REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
OF THE SONOMA CITY COUNCIL
City Council Chambers
Cig Council: 177 First Street West
_ JOh“ Gumfwi M3?” Monday, October 21, 2024
Patricia Farrar—Rivas, Vice Mayor
Jack Ding . Ron Wellander 6:00 PM Regular Meeting
Sandra Lowe
6:00 PM. — REGULAR MEETING
CONVENE, CALL TO ORDER, & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Gurney called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Council Member Wellander, Council Member Ding, Council Member Lowe, Vice Mayor Farrar—Rivas, and Mayor Gurney
REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION
There was no Closed Session held.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Council Member Lowe, seconded by Vice Mayor Farrar—Rivas,to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
1. PRESENTATIONS
Item 1.1: Proclamation Designating the Month of October 2024 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the City of Sonoma
2. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
None.
3. MEETING DEDICATIONS
None.
4. COUNCILMEMBERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Vice Mayor Farrar—Rivas, along with her fellow council members, attended the Annual Cal-Cities Conference and Expo held from October 16—18,2024, in Long Beach, California.
Council Member Ding reported that the business meeting typically held on the last day of the Annual Cal Cities Conference was canceled due to lacking a quorum. The items listed on that agenda were sent to the Board for review and consideration. Mr. Ding also attended the API Caucus Meeting held at the Annual Cal Cities Conference, along with Council Member Lowe, where he presented the Ting Project.
5. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
City Manager Guhin reminded the Council and community about several upcoming events. First, the Cultural and Fine Arts Commission (CFAC) will host an Artist Reception to showcase the Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival Poster Exhibit in the Council Chambers on October 18, 2024, from 4 PM to 6 PM. He also announced that a Sonoma Splash Community Day is scheduled for October 22, 2024.
Additionally, Mr. Guhin highlighted two upcoming Cemetery Clean-Up Days: the first at Mountain Cemetery on October 26, 2024, and the second at the Veterans Cemetery on November 9, 2024, both from 9 AM to 12 PM.
6. CITY ATTORNEY COMMENTS
City Attorney Ruderman provided a legislative update regarding remote participation during meetings.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR — CITY COUNCIL
Motion by Vice Mayor Farrar—Rivas, seconded by Council Member Ding, to approve the Consent Calendar as presented. 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: Accept the Expenditure Report forthe Month of September 2024 (Prapti Aryal, Finance Director)
Action: The expenditure report was accepted.
Item 7.3: Adopt an Ordinance Establishing Administrative Remedies Procedure for Challenges to Fees, Charges, and Assessments (David Ruderman, City Attorney) Action: Adopted as Ordinance 08-2024.
Regular Meeting Minutes, October 21, 2024
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8. PUBLICHEARING
Item 8.1: Public Hearing to Consider an Appeal of the Planning Commission's Decision to Approve Design Review and Variance (UA—24-21)Authorizing New Exterior Lighting that Exceeds the Allowed Footcandles Located at 252 West Spain Street (Jennifer Gates, AlCP, Community Development Director)
Action: Adopted as Resolution 90-2024.
Open Public Hearing: 6:28 pm.
Public Comment: Cathy Weber, Richard Price, Carol Campbell, Christine Bohar reading for Mary Smith, Tim Fogg, Kim Pack, Tamra Rollins, Victor Conforti, Peter Stanford, Claudia Ranniker, and Trish Hunter.
Closed Public Hearing: 6:58 pm.
Motion by Vice Mayor Farrar—Rivas, seconded by Council Member Lowe, to Adopt a Resolution Denying an Appeal and Affirming the Planning Commission’s Decision on September 17, 2024, Approving Design Review and Variance for Installation of New Exterior Lighting that Exceeds the Allowed Footcandles (UA24-21) located at 252 West Spain Street (APN 018-151—011).
Substitute motion by Council Member Lowe, seconded by Council Member Wellander, to Adopt a Resolution Denying an Appeal and Affirming the Planning Commission’s Decision on September 17, 2024, Approving Design Review and Variance for Installation of New Exterior Lighting that Exceeds the Allowed Footcandles (UA-24-21) Located at 252 West Spain Street (APN 018—151-011), and Changing the Operational Hours to Extend to 10 PM, Seven Days Per Week, As Needed. Motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Gurney called for a recess at 7:12 pm; Council reconvened at 7:20 pm.
Item 8.2: Public Hearing to Consider an Appeal of the Planning Commission's Decision to Deny a Use Permit Amendment (UA-23-40) and Wine Tasting Use Permit (WTUP-24—1)That Would Have Authorized a Vacation Rental and Wine Tasting Facility at 301 First Street West Under the Adaptive Reuse Provisions of the City’s Development Code. The Appellant Requests the City Council Approve the Use Permit Amendment and Wine Tasting Use Permit and Give Direction to Staff on Policy Issues Concerning the Adaptive Reuse Ordinance (Jennifer Gates, AlCP, Community Development Director) Action: Direction was given to Staff, and a revised resolution will be brought for consideration at the November 6, 2024, City Council Meeting.
Ex—ParteCommunication Disclosures:
Vice Mayor Farrar—Rivas met with and received a package from Jim Bohar.
Council Member Ding received a package from Jim Bohar.
Mayor Gurney received a package from Jim Bohar.
Council Member Lowe received a package from Jim Bohar.
Open Public Hearing: 7:37 pm.
Public Comment: Jim Bohar, Carrie Fogg, Michael Huff, Peter Mathis, Steve Wiesinger, Nancy Simpson, Michael Hefner, Michael Ross, Christine Bohar, Andrea Huff, MaryAnn Weber, Nina S, Winnie Farwell and Victor Conforti.
Closed Public Hearing: 8:19 pm.
Motion by Council Member Lowe, seconded by Council Member Ding, to 1)Deny the Appeal as to the Vacation Rental Use Based on its Withdrawal by the Applicant, and 2) Approve the Appeal as to the Wine Tasting Use Permit Based on the Findings Included in Staff’s Proposed Resolution before the Planning Commission and Including the Conditions of Approval Proposed by the Applicant as well as the following Conditions Regarding Bike Spaces, Invitation Only Limits and Total Occupancy Limits, Further Move to Direct Staff to Prepare a Resolution to that Effect, Including Approval of a Categorical Exemption Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) and Section 15331 (Class 31 — Historical Resource Restorahon/Rehabilitation), and Continue the Public Hearing on this Matter to the November 6, 2024, Regular City Council Meeting for Final Action on the Resolution. Motion carried unanimously.
9. REGULAR CALENDAR — CITY COUNCIL
None.
10. SECOND COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
None.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Gurney adjourned the meeting at 9:00 pm.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing minutes were duly and regularly received at a regular meeting of thWZity Council on the 6’“of November 2024.
Rebekah Barr, MMC, City Clerk
Regular Meeting Minutes, October 21, 2024