Responses Topic(s)
Goal 1:
Community
Vitality
Vice Mayor Sandra Maurer • Downtown History Walk
• I ����Sebastopol Event
Phill Carter • WESCO Urban Multi-Sport Facility — Youth Sports Infrastructure Downtown
Responses Topic(s) Goal 2: Public
Phill Carter Safety • Joe Rodota Trail Corridor Safety — Vegetation Management and Sight Line Improvements
Responses Topic(s)
Goal 3:
Infrastructure
Vice Mayor Sandra Maurer
• Desktop feasibility study forthe AppleBlossom Trail
• Prioritize care of the Laguna Wetlands Preserve
• Traffic Ad hoc Committee
PhillCarter
• Apple Blossom Trail — Active Transportation
Corridor Development
• Gravenstein Trail — Active TransportationCorridor
Development
Stephen Zollman • Review cost allocation plan and make necessary adjustments
Responses Topic(s)
PhillCarter • Establish a WestCounty Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD) Goal 4:
Stephen Zollman
• Strengthen collaborative working relationships between the City and recognized labor unions through proactive
communication, transparent processes, and early
High
Performance
Organization
engagement on operational, budgetary and workforce issues Responses Topic(s) Goal 5:
Long Term
Financial
Sustainability
PhillCarter • Clean Energy Rate Competitiveness,
GeoZone Investment, and Pavement Asset
Management
Stephen Zollman • Review pension/other benefits funding levels.
Councilmember Information Date Submitted Priority or Goal Title Explanation of Goal or Priority (brief description of the problem, opportunity, or area of focus)
Desired Outcome (what you hopewill
be achieved if this priority is
implemented)
Timeframe Anticipated Budget/Resource Impact Notes/Additional Information Vice Mayor Sandra Maurer 4/1/2026 Community Vitality: Downtown History Walk Downtown History Walk to memorialize Sebastopol events
(bar fight/standoff, two china towns, train, agriculture, Laguna Pomo/Miwok History, Charles Schulz was here,
quirky reputation, Occupy bench…) The Public Arts
Committee could coordinate with the West County Museum
to identify key historical facts and locations.
Support Sebastopol cultural education
in downtown core with a dozen or more
bronze plaques, or painted historic
markers commemorating different
historical events
Mid-term (1–3 years) Could be $20K over 3 years for bronze plaques or much less if painted as a historic marker.
Vice Mayor Sandra Maurer 4/1/2026 Community Vitality: I ❤ Sebastopol Event A celebration of the best of Sebastopol: arts, music, food, history, local businesses and people. Rohnert Park has an I ❤ Rohnert Park with a week of activities. Many people
LOVE Sebastopol and this would be an opportunity to
celebrate the
best of our city.
A week long party to celebrate our
wonderful city Short term- within this year Under $10k
PhillCarter 3/20/2026 WESCO Urban Multi-Sport Facility — Youth Sports Infrastructure Downtown • WESCO United Soccer Club serves 1,200+ youth
across a 450-square-mile service area with zero dedicated fields and an 86% capacity deficit, relying entirely on shared school fields that are increasingly unavailable. • Unused space behind the Youth Annex in downtown
Sebastopol presents a rare opportunity to create an urban multi-sport facility (soccer, pickleball, basketball) without land acquisition costs.
• A vendor quote from Urban Soccer Park has been
obtained (~$80K for a basic model, 5-month delivery
timeline), and grant applications are in progress — this project is shovel-ready pending city authorization.
• Youth sports infrastructure is a direct community vitality investment: it keeps families in Sebastopol, activates
underutilized downtown space, and addresses a
documented equity gap in recreational access for lowerincome youth who cannot afford club travel.
• City authorizes use of Youth
Annex adjacent space for multisport facility installation. • Grant funding secured (applications
in progress); project proceeds within
current fiscal year.
• Facility operational within 6 months of
authorization, serving WESCO's 1,200+
youth and available for broader
community recreation use.
• Downtown activation — new reason
for families to come to the core,
supporting adjacent businesses.
Short-term (0–12 months)
Estimated $80K for basic Urban Soccer Park
installation. Grant funding in application; city may
need to bridge or co-fund. Ongoing maintenance
costs minimal. No land acquisition required.
• WESCO April 7th agenda item — if
funded prior to goal-setting, this becomes
a deliveredcommunity vitality win rather
than a new ask.
