City Council:
Patricia Farrar-Rivas, Mayor
Ron Wellander, Vice Mayor
Jack Ding
John Gurney
Sandra Lowe
SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA
OF THE SONOMA CITY COUNCIL
The Lodge at Sonoma, 1325 Broadway, Sonoma
Thursday, January 30, 2025
9:00 AM
Be Courteous - TURN OFF your cell phones and watches while the meeting is in session.
NOTICE: Mayor Farrar-Rivas 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:
2025 Goals and Priorities
PUBLIC COMMENT WILL BE TAKEN AT 10:00M.
2025 Goal Setting Presentation
3 - 16
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.
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.
APPOINTMENTS TO COMMITTEES: The Council may establish and make appointments to a Council committee (made up of two Council Members) with respect to any item appearing on this agenda.
CLOSED SESSION: If action is taken during a Closed Session meeting and is required to be reported the Council will return to Open Session and report out immediately. However, if they are unable to do so due to time constraints, they will report out at the immediately following Regular Council Meeting under "REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION".
MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION: A Council Member voting with the majority on any item appearing on this agenda may move for reconsideration of that vote provided the motion is in conformance with the rules adopted by the Council governing such motions.
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.
1/23/2025
1 2025 SONOMA
CITY COUNCIL
GOAL SETTING
January 30, 2025
The Lodge at Sonoma
PC: December 2024, Sonoma Artwalk by Connie Schlelein
WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS
2 0 2 5 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 1 2
Agenda Item #2.1:
1/23/2025
2 TODAY’S
AGENDA
Welcome & Introductions
Day Preview, Expectation Discussion
2024 Annual Goal Progress Report
Public Comment and Input
Break & Refreshments
2025 Priorities
Lunch
2025 Goal Setting Discussion
Break
Values Exploration
Take Aways and Reflection
Adjourn
9:00am
9:15am
9:30am
10:00am
11:00am
11:15am
12:30pm
1:30pm
3:00pm
3:15pm
3:45pm
2025 Goal Setting 5:00pm
2 0 2 5 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 2024 COUNCIL GOALS
OVERVIEW
C I T Y O F S O N O M A 2 0 2 5 G O A L S E T T I N G
Housing, Annexation/Unification,
Economic Development, Climate Mitigation, Parks & Recreation 3 4
Agenda Item #2.1:
1/23/2025
3 HOUSING
Goal:
Address housing needs and support unhoused community members.
Accomplishments: • Policies to Streamline Housing Element implementation. • Approved 31-unit; issued permits for 19 units (3 affordable). • Expanded services for unhoused individuals (Measure O funding, outreach van). 2024 Council Goals
ANNEXATION/
UNIFICATION
Goal:
Explore annexation options and engage the community inclusively.
Accomplishments:
2024 Council Goals
• Added Valley representation to boards/commissions. • Drafted community engagement process with the County. • Participated in Bay Area Urban Areas Security Initiative for emergency resilience. • Supported regional projects (homeless services, EIFD, service-sharing evaluation). 5 6
Agenda Item #2.1:
1/23/2025
4 Goal:
Foster economic vitality by supporting businesses, enhancing revenues, and exploring diverse resources to ensure financial stability and community resilience Accomplishments:
2024 Council Goals
• Supported local businesses with events, and extended hours. • Enhanced transparency with OpenGov and completed backlogged audits. • Passed a ½ cent sales tax measure (58.5% approval). • Approved updated investment policies and increased revenue from cash reserves. • Extended support for arts, including public art policy updates.
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT/
REVENUE
STEWARDSHIP
PC: Robbi Pengelly / The Sonoma Index-Tribune
CLIMATE
MITIGATION &
ADAPTATION
Goal:
Position Sonoma as a climate action leader.
Accomplishments: • Collaborated with the Climate Action Commission to advance Climate Strategies. • Integrated electric vehicles into the fleet and evaluated an electric street sweeper. • Coordinated with Sonoma County Transit for EV upgrades. • Secured funding for turf removal rebates and piloted a downtown shuttle. 2024 Council Goals
7 8
Agenda Item #2.1:
1/23/2025
5 PARKS,
RECREATION,
& COMMUNITY
SERVICES
Goal:
Enhance recreational sites and services; protect natural resources.
Accomplishments: • Initiated Parks and Recreation Department creation. • Began Plaza Park master planning and sustainability project. • Expanded community engagement through volunteer programs and events. • Funded $44,328 for local nonprofits via discretionary funding. • Improved park infrastructure (trash cans, bike racks, sidewalks, etc.). • Prioritized TREES in various commission, council and policy updates 2024 Council Goals
Leadership and Staffing: Stabilizing city
management by implementing best practices
and filling critical City Hall positions.
COUNCIL MEMBERS ASSESSMENT
OF 2024 GOALS PROGRESS
Budget and finance stability including passing a
new sales tax measure; Mixed success on
economic development goals, particularly in
securing grants and bond funding.
Springs area annexation/unification efforts
receive mixed views on progress and feasibility.
Notable post-pandemic recovery progress.
Disadvantaged / Vulnerable groups,
including unhoused and immigrant
communities, receive growing attention
with more needed.
Housing: successfully submitted the housing
element update, but limited progress on
addressing housing needs and affordability crisis.
C I T Y O F S O N O M A
9 10
Agenda Item #2.1:
1/23/2025
6 PUBLIC COMMENT
2 0 2 5 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 BREAK
2 0 2 5 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 11 12
Agenda Item #2.1:
1/23/2025
7 COMMON THEMES ACROSS ALL INTERVIEWS
C I T Y O F S O N O M A
• Universal recognition of affordable housing as critical ongoing challenge • Shared skepticism about current annexation/unification approach • Agreement on need for improved economic development strategies • Strong emphasis on pedestrian accessibility and safety improvements • Focus on attracting and retaining younger residents • Commitment to balancing historical preservation with innovation
COMMON THEMES ACROSS ALL INTERVIEWS
C I T Y O F S O N O M A
• Recognition of need for regional cooperation on major issues • Desire for enhanced community engagement and responsive government services • Focus on sustainable, long-term planning approaches • Emphasis on inclusive decision-making processes 13 14
Agenda Item #2.1:
1/23/2025
8 COUNCIL MEMBER’S
INITIAL PRIORITIES
FOR 2025
Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Economic Development & Financial Stability
Planning & Housing
Sonoma Valley Annexation/Unification
Climate Mitigation and Adaptation
2025 COUNCIL PRE-WORKSHOP INTERVIEW
LUNCH
2 0 2 5 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 15 16
Agenda Item #2.1:
1/23/2025
9 2025 CITY COUNCIL
GOAL SETTING DISCUSSION
C I T Y O F S O N O M A 2 0 2 5 G O A L S E T T I N G
PARKS, RECREATION AND
COMMUNITY SERVICES
2025 COUNCIL PRE-WORKSHOP INTERVIEW
• Creating a dedicated Parks & Recreation
Department ⚬ Improving recreational opportunities that attract and serve new, young families • Developing a comprehensive Plaza corridor master plan • Building a park on the west side of town • Enhancing pedestrian safety and accessibility throughout the city • Continuing efforts to make city cemeteries selfsustaining • Strengthened support for non-profit organizations • Development of arts projects and international partnerships
17 18
Agenda Item #2.1:
1/23/2025
10 • Enhanced focus on revenue stewardship and budget
management • Improved support for local businesses • Strategic implementation of new sales tax measure • More aggressive grant-seeking efforts • Diversification of business sector to include tech and biotech jobs • Attraction of young professionals and new residents
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT &
FINANCIAL
STABILITY
PC: Broadway in Sonoma, Transcendance Theater Company
2025 COUNCIL PREWORKSHOP INTERVIEW
PLANNING &
HOUSING
• Downtown plaza area revitalization • Streamlining planning commission processes • Prioritizing affordable housing
solutions, especially workforce
housing
2025 COUNCIL PREWORKSHOP INTERVIEW
19 20
Agenda Item #2.1:
1/23/2025
11 SONOMA VALLEY
ANNEXATION/
UNIFICATION
• Agreement on importance of issue
connection to and inclusion of
unincorporated neighbors • Divergence of opinion on the scope of annexation focus beyond inclusion and
engagement challenges
2025 COUNCIL PREWORKSHOP INTERVIEW
• Implementing climate adaptation
and sustainability initiatives • Enhancing pedestrian-friendly infrastructure
CLIMATE
MITIGATION AND
ADAPTATION
PC: Pile Burning Operation in Montni Prserve, Sonoma Ecology Center 2025 COUNCIL PREWORKSHOP INTERVIEW
21 22
Agenda Item #2.1:
1/23/2025
12 OTHER ISSUES NOTED:
COMMUNITY & GOVERNANCE
2025 COUNCIL PRE-WORKSHOP INTERVIEW
• Implementation of district elections • Enhanced immigration policy response • Improved support for disadvantaged communities • Better integration of public feedback processes
VALUES EXPLORATION
2 0 2 5 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 23 24
Agenda Item #2.1:
1/23/2025
13 SHARED
VALUES
AUTHENTICITY
INCLUSIVITY
INNOVATION
HISTORICAL PRESERVATION
EFFICIENCY
EQUITY
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
COMMUNITY RESPONSIVENESS
2025 COUNCIL PREWORKSHOP INTERVIEW
TAKE AWAYS & REFELCTION
2 0 2 5 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 25 26
Agenda Item #2.1:
1/23/2025
14 KEEP IN TOUCH!
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SONOMA CITY COUNCIL 2025
Thank You!
Joh n Gu rn ey | R on W ella nder, Vice Ma yor | Pa tricia Fa rrar-R iva s, Ma yo r | Ja ck Ding | San dra Lo we 27 28
Agenda Item #2.1: