City Council:
Patricia Farrar-Rivas, Mayor
Ron Wellander, Vice Mayor
Jack Ding
Sandra Lowe
John Gurney
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
OF THE SONOMA CITY COUNCIL
City Council Chambers, 177 First Street West
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84876986131
6:00 PM Regular Meeting
ACCESSING PUBLIC MEETINGS
As a public service to the community, City Council meetings are held in-person, and viewable through a live webcast on the City’s CivicWeb Portal at https://sonomacity.civicweb.net/Portal/Video.aspx, City of Sonoma YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChZjUrg2rNLYxTgQHhFy-Tg, and televised on Comcast Cable Channel 27. Members of the public can also view the meeting via ZOOM, at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84876986131.
If a technical issue arises with Zoom video or the listening phone dial-in option, the City Council meeting will continue unless a Council Member is participating remotely pursuant to the provisions of Assembly Bill 2449.
Members of the public who wish to address the Council by providing public comments during the meeting may do so in-person in the Council Chambers at 177 First Street West, where the meeting is being publicly held. As an alternative, members of the public may also provide written public comment submitted via the City’s online Public Comment form at https://sonomacity.civicweb.net/Portal/CitizenEngagement.aspx or by email to:
[email protected]
PROCESS FOR COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: There will be two opportunities for members of the public to address items not appearing on the agenda. The early public comment period, Agenda Item 1, will be limited to ten speakers. Each speaker will be allowed up to two minutes. Speakers who do not have an opportunity to speak during the first public comment section will be allowed to make their comments during the later public comment period, Agenda Item 10, provided there were more than 10 people in the first public comment section.
When the Mayor announces these agenda items, please form a line to speak.
In the event a Council Member participates remotely for just cause or an emergency circumstance under Assembly Bill 2449, the City will allow for public comment through the Zoom link.
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.
Be Courteous - TURN OFF your cell phones and watches while the meeting is in session.
The City Council may discuss and/or take action on any or all of the items listed on the agenda irrespective of how the items are described.
No new items will begin after 9:00pm unless a majority of the members present vote to allow the items to be heard.
Page
REGULAR MEETING
CONVENE, CALL TO ORDER & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL (Wellander, Ding, Lowe, Gurney, Farrar-Rivas)
REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
1. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
At this time members of the public may address the Council on matters not listed on this agenda, but which are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Council. This public comment period will be limited to ten speakers. Each speaker will be allowed up to two minutes. Speakers who do not have an opportunity to speak during the first public comment section will be allowed to make their comments during the later public comment period, Agenda Item 10, provided there were more than 10 people in the first public comment section. When the Mayor announces these agenda items, please form a line to speak.
Under State Law, unless otherwise permitted under the Ralph M. Brown Act, the merits of the matters presented under this item cannot be discussed or acted upon by the City Council at this time. For items appearing on the agenda, the public will be invited to make comments at the time the item comes up for Council consideration. Please begin by stating your name.
2. MEETING DEDICATIONS
3. COUNCILMEMBERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Committee Reports - Council Members are appointed to various boards and committees - local, county-wide and regional. Any updates from a council member will be shared at this time. A list of all appointments is available on our City Website for easy reference.
Council Members may also make appointments to city commissions at this time.
4. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
5. CITY ATTORNEY COMMENTS
6. PRESENTATIONS
6.1: Proclamation Designating the Week of May 18 - 24, 2025, as National Public Works Week in the City of Sonoma
6.2: Proclamation Designating the Week of May 18 - 24, 2025, as Classified School Employee Week in the City of Sonoma
6.3: Proclamation Designating the Month of May 2025 as Affordable Housing Month in the City of Sonoma
6.4: Introduction and Recognition of the 2025 Student Creative Artist Teagan Rhodes and Merit Award Winners Maggie Brown and Tallulah Kimball
6.5: Introduction and Recognition of the Sonoma Valley High School Film Festival Winning Film "365" by Siena Kelly
7. CONSENT CALENDAR – CITY COUNCIL
All items listed on the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine and will be acted upon by a single motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless members of the Council or staff request specific items to be removed for separate action.
