REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
OF THE SONOMA CITY COUNCIL
CALIFORNIA
City Council Chambers
City Council: 177 First Street West
Ron Wellander, Mayor
Sandra Lowe, Vice Mayor Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Patricia Farrar-Rivas
John Gurney 6:00 PM Regular Meeting
Jack Ding
REGULAR MEETING
CONVENE, CALL TO ORDER, & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Wellander called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: Mayor Wellander, Vice Mayor Lowe, Council Member Farrar-Rivas, Council Member Gurney, and Council Member Ding
CLOSED SESSION
There was no Closed Session held.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Council Member Ding, seconded by Council Member Farrar-Rivas, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
1. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
None.
2. MEETING DEDICATIONS
None.
3. COUNCILMEMBERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Council Member Farrar-Rivas attended a Sonoma Clean Power meeting on May 7, 2026, and provided updates from that meeting.
Vice Mayor Lowe attended a Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) meeting on May 6, 2026, and provided updates from it.
Council Member Gurney attended a Special Finance Committee meeting on May 14, 2026, along with Council Member Farrar-Rivas.
Mayor Wellander attended several community events, including the Sonoma Valley Fire District's Pinning Ceremony at Firehouse #1 and the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau on May 8, 2026. The Mayor also toured Sonoma Water to view its newly installed weather radar and met with Senator Cabaldon for lunch on May 16, 2026.
Interim City Manager Alilovich expressed appreciation to the eight volunteers and City staff members who participated in the Veterans Cemetery cleanup on May 16, 2026, in preparation for the Memorial Day Ceremony scheduled for May 25, 2026. Ms. Alilovich also reported that the City received two awards at the recent California Association of Public Information Officials conference. Sarah Tracy, Senior Management Analyst/Public Information Officer, was recognized with the Public Information and Community Engagement Award, and Carolyn Fulton, Cemeteries Manager, was recognized for her efforts to improve operations and enhance cemetery communications and public access. Interim City Manager Alilovich also shared that the Sonoma Valley Fire District's annual weed abatement efforts are underway and reminded the community that fire season is approaching and residents should make appropriate preparations. She provided an update on Measure M, the Parks Sales Tax, and extended congratulations to all Sonoma Valley High School graduates. In celebration, City Hall will be illuminated green next week. She further announced that City Hall will be illuminated in rainbow colors on June 1, 2026, in recognition of Pride Month, and that a Pride celebration will be held at the Plaza on June 14, 2026. Lastly, Ms. Alilovich shared that the City is launching a new partnership with the National Academy of Athletics, bringing a new lineup of sports camps to the Field of Dreams.
5. CITY ATTORNEY COMMENTS
City Attorney Ruderman shared that he attended the CalCities City Attorney's Conference and provided an overview of what was shared at the Legal Advocacy Committee meeting.
6. PRESENTATIONS
Item 6.1: Introduction and Recognition of the 2026 Student Creative Artist Siena Kelly and Merit Award Winner Kassandra Castillo
Regular Meeting Minutes, May 20, 2026
Item 6.2: Proclamation Designating the Month of June 2026 as Pride Month in the City of Item 6.3: Presentation Recognizing the City of Sonoma Public Works Department During National Public Works Week May 17 - 23, 2026
Item 6.4: Receive an Update on the Field of Dreams Site Improvements
7. CONSENT CALENDAR - CITY COUNCIL
Motion by Vice Mayor Lowe, seconded by Council Member Farrar-Rivas, 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: Receive Minutes from Regular Meeting of April 15, 2026 (Monique Saviez Burns, CMC, CMC, Deputy City Clerk)
Action: The minutes were received.
Item 7.3: Accept the Expenditure Report for the Month of April 2026 (Ryan Kodama, Accounting Manager)
Action: The expenditure report was accepted.
Item 7.4: Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the Interim City Manager to Execute a Professional Services Agreement with Bureau Veritas Technical Assessments LLC Not to Exceed $64,614.03 for Facilities Condition Assessment Consultant Services, and Adopt a Resolution Authorizing a Budget Amendment to Increase Expenditures from the Long Term Building Maintenance Fund (Fund 610) (Ashley Cotter, PW Admin & Project Action: Adopted as Resolution 23-2026 and Resolution 24-2026.
8. PUBLIC HEARING
Item 8.1: Public Hearing Regarding the Status of City of Sonoma Vacancies and Recruitment and Retention Efforts for January-December 2025 in Compliance with Assembly Bill (AB) 2561 (Jenny Yankovich, Assistant to the City Manager)
Action: The City of Sonoma Vacancies and Recruitment and Retention Efforts report for January to December 2025 was approved.
Open Public Hearing: 7:15 p.m.
Public Comments: None.
Closed Public Hearing: 7:15 p.m.
Compliance with Assembly Bill 2561. Motion carried unanimously.
Item 8.2: Public Hearing to Consider, Discuss, and Approve a Use Permit and Design Review (UPA 24-2) for Construction of a Proposed New Single-Family Home, Detached Garage, and Pool House at 149 Fourth Street East (APN: 018-051-014), Including Action to Approve a Categorical Exemption Pursuant to Section 15303 (Class 3 - New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures) of the State CEQA Guidelines for New Construction of Up to Three Residential Units and Accessory Structures (Jennifer Gates, AICP, Community Development Director)
Action: Adopted as Resolution 25-2026.
Ex Parte Communications Disclosures: Council Member Farrar-Rivas disclosed that she walked the site with Chad Moll. Council Member Ding disclosed that he visited the site and surrounding neighborhood and met with a neighbor, Art Grandy.
Open Public Hearing: 7:51 p.m.
Public Comments: Robert Demler
Closed Public Hearing: 7:52 p.m.
Motion by Council Member Gurney, seconded by Council Member Farrar-Rivas, to Approve a Use Permit and Design Review (UPA 24-2) for Construction of a Proposed New Single-Family Home, Detached Garage, and Pool House at 149 Fourth Street East (APN: 018-051-014), Including Action to Approve a Categorical Exemption Pursuant to Section 15303 (Class 3 - New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures) of the State CEQA Guidelines for New Construction of Up to Three Residential Units and Accessory Structures with the modifications of the language addressing tree removals as discussed.
Motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Wellander called for a break at 8:21 p.m.; Council reconvened at 8:27 p.m.
Regular Meeting Minutes, May 20, 2026
Item 8.3: Public Hearing to Consider, Discuss, and Approve a Use Permit and Design Review (UA 24-3) for Construction of a Proposed New Single-family Home and Detached Garage at Lot 227 Brazil Street (APN: 018-051-016), Including Action to Approve a Categorical Exemption Pursuant to Section 15303 (Class 3 - New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures) of the State CEQA Guidelines for New Construction of up to Three Residential Units and Accessory Structures (Jennifer Gates, AICP, Community Development Director) Action: Adopted as Resolution 26-2026.
Ex Parte Communications Disclosures: Council Member Farrar-Rivas disclosed that she walked the site with Chad Moll. Council Member Ding disclosed that he visited the site and surrounding neighborhood and met with a neighbor, Art Grandy.
Open Public Hearing: 8:46 p.m.
Public Comments: None.
Closed Public Hearing: 8:46 p.m.
Motion by Mayor Wellander, seconded by Council Member Gurney, to Approve a Use Permit and Design Review (UA 24-3) for Construction of a Proposed New Single-family Home and Detached Garage at Lot 227 Brazil Street (APN: 018-051-016), Including Action to Approve a Categorical Exemption Pursuant to Section 15303 (Class 3 - New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures) of the State CEQA Guidelines for New Construction of up to Three Residential Units and Accessory Structures with the modifications of the language addressing tree removals as discussed. Motion carried unanimously.
Item 8.4: Public Hearing to Consider, Discuss, and Approve a Use Permit and Design Review (UA 23-16) for Construction of a Proposed New Single-family Home and Detached Garage at Lot 228 Brazil Street (APN: 018-051-015), Including Action to Approve a Categorical Exemption Pursuant to Section 15303 (Class 3 - New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures) of the State CEQA Guidelines for New Construction of Up to Three Residential Units and Accessory Structures (Jennifer Gates, AICP, Community Development Director) Action: Adopted as Resolution 27-2026.
Ex Parte Communications Disclosures: Council Member Farrar-Rivas disclosed that she walked the site with Chad Moll. Council Member Ding disclosed that he visited the site and surrounding neighborhood and met with a neighbor, Art Grandy.
Open Public Hearing: 8:57 p.m.
Public Comments: None.
Closed Public Hearing: 8:57 p.m.
Motion by Council Member Farrar-Rivas, seconded by Council Member Ding, to Approve a Use Permit and Design Review (UA 23-16) for Construction of a Proposed New Single-family Home and Detached Garage at Lot 228 Brazil Street (APN: 018-051-015), Including Action to Approve a Categorical Exemption Pursuant to Section 15303 (Class 3 - New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures) of the State CEQA Guidelines for New Construction of Up to Three Residential Units and Accessory Structures with the modifications of the language addressing tree removals as discussed. Motion carries unanimously.
Public Comment: Bill Jasper
9. REGULAR CALENDAR - CITY COUNCIL
None.
10. SECOND PUBLIC COMMENT (ONLY REQUIRED IF PUBLIC SPEAKERS REMAIN FROM ITEM 2.0) None.
11. ADJOURNEMENT
Mayor Wellander adjourned the meeting at 9:01 p.m.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing minutes were duly and regularly received at a regular meeting of the Sonoma City Council on the 3rd of June 2026.
Monique
Monique Saviez Burns, CMC, CMC, Deputy City Clerk
Regular Meeting Minutes, May 20, 2026