REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
OF THE SONOMA CITY COUNCIL
City Council Chambers
177 First Street West
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
Cig Council:
Sandra Lowe, Mayor
John Gurney, Vice Mayor
Jack Ding
Patricia Farrar—Rivas
Ron Wellander
6:00 PM Regular Meeting
6:00 P.M. — REGULAR MEETING
CONVENE, CALL TO ORDER, & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Lowe called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
PUBLIC COMMENT PROCESS FOR ZOOM ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Mayor Lowe, Council Member Ding, Vice Mayor Gurney, Council Member Farrar—Rivas ABSENT: Council Member Wellander
REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION
There was no Closed Session held.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Council Member Farrar—Rivas, seconded by Vice Mayor Gurney, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 4-0-1 with Council Member Ding, Council Member Farrar-Rivas, Vice Mayor Gurney, and Mayor Lowe voting YES; and Council Member Wellander absent.
1. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Claudia Raniker and Peadar Dalton provided public comments.
2. MEETING DEDICATIONS
Mayor Lowe dedicated the meeting to Betty Ann Bruno.
3. COUNCILMEMBERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Council Member Ding reported that he joined Council Member Farrar-Rivas, City Manager Guhin and Mayor Lowe at a local Stompers game this past weekend.
Council Member Farrar-Rivas reported that on July 26, 2023, she attended a Sonoma Valley Citizens’ Advisory Commission meeting as well as the Pride Artist Reception on July 28, 2023.
Mayor Lowe reported that she attended a Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) meeting today. On August 1, 2023, Mayor Lowe attended a Mayors and Council Members Association Executive Committee meeting. The City of Sonoma will be hosting the Mayors and Council Members Association Board meeting and dinner next week on August 10, 2023, at the Vintage House. On July 28, 2023, she also attended the Pride Artist Reception that was held in the Council Chambers.
4. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
City Manager Guhin provided an update on the work being done at the intersection of Highway 12 and Verano. Mr. Guhin also stated that poles are now up at Broadway and Clay Street, in preparation for the crosswalk flashing lights being installed shortly thereafter. Mr. Guhin reminded everyone that the City’s online permitting system expanded to now include building permits. Additionally, City Manager Guhin reminded everyone that the annual City Party will be held tomorrow at the Plaza.
5. CITY ATTORNEY COMMENTS
City Attorney Ruderman provided an update regarding the Fair Political Practice Commission FPPC) recently adopting regulations implementing Senate Bill 1439, which addresses campaign contributions above $250.
6. PRESENTATIONS
None.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR — CITY COUNCIL
Motion by Vice Mayor Gurney, seconded by Council Member Farrar-Rivas, to approve the Consent Calendar as presented. Motion carried 4-0-1 with Council Member Ding, Council Member Farrar-Rivas, Vice Mayor Gurney, and Mayor Lowe voting YES; and Council Member Wellander absent.
Item 7.1: Waive further reading and Authorize Introduction andlor Adoption of Ordinances by Title Only. (Standard procedural action - no backup information provided)
Item 7.2: Receive Minutes from the Regular Meeting of July 19, 2023 (Rebekah Barr, MMC, City Clerk)
Action: Minutes were received.
Item 7.3: Adopt an Ordinance Amending Sections 1948.030 through 19.48.06O and 19.48.110 through 19.48.120 of Chapter 19.48 (Parking and Loading Standards) and Chapter
19.92 (Definitions) of Title 19 of the City of Sonoma Municipal Code Regarding Parking and Loading Requirements and Finding the Proposed Amendments are Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Pursuant to Section 15061 (B)(3) — General Rule - Of the CEQA Guidelines (Kristina Tierney, Associate Planner)
Action: Adopted as Ordinance 06-2023.
8. PUBLIC HEARING
None.
9. REGULAR CALENDAR - CITY COUNCIL
Item 9.1: Designation of the City of Sonoma Voting Delegate for the 2023 League of California Cities Annual Conference (Rebekah Barr, MMC, City Clerk) Action: Council designated Council Member Farrar-Rivas as the delegate and Council Member Ding as the alternate for the 2023 League of California Cities Annual Conference.
Motion by Mayor Lowe, seconded by Vice Mayor Gurney, to designate Council Member Farrar-Rivas as the delegate and Council Member Ding as the alternate, for the 2023 League of California Cities Annual Conference. Motion carried 4-0-1 with Council Member Ding, Council Member Farrar-Rivas, Vice Mayor Gurney, and Mayor Lowe voting YES; and Council Member Wellander absent.
Item 9.2: Resolution Approving the Proposed Water Rates and Initiation of the Proposition 218 Public Notice Requirements for the 2023 Water Rate Study (Mike Berger, Public Works Director/City Engineer)
Action: Adopted as Resolution 55-2023 and 56-2023.
Motion by Council Member Farrar-Rivas, seconded by Council Member Ding, to adopt a resolution of the City Council of the City of Sonoma declaring its intention to adopt increased water rates, setting a public hearing for October 4, 2023, and directing staff to provide notice pursuant to Proposition 218. Motion carried 4-0-1 with Council Member Ding, Council Member Farrar-Rivas, Vice Mayor Gurney, and Mayor Lowe voting YES; and Council Member Wellander absent.
Motion by Vice Mayor Gurney, seconded by Council Member Ding, to adopt guidelines for the submission and tabulation of protests in rate hearings conducted pursuant to Article XI/I D, Section 6 of the California Constitution. Motion carried 4-0-1 with Council Member Ding, Council Member Farrar-Rivas, Vice Mayor Gurney, and Mayor Lowe voting YES; and Council Member We/lander absent
Item 9.3: Adopt a Resolution Approving the City of Sonoma's Response to the Sonoma County Civil Grand Jury Report Titled "City of Sonoma Cemeteries" to the Sonoma County Superior Court and Authorizing the Mayor and City Manager to Sign the Required Response Forms Pursuant to California Penal Code Section 933 and 933.05 (David Guhin, City Manager)
Action: Adopted as Resolution 57-2023.
Public Comment: Peadar Dalton
Motion by Vice Mayor Gurney, seconded by Council Member Ding, to adopt a resolution approving the City of Sonoma's response to the Sonoma County Civil Grand Jury Report title “City of Sonoma Cemeteries” to the Sonoma County Superior Court and authorizing the Mayor and City Manager to sign the required response forms. Motion carried 4-0-1 with Council Member Ding, Council Member Farrar-Rivas, Vice Mayor Gurney, and Mayor Lowe voting YES, and Council Member Wellander absent
10. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Lowe adjourned the meeting at 7:06 pm.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing minutes were duly and regularly adopted at a regular meeting of e So a City Council on the 16"’day of August 2023.
Rebe ah Barr, MMC, City Clerk