City Council:
John Gurney, Mayor
Patricia Farrar-Rivas, Vice Mayor
Jack Ding
Sandra Lowe
Ron Wellander
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE SONOMA CITY COUNCIL
The Lodge at Sonoma, 1325 Broadway, Sonoma
Friday, February 2, 2024
9:00 a.m. Special Meeting
****
AGENDA
Be Courteous - TURN OFF your cell phones and watches while the meeting is in session.
NOTICE: Mayor John Gurney 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.
Page
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
2.1: Conduct a Special Session to Discuss City Council Goals and Priorities Topics of discussion may include:
2024 Goals and Priorities
PUBLIC COMMENT WILL BE TAKEN AT 10:00M.
Goal Setting Presentation
2 - 34
3. ADJOURNMENT
I do hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing agenda was posted on the City Hall bulletin board as legally required. 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. 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.
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.
February 2, 2024
The Lodge at Sonoma
Agenda Item #2.1:
2 0 2 4 S O N O M A C I T Y C O U N C I L G O A L S E T T I N G Agenda Item #2.1:
Welcome & Introductions
Day Preview, Desired Outcomes
Kickoff Question
Public Comment and Input
State of the City
2024 Goals Brainstorming Session
Lunch (working)
2024 Goals Brainstorm Refinement
Break
2024 Goals Brainstorm Refinement
Next Steps and Review
Adjourn
9:00 a.m.
9:15 a.m.
9:40 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
11:30 a.m.
12:30 p.m.
1:00 p.m.
3:00 p.m.
3:15 p.m.
4:45 p.m.
5:00 p.m.
2024 SONOMA CITY
COUNCIL GOAL SETTING
Agenda Item #2.1:
2 0 2 4 S O N O M A C I T Y C O U N C I L G O A L S E T T I N G Agenda Item #2.1:
2 0 2 4 S O N O M A C I T Y C O U N C I L G O A L S E T T I N G Agenda Item #2.1:
2024 Sonoma City Council Goal Setting
Agenda Item #2.1:
Sonoma embraced the 'Year of the Arts' with a
commemorative bench & dedication ceremony for U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón, rotating art exhibits in City Council Chambers, Earth Day Photo Contest, Trashion Fashion Show and more. The City also supported the return of the Sonoma Art Walk and Vintage Festival Poster Contest.
Agenda Item #2.1:
C I T Y O F S O N O M A
Transient
Occupancy
Tax (TOT)
Property
Taxes
Sales Tax Measure V EMS Other
Revenues
Fees Franchise
Taxes
Business
License
Taxes
29%
$6,518,236 23%
$5,050,785 14%
$3,192,443 13%
$3,016,419 10%
$2,275,000 3%
$783,565
3%
$609,602
3%
$575,812
2%
$387,600
Agenda Item #2.1:
C I T Y O F S O N O M A
Fire Dept Police Dept Public
Works
CMO,
Finance, &
Legal
Non-Dept
& Debt Svc
Planning
Dept
Building
Dept
Comm
Activities
City Council
& Clerk
31%
$6,523,920
28%
$5,828,360
12%
$2,475,424 10%
$2,053,890 5%
$1,103,998
5%
$972,311
3%
$703,274
3%
$651,238
2%
$463,639
Agenda Item #2.1:
C I T Y O F S O N O M A
Agenda Item #2.1:
2 0 2 4 S O N O M A C I T Y C O U N C I L G O A L S E T T I N G Agenda Item #2.1:
Hired City Manager
Restructured Planning & Building Departments and
hired Community Development Director
Created & filled weekend/evening Public Works
Parks Maintenance Worker position
Filled three long-time vacant positions in the water
department to bring to full staff levels
Began review and update of Human Resources
policies and procedures
Agenda Item #2.1:
Awarded contract for the General Plan Update
Established General Plan Update Task Force
Launched dedicated project website:
www.sonomacity.generalplan.org
Held numerous public meetings and workshops to
get input from the public and businesses
Conducting a public input online questionnaire
Began the existing conditions analysis
Agenda Item #2.1:
“New” Park
W MacArthur & 5th St W
Update & Review
City Emergency
Procedures/Plan
The City hired LandCulture LLP, a
landscape architecture firm, to
design the new park. Public outreach
and initial designs expected this year.
The updated Emergency Operations
Plan is currently in final review and
City has identified replacement
Emergency Preparation & Response
Support and Training for 2024.
Agenda Item #2.1:
Completed Homeless Strategic Plan
Allocated funding for HAS (shelter) and SOS (food)
Funded a full-time homeless case worker
Funded part-time By-Name List Manager
Established Emergency Warming Center guidelines
and awarded contract for center operator
Re-established and maintained relationships
Regular check-ins with key staff
Participation in joint committees
Establishing process for budget funding requests
Agenda Item #2.1:
Pedestrian Safety Improvements at Hwy 12 & Verano
Enhanced Pedestrian Crossings on Broadway
Lighted Stop Sign at 5th & Andrieux
Re-Established Traffic Safety Committee
Increased traffic enforcement by the
Sonoma Police Department
Agenda Item #2.1:
Plaza Master Plan
Create Task Force for
Public Art Master Plan
Will be addressed with potential new
Parks & Recreation Department.
The Cultural & Fine Arts Commission
is revising the City’s Public Art Policy
and will assess its 2024 work plan
based on Council Goal Setting to
address a Master Plan.
West Napa St / Hwy 12
Design Improvement
West Napa Street is also State Route
Highway 12 and requires Caltrans
participation and support.
Agenda Item #2.1:
Climate Action Strategies
Plaza bathrooms “refresh”
Three New AEDs
Cemetery Assessment & Update
Cemetery Volunteer Workdays
Montini /Overlook Connector Trail
Agenda Item #2.1:
CITY OF SONOMA
Plaza Trash Can Replacement
Plaza Bike Rack Installation
Chase Street Bridge Replacement
Arts Policy Update
Emergency Operations Plan Update
Olsen Park Improvement Project
Sonoma Valley Oaks Park Enhancement Project
Depot Park Civil Upgrades
Agenda Item #2.1:
Sonoma Valley Pride
Tuesday Night Market
Community Swim Days
4th of July
City Party
Vintage Festival
Spooktacular Sonoma
Lighting of the Plaza
Lighted Tractor Parade…and more!
Alcalde, Bill Lynch
Treasure Artist, Jamie Love
Student Artist, Grace Atkinson
Sustainable Business Honoree,
The Epicurean connection
Celebrate Sonoma Honoree
Ken Brown
Contracts with the Sonoma Valley
Chamber of Commerce and
Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau
Financial support for Recreation
Partners that provide core
services to the community
Coordination with Valley
organizations for emergency
preparation and response
Agenda Item #2.1:
In 2024, Sonoma confronts
challenges many communities
are facing such as the housing
affordabilty, rising living costs,
budget recovery, funding
sources, and increased
extreme weather events.
Drawing on the support of our
Leaders, Partners, and
Community, as demonstrated
in previous years, we are
prepared to face these and
any unforeseen challenges.
C I T Y O F S O N O M A
Agenda Item #2.1:
2 0 2 4 S O N O M A C I T Y C O U N C I L G O A L S E T T I N G Agenda Item #2.1:
Q: What is your vision for the City?
Historic, small, charming town with traditions and heritage.
Enhanced services to the community.
A model city for climate mitigation and
adaptation with affordable housing.
An arts and culture destination.
Sophisticated with vitality and energy.
Sustainable.
Embracing and engaging with the younger generation living in the City.
To be known for our parks and recreation.
A town with a good socio-economic mix with a small-town character and affordable housing to support our whole community.
An efficient, well-run City that is inclusive of all elements of our society with opportunities for locals and visitors.
Agenda Item #2.1:
Q: What issues and concerns do you see for the City?
HOUSING
short and long-term
needs, affordable,
middle-income housing
DECLINING SCHOOL
ENROLLMENT
LACK OF AGE
DIVERSITY
INCREASING ECONOMIC DIVERSITY
lack of industries,
one source of revenue (TOT)
COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
CLIMATE PREPAREDNESS,
MITIGATION, AND ADAPTATION
FINANCIAL
revenue generation and
management of our finances
BRINGING THE WHOLE
COMMUNITY TOGETHER
engage all generations and
integrate East and West sides
DIFFICULTY ACCOMPLISHING A VISION
to act and move things forward
DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
UNDERUTILIZATION OF CITY ASSETS
lack of staffing to maintain assets,
under-resourced, parks and recreation
TRANSIENT COMMUNITY
weekend visitors that put
CITY CULTURE strain on City and resources
small town perspective
SAFETY AND TRAFFIC
MANAGEMENT
CITY BOUNDARY
EXPANSION
(annexation)
Agenda Item #2.1:
Q: What are your initial 2024 goal ideas for the City?
• BUSINESS ATTRACTION & INNOVATION
⚬ to support small businesses; job
market diversification
• COMMUNITY CHARACTER
⚬ add commercial and housing
projects; arts, culture, historic
sites, restoration of our landscapes
• HOUSING
⚬ affordable and middle-income
housing; housing trust fund; rent
assistance
• COMMERCIAL CORRIDOR
IMPROVEMENTS (W NAPA ST AREA)
⚬ infill projects
• GENERAL PLAN REVIEW
• CLIMATE MITIGATION & ADAPTATION
• SALES TAX INITIATIVE
⚬ support a recreation department
• ANNEXATION
• PLAZA VITALIZATION
⚬ master plan, economic
opportunities
• CITY SERVICES
⚬ community service, reduce
obstacles to permits, streamline
services
• TRAFFIC SAFETY
• REVENUE AND BUDGETS
Agenda Item #2.1:
2 0 2 4 S O N O M A C I T Y C O U N C I L G O A L S E T T I N G Agenda Item #2.1:
2 0 2 4 S O N O M A C I T Y C O U N C I L G O A L S E T T I N G Agenda Item #2.1:
2 0 2 4 S O N O M A C I T Y C O U N C I L G O A L S E T T I N G Agenda Item #2.1:
2 0 2 4 S O N O M A C I T Y C O U N C I L G O A L S E T T I N G Agenda Item #2.1:
2 0 2 4 S O N O M A C I T Y C O U N C I L G O A L S E T T I N G Agenda Item #2.1:
2 0 2 4 S O N O M A C I T Y C O U N C I L G O A L S E T T I N G Agenda Item #2.1:
Thank You!
David Guhin, City Manager
Ron Wellander | Patricia Farrar-Rivas, Vice Mayor | John Gurney, Mayor | Jack Ding | Sandra Lowe Agenda Item #2.1: Page 33 of 34 Access to accurate and timely information is critical to helping you understand the issues and decisions facing Sonoma's City Council and Commissions and engage in the policy-making process. Stay informed by subscribing to receive the latest e-newsletters, following @sonomacity on Facebook and Instagram and watching for our posts on Nextdoor.
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Agenda Item #2.1: