REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
OF THE SONOMA CITY COUNCIL
City Council Chambers
City Council: 177 First Street West
_ JohnGumsyvMayor Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Pamela Farrar—Rivas, Vice Mayor
Jack Ding _ Ron Wellander 6:00 PM Regular Meeting
Sandra Lowe
6:00 P.M. — REGULAR MEETING
CONVENE, CALL TO ORDER, & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Gurney called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Mayor Gurney, Vice Mayor Farrar—Rivas, Council Member Wellander, and Council Member Lowe
ABSENT: Council Member Ding
REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION
Direction was provided to City Attorney Ruderman, however; there was no reportable action taken in Closed Session.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Council Member Lowe, seconded by Vice Mayor Farrar—Rivas, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 4-0-1 with Council Member Lowe, Council Member Wellander, Vice Mayor Farrar—Rivas, and Mayor Gurney voting YES and Council Member Ding absent.
1. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Maria Barakat, Lexie Beckhard, Tania Marsh, Celene, Student attending Sonoma Valley High School, Gary Sweeden, Patricia Cullinan, and Seth Donnelly provided public comments.
2. MEETING DEDICATIONS
None.
3. COUNCIL MEMBERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Since the last council meeting, Council Member Wellander attended a workshop meeting with the City’s water consultant. Mr. Wellander also attended the Treasure Artist Reception on March 19, honoring Victor Ferrer, which is put on by the Cultural and Fine Arts Commission each year.
Council Member Wellander appointed Sedra Nathon as his direct appointment to the Climate Action Commission.
Council Member Wellander also appointed Dana lsetta as his direct appointment to the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Commission.
Council Member Lowe attended 3 Sonoma County Transportation Authority Regional Climate Protection Agency meeting on March 11, 2024. The materials Council Member Lowe highlighted during her report are available for inspection at the City Clerk’s Office.
Vice Mayor Farrar—Rivas attended a Rotary Lunch meeting with the Climate Action Commission’s Chair, David Morell, during which Mr. Morell presented the Commission’s Climate Strategy. Vice Mayor Farrar— Rivas also participated in a Zoom meeting with Sonoma Collaborative with regards to housing.
Mayor Gurney attended a Sonoma Tourism Improvement District meeting on March 14,2024. Mr. Gurney also attended the Treasure Artist Reception, honoring Victor Ferrer on March 19, 2024.
4. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
City Manager Guhin reported that the Chase Street Bridge is now fully open to the public. Mr. Guhin also reiterated to the community that while the city is experiencing some staffing changes, the building and planning departments are open, and staff are available to answer any questions or concerns. He also reminded everyone that the annual Alcalde celebration honoring Wayne Schake will be held at the Vintage House on March 26, 2024, starting at 6:30 pm.
5. CITY ATTORNEY COMMENTS
None.
6. PRESENTATIONS
Item 6.1: Proclamation Honoring KSVY Radio on the Occasion of their 20th Anniversary (Rebekah Barr, MMC, City Clerk)
Regular Meeting Minutes, 3/20/2024
Item 6.2: Proclamation in Proclaiming the Week of March 19 through March 25, 2025 as National Surveyor's Week in the City of Sonoma
7. CONSENT CALENDAR — CITY COUNCIL
Motion by Council Member Lowe, seconded by Vice Mayor Farrar-Rivas, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 4-0—1with Council Member Lowe, Council Member Wellander, Vice Mayor Farrar-Rivas, and Mayor Gurney voting YES and Council Member Ding absent.
Item 7.1: Waive further reading and Authorize Introduction and/or Adoption of Ordinances by Title Only. (Standard procedural action - no backup information provided) Item 7.2: Adoption of Resolution authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with 4LEAF, Inc. to Increase Building Plan Check and Inspection Services (Jennifer Gates, AICP, Community Development Director) Action: Adopted as Resolution 17-2024.
Item 7.3: Adopt a Resolution Approving and Authorizing the City Manager to Sign an Amendment to a Limited Scope Agreement for Consulting Services between Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley, PC, City of Sonoma, and R3 Consulting Group, Inc. in an Amount of $15,000 (David Guhin, City Manager) Action: Adopted as Resolution 18-2024.
Item 7.4: Accept the Expenditure Report for the Month of February 2024 (Chuck McBride, Interim Finance Director)
Action: The expenditure report was accepted.
Item 7.5: Adopt a Resolution Approving the Execution of a Purchase Agreement for a New 2024 Ford E-450 Custom Type III Ambulance with Lifeline Emergency Vehicles and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Contract with Lifeline Emergency Vehicles (Chris Pegg, Public Works Operations Manager)
Action: Adopted as Resolution 19-2024.
Item 7.6: Receive the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 6, 2024 (Rebekah Barr, MMC, City Clerk)
Action: The minutes were accepted.
Item 7.7: Adopt a Resolution Changing the Title Only of the Existing Job Classification "Building Official" to "Chief Building Official"with No Change to the Job Description, Salary Range, or Designation of Statutory and Legal Authority (Jenny Yankovich, Assistant to City Manager)
Action: Adopted as Resolution 20-2024.
8. PUBLIC HEARING
None.
9. REGULAR CALENDAR — CITY COUNCIL
Item 9.1: City Cemeteries Action Update and Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the Creation of a New Cemeteries Manager Position and Addition to the City of Sonoma Salary Schedule at a Monthly Salary of $9,094 — $11,054 (Jenny Yankovich, Assistant to the City Manager)
Action: Adopted as Resolution 21-2024.
Public Comment: Robert Demler
Motion by Council Member Lowe, seconded by Vice Mayor Farrar—Rivas, to Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the Creation of a New Cemeteries Manager Position and Addition to the City of Sonoma Salary Schedule at a Monthly Salary of $9,094 ~ $11,054. Motion carried 4-0-1 with Council Member Lowe, Council Member Wellander, Vice Mayor Farrar—Rivas, and Mayor Gurney voting YES and Council Member Ding absent.
Item 9.2: Appointments to the Climate Action Commission, Cultural & Fine Arts Commission, Design Review & Historic Preservation Commission, Parks, Recreation, & Open Space Commission, Traffic Safety Committee Appointment (Rebekah Barr, MMC, City Clerk)
Action: Adopted as Resolution 21-2024.
Motion by Council Member Lowe, seconded by Council Member Wellander, to appoint Tom Con/on and Leo McCloskey to the two open At—Largepositions on the Climate Action Commission. Motion carried 4- 0-1 with Council Member Lowe, Council Member Wellander, Vice Mayor Farrar-Rivas, and Mayor Gurney voting YES and Council Member Ding absent.
Motion by Council Member Lowe, seconded by Vice Mayor Farrar—Rivas, to appoint Scott Van Wagner and Meredith Knudsen to the two open At—Largepositions on the Cultural and Fine Arts Commission.
Motion carried 4-0-1 with Council Member Lowe, Council Member Wellander, Vice Mayor Farrar—Rivas, and Mayor Gurney voting YES and Council Member Ding absent.
Regular Meeting Minutes, 3/20/2024