Loading...
2008/12/04 City Council MinutesCity of Rohnert Park* 130 Avram Avenue* Rohnert Park, California 94928 Phone: (707) 588-2227 + FAX: (707) 792-1876 + WEB: www.rpcity.org MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY OF ROHNERT PARK City Council Thursday December 4, 2008 The City Council of the City of Rohnert Park met this date for a Special Meeting to commence at 6:00 p.m. at the Rohnert Park City Hall, 130 Avram Avenue, Rohnert Park, with Mayor Mackenzie presiding. CALL TO ORDER The Special Meeting of the Rohnert Park City Council was called to order by Mayor Mackenzie at 6:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Jake Mackenzie, Mayor Arnie Breeze, Council Member Pam Stafford, Vice Mayor Absent: Tim Smith, Council Member Vicki Vidak - Martinez, Council Member Staff present for all or part of the Special Meeting: Daniel Schwarz, Interim City Manager; Michelle Marchetta Kenyon, City Attorney; Brian Masterson, Director of Public Safety; Jack Rosevear, Fire Captain; Dan Adam, Fire Marshal; Linda Babonis, Housing and Redevelopment Manager; Brian Goodman, Housing and Redevelopment Assistant; Darrin Jenkins, Director of Engineering Services; Patrick Barnes, Deputy City Engineer; Johnny Chung, Project Manager; Eydie Tacata, Management Analyst; Senior Engineering Technician Pedroncelli Ellen Beardsley, Administrative Assistant; John McArthur, Director of Utilities /General Services; Ron Bendorff, Director of Community Development; Maureen Rich, Senior Planner; Guy Miller, Recreation Services Manager; Maya van den Heuvel, Recreation Supervisor; David Rowley, Information Systems Operations Manager; Beth Lidster, Secretary II; Terri Griffin, Deputy City Clerk; Linda Beltz, Videographer. Note: Community Media Center staff in attendance for the televised production of the joint meeting: Patricia Wilburn, Government Services Manager, Jim Regan, Playback and Engineering Manager; and Tola Bennington, Intern. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Mackenzie led the Pledge of Allegiance. City of Rohnert Park Special Meeting Minutes for City Council 2 of 4 December 4, 2008 1. PUBLIC COMMENTS Mayor Mackenzie invited members of the public to come forward to speak. No members of the public responded. 2. CERTIFICATION OF ELECTION RESULTS Consideration of Declaring Results of Consolidated General Election and Municipal Election Held in the City of Rohnert Park on November 4, 2008 1. City Clerk Hauff provided the staff report. 2. Public Comments: Mayor Mackenzie invited members of the public to come forward to speak. No members of the public responded. 3. Resolution for Adoption: 2008 -187 Declaring Results of Consolidated General Election and Municipal Election Held in the City of Rohnert Park on November 4, 2008 MOVED by Council Member Breeze, seconded by Vice Mayor Stafford, and CARRIED 3 -0- 2 with Council Members Smith and Vidak - Martinez absent, reading was waived and Resolution No. 2008 -187 was ADOPTED. � CEREMONY FOR � CITY COUNCIL SELECTION OF OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR 2009 -4 'iC_b_ REFLECTIONS OF 2008 Mayor's Review of 2008 Milestones Mayor Mackenzie reviewed a list of 2008 Milestones (copy attached to the original set of minutes). Mayor Mackenzie presented City Clerk Hauff, Deputy City Clerk Griffin, and Secretary II Lidster with a Scottish language tea towel and Edinburgh holiday cards. Comments by Other Council Members Council Member Breeze and Vice Mayor Stafford thanked staff and shared reflections on the year 2008. Mayor Mackenzie acknowledged Interim City Manager Schwarz and City Attorney Kenyon. Vice Mayor Stafford shared written comments submitted by Council Member Smith (copy attached to the original set of minutes). Mayor Mackenzie shared written comments submitted by Council Member Vidak- Martinez. PRESENTATION TO MAYOR JAKE MACKENZIE FOR 2008 YEAR AS MAYOR Vice Mayor Stafford shared brief comments regarding Mayor Mackenzie's year of service as Mayor and presented Mayor Mackenzie with a poster -size photo collage. City of Rohnert Park Special Meeting Minutes for City Council 3 of 4 December 4, 2008 -,&. ADMINISTRATION OF OATHS OF OFFICE & PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES OF ELECTION TO COUNCIL MEMBERS ELECT City Clerk Hauff presented the Certificates of Election and administered the Oath of Office respectively to incoming Council Members Belforte and Callinan and Mayor Mackenzie. Council Member Belforte, Council Member Callinan and Mayor Mackenzie signed their Oaths of Office and assumed their seats at the dais. SELECTION OF CITY COUNCIL OFFICERS FOR 2009 Selection of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tempore (Vice Mayor) MOVED by Mayor Mackenzie, seconded by Vice Mayor Stafford, to select Vice Mayor Stafford as Mayor. Said motion was defeated 2 -3, with Mayor Mackenzie and Vice Mayor Stafford voting in favor and Council Member Belforte, Council Member Breeze and Council Member Callinan voting against. MOVED by Council Member Callinan, seconded by Council Member Breeze, to select Council Member Breeze as Mayor and Council Member Belforte as Vice Mayor. Said motion was UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED. Mayor Breeze indicated that Council Member seating order would be determined at the Council's next regular meeting. PERSPECTIVES FOR FUTURE New Mayor's Perspectives for 2009 Mayor Breeze shared written comments and perspectives for the year 2009 (copy attached to the original set of minutes). Other Council Members' Perspectives for 2009 Council Member Mackenzie, Council Member Stafford, Council Member Callinan and Vice Mayor Belforte shared individual perspectives for the year 2009. (A copy of Vice Mayor Belforte's written comments are attached to the original set of minutes.) OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS Members of the public were invited to come forward to speak. No members of the public responded. City of Rohnert Park Special Meeting Minutes for City Council 4 of 4 December 4, 2008 Adjournment to Refreshments There being no further business, Mayor Breeze adjourned the City Council Special Meeting at 7:12 p.m. �1� A��d4 �� - Terri Griff Deputy City le City of Rohner ark Amie B y4ze Mayor City of Rohnert Park Mayor Jake Mackenzie — December 4, 2008 MILESTONES 2007 -2008 Took office as Mayor December 11, 2007 Pam Stafford was selected as Vice Mayor City Work Plan with goals to: Raise Revenues Partnerships /Cooperation Increase Safety Maintain/Increase Infrastructure Sustainability Attended several Retirement, among them Tom Bullard, Director of Public Safety Ted Giesige, Commander Richard Behrends Nancy Thompson George Raymond Carl Allyn Rob Kofoid Carron McClatchey Michael Phillips Brad Rosaschi Jim Brady James Herold James LaTorre Scott Mitchell Larry Pelton David Stubblebine Dan Murray Celebrated incoming: Jack Rosevear, new Fire Commander Brian Masterson, Director of Public Safety John McArthur, Utilities General Services Director Robert E. Dennett Conference Room named in April 2008 Recognized residents, among them: Scott Weaver - holiday lights Sherie Almond and UPS for use of ZIP car Lauren Xie, California Junior Miss Chris Carrieri, Co -owner of C2 Alternatives Jeanne Johnson / Osher Life Long Learning Institute Eric & Mary Burns for water - saving landscaping Attended meetings, meetinas, and more meetinas Water Related: Water Issues Subcommittee Mobile Home Parks (addressed flooding, metering) Water Advisory Committee Subregional /Wastewater System Policy Advisory Committee Mayor Jake Mackenzie — December 4, 2008 Russian River Watershed Association Sonoma County Water Agency meetings North Coast Integrated Regional Water Management Plan Bay Area Water Forum Appearance before State Water Board in May Laguna Foundation Creek Master Plan Subcommittee Climate Related: Worked closely with Solar Sonoma and Climate Action Campaign Formation of Regional Climate Protection Coordination Plan Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Panelist at symposium re: Transportation and land issues as they affect AB 32, CA Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 Key Author of Ahwahnee Principles for Climate Change League of California Cities Policy Committee on Environmental Quality CA Air Resource Board Haagen -Smit Symposium Leadership Institute Board of Directors *Sonoma Mountain Village Development [First One Planet Community in North America] Other Development Agreement Negotiations Ad -Hoc Subcommittee Sonoma County Transportation Authority Santa Rosa Plain Conservation Strategy Implementation Committee [Tiger Salamander] Association of Bay Area Governments Regional Planning Committee Mayors and Councilmembers Association, Chair Chair of City Selection Committee Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit [SMART] II Santa Rosa Plain Conservation Strategy Implementation Committee [CTS] • Met with local business owners • Addressed budget, economic development and council interactions • Council Protocols, Benefits, and Travel policy • Worked with SSU's Dan Condron, Vice President of Student Government Affairs • Cotati /Rohnert Park Unified School District on Joint Use of certain Public Facilities ■ Looked at ways to prevent businesses from selling Alcohol to Minors and to outlaw drinking in our parks except by permit (to be reviewed in a year) Made Tough Decisions ■ Changes to Employee / Retiree Benefit Packages ■ Speed Limit Ordinance ■ Fireworks Ordinance ■ Phase I Eastside Sewer Line Project ■ Sewer Rate Initiative Mayor Jake Mackenzie — December 4, 2008 Witnessed inception to completion of new City Hall and evolution of Green Building Ordinance Centreville City Center Plaza Affordable Housing: Vida Nueva Wilfred/Dowdell Village Specific Plan Promoted City involvement in AB 811 Playground upgrades [Parks & Recreation Facilities Master Plan] North Bay Corporation — new biodiesel, split -level trucks Griffin, Terri prom: Smith, Tim ant: Tuesday, December 02, 2008 6:34 PM To: Mackenzie, Jake - AOL Cc: Donley, Steve; Schwarz, Dan; Jenkins, Darrin; Hauff, Judy; Griffin, Terri; 'Michelle Kenyon'; Lidster, Beth; 'bob.norberg @pressdemocrat.com' Subject: Thanksgiving 2008 - Remarks of Tim Smith for 4 December 2008 Special Meeting of the Rohnert Park City Council Mayor Mackenzie — it would be appreciated if the following could be read and placed into the record at the upcoming meeting. Thanks, Tim Thanksgiving 2008 Returning home from the Codding Center after a visit with Reverend Tharpe and his numerous volunteers who provide a Thanksgiving Day meal for many of our community members seemed an appropriate time to compose a 2008 reflection. With my tenure as your Councilmember concluding, I first want to thank you for the opportunity you provided me to serve the public as an elected official. It's an honor I will never forget. Having missed only one Council meeting during my tenure and that also being due'to calendar modifications adopted to accommodate others, I regret being unable to attend this Special Meeting. It has been a privilege to serve over these years with Mayor Mackenzie, Vice Mayor Stafford, "ouncilmember Vidak- Martinez, Councilmember Breeze and Councilmember Flores. With their confidence and support my public service has also included: Chairing the Sonoma County Waste Management Agency; serving as President of the Redwood Empire Municipal Insurance Fund; membership on the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation & Open Space District Advisory Committee as well as being an Association of Bay Area Governments Representative to the San Francisco Estuary Project. Together we have accomplished much, thanks to our fine staff led by City Manager Steve Donley, who is currently honorably serving all of us on active duty with the United States Coast Guard. Even a very short and quite partial list is very impressive: Sewer force main that helped to keep our City safe during the 2005 -2006 record rains as well as other more recent sewer improvement projects; Renovation of the Burton Avenue Recreation Center and the Community Center as well as re- roofing with a solar installation at the Sports Center; The Arbors, a mixed -use affordable housing development that includes the Jewish Community Free Clinic providing health care for many in -need; and most recently, opening this wonderful City Hall and dedicating Vida Nueva, a supportive housing development that will be offering `new life' for families being welcomed as its first residents during this holiday season. Of utmost importance, we were able to reduce the long -term liabilities of Rohnert Park by about $30 million through the implementation of fairly bargained compensation packages with our employees iat better reflect the financial situation facing our community, our state and our nation. As a member of a forward- thinking City Council concerned with the long -term sustainability of Rohnert Park, I am proud that our policies demonstrated a commitment to public structures that are both tangible, such as improving public safety and implementing public works projects, as well as intangible, such as open meetings with their many opportunities for our residents to be heard. Best wishes to all the residents of Rohnert Park and Happy Holidays! Mayor Amie Breeze —December 4, 2008 PERSPECTIVES FOR 2009 Looking forward to the year ahead of us, there is much to be thankful for. We live in one of the most beautiful places in our country, and some may argue in the world. In our city, the Friendly City of Rohnert Park, we have more amenities than most cities our size. For starters, each neighborhood has its very own park. In addition, Rohnert Park boasts five community pools, two 18 -hole golf courses, a community center, a sports center, a performing arts center, tree -lined streets, safe neighborhoods, award - winning schools, and opportunities for higher education at Sonoma State University and Santa Rosa Junior College. The list goes on and on. How can all of this be possible in a community of just 43,000 people? To answer this question, one only has to look around. These amenities, these blessings, are possible because of you, your neighbor, the public safety officers and firefighters on the street, the staff at public works, our educators, our business owners, the staff at city hall, and policy makers of the past and present. We have all contributed to the excellence of our community. Our task in the year ahead of us will be to safeguard all that is important to us collectively. I think it is safe to say that we all love our community and want the best for it. Our nation, our state, and our city are facing great challenges right now. Tough economic times are upon us. People are losing their jobs, businesses are struggling, and home foreclosures are occurring. It is important to know that the city will get through these challenges because we have an excellent staff that is dedicated to the needs of Rohnert Park. I and the other council members are all here before you because we believe in Rohnert Park and want the very best for our city and its citizens. We may have different views about what "the very best" looks like, and yet we are all committed to addressing the needs of our community. Two of us up here are graduates of Rancho Cotate High School Mayor Amie Breeze — December 4, 2008 Two of us are currently raising school age kids in this community Four of us are business owners Two of us are grandparents One of us is retired with a background in Environmental Protection Three of us are incumbents Two of us are newly elected Three of us have lived in Rohnert Park for over 20 years Much like the community we have been elected to represent, we have differences and similarities. As your council, it is important that we come together and put aside any personal or philosophical agendas. We need to set aside our personal egos and have a fresh, energetic perspective on the future needs of our community. We need to find practical approaches to solve everyday challenges. We need these new approaches in order to seek out and invite Economic Development, in order to Implement our General Plan, and Fix our Parks and Pools, and Tighten up our Budget, and Seek Grants and other sources of Federal Funding to create programs that will help our seniors, our children, and the less fortunate in Rohnert Park, and to Protect our Environment. The year ahead will bring change, and collectively that is what we have all asked for. Some of us will have great needs, and some of us will have the means to fulfill those needs. In 2009, and the years ahead, it will be important for all of us to look outside of ourselves and ask: "what do I have to give ?" Maybe you have time to volunteer to a community project, or help a neighbor in need, or maybe you can provide a service or money to donate. We have much to be thankful fora When we give to our community, in whatever big or small way, all of our needs are met. I am honored to continue to serve my community and I am honored to serve as your Mayor for 2009. Vice Mayor Belforte — December 4, 2008 Good evening and thank you for attending tonight's swearing in ceremony. I would like to acknowledge the staff that put this event together so quickly. They did a marvelous job. This is a crucial time for our city and I would like to thank the voters of Rohnert Park for electing me as your representative. I am honored to serve you and, with my fellow Council Members, help move Rohnert Park toward a better tomorrow. I would also like to thank my family for their never - ending love and support. They were with me every step of the way during this campaign. They logged countless hours walking door to door and volunteering in any way they could. There are not many teens or husbands that would do so with the same enthusiasm and spirit as mine. I could not have done this without them. We have much to accomplish these next four years in Rohnert Park. We face a complex set of issues that are intertwined and interdependent. We must look at these issues comprehensively, not focus on one over another, in order to have innovative, long -term planning. The only way to achieve this is through compromise and working collectively toward a common goal. In order for Rohnert Park to become a shining example for our residents, our county and the Bay Area we must work on 3 areas - the health of our finances, the health of our environment, and the health of our public services. Economic development will be crucial in the coming years to help us achieve a higher level of service for our residents. We as a council need to lead our city and our staff by example. We need to break away from the trend of budget deficits and financial disaster that many cities find themselves in today. We need to control our budgets and limit unnecessary spending in order to provide the unique services and settings that Rohnert Park can and should continue to offer. We also must fill the vacant buildings that have been empty for so long. We will have to work with all sectors to make Rohnert Park a desirable place for clean, prosperous businesses that will bring quality jobs to the city. Together we can succeed efficiently and effectively, even in these difficult times. If we can maintain financial health, then we will be able to maintain the health of our public services. We will continue to provide quality public safety services. We will be able to keep up our Parks and ensure a diverse offering of recreational opportunities for youth, adults and seniors. We will be able to support many of the non - profit organizations that provide much needed services to our residents. And, we will be able to maintain sound and solid infrastructure and improve our streets and roads. However, just as important as our financial health and health of public services is to the city so to is our environmental health. We are lucky to live in such a beautiful area and 1 want to make sure it stays that way for generations to come. We all need to work together to find long -term solutions to protect our open spaces, natural resources, agricultural lands and water supply. Vice Mayor Belforte — December 4, 2008 We as a Council have a responsibility to restore trust in governmental leaders and always remember that we work for the residents of Rohnert Park. Your voices need to be heard, your opinions need to be sought and positive solutions need to be implemented. All of this will not be an easy task. It will take time and energy but if we come together and work as an effective team we will put Rohnert Park on the right track once again. I look forward to working with City staff, my fellow Council Members and Rohnert Park residents. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns. It will be an honor to serve you. Thank you. UniteddStates of America Certificate of Election State of California County of Sonoma. I SS. I, Judy Hauff, Clerk of the City of Rohnert Park, State of Calfornia, certify that at a CONSOLIDA'PED GENERAL NUNICIPAL ELEC770W held in the City on the 411i day of November, zoos Gina Belforte was elected to the office of City Council as appears by the official returns of the election, and the statement of votes cast now on file in my office. I affix my. hand and official seal this 411{ day of December, 2oo8 Ju Hauff, ORClerk J?-C -h &m Elections \o8 Certificate of Election RETAIN COPIES of "Certificates of Election" Presented to GB, JC & JM For ELECTION FILE cc: Attach to 12/4/08 Minutes United States of .America Certificate of ECection State of California County of Sonoma SS. I, Judy Hauff, Clerk of the_ City of R.ohnert Park, State of CaCfornia, certify that at a C0NS0LID.A9_ED GENERAL NU NICIP.AL ELECTION held in the City on the 41h day of November, zoos Joseph T. Callinan was elected to the office of City Council as appears by the officiaCreturns of the election, and the statement of votes cast now on file in my office. I affix my hand and official seaC this 47x day of December, 2oo8 3 JH- h&m- E1ections\o8 Certificate of Election J RETAIN COPIES of� a"Certificates of Election" 11d Presented to GB, JC & JM For ELECTION FILE cc: Attach to 12/4/08 Minutes UniteddStates of .America Certificate of Election State of California County of Sonoma SS. I, Judy Hauff, Clerk of the City of Rohnert Park, State of Calfornia, certify that at a CONSOLIDATED GENERAL MU- WYCIP.AL ELECTION held in the City on the 4th day of November, 2oo8 J Jake Mackenzie was elected to the office of City Council, as appears by the official returns of the election, and the statement of votes cast now on file in my office. I affix my hand and official seal this 4T'{ day of December, 2oo8 J y Hauff, Clerk jH- h&m:ECectionslo8 Certtftcate of ECection RETAIN COPIES of "Certificates of Election" Presented to GB, JC & JM For ELECTION FILE cc: Attach to 12/4/08 Minutes OF ALLEGI-WCE FOR PURLIC OFFICERS AND E -MPLOYEES State of CaCfornia County of Sonoma SS. City of Rohnert Park I'Fie Execution of this Oath is Required by .Article .Xx, Section 3, of the Constitution of the State of CaCfornia. FOR THE OFFICE OF CM COUWCIL I, Gina Belforte , do sotemnCy affirm that I wiCC support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of CaCfornia against aCCenemies, foreign and domestic; that I wiCC bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of CaCfornia; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I wiff wed and faithfully discharge the duties upon which I am about to enter. Subscribed andsworn to before me this 41h day of December, 2oo8. Judy Hauff, City Clerk Name /Title of officer .Administering Oath JH- m:BCections \o8 Oath of Office -CAB RETAIN ORIGINALS of "OATHS OF OFFICE" For ELECTION FILE cc: Human Resources TABS cc: GB, JC & JM R cc: Attach to 12/4/08 Minutes OF - Al-CECLAWCE FOR PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EJW PIOYEES State of California County of Sonoma SS. City of R ohnert Park 2'he Execution of this Oath is Required by Article XX, Section 3, of the Constitution of the State of California. Fop, gHE oFFTCE of c-TT11 CO21NCIl I, Joseph T. Callinan , do solemnly affirm that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California against ad enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Calfornia; that I take this obligation freety, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties upon which I am about to enter. Subscribed an f*Vorn to before me this 41h day of December, 2oo8. Signature of arson kaki Oath Signat e of O cer Aidminid/eg Oath Judy Hauff, City Clerk Nam %"itle of officer Administering Oath JH-m ECections \o8 Oath of Office JC RETAIN ORIGINALS of "OATHS OF OFFICE" For ELECTION FILE cc: Human Resources TMS cc: GB, JC & JM cc: Attach to 12/4/08 Minutes OF .AIL .CEGIAWCE FOR PURLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES State of CaCfornia County of Sonoma SS. City of R.ohnert Park I'he Execution of this Oath is Required by .Article .XX, Section 3, of the Constitution of the State of California. FOR 9-HE OFFICE OF CM COUWCIL I, Jake Mackenzie , do solemnly affirm that I tivill support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of CaCfornia against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California; that ,I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I tivill well and faithfully discharge the duties upon which I am about to enter. Subscribed andsworn to before me this 4th day of December, 20o8. Judy Hauff, City Clerk Name /Title of officer .Administering Oath JH-m ECectionsl08 Oath of Office JN RETAIN ORIGINALS of "OATHS OF OFFICE" For ELECTION FILE cc: Humau.Resources TMS cc: GB, JC & JM . cc: Attach to 12/4/08 Minutes