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From: Craig Litwin
Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 5:20 PM
To: City Council <[email protected]>
Cc: Mary Gourley <[email protected]>
Subject: Letter in support of continuing due diligence for the Commons Mayor, Council, and staff,
Please find a letter in support of continuing the due diligence for the Commons, attached.
CL
Craig Litwin
September 8, 2026
City of Sebastopol
7120 Bodega Ave
Sebastopol, CA 95472
Honorable Mayor and Members of the Sebastopol City Council, The Sebastopol Area Nonprofits Collaborative (SANC) is a group of local nonprofits that meet regularly. Intrigued by the idea of a Commons, we have circulated this letter to our membership, and the following organizations are in support as indicated below. Though the SANC is not an entity, it is collaborative or a coalition with a shared interest in helping each other and our community.
We, the following signers, are writing to express our shared vision and strong support for securing a permanent, sustainable home for our community’s essential public services.
We appreciate the efforts of the Commons Committee. Our organizations have carefully evaluated the options before the City. We stand united in our conviction that the O’Reilly property represents a singular and uniquely compelling opportunity. It addresses our acute, long-standing space constraints with immediate viability, fiscal efficiency, and the rare potential to co-locate key community resources under one roof.
The facility tours and the City’s public presentations have also been informative.
We are confident that this property can serve as a vibrant, enduring civic hub.
Co-locating our programs will spark vital synergies among local service providers, streamline operations, and maximize the overall value delivered to Sebastopol residents.
We fully endorse the City Council’s continued due diligence regarding site configuration, financial feasibility, and long-term operating models. As planning advances, we are prepared to engage with the City to articulate space
requirements and opportunities for shared amenities, and are prepared to review the financial roadmap and proposed costs.
This project is more than a solution to facility shortages; it is a transformative investment in Sebastopol’s civic infrastructure. We welcome the opportunity to work alongside you to turn this shared vision into a reality.
Sincerely,
Katie Davis, Executive Director Martin Reed, Executive Director Sebastopol Area Senior Center Sonoma County Tool Library Brad Smith, President Meet Your Neighbors
Kiwanis Club of Sebastopol West County
Mary Lou Schmidt
David Gill, Administrative
Coordinator
Sebastopol Area Time Bank