City Council

City Council & PCDSA — July 7, 2025

This was a regular City Council meeting that began with a closed session on two federal litigation matters before moving into a full agenda of infrastructure contracts, a significant referendum certification, and several public hearings. All seven councilmembers were present.

Closed Session: Federal Litigation

The Council met in closed session to discuss two pending federal lawsuits that Petaluma is considering joining. The first is a multi-city challenge in the Northern District of California (Case No. 25-CV-01350-WHO) contesting federal executive directives ordering local governments to assist in civil immigration enforcement. The second, filed in the Western District of Washington (Martin Luther King, Jr. County et al. v. Scott Turner et al.), challenges conditions placed on federal HUD and DOT funding that would require localities to comply with Trump administration policies opposing DEI programs, local gender recognition, and reproductive choice, and requiring cooperation with immigration enforcement. Two members of the public, Jodi Johnson and Janis Barker, commented before the closed session. No reportable action was announced when the Council returned to open session.

Proclamation and Presentation

The Council recognized July as National Parks and Recreation Month, with Parks and Recreation Director Drew Halter and department staff accepting the proclamation. The Council also received a presentation from David Manning of Sonoma Water and Sonoma County Supervisor David Rabbitt on the Eel-Russian Project Authority and the proposed new regional water facility (see Item 9 below).

General Public Comment

Twenty-three members of the public addressed the Council during general public comment. The minutes do not detail the substance of individual remarks, so the topics addressed are not recorded here.

Consent Calendar

The following items were approved routinely, with two items pulled for separate consideration. Councilmember Cader Thompson recused from Items 6 and 8 because those projects are located within 500 feet of her residence.

Items passed unanimously (7-0) included: approval of minutes from three prior meetings (June 11, June 16, and June 26); the tentative agenda for July 21 and upcoming significant items; acceptance of completion of the Swim Center Pool Replastering Project by Burkett's Pool Plastering, Inc., and release of retention; a contract award for the Temporary Fire Station Project and asphalt paving at Fire Station 2 to Arntz Builders, Inc.; authorization to purchase two heart monitors and associated equipment from ZOLL Medical Corporation; and authorization to purchase and install the G2 Fire Station Alerting System via cooperative purchasing.

Items 6 and 8 — the Rainier Avenue Water Service Replacement and Urban Recycled Water System Expansion contract award to Team Ghilotti, Inc., and the MTC Regional Measure 3 grant application for transit facility electrification — passed 6-0 with Cader Thompson recused.

Eel-Russian Project Authority Resolution (Item 9)

After questions and discussion, the Council voted to formally support the Eel-Russian Project Authority and the proposed new Eel-Russian regional water supply facility. This project is a significant long-term regional water security effort involving Sonoma Water and multiple North Bay agencies. Councilmember DeCarli cast the lone dissenting vote, though the minutes do not detail the specific reasons for the disagreement.

Vote: Carried 6-1 (DeCarli opposed). Moved by Cader Thompson, seconded by Barnacle.

Referendum Petition Certification — Downtown FAR Increase (Item 12)

This was a consequential procedural item. The Council certified the results of the City Clerk's examination of a referendum petition filed against Resolution No. 2025-047, which had amended the General Plan to increase the maximum allowable Floor Area Ratio (FAR) in the Downtown Housing & Economic Opportunity Overlay (Subarea A only) from 2.5 up to 6.0. A sufficient number of valid signatures were gathered to trigger the referendum process under Elections Code Section 9240. By certifying the petition, the Council is acknowledging the referendum is legally valid — meaning the underlying resolution is suspended pending either Council reconsideration or a public vote. This effectively puts the downtown FAR increase on hold until voters weigh in or the Council acts.

Vote: Carried 7-0. Moved by Barnacle, seconded by Cader Thompson.

Landscape Assessment Districts — FY 2025/26 (Item 13)

Senior Management Analyst Delana Bradford presented the annual levy of assessments for the city's Landscape Assessment Districts (LADs) for the coming fiscal year. Because several councilmembers own property within 500 feet of specific LADs, six separate resolutions (Nos. 2025-096 through 2025-101) were required, with different recusals on each: Barnacle recused from one, DeCarli from one, Mayor McDonnell from one, Shribbs from one, and Quint from one. One member of the public, Christine White, commented. All six resolutions passed, each with the applicable recusals, at either 7-0 or 6-0.

Hazardous Vegetation Abatement (Item 14)

Acting Fire Marshal Amy Segui presented the annual weed and rubbish abatement resolutions, which authorize the Fire Department to abate hazardous vegetation and rubbish on public and private property by contract if property owners fail to do so themselves. Two resolutions were adopted: Resolution 2025-102 passed 7-0; Resolution 2025-103 passed 6-0 with Cader Thompson recused (property proximity). No public comment was received.

Airport Ordinance Update (Item 15)

Airport Manager Dan Cohen presented a comprehensive update to Title 16 of the Municipal Code governing airport and aircraft operations, bringing the code into alignment with FAA Order 5190.6B. The update touches on definitions, leases, vehicle and aircraft rules, traffic patterns, fueling, fire safety, unlicensed aircraft, and penalties. No public comment was received. The ordinance was introduced on first reading and will return for adoption.

Vote: Carried 7-0. Moved by DeCarli, seconded by Nau.

Permanent Local Housing Allocation Grant Application (Item 16)

Housing Manager Karen Shimizu and Management Analyst Sarah Wolf presented a resolution authorizing the City Manager to apply to the California Department of Housing and Community Development for the Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) program's Calendar Year 2023 funding, and to execute resulting contracts. This is an ongoing state housing grant program. No public comment was received.

Vote: Carried 7-0. Moved by Cader Thompson, seconded by Nau.

Key Takeaways