7.1: Waive further reading and Authorize Introduction and/or Adoption of Ordinances by Title Only. (Standard procedural action - no backup information provided)
7.2: Accept the Expenditure Report for the Month of April 2025 (Prapti Aryal, Finance Director)
RECOMMENDATION: Accept report
Agenda Report - Expenditure Report April 2025 - Pdf
4 - 15
8. PUBLIC HEARING
8.1: Public Hearing Regarding the Status of City of Sonoma Vacancies and Recruitment and Retention Efforts in Compliance with Assembly Bill (AB) 2561 (Jenny Yankovich, Asst to City Manager)
RECOMMENDATION: Conduct Public Hearing and receive the report.
Agenda Report - AB2561 Report - City Vacancies, Recruitment, Retention - Pdf
16 - 21
9. REGULAR CALENDAR – CITY COUNCIL
(Matters requiring discussion and/or action by the City Council)
10. SECOND PUBLIC COMMENT (ONLY REQUIRED IF EARLIER PUBLIC SPEAKERS
REMAIN)
At this this time members of the public who did not have the opportunity to speak during the early comment period may address the Council on matters not listed on this agenda, but which are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Council. Each speaker will be allowed up to two minutes. Please form a line to speak.
Under State Law, unless otherwise permitted under the Ralph M. Brown Act, the merits of the matters presented under this item cannot be discussed or acted upon by the City Council at this time. For items appearing on the agenda, the public will be invited to make comments at the time the item comes up for Council consideration. Please begin by stating your name.
11. ADJOURNMENT
I do hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing agenda was posted as legally required. Rebekah Barr, MMC, City Clerk.
*********************************************************************************************************************************** Copies of all staff reports and documents subject to disclosure that relate to any item of business referred to on the agenda are usually 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.
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.
Appointments to Commission/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 that is required to be reported out at this meeting, the Council will return to Open Session and report out immediately. However, if the Council is unable to do so due to time constraints, it will report out at the immediately following Regular Council Meeting under "REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION".
Motion for Consideration: 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.
City of Sonoma
Agenda Item Summary
Meeting: City Council - 21 May 2025
Department
Finance
Staff Contact
Prapti Aryal, Finance Director
Agenda Item Title
Accept the Expenditure Report for the Month of April 2025 Summary
The attached report shows disbursements for the month of April 2025.
Resolution 43-2024 authorized appropriated but unspent capital project funds in FY2023-24 to be rolled into the FY2024-25 budget and the April 2025 expenditure report reflects the amended budgets for these funds.
A budget adjustment was approved with Resolution 45-2024 allowing the carryforward of onetime operational projects appropriated but unspent in FY2023-24 to the FY2024-25 budget and the April 2025 expenditure report reflects these amended budgets.
Funds 217 (COPS Grant), 504 (Cemetery Endowment) and 715 (Pool Scholarship) had expenditures equal to 100% of their respective budgets and reflected one-time budgeted transfers for FY2024-25. No further expenditures are expected in these funds in the current fiscal year.
A detailed list of disbursements is available at the web site indicated at the bottom of the report.