• Urban Soccer Park vendor
contact: Lyndsay. Quote on file.
• Facility design can
accommodate soccer, pickleball,
and basketball — broadening
community benefit beyond youth
soccer.
Councilmember Information DateSubmitted Priority or Goal Title Explanation of Goal or Priority (brief description of
the problem, opportunity, or area of focus)
Desired Outcome (what you hope will
be achieved ifthis priority is
implemented)
Timeframe Anticipated Budget/Resource Impact Notes/Additional Information Phill Carter 3/20/2026 Joe Rodota Trail Corridor Safety — Vegetation Management and Sight Line Improvements • Overgrown blackberry and dense vegetation along the
Joe Rodota Trail creates concealed spaces that reduce
natural surveillance, compromise sight lines for trail users, and create safety concerns for walkers, cyclists, and
neighboring residents.
• Systematic vegetation clearing —particularly
blackberry removal—along key segments of the trail
within city limits would restore sight lines, improve
lighting effectiveness, and make the corridor safer for all users.
• This is a focused, maintenance-oriented intervention
consistent withCrime Prevention Through Environmental
Design (CPTED) principles: improving the physical
environment to reduce opportunity for harmful activity. • Note on continuity: Sebastopol has made significant
public safety progress — the department is fully staffed and has expanded video capability for crime prevention.
Trail corridor safety is the logical next layer of
investment.
• Targeted vegetationmanagement
plan developed forJoeRodota Trail
segments withincity jurisdiction,
prioritizing highest-concern areas.
• Blackberry and dense brush
cleared along identified segments,
restoring sight lines and improving
lighting effectiveness.
• Trail safetyperceptibly improved
for daily users — walkers, cyclists,
school children, seniors.
• Coordination with Sonoma County
(which manages portions ofthe trail) on
a unified approachto corridor
maintenance.
Short-term (0–12 months)
Vegetation management and trail
clearing costs to be scoped; can be
effective at $10K depending on
extent and partnerships. Potential
coordination with existing Ives and
CUSP grant-supported work.
Ongoingannualmaintenancebudget
item.
• Coordinate with Sonoma County
Regional Parks, which manages portions
of the Rodota Trail outside city limits.
• Ives program and CUSP grant
connections may provide
supplemental resources orlabor.
• Separate from encampment
management policy —this is
physical infrastructure
maintenance with independent
safety justification.
• Police department's expanded
video capability complements
physical corridor improvements.
Councilmember Information Date Submitted Priority or Goal Title Explanationof GoalorPriority (briefdescriptionofthe
problem, opportunity, or area of focus)
DesiredOutcome(what youhopewill
be achieved if this priority is
implemented)
Timeframe AnticipatedBudget/ResourceImpact Notes/Additional Information Vice Mayor Sandra Maurer 4/1/2026 Infrastructure: Desktop feasibility study for the Apple Blossom Trail Begin preparation for the Apple Blossom bike/walk trail in Sebastopol with a desktop feasibility study.
Abikewalk trailthatconnects theCity
east west off the main roads. Short-term (0–12 months) $35K Vice Mayor Sandra Maurer 4/1/2026 Infrastructure: Prioritize care of the Laguna Wetlands Preserve Work with City Staff to prioritize care of the Laguna Wetlands Preserve,including working with the Little Leagueon the possibilityof upgrading the existingballfieldbathroom.
Better overall care of the Laguna Wetlands
Preserve and if possible day time
access to a public bathroom in the
Preserve.
Short-term (0–12 months) Could be within budgetbyworking withstaff and volunteersormoreif anupgradedbathroomis
possible.
Vice Mayor Sandra Maurer 4/1/2026 Infrastructure: Traffic Adhoc Committee Create anadhoc committee to address traffic inSebastopol A committee composed of two
Councilmembers, one Public Works
staff, one Planning staff and the City
Manager to discuss and explore
options to reduce trafficin
Sebastopol.
Mid-term to long term (1–5
years) Would require staff time.
Phill Carter 3/20/2026 Apple Blossom Trail — Active Transportation Corridor Development • The Apple Blossom Trailrepresents a critical link in
Sebastopol's active transportation network, connecting
residentialneighborhoods to downtown, schools, and
regional trail infrastructure.
