Name: Petaluma City Council meeting, Sep 8, 2025
Start: 2025-09-08
Location: City of Petaluma

City Council

Mon, September 8, 2025

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Meeting summaryAI-generated

City Council — September 8, 2025

This was a regular meeting of the Petaluma City Council and Petaluma Community Development Successor Agency (PCDSA), called to order at 6:33 p.m. with all seven councilmembers present. The meeting included proclamations for Latino/a/e/x Heritage Month and National Preparedness Month, and concluded at 8:48 p.m. with Mayor McDonnell adjourning in memory of the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Proclamations

The Council recognized Latino/a/e/x Heritage Month, with representatives from Los Cien and Café Puente accepting the proclamation. National Preparedness Month was also recognized; Emergency Manager Tom Jordan introduced representatives from more than a dozen community organizations including the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Petaluma People Services Center, KPCA Radio, the U.S. Coast Guard Training Center, and others involved in local emergency preparedness efforts.

Consent Calendar (Items 1–10)

The Council approved all ten consent calendar items without separate discussion. Notable items included:

Pavement Maintenance Contract: Awarded the FY25/26 Pavement Preventative Maintenance Project to Dryco Construction, Inc.

Electric Transit Buses: Authorized the purchase of five battery electric cutaway transit buses from Model 1, advancing Petaluma's transit fleet electrification.

FTA Funding Application: Authorized staff to apply for federal Section 5310 funding through Caltrans to support transit services.

Ambulance Equipment: Approved purchase of an "ambulance prep" chassis and the refurbishment and remounting of a current ambulance module.

Public Works Skid Steer: Authorized purchase of a skid steer through the Sourcewell cooperative purchasing program.

Mobilehome Park Rent Stabilization Ordinance (Second Reading): Adopted Ordinance No. 2909 N.C.S., finalizing amendments to the City's Mobilehome Park Space Rent Stabilization Program (Chapter 6.50 of the Municipal Code). One member of the public, Katherine Bobrowski, commented on the consent calendar prior to the vote.

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

Downtown Housing Overlay — Floor Area Ratio Correction (Second Reading)

The Council took up the second and final reading of Ordinance No. 2907 N.C.S., which corrects a drafting error in a previously adopted ordinance affecting the Downtown Housing and Economic Opportunity Overlay. The fix restores the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) to 2.5 in the Implementing Zoning Ordinance, making it consistent with the City's current General Plan. City Attorney Eric Danly presented the staff report. No members of the public came forward to comment.

Councilmember DeCarli recused himself because his residence is within 500 feet of the overlay area and stepped out of the chamber for this item.

Vote: Carried 6–0. Moved by Councilmember Shribbs, seconded by Councilmember Barnacle. Councilmember DeCarli recused.

Civilian Public Safety Oversight — Codification into Municipal Code (First Reading)

Chief of Police Brian Miller presented a proposal to formalize the City's existing civilian public safety oversight and transparency policies by embedding them directly into the Petaluma Municipal Code. The ordinance (introduced as Ordinance No. 2910 N.C.S.) would add three new chapters: Chapter 2.50 establishing the Public Safety Advisory Committee; Chapter 8.01 establishing the Independent Police Auditor; and Chapter 8.03 addressing Military Equipment Use in compliance with California Assembly Bill 481. These policies currently exist only by resolution (Resolution No. 2024-048 N.C.S.), which this ordinance would repeal and replace. Codifying them into the Municipal Code gives them greater permanence and legal standing. No members of the public came forward to comment. A second reading and final adoption will be required at a future meeting.

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

Responses to Sonoma County Civil Grand Jury Reports

Assistant City Attorney Brian Cochran presented the City's formal responses to three Sonoma County Civil Grand Jury reports issued earlier this year. Per state law, local agencies named in grand jury reports are required to respond to findings and recommendations within a set timeframe. The three reports addressed:

1. "Local Fees, Local Subsidies" — examining how local governments structure fees and subsidies.

2. "Who Can Afford to Live in Sonoma County" — focusing on housing affordability challenges across the county.

3. "Animal Services in Sonoma County" — reviewing the delivery of animal services.

Three members of the public spoke: Sierra Marantz, Constance Bay, and John Hanania. The minutes do not detail the specific content of their remarks. The Council voted to adopt all three formal response resolutions.

Vote: Carried 7–0 (Resolutions No. 2025-131, 2025-132, and 2025-133 N.C.S.). Moved by Councilmember Shribbs, seconded by Councilmember Barnacle.

Key Takeaways

Electric bus fleet expansion: The City authorized the purchase of five battery electric transit buses, continuing a shift toward zero-emission public transit.

Downtown zoning correction: The Council finalized a fix restoring the FAR to 2.5 in the Downtown Housing and Economic Opportunity Overlay, ensuring the zoning code aligns with the General Plan.

Civilian oversight codified: The first reading of an ordinance was approved to permanently embed civilian police oversight structures — including a Public Safety Advisory Committee and Independent Police Auditor — into the Municipal Code, giving them stronger legal footing than a resolution alone.

Mobilehome rent stabilization update: Amendments to the City's mobilehome park rent stabilization program were formally adopted on second reading.

Grand jury responses approved: The City formally responded to three county grand jury reports on local fees, housing affordability, and animal services, fulfilling a legal obligation.

AI-generated summary from voice-to-text transcript. Not the official record. Verify important details with the source documents linked above.

Agenda items (13)

Consent Calendar

1Consent CalendarMinutes of the City Council/PCDSA Regular Meeting and Planning Commission Special Meeting of August 4, 2025

The council will approve the official written record of the August 4, 2025 City Council and Planning Commission meetings.

2Consent CalendarTentative Agenda for City Council/PCDSA Regular Meeting of September 15, 2025 and Significant Agenda Items for September November 2025

The council will confirm the agenda for the September 15, 2025 meeting and review major topics planned for the fall months.

3Consent CalendarResolution to Receive and File the City Treasurer’s Quarterly Report Dated March 31, 2025

The council will accept the City Treasurer's financial report for the first quarter of 2025 (through March 31).

4Consent CalendarResolution Accepting Claims and Bills for April, May and June 2025

The council will approve all city bills and vendor payments from April, May, and June 2025.

5Consent CalendarResolution Authorizing Award of Contract for the FY25/26 Pavement Preventative Maintenance Project (E16102555) to Dryco Construction, Inc.

Petaluma will award a contract to Dryco Construction, Inc. to resurface and maintain city streets during fiscal year 2025-26.

6Consent CalendarResolution Authorizing the Purchase of Five Battery Electric Cutaway Transit Buses from Model 1 and Authorizing Staff to Execute all Necessary Documentation to Complete the Purchase

The city will purchase five new battery electric buses for Petaluma Transit to reduce emissions and operating costs.

7Consent CalendarResolution Authorizing the Filing of an Application for Federal Funding Under the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5310 With the California Department of Transportation

Petaluma will apply for federal transportation funding through the Federal Transit Administration to support transit services for seniors and people with disabilities.

8Consent CalendarResolution Approving the Purchase of an “Ambulance Prep” Chassis and the Refurbish and Remount of a Current Petaluma Ambulance Module and Accessory Equipment

The city will purchase a new ambulance chassis and refurbish an existing ambulance module to replace aging emergency medical equipment.

9Consent CalendarResolution Authorizing the Purchase of a Skid Steer for the Public Works Department Through the Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Program and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute all Documents Necessary to Complete the Purchase

Public Works will purchase a skid steer loader (small construction vehicle) through a cooperative purchasing program to improve maintenance and construction capabilities.

10Consent CalendarAdoption (Second Reading) of Ordinance No. 2909 N.C.S. of the City Council of the City of Petaluma to Amend Specified Provisions of Chapter 6.50 of the Petaluma Municipal Code Entitled “Mobilehome Park Space Rent Stabilization Program,” and to Maintain in Effect the Remainder of Chapter 6.50 of the Petaluma Municipal Code

The council will finalize changes to the mobilehome park rent control rules to clarify and update the city's rent stabilization program.

Public Hearing

11Public HearingAdoption (Second Reading) of Ordinance No. 2907 N.C.S. Amending Ordinance No. 2900 N.C.S. Concerning the Downtown Housing and Economic Opportunity Overlay to Restore Floor Area Ratio (FAR) to 2.5 in Table 5.2 of Section 5.070(D) of the Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance (IZO) to be Consistent with the Current General Plan

A public hearing will be held to finalize zoning changes that allow taller buildings in downtown Petaluma to encourage housing and business development.

12Public HearingIntroduction (First Reading) of an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Petaluma to Codify the City’s Civilian Public Safety Oversight and Transparency Policies by Adding a New Chapter 2.50 Entitled “Public Safety Advisory Committee” in the “Administration” Title, Title 2, and to Repeal and Replace Resolution No. 2024048 N.C.S., and Adding a New Chapter 8.01 Entitled “Independent Police Auditor” and a New Chapter 8.03 Entitled “Military Equipment Use” regarding Assembly Bill 481 in the “Health and Welfare” Title, Title 8, in the Petaluma Municipal Code

A public hearing will be held to introduce new city rules establishing a Public Safety Advisory Committee and an Independent Police Auditor position to oversee law enforcement.

