This meeting will be conducted pursuant to the provisions of GC Section 54953 (as amended by AB 361) which authorizes teleconferenced meetings under the Brown Act during certain proclaimed States of Emergency. The Governor of California proclaimed a State of Emergency related to COVID19 on March 4, 2020. This teleconferenced meeting is necessary so that the City can conduct essential business and is permitted under GC 54953 in order to protect public health and safety.
Consistent with Government Code Section 54953, this Joint City Council / Commission Meeting will be held via teleconference only, and will not be physically open to the public. Joint City Council / Commission members and staff will teleconference into the meeting by audio and/or video. The meeting will be conducted via Zoom Webinar.
The meetings will continue to be live streamed on the City's CivicWeb Portal (sonomacity.civicweb.net) and YouTube Channel. Those members of the public wishing to participate must do so remotely via Zoom. Please see the agenda below for information on public participation.
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE SONOMA CITY COUNCIL
and
COMMUNITY SERVICES & ENVIRONMENT COMMISSION
ZOOM Virtual Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/94943925973
Wednesday, January 12, 2022
6:00 p.m. Special Meeting
****
AGENDA
CC: Jack Ding (Mayor), Kelso Barnett (Vice Mayor), Madolyn Agrimonti, Robert Felder, Sandra Lowe CSEC: Fred Allebach, Kimberly Blattner, John Donnelly, Matt Metzler, David Morell, Richard Weiss Be Courteous - TURN OFF your cell phones and pagers while the meeting is in session.
NOTICE: Mayor Jack Ding has called the City Council into a Special Meeting to discuss only the matters stated on the agenda listed below.
PUBLIC COMMENT AT SPECIAL MEETING: Members of the public shall have the opportunity to address the City Council concerning any item listed on the agenda during consideration of that item, when the Mayor opens public comment. No other items may be discussed at this special meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENT PROCESS FOR VIRTUAL MEETINGS - Public Comment Process for Virtual Meetings Page
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
3.1: 1. Discuss and Consider the Current and Future Role and Responsibilities of the CSEC Including, but not Limited to: a) Recreation and the Future Report of the Community Recreation and Parks Task Force, b) the Climate Action Plan, c) Park Plaza special event permits, and d) the Tree Committee
2. Discuss and Consider Park Plaza Improvements Such as Bike Racks and Changes to Park Plaza Policies Such as Allowing Dogs on Leash in the Park
3 - 7
3. Discuss and Consider Schedule of CSEC Meetings for 2022 RECOMMENDATION: Provide direction to staff.
Agenda Report - Joint City Council and CSEC Meeting - Pdf
4. ADJOURNMENT
I do hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing agenda was posted on the City Hall bulletin board on Friday, January 7, 2022. Rebekah Barr, MMC, City Clerk/Executive Assistant. *********************************************************************************************************************************** Copies of all staff reports and documents subject to disclosure that relate to any item of business referred to on the agenda are normally available for public inspection the Wednesday before each regularly scheduled meeting at City Hall, located at No. 1 The Plaza, Sonoma CA. Any documents subject to disclosure that are provided to all, or a majority of all, of the members of the City Council regarding any item on this agenda after the agenda has been distributed will be made available for inspection at the City Clerk’s office, No. 1 The Plaza, Sonoma CA during regular business hours.
If you challenge the action of the City Council in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described on the agenda, or in written correspondence delivered to the City Clerk, at or prior to the public hearing.
APPOINTMENTS TO COMMITTEES: The Council may establish and make appointments to a Council committee (made up of two Council Members) with respect to any item appearing on this agenda.
MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION: A Council Member voting with the majority on any item appearing on this agenda may move for reconsideration of that vote provided the motion is in conformance with the rules adopted by the Council governing such motions.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk (707) 933-2216. Notification 48-hours before the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting.
