City Council
City Council
Mon, December 2, 2024
Agenda items
Vote records
Discussion summary
Transcript
Meeting summaryAI-generated
City Council & PCDSA Regular Meeting — December 2, 2024
This was a regular joint meeting of the Petaluma City Council and the Petaluma Community Development Successor Agency (PCDSA), held at City Hall. Mayor Kevin McDonnell was absent; six councilmembers were present. The meeting adjourned at 7:56 p.m. Thirteen members of the public spoke during general public comment, though the minutes do not record the subjects of their remarks.
*Note: The minutes reference councilmembers Mike Healy and Dennis Pocekay, whose names do not appear on the current council roster provided. Their names are recorded here as they appear in the official minutes.*
Consent Calendar (Items 1–6)
The Council approved all six consent calendar items together without separate discussion. These included: approval of the November 18, 2024 meeting minutes; the tentative agenda and significant items list through February 2025; the 2025 Council meeting schedule; a contract award to Pacific Infrastructure Corporation for Phase One chemical system upgrades at the Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility; authorization for the City Manager to execute a cooperative funding agreement with the Sonoma County Transportation Authority (SCTA) for the Lakeville Corridor Multi-Modal Improvements Study; and the second and final reading of an ordinance amending the city's 2024–2025 operating budget appropriations.
Vote: Carried 6–0. Moved by Councilmember Healy, seconded by Vice Mayor Cader Thompson. Mayor McDonnell absent.
Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies for Challenges to Fees, Charges, and Assessments (First Reading)
The Council held a public hearing on a proposed new chapter of the Petaluma Municipal Code — Chapter 4.50 — that would require property owners to exhaust administrative remedies before filing legal challenges to city fees, charges, or assessments on real property. This ordinance is authorized under California Government Code Sections 53759.1 and 53759.2. Three members of the public spoke: Darren Racusen, Maureen Gottschall, and a third speaker whose last name was not captured in the minutes. The specific substance of their comments is not recorded. This was the first reading; a second reading and final adoption would be required at a future meeting.
Vote: Carried 6–0. Moved by Councilmember Healy, seconded by Vice Mayor Cader Thompson. Mayor McDonnell absent.
Prezoning of 5400 Old Redwood Highway Prior to Annexation (Ordinance No. 2897 N.C.S.)
The Council took up the second and final reading of an ordinance prezoning a 12.9-acre site at 5400 Old Redwood Highway in advance of annexation proceedings before the Sonoma Local Area Formation Commission (Sonoma LAFCO). The site would be zoned Business Park (BP) and Open Space and Park (OSP), with a Floodplain Combining District (FPC) overlay. Prezoning is a standard step cities take to establish land-use expectations before formally annexing unincorporated land. One member of the public, Alex DeCarli, spoke on this item; the content of his remarks is not detailed in the minutes. Councilmember Healy cast the sole dissenting vote; his specific objections are not recorded in the minutes.
Vote: Carried 5–1. Moved by Councilmember Barnacle, seconded by Vice Mayor Cader Thompson. Councilmember Healy voted no. Mayor McDonnell absent.
Key Takeaways
Ellis Creek upgrade underway: The city awarded a contract to Pacific Infrastructure Corporation for Phase One of a chemical system upgrade at the Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility, moving forward an important infrastructure project.
Lakeville Corridor study authorized: The City Manager is now authorized to enter a cooperative funding agreement with SCTA to study multi-modal transportation improvements along the Lakeville Corridor.
New fee-challenge rules on first reading: A new ordinance would require property owners to go through an administrative process before suing the city over fees or assessments on real property — a procedural protection for the city aligned with state law.
5400 Old Redwood Highway moving toward annexation: The Council approved prezoning for a nearly 13-acre site, designating it for business park and open space uses ahead of formal annexation through LAFCO, with one dissenting vote from Councilmember Healy.
Thin public record: The minutes list speakers by name but do not capture the substance of general public comment or most individual remarks, limiting transparency for residents reviewing the record.
AI-generated summary from voice-to-text transcript. Not the official record. Verify important details with the source documents linked above.
Agenda items (8)
Consent Calendar
1Consent CalendarMinutes of the City Council/PCDSA Regular Meeting of November 18, 2024
The council will approve the official minutes from its November 18, 2024 meeting.
2Consent CalendarTentative Agenda for City Council/PCDSA Regular Meeting of December 16, 2024 and Significant Agenda Items for Dec 2024 Feb 2025
The council will confirm the agenda for its December 16, 2024 meeting and review major items planned for the next three months.
3Consent CalendarResolution Setting the City Council Regular Meeting Schedule for Calendar Year 2025
The council will adopt a resolution setting the regular meeting schedule for all of 2025.
4Consent CalendarResolution Authorizing Award of Contract for Phase One Improvements for the Chemical System Upgrade at Ellis Creek Project (C66501840) to Pacific Infrastructure Corporation
The city will award a contract to Pacific Infrastructure Corporation to complete the first phase of upgrades to the chemical system at the Ellis Creek water treatment facility.
5Consent CalendarResolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Cooperative Funding Agreement No. SCTA24026 Between the Sonoma County Transportation Authority (SCTA) and the City of Petaluma for the Lakeville Corridor MultiModal Improvements Study
The city manager is authorized to sign a funding agreement with Sonoma County Transportation Authority to study multi-modal transportation improvements for the Lakeville Corridor.
6Consent CalendarAdoption (Second Reading) of Ordinance Amending Ordinance 2889 N.C.S. to Change Certain Appropriations for the Operations of the City of Petaluma from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025
The council will approve changes to how the city will spend money for its operations in the 2024–2025 fiscal year.
Public Hearing
7Public HearingIntroduction (First Reading) of an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Petaluma Amending the Petaluma Municipal Code to Add Chapter 4.50 Entitled “Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies for Challenges to Fees, Charges, and Assessments on Real Property” Pursuant to Government Code Sections 53759.1 and 53759.2
The council will hold a public hearing and introduce a new city law that allows residents to formally challenge city fees, charges, and property assessments through an administrative process before filing a lawsuit.
8Public HearingAdoption of Ordinance No. 2897 N.C.S. to Amend the Zoning Map of the Implementing Zoning Ordinance to Prezone a 12.9acre Site Located at 5400 Old Redwood Highway to Business Park (BP) and Open Space and Park (OSP) Zoning Districts and Floodplain Combining District (FPC) Prior to Annexation Proceedings to Be Conducted by the Sonoma Local Area Formation Commission (Sonoma LAFCO); APN 047213017 and 137011048; City Record No. PLZA20230001 and PLAN20240001
The council will hold a public hearing and adopt zoning rules for a 12.9-acre property at 5400 Old Redwood Highway to designate it as business park and open space before the property is officially annexed into the city.
Additional votes recorded in minutes
Consent Calendar
Aye 4
Brian BarnacleAye
Janice Cader ThompsonAye
John ShribbsAye
Karen NauAye
Ordinance Introduction - Language Changes
Aye 4
Brian BarnacleAye
Janice Cader ThompsonAye
John ShribbsAye
Karen NauAye
Zoning Map Amendment - 5400 Old Redwood Highway
Aye 4
Brian BarnacleAye
Janice Cader ThompsonAye
John ShribbsAye
Karen NauAye
Verbatim transcript available
3 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, December 02, 2024 REGULAR SESSION 6:45 P.M. CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL PRESENT: Brian Barnacle, Janice Cader Thompson, Mike Healy, Karen Nau, Dennis Pocekay, John Shribbs ABSENT: Kevin McDonnell PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE MOMENT OF SILENCE AGENDA CHANGES AND DELETIONS (TO CURRENT AGENDA ONLY) 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). 1. Anna Gibbons 2. Lane Siciliano 3. Maurren Gottschall 4. Kathryn Bobrowski 5. Jodi Johnson 6. Kay Poland 7. Angie Cruz 8. Janis Barker 9. Tim Porteous 10. Bert Botta 11. Rick Parker 12. Sandra Shand 13. Duane Bellinger COUNCIL COMMENT Cader Thompson Healy Nau Pocekay Shribbs CITY MANAGER COMMENT CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Minutes of the City Council/PCDSA Regular Meeting of November 18, 2024 2. Tentative Agenda for City Council/PCDSA Regular Meeting of December 16, 2024 and Significant Agenda Items for Dec 2024 Feb 2025 3. Resolution Setting the City Council Regular Meeting Schedule for Calendar Year 2025 4. Resolution Authorizing Award of Contract for Phase One Improvements for the Chemical System Upgrade at Ellis Creek Project (C66501840) to Pacific Infrastructure Corporation 5. Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Cooperative Funding Agreement No. SCTA24026 Between the Sonoma County Transportation Authority (SCTA) and the City of Petaluma for the Lakeville Corridor MultiModal Improvements Study 6. Adoption (Second Reading) of Ordinance Amending Ordinance 2889 N.C.S. to Change Certain Appropriations for the Operations of the City of Petaluma from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 Motion to adopt made by Councilmember Healy, seconded by Vice Mayor Cader Thompson. Vote: Carried 60 Councilmember Barnacle, Vice Mayor Cader Thompson, Councilmember Yes: Healy, Councilmember Nau, Councilmember Pocekay, Councilmember Shribbs No: None Absent: Mayor McDonnell Recused: None WORKSHOP PUBLIC HEARINGS AND MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION 7. Introduction (First Reading) of an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Petaluma Amending the Petaluma Municipal Code to Add Chapter 4.50 Entitled “Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies for Challenges to Fees, Charges, and Assessments on Real Property” Pursuant to Government Code Sections 53759.1 and 53759.2 1. Darren Racusen 2. Maureen Gottschall 3. Nicholas ??? Motion to adopt made by Councilmember Healy, seconded by Vice Mayor Cader Thompson. Vote: Carried 60 Motion to Councilmember Barnacle, Vice Mayor Cader Thompson, adopt made Yes: Councilmember Healy, Councilmember Nau, Councilmember Pocekay, by , seconded Councilmember Shribbs by . No: None Absent: Mayor McDonnell Recused: None Vote: 00 Yes: None No: None Absent: None Recused: None 8. Adoption of Ordinance No. 2897 N.C.S. to Amend the Zoning Map of the Implementing Zoning Ordinance to Prezone a 12.9acre Site Located at 5400 Old Redwood Highway to Business Park (BP) and Open Space and Park (OSP) Zoning Districts and Floodplain Combining District (FPC) Prior to Annexation Proceedings to Be Conducted by the Sonoma Local Area Formation Commission (Sonoma LAFCO); APN 047213017 and 137011048; City Record No. PLZA20230001 and PLAN20240001 Alex DeCarli Motion to adopt made by Councilmember Barnacle, seconded by Vice Mayor Cader Thompson. Vote: Carried 51 Councilmember Barnacle, Vice Mayor Cader Thompson, Yes: Councilmember Nau, Councilmember Pocekay, Councilmember Shribbs No: Councilmember Healy Absent: Mayor McDonnell Recused: None ADJOURNMENT 7”56pm
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, December 02, 2024 REGULAR SESSION 6:45 P.M. CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL PRESENT: Brian Barnacle, Janice Cader Thompson, Mike Healy, Karen Nau, Dennis Pocekay, John Shribbs ABSENT: Kevin McDonnell PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE MOMENT OF SILENCE AGENDA CHANGES AND DELETIONS (TO CURRENT AGENDA ONLY) 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). 1. Anna Gibbons 2. Lane Siciliano 3. Maurren Gottschall 4. Kathryn Bobrowski 5. Jodi Johnson 6. Kay Poland 7. Angie Cruz 8. Janis Barker 9. Tim Porteous 10. Bert Botta 11. Rick Parker 12. Sandra Shand 13. Duane Bellinger COUNCIL COMMENT Cader Thompson Healy Nau Pocekay Shribbs CITY MANAGER COMMENT CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Minutes of the City Council/PCDSA Regular Meeting of November 18, 2024 2. Tentative Agenda for City Council/PCDSA Regular Meeting of December 16, 2024 and Significant Agenda Items for Dec 2024 Feb 2025 3. Resolution Setting the City Council Regular Meeting Schedule for Calendar Year 2025 4. Resolution Authorizing Award of Contract for Phase One Improvements for the Chemical System Upgrade at Ellis Creek Project (C66501840) to Pacific Infrastructure Corporation 5. Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Cooperative Funding Agreement No. SCTA24026 Between the Sonoma County Transportation Authority (SCTA) and the City of Petaluma for the Lakeville Corridor MultiModal Improvements Study 6. Adoption (Second Reading) of Ordinance Amending Ordinance 2889 N.C.S. to Change Certain Appropriations for the Operations of the City of Petaluma from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 Motion to adopt made by Councilmember Healy, seconded by Vice Mayor Cader Thompson. Vote: Carried 60 Councilmember Barnacle, Vice Mayor Cader Thompson, Councilmember Yes: Healy, Councilmember Nau, Councilmember Pocekay, Councilmember Shribbs No: None Absent: Mayor McDonnell Recused: None WORKSHOP PUBLIC HEARINGS AND MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION 7. Introduction (First Reading) of an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Petaluma Amending the Petaluma Municipal Code to Add Chapter 4.50 Entitled “Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies for Challenges to Fees, Charges, and Assessments on Real Property” Pursuant to Government Code Sections 53759.1 and 53759.2 1. Darren Racusen 2. Maureen Gottschall 3. Nicholas ??? Motion to adopt made by Councilmember Healy, seconded by Vice Mayor Cader Thompson. Vote: Carried 60 Motion to Councilmember Barnacle, Vice Mayor Cader Thompson, adopt made Yes: Councilmember Healy, Councilmember Nau, Councilmember Pocekay, by , seconded Councilmember Shribbs by . No: None Absent: Mayor McDonnell Recused: None Vote: 00 Yes: None No: None Absent: None Recused: None 8. Adoption of Ordinance No. 2897 N.C.S. to Amend the Zoning Map of the Implementing Zoning Ordinance to Prezone a 12.9acre Site Located at 5400 Old Redwood Highway to Business Park (BP) and Open Space and Park (OSP) Zoning Districts and Floodplain Combining District (FPC) Prior to Annexation Proceedings to Be Conducted by the Sonoma Local Area Formation Commission (Sonoma LAFCO); APN 047213017 and 137011048; City Record No. PLZA20230001 and PLAN20240001 Alex DeCarli Motion to adopt made by Councilmember Barnacle, seconded by Vice Mayor Cader Thompson. Vote: Carried 51 Councilmember Barnacle, Vice Mayor Cader Thompson, Yes: Councilmember Nau, Councilmember Pocekay, Councilmember Shribbs No: Councilmember Healy Absent: Mayor McDonnell Recused: None ADJOURNMENT 7”56pm
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, December 02, 2024 REGULAR SESSION 6:45 P.M. CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL PRESENT: Brian Barnacle, Janice Cader Thompson, Mike Healy, Karen Nau, Dennis Pocekay, John Shribbs ABSENT: Kevin McDonnell PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE MOMENT OF SILENCE AGENDA CHANGES AND DELETIONS (TO CURRENT AGENDA ONLY) 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). 1. Anna Gibbons 2. Lane Siciliano 3. Maurren Gottschall 4. Kathryn Bobrowski 5. Jodi Johnson 6. Kay Poland 7. Angie Cruz 8. Janis Barker 9. Tim Porteous 10. Bert Botta 11. Rick Parker 12. Sandra Shand 13. Duane Bellinger COUNCIL COMMENT Cader Thompson Healy Nau Pocekay Shribbs CITY MANAGER COMMENT CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Minutes of the City Council/PCDSA Regular Meeting of November 18, 2024 2. Tentative Agenda for City Council/PCDSA Regular Meeting of December 16, 2024 and Significant Agenda Items for Dec 2024 Feb 2025 3. Resolution Setting the City Council Regular Meeting Schedule for Calendar Year 2025 4. Resolution Authorizing Award of Contract for Phase One Improvements for the Chemical System Upgrade at Ellis Creek Project (C66501840) to Pacific Infrastructure Corporation 5. Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Cooperative Funding Agreement No. SCTA24026 Between the Sonoma County Transportation Authority (SCTA) and the City of Petaluma for the Lakeville Corridor MultiModal Improvements Study 6. Adoption (Second Reading) of Ordinance Amending Ordinance 2889 N.C.S. to Change Certain Appropriations for the Operations of the City of Petaluma from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 Motion to adopt made by Councilmember Healy, seconded by Vice Mayor Cader Thompson. Vote: Carried 60 Councilmember Barnacle, Vice Mayor Cader Thompson, Councilmember Yes: Healy, Councilmember Nau, Councilmember Pocekay, Councilmember Shribbs No: None Absent: Mayor McDonnell Recused: None WORKSHOP PUBLIC HEARINGS AND MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION 7. Introduction (First Reading) of an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Petaluma Amending the Petaluma Municipal Code to Add Chapter 4.50 Entitled “Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies for Challenges to Fees, Charges, and Assessments on Real Property” Pursuant to Government Code Sections 53759.1 and 53759.2 1. Darren Racusen 2. Maureen Gottschall 3. Nicholas ??? Motion to adopt made by Councilmember Healy, seconded by Vice Mayor Cader Thompson. Vote: Carried 60 Motion to Councilmember Barnacle, Vice Mayor Cader Thompson, adopt made Yes: Councilmember Healy, Councilmember Nau, Councilmember Pocekay, by , seconded Councilmember Shribbs by . No: None Absent: Mayor McDonnell Recused: None Vote: 00 Yes: None No: None Absent: None Recused: None 8. Adoption of Ordinance No. 2897 N.C.S. to Amend the Zoning Map of the Implementing Zoning Ordinance to Prezone a 12.9acre Site Located at 5400 Old Redwood Highway to Business Park (BP) and Open Space and Park (OSP) Zoning Districts and Floodplain Combining District (FPC) Prior to Annexation Proceedings to Be Conducted by the Sonoma Local Area Formation Commission (Sonoma LAFCO); APN 047213017 and 137011048; City Record No. PLZA20230001 and PLAN20240001 Alex DeCarli Motion to adopt made by Councilmember Barnacle, seconded by Vice Mayor Cader Thompson. Vote: Carried 51 Councilmember Barnacle, Vice Mayor Cader Thompson, Yes: Councilmember Nau, Councilmember Pocekay, Councilmember Shribbs No: Councilmember Healy Absent: Mayor McDonnell Recused: None ADJOURNMENT 7”56pm