Recommended Council Action
Accept report
Alternative Actions
Council discretion
Financial Impact
Monthly Payables Report, April 2025
Environmental Review Status
Environmental Impact Report
Negative Declaration
Exempt
Not Applicable
Approved/Certified
No Action Required
Action Requested
Attachments
Agenda Item #7.2:
Expenditure Report April 2025
43-2024 FY23-24 CIP Carryforward
45-2024 FY23-24 Ops Carryforward
Fund Glossary
Agenda Item #7.2:
DISBURSEMENT REPORT APRIL 2025
Year to Date Monthly Year to Date Annual Percent of Fund Fund Revenue Expenditure Expenditure Budget Budget Balance General Fund 30000 19,638,535 24,919,137 79% 14,085,440 City Council 41001 8,316 129,140 187,879 69%
City Clerk 41002 39,207 367,539 492,408 75%
City Manager 41003 81,806 1,271,304 1,424,848 89%
Finance 41004 38,591 611,809 768,032 80%
City Attorney 41005 40,295 205,162 272,584 75%
Police 42101 944,002 5,293,872 7,597,987 70%
Fire 42201 585,328 6,814,752 7,936,241 86%
Public Works - Admin 43020 32,950 441,507 686,415 64%
Public Works - Streets 43022 78,778 1,123,622 1,197,845 94% Public Works - Parks 43023 92,900 1,336,300 1,667,486 80% Planning 43030 106,409 958,589 1,708,781 56%
Building 43040 61,505 541,810 934,131 58%
Community Activities 43101 53,148 739,392 954,429 77%
Successor Agency 43199 5,091 69,046 175,712 39%
Non-Departmental 43200 78,100 825,901 1,014,982 81%
Emergency Response 43201 - - - 0%
Transfers 405,000 901,849 1,144,315 79%
Total General Fund Expenditures 2,651,424 21,631,594 28,164,075 77% Other Funds
Public Education & Gov 202 20,685 - 20,637 59,061 35% (13,729) Strong Motion 203 232 - - - 0% 6,735
Asset Forfeiture 211 497 - - - 0% 17,289
SLESF C.O.P.S Grant 217 140,693 100,000 100,000 100,000 100% 449,173 Bond Property 220 - - - - 0% (19,144)
Maysonnave Property 221 - - - - 0% (15,196)
Schell Drainage 234 5,890 - - - 0% 68,106
Abandoned Vehicle 240 7,487 1,135 11,830 15,000 79% (31,042) Streets/Transport/Drain 301 1,746,369 83,440 394,860 549,599 72% (206,985) Gas Tax 302 258,826 3,506 85,855 1,738,438 5% 800,085
SB-1Road Maint 303 208,075 - 334,557 1,342,000 25% 558,818 Parks & Facilities 304 116,702 625 16,214 329,079 5% 199,673 Fire Measure H 312 185,163 - 185,163 548,700 34% -
Transportation Measure M 313 55,623 - - 487,000 0% 290,219 Parks-In-Lieu/Quimby Act 314 19,798 - 9,644 210,470 5% 336,959 Parks Measure M 315 94,070 - - 669,000 0% 612,664
Prop 68 Parks 316 25,000 - 2,500 - 0% (162,690)
Successor Agency 391 2,099,019 - 1,264,392 2,591,338 49% (22,461,214) CREBS 495 - - - - 0% (41,749)
2012 POB 498 37 - - - 0% (5,237)
Cemeteries 501 263,007 52,211 386,517 759,182 51% (2,145,042) Cemetery Replacement 502 - - - - 0% 288,613
Cemetery Endowment 504 18,869 50,000 50,000 50,000 100% 735,490 Water Utility 510 5,844,124 1,591,962 4,967,084 6,825,693 73% 8,130,804 Water CIP 512 704,612 - 2,048,609 3,175,532 65% 441,609 Water Equip Replacement 513 20,228 - - - 0% 722,907
EMS Equip Replacement 521 2,619 - - - 0% 84,249
Mgmt Information Srvcs 601 431,076 34,158 321,567 621,457 52% 427,272 Vehicle Replacement 603 394,856 - 625,100 963,231 65% 1,221,654 Insurance 604 1,450 - - - 0% 50,428
Building Maintenance 610 352,170 7,738 7,738 310,000 2% 3,526,541 Computer Loan 614 1,798 - - - 0% 64,744
Hardscape Maint 615 732 - - - 0% 26,300
Admin Hearings 620 264 - - - 0% 797
Grants Restricted 630 1,561,184 - 1,179,945 1,892,321 62% 382,395 Culture Fine Art 701 324 - - - 0% 12,271
Tree Trust 702 510 - - - 0% 19,326
Public Art 703 26,125 - - - 0% 70,558
Pool Scholarship 715 6,941 25,000 25,000 25,000 100% 203,835 Senior Housing 731 7,046 - 40,410 40,410 100% 215,492
Housing Trust 732 536,372 - - - 0% 2,651,362
IGT 796 909,251 99,812 508,388 519,613 98% 2,449,456
SVFRA Operations 798 29,073 - - - 0% 655,017
TOTAL 35,735,331 4,701,010 34,217,604 51,986,199 66%
Monthly disbursement detail reports can be found at www.sonomacity.org/financial-documents Agenda Item #7.2:
Agenda Item #7.2:
Agenda Item #7.2:
Agenda Item #7.2:
Agenda Item #7.2:
City of Sonoma
CITY OF SONOMA
FUND DESCRIPTIONS
General Fund (Fund 100): The general operating fund of the City is used to account for all financial resources except those that require accounting in another fund.
Public Education & Government (Fund 202): Special revenue fund accumulates fees from telecommunication operators to support public, educational and government telecommunications, including broadcasting public meetings. Costs associated with acquiring equipment, renovating and constructing PEG-related facilities and broadcasting are paid from this fund.
Strong Motion (Fund 203): Accounts for State of California "strong motion" fees paid by building permit applicants. Funds are paid regularly to State Department of Conservation.
Asset Forfeiture (Fund 211): Accounts for funds received from seizure and forfeiture of assets that represent the proceeds of, or were used to facilitate, crime. Funds are expended according to legal restrictions.
SLESF (Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund)/COPS (Citizen Option for Public Safety) (Fund 217): Supplemental law enforcement funding is distributed by the State to the County which passes through the funding to local agencies. These funds have traditionally been used to support the costs of the Community Service Officer staff in the Police Department.
Bond Property (Fund 220): The Bond Property, a six acre parcel located at 19990 Seventh Street, was bequeathed to the city in 1977 by Pauline Bond, for the purpose of “creating and maintaining a public park” and is now home to the Sonoma Garden Center. The parcel is leased to the Sonoma Ecology Center who maintains the property and administers public programs at the site. Not Currently Active Fund Maysonnave Property (Fund 221): The Maysonnave Property, consisting of two parcels of land totaling
1.44 acres located at 291 and 289 First Street East, was bequeathed to the city in 1990 by Henri Maysonave for the purpose of “creating and maintaining a public park”. The parcel at 291 First Street East is leased to the League for Historic Preservation who maintains the property and administers public programs at the site while the parcel identified as 289 First Street East is leased to the Valley of the Moon Petanque Club, which maintains the property and administers public programs at that site. Not Currently Active Fund
Schell Drainage (Fund 234): Accounts for funds used for tracking of mitigation fees for specific projects.
Not Currently Active Fund
Abandoned Vehicle (Fund 240): Accounts for funds received from the Sonoma County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement (SCAVA) program and must be expended in compliance with legal restrictions.
Streets/Transport/Drain (Fund 301): This Capital Improvement Fund represents a transfer of funds from the General Fund to support improvements to the City's streets, sidewalks, bikeways, and storm drainage system.
Agenda Item #7.2:
City of Sonoma
Gas Tax (Fund 302): The State of California imposes per-gallon excise taxes and sales taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel, and registration taxes on motor vehicles with allocations dedicated to transportation purposes. Gas taxes can be used for any street or road purpose; however, it is best practice to focus on maintenance and rehabilitation costs only.
SB-1 Road Maintenance (Fund 303): The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (SB1) increased pergallon excise taxes and sales taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel, and vehicle registration taxes, stabilized price-based fuel tax rates and provided for inflationary adjustments to rates in future years. Funds may be used for road maintenance and rehabilitation, safety projects, “complete street” components, and traffic control devices.
Parks & Facilities (Fund 304): This Capital Improvement Fund represents a transfer of funds from the General Fund to support improvements to the City's 17 parks encompass nearly 40 acres, nine play structures, two public restrooms, Class I bike trails, hiking trails, a duck pond, and a rose garden. Park needs that exceed the capacity of City and contract workers are included in this fund.
Fire Measure H (Fund 312): Sonoma County measure uses a ½ cent countywide sales tax to improve fire services.
Transportation Measure M (Fund 313): The Traffic Relief Act for Sonoma County (Measure M) provides for a ¼ cent sales tax that is apportioned to local jurisdictions to maintain their streets, as well as other County-wide street, highway, transit, and safe bicycle and pedestrian routes.
Parks-In-Lieu/Quimby Act (Fund 314): The 1975 Quimby Act (California Government Code §66477) authorized the City to pass ordinances requiring developers set aside land, donate conservation easements, or pay fees, which can only be used for new and rehabilitating existing parks and recreational facilities and cannot be used for the operation and maintenance of park facilities The City currently has a parkland dedication (exaction) requirement as a condition of approval for Tentative Subdivision Maps or Tentative Parcel Maps.
