone else have any comments before I… 291
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I haveone more. 292
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MayorMcLewis:Oh,okay,goahead.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I'm wondering ifyou looked at the area in between the City Hall
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And the library, in terms of expansion. 295
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And what was your finding orconclusion? The lab, the library advisory board put together a nonprofit that I sat on formany of years, Lantern, and they hiredan architect to try to figure out what actuallycould be done to increase, at least the library by building up on the second story, and it was… 296
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: shown to be cost-prohibited. But as far as expanding out, that's been a discussion that I've been aware of into City Hall or through the parking lot into the Senior Center. It's been…
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: discussed, and… I think it's still…
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: remaining to be discussed about how… Yeah, yeah, these are active discussions, so we're certainly thinking about it, but we also have to think about the businesses there, the parking, like, what are we doing?What's our impact downtown, what does it look like if we're rebuilding there, how does that impact downtown? Soalltheseareconsiderationsthere.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: We can onlymeet so much, right? So, we're trying our best to do as muchwork as quickly as possible and think through these things, and anything that you haveas far as suggestions, we'll certainly note to help make our process better.
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Mayor McLewis: So, a couple comments that Ihave is that, one, I see all the financial figures. One thing I know is that many of the nonprofits who are utilizing these spacesthat wehavein thecityarenotcurrently,payinganythingsignificantthanmaybe a dollar to use these spaces. So, looking at allthese other spaces, there's quite acost related to them, so I havegreatconcern about
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Mayor McLewis: who's going to be able to pay for this, because we know that we have financial challenges. Secondly, I was trying to look, again, to be reminded of 302
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Mayor McLewis: if there are any financial experts on this committee toactually help, as you're sussing out these different, models, you know, from the financeperspective, what does all of that look like? Because we can prioritize, in my opinion, many things 303
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Mayor McLewis: But ifwe can't affordthem, then we're just spinning our wheels. So I… I think that that's important, and then also,
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Mayor McLewis: you know, I hate to evenmention this, because they're always a long shot, but, you know, who's exploring grants? And secondly, if you're exploring grants, it becomes… as a nonprofit leader myself, I know it becomes very complicated, you know, when you have multiple nonprofits trying tocome together and apply for grants, so there's a logistics challenge withthat there, and I don't know if we're expecting the city toapply for that type of stuff on theside.
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Mayor McLewis: But those are just some initial concerns that Ihave thinking about all of this. So as you move forward, I would just encourage to have, 306
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Mayor McLewis: Perhaps, you know, I don't know. I don't knowwhat you would bring forward, but just…
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: It's fine. I'm on the Finance Committee and the funding committee. I apologize. I just wanted to address that we are looking into exactly that, and trying to eliminate the city's liability for acost, or putting it intoa bad position. 308
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: beingon the Budget Committee, I know very well that wehave limited tono money. So, in anything that we're looking forward to, we're going to find, you know, I don't want to say creative, but we're going to look deeply into finding ways to finance a new facility that is
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: really low impact to thecity, ifat all, and will have a high payoff,and iftherearenon-profits, that's part ofthe reasonof looking for a business or a public-private relationship, because the private partycouldactuallyend up help subsidizingsomeof thepublicparts.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And then we were also looking at some ofthe available land to see ifwe could swap some unused land for that, and then make it all work out. But these concerns I share with you deeply, and I want you to know that we're all trying to figure out how to use
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Our land in agreat way, but also our minds as far as,like,financingand fundingthesethings.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: With… with minimal impact to staff and city budget.
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Mayor McLewis: Well, and just so I can finish my thought, what I wanted to say was that 314
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Mayor McLewis: I hopethat maybe you're looking tothe county for funding as well, and I know wehavea varietyof thingsthatarehappening,buttrulyfundingthat'snot,youknow, that's not tied to anything else other than thecounty also trying… recognizing that many of these nonprofits are utilized.
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Mayor McLewis: Sometimes predominantly by folks who live in the… inWest County and not necessarily inthe city. So that's my final comment on that. I don't know. 316
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And I can say that SupervisorHopkins was on the list of the 30, and I wascharged with sending out the invitations to have the 30 to 40 minute interview,and herChiefof staffdid respondback,acknowledgingit,and…
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: We'll bring it up again about who's to approach her with that at our next meeting next Tuesday.
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Mayor McLewis: Thank you. And Mary, please forgive me, I usually write down… we're in the comments section, right?
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Soyou're on theCouncil discussion, but there is no action, so it's an informational item only, soyou can go ahead and close it out if there's no more questions from the City Council?
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Mayor McLewis: Yeah, thank you. Sorry, I was just talking, you know, listening so much intently. So if there's noothercomments.
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Mayor McLewis: No? Okay. Then we'll go ahead and close that out. 322
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Mayor McLewis: Is it okay to move on now, Mary?
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yes, we can go ahead and move on tothe second informational item.
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Mayor McLewis: Okay, number 8, development agreement annual report, Piazza Hotel Annual Report for the development agreement is required by state lawand the DA itself. 325
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Mayor McLewis: City staff will provide information on timeline of development agreement and whatwould happen upon expiration ofdevelop…of thedevelopmentagreement,and that is also presented by planning, I believe.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yes,thank you, Mayor. Jane Riley, I'm the Interim Planning Director. That is a contract position.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: AstheMayor indicated, this isan informational item. There's an annualupdate that's required both by the development agreement for the
Hotel Sebastopool, as well as state law, for aninformational item to be brought to you at least once a year.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: No Council actions required at this time. 329
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: HotelSebastopol is a 66-room approved boutique hotel with many amenities to be located at 6828 Depot Street, with parking across Brown Street at 6826 Depot Street.
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Approvals were granted in2017. The owners have proceeded with some entitlement since that time. And in July of2024,your City Council adopted a development agreement that will expire in the end of June 2027. 331
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Ifno action is taken bythe applicant. 332
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: This annual review is to ensure that the applicant is acting in good faithcompliance withthe terms of the agreement. To the staff report, I attached a letter from Piazza Development, who are here and will giveyou abrief update.
00:50:21.850 --> 00:50:35.339
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: IftheCity Council does find that theapplicant's not acting in goodfaithcompliance under the terms of the development agreement, then we would need to schedule a public hearing to hear thematter. This isinformationalonly. And with that, I'll turn it over toPiazza.
334
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Goodevening, everyone. My name is Daniele Petroni. We've all… most of us havemet inperson, and I appreciatethe time. 335
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: tocome out tonight and giveyou guys an update on what we've done over thelast 9 months, since we were last in front of you last August. 336
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: From a site perspective, as an update, I just wanted to share, as you guys are aware, we've been very happy with some of the temporary activationsthat we've been able to complete.
337
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I'm getting feedback on my end, are you guys getting that as well?
00:51:17.770 --> 00:51:18.979
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Like COVID, sorry. 339
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yeah.
340
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yeah.
341
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: you know, we had the art installation with the Sebastopol Center forthe Arts, which had just started last August when we were in front of you. We had Sebastopol Bloomfest,the three-day music and art festival. 342
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: We'vealso been able to… 343
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: improve the pedestrian realm along our McKinley Street frontage to serveas a sort of better pedestrian connection between the Barlow and
the downtowndistrict.We pushed back our fence, we compacted some gravel, and we put up some string lights tohelp make that pedestrian experiencea little bit more attractive and safe and comfortable in the interim as wemove towards groundbreaking. We also 344
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: you know, it's springtime, weeds are a thing, we have a weed abatement scheduled in two weeks' time. I know the lot itself is sort of in that springtime explosion, and so we're going to get that under control as well. 345
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: As it relates to the development itself, I think, you know, you guys have allread our letter, I don't want to sort of draw this out, I want to mostly leave, space for your guys' questions, but as you know, rates and construction costshave not demonstrably come down in the last 8months. You know, development… 346
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: thrives on stability, andthere's nothing about the last 8 months that have been stable. That said, as I mentioned last time, we still retain, loan approvalunderwhat'sreferred toastheCPACEprogram. 347
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: whichis a federal program that givesmoney to projects that advance sustainability measures. That is still in our pocket, that would cover half of our development costs. And so what we're focusing on is finding a lendinginstitution to cover that second half.
00:53:05.570 --> 00:53:11.389
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: We'vehad some really great discussions with, sort of, traditional lenders, sort of smaller regional banks. 349
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Whowe've worked with in the past, who could, 350
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Conceivably offer something that would allow the project topencil as things sort of come down,
351
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: We'vealso sort of… we've been lookingat, some additional, less traditional sources of funding, like, for example, therewas a project in Sonomathat successfully secured EB-5funds,which,if you'renotaware,isanother federalprogramthatencouragesinternationalinvestment. 352
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: In, sort of, rural communitiesas a way to, sort of. 353
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: for the folks who invest, it leads towards immigration status forthem, but it's a way to sort of cobble together funding sources to hopefullygettogroundbreaking.
354
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Allthat is to say is that, you know. 355
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: we don't have funding in place, we can't move forward tomorrow, obviously. What we've beendoing since the last meeting, and since we sort of communicated that toyou guys last time, is to continue to refine potentialvalue engineering that we can sort oftreat as a
356
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: menuof options to choose from as we sort of move towards a finalized funding package to sort of allow the project to pencil, depending on what therate andconstruction costs wouldbe, right, as that groundbreaking would actuallyapproach.Wethink…
357
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: That strategy willgive us the flexibility 358
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: To sort of pickandchoose what we canchange in the project to allow it to pencil. And, you know, the more time that we have on that runway, theoretically, if things are improving in terms ofrates andconstructioncosts, the less dramatic some ofthese things we'rethinking about.
359
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: wouldbe, with the understanding that the more dramaticmeasures, you know, you have to take those with a grainof salt, because some of them would require action by PlanningCommission, by Council, and so those are not somethingthat we
360
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: wouldlike to include in our value engineering efforts, but there… just to give you aflavor ofthe things that we'rethinking of, we're doing all that we can to figure out a way to makethis pencil withinthe timeframe that wehave in front of us.
361
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I know it's frustrating,you know, we're not alone in sort of confrontingthese
362
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: difficulties, you know, I'm sure you know that the Barlow Hotel is…
00:55:36.630 --> 00:55:41.420
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: is navigating the very same thing. They're a little bit in a different,
364
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: phaseof development than us, but, you know, Barney and us, we talk frequently. We've talkedabout ways to help each other, ways to partner.Thosetalksareongoing.
365
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And, yeah, I think that's kind of the gist ofthe letter, of our update, and I mostly just want to be here for 366
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: questions, and, you know, I know there's also anotheragendaitem,which
367
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I'll save my comments for later on in the meeting, but…
368
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: We continue to look for ways to temper… in the interim, improve the lot and activate it sothat it's not just the dead space in the middle of town, that it's actually contributing
369
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: To… to the community. 370
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: So, with that, I'll, open it up toany questions. 371
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Mayor McLewis: Councilmember Solman?
372
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yes,thank you for presenting. I was actually surprised you hadanother 2months, because the first time you were required to be here was in June, so you're early with basically the same news as you had for us. 373
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: thelast time you were here, which was about finance construction. The question I was just asked, directly today bya member of the public is explain to us where you are in relationto what you've done inHealdsburg.
00:56:53.960 --> 00:57:03.159
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Because the comment was they were able to get whatever they needed to get together to do what theypromised the citizens of Healdsburg. 375
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: But they haven't been able todo the same here in Sebastopol, so please provide that, because I'm pretty sure that person is watching. Sure, yeah. Thank you for thequestion, both from you and from themember of the public. 376
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: In terms of what we've beenable to do in Healdsburg, I will say that we do have a fourth project in Healdsburg that is in thevery same situation that weare in here today. The entitlements on that project expire November of this year.
377
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And so that…
378
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: you know, is another project that is caught inthis limbo of, you know,thecurrent economic climate.
00:57:40.540 --> 00:57:51.789
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: That said, in Healdsburg, we started in Healdsburg in 2001, when Healdsburg was very muchnot the tourist destinationthat it is today.
380
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And, you know, I like to thinkthat there area lot of parallels with that project, our first hotel in Healdsburg, Hotel Healdsburg, and this project thatwe'veproposed and havebeen approved and havepulled a billypermit for here in Sebastopol, in that they are
381
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: expensive projects in theoretically unproven markets, verymuch so in Healdsburg in 2001, but theoretically here inSebastopol, while we're surrounded by a very thriving,
382
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: both domestic and international tourism industry within the city limits. There's… there's noproven, project of this type yet, which I'm sure, as you know, makes lenders nervous. So, in Healdsburg.
383
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: You know, that project…
00:58:38.200 --> 00:58:48.680
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: similarly was right downtown, right across the square, and involved a lot ofpersonalrisks forour company, but I think if you were to ask, you know, the founders of our company.
385
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: ifthe risk was worth it, I mean, I think you could know their answer, absolutely, yes. Hotel Hillsburg has been a wild success. It's… 386
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Led toa lot of other development within Healdsburg, for better or for worse, dependingon your, your opinions. 387
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And so, I think… 388
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Ithinkthe onlyotherthing to note in this specific case, and, you know, I mentioned this last meeting, and I'm sorry to sound like a broken record, but, you know, there has been a sort of
389
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: extraordinary succession of external events that havehappened sincewewereapproved in 2017,fromthefirestothepandemictothe current sort of global crisis that we're in right now. I'm not usingthat as an excuse,because as you… as was mentioned, you know, the entitlements were in 2017, 390
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: We'rehere almost 10 years after that.But it's… it's…
391
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: as I said, because of the amount ofrisk, we need to be smart about when we move forward, because
392
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: like Hotel Healdsburg, it's sort of an unproven project. And one follow-up. This is the first I'veheard about your fourth project. Soyour fourth project in Healdsburg, when did that come into your thoughts? 393
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: That was approved, 394
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Oh, jeez, my memory is gonna fail me here, but it's been within thelast…
395
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Fouryears that it's been approved. 396
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: we donot… we're in a different stage there where we don't have
397
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center:construction drawings. We'reat about 30% construction drawings,but the project is on pause for very many similar reasons. 398
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And like I mentioned, the entitlements there expire in November, and so… I don't want to share…
399
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Too much about anothercity's,
01:00:41.920 --> 01:00:49.619
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: project and issues, but, you know, if you were to ask me which project I'm more bullish on, it would be this project herein Sebastopol. 401
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Mayor McLewis: Alright, I saw… Vice Mayor, you had yourhand up first. 402
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: SoI have a couple questions.Have you done any CEQA work on the property already?
403
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Through our entitlement project, or process, yes, allof theenvironmentalworkwasdone,up until2017,when approvalwasgranted. 404
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Okay,have you considered scaling the project down?
405
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: making something maybe smaller, more diverse, that reflectsmore ofthe personality of Sebastopol, instead of something reallyhigh-end?
Yes, absolutely. The sort ofmenu of potentialchanges to the project that I was referencing to, some of them include quite drastic measures, like eliminating one of the buildings. 406
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Specifically along PetalumaAvenue, we have a two-story building withretail, spa and rooms on the second story. We're thinking about eliminatingthat, reducing the amount of rooms, and makinga sort of more, retail-oriented one-story structure that's much less expensiveto build. 407
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Again,though, that… The Barlow is going to be having a spa, or they have in their hotel, yeah. We also have the BlissDay Spa here in town already,so…Yeah.So,when doyoupredict
408
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: You can break ground. 409
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And once you get started, how longwill it take until the hotel is operational?
410
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I'll answer your second question first, because that's an actual known.Our construction schedule assumes 18months, but nothing is certain, and so typically we like to assume24, so 2 years, just to account for weatherand other unforeseen delays. So onceyou break ground, you think it'll be 2 years before you're operational? Correct. Renting out the rooms and runningthe hotel?Correct, yes. 411
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Okay.And then, in terms of us breaking ground, I think In our current…
412
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: sort of mindset. We are tryingour best to 413
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: You know, we're excited about the project, we wanted to move forward, but we're trying our best to straddle 414
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: that excitement and sort of reality. And so, given that our development agreement allows us to go up untilthe end of June 2027, right, so that's 14 to 15 months,I think, ideally, we'd sort of move into that directionto allow markets 415
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: To hopefully move in ourfavor. 416
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: you know, if anythingwere to change, if a temporary use were tocome alongthat Council approvesthat gives us a little bit more runway, that's all the better for us, because it helps reduce more of that risk. But ifIhad to answer your question directlyright here, right now, I would say summer ofnext year. 417
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I'm sorry, say that again? Summer ofnext year, because the DA expires the end of June. So, if…
418
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Soyou're thinking youcould break down… you could break ground when When you need to.
419
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: But when the development agreement is due, you're thinking you're gonna… you're gonna get in there and do it. Well, no. But you would like not to, but you will if you have to. The choice in June, I think, for uswouldbe… 420
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Is there a financing package out there that allows the project to pencil, and should we break ground? Or is the project dead, and do we figure out what our next steps are?
421
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Ithinkthat would bethe choice in front of us next summer. Just to clarify, did you just say ifthe project is dead? 422
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I… just…
423
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Speaking in terms of reality, anything is possible, but everything that we have done to date inthe last 10 years, all of themoney that we have spenthasbeen in theeffortof not
424
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: of building the project, of allowing it tocome to fruition and to flourish. Okay, well, that's very different than what we heard two years ago, that there was just no way this project was going to fail. 425
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: So, that's a new perspective.
01:04:43.700 --> 01:04:47.929
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Sure, yeah, I think… you know,I said this… 427
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: 9 months ago, failure of this project would be fairly catastrophic for us as a mom-and-pop developmentcompany,given how much we've 428
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: how much we've, invested to date. But, you know, we're not naive. Development, you know, is such that
429
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SebastopolCommunityCulturalCenter:Failurehappens,and companiesSufferthe consequences.
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Mayor McLewis: Okay, minute.
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MayorMcLewis:Anyoneelsewith questions? Ihavea few ones.
01:05:17.950 --> 01:05:22.570
Mayor McLewis: I just don't want tomiss anyone. Okay. A couple questions I have for you. 433
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Mayor McLewis: is just based on some of thecomments you made. Is there anything that the citycould do to help in securing financing,and also 434
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Mayor McLewis: What could we do to make ourselves more attractive or proven? You used that word with Healdsburg. So just, my question is, is there anything that, you know, the city could help with as far as making,you know, it more attractive for… 435
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MayorMcLewis:lenders.
436
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yeah, I appreciate the question. I think everything the cityhas done to date has been very helpful, because as I mentioned with lenders, the sort of big caveats are stability and predictability, and the city has beena really great partner with us.
01:06:06.430 --> 01:06:15.620
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: you know, from entitlements up until now, to help us find a path towards… towards groundbreaking. In terms of… 438
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Any action thecitycould take to… help. 439
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: lenders sort of become morecomfortable? That's an interestingone.Ihaven't…
440
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I… Ihaven't thought about that, but… 441
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Mayor McLewis: Because that's a comment that was made inthe past, too, about that Healdsburg was proven and that we weren't.
442
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Alright, yeah, no, sorry. 01:06:38.210 --> 01:06:55.379
Mayor McLewis: asking, like, you know, as citycouncil members here, if you can tell us what actually helps with that. I mean, we all know what Healdsburg was, you know, how it is, but from your perspective, if you're sayingthey're proven, and by default we're not proven, what do we… what would make us proven?
444
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Sure, yeah, and sorry forthe, sort of, the delay in my speaking there, there was just some bad noise. Oh, okay. So… 445
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: You know, when… Lenders, sort of, 446
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: do their due diligence on a potential hotel project. The first thingthey do is they pull what's calleda comp set. 447
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Which is sort of… 448
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Existing hotels in the area in the same market segment that arecomparable, the word comp,to what this project would be.
01:07:29.360 --> 01:07:40.949
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And the difficulty that we've run into is that the comm set in Sebastopol is non-existent, and so we have to go towardsother towns, sort of in the Sonoma County,catchment area.
450
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And obviously hotels of the type that we're looking to build here exist in that area. It's just a little bit tricky for banks to get really comfortable 451
01:07:49.850 --> 01:07:56.209
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: With something in Sebastopol versus Healdsburg, or in other places. Andso I think…
452
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: You know, that said, a lot ofthe… 453
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Actions of the city and a lot ofthe new businesses thatareopeninguphavecertainlyputiton people'sradar,and havecertainlyhelped
01:08:09.330 --> 01:08:19.440
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: sort of established Sebastopool as, you know, we all know that it's a lovely place. Well, we in this room all know that it's a lovely place tovisit, but not everyone does,right?
455
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And so I thinkthe word of mouth is definitely spreading. I think theBarlow's efforts arecertainly helping. But in terms of, you know, actual,concrete, actionable things Council can do withlenders, I'll have to thinkabout that, and I'll have to let you guys know.
456
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MayorMcLewis:Well,and Ithinkwe'rein a uniqueposition,becauseweknow thatwe're, you know, we do havethe Barlow that is in that process, so… 457
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Mayor McLewis: obviously, it sounds, based on what we've learned, that they areable to get funding, so I'm just trying to understand
458
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Mayor McLewis: how it's different for you versus them, as faras comps and working through that process. And I understand comps, I've held a real estate license, so I get allof that. But I'm just saying, like, comparing apples to apples here, I'm justtrying to understand yourpers…youknow,yourconundrumand situation versus…Right.And when both require
01:09:11.759 --> 01:09:14.259
MayorMcLewis:lendingand funding,it's…
460
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Sure. Yeah, so I think, you know, as I mentioned, we'vehad a lotof conversationswith BarneyattheBarlow,and, 461
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I'm not sure the latest on his efforts. The last we talked, you know, we were… we were sort of
462
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center:commiseratingand sharing stories about the difficulties of the moment. I do know that his project 463
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: theconstruction costs, at least the sort of initial estimates that hehad,are lower than what our construction costs were coming in at, at a per-key basis. I also know that,you know.
464
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: they're…
465
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: the situationthat they're in, sort of, from a capital perspective, I think there's… there's a little bit more room to work with, and so that might be leadinginto,hiscommunication abouthowwellfinancingisgoing.But for us specifically, you know, this is a…
466
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: It's an$85 millionproject to build 66 hotel rooms, restaurant, spa, retail, and a rooftop bar. It's just… it's a very expensive, high-quality project, and so I think as… as design, that's probably why we'recoming into the issues that we're coming into.
467
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: With the added caveats of rates and of construction costs, but…
468
01:10:31.960 --> 01:10:37.559
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: you know, hopefully the idea is to get it perhaps more in line with what Barney is
469
01:10:37.730 --> 01:10:39.119
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: His thinking, but… 470
01:10:39.520 --> 01:10:49.349
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I don't know, I just… I haven't seen his performa, I haven't seen his designs well enough to be able to give credence to whatever, whatever financing numbers he's communicated.
471
01:10:50.090 --> 01:10:53.009
Mayor McLewis: Got it. I saw, Vice Mayor, you had your hand up. 472
01:10:53.200 --> 01:10:58.660
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yeah. I just wanted to point out that Sebastopol serves
473
01:10:59.420 --> 01:11:05.920
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: 50,000 people who live in this area, so alltheir visitors coming. We have one hotel right now.
474
01:11:06.390 --> 01:11:09.069
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And we have one onthe way.
01:11:09.370 --> 01:11:17.400
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: IntheBarlow. So, it seems like it's a pretty good opportunity to bringanother hotel in here, because
476
01:11:17.930 --> 01:11:29.140
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: you know, where are people staying? We lost one of the hotels that we had in town. At that time,we had two, and I thinkHealdsburg probably has20ormore,and yetyourbuildingin Healdsburg
477
01:11:29.360 --> 01:11:39.140
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And you're trusting that, so I…I just don't get it, why you wouldn't trust this area to support your hotel, or whythe lenders wouldn't… 478
01:11:39.300 --> 01:11:44.390
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: support it financially, because I think, you know, it's a good opportunity.
479
01:11:46.160 --> 01:11:53.859
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I'd just like you to comment on that, please. Yeah, no, no, no, absolutely. I mean, I agree that it's agood opportunity. 480
01:11:54.710 --> 01:11:55.790
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I…
01:11:58.030 --> 01:12:10.629
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: you know, you haven't… we haven't had to have been convinced,right? Us,asa firm,we'vebeen high on Sebastopoolforthelastdecade, and, you know, our investment to date sort of, Ithink, communicates 482
01:12:11.420 --> 01:12:21.629
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: how jazzed we are about it. You know, unfortunately, you know, I would love to be ableto tell you that,you know, we could selffinance this, and wecould break around tomorrow, but… 483
01:12:21.670 --> 01:12:33.130
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: you know, I think it's just… it's a tricky moment in hospitality lending, it'sa tricky moment inconstruction costs. We're seeing… I don't know, seriously, if you… I apologize, I'm joined tonight by our 484
01:12:33.280 --> 01:12:40.919
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Theco-founder of Piazza Hospitality, Cersei Sher. I don'tknow if youhaveanyadditional,thoughts,but…
485
01:12:41.230 --> 01:12:43.420
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: you know, It's…
01:12:43.880 --> 01:12:49.459
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: It's not us that needs the convincing, it's the lenders,and sothat'sthewallthatwe'vebeen hittingup against. 487
01:12:50.580 --> 01:12:51.620
Mayor McLewis: Councilmember Carter?
488
01:12:51.620 --> 01:12:54.069
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: You'regonna need to go, right. 489
01:12:58.260 --> 01:12:59.970
Mayor McLewis: I'm sorry, what are we doing here?
490
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Apologies forlate. Hi, I'm Circe Schur, I'm a partnerofDanielei's.
491
01:13:04.030 --> 01:13:07.660
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I'm just gonnacomment on, some of these questions.
01:13:08.260 --> 01:13:08.930
MayorMcLewis:Okay.
493
01:13:08.930 --> 01:13:12.220
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And Idid not hear, everythingthat Daniele said, but…
494
01:13:12.330 --> 01:13:29.859
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I feel like, right now, it's the spread, and while we can get some bank financing, and we have, you know, our investors,the costs and the interest rates have gone up so exponentially forus that, we need morecapital.That's the… that's the…
495
01:13:30.470 --> 01:13:33.120
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: theessence of it. Find us a capital partner. 496
01:13:33.380 --> 01:13:35.729
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: That'show you can help us. 497
01:13:35.920 --> 01:13:41.270
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Ifyou really want to know, because while we had the money, and…
498
01:13:41.440 --> 01:13:56.159
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: then just rates went… skyrocketed, and do you want to takethat risk? It's… it's not… you know, we are small. We're notoperating an aubertgeproperty.We'reoperatinga piazza hospitalityproperty,and… 499
01:13:57.350 --> 01:14:05.879
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: you know, there's a differencein what banks look at that way. Do you want to know bearish in themiddle of town? I don'tthink so. So, 500
01:14:06.230 --> 01:14:17.309
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Anyway, that's… that's the essence of it, andwe're still working on it. I mean, I talked to two people last week, to help us find capital partners. So we are working on it, it's just…
501
01:14:17.570 --> 01:14:22.769
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: that it's very expensive. And we're also looking at ways to make it less expensive.
502
01:14:23.230 --> 01:14:24.360
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And,
01:14:24.700 --> 01:14:37.110
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Believe me, I've been workingon this for a very long time. I love Sebastopol. I think it's an awesome place. I get that it serves so much of a greater market on West County, and it has alot to offer beyond wine and 504
01:14:37.370 --> 01:14:46.469
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: you know, proximity tothe coast, so many good things. So, we're still very interested, and, findus some more money, and we'll build it. 505
01:14:47.750 --> 01:15:05.299
Mayor McLewis: Well, I just… I'm just gonnacomment on… since I asked… I mean, we… obviously, as a council, we're not finding you money, but if there's anything that we can do in the city to make it more appealing, I think it would be good for us to understand that. So, I'm trying to see… CouncilmemberCarter, youhad your hand up, andthen Councilmember Zollman?
506
01:15:05.910 --> 01:15:22.859
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yeah, I was just gonna saythat, you know, one thingthat Council is doing with its Enterprise Committee and other things is trying to help you solve this chicken and egg problem, you know, with having, like, an under,known market forthis kind ofthing. Like, why do people come to Sebastopol? 507
01:15:22.860 --> 01:15:27.700
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: What are the businesses here? Is there a natural draw? Could it support a hotel?
508
01:15:27.700 --> 01:15:28.270
Mayor McLewis: of these?
509
01:15:28.270 --> 01:15:28.970
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: So…
510
01:15:29.140 --> 01:15:34.569
Mayor McLewis: I just want tomake sure we're in the questions, because I have… I'm getting comments that we want to make sure we're in thequestions. 511
01:15:36.580 --> 01:15:37.809
MayorMcLewis:Justasking.
512
01:15:40.270 --> 01:15:41.299
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Question mark?
513
01:15:42.300 --> 01:15:48.829
Mayor McLewis: I'm just saying, because we'renot inthe comments yet, so if we have questions forthem, I want tokeep us on track.
514
01:15:49.650 --> 01:15:53.860
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yeah,so, like, if… We'll get to it later. 515
01:15:54.230 --> 01:15:57.439
Mayor McLewis: Okay. Councilmember Solman.
516
01:15:57.440 --> 01:16:15.730
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yeah,so I'm still stuck onthisproject, this fourth project in Healdsburg, because I took notes, and I thought you said it was approved 4years ago, but you've been trying to do something forus for the last 10years,so I'm confused. So you have enough trust in them to go through this rocky financialperiod. 517
01:16:15.750 --> 01:16:18.300
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: To doa fourth project, but not… 518
01:16:18.400 --> 01:16:29.419
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: with us, or did I not understand that? Yeah, sorry if I was unclear ormisspoke in any way. No, our project in Healdsburg has not been moving forward. It is entitled, but it is not moving forward.
01:16:31.100 --> 01:16:32.040
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Okay.
520
01:16:32.530 --> 01:16:33.490
Mayor McLewis: Vice Mayor.
521
01:16:34.410 --> 01:16:40.809
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: But isn't it true that you havea hotel project that you've been building for the last somany years in Healdsburg right now? 522
01:16:41.150 --> 01:16:48.329
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Imean, haven't you been working on one?Or in the last… Thelast hotelproject that we built and opened in Healdsburg was in 2018. 523
01:16:49.640 --> 01:16:55.119
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Okay.This fourth… And you completed it in 2018? It opened in2018, correct.
524
01:16:56.410 --> 01:17:19.840
Mayor McLewis: A question that I have, and it's more ofthe nuts and bolts, and it's somethingthat someone from Piazza had toldme in the past, was that some ofthe
financingyouwereobtainingthroughfederalmoney,and therewasan archaeological survey dig, whatever, that had to happenon that property. Has that been done yet? I understand it was supposed to be done by Sonoma State, and 525
01:17:19.840 --> 01:17:25.149
Mayor McLewis: It seems like an, you know, what is the status of that, and where is that at, to help you
526
01:17:25.150 --> 01:17:27.070
Mayor McLewis: Get down to the financing.
527
01:17:27.330 --> 01:17:33.999
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Sure, yeah, so it's, as you mentioned, we have a contract with SonomaState University to use some graduate students to help us, sort of. 528
01:17:34.010 --> 01:17:53.649
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center:collect and catalogany archaeological items that wedofind.Wehad someinitialarchaeologicalworkthathappened when wedemolished the building, because it was a ground disturbance activity, and sowe had monitorsthat came and found someartifacts, which led to this archaeological requirement. The plan is, it's not…
529
01:17:55.000 --> 01:18:06.039
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: it's not a barrier to sort of atimely groundbreaking.It'sa 2-3 week process wherethey've identified, sort of, the most likely, areastocontain deposits.
530
01:18:06.120 --> 01:18:19.559
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And they will go in, andthey'lldo their work, and they'll, I don't remember exactly how much soilthey're removing, but it's… at certain points, they're removing soil, they'recollecting the artifacts, and then they'rebringing them off-site to analyze and catalogthem.
531
01:18:19.560 --> 01:18:21.269
Mayor McLewis: Oh, go ahead, I'm sorry.
532
01:18:21.270 --> 01:18:25.920
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: No, no, I was just gonna say, it would be 2-3 weeks before groundbreaking, that process would take place.
533
01:18:26.570 --> 01:18:29.250
Mayor McLewis: And is that a cost to you, to have…
534
01:18:29.250 --> 01:18:31.080
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: That'sthe $100,000contract,yes.
01:18:31.930 --> 01:18:40.890
Mayor McLewis: Okay, and so that's still in place, and it's just sort of pending there. I guess, is there a reason why you wouldn't just get that done so that you can continue moving along with this?
536
01:18:41.210 --> 01:18:43.959
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Well, Imean, I think it's, 537
01:18:44.210 --> 01:18:57.980
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: We'rekind of… it would be paid forthrough proceeds from ourconstruction loan, because it's part of theconstruction process, and so we're waiting to greenlight it before we, so we're waiting to have an approved construction loan before greenlighting it.
538
01:18:58.290 --> 01:19:04.770
Mayor McLewis: So this doesn't have anything to do with the federal funding, then? I just want to understand this, because that's what Iwas told at oneof themeetings, so… 539
01:19:04.770 --> 01:19:10.659
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Right,right,right. No, it does have, it is related to federalfunding,becausethe,
01:19:11.730 --> 01:19:26.339
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: thecity and state archaeological requirements are less stringent thanthe federal archaeological requirements. So as a result ofthe, what's referred to as the CPACE funding program, which I mentioned previously, which is a federalprogram.
541
01:19:26.340 --> 01:19:32.900
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: We are subject to federal regulations, which means,froman archaeologicalperspective,wehavetocomplywith federal 542
01:19:32.920 --> 01:19:39.900
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: law. And so, because that funding is still in place and will be part of our package, it's still a requirement for us. 543
01:19:40.640 --> 01:19:44.430
Mayor McLewis: I see. Thank you. Are there other questions? 544
01:19:47.200 --> 01:19:50.089
Mayor McLewis: No? If not, then we can go to public comment. 545
01:19:57.570 --> 01:20:03.069
Mayor McLewis: I'm not sure. Thank you so much. Sorry about that. I can't hear what's going on in the room there, or see Mary, so I'm not sure. 01:20:03.070 --> 01:20:07.290
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: We'regonna go ahead and goto public comment. Sorry, we were just checking tomake sure thefront door was open. 547
01:20:07.790 --> 01:20:21.169
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Sothis is public comment onthe informational item on the report out on the Hotel Sebastopol. If you would like tomake a public comment. It is atwo-minute public comment. Igo to chambers andthen Zoom, and if there's anyone inchambers that would like tomake a publiccomment. 548
01:20:24.160 --> 01:20:29.330
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Please, go ahead and… I'm sorry? 549
01:20:31.110 --> 01:20:36.300
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: It's kind of a… I thought…I didn't quite understand why it didn't get asked.
550
01:20:36.430 --> 01:20:52.630
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: The… if he's going to break ground, and you have to have the archaeological information done before, could it not stop you from breaking ground if they decided there was some issue in the archaeological?
01:20:54.710 --> 01:21:01.560
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: So, this is just for publiccomment right now, so we can… I can't ask questions. You can ask a question, and we'llcome back to it at the end of public comment.
552
01:21:02.530 --> 01:21:06.850
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou. So I'll go out to Zoom. Oliver, can you mute yourself, please?
553
01:21:07.800 --> 01:21:09.180
Oliver: Yep, unmuted.
554
01:21:09.180 --> 01:21:10.569
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou. Can you see the timer? 555
01:21:10.570 --> 01:21:11.480
Oliver:Ican,yeah.
556
01:21:11.480 --> 01:21:12.420
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Go ahead, please.
01:21:12.420 --> 01:21:26.809
Oliver: I'm just thinking, and this is like a 10-yearanniversaryexplanation of whywehavea huge piece of land in the middle of thecity, just sitting there with tumbleweed on it while people drive byand decide not to stop in thecity.
558
01:21:26.880 --> 01:21:43.820
Oliver: while you were talking there, I was looking on my computer and rememberingthe tractor supply company that used to be there,which had acouple of old vintage tractors parked outside, whichwas very much in the spirit ofthe city, as people drove through. 559
01:21:43.820 --> 01:21:57.879
Oliver:So,a coupleofthings.Oneis,thearchaeologicalthing.That'sbeen buzzingaround for years, and that could actually be really important if that's historically significant. That's where the old Chinatown was, as I was led to understand. 560
01:21:57.990 --> 01:22:08.959
Oliver: So, to me, I don't know if they, Piazza could find grants or something for that, or somethingcould be done to see if you could even build a hotel there at this point in time. 561
01:22:09.000 --> 01:22:23.739
Oliver: And presumably that really limits anything else that could be done on that land, in case damage is done to historical artifacts. But having said that, Imean, I wasn't a fan of the public art that was there. I would really liketo see…
01:22:23.770 --> 01:22:36.080
Oliver: that land, if it's not being used by Piazzato actuallybreak ground and build a hotel. I think they should be making a lot moreof an effort to make thecity ofSebastopol look a lot more attractive to people drivingthrough.
563
01:22:36.160 --> 01:22:44.550
Oliver: Even if it's somekind of historicalexhibit or something like that,and an explanation of the upcoming hotel.
564
01:22:44.790 --> 01:22:51.799
Oliver: Obviously, it's a very dangerous crossroads. I think that's the busiest crossroads in all of SonomaCounty, so…
565
01:22:51.970 --> 01:22:57.000
Oliver: You'd have to bevery, very careful with pedestrians and soon, but, 566
01:22:57.140 --> 01:23:07.379
Oliver: At the end ofthe day, I'd really quite liketo see a public hearingon this,given that it's 10 years now, and it's apparent nothing is going to happen for anotherfew years. So that's my public comment, thank you.
567
01:23:07.600 --> 01:23:13.950
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou, Oliver, for your public comment. Next, I will come back intochambers, if there's anyone in chambers that would like to make a public comment on this item.
568
01:23:14.230 --> 01:23:15.669
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Please come up to the podium. 569
01:23:28.320 --> 01:23:29.090
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I'll touch it.
570
01:23:29.390 --> 01:23:35.510
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: It seems as if what Sebastopol is actually… what…
571
01:23:36.080 --> 01:23:48.050
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: By thenumbers, and by theamount of peoplethat are here, and how full our current one hotel is,what would be sort of ahook, line, and sinker is if what the project was… was a hotel.
572
01:23:48.540 --> 01:24:00.570
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: It seems like the addition ofthe retail spaces, the spas,allof thosethingswhich wehavein abundancehere,and asa smallbusinessowner in this town, it is hard to be a small business.
01:24:00.570 --> 01:24:09.880
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: and continue to do what I do, and make enough money to do it, to employ people that are localand all of those things. Is there a draft of this, project
574
01:24:09.880 --> 01:24:11.690
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: That is just.
575
01:24:11.740 --> 01:24:12.859
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: ahotel.
576
01:24:15.030 --> 01:24:18.450
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou for your publiccomment. Next, I will go out to Zoom.
577
01:24:18.760 --> 01:24:20.750
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Kate, can you unmute yourself, please? 578
01:24:23.310 --> 01:24:24.260
kate: Good evening.
01:24:24.590 --> 01:24:26.210
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou. Can you still see the timer? 580
01:24:26.210 --> 01:24:26.970
kate: I can.
581
01:24:26.970 --> 01:24:28.040
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Great,go ahead, please. 582
01:24:28.210 --> 01:24:30.710
kate: I have two publiccomments.
583
01:24:30.710 --> 01:24:49.319
kate: One is that thetype of hotel that's built, the number ofrooms, and the price ofthe rooms has a direct impact on the revenue for the city in terms of TOT. And so, therefore, the project of the hotel should be thought of inconcert
584
01:24:49.390 --> 01:25:03.469
kate: Not only of the developer's needs, of course, but also the city's needs for revenue. So, if the developer scalesback the number of rooms, orthe kind of pricepoint of the rooms.
01:25:03.470 --> 01:25:26.280
kate: that has a direct impact on thecity's revenue and thecity's budget. So I think that's somethingthat needs to be taken intoconsideration, especiallybecause this is a prime piece of developable land in themiddle ofthecity, and so if we forfeit this land to a project that doesn't end up generating
586
01:25:26.370 --> 01:25:51.320
kate: its full potential for revenue, we won't beable to kind ofturn back the clock on that. So each pieceof land that's developed in city limits of Sebastopol hasthe potential to be an economic generatorfor thecity itself, so thecity cando thingslike pave our roads and maintain ourparks,andsowe'vealreadylosta significantamount 587
01:25:51.320 --> 01:26:03.860
kate: of land to properties that generate no revenue and take resources, so I thinkthat needs to be part oftheequation. My secondcomment follows Oliver's comment. 588
01:26:03.860 --> 01:26:24.640
kate: And that I'd like tosee the lot more active, even if it's in terms of wrapping the trees and solar lights. It is very dangerous to have access to the lot from thebusy intersections, but if there's a way to link it more directly with the Barlow, 589
01:26:24.710 --> 01:26:29.920
kate: So that peoplecould perhaps access part of it for, like. 01:26:30.010 --> 01:26:32.139
kate: You know, a small dog run.
591
01:26:32.140 --> 01:26:32.840
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: It's 2minutes.
592
01:26:32.840 --> 01:26:34.010
kate: Okay, thank you.
593
01:26:34.010 --> 01:26:40.189
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou for your publiccomment. Next, I'll come back into chambers, if there's anyone on chambers that would like to make a public comment onthis item.
594
01:26:40.930 --> 01:26:48.259
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Seeing none, I will go back out to Zoom. If there's anyone on Zoom that would like to make a public comment on this item, please raise your hand virtually.
595
01:26:49.390 --> 01:26:51.469
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Seeing none, public comment is closed. 596
01:26:53.220 --> 01:26:59.699
Mayor McLewis: Alright, thank you verymuch.We're back at the dais for comments, from my colleagues before Ido mine.
597
01:26:59.800 --> 01:27:08.940
MayorMcLewis:Doesanyonehaveanycomments? Idohavea question.Iknow wehad these two questions, if I can, just ask them very quicklyof our, 598
01:27:09.420 --> 01:27:25.270
Mayor McLewis: From Piazza, and it is a question I stillwonder, is could, you know, not doing thedig that I hadasked about for thearchaeological stuff,couldn't that, in fact, delay the project if you don't get that done? Imean, I've heard this so many times from different. 599
01:27:25.640 --> 01:27:28.300
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Right,so I think it would be, 600
01:27:29.110 --> 01:27:36.630
SebastopolCommunityCulturalCenter:Thetypicalwaythatarchaeologicaldigshappen as it relates to grounddisturbance and development is that there's usually an archaeological
01:27:36.880 --> 01:27:42.909
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Archaeologist on-site, sort ofmonitoringthe activity and looking forartifacts as
602
01:27:43.010 --> 01:27:57.750
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: dirt isbeing moved, right? Asa result of our federallyfunded loan packageand thesortof morestringentrequirements,weactually have a recovery plant that has been approved by the federal regulatoryagency in terms of 603
01:27:57.750 --> 01:28:10.780
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: they're good with what we'reproposing in terms of digging upcertainareas, removing the artifacts, and setting them on-site. And so, the schedule that I gave, you know, two to three weeks, is very mucha known schedule. 604
01:28:10.830 --> 01:28:15.310
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: There's nothingthat… that could happen that would…
605
01:28:15.590 --> 01:28:18.119
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: That would delay it, because it's… it's a sort of… 606
01:28:18.300 --> 01:28:23.240
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Agreed upon, archaeological, dig and maneuver. 607
01:28:24.020 --> 01:28:28.410
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Sothere's really no unknownsor risk as a result of the
608
01:28:28.550 --> 01:28:34.589
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: The previous ground disturbance andthe previous monitoringthatwasdonewhen thebuilding,theformerbuilding,wasbeingdemolished. 609
01:28:35.300 --> 01:28:41.329
Mayor McLewis: Okay, and then we had another question just about the draft of Just a Hotel. I know you said that you…
610
01:28:41.770 --> 01:28:48.059
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yeah, that's certainly something that we look at. I think it's just importantto note, and another public commenter sort ofalluded to this, that 611
01:28:49.250 --> 01:28:58.919
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Everytime you either reduce the number of rooms or devote space to adifferent use within a project, it changes the performa, and it changes the bottom line.
01:28:59.140 --> 01:29:07.009
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Certainly, we've tried to maximize the sort of, golden ticket of this kind of development, which is the hotel rooms themselves. 613
01:29:07.010 --> 01:29:22.890
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: But inorder to sell hotel rooms, in order to get a certain rate forhotel rooms, you do have to provide additional amenities, be it spa, be it restaurants, be it sort of really lovely curated retail or lovely grounds,and so it's a delicate rope to walk.
614
01:29:22.910 --> 01:29:26.609
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: But yes, we are considering, alternatives that… 615
01:29:26.880 --> 01:29:34.239
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: That changed the sort of landuse mix within the development, and that could lead to morehotel rooms, less retail, as an example. 616
01:29:34.640 --> 01:29:42.250
Mayor McLewis: Okay, thank you so much for answering those. I just think this is an important topic, and people have questions, so I wanted to addressthose. Thank you. 617
01:29:42.440 --> 01:29:45.819
Mayor McLewis: And then, did anyone at the dais have, comments? 618
01:29:47.740 --> 01:29:49.510
Mayor McLewis: Oh, Councilmember Hinton?
619
01:29:50.830 --> 01:29:51.830
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou.
620
01:29:54.780 --> 01:30:02.380
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I… this hotel is partly why I ranfor office in 2016. I wanted tobeinvolved in how Sebastopol
621
01:30:02.460 --> 01:30:20.520
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: grew and was shaped, and this hotel was one of the hottest topics the year I ran for office. So, been involved with it fora long time. I think very highly ofthese operators. I've visited theirproject that they opened in San LuisObispo when they were in the growth mode.
622
01:30:20.620 --> 01:30:35.100
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Before COVID, and obviously, COVID changed a lot ofthings. Unfortunately, I think for our town,we've lost, Greg Beal's project, delivery. It had to be reimagined due to interest rates andhigh constructioncosts.
01:30:35.260 --> 01:30:47.819
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And I'm alsovery well awareof the holethat sits in the center of Windsor, the hotel that was stopped in Catati, the hotel that's trying to move forward in Petaluma, so we are not alone.
624
01:30:48.110 --> 01:31:05.070
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I just… I don't take this personally. It's a huge project, it's a beautiful project, and I understand that I don't want a hotel built in the middle of our townthat folds or something. Theyhave to have financing theycan live with. So, 625
01:31:05.830 --> 01:31:15.219
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I do think West County, and I know they know, we onlyhaveAirbnbstorelyon,and onelittletinyhotel,which people… 626
01:31:15.410 --> 01:31:25.079
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: we're lucky to have, but it's moderate, it's full a lot, and it doesn't reflect what Ithink a lot of people are looking for, so… 627
01:31:25.340 --> 01:31:31.509
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I'm supportive tonight of the extension. I hope you can figureoutyourotherhalf of financing.
01:31:31.920 --> 01:31:38.749
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: You come, you stand in front of us, you've got a project, I really appreciate that. Sothose are my comments tonight. 629
01:31:40.250 --> 01:31:42.850
Mayor McLewis: Okay. Anyone else have comments?
630
01:31:45.120 --> 01:32:04.030
Mayor McLewis: Okay. I just have a few then, ifno one else has any. I just wanted… I… first of all, I just think it's unfortunate that…that thehotels kind of… and I say this just with humor, that it's kind ofbecome an urban legend. People talk about itall the time, that hotel that's not coming, that is coming,
631
01:32:04.030 --> 01:32:08.519
Mayor McLewis: I would love to see thiscome to fruition, and I have, 632
01:32:09.780 --> 01:32:20.690
MayorMcLewis:Ijusthavegreatconcern over,youknow,what'shappening,and Iknow we're not alone to Councilmember Hinton's, you know, words as far asall the different hotels. I just…
633
01:32:20.980 --> 01:32:44.889
MayorMcLewis:I'mhopingthatperhaps…andmaybethisisalreadyhappeningwith city staff, but I think it would be really helpful for the Council if… for us, and for me in particular, to understand ifthere'sany way that we as a council, if there's anything we can do to actually, you know, improve the downtown, and if that would help in any way, because I've heard thisbefore,thatwe'renotproven,we'renota proven market. 634
01:32:44.890 --> 01:33:01.119
Mayor McLewis: And so, you know, I… I… I continue to say, if there's any… anything that we can do totweak to help, to makethe place more attractive, I hope that you would, feel that you can… that Piazzawould, communicate with us and
635
01:33:01.120 --> 01:33:05.449
Mayor McLewis: We see this as a, you know, this is a shared, 636
01:33:05.620 --> 01:33:17.530
Mayor McLewis: project for us. Imean, we really… the TOT is super important to us, soat any rate, I'm supporting this for now, but I'm just hoping that, you know, as I see some interest rates
637
01:33:17.530 --> 01:33:42.099
Mayor McLewis: coming down. Idon't knowhow longthat willlast, but I just hopethat somewhere alongthe line that this might be, you know, you might reach a point where you actually can do something. So at any rate, I'm supporting it this evening, but,youknow, with a bit of pause andconcern over whether or not,you know, we're just continuing down this decade-long path of a non-existentspace.So,anyway.
01:33:42.100 --> 01:33:45.559
Mayor McLewis: Those are my comments. Does anyone else have anything before? 639
01:33:46.400 --> 01:33:47.539
Mayor McLewis: Vice Mayor?
640
01:33:48.440 --> 01:34:02.619
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yeah,my understanding is that there's no action required tonight, just thank you forcoming andtalking to us. Thank youfor your updates, but I don't think we need to do anything. No, that's correct, it's just an informational item. Thank you very much.
641
01:34:02.620 --> 01:34:14.589
Mayor McLewis: I just wanted to make sure if anyone else had anything to say, so ifnot, then we'll just accept this and move on, and thank you all for coming and standingbefore everybody and answering all of these questions, so…
642
01:34:16.080 --> 01:34:17.150
MayorMcLewis:Alright.
643
01:34:17.400 --> 01:34:22.119
Mayor McLewis: Let me just get my next page here, and we'll move on to, 644
01:34:22.240 --> 01:34:35.579
Mayor McLewis: Oh, let's see, that's the end ofour informational items. We don't have any public hearings this evening, so we'll be moving on to item number 9, which is our, regular calendar,agenda items,discussion,and ouraction.
645
01:34:35.870 --> 01:34:48.469
Mayor McLewis: Number 9 is our special event fee waivers. Kiwanis Club April 4th Easter Egg Hunt fee waiver has been requested in theamount of$400, andthis is Public Works, I believe?
646
01:34:48.750 --> 01:35:05.810
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yes,thank you, Mayor and Council. So, this is our special event for theKiwanis Club throws annually for an Easter egg hunt at Ives Park. It occurredlast Saturday,just before Easter, and they submitted a letter foryour consideration requesting that the event fees are waived for that event. 647
01:35:07.490 --> 01:35:08.370
MayorMcLewis:Alright.
648
01:35:08.790 --> 01:35:12.099
MayorMcLewis:Thankyou.Doesanyonehaveanyquestions,CouncilmemberHinton?
01:35:12.920 --> 01:35:20.240
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yeah,usually we get these requests before the event. I'm just curiouswhat… whenthey submitted this. I mean… 650
01:35:20.750 --> 01:35:36.400
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: it'd begreat if somebody's here that could then speak to, like, how successful the event was. Was it free for thepeoplethat attended? Anyway, usually we get these ahead of time, soI'm interested in hearing from theapplicant or staff about when this came in.
651
01:35:36.870 --> 01:35:51.150
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: We received the request at the beginning of March, and I missed just the deadlines for just the meeting before this.I needed to get it to the Budget Committee for their assessment, and we didn't have just enough timeto get it on the
652
01:35:51.640 --> 01:35:59.860
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: theagenda item, or the report for the March 17th. So, we will have onescoming forward in the next council meeting for events that have not taken place yet.
653
01:36:00.310 --> 01:36:03.140
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: So, can I ask a follow-upquestion?
01:36:04.280 --> 01:36:21.210
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: this isa small amount, and inthe past, these sort of small amounts didn't necessarily go before the Budget Committee and then tothe full council. Is that policy changed, or could this have come straight to us so it wasn'tdelayed till after the event? Because that would be important to me. 655
01:36:23.230 --> 01:36:32.990
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: any financial…any financialmatter now that is either a revenue, that we will be missing, or acost that we may be waiving, does go tothe Budget Committee now.
656
01:36:38.630 --> 01:36:41.329
MayorMcLewis:Okay? Doesanyoneelsehavequestions?
657
01:36:41.640 --> 01:36:44.659
Mayor McLewis: And I apologize, I can't see Vice Mayors. Okay. 658
01:36:48.920 --> 01:36:51.899
Mayor McLewis: I'm sorry, did you say something sounds more harder?
01:36:53.090 --> 01:36:53.780
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: No.
660
01:36:53.780 --> 01:36:56.510
Mayor McLewis: Oh, okay. Okay, well, if we don't have any, 661
01:36:56.640 --> 01:36:58.960
Mayor McLewis: Any questions, thenwe can do public comment. 662
01:37:00.210 --> 01:37:15.080
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: So, this is an opportunity formembers of the public to speak on the request forthe waiver offees for the Easteregg hunt that did happen just recently. If you'd like to make a public comment, it is a 2-minutepubliccomment. If there's anyone here that would like to make a public comment. 663
01:37:15.610 --> 01:37:18.809
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: That would like to discuss theevent, please come up.
664
01:37:30.470 --> 01:37:36.699
SebastopolCommunityCulturalCenter:Thebasketball,KiwantisClub hasbeen doingthis event for over 47 years.
01:37:36.970 --> 01:37:39.809
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: It is one of our favorite events. 666
01:37:40.070 --> 01:37:45.280
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: It dovetails perfectly with ourmission, which is service to children.
667
01:37:45.480 --> 01:37:48.590
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: It's a great family event, and 668
01:37:49.180 --> 01:37:53.040
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I would… we would appreciate the fee waiver. 669
01:37:54.670 --> 01:37:56.069
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: So, thank you.
670
01:37:56.330 --> 01:38:03.839
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou for your publiccomment. Next, I'll go out to Zoom. If there's anyone on Zoom that would like to make a public comment onthis item, to please raise your handvirtually.
01:38:04.930 --> 01:38:08.399
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: CNN, I will come back intochambers. Anyone else from Chambers, please?
672
01:38:18.010 --> 01:38:35.999
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: ElenaChantha Kiwanis, it is afree event, for whoever asked. It's been free for47years. We raise funds for the fireworks to pay for the Easter egg hunt and the Halloween event, so it is free, lots of happy kids, so…and we do, we do, provide allof the candy, the members
673
01:38:36.000 --> 01:38:40.199
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center:chip in, and the rest comes from the club, so… This would help a lot.
674
01:38:41.330 --> 01:38:43.830
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou for your publiccomment, please. 675
01:38:51.720 --> 01:38:58.580
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Didn't know I was gonnacome tonight, let alone speak, but here's take two. I have…
01:38:58.640 --> 01:39:11.260
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: been,fortunate enough to… well, to know Bruce formany,manyyears,sincehisdaughterwasin high school.When theKiwanisClub comesdowntown andasksfordonationsfromlocalbusinesses. 677
01:39:11.300 --> 01:39:22.129
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: for this event, I have happilycontributed to that. So not only does the event… is the event free for children andfamilies, but after the event, the familiescome downtown.
678
01:39:22.570 --> 01:39:37.429
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And they have breakfast. Theycome and get their Easter cookie. They, are so full of joy and happiness, and, so many people come into my business talking about what a fantastic town this is that hasthis typeof event. 679
01:39:37.430 --> 01:39:48.400
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: four families, and fourchildren, and four kids, and it's not just exclusive to Ives Park, but it really does bring people into… into downtown, from all over West County.
680
01:39:48.570 --> 01:39:50.549
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: So, I fully support.
01:39:50.940 --> 01:39:52.329
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Waiving their fee. 682
01:39:53.630 --> 01:40:00.389
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou for your publiccomment. Next, I'll go out to Zoom. If there's anyone on Zoom that would like to make a public comment, to pleaseraiseyourhandvirtually.
683
01:40:01.910 --> 01:40:06.040
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Seeing then, I will come backinto Chambers. Any furtherpubliccommentfromChambers?
684
01:40:06.210 --> 01:40:08.200
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Seeing none, public comment is closed. 685
01:40:08.970 --> 01:40:10.639
Mayor McLewis: Alright, oh, Vice Mayor?
686
01:40:11.190 --> 01:40:19.959
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I'd just like to make a motion to approvethe waiver of the special event permit fees for the Kiwanis Easter Egg Hunt in the amount of $400.
01:40:20.070 --> 01:40:21.110
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I'll second.
688
01:40:21.940 --> 01:40:26.539
Mayor McLewis: And I just wanted to comment very quickly. Oh, Councilmember Hayden, go ahead, me, if you want.
689
01:40:27.860 --> 01:40:30.080
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yeah, I just have a comment, 690
01:40:30.130 --> 01:40:39.729
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And Iguess I'll pursue this in another way, but I just think that with a47-year-old tradition in this town that is free. 691
01:40:39.730 --> 01:40:50.319
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: that's asking for a waiver, that's probably asked for a waiver for many, many years, that I would have preferred to have thiscome to fullcouncil, and so a small item likethis,
692
01:40:50.320 --> 01:41:05.289
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: feels like it got held up in our process to go to the Budget Committee, Ms. Stark First Council deadline, and we could have approved it before the event actually happened. So, I want to rethink small budgetary items, because 693
01:41:05.650 --> 01:41:07.780
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Maybe we can,
694
01:41:08.450 --> 01:41:21.440
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: bringthem along. I don't know when this new policy happenedthat asmall budgetary item couldn't get to the Council quicker, so that's mycomment,and I'llpursuethatin another…anotherfashion. 695
01:41:22.240 --> 01:41:35.380
Mayor McLewis: And I just wanted to comment, I saw a lot of the, the good socialmedia coverage of this event,so I think it was a reallywonderful, feel-good thing for Sebasto, which it is every year, so, go ahead, Vice Mayor.
696
01:41:35.380 --> 01:41:40.610
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yeah,did the club have to pay for this, andthen we'rereimbursing? Isthatwhat'shappening?
697
01:41:40.730 --> 01:41:44.080
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And so, Councilmember Hinton, are you trying to avoid that?
698
01:41:45.990 --> 01:41:52.170
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I justwould have liked to have seen it mainstreamed, to not have to go to the budget subcommittee, it couldhave come straight to us.
699
01:41:57.120 --> 01:42:00.149
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: No further comments or questions? I'll call them. 700
01:42:00.150 --> 01:42:04.310
Mayor McLewis: Well, there was the question,are we reimbursing, ordid they pay for it already?
701
01:42:04.650 --> 01:42:08.429
Mayor McLewis: I mean, sorry, are we reimbursing, orhave they not paid for it? 702
01:42:09.170 --> 01:42:11.720
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I would have to defer to the Public Works.
01:42:12.500 --> 01:42:18.839
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I don't take in the application,so I'm not aware if it came in, if they paid forit. We can ask Bruce.
704
01:42:23.930 --> 01:42:26.829
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: It would be a reimbursement.Thank you for clarifying.
705
01:42:26.830 --> 01:42:27.650
MayorMcLewis:Okay.
706
01:42:28.010 --> 01:42:34.449
Mayor McLewis: Just trying to make sure all questions are answered. So we have a motion… we have a motion anda second,correct? Sowe can just… 707
01:42:34.620 --> 01:42:53.099
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: We do. So moved by Vice Mayor Maurerand seconded byCouncilmemberCartertoapprovethespecialeventfeewaiverfortheKiwanis Club forthe Easter EggHunt in the amount of$400. Councilmember Carter? Yes. Councilmember Hinton? Aye. CouncilmemberZolman? Yes. Vice Mayor… Vice Mayor Maurer? Yes.MayorMcLewis? Aye.
708
01:42:53.100 --> 01:42:53.730
Mayor McLewis: Yes.
709
01:42:53.730 --> 01:42:55.610
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Motion passes unanimously. 710
01:42:56.140 --> 01:42:57.280
MayorMcLewis:Okay,thankyou.
711
01:42:57.540 --> 01:43:09.749
Mayor McLewis: All right, moving on to number10, approval of Memorandum of Understandingwith ServiceEmployeesInternationalUnionLocalSEIU 1021,andthiswill be covered by Administrative Services.
712
01:43:11.510 --> 01:43:27.810
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I'm gonna go ahead and introduce the item, and then have our Human Resources Consultant, Deborah Mushmore, provide the report. So, as you just stated, this,is the Memorandum ofUnderstanding forthe SAIU employees, which is Public Works and administrative staff.
713
01:43:27.810 --> 01:43:35.219
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Aftermonths of negotiations, we were able to get to an agreement. They ratified, the…
01:43:35.640 --> 01:43:43.890
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: group ratified theproposal, so it is now before the City Council. So I'm going toturn it over to Deborah Muchmore to provide the other remaininginformation.
715
01:43:45.120 --> 01:43:46.349
Mayor McLewis: Alright, thank you.
716
01:43:48.480 --> 01:44:06.529
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Goodevening, Mayor and Council Members. It's Debra Muchmore, Human Resources Advisor for theCity. Yes, this item before you is to requesting approval of the Successor Memorandum of Understandingbetween the City of Sebastopoland theServiceEmployeesInternationalUnion,Local1021. 717
01:44:06.710 --> 01:44:20.010
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Soover 7 months, thecity and SEIU met and conferred in good faith,and, came up with, keyelements and terms forthe successor MFU. 718
01:44:20.010 --> 01:44:30.349
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: agreeing on a one-time off-schedulepaymentof $3,000 for each member, whichmeans that doesn't get reported to PERS, so there isn't that ongoingcost.
01:44:30.520 --> 01:44:36.750
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: A3% salary increase, monthly bilingual stipend for up to2 employees.
720
01:44:36.850 --> 01:44:41.870
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And areimbursement program for Sonoma County RegionalParksPass.
721
01:44:42.090 --> 01:44:56.809
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Oncea year. And then, there's also some other non-monetary agreements around contractingout and things like that.So we're askingthe Council to approve thesuccessor MOU.
722
01:44:58.510 --> 01:45:01.040
Mayor McLewis: Okay, thank you. Any questions?
723
01:45:02.530 --> 01:45:03.650
Mayor McLewis: From anyone?
724
01:45:05.160 --> 01:45:06.130
MayorMcLewis:Okay.
01:45:06.590 --> 01:45:07.970
MayorMcLewis:Thankyou,Debra.
726
01:45:08.490 --> 01:45:09.340
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou.
727
01:45:10.400 --> 01:45:14.420
Mayor McLewis: Mary, do we want to go to public comment, since we don't have any questions?
728
01:45:14.420 --> 01:45:26.450
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou, Mayor. So this is public comment on theapprovalof theMemorandumof Understandingwith theSEIU BargainingGroup.If you'd like to make a public comment. Again, it's a two-minute public comment period. I will come toChambers first.
729
01:45:27.540 --> 01:45:33.869
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Seeing none, I will go out to Zoom. If there's anyone on Zoom that would like to make a public comment, Kyle, can you unmute yourself, please?
01:45:34.440 --> 01:45:35.380
Kyle Falbo: Yes, I can.
731
01:45:35.380 --> 01:45:36.930
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou, can you see the timer? 732
01:45:37.260 --> 01:45:38.350
KyleFalbo:Yeah,Ican.
733
01:45:38.350 --> 01:45:39.469
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Great,go ahead, please. 734
01:45:39.630 --> 01:45:51.720
Kyle Falbo: I'm bummed I had to step out of the room for amoment for the presentation, but I'm hoping that there was some clear communication to the public about just how long thisprocesswenton,and what
735
01:45:51.720 --> 01:46:10.799
Kyle Falbo: led up to the actual agreement, that there was, in fact, strike sanctions that were authorized by theunion as a result of failed negotiations that ledus to the point where we have this contract today. So I'm hopingthat that was clearlyarticulated in the, in the presentation tonight.
01:46:10.800 --> 01:46:16.929
KyleFalbo:Secondly,Ididn'thavea chancetoread through,buttherewasa public comment that somebody made, particularlyabout
737
01:46:16.970 --> 01:46:29.070
Kyle Falbo: A clause in there about… it seemed like a first right of refusal for providing services that were within scope of the job descriptions that are, withinthose 738
01:46:29.070 --> 01:46:44.449
Kyle Falbo: positions. This goes to a long-standing concern that I've shared with this council,which isthatweareregularlyoutsourcinglabor.Laborthatisunionized laborwith job descriptions that are well within the scopeof the employees that we have within the city.
739
01:46:44.690 --> 01:47:01.590
Kyle Falbo: So, I would just hope maybe a littlebit more context about that clause, and in particular about how, the responsibility ofcityand city management to make surethat the work that we areauthorizing is within scope.
740
01:47:01.600 --> 01:47:21.129
Kyle Falbo: of the employees that are doing that work, and that we're not using, you know, tactics like emergency need, or, you know, rather thanrecognizing deferred maintenance, right? So, when you defer the maintenance onyour infrastructure for as longas we have.
01:47:21.130 --> 01:47:25.089
Kyle Falbo: We get to aplace where we have emergency need of repair. 742
01:47:25.090 --> 01:47:40.839
Kyle Falbo: where if wehad actually authorized for ourown labor to provide that service to our city, then we wouldn't be in those positions where we're having to go to outside contractors at the last minute. So, maybe a little bit of addressing some of thosethings would be great. Thanks.
743
01:47:41.410 --> 01:47:49.860
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou, Kyle, for your public comment. Next, I will come into chambers. If anyone would like to make a public comment. Seeing none, I will go back out to Zoom. Lee, can you unmute yourself, please? 744
01:47:50.680 --> 01:47:51.200
Lee: Yep.
745
01:47:51.470 --> 01:47:53.070
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou, can you see the timer?
01:47:53.230 --> 01:47:53.860
Lee: I can.
747
01:47:53.860 --> 01:47:55.139
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Great,go ahead, please. 748
01:47:55.770 --> 01:48:15.210
Lee: Yeah, I think that was the public comment that Kyle was talking about, but since I've submitted my public comment, and I think this is a really, really ridiculous thing, this contracting out provision. It appearsthat it's a state law. That's interesting. It wasn't inthe explained inthe staff report, it would have saved me sometime, because then I would understand whywe'redoingit.
749
01:48:15.210 --> 01:48:23.090
Lee: I do think that, andthis is to Councilmember Hinton's, you know, comment about the inefficiencies of something like a $400,
750
01:48:23.390 --> 01:48:36.279
Lee: request that probably cost us$800 toprocess, through all ofthe levels of bureaucracy that wehave in a city of3,000 people. But,
751
01:48:36.360 --> 01:48:50.840
Lee: I think it would beworthwhile for somebody onthe Council to ask more about the45- day requirement before some RFP can be submitted. How is that going to bemanaged? Is it goingtohappenbeforethe
752
01:48:50.840 --> 01:49:05.480
Lee: City Council gets the RFP, so the unionwill meet with the city andthen agree to it so that they can submit it to the council. Does that delay every project by 45 days? It's a month and a half,that'sexpensivein an inflationaryenvironmentlikewe're in right now. 753
01:49:06.910 --> 01:49:16.050
Lee: And I just think it would be good to underst… for theCouncil to understand that maybe things are going tohappen a lot slower than they ever thought they were, if they ever thought they were moving fast. Thanks.
754
01:49:17.740 --> 01:49:29.690
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou, Lee, for your public comment. Next, I'll come back into thechambers. If there's anyone in chambers that would like to make a public comment. Seeing none, I will go back out to Zoom. If there's anyone on Zoom that would like to make a public comment, pleaseraise your hand virtually. 755
01:49:30.190 --> 01:49:32.689
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Seeing none, public comment is closed on this item.
01:49:33.880 --> 01:49:37.650
MayorMcLewis:Okay,we'rebackatthedais.Doesanyonehaveanycomments? 757
01:49:38.550 --> 01:49:40.509
Mayor McLewis: Before we… do we have amotion?
758
01:49:41.190 --> 01:49:43.760
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I'll goahead and move staff'srecommendation. 759
01:49:44.920 --> 01:49:46.340
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I'll second that. 760
01:49:46.960 --> 01:49:47.520
MayorMcLewis:Okay?
761
01:49:48.950 --> 01:50:05.829
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou. So moved by Councilmember Zolman, and seconded byViceMayorMaurertoapprovetheMemorandumofUnderstandingwith the Service Employees InternationalUnion, Local 1021. Councilmember Carter? Yes. Councilmember Hinton? Aye. CouncilmemberZolman? Yes. Vice Mayor Maurer? Aye.
01:50:05.940 --> 01:50:07.740
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yes, Mayor McLewis? 763
01:50:07.740 --> 01:50:08.320
Mayor McLewis: Yes.
764
01:50:08.320 --> 01:50:10.019
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Motion passes unanimously. 765
01:50:10.600 --> 01:50:12.560
MayorMcLewis:Thankyou.Alright.
766
01:50:12.930 --> 01:50:34.360
Mayor McLewis: Let's see, moving on to number 11,consideration ofgood cause determination for automatic removal of Planning Commissioner due to absences pursuant to Sebastobal Municipal Code Section 2.24.030. This is covered by… is it our planningand our city attorney, so I don't know who's planning to lead this. 767
01:50:35.890 --> 01:50:41.849
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I can… I can start this one, Mayor. Thank you. Jane Riley,InterimPlanningDirector,again,contractposition.
01:50:42.080 --> 01:50:48.999
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: We… it… This is rather an unfortunate item, and I'm sorry to be bringing it to you.
769
01:50:49.010 --> 01:50:59.550
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: We have a piece of our codethat says when a planning commissioner misses three meetingsin a row,they are automatically off of the commission.
770
01:50:59.550 --> 01:51:13.810
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: That'sa piece ofcode. That's not somethingthat we're able to do something about. We do haveCommissioner Kanzlerhere, who is here to make a good cause claim if theCity Council finds that 771
01:51:14.130 --> 01:51:26.039
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: he missed these meetings with good cause, then they mayreappoint him to the Commission immediately. If they do not find that good cause hasoccurred,then theywould declarevacancyon thePlanningCommission. 772
01:51:26.040 --> 01:51:45.799
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: again,effective immediately.And Commissioner Kanzler is here. I will say, in the Commissioner's defense, that I did not realize he was on 3 in a row until it had already happened. Had I realized that, I would have reached out,and we may have been ableto avoid this situation.So, just wanted to let you know that.
01:51:47.090 --> 01:51:53.439
Mayor McLewis: Okay, and Mia, is anyone… Our city attorney, were you doing anything on this, or just…
774
01:51:53.440 --> 01:52:02.020
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: No, happy to answer any questions. It's up to the council tonight whether or not to grant the good cause, or not. 775
01:52:02.990 --> 01:52:04.189
Mayor McLewis: Got it, okay.
776
01:52:04.830 --> 01:52:16.070
Mayor McLewis: So then the question I have is, we're backat the dais here. This is an unusual circumstancehere. I don't know, what the will of thecouncil is, if we'd like to hear from
777
01:52:16.290 --> 01:52:21.929
Mayor McLewis: From the Commissioner first,or ifyou just have questions that you'd just like to,
01:52:22.450 --> 01:52:23.900
Mayor McLewis: Go ahead, Vice Milk.
779
01:52:24.200 --> 01:52:26.080
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: He's standing at thepodium. 780
01:52:26.080 --> 01:52:27.749
Mayor McLewis: I'm sorry, I can't see the podium.
781
01:52:27.860 --> 01:52:31.109
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And so, I'd like to ask that he just make his statement.
782
01:52:31.310 --> 01:52:35.730
Mayor McLewis: Okay, sorry, yeah, now I can see. Thank you, sorry, I didn't realize. Go ahead.
783
01:52:36.320 --> 01:53:00.290
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yeah, thank you. Alex Kanzler,I think technically former PlanningCommissioner, I served on thePlanning Commission from September 16th,2025through March 16th,2026, when I was then informedby, Interim Director, Jane that I was in violation of Code 2.24.030 vacancy and removal.
01:53:00.720 --> 01:53:16.600
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I wasdefinitely disappointed. I take responsibility for knowing thecode. Ishould have read through it indetail. I should have been more aware, that this provision was in place, and that it was incumbent uponme tofulfill it. That said,
785
01:53:16.600 --> 01:53:32.010
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I sent a very… what I thought was a very detailed, email explanation of events, and sort of my point ofview on both my time in the Council and my time during theabsences. I sent that tocity staff, as well as Planning Commission, as well as,
786
01:53:32.010 --> 01:53:34.090
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: theCity Council here, so… 787
01:53:34.090 --> 01:53:54.960
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: That kind of lays out, everything. Hopefully everybody's somewhat familiar with it. I'm happy to take questions about any of that. If you guys want me to read itinto the record, I'm happy to, but, generally, you know,I'm open for questions, comments,concerns, cross-examination, points of clarification, and I'd love to be back on the Planning Commission if you guys want me. 788
01:53:55.970 --> 01:53:57.990
Mayor McLewis: Councilmember Zolman?
789
01:53:58.990 --> 01:54:04.530
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Well, first, thankyou for being here, and yes, can definitely commiserate,
790
01:54:05.960 --> 01:54:24.509
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: withthe need to keep on all the various rules and regulations, for any one position. My question,since you are here, is now that you know this, and in reading through your email, it doessound like your business andyourbusiness situation is…
791
01:54:24.780 --> 01:54:26.020
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: is a lot.
792
01:54:26.350 --> 01:54:42.560
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: So, now that you know this, and you know the importance, at least tome as a council member, for the PlanningCommission to meet when it needs to meet, and the meetings, as you kind of indicated inthe email, are haphazard,buttheywillbehaphazard.
793
01:54:42.900 --> 01:54:53.870
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And we are expecting, when somethingthat needs to go through Planet Commission, that there be a full body to hear it, to provide recommendations to us, because we're not experts.
794
01:54:53.870 --> 01:55:04.679
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Inthearea, right? So having, like, now a full appreciation of what the job entails, are you available? Should we decide to find good cause and reinstate you?
795
01:55:06.960 --> 01:55:19.040
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Honestly, Councilman, I'm not entirely sure how to answer that. You acknowledge that the meeting calendar is haphazard. I outline in my email that my travel schedule for work is subject to a lot of other factors. 796
01:55:19.040 --> 01:55:43.500
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: wouldsay, if this is relevant, that for two ofthe three meetings that I missed, I submitted comments both tocity staff and to my fellow council members. I wasn't instructed todo that. I didn't know what I was supposed to do when I missed ameeting. The first time I reached out to city staff with my comments, concerns, following all the agenda items, you know, suggestions, comments, etc, I never heard back. The second time when I reached out to a
797
01:55:43.500 --> 01:55:44.959
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: TowerCouncilmember.
01:55:44.960 --> 01:55:52.270
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: They sent me back in text that I should just talk to staff, so I was really kind of lost, onwhat that does. 799
01:55:52.340 --> 01:55:59.080
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Ithinkit would be beneficial,whether I'm onthe council or not, for there to be some sort of procedure or playbook for what, 800
01:55:59.190 --> 01:56:18.919
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: planning commissioner is meant to do if they can't attend ameeting in purpose, or excuse me, in person. But yeah, to your point, the calendar's haphazard, you know, most of my travel is limited to the firstquarter oftheyear, but yeah, to be perfectly honest withyou, if I have an opportunity to gosell wine and supportmybusinessin a high wine-consumingmarket,
801
01:56:19.220 --> 01:56:20.340
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I will go do that. 802
01:56:21.300 --> 01:56:23.529
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Well, thank you forthe honesty. 803
01:56:25.660 --> 01:56:26.610
Mayor McLewis: Vice Mayor?
804
01:56:27.620 --> 01:56:35.179
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I'm gonna ask the same question a little bit differently, but are you able to prioritize the Planning Commission meetings, or is yourwork 805
01:56:35.710 --> 01:56:38.169
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Gonna be prioritized. 806
01:56:38.260 --> 01:56:56.049
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Imean, you kind of answered that, but… My work is prioritized. I would add that before February, I had a perfect attendance record. I never missed a meetingfrom September 2016, whenI was appointed bythis council, all the way through themonth ofJanuary, so it was circumstantialthat I missedthese meetings, especiallythreein a row.
807
01:56:56.050 --> 01:57:01.319
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I wasnot aware of the rule. I really… I think, as I showed in my email, I tried to be
808
01:57:01.340 --> 01:57:24.879
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: extremely communicative as to where my… what my whereabouts were, and still participating inall agenda items, keeping up to date with,
what was coming before the Council, communicating with my fellow Planning Commissioner members. But yeah, as far as the crux of the question, you know, I run a four-person familybusinessin an extremelychallengingenvironmentrightnow.Soyeah, it's…
809
01:57:25.160 --> 01:57:33.530
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I haveto prioritize my family business. It literally puts food on the table. Just to clarify, the Planning Commission meetings, they meet on 810
01:57:33.660 --> 01:57:48.390
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: the second and the fourth Tuesdays, so is it possible for you to carve those out, knowing that, you know, that those are… whether they're canceled or they're not canceled, can you carve those out as a priority? 811
01:57:48.400 --> 01:57:53.960
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Absolutely, and to the extent that the calendar staysconsistent,which…
812
01:57:54.040 --> 01:58:12.179
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: was not my experience for the first part of my tenure. Yes, it will absolutely, like, factor into my travel plans, 100%. Yeah, I don't understand that, because I think the PlanningCommission meetingsare the second and fourth,and if theydon'thappen,they'rejustcanceled.Sohow aretheyinconsistentif they'rehappeningthesecond andthefourth?
01:58:12.340 --> 01:58:22.130
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I would ask for a little bit of grace, like, I got onthis on September 16th, the extent of mytraining for the PlanningCommission was about a 30- minute Zoom call withanother interim planner.
814
01:58:22.190 --> 01:58:36.819
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: bunch of meetings were canceled, we had this walking meeting, that was cool, and so I was really just kind of getting in the flow ofthings. When I did have the absences, again, I felt I over-communicated both to citystaff and to fellow planningcommissioners,and
815
01:58:37.230 --> 01:58:51.930
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: did my best. So I have onemore, and I just want to impress upon you the idea that submitting comments is not the same as being at a meeting and actuallydialoguingwith yourplanningcommissioners,becausethat'sthewaythat 816
01:58:51.940 --> 01:59:03.420
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: gooddecisions get made is in that dialogue, listening to the public, listening to each other, and making decisions from there. It's not enough to just submit comments. The five-person board isreallycritical. 817
01:59:03.440 --> 01:59:06.059
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: In terms of that decision-making.
01:59:06.470 --> 01:59:07.120
MayorMcLewis:Iwanna…
819
01:59:07.120 --> 01:59:08.250
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I don't disagree. 820
01:59:08.410 --> 01:59:12.779
Mayor McLewis: I want to give CouncilmemberHinton a chance to askher questions. She's had herhand up forawhile.
821
01:59:14.110 --> 01:59:19.290
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou. My first question is, just like our mayor's zooming in tonight, canyou zoom in from location? 822
01:59:19.500 --> 01:59:23.750
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yes, Iwas advised that I could attend via Zoom, but I cannot.
823
01:59:23.970 --> 01:59:25.830
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: be a part of thecouncilor vote.
01:59:26.630 --> 01:59:28.480
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Okay,so…
825
01:59:28.840 --> 01:59:36.650
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Is that true? We have to notice that ahead of time. We'd have to… we'd have to know ahead of time. We have to be able toput the address 826
01:59:36.800 --> 01:59:42.999
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: From where the Council, commissioner is attending remotelyon the agenda, so we need to know…
827
01:59:43.000 --> 01:59:45.349
Mayor McLewis: So that would be 72 hours ahead of time, right? 828
01:59:45.350 --> 01:59:52.390
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Correct. Probably more like 96 hours, so we can get it on theagenda bythe time it's published.
829
01:59:52.630 --> 01:59:57.219
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Would you be able to accommodate that, do you think, if you were traveling? Absolutely.
01:59:57.420 --> 01:59:58.240
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Okay?
831
01:59:58.400 --> 02:00:04.200
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I had another question, but now I've forgotten it. Hmm…
832
02:00:05.140 --> 02:00:08.050
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I'll let you guys go, and I'll come back. 833
02:00:09.550 --> 02:00:33.170
Mayor McLewis: I had a… I had a question just… so… so zooming in is… isn't… that was the… the one question I had for thecity staff, was that…that is zooming in, so who is it that is publishing… just remind me, who is it that's publishing these agendas, and whowould, need to have this communication with them for the96 hours? I just want to be clear sothat we're allon the same page. City staff?
834
02:00:33.790 --> 02:00:38.790
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: So… Planning staff would bethe one that would beresponsiblefortheagenda.
02:00:38.850 --> 02:00:56.859
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Commissioner Kansler would need to let them know ahead oftime theaddress, location, phone number. We would need to post that onto the agenda. They would also need to post the location where that meeting is going to take place. It would have tobe available. But he would be able to zoom in that way. But yes, it would be to the planning staff.
836
02:00:56.940 --> 02:01:00.960
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Theywould put it on the agenda, and thenwe would post it with the packet.
837
02:01:01.560 --> 02:01:19.550
Mayor McLewis: And then the other question Ihave, just for semantics, so that, again, all on the same page, when meetings are canceled, is… are these all just… is it… I don't know how this works. Is it… is it done way ahead oftime, or is it last minute?I'm just wondering, so that allcommissioners, you know.
838
02:01:19.550 --> 02:01:34.380
Mayor McLewis: we can respect their time, because obviously they'renot being paid, they need to have their jobs,just like the rest of us, so we can survive. Who,you know, who decides when they're canceled, and how…what kind of notice is given forthat? 839
02:01:34.650 --> 02:01:43.750
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: In mybrief experience, ameeting cancellation took placeat the previous meeting, so at the end of X meeting, we said, oh, we're not going to have a meeting twoweeks from now.
02:01:43.750 --> 02:01:44.200
Mayor McLewis: I see.
841
02:01:44.200 --> 02:01:48.869
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: So… And to schedule professional travel, two weeks is not a lot of heads up.
842
02:01:50.000 --> 02:01:58.540
Mayor McLewis: Got it, yeah, I used to travel a lot, so, okay. All right, I just wanted, I just wanted to have that, you know, public conversation so that we can, 843
02:01:58.810 --> 02:02:04.430
Mayor McLewis: you know, help. So anyway, are there any other questions? If not, we'll go to public comment.
844
02:02:06.110 --> 02:02:09.050
Mayor McLewis: No? Okay, thank you so much, Alex.
845
02:02:09.810 --> 02:02:18.440
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou, Zano. This is for public comment for the determination ofthe Just Cause. If you'd like to make a public comment, I willcome to Chambers first. Again, there's a 2-minute time limit.
846
02:02:19.170 --> 02:02:22.569
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Seeing none, I'll go out to Zoom. Kyle, can you mute yourself, please?
847
02:02:22.870 --> 02:02:23.650
KyleFalbo:Ican.
848
02:02:23.810 --> 02:02:25.149
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou, can you see the timer still? 849
02:02:25.700 --> 02:02:26.040
Kyle Falbo: I can't.
850
02:02:26.320 --> 02:02:27.430
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Great,go ahead, please. 851
02:02:27.700 --> 02:02:31.810
Kyle Falbo: There's a kind of a clear distinctionbetween, 852
02:02:32.460 --> 02:02:38.570
Kyle Falbo: the role of the Planning Commission, and the roleof, say, a City Council member.
853
02:02:38.790 --> 02:02:44.660
Kyle Falbo: that, with the Planning Commission, there's… 854
02:02:45.030 --> 02:02:50.789
Kyle Falbo: Less likelihood of, kind of, specialized meetings that wouldbe necessary. 855
02:02:50.980 --> 02:02:52.900
KyleFalbo:There's…
856
02:02:53.070 --> 02:03:02.319
Kyle Falbo: The scope of the process andthe scheduling of the agenda items is a little bit more consistent and predictable.
857
02:03:02.730 --> 02:03:14.250
Kyle Falbo: And then on the other side, city council members are actually paid for their service, and also receive the, ability of health benefits, which, to the tune of thousands of dollars each year.
858
02:03:14.540 --> 02:03:32.429
KyleFalbo:Sotheidea aboutbeingcriticalabouttheattendanceof a planning commissioner, Ithink it's important that we, asa community, also lookat just our attendance policies forother bodies, considering City Council. And somaybe, we've had a lot ofconversation tonight about, you know.
859
02:03:32.490 --> 02:03:46.239
KyleFalbo:accommodations,andbeingabletobeflexible,and thingslikethat,utilizing technology, things like Zoom, noticing as beinga concern. I would hope that maybe as a community.
860
02:03:46.240 --> 02:03:50.449
Kyle Falbo: We could start having some dialogue about attendance policies forcitycouncil members.
861
02:03:50.450 --> 02:04:06.440
Kyle Falbo: It seems like this is a great topic tobe discussing, and hopefully that we can expand the scope of conversation about attendance to beconsideringthe attendance of our council members, and whether or not they're adequately providing the service that we are appointing them todo.
02:04:06.440 --> 02:04:09.690
KyleFalbo:whilethey'rein,theirtenure.Thanks.
863
02:04:10.780 --> 02:04:14.119
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou, Kyle, for your public comment. Again, I will come back intochambers.
864
02:04:15.450 --> 02:04:16.005
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: See…
865
02:04:16.670 --> 02:04:23.270
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Hangon just for a second, let me go through public comment first. Thanks. I will go back out to Zoom. Everett, canyou unmute yourself, please?
866
02:04:24.890 --> 02:04:26.860
Evert F: Yes, can you hear me okay?
867
02:04:26.860 --> 02:04:28.510
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I can hear you, can you see the timer?
02:04:28.510 --> 02:04:32.460
Evert F: Let's see… I… yes, I can see it.
869
02:04:32.460 --> 02:04:33.509
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Great,go ahead, please. 870
02:04:33.510 --> 02:04:39.480
Evert F: All right, thankyou. Hello, my name is Everett Fernandez, serving as the current chairof thePlanningCommission.
871
02:04:39.790 --> 02:04:49.510
Evert F: I wanted to make a comment on, the situation. So, I believe that, to, 872
02:04:49.960 --> 02:04:54.570
Evert F: to be fair, I don't believe that, Council…that Alex 873
02:04:54.800 --> 02:04:58.569
Evert F: Hadmaybe properly been instructed and been given
02:04:58.600 --> 02:05:10.970
Evert F:correct information as far as, hey, this is… PlanningCommission, this is how it works, instructed with,rules, for example, theBrown Act, because if he's, sending text to other
875
02:05:10.970 --> 02:05:24.960
Evert F:commissioners and expressing his opinion. Not supposed to be doing that. He had… he did, send me an email, telling me that he had some opinions on an item, and I responded to him to say, you know.
876
02:05:24.960 --> 02:05:35.459
Evert F: You cangive me the opinions, but I can't speak on his behalf. As far asthe process, Mary and I are going tobe meeting tomorrow.
877
02:05:35.460 --> 02:05:48.330
Evert F: And we're going to… we are developinga package that can be given out to planning commissioners, and, you know, with all the process, and allthe rules, and thetraining and so forth, which islacking.
878
02:05:48.360 --> 02:06:04.329
Evert F: To…the timethat I've served with Alex,he's been a good addition to the Commission.Iappreciatehisviewpoints.He'sbeen verydiligentin hisresponseand research andsoforth.
02:06:04.330 --> 02:06:20.850
Evert F: So, I personallywould appreciate having him on, on, onthe committee, and making sure that, you know, he's well aware of allthe rules and trainings, as Imentioned, we're going to be taken care of, and I thinkas long ashe's very clear on the rules for remote, 880
02:06:20.850 --> 02:06:26.100
Evert F: attendance, that could certainly, coversome of the meetings there. So, thank you. 881
02:06:27.180 --> 02:06:32.040
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou for your publiccomment. Next, I will come back into chambers, if there's anyone inchambers. 882
02:06:39.330 --> 02:06:45.890
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Daniele Petron, from Agenda Item Number 8, I just wanted to quickly say that as a PlanningCommissioner myself. 883
02:06:46.660 --> 02:06:52.180
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: for the town where I live, I willsay that the lack of…
884
02:06:53.230 --> 02:07:00.520
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: explanation on the roles and duties is very much a thingthat other towns in California share. I just want to note that the,
02:07:00.930 --> 02:07:05.140
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: California League of Cities does a yearly Planning Commissioner's Academy.
886
02:07:05.340 --> 02:07:24.810
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Which I found to be a super helpful crashcourse in things like theBrownAct, things like the expectations of Planning Commissioners. I, myself,wasappointed 24hoursbeforemyfirstPlanningCommission meeting,and Ishare the sort of sense of a whirlwind of all of the rules and regulations, andso just wanted to know thatthat'sa resourcethat'savailable.
887
02:07:25.460 --> 02:07:30.379
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou, Jenny Lee. Next, I'll go out to Zoom. Oliver, can you unmuteyourself, please?
888
02:07:30.380 --> 02:07:31.760
Oliver: Yep, I'm unmuted.
889
02:07:31.760 --> 02:07:33.089
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou. Can you see the timer?
02:07:33.090 --> 02:07:33.920
Oliver:Ican,yeah.
891
02:07:33.920 --> 02:07:34.449
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Go ahead, please. 892
02:07:34.450 --> 02:07:48.360
Oliver: Yeah. I just… I think that this, definitely should be reinstated. I mean, the reality is, California cities,there's so much bureaucracyand so much work that has to be done by cities to…
893
02:07:48.520 --> 02:08:02.879
Oliver: cross all the T's and dot all the I's, and the Brown Act with the state, and so on and so forth. I mean, Kyle was kind of pretty much incorrect just now, because state law already regulatesthe councillor's attendance policy. Imean…
894
02:08:03.190 --> 02:08:14.130
Oliver: Everything's set in stone, and where things fall apart is when the stones aren't explained tothe individuals who aretrying to get their hands around how all of these very complex systems work, so…
895
02:08:14.260 --> 02:08:27.159
Oliver: I mean, we're a tiny little city, andwe have to deal with so much federal andcounty and state bureaucracy that, you know, it's pretty hard for everybody toget their hands around that, Ithink.
896
02:08:27.260 --> 02:08:28.670
Oliver: That's my comment.
897
02:08:29.780 --> 02:08:35.149
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou, Oliver, for your public comment. Next, Iwillcomebackintochambers,if there'sanyonein chambers. 898
02:08:35.780 --> 02:08:42.540
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Seeing none, I will go back out to Zoom. If there's anyone on Zoom that would like to make a public comment on this item, please raise your hand virtually.
899
02:08:43.130 --> 02:08:45.789
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Seeing none, public comment is closed on this item.
900
02:08:46.780 --> 02:08:50.219
Mayor McLewis: All right, thank you, we're back. Councilmember Zolman, you have a comment?
02:08:50.220 --> 02:08:51.720
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yes,
902
02:08:51.910 --> 02:09:02.330
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Through the discussion, we heard that the Chair of the Planning Commission is meeting with Mary. Mary, can you tell us a little bit more about this handbook for guidance for this commission?
903
02:09:02.330 --> 02:09:13.039
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And Iask it globally, becausethese challenges are not just with the Planning Commission. I can speak individually, beingon acommittee with new citizens.
904
02:09:13.040 --> 02:09:14.569
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: This isa lot.
905
02:09:14.570 --> 02:09:38.610
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And Ithink that there is discussions over general citizen handbook. Canyou talk about that? Sothere are. So there's acouple different things. So tomorrow, when I'm meeting withthe chair, it was specific to the Planning Commission, but we are looking intocommittee boards commissiontype of handbooks, because there are different things fordifferent committees. Some for standing, some for ad hoc. There are specific rules for the PlanningCommission.
02:09:38.700 --> 02:09:50.589
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Sothis is our first attempt tosee what are those requirements, and yes,we do have the Cal Cities. Thank you, I do have that information. It's going to be similar tothe City Council handbook.
907
02:09:50.590 --> 02:10:09.690
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: whereit discusses trainings, requirements, the code, things like that. So it… there's…there's two different tracks. There's a tract for the standingcommittees, ad hoccommittees that I'm working on, and then there'salso one specific to the PlanningCommission. There's going to be generalities across the board, you know, like, how manymeetings can you miss, things like that, so… 908
02:10:10.040 --> 02:10:29.889
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: definitely workingon different tracks, but at the same time to bring it back. But for tomorrow, there is a lot for the Planning Commission that the Chair and I are going to work on. We're going to lookat topics, we'lltake those to the PlanningCommission tomakesurethatPlanningCommissionershavean orientation and gothrough everything,and then theyhaveahandbooktoknow 909
02:10:29.940 --> 02:10:32.319
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Like,what's… what the requirements are. 910
02:10:32.560 --> 02:10:33.090
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou.
911
02:10:33.090 --> 02:10:34.129
Mayor McLewis: I remember hitting.
912
02:10:35.810 --> 02:10:37.530
Mayor McLewis: I, Councilmember Hint.
913
02:10:37.890 --> 02:10:43.590
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Oh, sorry. So it brings up a question that oneof, 914
02:10:44.180 --> 02:10:49.470
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: our planningcommissionersonline brought up, which is,if…PlanningCommission.
915
02:10:49.480 --> 02:11:09.179
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: our planningcommissioner,or even us, were… had to be absent and wanted to submit comments on an agenda item. What arethe rules about that? We only submit that for public record, like a citizen, and it can't be read?I'm curious about that. Yeah, so, the Brown Act prohibits
02:11:09.310 --> 02:11:22.869
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center:council member, any… any member of anyof our boards, from communicating with eachother,a majority of the board,outside of a notice meeting. So if someone wants to share theirthoughts on 917
02:11:23.120 --> 02:11:26.049
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: something. They should send it to staff. 918
02:11:26.230 --> 02:11:30.660
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And then staff will do one of two things. 919
02:11:30.800 --> 02:11:47.100
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Iftheyget it before the agenda is published, we can put it on at the same time the agenda is published, like we would the staff report. And that way, the public and the commissioners allget it at the same time,andavailableno matter what time you look at the agenda.
920
02:11:47.330 --> 02:12:01.539
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And it's… it's there for you. Ifwe get them after that period of time, wedon't want to add it to the agenda at that point, because if a memberof thepublic'salreadydownloaded and looked attheagenda,they'renotgoing to know thatthesecommentshavebeen added.
02:12:01.540 --> 02:12:12.839
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Sowewould distribute those at themeeting, you know, as part of the notice meeting. Yeah, they'd be on the table. Generally, they aren't read out loud, they're just there for commissioners to
922
02:12:12.920 --> 02:12:23.819
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Review, and ofcourse, if you're not there in person, you can't, you know, it's up to eachcommissioner whether totake that into consideration. You can't vote remote, you know, if you're not there in person or anythinglike that.
923
02:12:28.700 --> 02:12:38.770
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: You can't vote. Sorry, but I meant you can't vote by proxy. Like, you can't… if you… if you're remote, you can vote, but you can't. You can't vote by… you can't send your vote in. Okay, sorry forthat. Okay. 924
02:12:41.820 --> 02:12:43.889
Mayor McLewis: Okay, Councilmember Carter?
925
02:12:44.730 --> 02:12:48.129
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Imean, obviously, we're stillstruggling. 926
02:12:48.840 --> 02:12:53.100
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: But that said, if… if the… if Alex, if… 927
02:12:53.300 --> 02:12:59.000
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: ifyou're struggling with your family or you're busy with your business, I certainly understand.
928
02:12:59.090 --> 02:13:15.880
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And, if you're choosing to, beon the board, I would support it fora number of reasons, but also for efficiency for ourselves, forcontinuity reasons,butit'scertainlyunderstandabletonothavea fullgrasp of theobligations,but 929
02:13:16.140 --> 02:13:20.020
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yeah,second and… second and… what is it? Second and fourth Tuesdays?
930
02:13:20.410 --> 02:13:21.460
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Market.
931
02:13:23.090 --> 02:13:25.530
Mayor McLewis: Vice… oh, Vice Mayor?
02:13:26.580 --> 02:13:42.860
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: So, I'dlike to make a motion to approvethat good causehasbeen shown forCommissionerAlexCantzler'sabsencesfromtheFebruary10th, the 24th, and March10th Planning Commission meetings, and direct that he be reappointed to the Planning Commission.
933
02:13:43.050 --> 02:13:51.560
Mayor McLewis: I'd like to… I'd like to havetheopportunity tocomment before we… I haven't had that yet, if that's okay, and Councilmember Hinton… I'm…yeah, sorry. 934
02:13:52.720 --> 02:13:58.300
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Well, yeah, I just had my handup also, so, do you want to go first, or I'll go?
935
02:13:58.300 --> 02:14:06.449
Mayor McLewis: Oh, go ahead, I just want to have the opportunity. I'm trying to let everyone else go before me, but then people are jumping ahead withmotions before I even have a chance.
936
02:14:06.450 --> 02:14:21.319
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yeah, I just want to makea comment, I'm gonna be supportive of this tonight, and, I'vemade mistakes myself and had to go through a prep course with, some of my forms, so I can completely understand how,
02:14:21.740 --> 02:14:27.690
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: it canbe hard to figure out, and based on your letter, I felt like you already…
938
02:14:27.770 --> 02:14:44.110
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: You obviously want the position, you just got a little confused. I understand I have a full-time job, too. Sometimes I'ma little late to council, because I'm fightingtrafficcoming from Healdsburg, so, I'm definitelyfor reinstatingandappreciateyou,
939
02:14:44.300 --> 02:14:46.760
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Takingthe effort to want to continue to serve. 940
02:14:47.920 --> 02:15:12.519
Mayor McLewis: And I just wanted to have theopportunity to expresssupport, too. I, too, workfull-time, and I completely understand, and especially when you're new to this, it's a lot. It's a lot of information, and I appreciatethe email that you sent detailingand also helping us to understand what the process is and where we can improve. Because I do hope that we can get toa point where whatevercommittees are associated with what departmentsand
941
02:15:12.520 --> 02:15:17.529
Mayor McLewis: I'm gonna leave this tocitymanager… interim city manager, but I…
02:15:17.530 --> 02:15:40.819
Mayor McLewis: from my own perspective, I'm just going to speak andsay I hope that our, you know, we can get to the point where our department heads, are able to have this orientation with any… with any ofthe commissions or the different committees thatare associated with their departments, and get everyone on board, and wecan get into some type of cadence sothatpeople don't get into this position, because I'm sure it's frustrating, and
943
02:15:40.820 --> 02:15:57.320
MayorMcLewis:embarrassing,and allthesedifferentthings,because,youknow,they're… people who get onthese commissions are clearly professionals who just want to make a difference in thecommunity, and, we want tomake it as easy as possible for themto do that. So, I also just wanted to secondthe, the,
944
02:15:57.570 --> 02:16:16.959
Mayor McLewis: how helpful the CowCity's, orientations and different, you know, educational offerings that theyprovide. I've learned a lot overtime, so Iencourage anyone who has that opportunity and is new to go tothat. So, anyways, I just wanted to express that support tonight. So, I know we have a motion, we have a second, so, Mary, if you want to…
945
02:16:17.850 --> 02:16:25.470
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I'm gonna check, no morecomments, so I'll move forward with themotion. So moved by Vice Mayor Maurerand seconded by Councilmember Zolman.
02:16:25.470 --> 02:16:41.069
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: To, approve the reappointment of Alex Candler to the Planning Commission fora term to expire December 30th, 31st, 2027. Councilmember Carter? Yes.Councilmember Hinton? Aye. Councilmember Zolman? Yes. Vice Mayor Maurer? Yes. Mayor McLewis?
947
02:16:41.740 --> 02:16:42.549
Mayor McLewis: Yes.
948
02:16:42.559 --> 02:16:44.399
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Motion passes unanimously. 949
02:16:45.899 --> 02:16:55.899
MayorMcLewis:Iwanted todoa quickcheckwith everybody,if anyoneneedsa break before we move on to item 12, because it's, almost 20 after 8. Is that a yes? 950
02:16:55.900 --> 02:16:56.209
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yes,ma'.
951
02:16:56.539 --> 02:17:01.229
Mayor McLewis: Okay, so do we need 5 or 10? Someone chime in. 02:17:01.230 --> 02:17:02.200
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: 10. Five.
953
02:17:02.209 --> 02:17:02.579
Mayor McLewis: F.
954
02:17:02.580 --> 02:17:03.360
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: 7.
955
02:17:05.690 --> 02:17:10.619
Mayor McLewis: Alright, so we'll be backat, let's see, what time is it now? 825. 956
02:17:11.540 --> 02:17:12.110
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Nope.
957
02:17:16.080 --> 02:17:18.500
Mayor McLewis: Alright, we are back, everyone.
958
02:17:19.770 --> 02:17:27.269
Mayor McLewis: We are still… let's see, we're still in our, regular discussion and action items, number 12.
959
02:17:27.920 --> 02:17:39.069
Mayor McLewis: Consideration and discussionof requests for direction to staff for researching city locations for soccer fields, and the requester is CouncilmemberCarter. 960
02:17:39.230 --> 02:17:45.000
Mayor McLewis: And then it says Public Worksand Planning, so I'm not clear on who's start kicking this off for us.
961
02:17:47.309 --> 02:17:55.259
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Goodevening, Mayor. This is Oriana Hart, a Public Works Director. I'm gonna kick it off andthen pass it to our representative from Wesco. 962
02:17:55.589 --> 02:18:12.479
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: So it was requested by Councilmember Carter and Wesco forthis item to be brought before City Council forconsideration ofpotential locations for soccer fields within the City of Sebastopol. And Wesco has a presentation that they're going to go through to kind of talk through what that might look like. 963
02:18:12.479 --> 02:18:18.099
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And I'm gonna run that for you, so just hit me up next slide when you're ready. Okay, thank you, Oriana, appreciate it. 964
02:18:18.309 --> 02:18:22.879
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And thank you, Mayor McLewis and the City Council for having us tonight.
965
02:18:22.929 --> 02:18:42.199
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: We'vegot an exciting project that we've been working on that I'm going to present toyou tonight, but first, I just want to give you a little bit about myself, a little bit about WESCO, and so you just have some of that background. My name's Steve Jobs, andI'm onthe WESCO board. I'm a resident of Sebastopol for the last 8 years. I'm a lifelong soccer player, and I'm a
966
02:18:42.199 --> 02:18:43.879
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: 15-yearsoccercoach. 967
02:18:43.929 --> 02:18:47.779
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Icoach the highest level Boysteam in our club. 968
02:18:47.969 --> 02:18:59.389
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I'm also the director for the Apple Classic Soccer Tournament, which is the largest soccer tournament inthe North Bay. We host about 160- plus teams from allaround Northern California.
969
02:19:01.469 --> 02:19:17.979
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And so that's a little bit about myself. I also have a day job, just like everybody else does, so I'm an information technology executive at one of the largest winecompanies here in Santa Rosa, so I have a pretty demanding job on top of all the soccer stuff that I thoroughly enjoy, andso I'm excited to be here to talk to you tonight.
970
02:19:18.509 --> 02:19:31.499
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: A little bit about WESCO. That's our first slide there. So, we have a 51-year history here in Sebastopol. We have about 1,300 members currentlyandgrowing.We'vebeen growingreallyexponentiallysincethepandemic. 971
02:19:31.519 --> 02:19:39.529
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Prettytough time for us at that point. But we've been growing. We host over 750 soccer gamesa year.
972
02:19:39.679 --> 02:19:57.779
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: 500 ofwhich are actually withclubs outside of the area of Sebastopol,soincludingSanta Rosa,Napa County,Marin County,Mendocino County. Those clubs come to us to play soccergames, and there's about 500 ofthose games that occur where we're bringing folks into Sebastopol
02:19:57.779 --> 02:20:00.119
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: You know, bringingcommerceto the community. 974
02:20:00.119 --> 02:20:08.239
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: At a significant level. It's not been measured, but, you know, you could… you could argue there'squite a few visitors that come in here just due to WESCO.
975
02:20:08.489 --> 02:20:16.499
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: We serve over5,000 families, which include those out-of-towners that I'm talking about. We employ over 100 referees per year. 976
02:20:16.669 --> 02:20:31.389
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And we co-manage5differentschool,fields, where we help with lining of the fields, care of the gopher problems that we see in our region out here, and wealso care for the Rago Ranch fields as well. 977
02:20:31.549 --> 02:20:48.999
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: We manage 300 volunteers annually, and our budget as a club, and I'm the treasurer ofthe club as well, is about $535,000 andgrowing, because our membership pool is growing, our programs are growing, so obviously our budgetary figures growas well.
02:20:49.649 --> 02:20:51.359
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I can go to the next slide. 979
02:20:52.939 --> 02:21:10.599
SebastopolCommunityCulturalCenter:Okay.Challenges,right? Fieldchallengeshas been the number one item since I've been part of this club. I've coached in other communities as well that have had, you know,dedicated soccer space for the soccer community. Sebastopol just does not havethat.
980
02:21:10.959 --> 02:21:26.259
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Obviously there's, Regal Ranch is a key componentof whereweplay,and wedo,workcloselywith thecounty,Linda Hopkins included, to figure out how we can really revamp those fields, because they are in such bad shape.
981
02:21:26.479 --> 02:21:30.839
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: But that is a multi-million dollar project, multiyear project. 982
02:21:30.909 --> 02:21:42.829
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: That'sgonna take significantwork. That is complementary to what we're talking about tonight. Tonight we're talking about all-weather playing surfaces that can be used all year round.
02:21:42.889 --> 02:21:51.939
SebastopolCommunityCulturalCenter:alsoduringtheevenings,whereasRegalRanch we can't use in the winter because it's closed, right, due to thenature of the, natural grass fields.
984
02:21:52.389 --> 02:22:00.099
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Sebastopol has no public soccer space, right? It's got space for othertypes of athletics,right? Swimming, baseball. 985
02:22:00.159 --> 02:22:15.689
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: tennis, it even has a skateboarding dedicated space, but it has no dedicated soccer space. And we actually, support the entire West County community, soall the wayfrom Fort Ross, all the waydown to,Dillon Beach. 986
02:22:15.809 --> 02:22:24.969
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: all theway into Sebast Fool. That is basically our pool ofplayers and members. So we operate a very large swath oftheWest County. 987
02:22:26.169 --> 02:22:40.419
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Givenour large number of games, large numberof members and programs that weoperate, we are required to go out of Sebastopol to find space, and so we do operate on 17 other fieldsoutside of the Sebastopol area, which include
02:22:40.549 --> 02:22:52.249
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Not even listed here, but Occidental, Place to Play in Santa Rosa, El Molino High School, Piner High School, Elsie Allen High School, where we do practices, games, and tournaments.
989
02:22:53.279 --> 02:22:54.809
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Okay,we can go to the next slide. 990
02:22:57.069 --> 02:23:02.369
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: So, what I'm here to talk toyou about tonight is what's called a soccercourt or amini-pitch.
991
02:23:02.789 --> 02:23:11.669
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Theseare… just to explain what this is, these are just a modular, type, unit that's built off-site and then assembled on-site. 992
02:23:11.759 --> 02:23:23.969
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Theycome in various different sizes, but you can imagine it's basically about the same size as a tennis court. They comein different surfaces,right? Soyoucan havehardsurfaceground orartificialgrass. 993
02:23:24.129 --> 02:23:38.279
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: There's netting, there's lighting, again, various sizes, but these are great for, urban areas that don't have a lot of space for full-size soccer complexes, like Sebastopool. It's a perfect location for one of thesethings. 994
02:23:38.619 --> 02:23:41.839
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Theseare year-round,facilities. 995
02:23:41.879 --> 02:23:47.439
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Right,so there's, LED lighting that's directed onto the surface.
996
02:23:47.439 --> 02:24:05.989
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: There's multiple vendors options that are out there.Thesearebecomingvery,verypopular.They'realreadypopularin international locations, but they're becomingmuch more popular here domestically. And you can see some of the photos I'vegot off to theright. Youcan't see those very well, but there's one there called the UrbanSoccer Park.
997
02:24:06.059 --> 02:24:16.539
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Which is one of thevendors that we've been talking to. And then there's also the U.S. Soccer Foundation, which also is anothervendor. It's a non-profit that provides these types ofmini-pitches. 998
02:24:16.929 --> 02:24:33.369
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Sothere's multiple options out there, we've explored several. The effective build cost, which effectively WESCO would be funding through our own resources, as well as sponsors and donations, is about $150,000 to $200,000 per court.
02:24:33.799 --> 02:24:48.419
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Again,it just depends on the features and functions andthe size, that we procure. And then the annual maintenance cost is roughly about $12,000 to $15,000 a year, which Wescowould also maintainand handle under our own expensebudget.
1000
02:24:48.819 --> 02:24:58.789
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: This can be outsourced to these providers that build these courts, or we think we could potentially even do it cheaperif we do it in-house with ourown resourcesand volunteers.
1001
02:24:58.829 --> 02:25:14.229
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: But the most important thingfor us is to make sure whatever we put in place is professionallydone, looks beautiful, improves the location that we put it in, so that the entire community can really enjoy and feelproud of what we put in the space.
1002
02:25:15.169 --> 02:25:16.489
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Soyou can go tothe next slide.
1003
02:25:18.549 --> 02:25:26.379
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: SoI just wanted to giveyou a little bit of information about the U.S. Soccer Foundation.So, again, they're one of the vendors that actually provides thesemini pitches.
1004
02:25:26.549 --> 02:25:41.799
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: The U.S. Soccer Foundation is a non-profit associated with U.S. soccer, but they've actually been going on a pretty significant campaign to build alarge number ofthese courts across the nation, and they've been really preparing for the WorldCup that's coming thissummer. 1005
02:25:42.119 --> 02:25:58.759
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And so, they've actually got agoal out there of building 1,000 ofthesecourts. They've alreadybuilt 500 of these across the U.S, but they're actuallylookingatreallyunderprivileged areas,specifically,wheretheycan securelarge corporate donors to help
1006
02:25:58.759 --> 02:26:03.099
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: fund these soccer courts in underprivileged communities, and believe it ornot.
1007
02:26:03.119 --> 02:26:09.279
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: through our discussions with them, this is an option for us. Because of the wide areathat we support. 1008
02:26:09.329 --> 02:26:12.279
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: We are considered under their 1009
02:26:12.359 --> 02:26:24.359
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: description as an underprivileged area that could potentially gain grant approval from one of their sponsors. So this is apotential option for us. Interesting, right?But it's true.
1010
02:26:25.099 --> 02:26:38.569
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: But the interesting… the reason why I put this up here is really so that you can see some ofthe findings that the U.S. Soccer Foundation has, has come upwith in terms of the surveying that… of thecommunities where they put these courts in.
1011
02:26:38.839 --> 02:26:47.479
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: One is, you know, the community is more active. They feel safer with these, courts and mini-pitchesinstalled. 1012
02:26:47.589 --> 02:26:57.079
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: They're accessible to everyone, which would be our intent as well. This would be a public offering, right? So, it's open to the public.
1013
02:26:57.259 --> 02:27:02.989
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: The mini-pitch turn, you know, really serves as a new community hub for these communities.
1014
02:27:03.519 --> 02:27:18.249
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And, generally, there's just more opportunity for kids that generally don't have the option to playsoccer,the ability to, you know, have the, the ability toplay soccer themselves, which they maynot have hadotherwise. 1015
02:27:18.949 --> 02:27:20.219
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I'll go to the next slide. 1016
02:27:22.019 --> 02:27:28.989
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Okay,so our proposal… Really is to build a soccer court, or a mini-pitch.
1017
02:27:29.139 --> 02:27:35.169
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: On city property here in Sevastopol. We want to create a safe, accessible.
1018
02:27:35.359 --> 02:27:43.599
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: place for people toplay, and we want to make it walkablefrom,youknow,theneighborhoodswithin downtown Sebastopol. 1019
02:27:43.949 --> 02:27:49.219
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: We want to transform a underutilized space here in the city to beautify it.
1020
02:27:49.359 --> 02:27:57.609
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: make it like a park setting where kids can thrive and have areally enjoyable time. And adults as well, right? It's open toall. 1021
02:27:58.059 --> 02:28:08.069
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: It's really time to do something beautiful forthe community,right? Times have been challenging as oflate, and we allwant to see somethinggood happen.
1022
02:28:08.269 --> 02:28:09.699
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Now is the time to act. 1023
02:28:11.459 --> 02:28:15.099
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: You can go to thenext slide. Oh, just real quick, before you leave that slide.
1024
02:28:15.349 --> 02:28:19.889
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: The picture onthe right is actually of the Giants Stadium,San Francisco.
1025
02:28:19.890 --> 02:28:28.559
Mayor McLewis: I just wanted to interrupt real quick and just make sure we're within our 10- minute time frame here. We're kind of teetering, going over, so just wanted to chime in with that.
1026
02:28:29.370 --> 02:28:31.000
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Okay,didn't realize I had10 minutes. 1027
02:28:31.150 --> 02:28:31.990
MayorMcLewis:Yeah.
1028
02:28:31.990 --> 02:28:40.299
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: San Francisco Giants Stadium, they've actually, partnered with acompany to install Minute Courts right in the parking lot across the bay there from the stadium.
1029
02:28:40.950 --> 02:28:43.279
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: You can go to thenext slide. How much time do I have?
1030
02:28:44.660 --> 02:28:49.170
Mayor McLewis: No, I'm… we're pretty much at that, but go ahead in acouple more minutes, and then…
1031
02:28:49.170 --> 02:28:49.860
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Okay.
1032
02:28:49.860 --> 02:28:50.970
Mayor McLewis: Need to wrap it up.
1033
02:28:51.490 --> 02:29:04.389
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: So, my interest onthis slide really is to communicate the fact that Wesco is bringingafree asset to our community, and it hits the six key goals that the City Council outlined as part of the fiscal year 25budget. 1034
02:29:04.680 --> 02:29:10.720
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: The first one is community vitality, really, really creating a good gathering space for our youth.
1035
02:29:10.830 --> 02:29:14.220
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Amulti-generational,year-roundfacility. 1036
02:29:14.420 --> 02:29:17.280
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: You know, for athletics and sporting activities. 1037
02:29:17.440 --> 02:29:25.319
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: It's aninfrastructure play, sowe're making improvements to city space that is potentiallynot being used effectively. 1038
02:29:25.910 --> 02:29:37.870
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: We want to make sure that City Council is a highperforming organization, so it's a great time forthis Council to do what the residents are asking for, right? Let's beautify our city, and let's put in some park 1039
02:29:38.010 --> 02:29:41.929
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: activities, An infrastructure for the community to use.
1040
02:29:42.330 --> 02:29:49.370
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: It alsoimproves public safety.It's known that recreationalspacesare…generallyhavelowercrimerates. 1041
02:29:49.480 --> 02:29:51.910
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And we've got some underutilized space. 1042
02:29:52.020 --> 02:29:53.780
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Where if you have more. 1043
02:29:54.060 --> 02:30:01.480
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: people involved in those spaces. It's just naturally going to be a safer location forchildren tobe at.
1044
02:30:02.020 --> 02:30:06.739
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: It's financially stable because this is 100% funded throughWESCO andoursponsors.
1045
02:30:08.580 --> 02:30:14.249
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: So it'slow risk, and no capitaloutlay forthe city, and nooperationalcostsgoingforward.
1046
02:30:14.500 --> 02:30:25.960
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And it's economic development. Wesco has proven to bringa significant amount of outside resources to our community to spend money buying food, paying for gas, right?
1047
02:30:26.060 --> 02:30:32.769
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Visiting allof our shopping here in Sebastopol. So it hits those key goals that theCity Council outlined. 1048
02:30:34.100 --> 02:30:44.120
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Soyou can go tothe next slide, please. This is a couple visuals ofthe two locations, the two proposed locations. We're… the proposed location is actuallyright outside the building here.
1049
02:30:44.270 --> 02:30:47.070
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Next to the Youth Annex, andyou can see we put in
1050
02:30:47.170 --> 02:30:52.360
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Two soccer courts about thesize of a tennis court each.
1051
02:30:52.530 --> 02:30:56.750
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And you can see there's, no impact tothe city 1052
02:30:56.850 --> 02:31:16.670
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: utilityarea, the top ofthat image there. And there's also plenty of parking still remaining forthe communitycenter and forthe soccer courts to share. And ofcourse, we would planaround any sort ofcommunity centerevent that would beoccurring, right, to not impact the parking that they mayneed for their events.
1053
02:31:17.030 --> 02:31:26.539
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: It alsoprovides access totheLaguna still, because there's a Laguna parking situationthere, as well as access tothe Laguna off to the bottom right ofthat first image.
1054
02:31:27.140 --> 02:31:29.909
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And then the second, location. 1055
02:31:30.350 --> 02:31:44.729
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Our assumption is the permanent location could take some time to finalize permitting and get full approval for, and so the second location is actually the Sebastopol Hotel location as a potential temporary location that wecould, you know,land.
1056
02:31:45.810 --> 02:31:48.209
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Installone of these soccercourts. 1057
02:31:48.620 --> 02:31:58.000
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And again, these are modular, modular, and so after installation, wecould easily have this moved over tothe youth annex location. 1058
02:31:58.170 --> 02:32:04.490
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Once the Sebastopol Hotel decides to move forward with their project. So, it's a little bit of a win-win. 1059
02:32:04.610 --> 02:32:19.859
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: For the hotel project, as wellas ours as well, so we can move forward quickly with putting inplace a soccer court,maybe even before the World Cup happens this summer, because there's going to be a high demand for soccer, guaranteed,thisyear.
1060
02:32:20.370 --> 02:32:30.289
Mayor McLewis: I just want to do atime checkhere. We always give people 10minutes, so I'm just… we're at…we're at almost 15, so I just want to… or we… sorryto interrupt, I just want to make sure.
1061
02:32:30.290 --> 02:32:33.999
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Appreciate theextratime. Just two more statements, you can goto the next slide.
1062
02:32:36.850 --> 02:32:44.880
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: SoI'm here today to really seek Council approval to advance feasibility analysis of these twolocations. That's really what we want to decide on today.
1063
02:32:46.850 --> 02:32:53.770
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Okay,the first one beingthe permanent location at the annex, and the second being a temporary location at the Sebastopo Hotel Piazza location.
1064
02:32:57.970 --> 02:33:00.220
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: That'sit. I'm open for questions, yeah. 1065
02:33:00.530 --> 02:33:06.439
Mayor McLewis: Thank you. So back… we're back to the dais here. Councilmember… er, I'm sorry, Vice Mayor?
1066
02:33:07.490 --> 02:33:10.980
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou. And, so…
1067
02:33:11.170 --> 02:33:18.759
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: In terms of the hotel lot, what kind oftimeline do you need to make it feasible?
1068
02:33:19.410 --> 02:33:31.809
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And are you aware of the CEQA or archaeology studies or anything likethat? Are you aware of that? I'm aware, but I don't know much about those, no. Okay, so what kind oftimeline…
1069
02:33:32.060 --> 02:33:36.470
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Are you thinking, like, how long would you need it in order tomake it work?
1070
02:33:37.020 --> 02:33:46.529
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: It… for us, we could moverelatively quick, talking months, in terms of, start to finish, in terms of implementation. It'd beprobably 4 to 6 months to implement.
1071
02:33:46.940 --> 02:33:59.199
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: but what I'm thinking is the end time, so if it takes you 6 months to get going, and the hotel, theirdevelopment agreement ends in June 2027, 1072
02:33:59.380 --> 02:34:08.429
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: is that enough time foryou? So that would be less than ayear if it takesyou 6 months,right? So, is that even workable? Yes, definitely workable.
1073
02:34:08.850 --> 02:34:09.560
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: No.
1074
02:34:10.920 --> 02:34:13.989
Mayor McLewis: Okay, other questions, Councilmember Hinton? 1075
02:34:15.200 --> 02:34:34.239
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Soyou talked about low income, and that you qualify, because obviously the total area you'redrawingfrom. I lookedon your website, I didn't see an opportunity for low-income students. How many scholarships a year does your organization give,or how do you… how do you work with lower income that want to… kids want to play soccer?
1076
02:34:34.470 --> 02:34:49.850
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yeah,we actually don't callthem scholarships, because that's almost more of a recruiting term, right? So wedon't actually offer scholarshipsforplayers,wedofinancialaid.And wedoplan,approximatelyonefinancial aid recipient, per team.
1077
02:34:50.050 --> 02:34:54.030
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And so we have roughly 110 teams. 1078
02:34:54.470 --> 02:34:57.070
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Okay,so about 100 kids a year. 1079
02:34:57.190 --> 02:34:58.919
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yep, that received financial aid. 1080
02:34:58.990 --> 02:35:04.819
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Okay.Yeah, and the waythat the U.S. Foundation, Soccer Foundation, determines eligibility for
1081
02:35:04.880 --> 02:35:22.710
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: you know, a location of need is basically through free lunch programs at their school,at the local schools. Which we offer. Your last slide said2-year duration, but you're saying you canget it up and runningat thehotel site in about 4 months. What… what did that mean?
1082
02:35:22.890 --> 02:35:29.189
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Did that mean…2 years… So,start to finish, we could implement our project in four to six months.
1083
02:35:29.900 --> 02:35:35.680
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And Ithink the… the discussion with thehotel project was if they… we…
1084
02:35:35.930 --> 02:35:49.730
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: For usto make it feasible for us to spend the money to install it at the hotel site and then move it, right, the costs of, you know, substantial amount ofmoney to move the product, we would want tokeep it there forabout 2 years.
1085
02:35:49.910 --> 02:35:54.879
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Okay.So, that would be our minimum. Now, if the hotel project takes longer, we could stay longer.
1086
02:35:54.980 --> 02:35:55.990
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Effectively.
1087
02:35:56.120 --> 02:36:04.280
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I see.But if we find a permanent location, likethe Annex, that comes to fruition muchmore quickly, we wouldn't necessarily need to go to the hotel location.
1088
02:36:04.820 --> 02:36:14.569
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Okay.So, if we were to agree to that, then the hotel would be agreeing to about 2years as well, which would put… push their permit out. 1089
02:36:15.210 --> 02:36:16.719
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: That we just approved tonight. 1090
02:36:17.270 --> 02:36:20.629
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Sothat'd be part of the negotiations. Yeah, that would be part of the discussion, yeah.
1091
02:36:20.730 --> 02:36:21.800
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Okay,thanks.
1092
02:36:22.120 --> 02:36:33.289
Mayor McLewis: I havea question I'm gonna ask. I… it's no surprise tome, I mean, we have less than2 square miles, so, in our city, so I'm just curious. 1093
02:36:33.420 --> 02:36:50.799
Mayor McLewis: what other areas are you exploring? I heard you about Regal, but, like, I know that it's no surprise that you probably serve, you know, a lot morepeople in West
County. Are you exploring other areas as well?Because we are such asmall city. I'm just curious, you know, what… are you looking outside of thecity? 1094
02:36:51.430 --> 02:37:08.960
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yeah, I've actually spent quite a bit oftime with the, the GIS individual from the SonomaCounty office, exploring different possibilities for land use conversion, and there's just not muchhere locally, unfortunately. Really, the only other option is going tobe private land.
1095
02:37:10.650 --> 02:37:12.929
Mayor McLewis: Got it, okay. Yeah.
1096
02:37:12.930 --> 02:37:22.109
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: There is one, just real quick, just to expand on that, there is one location that we've looked at, which wedon't think isfeasible, is the… it's called the Brown
1097
02:37:22.290 --> 02:37:25.230
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Property. It's over bythe old, 1098
02:37:25.740 --> 02:37:29.080
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: It's over by the old,
1099
02:37:29.700 --> 02:37:33.600
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yeah,Yana Road and 12. It's right on that intersection there.
1100
02:37:33.950 --> 02:37:40.519
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: There's actually, there's some green space that's backtherebehind theold Hendrixlawnmower.
1101
02:37:40.630 --> 02:37:41.540
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Company?
1102
02:37:41.960 --> 02:37:52.199
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: backthere, some… back overthere. But it's owned by the Santa Rosa City Utility, Office, is our understanding. So it's an unlikely candidate.
1103
02:37:53.200 --> 02:37:54.689
MayorMcLewis:Go ahead,CouncillorZong.
1104
02:37:54.990 --> 02:38:04.229
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yeah,my question is to Alex.So, I read the staff report, and it's very vague, and maybe you did it on purpose. I'm assuming you were consulted.
1105
02:38:04.520 --> 02:38:14.570
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Because, I mean, while I want… the overall context for my question is, while I want to do good for our youth, I want the hotel, and I want the revenue to help ourbudget.
1106
02:38:14.820 --> 02:38:32.749
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: So, ifwe went along and just allowed them to do something in the hotel space, so, from your legal point of view, how does that position us? We're trying to apply asmuch pressure as we can to thehotel piazza people to get on with it and get the hotel going.Yeah, so…
1107
02:38:33.250 --> 02:38:45.620
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: This type of facility is not allowed on that site now, so first there'd need tobe some sort of zoningcode change to allow it. There are different ways we could do that,changing
1108
02:38:45.830 --> 02:38:54.849
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: The allowed uses in the district, changing what district the site's in, doing maybe just an overlay that just added soccer as an allowed use to this one site.
1109
02:38:55.010 --> 02:39:13.369
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: But there's no suchthing as atemporary use permit that goes on foryears, right? A temporary use permit under ourcode, and in general, is for very limited durations. You know, a winterfestival that you're doing, you know, or getting for acouple months, so…
1110
02:39:13.480 --> 02:39:22.040
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: under, you know, zoning laws,once you establish a use, it continues, so it is allowed tocontinue.So. 1111
02:39:22.450 --> 02:39:23.360
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yup.
1112
02:39:23.480 --> 02:39:39.959
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: what the staff report says is if we change the zoning to allow less soccer as an allowed use,or conditionally allowed and they got a CUP, it could continue. We couldn't come in and say, okay, now you have tostop. 1113
02:39:40.140 --> 02:39:42.039
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: on the state.
1114
02:39:44.480 --> 02:39:56.600
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: You know, and so that is a potential, you know, they can discuss whether that's something they would actually do or not, but that, you know,oncea useisestablished underzoninglaw,youknow,itcan continue. 1115
02:39:56.600 --> 02:40:06.570
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Right,so basically, if we allowed this temporary soccer thing to happen, that would ultimately preclude the hotel, or provide them an excuse to not do anything.
1116
02:40:06.640 --> 02:40:22.060
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Right? Because then they would have a justification where it's like, well, you passed this revision to the rezoning, so that precludes the hotel, so nowwe can just walk out, right? Yeah, so it would not preclude them.They could, you know, as…
1117
02:40:22.150 --> 02:40:28.519
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: An owner ofthe property, you know, their lease mightexpire,and theymighthavea short-term lease with them, and, you know… 1118
02:40:28.770 --> 02:40:31.799
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Robo,you know, Elise, my dad, and they'd be doing that.
1119
02:40:34.070 --> 02:40:49.489
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: you know, if the developer doesn't want to move forward with that site, the hotel, like, they don't need an excuse orapproval from thecity to not move forward with that project, they just don't move forwardand let the development agreement expire. So Idon't know that there is…
1120
02:40:50.690 --> 02:40:52.549
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: That this would be a… 1121
02:40:56.230 --> 02:41:08.599
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: sort of a excuse they would use, but I suppose the risk is that, well, we don't have anything else going on, let's just let soccer continue longer, the hotel's still not penciling out.
1122
02:41:08.930 --> 02:41:15.280
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: you know, instead of exploring some other use, we'll just let the soccercontinue on this site. Great, thanks. 1123
02:41:15.280 --> 02:41:29.489
MayorMcLewis:Soyou'resaying,in essence,youknow,if weexpand thezoning,change the zoning, I mean, we're kind of… I mean, we're providingthem moreopportunities to use it in other ways, and not in the waythat it's currently zoned. 1124
02:41:29.490 --> 02:41:30.320
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Correct.
1125
02:41:30.320 --> 02:41:31.020
MayorMcLewis:Okay.
1126
02:41:31.220 --> 02:41:35.909
Mayor McLewis: I haveanother question, if I can… Ask that, 1127
02:41:36.240 --> 02:41:55.220
Mayor McLewis: Of theWestco gentleman. The question I have is, in our earlier item, when we were talking with Piazza, they clearly statedthat it would, you know, it would cost about $100,000todealwith thearchaeologicalchallenges.
1128
02:41:55.330 --> 02:42:04.869
Mayor McLewis: I mean, not challenges, but, you know, things that need to be donethere in order to preserve the, you know, whatever they find, historical items they find. 1129
02:42:04.870 --> 02:42:28.189
Mayor McLewis: Is Wesco… has anything…have you… have you… are you prepared to… to work withPiazza as faras that 100K? Because it didn't sound like theywanted to move forward with that project anytime soon. They were saying it could be done, you know, whenever they get theirloan, so I'm just kind ofcurious, because that… that could impact… I see that that could impact the… even the ability to use that. I'm not an expert onthat, but I mean, we just heard
1130
02:42:28.190 --> 02:42:38.260
Mayor McLewis: you know, the cost forthat, and the timeline for that as far as the property owner, so I'm just curious if you've had that discussion already, if anything's been sussed out from that.
1131
02:42:38.750 --> 02:42:50.769
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: So, and I'm not an expert on that process either, unfortunately, but I know that we've had had some discussions related to whether or not we'd actually be disturbing the soil by putting our
1132
02:42:50.870 --> 02:43:00.579
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: quarton the surfacethere. Our quart doesn't require digging or anything like that, it just requires, really, a 4-inch, layer of, 1133
02:43:00.720 --> 02:43:04.130
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Basically aggregate or rock. 1134
02:43:04.250 --> 02:43:09.279
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Inorder to just level the surface, so I'm not sure that we'd actually be disturbing the surface, so we'd have to…
1135
02:43:09.450 --> 02:43:13.700
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Obviously, that's… would be part ofthe research that weneed to go through to understand that better.
1136
02:43:14.550 --> 02:43:29.750
Mayor McLewis: So then, the question I have is that would be part ofthe staff cost that you all would have to, tocover. So, can I ask a question ofplanning, then?With that inmind, have you talked to any experts about this?
1137
02:43:29.800 --> 02:43:36.219
Mayor McLewis: You know, as far as… as far aswhat would need to bedone, and with the soccerversus
1138
02:43:36.320 --> 02:43:39.409
Mayor McLewis: You know, if they're gonna put these temporary 1139
02:43:39.620 --> 02:43:45.669
Mayor McLewis: courts in there. Have you… have you talked to any experts about the digging,and how fardown,and…
1140
02:43:45.670 --> 02:43:58.209
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yes,thank you for asking. There are a couple of things going onhere. One is… one way tomitigate archaeological artifacts is to cover them up.
1141
02:43:58.210 --> 02:44:02.019
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And so coveringthem temporarily would be an acceptable way
1142
02:44:02.020 --> 02:44:18.700
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: to deal with that, but I think what I want tomake clear here tonight is that there are many, manythings, this is just one of them, that would go into our feasibility analysis that we're askingthe City Council to tellus whether or not they want us tomove forward with at this time.
1143
02:44:18.700 --> 02:44:37.100
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: We'veexpended some prettysignificant staff time getting this far, and wewould need to expendmore staff time to figure out what we're going to do, and then have applications roll forward, if that's… So, what we're doing tonight is, what we're asking tonight is foryou guys to tellus
1144
02:44:37.330 --> 02:44:40.419
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Ifwe should continue down this feasibility path. 1145
02:44:40.700 --> 02:44:48.780
Mayor McLewis: And are we being… receiving any reimbursement for…how many hours would you estimate that have been spent on this already, since you said a significant amount?
1146
02:44:51.760 --> 02:44:59.570
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I would say between the department heads and individuals'meetings,weprobablyspent20-plushours. 1147
02:45:00.500 --> 02:45:01.959
MayorMcLewis:Goahead,Councillor.
1148
02:45:01.960 --> 02:45:20.199
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I see that as aviolation of ourestablished protocol,becauseIcanspeakpersonally.ThewayIphrasethingsisjusta genericrequest to the full council about expendingany degree of significant staff time. Now I'mhearingthe word significant. This is… this is not all right.
1149
02:45:21.340 --> 02:45:34.829
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: No, I agree. We spent quite abit of staff time on this item. When it was first proposed, we did not think it was going to develop into this. It was supposed to be a concept coming forward, and then the more that we got into it, the more that
1150
02:45:34.830 --> 02:45:41.559
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: all ofthese situations startedcoming up, so as you see in the staff report, it would be arequest from Westco tocover the fees. 1151
02:45:42.670 --> 02:45:53.520
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: My general question is, is WESCO… has Wesco agreed to re-compensate for allthis significant staff time that was approved without the full blessing of all of us onCouncil?
1152
02:45:55.180 --> 02:45:56.960
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: No, not that I'm aware of. 1153
02:45:59.140 --> 02:46:08.449
Mayor McLewis: I, I dowant to express myconcern over this. I, I, and I, you know, yeah, okay. So, and we can do this in comments. Are there any other questions? 1154
02:46:11.040 --> 02:46:12.010
Mayor McLewis: Vice Mayor?
1155
02:46:12.950 --> 02:46:16.360
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yes,this is for you. So…
1156
02:46:16.930 --> 02:46:28.659
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Let's say you're able to put it into the hotel lot. How many days a week do you foresee this being used, and how manyhours a day, and how manynights?
1157
02:46:29.270 --> 02:46:32.470
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Like,what kind of usage are we talking about? 1158
02:46:32.680 --> 02:46:39.260
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: You'reprobably looking at,4 evenings during the week, so Monday through Thursday is pretty common.
1159
02:46:39.760 --> 02:46:46.710
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And then Saturdays and Sundays, more so during the day. During the week would be more evening time, you know, afterschool. 1160
02:46:46.900 --> 02:46:50.929
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Anywhere from 4 to 9 at night. 1161
02:46:51.340 --> 02:46:52.770
MayorMcLewis:And how manykids?
1162
02:46:53.440 --> 02:46:59.020
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: On these surfaces, roughly… 20 kids per court. 1163
02:47:00.310 --> 02:47:01.340
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Maximum.
1164
02:47:01.720 --> 02:47:04.619
Mayor McLewis: So total, that would be… looking here…
1165
02:47:04.620 --> 02:47:06.590
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Ifthere's twocores, it'd be 40kids. 1166
02:47:06.770 --> 02:47:07.470
MayorMcLewis:Okay.
1167
02:47:09.400 --> 02:47:18.720
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: you have larger, older, older individuals, right, it would be less, you know, individuals there. It just depends on the team that's assigned for that time slot.
1168
02:47:19.180 --> 02:47:26.509
Mayor McLewis: So, with these time slots, is it just one time slot for the evening, or how many time slots arethere in the evening? How… what's the turnover? 1169
02:47:26.510 --> 02:47:37.869
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Our traditional turnover is about an hour anda half per,trainingsession,if youwill.Soit'd probablybe2sessionsperevening.Okay.You know,4 to6.30,6.30 to8.
1170
02:47:38.100 --> 02:47:44.409
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Like at the high school, we can't get on the field there until 7, so we go from 7 to 8.30, just one session. 1171
02:47:46.210 --> 02:47:47.279
MayorMcLewis:Goahead,ViceMayor.
1172
02:47:47.280 --> 02:47:51.230
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Have you, talked to Sunridge about their field? 1173
02:47:51.970 --> 02:47:56.039
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Are you aware of the Sunridge? It's a charter schoolthat's,
1174
02:47:57.810 --> 02:47:59.979
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Is that the one onthe top bi-week side? 1175
02:47:59.980 --> 02:48:02.909
Mayor McLewis: Is it Litchfield? Or is it Litchfield Hayden? 1176
02:48:02.910 --> 02:48:07.810
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yeah, it's on Hayden. They have a pretty big field up there. I don't know what they're using it for.
1177
02:48:08.110 --> 02:48:10.130
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: no?
1178
02:48:10.730 --> 02:48:12.059
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: You have, okay.
1179
02:48:12.570 --> 02:48:13.370
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Okay.
1180
02:48:14.050 --> 02:48:15.390
Mayor McLewis: Councilmember Hinton.
1181
02:48:17.490 --> 02:48:24.049
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: So, isWestco prepared to move forward onthe youth annex idea if we're not willing to…
1182
02:48:24.360 --> 02:48:28.390
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Bless the hotel property for various reasons. 1183
02:48:28.510 --> 02:48:34.730
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yeah,our objective is reallythat beingthe primary locationthat we'd like to entertain.
1184
02:48:35.200 --> 02:48:42.390
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yeah, the hotel location is really more of a temporary spot if, securing the annex takes considerable time. 1185
02:48:45.200 --> 02:48:49.969
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And through the Mayor, one comment, you know, with this particular
1186
02:48:50.090 --> 02:48:56.900
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And we could enter into agreement withthem that they agree to not go past 2years
1187
02:48:57.050 --> 02:49:02.739
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: With,you know, at the hotel site, and enter into some sort of binding agreement with them.
1188
02:49:02.870 --> 02:49:11.060
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: thepotential risk for thecouncil is we'vechanged the zoning there, so what if someone else submits an application? We won't have an agreement withthem.
1189
02:49:14.510 --> 02:49:18.909
Mayor McLewis: Okay, thank you. Any other questions? Otherwise, we're going to go out to public comment.
1190
02:49:20.200 --> 02:49:21.800
MayorMcLewis:Okay,goahead,Mary.
1191
02:49:24.400 --> 02:49:26.320
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Councilmember Carter has aquestion. 1192
02:49:26.320 --> 02:49:31.380
Mayor McLewis: Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't see yourhand there, sorry. Yourhand was kind of… anyway,goahead.
1193
02:49:32.000 --> 02:49:32.750
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yeah.
1194
02:49:32.850 --> 02:49:39.640
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: So, I'm gonna lob a curveball to my own team here.
1195
02:49:39.790 --> 02:49:51.770
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: you know, if… if… if other fields become available, would tonight, like, would any of… anyof this exploration, because I don't want to cause any more cost without…
1196
02:49:51.950 --> 02:49:53.500
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center:compensating staff. 1197
02:49:54.270 --> 02:50:00.979
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Like, like, let's say we found another spot, like, at the FordBuild… something came up, or somebody's backyard cameup. 1198
02:50:01.150 --> 02:50:12.130
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Is… isthere anything, voting for tonight that would also allow us to pursue looking at,you know, researching anything? 1199
02:50:13.350 --> 02:50:16.260
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: It's hard to say without… 1200
02:50:16.550 --> 02:50:23.200
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: knowing the site, right? There are sites in the city that are zoned to allowthis use, and someone could just come in 1201
02:50:23.440 --> 02:50:31.500
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: With their design review permit, you know, and there's no need for zoning change or use permit or anything likethat. 1202
02:50:32.320 --> 02:50:37.180
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And there wouldn't need to be studies, and it would just be that.
1203
02:50:37.960 --> 02:50:53.749
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: thereason there's direction needed from Council here tonight is one of the proposed sites is on city property, and theother involves azoning change. So if there's a site that is found that this is feasible at that doesn'tneed a zoning change.
1204
02:50:53.920 --> 02:51:11.700
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: and it's privately owned, there's nothingthat's needed from the… youknow, they just gothrough a normal process ofeither design review, or if it's a permitted use, or if they need aconditional use permit, you know,applyforthat, and that would be it. You know, and they pay the established fee for either ofthose things. 1205
02:51:13.980 --> 02:51:20.019
Mayor McLewis: I havea questionabout process, and I see Councilmember Hinton, too. I havea questionaboutprocess,justbecause
1206
02:51:21.850 --> 02:51:29.469
Mayor McLewis: this was a lot of hours expended without… and it goesbeyond what our protocol is, and I want to understand from
1207
02:51:29.550 --> 02:51:47.130
Mayor McLewis: I guess from staff, from attorney, whomever, who is driving this? You know, if we have acouncil member who's championing this, werecognize that this is, you know, Councilmember Carter's initiative. If we haveacouncil member that'sdrivingthis,and we know that we're going over the hours, I mean.
1208
02:51:47.140 --> 02:51:51.669
Mayor McLewis: I'm just a littleconcerned that this wasn't communicated to any of us. I mean.
1209
02:51:51.670 --> 02:52:14.049
Mayor McLewis: we… there's a bit ofan imbalance there, because a council member is, you know, we are overcity manager and attorney, and I'm just wondering, from the planning department, did all thisjust, like, cumulatively just realized at the end,or how did this happen, is what's very concerning to me. Imean, we can't have… so I'm just hoping someone can helpme to better understand this, and I…
1210
02:52:16.170 --> 02:52:29.869
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And ifI can, the complicatingthing is, is thefact that when Councilmember Carter declared, well, put forth the fact that he didn't view this as a conflict of interest, I'll just share. I immediately texted Alice, this is not the same advice.
1211
02:52:29.870 --> 02:52:36.659
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: That our prior legal counsel said, who prohibited me from ever sitting ona nonprofit board that could come before thiscouncil.
1212
02:52:36.750 --> 02:52:51.759
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: So, I have all theconcerns that the mayor just expressed,combined bythefactthattheperson whopushed thisforward ison a board, paid or unpaid, right? So, I, too, am concernedabout the check and balances and how it went through
1213
02:52:51.840 --> 02:53:06.309
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: all thedifferent city staff, and,like, no one decided that they needed to weigh in and say, this is above the allocated amount of simple staff time toprepare anagenda item, right? So I, too, am asking the question. 1214
02:53:06.870 --> 02:53:07.860
Mayor McLewis: Councilmember Hint.
1215
02:53:10.860 --> 02:53:12.590
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Well,
1216
02:53:13.740 --> 02:53:30.229
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Also, Ihave a question ofwhether Westco came forward first, or Councilmember Carter, because typically, when one ofus wants to bring an agenda, and we have… we're championing it, our name is on it. 1217
02:53:30.370 --> 02:53:32.080
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And inthis instance. 1218
02:53:32.500 --> 02:53:48.629
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: thecouncil member's name isn't on it anywhere, which doesn't seem very transparent, and we are going to tackle next, like, our ethics and our… so, I would like toknow who really brought this forward first, Iguess, because I'm curious about that.
1219
02:53:52.340 --> 02:53:53.559
Mayor McLewis: Could someone answer?
1220
02:53:54.310 --> 02:54:05.930
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yeah, I mean, I brought this forward, for sure, because, like, I saw an opportunity, so I just wanted to know if it was possible, and if there were…there wascreep.
1221
02:54:06.470 --> 02:54:14.849
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: withstaff, you know, I apologize, but all I did was, like, you know, is… canthis be a thing, right? Can we bring this up? And then… 1222
02:54:15.850 --> 02:54:18.829
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Therewas some discussion of whether it can be a thing.
1223
02:54:19.070 --> 02:54:26.069
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: But having a soccer… having a soccer court there was somebody else's idea that came to me.
1224
02:54:26.190 --> 02:54:33.120
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And so… The original idea came from the club, then I kind of, like…
1225
02:54:33.380 --> 02:54:41.269
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: went about asking staff if this could be something that wecould bring. Like, I don't… I didn't evenknow if we could. 1226
02:54:41.390 --> 02:54:44.950
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Put a soccer court anywhere, so it was just generalcreep.
1227
02:54:45.810 --> 02:54:46.880
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: you know.
1228
02:54:47.000 --> 02:54:52.399
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: naivety, like, what do we do?How do we… howdo webring…how dowechampion something?
1229
02:54:52.570 --> 02:54:55.710
SebastopolCommunityCulturalCenter:Youknow,if wewanna…ifwewanna bringa project so…
1230
02:54:56.570 --> 02:55:00.149
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: You know, I'll own it if it's not the right way to do it, forsure.
1231
02:55:01.710 --> 02:55:08.900
Mayor McLewis: Do we have otherquestions? Iknow we all have comments, and I'll save those for later, but just questions before we get to…
1232
02:55:09.140 --> 02:55:18.629
Mayor McLewis: And then, I guess maybe, I mean, did anyone… we didn't really get any answers to our questions as far as askinghowwe got to this place, soCouncilmember Carter brought it forth.
1233
02:55:19.060 --> 02:55:20.320
MayorMcLewis:Whathappened?
1234
02:55:21.310 --> 02:55:32.880
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: So, I will take the hit as far as the time. I was not aware of the amount oftime, to be honest. I know that we met,conceptually foran houror two,and then…
1235
02:55:32.880 --> 02:55:46.590
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Councilmember Carter brought… did a lot of the legwork, but then I heard tonight the amount ofhours, so… that'llbe onme. I will take that hit for not knowing theamount of hoursthat were spent by staff, andhow much they delved into it.
1236
02:55:46.840 --> 02:55:50.060
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: So, yes, that would fall to me. 1237
02:55:50.760 --> 02:56:02.089
Mayor McLewis: Well, but I also have a question. What responsibility do department heads? Specifically,wehavesomeonewho'sa contractor,and how manyhourshavethey put into this, since we take a hit constantly with contractors? 1238
02:56:02.090 --> 02:56:18.400
MayorMcLewis:And whathourswe'respending,whatresponsibilitydotheybearin communicatingthis stuff? So, I appreciate thatyou want to takethe hit, but we also have departmentheadswhoareresponsibleforkeepingtrack,soistherea policyora process for that?Or do we… is this somethingthat needs to be assessed? 1239
02:56:18.890 --> 02:56:30.140
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Sotypically, for anythingthatgoes substantial, that would bereturnedto the City Council. Again, it was cumulative, and that's when I… 1240
02:56:30.310 --> 02:56:46.180
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: had aconversation tonight when I found out the number ofhours that were being spent on this.So, typically, we wouldcatch it in the beginning when we… when we met and said, how much staff time? We believed… well, my understanding, andcorrect me if I'm wrong, my understanding when it came forward was it wasconceptual.
1241
02:56:46.270 --> 02:56:52.629
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And then we… it grew into more and more and more, so, yeah, that comes with me.
1242
02:56:52.630 --> 02:57:11.370
Mayor McLewis: Well, and forme, therein lies the question of,you know, having a council member drivingthis and utilizing allthese hours, and none of us were able to weigh inon this,becausewe'veallbeen warned abouthow manyhourswecanspend.I,youknow, and, you know, I'm veryconcerned about that.But anyways, I'll save it for comments, but,
1243
02:57:11.670 --> 02:57:15.249
Mayor McLewis: Do you want to go out to public comment if everyone's good with the questions?
1244
02:57:16.700 --> 02:57:17.710
MayorMcLewis:Goahead.
1245
02:57:19.580 --> 02:57:32.020
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou, Mayor. So this is for public comment on the, proposed locations for aproposed soccer court. If you would like to make a public comment, as a 2-minute time limit. I willcometo Chambers first, and then go out to Zoom. 1246
02:57:40.270 --> 02:57:45.100
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I'm Kenyon Webster, president ofthe Community Center Board.
1247
02:57:45.700 --> 02:57:51.619
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: We provide activerecreation,we certainly support Active Recreation.
1248
02:57:51.970 --> 02:57:53.910
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: We do that ourselves. 1249
02:57:54.270 --> 02:58:04.880
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And support otherorganizations that provide that. However, we have significant concerns with the idea of eliminating, basically, this parking lot.
1250
02:58:06.590 --> 02:58:13.069
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: It is a resource for the community center, Wishman Hall, CityCouncil meetings.
1251
02:58:13.180 --> 02:58:17.410
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And so on. All the people that use this area. 1252
02:58:17.780 --> 02:58:23.040
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And it's a particular resource for large events at the communitycenter.
1253
02:58:23.450 --> 02:58:27.750
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: So, our concerts… our festivals. 1254
02:58:27.970 --> 02:58:45.850
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: sometimes multi-day, use, in the festival context, where some of the vendors might park there forseveral days. So losing that resource would bea significantadverseimpacton ouroperations.
1255
02:58:46.670 --> 02:58:52.099
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Inaddition, I providedyou with a letter and an email about this.
1256
02:58:52.570 --> 02:58:57.770
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Based on my previous experience working for the city, I believe that there's a…
1257
02:58:58.150 --> 02:59:03.369
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center:conflict with the LagunaParkMaster Plan that specifically
1258
02:59:03.480 --> 02:59:10.790
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: This parking lot that's out there was called for, to be developed by the, master plan.
1259
02:59:11.440 --> 02:59:13.039
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: It's right in there. 1260
02:59:13.750 --> 02:59:17.679
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: It was built further with agrant, I think. 1261
02:59:18.000 --> 02:59:25.370
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I haven't researched it exactly, but I believe, from the state of California, there may be,
1262
02:59:26.080 --> 02:59:31.690
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I don't think that there were any deed restrictions that came out ofthat grant, but there may be
1263
02:59:33.890 --> 02:59:46.910
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Provisions or agreements thatwere made in connection withthat grant that should be looked at from a legal perspective to see if there's anything that requires its retention in the present use, which was developed 1264
02:59:47.710 --> 02:59:50.110
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Underthe master plan, andper… 1265
02:59:50.400 --> 03:00:01.009
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: grant. So we have a significant concern with the proposal. It's certainlynot that weoppose thiskind of use in thecity. 1266
03:00:01.620 --> 03:00:05.120
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: It's very commendable, all the efforts that the… 1267
03:00:05.240 --> 03:00:16.349
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: soccer club has, undertaken to try to achieve this. Opinion, that's 2minutes. So, thank you. Thank you for your publiccomment. Next, I'll go out to Zoom. Oliver, can you mute yourself, please?
1268
03:00:16.350 --> 03:00:17.000
Oliver:Yep.
1269
03:00:17.380 --> 03:00:18.780
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou, can you see the timer? 1270
03:00:18.780 --> 03:00:19.470
Oliver:Yeah,Ican.
1271
03:00:19.470 --> 03:00:20.620
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Alright, go ahead, please. 1272
03:00:20.800 --> 03:00:36.149
Oliver: Well, that's a shame, because I was going to say, you know, I love the game. I call it football, because I'm English, but what Kenny just said kind of blew what I was going to say out of the water, because I was going to say itwould be great to havesoccerfieldsbehind the communitycenter, but clearly…
1273
03:00:36.240 --> 03:00:49.910
Oliver:Thatcan'thappen,and there'snowayin a million yearsyoucould havesoccerfields where the Piazza Hotelsite is. I mean, that's the busiest crossroads in all of Sonoma County, right there. There's an icecream shopacross the street. 1274
03:00:49.910 --> 03:00:58.979
Oliver: There's so manythings that could go wrong there. You could have balls flying up and over whatever fence they put up, because that's what happens with soccer. 1275
03:00:59.080 --> 03:01:04.540
Oliver:Hittingcarwindscreensand allthatkind of stuffon what'sa verybusyroad. 1276
03:01:05.140 --> 03:01:12.579
Oliver: So it's just not really viable, I'm afraid. Imean, it's a real shame, because there's so much vacant land that the county has,
1277
03:01:12.780 --> 03:01:17.990
Oliver: It's incredible tome that all of the… all of the land you drive past for sale and… 1278
03:01:18.140 --> 03:01:32.959
Oliver: landthat's owned by thecountycouldn't be used forthis. Imean, it's a relatively small footprint for these midi, you know, all-weather surfaces. So, to me, it's a non-starter.
And then, just the last point I want to make is.
1279
03:01:33.370 --> 03:01:36.610
Oliver: The theme ofthe evening seems to be process…
1280
03:01:36.610 --> 03:01:56.219
Oliver:screw-ups.Soyouhad theproblemwith thePlanningCommission earlier,where peopledidn'treallyunderstand therules,and now itwould appearthishashappened again to CouncilmemberCarter, no fault of his own, Iguess, but these rules are, youknow,are difficult to get your head around, and it's so easy to kind of go off on atangent, thinking. 1281
03:01:56.220 --> 03:02:01.190
Oliver: you're moving ahead on something, but you have to gothroughall ofthe steps of the protocol.
1282
03:02:01.460 --> 03:02:05.910
Oliver: That's just the reality ofCalifornia bureaucracy. Sothat's mycomment, thankyou. 1283
03:02:07.480 --> 03:02:12.859
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou, Oliver, for your public comment. Next, I will come intochambers, if there's anyone in chambers that would like to make a public comment.
1284
03:02:22.210 --> 03:02:25.860
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Her name is Linton Hale. I'm arelatively new member ofthe
1285
03:02:26.340 --> 03:02:31.780
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: word for thecommunitycenter, but this is really my own statement, so I'm speaking as an individual.
1286
03:02:32.130 --> 03:02:36.529
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I'm surprised, Steve, and… 1287
03:02:37.180 --> 03:02:41.700
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And Phil, I'm surprised you didn't mentionthat this is a wetlands reserve.
1288
03:02:42.410 --> 03:02:45.030
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: You know, and we're talkingabout putting 1289
03:02:45.490 --> 03:02:48.319
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: A fieldhere which has microplastics. 1290
03:02:48.980 --> 03:02:55.150
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And yes, there's gonna be a catchment system, but catchment systems don't last forever, andmicroplastics probablydo. 1291
03:02:55.690 --> 03:02:59.439
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: So… You know, I have this thing written up. 1292
03:02:59.690 --> 03:03:00.790
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Basically.
1293
03:03:01.050 --> 03:03:12.160
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: basically just that, you know?Are you working with theLaguna,youknow,theLaguna Keepers,ortheLaguna deSanta Rosa Foundation? I mean, it's just upsetting to me to thinkthat we're going to… 1294
03:03:12.500 --> 03:03:13.110
Oliver: No?
1295
03:03:13.380 --> 03:03:14.300
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: You know, put…
1296
03:03:15.600 --> 03:03:24.050
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Also, it does affect the birds. You're talking about every, you know, 4 nights a week until 8 or 9 o'clock with lights there. It's going to affect 1297
03:03:24.530 --> 03:03:25.710
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: this whole area. 1298
03:03:26.620 --> 03:03:29.040
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: So, Ithink that should be taken into consideration. 1299
03:03:30.530 --> 03:03:35.019
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou for your publiccomment. Next, I will go to Zoom. Rob, can youunmute yourself, please?
1300
03:03:35.660 --> 03:03:39.770
Rob P: Sure. Hi, I'm, Rob Pennington, festival resident. 1301
03:03:39.970 --> 03:03:46.809
Rob P: I'm also a coachfor Wesco, and havetwo boys, who play for Wesco. 1302
03:03:46.970 --> 03:03:49.799
Rob P: And, I want to thank,
1303
03:03:50.110 --> 03:03:55.819
Rob P: Phil, Carter, andSteve for bringing this forward. I think there's tremendous need. 1304
03:03:55.930 --> 03:03:57.849
Rob P:Foradditionalspace.
1305
03:03:58.010 --> 03:04:01.670
Rob P: You know, Westco's just really outgrownthe field capacity in town. 1306
03:04:01.860 --> 03:04:14.749
Rob P: And starting to have to, you know, go elsewhere, go to El Molino, go to Santa Rosa to find space. Just need more in town, and I think the options presented are really quite good. 1307
03:04:14.930 --> 03:04:21.919
Rob P: You know, these mini soccer pitches arequite small, right? They're barely bigger than a tenniscourt.
1308
03:04:21.960 --> 03:04:34.919
Rob P: And, but the amount of play,right,the amount of activity that they will get will be, you know, huge, right?Comparable to polyfield ormore so, right? Considering… 1309
03:04:34.960 --> 03:04:43.319
Rob P:the,thenumberof playerswhoplayyear-round for Wesco, and,the other, 1310
03:04:43.580 --> 03:04:48.789
Rob P: Groups, soccer groups, adult leagues, others that wouldcertainly use that space. 1311
03:04:48.940 --> 03:05:08.270
Rob P: Similar, you know, soccer pitches.Other places get ahuge amount of use, it becomes like a community hub, similar to, like, a skate park, right? This is a great thing to have in our city, not out there in thecountry where people have to drive to.We want this to be a place where people, or kids can ride theirbike, they can walk to in town.
1312
03:05:08.410 --> 03:05:12.999
Rob P: Right, so making sure that it is in town is quite important. 1313
03:05:13.200 --> 03:05:15.739
Rob P: It sounds like there are some issues.
1314
03:05:15.990 --> 03:05:31.739
Rob P: With these spaces, with zoning, or, youknow, past plans, but those things can be changed, right? And that's… that's what you guys do. So I hopethat, you guys can figure that out, and… and bring… and… and movethis… this project forward. It's reallyneededin Sebastopol.Thankyou.
1315
03:05:32.250 --> 03:05:38.080
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou, Rob, for your public comment. Next, I will come back intochambers, if there's anyone in chambers that would like to make a public comment.
1316
03:05:46.530 --> 03:05:51.920
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Daniele Petroni from Piazza Hospitality, I'm here just as a representativeof the
1317
03:05:52.100 --> 03:06:06.230
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: property owner, which is the proposed site of the temporary, proposed temporary site. Also, as a soccer fan, though as afan ofthe Italian national team, I'm a soccerfan with a broken heart.
1318
03:06:06.390 --> 03:06:15.889
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I justwanted to express…you guys saw the letter that I submitted. I just wanted to express our support for the idea, and just to quickly answer some… some things that havecome up. I think…
1319
03:06:15.990 --> 03:06:31.019
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: For us, personally, we're planning… we would plan to offer what's called ano-cost lease, we're not looking to make any money off of this, and so concerns about, you know, us down the road pickingthe continuation of asoccerfield versus building the hotel, I mean, there's no economics that would sort of 1320
03:06:31.040 --> 03:06:53.320
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: allow that to be evena viable thing for us to consider. I also just wanted to mention parking. I know the staff report made mentionof that. We also have ourBrown Street lot, which, at the moment, we have a no-cost lease with the farmers market for vendor parking on Sundays. We're also open to offering a nocost lease for parking for the site, if the temporary fields were to be 1321
03:06:53.610 --> 03:07:06.129
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: installed. And yeah, beyond that, just want to echo, as a soccerfan, you know, there's a really excitingtime for soccer, and it seems like a great time to capitalizeon that, but obviously understand theconcerns aswell.
1322
03:07:06.940 --> 03:07:11.200
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou for your publiccomment. Next, I'll go out to Zoom. Kyle, can you unmute yourself, please?
1323
03:07:12.000 --> 03:07:12.800
Kyle Falbo: I can't.
1324
03:07:12.800 --> 03:07:14.630
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou, can you still see the timer? 1325
03:07:14.630 --> 03:07:15.500
Kyle Falbo: Yes I can.
1326
03:07:15.500 --> 03:07:16.750
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Great,go ahead, please. 1327
03:07:17.040 --> 03:07:28.359
Kyle Falbo: So I'm really hopingthat we get some good follow-up about, just process. Ithink that'sprobablythebigtakeawayforthattonight.Iamkind of curiouswhytherewasn'ta consideration
1328
03:07:28.450 --> 03:07:35.239
Kyle Falbo: of the annex lot as a temporary location, right? Ithink a lot of… some ofthe 1329
03:07:35.320 --> 03:07:48.719
Kyle Falbo: kind of preparatorymaterial, was making reference to Regal, but that's a multiyear project. Well, 2 years is a multi-year, and so I'm just kind ofmore curious about the option of a temporary
1330
03:07:49.080 --> 03:07:55.180
Kyle Falbo: like, exploring more temporary options rather than a permanent option. 1331
03:07:55.360 --> 03:08:01.439
Kyle Falbo: I'm always humored to hear some of the previous speakers' comments that are alwayskind of…
1332
03:08:02.650 --> 03:08:12.250
Kyle Falbo: rooted in some sort of a negativeconnotation, and trying tomake outlandish claims about things like… like safety or security about the surroundingarea. There is… 1333
03:08:12.640 --> 03:08:25.150
Kyle Falbo: pass precedent for a lot ofthis in other cities that have traffic patterns that are similar to what wehave. I think any of the proposed locations would be fine in that capacity. 1334
03:08:25.150 --> 03:08:42.919
Kyle Falbo: I explore… Iencourage Council to explore where some of these have been set up in other cities.But Ithink the hugest concern here is that somehowsomeone got away with spending20hoursof workingon thisproject.
1335
03:08:43.540 --> 03:08:50.730
Kyle Falbo: billing us under a contract, because we don't… we don't have, our shit together. Alright, thanks a lot.
1336
03:08:52.270 --> 03:08:58.300
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou, Kyle, for your public comment. Next, I will come back intochambers, if there's anyone in chambers that would like to make a public comment.
1337
03:08:59.860 --> 03:09:00.600
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Please?
1338
03:09:06.450 --> 03:09:23.729
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Hi, I'm Tim Elliott. Ihave 3 boys. They all 3 played with Wesco, for the past 10 years. They all stillplay. They're 16, 13, and 9. And, of course, I got roped intocoaching them, so I'm now coaching with Wesco as well. 1339
03:09:24.200 --> 03:09:29.250
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And, just yesterday, I was at Brookhaven, It's, 1340
03:09:30.110 --> 03:09:48.019
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: on Mondays. Like, we have a lot of teamsthere, and it's pretty awesome to look around and seeall those kids playing, and seeing it used in this way. I love what soccer does. As acoach, Isee it build confidence forthese kids. I see it giving them something to do outside of electronic devices. 1341
03:09:48.160 --> 03:09:55.119
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And I see it building friendships, and… and not just between the kids, but between the parents, too.
1342
03:09:55.340 --> 03:10:01.730
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And my boys actually, the older two, theyactually biketoBrookhaven on theirown.
1343
03:10:01.880 --> 03:10:14.099
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And they can do that independently, and so it builds a lot ofconfidence that way. And so I really see the value in having these kinds of soccer fields in places that are accessible to the kids and don't require driving. 1344
03:10:15.750 --> 03:10:34.479
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I see not just kids that are part of the clubat Brookhaven all the time, but I see kids from theneighborhood. They show up there, they play soccer, sometimes they eat candy and just hang out. But it's… it'san amazingspace, and it brings kids away from devices and has them doing something out in the outdoors. 1345
03:10:34.480 --> 03:10:50.709
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: SoI just wanted to say I reallyappreciate all these efforts to make something happen for Sebastopol, and give us more spaces like this. I think it's a really, really good thing, and for everyonewho's putting work intothis and trying to makeithappen,Ireallyappreciateit.Thankyou.
1346
03:10:51.410 --> 03:10:56.470
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou for your publiccomment. Next, I will go back out to Zoom. Sue, can you unmute yourself, please? 1347
03:10:59.970 --> 03:11:01.729
Su Corbaley: Yes, I'm unmuted.
1348
03:11:01.790 --> 03:11:03.360
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Can you see the timer? 1349
03:11:03.500 --> 03:11:16.789
SuCorbaley:Ican.Thankyouforbringingthisprojectforward.Igrew up playingsports,and I think it really does mold who we become as adults, and I think it is important to finda placefor
1350
03:11:16.950 --> 03:11:23.070
Su Corbaley: Young… our young adults and our children to, form who they become. 1351
03:11:23.350 --> 03:11:28.859
Su Corbaley: So I'm fully in support of finding avenue for something like this. 1352
03:11:29.300 --> 03:11:41.070
Su Corbaley: I am concerned, however, the fellow who brought upthe, concern over the disturbances through the lighting at night to birds. I… 1353
03:11:41.330 --> 03:11:51.409
Su Corbaley: agree wholeheartedly with that. Nighttime lights do disturb biologicalcycles of bothplantsand birdsand otheranimals.
1354
03:11:51.440 --> 03:11:56.039
Su Corbaley: And I think that, those things should be considered 1355
03:11:56.040 --> 03:12:12.179
Su Corbaley: before the Council agrees to put any more time into staff time for pursuing this, as well as looking,just even superficially, looking at what the impacts for traffic at the Piazza location might be.
1356
03:12:12.270 --> 03:12:20.710
SuCorbaley:Ihaveconcernsalreadyaboutwhatthebackupsin town are,duringpeak times, andthe times proposed for those
1357
03:12:20.790 --> 03:12:38.449
Su Corbaley: to, turnover times would be at peak commute time. So, perhaps the council could direct somebody, maybe theWESCO can hire a consultant to doan initial, purview… a review of an initial study under the CEQA Act.
1358
03:12:38.840 --> 03:12:43.010
Su Corbaley: under theCEQA law to determinewhat the impacts ofthose things might be. 1359
03:12:43.300 --> 03:12:47.479
Su Corbaley: I would be opposed to anythingthat would interrupt,
1360
03:12:47.750 --> 03:12:50.640
Su Corbaley: Bird and animal life at night. Thank you. 1361
03:12:51.790 --> 03:12:58.160
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou for your publiccomment. Next, I will come back into chambers, if there's anyone inchambersthat would like to make a public comment.
1362
03:12:58.280 --> 03:12:59.020
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Please?
1363
03:13:06.960 --> 03:13:17.610
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Goodevening. My name's, Ben Harris. I'vebeen in this basketball for 6 years now. Icoach at Wesco. I've been coaching there for 6years. All my kids have gone through there.
1364
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I currentlycoach, Sebast… Annaleigh High School, JV Girls, coachas well, and I, I just… Imean, I've already… I already sent in a puppet comment by email. It's quite a long one, so I'm hoping that the council will, read all… read allthe different points.
1365
03:13:34.160 --> 03:13:41.740
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: that Imade in… in support ofthese proposals. I reallydothink
1366
03:13:41.950 --> 03:13:54.800
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: soccer in Sebastobal is booming. I mean, everyonehas,in supportof this,hasmentioned how manykidsareplaying,and thereisa crunch for fields, and there isn't a lot ofopportunity within Sebastobal to 1367
03:13:55.640 --> 03:14:00.809
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: find space. I understand some of theconcerns that are beingraised here.
1368
03:14:01.140 --> 03:14:08.709
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: But interms of the benefits that these courts can bring to thecommunity, I think is incredibly beneficial, not just 1369
03:14:08.830 --> 03:14:09.550
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: just…
1370
03:14:09.850 --> 03:14:18.300
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: just places for kids just to goand play, not just… not just for, like, structured coaching, but just for places for them to go, so easily accessible.
1371
03:14:18.410 --> 03:14:21.130
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And, in many respects. 1372
03:14:21.350 --> 03:14:40.399
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Ithinkthat's what we're all looking for, is… is to benefit our community, and particularlythe younger generation. And I think, in many ways, what we're proposing here, what Steve has proposed, is very well detailed,very well put together, and I think it hits a lot of the policies that I feel that 1373
03:14:41.460 --> 03:14:59.639
SebastopolCommunityCulturalCenter:theCityCouncilhavingtheirown planning documents. And so, in terms of recreation, finding recreational facilities. And so, I hope that in how Westco hasbeen presentingthis, and taking on board some of the other concernsthathavebeen raised,thatyoudomoveforward with atleastanalyzing 1374
03:14:59.640 --> 03:15:08.119
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: thepotential for the two sites, particularly the one at the annexhere, for me personally. That's all Ihave to say. Thank you for yourtime. 1375
03:15:08.370 --> 03:15:15.589
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou for your publiccomment. Next, I will go out to Zoom. If there's anyone on Zoom that would like to make a public comment, please raiseyourhandvirtually.
1376
03:15:16.870 --> 03:15:21.270
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: CNN, I will come back inthe chambers, ifthere's anyone in thechambers that would like to make a public comment. 1377
03:15:22.150 --> 03:15:24.250
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Seeing none, public comment is closed. 1378
03:15:25.340 --> 03:15:30.799
Mayor McLewis: All right, thank you verymuch.We're back at the dais,so, Councilmember Hinton?
1379
03:15:31.990 --> 03:15:34.510
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Sure, I'll go out first. 1380
03:15:36.310 --> 03:15:50.819
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: You know, my kids played West Coast soccer, too. Theyplayed allkindsof thingsaround here,and Idorealizetheimportanceof that,and having places to play for our kids. I'm not in favor, although I…
1381
03:15:51.520 --> 03:16:08.919
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I was… I kind of thought something going on in the hotel space would be better than nothing, but I'm not in favorbecause of the long-term impacts about the zoning change. And, you know, we sit here, and in two years from now, we've changed the zoning, and all of a sudden, the center of our 1382
03:16:08.990 --> 03:16:23.670
SebastopolCommunityCulturalCenter:downtown hasa permanentsoccerfield,and I can't… I can't support that, so that's just not gonna fly. I might be able to support something out here. I hear thecommunity center saying it's losing a parking lot, but let'sbe real.
1383
03:16:23.910 --> 03:16:42.749
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: thehigh school fills up, we can all walk a little more. We've got the Barlow right down the road. I'm not worried about losing the parking lot. What I am more worried about is the Laguna, and the rules around that, and I sat on Ag and Open Space for6 years, and there's a lot of talk in Sonoma Countyabout soccer fields. 1384
03:16:42.820 --> 03:16:49.749
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And incompetition with openag spaces incities, and so…
1385
03:16:49.930 --> 03:16:57.340
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: But this, to me, is a hub. My kids played baseball here, you know, for outdoor…
1386
03:16:57.530 --> 03:17:07.699
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: youth, and this is ayouth annex, let's be real. So it would be nice to figureout if that's a possibility.
1387
03:17:08.140 --> 03:17:22.019
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I don't have a firm decision tonight, this is a big decision, but, if I were to consider anything, it would be to consider something here, but we would have to have Wesco look into whether it's even possible with the environmental restrictions.
1388
03:17:23.410 --> 03:17:24.730
Mayor McLewis: Councilmember Zollman?
1389
03:17:25.630 --> 03:17:42.720
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yeah, the whole, temporarything at the piazza is a complete no-go for me, for a lot of reasons that Councilmember Hinton already talked about. I'm not gonna put us in some situation so someone doesn't, you know, continue to exercise complete good faith, because they have an out. 1390
03:17:42.720 --> 03:17:52.660
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Because we put something inthere, that is completely of a different use and is completelynow rezoned. So that isa complete out for me.
1391
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: putting aside my ownconcerns about how we end up getting here withthe20-plus hours of taxpayers' money spent onanissue that the five of us did not bless, whichI'll bring up at a future agenda item request, because that is not alright.
1392
03:18:08.720 --> 03:18:21.099
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: It's like, if Wesco was fine with reimbursing the city for the amount of money that has already been spent, I would be open to at least having some type of environmental impact.
1393
03:18:21.120 --> 03:18:22.660
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: looked into.
1394
03:18:23.290 --> 03:18:42.109
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: for the placethat's outside the window here. But only if Wesco is agreeing to pay staff for the amount of timethat has… it's not their fault, and I'm not trying to place fault, but nevertheless, taxpayers' money wasspenton somethingthat the fiveof us did not approve on, so that's where I'm at. 1395
03:18:43.930 --> 03:18:44.970
Mayor McLewis: Vice Mayor?
1396
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Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: So, I played indoor soccer when I was in high school, and I loved it.
1397
03:18:51.650 --> 03:18:55.279
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: So, I'm a fan of soccer. I would be a fan of, 1398
03:18:55.620 --> 03:19:03.169
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Of having the soccer fields in town, but it's really… it's location… it's the location that's concerning for me. 1399
03:19:04.540 --> 03:19:19.179
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: So, the Zero Waste Board, back in November, they are talking about developing an ordinance that would allow SonomaCounty jurisdictions to consider options for placing bans on artificial turf.
1400
03:19:19.610 --> 03:19:25.920
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: on public, private, orcommercial spaces. That… that has me concerned.
1401
03:19:27.010 --> 03:19:31.039
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Especially in the youth annex,where it is in a floodplain.
1402
03:19:31.720 --> 03:19:38.760
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: So, that is not okay for me tohave artificial turf in a floodplain.
1403
03:19:39.490 --> 03:19:57.029
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I'm okay with… Ithink I wouldbe okay with it if there were environmental typesthat I heardthere are. You can get it with, instead of rubber, you can get it withcoconut shells or something like that. I'd be okay with that at the downtown site, but I have concerns about the…
1404
03:19:57.320 --> 03:19:59.790
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Zone… to change of zoning. 1405
03:20:00.500 --> 03:20:08.950
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Although we havebeen asked for pickleball courts, so ifthat became maybe pickleball courts down to Barlow,maybe that'd be okay, I don't know.
1406
03:20:10.170 --> 03:20:17.549
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: But atthe Youth Annex, also, in order to put those two courts in, you're going to have to cut downat least 8 to12 trees. 1407
03:20:17.770 --> 03:20:22.769
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And, that's not okay with me. This is a Wetlands Laguna Preserve.
1408
03:20:22.970 --> 03:20:31.689
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And Iwould like to maintainthat status for that, as well as the fact that it's overflow parking.
1409
03:20:31.830 --> 03:20:46.030
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: But tome, the fact that it's a wetlands preserve, and you'd have to remove trees, and it would be introducing arisk of plastics into the lagunaright here, it's just not… it's a no-go forme, just no. 1410
03:20:46.680 --> 03:20:54.809
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: But the hotel site, I would be willing to look at maybe a oneyear until the development agreement came up. 1411
03:20:55.150 --> 03:20:59.030
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Although I do haveconcernswith the change of zoning,so…
1412
03:20:59.160 --> 03:21:11.789
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: theother thought that Ihad is, if you're… if you're able to do something temporary, the…right behind… right behind theCatholic Church, there's a big field there that is going to be for sale, so there's… 1413
03:21:11.790 --> 03:21:20.870
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: maybe a possibility that theywould allow that for a temporary soccer use. And then also talkingwith the people at Sunridge. 1414
03:21:21.110 --> 03:21:29.309
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And…and then, yeah, theother idea, I don't know, but
1415
03:21:30.350 --> 03:21:32.029
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: So, that's all I have to say. 1416
03:21:33.100 --> 03:21:36.959
Mayor McLewis: Okay, I'm gonna goahead andgive my comments now.
1417
03:21:38.510 --> 03:21:51.890
Mayor McLewis: I thinkthat supporting youth in many different things is important, I mean, just as a general rule principle. I mean, I'm always excited when I hear that we can support more things for the youth in Sebastopol, because you don't… I personally don't think we see it enough.
1418
03:21:52.050 --> 03:22:04.430
Mayor McLewis: it's just unfortunatethat there's a number of challenges with this here, and Icameintoitthinkingonething,andnow,afterlisteningtopeopleandhearingthepublic. 1419
03:22:04.590 --> 03:22:22.900
Mayor McLewis: I'm leaving with something different. I will say that downtown, the idea of changingthezoning,thelong-term impact that that could have, I'm just not willing to kick open that door right now, so I will say forthat, it's just a no-go forme downtown. I mean, we just… there's… there are…
1420
03:22:23.420 --> 03:22:48.180
Mayor McLewis: huge impacts that can happen once we start changing zoning, and it just opens this whole othercan of worms. So definitely not supportive of that at this point, and I came into this thinkingwith the Laguna that, you know, that might be agood area. I will say that, you know, I'vebeen working with the folkswho like to see pickleball courts, and they have the same challenges, and they continue to tell me theyneed something here because they're driving to Roanoke Park and allover everywhere. 1421
03:22:48.180 --> 03:23:07.119
Mayor McLewis: And so I know the challengeswith trying to get all ofthis here. And I think the biggest thingthat I… that strikes me is that we're lessthantwo square miles. We have all ofthis space everywhere, yet everyone wants to cram it in these less than two square miles, and it's a challenge, and then it puts the burden on all of us, so… 1422
03:23:07.120 --> 03:23:13.509
Mayor McLewis: right now, I'm really concerned about what would… the environmental impacts on theLaguna. I mean, I…
1423
03:23:13.510 --> 03:23:28.569
MayorMcLewis:havea friend rightnow who'sresearchingmicroplastics,and thelong-term health impacts that that has, soI would like tounderstand moreof that, and I'm with Councilmember Zollman as far as, you know, ifwe did explorethis going forward. 1424
03:23:28.580 --> 03:23:53.569
Mayor McLewis: And I understand that it's no fault of yours, but at the same time, we have a council member who sits on the board for WESCO, and I just think that havingexpended 20… whatever hours, the 20 hours,that seems to be the number that'scoming out, of taxpayerdollarson somethingthatnoneofusactuallyapproved,it'sa realshame.It'sa real shame, and I, too,would like to see a newagenda item coming forward to ensure that this doesn't
1425
03:23:53.570 --> 03:24:04.619
MayorMcLewis:happen again.Soif theywerewillingtoreimburseforthat,andthen,you know, reimburse for any type of stuff going forward, I could… I personally would be okay with that, but at this point.
1426
03:24:04.620 --> 03:24:16.860
Mayor McLewis: you know, there would have to be some… us all talking about this and putting very str… for me, putting very strongguardrails around this, because, again, I'm a no-gofordowntown completely,and…and…
1427
03:24:17.190 --> 03:24:26.890
Mayor McLewis: at theLaguna, there would have to be a lot of environmental studies, and all of… everythingwould need to be paid for byWestco, so that's where I'm at withthis. I don't know…
1428
03:24:27.500 --> 03:24:31.989
MayorMcLewis:IhaveCouncilmemberCarter,if youhaveanythoughtson allthis? 1429
03:24:32.770 --> 03:24:34.369
Mayor McLewis: Since you're the last one.
1430
03:24:36.050 --> 03:24:42.649
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yeah, I mean, I'm sure I have thoughts for days, but I'll try to limit it justa touch.
1431
03:24:42.740 --> 03:24:50.140
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: First off, I had no idea I was getting into 20 hours worth of work asking tosee if we could even just dothis. 1432
03:24:50.220 --> 03:25:04.389
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: you know, I'm reaching out onbehalf of the soccer club who's desperate to get a place for allthe kids to play. We need a place to play so badly, and I've been looking around for 3 years, and some… some other coachesbrought this 1433
03:25:04.400 --> 03:25:20.239
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: idea to me, and then, you know, I had brought it up to, Danielle, just trying to activate thedowntown, just trying to make things exciting for us to basketball, just trying to make it cool to be downtown, and all thesesoccerfields would have nets over them.
1434
03:25:20.240 --> 03:25:28.100
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Sothe balls aren't gonna go flying all over the place, and, you know, I'm sure we could manage kids walking across the street. So I just really…
1435
03:25:28.240 --> 03:25:31.060
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Naively, did not think that thiswas… 1436
03:25:31.310 --> 03:25:34.780
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: a badthing at all. I thought it was an extreme winwin. 1437
03:25:34.870 --> 03:25:39.399
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And…that's why I brought it up. It's like, A, 1438
03:25:39.470 --> 03:25:57.269
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: hey, we have this opportunityto put a soccer field here, we can make it gorgeous, bring other people down, and that's a reason to put a hotel here in the first place. Why are people coming here? Well, if we have soccer games and soccer tournaments, people will build a hotel. I mean, that's, like, a reason to build a hotel. 1439
03:25:57.270 --> 03:26:04.270
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: So, you know, I'm doing my job to, like, try to bring somethinghere, and then, you know, now we're gonna sit with, like, 1440
03:26:04.270 --> 03:26:18.989
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: like, agreen dead space for a little while longer, because we're worried that, you know, like, a little bit of life is going to preclude the TOT, but we're kind ofchoppingoff our nose, despite our face, because we're not, you know, developinganythingthat'sfun forthearea.
1441
03:26:19.060 --> 03:26:33.759
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: You know, so that's why I wanted to bring this, especially downtown, and possibly to the Youth Annex, too, because all I can envision is families walking over toMimi's, or walking down the street, or hanging out in Barlow while otherfun thingshappen.
1442
03:26:33.830 --> 03:26:45.450
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And then, you know, if the major concern is, like, you know, environmental, like, if we can just pocket it, and there are alot ofnew ways to buildsoccerfieldsnow.
1443
03:26:45.610 --> 03:26:55.490
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And, you know, we can have different kinds of surfaces. There are Nike Grind soft surfaces that don't have themicroplastics in them. 1444
03:26:55.580 --> 03:27:11.789
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Sothere are a number ofthings that, in a parking lot that arerarely usedthat… I mean, it really israrely, rarely, rarely used. And if we… if we can blend it beautifullyso that it doesn't seem like it's just plonked down in the backside of the parking lot.
1445
03:27:12.090 --> 03:27:28.609
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: So it seems like almost even a view of the land… it actually augments theLaguna atmosphere. You know, it would beautify the space, it would make the Laguna evenmore attractive as aplace to be. Like, what areyou gonna dowhile you drop your kid off?
1446
03:27:28.670 --> 03:27:37.200
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: for a little bit of practice, I'm gonna take a walk around the Laguna, and maybe get a glass of wine or somethinglike that. So I only had positive thoughts when I brought this.
1447
03:27:38.390 --> 03:27:55.349
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And, you know, I'm really sorry about the process, but it certainly wasn't, you know, my intention, and I'm absolutely… you know, I have to go to Wesco. I can't just out and say, like, hey, you know, Wesco will pay forit. I don't speak for Wesco, you know what I mean?
1448
03:27:55.350 --> 03:28:02.980
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: But, you know, being the organizationthat we are, how much we're growing, and how much the interest is in having something likethis. 1449
03:28:02.980 --> 03:28:14.520
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: in Sebastopol, and how critical I think it is, not only for the youth to have some third place to be, but also for our economy, you know, to have some morereasons to come here.
1450
03:28:14.670 --> 03:28:22.909
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: That'sreason to, like, look into some ofthese, you know, outer experiences. Like, you know, like.
1451
03:28:23.280 --> 03:28:28.440
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Daniele said, like, you know, hey, this is worth nothing to me.
1452
03:28:28.480 --> 03:28:42.829
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: why would I preclude, you know, not building my, hotel because the soccer field's there? Or what is the real risk of another soccer field coming in for profit that's gonna maketheir $8million worth it? 1453
03:28:42.860 --> 03:29:01.439
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Because we were looking around for soccer fields for alloverthe place. We're either gonna have to pay $1.5 million or something likethat for a piece of property outside the county, or we'regonna have to pay $1.5million to fix Regal, or we're gonna have topay, like, $45,000 a month just so the kids canplay for almost free. 1454
03:29:01.440 --> 03:29:04.270
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: But then here we have a chance to build a free park.
1455
03:29:04.360 --> 03:29:17.110
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And, you know, with the same kind of, you know, format as the baseballfields, and provide all this joy and all this opportunity for, you know, economic development and all ofthat.
1456
03:29:17.130 --> 03:29:31.359
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And, you know, that's… that was my passion. That is why I… I brought it with the naivety that I had,you know, without thinking about, yeah, we can poke holes in all kinds of efforts.
1457
03:29:31.360 --> 03:29:39.919
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: But, you know, this is something that, you know, would bring joy, and I'll just… I'll just kill it with that, because you have to know what the passion wastobringit.
1458
03:29:40.910 --> 03:29:42.589
Mayor McLewis: I'm just gonnachime in real quick, and I… 1459
03:29:43.500 --> 03:29:57.730
Mayor McLewis: Councilmember Hinton. I just want to say, I didn't mention before, but I'm going to mention it now. I'm really dismayed by this whole process, andI just want to call out a couple things, and I thinkthere's education that canbe gained in here. 1460
03:29:57.730 --> 03:30:22.720
Mayor McLewis: you know, there's a lot of different things to lookat, and it's unfortunate, butlookingattheoptics,theethicalorlegalconflictsthathappen here,and Iheard Daniele talking about, we're going togive a free lease to Wesco, andwe have acouncil member who'son theboard forWescowho'schampioningthis,and makingdecisionsabout…
about what happens with that property forPiazza, so I just want to point allthose things out. I'm not making anyaccusations
1461
03:30:22.720 --> 03:30:44.869
Mayor McLewis: I'm just sayingthat we as council members areheld to a higher standard. We make the laws here, we have a lot of different things we have to look at, so I know that you, you know, I fully believe that everything that you did here was, youknow,fullywith good intent. I just thinkthat there needs to be more, like, visibility andthought about, you know, and thenalso driving staff to spend 20…
1462
03:30:44.870 --> 03:30:51.399
Mayor McLewis: 20 hours or whatever on projects. I mean, just as council members, we have to think about all of these things, and
1463
03:30:51.400 --> 03:31:06.939
Mayor McLewis: And at the end ofthe day, I completely understand that you're saying naively that you went into this, but we can't do that ascouncil members because we actually have to make the decisions and set the laws, soI'm just a little concerned about all ofthat, so it really… it's… it's bothersome tome. So, go ahead, Councilmember Hinton. 1464
03:31:09.640 --> 03:31:16.770
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Imean, I just wanted to say again, because I think I spoke first, but, I don't.
1465
03:31:17.040 --> 03:31:26.729
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I, Imean, I don't expect Wesco. It's our air. We're obviously going to bring an agenda item forward to set some parameters. I do know 1466
03:31:26.840 --> 03:31:39.519
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: having sat onthe council for quite a few years now, this isn't the first time something like thishas happened, so I don't… I'm not… I'm not saying it's okay, but I'm also saying I understand, and 1467
03:31:39.620 --> 03:31:43.000
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And I still think that if, 1468
03:31:43.160 --> 03:31:49.929
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Westco is interested in pursuing with a different environmentally,sound
1469
03:31:50.270 --> 03:31:54.729
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Andchecks out into the environment here. 1470
03:31:54.900 --> 03:32:01.379
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Imight be willing to support that ifthey're willing to pay moving forward to vet that out.
1471
03:32:01.960 --> 03:32:14.339
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: you know, I… I also sit on thefair board as an appointeeof SupervisorHopkins,and I'msureyou'veallread in thepaperthatsoccer fields are being lookedat at the fairgrounds, sponsored and supported. 1472
03:32:14.340 --> 03:32:25.720
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: by both the county andcityofSanta Rosa, so I know that there's a desperate need in thecounty, and there are soccerfields, I believe, being worked on a variety offronts. So,
1473
03:32:26.000 --> 03:32:43.680
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: it's… it's hard… we got a lot ofletters on this, all in supportof this.Idon'twanttodash everybody,becauseyouprobablydidn'tknow protocol, right? And… and ifyou want to pursue an environmentally… in a situation, I don't want to 1474
03:32:43.750 --> 03:32:47.639
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Just have you walk out of here like, you know? 1475
03:32:48.010 --> 03:32:54.569
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: disheartened, or that council, we just want to make sure that we move forward in an appropriate way, so I just…
1476
03:32:56.560 --> 03:33:03.699
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: You know, we have to do some work on our side, and if you guys, withhearing our comments, want tomove forward. 1477
03:33:03.980 --> 03:33:11.219
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I don't know, I just don't want to dash. I understand Councilmember Carter probably just went about this like, whoa! 1478
03:33:11.790 --> 03:33:16.129
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I'm excited! I understand. Yeah, that's… that's what it looks like.
1479
03:33:16.440 --> 03:33:18.249
MayorMcLewis:Thanks,Mayor,youhad yourhand up.
1480
03:33:19.640 --> 03:33:20.730
Mayor McLewis: Vice Mayor?
1481
03:33:20.730 --> 03:33:34.719
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yeah, thank you. I'm just gonna guess andpredict that if this vote does move forward for putting soccer fields next to theyouth annex, that therewillbesignificantpushback
1482
03:33:34.950 --> 03:33:37.140
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: For environmental reasons. 1483
03:33:37.250 --> 03:33:38.849
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And…
1484
03:33:41.750 --> 03:33:55.919
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yeah, like, the Laguna… Laguna de Santa Rosa, the, you know, the wetlands people, the waterpeople, I mean, I just… it's gonna be considerable, and that will take a lot of time and a lot ofmoney. 1485
03:33:56.020 --> 03:34:02.740
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: To process allthat, and there'll be, anyway, studies, secrets, etc, so…
1486
03:34:02.890 --> 03:34:09.679
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Anyway, I'm in favorof lookingat the… a shortterm possibility at the hotel lot.
1487
03:34:11.270 --> 03:34:12.160
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center:-Oh.
1488
03:34:12.990 --> 03:34:13.670
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yeah.
1489
03:34:15.700 --> 03:34:16.650
MayorMcLewis:Okay.
1490
03:34:17.740 --> 03:34:27.469
Mayor McLewis: Well, it sounds like we… so wehave… so you're… we have… Sandy, you're… Vice Mayor, you're saying that you're in support of downtown. We have… 1491
03:34:27.720 --> 03:34:32.420
Mayor McLewis: Let's see, I'm just trying to think here, because we don't have any motions here.
1492
03:34:35.180 --> 03:34:39.489
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I would support it, because I think it would activate the town, and it would be a short-term
1493
03:34:39.910 --> 03:34:41.310
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: It'd beshort-term. 1494
03:34:42.810 --> 03:34:59.449
Mayor McLewis: So you're supportive of downtown, but not the Laguna, and I'm not supportive of downtown. We have Councilmember Dolman, who I believe you said you're notsupportiveofdowntown,concerned about,theLaguna,and alsowhetherornot, 1495
03:34:59.450 --> 03:35:11.860
Mayor McLewis: Westco would be willing to compensate for the20 hours. We have Councilmember Hinton, who's supportive withenvironmental studies, 1496
03:35:12.230 --> 03:35:27.049
Mayor McLewis: from the Laguna, but not supportive of downtown. So, it sounds to me like we have 3 people who are not supportive of downtown right now, so I think the question remains is what… where we're at as far as theLaguna.
1497
03:35:27.180 --> 03:35:35.250
Mayor McLewis: That seems to be the one that's in question, and what do we do with that, and whatkind of guardrailsthatwedothere? So,Idon'tknow ifanyonehasany additional…
1498
03:35:35.390 --> 03:35:45.619
Mayor McLewis: comments, and I'm… and I was just gonna say, Councilmember Carter, I know I didn't mention what… I'm… I'm making an assumption that you're supportive of it all, but maybe I'm wrong.
1499
03:35:47.490 --> 03:35:58.399
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I havemore ideas, but no, no,no, I'm sorry, not to be cheeky. I just want to say that we wouldcover costs, like, I know that that's aconcern. That's not something that we want to cause the city.
1500
03:36:00.330 --> 03:36:06.160
Mayor McLewis: Well, I just wasn't sure, because you had said you don't speak for West Coast, so I don't know.Do you speak for West Coast, or you don't speak for West Coast? 1501
03:36:06.160 --> 03:36:12.089
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I don't speak for Wesco, but we already committed to, like, if we look at the,
1502
03:36:12.260 --> 03:36:20.130
SebastopolCommunityCulturalCenter:theyouth annexin a differentway.Wealreadyhad the assumption that we were going to pay some costs to look at it. 1503
03:36:20.560 --> 03:36:30.750
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: So, inthat way, the back costs for it, I think I can make the assumptionthat theboard would, but yeah, again, I don't speak… 1504
03:36:31.470 --> 03:36:37.600
MayorMcLewis:Thisisreallyhard,becauseyouspeakasa councilmember,and you're speakingasWescoatthedais,soit'sreallychallenging. 1505
03:36:39.720 --> 03:36:40.930
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I'll stop speaking. 1506
03:36:41.180 --> 03:36:42.410
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I support everything. 1507
03:36:43.680 --> 03:36:49.789
Mayor McLewis: Okay, so the question I have for everyone here is just with the Laguna. 1508
03:36:50.080 --> 03:36:57.119
Mayor McLewis: that seems to be the sticking point with us. We knowthat Vice Mayor, is notin supportof doingtheLaguna
1509
03:36:57.240 --> 03:36:58.390
MayorMcLewis:Wehave…
1510
03:36:58.940 --> 03:37:05.540
Mayor McLewis: Councilmember Hinton, who is… who is in favor of doing Laguna with environmental studies,is that correct, my…
1511
03:37:08.370 --> 03:37:12.339
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And can I just clarify from the attorney one more time?
1512
03:37:12.990 --> 03:37:18.089
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: What… the adviceyou gave us before, there's no way to do…
1513
03:37:18.770 --> 03:37:22.150
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: We could re… for the downtown site, we could… 1514
03:37:22.160 --> 03:37:34.950
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: enter into an agreement withWesco about their use and how longthatwould last, but once we change thezoning,there is a risk that some other third party couldcome in and…
1515
03:37:34.950 --> 03:37:42.189
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Alright, so that's a no-go forme, for sure. Can't do downtown, can't have a soccer field inthe middle of downtown permanently. 1516
03:37:42.520 --> 03:37:55.710
Mayor McLewis: So what if… sowith, with, it sounds like, Councilmember Zollman, canyou reiterate what your thoughts were on, the Laguna, just so that we understand what guardrailsyouwant…you'resayingyouwant?
1517
03:37:55.710 --> 03:37:57.170
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yeah, I mean…
1518
03:37:57.270 --> 03:38:07.919
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: ifthere is a majority, all they have to do is call Ann McGrel from the Laguna… that'll savethem, like, a ton of money, because I think Councilmember
1519
03:38:08.080 --> 03:38:16.430
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Maurer is correct. It's gonna be petition. We're gonna end up dragging the City Counciland staff through 1520
03:38:16.550 --> 03:38:36.209
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: tons and tons ofthings, which makes it just so much more irritatingthat we have spent so much timefrom staff, apart from other things that the five of us haveagreed on, and how many hours tonight when one phone call to Ann McGraw would have just resolvedthe wholething? So, if there is a will to do it. 1521
03:38:36.410 --> 03:38:47.999
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: then just push the money that that would cost, the 10 minutes to talk to her on the soccer group, and if they do agree with it, then that's great. I'm fine with voting for that, because
1522
03:38:48.010 --> 03:38:59.400
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: if she's going to clear it, it's good. If she's gonna say no, and all of a sudden we're going to get the environmentalists in here, then I want to know that too, becauseI don't want to deal with all that. I don't wanttodeal with thecost and theexpense.
1523
03:39:00.320 --> 03:39:02.369
MayorMcLewis:Goahead,ViceMayor.
1524
03:39:02.700 --> 03:39:15.260
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yeah, it's not going tobe just Ann Morekell. There'll be, you know, it's the Zero Waste Group. They've already discussed this, and they're coming out with a moratorium onartificial turf, and we're talking about putting artificial turf in a floodplain.
1525
03:39:15.860 --> 03:39:25.629
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I just think that's very, very serious. I just… it's hard for me to believe that thiscouncil would think that that was an okay thing to do. 1526
03:39:25.800 --> 03:39:28.010
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: This floods. It floods here. 1527
03:39:28.370 --> 03:39:31.130
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And…Yeah.
1528
03:39:32.040 --> 03:39:39.790
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: piggyback onthat, when I wasthe council's, liaison tothe… whatever it was, it was not zerowaste. 1529
03:39:40.160 --> 03:39:54.210
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: well, there's that, and thenthe other technical one that none of us aregoing to anymore, because Sonny backed out on. They were talking about the moratorium on turf, so thanks forbringingthat up. So, now that makesme think that this is just…
1530
03:39:54.450 --> 03:40:09.050
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: We'vespent so much time tonight, and staff time, on an issue that clearly, if it were a simple agenda item that we'veall done in the past, where it's like 5 votes, yes or no, forcontinuedstaff time, it would have been15-minute discussion.
1531
03:40:10.430 --> 03:40:13.310
MayorMcLewis:Goahead,CouncilmemberCarter,youhad yourhand up before. 1532
03:40:13.310 --> 03:40:32.549
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: So, I actually havea questionabout the zoning. You say it's, like, permanent zoning. If we can flip zoning fora conditional use once, is it not revocable or a sunset?Because that would solve that problem. It doesn't sunset. You can changezoningin thefuture.
1533
03:40:32.550 --> 03:40:36.909
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thereare issues in general about spot zoning to take
1534
03:40:37.300 --> 03:40:44.900
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: a useaway from one particular property. We haven't done any of that analysis of whetherwe could do that, but there… 1535
03:40:45.020 --> 03:40:51.190
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: thereare restrictions on acity's ability to take awaya use.In the…
1536
03:40:51.770 --> 03:41:08.079
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: underour code, and most codes, once you establish a use, even if you change the zoning,the existing use is allowed to continue as a legalnon-conforminguse,and Ithinkourcodesaysnew usescan comein aslongasthe use doesn't,
1537
03:41:08.250 --> 03:41:11.949
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center:cease for 180 days or more. So… 1538
03:41:12.260 --> 03:41:15.710
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: You know, it's up to the council, you know, whetherit's
1539
03:41:17.010 --> 03:41:19.320
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Willing to takethose risks, you know. 1540
03:41:19.600 --> 03:41:25.500
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: or take West Coast representation of property owners that, you know,this will end temporarily?
1541
03:41:26.670 --> 03:41:48.730
Mayor McLewis: this is so hard. I mean, I'm trying to figure out how to get to a yes forthese kids who want to play soccer, but these are not… neither of these places are ideal, in my opinion. I'm trying to figure out, you know, I… I'm with CouncilmemberZolman as far as… I mean, this could turn into, like, a huge deal between what the Vice Mayor has said and… and different folks. So, I mean, you know, if…
1542
03:41:48.730 --> 03:41:56.780
Mayor McLewis: if Wesco's wanting to spend their moneythat way, I mean, they're a nonprofit, I run non-profits,money is not plentiful for nonprofits these days. 1543
03:41:56.780 --> 03:42:11.710
Mayor McLewis: you know, if they'd like to spend that money figuring that out, and I just, you know, I don't want any more tax dollars spent onany ofthis, at thispoint. So, you know, I'm okay ifwe can figure out how to… how to
1544
03:42:12.010 --> 03:42:13.030
Mayor McLewis: You know…
1545
03:42:13.100 --> 03:42:32.019
Mayor McLewis: put the guardrails around this, that this is strictlya Westco-funded thing, and… but I also don't want us to have too many hours from our staff, even if it's being reimbursed spent on this, because we're coming up on doing our goals, and we're going to have more goals that are… that are tasked withour interim city manager. We have…
1546
03:42:32.020 --> 03:42:40.670
Mayor McLewis: you know, we have a numberof other things that aregoing on in thecity, so, I mean, I think it should be, like, to Councilmember Zolan's point, you know, it could turn intoa big thing.
1547
03:42:41.130 --> 03:42:43.479
Mayor McLewis: Mayorsaid that.
1548
03:42:43.650 --> 03:42:53.069
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: through the mayor, thismay make everything more complicated, but if the council wanted, we could explore, andofcourse, subject to whatever
1549
03:42:53.090 --> 03:43:05.610
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: guardrails the council wanted. If there was some way for us to enter intoan agreement with thepropertyowner to put some deed restriction on the property to prohibit the soccer use.
1550
03:43:05.780 --> 03:43:10.449
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Eventhough it would be allowed by the zoning to prohibit it after3 years.
1551
03:43:10.670 --> 03:43:26.529
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: That'ssomething… I don't know, I haven't thought that through about whether that's feasible or not, but if that's something that Council wants us to explore, that might be a waythat even though thezoning would allowit, we'd have sort of a deed restriction onthe property.
1552
03:43:27.520 --> 03:43:29.280
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: To… to enforce that. 1553
03:43:30.070 --> 03:43:32.320
Mayor McLewis: Go ahead, Councilmember. Imean, Vice Mayor. 1554
03:43:32.320 --> 03:43:51.370
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yeah, if there's any waythat that could be workable,somekind of a short-term solution so that theycould use that hotel site, because I'd rather see that activated, and withpeople and kids and families, thanhave it just sitting there emptyfor the next year and a half. 1555
03:43:52.130 --> 03:44:15.180
Mayor McLewis: I was just gonna say, I mean,even if… even if that were the case, I mean, I haveotherconcerns.Imean,Ihaven'teven broughtup zone…youknow,wehaveconcerns with parking.I'vehadbusinessownersreach outtomealreadyaboutconcerns about parking and wherethey're, you know, we already have thefarmer's market that takes up
parking on Sundays, and I've been getting, youknow, texts and emails,so I'm just… I'm voicing my concern… Istill have many other concerns about a downtown location, so… 1556
03:44:15.580 --> 03:44:18.400
Mayor McLewis: I'm sorry, Councilmember Hinton?
1557
03:44:20.060 --> 03:44:31.699
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I was gonna say, with those kinds of deed restrictions, Imight bewilling to investigate and support the downtown location. When I hearparking,Ialwaysthinkthatpeoplecan walka littlebit,especially 1558
03:44:31.810 --> 03:44:37.749
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: We always had to park a longway when our… my kidsplayed sportsand soccer,awayfromthefieldsand walk. 1559
03:44:37.850 --> 03:44:49.129
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And so I might be able to support something like that. But thenthe big question for Wesco is they're investing inthis big field, and they gotta have a plan to wherethey're gonna move it.
1560
03:44:49.400 --> 03:45:01.309
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And they don't have a place to move it, ifthat's what we're approving. So, I mean, it would have to be atwo-fold, right?Hotel, two years, or whatever,and then…oh,lovely.
1561
03:45:01.480 --> 03:45:06.370
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: The birds like the window, okay. Oh, it's a bat? Oh, great, a bat.
1562
03:45:06.880 --> 03:45:10.139
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Sorry, and I said that on mic. 1563
03:45:10.370 --> 03:45:16.450
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: But anyway, Westco would have to have aplace and plan…a place tomove it sothat we were assured
1564
03:45:17.160 --> 03:45:21.330
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: it was… You know, a tight agreement, and then… 1565
03:45:22.000 --> 03:45:28.859
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Everybody would rather pay attention to the bed. I just have a slightlydifferent question. They're in my house all thetime, they're not gonna fussyou.
1566
03:45:30.830 --> 03:45:31.420
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: It's bad.
1567
03:45:31.420 --> 03:45:33.090
Mayor McLewis: Can you take a second, or…
1568
03:45:33.090 --> 03:45:37.640
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Very, very confused bat. It'll be… it'll be a moment. Oh, is it a moth?
1569
03:45:40.930 --> 03:45:41.740
MayorMcLewis:Okay.
1570
03:45:42.840 --> 03:45:44.649
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: That is a giant moth! 1571
03:45:45.030 --> 03:45:52.510
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yeah, it's not fantastic. There's a giant moth in the room flying around, so… Anyway, I have this question, like, I mean. 1572
03:45:52.510 --> 03:45:59.160
Mayor McLewis: One second. Are we okay withmoving forward, everyone? I just want to make sure, because everyone's distracted.
1573
03:45:59.640 --> 03:46:09.720
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I havea different kind of question, and that's, like, could we just, could… could Wesco spend some money for some stafftime just to… 1574
03:46:10.010 --> 03:46:18.119
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thinkabout other options orsomething like that that's neither this fieldnor that field, or is it just, like, you know, it's too much? 1575
03:46:18.710 --> 03:46:21.029
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Which, which I understand also. 1576
03:46:23.520 --> 03:46:26.929
Mayor McLewis: Who are you asking that to? I'm not sure. Go ahead. 1577
03:46:26.930 --> 03:46:30.430
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Ifwe could submit a preliminary application, we could take it inthat direction.
1578
03:46:32.690 --> 03:46:49.899
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: But we would have to have some specifics. What is… Like a preliminary application, if thecouncil wanted to look at, like, the city attorney just stated, you know, to review the deed or something likethat, wecould take in… it's called a preliminary, soit's not the whole formal use permit or CEQA, things like that. 1579
03:46:50.000 --> 03:46:53.789
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And Idon't have thecost infront of me right now, what that cost is for preliminary.
1580
03:46:54.110 --> 03:46:57.590
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Right,but we could look at…you know. 1581
03:46:57.720 --> 03:47:01.749
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Looking… looking into that, because that's complicated. Okay.
1582
03:47:02.930 --> 03:47:04.110
Mayor McLewis: Vice Mayor.
1583
03:47:04.970 --> 03:47:17.620
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: So, in terms of the parkingconcerns, because I share those concerns,but I think maybe, thePiazza Danielli suggested that there's a little overflow on Brown Street, so
1584
03:47:17.990 --> 03:47:32.849
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: mythought is that Wesco can communicate with their people, right? Youcommunicate wellwithyour families, so if youmake it clearthat if there'snoparkingon Brown,ortheBrown overflow,then theparkinggoesto 1585
03:47:32.930 --> 03:47:48.119
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: possibly the Barlow overflow parking lot, which is not really being used that much right now. But if there was communications and your families could follow through with that, thenthey could walk from theoverflow parking to thedowntown lot.
1586
03:47:48.540 --> 03:47:54.369
Mayor McLewis: I thinkwe have to be careful. That's a… is the Barlow parking lot a private parking lot? We don't have authority over that.
1587
03:47:54.740 --> 03:48:10.810
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I've been told that Barney supports this project, so that… so he would need to be communicated,but there's also the parking lot at CVS, but then you'd have tocross the street there. It's pretty… if there's a way that, the Barlowcould, approveof that,so…
1588
03:48:11.120 --> 03:48:11.840
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yeah.
1589
03:48:15.390 --> 03:48:17.500
Mayor McLewis: Alright, so…
1590
03:48:17.700 --> 03:48:23.579
Mayor McLewis: This is… we're still not straight on where we're movinghere. We're… we have a pretty divided,
1591
03:48:23.950 --> 03:48:39.459
Mayor McLewis: folks here tonight. So, I personally haveconcerns with bothof them. I'm still not… I'm still not… I'm stillnot keen on… on downtown. Happy to be okay with them doing an environmental study to look at the annex, because 1592
03:48:41.350 --> 03:48:50.699
MayorMcLewis:tome,downtown is…and changingzoningand doingallthesethings,I just… it's also going to get very expensive for Westco to be funding all of this stuff. 1593
03:48:50.700 --> 03:49:02.710
Mayor McLewis: So forme, I'm okay with doingenvironmental… having them do the environmental study, talk with the people, figure out if that's even possible by the annex. That'swhereI'mat,soIdon'tknow if anyone'schanged wherethey'reat. 1594
03:49:03.560 --> 03:49:15.710
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Well, Imean, I could throw in,it's like, Wesco is fine with working through what Mary and Alex have said about exploring sometype of, whatever you just said,Mary, for the place, thepiazza. 1595
03:49:15.710 --> 03:49:31.749
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: then yes, if they're prepared to pay forwhatever it's going to cost to do what we're to use, conditional something… Preliminary. Preliminary, whatever, for that site, then yes, I'm fine withthat. I just don't want topayanymoremoney, quite honestly, until I get a full-fledged something in writing. 1596
03:49:31.750 --> 03:49:36.310
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: like astaff report like we're used to, I don't really want to discuss that anymore, either tonight.
1597
03:49:37.410 --> 03:49:38.430
Mayor McLewis: Vice Mayor?
1598
03:49:38.430 --> 03:49:39.939
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I'm okay with that, too. 1599
03:49:43.450 --> 03:49:44.450
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Me too.
1600
03:49:45.870 --> 03:50:03.899
Mayor McLewis: Okay, and then, andas far as… I guess, let me look at the… them here, what are all… what allthe direction you need,Mary, because we're not… I'm not sure that we're clear on,the other site. You need a direction forboth, is that correct?I'm sorry, I'm trying to look through the item.
1601
03:50:04.270 --> 03:50:11.889
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: We just need whatever direction the Council wants to give. So, rightnow, I've heard from the direction from the Council is. 1602
03:50:12.710 --> 03:50:20.290
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Iftheysubmit a preliminary application, staff can workon exploringthefeasibilityof a downtown site.
1603
03:50:20.620 --> 03:50:25.850
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: no decisions about that. That'll still have to come back to the Council, but…
1604
03:50:26.070 --> 03:50:37.359
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: explore the feasibility of whether there's a way to have a temporary use at the downtown site. And otherthanthat, I haven't heard any direction from amajority of the council.
1605
03:50:38.000 --> 03:50:52.799
Mayor McLewis: I think it would be… in my opinion, it would be who Wesco to have that conversation with theLaguna folksand everyoneelseand explorethatbeforea lotof money is invested intoany of that, because it could turn into a bigthing. That's where I'm at with that. I don't know.
1606
03:50:52.800 --> 03:51:02.759
Mayor McLewis: I feel like they need to have some direction asfaras each site, whether or not… where we stand with this, sothey're not spinning their wheels and not clear on what the next steps are for them.
1607
03:51:04.530 --> 03:51:05.760
MayorMcLewis:Isanyoneelse?
1608
03:51:05.760 --> 03:51:12.180
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Ithinkwhat's on the table, with 3 people is a preliminaryapplication forthedowntown.
1609
03:51:12.180 --> 03:51:17.610
Mayor McLewis: I understand that, I'm just trying to, like, look at both options, because that's what was presented to us.
1610
03:51:18.070 --> 03:51:22.410
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Fair… that's very fair. And, yeah. 1611
03:51:25.060 --> 03:51:29.100
Mayor McLewis: So does anyone have any feedback on that, or are we just going to table that one?
1612
03:51:29.640 --> 03:51:30.370
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I've got…
1613
03:51:32.160 --> 03:51:33.379
Mayor McLewis: Go ahead, Vice Mayor, I'm sorry.
1614
03:51:33.380 --> 03:51:37.200
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: No, I'd just like to leave it off the table for environmentalreasons.
1615
03:51:37.390 --> 03:51:46.139
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yeah, I would second that, leave it off the table. I don't want to bring us into another scuttle witha whole bunch of group. We have a lot of things, no staff and nomoney.
1616
03:51:46.590 --> 03:51:49.269
Mayor McLewis: Yeah, okay, alright, so it sounds like… 1617
03:51:50.500 --> 03:51:53.059
Mayor McLewis: It sounds like you have some direction there. 1618
03:51:54.950 --> 03:51:55.860
Mayor McLewis: Do we need a vote?
1619
03:51:55.860 --> 03:52:15.080
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yes, so it would be direction to city staff towork with Westco to, requirethem to submit forpreliminary application, understanding it is a deposit account to payfor staff time, to review, potential options suchasa deed restriction on the downtown hotellot.
1620
03:52:15.170 --> 03:52:18.150
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And no consideration of the youth annex, is that correct?
1621
03:52:19.730 --> 03:52:20.390
Mayor McLewis: Yes.
1622
03:52:23.530 --> 03:52:25.389
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: So,city staff has instruction. 1623
03:52:26.420 --> 03:52:27.230
MayorMcLewis:Okay.
1624
03:52:29.110 --> 03:52:30.890
Mayor McLewis: So… oh, Vice Mayor?
1625
03:52:30.890 --> 03:52:33.440
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Is there a vote required on that, or… 1626
03:52:33.440 --> 03:52:35.589
MayorMcLewis:Iwaswaiting…IthoughtMarywasgonna…
1627
03:52:36.720 --> 03:52:39.919
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: It's… it was direction. You don't need a vote on the direction.
1628
03:52:39.920 --> 03:52:42.089
Mayor McLewis: Okay, alright, just wanted tomake sure. 1629
03:52:42.590 --> 03:52:59.189
Mayor McLewis: Thank you. I was waiting, I thought, I was, like, waiting, thinking you were going to say somethingelse. Okay, so let's seehere, the… how are wedoing? We're at 10 o'clock.Okay,so number13,considerationofapprovalofCity Councilprotocols, 1630
03:52:59.270 --> 03:53:02.709
Mayor McLewis: Do you want me to read through all of this, 1631
03:53:02.850 --> 03:53:26.459
Mayor McLewis: Yeah, I guess I will since I'm onthat. Additionof mandatory training added to policy number6. Fiscal and financial training, SB 827, effective January 1, 2026. All local agency officials must complete at least 2 hours of fiscal and financialtrainingevery2 years. Newly appointed or elected officialsmust complete the training within 6 months of assuming office.
1632
03:53:26.460 --> 03:53:34.770
Mayor McLewis: Officials serving prior toJanuary 1, 2026 must complete it by January 1, 2028, unless their term ends earlier.
1633
03:53:35.100 --> 03:53:53.469
Mayor McLewis: B, policies. Policy number11,use of travel funds for City Council. City Council conferences and training. This incorporates approved City Council resolution. Policynumber12,ethicsand professionalpersonalconductincorporatesapproved City Councilresolution.
1634
03:53:53.470 --> 03:53:57.809
Mayor McLewis: Policynumber 13, process ofcity council meetings. 1635
03:53:58.100 --> 03:54:10.950
Mayor McLewis: Policynumber 14, conflicts ofinterest and ex parte communications. Policy number 15, best practices for council members. Mary, who… 1636
03:54:11.260 --> 03:54:14.419
Mayor McLewis: Did you want to take it from there and start talking, or… 1637
03:54:14.570 --> 03:54:16.650
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Soyou just gave the staff report. 1638
03:54:17.280 --> 03:54:19.370
Mayor McLewis: I just figured I'm on the ad hoc, so…
1639
03:54:19.370 --> 03:54:27.139
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: The ad hoccommittee, consisting of the Mayor and the Vice Mayor andmyself, has been continuing to create the CityCouncil Protocols Handbook.
1640
03:54:27.230 --> 03:54:42.320
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Theseadditional, policies areincorporated. Some of them have been in other documents, such as the travelpolicywithin the budget, so we're trying to incorporate everything in one, you know, one document. 1641
03:54:42.340 --> 03:54:54.549
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Therewas a request to put inthere how a meeting is run. We've added that. We've added information about conflict of interest and ex parte communications. And then we've also added
1642
03:54:54.550 --> 03:55:08.359
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: separate from the training, which is the ethics training,sexualharassmenttraining,andtherewasa new required trainingthatweadded
aswellon financialmanagement.There'salsoa policyon professionaland personal conduct.
1643
03:55:08.380 --> 03:55:17.650
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Ethical leadership, respectfultreatment, fiscal responsibility, positive work enforcement, andthen incorporating the current code of conduct intothis policy as well.
1644
03:55:17.830 --> 03:55:31.839
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And then best practices of, basically how the council interacts with city staff, with other boards and commissions, duringcouncil meetings, and then when they're doing outside representation. So, those policies are attached
1645
03:55:31.920 --> 03:55:40.920
SebastopolCommunityCulturalCenter:ForCouncilconsideration andapproval,and then we will continue to bring items back as we continue to, create protocols for the handbook. 1646
03:55:44.520 --> 03:55:47.699
MayorMcLewis:Alright,anyquestions? Oh,goahead,CouncilmemberHinton. 1647
03:55:48.930 --> 03:55:53.949
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: So, looking at the report on page 9, which is just, 1648
03:55:54.530 --> 03:56:01.439
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: kind of how the meeting goes. It's… it's included. The mayor will provide information on the history of Sebastopol. 1649
03:56:01.560 --> 03:56:05.140
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And Iunderstand that that's what we're doing this year,because…
1650
03:56:05.270 --> 03:56:15.279
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: our current mayor wants that to kind of be her… her thing for the year, but, I'm… I'm concernedthat it's used in the example 1651
03:56:15.430 --> 03:56:17.980
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Because it's not something that we've all… 1652
03:56:18.330 --> 03:56:24.430
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Agreed to makea permanent situation. So, should it be on this example on page 9?
1653
03:56:26.370 --> 03:56:38.019
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yeah, I'll jump into… I was surprised to see that, too. If it's going to be part of the example, then I would not want that, because whoever's the mayor, they may have something else theywant to do. We couldcertainly… 1654
03:56:38.340 --> 03:56:43.769
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: add, you know, if desired, or something like that. We just wanted to reflect that
1655
03:56:43.930 --> 03:56:47.109
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: What's occurring now is, youknow, part of… 1656
03:56:47.680 --> 03:56:51.219
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: theprocess. You know, sowecould change that to say.
1657
03:56:51.590 --> 03:57:02.749
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: you know, may ormay instead of will, and then, you know, it's up to the mayor. Well, I take out a history of spasful mayor. It should say something like, may ormay…
1658
03:57:03.580 --> 03:57:10.700
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center:create, I don't know, anuance, or I don't know, something else, because it is…
1659
03:57:10.740 --> 03:57:19.050
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: up to the mayor. I mean, when Stephen was mayor, Ithink he madea permanent land acknowledgement, I think… but… 1660
03:57:19.050 --> 03:57:31.870
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: or whatever. We discuss that as a goal, and that is part of our regular protocol that we've all five agreed on. So, if we don't all five agree, then I don't think it should belisted on this page.
1661
03:57:32.160 --> 03:57:32.670
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: bump.
1662
03:57:32.670 --> 03:57:33.220
Mayor McLewis: I swear.
1663
03:57:33.220 --> 03:57:36.559
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Eventhough I understand themayor can do it this year, is fine with me.
1664
03:57:38.000 --> 03:57:38.930
Mayor McLewis: Vice Mayor?
1665
03:57:38.930 --> 03:57:53.600
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I just agree that it shouldn't be part of the formal process. I understand it's the process for this year, but this document is not necessarily about just this year, it's about an ongoing process, so I thinkthat that, 1666
03:57:53.840 --> 03:57:55.219
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: That should be struck. 1667
03:57:55.390 --> 03:57:56.740
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: for this document. 1668
03:57:58.820 --> 03:58:16.749
Mayor McLewis: Or if we just… should we… should we… I mean, just assuming that mayor… becauseI…Ihearallof you,and yeah,Idon'tmakeanyassumption anyonewantstodo that, but… but mayor…the mayor may want todo something, so what would be the proper wording to give that, tohave, like, just a placeholder sothat the mayor… 1669
03:58:16.890 --> 03:58:22.699
Mayor McLewis: Like, I don't… I don't have theword for that either. Nuance, whatever. Do you,Alex?
1670
03:58:24.220 --> 03:58:28.760
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: We could say may ormay… Provide… 1671
03:58:32.070 --> 03:58:38.709
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: information orcomments on topic relevant toCiti, or something generic like that.
1672
03:58:40.770 --> 03:58:54.880
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yeah, that'd be acceptable tome, because we've honored people in ourcity that have passed. Some… occasionally, themayor's donethat. There's different things,so something like that would be… Yeah, so we could change that to say mayor may provideinformation
1673
03:58:54.980 --> 03:59:00.950
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: on… topics… relevant to Sebastopol community. 1674
03:59:02.190 --> 03:59:08.809
Mayor McLewis: But that's generic enough that it gives… it's a place… for me, it's… but I'm okay with that wordy.
1675
03:59:11.170 --> 03:59:13.979
Mayor McLewis: Okay, any other questions?
1676
03:59:14.330 --> 03:59:22.279
Mayor McLewis: From anyone? No? I know it's getting late. Okay. Well, if we don't have any questions, then we can, go out to public comment, Mary. 1677
03:59:23.260 --> 03:59:36.520
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou. So this is for public comment on the proposed protocols forthe City Council Handbook. If you'd like to make a public comment, I will go toChambers first, and then go out to Zoom. It is a2-minute time limit. Is there anyonein Chambers?
1678
03:59:36.750 --> 03:59:43.000
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Seeing none, I will go out to Zoom. If there's anyone on Zoom that would like to make a public comment. Kyle, can you unmute yourself, please?
1679
03:59:43.560 --> 03:59:44.240
KyleFalbo:Ican.
1680
03:59:44.410 --> 03:59:45.969
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou. Can you still see the timer?
1681
03:59:45.970 --> 03:59:46.959
Kyle Falbo: Yes I can.
1682
03:59:46.960 --> 03:59:48.090
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Great,go ahead, please. 1683
03:59:48.090 --> 03:59:58.199
Kyle Falbo: So I'm hoping that this is one of many conversations arounda City Council handbook. I thinkthat improving on processes is really an important thing to do. I think that,
1684
03:59:58.370 --> 04:00:17.110
Kyle Falbo: watching this Council operate over the last few years and identifying, like, needs for change and practices, these are all great things. Where I'm hoping that you put someenergyand focusis,engagementwith thepublic.Waysin which youengage with publiccomment,and,maybeeven
1685
04:00:17.110 --> 04:00:31.770
KyleFalbo:reconsideringwhatwas,formanyyearspastpracticeof havinga 3-minute public comment period as opposed to a2-minute public comment period. But, you know, I think that really takes awill of that… of this body, right? Like. 1686
04:00:31.780 --> 04:00:37.659
Kyle Falbo: What valuedo you believe public comment brings to the decision-making process?
1687
04:00:37.800 --> 04:00:44.569
Kyle Falbo: You can demonstrate that value by revisiting our processes that are in this handbook,and
1688
04:00:44.980 --> 04:00:54.429
Kyle Falbo: going back to what we had had previously, rather than sticking to what wehave now, which is a 2-minute time-allotted period.Again.
1689
04:00:54.510 --> 04:01:09.299
Kyle Falbo: Great that you're handling, lookingat this handbook. I lookforward to further improvements, as Mary had suggested, furtherprotocols being brought in, and I'm hoping that engagement with the public becomes a priority, that gets brought in aswemove forward.Thanks.
1690
04:01:10.150 --> 04:01:13.600
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou, Kyle, for your public comment. Next, I will come back intochambers.
1691
04:01:14.510 --> 04:01:20.830
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Seeing none, I will go back out to Zoom. If there's anyone on Zoom that would like to make a public comment to please raise your hand virtually.
1692
04:01:21.340 --> 04:01:23.440
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Seeing none, public comment is closed. 1693
04:01:24.770 --> 04:01:28.640
Mayor McLewis: Alright, thank you. We're back to comments, if anyonehas any comments. 1694
04:01:30.800 --> 04:01:32.009
Mayor McLewis: Vice Mayor?
1695
04:01:33.210 --> 04:01:38.019
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I justwanted to thank our interim city manager for her work on this. Thankyou.
1696
04:01:38.410 --> 04:01:42.689
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And, Iwould make a motion to, 1697
04:01:43.160 --> 04:01:51.790
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: adopt the policies11through15 tobe incorporated in theCityCouncilPoliciesand ProceduresHandbook.Seconded. 1698
04:01:52.810 --> 04:01:53.700
MayorMcLewis:Alright.
1699
04:01:55.230 --> 04:02:11.380
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou. So moved by Vice Mayor Maurer, and seconded byCouncilmember Zolman. I'm sorry, can I amendthat…ask that a motion be amended to reflect what we just stated, where, the spousal history be removed, and that the mayor may providecomments on topics relative to the spousal community? Yes. 1700
04:02:11.450 --> 04:02:29.180
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Okay,so moved by Vice Mayor Maurer and seconded byCouncilmember Zolman to approve the policiesas amended, as I just stated, for the Mayor to provide comments on topics relative tothe spousal community. Councilmember Carter? Yes. CouncilmemberHinton? Aye. Councilmember Zolman? Yes. Vice Mayor Maurer? Yes. Mayor McLewis?
1701
04:02:29.390 --> 04:02:29.940
Mayor McLewis: Yes.
1702
04:02:30.130 --> 04:02:31.949
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Motion passes unanimously. 1703
04:02:33.170 --> 04:02:38.249
Mayor McLewis: Okay, perfect. Now, let's see.Additional public comment. 1704
04:02:40.500 --> 04:02:54.649
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou, Mayor. So this is the second public comment period. Ifyou were not able to talk duringthe first publiccomment period, now is an opportunity. If you'dlike to make a public comment and you were not able to,again, speak during the first public comment, pleaseraise your hand virtually. 1705
04:02:55.230 --> 04:02:57.179
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Seeing none, inchambers? 1706
04:02:58.130 --> 04:03:01.649
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Seeing none, there's no… oh,Kyle, can you unmit yourself,please?
1707
04:03:03.180 --> 04:03:21.800
Kyle Falbo: So, I hadthis brilliant idea. All you have to do is maybe just say water a couple times in association with the, the exploration of the soccer, and then what you can do is you can justify trying tobuild the enterprise fund
1708
04:03:22.040 --> 04:03:25.289
Kyle Falbo: For all of those 20-plushours.
1709
04:03:25.440 --> 04:03:45.200
Kyle Falbo: So, again, stays within past practice, right? This city has been charging the Enterprise Fund for activities that would normally be billed to GeneralFund for years, right? So again, just say water a few times, say sewage a few times, and thenwe can just go ahead andcoverall of the cost of our entire meeting
1710
04:03:45.200 --> 04:03:47.000
Kyle Falbo: to the Enterprise Fund.
1711
04:03:47.160 --> 04:04:01.329
Kyle Falbo: you've been doing it for years, why not continue the practice? And there we go. We just saved the general fund a shit tonof money on the backs ofpeople, just wanting to flush their toilets. Thanks a lot.
1712
04:04:02.730 --> 04:04:11.730
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Thankyou, Kyle, for your public comment. Next, I will come back intochamber. Seeing that inchamber, I go back out toZoom. If there's anyoneon Zoom,pleaseraiseyourhandvirtually.
1713
04:04:12.070 --> 04:04:15.689
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Seeing none, public comment is closed for the second publiccomment period.
1714
04:04:18.540 --> 04:04:19.790
MayorMcLewis:Thankyou.
1715
04:04:19.900 --> 04:04:28.759
Mayor McLewis: Now we are at, just… doany council members have any future agenda items that you'd like to… Go ahead, Councilmember Zolman. 1716
04:04:28.990 --> 04:04:39.440
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yeah,a simple one, just to reiterate the importance of filling out the agenda item request form. It could not bemore clear. 1717
04:04:39.750 --> 04:04:57.340
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Mary insists, and for some ofus that aretrying to just send her an emailwith, like, I'm thinking about, like, requesting something on a future agenda item, rightfully so, she just ignored it. It needs to be filled out on the form, and it needs to be an acknowledgement of, will this item
1718
04:04:57.680 --> 04:05:06.410
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: takeasignificant, I think that's the wording, significant amount of time. If so, how many hours? And then there's a justification, andthen there's a protocol.
1719
04:05:06.430 --> 04:05:20.130
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: So, that's my agenda item request, for the Mayor and the Vice Mayor to figure out, does it need to be part of a protocol, or dowe need to just take a solemn oath that we will reallyread the form, andwe will be… 1720
04:05:21.080 --> 04:05:40.450
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: It comes down to ourcharacter, too. If staff is saying, this is going to take a significant amount oftime, then we just back off, or staff says, here's a way to do it, just bring it up as an informational request tosee if your other colleagues will agree to have a significant amount ofmoney spent, not just blindly 1721
04:05:40.450 --> 04:05:49.459
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I don't know, coercing, puttingpressure, sending emails to staff? Whereare you on this issue? And not evenrealizing the fact that they're not evenstaffed.
1722
04:05:49.570 --> 04:06:00.909
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: They're consultants. So Iguess we just need a recommitment to understandingand abiding by the terms of the agenda item request form. I mean, I thought it wasa no-braineruntiltonight.
1723
04:06:01.740 --> 04:06:06.710
Mayor McLewis: And I'll, I'll support you onthatif we need to, to… so… 1724
04:06:10.620 --> 04:06:12.320
MayorMcLewis:Anyoneelse?
1725
04:06:17.030 --> 04:06:36.829
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I'm interested in actually bringing forthan agenda item that would takeminor items under acertain cost of $1,000 or $2,000, and not bringing everything to Budget Subcommittee and bringing someof these requests straight to Council.
1726
04:06:38.100 --> 04:06:44.510
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: So, I would like to move that, if I have a second, that I can, put in that.
1727
04:06:45.010 --> 04:06:45.749
Mayor McLewis: I'll second it.
1728
04:06:45.750 --> 04:06:54.960
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: gender request, yeah. Thank you. I just, yeah, I think it was unfortunate that we had to approvesomethingafter the event hadalready happened tonight.
1729
04:06:56.740 --> 04:06:57.920
Mayor McLewis: Vice Mayor?
1730
04:06:58.390 --> 04:07:07.269
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I justwant to clarify that, because I think what you're wanting is for, the group not to have to pay it up front. 1731
04:07:08.060 --> 04:07:18.699
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Right? So, like… No, that's not what I'm clarifying. I think we make every nonprofit pay it up front, and then just, like, AppleBlossom, and then they… we will discount it back.
1732
04:07:18.700 --> 04:07:28.510
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: But I just don't understand why these small nonprofit things that used to just come beforeall of us are now all being budgeted… funneled through Budget Subcommittee.
1733
04:07:28.550 --> 04:07:39.740
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Okay,so it's not a timingthing. It's a… I think… I understood that was brought to us late because our policy currently requires it go to Budget Subcommittee.
1734
04:07:40.250 --> 04:07:43.390
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And Idon't think it should forsmall little items. 1735
04:07:43.540 --> 04:07:51.920
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: So, can I just jump in here real quick? I think we need to bring it back asan agenda item, because there are times where 1736
04:07:52.450 --> 04:07:58.949
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I will take Apple Blossom foran example. They don't pay in advance because we don't know what their staff time is. 1737
04:07:58.950 --> 04:08:16.509
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: So, ifthey're asking for a waiver fee for, like, police time, or public works time, or supplies and materials, we won't know that until after. So, take Apple Blossom out of it. I don't think smallthings should have to run through budget subcommittee. They never used to. I think it's unnecessary. 1738
04:08:20.360 --> 04:08:21.050
MayorMcLewis:Okay.
1739
04:08:21.180 --> 04:08:23.850
Mayor McLewis: Did CouncilmemberCarter, you had your hand up, right? 1740
04:08:23.860 --> 04:08:40.799
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Yeah, I would consider seconding this, because, you know, not everything has to gothroughtheBudget Committee. If there's, like, a way to make it more, you know, systematic and kind of, like, low-value, because… I just wanted to check. We don't need afull-on discussion. We're just, like, there's a… there's a… 1741
04:08:40.800 --> 04:08:45.619
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: proposal. There's a second. It's on the agenda. Let'smovethecalendaralong,please.Thanks.
1742
04:08:46.950 --> 04:08:48.370
MayorMcLewis:Alright?
1743
04:08:49.490 --> 04:08:54.549
Mayor McLewis: Let me… sorry, I moved my paper. The next thing we have here is staff reports.
1744
04:08:56.400 --> 04:09:13.810
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Reminder that we havea goals and priorities workshop next week. For those council members that did not providegoals, if you wanted to provide them to me today or tomorrow, I can incorporatethem, or you could bring them to the workshop on Tuesday.
1745
04:09:13.910 --> 04:09:24.959
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: We did get about, 150,160 responses for the survey, that I'llbe bringing those items back, as well. 1746
04:09:25.880 --> 04:09:35.129
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: For transparency, we did do recruitment for planningdirector,andwewereunsuccessfulwith theplanningdirectorrecruitment. 1747
04:09:35.130 --> 04:09:47.940
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: We are going back out. We are also hiring for an associate planner. I'vebeen talking to HR andconsulting firms, and there's been a couple good recruitments lately for planning associates, so…
1748
04:09:47.940 --> 04:09:56.840
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: We may be more successful in that direction right now.ButifIdon'tfind a planningdirector,we'd probablyhavetobringthisbackfora request for proposals.
1749
04:09:57.010 --> 04:10:09.409
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And,we are almost fully staffed in the police department now. We are going through background checks, so we should be close to fully staffed by the beginning of the fiscal year.
1750
04:10:09.720 --> 04:10:19.529
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And Ibelieve that is… oh,theMiller Oil, I just wanted to put it out there that the owner is working with us to remove the boats. 1751
04:10:19.660 --> 04:10:35.260
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And the cars, she had apersonal issue that popped up, so now she's back onto it, so we are doing that. We are also working with the barbecue place down on South Main Street, and trying to resolve that issue down there with the smoke.
1752
04:10:35.440 --> 04:10:37.199
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And that is all I have. 1753
04:10:38.930 --> 04:10:39.710
MayorMcLewis:Alright.
1754
04:10:39.900 --> 04:10:41.480
MayorMcLewis:Thankyou.
1755
04:10:41.710 --> 04:10:47.440
Mayor McLewis: Council members, anyone want to go? We have10 minutes here, so hopefully…Goahead.
1756
04:10:47.440 --> 04:10:51.459
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: My sweetheart okay, let's see, where'd it go? 1757
04:10:51.910 --> 04:11:05.079
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: zero-waste meeting, they approved their budget, and then just two joint budget and enterprise oversight committee meetings. We met twice, thisweek andlastweek.
1758
04:11:05.210 --> 04:11:09.599
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And we worked on thecost allocation plan. 1759
04:11:09.990 --> 04:11:13.280
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: And, this week we worked onthe CIP. 1760
04:11:13.530 --> 04:11:17.079
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: We also looked at the enterprise water and wastewater budgets.
1761
04:11:18.540 --> 04:11:19.379
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: That'sit.
1762
04:11:19.840 --> 04:11:20.630
MayorMcLewis:Thankyou.
1763
04:11:21.400 --> 04:11:24.010
Mayor McLewis: Anyone else, or I can go, if noone else? 1764
04:11:24.010 --> 04:11:40.830
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Inaddition to my other, regular meetings, the Homeless Coalition Board andthe various subcommittees that I serve on in order to continue dealing with what our federaladministration is doing to continue destroying safety nets all across the board, Medi-Cal, housing, etc.
1765
04:11:42.150 --> 04:11:57.440
Mayor McLewis: Okay, I'm gonna goahead and just give mine really quickly. Since our last council meeting I attended, we had our ledge… our ledge meeting, and the committee did, vote to support a variety of,
1766
04:11:57.760 --> 04:12:15.259
Mayor McLewis: of billsthat I'll be bringing some of those back for, to you all to consider writing letters to the city. I attended the… the gathering with theTakeo delegation, at, at,at Enji, and then also we planted a tree.
1767
04:12:15.260 --> 04:12:38.199
Mayor McLewis: For… to celebrate the 40th anniversary cherry tree. It's right out there by the, Peace Well, if you'll notice it there, it's bloomingright now. That was a really nice celebration.I'vealsoattended,GTLR,theGovernance,Transparency,Labor Relations Committee, meetings with, Cal Cities, representing us as a small city. And then I also, 1768
04:12:38.350 --> 04:12:58.129
Mayor McLewis: let's see, today, I… we continue to have meetings, with… with the police chiefs, interim city manager, and Safeway, and, West County Schools, just, continuing to discussand…and workon the…thechallengesthatwe'vehad atSafeway,and Ifeel like we're making progresswith that.
1769
04:12:58.130 --> 04:13:07.540
Mayor McLewis: But yeah, we continue to meet, you know, once every3 months, sowe had a meeting today. So that's all I have to report at this point, if anyone else has? 1770
04:13:09.500 --> 04:13:23.820
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: I'll goahead and go. I will submit notes from the SCTCA Transit Ad HocCommittee meeting. I know there was a lot of,questions from the public, and I sit onthat.
1771
04:13:23.930 --> 04:13:35.909
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center:committee for, not just representatives of Aspel, but they kind of agree to have different areas represented, so I, sit in lieu of Linda Hopkins with twoother
1772
04:13:35.910 --> 04:13:44.160
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: or there's another supervisor,Chris Corsi, on that committee. So, I will submit that for Counciland the public, and ask Mary to send it out. 1773
04:13:44.160 --> 04:14:03.570
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: The main highlight of that meeting, which has come up a variety oftimes, is that, and I've noted it here, that thecounty has not yet started on the transportation element of the general plan, but that is where a Sebastopol bypass would beplanned,if thatwassomethingSebastopolwanted 1774
04:14:03.700 --> 04:14:05.810
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: To discuss, and that came up. 1775
04:14:06.000 --> 04:14:13.799
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: again,in our discussion of one-way, two-way streets. So, I'm gonna go ahead and get this posted through Mary, andyou'll all get acopy. 1776
04:14:14.740 --> 04:14:15.550
MayorMcLewis:Thankyou.
1777
04:14:16.910 --> 04:14:19.650
Mayor McLewis: Councilmember Carter, did you have anything beforewe… 1778
04:14:19.650 --> 04:14:31.679
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Imean, I've taken up all ofyour time today, but I just… I feel like you guys need to know about Sonoma Clean Power's new, entrepreneur building, that they're…they're gonna have a $10 million building for… 1779
04:14:31.990 --> 04:14:36.840
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: Entrepreneurs to come in, and they're gonnagive them grants for their power.
1780
04:14:40.260 --> 04:14:41.000
MayorMcLewis:Okay.
1781
04:14:42.180 --> 04:14:47.620
Mayor McLewis: Nothing else, then I thinkwe… Mary, is there anythingelse you need? Otherwise, I consider us adjourned.
1782
04:14:47.620 --> 04:14:48.940
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center: No, we are adjourned. 1783
04:14:48.940 --> 04:14:50.129
MayorMcLewis:Okay,thankyou.
City Council Meeting - April 7, 2026
OKAY, LET ME CLICK OFF OF THAT, AND I WOULD SAY, CAN WE JUST CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER? GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. MARY, WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO ROLL CALL, FIRST?
SURE, THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER CARTER?
HERE.
COUNCILMEMBER HINTON? COUNCILMEMBER ZOLLMAN?
PRESENT.
VICE MAYOR MAURER?
HERE.
MAYOR MCLEWIS?
HERE.
PLEASE NOTE ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE IN ATTENDANCE.
ALL RIGHT, SO LET'S MOVE ON TO ABSOLUTE TO THE FLAG, IF WE CAN. I PLEDGE
ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA I NEED SOMEONE THERE TO LEAD IT FOR ME. THANK YOU. THAT'S ONE THING I LEARNED ON ZOOM, I CANNOT HEAR THE AUDIENCE WHEN THEY'RE SPEAKING. LET'S SEE. OBVIOUSLY I AM -- I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT I AM ATTENDING THIS REMOTELY. IT'S BEEN POSTED ON THE AGENDA 72 HOURS AHEAD WITH MY ADDRESS. I DON'T HAVE ANYONE IN THE ROOM WITH ME. I'VE POSTED NECESSARY WITH THE HOTEL. AND I ALSO WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW
THERE ARE SOME MASSIVE STORMS THAT HAVE ROLLED INTO HERE WHERE I'M AT IN HAWAII, AND SO THE INTERNET IS A BIT SPOTTY. IF FOR SOME REASON I LOSE CONNECTION, I'M HOPING THE VICE MAYOR COULD TAKE OVER FOR ME. IT'S GOING TO GET ROUGH HERE IN JUST A BIT. SO ANY WAY, ALL RIGHT. LET'S SEE, I'M GOING TO MOVE ON TO LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT. SO THE CITY OF SEBASTOPOL ACKNOWLEDGES -- AND PARDON ME. I SHOULD ASK IF THERE IS ANYONE ELSE THAT ANYTHING THEY NEEDED TO ADD BEFORE I MOVE ON WITH THAT? I THINK WE'RE GOOD. OKAY. SO LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT. 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 PEOPLE, INCLUDING THE FEDERAL INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA. AS A PART OF THIS YEAR, REMEMBERING THE HISTORY OF SEBASTOPOL, AND I JUST HAVE TWO QUICK LITTLE BLURBS, JUST TO SHARE WITH EVERYONE. THEY HAVE A BIT OF ENFORCEMENT THEME THIS TIME. IN 1966, A NEW RADAR EQUIPMENT WAS INSTALLED TO HELP SLOW DOWN CITY SPEEDERS. A LITTLE BOX WAS ACTUALLY INSTALLED, SIX-BY-NINE-BY FOUR BOX. BASICALLY IT WAS TO INCREASE THE ROLL IN A
POLICE EFFORT TO DRASTICALLY REDUCE SPEEDING WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS, WHEN THE RADAR WAS IN USE. THE POLICE MARKINGS MARKED, SO IT WAS CLEARLY VISIBLE, EVEN AT THE SEEING DISTANCE, APPROACHING MOTORISTS. I FIND THIS SIMPLY HUMOROUS
BECAUSE WHEN THEY ACTUALLY INSTALLED THAT AND THEY WERE DEMONSTRATING IT FOR FOLKS IN THE CITY. A YOUNG GENTLEMAN WENT SPEEDING BY IN HIS PICKUP TRUCK AT 60 MILES PER HOUR ON PETALUMA AVENUE IN A 25 MILES AN HOUR ZONE. SO I WAS JUST READING THROUGH THE OLD PAPERS, AND IT WAS KIND OF HUMOROUS. AND ACTUALLY IN 1966, THE CITY INSTITUTED A FLAT $5 FEE FOR ANYONE WHO WAS JAYWALKING. AND EVEN THOUGH THEY PAINTED, NO JAYWALKING, THE VARIOUS
PLACES THAT PEOPLE WERE WALKING OVER THE CURBS, AND NOT ADHERING TO THE LAWS, SO ANY WAY THEY INSTITUTED THE FLAT $5 FEE. WHEN I READ THESE NEWSPAPER CLIPS, IT'S QUITE INTERESTING. I HOPE SOME OF YOU WILL SPEND SOME TIME AT THE MUSEUM AND GET TO KNOW MORE PEOPLE OF SEBASTOPOL. AND I'M GOING TO MOVE ON TO PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, AND INTRODUCTIONS. WE ACTUALLY HAVE FIVE PROCLAMATIONS TONIGHT. SO I JUST WANTED TO SEE, I GUESS I'LL GO DOWN THE LIST AS THEY'RE ON THE AGENDA. THE FIRST ONE WE HAVE IS THE SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH. I BELIEVE COUNCILMEMBER HINTON IS GOING TO READ THAT ONE, CORRECT? AWE, THERE YOU GO. THANK YOU FOR TURNING ME UP. YES, SO I'M STARTING OUT WITH THE TOUGHEST ONE. SO HERE WE GO. PROCLAIMING APRIL, 2026 A SEXUAL ASSAULT
AWARENESS MONTH. WHEREAS SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH CALLS
ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT SEXUAL VIOLENCE IS WIDESPREAD AND IMPACTS EVERY PERSON IN EVERY COMMUNITY. SAM, AS THE ACRONYM SAYS, AIMS TO RAISE PUBLIC
AWARENESS ABOUT SEXUAL ABUSE, HARASSMENT, AND ASSAULT, AND EDUCATES COMMUNITIES ABOUT HOW TO BE INVOLVED. WHEREAS THIS YEAR, SAM'S CAMPAIGN, WHICH IS THE THEME, 25 YEARS STRONGER, LOOKING BACK, MOVING FORWARD.
CELEBRATES THE RESILIENCE OF SURVIVORS IN THE COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE WORKED FOR CHANGE. WHEREAS MOST WOMEN AND MEN ACROSS ALL SEXUAL IDENTITIES WHO
EXPERIENCE CONTACT SEXUAL VIOLENCE REPORTED THE PERSON WHO ARMED THEM IS SOMEONE THEY KNEW. AND WHEREAS 53% OF WOMEN IN OVER 29% OF MEN REPORTED EXPERIENCING SEXUAL VIOLENCE. WHEREAS 32.9% OF ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES HAVE EXPERIENCED SEXUAL VIOLENCE, AND WHEREAS 47% OF ALL
TRANSGENDER PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SEXUALLY ASSAULTED AT SOME POINT IN THEIR LIVES. WHEREAS WE CELEBRATE 25 YEARS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH. WE
RECOGNIZE THE WORK STILL AHEAD, AND TOGETHER WE CAN CONTINUE TO SHIFT CULTURE, STRENGTHEN PREVENTION, AND CREATE WORLD FREE OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE.
AND WHEREAS BY STANDING IN SOLIDARITY, WE CAN BUILD A FUTURE FREE FROM
SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND CREATE A WORLD WHERE EVERYONE IS SAFE, VALUED, AND RESPECTED. NOW THERE ARE FOUR, BE IT RESOLVED, THAT OUR MAYOR, JILL MCLEWIS, ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE CITY COUNCIL, PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF APRIL, 2026, SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH. AND SUCH WE MUST STRIVE TO CREATE STRONG
CONNECTED COMMUNITIES THAT TAKE CARE OF ONE ANOTHER AND MAKE DECISIONS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY AND WELL BEING OF OTHERS TO END SEXUAL VIOLENCE. OUR MAYOR HAS SAID ON THE 7th DAY OF APRIL, 2026. IS ANYBODY HERE FOR THIS PROCLAMATION? OKAY, THANKS.
ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU SO MUCH. THE NEXT ONE WE HAVE IS THE WEEK OF THE YOUNG CHILD, WOTYC PROCLAMATION. I BELIEVE COUNCILMEMBER ZOLLMAN IS READING THAT?
YES. THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. AS THE INCOMING CHAIR OF OUR CHILD CARE
PLANNING COUNCIL, I'M HONORED TO BE ABLE TO READ THIS PROCLAMATION, PROCLAIMING APRIL 11 THROUGH THE 17th AS THE WEEK OF THE YOUNG CHILD,
WHEREAS THE WEEK OF THE YOUNG CHILD IS AN ANNUAL CELEBRATION SPONSORED BY
THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN, THE WORLD'S LARGEST EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION ASSOCIATION. AND WHEREAS THE WEEK OF
THE YOUNG CHILD REINFORCES OUR COMMITMENT TO ENSURING EVERY CHILD HAS ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY, EARLY LEARNING EXPERIENCES. WHEREAS CHILDREN'S
COGNITIVE PHYSICAL, SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL LITERACY DEVELOPMENT ARE BUILT ON THE
FOUNDATION OF THE CHILD'S POSITIVE INTERACTIONS WITH ADULTS, PEERS, AND THEIR ENVIRONMENT. WHEREAS HIGH-QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS PROVIDE
IMPORTANT BENEFITS TO CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND OUR STATE AND NATIONAL ECONOMIES. WHEREAS EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION HELPS BUILD STRONG
DEVELOPMENTAL FOUNDATIONS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN DURING THE YEARS OF THE
GREATEST BRAIN DEVELOPMENT, LEADING TO POSITIVE OUTCOMES FOR INDIVIDUAL CHILDREN. AND WHEREAS INCREASING ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD
EDUCATION SAVES TAXPAYERS DOLLARS, MAKING WORKING FAMILIES MORE
ECONOMICALLY SECURE AND PROVIDES CHILDREN TO SUCCEED IN SCHOOL, EARNING HIGHER WAGES AND LIVE HEALTHIER LIVES. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, THAT
OUR MAYOR, JILL MCLEWIS, HAS PLACED HER -- ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE CITY COUNCIL, PROCLAIMS APRIL 11 THROUGH THE 17 AS WEEK OF THE YOUNG CHILD. IN
WITNESS THEREOF, SHE HAS PLACED HER HAND ON THE GREAT SEAL OF THE CITY OF SEBASTOPOL, THE 7th DAY OF APRIL, 2026. I'LL MAKE SURE OUR CHILDCARE
COORDINATOR RECEIVES THIS BECAUSE SHE'S COLLECTING THEM ON BEHALF OF ALL CITIES WITHIN THE COUNTY. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND I WILL BE READING THE NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATORS WEEK PROCLAMATION, AND I HAVE IT RIGHT HERE. SO LET ME --
WHEREAS THIS WEEK IS A TIME TO SHOW OUR APPRECIATION INTO RECOGNIZING OUR
HEALTH SAFETY AND WELL BEING ARE OFTEN DEPEND ON THE COMMITMENT AND
STEADFAST DEVOTION OF PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATORS BECAUSE
EMERGENCIES CAN OCCUR AT ANY TIME THAT REQUIRES POLICE, FIRE, EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE OR OTHER CRITICAL SERVICES. AND WHEREAS WHEN AN EMERGENCY
OCCURS, THE PROMPT RESPONSE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIREFIGHTERS, MEDICAL PERSONNEL IS CRITICAL TO THE PROTECTION OF LIFE AND PRESERVATION OF PROPERTY.
AND WHEREAS THE SAFETY OF OUR POLICE OFFICERS AND FIREFIGHTERS IS DEPENDENT
UPON THE QUALITY AND ACCURACY OF INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM CITIZENS WHO TELEPHONE SEBASTOPOL POLICE DEPARTMENT. AND WHEREAS PUBLIC SAFETY TELL
COMMUNICATORS ARE THE FIRST AND MOST CRITICAL CONTACT, OUR CITIZENS HAVE WITH EMERGENCY SERVICES. AND WHEREAS PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATORS ARE
THE SINGLE FINAL LINK FOR OUR POLICE OFFICERS AND FIREFIGHTERS BY MONITORING
OUR ACTIVITIES BY RADIO, PROVIDING THEM INFORMATION, AND SECURING THEIR SAFETY. AND WHEREAS PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATORS HAVE ASSISTED WITH
THE APPREHENSION OF CRIMINAL SUPPRESSION OF FIRE AND TREATMENT OF PATIENTS,
THE WORK OF THESE UNFORESEEN FIRST RESPONDERS IS INVALUABLE IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. EACH OF THESE DEDICATED MEN AND WOMEN DESERVE OUR HEARTFELT APPRECIATION. THAT I, JILL MCLEWIS, ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE CITY COUNCIL PROCLAIM APRIL 12 THROUGH THE 18th, 2026 AS NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATORS WEEK. A WITNESS WHERE I HAVE SET MY HAND IN THE GREAT SEAL ON THE CITY OF SEBASTOPOL, THE 7th DAY OF APRIL, 2026. AND I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE IS PRESENT TO ACTUALLY ACCEPT THAT TODAY?
THE CHIEF OF POLICE IS HERE.
OKAY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, CHIEF FOR COMING IN AND ACCEPTING THAT. I'M SORRY I'M NOT THERE IN PERSON. WONDERFUL, THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE HAVE ANOTHER PROCLAMATION. THE CHILDREN'S MEMORIAL DAY, LET'S SEE, IS THE FOURTH FRIDAY. IT'S ACTUALLY CALLED THE MOVES PROCLAMATION. AND I BELIEVE THAT WILL BE VICE MAYOR MAURER?
YES, THANK YOU. WHEREAS NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH IS AN
OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE THE IMPORTANCE OF INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES WORKING TOGETHER TO KEEP FAMILIES SAFE AND HEALTHY. AND WHEREAS EVERYONE
HAS A ROLE TO PLAY IN MAKING SURE OUR COMMUNITY IS A GREAT PLACE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO THRIVE. AND WHEREAS ALL CHILDREN DESERVE GREAT CHILDHOODS AND SHOULD BE RAISED IN HEALTHIER HOMES TO NEGLECT. CHILDREN
WHO ARE RAISED IN SUPPORTIVE, STABLE, NURTURING ENVIRONMENTS ARE MORE LIKELY TO LEAD HEALTHIER AND SUCCESSFUL LIVES. AND WHEREAS PRIORITIZING THE
WELL BEING OF CALIFORNIA'S CHILDREN BY IMPLEMENTING POLICIES THAT STRENGTHEN FAMILIES. WHEN WE ENSURE THE HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEXT
GENERATION, THEY ARE MORE LIKELY TO CONTRIBUTE POSITIVELY TO OUR COMMUNITIES AND BE PRODUCTIVE RESPONSIBLE MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY. WHEREAS WE CAN'T PUT A DOLLAR VALUE ON THE LIFE OF A CHILD. BUT WE CAN PLAY A PART IN ENDING THE TRAGEDY OF CHILD ABUSE BY SUPPORTING CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. AND
WHEREAS THE CHILDREN'S MEMORIAL DAY WAS ESTABLISHED BY THE CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY IN APRIL, 1997, WHICH FORMALLY DECLARED THE FOURTH FRIDAY IN APRIL AS A STATEWIDE ANNUAL OBSERVANCE DAY. ON THE FOURTH FRIDAY IN APRIL, EVERY
YEAR, THE CHILDREN'S MEMORIAL FLAG IS TO BE FLOWN STATEWIDE IN MEMORY OF ALL YOUNG LIVES LOST TO VIOLENCE IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR. NOW THEREFORE BE IT
PROCLAIMED THAT JILL MCLEWIS, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SEBASTOPOL, ON BEHALF OF
THE ENTIRE CITY COUNCIL DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE FOURTH FRIDAY IN APRIL AS
CHILDREN'S MEMORIAL FLAG DAY THROUGHOUT SEBASTOPOL IN MEMORY OF CHILDREN, WHO HAVE DIED BY VIOLENCE. AND SHE ENCOURAGES THE CITY TO RAISE THE
MEMORIAL FLAG ON THE FOURTH FRIDAY IN THE MONTH OF APRIL TO HONOR THE YOUNG LIVES LOST.
GREAT, WAS THERE ANYONE PRESENT TO ACCEPT THAT? IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE IT.
OKAY. THEN WE HAVE ONE MORE PROCLAMATION TO GO TO. PARDON ME, THAT'S THE NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK PROCLAMATION BY COUNCILMEMBER CARTER.
OKAY, PROCLAIMING APRIL 19 THROUGH THE 25 IS NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK. WHEREAS
LIBRARY SPARKS CREATIVITY, FUEL IMAGINATION, AND INSPIRE LIFELONG LEARNING,
OFFERING A SPACE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH ALL AGES COULD FIND JOY THROUGH EXPLORATION AND DISCOVERY. AND WHEREAS LIBRARIES SERVE AS A VIBRANT
COMMUNITY HUB, CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH KNOWLEDGE, TECHNOLOGY, RESOURCES,
WHILE FOSTERING CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, CRITICAL THINKING, AND CULTURAL ENRICHMENT. WHEREAS LIBRARIES PROVIDE FREE AND EQUITABLE ACCESS TO BOOKS,
DIGITAL TOOLS, AND INNOVATIVE PROGRAMMING, WHEREAS LIBRARIES PARTNER WITH SCHOOLS, BUSINESSES, ORGANIZATIONS, AND MAXIMIZE RESOURCES. WHEREAS
LIBRARIES -- WHEREAS DEDICATED LIBRARIANS AND LIBRARY WORKERS PROVIDE
WELCOMING SPACES THAT INSPIRE DISCOVERY, COLLABORATION, AND CREATIVITY FOR ALL. NOW THEREFORE BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL THROUGH MAYOR
JILL MCLEWIS AND THE CITY OF SEBASTOPOL ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE CITY COUNCIL TO HEREBY COMPLAIN, I MEAN DO HEREBY PROCLAIM APRIL 19 THROUGH THE 25 AS NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK. DURING THIS WEEK, I ENCOURAGE ALL RESIDENTS TO VISIT THEIR LIBRARIES. EXPLORE ITS RESOURCES AND CELEBRATE ALL WAYS THAT THE LIBRARY HELPS OUR COMMUNITIES FIND JOY.
ALL RIGHT. WONDERFUL. WE DON'T HAVE ANYONE HERE ACCEPTING THAT, THEN WE'LL
PASS THOSE OVER, ALL OF THEM OVER TO OUR INTERIM CITY MANAGER, AND I CAN MOVE ON. OKAY. WHILE WE'RE DOING THAT, I JUST WONDER IF ANYONE HAS ANY
STATEMENTS OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST BEFORE WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THE REST OF THE AGENDA? I DON'T SEE ANY.
I JUST WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I AM ON THE BOARD OF WESTCO SOCCER CLUB.
AND PER ADVISEMENT BY LEGAL COUNSEL, IF I CAN JUST CHECK IN. BECAUSE I AM NOT PAID, IT IS A PUBLIC SERVICE. I'VE BEEN ADVISED IT'S JUST AN OPTIONAL THING TO PRECLUDE MYSELF FROM THE VOTE. BUT I'M GOING TO STAY ON.
OKAY.
WILL DO YOU WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT?
YOU'RE EXACTLY RIGHT BECAUSE IT IS AN UNCOMPENSATED POSITION AND THE ORGANIZATION IS A 501C3, YOU DON'T HAVE -- THERE'S NO REQUIREMENT TO RECUSE
YOURSELF IN THE RULES, ANY APPLICABLE RULES EXCEPT TO DISCLOSE THE POSITION, WHICH YOU'VE DONE.
OKAY.
OKAY. ALL RIGHT. SO ANYONE ELSE BEFORE WE MOVE ON TO PUBLIC COMMENT? NO.
ALL RIGHT. MARY, IF YOU'D LIKE TO MOVE ON TO OUR PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA.
THANK YOU, MAYOR. AS YOU JUST STATED, THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS THAT ARE NOT ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA. IT'S A 20-MINUTE TIME LIMIT FOR THIS FIRST PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. THERE'S AN ADDITIONAL 20 MINUTES AT THE END. IT IS A TWO-MINUTE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. GUY TO CHAMBERS FIRST, THEN GO OUT TO ZOOM. SO IF THERE IS ANYONE IN CHAMBERS THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT FOR AN ITEM NOT ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA? SEEING NONE, I'LL GO OUT TO ZOOM. KATE, CAN YOU UNMUTE YOURSELF, PLEASE?
YES. HELLO.
THANK YOU. LET ME SEE -- CAN YOU SEE THE TIMER?
I CAN, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
GREAT. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
I WANT TO COMMENT ON THE RECENT SURVEY ON CITY PRIORITIES. I JUST WANTED TO
POINT OUT THAT IT DID NOT ALLOW PEOPLE TO RANK THEIR PRIORITIES, WHICH I THINK
IS A MISTAKE NOT TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO RANK AS IT DOESN'T GIVE THE CITY COUNCIL AND CITY STAFF A CLEAR LIST OF PRIORITIES. I WOULD BE CURIOUS TO KNOW IF PUBLIC SAFETY WAS STILL THE NUMBER ONE CONCERN OF RESIDENTS. MY HUNCH SAYS IT PROBABLY IS. SO I THINK THAT WOULD BE GOOD TO KNOW THAT INFORMATION AND ANY FUTURE GOAL SETTING SITUATIONS. AND THEN I ALSO WANTED TO NOTE THERE IS A NEW SURVEY ON THE CITY'S SITES REGARDING TREES. I HOPE PEOPLE FILL OUT THIS SURVEY
AND GIVE SUPPORT TO SEBASTOPOL'S TREE CANOPY, SHRUBS, AND FOLIAGE, IT IS
PROVING CITIES WITH MORE TREES AND PLANTS HAVE LESS SURFACE HEAT AND STAY COOLER IN THE SUMMER, WHICH IS IMPORTANT WITH CLIMATE CHANGE. THEY ALSO
PROVIDE HABITAT FOR BEES, BIRDS, BUTTERFLIES, AND OTHER PARTS OF OUR ECOSYSTEM. SEBASTOPOL SITS ON A HUGE AQUIFER. DESPITE POPULAR BELIEF HAS
NEVER COME CLOSE, EVEN IN DROUGHT YEARS TO ANY SORT OF WATER AVAILABILITY CONCERNS. SO I ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO SUPPORT OUR TREES AND PLANTS, AND LET THE
CITY KNOW HOW YOU FEEL. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO REITERATE MY PREVIOUS REQUEST
THAT CONTRACTORS BE IDENTIFIED AS SUCH AND NOT AS CITY EMPLOYEES IN DISCUSSIONS. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, KATE FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. NOW WE'LL COME BACK INTO CHAMBERS. IF ANYONE IN CHAMBERS WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT. LAURA?
I JUST HAD A QUICK QUESTION ABOUT PROCLAMATIONS. I THOUGHT THE POLICY HAD
BEEN CHANGED THAT YOU ONLY READ THE FIRST PARAGRAPH IF NO ONE WAS HERE TO PICK IT UP.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. NEXT, I WOULD COME 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'LL COME BACK INTO CHAMBERS. IF ANYONE IN CHAMBERS WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA? SEEING NONE, PUBLIC COMMENT IS CLOSED, MAYOR.
OKAY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE ARE MOVING ONTO THE CONSENT CALENDAR. I WILL READ ALL OF THE ITEMS. AND AFTER THAT, IF NO ONE WANTS TO PULL ANYTHING.
NUMBER ONE, APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES FOR MEETING OF FEBRUARY 17, 2026. NUMBER TWO, APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES FOR MEETING OF MARCH 17, 2026. NUMBER THREE, ADOPT A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING JOHN MOE, P.E., TO SIGN CERTAIN DOCUMENTS AS CITY ENGINEER. MARIO
LANDEROS, INTERIM CITY ENGINEER WITH GHD INCORPORATED WILL BE RETIRING FROM HIS ROLE AND JOHN MOE HAS BEEN SELECTED TO PERFORM THIS ROLE. NUMBER FOUR, APPROVAL OF CATASTROPHIC POLICY, CITY WIDE. THIS POLICY ESTABLISHES A
VOLUNTARY CATASTROPHIC LEAVE BANK CONSISTENT WITH IRS GUIDANCE FOR MEDICAL EMERGENCY LEAVE, SHARING PLANS. THE BANK ALLOWS EMPLOYEES TO
DONATE ACCRUED VACATION, COMPENSATORY TIME OFF, CTO, OR ADMINISTRATIVE
LEAVE FOR USE BY ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES WHO EXPERIENCE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY
RESULTING IN PROLONGING ABSENCE AND SUBSTANTIAL INCOME LOSS AFTER EXHAUSTING PAID LEAVE. A MEDICAL EMERGENCY MAY INVOLVE THE EMPLOYEE OR AN ELIGIBLE FAMILY MEMBER. NUMBER FIVE. AUTHORIZE THE OPENING OF A RECRUITMENT
PROCESS TO FILL THE UPCOMING TERM FOR THE CITY OF SEBASTOPOL'S REPRESENTATIVE
ON THE SONOMA COUNTY LIBRARY COMMISSION, AND APPROVE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR CITY APPOINTED POSITIONS TO THE SONOMA COUNTY LIBRARY COMMISSION. NUMBER
SIX, APPROVAL OF NOTICE OF COMPLETION FOR EMERGENCY SEWER REPAIR SOUTH HIGH STREET. LET'S SEE. DOES ANYONE -- WOULD ANYONE LIKE TO PULL ANY OF THE ITEMS ON THIS LIST THAT I JUST READ? I DON'T SEE -- NO? OKAY. I DON'T SEE ANYONE, SO IF NO ONE HAS ANY COMMENTS, THEN MARY, THAT TAKES US TO PUBLIC COMMENT, AM I CORRECT? YOU ARE CORRECT. SO THIS IS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS ONLY. IF YOU'D LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT, I'LL GO TO CHAMBERS FIRST.
SEEING NONE, I'LL GO OUT TO ZOOM. KYLE, CAN YOU UNMUTE YOURSELF, PLEASE? I CAN.
THANK YOU. CAN YOU SEE THE TIMER?
I CAN.
GREAT, GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
REGARDING THE ENGINEERING CONTRACT, IT'S INTERESTING TO READ IN THIS AGENDA
ITEM THAT WE HAD AN RFP FOR AN ACTUAL ENGINEERING POSITION THAT TOOK PLACE IN DECEMBER, BUT FAILED. SO THAT'S REALLY UNFORTUNATE TO HEAR ABOUT IT NOW, THREE MONTHS LATER, THAT THAT RFP FAILED. IT'S ONLY BECAUSE OF A RETIREMENT
THAT WE'RE FILLING AN EMERGENCY POSITION WITH AN EMERGENCY RFP FOR THAT POSITION THERE. THIS IS A CONTINUING TREND. WE FOUND OUT AT THE LAST MEETING
THAT WE HAD TO EXTEND THE INTERIM CONTRACT FOR MARY TO BE THE CITY MANAGER
BECAUSE OF A FAILED OR I WOULDN'T SAY FAILED, BUT PROBLEMS WITH THE -- SEARCH FOR THAT POSITION. AT SOME POINT, IT'D BE MY HOPE MAYBE COUNCIL START TO LOOK AT OUR HR SERVICES CONTRACT. OUR ABILITY TO SECURE QUALITY EMPLOYEES. OUR ABILITY TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE RFPs AND GET COMPETITIVE BIDS ON PROCESSES. I
MEAN, ALSO JUST REALLY THE TIMELY NATURE OF COMPLETING THESE THINGS AND GETTING THESE THINGS BACK ONTO THE AGENDA. THE IDEA THIS THING JUST SAT FOR
THREE MONTHS WITH AN UNFILLED POSITION FROM A FAILED RFP WITH NO
COMMUNICATION OUT TO THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE FAILED ENGINEERING POSITION. WE HAVE BEEN WITHOUT AN ENGINEERING MANAGER FOR YEARS NOW. AND I THINK IT IS
REALLY A DISSERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY, TO OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, AND IT'S NOT
SURPRISING THAT WE HAVE SOME OF THE MOST, YOU KNOW, DISASTROUS ROGUE
CONDITIONS IN THE CITY OF SEBASTOPOL BECAUSE WE'RE NOT ACTUALLY TAKING SERIOUSLY THE NEED FOR HAVING QUALITY ENGINEERING WITHIN OUR CITY. THANKS.
THANK YOU, KYLE FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. NEXT, I'LL COME INTO CHAMBERS. IF
ANYONE IN CHAMBERS WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT, SEEING NONE, I'LL GO BACK OUT TO ZOOM. KATE, CAN YOU PLEASE UNMUTE YOURSELF?
THERE YOU ARE. CAN YOU SEE THE TIMER STILL?
YEAH.
GREAT, GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
I'M LIKE, ME, NOT UNMUTING MYSELF, BUT I'M MUTED NONETHELESS. OKAY. I JUST MAYBE FOLLOWING ON KYLE'S WORDS. I JUST WANT TO CONFIRM THIS ENGINEER IS A CONTRACT POSITION, AND THE PREVIOUS ENGINEER WAS ALSO A CONTRACT POSITION.
THAT'S THE ONLY COMMENT I HAVE. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, KATE FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. AGAIN, I'LL COME BACK INTO CHAMBERS. IF YOU'D LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT? SEEING NONE, I'LL 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, PUBLIC COMMENT IS CLOSED ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS.
ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I APPRECIATE THAT. LET'S SEE. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY COMMENTS OR A MOTION?
I'LL GO AHEAD AND MOVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
I'LL SECOND.
ALL RIGHT, MARY, ROLL CALL?
THANK YOU. SO MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER ZOLLMAN, AND SECONDED BY VICE MAYOR MAURER TO APPROVE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS ONE THROUGH SIX.
COUNCILMEMBER CARTER?
YES.
COUNCILMEMBER HINTON?
AYE.
COUNCILMEMBER ZOLLMAN?
YES.
VICE MAYOR MAURER?
YES.
MAYOR MCLEWIS?
YES.
MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. AND COULD I JUST RESPOND TO PUBLIC COMMENT REALLY QUICK? THE PREVIOUS ENGINEER WAS A CONSULTANT, AND THIS RFP, JOHN MOE, IS AN ENGINEERING CONSULTANT FOR THE CITY AS WELL.
OKAY. ALL RIGHT.
WE'LL MOVE ON TO INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND PRESENTATIONS. WE WOULD LIKE TO LIMIT THESE TO TEN MINUTES TOTAL ONLY. SO NUMBER SEVEN IS INFORMATIONAL ITEM, SECOND QUARTERLY UPDATE FROM BUILDING THE COMMONS COMMITTEE. AND I GUESS IS PUBLIC WORKS DOING THIS PRESENTATION OR WHO IS IT?
YES, MAYOR. I'LL GIVE IT A BRIEF PRESENTATION, THEN WE'LL PASS IT ONTO THE COUNCIL TO DISCUSS. SO THIS IS THE SECOND QUARTERLY REPORT FOR THE BUILDING, THE COMMONS SUBCOMMITTEE. AND THIS CORRIDOR, THEY CREATED TWO AD HOC COMMITTEES OF THE BUILDING OF THE COMMONS COMMITTEE. ONE WAS A FINANCE
COMMITTEE THAT LOOKED AT SIX POTENTIAL LOCATIONS FOR THE PROJECT AND KIND
OF DID A STRATEGIC ANALYSIS OF THOSE LOCATIONS, PRIORITIZING THEM FOR KIND OF SHORT-TERM NEEDS AND LONGER-TERM NEEDS FOR THE VISION OF THE COMMONS. AND
THE SECOND COMMITTEE WAS PUBLIC OUTREACH COMMITTEE, I'M SAYING THE NAME
WRONG, BUT THEY ARE LOOKING AT -- REACHING OUT TO OUR BUSINESS PARTNERS AND POTENTIAL, GOOD LORD. IMPORTANT FOLKS -- OKAY, WE'LL STOP NOW. THEY'RE
DEVELOPING SOME OUTREACH MATERIALS IT IN QUESTION, SO THEY CAN REACH OUT TO THE COMMUNITY AND DEFINE THE PRIORITIES FOR THE COMMONS IN NEEDS. AND I'M
JUST GOING TO STOP AND PASS IT TO YOU GUYS. SO WITH THAT, I'LL TURN IT OVER TO THE COUNCIL, IF THEY WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THEIR COMMENTS.
SORRY, I THOUGHT YOU WERE TURNING IT OUT TO SOMEONE ELSE TO PRESENT MORE.
OKAY. SO QUESTIONS? AND IS IT POSSIBLE? I CAN'T SEE ALL THE COUNCIL WITH THE CAMERA WHERE IT'S AT. THANK YOU.
YOU WANT US TO SAY A FEW WORDS?
YES.
OKAY. I AM PERSONALLY ON THE FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEE WITH A FEW OTHER MEMBERS. AND WE HAVE GONE THROUGH A VERY LENGTHY PROCESS TO IDENTIFY ALL THE CITY PROPERTIES THAT COULD BE AVAILABLE. WE LOOKED THROUGH A STACK OF
DIFFERENT KINDS OF FINANCING FOR A PARTICULAR WAYS TO GO THROUGH A PURCHASE OR BILL PROCESS. WE'VE ANALYZED THESE IN A NUMBER OF WAYS THAT I THINK ARE LISTED IN THE DOCUMENT. IT WOULD BE WAY TOO MUCH FOR ME TO GO THROUGH NOW BECAUSE IT WAS AN HOUR'S LONG PRESENTATION ITSELF. BUT THE SUMMARY IS WE'VE
IDENTIFIED THINGS, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, WE'VE IDENTIFIED HOW WE COULD DEFINE IT IF WE DID MOVE FORWARD, AND WHAT THE PROCESS WOULD LOOK LIKE.
YES. AND I'LL SAY STAFF DID NOT GET THE NAME OF IT CORRECT. I'M NOT ENTIRELY
SURE WHAT WAS CAUSED FOR THE HUMOR BECAUSE A LOT OF WORK HAS GONE INTO THIS. CHAIR NEEDS AN ASSESSMENT, WHICH MEANS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE
STAKEHOLDERS IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND WHAT THEIR THOUGHTS ARE ABOUT HAVING A SHARED COMMUNITY SPACE. SO THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE COMMITTEE, THEY SUBMITTED 30 NAMES. MYSELF AND THREE OTHERS ARE CHARGED WITH DOING IT AT LEAST HALF HOUR TO 40-MINUTE INTERVIEW WITH THE PEOPLE TO FIND OUT EXACTLY
WHAT THEIR NEEDS ARE AND THEIR LEVEL OF INTEREST IN TRYING TO HAVE THIS PLAZA PUT INTO PLACE. I HAVE TO SAY AS THE CHAIR OF THE OVERALL COMMITTEE, I'M
IMPRESSED EACH TIME WITH THE LEVEL OF TIME AND DEDICATION THAT OUR FELLOW CITIZENS, VOLUNTEERS PUT INTO THIS PROJECT. AND THE PUBLIC IS DEFINITELY
WELCOMING YOU ON ZOOM, PUBLIC COMMENT, AND THE NEXT MEETING IS COMING UP NEXT TUESDAY. THANKS.
AND JUST TO FOLLOW UP. IN OUR HOUR, WE'VE GOTTEN PRETTY GOOD FEEDBACK. THERE
HAVE BEEN QUITE A FEW PEOPLE THAT WE ARE ENGAGING WITH THAT ARE POTENTIAL PARTNERS IN THIS. QUITE A FEW PEOPLE ARE INTERESTED IN IT. IT'S GREAT TO GET OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT EVERYBODY ELSE'S NEEDS ARE.
SHE'S MUTED.
SORRY. I APOLOGIZE. I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY, I SAID QUESTIONS, VICE MAYOR MAURER?
THANK YOU. SO MY QUESTION IS DO YOU HAVE A MODEL WHERE THIS KIND OF SHARED COMMUNITY BUILDING WORKS AND IS IN PRACTICE AND IS HAPPENING? YEAH. THERE ARE DIFFERENT CAMPUS MODELS THROUGH DIFFERENT TOWNS. IT'S NOT SOMETHING I CAN REFER TO OFF THE CUSP. BUT I DO KNOW THERE ARE DIFFERENT VERSIONS IN CALIFORNIA ALSO THAT SHARE THIS MODEL L. THERE'S EXPANDED LIBRARY CONCEPTS THAT DO NOT GO AS FAR AS WE MIGHT GO. OFTEN THEY MIGHT HAVE A
BOOKSTORE, COFFEE SHOP, RESTAURANTS, OR SOME OTHER CHILDCARE FACILITY ATTACHED, LIKE ONE IN WALNUT CREEK OR SOMETHING. BUT WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO
GO A LITTLE FURTHER THAN SOME OTHERS, BUT THERE ARE COMMUNITY RESOURCES IN BOULDER THAT ARE ALSO ACTIVITY CENTERS.
I CAN CHIME IN THAT OUR SISTER CITY IT IN JAPAN BECAUSE OUR MAYOR WHEN SHE
WENT FOR HER VISIT, APPARENTLY THAT'S WHAT THEIR MAYOR TOOK THEM TO, WHICH
IS A SITUATION AND A CITY THAT IS THE SAME SIZE AS OURS THAT NO MONEY AT ALL, AND THEY PARTNERED WITH A FOR-PROFIT BOOKSTORE. IT'S NOT COINCIDENTAL THAT OUR VICE CHAIR OF THE FULL COMMITTEE IS THE CEO OF COPPERFIELDS. SO THERE ARE
MODELS OUT THERE, AND I WOULD EARN COURAGE PEOPLE TO GO EXPLORE THEM AND JOIN IN THE CONVERSATION. THANKS.
WILL AND JUST TO ADD TO THE INFORMATION FOR THE LIBRARY. THEY ALSO PARTNER WITH A COMMERCIAL COFFEE SHOP. SO THERE'S THE COFFEE SHOP IN THERE, THE BOOKSTORE, THERE'S THE LIBRARY. ANYONE WHO HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO THERE, YOU WOULD BE DELIGHTED TO SEE IT. THEY ALSO HAVE A GIFT SHOP. SO ANY WAY I HAVE A QUESTION, BUT I CAN'T TELL -- COUNCILMEMBER HINTON, GO AHEAD.
YEAH. I HAD A QUESTION. SO IT DOESN'T APPEAR -- IT HAS STRENGTHS, WEAKNESSES, AND APPEARS THEY'RE ALL $12 TO $13 TO $20 MILLION FOR MOST OF THEM, ALL, BUT ONE.
DID YOU GUYS RANK THEM? IS THAT A FUTURE THING?
YES. INITIALLY WE WERE GOING TO GO THROUGH TO SEE WHAT THEY GENERALLY LOOK LIKE. AND THEN WE WOULD GO THROUGH AND FIGURE OUT WITH OUR COMMUNITY'S FEEDBACK WILL FEEL THE BEST BEFORE WE ASSIGN WEIGHTS AND RANK.
ALSO, I'LL CHIME IN. GOING THROUGH THE LIST OF 30 STAKEHOLDERS THAT THE COMMITTEE PUT TOGETHER. A PART OF THE QUESTIONS, WHICH IS A PART OF THE PACKET. I WOULD ENCOURAGE PEOPLE. THERE'S A WHOLE SECTION ON OUR WEBSITE THAT GOES THROUGH. TO FIND OUT WHO THOSE 30 PEOPLE ARE, AND TO ADD PEOPLE TO THAT LIST. WE'RE HAPPY TO DO THAT BY GOING THROUGH THOSE QUESTIONS THAT THE
CITY CAME UP WITH WOULD ADDRESS SOME OF THE QUESTIONS THAT COUNCILMEMBER HINTON JUST RAISED. AS FAR AS HOW VIABLE THE MONEY IS AND HOW QUICKLY COULD ANY OF IT BE SECURED.
SO I JUST -- I READ A LOT OF THIS, SO MAYBE I MISSED IT SOMEWHERE. I WAS JUST
WONDERING HOW MUCH HAVE YOU DISCUSSED -- A LOT OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS ARE NON-PROFITS, 501C33. HOW MUCH OF IT HAVE YOU TALKED ABOUT THE LARGEST -- HOW THAT WOULD WORK COMBING ON THE FUNDS? LIKE THESE ARE ALL SEPARATE ORGANIZATIONS. I MEAN, THERE'S ALWAYS, WHEN YOU GET DONE. I JUST DID A MERGER OF TWO NON-PROFITS, SO THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS WE'VE ADDRESSED. SO I WONDER, HAS THAT BEEN ADDRESSED EXTENSIVELY TO UNDERSTAND HOW IT WORKS? EXTENSIVELY TO THE POINT WHERE IT'S USEFUL. THERE'S THE POINT WHERE YOU'RE
ACTUALLY CONTRACTING AND ENTERING INTO AGREEMENTS, OR LIKE FIGURING OUT WHAT FITS THE BEST. BUT WE HAVE DISCUSSED WHAT DOES THE MODEL LOOK LIKE. AND THERE IS LIKE A BUY IN THE MODEL SITUATION. IN SOME CASES THERE, WOULD BE -- IF
THERE WERE A WHOLE PROPERTY PURCHASED, THEN IT WOULD BE LIKE A RENTER TYPE
SITUATION, WHERE THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT PAY RENT FOR THEIR PORTION OF THE PARTS. THERE IS NO COMINGLING OF FUNDS. THERE'S ONE MASTER PERSON OF THE PROPERTY. EACH OF THESE ARE INDIVIDUAL SUBLETS. SORT OF LIKE THE CONTRACT THAT STARBUCKS AND THE AIRPORT MIGHT HAVE.
GOT IT. THANK YOU.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, VICE MAYOR?
I'D LIKE TO REQUEST THIS COMMITTEE, THE NEXT TIME YOU REPORT OUT, YOU BRING
EXAMPLES OF MODELS FROM OTHER CITIES THAT ARE ACTUALLY -- THAT HAVE
ALREADY CREATED A BUILDING OR SHARED BUILDING THAT INCLUDE LIKE SUCH BIG GROUPS LIKE THE SENIOR CENTER, THE COMMUNITY CENTER, THE LIBRARY. I JUST LIKE TO SEE A MODEL FOR THAT. BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE YOU'RE TRYING TO DO A LOT IN ONE
SPACE, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE DOING OUTREACH TO INVITE OTHER GROUPS TO JOIN IN THIS EFFORT TOO. SO THAT WOULD HELP ME. THANKS.
I WOULD CHIME IN THAT I WOULD SECOND THAT. I THINK IT WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THAT ASPECT.
YEAH, I FIRMLY AGREE WITH CASE STUDIES AND LEARNING FROM OTHER PLACES FIRST.
YES.
THANK YOU.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FROM ANYONE? I DON'T WANT TO MISS ANYONE. I DON'T SEE ANY HANDS. OKAY. SO IF NOT, THEN WE CAN GO OUT TO PUBLIC COMMENT.
THANK YOU, MAYOR. SO THIS IS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE SECOND QUARTERLY REPORT FROM BUILDING THE COMMONS COMMITTEE. AGAIN, IT'S TWO MINUTES. I COME TO CHAMBERS FIRST. SEEING NONE, I'LL GO OUT TO ZOOM. KYLE, CAN YOU UNMUTE YOURSELF, PLEASE?
I CAN.
THANK YOU. CAN YOU STILL SEE THE TIMER?
IT'S OKAY, BUT I WON'T BE TWO MINUTES.
OKAY, GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
SO I REALLY LIKE THE AMOUNT OF THOUGHT AND PROCESS HAS GONE ON SO FAR. AND IN THIS DIRECTION. BUT WHAT I THINK MY CONCERN IS THIS IS A PUBLIC MEETING. THERE SEASON A AUDIENCE HERE THAT'S THE PUBLIC. IT REALLY ISN'T CLEAR FROM THE
MATERIALS OR WHAT WAS PRESENTED TONIGHT ABOUT EXACTLY WHAT IS THE
PROBLEM THAT THE COMMONS ARE TRYING TO SOLVE. AT SOME POINT THERE NEEDS TO BE A PUBLIC BUY IN. MAYBE EACH OF YOU HAVE SOME SENSE OF OBLIGATION OF BEING
CONNECTED TO THE PUBLIC AND BEING ABLE TO CONVINCE THE PUBLIC THAT THIS IS SOMETHING IS THEY WANT TO BUY INTO FINANCIALLY OR AS A COMMUNITY. BUT I
THINK A PART OF THAT IS BEING ABLE TO ARTICULATE IT IN A WAY THAT FOLKS COULD
UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHAT I SAID BEFORE, WHICH IS WHAT IS THE PROBLEM THE COMMONS ARE TRYING TO SOLVE? SO HOPEFULLY IN A FUTURE PRESENTATION, THOSE BASICS CAN BE A PART OF THE PRESENTATION. THANKS.
THANK YOU, KYLE FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. NEXT, I'LL COME INTO CHAMBERS.
SEEING NONE, I'LL GO BACK OUT TO ZOOM. MARY, CAN YOU UNMUTE YOURSELF, PLEASE? YES. THANK YOU. I JUST HAVE A QUICK QUESTION. IS THIS COSTING US ANYTHING, THE TAXPAYERS, THE CITY, THIS COMMITTEE? I'M JUST WONDERING ABOUT THAT. THANKS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT, MARY. NEXT, I'LL COME BACK INTO CHAMBERS. IF ANYONE IN CHAMBERS WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT ON THIS INFORMATIONAL ITEM. SEEING NONE, I'LL GO BACK OUT ONTO ZOOM. IF THERE IS
ANYONE ON ZOOM WHO WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT, RAISE YOUR HAND VIRTUALLY. SEEING NONE, PUBLIC COMMENT IS CLOSED ON THIS ITEM.
OKAY, THANK YOU. BACK TO THE DAIS. IF ANYONE HAS ANY COMMENTS? COUNCILMEMBER CARTER? EVERYONE ELSE, YOU WERE UP FIRST, THOUGH.
JUST TO ADDRESS THE WHY. WE HAVE SEVERAL BUILDINGS THAT -- WE'RE OUTGROWING THE SENIOR CENTER. IT'S A DESPERATE NEED IMMEDIATELY. THE LIBRARY IS AT 100% CAPACITY. IT SHOULD, IN 2016, IT WAS SUPPOSE TO DOUBLE IN SIZE. SO THEY'VE GOT A REQUEST. WE'RE TIGHT IN CITY HALL SPACE. AND THE COMMUNITY CENTER ALSO NEEDS SOME LOVE. BUT ALSO WE HAVE OTHER NON-PROFITS THAT NEED A PLACE TO PRESENT.
TO MEET AND SOME OTHER SERVICES THAT WILL GET USED SPACE. IN ORDER TO PROVIDE
THOSE, WE'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT PROPERTIES CAN BE MAXIMIZED OR WHERE ARE THERE EFFICIENCIES? SHOULD WE PUT MORE MONEY INTO CERTAIN BUILDINGS? OR
SHOULD WE, YOU KNOW, HOW DO WE EXPAND CAPACITY FOR THE THINGS WE NEED, ESPECIALLY THE SENIOR CENTER IN THE LIBRARY, WHICH ARE POSTING BURSTING.
WE HEARD THE SENIOR CENTER IS WELL REPRESENTED BY A MEMBER ON THE BOARD ON
THE FULL STANDING COMMITTEE ABOUT THEIR NEED AND THEIR QUICK NEED TO HAVE SOMETHING HAPPEN. THEY HAVE TURNED TO THE CITY'S NUMBERS SOMETIMES TO FIGURE OUT THE PLAN. THE COMMUNITY CENTER, THEY WERE ON THE COMMITTEE, AND I
UNDERSTAND THEY'RE TRYING TO COME BACK BECAUSE AS COUNCILMEMBER CARTER SAID, THEY HAVE A LOT OF THEIR OWN NEEDS DOUG TO FLOODING, ETC. THERE ARE
TYPICAL AND PAST STUDIES TO SHOW IT IS ALSO NEEDING FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS
THAT THE COUNCIL HAS ADDRESSED IN THE PAST THE NEED FOR INCREASED STAFFING IN ORDER TO MEET THE NUMBER OF PATRONS THAT COME IN. NOT ONLY FROM SEBASTOPOL, BUT FROM THE WEST COUNTY. OTHER NON-PROFITS, HAS NO PHYSICAL SPACE. AND THEY'RE LITERALLY PAYING A CONTRACTOR WHO WORKS OUT OF HER HOME. SO THERE IS A LOT OF REASONS WHY IF YOU ARE LIKE AT LEAST WE'RE NONPROFITS, WE CAN DO BETTER. AND THEN ALSO OUR FOR-PROFIT BUSINESSES ARE STEPPING UP. AGAIN, NOT EVERY CITY HAS A CEO OF A NATIONAL CHAIN, SITTING AS THEIR VICE CHAIR, SO I'LL THROW THAT OUT THERE.
AND VICE MAYOR MAURER, YOU HAD YOUR HAND UP?
THANK YOU. I'D LIKE TO HEAR DIRECTLY FROM THE SENIOR CENTER AT YOUR NEXT REPORT. BECAUSE THE LAST I HEARD, THEY OPENED UP ON SATURDAY, AND MAYBE OUR LIAISON CAN HELP US UNDERSTAND THIS MORE. THEY'RE LISTED AS A CRITICAL NEED.
AND SO I QUESTION THAT ONE, AND I'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM THEM ON THAT. AND I HAVE GREAT CONCERNS ABOUT THE COMMUNITY CENTER, A COUPLE YEARS AGO. WE WERE TOLD THAT IF THAT BUILDING FLOODED AGAIN, IT WOULD NOT BE INSURABLE. AND THIS IS SERIOUS. THIS BUILDING FLOODS, EVERY TEN YEARS OR SO IT FLOODS. IT HASN'T FLOODED FOR A FEW YEARS. THE LAST TIME IT FLOODED, THE CITY RECEIVED PROBABLY CLOSE TO A MILLION DOLLARS IN INSURANCE. AND WE WERE TOLD IT WAS NO LONGER INSURABLE BECAUSE OF THE RISKS. SO I'M SURPRISED TO SEE THAT IT'S LISTED, IT'S NOT LISTED AS A CRITICAL NEED. SO I'D LIKE TO, YOU KNOW, FLAG THAT FOR THE COMMITTEE AND ASK YOU TO LOOK INTO THAT BECAUSE TO ME, THAT SEEMS THE MOST SERIOUS.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.
ABSOLUTELY. I JUST WANTED TO KIND OF TOSS OUT THAT I FORGOT ABOUT THE ADMINISTRATIVE EFFICIENCY OF SHARING ONE ROOF. THE COST EFFICIENCIES THAT COULD COME WITH THAT, YOU KNOW? SOME OF THESE HAVE THREE LAYERS OF DOING
JUST ABOUT THE SAME KIND OF BOOKING ACTIVITY, AND SOMETIMES THERE IS LIKE AN EFFICIENCY AS FAR AS THAT GOES.
DID ANYONE ELSE HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT BEFORE I --
I HAVE ONE MORE.
OKAY, GO AHEAD.
I'M WONDERING IF YOU LOOKED AT THE AREA IN BETWEEN THE CITY HALL AND THE LIBRARY IN TERMS OF EXPANSION? AND WHAT WAS YOUR FINDING OR CONCLUSION?
THE LAB, THE LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD PUT TOGETHER A NON-PROFIT THAT I SAT ON
FOR MANY YEARS, LANTERN, AND THEY HIRED AN ARCHITECT TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT
WHAT ACTUALLY COULD BE DONE TO INCREASE AT LEAST THE LIBRARY BY BUILDING UP ON THE SECOND STORY.BUT AS FAR AS EXPANDING OUT, THAT'S A DISCUSSION I HAVE
BEEN AWARE OF EITHER THROUGH CITY HALL OR INTO THE PARKING LOT THROUGH THE SENIOR CENTER. IT'S BEEN DISGUSTING, I THINK, IS STILL REMAINING TO BE DISCUSSED ABOUT HOW.
YEAH, THESE ARE ALL ACTIVE DISCUSSIONS. WE'RE CERTAINLY THINKING ABOUT IT, BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THE BUSINESSES THERE, THE PARKING. WHAT ARE WE DOING? WHAT'S OUR IMPACT DOWNTOWN? WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE IF THEY ARE REBUILDING THERE? HOW DOES THAT IMPACT DOWNTOWN? ALL OF THESE ARE CONSIDERATIONS, WE COULD ONLY MEET SO MUCH, RIGHT? WE'RE TRYING OUR BEST TO
DO AS MUCH QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, AND ANYTHING YOU HAVE AS FAR AS SUGGESTIONS WILL CERTAINLY NOTE TO HELP MAKE OUR BETTER.
SO A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS I HAVE IS ONE, I SEE ALL THE FINANCIAL FIGURES. ONE
THING I KNOW, MANY OF THE NON-PROFITS UTILIZING THE SPACE WE HAVE IN THE CITY THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY PAYING ANYTHING SIGNIFICANT. MAYBE A DOLLAR TO USE THESE SPACES. THERE'S QUITE A COST RELATED TO THEM. I HAVE GREAT CONCERN
ABOUT WHOO IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO PAY FOR THIS BECAUSE WE KNOW WE HAVE FINANCIAL CHALLENGES. SECONDLY, I WAS TRYING TO LOOK AGAIN TO BE REMINDED OF
IF THERE ARE ANY FINANCIAL EXPERTS ON THIS COMMITTEE TO ACTUALLY HELP AS
YOU'RE ASSESSING OUT THESE DIFFERENT MODELS, YOU KNOW, FROM THE FINANCE PERSPECTIVE. WHAT DOES ALL OF THAT LOOK LIKE? BECAUSE WE CAN PRIORITIZE IN MY OPINION, MANY THINGS. BUT IF WE CAN'T AFFORD THEM, THEN WE ARE JUST SPINNING OUR WHEELS. SO I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT. AND THEN ALSO, YOU KNOW, I HATE TO EVEN MENTION THIS BECAUSE THERE IS ALWAYS A LONG SHOT. BUT WHO IS EXPLORING GRANTS? AND SECONDLY IF YOU'RE EXPLORING GRANTS, IT BECOMES AS A NON-PROFIT
LEADER MYSELF, I KNOW IT BECOMES VERY COMPLICATED, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU HAVE MULTIPLE NON-PROFITS TRYING TO COME TOGETHER TO APPLY FOR GRANTS. SO THERE IS A LOGISTICS CHALLENGE THERE. I DON'T KNOW IF WE'RE EXPECTING THE CITY TO APPLY FOR THAT TYPE OF STUFF ON THE SIDE? BUT THOSE ARE JUST SOME INITIAL CONCERNS THAT I HAVE, THINKING ABOUT ALL OF THIS. SO AS YOU MOVE FORWARD, I WOULD JUST ENCOURAGE TO HAVE PERHAPS, YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW. I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU WOULD BRING FORWARD.
IT'S FINE. I DON'T KNOW. I'M ON THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
I WASN'T FINISHED.
THANKS.
I APOLOGIZE. I JUST WANTED TO ADDRESS THAT WE ARE LOOKING INTO EXACTLY THAT
AND TRYING TO ELIMINATE THE CITY'S LIABILITY FOR COSTS OR PUTTING IT INTO A BAD POSITION. BEING ON THE BUDGET COMMITTEE, I KNOW VERY WELL WE HAVE LIMITED TO NO MONEY. SO IN ANYTHING WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO, WE'RE GOING TO FIND -- YOU
KNOW, I DON'T WANT TO SAY CREATIVE, BUT WE'RE GOING TO LOOK DEEPLY INTO
FINDING WAYS TO FINANCE A NEW FACILITY THAT IS REALLY LOW IMPACT TO THE CITY, IF AT ALL. AND WE'LL HAVE A HIGH PAYOFF. IF THERE ARE NON-PROFITS, THAT'S
PROBABLY A REASON WE'RE LOOKING FOR A BUSINESS OR A PUBLIC-PRIVATE
RELATIONSHIP BECAUSE THE PRIVATE PARTY COULD ACTUALLY END UP SUBSIDIZING SOME OF THE PRIVATE PARTS. SO WE'RE ALSO LOOKING AT SOME OF THE AVAILABLE
LAND TO SEE IF WE COULD SWAP SOME UNUSED LAND FOR THAT, AND THEN MAKE IT ALL
WORK OUT. BUT THESE CONCERNS I SHARE WITH YOU DEEPLY, AND I WANT YOU TO
KNOW WE'RE ALL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO USE OUR LAND IN A GREAT WAY, BUT ALSO OUR MINDS, AS FAR AS LIKE FINANCING AND FUNDING THESE THINGS. WITH MINIMAL IMPACT TO STAFF AND CITY BUDGET. >
JUST SO I COULD FINISH MY THOUGHT. WHAT I WANTED TO SAY WAS I HOPE THAT MAYBE YOU'RE LOOKING TO THE COUNTY FOR FUNDING AS WELL. AND I KNOW WE HAVE A VARIETY OF THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING. BUT TRULY FUNDING THAT'S NOT TIED TO
ANYTHING ELSE, OTHER THAN THE COUNTY ALSO TRYING TO RECOGNIZE THAT MANY OF
THESE NON-PROFITS ARE UTILIZED, SOMETIMES PREDOMINANTLY BY FOLKS THAT LIVE IN WEST COUNTY, NOT NECESSARILY IN THE CITY. SO THAT'S MY FINAL COMMENT ON THAT. I DON'T KNOW --
WILL AND I CAN SAY THAT SUPERVISOR HOPKINS WAS ON THE LIST OF THE 30, AND I WAS CHARGED WITH SENDING OUT THE INVITATIONS TO HAVE THE 30 TO 40-MINUTE INTERVIEW AND HER CHIEF OF STAFF DID RESPOND BACK, ACKNOWLEDGING IT. AND
WE'LL BRING IT UP AGAIN ABOUT WHO IS TO APPROACH HER WITH THAT AT OUR NEXT MEETING NEXT TUESDAY.
THANK YOU. AND MARY, PLEASE FORGIVE ME. I USUALLY WRITE DOWN, WE'RE IN THE COMMENT SECTION, RIGHT?
YOU'RE ON THE COUNCIL DISCUSSION, BUT THERE IS NO ACTION, SO IT IS AN INFORMATIONAL ITEM ONLY. YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND CLOSE IT OUT IT IF THERE ARE NO MORE QUESTIONS FROM CITY COUNCIL? THANK YOU, SORRY, I WAS LISTENING SO MUCH INTENTLY. IF THERE ARE NO OTHER COMMENTS? NO, OKAY. THEN WE'LL GO AHEAD AND CLOSE THAT OUT. IS IT OKAY TO MOVE ON NOW, MARY?
YES, WE CAN GO AHEAD AND MOVE ON TO THE SECOND INFORMATIONAL ITEM.
OKAY, NUMBER EIGHT. DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT ANNUAL REPORT, PIAZZA HOTEL,
ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT IS REQUIRED BY STATE LAW AND THE DA ITSELF. CITY STAFF WILL PROVIDE INFORMATION ON TIMELINE OF DEVELOPMENT
AGREEMENT, AND WHAT WOULD HAPPEN UPON EXPIRATION OF DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT. AND THAT IS ALSO PRESENTED BY PLANNING, I BELIEVE? YES, THANK YOU, MAYOR. JANE RILEY ON THE INTERIM PLANNING DIRECTOR. THAT'S A CONTRACT POSITION. AS THE MAYOR INDICATED, THIS IS AN INFORMATIONAL ITEM.
THERE IS AN ANNUAL ITEM THAT'S REQUIRED BOTH BY THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT
FOR THE HOTEL SEBASTOPOL, AS WELL AS STATE LAW FOR AN INFORMATIONAL ITEM TO BE BROUGHT TO YOU AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR. NO COUNCIL ACTION IS REQUIRED AT THIS TIME. HOTEL SEBASTOPOL IS A 66-ROOM APPROVED BOUTIQUE HOTEL WITH MANY AMENITIES TO BE LOCATED AT 6828 DEPOT STREET WITH PARKING ACROSS BROWN STREET AT 6826 DEPOT STREET. APPROVALS WERE GRANTED IN 2017. THE OWNERS HAVE PROCEEDED WITH SOME ENTITLEMENT SINCE THAT TIME. AND IN JULY OF 2024, YOUR
CITY COUNCIL ADOPTED A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT THAT WILL EXPIRE IN THE END OF JUNE, 2027, IF NO ACTION IS EVER TAKEN BY THE APPLICANT. THIS ANNUAL REVIEW IS TO
ENSURE THE APPLICANT IS ACTING IN GOOD FAITH COMPLIANT WITH THE TERMS OF THE
AGREEMENT TO THE STAFF REPORT ATTACHED TO A LETTER FROM PIAZZA DEVELOPMENT, WHO ARE HERE AND WILL GIVE YOU A BRIEF UPDATE. IF THE CITY
COUNCIL DOES FIND THE APPLICANT IS NOT ACTING IN GOOD FAITH COMPLIANCE UNDER
THE TERMS OF THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT, THEN WE WOULD NEED TO SCHEDULE A PUBLIC HEARING TO HEAR THE MATTER. THIS IS INFORMATIONAL ONLY. WITH THAT, I'LL TURN IT OVER TO PIAZZA? [ INAUDIBLE ]
GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. MOST OF US HAVE MET IN PERSON, AND I APPRECIATE THE
TIME TO COME OUT TONIGHT AND GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON WHAT WE HAVE DONE OVER THE LAST NINE MONTHS, SINCE WE WERE LAST IN FRONT OF YOU LAST AUGUST. FROM A
SITE PERFECTIVE AS AN UPDATE, I JUST WANTED TO SHARE, AS YOU GUYS ARE AWARE,
WE'VE BEEN VERY HAPPY WITH SOME OF THE TEMPORARY ACTIVATIONS WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO COMPLETE. I'M GETTING FEEDBACK ON MY END. ARE YOU GUYS GETTING THAT AS WELL? OKAY, SORRY. YEAH. [ LAUGHTER ] YEAH. YOU KNOW, WE HAD THE ART INSTALLATION, WHICH JUST STARTED LAST AUGUST, WHEN WE WERE IN FRONT OF YOU.
WE HAD SEBASTOPOL BLOOM FEST, THE THREE-DAY MUSIC AND ART FESTIVAL. WE ALSO
HAVE BEEN ABLE TO IMPROVE THE PEDESTRIAN REALM ALONG OUR MCKINLEY STREET
FRONTAGE TO SERVE AS SORT OF A BETTER CONNECTION BETWEEN THE BARLOW AND
THE DOWNTOWN DISTRICT. WE PUSHED BACK OUR FENCE. WE COME BACK WITH SOME
GRAVEL AND PUT UP THE LIGHTS TO HELP MAKE THAT PEDESTRIAN EXPERIENCE A
LITTLE BIT MORE ATTRACTIVE AND SAFE AND COMFORTABLE IN THE INTERIM AS WE MOVE TOWARDS GROUND BREAKING. WE ALSO, YOU KNOW, IT'S SPRINGTIME. WE HAVE A WEED ABATEMENT SCHEDULED IN TWO WEEKS TIME. I KNOW THE LOT ITSELF IS SORT OF
IN THAT SPRINGTIME EXPLOSION, AND SO WE'RE GOING TO GET THAT UNDER CONTROL AS WELL. AS IT RELATES TO THE DEVELOPMENT ITSELF, I THINK, YOU KNOW, YOU GUYS HAVE ALL READ OUR LETTER. I DON'T WANT TO DRAW THIS OUT. I WANT TO MOSTLY LEAVE SPACE FOR YOUR QUESTIONS. BUT AS YOU KNOW, RATES AND CONSTRUCTION COSTS HAVE NOT COME DOWN IN THE LAST EIGHT MONTHS. YOU KNOW, DEVELOPMENT
THRIVES ON STABILITY, AND THERE IS NOTHING ABOUT THE LAST EIGHT MONTHS THAT HAVE BEEN STABLE. THAT SAID, AS I MENTIONED IN THE LAST TIME, WE STILL RETAIN
LOAN APPROVAL UNDER WHAT'S REFERRED TO AS THE SEED PASTE PROGRAM, WHICH IS
THE FEDERAL PROGRAM THAT GIVES MONEY TO PROJECTS THAT ADVANCE THE SUSTAINABILITY MEASURES. THAT IS STILL IN OUR POCKET. THAT WOULD COVER HALF OF OUR DEVELOPMENT COSTS. SO WHAT WE'RE FOCUSING ON IS FINDING A LENDING INSTITUTION TO COVER THAT SECOND HALF. WE'VE HAD SOME REALLY GREAT
DISCUSSIONS WITH SORT OF TRADITIONAL LENDERS, SORT OF SMALLER REGIONAL
BANKS, WHO WE WORKED WITH IN THE PAST, WHO COULD CONCEIVABLY OFFER
SOMETHING THAT WOULD ALLOW THE PROJECT TO PENCIL AS THINGS SORT OF COME DOWN. WE'VE ALSO SORT OF, WE'VE BEEN LOOKING AT SOME ADDITIONAL LESS
TRADITION FALL SOURCES OF FUNDING, FOR EXAMPLE, THERE WAS A PROJECT IN
SONOMA THAT SUCCESSFULLY SECURED FUNDS, IF YOU'RE NOT AWARE OF IS ANOTHER
FEDERAL PROGRAM THAT ENCOURAGES INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT IN SORT OF
RURAL COMMUNITIES AS A WAY TO SORT OF -- FOR THE FOLKS WHO INVEST IT, IT LEADS
TOWARDS IMMIGRATION STATUS FOR THEM, AND AS A WAY TO SORT OF COME UP TOGETHER WITH THE FUNDING SOURCES TO HOPEFULLY GET TO GROUND BREAKING.
AND ALL OF THAT IS TO SAY, YOU KNOW, WE DON'T HAVE FUNDING IN PLACE. WE CAN'T MOVE FORWARD TOMORROW OBVIOUSLY. WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING SINCE THE LAST
MEETING AND SINCE WE SORT OF COMMUNICATED THAT TO YOU GUYS THE LAST TIME IS
TO CONTINUE TO REFINE POTENTIAL VALUE IN ENGINEERING THAT WE COULD SORT OF
TREAT AS A MENU OF OPTIONS TO CHOOSE FROM AS WE SORT OF MOVE TOWARDS A
FINALIZED FUNDING PACKAGE TO SORT OF ALLOW THE PROJECT TO PENCIL DEPENDING
ON WHAT THE RATE AND CONSTRUCTION COSTS WOULD BE, RIGHT, AS THAT GROUND BREAKING WOULD ACTUALLY APPROACH. WE THINK THAT STRATEGY WOULD GIVE US
THE FLEXIBILITY TO SORT OF PICK AND CHOOSE WHAT WE CAN CHANGE ON THE PROJECT TO ALLOW IT TO PENCIL. YOU KNOW, THE MORE TIME WE HAVE ON THAT RUNWAY
THEORETICALLY IF THINGS ARE IMPROVING IN TERMS OF RATES AND CONSTRUCTION COSTS. THE LESS DRAMATIC SOME OF THESE THINGS WE'RE THINKING ABOUT WOULD BE
WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THE MORE DRAMATIC MATTERS THAT YOU'LL HAVE TO TAKE
IT WITH A GRAIN OF SALT BECAUSE SOME OF THEM WOULD REQUIRE ACTION BY
PLANNING COMMISSION, BY COUNCIL, SO THOSE ARE NOT SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD
LIKE TO INCLUDE, BUT JUST TO GIVE YOU A FLAVOR OF THE THINGS WE'RE THINKING OF, DOING ALL WE CAN WITHIN THE TIME FRAME WE HAVE IN FRONT OF US. I KNOW IT'S
FRUSTRATING, YOU KNOW, WE'RE NOT ALONE IN SORT OF CONFRONTING THESE DIFFICULTIES. I'M SURE YOU KNOW THE BARLOW HOTEL IS NAVIGATING THE SAME THING. THEY'RE IN A DIFFERENT DEVELOPMENT PHASE. BUT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT WAYS TO HELP EACH OTHER, AND THOSE TALKS ARE ONGOING. AND YEAH, I THINK THAT'S KIND
OF THE GIST OF THE LETTER OF THE UPDATE, AND I MOSTLY WANT TO BE HERE FOR QUESTIONS. YOU KNOW, I KNOW THERE IS ALSO ANOTHER AGENDA ITEM, WHICH I'LL
SAVE MY COMMENT FOR LATER ON IN THE MEETING, BUT WE CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR
WAYS TO TEMPORARILY, IN THE INTERIM, IMPROVE A LOT, AND ACTIVATE IT, SO IT'S NOT
JUST IN THE DEAD SPACE IN THE MIDDLE OF TOWN, BUT IT IS GETTING TO THE COMMUNITY. SO WITH THAT, I'LL OPEN IT UP TO ANY QUESTIONS.
COUNCILMEMBER ZOLLMAN?
YES, THANK YOU FOR PRESENTING. I WAS SURPRISED. YOU HAD ANOTHER TWO MONTHS.
BECAUSE THE FIRST TIME, YOU WERE REQUIRED TO BE HERE WAS IN JUNE. BASICALLY THE SAME VIEWS YOU HAVE FOR US, THE LAST TIME YOU WERE HERE ABOUT FINANCE.
THE QUESTION I WOULD ASK TODAY IS EXPLAIN TO US WHERE YOU ARE IN RELATION TO WHAT YOU'VE DONE IN HEALDSBURG? BECAUSE THE COMMENT WAS THEY WERE ABLE
TO GET WHATEVER THEY NEEDED TO GET TOGETHER TO DO WHAT THEY PROMISED THE CITIZENS OF HEALDSBURG. BUT THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO DO THE SAME HERE IN SEBASTOPOL. SO PLEASE PROVIDE THAT BECAUSE I'M PRETTY SURE THAT PERSON IS WATCHING TODAY.
SURE. THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION BOTH FROM YOU AND FROM THE MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC. IN TERMS OF WHAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO IN HEALDSBURG. I'LL SAY WE DO
HAVE A FOURTH PROJECT IN HEALDSBURG THAT'S IN THE VERY SIMILAR SITUATION THAT WE'RE IN HERE TODAY. THE ENTITLEMENT ON THE PROJECT WILL EXPIRE NOVEMBER OF THIS YEAR. SO THAT, YOU KNOW, IS ANOTHER PROJECT THAT IS CAUGHT IN THIS LIMBO OF, YOU KNOW, THE CURRENT ECONOMIC CLIMATE. THAT SAID IN HEALDSBURG, WE STARTED IN HEALDSBURG IN 2001. WHEN HEALDSBURG WAS VERY MUCH NOT THE TOURIST DESTINATION THAT IT IS TODAY. YOU KNOW, I LIKE TO THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF PARALLELS WITH THAT PROJECT, OUR FIRST HOTEL IN HEALDSBURG. AND THIS
PROJECT THAT WE'VE PROPOSED AND HAVE BEEN APPROV ED AND HAVE PULLED A
PERMIT HERE IN SEBASTOPOL, AND THEY ARE EXPENSIVE PROJECTS THEORETICALLY UNPROVEN MARKETS. VERY MUCH SO IN HEALDSBURG IN 2001, BUT
HERE IN SEBASTOPOL, WHILE WE'RE SURROUNDED BY A VERY THRIVING BOTH DOMESTIC INTERNATIONAL TOURISM INDUSTRY WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS. THERE IS NO PROVEN PROJECT OF THIS TYPE YET, WHICH I'M SURE AS YOU KNOW MAKES LENDERS NERVOUS.
IN HEALDSBURG, YOU KNOW, THAT PROJECT SIMILARLY WAS RIGHT DOWNTOWN OR IN THE SQUARE, INVOLVING A LOT OF PERSONAL RISKS FOR OUR COMMUNITY. BUT I THINK
IF YOU WERE TO ASK THE FOUNDERS OF OUR COMPANY IF THE RISK WAS WORTH IT, I THINK YOU WOULD SAY ABSOLUTELY YES. HOTEL HEALDSBURG HAS LED TO A LOT OF
OTHER DEVELOPMENTS IN HEALDSBURG FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE, DEPENDING ON YOUR OPINIONS. SO I THINK -- I THINK THE ONLY OTHER THING TO NOTE IN THIS SPECIFIC
CASE, AND I MENTIONED THIS LAST MEETING, AND I'M SORRY TO SOUND LIKE A BROKEN RECORD. THERE HAS BEEN A SORT OF EXTRAORDINARY SUCCESSION OF EXTERNAL EVENTS THAT HAVE HAPPENED SINCE WE WERE APPROVED IN 2017 FROM THE FIRES TO THE PANDEMIC, THE CURRENT SORT OF GLOBAL CRISIS THAT WE'RE IN RIGHT NOW. I'M NOT USING THAT AS AN EXCUSE. AS WAS MENTIONED, YOU KNOW, THE ENTITLEMENTS IN 2017. WE ARE HERE ALMOST 10 YEARS AFTER THAT, BUT IT'S AS I SAID BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF RISK, WE NEED TO BE SMART ABOUT WHEN WE MOVE FORWARD. LIKE HOTEL HEALDSBURG, IT IS SORT OF AN UNPROVEN PROJECT.
ONE FOLLOW-UP. THIS IS THE FIRST I HEARD ABOUT YOUR FOURTH PROJECT. YOUR FOURTH PROJECT, WHEN DID THAT COME INTO YOUR THOUGHTS?
THAT WAS APPROVED, OH GEEZ, MY MEMORY IS GOING TO FAIL ME HERE. BUT IT'S BEEN WITHIN THE LAST FOUR YEARS IT'S BEEN APPROVED. WE'RE IN A DIFFERENT STAGE THERE, WHERE WE DON'T HAVE CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS. WE'RE RIGHT ABOUT 30% CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS. BUT THE PROJECT IS ON PAUSE FOR VERY MANY SIMILAR REASONS. LIKE I MENTIONED, THE ENTITLEMENTS EXPIRE IN NOVEMBER. AND SO I DON'T WANT TO SHARE TOO MUCH ABOUT ANOTHER CITY'S PROJECT AND ISSUES. BUT IF YOU
WERE TO ASK ME WHICH PROJECT I'M MORE BULLISH ON, IT WOULD BE THIS PROJECT HERE IN SEBASTOPOL.
ALL RIGHT, I SAW VICE MAYOR, YOU HAD YOUR HAND UP FIRST.
I HAVE A COUPLE QUESTIONS. HAVE YOU DONE ANY CEQA WORK ON THE PROJECT ALREADY?
THROUGH THE ENTITLEMENT PROCESS? YES, ALL THE ENVIRONMENTAL WORK WAS DONE UP UNTIL 2017 WHEN APPROVAL WAS GRANTED.
HAVE YOU CONSIDERED SCALING THE PROJECT DOWN, MAKING SOMETHING MAYBE
SMALLER, MORE DIVERSE THAT REFLECTS MORE OF THE PERSONALITIES OF SEBASTOPOL INSTEAD OF SOMETHING REALLY HIGH END?
YES, ABSOLUTELY. THE SORT OF MENU OF POTENTIAL CHANGES TO THE PROJECT THAT I WAS REFERENCING TO. SOME OF THEM INCLUDE QUITE DRASTIC MEASURES LIKE ELIMINATING ONE OF THE BUILDINGS. AND WE HAD THE TWO-STORY BUILDING WITH THE RETAIL SPA AND THE ROOMS ON THE SECOND STORY. WE WERE THINKING ABOUT
ELIMINATING THAT. REDUCING THE AMOUNT OF ROOMS, AND MAKING MORE RETAIL ORIENTED ONE-STORY STRUCTURE THAT IS EXPENSIVE TO BUILD. AGAIN THOUGH -- THE BARLOW WILL HAVE A SPA?
IN THE HOTEL.
WE ALSO HAVE THE BLISS DAY SPA IN TOWN ALREADY. WHEN DO YOU PREDICT YOU CAN BREAK GROUND? AND ONCE YOU GET STARTED, HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE UNTIL THE HOTEL IS OPERATIONAL?
I'LL ANSWER YOUR SECOND QUESTION FIRST BECAUSE THAT'S AN ACTUAL KNOWN, OUR CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE ASSUMES 18 MONTHS, BUT NOTHING IS CERTAIN. SO TWO YEARS. JUST TO ACCOUNT FOR WEATHER AND OTHER UNFORESEEN DELAYS.
SO YOU THINK IT WILL BE TWO YEARS BEFORE YOU'RE OPERATIONAL? CORRECT.
RENTING OUT THE ROOMS AND RUNNING HOTELS?
CORRECT, YES.
IN TERMS OF US BREAKING GROUND, I THINK IN THE CURRENT SORT OF MINDSET, WE
ARE TRYING OUR BEST TO, YOU KNOW, WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THE PROJECT WE WANT TO
MOVE FORWARD, AND WE'RE TRYING OUR BEST TO STRADDLE THAT EXCITEMENT AND SORT OF THE REALITY. SO GIVEN OUR DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT ALLOWS US TO GO UP UNTIL THE END OF JUNE 2027, RIGHT? SO THAT IS 14 TO 15 MONTHS. I THINK IDEALLY WE
WOULD SORT OF MOVE INTO THAT DIRECTION TO ALLOW MARKETS TO HOPEFULLY MOVE IN OUR FAVOR. IF ANYTHING WERE TO CHANGE AND THEY WERE TO COME ALONG THAT
COUNCIL APPROVES THAT WILL GIVE US MORE RUNWAY, THAT'S ALL THE BETTER FOR US AND IT WILL HELP US REDUCE THAT RISK. BUT IF I HAD TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION DIRECTLY RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW, I WOULD SAY SUMMER OF NEXT YEAR.
I'M SORRY. SAY THAT AGAIN?
SUMMER OF NEXT YEAR BECAUSE THE DA EXPIRES AT THE END OF JUNE.
SO YOU'RE THINKING YOU COULD BREAK GROUND WHEN -- WHEN YOU NEED TO? WHEN
THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT IS DUE, YOU'RE THINKING YOU'RE GOING TO GET IN THERE AND DO IT?
WELL, NO.
BUT YOU WOULD LIKE NOT TO, BUT YOU WILL IF YOU HAVE TO?
THE CHOICE IN JUNE, I THINK FOR US, IS THERE A FINANCING PACKAGE OUT THERE THAT ALLOWS THE PROJECT TO PENCIL, AND SHOULD WE BREAK GROUND? OR IS THE PROJECT DEAD, AND DO WE FIGURE OUT WHAT THE NEXT STEPS ARE. I THINK THAT WOULD BE THE CHOICE IN FRONT OF US NEXT SUMMER.
JUST TO CLARIFY, DID YOU JUST SAY THE PROJECT IS DEAD?
JUST SPEAKING IN TERMS OF REALITY. ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE. BUT EVERYTHING THAT WE HAVE DONE TO DATE IN THE LAST TEN YEARS. ALL OF THE MONEY WE HAVE SPENT
HAS BEEN IN THE EFFORT OF NOT BUILDING THE PROJECT, ALLOWING IT TO COME TO FRUITION AND TO FLOURISH.
OKAY. WELL, THAT'S VERY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE HEARD TWO YEARS AGO, THAT THERE WAS JUST NO WAY THIS PROJECT WAS GOING TO FAIL.
YEAH.
THAT'S A NEW PERSPECTIVE.
SURE, YEAH. I THINK, I SAID THIS NINE MONTHS AGO, FAILURE OF THIS PROJECT WOULD
BE FAIRLY CATASTROPHIC FOR US AS A MOM-AND-POP DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, GIVEN HOW MUCH WE'VE -- HOW MUCH WE'VE INVESTED TO DATE. BUT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE NOT NAIVE. DEVELOPMENT, YOU KNOW, IS SUCH THAT FAILURE HAPPENS AND COMPANIES SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES.
OKAY. ANYONE ELSE WITH QUESTIONS? I HAVE A FEW. I JUST DON'T WANT TO MISS ANYONE. OKAY. A COUPLE QUESTIONS I HAVE FOR YOU IS JUST BASED ON SOME OF THE COMMENTS YOU MADE. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT THE CITY COULD DO TO HELP IT IN SECURING FINANCING? AND ALSO WHAT COULD WE DO TO MAKE OURSELVES MORE ATTRACTIVE OR PROVEN? YOU'VE USED THAT WORD WITH HEALDSBURG. SO MY
QUESTION IS, IS THERE ANYTHING THE CITY COULD HELP WITH AS FAR AS MAKING IT MORE ATTRACTIVE FOR LENDERS?
YEAH, I APPRECIATE THE QUESTION. I THINK EVERYTHING THE CITY HAS DONE TO DATE HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL. I IMAGINE WITH LENDERS, THE SORT OF BIG CAVEATS ARE
STABILITY AND PREDICTABILITY, AND THE CITY HAS BEEN A REALLY GREAT PARTNER WITH US. YOU KNOW, FROM ENTITLEMENTS UP UNTIL NOW, TO HELP US FIND A PATH TOWARDS GROUND BREAKING. IN TERMS OF ANY ACTION THE CITY COULD TAKE TO HELP LENDERS SORT OF BECOME MORE COMFORTABLE. THAT'S AN INTERESTING ONE. I HAVEN'T -- I HAVEN'T TAUGHT HAD ABOUT THAT.
THERE WAS A COMMENT MADE IN THE PAST TOO ABOUT HEALDSBURG WAS PROVEN AND WE WEREN'T.
RIGHT, RIGHT.
I'M JUST ASKING LIKE, YOU KNOW, AS CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS HERE, IF YOU COULD TELL US WHAT ACTUALLY HELPS WITH THAT? I MEAN, WE ALL KNOW WHAT HEALDSBURG LOOKS LIKE. HOW IT IS. BUT FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE IF YOU'RE SAYING
THEY'RE PROVEN BY DEFAULT AND WE'RE NOT PROVEN, WHAT WOULD MAKE US PROVEN?
AND SORRY FOR THE DELAY OF MY SPEAKING, THERE'S JUST THAT NOISE. SO WHEN LENDERS SORT OF DO THEIR DUE DILIGENCE ON THE POTENTIAL PROJECT. THE FIRST
THING THEY DO IS THEY CALL WHAT'S CALLED A COMP SET, WHICH IS SORT OF --
EXISTING HOTELS IN THE AREA IN THE SAME MARKET SEGMENT THAT ARE COMPARABLE, THE WORD, COMP, TO WHAT THIS PROJECT WOULD BE. AND THE DIFFICULTY WE'VE RUN
INTO IS THE COMPS IN SEBASTOPOL IS NON-EXISTENT, SO WE HAVE TO GO TOWARDS OTHER TOWNS SORT OF IN THE SONOMA COUNTY AREA. AND OBVIOUSLY HOTELS OF THE TYPE WE'RE LOOKING TO BUILD HERE EXIST IN THAT AREA. IT'S JUST A LITTLE BIT TRICKY
FOR BANKS TO GET REALLY COMFORTABLE WITH SOMETHING IN SEBASTOPOL VERSES HEALDSBURG OR OTHER PLACES. SO I THINK THAT SAID, A LOT OF THE ACTIONS OF THE
CITY AND A LOT OF THE BUSINESSES THAT ARE OPENING UP HAVE CERTAINLY PUT IT ON PEOPLE'S RADAR. THAT'S CERTAINLY HELPED SORT OF ESTABLISH SEBASTOPOL AS, YOU KNOW, WE ALL KNOW IT'S A LOVELY PLACE. WHILE WE, IN THIS ROOM, ALL KNOW IT'S A LOVELY PLACE TO VISIT, BUT NOT EVERYONE DOES, RIGHT? SO I THINK THE WORD OF MOUTH IS DEFINITELY SPREADING. I THINK THE EFFORTS ARE CERTAINLY HELPING. BUT
IN TERMS OF ACTUAL CONCRETE ACTIONABLE THINGS THAT THE COUNCIL COULD DO
WITH LENDERS, I'LL HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THAT, AND I'LL HAVE TO LET YOU GUYS KNOW.
WILL AND I THINK WE'RE IN A UNIQUE POSITION BECAUSE WE'RE IN -- WE DO HAVE THE BARLOW THAT'S IN THE PROCESS. SO OBVIOUSLY IT SOUNDS BASED ON WHAT WE'VE LEARNED THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO GET FUNDING. SO I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND HOW
IT'S DIFFERENT FOR YOU VERSES THEM AS FAR AS COMPS AND WORKING THROUGH THE PROCESS. AND I UNDERSTAND THE PROMPTS AND THEY HELD A REAL ESTATE LICENSE, AND WE GET ALL OF THAT. BUT I'M JUST SAYING COMPARING APPLES TO APPLES HERE,
I'M JUST TRYING TO UNDERSTAND YOUR CONUNDRUM HERE AND WHEN BOTH REQUIRE LENDING AND FUNDING.
SURE. YES, SO I THINK AS I MENTIONED, WE'VE HAD A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS WITH BARNEY AT THE BARLOW. AND I'M NOT SURE THE LATEST ON HIS EFFORTS, THE LAST WE TALKED. WE WERE SORT OVERCOMES RATING AND SHARING STORIES ABOUT THE DIFFICULTIES OF THE MOMENT. I DO KNOW THIS PROJECT, THE CONSTRUCTION COSTS, AT
LEAST THE SORT OF INITIAL ESTIMATES THAT HE HAD ARE LOWER THAN WHAT OUR CONSTRUCTION COSTS WERE COMING IN AT ON THE PER KEY BASIS. I ALSO KNOW THAT
THEY'RE -- THE SITUATION THEY'RE IT IN THAT IS FROM THE CAPITAL PERSPECTIVE, THAT
THERE IS A LITTLE BIT MORE ROOM TO WORK WITH, SO THAT MIGHT BE LEADING INTO HIS COMMUNICATION ABOUT HOW WELL FINANCING IS GOING. BUT FOR US SPECIFICALLY, IT'S AN $85 MILLION PROJECT TO BUILD $66 HOTEL ROOMS, RESTAURANTS, SPA, RETAIL, AND THE ROOFTOP BAR. IT IS A VERY EXPENSIVE HIGH-QUALITY PROJECT.
AND SO I THINK AS DESIGN, THAT IS PROBABLY WHY WE'RE COMING INTO THE ISSUES WE'RE COMING INTO. WITH THE ADDED CAVEATS OF RATES AND THE CONSTRUCTION COSTS. BUT HOPEFULLY THE IDEA IS TO GET IT PERHAPS MORE IN LINE WITH WHAT BARNEY IS THINKING. BUT I DON'T KNOW. I JUST HAVEN'T SEEN HIS PER FORMA OR HIS
DESIGNS WELL ENOUGH TO GIVE CREDENCE TO WHATEVER FINANCING NUMBERS HE'S COMMUNICATED.
GOT IT. I SAW VICE MAYOR, YOU HAD YOUR HAND UP?
YEAH. I JUST WANTED TO POINT OUT THAT SEBASTOPOL SERVES 50,000 PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THIS AREA. SO ALL THEIR VISITORS ARE COMING. WE HAVE ONE HOTEL RIGHT NOW.
AND WE HAVE ONE ON THE WAY IN THE BARLOW. IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S A PRETTY GOOD OPPORTUNITY. WHERE ARE PEOPLING STAYING? AT THAT TIME, WE HAD TWO. SO I THINK HEALDSBURG PROBABLY HAS 20 OR MORE. YOU'RE BUILDING IN HEALDSBURG AND YOU'RE TRUSTING THAT. I DON'T GET IT YOU WOULDN'T SUPPORT YOUR HOTEL AND WHY THE LENDERS WOULDN'T SUPPORT IT FINANCIALLY. I THINK IT'S A GOOD OPPORTUNITY. I WOULD JUST LIKE YOU TO COMMENT ON THAT, PLEASE?
YEAH, NO, NO, NO. ABSOLUTELY. I AGREE IT'S A GOOD OPPORTUNITY. I -- YOU KNOW, YOU -- WE HAVEN'T HAD TO HAVE BEEN CONVINCED, RIGHT? US AS A FIRM, WE'VE BEEN HIGH ON SEBASTOPOL FOR THE LAST DECADE. AND YOU KNOW, OUR INVESTMENT TO DATE IS SORT OF COMMUNE HAD KATEING HOW JAZZED WE ARE ABOUT IT. YOU KNOW,
UNFORTUNATELY I WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO TELL YOU WE COULD SELF-FINANCE THIS AND BREAK GROUND TOMORROW. BUT I THINK IT IS A TRICKY MOMENT IN HOSPITALITY LENDING. IT'S A TRICKY MOMENT IN CONSTRUCTION COSTS. WE ARE SEEING, I DON'T KNOW, SERIOUSLY, I APOLOGIZE. I'M JOINED TONIGHT BY OUR -- BY THE CO-FOUNDER OF PIAZZA HOSPITALITY, THIRSTY SHARE. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS. BUT, YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT US THAT NEEDS THE CONVINCING, IT'S THE LENDERS. SO THAT'S THE LAW WE'VE BEEN HITTING UP AGAINST.
COUNCILMEMBER CARTER?
YOU'RE GOING TO NEED TO GO, RIGHT?
I'M SORRY, WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE?
APOLOGIES. I'M A PARTNER OF DANIELI'S. I'M JUST GOING TO COMMENT ON SOME OF THESE QUESTIONS.
OKAY.
AND I DID NOT HEAR EVERYTHING THAT THEY SAID, BUT I FEEL RIGHT NOW IT'S THE SPREAD. WHILE WE CAN GET SOME BIG FINANCING, AND WE HAVE OUR INVESTORS. THE COSTS AND THE INTEREST RATES HAVE GONE UP. FOR US, WE NEED MORE CAPITAL.
THAT'S THE ESSENCE OF IT. FIND US A CAPITAL PARTNER. THAT'S HOW YOU CAN HELP US.
IF YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW. BECAUSE WHILE WE HAVE THE MONEY, AND THEN RATES SKYROCKETED. DO YOU WANT TO TAKE THAT RISK? IT'S NOT -- YOU KNOW, WE ARE SMALL. WE ARE NOT OPERATING IN A BEARISH PROPERTY. WE ARE OPERATING A PIAZZA PROPERTY. THERE'S A DIFFERENCE IN WHAT BANKS LOOK AT THAT WAY. DO YOU WANT TO KNOW BEARISH IN THE MIDDLE OF TOWN? I DON'T THINK SO. SO ANY WAY THAT'S THE ESSENCE OF IT, AND WE ARE STILL WORKING ON IT. I MEAN, I TALKED TO TWO PEOPLE LAST WEEK TO HELP US FIND CAPITAL PARTNERS. SO WE ARE WORKING ON IT. IT'S JUST THAT IT'S VERY EXPENSIVE, AND WE ARE ALSO LOOKING AT WAYS TO MAKE IT LESS EXPENSIVE. AND BELIEVE ME, I'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR A VERY LONG TIME. I LOVE SEBASTOPOL. I THINK IT IS AN AWESOME PLACE. I GET THAT IT SERVES SO
MUCH OF A GREATER MARKET ON THE WEST COUNTY, AND THEY HAVE A LOT TO OFFER BEYOND WINE AND, YOU KNOW, PROXIMITY TO THE COAST. SO MANY GOOD THINGS. SO WE ARE STILL VERY INTERESTED, AND FIND US SOME MORE MONEY. WE WILL BUILD IT.
WELL, I'M JUST GOING TO COMMENT SINCE I ASKED, I MEAN OBVIOUSLY AS A COUNCIL, WE'RE NOT FINDING YOU MONEY. BUT IF THERE IS ANYTHING WE COULD DO AS A CITY TO MAKE IT MORE APPEALING, I THINK IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR US TO UNDERSTAND THAT.
SO I'M TRYING TO SEE. COUNCILMEMBER CARTER, YOU HAD YOUR HAND UP, AND THEN COUNCILMEMBER ZOLLMAN?
YEAH. I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY ONE THING COUNCIL IS DOING WITH THIS ENTERPRISE
COMMITTEE AND THE OTHER THINGS IS TRYING TO HELP YOU SOLVE THIS CHICKEN AND
EGG PROBLEM, YOU KNOW, WITH HAVING AN UNDERKNOWN MARKET FOR THIS KIND OF THING. LIKE WHY DO PEOPLE COME TO SEBASTOPOL WHEN THE BUSINESS IS HERE? IS THERE A NATURAL DRAW? CAN IT SUPPORT A HOTEL.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE INTO QUESTIONS BECAUSE I'M GETTING COMMENTS. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE IN THE QUESTIONS. JUST ASKING.
QUESTION MARK? > [ LAUGHTER ] I'M JUST SAYING BECAUSE WE'RE NOT IN THE COMMENTS YET. I WANT TO KEEP US ON TRACK.
YEAH. WE'LL GET TO IT LATER.
OKAY. [ LAUGHTER ] COUNCILMEMBER ZOLLMAN?
YES. SO I'M STILL STUCK ON THIS PROJECT, THIS FOURTH PROJECT IN HEALDSBURG BECAUSE I TOOK NOTES. I THOUGHT YOU SAID IT WAS APPROVED FOUR YEARS AGO, BUT YOU'VE BEEN TRYING TO DO SOMETHING FOR US FOR THE LAST TEN YEARS. SO I'M CONFUSED. SO YOU HAVE ENOUGH TRUST IN THEM TO GO THROUGH THIS ROCKY
FINANCIAL PERIOD TO DO A FOURTH PROJECT, BUT NOT WITH US OR DID I NOT UNDERSTAND THAT?
SORRY IF I WAS UNCLEAR OR MISSPOKE IN ANY WAY. NO, OUR PROJECT IN HEALDSBURG HAS NOT BEEN MOVING FORWARD. IT'S ENTITLED, BUT IT'S NOT MOVING FORWARD.
OKAY.
VICE MAYOR?
BUT ISN'T IT TRUE YOU HAVE A HOTEL PROJECT THAT YOU'VE BEEN BUILDING FOR THE LAST SO MANY YEARS IN HEALDSBURG RIGHT NOW? I MEAN, HAVEN'T YOU BEEN WORKING ON ONE? OR IN THE LAST --
THE LAST HOTEL PROJECT WE BUILT AND OPENED IN HEALDSBURG WAS IN 2018.
OKAY.
YOU COMPLETED IT IN 2018?
IT OPENED IN 2018, CORRECT.
A QUESTION I HAVE, AND IT IS MORE THAN NUTS AND BOLTS. SOMEONE AT PIAZZA TOLD
ME IN THE PAST, SOME OF THE FINANCING YOU'RE OBTAINING THROUGH FEDERAL
MONEY AND THERE WAS AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY DIG, WHATEVER, THAT TO HAPPEN ON THAT PROPERTY. HAS THAT BEEN DONE YET? I UNDERSTAND IT WAS SUPPOSE TO BE DONE BY SONOMA STATE. AND IT SEEMS LIKE, YOU KNOW, WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THAT? WHERE IS THAT AT TO HELP YOU GET DOWN TO THE FINANCING? SURE, YES. SO AS YOU MENTIONED, WE HAVE A CONTRACT WITH SONOMA STATE
UNIVERSITY TO HELP US SORT OF COLLECT AND CATALOG ANY ARCHAEOLOGICAL ITEMS THAT WE DO FIND. WE HAVE SOME INITIAL WORK THAT HAPPENED WHEN WE
DEMOLISHED THE BUILDING BECAUSE IT WAS A GROUND DISTURBANCE ACTIVITY, SO WE
HAD MONITORS THAT CAME AND FOUND SOME ARTIFACTS, WHICH LED TO THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL REQUIREMENT. PLAN IS NOT -- IT'S NOT A BARRIER TO SORT OF A TIMELY GROUND BREAKING. IT'S A TWO TO THREE-WEEK PROCESS, WHERE THEY'VE
IDENTIFIED SORT OF THE MOST LIKELY AREAS TO CONTAIN DEPOSITS, AND THEY'LL GO IF AND DO THEIR WORK. I DON'T REMEMBER HOW MUCH SOIL THEY'RE REMOVING, BUT AT
CERTAIN POINTS, THEY'RE COLLECTING ARTIFACTS, BRINGING THEM OFF SITE TO ANALYZE AND CATALOG THEM.
OKAY, GO AHEAD.
I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY, IT WOULD BE TWO TO THREE WEEKS FOR GROUND BREAKING WHERE THAT PROCESS WOULD TAKE PLACE.
OKAY, IS THAT A COST TO YOU?
YES, IT'S A $100,000 CONTRACT, YES.
OKAY. AND SO THAT IS STILL IN PLACE, AND IT IS SORT OF PENDING THERE. I GUESS IS
THERE A REASON THAT YOU WOULDN'T JUST GET THAT DONE, SO YOU COULD CONTINUE TO MOVE ALONG WITH US?
WELL, I MEAN, I THINK IT IS -- IT WOULD BE PAID FOR THROUGH PROCEEDS FROM OUR CONSTRUCTION LOAN BECAUSE IT'S A PART OF THE CONSTRUCTION PROCESS. SO WE ARE
WAITING TO GREEN LIGHT IT BEFORE WE -- SO WE'RE WAITING TO HAVE AN IMPROVED LOAN BEFORE GREEN LIGHTING IT.
AND SO THIS DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE FEDERAL FUNDING THEN? I JUST WANT TO UNDERSTAND THIS BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT I'M TOLD AT ONE OF THE MEETINGS.
RIGHT, RIGHT, RIGHT. IT DOES HAVE, IT IS RELATED TO FEDERAL FUNDING BECAUSE THE
CITY AND STATE ARCHAEOLOGICAL REQUIREMENTS ARE LESS STRINGENT THAN THE FEDERAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL REQUIREMENTS. SO AS A RESULT OF THE -- REFERRED OF THE FUNDING PROGRAM, WHICH I MENTIONED EARLIER IS A FEDERAL PROGRAM. WE ARE
SUBJECT TO FEDERAL REGULATIONS, WHICH MEANS FROM AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE, WE HAVE TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL LAW. AND BECAUSE OF THAT
FUNDING IS STILL IN PLACE AND WILL BE A PART OF OUR PACKAGE, IT IS STILL A REQUIREMENT FOR US.
I SEE, THANK YOU.
OF COURSE. ARE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? NO? IF NOT, THEN WE CAN GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT. I'M NOT SURE. THANK YOU SO MUCH. SORRY ABOUT THAT. I CAN'T HEAR WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE ROOM THERE. I SEE MARY.
WE'RE GOOD TO GO AHEAD TO GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT. SORRY, WE WERE CHECKING TO MAKE SURE THE FRONT DOOR WAS OPEN. SO THIS IS PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE INFORMATIONAL ITEM ON THE REPORT ON THE HOTEL SEBASTOPOL. IF YOU'D LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT, IT'S A TWO-MINUTE PUBLIC COMMENT. I GO TO CHAMBERS, THEN ZOOM. IF ANYONE IN CHAMBERS WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT? PLEASE GO AHEAD.
IT'S KIND OF -- I THOUGHT -- I DIDN'T QUITE UNDERSTAND WHY IT DIDN'T GET ASKED. IF
HE'S GOING TO BREAK GROUND AND YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL
INFORMATION DONE BEFORE, COULD IT NOT STOP YOU FROM BREAKING GROUND IF THEY
DECIDED THERE WAS SOME ISSUE IN THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL --
SO THIS IS JUST FOR PUBLIC COMMENT RIGHT NOW.
I CAN'T ASK QUESTIONS?
YOU CAN ASK A QUESTION, BUT WE'LL COME BACK TO IT AT THE END OF PUBLIC COMMENT.
THANK YOU. SO I'LL GO OUT TO ZOOM. OLIVER, CAN YOU UNMUTE YOURSELF, FIRST? YES, I'M UNMUTED.
CAN YOU SEE THE TIMER?
I CAN, YEAH.
GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
I'M JUST THINKING THIS IS LIKE A TEN-YEAR ANNIVERSARY EXPLANATION OF WHY WE
HAVE A HUGE PIECE OF LAND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CITY, JUST SITTING THERE WITH TUMBLE WEEDS ON IT, WHILE PEOPLE DRIVE BY AND DECIDE NOT TO STOP IN THE CITY.
WHILE WE WERE -- YOU WERE TALKING, I WAS LOOKING AT MY COMPUTER AND REMEMBERING THE TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY THAT USED TO BE THERE. WE HAD A
COUPLE OF OLD TRACTORS PARKED OUTSIDE, WHICH WAS VERY MUCH IN THE SPIRIT OF THE CITY, AS PEOPLE DROVE THROUGH. SO A COUPLE OF THINGS. ONE IS THE
ARCHAEOLOGICAL THING THAT'S BEEN BUZZING AROUND FOR YEARS, AND THAT COULD ACTUALLY BE REALLY IMPORTANT, IF THAT IS HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT. THAT'S WHERE THE OLD CHINATOWN WAS, AS I WAS LED TO UNDERSTAND. SO TO ME, I DON'T
KNOW IT IF THEY COULD FIND GRANTS OR SOMETHING FOR THAT OR SOMETHING COULD BE DONE TO SEE IF THEY COULD EVEN BUILD A HOTEL THERE AT THIS POINT IN TIME. AND
PRESUMABLY THAT WOULD LIMIT THINGS, ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DONE ON THE LAND, IN CASE DAMAGE IS DONE TO THE HISTORICAL ARTIFACTS. BUT HAVING SAID THAT, I MEAN, I WASN'T A FAN OF THE PUBLIC ART THAT WAS THERE. I WOULD REALLY
LIKE TO SEE THAT LAND, IF IT IS NOT BEING USED BY PIAZZA TO ACTUALLY BREAK GROUND AND BUILD A HOTEL. THEY SHOULD BE MAKING A WHOLE LOT OF AN EFFORT TO
MAKE THE CITY OF SEBASTOPOL LOOK A LOT MORE ATTRACTIVE TO PEOPLE DRIVING THROUGH, EVEN IF IT IS SOME SORT OF HISTORICAL EXHIBIT OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
AN EXPLANATION OF THE UPCOMING HOTEL. OBVIOUSLY IT'S A VERY DANGEROUS CROSSROAD. IN ALL OF THE SONOMA COUNTY. SO YOU WOULD HAVE TO BE VERY
CAREFUL WITH PEDESTRIANS AND SO ON, SO AT THE END OF THE DAY, I WOULD LIKE TO
SEE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS, AND IT IS APPARENT THAT NOTHING WILL HAPPEN FOR ANOTHER FEW YEARS. SO THAT'S MY PUBLIC COMMENT. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. NEXT, I'LL COME BACK INTO CHAMBERS. IF
ANYONE IN CHAMBERS WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT, PLEASE COME UP TO THE PODIUM.
IT SEEMS AS IF WHAT SEBASTOPOL IS ACTUALLY -- BY THE NUMBERS AND BY THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE AND HOW FULL OUR CURRENT ONE HOTEL IS. WHAT WOULD BE SORT OF A HOOK, LINE, ZINGER IS WHAT THE PROJECT WAS A HOTEL. IT SEEMS LIKE THE ADDITION OF THE RETAIL SPACES. THE SPAS, ALL OF THOSE THINGS, WHICH WE HAVE AN ABUNDANCE HERE. AS A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER IN THIS TOWN, IT'S HARD TO
BE A SMALL BUSINESS AND CONTINUE TO DO WHAT I DO AND MAKE ENOUGH MONEY TO DO IT TO EMPLOYEE PEOPLE WHO ARE LOCAL AND ALL THOSE THINGS. IS THERE A DRAFT OF THIS PROJECT THAT IS JUST A HOTEL?
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. NEXT, I'LL GO OUT TO ZOOM. KATE, CAN YOU UNMUTE YOURSELF, PLEASE?
GOOD EVENING.
THANK YOU, CAN YOU STILL SEE THE TIMER?
I CAN.
GREAT, GO AHEAD, PLEASE?
I HAVE TWO PUBLIC COMMENTS. ONE IS THE TYPE OF HOTEL THAT'S BUILT. THE NUMBER
OF ROOMS AND THE PRICE OF THE ROOMS HAS A DIRECT IMPACT ON THE REVENUE FOR THE CITY IN TERMS OF T.O.T. AND SO THEREFORE THE PROJECT OF THE HOTEL SHOULD BE
THOUGHT OF IN CONCERT, NOT ONLY OF THE DEVELOPER'S NEEDS, OF COURSE, BUT ALSO THE CITY'S NEEDS FOR REVENUE. SO IF THE DEVELOPER SCALES BACK THE NUMBER OF
ROOMS OR THE KIND OF PRICE POINT OF THE ROOMS THAT HAS A DIRECT IMPACT ON THE CITY'S REVENUE AND THE CITY'S BUDGET. SO I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO
BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THIS IS A PRIME PIECE OF DEVELOPABLE LAND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CITY. AND SO IF WE FORFEIT THIS LAND TO A
PROJECT THAT DOESN'T END UP GENERATING ITS FULL POTENTIAL FOR REVENUE, WE WON'T BE ABLE TO KIND OF TURN BACK THE CLOCK ON THAT. SO EACH PIECE OF LAND
THAT'S DEVELOPED IN CITY LIMITS OF SEBASTOPOL HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE AN
ECONOMIC GENERATOR FOR THE CITY ITSELF, SO THE CITY COULD DO THINGS LIKE PAVE OUR ROADS, AND MAINTAIN OUR PARKS. SO WE HAVE LOST A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF LAND TO PROPERTIES THAT GENERATE NO REVENUE AND TAKE RESOURCES. I THINK THAT NEEDS TO BE A PART OF THE EQUATION. MY SECOND COMMENT FOLLOWS OLIVER'S
COMMENT, AND THAT I'D LIKE TO SEE THE LOT MORE ACTIVE, EVEN IF IT IS IN TERMS OF WRAPPING THE TREES IN SOLAR LIGHTS. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE LOT FROM THE BUSY INTERSECTIONS. BUT IF THERE IS A WAY TO LINK IT MORE DIRECTLY
WITH THE BARLOW, SO THAT PEOPLE COULD PERHAPS ACCESS PART OF IT FOR LIKE, YOU
KNOW, A SMALL DOG RUN --
KATE, THAT'S TWO MINUTES.
OKAY, THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. NEXT, I'LL COME BACK INTO CHAMBERS. IF THERE IS ANYONE IN CHAMBERS THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE. I'LL GO BACK OUT TO ZOOM. IF THERE IS ANYONE ON ZOOM THAT WOULD
LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS ITEM, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND VIRTUALLY. SEEING NONE, PUBLIC COMMENT IS CLOSED.
ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE'RE BACK AT THE DAIS FOR COMMENTS FROM MY COLLEAGUES BEFORE I DO MINE? DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY COMMENTS? I DO HAVE A QUESTION. I KNOW WE HAD THESE TWO QUESTIONS, IF I CAN JUST ASK THEM VERY QUICKLY OF OUR -- FROM PIAZZA. IT'S A QUESTION I STILL WONDER. COULD NOT DOING THE DIG I HAD ASKED ABOUT FOR THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL STUFF. COULDN'T THAT, IN FACT, DELAY THE PROJECT IF YOU DON'T GET THAT DONE? I MEAN, I'VE HEARD THIS SO
MANY TIMES FROM DIFFERENT --
RIGHT. SOY THINK IT WOULD BE THE TYPICAL WAY THAT ARCHAEOLOGICAL DIGS HAPPEN AS IT RELATES TO GROUND DISTURBANCE AND DEVELOPMENT. THERE'S
USUALLY AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL -- ARCHAEOLOGIST ON SITE SORT OF MONITORING THE ACTIVITY AND LOOKING FOR ARTIFACTS AS DIRT IS BEING MOVED, RIGHT? AS A RESULT
OF OUR FEDERALLY FUNDED LOAN PROJECT, WE HAVE A RECOVERY PLAN THAT HAS
BEEN APPROVED BY THE FEDERAL REGULATORY AGENCY IN TERMS OF THEM BEING
GOOD WITH WHAT WE'RE DIGGING, REMOVING THE ARTIFACTS, AND SETTING THEM ON SITE. SO THE SCHEDULE THAT I GAVE, YOU KNOW, TWO TO THREE WEEKS, IS VERY MUCH A KNOWN SCHEDULE. THERE'S NOTHING THAT COULD HAPPEN THAT WOULD -- THAT
WOULD DELAY IT BECAUSE IT'S SORT OF AGREED UPON ARCHAEOLOGICAL DIG AND MANEUVER. SO THERE IS REALLY NO UNKNOWNS OR RISKS AS A RESULT OF THE
PREVIOUS GROUND DISTURBANCE AND THE PREVIOUS MONITORING THAT WAS DONE WHEN THE BUILDING, THE FORMER BUILDING WAS BEING DEMOLISHED.
OKAY. AND THEN WE HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION, JUST ABOUT THE DRAFT OF THE HOTEL.
YEAH, THAT IS CERTAINLY SOMETHING WE LOOK AT. IT'S JUST IMPORTANT TO NOTE ANOTHER PUBLIC COMMENTER SORT OF ELUDED TO THIS. EVERY TIME YOU EITHER
REDUCE THE NUMBER OF ROOMS OR DEVOTE SPACE TO A DIFFERENT USE WITHIN THE
PROJECT, IT CHANGES THE PER FORMA AND THE BOTTOM LINE. WE TRIED TO MAXIMIZE
THE GOLDEN TICKET OF THIS KIND OF DEVELOPMENT, WHICH IS THE HOTEL ROOMS THEMSELVES. BUT IN ORDER TO SELL THE HOTEL ROOMS, AND IN ORDER TO GET A
CERTAIN RATE FOR THE HOTEL ROOMS, YOU DO HAVE TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL
AMENITIES, BE IT SPAS, RESTAURANTS, BE IT SORT OF LOVELY CURATED RETAIL OR LOVELY GROUNDS. SO IT IS A DELICATE ROPE TO WALK. BUT YES, WE ARE CONSIDERING
ALTERNATIVES THAT CHANGE THE SORT OF LAND USE MIXED WITHIN THE
DEVELOPMENT, AND THAT COULD LEAD TO MORE HOTEL ROOMS, LESS RETAIL AS AN EXAMPLE.
OKAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ANSWERING THOSE. I JUST THINK THIS WILL BE AN IMPORTANT TOPIC, AND PEOPLE ARE QUESTIONING IT. I WANTED TO ADDRESS THIS.
THANK YOU. AND THEN DID ANYONE AT THE DAIS HAVE ANY COMMENTS? COUNCILMEMBER HINTON?
THANK YOU. THIS HOTEL IS PARTLY WHY I RAN FOR OFFICE IN 2016. I WANTED TO BE
INVOLVED AND HOW SEBASTOPOL GREW AND WAS SHAPED, AND THIS HOTEL WAS ONE OF THE HOTTEST TOPICS ON THE YEAR I RAN FOR OFFICE. I'VE BEEN INVOLVED WITH IT FOR A LONG TIME. I THINK VERY HIGHLY OF THESE OPERATORS. I'VE VISITED THEIR
PROJECT THAT THEY OPENED IN SAN LUIS OBISPO, AND OBVIOUSLY COVID CHANGED A LOT OF THINGS. UNFORTUNATELY I THINK FOR OUR TOWN, WE'VE LOST GREG BIEL'S
PROJECT, AND I'M ALSO VERY WELL AWARE OF THE HOLE THAT SITS IN THE CENTER OF WINDSOR, THE HOTEL STOPPED, THAT'S TRYING TO MOVE FORWARD IN PETALUMA. SO WE ARE NOT ALONE. I DON'T TAKE THIS PERSONALLY. IT'S A HUGE PROJECT, IT'S A BEAUTIFUL
PROJECT, AND I UNDERSTAND I DON'T WANT A HOTEL BUILT IN THE MIDDLE OF OUR TOWN THAT FOLDS OR SOMETHING. THEY HAVE TO HAVE FINANCING THEY CAN LIVE WITH. SO I DO THINK WEST COUNTY, AND I KNOW THEY KNOW, WE ONLY HAVE AIRBNBs TO RELY ON AND ONE LITTLE TINY HOTEL, WHICH PEOPLE, WE'RE LUCKY TO HAVE. BUT IT'S MODERATE. IT'S FULL A LOT. IT DOESN'T REFLECT WHAT I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR. I'M SUPPORTIVE TONIGHT OF THE EXTENSION. I HOPE YOU CAN FIGURE OUT YOUR OTHER HALF OF FINANCING. YOU COME, YOU STAND IN FRONT OF US.
YOU'VE GOT A PROJECT. I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT. SO THOSE ARE MY COMMENTS TONIGHT.
OKAY. ANYONE ELSE HAVE COMMENTS? OKAY. I JUST HAVE A FEW THEN IF NO ONE ELSE HAS ANY. FIRST OF ALL I THINK IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT THE HOTEL, AND I SAY IT THIS WITH HUMOR THAT IT HAS BECOME AN URBAN LEGEND. PEOPLE TALK ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME. THE HOTEL THAT IS NOT COMING, THAT IS COMING. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THIS COME TO FRUITION. AND I HAVE -- I JUST HAVE GREAT CONCERN OVER WHAT'S
HAPPENING, AND I KNOW WE'RE NOT ALONE TO COUNCILMEMBER HINTON'S WORDS, AS FAR AS ALL THE DIFFERENT HOTELS. I'M HOPING PERHAPS, AND MAYBE THIS IS ALREADY HAPPENING WITH CITY STAFF. BUT I THINK IT WOULD BE REALLY HELPFUL FOR THE
COUNCIL, FOR US, AND FOR ME PARTICULARLY, TO UNDERSTAND IF THERE IS ANY WAY
THAT WE, AS A COUNCIL, IF THERE IS ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO ACTUALLY, YOU KNOW, IMPROVE THE DOWNTOWN. IF THAT WOULD HELP IN ANY WAY. I'VE HEARD THIS BEFORE, WE'RE NOT A PROVEN MARKET. I CONTINUE TO SAY IF THERE IS ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO TWEAK, TO HELP, TO MAKE THE PLACE MORE ATTRACTIVE. I HOPE YOU WOULD FEEL THE
PIAZZA WOULD COMMUNICATE WITH US, AND WE SEE THIS AS A SHARED PROJECT FOR US. I MEAN, THE T.O.T. IS SUPER IMPORTANT TO US. SO AT ANY WAY, I'M SUPPORTING THIS
FOR NOW, BUT I'M JUST HOPING, YOU KNOW, AS I SEE SOME INTEREST RATES COMING DOWN. I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG THAT WILL LAST. BUT I JUST HOPE SOMEWHERE ALONG
THE LINE, THAT YOU MIGHT REACH A POINT WHERE YOU COULD ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING. AT ANY RATE, I'M SUPPORTING IT THIS EVENING WITH A BIT OF PAUSE AND
CONCERN OVER WHETHER OR NOT WE'RE JUST CONTINUING DOWN THIS DELAYED'S LONG PATH OF A NON-EXISTENT SPACE. ANY WAY, THOSE ARE MY COMMENTS. DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE ANYTHING BEFORE VICE MAYOR?
AND THERE IS NO ACTION REQUIRED TONIGHT, JUST THANK YOU FOR COMING AND TALKING TO US. THANK YOU FOR YOUR UPDATES. BUT I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO DO ANYTHING?
THAT'S CORRECT. THIS IS JUST AN INFORMATIONAL ITEM.
THAT'S GREAT. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE. IF NOT, WE'LL ACCEPT IT HAD AND MOVE
ON, AND THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING IN AND STANDING BEFORE EVERYBODY AND ANSWERING ALL THESE QUESTIONS. ALL RIGHT. LET ME JUST GET MY NEXT PAGE HERE, AND WE'LL MOVE ONTO, WELL, LET'S SEE. THAT'S THE END OF OUR INFORMATIONAL ITEMS. WE DON'T HAVE ANY PUBLIC HEARINGS THIS EVENING, SO WE'LL BE MOVING ON TO ITEM NUMBER NINE, WHICH IS OUR REGULAR CALENDAR. AGENDA ITEMS, DISCUSSIONS, AND/OR ACTIONS. NUMBER NINE IS OUR SPECIAL EVENT FEE WAIVERS, KIWANIS CLUB, APRIL 4 EASTER EGG HUNT. FEE WAIVER HAS BEEN REQUESTED IN THE AMOUNT OF $400. AND THIS IS PUBLIC WORKS, I BELIEVE?
YES, THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. THIS IS THE SPECIAL EVENT FOR THE KIWANIS CLUB THROWS ANNUALLY FOR THE EASTER EGG HUNT. IT OCCURRED LAST SATURDAY,
JUST BEFORE EASTER, AND THEY SUBMITTED A LETTER FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION REQUESTING THAT THE EVENT FEES ARE WAIVED FOR THAT EVENT.
ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, COUNCILMEMBER HINTON?
YEAH. USUALLY WE GET THESE REQUESTS BEFORE THE EVENT. I'M JUST CURIOUS WHY, WHEN THEY SUBMITTED THIS? I MEAN IT WOULD BE GREAT IF SOMEBODY IS HERE THAT COULD THEN SPEAK TO LIKE HOW SUCCESSFUL THE EVENT WAS? WAS IT FREE FOR THE PEOPLE THAT ATTENDED? ANY WAY USUALLY WE GET THESE AHEAD OF TIME, SO I'M INTERESTED TO HEAR WHEN THIS CAME IN.
WE ASKED THE REQUEST AT THE BEGINNING OF MARCH, AND I MISSED JUST THE
DEADLINE FOR JUST THE MEETING BEFORE THIS, AND I NEEDED TO GET IT TO THE
BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING FOR THEIR ASSESSMENT, AND WE DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO GET IT ON THE AGENDA ITEM FOR MARCH 17. WE'LL HAVE ONES COMING
FORWARD AT THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETINGS FOR EVENTS THAT HAVE NOT TAKEN PLACE YET.
OKAY. SO CAN I ASK A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION? THIS IS A SMALL AMOUNT. IN THE PAST,
THESE SORT OF SMALL AMOUNTS DIDN'T NECESSARILY GO BEFORE THE BUDGET COMMITTEE, AND THEN TO THE FULL COUNCIL. IS THAT POLICY CHANGED OR COULD THIS HAVE COME STRAIGHT TO US, SO IT WASN'T DELAYED UNTIL AFTER THE EVENT? BECAUSE THAT WOULD BE IMPORTANT TO ME.
ANY FINANCIAL MATTER NOW THAT IS EITHER A REVENUE THAT WE WILL BE MISSING OR A COST WE MIGHT BE WAIVING DOES GO TO THE BUDGET COMMITTEE NOW.
OKAY. DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? AND I APOLOGIZE, I CAN'T SEE VICE MAYOR. OKAY. I'M SORRY? DID YOU SAY SOMETHING?
NO.
OKAY. COOL. IF WE DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, THEN WE CAN DO PUBLIC COMMENT.
SO THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO SPEAK ON THE
REQUEST FOR THE WAIVER FEES FOR THE EASTER EGG HUNT THAT DID HAPPEN JUST RECENTLY. IF YOU'D LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT, IT'S A TWO-MINUTE PUBLIC COMMENT. IF THERE'S ANYONE HERE THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT? THAT WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS THE EVENT? PLEASE COME UP.
THE SEBASTOPOL KIWANIS CLUB HAS BEEN DOING THIS EVENT FOR OVER 47 YEARS. IT IS ONE OF OUR FAVORITE EVENTS. IT GOES PERFECTLY WITH OUR MISSION, WHICH IS SERVICE TO CHILDREN. IT'S A GREAT FAMILY EVENT. AND I WOULD, WE WOULD APPRECIATE THE FEE WAIVER. SO THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. NEXT, I'LL GO OUT TO ZOOM, IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT, TO PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND VIRTUALLY? SEEING NONE, I'LL COME BACK INTO CHAMBERS. ANYONE ELSE IN CHAMBERS? PLEASE.
IT IS A FREE EVENT FOR WHOEVER ASKED. IT'S BEEN FREE FOR 47 YEARS. WE RAISE
FUNDS FOR THE FIREWORKS TO PAY FOR THE EASTER EGG HUNT AND THE HALLOWEEN EVENT. SO IT IS FREE. LOTS OF HAPPY KIDS. AND WE DO PROVIDE ALL OF THE CANDY, THE MEMBERS CHIP IN, AND THE REST COMES FROM THE CLUB. SO THIS WOULD HELP A LOT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. PLEASE?
I DIDN'T KNOW I WOULD COME TONIGHT, BUT I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO KNOW FOR MANY YEARS. WHEN THE KIWANIS CLUB COMES DOWNTOWN AND ASKS FOR
DONATIONS FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES FOR THIS EVENT, I HAVE HAPPILY CONTRIBUTED TO THAT. NOT ONLY IS THE EVENT FREE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, BUT AFTER THE
EVENT, THE FAMILIES COME DOWNTOWN, AND THEY HAVE BREAKFAST. THEY COME AND GET THEIR EASTER COOKIE. THEY ARE SO FULL OF JOY AND HAPPINESS, AND SO MANY
PEOPLE COME IN TO MY BUSINESS, TALKING ABOUT WHAT A FANTASTIC TOWN THIS IS TO HAVE THIS TYPE OF EVENT FOR FAMILIES AND FOR CHILDREN, AND FOR OUR KIDS. IT'S
NOT JUST EXCLUSIVE TO THE PARK, BUT IT REALLY DOES BRING PEOPLE IN TO DOWNTOWN FROM ALL OVER WEST COUNTY. SO I FULLY SUPPORT WAIVING THEIR FEE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. NEXT, I'LL GO BACK OUT TO ZOOM, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND VIRTUALLY. SEEING NONE, I'LL COME BACK INTO CHAMBERS. ANY PUBLIC COMMENT? SEEING NONE, PUBLIC COMMENT IS CLOSED.
VICE MAYOR?
I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE WAIVER OF THE SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT FEES FOR THE KIWANIS CLUB EASTER EGG HUNT IN THE AMOUNT OF $400.
I'LL SECOND.
AND I JUST WANTED TO COMMENT VERY QUICKLY. OH, COUNCILMEMBER HINTON, GO AHEAD, IF YOU WANT.
YEAH. I JUST HAVE A COMMENT. AND I GUESS I WILL PURSUE THIS IN ANOTHER WAY.
BUT I THINK WITH A 47-YEAR-OLD TRADITION AND THIS TOWN THAT IS FREE THAT IS
ASKING FOR A WAIVER, AND I WOULD HAVE PREFERRED TO HAVE THIS COME TO FULL
COUNCIL, SO A SMALL ITEM LIKE THIS FEELS LIKE IT GOT HELD UP IN OUR PROCESS TO GO TO THE BUDGET COMMITTEE. MISSED THE FIRST COUNCIL DEADLINE, AND WE COULD HAVE APPROVED IT BEFORE THE EVENT ACTUALLY HAPPENED. SO I WANT TO RETHINK SMALL BUDGETARY ITEMS BECAUSE MAYBE WE CAN BRING THEM ALONG. I DON'T KNOW WHEN THIS NEW POLICY HAPPENED THAT IT COULDN'T GET TO THE COUNCIL QUICKER.
THAT'S MY COMMENT. AND I'LL PURSUE THAT IN ANOTHER FASHION.
I JUST WANT TO COMMENT. I SAW A LOT OF THE GOOD SOCIAL MEDIA COVERAGE OF THIS, THIS EVENT, SO I THINK IT WAS A FEEL GOOD THING FOR SEBASTOPOL. GO AHEAD, VICE MAYOR?
YEAH. DID THE CLUB HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS AND THEN WE ARE REIMBURSING? IS THAT'S WHAT'S HAPPENING? AND COUNCILMEMBER HINTON, ARE YOU TRYING TO AVOID THAT?
I JUST WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE SEEN IT MAINSTREAM TO NOT GO TO THE BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE, THAT IT COULD HAVE COME STRAIGHT TO US.
OKAY.
NO FURTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS?
WELL, THERE WAS A QUESTION. ARE WE REIMBURSING OR DID THEY PAY FOR IT ALREADY? ARE WE REIMBURSING OR HAVE THEY NOT PAID FOR IT? I WOULD HAVE TO DEFER TO THE PUBLIC WORKS. I DON'T TAKE IN ANY APPLICATIONS.
I'M NOT AWARE IF THEY CAME IN. WE COULD ASK BRUCE. IT WOULD BE A REIMBURSEMENT. THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING.
OKAY. JUST TRYING TO MAKE SURE ALL QUESTIONS WERE ANSWERED. SO WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND, CORRECT? SO WE CAN JUST --
WE DO. SO MOVED BY VICE MAYOR MAURER, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER CARTER
TO APPROVE THIS SPECIAL EVENT FEE WAIVER FOR THE KIWANIS CLUB FOR THE EASTER EGG HUNT IN THE AMOUNT OF $400. COUNCILMEMBER CARTER?
YES.
COUNCILMEMBER HINTON?
AYE.
COUNCILMEMBER ZOLLMAN?
YES.
VICE MAYOR MAURER?
YES.
MAYOR MCLEWIS?
YES.
MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
OKAY, THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT, MOVING ON TO NUMBER 10. APPROVAL OF
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH SERVICE EMPLOYEES' INTERNATIONAL UNION LOCAL, SEIU1021, AND THIS WOULD BE COVERED BY ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES.
I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND INTRODUCE THE ITEM, AND THEN HAVE OUR HUMAN RESOURCES CONSULTANT PROVIDE THE REPORT. SO AS YOU JUST STATED, THIS IS THE
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR THE SEIU EMPLOYEES, WHICH IS PUBLIC WORKS AND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF. AFTER MONTHS OF NEGOTIATIONS, WE WERE ABLE TO GET TO AN AGREEMENT. THEY RATIFIED THE -- THE GROUP RATIFIED THE PROPOSAL, SO IT IS NOW BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL. I'LL TURN IT OVER TO PROVIDE THE OTHER REMAINING INFORMATION.
OKAY, GREAT, THANK YOU.
GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS. THIS IS DEBORAH, HUMAN RESOURCE ADVISOR FOR THE CITY. YES, THIS ITEM BEFORE YOU IS TO REQUEST APPROVAL OF THE
SUCCESS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF SEBASTOPOL AND THE SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION. LOCAL 1021. SO OVER SEVEN MONTHS,
THE CITY AND SEIU MET AND CONFERRED IN GOOD FAITH, AND CAME UP WITH A KEY
ELEMENT IN TERMS OF THE SUCCESS FOR THE MOU, AGREEING ON THE ONE-TIME OFF SCHEDULED PAYMENT OF $3,000 FOR EACH MEMBER, WHICH MEANS IT DOESN'T GET REPORTED. THE ONGOING COST OF THE SALARY INCREASE. MONTHLY BILINGUAL STIPEND FOR UP TO TWO EMPLOYEES. AND A REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR SONOMA COUNTY REGIONAL PARKS PASS, ONCE A YEAR. AND THEN THERE IS ALSO SOME OTHER NON-MONETARY AGREEMENTS AROUND CONTRACTING OUT AND THINGS LIKE THAT. SO WE'RE ASKING THE COUNCIL TO APPROVE THE SUCCESSOR MOU.
OKAY. THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS? FROM ANYONE? OKAY. THANK YOU, DEBORAH.
THANK YOU. MARY, DO WE WANT TO GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT, SINCE WE DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
THANK YOU, MAYOR. THIS IS PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE APPROVAL OF THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE SEIU BARGAINING GROUP. I WILL COME TO CHAMBERS FIRST. SEEING NONE, I'LL GO BACK OUT ZOOM. IF THERE IS ANYONE ON ZOOM THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT. KYLE, PLEASE UNMUTE YOURSELF.
YES, I CAN.
CAN YOU SEE THE TIMER?
YEAH, I CAN.
GREAT, GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
I'M ABOUT TO STEP OUT OF THE ROOM FOR A MOMENT FOR THE PRESENTATION. BUT I'M
HOPING THERE WAS SOME CLEAR COMMUNICATION FROM THE PUBLIC ABOUT HOW LONG THIS PROCESS WENT ON, AND WHAT LED UP TO THE ACTUAL AGREEMENT. THERE WERE
STRIKE SANCTIONS THAT WERE AUTHORIZED BY THE UNION AS A RESULT OF FAILED NEGOTIATIONS. THAT LED US TO THE POINT WHERE WE HAVE THIS CONTRACT TODAY. SO I'M HOPING THAT WAS CLEARLY ARTICULATED IN THE PRESENTATION TONIGHT.
SECONDLY I DIDN'T HAVE A CHANCE TO READ THROUGH, BUT THERE WAS SOME PUBLIC COMMENT PARTICULARLY ABOUT A CLAUSE IN THERE. IT SEEMED LIKE A FIRST RIGHT
OVER REFUSAL FOR PROVIDING SERVICES THAT WERE THEN IN SCOPE OF THE JOB DESCRIPTIONS THAT ARE WITHIN THOSE POSITIONS. THIS GOES TO A LONG STANDING CONCERN THIEF SHARED WITH THIS COUNCIL, WHICH IS WE ARE OUTSOURCING LABOR.
LABOR THAT IS UNIONIZED LABOR WITH JOB DESCRIPTIONS THAT ARE WELL WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE EMPLOYEES THAT WE HAVE WITH THE CITY. SO I JUST HOPE MAYBE A LITTLE BIT MORE CONTEXT ABOUT THAT CLAUSE. AND IN PARTICULAR ABOUT HOW THE
RESPONSIBILITIES OF CITY AND CITY MANAGEMENT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE WORK
THAT WE ARE AUTHORIZING IS WITHIN SCOPE OF THE EMPLOYEES THAT ARE DOING THAT
WORK, AND WE'RE NOT USING, YOU KNOW, TACTICS LIKE EMERGENCY NEED OR, YOU KNOW, RATHER THAN RECOGNIZING DEFERRED MAINTENANCE, RIGHT? SO WHEN YOU
DEFER THE MAINTENANCE ON THE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR AS LONG AS WE HAVE, WE GET
TO A PLACE WHERE WE HAVE EMERGENCY NEED OF REPAIR, WHERE IF WE HAD
ACTUALLY AUTHORIZED FOR OUR OWN LABOR TO PROVIDE THAT SERVICE TO OUR CITY,
THEN WE WOULDN'T BE IN THOSE POSITIONS THAT WE ARE HAVING TO GO TO THE OUTSIDE CONTRACTORS IN THE LAST MINUTE. SO MAYBE ADDRESSING SOME OF THOSE THINGS WOULD BE GREAT. THANKS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. NEXT, I'LL COME BACK. I'LL GO BACK OUT TO ZOOM. LEE, CAN YOU UNMUTE YOURSELF, PLEASE?
YEP.
THANK YOU. CAN YOU SEE THE TIMER?
I CAN.
GREAT, GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
YEAH, I THINK I WAS THE PUBLIC COMMENT KYLE WAS TALKING ABOUT, BUT SINCE I'VE SUBMITTED MY PUBLIC COMMENT. IT APPEARS IT'S A STATE LAW. THAT'S INTERESTING. IT WASN'T EXPLAINED IN THE STAFF REPORT. IT WOULD SAVE ME SOME TIME, BECAUSE THEN I WOULD UNDERSTAND WHY WE'RE DOING IT. I DO THINK, AND THIS IS TO
COUNCILMEMBER HINTON'S, YOU KNOW, COMMENT ABOUT THE INEFFICIENCIES OF SOMETHING LIKE A $400 REQUEST THAT PROBABLY COST US $800 TO PROCESS THROUGH ALL THE LEVELS OF BUREAUCRACY THAT WE HAVE IN A CITY OF 3,000 PEOPLE. BUT I
THINK IT WOULD BE WORTHWHILE FOR SOMEBODY IN THE COUNCIL TO ASK MORE ABOUT THE 45-DAY REQUIREMENT BEFORE RFP CAN BE SUBMITTED. HOW IS THAT GOING TO BE MANAGED? WILL IT HAPPEN BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL GETS THE RFP? SO THE UNION WILL MEET WITH THE CITY, THEN AGREE TO IT TO SUBMIT IT TO THE COUNCIL.
DOES THAT DELAY THE PROJECT? THAT IS EXPENSIVE. I JUST THINK IT WOULD BE GOOD
TO UNDERSTAND MAYBE THINGS WILL HAPPEN A LOT SLOWER IF THEY EVER THOUGHT THEY WERE MOVING FAST. THANKS.
THANK YOU, LEE. NEXT, I'LL COME BACK INTO CHAMBERS. IF ANYONE IN CHAMBERS THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT. SEEING NONE, I'LL GO BACK OUT TO ZOOM. PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND VIRTUALLY. SEEING NONE, PUBLIC COMMENT IS CLOSED ON THIS ITEM.
OKAY. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY COMMENTS? DO WE HAVE A MOTION? I'LL GO AHEAD AND MOVE STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION.
I'LL SECOND THAT.
OKAY.
THANK YOU. SO MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER ZOLLMAN AND SECONDED BY VICE MAYOR MAURER WITH THE SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION. LOCAL 1021.
COUNCILMEMBER CARTER?
YES.
HINTON?
AYE.
ZOLLMAN?
YES.
MAURER?
YES.
MAYOR MCLEWIS?
YES.
MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
OKAY, THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. LET'S SEE. MOVING ONTO NUMBER 11. CONSIDERATION
OF GOOD CAUSE DETERMINATION FOR AUTOMATIC REMOVAL OF PLANNING
COMMISSIONER DUE TO ABSENCES PURSUANT TO SEBASTOPOL MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 2.24.030. THIS IS COVERED BY -- IS IT OUR PLANNING AND OUR CITY ATTORNEY, SO I DON'T KNOW WHO IS PLANNING TO LEAD THIS.
I CAN START THIS ONE, MAYOR. THANK YOU, JANE RILEY, INTERIM PLANNING DIRECTOR, AGAIN, CONTRACT POSITION. THIS IS RATHER AN UNFORTUNATE ITEM, AND I'M SORRY TO BE BRINGING IT TO YOU. WE HAVE A PIECE OF OUR CODE THAT SAYS WHEN A PLANNING
COMMISSIONER MISSES THREE MEETINGS IN A ROW, THEY'RE AUTOMATICALLY OFF OF THE COMMISSION. THAT'S A PIECE OF CODE. THAT'S NOT SOMETHING WE'RE ABLE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT. WE DO HAVE COMMISSIONER HERE WHO IS HERE TO MAKE A GOOD
CAUSE CLAIM, IF THE CITY COUNCIL FINDS THAT HE MISSED THESE MEETINGS WITH GOOD CAUSE, THEN THEY MAY REAPPOINT HIM TO THE COMMISSION IMMEDIATELY. IF
THEY DO NOT FIND THE GOOD CAUSE HAS OCCURRED, THEN THEY WOULD DECLARE VACANCY ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION, AGAIN, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY. AND COMMISSIONER IS HERE. I WILL SAY IN THE COMMISSIONER'S DEFENSE THAT I DID NOT REALIZE HE WAS ON THREE IN A ROW UNTIL IT HAD ALREADY HAPPENED. HAD I
REALIZED THAT, I WOULD HAVE REACHED OUT, AND WE MAY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO AVOID THIS SITUATION. SO JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT.
OKAY. AND IS ANYONE, OUR CITY ATTORNEY, WERE YOU DOING ANYTHING ON THIS?
NO. HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. IT'S UP TO THE COUNCIL TONIGHT WHETHER OR NOT TO GRANT THE GOOD CAUSE OR NOT.
GOT IT, OKAY. SO THEN THE QUESTION I HAVE, WE'RE BACK AT THE DAIS HERE. THIS IS AN UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCE HERE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE WILL OF THE COUNCIL, IF
WE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM THE COMMISSIONER FIRST OR IF YOU JUST HAVE QUESTIONS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO -- GO AHEAD, VICE MAYOR? HE IS STANDING AT THE PODIUM.
I'M SORRY. I CAN'T SEE THE PODIUM.
SO I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THAT HE JUST MAKE A STATEMENT.
OKAY, SORRY. NOW I CAN SEE. THANK YOU. SORRY, I DIDN'T REALIZE. GO AHEAD.
YEAH, THANK YOU. ALEX KAFZLER, TECHNICALLY FORMER PLANNING COMMISSION. I SERVED ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION FROM SEPTEMBER 16, 2025 THROUGH MARCH 16, 2026, WHEN I WAS THEN INFORMED BY INTERIM DIRECTOR JANE THAT I WAS IN VIOLATION OF CODE 2.24.030 VACANCY AND REMOVAL. I WAS DEFINITELY DISAPPOINTED.
I TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR KNOWING THE CODE. I SHOULD HAVE READ THROUGH IT IN DETAIL. I SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE AWARE THAT THIS PROVISION WAS IN PLACE, AND THAT IT WAS INCUMBENT UPON ME TO FULFILL IT. THAT SAID, I SENT A VERY, WHAT I
THOUGHT WAS A VERY DETAILED E-MAIL, EXPLANATION OF EVENTS, AND SORT OF MY
POINT OF VIEW ON BOTH MY TIME AND THE COUNCIL, AND MY TIME DURING THE ABSENCES. I SENT THAT TO CITY STAFF, AS WELL AS PLANNING COMMISSION, AND AS WELL AS THE CITY COUNCIL HERE. SO THAT KIND OF LAYS OUT EVERYTHING.
HOPEFULLY EVERYBODY IS SOMEWHAT FAMILIAR WITH IT. I'M HAPPY TO TAKE QUESTIONS ABOUT ANY OF THAT. IF YOU WANT ME TO READ IT INTO THE RECORD, I'M HAPPY TO. BUT GENERALLY I'M OPEN FOR QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, CONCERNS, CROSSEXAMINATION, POINTS OF CLARIFICATION. AND I'D LOVE TO BE BACK ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION, IF YOU GUYS WANT ME.
COUNCILMEMBER ZOLLMAN?
WELL, FIRST, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. AND YES, CAN DEFINITELY COMMISERATE
WITH THE NEED TO KEEP ON ALL THE VARIOUS RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR ANY WIDE POSITION. MY QUESTION, SINCE YOU ARE HERE IS NOW THAT YOU KNOW THIS, AND IN READING THROUGH YOUR E-MAIL. IT DOES SOUND LIKE YOUR BUSINESS AND YOUR BUSINESS SITUATION IS A LOT. SO NOW THAT YOU KNOW THIS AND YOU KNOW THE
IMPORTANCE, AT LEAST TO ME AS A COUNCIL MEMBER FOR THE PLANNING COMMISSION
TO MEET WHEN IT NEEDS TO MEET, AND THE MEETINGS, AS YOU KIND OF INDICATED IN
THE E-MAIL, ARE HALF HAZARD, BUT THEY WILL BE HALF HAZARD, AND WE ARE
EXPECTING, WHEN SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO GO THROUGH PLANNING COMMISSION,
THAT THERE BE A FULL BODY TO HEAR IT TO PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS TO US BECAUSE WE'RE NOT EXPERTS IN THE AREA, RIGHT? SO HAVING LIKE NOW A FULL APPRECIATION OF WHAT THE JOB ENTAILS. ARE YOU AVAILABLE, SHOULD WE DECIDE TO FIND GOOD CAUSE AND REINSTATE YOU?
HONESTLY, COUNCILMAN, I'M NOT ENTIRELY SURE HOW TO ANSWER THAT. I OUTLINED
IN MY E-MAIL THAT MY TRAVEL SCHEDULE FOR WORK IS SUBJECT TO A LOT OF OTHER FACTORS. I WOULD SAY IF THIS IS RELEVANT THAT FOR TWO OF THE THREE MEETINGS
THAT I MISSED, I SUBMITTED COMMENTS BOTH TO CITY STAFF AND TO MY FELLOW COUNCIL MEMBERS. I WAS INSTRUCTED TO DO THAT. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT I WAS SUPPOSE TO DO WHEN I MISSED A MEETING. FIRST TIME I REACHED OUT TO CITY STAFF WITH MY COMMENTS, CONCERNS, FOLLOWING ALL THE AGENDA ITEMS. YOU KNOW, SUGGESTIONS, COMMENTS, ETC. I NEVER HEARD BACK. THE SECOND TIME WHEN I
REACHED OUT TO A FELLOW COUNCIL MEMBER, THEY SENT ME BACK IN TEXT THAT I SHOULD JUST TALK TO STAFF. SO IT IS REALLY KIND OF LOST ON WHAT THAT DOES. I
THINK IT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL, WHETHER I'M ON THE COUNCIL OR NOT FOR THERE TO
BE SOME SORT OF PROCEDURE OR PLAYBOOK FOR WHAT PLANNING COMMISSIONER IS
MEANT TO DO, IF THEY CAN'T ATTEND A MEETING AND PURPOSE OR EXCUSE ME, IN PERSON. BUT YEAH, TO YOUR POINT, THE CALENDAR IS HALF HAZARD. MOST OF MY TRAVEL IS LIMITED TO THE FIRST QUARTER OF THE YEAR. BUT YEAH, TO BE PERFECTLY
HONEST WITH YOU, IF I HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO SELL WINE AND SUPPORT MY BUSINESS IN A HIGH WINE CONSUMING MARKET, I WILL GO DO THAT.
WELL, THANK YOU FOR THE HONESTY.
VICE MAYOR?
I'M GOING TO ASK THE SAME QUESTION MAYBE A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY. ARE YOU ABLE
TO PRIORITIZE THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGS OR IS YOUR WORK GOING TO BE PRIORITIZED? I MEAN, YOU KIND OF ANSWERED THAT.
MY WORK IS PRIORITIZED. I WOULD ADD THAT BEFORE FEBRUARY, I HAD A PERFECT ATTENDANCE RECORD. I NEVER MISSED A MEETING FROM SEPTEMBER 2016 WHEN I WAS APPOINTED BY THIS COUNCIL, WALL THE WAY THROUGH THE MONTH OF JANUARY. SO IT WAS CIRCUMSTANTIAL THAT I MISSED THESE MEETINGS, ESPECIALLY THREE IN A ROW. I WAS NOT AWARE OF THE RULE. I THINK BECAUSE I SHOWED IN MY E-MAIL, I TRY TO BE
EXTREMELY COMMUNICATIVE AS TO WHERE MY WHEREABOUTS WERE, AND STILL
PARTICIPATE ON ALL AGENDA ITEMS, KEEPING UP TO DATE WITH WHAT WAS COMING
BEFORE THE COUNCIL, COMMUNICATING WITH MY FELLOW PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBERS. BUT YEAH, AS FAR AS THE CROOKS OF THE QUESTION, YOU KNOW, I RUN A
FOUR-PERSON FAMILY BUSINESS, AND IN AN EXTREMELY CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT RIGHT NOW. SO YEAH, I HAVE TO PRIORITIZE MY FAMILY BUSINESS. IT LITERALLY PUTS FOOD ON THE TABLE.
JUST TO CLARIFY, THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGS, THEY MEET ON THE SECOND AND THE FOURTH TUESDAYS. SO IS IT POSSIBLE FOR YOU TO CARVE THOSE OUT,
KNOWING THAT, YOU KNOW, WHETHER THEY ARE CANCELED OR THEY ARE NOT CANCELED. CAN YOU CARVE THOSE OUT AS A PRIORITY?
ABSOLUTELY. AND TO THE EXTENT THAT THE CALENDAR STAYS CONSISTENT, WHICH WAS NOT MY EXPERIENCE FOR THE FIRST PART OF MY TENURE. YES, THEY WILL ABSOLUTELY FACTOR INTO MY TRAVEL PLANS, 100%.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT BECAUSE I THINK THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGS ARE THE SECOND AND FOURTH, AND IF THEY DON'T HAPPEN, THEY ARE JUST CANCELED.
SO HOW ARE THEY INCONSISTENT, IT IF THEY ARE HAPPENING THE SECOND AND THE FOURTH?
I WOULD ASK FOR A LITTLE BIT OF GRACE, LIKE I GOT ON THIS ON SEPTEMBER 16. THE EXTENT OF MY TRAINING FOR THE PLANNING COMMISSION WAS ABOUT A 30-MINUTE ZOOM CALL WITH ANOTHER INTERIM PLANNER. A BUNCH OF MEETINGS WERE CANCELED.
WE HAD A WALK-IN MEETING. THAT WAS COOL. AND SO THEN I WAS REALLY JUST KIND
OF GETTING INTO THE FLOW OF THINGS, WHEN I DID HAVE THE ABSENCES, I FELT I
OVERCOMMUNICATED BOTH TO CITY STAFF AND TO FELLOW PLANNING COMMISSIONERS. AND DID MY BEST.
SO ONE MORE. AND I JUST WANT TO IMPRESS UPON YOU THE IDEA THAT SUBMITTING
COMMENTS IS NOT THE SAME AS BEING AT A MEETING AND ACTUALLY DIALOGUING WITH YOUR PLANNING COMMISSIONERS. BECAUSE THAT'S THE WAY GOOD DECISIONS
GET MADE IS IN THAT DIALOGUE, LISTENING TO THE PUBLIC, LISTENING TO EACH OTHER, AND MAKING DECISIONS FROM THERE. IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO JUST SUBMIT COMMENTS.
THE FIVE-PERSON BOARD IS REALLY CRITICAL IN TERMS OF THAT DECISION MAKING.
I DON'T DISAGREE.
I WANT TO GIVE COUNCILMEMBER HINTON A CHANCE TO ASK HER QUESTION. SHE'S HAD HER HAND UP FOR A WHILE.
THANK YOU. MY FIRST QUESTION IS JUST LIKE OUR MAYOR ZOOMING IN TONIGHT. CAN YOU ZOOM IN FROM LOCATION?
YES, I WAS ADVISE THAT I COULD ATTEND VIA ZOOM, BUT I COULD NOT BE A PART OF THE COUNSELOR VOTE. [ CAPTIONERS TRANSITIONING ]
WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO PUT THE ADDRESS WHERE THE COMMISSIONER IS ATTENDING REMOTELY ON THE AGENDA. WE NEED TO KNOW.
THAT WOULD BE 72 HOURS AHEAD OF TIME.
PROBABLY 96 HOURS SO WE COULD GET IT ON THE AGENDA AS LONG AS IT'S PUBLISHED.
DO YOU THINK YOU COULD BE ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE THAT?
ABSOLUTELY.
I HAD ANOTHER QUESTION AND NOW I HAVE FORGOTTEN IT. I WILL LET YOU GUYS GO AND I WILL COME BACK.
I HAD A QUESTION. ZOOMING IN AND THAT WAS THE ONE QUESTION I HAD FOR CITY STAFF. SO WHO IS IT THAT IS PUBLISHING. JUST REMIND ME WHO IS IT THAT IS
PUBLISHING THESE AGENDAS AND WHO WOULD NEED TO HAVE THIS COMMUNICATION WITH FOR 96 HOURS. I WANT TO BE CLEAR SO WE ARE ON THE SAME PAGE. CITY STAFF? PLANNING STAFF WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE AGENDA. THE COMMISSIONER
WOULD NEED TO LET THEM KNOW AHEAD OF TIME TO ADDRESS, LOCATION, PHONE NUMBER. WE WOULD NEED TO POST THE LOCATION WHERE THAT MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE. IT WOULD BE TO THE PLANNING STAFF.
THE OTHER QUESTION I HAVE FOR SEMANTICS SO WE ARE ALL IN THE SAME PAGE, WHEN MEETINGS ARE CANCELED ARE THESE ALL, I DON'T KNOW HOW THIS WORKS. IS IT DONE WAY AHEAD OF TIME OR LAST MINUTE? I'M JUST WONDERING SO ALL COMMISSIONERS,
WE CAN RESPECT THEIR TIME BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THEY ARE NOT BEING PAID, THEY NEED TO HAVE THEIR JOBS LIKE THE REST OF US SO WE CAN SURVIVE. WHO DECIDES WHEN THEY ARE CANCELED AND WHAT CAN NOTICE IS GIVEN?
IN MY BRIEF EXPERIENCE, THE MEETING CANCELLATION TOOK PLACE AT THE PREVIOUS MEETING. WE SAID WE ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE A MEETING TWO WEEKS FROM NOW. TO SCHEDULE PROFESSIONAL TRAVEL, TWO WEEKS IS NOT A LOT OF HEADS UP.
I USED TO TRAVEL A LOT. I JUST WANTED TO HAVE THAT PUBLIC CONVERSATION. ARE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? IF NOT WE WILL GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT. OKAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH, ALEX.
THIS IS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THE TERMINATION OF JUST CAUSE. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT I WILL COME TO CHAMBERS FIRST. AGAIN A TWO MINUTE TIME LIMIT. SEEING THEN I GO TO ZOOM. KYLE, CAN YOU UNMUTE? I CAN.
THERE'S A CLEAR DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE ROLE OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND THE ROLE OF SAY A CITY COUNCILMEMBER. WITH THE PLANNING COMMISSION THERE'S LESS LIKELIHOOD OF SPECIALIZED MEETINGS THAT WOULD BE NECESSARY. THE SCOPE
OF THE PROCESS AND THE SCHEDULING OF THE AGENDA ITEMS IS A LITTLE MORE CONSISTENT AND PREDICTABLE. ON THE OTHER SIDE, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE
ACTUALLY PAID FOR THEIR SERVICE AND ALSO RECEIVE HEALTH BENEFITS TO THE TUNE OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS EACH YEAR. THE IDEA ABOUT BEING CRITICAL ABOUT THE
ATTENDANCE OF A PLANNING COMMISSIONER I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE AS A
COMMUNITY ALSO LOOK AT ATTENDANCE POLICIES FURTHER BODIES CONSIDERING CITY COUNCIL. WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF CONVERSATION TONIGHT ABOUT ACCOMMODATIONS
AND BEING ABLE TO BE FLEXIBLE AND THINGS LIKE THAT, UTILIZING TECHNOLOGY AND
THINGS LIKE ZOOM, NOTICING AND BEING CONCERNED I WOULD HOPE THAT MAYBE AS A
COMMUNITY WE COULD START HAVING SOME DIALOGUE ABOUT ATTENDANCE POLICIES FOR CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS. IT SEEMS LIKE A GREAT TOPIC TO BE DISCUSSING AND
HOPEFULLY WE CAN EXPAND THE SCOPE OF CONVERSATION ABOUT ATTENDANCE TO BE
CONSIDERING THE ATTENDANCE OF COUNCIL MEMBERS AND WHETHER OR NOT THEY
ARE ADEQUATELY PROVIDING THE SERVICE WE ARE APPOINTING THEM TO DO WHILE THEY ARE IN THEIR TENURE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. I COME BACK TO CHAMBERS. I WILL GO BACK TO ZOOM. EVERETT CAN YOU UNMUTE YOURSELF.
CAN YOU HEAR ME?
I CAN HEAR YOU. CAN YOU SEE THE TIMER?
YES I CAN SEE IT.
GO AHEAD.
MY NAME IS EVERETT FERNANDEZ SERVING AS THE CURRENT CHAIR OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION. I WANTED TO MAKE A COMMENT ON THE SITUATION. SO I BELIEVE THAT TO
BE FAIR I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT ALEX HAD MAYBE PROPERLY BEEN INSTRUCTED AND
GIVEN CORRECT INFORMATION AS FAR AS THIS IS HOW IT WORKS INSTRUCTED WITH
RULES FOR EXAMPLE THE BROWN ACT BECAUSE IF HE IS SENDING TEXT TO OTHER
COMMISSIONERS AND EXPRESSING HIS OPINION WE ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE DOING THAT. HE DID SEND ME AN EMAIL TELLING ME HAS SOME OPINIONS ON AN ITEM AND I
RESPONDED TO SAY YOU CAN GIVE ME THEIR OPINIONS BUT I CANNOT SPEAK ON HIS BEHALF. AS FAR AS THE PROCESS, MARY AND I WILL BE MEETING TOMORROW AND WE
ARE DEVELOPING A PACKAGE THAT CAN BE GIVEN OUT TO PLANNING COMMISSIONERS
WITH THE PROCESS AND THE RULES AND THE TRAINING AND SUPPORT WHICH IS LACKING. THE TIME THAT I HAVE SERVED WITH ALEX HE HAS BEEN A GOOD ADDITION TO
THE COMMISSION. I APPRECIATE HIS VIEWPOINTS. HE'S BEEN VERY DILIGENT IN HIS RESPONSE AND RESEARCH AND SO FORTH. I PERSONALLY WOULD APPRECIATE HAVING
HIM ON THE COMMITTEE AND MAKING SURE HE IS WELL AWARE OF THE RULES AND TRAINING. I THINK AS LONG AS HE IS VERY CLEAR ON THE RULES FOR REMOTE ATTENDANCE THAT COULD CERTAINLY COVER SOME OF THE MEETINGS. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. WILL COME BACK TO CHAMBERS. IF THERE'S ANYONE IN CHAMBERS.
I JUST WANTED TO QUICKLY SAY THAT AS A PLANNING COMMISSION OR MYSELF FOR
THE TOWN WHERE I LIVE I WILL SAY THAT THE LACK OF EXPLANATION ON THE ROLES AND DUTIES IS A VERY MUCH A THING OTHER TOWNS IN CALIFORNIA SHARE. I WANT TO
NOTE THAT THE CALIFORNIA LEAGUE OF CITIES DOES A YEARLY PLANNING
COMMISSIONERS ACADEMY WHICH I FOUND TO BE A SUPER HELPFUL CRASH COURSE AND THINGS LIKE THE BROWN ACT, EXPECTATIONS OF PLANNING COMMISSIONERS. I WAS APPOINTED 24 HOURS BEFORE MY FIRST MEETING. I SHARE THIS SORT OF SENSIBLE WHIRLWIND OF ALL THE RULES AND REGULATIONS. JUST WANTED TO NOTE THAT THAT IS A RESOURCE AVAILABLE.
NEXT I WILL GO TO ZOOM. OLIVER CAN YOU UNMUTE?
I AM UNMUTE IT.
I THINK THIS DEFINITELY SHOULD BE REINSTATED. THE REALITY IS CALIFORNIA CITIES,
THERE IS SO MUCH BUREAUCRACY AND SO MUCH WORK THAT HAS TO BE DONE BY CITIES AND THE BROWN ACT WITH THE STATE AND SO ON AND SO FORTH. KYLE WAS INCORRECT BECAUSE STATE LAW ALREADY REGULATES COUNSELOR ATTENDANT POLICY.
EVERYTHING IS SET IN STONE AND WHERE THINGS FALL APART IS WHEN THE STONES ARE
NOT EXPLAINED TO INDIVIDUALS TRYING TO GET THEIR HANDS AROUND HOW ALL THESE COMPLEX SYSTEMS WORK. WE ARE A TINY LITTLE CITY AND WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH SO MUCH FEDERAL AND COUNTY AND STATE BUREAUCRACY. IT IS PRETTY HARD FOR EVERYBODY TO GET THEIR HEADS AROUND IT. THAT IS MY COMMENT.
THANK YOU. NEXT I WILL COME BACK TO CHAMBERS IF THERE'S ANYONE IN CHAMBERS.
SEEING THEN I GO BACK TO ZOOM IF THERE IS ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. SEEING NONE, PUBLIC COMMENT IS CLOSED ON THIS ITEM.
WE ARE BACK. COUNCILMEMBER ZOLLMAN, YOU HAVE A COMMENT? YES. THROUGH THE DISCUSSION WE HEARD THE CHAIR OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION'S MEETING WITH MARY. CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE MORE ABOUT THIS HANDBOOK FOR GUIDANCE ABOUT THE COMMISSION. I ASK THIS GLOBALLY BECAUSE THESE CHALLENGES ARE NOT JUST WITH THE PLANNING COMMISSION. I CAN SPEAK INDIVIDUALLY BEING ON A COMMITTEE WITH NEW CITIZENS IT IS A LOT. I THINK THERE IS DISCUSSIONS OVER GENERAL CITIZEN HANDBOOK. CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT? THERE'S A COUPLE DIFFERENT THINGS. TOMORROW WHEN I'M MEETING WITH THE CHAIR
IT WAS SPECIFIC TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION BUT WE ARE LOOKING INTO
COMMITTEE, BOARD, COMMISSION TYPE OF HANDBOOKS BECAUSE THERE ARE THINGS FOR DIFFERENT COMMITTEES. THERE ARE SPECIFIC RULES FOR THE PLANNING COMMISSION. IT'S OUR FIRST ATTEMPT TO SEE WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS AND WE DO HAVE THE CAL CITIES. IT WILL BE SIMILAR TO THE CITY COUNCIL HANDBOOK WHERE IT DISCUSSES TRAINING, REQUIREMENT, THE CODE AND THINGS LIKE THAT. THERE'S A
TRACK FOR THE STANDING COMMITTEE, AD HOC COMMITTEE AND ONE SPECIFIC TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION. THERE WILL BE GENERALITIES ACROSS THE BOARD LIKE HOW MANY MEANINGS CAN YOU MISS AND THINGS LIKE THAT. DEFINITELY WORKING ON
DIFFERENT TRACKS BUT FOR TOMORROW THERE'S A LOT FOR THE PLANNING COMMISSION THAT WE WILL WORK ON. WE WILL WORK ON TOPICS AND TAKE IT TO THE
PLANNING COMMISSION TO MAKE SURE PLANNING COMMISSIONERS HAVE AN
ORIENTATION AND GO THROUGH EVERYTHING AND HAVE A HANDBOOK TO KNOW WHAT THE REQUIREMENTS ARE.
THANK YOU.
THAT BRINGS UP A QUESTION THAT ONE OF OUR PLANNING COMMISSIONERS ONLINE
BROUGHT UP WHICH IS IF A PLANNING COMMISSION OR EVEN US HAD TO BE ABSENT AND
WANTED TO SUBMIT COMMENTS ON AN AGENDA ITEM WHAT ARE THE RULES ABOUT THAT AND CAN WE ONLY SUBMIT THAT FOR PUBLIC RECORD LIKE A CITIZEN?
THE BROWN ACT CAN -- PROHIBITS A COUNCILMEMBER, ANY MEMBER OF ANY OF OUR BOARDS FROM COMMUNICATING WITH EACH OTHER OUTSIDE OF A NOTICED MEETING. IF
SOMEONE WANTS TO SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS ON SOMETHING THEY SHOULD SEND IT TO STAFF AND STAFF WILL DO ONE OF TWO THINGS. IF THEY GET IT BEFORE THE AGENDA IS
PUBLISHED WE CAN PUT IT ON AT THE SAME TIME THE AGENDA IS PUBLISHED LIKE A STAFF REPORT. THAT WAY THE PUBLIC AND COMMISSIONERS ALL GET IT AT THE SAME
TIME AVAILABLE NO MATTER WHAT TIME YOU LOOK AT THE AGENDA IT IS THERE FOR YOU. IF WE GET THEM AFTER THAT WE DON'T WANT TO ADDED TO THE AGENDA AT THAT
POINT BECAUSE IF A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC ALREADY LOOKED AT THE AGENDA THEY
WON'T KNOW THAT THE COMMENTS HAD BEEN ADDED SO WE WOULD DISTRIBUTE THOSE AT THE MEETING. GENERALLY THEY ARE NOT READ OUT LOUD. THEY ARE JUST THERE FOR COMMISSIONERS TO REVIEW AND IF YOU ARE NOT THERE IN PERSON YOU CAN'T. IT'S UP TO EACH COMMISSIONER WHETHER TO TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION.
YOU CAN'T VOTE BY PROXY. IF YOU ARE REMOTE YOU CAN VOTE.
YOU CANNOT SEND YOUR VOTE IN? OKAY.
COUNCILMEMBER CARTER.
OBVIOUSLY WE ARE STILL STRUGGLING. WITH THAT SAID, ALEX, IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING WITH YOUR FAMILY OR BUSINESS I CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND. IF YOU ARE
CHOOSING TO BE ON THE BOARD I WOULD SUPPORT IT FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS, BUT ALSO FOR EFFICIENCY FOR OURSELVES AND CONTINUITY. IT IS CERTAINLY UNDERSTANDABLE TO NOT HAVE A FULL GRASP OF THE OBLIGATIONS. SECOND AND FOURTH TUESDAYS, MARKET.
VICE MAYOR.
I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THAT GOOD CAUSE HAS BEEN SHOWN FOR THE COMMISSIONERS ABSENCES FOR FEBRUARY 10, 24th AND MARCH 10 AND DIRECT THAT HE BE REAPPOINTED TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT. I HAVE NOT HAVE THAT YET.
I JUST HAD MY HAND UP ALSO. DO YOU WANT TO GO FIRST?
I WAS TRYING TO LETTER BUT HE GOES BEFORE ME BUT PEOPLE WERE JUMPING AHEAD WITH MOTIONS BEFORE I HAD THE CHANCE.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE A COMMENT PICK I WILL BE SUPPORTIVE OF THIS TONIGHT. I'VE
MADE MISTAKES MYSELF AND HAD TO GO THROUGH A PREP COURSE WITH SOME OF MY FORMS SO I CAN COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND HOW IT CAN BE HARD TO FIGURE OUT.
BASED ON YOUR LETTER I FELT LIKE YOU ALREADY, YOU OBVIOUSLY WANT THE POSITION. YOU JUST GOT CONFUSED. I UNDERSTAND. I HAVE A FULL-TIME JOB ALSO.
SOMETIMES I'M A LITTLE LATE BECAUSE I FIGHT TRAFFIC. I'M DEFINITELY FOR REINSTATING AND APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THE EFFORT TO WANT TO SERVE.
I ALSO WANT TO EXPRESS SUPPORT. I ALSO WORK FULL-TIME AND UNDERSTANDING WHEN YOU ARE NEW TO THIS IT'S A LOT OF INFORMATION. I APPRECIATE THE EMAIL YOU SENT AND ALSO HELPING US UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS AND WHERE WE CAN IMPROVE. I
DO HOPE WE CAN GET TO A POINT WHERE WHATEVER COMMITTEES ARE ASSOCIATED
WITH DEPARTMENTS AND I WILL LEAVE THIS TO THE CITY MANAGER, BUT FROM MY OWN
PERSPECTIVE I WILL SPEAK AND SAY I HOPE WE CAN GET TO THE POINT WHERE OUR
DEPARTMENT HEADS ARE ABLE TO HAVE THIS ORIENTATION WITH ANY OF THE
COMMISSIONS OR DIFFERENT COMMITTEES ASSOCIATED WITH THEIR DEPARTMENTS AND
GET EVERYBODY ON BOARD AND GET INTO SOME TYPE OF CADENCE SO PEOPLE DON'T
GET INTO THIS POSITION BECAUSE I'M SURE IT'S FRUSTRATING AND EMBARRASSING AND ALL THESE DIFFERENT THINGS. PEOPLE THAT GET ON THESE COMMISSIONS ARE CLEARLY
PROFESSIONALS THAT WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY AND WE WANT TO MAKE IT AS EASY AS POSSIBLE. I JUST WANTED TO SECOND HOW HELPFUL THE ORIENTATIONS AND DIFFERENT EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS THEY PROVIDE. I'VE LEARNED
A LOT SO I ENCOURAGE ANYBODY WHO HAS THE OPPORTUNITY AND HIS NEW TO SUPPORT THAT. I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT TONIGHT. I KNOW THAT WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
NO MORE COMMENTS? MOVE FORWARD WITH THE MOTION. SO MOVED BY VICE MAYOR MAURER AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER REAPPOINT. COUNCILMEMBER CARTER.
COUNCILMEMBER HINTON. COUNCILMEMBER ZOLLMAN.
YES.
VICE MAYOR. MAYOR.
MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
I WANTED TO DO A CHECK IF ANYBODY NEEDS A BREAK BEFORE WE MOVED TO ITEM 12.
IS THAT A YES? DO WE NEED FIVE OR 10? SOMEBODY CHIME IN.
10. FIVE. SEVEN.
WE WILL BE BACK AT 8:25. [ THE MEETING IS ON A BREAK AND WILL RESUME AT 8:25 P.M.
PDT. CAPTIONER STANDING BY.]
ALL RIGHT. WE ARE BACK, EVERYONE. WE ARE STILL IN REGULAR DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS, NUMBER 12. CONSIDERATION AND DISCUSSION FOR REQUEST OF DIRECTION OF STAFF RESEARCHING CITY LOCATIONS FOR SOCCER FIELDS. THE REQUESTER IS COUNCILMEMBER CARTER. IT SAYS PUBLIC WORKS AND PLANNING. I'M NOT CLEAR ON WHO IS KICKING THIS OFF FOR US.
GOOD MEANING. THIS IS THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR. I WILL KICK IT OFF AND PASS IT TO A REPRESENTATIVE. IT WAS REQUESTED BY COUNCILMEMBER CARTER AND WESCO
TO BE BROUGHT BEFORE CITY COUNCIL OF POTENTIAL LOCATIONS FOR SOCCER FIELDS WITHIN THE CITY OF SEBASTOPOL. THEY HAVE A PRESENTATION THEY WILL GO THROUGH TO TALK THROUGH WHAT IT MIGHT LOOK LIKE. I WILL RUN THAT FOR YOU JUST HIT ME WITH NEXT SLIDE WHEN YOU ARE READY.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU TO MAYOR McLEWIS AND CITY COUNCIL FOR HAVING US TONIGHT. WE HAVE AN EXCITING PROJECT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THAT I PRESENT TO YOU. I WANT TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT MYSELF SO YOU HAVE SOME OF THAT BACKGROUND. MY NAME IS STEVE. I'M ON THE BOARD. I'M A RESIDENT FROM THE LAST EIGHT YEARS. A LIFELONG SOCCER PLAYER AND A 15 YEAR SOCCER COACH. I COACH THE HIGHEST LEVEL BOYS TEAM IN OUR CLUB. I'M ALSO THE DIRECTOR FOR THE APPLE CLASSIC SOCCER TOURNAMENT WHICH IS THE LARGEST IN THE NORTH BAY. WE HOST 160+ TEAMS FROM ALL AROUND NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. SO THAT IS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT MYSELF. I ALSO HAVE A DAY JOB JUST LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE. I'M IN INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY EXECUTIVE FROM ONE OF THE LARGEST IN SANTA ROSA SO I HAVE A DEMANDING JOB ON TOP OF ALL THE SOCCER STUFF I THOROUGHLY ENJOYED. I'M EXCITED TO BE HERE TO TALK TO YOU TONIGHT. A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WESCO. WE HAVE A 50 YEAR HISTORY AND SEBASTOPOL. WE HAVE ABOUT 1300 MEMBERS CURRENTLY GROWING EXPONENTIALLY SINCE THE PANDEMIC. A PRETTY TOUGH TIME FOR US, BUT WE HAVE BEEN GROWING. WE HOST OVER 750 SOCCER GAMES YEAR. 500 WITH CLUBS OUTSIDE OF THE AREA. SANTA ROSA, NAPA COUNTY, MARIN COUNTY, MENDOCINO COUNTY. THOSE CLUBS COME TO US TO PLAY SOCCER GAMES. THERE'S ABOUT 500 THAT
OCCUR WHERE WE ARE BRINGING FOLKS INTO SEBASTOPOL, BRINGING COMMERCE TO THE COMMUNITY AT A SIGNIFICANT LEVEL. IT HAS NOT BEEN MEASURED BUT YOU CAN ARGUE THERE'S QUITE A FEW VISITORS THAT COME HERE. WE SERVE OVER 5000 FAMILIES WHICH INCLUDE THOSE OUT-OF-TOWNERS THAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. WE EMPLOY OVER 100 REFEREES PER YEAR AND WE COMANAGE FIVE DIFFERENT SCHOOL FIELDS WHERE WE
HELP WITH THE LINING OF THE FIELDS, CARE OF THE GOPHER PROBLEMS THAT WE SEE IN THE REGION AND WE ALSO CARE FOR THE REAL RANCH FIELDS AS WELL. WE MANAGE 300 VOLUNTEERS ANNUALLY. THE BUDGET AS THE CLUB, I'M THE TREASURER AS WELL, IS ABOUT $535,000 AND GROWING BECAUSE THE MEMBERSHIP PULL IS GROWING, PROGRAMS ARE GROWING SO OBVIOUSLY BUDGETARY FIGURES WILL GROW AS WELL. LET ME GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE. CHALLENGES. FIELD CHALLENGES HAS BEEN THE NUMBER ONE ITEM SINCE I'VE BEEN PART OF THE CLUB. I'VE COACHED IN OTHER COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE HAD DEDICATED SOCCER SPACE FOR THE COMMUNITY. SEBASTOPOL JUST DOES NOT HAVE THAT. OBVIOUSLY THE RANCH IS A KEY COMPONENT OF WHERE WE PLAY. WE DO
WORK CLOSELY WITH THE COUNTY, LINDA HOPKINS INCLUDED TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN REVAMP THOSE FIELDS BECAUSE THEY ARE IN SUCH BAD SHAPE. THAT'S A MULTIMILLION DOLLAR PROJECT THAT WILL TAKE SIGNIFICANT WORK. THAT IS COMPLEMENTARY TO WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TONIGHT. TONIGHT WE ARE
TALKING ABOUT ALL WHETHER PLAYING SERVICES -- SURFACES THAT CAN BE USED ALL YEAR ROUND. AT THE RANCH WE CAN'T USE IT IN THE WINTER BECAUSE IT'S CLOSED DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE NATURAL GRASS FIELDS. THEY HAVE NO PUBLIC SOCCER SPACE.
THERE'S SPACE FOR OTHER TYPES OF ATHLETICS. SWIMMING, BASEBALL, TENNIS, EVEN SKATEBOARDING BUT IT HAS NO SOCCER SPACE. WE SUPPORT THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY
FROM FORT ROSS ALL THE WAY DOWN TO DILLON BEACH. THAT IS BASICALLY THE POOL OF THE PLAYERS AND MEMBERS. WE OPERATE A VERY LARGE SWATH OF THE WEST COUNTY. GIVEN OUR LARGE NUMBER OF GAMES, LARGE NUMBER OF MEMBERS AND
PROGRAMS THAT WE OPERATE WE ARE REQUIRED TO GO OUT OF SEBASTOPOL TO FIND SPACE. WE OPERATE ON 17 FIELDS OUTSIDE OF THE AREA WHICH INCLUDE OCCIDENTAL,
PLACED A PLAY IN SANTA ROSA, PINER HIGH SCHOOL, LC ALLEN HIGH SCHOOL WHERE WE DO PRACTICES, GAMES AND TOURNAMENTS. NEXT SLIDE. WHAT I AM HERE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT TONIGHT IS WHAT IS CALLED A MINI PITCH. TO EXPLAIN WHAT THIS IS THESE ARE A MODULAR TYPE UNIT THAT IS BUILT OFF-SITE AND ASSEMBLED ON SITE.
THEY COME IN VARIOUS DIFFERENT SIZES TICKET IS BASICALLY THE SAME AS A TENNIS COURT. THEY COME IN DIFFERENT SERVICES. YOU CAN HAVE HARD SURFACE GROUND OR ARTIFICIAL GRASS. THERE IS NETTING, LIGHTING VARIOUS SIZES, THESE ARE GREAT FOR
URBAN AREAS THAT DON'T HAVE A LOT OF SPACE FOR A FULL-SIZE COMPLEX MIKE SEBASTOPOL. IT'S A PERFECT LOCATION. THESE ARE YEAR-ROUND FACILITIES. THERE'S L.E.D. LIGHTING DIRECTED ONTO THE SURFACE. THERE'S MULTIPLE VENDOR OPTIONS THAT ARE OUT THERE. THESE ARE BECOMING VERY POPULAR. THEY ARE ALREADY POPULAR IN INTERNATIONAL LOCATIONS. YOU CAN SEE SOME OF THE PHOTOS I HAVE TO THE RIGHT. THERE IS ONE THERE CALLED THE URBAN SOCCER PARK. THERE IS ALSO THE U.S. SOCCER FOUNDATION WHICH IS ANOTHER VENDOR. IT'S A NONPROFIT THAT PROVIDES THIS TYPE OF MINI PITCH. THERE'S MULTIPLE OPTIONS. WE'VE EXPLORED SEVERAL. THE BUILD COST WHICH WESCO WOULD BE FUNDING THROUGH OUR OWN RESOURCES AS WELL AS SPONSORS AND DONATIONS IS ABOUT 150,000 TO $200,000 PER COURT DEPENDING ON THE FEATURES AND FUNCTIONS AND THE SIZE. THE ANNUAL MAINTENANCE COST IS ROUGHLY $12-$15,000 PER YEAR WHICH WESCO WOULD ALSO MAINTAIN AND HANDLE UNDER OUR OWN EXPENSE BUDGET. THIS CAN BE OUTSOURCED
TO THE PROVIDERS THAT THE COURTS OR WE THINK WE COULD POTENTIALLY DO IT CHEAPER IN-HOUSE WITH OUR OWN RESOURCES AND VOLUNTEERS. THE MOST
IMPORTANT THING IS TO REMEMBER WHATEVER WE PUT IN PLACE IS PROFESSIONALLY
DONE, LOOKS BEAUTIFUL, IMPROVES THE LOCATION WE PUT IT IN SO THE COMMUNITY CAN ENJOY AND FEEL PROUD OF WHAT WE PUT IN THE SPACE. NEXT SLIDE. I WANT TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE INFORMATION ABOUT THE U.S. SOCCER FOUNDATION. THEY ARE ONE OF THE VENDORS THAT PROVIDES THESE MANY PITCHES. IT'S A NONPROFIT ASSOCIATED WITH U.S. SOCCER. THEY'VE BEEN GOING ON A SIGNIFICANT CAMPAIGN TO BUILD A LARGE NUMBER OF THESE COURTS ACROSS THE NATION. THEY HAVE BEEN PREPARING FOR THE WORLD CUP COMING THIS SUMMER. THEY HAVE A GOAL OF BUILDING 1000 OF THESE COURTS. THEY ARE LOOKING AT REALLY UNDERPRIVILEGED AREAS SPECIFICALLY
WHERE THEY CAN SECURE LARGE CORPORATE DONORS TO HELP FUND THESE SOCCER COURTS IN UNDERPRIVILEGED COMMUNITIES. LEAVE IT OR NOT IT'S AN OPTION FOR US
BECAUSE OF THE WIDE AREA THAT WE SUPPORT WE ARE CONSIDERED UNDER THEIR
DESCRIPTION AS AN UNDERPRIVILEGED AREA THAT COULD POTENTIALLY GAIN GRANT APPROVAL FROM ONE OF THEIR SPONSORS. SO THIS IS A POTENTIAL OPTION FOR US.
INTERESTING BUT IT'S TRUE. THE REASON I PUT THIS UP THERE IS SO YOU CAN SEE SOME OF THE FINDINGS THE U.S. SOCCER FOUNDATION HAS COME UP WITH IN TERMS OF SURVEYING THE COMMUNITIES WHERE THEY PUT THE COURTS IN. ONE IS THE COMMUNITY IS MORE ACTIVE. THEY FEEL SAFER WITH THESE COURTS AND MANY PITCHES INSTALLED THEY ARE ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE. IT WOULD BE A PUBLIC OFFERING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. THE MINI PITCH SERVES AS A NEW COMMUNITY HUB FOR
THESE COMMUNITIES AND GENERALLY THERE IS JUST MORE OPPORTUNITY FOR KIDS
THAT GENERALLY DO NOT HAVE THE OPTION TO PLAY SOCCER THE ABILITY TO PLAY THEMSELVES WHICH THEY MAY NOT HAVE HAD OTHERWISE. NEXT SLIDE. OUR PROPOSAL REALLY IS TO BUILD A SOCCER COURT OR MINI PITCH ON CITY PROPERTY. WE WANT TO
CREATE A SAFE, ACCESSIBLE PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO PLAY AND WE WANT TO MAKE IT WALKABLE FROM THE NEIGHBORHOODS WITHIN DOWNTOWN SEBASTOPOL. WE WANT TO TRANSFORM AN UNDERUTILIZED SPACE IN THE CITY. BEAUTIFY IT, MAKE IT LIKE A PARK
SETTING WHERE KIDS CAN THRIVE AND HAVE AN ENJOYABLE TIME AND ADULTS AS WELL. IT'S REALLY TIME TO DO SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL FOR THE COMMUNITY. TIMES
HAVE BEEN CHALLENGING AS OF LATE AND WE ALL WANT TO SEE SOMETHING GOOD
HAPPEN. NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT. NEXT SLIDE. JUST A QUICK BEFORE YOU LEAVE THAT.
THE PICTURE ON THE RIGHT IS GIANTS STADIUM SAN FRANCISCO.
I WANT TO INTERRUPT TO BE SURE WE ARE A 10 MINUTE TIMEFRAME. WE ARE TEETERING ON GOING OVER.
I DID NOT REALIZE I HAD 10 MINUTES. SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS STADIUM PARTNERED WITH THE COMPANY TO INSTALL COURTS RIGHT ACROSS THE BAY FROM THE STADIUM.
NEXT SLIDE. HOW MUCH TIME DO I HAVE?
WE ARE PRETTY MUCH AT THAT BUT GO AHEAD A COUPLE MORE MINUTES.
MY INTEREST ON THE SLIDE IS TO COMMUNICATE THE FACT THAT WESCO IS BRINGING A
FREE ASSET TO THE COMMUNITY HITTING THE SIX KEY GOALS THE CITY COUNCIL
OUTLINED AS PART OF THE FISCAL YEAR BUDGET REFERRING TO COMMUNITY VITALITY REALLY CREATING A GOOD GATHERING SPACE FOR YOUTH. A MULTI GENERATIONAL YEAR-ROUND FACILITY FOR ATHLETICS AND SPORTING FACILITIES. AN INFRASTRUCTURE
PLACE MAKING IMPROVEMENTS TO CITY SPACE THAT IS POTENTIALLY NOT BEEN USED EFFECTIVELY. WE WANT TO BE SURE CITY COUNCIL IS A HIGH-PERFORMING ORGANIZATION SO IT'S A GREAT TIME TO DO WHAT THE RESIDENTS ARE ASKING FOR.
LET'S BEAUTIFY THE CITY AND PUT IN SOME PARK AT TIFFANY'S AND INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE COMMUNITY TO USE. IT ALSO IMPROVES PUBLIC SAFETY. IT'S KNOWN THAT RECREATIONAL SPACES GENERALLY HAVE LOWER CRIME RATES. WE HAVE SOME
UNDERUTILIZED SPACE WHERE IF YOU HAVE MORE PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THOSE SPACES THAT IS NATURALLY GOING TO BE A SAFER LOCATION FOR CHILDREN TO BE AT. IT'S FINANCIALLY STABLE BECAUSE IT IS 100% FUNDED THROUGH WESCO AND OUR SPONSORS. IT'S LOW RISK AND NO CAPITOL OUTLAY FOR THE CITY AND NO OPERATIONAL COST GOING FORWARD. IT IS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. WESCO WAS PROVEN TO BRING A
SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF OUTSIDE RESOURCES TO OUR COMMUNITY TO SPEND MONEY BUYING FOOD AND GAS, VISITING ALL OF OUR SHOPPING HERE. IT HITS THE KEY GOALS THE CITY COUNCIL OUTLINED. NEXT SLIDE. THIS IS A COUPLE VISUALS OF THE LOCATIONS. THE PROPOSED LOCATION IS RIGHT OUTSIDE THE BUILDING HERE NEXT TO THE YOUTH AND EX-. YOU CAN SEE WE PUT IN ABOUT TWO SOCCER COURTS ABOUT THE SIZE OF A TENNIS COURT EACH. YOU CAN SEE NO IMPACT TO THE CITY UTILITY AREA AND
ALSO PLENTY OF PARKING REMAINING FOR THE COMMUNITY CENTER AND THE SOCCER COURTS TO SHARE. OF COURSE, WE WOULD PLAN AROUND ANY SORT OF COMMUNITY
CENTER EVENT THAT WOULD BE OCCURRING SHOULD NOT IMPACT PARKING THEY MAY NEED FOR THEIR EVENT. IT ALSO PROVIDES ACCESS TO THE LAGUNA BECAUSE THERE IS A
LOOK IN A PARKING SITUATION AS WELL AS ACCESS TO THE BOTTOM RIGHT OF THE FIRST IMAGE. THE SECOND LOCATION, THE ASSUMPTION IS THE PERMANENT LOCATION COULD TAKE SOME TIME TO FINALIZE PERMITTING AND GET FULL APPROVAL. THE SECOND
LOCATION IS THE SEBASTOPOL HOTEL LOCATION AS A POTENTIAL TEMPORARY LOCATION WE COULD LAND AND INSTALL ONE OF THESE SOCCER COURTS. AGAIN THESE
ARE MODULAR SO AFTER INSTALLATION WE CAN EASILY HAVE IT MOVED TO THE YOUTH
ANNEX LOCATION ONCE THE SEBASTOPOL HOTEL DECIDES TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THEIR PROJECT. IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF A WIN WIN FOR THE HOTEL PROJECT SO WE CAN
MOVE FORWARD QUICKLY WITH PUTTING IN PLACE A SOCCER COURT, MAYBE EVEN
BEFORE THE WORLD CUP HAPPENS THIS SUMMER BECAUSE THERE WILL BE A HIGH DEMAND FOR SOCCER GUARANTEED THIS YEAR.
WE ALWAYS GIVE PEOPLE 10 MINUTES SO WE ARE AT HOME IS 15 SORRY TO INTERRUPT.
I APPRECIATE THE TIME. JUST TWO MORE STATEMENTS. I AM HERE TODAY TO SEEK COUNCIL APPROVAL TO ADVANCE FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS OF THESE LOCATIONS. THAT IS REALLY WHAT WE WANT TO DECIDE ON TODAY. THE FIRST ONE BEING THE LOCATION AT
THE ANNEX AND THE SECOND BEING THE TEMPORARY LOCATION AT THE SEBASTOPOL HOTEL AND THAT IS IT. I'M OPEN FOR QUESTIONS.
THANK YOU. VICE MAYOR.
THANK YOU. IN TERMS OF THE HOTEL LOT, WHAT KIND OF TIMELINE DO YOU NEED TO MAKE IT FEASIBLE AND YOU ARE YOU AWARE OF CEQA OR ARCHAEOLOGY STUDIES.
I AM AWARE.
HOW LONG WOULD YOU NEED TO MAKE IT WORK.
FOR US WE CAN MOVE RELATIVELY QUICK START TO FINISH IN TERMS OF IMPLEMENTATION WOULD BE PROBABLY 4 TO 6 MONTH
WHAT I'M THINKING IS THE END TIME. IF IT TAKES SIX MONTHS TO GET GOING AND THE HOTEL DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT ENDS IN JUNE 2027 IS THAT ENOUGH TIME FOR YOU? THAT WOULD BE LESS THAN A YEAR. IS THAT EVEN WORKABLE?
YES. DEFINITELY WORKABLE.
OTHER QUESTIONS? COUNCILMEMBER HINTON.
YOU TALKED ABOUT LOW INCOME AND WOULD QUALIFY BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THE TOTAL AREA. LOOKED ON YOUR WEBSITE AND DID NOT SEE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR LOW INCOME STUDENTS. HOW MANY SCHOLARSHIPS HE OR DOES THE ORGANIZATION GIVE HOW DO YOU WORK WITH LOWER INCOME KIDS WHO WANT TO PLAY SOCCER.
WE DON'T CALL THEM SCHOLARSHIPS WE DO FINANCIAL AID. WE DO PLAN APPROXIMATELY ONE FINANCIAL AID RECIPIENT PER TEAM. WE HAVE ROUGHLY 110 TEAMS.
SO ABOUT 100 KIDS PER YEAR.
THE WAY THAT THE SOCCER FOUNDATION DETERMINES ELIGIBILITY FOR A LOCATION OF NEED IS BASICALLY THROUGH FREE LUNCH PROGRAMS AT THE SCHOOL.
YOUR LAST SLIDE SET TWO YEAR DURATION BUT YOU'RE SAYING UP AND RUNNING AT THE HOTEL SIDE IN ABOUT FOUR MONTHS. WHAT DID THAT MEAN? START TO FINISH WE CAN IMPLEMENT THE PROJECT IN ABOUT 4 TO 6 MONTHS. THE
DISCUSSION WITH THE HOTEL PROJECT WAS FOR US TO MAKE IT FEASIBLE FOR US TO
SPEND THE MONEY TO INSTALL IT AT THE HOTEL SITE AND THEN MOVE IT, THE
SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF MONEY TO MOVE THE PRODUCT WE WOULD WANT TO KEEP IT THERE FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS. THAT WOULD BE THE MINIMUM. OF THE HOTEL PROJECT
TAKES LONGER WE COULD STAY LONGER BUT IF WE FIND A PERMANENT LOCATION LIKE
THE ANNEX THAT COMES TO FRUITION MUCH MORE QUICKLY WE WOULD NOT NECESSARILY NEED TO GO TO THE HOTEL LOCATION.
SO IF WE WERE TO AGREE TO THAT THE HOTEL WOULD BE AGREEING TO ABOUT TWO
YEARS AS WELL WHICH WOULD PUSH THEIR PERMIT OUT THAT WE JUST APPROVED TONIGHT SO THAT WOULD BE PART OF THE NEGOTIATION. THANKS.
I HAVE A QUESTION. IT IS NO SURPRISE TO ME. WE HAVE LESS THAN TWO SQUARE MILES IN THE CITY. I'M JUST CURIOUS, WHAT OTHER AREAS ARE YOU EXPLORING? IT'S NO SURPRISE THAT YOU PROBABLY SERVE A LOT MORE PEOPLE IN WEST COUNTY. ARE YOU EXPLORING OTHER AREAS SO AS WELL? I'M JUST CURIOUS ARE YOU LOOKING OUTSIDE THE CITY?
I SPENT QUITE A BIT OF TIME WITH THE GIS INDIVIDUAL FROM THE SONOMA COUNTY OFFICE EXPLORING DIFFERENT POSSIBILITIES FOR LAND-USE CONVERSION. THERE IS JUST NOT MUCH HERE LOCALLY UNFORTUNATELY. THE ONLY OTHER OPTION WOULD BE PRIVATE LAND.
OKAY.
THERE IS ONE, JUST WERE QUICK TO EXPAND ON THAT. THERE'S ONE LOCATION WE
LOOKED AT WHICH WE DON'T THINK IS FEASIBLE CALLED THE BROWN PROPERTY OVER BY THE OLD -- RIGHT ON THE INTERSECTION OF 12. THERE IS SOME GREEN SPACE BACK
THERE BEHIND THE OLD HENDRIX LAWNMOWER COMPANY BACK OVER THERE, BUT IT IS
OWNED BY THE SANTA ROSA CITY UTILITY OFFICE IS OUR UNDERSTANDING SO IT'S AN UNLIKELY CANDIDATE.
MY QUESTION IS TO ALEX. I READ THE STAFF REPORT AND IT IS VERY VAGUE. MAYBE YOU DID IT ON PURPOSE. I'M ASSUMING YOU WERE CONSULTED. THE OVERALL CONTEXT
FOR MY QUESTION IS WHILE I WANT TO DO GOOD FOR MY YOUTH I WANT THE HOTEL AND THE REVENUE TO HELP THE BUDGET. IF WE WENT TO LONG AND ALLOWED THEM TO DO
SOMETHING IN THE HOTEL SPACE FROM YOUR POINT OF VIEW HOW DOES THAT POSITION
US WHEN WE ARE TRYING TO APPLY AS MUCH PRESSURE AS WE CAN TO THE PEOPLE TO GET ON WITH IT AND GET THE HOTEL GOING.
THIS TYPE OF FACILITY IS NOT ALLOWED ON THAT SITE DOWN. FIRST THEY WOULD NEED TO BE SOME SORT OF ZONING CODE CHANGE TO ALLOW IT. THERE ARE DIFFERENT WAYS WE COULD DO THAT. CHANGING ALLOWED USES IN THE DISTRICT, CHANGING WHAT DISTRICT THE SITE IS IN, DOING AN OVERLAY TO ALLOW SOCCER AT THIS ONE SITE.
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A TEMPORARY USE PERMIT THAT GOES ON FOR YEARS. A TEMPORARY USE PERMIT IN GENERAL IS FOR VERY LIMITED DURATIONS. WINTER, FESTIVAL,. UNDER ZONING LAWS, ONCE YOU ESTABLISH A USE IT CONTINUES. IT IS
ALLOWED TO CONTINUE. WHAT THE STAFF REPORT SAYS IS IF WE CHANGE THE ZONING TO ALLOW SOCCER AS AN ALLOWED USE, OR CONDITIONALLY ALLOW A C.U.P. WE COULD CONTINUE. WE COULD COME IN AND SAY OKAY NOW YOU HAVE TO STOP ON THIS DATE.
THEY CAN DISCUSS WHETHER THAT IS SOMETHING THEY WOULD ACTUALLY DO OR NOT.
WANT TO USE IT IS ESTABLISHED IN THE ZONING LAW IT CAN CONTINUE.
SO BASICALLY IF WE ALLOW THIS TEMPORARY SOCCER THING TO HAPPEN THAT WOULD
PRECLUDE THE HOTEL OR PROVIDE AN EXCUSE FOR THEM TO NOT DO ANYTHING
BECAUSE THEY WOULD HAVE A JUSTIFICATION LIKE YOU PASSED THIS REVISION SO THAT PRECLUDES THE HOTEL AND NOW WE CAN JUST WALK OUT.
IT WOULD NOT PRECLUDE THEM. AS AN OWNER OF THE PROPERTY THE LEASE MIGHT EXPIRE. THEY COULD HAVE A SHORT-TERM LEASE WITH THEM AND THE LEASE COULD
AND THEY WOULD BE DOING THAT, IF THE DEVELOPER DOES NOT WANT TO MOVE
FORWARD WITH THAT SITE THEY DON'T NEED AN EXCUSE OR APPROVAL TO NOT MOVE FORWARD. THEY JUST DON'T MOVE FORWARD. I DO NOT KNOW THAT THERE IS, THAT THIS WOULD BE AN EXCUSE THEY WOULD USE. I SUPPOSE THE RISK IS THAT WE DON'T HAVE
ANYTHING ELSE GOING ON, LET'S JUST LOT LET THE SOCCER CONTINUE LONGER, INSTEAD OF EXPLORING SOME OTHER USE WE WILL JUST LET THE SOCCER CONTINUE.
SO YOU ARE SAYING IN ESSENCE IF WE EXPAND THE ZONING CHANGE WE ARE
PROVIDING MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO USE IT IN OTHER WAYS AND NOT IN THE WAY IT IS CURRENTLY ZONED.
CORRECTS.
I HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION IF I CAN ASK THAT. THE QUESTION I HAVE IS IN THE EARLIER
ITEM WHEN WE WERE TALKING WITH PIAZZA, THEY CLEARLY STATED IT WOULD COST ABOUT $100,000 TO DEAL WITH ARCHAEOLOGICAL THINGS THAT NEED TO BE DONE TO PRESERVE WHATEVER HISTORICAL ITEMS THEY FIND. IS, ARE YOU PREPARED TO WORK
WITH THEM BECAUSE IT DID NOT SOUND LIKE THEY WANTED TO MOVE FORWARD ANYTIME SOON. THEY WERE SAYING IT COULD BE DONE WHEN THEY GET THERE ALONE.
I'M CURIOUS BECAUSE I SEE THAT COULD IMPACT EVEN THE ABILITY TO USE THAT. I'M
NOT AN EXPERT ON THAT BUT WE JUST HEARD THE COST AND THE TIMELINE AS FAR AS
THE PROPERTY OWNER SO I'M CURIOUS IF YOU HAVE THAT DISCUSSION ALREADY IF ANYTHING HAS BEEN SUSSED OUT.
I'M NOT AN EXPERT ON THAT PROCESS EITHER BUT I KNOW WE HAVE HAD SOME
DISCUSSIONS RELATED TO WHETHER OR NOT WE WOULD BE DISTURBING THE SOIL BY PUTTING THE COURT ON THE SURFACE THERE. OUR COURT DOES NOT REQUIRE DIGGING
PICK IT JUST REQUIRES A FOUR INCH LAYER OF AGGREGATE OR ROCK TO LEVEL THE SERVICE SO I'M NOT SURE WE WOULD ACTUALLY BE DISTURBING THE SURFACE. THAT
WOULD BE PART OF THE RESEARCH WE NEED TO GO THROUGH TO UNDERSTAND THAT BETTER.
SO THE QUESTION I HAVE THAT WOULD BE PART OF THE STAFF COST YOU WOULD HAVE TO COVER. CAN I ASK A QUESTION IF PLANNING. WITH THAT IN MIND HAVE HE TALKED
TO MANY EXPERTS ABOUT THIS AS FAR AS WHAT WOULD NEED TO BE DONE WITH
SOCCER VERSUS IF THEY WOULD PUT THESE TEMPORARY COURTS IN THEIR HAVE HE TALKED TO ANY EXPERTS ABOUT THE DIGGING?
THANK YOU FOR ASKING. THERE ARE A COUPLE THINGS GOING ON HERE. ONE IS ONE WAY TO MITIGATE ARCHAEOLOGICAL ARTIFACTS IS TO COVER THEM UP. COVERING THEM TEMPORARILY WOULD BE AN ACCEPTABLE WAY TO DEAL WITH THAT. WHAT I
WANT TO MAKE CLEAR HERE TONIGHT IS THERE ARE MANY THINGS, THIS IS JUST ONE OF THEM THAT WERE GOING TO THE FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS. WE HAVE EXPANDED SOME
SIGNIFICANT STAFF TIME GETTING THIS FAR AND WE WOULD NEED TO EXPEND MORE
STAFF TIME TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO AND HAVE APPLICATIONS ROLL FORWARD. SO WHAT WE ARE DOING TONIGHT WHAT WE ARE ASKING TONIGHT IS FOR YOU TO TELL US IF WE SHOULD CONTINUE DOWN THE FEASIBILITY PATH? ARE WE RECEIVING RYAN HUNTER-REAY EMBARRASSMENT? HOW MANY HOURS -- ARE WE RECEIVING REIMBURSEMENT? HOW MANY HOURS HAVE BEEN SPENT ON THIS ALREADY?
I WOULD SAY BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT HEADS AND INDIVIDUAL MEETINGS WE HAVE SPENT 20+ HOURS.
I SEE THAT AS A VIOLATION OF ESTABLISHED PROTOCOL. I CAN SPEAK PERSONALLY. THE
WAY I PHRASED THINGS IS A GENERIC REQUEST TO THE FULL COUNCIL ABOUT EXPENDING A SIGNIFICANT DEGREE OF STAFF TIME. THIS IS NOT ALL RIGHT.
I AGREE. WE SPENT QUITE A BIT OF STAFF TIME ON THIS ITEM WHEN IT WAS FIRST PROPOSED. WE DID NOT THINK IT WAS GOING TO DEVELOP INTO THIS. THE MORE THAT WE GOT INTO IT THE MORE THAT ALL OF THESE SITUATIONS STARTED COMING UP. SO IT WOULD BE A REQUEST FROM WESCO TO COVER THE FEES.
MY GENERAL QUESTION, HAVE THEY AGREED TO RE-COMPENSATE FOR THE SIGNIFICANT
STAFF TIME THAT WAS APPROVED WITHOUT THE FULL BLESSING OF ALL OF US ON COUNCIL.
NOT THAT I AM AWARE.
I ALSO WANT TO EXPRESS MY CONCERN OVER THIS. ARE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? SO LET'S SAY WE ARE ABLE TO PUT IT IN THE HOTEL LOT. HOW MANY DAYS A WEEK DO YOU FIRST SEE THIS BEING USED HOW MANY HOURS A DAY AND HOW MANY NIGHTS.
WHAT KIND OF USAGE ARE WE TALKING ABOUT.
YOU ARE PROBABLY LOOKING AT FOUR EVENINGS DURING THE WEEK. DURING THE WEEK WOULD BE MORE EVENING TIME. AFTER SCHOOL ANYWHERE FROM 4:00 TO 9:00 AT NIGHT.
HOW MANY KIDS?
ON THE SURFACE IS ROUGHLY 20 KIDS PER COURT. MAXIMUM.
SUBTOTAL.
IF THERE'S TWO COURTS THAT WOULD BE 40 KIDS. IF YOU HAVE LARGER OLDER INDIVIDUALS IT WOULD BE LESS INDIVIDUALS THERE. IT JUST DEPENDS ON THE TEAM THAT IS ASSIGNED FOR THE TIME SLOT.
SO IS THIS JUST ONE TIME SLOT FOR THE EVENING? WHAT IS THE TURNOVER? TRADITIONAL TURNOVER IS ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF PER TRAINING SESSION.
PROBABLY TWO SESSIONS PER EVENING. LIKE AT THE HIGH SCHOOL WE CANNOT GET ON THE FIELD UNTIL 7:00 SO WE GO FROM 7:00 TO 8:30 JUST ONE SESSION.
HAVE YOU TALKED TO SUNRIDGE ABOUT THEIR FIELD. IT IS A CHARTER SCHOOL ON LITCHFIELD HAYDEN.
THEY HAVE A PRETTY BIG FIELD.
SO IS WESCO PREPARED TO MOVE FORWARD ON THE YOUTH ANNEX IDEA IF WE ARE NOT WILLING TO BLESS THE HOTEL PROPERTY FOR VARIOUS REASONS.
OUR OBJECTIVE IS REALLY BEING THE PRIMARY LOCATION WE WOULD LIKE TO ENTERTAIN. THE HOTEL LOCATION IS MORE OF A TEMPORARY SPOT IF SECURING THE ANTICS TAKES CONSIDERABLE TIME.
ONE COMMENT. WE COULD ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THEM THAT THEY AGREED TO NOT GO PAST TWO YEARS AT THE HOTEL SITE. THE POTENTIAL RISK IS WE HAVE CHANGE THE ZONING. WHAT ARE SOMEBODY ELSE SUBMITS AN APPLICATION.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? OTHERWISE WE WILL GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT.
GO AHEAD.
COUNCILMEMBER CARTER HAS A QUESTION.
I DID NOT SEE HER HAND.
SO A CURVEBALL TO MY OWN TEAM. IF OTHER FIELDS BECOME AVAILABLE TO CAUSE
ANY MORE COST WITHOUT COMPENSATING STAFF, LET'S SAY WE FOUND ANOTHER SPOT
SOMETHING CAME UP, IS THERE ANYTHING VOTING FOR TONIGHT THAT WOULD ALSO ALLOW US TO PURSUE RESEARCHING ANYTHING?
IT IS HARD TO SAY WITHOUT KNOWING THE SITES. THERE ARE SITES IN THE CITY THAT
ARE ZONED AND SOMEBODY COULD COME IN WITH THE DESIGN REVIEW AND THERE'S NO
NEED FOR ZONING CHANGE OR USE PERMIT OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT AND THERE WOULD NEED TO BE STUDIES AND THERE HE WOULD JUST BE THAT. THE REASON THERE IS
DIRECTION NEEDED IS BECAUSE ONE SITE IS ON CITY PROPERTY AND THE OTHER INVOLVES A ZONING CHANGE. IF THERE'S A SITE THAT IS FOUND THAT IS FEASIBLE THAT
DOES NOT NEED A ZONING CHANGE AND IS PRIVATELY OWNED THEY WOULD JUST GO
THROUGH THE NORMAL PROCESS OF DESIGN REVIEW OR PERMITTED USE, OR IF THEY
NEED CONDITIONAL USE THAT WOULD BE IT AND THEY WOULD PAY THE ESTABLISHED FEE.
I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT PROCESS JUST BECAUSE THIS WAS A LOT OF HOURS EXPENDED. IT GOES BEYOND OUR PROTOCOL. I WANT TO UNDERSTAND FROM STAFF, WHO WAS DRIVING IN THIS? IF WE HAVE A COUNCILMEMBER DRIVING THIS. WE RECOGNIZE THAT IT'S COUNCILMEMBER CARTER'S INITIATIVE. IF WE HAVE A
COUNCILMEMBER DRIVING THIS AND WE KNOW WE ARE GOING OVER THE HOURS, I'M A LITTLE CONCERNED THIS WAS NOT COMMUNICATED TO ANY OF US. THERE'S A BIT OF AN IMBALANCE OR BECAUSE A COUNCILMEMBER IS. I'M JUST WONDERING FROM THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT DID WE JUST REALIZE AT THE END? HOW DID THIS HAPPEN IS WHAT IS VERY CONCERNING. I'M HOPING SOMEBODY CAN HELP ME TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THIS.
IF I CAN, AT THE COMPLICATED THING IS THE FACT THAT WHEN COUNCILMEMBER
CARTER PUT THAT AT -- PUT FORTH THAT HE DID NOT VIEW THIS AS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST HELD A SHARE I TEXTED. I HAVE ALL THE CONCERNS THE MAYOR JUST
EXPRESSED COMBINED BY THE FACT THAT THE PERSON WHO PUSH THIS FORWARD IS ON
A BOARD PAID OR UNPAID SO I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE CHECKS AND BALANCES AND
HOW IT WENT THROUGHOUT THE CITY STAFF AND NOBODY SAID THIS IS ABOVE THE ALLOCATED AMOUNT OF SIMPLE STAFF TIME TO PREPARE AN AGENDA ITEM.
I HAVE A QUESTION OF WHETHER WESCO CAME FORWARD FIRST OR COUNCILMEMBER CARTER. TYPICALLY WHEN ONE OF US WANTS TO BRING AN AGENDA AND WE CHAMPION IN OUR NAME IS ON IT. IN THIS INSTANCE THE COUNCIL MEMBERS NAME IS NOT ON IT
ANYWHERE WHICH DOESN'T SEEM TRANSPARENT AND WE WILL TACKLE NEXT OUR ETHICS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHO REALLY BROUGHT THIS FORWARD. I AM CURIOUS ABOUT THAT.
I BROUGHT THIS FORWARD FOR SURE. I WILL SAW AN OPPORTUNITY. IF THERE WAS CREEP WITH STAFF I APOLOGIZE BUT ALL I DID WAS SAY COULD THIS BE A THING. THERE WAS SOME DISCUSSION OF WHETHER IT CAN BE A THING. HAVING A SOCCER COURT THERE WAS SOMEBODY ELSE'S IDEA WHICH CAME TO ME. THE ORIGINAL IDEA THAT I WENT ABOUT ASKING STAFF IF THIS COULD BE SOMETHING. IT'S JUST GENERAL NAIVETY, WHAT DO WE DO, HOW DO WE CHAMPION SOMETHING IF YOU WANT TO BRING A PROJECT.
I KNOW WE ALL HAVE COMMENTS. I WILL SAVE THOSE FOR LATER BUT JUST QUESTIONS BEFORE. WE DID NOT REALLY GET TO ANSWERS TO OUR QUESTIONS AS TO HOW WE GOT TO THIS PLACE. COUNCILMEMBER CARTER BROUGHT IT FORTH AND WHAT HAPPENED? I WAS NOT AWARE OF HOW MUCH TIME. I KNOW THAT WE MET CONCEPTUALLY FOR AN HOUR OR TWO AND THEN WE MET TONIGHT FOR AN HOUR. THAT WOULD BE ON ME. I WILL TAKE THE HIT FOR NOT KNOWING HOW MUCH HOURS WERE SPENT BY STAFF. SO YES THAT WOULD FALL TO ME.
I ALSO HAVE A QUESTION. WHAT RESPONSIBILITY DO WE HAVE. WE HAVE SOMEBODY WHO IS A CONTRACTOR HOW MANY, WHAT RESPONSIBILITY DO THEY BEAR. I
APPRECIATE THAT YOU WANT TO TAKE THE HIT BUT WE HAVE DEPARTMENT MEMBERS RESPONSIBLE FOR KEEPING TRACK. IS THIS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE ASSESSED?
TYPICALLY FOR ANYTHING THAT GOES SUBSTANTIAL THAT WOULD BE RETURNED TO THE CITY COUNCIL. AGAIN, IT WAS CUMULATIVE AND THAT'S WHEN I HAD A CONVERSATION TONIGHT WHEN I FOUND THE NUMBER OF HOURS BEING SPENT.
TYPICALLY WE WOULD CATCH IT IN THE BEGINNING WHEN WE MET. WE BELIEVED, MY UNDERSTANDING WHEN IT CAME FORWARD WAS CONCEPTUAL. IT GREW INTO MORE AND MORE. SO THAT COMES WITH ME.
FOR ME THERE IN LIES THE QUESTION THAT NONE OF US WERE ABLE TO WEIGH-IN ON THIS. WE ALL TALK ABOUT HOW MANY HOURS WE CAN SPEND. TO YOU WANT TO GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT IF EVERYBODY IS GOOD WITH THE QUESTIONS.
GO AHEAD.
THIS IS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE PROPOSED LOCATIONS. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT THERE'S A TWO MINUTE TIME LIMIT. I WILL COME TO CHAMBERS FIRST AND THEN GO OUT TO ZOOM.
I AM KENYON WEBSTER. RESIDENT OF THE COMMUNITY CENTER BOARD. WE PROVIDE ACTIVE RECREATION. CERTAINLY SUPPORT ACTIVE RECREATION. WE DO THAT OURSELVES. WE SUPPORT OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROVIDE THAT. HOWEVER, WE
HAVE SIGNIFICANT CONCERNS WITH THE IDEA OF ELIMINATING BASICALLY THIS PARKING LOT. IT IS A RESOURCE FOR THE COMMUNITY CENTER, WICHMAN HALL, CITY
COUNCIL MEETINGS, AND SO ON. ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT USE THE AREA. IT IS A PARTICULAR RESOURCE FOR LARGE EVENTS AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER. CONCERTS,
FESTIVALS, SOMETIMES MULTI-DAY USE IN THE FESTIVAL CONTEXT WHERE SOME OF THE
VENDORS MIGHT PARK THERE FOR SEVERAL DAYS SO LOSING THAT WOULD BE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON OUR OPERATIONS. I PROVIDED A LETTER AND AN EMAIL ABOUT THIS. BASED ON MY PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE WORKING FOR THE CITY I BELIEVE THERE IS A
CONFLICT WITH THE LAGUNA PARK MASTER PLAN THAT SPECIFICALLY THIS PARKING LOT THAT IS OUT THERE TO BE DEVELOPED BY THE MASTER PLAN IS RIGHT IN THEIR. IT WAS BUILT FURTHER WITH THE GRANT. I HAVE NOT RESEARCHED IT EXACTLY BUT I BELIEVE FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. I DO NOT THINK THERE WERE ANY
RESTRICTIONS THAT CAME OUT OF THE GRANT, BUT THERE MAY BE PROVISIONS OR
AGREEMENTS THAT WERE MADE IN CONNECTION WITH THE GRANT THAT SHOULD BE
LOOKED AT FROM THE LEGAL PERSPECTIVE TO SEE IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT
REQUIRES ITS RETENTION IN THE PRESENT USE WHICH WAS DEVELOPED UNDER THE MASTER PLAN. WE HAVE A SIGNIFICANT CONCERN WITH THE PROPOSAL. IT IS CERTAINLY NOT THAT WE PUT -- OPPOSE THIS KIND OF USE IN THE CITY. IT IS VERY COMMENDABLE ALL THE EFFORTS THAT THE SOCCER CLUB HAS UNDERTAKEN TO TRY TO ACHIEVE THIS.
THAT IS TWO MINUTES. THANK YOU. NEXT I WILL GO TO ZOOM. OLIVER, CAN YOU UNMUTE? CAN YOU SEE THE TIMER?
THAT IS A SHAME BECAUSE I WAS GOING TO SAY I LOVE THE GAME. WE CALL IT FOOTBALL BECAUSE I'M ENGLISH. I WAS GOING TO SAY IT WOULD BE GREAT TO HAVE SOCCER FIELDS BEHIND THE COMMUNITY CENTER, BUT CLEARLY THAT CAN'T HAPPEN.
THERE'S NO WAY YOU CAN HAVE SOCCER FIELDS WHERE THE HOTEL SITE IS. THAT'S THE BUSIEST CROSSROADS IN ALL OF SONOMA COUNTY. THERE'S A NICE GREEN SHOP ACROSS THE STREET. SO MANY THINGS THAT COULD GO WRONG. BALLS COULD FLY OVER WHATEVER FENCE THEY PUT UP BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT HAPPENS WITH SOCCER.
HITTING CAR WINDSCREENS AND ALL THAT STUFF ON A VERY BUSY ROAD. IT'S JUST NOT REALLY VIABLE. IT'S A REAL SHAME BECAUSE THERE'S SO MUCH VACANT LAND THAT THE COUNTY HAS. IT IS INCREDIBLE TO ME THAT ALL OF THE LAND YOU DRIVE PAST FOR SALE THAT IS OWNED BY THE COUNTY COULD NOT BE USED FOR THIS. IT'S A RELATIVELY SMALL FOOTPRINT FOR THESE SURFACES. FOR ME IT IS A NONSTARTER. THE LAST POINT I WANT TO MAKE THE THEME OF THE EVENING SEEMS TO BE PROCESS SCREW UPS. YET THE
PROBLEM WITH THE PLANNING COMMISSION EARLIER WHERE PEOPLE DID NOT
UNDERSTAND THE RULES AND NOW IT WOULD APPEAR THIS HAS HAPPENED AGAIN TO COUNCILMEMBER CARTER. THESE ARE DIFFICULT TO GET THEIR HEAD AROUND. IT IS SO
EASY TO GO OFF ON A TANGENT THINKING YOU'RE MOVING AHEAD ON SOMETHING BUT YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH ALL OF THE STEPS. THAT IS JUST THE REALITY OF BUREAUCRACY.
THANK YOU. NEXT I WILL COME INTO CHAMBERS. IF THERE IS ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT.
I AM A RELATIVELY NEW MEMBER. THIS IS MY OWN STATEMENT SPEAKING AS AN INDIVIDUAL. I AM SURPRISED, STEVE AND PHIL, YOU DID NOT MENTION THAT THIS IS WETLANDS RESERVE. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PUTTING A FIELD HERE WHICH HAS MICRO PLASTICS. YES THERE'S A CATCHMENT SYSTEM BUT THEY DON'T LAST FOREVER AND MICRO PLASTICS PROBABLY DO. I HAVE THIS WRITTEN UP BASICALLY JUST THAT. ALSO, IT DOES AFFECT THE BIRDS. YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT FOUR NIGHTS A WEEK UNTIL 8:00 OR 9:00. IT WILL AFFECT THE WHOLE AREA. I THINK THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION.
THANK YOU. NEXT I WILL GO TO ZOOM. ROB, UNMUTE PLEASE.
I'M ROB PENNINGTON. SEBASTOPOL RESIDENT. ALSO A COACH FOR WESCO AND HAVE TWO BOYS WHO PLAY. I WANT TO THANK PHIL CARTER AND STEVE FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD. I THINK THERE IS TREMENDOUS NEED FOR ADDITIONAL SPACE. WESCO HAS
OUTGROWN THE FIELD CAPACITY IN TOWN STARTING TO HAVE TO GO ELSEWHERE TO FIND SPACE. I JUST NEED MORE IN TOWN. THESE MANY SOCCER PITCHES ARE QUITE SMALL. THE AMOUNT OF PLAY, THE AMOUNT OF ACTIVITY THEY WILL GET WILL BE HUGE. COMPARABLE TO OR MORE SO THAN THE -- CONSIDERING THE NUMBER OF
PLAYERS WHO PLAY AROUND FOR WESCO AND THE OTHER SOCCER GROUPS, ADULT LEAKS, OTHERS THAT WOULD CERTAINLY USE THAT SPACE. SIMILAR SOCCER PITCHES.
OTHER PLACES GET A HUGE AMOUNT OF USE SIMILAR TO A SKATE PARK. IT'S A GREAT THING TO HAVE IN THE CITY. NOT OUT IN THE COUNTRY. WE WANT THIS TO BE A PLACE WHERE KIDS CAN READ THEIR BIKE, WALK TO IN TOWN. MAKING SURE IT'S IN TOWN IS QUITE IMPORTANT. THOSE THINGS CAN BE CHANGED THAT IS WHAT YOU GUYS DO.
HOPING YOU CAN FIGURE THAT OUT AND MOVE THE PROJECT FORWARD.
THANK YOU. NEXT I WILL COME BACK TO CHAMBERS. IF THERE IS ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT.
I AM HERE AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PROPERTY OWNER WHICH IS THE PROPOSED SITE OF THE TEMPORARY SITE. ALSO AS A SOCCER FAN THOUGH AS A FAN OF THE ITALIAN NATIONAL TEAM I'M A SOCCER FAN WITH A BROKEN HEART. I JUST WANTED TO
EXPRESS OUR SUPPORT FOR THE IDEA AND QUICKLY ANSWER SOME THINGS THAT HAVE COME UP. WE WOULD PLAN TO OFFER WHAT'S CALLED A NO-COST LEASE. CONCERNS
ABOUT US DOWN THE ROAD WITH THE CONTINUATION OF A SOCCER FIELD VERSUS
BUILDING THE HOTEL THERE'S NO ECONOMICS THAT WILL ALLOW IT TO BE A VIABLE THING FOR US TO CONSIDER. I WANTED TO MENTION PARKING. WE ALSO HAVE THE
BROWN STREET WHICH WE HAVE A NO-COST LEASE WITH THE FARMERS MARKET FOR
VENDOR PARKING ON SUNDAYS AND ALSO OFFERING A NO-COST LEASE FOR PARKING FOR THE SITE IF THE TEMPORARY FIELDS WERE TO BE INSTALLED. BEYOND THAT I JUST WANT TO ECHO AS A SOCCER FAN IT SEEMS LIKE A GREAT TIME TO CAPITALIZE ON THAT.
THANK YOU. NEXT I WILL GO TO ZOOM. KYLE PLEA UNMUTE. GO AHEAD.
I'M REALLY HOPING WE GET SOME GOOD FOLLOW-UP ABOUT PROCESS. I THINK THAT IS THE BIGGEST TAKE AWAY. I'M KIND OF CURIOUS WHY THERE WAS NOT A CONSIDERATION OF THE AN EXCELLENT AS A TEMPORARY LOCATION. I THINK SOME OF THE PREPARATORY MATERIAL MAKING REFERENCE. TWO YEARS IS A MULTIYEAR PERIOD I'M
CURIOUS ABOUT EXPLORING MORE TEMPORARY OPTIONS RATHER THAN A PERMANENT OPTION. TIME ALWAYS HAPPY TO HEAR SOME PREVIOUS COMMENTS THAT ARE ALWAYS
ROOTED IN SOME SORT OF NEGATIVE CONNOTATION TRYING TO MAKE OUTLANDISH CLAIMS ABOUT THINGS LIKE SAFETY OR SECURITY. THERE IS PAST PRESIDENT FOR A LOT
OF THIS AND OTHER CITIES THAT HAVE TRAFFIC PATTERNS THAT ARE SIMILAR TO WHAT WE HAVE. I THINK ANY OF THE PROPOSED LOCATIONS WOULD BE FINE IN THAT CAPACITY. I ENCOURAGE COUNCIL TO EXPLORE WHERE SOME OF THESE HAVE BEEN SET UP IN OTHER CITIES. I THINK THE HUGEST CONCERN IS THAT SOMEHOW SOMEBODY GOT AWAY WITH SPENDING 20 HOURS WORKING ON THIS PROJECT BILLING US UNDER A CONTRACT BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE OUR SHIP TOGETHER.
THANK YOU. NEXT I WILL COME BACK TO CHAMBERS. IF THERE IS ANYBODY THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT.
I AM TIM ELLIOTT. I HAVE THREE BOYS. THEY ALL THREE PLAY WITH WESCO FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS. THEY ALL STILL PLAY. THEY ARE 16, 13, AND NINE. OF COURSE I GOT ROPED INTO COACHING SO I NOW COACH AS WELL. YESTERDAY I WAS AT BROOKHAVEN.
IT IS PRETTY AWESOME TO SEE IT USED IN THIS WAY. I LOVE WHAT SOCCER DOES. I SEE IT BUILD CONFIDENCE FOR THESE KIDS. I SEE YOU GIVING THEM SOMETHING TO DO
OUTSIDE OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND I SEE IT BUILDING FRIENDSHIPS NOT JUST BETWEEN KIDS BUT BETWEEN PARENTS ALSO. MY BOYS, THE OLDER TWO ACTUALLY BIKE TO BROOKHAVEN ON THEIR OWN AND THEY CAN TO THAT INDEPENDENTLY. I
REALLY SEE A VALUE IN HAVING THESE KINDS OF SOCCER FIELDS IN PLACES THAT ARE ACCESSIBLE AND DO NOT REQUIRE DRIVING. I SEE NOT JUST KIDS THAT ARE PART OF THE CLUB BUT I SEE KIDS FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD. THEY SHOW UP AND PLAY SOCCER. IT IS
AMAZING SPACE AND IT BRINGS KIDS AWAY FROM DEVICES AND HAS THEM DOING SOMETHING OUT IN THE OUTDOORS. I WANT TO SAY I REALLY APPRECIATE THE EFFORTS TO MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN AND GIVE US MORE SPACES LIKE THIS. I THINK IT IS A REALLY GOOD THING. FOR EVERYONE WHO IS PUTTING WORK INTO THIS TRYING TO MAKE IT HAPPEN I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.
THANK YOU. NEXT I WILL GO BACK TO ZOOM. SUE CAN YOU UNMUTE.
I AM UNMUTE IT. THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS PROJECT FORWARD. I GREW UP PLAYING SPORTS. IT REALLY DOES MOLD WHO WE BECOME AS ADULTS. IT IS IMPORTANT TO FIND A PLACE FOR OUR YOUNG ADULTS AND CHILDREN TO FORM WHO THEY BECOME.
I AM FULLY IN SUPPORT OF FINDING A VENUE FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS. I AM
CONCERNED, HOWEVER, THE FELLOW WHO BROUGHT UP THE CONCERN OVER THE
DISTURBANCES THROUGH THE LIGHTING AT NIGHT TO BIRDS. I AGREE WHOLEHEARTEDLY WITH THAT. NIGHTTIME LIGHTS TO DISTURB BIOLOGICAL CYCLES OF BOTH PLANTS, BIRDS, AND OTHER ANIMALS. I THINK THOSE THINGS SHOULD BE
CONSIDERED BEFORE THE COUNCIL AGREES TO PUT ANY MORE TIME INTO STAFF TIME
FOR PURSUING THIS AS WELL AS LOOKING EVEN SUPERFICIALLY THE IMPACTS FOR TRAFFIC MIGHT BE. I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE BACKUPS IN TOWN ARE DURING PEAK TIMES AND THE TIMES PROPOSED WOULD BE AT PEAK COMMUTE TIME. PERHAPS A
WESCO CONSULTANT CAN DO AN INITIAL REVIEW OF THE STUDY UNDER THE CEQA LAW TO DETERMINE THE IMPACTS OF THOSE THINGS. I WOULD BE OPPOSED TO ANYTHING THAT WOULD INTERRUPT BIRD AND ANIMAL LIFE AT NIGHT. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. NEXT, BACK INTO CHAMBERS. WOULD ANYONE LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT.
MY NAME IS BEN HARRIS. I HAVE IT IN THIS FESTIVAL FOR SIX YEARS. I COACH FOR WESCO. ALL OF MY KIDS HAVE GONE THROUGH THEIR. I CURRENTLY COACH AT THE HIGH SCHOOL. I HAVE ALREADY SENT A PUBLIC COMMENT BY EMAIL. IT IS QUITE LONG SO I
HOPE THAT THE COUNCIL READ ALL DIFFERENT POINTS THAT I MADE IN SUPPORT OF THESE PROPOSALS. SOCCER IN SEBASTOPOL IS BOOMING. THERE'S MENTION OF HOW MANY KIDS ARE PLAYING. THERE IS A CRUNCH FOR FIELDS AND NOT A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY TO FIND SPACE. I UNDERSTAND SOME CONCERNS RAISED HERE, BUT IN
TERMS OF THE BENEFITS THESE CAN BRING TO THE COMMUNITY, JUST PLACES FOR KIDS TO GO AND PLAY. NOT JUST FOR STRUCTURED COACHING BUT JUST PLACES FOR THEM TO
GO EASILY ACCESSIBLE AND IN MANY RESPECTS I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE ARE ALL LOOKING FOR IS TO BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY AND THE YOUNGER GENERATION. THINK
IN MANY WAYS WHAT WE ARE PROPOSING HERE IS VERY WELL DETAILED, VERY WELL PUT TOGETHER. I THINK THE CITY COUNCIL HAVING THEIR OWN PLAN FOR FINDING RECREATIONAL FACILITIES. I THINK HOW THEY HAVE BEEN PRESENTING THIS TAKEN
ABOARD SOME OF THE CONCERNS THAT YOU DO MOVE FORWARD WITH AT LEAST ANALYZING THE POTENTIAL FOR THE SITES. PARTICULARLY AT THE ANNEX.
NEXT I WILL GO TO ZOOM IF THERE IS ANYBODY THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND VIRTUALLY. SEEING THEN I WILL COME BACK TO THE CHAMBERS IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT. SEEING NONE, PUBLIC COMMENT IS CLOSED.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. COUNCILMEMBER HINTON.
I WILL GO OUT FIRST. MY KIDS PLAYED WESCO SOCCER ALSO. I DO REALIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT AND HAVING PLACES TO PLAY FOR KIDS. I'M NOT IN FAVOR. I KIND
OF THOUGHT SOMETHING GOING ON IN THE HOTEL SPACE WOULD BE BETTER THAN
NOTHING BUT I'M NOT IN FAVOR BECAUSE OF THE LONG-TERM IMPACT OF THE ZONING CHANGE. WE SIT HERE AND TWO YEARS FROM NOW WE CHANGE THE ZONING AND ALL THE SUDDEN THE CENTER OF THE DOWNTOWN HAS A PERMANENT SOCCER FIELD. I CANNOT SUPPORT THAT SO IT'S JUST NOT GOING TO FLY. I MIGHT BE ABLE TO SUPPORT SOMETHING OUT HERE. I HEAR THE COMMUNITY CENTER SAY IT'S LOSING A PARKING LOT BUT LET'S BE REAL. THE HIGH SCHOOL FILLS UP WE CAN WALK A LITTLE MORE. I'M NOT WORRIED ABOUT LOSING THE PARKING LOT. WHEN I AM WORRIED ABOUT IS THE LAGUNA AND THE RULES AROUND THAT. I SAT ON AG AND OPEN SPACE FOR SIX YEARS. THERE IS A LOT OF TALK ABOUT SOCCER FIELDS IN COMPETITION WITH OPEN AG SPACES IN CITIES.
THIS TO ME IS A HUB. MY KIDS PLAYED BASEBALL HERE FOR OUTDOOR YOUTH AND THIS IS THE YOUTH ANNEX. LET'S BE REAL. IT WOULD BE NICE TO FIGURE OUT IF THAT IS A POSSIBILITY. I DON'T HAVE A FIRM DECISION TONIGHT. IT'S A BIG DECISION BUT IF I WERE
TO CONSIDER ANYTHING IT WOULD BE TO CONSIDER SOMETHING HERE, BUT WE WOULD
HAVE TO HAVE WESCO LOOK INTO WHETHER IT IS POSSIBLE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL RESTRICTIONS.
COUNCILMEMBER ZOLLMAN.
THE WHOLE THING AT THE PIAZZA IS A COMPLETE NO GO FOR ME. I AM NOT GOING TO
PUT US IN SOME SITUATION SO SOMEBODY DOES NOT CONTINUE TO EXERCISE GOOD
FAITH BECAUSE THEY HAVE AN OUT BECAUSE WE PUT SOMETHING THERE THAT IS A
DIFFERENT USE AND IT IS COMPLETELY NOW REZONED SO THAT IS A COMPLETE OUT FOR ME. PUTTING ASIDE MY OWN CONCERNS ABOUT HOW WE GET HERE WITH 20+ HOURS OF
TAXPAYER MONEY SPENT ON AN ISSUE THAT THE FIVE OF US DID NOT -- I WILL BRING
THAT UP WITH THE FUTURE AGENDA REQUEST WHICH IS NOT ALL RIGHT. IF THEY WERE
FINE WITH REIMBURSING THE CITY FOR THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT HAS ALREADY
BEEN SPENT I WOULD BE OPEN TO AT LEAST HAVING SOME TYPE OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT LOOKED INTO FOR THE PLACE THAT IS OUTSIDE THE WINDOW HERE. BUT ONLY IF
THEY AGREE TO PAY STAFF FOR THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT -- IT IS NOT THEIR FAULT
AND I'M NOT TRYING TO PLACE FAULT, BUT NEVERTHELESS TAXPAYER MONEY WAS SPENT ON SOMETHING THAT THE FIVE OF US DID NOT APPROVE. THAT'S WHERE I AM.
VICE MAYOR.
I PLAYED INDOOR SOCCER WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL AND I LOVED IT. I'M A FAN OF SOCCER. I WOULD BE A FAN OF HAVING THE SOCCER FIELDS IN TOWN, BUT IT IS THE LOCATION THAT IS CONCERNING FOR ME. THE ZERO WASTE BOARD IN NOVEMBER, THEY
ARE TALKING ABOUT DEVELOPING AN ORDINANCE THAT WOULD ALLOW JURISDICTIONS
TO CONSIDER OPTIONS FOR PLACING BANS ON ARTIFICIAL TURF ON PUBLIC, PRIVATE, OR COMMERCIAL SPACES. THAT HAS ME CONCERNED, ESPECIALLY IN THE YOUTH ANNEX THAT IS IN A FLOODPLAIN. THAT IS NOT OKAY FOR ME TO HAVE ARTIFICIAL TURF IN A FLOODPLAIN. I THINK I WOULD BE OKAY WITH IT IF THERE WERE ENVIRONMENTAL
TYPES, I HEARD THERE ARE INSTEAD OF RUBBER YOU CAN GET IT WITH COCONUT SHELLS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. I WOULD BE OKAY WITH THAT AT THE DOWNTOWN SITE, BUT
I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE CHANGE OF ZONING ALTHOUGH WE HAVE BEEN ASKING
FOR PICKLE BALL COURTS SO IF THAT BECAME A PICKLE BALL COURT THAT WOULD BE OKAY MAYBE. AT THE YOUTH ANNEX YOU WILL HAVE TO CUT DOWN AT LEAST 8 TO 12 TREES AND THAT IS NOT OKAY WITH ME. THIS IS A WETLANDS LAGUNA PRESERVE. I
WOULD LIKE TO MAINTAIN THAT STATUS AS WELL AS THE FACT THAT IT IS OVERFLOW PARKING. TO ME THE FACT THAT IT'S A WETLANDS PRESERVE AND YOU WOULD HAVE TO
REMOVE TREES AND IT WOULD BE INTRODUCING A RISK OF PLASTICS INTO THE LAGUNA THAT IS A NO GO FOR ME. JUST KNOW, BUT THE HOTEL SITE, I WOULD BE WILLING TO
LOOK AT MAYBE ONE YEAR UNTIL THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT CAME UP ALTHOUGH I DO HAVE CONCERNS WITH THE CHANGE OF ZONING. THE OTHER THOUGHT THAT I HAD
IS IF YOU ARE ABLE TO DO SOMETHING TEMPORARY, RIGHT BEHIND THE CATHOLIC CHURCH THERE IS A BIG FIELD THAT IS GOING TO BE FOR SALE. THERE'S MAYBE A POSSIBILITY THEY WOULD ALLOW THAT FOR TEMPORARY SOCCER USE. ALSO TALKING WITH THE PEOPLE AT SUNRIDGE. THAT'S ALL THAT I HAVE TO SAY.
I WILL GIVE MY COMMENTS NOW. I THINK SUPPORTING YOUTH IN MANY DIFFERENT THINGS IS IMPORTANT JUST AS A GENERAL RULE THE PRINCIPAL. I'M ALWAYS EXCITED
WHEN I HEAR WE CAN SUPPORT MORE THINGS FOR THE YOUTH BECAUSE I DON'T THINK WE SEE IT ENOUGH. IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT, THERE IS A NUMBER OF CHALLENGES WITH THIS HERE. I CAME INTO IT THINKING ONE THING AND NOW AFTER LISTENING TO PEOPLE AND HEARING THE PUBLIC I AM LEAVING WITH SOMETHING DIFFERENT. I WILL SAY WITH
DOWNTOWN THE IDEA OF CHANGING THE ZONING, THE LONG-TERM IMPACT THAT COULD
HAVE I'M NOT WILLING TO KICK OPEN THAT DOOR RIGHT NOW SO I WILL SAY IT IS JUST A NO GO FOR ME DOWNTOWN. THERE ARE HUGE IMPACTS THAT CAN HAPPEN ONCE WE CHANGE ZONING AND IT OPENS A WHOLE CAN OF WORMS. DEFINITELY NOT SUPPORTIVE.
I CAME INTO THIS THINKING THE LAGUNA MIGHT BE A GOOD AREA. I WILL SAY I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE FOLKS THAT WOULD LIKE TO SEE PICKLE BALL COURTS. THEY HAVE THE SAME CHALLENGES AND THEY CONTINUE TO TELL ME THEY NEED SOMETHING HERE.
SO I KNOW THE CHALLENGES WITH TRYING TO GET ALL OF THIS. I THINK THE BIGGEST THING THAT STRIKES ME AS WE ARE LESS THAN TWO SQUARE MILES. WE HAVE ALL THIS SPACE BUT EVERYBODY WANTS TO CRAM IT IN THESE LESS THAN TWO SQUARE MILES.
IT'S A CHALLENGE AND PUTS THE BURDEN ON US. RIGHT NOW I'M CONCERNED ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ON THE LAGUNA. I HAVE A FRIEND RIGHT NOW WHO IS RESEARCHING MICRO-PLASTICS AND THE LONG-TERM HEALTH IMPACTS. I WOULD LIKE TO UNDERSTAND MORE OF THAT. AS FAR AS IF WE DID EXPLORE THIS GOING FORWARD, I
UNDERSTAND IT IS NO FAULT OF YOURS, BUT AT THE SAME TIME WE HAVE A COUNCIL
MEMBERS IT'S ON THE BOARD AND I THINK THAT HAVING EXPENDED WHATEVER HOURS, 20 SEEMS TO BE THE NUMBER COMING OUT OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS ON SOMETHING NONE
OF US APPROVED IS A REAL SHAME AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A NEW AGENDA ITEM COMING FORWARD TO ENSURE THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. IF THEY WERE WILLING TO
REIMBURSE FOR THAT AND ANY TYPE OF STUFF GOING FORWARD I WOULD BE OKAY
WITH THAT, BUT AT THIS POINT THERE WOULD HAVE TO BE US TALKING ABOUT THIS AND
PUTTING VERY STRONG GUARDRAILS AROUND THIS BECAUSE I AM A NO GO FOR DOWNTOWN COMPLETELY. AT THE LAGUNA THERE WOULD HAVE TO BE A LOT OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES AND EVERYTHING WOULD NEED TO BE PAID FOR BY WESCO.
THAT'S WHERE I'M AT WITH THIS. COUNCILMEMBER CARTER, DO YOU HAVE THOUGHTS ON THIS?
I AM SURE I HAVE THOUGHTS FOR DAYS BUT I WILL TRY TO LIMITED JUST TO TOUCH.
FIRST OFF, I HAD NO IDEA I WAS GETTING INTO 20 HOURS OF WORK ASKING TO SEE IF WE COULD DO THIS. I'M REACHING OUT ON BEHALF OF THE SOCCER CLUB WHO WAS DESPERATE TO GET A PLACE FOR THE KIDS TO PLAY. WE NEED A PLACE TO PLAY SO BADLY. I'VE BEEN LOOKING AROUND FOR THREE YEARS AND SOME OTHER COACHES
BROUGHT THIS IDEA TO ME AND I BROUGHT IT UP TO TRY TO ACTIVATE THE DOWNTOWN,
JUST TRY TO MAKE THINGS EXCITING, MAKE IT COOL TO BE DOWNTOWN AND ALL OF
THESE SOCCER FIELDS WOULD HAVE NETS SO THE BALLS WILL GO FLYING ALL OVER THE PLACE. I'M SURE WE COULD MANAGE KIDS WALKING ACROSS THE STREET. I NAÏVELY DID NOT THINK IT WAS A BAD THING AT ALL. I THOUGHT IT WAS AN EXTREME WIN WIN. THAT IS WHY I BROUGHT IT UP. WE HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO PUT A SOCCER FIELD HERE, WE
COULD MAKE IT GORGEOUS, RING OTHER PEOPLE DOWN AND THAT'S THE REASON TO PUT A HOTEL HERE IN THE FIRST PLACE. IF WE HAVE SOCCER GAMES AND SOCCER TOURNAMENTS PEOPLE WILL BUILD A HOTEL. THAT'S LIKE A REASON TO BUILD A HOTEL.
I'M DOING MY JOB TO TRY TO BRING SOMETHING HERE AND NOW WE WILL SIT WITH A
GREEN DEAD SPACE FOR A LITTLE WHILE LONGER BECAUSE WE ARE WORRIED THAT A
LITTLE BIT OF LIFE WILL PRECLUDE THE TOT BUT WE ARE CHOPPING OFF OUR NOSE TO SPITE YOUR FACE BECAUSE WE ARE NOT DEVELOPING ANYTHING FUN FOR THE AREA.
THAT IS WHY I WANTED TO BRING THIS ESPECIALLY DOWNTOWN AND POSSIBLY TO THE YOUTH ANNEX. ALL I CAN ENVISION IS FAMILIES WALKING OVER TO MIMI'S OR DOWN THE STREET OR HANGING OUT WHILE FUN THINGS HAPPEN. IF THE MAJOR CONCERN IS LIKE ENVIRONMENTAL, IF WE CAN JUST POCKET IT. THERE ARE A LOT OF NEW WAYS TO BUILD SOCCER FIELDS NOW. WE CAN HAVE DIFFERENT KINDS OF SURFACES. THERE ARE NIKE GRIND SOFT SURFACES THAT DON'T HAVE THE MICRO-PLASTICS IN THEM. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THINGS IN A PARKING LOT THAT IS RARELY USED. IF WE CAN BLEND IT
BEAUTIFULLY SO IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE IT'S PLUNKED DOWN IN THE BACK SIDE OF THE
PARKING LOT SO IT SEEMS LIKE IT AUGMENTS THE LAGUNA ATMOSPHERE IT WOULD BEAUTIFY THE SPACE, MAKE THE LAGUNA EVEN MORE ATTRACTIVE AS A PLACE TO BE.
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WHILE YOU DROP YOUR KID OFF FOR PRACTICE I WILL TAKE A WALK AND GET A GLASS OF WINE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. I ONLY HAD POSITIVE THOUGHTS WHEN I BROUGHT THIS. I AM REALLY SORRY ABOUT THE PROCESS BUT IT CERTAINLY WAS NOT MY INTENTION. I HAVE TO GO TO WESCO. I CAN'T JUST SAY, THEY WILL PAY FOR IT. I DO NOT SPEAK FOR WESCO, BUT BEING THE ORGANIZATION
THAT WE ARE, HOW MUCH WE ARE GROWING AND HOW MUCH THE INTEREST IS IN
HAVING SOMETHING LIKE THIS IN SEBASTOPOL AND HOW CRITICAL I THINK IT IS NOT
ONLY FOR THE YOUTH TO HAVE SOME THIRD-PLACE TO BE BUT ALSO FOR OUR ECONOMY AND HAVE SOME REASONS TO COME HERE. THAT IS REASON TO LOOK INTO SOME OF THESE OUTER EXPERIENCES. THIS IS WORTH NOTHING TO ME, WHY WOULD I PRECLUDE NOT BUILDING MY HOTEL BECAUSE A SOCCER FIELD IS THERE. WHAT IS THE REAL RISK OF ANOTHER SOCCER FIELD COMING IN FOR PROFIT THAT WILL MAKE IT WORTH IT. WE WERE LOOKING AROUND FOR SOCCER FIELDS ALL OVER THE PLACE. WE WILL EITHER HAVE TO PAY $1.5 MILLION OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT FOR A PIECE OF PROPERTY OUTSIDE OF THE COUNTY OR ONE AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS TO FIX OR $45,000 A MONTH SO THE KIDS CAN PLAY FOR ALMOST FREE. HERE WE HAVE A CHANCE TO BUILD A
FREE PARK WITH THE SAME KIND OF FORMAT AS THE BASEBALL FIELDS AND PROVIDE
ALL OF THIS JOY AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND ALL OF THAT, THAT IS MY PASSION. THAT IS WHY I BROUGHT IT WITH THE NAÏVETÉ THAT I HAD.
WITHOUT THINKING. WE CAN POKE HOLES IN ALL KINDS OF EFFORTS, BUT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WOULD BRING JOY. I WILL JUST KILL IT AT THAT. YOU HAVE TO KNOW WHAT THE PASSION WAS TO BRING IT.
I WILL JUST CHIME IN REAL QUICK. I JUST WANT TO SAY I DID NOT MENTION BEFORE BUT I WILL MENTION IT NOW. I'M REALLY DISMAYED BY THE WHOLE PROCESS. I WANT TO
CALL OUT A COUPLE THINGS. I THINK THERE IS EDUCATION THAT CAN BE GAINED IN HERE. THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS TO LOOK AT. LOOKING AT THE OPTICS, ETHICAL OR LEGAL CONFLICTS THAT HAPPEN HERE. I HEARD TALKING ABOUT WE WILL
GIVE A FREE LEASE AND WE HAVE A COUNCILMEMBER WHO IS ON THE BOARD WHO IS
CHAMPIONING THIS AND MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS WITH THAT PROPERTY. I JUST WANT TO POINT THAT OUT. I'M NOT MAKING ANY ACCUSATIONS. I'M SAYING WE AS COUNCILMEMBERS ARE HELD TO A HIGHER STANDARD. I KNOW THAT I FULLY BELIEVE THAT EVERYTHING YOU DID WAS FULLY WITH GOOD INTENT. I JUST
THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE VISIBILITY AND THOUGHT AND ALSO DRIVING STAFF TO SPEND 20 HOURS ON PROJECTS. JUST AS COUNCILMEMBERS WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT ALL OF THESE THINGS. AT THE END OF THE DAY I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND YOU ARE SAYING NAÏVELY YOU WENT INTO THIS BUT WE CAN'T DO THAT AS COUNCILMEMBERS BECAUSE WE HAVE TO MAKE THE DECISIONS. IT IS BOTHERSOME TO ME. GO AHEAD.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY AGAIN BECAUSE I THINK I SPOKE FIRST, I DO NOT EXPECT WESCO.
IT IS OUR ERROR. WE WILL BRING AN AGENDA ITEM FORWARD TO SET SOME PARAMETERS. I DO KNOW HAVING SAT ON THE COUNCIL FOR QUITE A FEW YEARS IT'S
NOT THE FIRST TIME SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAS HAPPENED SO I'M NOT SAYING IT IS OKAY BUT I'M ALSO SAYING I UNDERSTAND. I STILL THINK THAT IF WESCO IS INTERESTED
IN PURSUING WITH A DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND CHECKS OUT IN THE
ENVIRONMENT HERE I MIGHT BE WILLING TO SUPPORT THAT IF THEY ARE WILLING TO PAY MOVING FORWARD TO FETID OUT. I ALSO SAID ON THE FAIR BOARD AS IN A POINTER OF SUPERVISOR HOPKINS. I'M SURE YOU'VE ALL READ IN THE PAPER THAT SOCCER FIELDS
ARE BEING LOOKED AT AT THE FAIRGROUNDS SPONSORED AND SUPPORTED BY BOTH THE COUNTY AND CITY OF SANTA ROSA. I KNOW THERE IS A DESPERATE NEED OF THE COUNTY AND THERE ARE SOCCER FIELDS BEING WORKED ON A VARIETY OF FRONTS. IT IS HARD. WE GOT A LOT OF LETTERS ON THIS ALL IN SUPPORT OF THIS. I DO NOT WANT TO --
EVERYBODY BECAUSE YOU PROBABLY DID NOT KNOW PROTOCOL AND IF YOU WANT TO
PURSUE A SITUATION, I DON'T WANT TO HAVE YOU WALK OUT OF HERE LIKE DISHEARTENED. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE MOVE FORWARD IN AN APPROPRIATE WAY.
WE HAVE TO DO SOME WORK ON OUR SIDE AND IF YOU GUYS HEARING OUR COMMENTS WANT TO MOVE FORWARD. I UNDERSTAND COUNCILMEMBER PARKER -- COUNCILMEMBER CARTER WENT THROUGH THIS LIKE I'M EXCITED. I UNDERSTAND.
VICE MAYOR, YOU HAD YOUR HAND UP
I AM JUST GOING TO GUESS AND PROTECT THAT IF THIS VOTE DOES MOVE FORWARD FOR
PUTTING SOCCER FIELDS NEXT TO THE YOUTH ANNEX THAT THERE WILL BE SIGNIFICANT PUSHBACK FOR ENVIRONMENTAL REASONS. THE WETLANDS PEOPLE, THE WATER PEOPLE. IT IS GOING TO BE CONSIDERABLE AND IT WILL TAKE A LOT OF TIME AND A LOT OF MONEY TO PROCESS ALL OF THAT. THERE WILL BE STUDIES ET CETERA. I AM IN FAVOR OF LOOKING AT A SHORT-TERM POSSIBILITY AT THE HOTEL LOT.
SO YOU ARE SAYING YOU ARE IN SUPPORT OF DOWNTOWN. WE DO NOT HAVE A MOTION HERE.
I WOULD SUPPORT IT BECAUSE I THINK IT WAS ACTIVATE THE TOWN AND BE SHORTTERM.
YOU ARE SUPPORTIVE OF DOWNTOWN BUT NOT THE LAGUNA. I AM NOT SUPPORTIVE OF DOWNTOWN. COUNCILMEMBER ZOLLMAN SAID YOU ARE NOT SUPPORTIVE OF
DOWNTOWN, CONCERNED ABOUT THE LAGUNA AND ALSO WHETHER OR NOT WESCO WOULD BE WILLING TO COMPENSATE FOR THE 20 HOURS WE HAVE COUNCILMEMBER
HINTON'S IS SUPPORTIVE WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES FROM THE LAGUNA BUT NOT SUPPORTIVE OF DOWNTOWN. IT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE WE HAVE THREE PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT SUPPORTIVE OF DOWNTOWN RIGHT NOW. I THINK THE QUESTION REMAINS WHERE WE ARE AS FAR AS THE LAGUNA. THAT SEEMS TO BE THE ONE IN QUESTION.
WHAT DO WE DO WITH THAT AND WHAT KIND OF GUARDRAILS. I DO NOT KNOW IF ANYBODY HAS ADDITIONAL COMMENTS. I WAS GOING TO SAY, COUNCILMEMBER CARTER. I AM MAKING AN ASSUMPTION THAT YOU ARE SUPPORTIVE OF IT ALL BUT MAYBE I'M WRONG.
I HAVE MORE IDEAS. NO I AM SORRY. NOT TO BE CHEEKY. I WANT TO SAY WE WOULD COVER COST. I KNOW THAT IS A CONCERN. THAT IS NOT SOMETHING WE WANT TO CAUSE THE CITY.
I WAS NOT SURE BECAUSE YOU SAID YOU DON'T SPEAK FOR WESCO.
I DO NOT SPEAK FOR WESCO BUT WE ALREADY COMMITTED TO IF WE LOOK AT THE
YOUTH ANNEX IN A DIFFERENT WAY, WE ALREADY HAD THE ASSUMPTION THAT WE
WERE GOING TO PAY COST TO LOOK AT IT SO IN THAT WAY, THE BACK COST FOR IT I THINK I CAN MAKE THE ASSUMPTION THAT THE BOARD WOULD, BUT I DO NOT SPEAK.
THIS IS REALLY HARD BECAUSE YOU SPEAK AS A COUNCILMEMBER AND YOU ARE SPEAKING AS WESCO. IT IS REALLY CHALLENGING.
I WILL STOP SPEAKING.
THE QUESTION I HAVE FOR EVERYONE HERE IS JUST WITH THE LAGUNA. THAT SEEMS TO BE THE STICKING POINT. WE KNOW THE VICE MAYOR IS NOT IN SUPPORT OF DOING THE LAGUNA. WE HAVE COUNCILMEMBER HINTON WHO IS IN FAVOR OF DOING THE LAGUNA WITH ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES. IS THAT CORRECT?
CAN I JUST CLARIFY FROM THE ATTORNEY ONE MORE TIME, THE ADVICE YOU GAVE US
BEFORE THERE'S NO WAY,
WE COULD ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH WESCO ABOUT THEIR USE AND HOW LONG
THAT WILL LAST, BUT ONCE WE CHANGE THE ZONING THERE ISN'T RISK THAT ANOTHER THIRD PARTY COULD COME.
SO THAT IS A NO GO FOR ME. CANNOT DO DOWNTOWN. WE CAN'T HAVE A SOCCER FIELD IN THE MIDDLE OF DOWNTOWN PERMANENTLY.
IT SOUNDS LIKE -- CAN YOU REITERATE WHAT YOUR THOUGHTS WERE ON THE LAGUNA SO WE UNDERSTAND WHAT GUARDRAILS YOU ARE SAYING YOU WANT.
YEAH. IF THERE IS A MAJORITY ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS CALL THE -- THAT WILL SAVE THEM A TON OF MONEY BECAUSE I THINK COUNCILMEMBER MAURER IS CORRECT. IT IS GOING TO BE PETITIONED. WE WILL END UP DRAGGING THE CITY COUNCIL AND STAFF
THROUGH TONS OF THINGS WHICH MAKES IT SO MUCH MORE IRRITATING THAT WE SPENT
SO MUCH TIME ON STAFF APART FROM OTHER THINGS THAT THE FIVE OF US HAVE
AGREED ON AND HOW MANY HOURS TONIGHT WHEN ONE PHONE CALL WOULD HAVE RESOLVED THE WHOLE THING. IF THERE IS A WILL TO DO IT THEN JUST PUSH THE MONEY THAT THAT WOULD COST THE 10 MINUTES TO TALK TO HER ON THE SOCCER GROUP. IF THEY DO AGREE WITH IT THAN THAT IS GREAT I'M FINE FOR VOTING FOR THAT. IF SHE IS GOING TO CLEAR IT IT'S GOOD. IF SHE'S GOING TO SAY NO ALL THE SUDDEN WE WILL GET
THE ENVIRONMENTALISTS IN HERE THAN I WANT TO KNOW THAT BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO DEAL WITH THAT. I DON'T WANT TO DEAL WITH THE COST AND THE EXPENSE.
GO AHEAD.
IT WON'T JUST BE HER. IT'S THE ZERO WASTE GROUP. THEY'VE ALREADY DISCUSSED THIS
AND THEY ARE COMING OUT WITH A MORATORIUM ON ARTIFICIAL TURF AND WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PUTTING ARTIFICIAL TURF IN A FLOODPLAIN. I THINK THAT IS VERY SERIOUS. IT'S HARD FOR ME TO BELIEVE THAT THIS COUNCIL WOULD THINK THAT WAS AN OKAY THING TO DO. IT FLOODS HERE.
WHEN I WAS THE COUNCIL LIAISON TO WHATEVER IT WAS, THERE IS THAT AND THE
OTHER TECHNICAL ONE THAT NONE OF US ARE GOING TO ANYMORE BECAUSE SUNNY
BACK DOWN ON THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT THE MORATORIUM ON TURF SO THANKS FOR BRINGING THAT UP. NOW THAT MAKES ME THINK THIS, WE HAVE SPENT SO MUCH
TIME TONIGHT AND STAFF TIME ON AN ISSUE THAT IF IT WERE A SIMPLE AGENDA ITEM WE'VE ALL DONE IN THE PAST WITH FIVE VOTES YES OR NO IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A 15 MINUTE DISCUSSION.
GO AHEAD, COUNCILMEMBER CARTER.
I HAVE A QUESTION ON THE ZONING. IF WE CAN FLIP ZONING FOR CONDITIONAL USE ONCE IS IT NOT REVOCABLE? DOES IT SUNSET?
IT DOESN'T SUNSET. YOU CAN CHANGE ZONING IN THE FUTURE. THERE ARE ISSUES IN GENERAL ABOUT SPOT ZONING TO TAKE A USE AWAY FROM ONE PARTICULAR PROPERTY.
WE HAVE NOT DONE THAT ANALYSIS OF WHETHER WE COULD DO THAT, THERE ARE RESTRICTIONS ON THE ABILITY TO TAKE AWAY A USE. ONCE YOU ESTABLISH A USE EVEN IF YOU CHANGE THE ZONING, THE EXISTING USE IS ALLOWED TO CONTINUE. I THINK OUR CODE SAYS NEW USES CAN COME IN AS LONG AS IT DOES NOT CEASE FOR 180 DAYS OR MORE. IT IS UP TO THE COUNCIL WHETHER THEY ARE WILLING TO TAKE THOSE RISKS OR TAKE THE REPRESENTATION OF PROPERTY OWNERS.
THIS IS SO HARD. I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET TO A YES FOR THE KIDS THAT WANT TO PLAY SOCCER BUT NEITHER OF THESE PLACES ARE IDEAL. I AM WITH COUNCILMEMBER ZOLLMAN. THIS COULD TURN INTO A HUGE DEAL BETWEEN WHAT THE VICE MAYOR SAID AND DIFFERENT FOLKS. IF THEY WANT TO SPEND THEIR MONEY THAT WAY THEY ARE NONPROFIT. I RUN NONPROFITS. MONEY IS NOT PLENTIFUL FOR NONPROFITS THESE DAYS. IF THEY WOULD LIKE TO SPEND THAT MONEY FIGURING THAT OUT, I DO NOT WANT ANY MORE TAX DOLLARS SPENT ON ANY OF THIS AT THIS POINT. I'M
OKAY IF WE CAN FIGURE OUT HOW TO PUT THE GUARDRAILS ON THIS BUT IT IS STRICTLY A WESCO FUNDED THINK. WE ARE COMING UP ON DOING OUR GOALS THIS MAY MAKE EVERYTHING MORE COMPLICATED. IF THE COUNCIL WANTED THEY COULD EXPLORE OR SUBJECT TO WHATEVER GUARDRAILS COUNCIL WANTED. IF THERE
WAS SOME WAY FOR US TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE PROPERTY OWNER TO
PUT SOME DEED RESTRICTION ON THE PROPERTY TO PROHIBIT THE SOCCER USE EVEN THOUGH IT WOULD BE ALLOWED BY THE ZONING TO PROHIBITED AFTER THREE YEARS. I
HAVE NOT THOUGHT IT THROUGH ABOUT WHETHER THAT IS FEASIBLE OR NOT, BUT IF THAT IS SOMETHING THAT THE COUNCIL WANTS US TO EXPLORE, THAT MIGHT BE A WAY.
EVEN IF THE ZONING WOULD ALLOW IT WE WOULD HAVE A DEED RESTRICTION ON THE PROPERTY TO ENFORCE THAT.
IF THERE IS ANY WAY THAT COULD BE WORKABLE, A SHORT-TERM SOLUTION SO THEY
COULD USE THAT HOTEL SITE, I WOULD RATHER SEE THAT ACTIVATED WITH PEOPLE AND KIDS AND FAMILIES THEN HAVE IT SIT THERE AND DO FOR THE NEXT YEAR AND A HALF.
I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY. EVEN IF THAT WERE THE CASE I HAVE OTHER CONCERNS. WE HAVE CONCERNS WITH PARKING. I'VE HAD BUSINESS OWNERS REACH OUT. WE HAVE THE FARMERS MARKET THAT TAKES THE PARKING ON SUNDAYS. I HAVE BEEN GETTING TEXTS
AND EMAILS CHECK I STILL HAVE MANY OTHER CONCERNS ABOUT A DOWNTOWN LOCATION. I'M SORRY.
I WAS GOING TO SAVOR THOSE KINDS OF RESTRICTIONS I MIGHT BE WILLING TO INVESTIGATE AND SUPPORT THE DOWNTOWN LOCATION. WHEN I HEAR PARKING I WAS THINK PEOPLE CAN WALK A LITTLE BIT. WE ALWAYS HAD TO PARK A LONG WAY WHEN MY KIDS PLAYED SPORTS. I MIGHT BE ABLE TO SUPPORT SOMETHING LIKE THAT, BUT THE
BIG QUESTION FOR WESCO AS THEY ARE INVESTING IN THIS BIG FIELD AND THEY WILL
HAVE A PLAN TO WHERE THEY MOVE IT AND THEY DO NOT HAVE A PLACE TO MOVE IT IF THAT'S WHAT WE ARE APPROVING TICKET WOULD HAVE TO BE TWO FOLD. HOTEL TWO YEARS OR WHATEVER A LOVELY. THE BIRDS LIKE THE WINDOW. IT IS A BAD. WESCO
WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A PLACE TO MOVE IT SO WE WERE ASSURED IT WAS AN AGREEMENT. EVERYBODY WOULD RATHER PAY ATTENTION TO THE BAD.
THEY ARE IN YOUR -- IN MY HOUSE ALL THE TIME IT'S A VERY CONFUSED BAD. IS IN A MOSQUE.
THERE IS A GIANT MOTH FLYING AROUND.
ARE WE OKAY WITH MOVING FORWARD? I JUST WANT TO BE SURE BECAUSE EVERYONE IS DISTRACTED.
I HAVE A QUESTION. COULD WESCO SPEND MONEY FOR STAFF TIME JUST TO THINK ABOUT OTHER OPTIONS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT THAT IS NEITHER THIS NOR THAT. OR IS IT JUST TOO MUCH.
THEY COULD SUBMIT A PRELIMINARY APPLICATION. WE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE SOME SPECIFICS. LIKE A PRELIMINARY APPLICATION OF THE COUNCIL WANTED TO LOOK AT IT WE COULD TAKE IT. IT'S CALLED THE PRELIMINARY. IT'S NOT THE FULL USE. I DO NOT HAVE THE COST IN FRONT OF ME RIGHT NOW.
LOOKING INTO THAT IT IS COMPLICATED.
VICE MAYOR.
IN TERMS OF THE PARKING'S CONCERN BECAUSE I SHARE THOSE CONCERNS. I THINK MAYBE THE PIAZZA, THEY SUGGESTED THAT THERE IS OVERFLOW ON BROWN STREET.
MY THOUGHT IS THAT WESCO CAN COMMUNICATE WITH THEIR PEOPLE. YOU COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR FAMILIES. IF YOU MAKE IT CLEAR THERE IS NO PARKING ON
BROWN OR THE BROWN OVERFLOW, THE PARKING GOES TO POSSIBLY THE BARLOW OVERFLOW PARKING LOT WHICH IS NOT BEING USED THAT MUCH RIGHT NOW. IF THERE
WAS COMMUNICATION AND YOUR FAMILY COULD FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THAT, THEY COULD WALK FROM THE OVERFLOW PARKING TO THE DOWNTOWN LOT.
WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL PICKETS THAT A PRIVATE PARKING LOT? WE DO NOT HAVE AUTHORITY.
I HAVE BEEN TOLD BARNEY SUPPORTS THIS PROJECT. HE WOULD NEED TO BE COMMUNICATED. THERE'S ALSO THE PARKING LOT AT CVS. YOU WOULD HAVE TO CROSS THE STREET. IF THERE WAS A WAY BARLOW COULD APPROVE OF THAT.
ALL RIGHT. WE ARE STILL NOT STRAIGHT ON WHERE WE ARE MOVING HERE. WE HAVE A PRETTY DIVIDED FOLKS HERE TONIGHT. I PERSONALLY HAVE CONCERNS WITH BOTH OF THEM. I AM STILL NOT KEEN ON DOWNTOWN. I AM HAPPY TO BE OKAY WITH THEM DOING AN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY TO LOOK AT THE ANNEX. TO ME DOWNTOWN, CHANGING
ZONING AND DOING ALL THESE THINGS, IT IS ALSO GOING TO GET VERY EXPENSIVE FOR WESCO TO BE FUNDING ALL OF THIS. FOR ME I'M OKAY WITH HAVING THEM DO THE ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY, TALK WITH THE PEOPLE AND FIND OUT IF IT'S EVEN POSSIBLE.
IF THEY ARE FINE WORKING THROUGH WORKING THROUGH THAT PLACE THEY WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR WHAT IT'S GOING TO COST. IT IS -- TO HAVE SOMETHING IN WRITING LIKE A STAFF REPORT. I DON'T WANT TO DISCUSS IT ANYMORE TONIGHT.
I AM OKAY WITH THAT.
OKAY. I GUESS LET ME LOOK AT WHAT ALL DIRECTION YOU NEED. I'M NOT SURE WE ARE CLEAR ON THE OTHER SITE. I'M TRYING TO LOOK AT THAT ITEM.
WE JUST NEED WHATEVER DIRECTION THEY WANT TO GIVE. RIGHT NOW I'VE HEARD THE
DIRECTION FROM COUNCIL IS IF THEY SUBMIT A PRELIMINARY APPLICATION STAFF CAN WORK ON EXPLAINED FEASIBILITY OF A DOWNTOWN SITE. NO DECISIONS ABOUT THAT. IT
WILL HAVE TO COME BACK TO THE COUNCIL, BUT EXPLORING THE FEASIBILITY OF WHETHER THERE IS A WAY TO HAVE A TEMPORARY USE AT THE DOWNTOWN SITE. OTHER THAN THAT I DON'T HAVE ANY DIRECTION FROM THE MAJORITY OF THE COUNCIL.
IN MY OPINION IT WOULD BEHOOVE WESCO TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION WITH THE
LAGUNA FOLKS AND EVERYTHING ELSE AND EXPLORE THAT BEFORE A LOT OF MONEY IS INVESTED INTO ANY OF THAT. I FEEL LIKE THEY NEED TO HAVE SOME DIRECTION. SO
THEY ARE NOT SPENDING THEIR WHEELS AND NOT CLEAR ON WHAT THE NEXT STEPS ARE FOR THEM.
I THINK WHAT IS ON THE TABLE WITH THREE PEOPLE IS A PRELIMINARY APPLICATION FOR THE DOWNTOWN.
I UNDERSTAND. I'M JUST TRYING TO LOOK AT BOTH OPTIONS BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT WAS PRESENTED TO US.
DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY FEET BACK OR ARE WE JUST GOING TO TABLE THAT? I WOULD LIKE TO LEAVE IT OFF THE TABLE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL REASONS.
I WOULD SECOND THAT. LEAVE IT OFF THE TABLE. I DON'T WANT TO BRING THIS INTO ANOTHER STUDY. WE HAVE A LOT OF THINGS WITH NO STAFF AND NO MONEY.
IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE SOME DIRECTION THERE. DO WE NEED A VOTE?
IT WOULD BE DIRECTION TO STATE -- CITY STAFF TO WORK WITH WESCO TO SUBMIT FOR
AN APPLICATION UNDERSTANDING TO PAY FOR STAFF TIME TO REVIEW POTENTIAL
OPTIONS SUCH AS A DEED RESTRICTION ON THE DOWNTOWN HOTEL LOT AND NO CONSIDERATION OF THE ANNEX.
YES.
CITY STAFF HAS INSTRUCTION.
OKAY. VICE MAYOR?
IS THERE A VOTE REQUIRED ON THAT?
IT WAS DIRECTION. YOU DO NOT NEED A VOTE ON DIRECTION.
JUST WANTED TO BE SURE. I WAS WAITING THINKING YOU ARE GOING TO SAY SOMETHING ELSE. OKAY. HOW ARE WE DOING? WE ARE AT 10:00. NUMBER 13 CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL PROTOCOLS. DO YOU WANT ME TO READ THROUGH ALL OF THIS? I GUESS I WILL. ADDITION OF MANDATORY TRAINING ADDED TO POLICY NUMBER SIX. FISCAL AND FINANCIAL TRAINING SB 827 EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2026. A LOCAL AGENCY OFFICIALS MUST COMPLETE AT LEAST TWO HOURS OF FISCAL AND FINANCIAL TRAINING EVERY TWO YEARS. NEWLY APPOINTED ELECTED OFFICIALS MUST COMPLETE TRAINING WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF ASSUMING OFFICE.
OFFICIAL SERVING PRIOR TO JANUARY 1 2026 MUST COMPLETE PRIOR TO 2028 UNLESS IT ENDS PRIOR. POLICY NUMBER 11. USE OF TRAVEL FUNDS FOR CITY COUNCIL, CONFERENCES AND TRAINING. THIS INCORPORATES APPROVED RESOLUTION. POLICY
NUMBER 12, ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT INCORPORATES APPROVED CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION. POLICY NUMBER 13, PROCESS OF CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS.
POLICY NUMBER 14, CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS. POLICY NUMBER 15, BEST PRACTICES FOR COUNCIL MEMBERS. DID YOU WANT TO TAKE IT FROM THERE AND START TALKING?
YOU JUST GAVE A STAFF REPORT. THE AD HOC COMMITTEE CONSISTING OF THE MAYOR,
VICE MAYOR, MYSELF HAS BEEN CONTINUING TO CREATE THE CITY COUNCIL PROTOCOL HANDBOOK. THESE ADDITIONAL POLICIES ARE INCORPORATED. SOME OF THEM HAVE
BEEN IN OTHER DOCUMENTS SUCH AS THE TRAVEL POLICY IN THE BUDGET TRYING TO INCORPORATE EVERYTHING IN ONE DOCUMENT. THERE WAS A REQUEST TO PUT IN THERE HOW A MEETING IS RUN. WE HAVE ADDED THAT, INFORMATION ABOUT CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS. WE HAVE ALSO ADDED SEPARATE FROM
THE TRAINING WHICH IS THE ETHICS TRAINING, SEXUAL HARASSMENT, THERE WAS A
NEW TRAINING WE ADDED ON FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND A POLICY ON
PROFESSIONAL, PERSONAL CONDUCT, ETHICAL LEADERSHIP, FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
AND THEN INCORPORATING THE CURRENT CODE OF CONDUCT INTO THIS POLICY AS WELL. AND HOW THE COUNCIL INTERACTS WITH CITY STAFF THOSE POLICIES ARE ATTACHED FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. WE WILL CONTINUE TO BRING ITEMS BACK AS WE
CONTINUE TO CREATE PROTOCOLS FOR THE HANDBOOK
ANY QUESTIONS?
GO AHEAD.
LOOKING AT THE REPORT ON PAGE 9 WHICH IS HOW THE MEETING GOES. IT IS INCLUDED.
THE MAYOR WILL PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THE HISTORY OF SEBASTOPOL. I
UNDERSTAND THAT'S WHAT WE ARE DOING THIS YEAR BECAUSE THE CURRENT MAYOR WANTS THAT TO BE HER THING FOR THE YEAR. SHOULD IT BE ON THIS EXAMPLE ON PAGE 9?
I WILL JUMP IN. IF IT'S GOING TO BE PART OF THE EXAMPLE I DON'T WANT THAT.
WHOEVER IS THE MAYOR MAY HAVE SOMETHING THAT THEY WANT TO DO. WE COULD CERTAINLY ADD. WE JUST WANT THAT TO REFLECT WHAT IS OCCURRING NOW. IS PART OF THE PROCESS. WE COULD CHANGE THAT TO SAY THE MAYOR MAY INSTEAD OF WILL AND THEN IT IS UP TO THE MAYOR.
IT SHOULD SAY SOMETHING LIKE MAYOR MAY, I DON'T KNOW, SOMETHING ELSE. IT IS UP TO THE MAYOR. WHEN STEPHEN WAS MAYOR HE MADE A PERMANENT LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT. WHATEVER. WE DISCUSSED THAT AS A GOAL AND IT IS PART OF THE REGULAR PROTOCOL THAT WE ALL AGREED ON. IF WE DON'T 05 AGREE I DON'T THINK IT SHOULD BE LISTED ON THIS PAGE. EVEN THOUGH I UNDERSTAND THE MAYOR CAN DO IT THIS YEAR.
I AGREE IT SHOULDN'T BE PART OF THE FORMAL PROCESS. I THINK THAT SHOULD BE
STRUCK FOR THIS DOCUMENT
I DON'T MAKE ANY ASSUMPTION THAT ANYBODY WANTS TO DO THAT. THE MAYOR MAY WANT TO DO SOMETHING. WHAT WOULD BE THE PROPER WORDING TO HAVE A PLACEHOLDER SO THAT -- I DON'T HAVE THE WORD FOR THAT EITHER. DO YOU? WE COULD SAY MAYOR COULD PROVIDE INFORMATION ON TOPIC RELEVANT TO CITY.
THAT WOULD BE ACCEPT DOUBLE TO ME. WE HAVE HONORED PEOPLE IN THE CITY THAT HAVE PASSED. THERE ARE DIFFERENT THINGS. SOMETHING LIKE THAT WOULD BE.
WE CAN SAY MAYOR MAY PROVIDE INFORMATION ON TOPICS RELEVANT TO SEBASTOPOL COMMUNITY.
THAT IS GENERIC ENOUGH. FOR ME I AM OKAY WITH THAT WORDING. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FROM ANYONE? I KNOW IT IS GETTING LATE. IF WE DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS WE CAN GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT.
THIS IS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE PROPOSED PROTOCOLS FOR THE CITY COUNCIL HANDBOOK. I WILL GO TO CHAMBERS FIRST AND THEN TO ZOOM. IS THERE ANYBODY IN CHAMBERS? IF THERE IS ANYBODY ON ZOOM CAN YOU UNMUTE YOURSELF? CAN YOU STILL SEE THE TIMER?
YES I CAN. I'M HOPING THIS IS ONE OF MANY CONVERSATIONS AROUND THE CITY COUNCIL HANDBOOK. WATCHING THIS COUNCIL OPERATE OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS IDENTIFYING THE NEEDS OF CHANGE AND PRACTICES. THESE ARE ALL GREAT THINGS. I HOPE YOU PUT ALL THE ENERGY AND FOCUS IS IN ENGAGEMENT WITH THE PUBLIC. WAYS
IN WHICH YOU ENGAGE WITH PUBLIC COMMENT MAYBE EVEN RECONSIDER WHAT WAS
FOR MANY YEARS PAST PRACTICE OF HAVING A THREE-MINUTE PUBLIC COMMENT AS OPPOSED TO TWO MINUTES. YOU KNOW, THAT REALLY TAKES THE WHEEL -- THE WILL OF THE BODY. [ CAPTIONERS TRANSITIONING ]
HOPING THAT THE PUBLIC
BECOMES A
PRIORITY THAT GETS BROUGHT IN.
NEXT I'LL COME BACK INTO
CHAMBERS.
SEEING PUBLIC COMMENT IS CLOSED.
ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.
WE'RE BACK
TO COMMENTS, IF
ANYONE HAS ANY COMMENTS.
VICE MAYOR?
I WANT TO THANK THE
INTERIM
CITY MANAGER FOR HER WORK ON
THIS.
THANK YOU.
AND I WOULD MAKE A MOTION
TO
ADOPT THE POLICIES 1111
15 BEING INCORPORATED
IN THE CITY
COUNCIL
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
HANDBOOK.
COUNCILMEMBER, I'M SORRY,
CAN
I ASK THAT MOTION BE AMENDED,
BE
MOVED AND THAT THE MAYOR MAY
PROVIDE COMMENT TO THE
COMMUNITY?
YES.
SO MOVED BY THE
VICE MAYOR
AND COUNCILMEMBERS TO
IMPROVE
THE POLICIES AS AMENDED AS
STATED FOR THE MAYOR TO WRITE
TOPICS.
COUNCILMEMBER CARTER?
YES.
COUNT MEMBER HINTON?
AYE.
ZOLLMAN?
YES, MAYOR McLEWIS?
YES.
MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
ADDITIONAL
PUBLIC COMMENT.
THIS IS THE SECOND
COMMENT
PERIOD.
IF YOU'RE NOT ABLE TO
TALK
DURING THE FIRST PUBLIC COMMENT
PERIOD, NOW IS AN OPPORTUNITY.
IF YOU LIKE TO MAKE
A PUBLIC
COMMENT AND YOU'RE NOT
ABLE TO
AGAIN SPEAK DURING THE
FIRST
PUBLIC COMMENT, PLEASE
RAISE
YOUR HAND VIRTUALLY.
SEEING NONE IN CHAMBERS.
SEEING NONE -- OH,
KYLE?
CAN YOU AT MITT YOURSELF,
PLEASE.
SO I HAD THIS BRILLIANT
IDEA.
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS MAYBE
JUST
SAY WATER A COUPLE OF TIMES
IN
ASSOCIATION WITH EXPLORATION OF
THE SOCCER, AND THEN WHAT YOU
CAN DO IS YOU CAN JUSTIFY TRYING
TO BUILD THE ENTERPRISEENTERPRISE
OR
ALL OF THOSE 20-PLUS HOURS.
SO, AGAIN, THIS CITY HAS BEEN
CHARGING THE ENTERPRISE FUND FOR
ACTIVITIES THAT WOULD
NORMALLY
BE BILLED TO GENERAL FUND FOR
YEARS.
AGAIN, SAY WATER A FEW
TIMES,
SAY SEWAGE A FEW TIMES, AND
WE
CAN GO AHEAD AND COVER ALL
THE
COSTS OF OUR ENTIRE MEETING
TO
THE ENTERPRISE
FUND.
YOU'VE BEEN DOING IT FOR YEARS.
WHY NOT CONTINUE THE PRACTICE.
AND WHERE DO WE GO?
WE JUST SAVE THE GENERAL FUND A
SHIT TON OF MONEY ON THE
BACKS
OF PEOPLE JUST WANTING TO
FLUSH
THEIR
TOILETS.
THANKS A LOT.
THANK YOU, KYLE, FOR
YOUR
PUBLIC
COMMENT.
NEXT I WILL COME BACK INTO
CHAMBER.
SEEING NONE IN CHAMBER, I'LL
GO
BACK OUT TO ZOOM.
IF THERE IS ANYONE ON
ZOOM,
PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND
VIRTUALLY.
SEEING NONE, PUBLIC COMMENT
IS
CLOSE FOR THE SECOND PUBLIC
COMMENT PERIOD.
THANK YOU.
NOW WE ARE AT -- DO
ANY
COUNCILMEMBERS HAVE ANY FUTURE
AGENDA ITEMS?
GO AHEAD, COUNCILMEMBER
ZOLLMAN.
YEAH, A SIMPLE
ONE.
JUST TO REITERATE THE
IMPORTANCE
OF FILLING OUT THE
AGENDA ITEM
REQUEST FORM.
IT COULD NOT BE MORE
CLEAR.
MARY INSISTS AND FOR
SOME OF US
TRIED TO SEND HER AN EMAIL,
I'M
THINKING OF REQUESTING SOMETHING
ON A FUTURE AGENDA ITEM.
RIGHTFULLY SO, SHE JUST IGNORED
IT.
IT NEEDS TO BE FILLED OUT ON
THE
FORM, AND IT NEEDS TO BE AN
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF WILL THIS
ITEM
TAKE A SIGNIFICANT -- I
THINK
THAT'S THE WORDING,
SIGNIFICANT
AMOUNT OF TIME.
IF SO, HOW MANY HOURS?
AND THEN THERE IS A
JUSTIFICATION AND THEN
THERE IS
A PROTOCOL.
SO THAT'S MY AGENDA
ITEM REQUEST
FOR THE MAYOR AND THE VICE
MAYOR
TO FIGURE OUT DOES IT NEED TO
BE
PART OF A PROTOCOL OR DO WE NEED
TO JUST TAKE A SOLEMN OATH THAT
WE WILL REALLY READ THE
FORM,
AND WE WILL BE -- IT COMES
DOWN
TO OUR CHARACTER TOO.
IF STAFF ARE SAYING THIS
IS
GOING TO MAKE A SIGNIFICANT
AMOUNT OF TIME AND WE JUST BACK
OFF, OR STAFF SAYS HERE IS
A WAY
TO DO IT, JUST BRING IT UP AS AN
INFORMATION REQUEST TO
SEE IF
YOUR OTHER COLLEAGUES WILL
AGREE
TO HAVE A SIGNIFICANT
AMOUNT OF
MONEY SPENT, NOT JUST
BLINDLY, I
DON'T KNOW, COERCING, PUTTING
PRESSURE, SENDING EMAILS
TO
STAFF.
WHERE ARE YOU ON THIS ISSUE?
AND NOT EVEN REALIZING THE
FACT
THAT THEY'RE NOT EVEN STAFF.
THEY'RE CONSULTANTS.
SO I GUESS WE JUST NEED A
RECOMMITMENT, UNDERSTANDING
AND
ABIDING BY THE TERMS OF
THE
AGENDA ITEM REQUEST FORM.
I THOUGHT IT WAS A NO-BRAINER
UNTIL TONIGHT.
AND I'LL SUPPORT YOU
ON THAT
IF WE NEED TO.
SO.
ANYONE ELSE?
I'M INTERESTED IN
ACTUALLY
BRINGING FORTH AN AGENDA ITEM
THAT WOULD TAKE MINOR ITEMS
UNDER A CERTAIN COST OF
A
THOUSAND OR $2,000 AND
NOT
BRINGING EVERYTHING TO
BUDGET
SUBCOMMITTEE AND BRINGING SOME
OF
THESE REQUESTS STRAIGHT TO
COUNCIL.
SO I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE THAT,
IF
I HAVE A SECOND, THAT I CAN
PUT
IN
THAT.
I'LL SECOND IT.
THE AGENDA REQUEST.
THANK YOU.
I THINK IT WAS UNFORTUNATE
THAT
WE HAD TO APPROVE
SOMETHING
AFTER THE EVENT HAD ALREADY
HAPPENED TONIGHT.
VICE MAYOR?
I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY
THAT,
BECAUSE I THINK WHAT YOU'RE
WANTING IS FOR THE GROUP NOT
TO
HAVE TO PAY IT UP FRONT, RIGHT.
NO, THAT'S NOT WHAT I'M
CLARIFYING.
I THINK WE MAKE
EVERY
NONPROFIT PAY IT UP FRONT,
AND
JUST LIKE APPLE
BLOSSOM.
AND WE WILL DISCOUNT IT BACK.
BUT I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND
WHY
THESE SMALL NONPROFIT
THINGS
THAT USED TO JUST COME
BEFORE
ALL OF US ARE NOW ALL BEING
BUDGETED, FUNNELED
THROUGH
BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE.
SO IT'S NOT A TIMING THING.
IT'S A -- I THINK -- I
UNDERSTOOD THAT WAS BROUGHT
TO
US LATE BECAUSE OUR
POLICY
CURRENTLY REQUIRES IT GO TO
BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE.
AND I DON'T THINK IT SHOULD
FOR
SMALL LITTLE
ITEMS.
SO CAN I JUST JUMP IN
HERE
REAL
QUICK.
I THINK WE NEED TO BRING ITIT
BACK.
THERE ARE TIMES WHEREWHERE WILL
TAKE APPLE BLOSSOM, FOR EXAMPLE,
THEY DON'T PAY IN ADVANCE.
WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THEIR STAFF
TIME IS.
SO IF THEY'RE ASKING FOR
A
WAIVER FEE FOR POLICE TIME
OR
PUBLIC WORKS TIME OR
SUPPLIES
AND MATERIALS, WE WON'T
KNOW
THAT UNTIL AFTER.
SO TAKE APPLE BLOSSOM OUT OF
IT.
OKAY.
I DON'T THINK SMALL
THINGS
SHOULD HAVE TO RUN
THROUGH
BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE.
THEY
NEVER USED TO.
I THINK IT'S UNNECESSARY.
OKAY.
COUNCILMEMBER CARTER, YOU
HAD
YOUR HAND UP,
RIGHT?
YEAH, I WOULD
CONSIDER
SECONDING THIS.
YOU KNOW, NOT EVERYTHING HAS
20 GO THROUGH THE BUDGET
COMMITTEE.
IF THERE IS A WAY TO MAKE
IT
MORE -- SYSTEM MATTMATTIC.
WE DON'T NEED A FULL-ON
DISCUSSION.
THERE IS A PROPOSAL.
THERE IS A SECOND.
IT'S ON THE
AGENDA.
LET'S MOVE THE CALENDAR ALONG,
PLEASE.
THANKS.
ALL RIGHT.
LET ME -- SORRY, I MOVE MID
PAERM.
THE NEXT THING I HAVE HERE IS
STAFF REPORTS.
REMINDER THAT WE HAVE A
S PRIORITIES WORKSHOP NEXT WEEK.
FOR THOSE COUNCILMEMBERS THAT
DID NOT PROVIDE GOALS, IF
YOU
WANT TO PROVIDE THEM TO ME TODAY
OR TOMORROW, I CAN INCORPORATE
THEM,
OR YOU CAN BRING THEM TO
THE WORKSHOP ON TUESDAY.
WE DID GET ABOUT 150,
160
RESPONSE FOR THE
SURVEY THAT
ALWAYS BRINGING THOSE ITEMS BACK
AS WELL.
FOR TRANSPARENCY, WE DID
DO
RECRUITMENT FOR PLANNING
DIRECTOR.
AND WE WERE UNSUCCESSFUL
WITH
THE PLANNING DIRECTOR
RECRUITMENT.
WE ARE GOING BACK OUT.
WE ARE ALSO HIRING FOR
AN
ASSOCIATE PLANNER.
BEEN TALKING TO HR
CONSULTING
FIRMS, AND THERE HAS BEEN
A
COUPLE OF GOOD
RECRUITMENTS
LATELY FOR PLANNING
RECRUITMENTS.
SO WE MAY BE MORE SUCCESSFUL
IN
THAT DIRECTION RIGHT NOW.
BUT IF I DON'T FIND A PLANNING
DIRECTOR, WE'D PROBABLY HAVE
TO
BRING THIS BACK FOR REQUEST FOR
PROPOSALS, AND WE ARE ALMOST
FULLY STAFFED
IN THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT NOW.
WE ARE GOING THROUGH BACKGROUND
CHECKS.
WE SHOULD BE CLOSE TO FULLY
STAFFED BY THE BEGINNING OF THE
FISCAL YEAR.
AND I BELIEVE THAT IS -- OH,
THE
MILLER OIL, I JUST WANT TO PUT
IT OUT THERE THAT THE OWNER
IS
WORKING WITH US TO REMOVE
THE
BOATS AND THE CARS.
SHE HAD A PERSONAL ISSUE
THAT
POPPED UP.
SO NOW SHE IS BACK ON TO IT.
SO WE'RE DOING THAT.
WE ARE ALSO WORKING WITH
THE
BARBECUE PLACE DOWN ON SOUTH
MAIN STREET.
AND TRYING TO RESOLVE THAT ISSUE
DOWN
THERE WITH THE SMOKE.
AND THAT IS ALL I HAVE.
ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU.
COUNCILMEMBERS, ANYONE WANT TO
GO?
WE HAVE 10 MINUTES
HERE.
SO HOPEFULLY GO AHEAD.
OKAY.
LET'S SEE.
WHERE TO GO.
ZERO WASTE MEETING,
THEY
APPROVED THEIR BUDGET.
AND THEN JUST TWO JOINT
BUDGET
AND ENTERPRISE
OVERSIGHT
COMMITTEE MEETINGS.
SO
WE MET TWICE THIS WEEK AND
LAST WEEK.
AND WE WORKED ON THE COST
ALLOCATION PLAN.
AND THIS WEEK WE WORKED ON THE
CIP.
WE ALSO LOOKED AT THE
ENTERPRISE
WATER AND WASTE WATER BUDGETS.
THAT'S IT.
THANK YOU.
ANYONE ELSE, OR I CAN
GO?
IN ADDITION TO MY
OTHER
REGULAR MEETINGS, THE
HOMELESS
COALITION BOARD AND THE VARIOUS
SUBCOMMITTEE MEETINGS THAT
SERVING ON IN ORDER TO
CONTINUE
DEALING WHAT OUR
FEDERAL
ADMINISTRATION IS DOING
TO
CONTINUE TO STRIKE SAFETY NETS
ALL ACROSS THE BOARD --
MEDI-CAL, HOUSING, ET CETERA.
OKAY.
I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND GIVE
MINE REALLY QUICKLY.
SINCE OUR LAST COUNCIL
MEETING,
I
ATTENDED -- WE HAD OUR LEDGE
MEETING.
AND THE COMMITTEE DID VOTE
TO
SUPPORT A VARIETY OF BILLS
THAT
I'LL BE BRINGING SOME OF THOSE
BACK FOR YOU ALL
TO CONSIDER
WRITING LETTERS TO CITY.
I ATTENDED THE GATHERING WITH
TAKEO DELEGATION AND MONJI.
AND ALSO WE PLANTED A TREE
TO
CELEBRATE THE 40th
ANNIVERSARY
CHERRY TREE.
IT'S RIGHT OUT THERE BY
THE
PEACE
WALL.
IF YOU NOTICE IT THERE,
IT'S
BLOOMING RIGHT NOW.
THAT WAS A REALLY NICE
CELEBRATION.
I'VE ALSO ATTENDED GTLR, THE
GOVERNANCE TRANSPARENCY LABOR
RELATIONS COMMITTEE
MEETINGS
WITH CAL CITIES REPRESENTING US
AS A SMALL CITY.
AND THEN I ALSO, LET'S SEE,
TODAY, I -- WE'VE CONTINUED TO
HAVE MEETINGS WITH THE POLICE
CHIEFS, INTERIM CITY MANAGER AND
SAFEWAY AND WEST COUNTY
SCHOOLS,
JUST CONTINUING TO DISCUSS
AND
WORK ON THE CHALLENGES THAT
WE'VE HAD AT SAFEWAY.
AND I FEEL LIKE WE'RE
MAKING
PROGRESS WITH THAT.
BUT WE CONTINUE TO MEET
ONCE
EVERY THREE MONTHS.
SO WE HAD A MEETING TODAY.
SO THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO
REPORT
AT THIS POINT, IF ANYONEANYONE
HAS --
I'LL GO AHEAD AND GO.
I WILL SUBMIT NOTES FROM THE
SCTCA TRANSIT AD HOC COMMITTEE
MEETING.
I KNOW THERE WAS A LOT
OF
QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC, AND
I
SIT ON THAT COMMITTEE FOR NOT
JUST REPRESENTING
SEBASTOPOL,
BUT THEY KIND OF AGREE TO
HAVE
DIFFERENT AREAS REPRESENTED.
SO I SIT IN LIEU OF
LINDA
HOPKINS WITH TWO OTHER --
WHERE
THERE IS ANOTHER
SUPERVISOR,
CHRIS CORSI ON THAT COMMITTEE.
I WILL SUBMIT THAT FOR
COUNCIL.
AND THE PUBLIC ASK
MARY TO SEND IT
OUT.
THE HIGHLIGHT OF THAT
MEETING
WHICH HAVE COME UP A NUMBER OF
TIMES, AND I'VE NOTED IT
HERE,
THAT THE COUNTY HAS NOT
YET
STARTED ON THE
TRANSPORTATION
ELEMENT OF THE GENERAL PLAN,
BUT
THAT IS WHERE SEBASTOPOL
BYPASS
WOULD BE PLANNED IF THAT
WAS
SOMETHING SEBASTOPOL WANTED TO
DISCUSS, AND THAT CAME UP
AGAIN
IN OUR DISCUSSION OF ONE-WAY,
TWO-WAY STREETS.
SO I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND
GET
THIS POSTED THROUGH MARY.
AND YOU'LL ALL GET A COPY.
THANK YOU.
COUNCILMEMBER CARTER, DID
YOU
HAVE ANYTHING BEFORE WE --
I MEAN, I'VE TAKEN UP ALL OF
YOUR TIME TODAY.
BUT I FEEL LIKE YOU GUYS NEED TO
KNOW ABOUT SINOVA CLEAN
POWERS.
THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE A $10
MILLION BUILDING
FOR
ENTREPRENEURS TO COME IN,
AND
THEY'RE GOING
GIVE THEM GRANTS
FOR THEIR POWER.
OKAY.
IF NOTHING ELSE, THEN I THINK
WE -- MARY, IS THERE
ANYTHING
ELSE YOU NEED?
OTHERWISE, I CONSIDER US
ADJOURNED.
NO, WE ARE ADJOURNED.
OKAY, THANK YOU. [Event Concluded]