• Continuedinvestmentinthis corridor supports the
city's climate action goals (VMT reduction),provides
safe non-motorizedaccess forresidentswho cannotor
choosenotto drive, and increases the utility of the
broadertrail network.
• This projectis intricately connected to the downtown
two-way street conversion planning —trail infrastructure and street reconfigurationmustbe coordinated to avoid
conflicting investments and maximize network
cohesion.
• Maintainingmomentumon trail development—even in
a fiscally constrained year —preserves grant
eligibility, consultant relationships, and community
engagement that would be costly to rebuild.
• Defined next phase of Apple
Blossom Traildevelopment scoped,
funded, andin construction or design
within the fiscal year.
• Active transportation network
connectivity improved for westside neighborhoodsaccessing downtown.
• Grant funding identified and applied
for to minimize general fund impact.
• Trail segment coordinated
with downtowntransportation
planningto ensurenetwork
coherence
Mid-term (1–3 years)
Scope-dependent; est. $500KformeaningfulJoe
Rodota connection to Ive’s Park segment
completion. Grant funding through Caltrans Active
Transportation Program, OBAG, and County Parks
and Openspace similar sources to be pursued.
Staff time for grant administrationrequired.
• Traildevelopmentanddowntown
two-way conversion are
interdependent— coordinate
planning timelines.
• Even modest progress this cycle
(design,permitting,desktopstudies,
grant applications)maintainsproject
viability for future capital investment.
• AppleBlossomandGravenstein
trails form a network — progress on
one strengthens the case for the
other.
Phill Carter 3/20/2026 Gravenstein Trail — Active Transportation Corridor Development • The Gravenstein Trail corridor connects Sebastopol
to regionaldestinations along Highway 116, providing
non-motorizedaccess alongoneofthe city'sprimary
commercial and residential corridors.
• Development ofthis trail segment supports equitable
access to employment, services, and recreation for
residents who rely on active transportation —particularly youth, seniors, and lower-income households.
• Like theAppleBlossomTrail,theGravenstein corridor
is interconnected with the downtown transportation
planning effort and must be advanced in coordination to avoid stranded investments.
• Maintaining forward momentum — even at a planning or
grant-applicationlevel—isessentialto preserving the
project's position in regional funding queues.
• Defined next phase of Gravenstein
Trail development scoped, funded,
and in design or construction within
the fiscal year.
• Regional trail connectivity
improved, linking Sebastopol's
internal network to broader West
County active transportation
infrastructure.
• Grantapplications submitted
for available funding cycles.
• Planning coordinated with
Apple Blossom Trail and
downtown street conversion
work.
Mid-term (1–3 years)
Scope-dependent;est. $500K–$2Mfor
meaningful segment.Grantfunding through
CaltransATP,OBAG, and TDA Article 3 to be
pursued. Stafftime for coordination and grant
administration.
• Gravenstein andAppleBlossom
trails are complementary —submitting
both as separate priorities ensures
each has an independentfunding
case.
• Proximity to Highway 116 and The
Canopy development (80 new housing
units) strengthens the active
transportation demand case.
• Road repair and pavement
management along the corridor should
be coordinated withtrail development
to avoid double-mobilization costs.
Councilmember Information Date Submitted Priority or Goal Title Explanationof GoalorPriority (briefdescriptionof
the problem, opportunity, or area of
focus)
DesiredOutcome(what youhopewill
be achieved if this priority is
implemented)
Timeframe AnticipatedBudget/ResourceImpact Notes/Additional Information Phill Carter 3/20/2026 Establish a WestCounty Enhanced Infrastructure FinancingDistrict(EIFD) • Sebastopol faces significant capital needs — library
expansionandsenior center co-location, active
transportation infrastructure, downtown corridor
improvements, and ongoing assetmanagement—with
limited tools to finance them without direct budget
impact or voter-approved bonds.
• An Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District
captures property tax incrementfrom rising assessed
values and dedicates it to infrastructure investment,
requiring only City Counciland participating agency
approval—not avoter supermajority.
• SonomaCounty and Sebastopol have already begun
preliminarydiscussions aboutaWestCountyEIFD;
formalizing this as a city priority creates institutional momentum to move from conversation to formation.
• WhileEIFDformationrequiresmeaningful staff and
legal time upfront, a functioning district significantly reduces the long-termburdenoffinancingcapital
projectsonebyone— making itaninvestmentin
organizationalcapacity, notjusta capitaltool
• City Council formally authorizes
exploration and formation of a West
County EIFDinpartnershipwith
Sonoma County.