Parks Measure M (Fund 315): Sonoma County Parks Improvement, Water Quality and Fire Safety Measure (Measure M) is a one-eighth cent sales tax that supports Sonoma County’s regional and city parks Prop 68 Parks (Fund 316): Known as the California Clean Water and Safe Parks Act, Proposition 68 allocates funds to construct and rehabilitate parks, implement water improvements for safe drinking water, increase recycling and flood protection, and encourage climate change adaptation projects.
Successor Agency (Fund 391): The City of Sonoma has elected to serve as the Successor Agency to the Sonoma Redevelopment Agency, which was dissolved by the State through the Redevelopment Dissolution Act in 2012. The City as Successor Agency receives pass through revenue when property taxes are remitted to the City by the County via RPTTF (Redevelopment Property Tax Trust Fund). The City then makes authorized payments from Successor Agency for expenses, such as debt service costs, contract services for contracts issued before the dissolution of the development agency, and other expenses, including legal services.
CREBS (Clean Renewable Energy Bonds) (Fund 495): Bonds to pay for solar projects at the Police Station and Corporation Yard. Not Currently Active Fund
Agenda Item #7.2:
City of Sonoma
2012 POB (Pension Obligation Bond) (Fund 498): Bond issued to refund the City’s side fund loan obligations to the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS). Not Currently Active Fund Cemeteries (Fund 501): Accounts for funding to support the City’s three cemeteries’ operations and maintenance, including burial and inurnment preparation and coordination, cemetery improvements, tree hazard assessment and abatement, grounds maintenance, mausoleum maintenance, road maintenance, and vandalism abatement.
Cemetery Replacement (Fund 502): Not Currently Active Fund Cemetery Endowment (Fund 504): The Cemetery Endowment Fund was created to record the income received from Cemetery sales that is designated as endowment care. The City’s Municipal Code defines endowment care as the general maintenance of the City’s three cemeteries that is necessitated by natural growth and ordinary wear.
Water Utility (Fund 510): This enterprise fund is responsible for the delivery of high quality, dependable water service for a variety of needs including consumption, irrigation, and fire protection. It operates and maintains 3 active City-owned tanks with a combined storage capacity of 5.5 million gallons, 7 production wells and appurtenant treatment facilities, 2 pump stations with a combined 140 horsepower maximum output, 56 miles of active water main ranging from 8” to 14” in diameter, 513 fire hydrants, and approximately 4,500 active service connections
Water Construction in Progress (CIP) (Fund 512): This Capital Improvement Fund represents a transfer of funds from the Water Utility Fund to support improvements to the City's drinking water infrastructure.
Projects include replacing aging water mains and appurtenances (e.g. tees, crosses, couplers, saddles, valves), neighborhood-scale water service replacement projects, renewing tank coatings and corrosion control systems, replacing well or pump station equipment, replacing Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems and equipment, improvements to well and pump station buildings (e.g. replacing roofs or electrical systems).
Water Equipment Replacement (Fund 513): Accounts for costs to replace water equipment. Not Currently Active Fund
EMS Equipment Replacement (Fund 521): Accounts for costs to replace EMS equipment.
Management Information Services (Fund 601): The fund provides a mechanism for funding the operational costs, maintenance, and planned replacement of installed computer systems, equipment, software, telephone systems and other critical electronic office equipment through annual transfers from other City departments and funds.
Vehicle Replacement (Fund 603): Accounts for costs to replace vehicles based on a depreciation schedule.
Costs are distributed among user departments and transferred as approved in the annual budget process.
Insurance (Fund 604): Account from which liability, property, earthquake, vehicle, and other insurance premiums are paid. Funding is transferred from other City departments and funds on a pro rata share.
Not Currently Active Fund
Agenda Item #7.2:
City of Sonoma
Building Maintenance (Fund 610): The fund allows the City to set aside funding received through annual transfers made by other City departments and funds for future replacement or repair of certain items in City owned and maintained facilities.
Computer Loan (Fund 614): Created by the City Council in 2000 and funded by an initial transfer of $50,000 from the Employee Benefit Fund, this fund provides low interest loans to employees for the purchase of computers for both personal and professional use. Loans must be repaid through payroll deductions within two years.
Hardscape Maintenance (Fund 615): Accounts for the City's hardscape maintenance reserve programs.
Not Currently Active Fund
Administrative Hearings (Fund 620): Accounts for all activities of the City's Administrative Hearings as charged to departments. Not Currently Active Fund
Grants Restricted (Fund 630): The purpose of the fund is to separately track grant monies that are received and spent for capital improvement projects.
Culture Fine Art (Fund 701): Accounts for assets held to be used for cultural fine art programs. Not Currently Active Fund
Tree Trust (Fund 702): Accounts for assets held to be used for planting and replacement of trees. Not Currently Active Fund
Public Art (Fund 703): Accounts for assets held to be used for public art displays. Not Currently Active Fund
Pool Scholarship (Fund 715): In 2014, the City entered an agreement with Sonoma Valley Health and Recreation Association to support the construction of a swimming pool within the Sonoma Valley. The City’s financial commitment is for a total of $250,000 to be paid in 10 annual installments of $25,000 for the value of free and reduced-fee services to be provided to Sonoma Valley residents Senior Housing (Fund 731): Sonoma Creek Senior Housing is a thirty-four unit rental apartment complex for very low income senior citizens located on Oregon Street and administered by the Board of Directors of the Sonoma Community Housing Corporation (SCHC), a non-profit housing corporation created by the City’s Community Development Agency (CDA). The Board of the SCHC is comprised of two City Councilmembers, the City Manager, a staff member designated by the City Manager and a public member. The operation of the apartment complex is contracted out to Hank Fisher Properties, a rental management firm, with the resident managers being employed by the firm. All accounting and finance for the complex is handled through the rental management contract. Rental income is used to repay the indebtedness issued for the purchase of the complex and to cover annual maintenance and other operational costs. Not Currently Active Fund
Housing Trust (Fund 732): The fund accumulates and distributes funding in accordance with the City Council’s Affordable Housing Plan. The main source of funding is from General Fund transfers of one percent of the Transient Occupancy Tax.
Agenda Item #7.2:
City of Sonoma
IGT (Intergovernmental Transfer) (Fund 796): State of California program that provides an opportunity to receive federal matching funds to support health services for Medi-Cal Managed Care beneficiaries served by the Fire Department.
SVFRA (Sonoma Valley Fire Rescue Association) Operations (Fund 798): Accounts for operational activities in which revenues and expenses are split between the City and SVFD.
Agenda Item #7.2:
City of Sonoma
Agenda Item Summary
Meeting: City Council - 21 May 2025
Department
Administration
Staff Contact
Jenny Yankovich, Assistant to the City Manager
Agenda Item Title
Public Hearing Regarding the Status of City of Sonoma Vacancies and Recruitment and Retention Efforts in Compliance with Assembly Bill (AB) 2561 Summary
On May 7, 2025, the City Council adopted Resolution 25-2025 to establish Procedures for the City of Sonoma Vacancies and Recruitment and Retention Efforts to ensure compliance with Assembly Bill (AB) 2561, that went into effect on January 1, 2025. AB 2561 requires public agencies to hold at least one public hearing each fiscal year to discuss vacancies and recruitment and retention efforts prior to budget adoption. The information provided in this report is in accordance with the City's adopted procedures and is for the time period from January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024.
Vacancies
On January 1, 2024, the City's total staffing budget was 44.5 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions, and the total vacancy rate was 11.2% (5 FTEs). On December 31, 2024, the City's total staffing budget was 45.5 FTEs and the total vacancy rate was 8.8% (4 FTEs). The City's total staffing budget includes 30 FTE positions that are part of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) organization. The SEIU vacancy rate was 10% (3FTEs).
