City Council
City Council
Mon, June 3, 2024
Agenda items
Vote records
Discussion summary
Transcript
Meeting summaryAI-generated
City Council — June 3, 2024
This was a regular City Council meeting that opened with a closed session on a workers' compensation litigation matter (no reportable action), followed by a proclamation recognizing LGBTQ+ Pride Month. The meeting ran until nearly 11 p.m. Note: The minutes list councilmembers under names not matching the current known roster (e.g., "Healy" and "Pocekay" appear in place of Quint and Decarli); those names are preserved as written in the official minutes.
Closed Session
The Council met in closed session to discuss an existing workers' compensation lawsuit — *Llorence, Melissa v. City of Petaluma* (WCAB ADJ13946642). City Attorney Eric Danly reported no action taken.
Consent Calendar (Items 1–14)
All fourteen consent items passed unanimously without significant individual discussion, though two members of the public — Bryant Moynihan and Jacob Gamba — commented, and council posed questions of staff on the CDBG-MIT grant item. Key actions included:
Election resolutions formally calling the November 5, 2024 General Municipal Election, requesting consolidation with the statewide general election, and adopting candidate statement regulations.
Financial housekeeping: acceptance of audited financials for both the Public Financing Corporation and Public Financing Authority (FY 2022–23); approval of claims and bills for Q1–Q3 FY 2023–24; receipt of the City Treasurer's quarterly report; and approval of the City's investment policy delegating investment authority for FY 2024–25.
Budget continuity: a resolution continuing current appropriation ordinances until the FY 2024–25 budget ordinances take effect.
Landscape Assessment Districts: three resolutions initiating the annual assessment process for FY 2024–25, directing preparation of an engineer's report and setting a future public hearing date.
Office furniture purchase for the newly leased Public Works & Utilities facility at 1318 Redwood Way, procured through a State of California government contract.
Living wage increase: Petaluma's living wage rate set at $18.95/hour (with employer medical contribution) or $21.24/hour (without) for FY 2024–25, with corresponding adjustments to part-time positions.
City holidays approved for FY 2024–25.
CDBG-MIT grant application authorized for the State's Resilient Planning and Public Services program.
Vote: Carried 7–0 (moved by Councilmember Healy, seconded by Councilmember Pocekay)
FY 2024–25 Preliminary Budget (Item 17 — heard out of order)
Finance Director Jessie Gooch presented the preliminary budget for Fiscal Year 2024–25. The Council took action to adopt two budget resolutions and introduce on first reading the FY 2024–25 City Appropriations Ordinance (Ordinance 2889 N.C.S.). One member of the public, Sandra Shand, commented. The vote was not unanimous — Councilmembers Healy and Nau voted no, though the minutes do not detail the specific objections raised during discussion.
Vote: Carried 5–2 (moved by Councilmember Barnacle, seconded by Councilmember Pocekay; dissenting: Councilmembers Healy and Nau)
Parklet Program Workshop (Item 15)
Community Development Director Brian Oh presented policy options for establishing a formal "Free Range Program" — a parklet program that would allow creation of public spaces (seating, gathering areas, etc.) within the public right-of-way. This was a workshop item, meaning no binding vote was taken; the discussion was intended to gather council direction for staff.
Eight members of the public commented, reflecting notable community interest: Thomas Maxstadt, Daniel Bleakney Formby, April Frederick, Joshua Simmons, Bryant Moynihan, Christopher Neugebauer, Dave Alden, and Marie McCusker. Council discussion followed, though the minutes do not detail the specific policy direction given to staff.
SB 1 Road Repair Project List — FY 2024–25 (Item 16)
Deputy Director of Operations Jeff Stutsman presented the proposed project list for SB 1 (Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017) funding for FY 2024–25. SB 1 provides state gas tax revenues to local agencies for road maintenance and repair. One member of the public, Wayne Eckstrom, commented.
During discussion, the Council directed that St. Francis Drive be added to the 2025–26 Pavement Restoration Project List on Attachment A. The resolution was then adopted with that amendment included.
Vote: Carried 7–0 (moved by Councilmember Healy, seconded by Councilmember Nau)
Key Takeaways
FY 2024–25 budget adopted on first reading with a divided 5–2 vote; Councilmembers Healy and Nau dissented, signaling some disagreement over the spending plan.
November 2024 municipal election formally initiated — resolutions set the stage for candidates to file for city offices consolidated with the statewide general election.
Living wage raised to $18.95–$21.24/hour for FY 2024–25 for city part-time positions.
St. Francis Drive added to the SB 1 pavement restoration project list for 2025–26 at council's direction.
Parklet/Free Range Program policy options were workshopped with significant public participation; formal program rules are still in development.
AI-generated summary from voice-to-text transcript. Not the official record. Verify important details with the source documents linked above.
Agenda items (17)
Consent Calendar
1Consent CalendarMinutes of the City Council/PCDSA Regular Meeting of May 20, 2024 – ITEM REVISED MAY 30, 2024
The council will approve the official written record of its May 20, 2024 meeting.
Adopted unanimously · 4-0
2Consent CalendarTentative Agenda for City Council/PCDSA Regular Meeting of June 17, 2024 and Significant Agenda Items for June August 2024
The council will confirm the agenda for its June 17, 2024 meeting and review major items planned for the next few months.
Adopted unanimously · 4-0
3Consent CalendarResolutions Calling for and Giving Notice of the City’s Regular Municipal Election to be Held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024; Requesting the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors to Consolidate the City’s Regular Election as a General Municipal Election with the Statewide General Election; and, Adopting Regulations for Candidates of Elective Office Pertaining to Candidate Statements
Petaluma will officially call for a municipal election on November 5, 2024, ask the county to combine it with the statewide election, and set rules for candidates to submit statements.
Adopted unanimously · 4-0
4Consent CalendarPetaluma Public Financing Corporation Status Report and Audited Financials for Fiscal Year 202223
The council will review the Petaluma Public Financing Corporation's financial statements and annual report for the 2022-23 fiscal year.
Adopted unanimously · 4-0
5Consent CalendarPetaluma Public Financing Authority Status Report and Audited Financials for Fiscal Year 202223
The council will review the Petaluma Public Financing Authority's financial statements and annual report for the 2022-23 fiscal year.
Adopted unanimously · 4-0
6Consent CalendarResolution Accepting Claims and Bills for January, February and March 2024
The council will approve payment of city bills and claims from January through March 2024.
Adopted unanimously · 4-0
7Consent CalendarResolution to Receive and File the City Treasurer’s Quarterly Report Dated March 31, 2024
The council will receive and file the city treasurer's quarterly financial report as of March 31, 2024.
Adopted unanimously · 4-0
8Consent CalendarResolution Approving the City of Petaluma Investment Policy and Delegating Investment Authority to the City Treasurer for Fiscal Year 20242025
The council will approve how the city manages its investments for the 2024-2025 fiscal year and authorize the treasurer to make investment decisions.
Adopted unanimously · 4-0
9Consent CalendarResolution to Continue Current Budget Appropriation Ordinances 2849, 2850, 2851, 2852, 2853, 2854 N.C.S Until Fiscal Year 202425 Budget Appropriation Ordinances are in Effect
The council will continue using current budget authority through the end of the fiscal year until the new 2024-25 budget takes effect.
Adopted unanimously · 4-0
10Consent CalendarResolution Describing Improvements and Directing Preparation of Engineer’s Report for Fiscal Year 24/25 Annual Assessment for the Landscape Assessment Districts; Resolution Providing Preliminary Approval of Engineer’s Report for Landscape Assessment Districts, Fiscal Year 24/25; Resolution of Intention to Order the Levy and Collection of Assessments Pursuant to the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972 for Landscape Assessment Districts, Fiscal Year 24/25, and to Set the Date of the Public Hearing
The council will approve a plan to assess property owners for landscaping and lighting maintenance in designated districts for the 2024-25 fiscal year and schedule a public hearing on the assessment.
Adopted unanimously · 4-0
11Consent CalendarResolution Authorizing the Purchase of Allsteel Beyond Walls for Four (4) Additional Offices for the Newly Leased Facility at 1318 Redwood Way for the Public Works & Utilities CIP Department through the State of California Government Contract and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute all Documents Necessary to Complete the Purchase
The city will purchase modular office furniture for four new offices at its newly leased Public Works facility at 1318 Redwood Way using a state purchasing contract.
Adopted unanimously · 4-0
12Consent CalendarResolution Approving Adjustments to 1) the City of Petaluma’s Living Wage Rate by Setting the Rate at $18.95 Per Hour With an Employer Contribution Toward Medical Benefits and $21.24 Per Hour Without an Employer Contribution Toward Medical Benefits for Fiscal Year 20242025; 2) the Pay Rates of City of Petaluma PartTime Living Wage Positions; and if Approved, 3) the Pay Rates of PartTime Positions Benchmarked to the City’s PartTime Living Wage Positions
The council will increase Petaluma's living wage to $18.95-$21.24 per hour for 2024-2025 and adjust pay rates for part-time employees accordingly.
Adopted unanimously · 4-0
13Consent CalendarResolution Approving Fixed and Observed Holidays for Fiscal Year 20242025
The council will establish which holidays city employees will observe during the 2024-2025 fiscal year.
Adopted unanimously · 4-0
14Consent CalendarResolution Approving an Application for Funding and the Execution of a Grant Agreement and Any Amendments Thereto from the 20232024 Funding Year of the State CDBG Mitigation (CDBGMIT) Resilient Planning and Public Services (MITPPS) Program WORKSHOP
The city will apply for state disaster recovery grant funding to support planning and public services related to climate resilience.
Adopted unanimously · 4-0
15Consent CalendarPresentation and Discussion of Policy Options for establishing a Parklet Program (known as the City's Free Range Program) to Increase Opportunities for Creating Public Spaces in the Public Right of Way – ITEM PUBLISHED MAY 30, 2024
The council will discuss and consider establishing a program that allows businesses and community groups to create small public seating areas and parklets on city sidewalks and streets.
Public Hearing
16Public HearingResolution to Approve the Proposed Project List for Fiscal Year 24/25 by SB 1: The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017
The council will hold a public hearing and vote on which road and transportation projects Petaluma will fund with state road repair money in 2024-25.
17Public HearingPreliminary Fiscal Year 20242025 City of Petaluma Budget, Adoption of City Budget Resolutions and Introduction (First Reading) of Fiscal Year 20242025 City Appropriations Ordinance
The council will hold a public hearing on the city's proposed $184 million-plus budget for 2024-2025 and begin the process to formally adopt it.
Additional votes recorded in minutes
Budget Motion
Aye 4 · Noe 1
Brian BarnacleAye
Janice Cader ThompsonAye
John ShribbsAye
Karen NauNoe
Kevin McDonnellAye
Unspecified Motion
Aye 5
Brian BarnacleAye
Janice Cader ThompsonAye
John ShribbsAye
Karen NauAye
Kevin McDonnellAye
Verbatim transcript available
5 transcript segments indexed
CITY OF PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL & PETALUMA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY (PCDSA) & PETALUMA PUBLIC FINANCING CORPORATION & PETALUMA PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY City Hall Council Chamber 11 English Street Petaluma, CA 94952 MINUTES Monday, June 3, 2024 CLOSED SESSION 6:00 P.M. REGULAR SESSION 6:30 P.M. CALL TO ORDER – CLOSED SESSION – 6:00 P.M. Mayor McDonnell called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. • ROLL CALL PRESENT: Mayor McDonnell, Councilmember Cader Thompson, Councilmember Healy, Councilmember Nau, Councilmember Pocekay, Vice Mayor Shribbs ABSENT: Councilmember Barnacle CLOSED SESSION • CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION Pursuant to California Government Code section 54956.9(a). Llorence, Melissa v. City of Petaluma, Workers Compensation Appeals Board, WCAB: ADJ13946642, Claim Number: 573186 PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS Mayor McDonnell opened the public comment; receiving none, he closed the public comment. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION Council adjourned to closed session at 6:02 p.m. CALL TO ORDER - REGULAR SESSION – 6:30 P.M. Mayor McDonnell called the meeting back to order at 6:30 p.m. • ROLL CALL PRESENT: Mayor McDonnell, Councilmember Barnacle, Vice Mayor Cader Thompson, Councilmember Healy, Councilmember Nau, Councilmember Pocekay, Councilmember Shribbs ABSENT: None
• PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE • MOMENT OF SILENCE AGENDA CHANGES AND DELETIONS (TO CURRENT AGENDA ONLY) Item #17 was moved up to be discussed immediately following the Consent Calendar. REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION City Attorney Eric Danly noted that Councilmember Barnacle joined Council during the closed session. He also stated that there had been no reportable action. PROCLAMATIONS • LGBTQ+ Pride Month Hanan Huneidi, Founder and Board President of Petaluma Pride accepted the proclamation and made comments. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT During General Public Comment, the public is invited to make comments on items of public interest that are within the City Council’s subject matter jurisdiction and that are not listed on the current agenda. Public comments are limited, up to three minutes per person. Depending on the number of persons wishing to address the Council, time will be allocated in equal shares totaling no more than twenty minutes, subject to the Council’s discretion (Cal. Gov’t. Code §54954.3(a), Petaluma City Council Rules, Policies and Procedures, III). Mayor McDonnell opened the general public comment. Katherine Bobrowski Julia Norton Sandra Shand Nickola Fyre Micharl Sessi Mayor McDonnell closed the general public comment. COUNCIL COMMENT Vice Mayor Shribbs Councilmember Cader Thompson Councilmember Pocekay Councilmember Nau Councilmember Healy Mayor McDonnell CITY MANAGER COMMENT Assistant City Manager Brian Cochran CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Approved Minutes of the City Council/PCDSA Regular Meeting of May 20, 2024 2. Approved Tentative Agenda for City Council/PCDSA Regular Meeting of June 17, 2024 and Significant Agenda Items for June - August 2024
3. Adopted Resolution No. 2024-052 N.C.S, Resolution No. 2024-053 N.C.S, and Resolution No. 2024-054 N.C.S Calling for and Giving Notice of the City’s Regular Municipal Election to be Held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024; Requesting the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors to Consolidate the City’s Regular Election as a General Municipal Election with the Statewide General Election; and, Adopting Regulations for Candidates of Elective Office Pertaining to Candidate Statements 4. Accepted Petaluma Public Financing Corporation Status Report and Audited Financials for Fiscal Year 2022-23 5. Accepted Petaluma Public Financing Authority Status Report and Audited Financials for Fiscal Year 2022-23 6. Adopted Resolution No. 2024-055 N.C.S Accepting Claims and Bills for January, February and March 2024 7. Adopted Resolution No. 2024-056 N.C.S to Receive and File the City Treasurer’s Quarterly Report Dated March 31, 2024 8. Adopted Resolution No. 2024-057 N.C.S Approving the City of Petaluma Investment Policy and Delegating Investment Authority to the City Treasurer for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 9. Adopted Resolution No. 2024-058 N.C.S to Continue Current Budget Appropriation Ordinances 2849, 2850, 2851, 2852, 2853, 2854 N.C.S Until Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget Appropriation Ordinances are in Effect 10. Adopted Resolution No. 2024-059 N.C.S Describing Improvements and Directing Preparation of Engineer’s Report for Fiscal Year 24/25 Annual Assessment for the Landscape Assessment Districts; Resolution No. 2024-060 N.C.S Providing Preliminary Approval of Engineer’s Report for Landscape Assessment Districts, Fiscal Year 24/25; Resolution No. 2024-061 N.C.S of Intention to Order the Levy and Collection of Assessments Pursuant to the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972 for Landscape Assessment Districts, Fiscal Year 24/25, and to Set the Date of the Public Hearing 11. Adopted Resolution No. 2024-062 N.C.S Authorizing the Purchase of Allsteel Beyond Walls for Four (4) Additional Offices for the Newly Leased Facility at 1318 Redwood Way for the Public Works & Utilities CIP Department through the State of California Government Contract and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute all Documents Necessary to Complete the Purchase 12. Adopted Resolution No. 2024-063 N.C.S Approving Adjustments to 1) the City of Petaluma’s Living Wage Rate by Setting the Rate at $18.95 Per Hour With an Employer Contribution Toward Medical Benefits and $21.24 Per Hour Without an Employer Contribution Toward Medical Benefits for Fiscal Year 2024-2025; 2) the Pay Rates of City of Petaluma Part-Time Living Wage Positions; and if Approved, 3) the Pay Rates of Part-Time Positions Benchmarked to the City’s Part-Time Living Wage Positions 13. Adopted Resolution No. 2024-064 N.C.S Approving Fixed and Observed Holidays for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 14. Adopted Resolution No. 2024-065 N.C.S Approving an Application for Funding and the Execution of a Grant Agreement and Any Amendments Thereto from the 2023-2024 Funding Year of the State CDBG Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) Resilient Planning and Public Services (MIT-PPS) Program
Council asked questions of staff. Mayor McDonnell opened the public comment. Bryant Moynehan Jacob Gamba Mayor McDonnell closed the public comment. Motion to adopt Consent Calendar items 1 through 14 made by Councilmember Healy, seconded by Councilmember Pocekay. Vote: Carried 7-0 Yes: Councilmember Barnacle, Councilmember Cader Thompson, Councilmember Healy, Councilmember Nau, Councilmember Pocekay, Vice Mayor Shribbs, Mayor McDonnell No: None Absent: None Recused: None 17. Preliminary Fiscal Year 2024-2025 City of Petaluma Budget, Adoption of City Budget Resolutions and Introduction (First Reading) of Fiscal Year 2024-2025 City Appropriations Ordinance Finance Director Jessie Gooch presented the staff report. Mayor McDonnell opened the public comment. Sandra Shand Mayor McDonnell closed the public comment. Motion to adopt Resolutions No. 2024-066 N.C.S. and No. 2024-067 N.C.S. and introduce Ordinance 2889 N.C.S. made by Councilmember Barnacle, seconded by Councilmember Pocekay. Vote: Carried 5-2 Yes: Councilmember Barnacle, Councilmember Cader Thompson, Councilmember Pocekay, Vice Mayor Shribbs, Mayor McDonnell No: Councilmember Healy, Councilmember Nau Absent: None Recused: None WORKSHOP 15. Presentation and Discussion of Policy Options for establishing a Parklet Program (known as the City's Free Range Program) to Increase Opportunities for Creating Public Spaces in the Public Right of Way Brian Oh, Director of Community Development presented the staff report. Mayor McDonnell opened the public comment on the Capital Improvement Program section. Thomas Maxstadt Daniel Bleakney Formby April Frederick Joshua Simmons Bryant Moynihan Christopher Neugebauer Dave Alden Marie McCusker Mayor McDonnell closed the public comment.
Council discussion followed. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION 16. Resolution to Approve the Proposed Project List for Fiscal Year 24/25 by SB 1: The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 Jeff Stutsman, Deputy Director of Operations, Public Works and Utilities presented the staff report. Mayor McDonnell opened the public comment. Wayne Eckstrom Mayor McDonnell closed the public comment. Council requested that St. Francis Drive be added to the 2025-26 Pavement Restoration Project List on Attachment A. Motion to adopt Resolution No. 2024-068 N.C.S with the requested change to Attachment A made by Councilmember Healy, seconded by Councilmember Nau. Vote: Carried 7-0 Yes: Councilmember Barnacle, Councilmember Cader Thompson, Councilmember Healy, Councilmember Nau, Councilmember Pocekay, Vice Mayor Shribbs, Mayor McDonnell No: None Absent: None Recused: None ADJOURNMENT Mayor McDonnell adjourned the meeting at 10:44 p.m.