2009/12/08 City Council MinutesMINUTES OF THE ROHNERT PARK CITY COUNCIL
Community Development Commission
Rohnert Park Financing Authority
CONCURRENT MEETINGS
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
The City Council of the City of Rohnert Park met this date for Regular Concurrent Meetings of
the Rohnert Park City Council, Community Development Commission of the City of Rohnert
Park, and Rohnert Park Financing Authority, scheduled to commence at 6:00 p.m. at the Rohnert
Park City Hall, 130 Avram Avenue, Rohnert Park, with Mayor Breeze presiding.
1. CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING - CALL TO ORDER /ROLL CALL
CALL TO ORDER — The Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Rohnert
Park was called to order by Mayor Breeze at 6:02 p.m.
ROLL CALL Present: Arnie Breeze, Mayor
Gina Belforte, Vice Mayor
Joseph T. Callinan, Council Member
Jake Mackenzie, Council Member
Pam Stafford, Council Member
Absent: None
Staff and /or consultants participating in all or part of this session: Daniel Schwarz, Interim City
Manager; Michelle Marchetta Kenyon, City Attorney; Linda Babonis, Housing &
Redevelopment Manager; Brian Goodman, Housing & Redevelopment Assistant; and Judy
Hauff, City Clerk.
Community Media Center staff present for the recording and televised production of this
meeting: Patricia Wilburn, Government Services Manager, Evan Johnson, Video Technician;
and Peter Matheny- Schuster, Video Technician.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Paige Spradlin and Payton Devore, 7"' grade students,
Creekside Middle School, led the pledge of allegiance. Mayor Breeze advised that inviting
her daughter, Paige, and friend, Payton, to lead the pledge this evening was a last minute
invitation, so arrangements would be made later to provide each of them with a card and
pen from the Mayor.
Minutes of the City of Rohnert Park CONCURRENT MEETINGS (2 of 9) December 8, 2009
for City Council/Community Development Commission / Rohnert Park Financing Authority
3. SSU STUDENT REPORT
Jesse Schwartz, Legislative Representative for Sonoma State University (SSU) Associated
Students, Inc. (ASI) provided this report which included passing two resolutions since their
last meeting. One was to call for the University Administration to create a full time
University position for the accreditation process, due to SSU currently being predominantly
white, and asking the University to make a strong effort toward that realm of the educational
experience. The other requested the Foundation Board to continue funding student
scholarships. These resolutions were their two main action items.
4. CITY MANAGER / CITY ATTORNEY / DEPARTMENT HEAD BRIEFINGS
Interim City Manager Schwarz advised there were no reports for this item.
5. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mayor Breeze invited public comments at 6:07 p.m. No one responded.
6. CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Breeze advised that all items on the consent calendar were to be considered together
by one action of the Council unless any Council Member or anyone else interested in a
consent calendar item had a question about the item.
Vice Mayor Belforte and Mayor Breeze pulled item #l.b on regular meeting minutes.
Council Member Callinan pulled item #2 on bills and item #3.d on Resolution No. 2009 -132.
1. Approval of Minutes for:
a. City Council Special Meeting — October 27, 2009
a. City Council Special Meeting - November 24, 2009
3. Resolutions for Adoption:
a. 2009 -129 Authorizing a Request to the Metropolitan Transportation
Commission for the Allocation of Transportation Enhancement
(TE) Funding Through the 2010 Regional Transportation
Improvement Program (RTIP)
b. 2009 -130 Approving Job Description and Salary Range for Director of
Development Services.
c. 2009 -131 Endorsing an Application for 2010 -2011 Community Development
Block Grant (CDBG) Funding
MOTION by Council Member Mackenzie to adopt the Consent Calendar with the exception of
the November 24, 2009 regular meeting minutes, the bills for payment, and Resolution No. 2009 - -
132, seconded by Vice Mayor Belforte, and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, reading was waived
and the Consent Calendar with stated exceptions was APPROVED.