• City retains legalandfinancial
advisory support to complete
formation documents, identify
project area boundaries, and
designate eligible capital projects.
• EIFD becomes an active
financing vehiclewithin18–24
months, capableof supporting
library/senior center consolidation,
trail infrastructure, and downtown
capital improvements.
• Staff gains a durable, repeatable
financing toolthatreduces adhoc
capital scrambling for future
projects.
Mid-term (1–3 years)
Aninitial$20Kallocationforlegalandfinancial
advisory scoping is requestedtodetermine
formationfeasibility, projectareaboundaries, and
County partnershipterms. Full formation costs are
estimated at $50K–$100K, eligible for
reimbursementfrom district proceeds once formed.
To understand the return on that $20K, consider the
capital needs this single tool could help finance:
• Library expansion+ seniorcenter co-location:
$13M–$29M
• Apple Blossom Trail completion: est. $1M–$3M
• Gravenstein Trail development: est. $1M–$3M
• Downtown corridor improvements: est. $2M–$5M
• Total identified capital need: $17M–$40M
A functioning EIFD could generate an estimated
$5M–$10Min capitalfinancing capacity over 20–30
years — reducing the size, cost, and voter-approval
risk of any future bond measure. The alternative—
a standalone General ObligationBond—requires
a 2/3 voter supermajority, costs $50K–$200K in
campaign expenditureswinorlose, andgenerates
capacity forone project only. EIFD formation costs
less, carries no campaign risk, imposes no new
taxes, and creates a durable 45-yearfinancing tool
the city candeploy across multiple projects. The
$20Kscopingphase answers the threshold
question: is formation feasible, and can we
secureCounty partnership?
• EIFDisdistinctfromaMello-Roosor
GO bond — no new taxes, no voter
supermajority required.
• SonomaCountyparticipationis
critical; early engagement with the
Board of Supervisors should be a
near-term staff action.
• Projectareashouldbedrawnbroadly
to capture increment from downtown,
Highway 116 corridor, and north
Sebastopoltomaximize financing
capacity.
• Library feasibility study (Phase 1,
~$100K–$150K) and EIFD formation can
proceedonparalleltracksandinform
each other.
Stephen Zollman 4/9/2026
Strengthen collaborative working relationships between theCity and recognized labor unions through proactive communication, transparent processes, and early engagement on operational, budgetary and workforce issues
CouncilmemberInformation Date Submitted Priority or Goal Title Explanation of Goal or Priority (brief description of the problem, opportunity, or area of focus)
DesiredOutcome(what you hope will
be achieved if this priority is
implemented)
Timeframe Anticipated Budget/Resource Impact Notes/Additional Information Phill Carter 3/20/2026 Clean Energy Rate Competitiveness, GeoZone Investment, and Pavement Asset Management
• Sonoma Clean Power Authority (SCPA) serves as
Sebastopol's community choice energy provider. As SCPA
develops its 2026 Integrated Resource Plan, decisions
made now about geothermal development (GeoZone)
and rate structure will directly affect resident and business energy costs for a decade or more.
• Rate competitiveness with PG&E is a fiscalresilience
issue: if SCPA rates drift above PG&E, residents opt out, SCPA loses ratepayers, and the financial model weakens
for remaining customers— a negative spiral the Board
must actively manage.
• On the infrastructure side, Sebastopol's road
pavement management represents its largest unfunded
long-term liability.Deferred maintenance is not free — it compounds exponentially.A dollar of preventive
maintenance today avoids
$4–$8 of reconstruction cost later.
• Connecting clean energy investment and pavement
asset management under a single financial
sustainability goal reflects a unified principle: investing in the right things now prevents far larger costs later. • SCPA Board (with Sebastopol's
active participation) adopts a 2026
IRP that maintains rate
competitiveness withPG&E while
advancing GeoZone geothermal
development as a long-term baseload
resource.
• Sebastopol's ratepayers retain
access to competitive, locallycontrolled clean energy that reduces household energy burden.
• City adopts or updates a
Pavement Management Program
with a multi-year funding
commitment, prioritizing
preventivemaintenance over
reactive repair.
