REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
OF THE SONOMA CITY COUNCIL
City Council Chambers
City Council: 177 First Street West
_ _J0h”Gum?”Mal/0’ Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Patncra 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, Council Member Lowe, and Council Member Ding
REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION
A Closed Session was held for labor negotiations and performance evaluation concerning the City Manager. No reportable action was taken in Closed Session.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Council Member Lowe, seconded by Vice Mayor Farrar—Rivas, to approve the agenda with Items 6.1 and 6.2 moved in front of general public comment. Motion carried unanimously.
1. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Claire Wirick Carlomagno, Mike Smith, Casper Bolling, Julianna MacDonald, Madolyne Jaramillo, Pete Saibene, Maximillian Campos, Alex Garcia-Richard Holsworth, Bath Hadley, Marty Bennett, Fred Allebach, Julian Mendez, Celine King, Tom Conlon, Ava Volger, lris Lombard, Ariel Mihic, Clayton Cartozian, Tanya Marsh, Seth Donnelly, Victoria Hernandez, Patricia Barakat, Lauren Kershner, Jeremy Marquardt, Jeff Jackson, Sarah Lawrence, Simone Grasshoff, Zach Roth, Maria Barakat, Nico Carmer, Sabina Cesar, and Kannitha Hun provided public comments.
Mayor Gurney called fora recess at 7:07 p.m.; Council reconvened at 7:13 pm.
2. MEETING DEDICATIONS
Mayor Gurney dedicated the meeting to Larry Murphy.
By consensus of the Council, Staff was directed to investigate the possibility of naming the France Stn bridge in Mr. Murphy’s name.
3. COUNCIL MEMBERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Council Member Ding attended a Cal—CitiesRevenue and Taxation Committee meeting in Southern California on March 21, 2024.
From April 12 through April 14, 2024, Council Member Farrar—Rivas attended the Climate Reality Project in New York City. She also attended a Sonoma Clean Power meeting on April 4, 2024, in addition to a Sonoma Valley Citizens Advisory Commission meeting on April 24, 2024.
Council Member Wellander attended the City Leaders Summit from April 22 — 24, 2024, in Sacramento, which was put on by the League of California Cities. He also attended a Sonoma County Homeless Coalition meeting as well as a Shared Services meeting with Supervisor Gorin.
Council Member Lowe attended a Local Agency Formation Commission Agency meeting on May 1, 2024.
Council Member Lowe also announced that Julie Goldberg would be her direct appointment on the Design Review and Historic Preservation Commission.
4. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
City Manager Guhin announced that the City has hired a Finance Director and willsoon make a public announcement. Mr. Guhin also pointed out speci?c work being done around the Plaza, including the installation of new bike racks and the annual cleaning of the duck ponds. Next Tuesday, May 7‘“,the annual Tuesday Night Market will kick off. City Manager Guhin announced that the City’s Cultural and Fine Arts Commission (CFAC) awarded Noa Malone the 2024 Student Creative Artist Award. Mr.
Malone will be recognized at an upcoming City Council meeting, a date to be determined. Mr. Guhin also wanted to recognize and congratulate Chris Pegg, Public Works Operations Manager, and Monique Saviez Burns, Deputy City Clerk, for participating and graduating from the inaugural cohort of the Marin—Sonoma Governmental Leadership Academy. He also pointed out that the next exhibit for the City Council Chambers Rotating Art Program will be showcasing Earth Day photos and will be completely installed by the next City Council meeting. Lastly, Mr. Guhin stated that he will be out of Regular Meeting Minutes, May 1, 2024
town for the next City Council meeting scheduled for May 15”“;Community Development Director Jennifer Gates will be the Acting City Manager.
5. CITY ATTORNEY COMMENTS
City Attorney Ruderman provided an update regarding the Cal—CitiesBusiness Roundtable Measure.
6. PRESENTATIONS
Item 6.1: Proclamation Recognizing the week of May 5 through 11, 2024, as Professional Municipal Clerks Week
Item 6.2: Proclamation Declaring the Week of May 6-10, 2024 as “National Teacher Appreciation Week” and Tuesday, May 7, 2024, as “National Teacher Appreciation Day”
7. CONSENT CALENDAR — CITY COUNCIL
Motion by Council Member Lowe, seconded by Vice Mayor Farrar-Rivas, to approve the agenda with Item 7.3 being pulled for separate consideration. Motion carried unanimously.
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: Receive the Minutes of the Regular Meetings of March 20, 2024, and April 3, 2024 (Monique Saviez Burns, Deputy City Clerk)
Action: Minutes were received.
Item 7.3: Adopt a Resolution Approving Public Works to Paint the Two City Cross Walks in Front of the Historic City Hall In Honor of Gay Pride Month in June of 2024 (Lisa Janson, Senior Management Analyst)
Action: Adopted as Resolution 25-2024.
Public Comment: Tom Conlon and Sarah Lawrence
Motion by Council Member Lowe, seconded by Council Member Ding, to adopt a resolution approving Public Works to paint the two crosswa/ks in front of the Historic City Hall in honor of Gay Pride Month in June 2024. Motion carried 3—2with Council Member Lowe, Vice Mayor Farrar—Rivas, and Council Member Ding voting YES, and Council Member Wellander and Mayor Gurney voting NO.
Item 7.4: Adopt a Resolution Approving Temporary Use of City Streets by Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Alliance forthe Annual Lighted Tractor Parade on Saturday, November 30, 2024 (Lisa Janson, Senior Management Analyst)
Action: Adopted as Resolution 26-2024.
Item 7.5: Adopt a Resolution Approving and Consenting to the Use of City Streets for the July 4th Parade on Thursday, July 4, 2024 (Lisa Janson, Senior Management Analyst) Action: Adopted as Resolution 27-2024.
Item 7.6: Adopt a Resolution to 1) Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Maintenance Service Agreement with Precision Emprise LLC dba Precision Concrete Cutting in an Amount Not to Exceed $56,500 for Repair of Sidewalk Trip Hazards and Defects; and 2) Make Finding that the Project to Repair Sidewalk Trip Hazards and Detects is Categorically Exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c) (Mike Berger, Public Works Director) Action: Adopted as Resolution 28-2024.
8. PUBLIC HEARING
Item 8.1: Ordinances Amending Sections of the Sonoma Municipal Code Pertaining to Appeal Time Periods and Finding this Action is Exempt from Further Environmental Review Under the General Rule in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) that CEQA Only Applies to Projects that Have the Potential for Causing a Significant Effect on the Environment (Kristina Tierney, Associate Planner) Action: Ordinances were introduced.
Public Comment: Tom Conlon
Motion by Council Member Lowe, seconded by Vice Mayor Farrar—Rivas, to introduce an ordinance of the City Council of the City of Sonoma amending Section 2.32.1 10 (Appeal), Section 3.16.100 (Appeal), Section 5.04.150 (Appeal), Section 7.25.050 (Issuance of License), 7.40.150 (Appeals), Section
9.56.060 ( C) (Exceptions Allowed With Permit), Section 12.08.070 (Appeals), Section 12. 12.080 (Appeal), Section 12. 14.110 (Requirement, Variance or Decision Appeals), Section 12.20.150 (Right of Appeal), Section 13.10.080(B) (Exceptions and Application Procedures for Exceptions), Section
14.25.250 (Appeals of Decisions) of the City of Sonoma Municipal Code and ?nding this action is exempt from further Environmental Review Under the General Rule in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15061 (B)(3) that CEQA only applies to Projects that have the potential for causing a signi?cant effect on the environment. Motion carried unanimously.
Regular Meeting Minutes, May 1, 2024
Motion by Vice Mayor Farrar—Rivas, seconded by Council Member Ding, to introduce an ordinance of the City Council of the City of Sonoma amending Section 1.24.020 (Notice), Section 19.56. 020 (Effective Date of Permits), Section 19.84.030 (Filing of Appeals), And Section 19. 84. 040 (Processing of Appeals) of The City of Sonoma Municipal Code and ?nding the action is exempt from further Environmental Review Under the General Rule in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15061 (B) (3) that CEQA only applies to Projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Motion carried unanimously.
9. REGULAR CALENDAR — CITY COUNCIL
Item 9.1: A Resolution Setting a Public Hearing Regarding Adjustments to Rates for Solid Waste UtilityService for June 19, 2024, and Directing Staff to Provide Notice of the Hearing as Required by Law (Mike Berger, Public Works Director)
Action: Adopted as Resolution 29-2024.
Motion by Council Member Lowe, seconded by Council Member Ding, to adopt a resolution setting a public hearing regarding adjustments to rates for solid waste utility service for June 19, 2024, and directing staff to provide notice of the hearing as required by law. Motion carried unanimously.
Item 9.2: Appointments to the Design Review & Historic Preservation Commission, Parks, Recreation & Open Space Commission, and Traf?c Safety Committee (Monique Saviez Burns, Deputy City Clerk)
Action: Appointments were made to the Design Review and Historic Preservation Commission, Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Commission, and Traffic Safety Committee.
Council Member Lowe nominated Peter Drake as an at-Iarge member of the Design Review and Historic Presen/ation Commission. Motion carried unanimously. By consensus of the Council, the City will continue to accept applications for the remaining vacant at—large position on the Design Review and Historic Preservation Commission.
Council Member Ding nominated Savannah Wellander as an at—largemember of the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Commission.
Vice Mayor Farrar-Rivas nominated Lucas Wright as an at—largemember of the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Commission.
Motion on the nomination of Savannah Wellander carried 3-1-1 with Mayor Gurney, Council Member Ding, and Council Member Lowe voting YES, Vice Mayor Farrar-Rivas voting NO, and Council Member Wellander abstaining.
Council Member Wellander nominated John Newman as an At—LargeMember of the Traf?c Safety Committee. Motion carried unanimously.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Gurney adjourned the meeting at 8:54 pm.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing minutes were duly and regularly adopted at a regular meeting of the Sonoma City ncil on the 15‘“of May 2024.
Regular Meeting Minutes, May 1, 2024