Measure U Oversight Committee

Measure U Oversight Committee — January 31, 2024

This was a regular meeting of the citizen oversight committee that monitors spending of Measure U, Petaluma's local sales tax measure. Notable business included swearing in a new member, electing a chair, and reviewing the biannual financial report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023. One committee member, Tyler Sturm, was absent with excuse.

Oath of Office for New Committee Member

City Clerk Caitlin Corley administered the oath of office to newly appointed Committee Member Jane Hamilton.

Selection of Committee Chair

Committee Member Davison nominated Leland Fishman to serve as Chair; Committee Member Hamilton seconded. Fishman accepted the nomination.

Vote: Approved 4–0 (Sturm absent). Fishman assumed control of the meeting.

General Public Comment

No members of the public were present in chambers to speak. One written public comment from Susan Kirks was submitted prior to the meeting and posted to the online agenda.

Measure U Biannual Report Overview — Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023

Finance Director (and Staff Liaison) Jessie Gooch presented the biannual Measure U report covering FY 2022–23, with Assistant City Manager Brian Cochran also participating. The presentation sparked a number of questions and requests for clarification from committee members:

Library suppression system: Committee Member Hart asked about costs related to the library suppression system. Gooch agreed to follow up with specific information before the next meeting.

Infrastructure costs and Climate Outreach program: Committee Member Davison asked about infrastructure spending and the cost of the Climate Outreach program. ACM Cochran said he would research the Climate Outreach specifics and report back.

Marina and Trestle funding: Chair Fishman asked whether any Measure U money was going toward the Marina; Gooch confirmed it was not. Davison asked about the trestle — Gooch indicated some funding had been secured with more to come.

General Fund support transparency: Several members expressed concern that the portion of Measure U funds flowing into General Fund support — particularly for city staff positions — was presented too vaguely for the public to understand. Committee Member Hamilton asked that the figures be itemized so residents can see what they're getting. Chair Fishman added that showing how position costs have increased over time would be more informative than simply showing a doubled figure. Davison asked whether the positions were in police, fire, or planning. Gooch acknowledged the request and committed to clarifying this breakdown in future reports.

$12.8 million line item: Committee Member Hamilton specifically flagged a $12.8 million figure listed in the report and asked for a detailed cost breakdown at the next meeting. Gooch confirmed that amount covers the current fiscal year and said details — along with a preview of FY 2024–25 — would be provided at the next meeting.

Community Baseball Field: Committee Member Hart asked about the completion date, total costs, and what portion Measure U is funding. Staff provided responses (specific details were not captured in the minutes).

EV Chargers: Davison raised questions about EV chargers and associated grant funding; staff responded.

Emergency preparedness: Committee Member Hamilton asked about emergency preparedness line items. Gooch clarified that these funds are for *city* emergency preparedness operations, not programs for individual citizens.

A written public comment from Susan Kirks was also submitted on this item.

*No vote was required; this was a presentation and discussion item.*

Approval of Minutes — March 21, 2023

Three of the four members present had attended the March 21, 2023 meeting. A motion to approve those minutes was made by Committee Member Davison and seconded by Committee Member Hart.

Vote: Approved (vote count not explicitly recorded in minutes; all present members voted in favor).

Committee and Staff Comments

Davison asked that concerns previously raised by former Chair Susan Kirks about proper reporting be addressed going forward. ACM Cochran clarified that all committee questions, comments, and feedback are entered into the public record and made available to the City Council — the committee will not be writing a separate report to Council. Answers to questions raised during tonight's meeting will be provided before or at the next meeting.

Committee Member Davison also raised the question of how to get Measure U information out to residents beyond the city website. The committee and staff briefly brainstormed alternative outreach methods, though no specific new approach was settled upon.

Key Takeaways