Minutes of the City of Rohnert Park CONCURRENT MEETINGS (3 of 9) December 8, 2009
for City Council /Community Development Commission / Rohnert Park Financing Authority
Items for consideration:
1. Approval of Minutes for:
b. City Council Portion of Regular Concurrent Meetings — November 24, 2009
Vice Mayor Belforte referred to page 6, item 12 on Selection of 2010 Council Officers
and expressed appreciation for City Clerk Hauff getting her comments correct on her
reasons for withdrawing her name from the nomination for Mayor, and indicated she
would like to have her comment added to the minutes, "for the record that although
she appreciated the nomination by the maker and the seconder of the motion and
appreciated very much the faith and belief that she could do the position of Mayor ".
*Mayor Breeze added that the vote on the above - referenced first motion for the
nomination of Mayor failed 3 -2 and needed to be on the record.
MOTION by ' Council Member Callinan to approve the November 24, 2009 City
Council Regular Concurrent Meeting Minutes as amended to include above additions,
seconded by Vice Mayor Belforte, and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, said minutes
were APPROVED as amended.
*[CITY CLERK NOTE: The City Clerk reviewed the video tape of the above - referenced
portion of the November 24th Council meeting and, pertaining to the above second correction
to the minutes, found that there was no vote indicated on the first motion, as it was
considered withdrawn when Vice Mayor Belforte withdrew her name from the nomination
for Mayor, and Council moved directly into the second motion for this item. Accordingly,
the correction to the minutes was not made as directed at the December 8th meeting, and the
November 24, 2009 Regular Council Meeting Minutes will be redistributed for Council's
consideration of approval on the January 12, 2010 Regular Council Meeting Agenda.]
2. Approval of City Bills /Demands for Payment
Council Member Callinan indicated that he wanted the public to know the City is
paying another $92,000 for attorney fees this month as listed on these bills for approval.
He noted that the city hasn't paid any attorney fees for about a month but just wanted
the public to know about this month's payment. He stated that he is looking forward to
the upcoming review of budget line items so they can start cutting some of the things
that need to be cut.
MOTION by Council Member Callinan to approval the City Bills /Demands for
Payment as presented, seconded by Council Member Mackenzie
Council discussion Vice Mayor Belforte referred to page 6 of the bills listing the
payment to Stanley Steamer. She advised that Stanley Steamer is her business, so she
cannot vote on that particular item.
Council vote CARRIED 4 — 0 — 1 with Vice Mayor Belforte recused, the City
Bills /Demands for Payment as presented, were APPROVED.
Minutes of the City of Rohnert Park CONCURRENT MEETINGS (4 of 9) December 8, 2009
for City Council /Community Development Commission / Rohnert Park Financing Authority
3. Resolutions for Adoption:
d. 2009 -132 Receiving the Annual Redevelopment Report for Fiscal Year Ending
June 30, 2009 from the Community Development Commission of the
City of Rohnert Park
Interim City Manager Schwarz, Housing & Redevelopment Manager Babonis, and Housing
& Redevelopment Assistant Goodman responded to Council question on this item.
MOTION by Council Member Stafford to adopt Resolution No. 2009 -132, seconded by
Council Member Mackenzie, and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, reading was waived and
the adoption of Resolution No. 2009 -132 was APPROVED.
4. EMERGENCY ITEM - Council consideration of declaring an emergency item to
consider letter request received today from Sonoma County . Adult and Youth
Development ( SCAYD) to support SCAYD's application for Sonoma County
Community Development Block Grant (SCCDBG) funds
a. Declaring an Emergency Item - Interim City Manager Schwarz and City Attorney
Kenyon reviewed the process in order for the City Council to declare this an
emergency item to be handled tonight, including the requirement of a formal motion
to make two findings on the need to take action indicating that the information came
after posting of tonight's agenda and the need to act prior to the next Council meeting.
Interim City Manager Schwarz confirmed that SCAYD's letter request was received
at City Hall today and their deadline for submittal of the application for CDBG funds
is before the next Council meeting of January 12, 2010.