Recruitment
During the reporting period, there were seven (7) internal/external recruitments to fill the following positions:
Associate Planner (2 FTEs) *SEIU
Cemeteries Manager (1 FTE)
Chief Building Official (1FTE)
Environmental Compliance Analyst (1 FTE) *SEIU
Finance Director (1 FTE)
Public Works Administration & Projects Manager (1 FTE) Retention
During the reporting period, six (6) vacancies were created including two (2) newly budgeted positions, one (1) retirement and three (3) voluntary separations. The newly budgeted positions were Cemeteries Manager and Chief Building Official to implement the City's re-organization plan to improve delivery of services to the community. The staffing turnover rate for the reporting period was 7%.
This report provides information regarding the status of vacancies and recruitment and retention efforts. Additionally, the notice of this presentation was provided to City of Sonoma SEIU representatives as outlined in the Procedures for the Public Hearing on City of Sonoma Vacancies and Recruitment and Retention Efforts and in compliance with AB 2561.
Agenda Item #8.1:
Recommended Council Action
Receive the report.
Alternative Actions
Council discretion.
Financial Impact
There is no financial impact resulting from this action.
Environmental Review Status
Environmental Impact Report
Negative Declaration
Exempt
Not Applicable
Approved/Certified
No Action Required
Action Requested
Attachments
AB2561 Public Hearing Presentation
Agenda Item #8.1:
5/15/2025
1 City of Sonoma
AB 2561 Public Hearing
Vacancies and Recruitment and Retention
January 2024 - December 2024
MAY 21, 2025
Vacancies by Employee Group
January 1, 2024
# Total Budgeted FTEs = 44.5
# Total Vacancies = 5 (11.2%)
# SEIU Budgeted FTEs = 30
# SEIU Vacancies = 3 (10%)
# Administrative/Management FTEs = 14.5
# Administrative/Management Vacancies = 2 (13.7%) 2
1 2
Agenda Item #8.1:
5/15/2025
2 Vacancy Activity Summary 2024
3 # of Budgeted FTEs % of Vacancies # of Remaining Vacancies # of Vacancies Filled # of Vacancies Created Month/Year Jan-24 0 0 5 44.5 11.2%
Feb-24 0 0 5 44.5 11.2% Mar-24 4 0 9 44.5 20.2%
Apr-24 1 0 10 44.5 22.5% May-24 1 1 10 44.5 22.5%
Jun-24 0 1 9 44.5 20.2%
Jul-24 0 3 6 45.5 13.2%
Aug-24 0 1 5 45.5 11.0%
Sep-24 0 1 4 45.5 8.8%
Oct-24 0 0 4 45.5 8.8%
Nov-24 0 0 4 45.5 8.8%
Dec-24 0 0 4 45.5 8.8%
Average % 13.9% Highest % 22.5% Lowest % 8.8%
Re-Organization & Focus to
Improve Service Delivery
March - June 2024
Community Development Department
+ Chief Building Official
- Plans Examiner*Retired
- Building Inspector*Voluntary Separation
Cemeteries
+ Cemeteries Manager
*SEIU Positions 4
3 4
Agenda Item #8.1:
5/15/2025
3 Recruitment Summary
Key Vacancies Filled in 2024
Associate Planner (2 FTEs)* Cemeteries Manager (1 FTE)
Chief Building Official (1FTE)
Environmental Compliance Analyst (1 FTE) *
Finance Director (1 FTE)
Public Works Administration & Projects Manager (1 FTE)
*SEIU Positions – 3 FTEs
Total Positions – 7 FTEs 5 Retention Summary
January 1, 2024- December 31, 2024
Vacancies Created = 6 FTE
# Budgeted FTEs = 45.5 FTEs
Staffing Turnover Rate = 7%
Reason for Vacancy
Newly Budgeted Positions = 2 FTEs (33% of vacancies created) Retirement = 1 FTE (17% of vacancies created)
Voluntary Separation = 3 FTEs (50% of vacancies created) 6 5 6
Agenda Item #8.1:
5/15/2025
4 Vacancies by Employee Group
December 31, 2024
# Total Budgeted FTEs = 45.5
# Total Vacancies = 4 (8.8%)
# SEIU Budgeted FTEs = 30
# SEIU Vacancies = 3 (10%)
# Administrative/Management FTEs = 15.5
# Administrative/Management Vacancies = 1 FTE (6.5%) 7 Questions? 8 7
8 Agenda Item #8.1: