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City Council

City Council

Mon, February 5, 2024

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Meeting summaryAI-generated

City Council — February 5, 2024


This was a regular meeting of the Petaluma City Council and Petaluma Community Development Successor Agency (PCDSA), called to order at 6:30 p.m. Vice Mayor Shribbs was absent. The meeting included a proclamation honoring Petaluma as a HeartSafe Community and ran until 10:06 p.m.


Proclamation: HeartSafe Community


The Council recognized Petaluma as a HeartSafe Community. Ramona Faith (CEO of Healthy Petaluma District & Foundation) and Tami Bender (HeartSafe Community Program Manager) accepted the proclamation on behalf of the organization.


General Public Comment


Seventeen residents addressed the Council on items not on the agenda, including Robert Hansen, Bert Botta, Sandra Shand, Luigi Petrigh-Dove, Jodi Johnson, Kay Poland, Chris Parker, Sallie Latch, Mary Beth Leland, Dave Alden, Tim Porteous, Rod H. Alaterre, Daniel Lynch, Jamie Bloom, David Saul, Marsha Harris, and Stuart Nisenbaum. The minutes do not detail the specific topics raised by each speaker.


Consent Calendar (Items 1–3)


The Council approved three routine items without discussion:


Item 1: Minutes of the January 22, 2024 City Council/PCDSA Regular Meeting.
Item 2: Tentative agenda for the February 26, 2024 meeting and significant agenda items through April 2024.
Item 3: Authorization to purchase a 2023 Ford F350 "Ambulance Prep" chassis and refurbish/remount a current 2012 ambulance module and accessory equipment, for a total not to exceed $300,000, with the City Manager authorized to execute all related documents.

No public comment was received on the Consent Calendar.


Vote: Carried 6-0 (Moved by Councilmember Healy, seconded by Councilmember Nau; Vice Mayor Shribbs absent).


Item 4: Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) Program — 2022 Entitlement Application


Community Development Director Brian Oh presented this item. The Council considered a resolution authorizing the City Manager to apply to the California Department of Housing and Community Development's Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) Program to receive Petaluma's 2022 entitlement allocation, and to submit a revised five-year PLHA Program Plan that would expand the list of eligible housing activities the city can fund under the program.


The PLHA program provides state funding to local governments for housing-related activities, and this action keeps Petaluma eligible to receive its share. No members of the public commented.


Vote: Carried 6-0 (Moved by Councilmember Pocekay, seconded by Councilmember Cader Thompson; Vice Mayor Shribbs absent).


Item 5: First Reading of Ordinance Establishing Objective Design Standards for Qualifying Residential Projects


Community Development Director Brian Oh, Planning Manager Andrew Tripple, and Senior Planner Heather Gurewitz presented this item. The Council considered the first reading of an ordinance adding Section 7.120 to the City's Implementing Zoning Ordinance, which would establish objective design standards for qualifying residential projects — a requirement under state housing law that ensures development standards are clear, measurable, and not subject to subjective interpretation.


Two members of the public — Calum Weeks and Dave Alden — spoke during the public hearing. Their specific comments were not recorded in the minutes.


Following Council questions and discussion, staff and Council agreed to five modifications to the ordinance before its introduction:


1. Flexibility clause added: Language was added to clarify that additional architectural or design features are allowable unless expressly prohibited by the standards or another applicable code.

2. EV charging requirement added: At least 50% of parking spaces must be EV-ready for Level 2 charging.

3. A subsection removed: A provision under the parking section (7.120.D.7.b.2) was struck from the ordinance.

4. Tree canopy language revised: Trees must be planted so that the average estimated canopy diameter after 15 years covers 30% of the combined common open space and landscape area (measured from above), using the City's approved street tree list.

5. Children's play area threshold adjusted: Developments of 25 or more dwelling units must include at least one children's play area, unless the project is located within 0.25 miles of a public park with play structures.


Because this was a first reading, the ordinance will require a second reading and final adoption at a future meeting before taking effect.


Vote: Carried 6-0 (Moved by Councilmember Pocekay, seconded by Councilmember Cader Thompson; Vice Mayor Shribbs absent).