City of Sonoma
Agenda Item Summary
Meeting: Special Joint City Council and
Community Services & Environment
Commission - 12 Jan 2022
Department
Administration
Staff Contact
Garrett Toy, City Manager
Agenda Item Title
1. Discuss and Consider the Current and Future Role and Responsibilities of the CSEC Including, but not Limited to: a) Recreation and the Future Report of the Community Recreation and Parks Task Force, b) the Climate Action Plan, c) Park Plaza special event permits, and d) the Tree Committee
2. Discuss and Consider Park Plaza Improvements Such as Bike Racks and Changes to Park Plaza Policies Such as Allowing Dogs on Leash in the Park
3. Discuss and Consider Schedule of CSEC Meetings for 2022 Summary
On September 10, 2021, the Council conducted its annual retreat to discuss, among other things, the roles and responsibility of City Commissions and Committees. Specifically, the Council mentioned the Design Review and Historic Preservation Commission (DRHPC), Community Service and Environment Commission (CSEC), Traffic Safety Committee, and the Tree Committee. At the retreat, the Council also directed staff to schedule a joint meeting with the CSEC to discuss among other things, the role and responsibility of the CSEC. A meeting was scheduled for October 13th, but due to a lack of quorum of CSEC members, the meeting was canceled.
At its November 3rd meeting, the Council discussed the roles and responsibilities of the various City commissions and committees and requested staff to schedule joint Council meeting with the various commissions and committees to discuss these issues before the Council would consider any formal actions.
Item #1- Discuss and consider the current and future role and responsibilities of the CSEC with a focus on, but not limited to, the following topics:
a) Recreation and the future report of the Community Recreation and Parks ask Force In December 2020, the Council authorized the City Manager to form and appoint members to a Community Recreation and Parks Task Force (CRPTF) to assist and implement a four phase workplan:
Phase 1 - Recreation Inventory Analysis and Community Recreation Catalog Phase 2 - Future Park Improvements
Phase 3 - City Parks and Recreation Benchmark Assessment Phase 4 - Park & Recreation Master Plan
Agenda Item #3.1:
The CRPTF has almost completed Phase I and has retained a firm to work on Phase 3.
Staff will provide a more detailed verbal update at the meeting. The process did envision that the CSEC would be kept informed and would provide review of final CRPTF documents before presentation to the City Council.
While the CRPTF is in the beginning stages of Phase 3, it may be prudent for the Council to discuss the roles and responsibilities of the CSEC and CPRTF moving forward.
Specifically, once the CRPTF has completed its work plan is the CSEC responsible for implementation and oversight and/or does or should the CPRTF have a continuing role in the process?
b) Climate Action Plan
The Council expressed a desire to clarify the role of the CSEC regarding Climate Action activities. After the Council retreat, the Joint Climate Action Subcommittee (JCAS) met to discuss among other things the Climate Action Plan and role of CSEC. The JCAS consists of two Councilmembers and two CSEC members. The JCAS agreed that the JCAS should be the committee responsible for the development of Climate Action Plan and recommendations with regard to such items as the City’s Sustainability and Climate Action workplan.
c) Park Plaza Special Event Permits
The Council and CSEC should clarify the role of CSEC in approving events. Staff administratively approves heritage/legacy events. However, for new special events, it is unclear when staff can administratively approve the events or when a permit requires CSEC approval. Staff recommends that special event permits be approved administratively, unless an applicant is seeking sponsorship from the City (e.g., waived permit fees), in which case we would schedule for CSEC consideration. Another option is to develop specific criteria by which the CSEC may approve or reject a special event permit request. This has caused issues in the past and there has been uncertainty among the CSEC and staff as to the criteria and actions the CSEC may take with regard to permit applications.
d) Restructure of the Tree Committee
The Tree Committee (TC) consist of two members of the CSEC, and one certified arborist appointed by the chairperson of the CSEC. The TC reviews development applications regarding the potential impacts of the proposed development to existing trees on or adjacent to the project site and recommends to the Planning Commission or DRHPC mitigation measure for the identified impacts. For FY 2021-22, staff estimates the Tree Committee will need to meet 6 times. The number of applications per meeting will vary from 1-6 applications. There is no fee for the application. Staff prepares the agenda, compiles the submitted application materials and attends the meetings.
The Council discussed the concept of having staff, with the assistance of certified arborist, assume the responsibilities of the Tree Committee. The primary benefit is the reduction in staff time needed to support the activities of the Tree Committee. The revised process could include requiring applicants to tie red ribbons around trees to be removed so the public would be informed prior to removal. The public would be able to submit their comments to staff prior to any action. The appeal of decisions would continue to go to the Agenda Item #3.1:
Council for consideration unless the Council wanted any appeals to go to the CSEC for consideration first.
Item #2- Discuss and consider Park Plaza improvements such as bike racks and changes to Park Plaza policies such as allowing dogs on lease in the park Currently dogs are not allowed in the Park Plaza which can/does cause enforcement issue for events. Specifically, neither City staff, code enforcement staff, and the Police department want to be responsible for enforcing this requirement nor do we have the resources to do this on an ongoing basis. While most dog owners are understanding and cooperative, some owners can become argumentative or passive-aggressive when informed of the restriction. To avoid this level of conflict, we would suggest a pilot period of allowing “dogs on leash” in the Park Plaza, but no dogs would be allowed in the children’s playground areas. During this pilot period, we would install doggie bag dispensers and new signage (e.g., clean up after your dogs) in the Park Plaza. Please note that the Farmers’ Market would still not allow dogs within the designated Farmers’ Market area because that is a state requirement. Other City parks allow dogs on leash, but not in the playground areas.
Staff is also seeking direction on additional bike racks in and around the Park Plaza area.
Item #3- Discuss and consider the CSEC meeting schedule for 2022 Per City Code, the CSEC is to meet quarterly unless requested otherwise by the City Council.
It has evolved into monthly meetings and now it is alternating with the Joint Climate Action Subcommittee, which is also supposed to meet quarterly, but is scheduled to meet a little more frequently.
NEXT STEP
Staff is seeking direction on all the above issues. Depending on the Council’s direction, staff would return to the Council with the appropriate action to implement the change including ordinances to amend the Municipal Code. For example, the roles and responsibilities of the CSEC and Tree Committee are established by Municipal Code and a recommended action could require a code amendment.
Recommended Council Action
Provide direction to staff
Alternative Actions
Council discretion.
Financial Impact
N/A
Environmental Review Status
Environmental Impact Report
Negative Declaration
Exempt
Approved/Certified
No Action Required
Action Requested
Agenda Item #3.1:
Not Applicable
Attachments
Chapter 2.48 COMMUNITY SERVICES AND ENVIRONMENT COMMISSION Agenda Item #3.1:
Chapter 2.48
COMMUNITY SERVICES AND ENVIRONMENT COMMISSION
Sections:
2.48.010 Purpose.
2.48.020 Composition – Community services and environment commission.
2.48.030 Duties and responsibilities.
2.48.010 Purpose.
The purpose of the community services and environment commission shall be to advise the city council on matters related to the preservation and enhancement of the parks, recreational facilities, open space and the natural environment under the jurisdiction of the city. (Ord. 99-15 § 3, 2000).
2.48.020 Composition – Community services and environment commission.
Appointments to and holding a position on the community services and environment commission and its operation shall be in accordance with the applicable provisions of Chapter 2.40 SMC and rules and procedures established by city council resolution. The community services and environment commission shall be composed of seven voting members, of which at least six shall be qualified electors of the city. The remaining voting member may be a qualified elector of Sonoma Valley, as defined by the commissions appointment administrative policy. Qualified applicants who also have professional background, expertise or education in one or more of the following areas may be appointed to the commission: landscape architecture, recreation planning or management, resource or habitat conservation, hazardous materials management, environmental education, arboriculture, alternative energy production, or a related field. A minimum of four seats on the commission may be held at any one time by persons having such expertise. One nonvoting “youth member” shall also be selected. Said youth member shall be 14 to 18 years old and shall be a resident of the city or the greater Sonoma Valley, as defined by the council commission and committee appointment policy. (Ord. 02-2018 § 2, 2018; Ord. 05-2017 § 3, 2017; Ord. 99-15 § 3, 2000).
2.48.030 Duties and responsibilities.
A. The community services and environment commission shall act in an advisory capacity to the city council in matters pertaining to:
1. The planning and implementation of new recreation facilities and services;
2. Open space acquisition and preservation;
3. The restoration of important habitat areas within the city;
4. Proposed improvements or modifications to existing city parks, cemeteries, trails, bikeways and related facilities;
5. Policies related to the use of the Plaza and other city parks;
6. Policies and programs related to tree preservation and expanding tree planting opportunities in the city;
7. Policies and programs related to resource conservation (soil, water, energy, etc.);
8. Policies and programs intended to preserve and enhance the natural environment;
9. Such other duties and responsibilities as delegated by the city council.
B. Two members of this commission shall serve as members of the city’s tree committee. (Ord. 05-2017 § 4, 2017; Ord. 99-15 § 3, 2000).
Web Version
Agenda Item #3.1: