From: Kati Aho
Sent: Monday, July 6, 2026 6:10 PM
To: City Council <[email protected]>
Subject: Public Comment for July 7, 2026 City Council Meeting - Agenda Item 6
Dear Mayor, Vice Mayor and City Council Members,
Attached is my public comment letter regarding Agenda Item 6, the proposed extension of the City's planning services agreement with 4Leaf.
Please distribute this correspondence to all City Council Members and include it in the public record for Agenda Item 6.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Kati Aho
Sebastopol Resident
Subject: Public Comment for July 7, 2026 City Council Meeting – Agenda Item 6 (4Leaf Planning Services Agreement)
Dear Mayor, Vice Mayor, and City Council Members,
My name is Kati Aho, and I am a Sebastopol resident.
I am writing regarding Agenda Item 6, the proposed extension of the City's planning services agreement with 4Leaf, Inc.
I understand the City is currently experiencing staffing challenges and must ensure continuity of planning services while pursuing a Request for Proposals process for a longer-term planning services provider. I appreciate the City's efforts to maintain planning operations and avoid disruption to important projects and public services.
My concern is not with the need for interim planning support. Rather, it is with how the City will ensure that consultant planners remain connected to the community and responsive to the residents most directly affected by development proposals.
Over the past several months, many residents have participated in Planning Commission meetings regarding the proposed housing development on the former LDS Church property and adjacent land. Those meetings highlighted the importance of local knowledge, neighborhood compatibility, traffic and pedestrian safety, infrastructure capacity, parking, emergency access, and meaningful community engagement.
Regardless of where residents stand on individual projects, I believe most of us share a desire for planning recommendations that reflect a strong understanding of Sebastopol's unique character and neighborhoods. As the City increasingly relies on consultant planning services, I hope the Council will ensure that community input remains a central part of the planning process.
I would respectfully ask the Council to consider the following:
• How will the City ensure that consultant planners remain responsive to neighborhood concerns and local conditions?
• How will residents be informed of and involved in the selection of a long-term planning services provider through the upcoming RFP process? • What measures will be taken to preserve local knowledge and community trust during this transition period?
I appreciate the work of the Council, Planning Commission, staff, and consultants in addressing the many challenges facing the City. My hope is that any planning services provider, whether temporary or permanent, will place a high value on transparency, community engagement, and responsiveness to the residents of Sebastopol.
Thank you for your consideration and for your service to our community.
Sincerely,
Kati A Aho
Kati Aho
Sebastopol Resident
I would like to request that Agenda Item 6 be removed from the Consent Calendar.
Note: The staff report specifically states that if Item 6 is removed from Consent, it will be handled as a regular agenda item with presentation, discussion, public comment, and action
___________________________________________________________ Presentation when Item 6 is open for public comments:
Good evening Mayor and Council Members.
My name is Kati Aho, and I live in Sebastopol.
I am speaking in regard to Item 6, the proposed extension of the planning services contract with 4Leaf.
I understand the City is facing staffing challenges and needs to maintain continuity in planning services while conducting the RFP process.
However, I would like to express a concern shared by many residents. In recent months, a number of us have participated in discussions regarding major development proposals in our neighborhoods, including the housing proposal on the former LDS Church property. Those meetings demonstrated how important it is for planners to understand local conditions, neighborhood character, traffic and safety concerns, and the voices of the residents who live closest to these projects.
As the City relies on outside consultants, I ask the Council to consider how local knowledge and community engagement will be preserved.
Consultants may bring technical expertise, but residents want assurance that planning recommendations will reflect Sebastopol's unique character.
I would also like to know how the public will be informed and involved in the upcoming RFP process for selecting a longer-term planning services provider.
My request is simple: please ensure that any planning consultant engaged by the City is held to a high standard for community outreach, responsiveness, transparency, and local accountability.
I would also appreciate understanding:
• How will the public be informed of and involved in the upcoming RFP process?
• How will the City ensure that consultant planners remain responsive to neighborhood concerns and local knowledge when reviewing significant development proposals?
Thank you for your time and service to our community.
"Good evening. My name is Kati Aho and I live in Sebastopol.
I understand the need to extend planning services while the City completes its RFP process. My concern is ensuring that consultant planners remain connected to the community and responsive to the neighborhoods most affected by development proposals.
Many residents have spent considerable time participating in discussions about projects such as the former LDS property. We want assurance that local knowledge, neighborhood character, traffic and safety concerns, and meaningful public input remain part of the planning process.
I also encourage the City to provide opportunities for public input during the selection of a long-term planning services provider.
Thank you."
This approach keeps you focused on the contract item while subtly reminding the Council that residents are still paying close attention to the LDS property proposal.