13Public HearingResolutions Approving Three Responses to the Sonoma County Civil Grand Jury Reports Entitled: "Local Fees, Local Subsidies", "Who Can Afford to Live in Sonoma County", and "Animal Services in Sonoma County"

A public hearing will be held so the council can formally respond to three county grand jury reports on local fees, housing affordability, and animal services.

Additional votes recorded in minutes

Consent Calendar

Aye 6

Brian BarnacleAye

Frank QuintAye

Janice Cader ThompsonAye

John ShribbsAye

Karen NauAye

Kevin McDonnellAye

Referendum Item

Aye 5

Brian BarnacleAye

Frank QuintAye

Janice Cader ThompsonAye

John ShribbsAye

Kevin McDonnellAye

Police Department Report

Aye 6

Alex DecarliAye

Brian BarnacleAye

Frank QuintAye

Janice Cader ThompsonAye

Karen NauAye

Kevin McDonnellAye

Animal Services/Grand Jury Report Motion

Aye 5

Brian BarnacleAye

Frank QuintAye

Janice Cader ThompsonAye

Karen NauAye

Kevin McDonnellAye

Verbatim transcript available

4 transcript segments indexed

CITY OF PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL & PETALUMA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY (PCDSA) City Hall Council Chamber 11 English Street Petaluma, CA 94952 MINUTES Monday, September 8, 2025 REGULAR SESSION 6:30 P.M. CALL TO ORDER Mayor McDonnell called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m. • ROLL CALL PRESENT: Mayor McDonnell, Councilmember Barnacle, Councilmember Cader Thompson, Councilmember DeCarli, Vice Mayor Nau, Councilmember Quint, Councilmember Shribbs ABSENT: None • PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE • MOMENT OF SILENCE AGENDA CHANGES AND DELETIONS (TO CURRENT AGENDA ONLY) None. PROCLAMATIONS • Latino/a/e/x Heritage Month Herman G. Hernandez, Board Member of Los Cien, Sonoma County Latino Leaders and Emilie Stillman and Eliot Enriquez, Co-Executive Directors of Cafe Puente accepted the proclamation. • National Preparedness Month Tom Jordan, Emergency Manager accepted the proclamation and introduced the individuals and community groups that were present: • Petaluma People Services Center, represented by Megan Kelly • Salvation Army Petaluma, represented by David Adams • Rebuilding Together Petaluma, represented by Drake Cunningham • KPCA 103.3 FM Radio Petaluma, represented by Rob Tomaszewski • Sonoma COAD, represented by Elaine Tokolahi and Kendall Jarvis • American Red Cross Northern California Coastal Region, represented by Paula Roberts • Cool Petaluma, represented by Natasha Juliana • Petaluma Scout Troop 9, represented by John Schemph and several Scouts and their families • County of Sonoma Department of Emergency Management, represented by Director Jeff DuVall and some of his staff • California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, represented by Kevin Wasiewski

• United States Coast Guard Training Center Petaluma, represented by their Commanding Officer Captain Josh Burch 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. Dave Alden Nickola Frye Lila Dusterhoff Katherine Bobrowski Jodi Johnson Tim Porteous Janis Barker Tina Yonkers Angie Cruz Mayor McDonnell closed the general public comment. COUNCIL COMMENT Councilmember Shribbs Councilmember Quint Councilmember DeCarli Councilmember Barnacle Councilmember Cader Thompson Vice Mayor Nau Mayor McDonnell CITY MANAGER COMMENT City Manager Peggy Flynn CONSENT CALENDA 1. Approved Minutes of the City Council/PCDSA Regular Meeting and Planning Commission Special Meeting of August 4, 2025 2. Approved Tentative Agenda for City Council/PCDSA Regular Meeting of September 15, 2025 and Significant Agenda Items for September - November 2025 3. Adopted Resolution No. 2025-124 N.C.S. to Receive and File the City Treasurer’s Quarterly Report Dated March 31, 2025 4. Adopted Resolution No. 2025-125 N.C.S. Accepting Claims and Bills for April, May and June 2025 5. Adopted Resolution No. 2025-126 N.C.S. Authorizing Award of Contract for the FY25/26 Pavement Preventative Maintenance Project (E16102555) to Dryco Construction, Inc. 6. Adopted Resolution No. 2025-127 N.C.S. Authorizing the Purchase of Five Battery Electric Cutaway Transit Buses from Model 1 and Authorizing Staff to Execute all Necessary Documentation to Complete the Purchase

7. Adopted Resolution No. 2025-128 N.C.S. Authorizing the Filing of an Application for Federal Funding Under the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5310 With the California Department of Transportation 8. Adopted Resolution No. 2025-129 N.C.S. Approving the Purchase of an “Ambulance Prep” Chassis and the Refurbish and Remount of a Current Petaluma Ambulance Module and Accessory Equipment 9. Adopted Resolution No. 2025-130 N.C.S. Authorizing the Purchase of a Skid Steer for the Public Works Department Through the Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Program and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute all Documents Necessary to Complete the Purchase 10. Adopted Ordinance No. 2909 N.C.S. of the City Council of the City of Petaluma to Amend Specified Provisions of Chapter 6.50 of the Petaluma Municipal Code Entitled “Mobilehome Park Space Rent Stabilization Program,” and to Maintain in Effect the Remainder of Chapter 6.50 of the Petaluma Municipal Code Mayor McDonnell opened the public comment on the Consent Calendar. Katherine Bobrowski Mayor McDonnell closed public comment on the Consent Calendar. Motion to adopt Consent Calendar items #1 through 10, made by Councilmember Barnacle, seconded by Councilmember Cader Thompson. Vote: Carried 7-0 Yes: Councilmember Barnacle, Councilmember Cader Thompson, Councilmember DeCarli, Vice Mayor Nau, Councilmember Quint, Councilmember Shribbs, Mayor McDonnell No: None Absent: None Abstain: None Recused: None PUBLIC HEARINGS AND MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION 11. Adoption (Second Reading) of Ordinance No. 2907 N.C.S. Amending Ordinance No. 2900 N.C.S. Concerning the Downtown Housing and Economic Opportunity Overlay to Restore Floor Area Ratio (FAR) to 2.5 in Table 5.2 of Section 5.070(D) of the Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance (IZO) to be Consistent with the Current General Plan Councilmember DeCarli announced that he would recuse due to his residence being within 500 feet of the overlay and left the Council Chamber. Eric Danly, City Attorney, presented the staff report. Mayor McDonnell opened the public comment, and seeing no one come forward to speak, he closed the public comment. Council discussion followed. Motion to adopt Ordinance No. 2907 N.C.S., made by Councilmember Shribbs, seconded by Councilmember Barnacle. Vote: Carried 6-0 Yes: Councilmember Barnacle, Councilmember Cader Thompson, Vice Mayor Nau, Councilmember Quint, Councilmember Shribbs, Mayor McDonnell No: None Absent: None Abstain: None Recused: Councilmember DeCarli

Councilmember DeCarli returned to the dais. 12. Introduction (First Reading) of an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Petaluma to Codify the City’s Civilian Public Safety Oversight and Transparency Policies by Adding a New Chapter 2.50 Entitled “Public Safety Advisory Committee” in the “Administration” Title, Title 2, and to Repeal and Replace Resolution No. 2024-048 N.C.S., and Adding a New Chapter 8.01 Entitled “Independent Police Auditor” and a New Chapter 8.03 Entitled “Military Equipment Use” regarding Assembly Bill 481 in the “Health and Welfare” Title, Title 8, in the Petaluma Municipal Code Brian Miller, Chief of Police presented the staff report. Mayor McDonnell opened the public comment, and seeing no one come forward to speak, he closed the public comment. Council discussion followed. Motion to introduce Ordinance No. 2910 N.C.S., made by Cader Thompson, seconded by Councilmember Barnacle. Vote: Carried 7-0 Yes: Councilmember Barnacle, Councilmember Cader Thompson, Councilmember DeCarli, Vice Mayor Nau, Councilmember Quint, Councilmember Shribbs, Mayor McDonnell No: None Absent: None Abstain: None Recused: None 13. Resolutions Approving Three Responses to the Sonoma County Civil Grand Jury Reports Entitled: "Local Fees, Local Subsidies," "Who Can Afford to Live in Sonoma County," and "Animal Services in Sonoma County" Brian Cochran, Assistant City Attorney presented the staff report. Mayor McDonnell opened the public comment. Sierra Marantz Constance Bay John Hanania Mayor McDonnell closed the public comment. Motion to adopt Resolution No. 2025-131 N.C.S., Resolution No. 2025-132 N.C.S. and Resolution No. 2025- 133 N.C.S. made by Councilmember Shribbs, seconded by Councilmember Barnacle. Vote: Carried 7-0 Yes: Councilmember Barnacle, Councilmember Cader Thompson, Councilmember DeCarli, Vice Mayor Nau, Councilmember Quint, Councilmember Shribbs, Mayor McDonnell No: None Absent: None Abstain: None Recused: None ADJOURNMENT Mayor McDonnell adjourned the meeting at 8:48 p.m. in memory of the victims of the September 11, 2001 terror attack.