• Roadsbudgetreflects true
lifecycle cost of pavement assets,
reducing long-term general fund
exposure.
Mid-term (1–3 years)
SCPA IRP participation is staff time (Board
meetings, technical review); GeoZone capital is
SCPA's balance sheet, not the city's. Pavement
management program update: est. $30K–$50K for
professional assessment; ongoing capital
commitmentto be determined by PMP findings.
EnterpriseCommittee oversight recommended for
both.
• SCPAIRP filing deadline:June 1,
2026. Board engagement on rate
alternatives must happen in Q1–Q2.
• GeoZone geothermalrepresents a
long-term hedge against volatile natural
gas prices — the fiscal case is strong
independent of climate goals.
• Enterprise Committee (formed to
oversee infrastructure)is the
appropriate ongoing oversight body
for pavement management.
• Road repair framing: this is cost
avoidance,not newspending. A
well-maintained road network is a
financial asset.
Councilmember Information Date Submitted Priority or Goal Title Explanationof GoalorPriority (briefdescriptionofthe
problem, opportunity, or area of focus)
DesiredOutcome(what youhopewill
be achieved if this priority is
implemented)
Timeframe AnticipatedBudget/ResourceImpact Notes/Additional Information Phill Carter 3/20/2026 EconomicGardening—BudgetRenewalandNextPhase:Downtown Business Listening Series
• EconomicGardening—growing thebusinesses
Sebastopol already has rather than recruiting from
outside — is the most cost-effective economic
development strategy available toa city of Sebastopol's size and character.
• The program established in the prior goal cycle has
demonstratedtheapproach;this cycle's goal is torenew
the budget commitment and advance to the next
phase: direct engagement with downtown business
owners through a structured listening series.
• Downtown owner-operators — many of whom have
built their businesses over decades — represent
irreplaceable community assets and economic
anchors. They deserve a formalchanneltoengagewith
city leadership, surfacebarriers they face, and codevelop solutions. • A complementary 'Downtown Roots' recognition
initiative would celebrate long-tenured local business
owners publicly, reinforcing thecity's commitmentto the businesses thatdefine Sebastopol's character andgiving
thema reason to stay and reinvest.
• Economic Gardening program
budget renewed for the coming
fiscal year.
• Downtown Business Listening
Series launched: structured
conversationswith owner-operators
to surface regulatory, parking,
access, and support needs.
• DowntownRoots recognitionevent
or initiative piloted, celebrating longtenured locally-ownedbusinesses. • Action items from listening series
identifiedandassignedto staff or
council forfollow-up — closing the
loop with businessowners.
Short-term (0–12 months)
Budgetrenewal for existing Economic Gardening
program (amountfrom prior year allocation).
Listening series: stafftimeplus modestevent costs
(~$5K–$10K). Downtown Roots recognition event:
~$5K–$10K. Total incremental askmodestrelative to
economic impactof retaining anchorbusinesses.
• EconomicGardening
philosophy: growing existing
businesses is more efficient than
business recruitment.
Sebastopol's scalemakes retention
the rightfocus.
• Listening series format: small group
conversations, nottownhalls—more
likely tosurface honestfeedback from
business owners.
• DowntownRoots concept:
recognize businesses and makes
use of public marketingmedia.
Reinforces community identity.
• Coordinatewith downtown
transportation planning — business
owners' input on parking and access is
directly relevant to the two-way
conversion.
Councilmember Information Date Submitted Aything else
ViceMayor SandraMaurer 4/1/2026
Support Carry Over Goals from 2025:
• Road repairs
• Sewer and water repairs
• Avoid builders remedy
• Emergency preparedness
• Restoring public trust
• Balanced Budget
• Diversify revenue base
• Grant opportunities
• Quarterly Financialreporting
• Budget at a Glance
• Pursue no additional costs and or low cost solutions to homelessness • Support community events with city sponsorship and reduction of fees • Holiday decorations (electrical support)
• Pomo and public art and updating city web site
• Local business support (Economic Gardening)
• Continue Ives Park improvements (CUSP, Rotary, ADA pathways, fencing)
ViceMayor SandraMaurer 4/1/2026
I’d like to see: Volunteer Program with a Volunteer Coordinator (once the city has planning staffing in place), increase police foot patrols downtown whenever possible, and a Charles Schulz Peanuts/ Snoopy public art
sculpture (Public Arts project?).