City Council

City Council — May 5, 2025

This was a regular meeting of the Petaluma City Council and Petaluma Community Development Successor Agency (PCDSA), called to order at 5:02 p.m. with all seven councilmembers present. The meeting included proclamations for Affordable Housing Month, Wildfire Awareness Week, and Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, as well as a presentation of the draft FY 2025–36 Budget Book by Finance Director Jessie Gooch. The meeting was adjourned in memory of Matthew Hudson, former City Attorney for Petaluma.

Consent Calendar (Items 1–7 and 9)

The Council approved the following routine items without separate discussion: meeting minutes from April 21; tentative agendas for upcoming meetings; a resolution declaring intent to levy landscape assessment district assessments for FY 2025/26 and scheduling a public hearing; authorization to apply to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission for State Transit Assistance funds for FY 2024/25; authorization to apply for a Low Carbon Transit Operations Program grant to purchase one replacement zero-emission bus; authorization to execute a cooperative funding agreement with the Sonoma County Transportation Authority under the Go Sonoma Expenditure Plan for improved bus service, affordability, and first/last mile connections; acceptance of the completed Seismic Analysis City Facilities Assessment; and acceptance of the completed Sea Level Rise Mapping and Modeling for Climate Adaptation project.

Vote: Carried 7–0 (moved by Councilmember Barnacle, seconded by Councilmember Cader Thompson)

Consent Item 8 — Density Bonus Agreement for 100% Affordable Housing at 2 Rovina Lane

Councilmember DeCarli pulled this item from the Consent Calendar for separate discussion. The resolution approves a Residential Density Bonus Agreement for a 100% affordable housing development at 2 Rovina Lane, in compliance with the City's Implementing Zoning Ordinance. Density bonus agreements allow developers of fully affordable projects to exceed standard zoning limits in exchange for deed-restricted affordable units. No detail on DeCarli's specific concerns is recorded in the minutes, but he ultimately voted against the item.

Vote: Carried 6–1 (moved by Vice Mayor Nau, seconded by Councilmember Barnacle; Councilmember DeCarli dissented)

Public Hearing — Renaming Center Park to Historic Chinatown Park

Senior Management Analyst Jonathan Luong and Parks and Recreation Director Drew Halter presented the staff report. The proposal sought to rename the downtown park currently called Center Park to "Historic Chinatown Park," recognizing both the geographic and historical significance of Petaluma's once-thriving Chinatown community, which was centered in that area.

Public comment was extensive and supportive. Twelve speakers came forward, including Lina Hoshino of the Historic Chinatown Ad Hoc Committee, Cecelia Shimizu of the Sonoma County Japanese American Citizens League, Frank Chong, Grant Din, Lance Lew (a longtime Petaluma resident), and several others with personal and community ties to the history of Chinese immigrants in Petaluma. Speakers emphasized the importance of acknowledging this history publicly and honoring the contributions of the Chinese American community to the city's development.

The Council unanimously approved the renaming.

Vote: Carried 7–0 (moved by Councilmember Cader Thompson, seconded by Councilmember Shribbs)

Public Hearing — Easement Dedication at Riverfront Development for Caulfield Extension (0 Bautista Way)

City Engineer Kent Carothers presented this item, which involves the first reading of an ordinance approving an easement dedication at the Riverfront Development to support the Caulfield Lane Extension project — a long-planned roadway connection intended to improve east-west circulation in Petaluma. No members of the public came forward to comment. The Council discussed the item and introduced the ordinance on first reading; a second reading and final adoption will be required at a future meeting.

Vote: Carried 7–0 (moved by Councilmember Shribbs, seconded by Vice Mayor Nau)

Public Hearing — Fiscal and Organizational Sustainability Plan Update

Assistant City Manager Brian Cochran presented an update on the City's ongoing Fiscal and Organizational Sustainability Plan, which was developed in response to Petaluma's structural budget challenges. Two members of the public — Duane Bellinger and Nicholas Harris — commented. The minutes do not detail the specific content of their remarks or the Council's discussion. This was a receive-and-discuss item with no binding vote; the Council received the update and discussion followed.

Public Hearing — Finalize Goals and Priorities Workplan for FY 2024/25 and 2025/26

City Manager Peggy Flynn, Assistant City Manager Brian Cochran, and Assistant to the City Manager Patrick Carter presented the updated Goals and Priorities Workplan. This workplan guides staff direction and resource allocation across the two fiscal years. A written comment was submitted in advance by Susan Kirks, and John Hanania spoke during public comment. The Council provided direction to staff following discussion. The minutes do not specify which priorities were adjusted or finalized; no binding vote was recorded for this item.

Key Takeaways