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City Council

Mon, July 17, 2023

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Meeting summaryAI-generated

City Council — July 17, 2023


This was a regular meeting of the Petaluma City Council and Petaluma Community Development Successor Agency, called to order at 6:31 p.m. with all seven members present. The session included a presentation on a major street project, substantial general public comment, and several routine but notable consent items, along with two public hearings.



Presentation: North McDowell Complete Streets Project Update


Public Works Director Christopher Bolt, Senior Traffic Engineer Ken Eichstaedt, and City Engineer Jeff Stutsman briefed the Council on the North McDowell Complete Streets Project. The minutes do not detail the substance of the presentation, but it was informational in nature with no vote taken.



General Public Comment


A large number of residents addressed the Council on items not on the agenda — approximately 18 speakers are listed by name. The minutes do not record the substance of individual comments, so the specific topics raised cannot be confirmed from this source.



Consent Calendar (Items 1–4 and 6–10)


The Council passed a broad consent calendar unanimously. Notable items included:


Mobile Home Park Rent Stabilization Ordinance (No. 2857 N.C.S.): This was the second and final reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 6.50 of the Municipal Code governing the Mobile Home Park Space Rent Stabilization Program. It also repealed and replaced an urgency ordinance the Council had adopted just four weeks earlier on June 19. City Attorney Eric Danly provided commentary on this item before the vote. Several members of the public spoke on the consent calendar — including residents associated with mobile home parks — suggesting this item drew the most community interest.

Police Department Storage Lease (Ordinance No. 2858 N.C.S.): Second reading authorizing the City Manager to lease approximately 15,660 square feet of space from Hansel Properties at 1221 Petaluma Blvd. North for police storage, including 7,260 square feet indoors and 8,400 square feet outdoors.

Sewer Camera Van Purchase: Approved purchase of a sewer inspection camera van from RapidView LLC through the Sourcewell cooperative purchasing program, with a corresponding budget increase for the Public Works & Utilities Department.

Community Center Roof and Window Work: Awarded a contract to SFT Construction Corp. for gutter replacement, roof modifications, and storefront window replacement at the Petaluma Community Center, with a budget adjustment.

Riverfront Community Facilities District Special Tax: Levied the annual special tax for the Riverfront CFD for fiscal year 2023–24.

New Finance Position: Amended the city's classification and compensation plan to create an Assistant Director of Finance position while eliminating one Finance Analyst position — a restructuring of the Finance Department's upper management.

Election Services Agreement: Approved an agreement with Sonoma County to conduct consolidated municipal elections for the City of Petaluma.

Ellis Creek Filtration Contract (Item 5): This item — awarding a contract to C. Overaa & Company for a tertiary filtration expansion at the Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility — was pulled and continued to the August 7 meeting.

Vote on Consent Calendar (Items 1–4, 6–10): Moved by Councilmember Healy, seconded by Councilmember Pocekay. Carried 7–0.



Public Hearing: Weed Abatement Order


Fire Marshal Jessica Power presented the annual weed abatement item, which authorizes the Fire Department to clear fire-hazard weeds from public and private property by contract when property owners fail to do so themselves. No members of the public commented. Councilmembers asked staff questions before the hearing closed.


Vote: Moved by Councilmember Healy, seconded by Councilmember Pocekay. Carried 7–0.



Public Hearing: Landscape Assessment Districts — FY 2023–24


Public Works Director Bolt and Parks & Facilities Superintendent Cindy Chong presented the annual assessment levies for the city's Landscape Assessment Districts, which fund maintenance of landscaping in specific neighborhoods and districts. No members of the public commented.


Because some councilmembers have property interests within specific assessment districts, the vote was broken into five separate resolutions (Nos. 2023-112 through 2023-116), with individual members recusing themselves for the district affecting their property:


Resolution 2023-112: Carried 7–0 (all members voting).
Resolution 2023-113: Councilmember Barnacle recused. Carried 6–0.
Resolution 2023-114: Councilmember Nau recused. Carried 6–0.
Resolution 2023-115: Councilmember Shribbs recused. Carried 6–0.
Resolution 2023-116: Mayor McDonnell recused; Vice Mayor Cader Thompson presided. Carried 6–0.

All resolutions passed without dissent.


The meeting adjourned at 9:27 p.m.



Key Takeaways


Mobile home park rent stabilization is now fully in effect as a permanent ordinance, replacing the urgency measure rushed through in June — a significant protection for mobile home park residents in Petaluma.
The Police Department is gaining substantial new storage space through a lease with Hansel Properties on Petaluma Blvd. North.
The city is restructuring its Finance Department, adding a senior management position (Assistant Director of Finance) while eliminating a line-level analyst role.
The Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility filtration expansion contract was delayed to August 7, the only item not resolved at this meeting.
All landscape assessment districts were re-levied for FY 2023–24 with careful management of conflict-of-interest recusals among councilmembers.

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

Agenda items (12)

Consent Calendar
1Consent CalendarMinutes of the City Council/PCDSA Regular Meetings of June 19, 2023 and July 10, 2023
The council will approve the official meeting minutes from June 19 and July 10, 2023.
2Consent CalendarTentative Agenda for the City Council/PCDSA Regular Meeting of August 7, 2023
The council will confirm the agenda for the August 7, 2023 meeting.
3Consent CalendarAdoption (Second Reading) of Ordinance No. 2857 N.C.S. Amending Chapter 6.50 of the Petaluma Municipal Code Entitled Mobile Home Park Space Rent Stabilization Program and Repealing and Replacing the Urgency Ordinance Adopted June 19, 2023 Amending Section 6.50.040(A) of the Petaluma Municipal Code
The council will finalize an updated ordinance that regulates rent increases in Petaluma's mobile home parks, replacing an earlier temporary version adopted in June.
4Consent CalendarAdoption (Second Reading) of Ordinance No. 2858 N.C.S. Authorizing the City Manager to Enter Into a Lease Agreement With Hansel Properties for 15,660 Square Feet of Additional Storage Space for the Police Department at 1221 Petaluma Blvd. North Which Includes 7,260 Square Feet of Indoor Space And 8,400 Square Feet of Outdoor Space
The city will lease an additional 15,660 square feet of storage space for the Police Department at 1221 Petaluma Blvd. North, including both indoor and outdoor areas.
5Consent CalendarResolution Authorizing Award of Contract for Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility Tertiary Filtration Expansion ­ Filtration Equipment Project to C. Overaa & Company – CONTINUED TO 8/7/23 CITY COUNCIL MEETING
This item concerning a contract award for equipment improvements at Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility has been postponed and will be discussed at the August 7 meeting instead.
6Consent CalendarResolution Authorizing the Purchase of a Sewer System Camera Van from RapidView LLC for the Public Works & Utilities Department through Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Program, Authorizing the City Manager to Execute all Documents Necessary to Complete the Purchase, and increasing the Budget
The city will purchase a specialized camera van for the Public Works & Utilities Department to inspect sewer lines, with the budget adjusted to cover the cost.
7Consent CalendarResolution Authorizing Award of Contract for the Petaluma Community Center Roof Gutter Replacement and Modification, and Storefront Window Replacement Project C16201304 to SFT Construction Corp. and Authorizing a Budget Adjustment and Finding This Action is Not a “Project” Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5)
The council will award a contract to replace the roof gutters and storefront windows at the Petaluma Community Center.
8Consent CalendarResolution Adopting the Levying of the Annual Special Tax for The Riverfront Community Facilities District, Fiscal Year 23/24
The council will approve the annual special tax bill for the Riverfront Community Facilities District for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
9Consent CalendarAmending the Classification and Compensation Plan by Establishing the Classification and Pay Range of Assistant Director of Finance, Authorizing the Position Allocation of One Assistant Director of Finance, and Eliminating the Position Allocation of One Finance Analyst
The city will create a new Assistant Director of Finance position and eliminate a Finance Analyst position, adjusting the city's job classifications and pay structure.
10Consent CalendarResolution Approving an Agreement with the County of Sonoma for the Purpose of Conducting Consolidated Municipal Elections for the City of Petaluma
The city will partner with Sonoma County to hold combined city and county elections together.
Public Hearing
11Public HearingPublic Hearing and Resolution Ordering Abatement of Nuisances Consisting of Weeds Growing Upon Public and Private Property in the City of Petaluma and Ordering the Fire Department to Abate Said Weeds by Contract if Property Owners Fail to Do So
The council will hold a public hearing and authorize the Fire Department to remove weeds from public and private properties around Petaluma, either by requiring property owners to do so or by contracting the work.
12Public HearingPublic Hearing to Receive Public Comment, Amend the Engineer’s Report as Appropriate, and Resolution Ordering the Improvements, Confirming the Engineer’s Report, and Levying Annual Assessments for Landscape Assessment Districts for Fiscal Year 23/24
The council will hold a public hearing to discuss and finalize annual assessments for landscape maintenance in designated districts across Petaluma for 2023-24.

Additional votes recorded in minutes

2023-110 N.C.S.

Aye 5
Brian BarnacleAye
Janice Cader ThompsonAye
John ShribbsAye
Karen NauAye
Kevin McDonnellAye

Resolution No. 2023-111 N.C.S.

Aye 5
Brian BarnacleAye
Janice Cader ThompsonAye
John ShribbsAye
Karen NauAye
Kevin McDonnellAye

Resolution No. 2023-112 N.C.S.

Aye 5
Brian BarnacleAye
Janice Cader ThompsonAye
John ShribbsAye
Karen NauAye
Kevin McDonnellAye

Resolution No. 2023-113 N.C.S.

Aye 4
Janice Cader ThompsonAye
John ShribbsAye
Karen NauAye
Kevin McDonnellAye

Resolution No. 2023-114 N.C.S.

Aye 4
Brian BarnacleAye
Janice Cader ThompsonAye
John ShribbsAye
Kevin McDonnellAye

Resolution No. 2023-115 N.C.S.

Aye 4
Brian BarnacleAye
Janice Cader ThompsonAye
Karen NauAye
Kevin McDonnellAye

Resolution No. 2023-116 N.C.S.

Aye 4
Brian BarnacleAye
Janice Cader ThompsonAye
John ShribbsAye
Karen NauAye

Verbatim transcript available

5 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, July 17, 2023 REGULAR SESSION - 6:30 P.M. CALL TO ORDER Mayor McDonnell called the meeting to order at 6:31 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) Mayor McDonnell announced item 5 would be moved to the August 7, 2023, regular City Council meeting. PRESENTATIONS • North McDowell Complete Streets Project Update Director of Public Works, Christopher Bolt, Senior Traffic Engineer, Ken Eichstaedt and City Engineer, Jeff Stutsman addressed the Council. 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). Chris Albertson FACTS Nathan Spindel Suzanne Biaggi Todd Gracyk Bruce Hagen Mayor McDonnell opened General Public Comment.
Pete Gang Eris Weaver Bruce Hagen Beth Peck Peter Tscherneff Robert Hansen Josh Lincecum John Hanania SheliaB Veronica O Paul G Beverly Alexander Blake Hooper Susan Kirks Mayor McDonnell closed General Public Comment. COUNCIL COMMENT Councilmember Shribbs Councilmember Pocekay Councilmember Nau Vice Mayor Cader Thompson Councilmember Healy Councilmember Barnacle Mayor McDonnell CITY MANAGER COMMENT City Manager Peggy Flynn CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Minutes of the City Council/PCDSA Regular Meetings of June 19, 2023 and July 10, 2023 2. Tentative Agenda for the City Council/PCDSA Regular Meeting of August 7, 2023 3. Adoption (Second Reading) of Ordinance No. 2857 N.C.S. Amending Chapter 6.50 of the Petaluma Municipal Code Entitled Mobile Home Park Space Rent Stabilization Program and Repealing and Replacing the Urgency Ordinance Adopted June 19, 2023 Amending Section 6.50.040(A) of the Petaluma Municipal Code 4. Adoption (Second Reading) of Ordinance No. 2858 N.C.S. Authorizing the City Manager to Enter Into a Lease Agreement With Hansel Properties for 15,660 Square Feet of Additional Storage Space for the Police Department at 1221 Petaluma Blvd. North Which Includes 7,260 Square Feet of Indoor Space And 8,400 Square Feet of Outdoor Space 5. Resolution Authorizing Award of Contract for Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility Tertiary Filtration Expansion - Filtration Equipment Project to C. Overaa & Company – CONTINUED TO 8/7/23 CITY COUNCIL MEETING
6. Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of a Sewer System Camera Van from RapidView LLC for the Public Works & Utilities Department through Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Program, Authorizing the City Manager to Execute all Documents Necessary to Complete the Purchase, and increasing the Budget 7. Resolution Authorizing Award of Contract for the Petaluma Community Center Roof Gutter Replacement and Modification, and Storefront Window Replacement Project C16201304 to SFT Construction Corp. and Authorizing a Budget Adjustment and Finding This Action is Not a “Project” Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5) 8. Resolution Adopting the Levying of the Annual Special Tax for The Riverfront Community Facilities District, Fiscal Year 23/24 9. Amending the Classification and Compensation Plan by Establishing the Classification and Pay Range of Assistant Director of Finance, Authorizing the Position Allocation of One Assistant Director of Finance, and Eliminating the Position Allocation of One Finance Analyst 10. Resolution Approving an Agreement with the County of Sonoma for the Purpose of Conducting Consolidated Municipal Elections for the City of Petaluma City Attorney Eric Danly provided commentary on item 3. Mayor McDonnell announced item 5 would be heard at the August 7, 2023, regular City Council meeting. Mayor McDonnell opened public comment on the Consent Calendar. Katharine Bobrowski Martin Contrevas Angela Cruz Jodi Johnson Darrel Pike Betty Hautzenrader Peter Tscherneff Bob Hansen Billf Nick (Littlewoods MHP) Mayor McDonnell closed public comment on the Consent Calendar. Motion to adopt the Consent Calendar items 1-4 and 6-10 (Adopted Ordinance Nos. 2857 N.C.S. Amending Chapter 6.50 of the Petaluma Municipal Code Entitled Mobile Home Park Space Rent Stabilization Program and Repealing and Replacing the Urgency Ordinance Adopted June 19, 2023; 2858 N.C.S. Authorizing the City Manager to Enter Into a Lease Agreement With Hansel Properties for Additional Storage Space for the Police Department; Resolution Nos. 2023-106 N.C.S. Authorizing the Purchase of a Sewer System Camera Van from RapidView LLC for the Public Works & Utilities Department; 2023-107 N.C.S. Authorizing Award of Contract for the Petaluma Community Center Roof Gutter Replacement and Modification, and Storefront Window Replacement Project; 2023-108 N.C.S. Adopting the Levying of the Annual Special Tax for The Riverfront Community Facilities District, Fiscal Year 23/24; 2023-109 N.C.S. Amending the Classification and Compensation Plan by Establishing the Classification and Pay Range of Assistant Director of Finance, Authorizing the Position Allocation of One Assistant Director of Finance, and Eliminating the Position Allocation
of One Finance Analyst; 2023-110 N.C.S. Approving an Agreement with the County of Sonoma for the Purpose of Conducting Consolidated Municipal Elections for the City of Petaluma) made by Councilmember Healy, seconded by Councilmember Pocekay. Vote: Carried 7-0 Yes: Mayor McDonnell, Councilmember Barnacle, Vice Mayor Cader Thompson, Councilmember Healy, Councilmember Nau, Councilmember Pocekay, Councilmember Shribbs No: None Absent: None Recused: None PUBLIC HEARINGS AND MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION 11. Public Hearing and Resolution Ordering Abatement of Nuisances Consisting of Weeds Growing Upon Public and Private Property in the City of Petaluma and Ordering the Fire Department to Abate Said Weeds by Contract if Property Owners Fail to Do So Fire Marshal Jessica Power presented the staff report. Councilmembers asked questions of staff. Mayor McDonnell opened the public hearing to receive public comment; receiving none, he closed the public hearing and public comment. Motion to adopt Resolution No. 2023-111 N.C.S. Ordering Abatement of Nuisances Consisting of Weeds Growing Upon Public and Private Property in the City of Petaluma and Ordering the Fire Department to Abate Said Weeds by Contract if Property Owners Fail to Do So made by Councilmember Healy, seconded by Councilmember Pocekay. Vote: Carried 7-0 Yes: Mayor McDonnell, Councilmember Barnacle, Vice Mayor Cader Thompson, Councilmember Healy, Councilmember Nau, Councilmember Pocekay, Councilmember Shribbs No: None Absent: None Recused: None 12. Public Hearing to Receive Public Comment, Amend the Engineer’s Report as Appropriate, and Resolution Ordering the Improvements, Confirming the Engineer’s Report, and Levying Annual Assessments for Landscape Assessment Districts for Fiscal Year 23/24 Director of Public Works, Christopher Bolt and Superintendent of Parks and Facilities, Cindy Chong addressed the Council. Mayor McDonnell opened the public hearing to receive public comment; receiving none, he closed the public hearing and public comment. Motion to adopt Resolution No. 2023-112 N.C.S. Ordering the Improvements, Confirming the Engineer’s Report, and Levying Annual Assessments for Landscape Assessment Districts for Fiscal Year 23/24 made by Councilmember Healy, seconded by Councilmember Nau. Vote: Carried 7-0 Yes: Mayor McDonnell, Councilmember Barnacle, Vice Mayor Cader Thompson, Councilmember Healy, Councilmember Nau, Councilmember Pocekay, Councilmember Shribbs No: None
Absent: None Recused: None Councilmember Barnacle announced his recusal and turned off his Zoom camera. Motion to adopt Resolution No. 2023-113 N.C.S. Ordering the Improvements, Confirming the Engineer’s Report, and Levying Annual Assessments for Landscape Assessment Districts for Fiscal Year 23/24 made by Councilmember Healy, seconded by Councilmember Nau. Vote: 6-0 Yes: Vice Mayor Cader Thompson, Councilmember Healy, Councilmember Nau, Councilmember Pocekay, Councilmember Shribbs, Mayor McDonnell No: None Absent: None Recused: Councilmember Barnacle Councilmember Barnacle rejoined the meeting. Councilmember Nau announced her recusal and left the Council Chamber. Motion to adopt Adopted Resolution No. 2023-114 N.C.S. Ordering the Improvements, Confirming the Engineer’s Report, and Levying Annual Assessments for Landscape Assessment Districts for Fiscal Year 23/24 made by Councilmember Pocekay, seconded by Councilmember Healy. Vote: 6-0 Yes: Councilmember Barnacle, Vice Mayor Cader Thompson, Councilmember Healy, Councilmember Pocekay, Councilmember Shribbs, Mayor McDonnell No: None Absent: None Recused: Councilmember Nau Councilmember Nau rejoined the meeting. Councilmember Shribbs announced his recusal and left the Council Chamber. Motion to adopt Adopted Resolution No. 2023-115 N.C.S. Ordering the Improvements, Confirming the Engineer’s Report, and Levying Annual Assessments for Landscape Assessment Districts for Fiscal Year 23/24 made by Councilmember Healy, seconded by Councilmember Nau. Vote: 6-0 Yes: Councilmember Barnacle, Vice Mayor Cader Thompson, Councilmember Healy, Councilmember Nau, Councilmember Pocekay, Mayor McDonnell No: None Absent: None Recused: Councilmember Shribbs Councilmember Shribbs rejoined the meeting. Mayor McDonnell announced his recusal and left the Council Chamber. Motion to adopt Adopted Resolution No. 2023-116 N.C.S. (McDonnell recused), Ordering the Improvements, Confirming the Engineer’s Report, and Levying Annual Assessments for Landscape Assessment Districts for Fiscal Year 23/24 made by Councilmember Healy, seconded by Councilmember Nau. Vote: 6-0 Yes: Councilmember Barnacle, Vice Mayor Cader Thompson, Councilmember Healy, Councilmember Nau, Councilmember Pocekay, Councilmember Shribbs No: None Absent: None Recused: Mayor McDonnell ADJOURNMENT Vice Mayor Cader Thompson adjourned the meeting at 9:27 p.m.