Key Takeaways


Ambulance equipment purchase approved for up to $300,000, refurbishing existing equipment alongside a new chassis to maintain emergency medical response capacity.
Petaluma secured its eligibility for state PLHA housing funds by authorizing the 2022 entitlement application and an expanded five-year program plan.
New objective design standards for residential projects passed first reading, a significant step toward complying with state housing law and providing clearer rules for developers — with Council-directed improvements including an EV charging mandate and a refined tree canopy standard.
All substantive votes were unanimous at 6-0, with Vice Mayor Shribbs absent throughout the meeting.

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

Agenda items (5)

Consent Calendar
1Consent CalendarMinutes of the City Council/PCDSA Regular Meeting of January 22, 2024
Approval of the official minutes from the City Council meeting held on January 22, 2024.
2Consent CalendarTentative Agenda for City Council/PCDSA Regular Meeting of February 26, 2024, and Significant Agenda Items for Feb ­ Apr 2024
Confirmation of the agenda for the February 26, 2024 City Council meeting and a preview of major agenda items planned for February through April 2024.
3Consent CalendarResolution Approving the Purchase of a 2023 Ford F350 “Ambulance Prep” Chassis and the Refurbish and Remount of a Current 2012 Petaluma Ambulance Module and Accessory Equipment for an Amount Not to Exceed $300,000 and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute All Documents Necessary to Complete the Purchase
The city is requesting approval to spend up to $300,000 to buy a new 2023 Ford ambulance chassis and refurbish and reinstall equipment from the city's current 2012 ambulance module.
Public Hearing
4Public HearingAdoption of a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager and Assigned Staff to Apply to the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) Program to Receive the 2022 Entitlement Allocation for the City of Petaluma and to Submit a Revised Five­Year PLHA Program Plan to Include Additional Eligible Activities
A public hearing on applying for state housing funds through California's Permanent Local Housing Allocation program and updating the city's five-year housing plan to include additional eligible projects.
5Public HearingIntroduction (First Reading) of an Ordinance Amending the City of Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance to Add Section 7.120 Establishing Objective Design Standards for Qualifying Residential Projects and Finding that the Project is Exempt from CEQA Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15061(b)(3) and 15308
First reading of a new zoning ordinance that would establish clear, objective design standards for qualifying residential development projects in Petaluma.

Additional votes recorded in minutes

Consent Calendar Items 1, 2, and 3

Aye 4
Brian BarnacleAye
Janice Cader ThompsonAye
Karen NauAye
Kevin McDonnellAye

Entitlement Funds and Five-Year Expenditure Plan

Aye 4
Brian BarnacleAye
Janice Cader ThompsonAye
Karen NauAye
Kevin McDonnellAye

Ordinance First Reading

Aye 4
Brian BarnacleAye
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, February 5, 2024 REGULAR SESSION 6:30 P.M. CALL TO ORDER - REGULAR SESSION - 6:30 P.M. Mayor McDonnell called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. • ROLL CALL PRESENT: Mayor McDonnell, Councilmember Barnacle, Councilmember Cader Thompson, Councilmember Healy, Councilmember Nau, Councilmember Pocekay ABSENT: Vice Mayor Shribbs • PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE • MOMENT OF SILENCE AGENDA CHANGES AND DELETIONS (TO CURRENT AGENDA ONLY) None. PROCLAMATION • HeartSafe Community Ramona Faith, Chief Executive Officer of Healthy Petaluma District & Foundation, and Tami Bender, HeartSafe Community Program Manager of Healthy Petaluma District & Foundation, accepted the proclamation. 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). Public comments received prior to publishing agenda Public comments received after posting agenda Mayor McDonnell opened the general public comment. Robert Hansen Bert Botta Sandra Shand Luigi Petrigh-Dove
Jodi Johnson Kay Poland Chris Parker Sallie Latch Mary Beth Leland Dave Alden Tim Porteous Rod H. Alaterre Daniel Lynch Jamie Bloom David Saul Marsha Harris Stuart Nisenbaum Mayor McDonnell closed the general public comment. COUNCIL COMMENT Councilmember Pocekay Councilmember Nau Councilmember Healy Councilmember Barnacle Councilmember Cader Thompson Mayor McDonnell CITY MANAGER COMMENT Assistant City Manager Brian Cochran CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Approved Minutes of the City Council/PCDSA Regular Meeting of January 22, 2024 2. Approved Tentative Agenda for City Council/PCDSA Regular Meeting of February 26, 2024, and Significant Agenda Items for Feb-Apr 2024 3. Adopted Resolution No. 2024-010 N.C.S Approving the Purchase of a 2023 Ford F350 “Ambulance Prep” Chassis and the Refurbish and Remount of a Current 2012 Petaluma Ambulance Module and Accessory Equipment for an Amount Not to Exceed $300,000 and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute All Documents Necessary to Complete the Purchase Mayor McDonnell opened the public comment on the Consent Calendar; receiving none, he closed the public comment. Motion to adopt the Consent Calendar items 1 through 3 made by Councilmember Healy, seconded by Councilmember Nau. Vote: Carried 6-0 Yes: Councilmember Barnacle, Councilmember Cader Thompson, Councilmember Healy, Councilmember Nau, Councilmember Pocekay, Mayor McDonnell No: None Absent: Vice Mayor Shribbs Recused: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS AND MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION 4. Adoption of Resolution No. 2024-011 N.C.S Authorizing the City Manager and Assigned Staff to Apply to the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) Program to Receive the 2022 Entitlement Allocation for the City of Petaluma and to Submit a Revised Five-Year PLHA Program Plan to Include Additional Eligible Activities Director of Community Development Brian Oh presented the staff report. Mayor McDonnell opened the public comment; receiving none, he closed the public comment. Motion to adopt Resolution No. 2024-011 N.C.S. made by Councilmember Pocekay, seconded by Councilmember Cader Thompson. Vote: Carried 6-0 Yes: Councilmember Barnacle, Councilmember Cader Thompson, Councilmember Healy, Councilmember Nau, Councilmember Pocekay, Mayor McDonnell No: None Absent: Vice Mayor Shribbs Recused: None 5. Introduction (First Reading) of Ordinance No. 2879 N.C.S. Amending the City of Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance to Add Section 7.120 Establishing Objective Design Standards for Qualifying Residential Projects and Finding that the Project is Exempt from CEQA Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15061(b)(3) and 15308 Director of Community Development Brian Oh presented the staff report, along with Planning Manager Andrew Tripple and Heather Gurewitz, Senior Planner. Councilmembers asked questions of staff. Mayor McDonnell opened the public comment. Calum Weeks Dave Alden Mayor McDonnell closed the public comment. Council discussion followed. The following modifications to the ordinance were requested by staff and City Council: 1. Modify Section 7.120.B to add: Unless expressly prohibited by or in conflict with the standards in this or another applicable regulatory plan or code, additional architectural or design features are allowable. 2. Modify Section 7.120.D.3 to add: Subsection b.3. At least 50% of parking spaces shall be EV-ready for Level 2 EV charging receptacles. 3. Modify Section 7.120.D.7 to strike subsection b.2. 4. Modify Subsection 7.120.D.7.e.1 to revise the text: Trees shall be planted so that the average estimated canopy diameter after 15 years of age covers 30% of the combined ground-level common open space and landscape area when viewed directly from above. Estimated canopy size shall be determined using the City of Petaluma list of approved street trees. 5. Modify subsection 7.120.D.8.c to revise the text: Developments that include 25 or more dwelling units shall include at least one play area for children unless the development is located within 0.25 miles of a public park with play structure(s). Motion to introduce Ordinance No. 2879 N.C.S. with the requested modifications made by Councilmember Pocekay, seconded by Councilmember Cader Thompson.
Vote: Carried 6-0 Yes: Councilmember Barnacle, Councilmember Cader Thompson, Councilmember Healy, Councilmember Nau, Councilmember Pocekay, Mayor McDonnell No: None Absent: Vice Mayor Shribbs Recused: None ADJOURNMENT Mayor McDonnell adjourned the meeting at 10:06 p.m.