MOTION by Council Member Mackenzie to declare this an emergency matter due
to the two reasons that the request from SCAYD was received after posting of this
evening's agenda and the deadline for submittal of the application is before the next
Council meeting, seconded by Council Member Callinan, and CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY, to declare SCAYD's letter request an emergency item was
APPROVED.
b. Staff Report — Interim City Manager reviewed the staff report provided for this item.
c. Resolution for Adoption:
2009 -133 Endorsing the Sonoma County Adult and Youth Development
Application for Community Development Block Grant Funding to
Help Support the Rohnert Park - Cotati Homeless Prevention Program
MOTION by Council Member Callinan to adopt Resolution No. 2009 -133,
seconded by Vice Mayor Belforte
Council discussion ensued.
Council vote on the motion on the floor CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, reading
was waived and the adoption of Resolution No. 2009 -133 was APPROVED.
Minutes of the City of Rohnert Park CONCURRENT MEETINGS (5 of 9) December 8 2009
_for City Council/Community Development Commission /Rohnert Park Financing Authority
7. COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Breeze referred to copies of communications provided to Council for review prior to
this meeting and asked if any Council Member desired to call attention to any
communication at this time. No one responded.
8. MATTERS FROMIFOR COUNCIL
1. Calendar of Events — Mayor Breeze brought attention to this item provided for
informational purposes.
2. City Council Agenda Forecast — Mayor Breeze brought attention to this item provided
for informational purposes.
3. Liaison Assignments for 2010 - Council Member Stafford requested Council to be
thinking about the liaison assignments they would be interested in for 2010. As Mayor
for next year, she would be contacting each Council Member later on their interests.
4. Other informational items
a. Arts and Crafts Faire — Council Member Stafford complimented efforts of the
Recreation Department and Public Works Department for the success of the Arts
and Crafts Faire held last weekend at the Community Center.
b. Sonoma County Spirit Awards Event — Council Member Stafford noted that four
of the Council Members were at the recent Sonoma County Spirit Awards Event
from the Economic Development Committee for Sonoma County. She advised that
Jeff Sommers received the award for the City of Rohnert Park honoring the work
he's done for economic development for the city.
c. Sonoma State Annual Planning Commissioners' Conference on CEQA, Global
Warming, and Local Government Action — Council Member Mackenzie shared
that he attended this conference on December 5th with presentation by Susan
Durbin, Deputy Attorney General and Terry Watt, AICP Planning Consultant to the
Environment Section of the Attorney General's Office. He distributed a hard copy
of the power point report provided for this item.
9. PUBLIC COMMENTS — Mayor Breeze invited public comments at 6:25 p.m.
Mac McCaffry indicated he was a voting person of the city and thanked Mayor Breeze for
her management of the City Council over her tenure as Mayor for understanding and
maintaining Roberts Rules. Also commented on the title for Interim City Manager for such
a long time and recommended removing Interim from the title to save time.
10. RECESS — Mayor Breeze recessed the City Council meeting to consecutively and separately
CONVENE the meetings of Community Development Commission & Rohnert Park
Financing Authority.
Minutes of the City of Rohnert Park CONCURRENT MEETINGS (6 of 9) December 8, 2009
-for City Council /Community Development Commission /Rohnert Park Financing Authority
MINUTES FOR THE MEETING OF THE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION (CDC)
OF THE CITY OF ROHNERT PARK
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Meeting Location: City Hall, 130 Avram Avenue, Rohnert Park, CA
1. CDC MEETING — Call to Order /Roll Call
CALL TO ORDER — The Regular Meeting of the Community Development
Commission of the City of Rohnert Park was called to order by Chair Breeze at 6:27 p.m.
ROLL CALL Present: Arnie Breeze, Chair
Gina Belforte, Vice Chair
Joseph T. Callinan, Commissioner
Jake Mackenzie, Commissioner
Pam Stafford, Commissioner
Absent: None
Staff participants: Daniel Schwarz, Interim Executive Director; Michelle Marchetta Kenyon,
City Attorney; and Judy Hauff, Secretary /City Clerk.
Community Media Center staff present for the recording and televised production of this meeting:
Evan Johnson, Video Technician and Peter Matheny- Schuster, Video Technician.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Chair Breeze invited public comments at 6:27 p.m. No one responded.
3. CDC CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Approval of Meeting Minutes for:
a. CDC Portion of Regular Concurrent Meetings — November 24, 2009
2. Approval of CDC Bills /Demands for Payment
3. Resolution for Adoption:
2009 -17 Accepting the Annual Redevelopment Report (Report) for Fiscal Year Ending June
30, 2009, Submitting the Report to the Legislative Body and Directing Staff to
Transmit the State Controller's Report, Independent Auditors Report and Financial
Statement and the California Housing and Community Development Report
MOVED by Commissioner Mackenzie to. approve the CDC Consent Calendar,
seconded by Commissioner Callinan, and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, reading
was waived and the CDC Consent Calendar was APPROVED.
4. ADJOURNMENT of CDC meeting — There being no further business, Chair Breeze
adjourned the CDC regular meeting at 6:28 p.m.
Minutes of the City of Rohnert Park CONCURRENT MEETINGS (7 of 9) December 8, 2009
-for City Council /Community Development Commission /Rohnert Park Financing Authority
MINUTES FOR THE MEETING OF THE
ROHNERT PARK FINANCING AUTHORITY (RPFA)
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Meeting Location: City Hall, 130 Avram Avenue, Rohnert Park, CA
1. RPFA MEETING — Call to Order/Roll Call
CALL TO ORDER — The Regular Meeting of the Rohnert Park Financing Authority
was called to order by Chair Breeze at 6:28 p.m.
ROLL CALL Present: Amie Breeze, Chair
Gina Belforte, Vice Chair
Joseph T. Callinan, Board Member
Jake Mackenzie, Board Member
Pam Stafford, Board Member
Absent: None
Staff participants: Daniel Schwarz, Interim Executive Director; Michelle Marchetta Kenyon,
City Attorney; and Judy Hauff; Secretary /City Clerk.
Community Media Center staff present for the recording and televised production of this meeting:
Evan Johnson, Video Technician and Peter Matheny- Schuster, Video Technician.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Chair Breeze invited public comments at 6:28 p.m. No one responded.
3. RPFA CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Approval of Minutes for:
a. RPFA Portion of Regular Concurrent Meetings — November 24, 2009
MOVED by Board Member Callinan to approve the RPFA Consent Calendar,
seconded by Vice Chair Belforte, and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, reading was
waived and the RPFA Consent Calendar was APPROVED.
4. ADJOURNMENT of RPFA meeting — There being no further business, Chair Breeze
adjourned the RPFA meeting at 6:29 p.m.
Minutes for the City of Rohnert Park CONCURRENT MEETINGS (8 of 9) December 8, 2009
For City Council /Community Development commission / Rohnert park Financing Authority
11. RECONVENE the Regular City Council Meeting— Mayor Breeze reconvened the Regular
City Council Meeting at 6:29 p.m. with all Council Members present.
12. CEREMONY for SELECTION of CITY COUNCIL OFFICERS for the YEAR 2010
Mayor Breeze explained the purpose of this portion of tonight's meeting.
❖ Reflections of 2009
1. Mayor's Review of 2009 Milestones
Mayor Breeze reviewed 2009 Milestones and expressed appreciation for staff efforts and
family support by sharing written comments with power point presentation (copies
submitted and attached to original set of these minutes).
2. Comments by Other Council Members
Council Member Stafford passed on comments for reflections noting that she would be
making the new Mayor comments scheduled later on the agenda. Council Member
Mackenzie shared written comments on reflections of the past year (copy submitted and
attached to original set of these minutes). Council Member Callinan and Vice Mayor
Belforte shared comments on reflections of the past year.
❖ Presentation to Mayor Amie Breeze for 2009 Year as Mayor
Vice Mayor Belforte acknowledged Mayor Breeze's year of service as Mayor and presented
her with a framed picture of Mayor Breeze with shovel in hand at the Grand Opening of the
City Center. Mayor Breeze's husband and daughter approached the dais and presented her
with red roses. Mayor Breeze presented magic wands to each Council Member.
❖ Recognition and Installation of the City Council Officers for Year 2010
Mayor Pam Stafford
Vice Mayor Gina Belforte
Out -going Mayor Breeze explained this transition and turned the meeting gavel over to the
newly seated Mayor, Pam Stafford. Mayor Stafford indicated the Council Member seating
order retaining Vice Mayor Belforte immediately to her right, then to her left beginning with
Council Member Mackenzie, followed by Council Members Breeze and Callinan.
••• Perspectives for Future
1. New Mayor's Perspectives for 2010
Mayor Stafford shared written comments on future perspectives for 2010 (copy submitted
and attached to original set of these minutes).
Minutes of the City of Rohnert Park CONCURRENT MEETINGS (9 of 9) December 8, 2009
. for City Council /Community Development Commission /Rohnert Park Financing Authority
2. Other Council Members' Perspectives for 2010
Council Members Callinan, Breeze, Mackenzie and Vice Mayor Belforte shared comments
on future perspectives for the year 2010. (A copy of Council Member Mackenzie's written
comments were submitted and attached to the original set of these minutes.)
•'• Public Comments
Mayor Stafford opened public comments at 7:32 p.m.
Jessica Dias with the Office of Sonoma County Supervisor Shirlee Zane, expressed
appreciation for efforts together over the past year and extended congratulations to Pam
Stafford on becoming Mayor.
Petaluma Mayor, Pamela Torliott congratulated Pam Stafford on becoming Rohnert Park
Mayor and looked forward to working together as cities on the challenges of the New Year.
Mayor Stafford closed public comments at 7:34 p.m. and reminded people that there would
be no City Council meeting on December 22nd which was cancelled due to the holidays.
❖ Adjournment to Refreshments
There being no further business, Mayor Stafford adjourned the Regular City Council
Meeting at 7:34 p.m.
r
Judy auff, City de
City of Rohnert Park
Pam Stafford,
WJ
Mayor
City of Rohnert Park
REFLECTIONS OF 2009; OPPORTUNITIESfAND
CHALLENGES Distr. mtg. of:_ i;< o eeZe.
File:
File:
Good evening ladies, gentlemen, and children. Welcome to the City of Rohnert
Park's Ceremonial Meeting and final meeting of 2009. Thank you for being here
tonight to reflect on the Opportunities and Challenges of 2009, and to recognize
and install the new Mayor and Vice Mayor for 2010.
The year 2009 marks the end of a decade that Time Magazine is calling the
Decade from HE double Hockey Sticks, while others are calling it the Decade of
Broken Dreams. Whatever one chooses to call it, I think we can all agree that it
has not been an easy or hopeful decade. Nationwide, this millennium has
brought us two stock market crashes, a divisive presidential election that ended in
a court ruling, the horrific terrorist attacks of 9/11, a War in Afghanistan that our
soldiers are still fighting today, various crippling Wall Street scandals and other
financial scandals (remember Enron, WorldCom and Bernie Madoff ?), a history
making housing market crash, and a record number of corporate bankruptcies. As
if these challenges and tragedies weren't enough, as a nation we have also
suffered from the largest natural disaster in our history, Hurricane Katrina, and
have seen more mass shootings and school shootings than in any other decade.
It is no wonder that collectively, as a nation, we voted for a change last year and
elected our first African - American President. East year happened to be my first
year serving as mayor after 7 years on the council. I took this to be a sign that our
community was also searching for change. The years of operating our city at a
deficit needed to be reformed. Expenses had to be cut and services needed to be
maintained or improved. We needed to continue our efforts towards the "Safest
City on the 101" and meet the health and safety needs of all our citizens,
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including our most vulnerable; our children, seniors, and working poor. At the
same time, there was growing need for us to rebuild our local economy, halt the
trend of commercial and industrial vacancies, slow down the onslaught of home
foreclosures, and find a way to encourage industry and business to relocate in
Rohnert Park to bring employment opportunities and sales tax dollars to our
community. In addition, our City Manager at the time, Steve Donley, was away on
Coast Guard duty and our Interim City Manager, Dan Schwarz, was just two
months with his feet wet in his new position and operating without an Assistant
City Manager.
You can imagine my surprise when I was handed a gavel at my installation
ceremony one year ago, instead of a magic wand! Oh, how many times did I wish
it was a magic wand and I could use it to make all of these problems go away, or
at the very least, make the votes go the way I wanted them to! I wondered to
myself, "How am I going to fix all of this ?" I quickly reminded myself that I wasn't
going to do it alone. In my "Mayor's Opening Comments For the New Year" in
January 2009, and my "State of the City Address" in February, I called for our
community to come together for the good of Rohnert Park and not our own self -
interests. I called for community input and support, and for council fiscal
responsibility in areas such as hiring, travel expenses, and consultants and
professional studies. I challenged the council and staff to "get back to the basics
in the day to day operation of our Friendly City. I also warned that if we weren't
successful in these efforts, we may have to face layoffs this year.
We hit the ground running and have held a total of 23 Regularly Scheduled
Council Meetings and 30 Special Council Meetings. This is in addition to the
various Ad -Hoc and Sub - committee meetings we all attend. As mayor, I created
an Ad -Hoc Budget Committee to help tackle the $8 million deficit we were faced
with. I appointed the Vice Mayor and myself to work with staff on this
committee. One of the first tasks the council directed the committee to
accomplish was to find and recommend for hire a Temporary Internal Auditor. In
early March, Urban Futures was hired by the council and we began the
uncomfortable and sometimes painful discussions and workshops that would
ultimately bring us to Basic Level Services in our city departments.
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But before I get to the "Before and After" slides of the facts and figures and
structural changes that have occurred this year, I want to highlight some
important activities that took place this year in our community. The following
activities were made possible thanks to the efforts of community members, local
businesses, the Chamber of Commerce, non - profit organizations, our local
schools, Commissioners, Public Works staff, Planning, Building, and Engineering
staff, Public Safety staff, staff at City Hall, city council members, and the many
partnerships with whom we work. Collectively, we were able to accomplish these
tasks to help better the lives of the people of Rohnert Park.
• The fiscal year 08 -09 was the safest year in the 48 year history of Rohnert
Park. Our Part I Crimes (the most violent crimes) were the lowest in
recorded history for our community. This could not have been achieved
without the amazing efforts of our public safety officers and the Special
Enforcement Unit, which is funded solely by voluntary funds from the
.Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria.
• The city continued it's partnership with NOAH (Neighbors Organized
Against Hunger) and the many volunteers involved in their organization.
Together, we were able to meet the needs of 300 families a week, or 1,000
children, seniors and adults each week in this past year so that people in
our community didn't have to go hungry. This was twice the amount of
people that were in need and were helped compared to last year.
• The city now has three brand new children's playgrounds at Benicia,
Colegio Vista, and Honeybee Parks. These new playgrounds were funded
entirely through grants and replaced rotting and unsafe equipment. The
installation was a community partnership with Rohnert Park - Cotati Rotary
Club and Rancho Cotate High School students, Public Works and
Community Services.
• The Senior Center now boasts a brand new Computer Learning Center
thanks to donated computers from the Rohnert Park - Cotati Rotary Club and
efforts of Public Works and Community Services.
• Thanks to the co- sponsoring efforts of many, the citizens of Rohnert Park
were able to continue to enjoy the Santa Sleigh, Easter Egg Hunt, Fishing
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Derby, Special Olympics Torch Run T- Shirt, 2nd Annual Health Faire,
Veteran's Day Celebration, Holiday Arts and Crafts Faire, Art Shows, Festival
of Harps, Golf Tournaments, and the annual Rebuilding Together home
improvements.
• New projects completed or events that took place this year for the first
time are as follows: Scott Weaver and his Winter Wonderland in "C"
Section was featured on Good Morning America, The Public Safety
Sponsored "Running with the Pack" , a 5k running event to raise money for
the Special Olympics, Daffodils were planted all over Rohnert Park, multiple
swimming pool capital improvements took place, ground has been broken
for the Wilfred Ave. Interchange project, (Slide #1) the City Center Plaza
was constructed and opened, two Community Clean -ups took place, (Slide
#2) $2.5 million in streets and roads projects were completed, the
Economic Development Banner Program was installed, the Cal - Ripken State
Baseball Championships were hosted in Rohnert Park, the Rancho Cotate
High School Band played at the re- opening of the Lincoln Memorial in
Washington D.C., Public Works taking over the city's landscaping and
restoring our parks and pools, and the city participated in an Ecology
Program led and funded by SCAYD that helped troubled youths give back to
their community, environment, and ultimately get back their self- esteem.
I could speak on and on about what an amazingly productive year we have had.
(And if I was Councilmember Callinan, I just might!) But I am not, so instead, I will
just sum it up and say that Rohnert Park is a destination city! We are an active,
lively and productive community who knows how to pull together and make
things happen! We can be very proud of the year we have had, despite the many
challenges we have faced.
And now, I'd like to talk about the Budget. Balancing the Budget is the most
important task of the council. I want to first compliment all of the council
members on the tough issues we have had to face with our budget this year. For
starters, we were faced with an $8 million deficit, an economy that was showing
no signs of bouncing back any time soon, and threats of state takeaways. (Slide
#3) We have had to discuss and make difficult decisions about some of the most
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challenging issues a council has to face; staff size reductions, pay and benefit
reductions, pool closures, and service reductions. We didn't always agree on
everything, but we were able to pull together and do the very best with what we
had, and for that, I am most proud of this council. To set the tone of the year
ahead, early on in December 2008, at a meeting that is traditionally cancelled due
to the Holidays, the council took the first steps in cutting expenses. We agreed to
cut the council's travel expenses by (13%), or nearly $19,000. We also agreed to
discontinue receiving a CDC stipend, which saved the CDC budget $17,400.
I am also proud of staff, who has rode this turbulent wave with us and made the
necessary changes to get us to where we are. We are not out of the woods yet;
our work isn't finished. We continue to face serious budget issues, despite the
citywide total cuts we made from our budget of $4.8 million. (Slide #4) These
cuts did not happen without immense sacrifices. For starters, we regretfully had
to layoff 6 hardworking and dedicated employees who were our future. We also
have lost 21 senior staff to Incentivized Retirements, otherwise known as "Golden
Handshakes ". This was all done in an attempt to reduce city services to Basic
Level, based on the recommendation of Urban Futures, the Temporary Internal
Auditors. This year we have completely reorganized the departments in our city
and changed the way the city operates in an effort to reduce expenses ( Slides
#5,6,7,8). In addition to the structural changes staff has endured, they have also
agreed to salary and benefit reductions.
As difficult as this has been, unfortunately it is still not enough to save us from
running out of cash in March of 2011 (Slide #9). This slide demonstrates the most
recent timeline our Finance Director is able to project. Unfortunately, we are also
facing a staggering decrease in revenues of $3.5 million due to the devastated
economy (Slide #10). This council and its new leadership will have to face these
issues head on, as we have done this year. We must get our financial house in
shape and save this city. To do this, I believe the council has to start making
decisions that will bring revenue and jobs into our community. We have to
reinvent the way Rohnert Park provides services and does business. We must
heed the words of Urban Futures. Staff cannot continue to come up with miracles
to save our budget woes. We must also come together, as a community, to
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support the things in our beautiful city that are important to us. (Read from
Slides #11 & 12) 1 know we are all committed to continue the work we have
begun this year.
I want to thank the Interim City Manager, Dan Schwarz, for working with me this
year. When we began this year, we were both novices. Let's just say the year has
seasoned us! Thank you Beth, Judy, and Terri for helping me with my crazy
schedule and making sure I didn't miss a thing. I couldn't have done it without
you ladies! Thank you City Attorney, Michelle Kenyon, and assistant City
Attorneys, Ben Winig and James Attencio for watching over us and keeping us
legal. Thank you Department Heads for all of your reports, PowerPoints,
slideshows, and patience. You have demonstrated much leadership this year.
Thank you staff for all you have endured and for making it all possible. You are
the faces, hands, and hearts that touch our community most directly and without
you, we would be nothing. And lastly, I would like to thank my family. My
husband Ray, my daughter Paige, my mama bear (you know who you are), and my
father Ron. You have been my shoulders to cry on, my ears to listen, my
cheerleaders, and my sounding boards. I also want to thank my dear friends, and
you know who you are, who have put up with barely seeing me or hearing from
me this year. Nothing tests a friendship like a year as Mayor! Without the
support of my family and friends, I wouldn't have lasted this long. I believe that
every leader needs three things: a god, supportive family and friends, and a
magic wand! Thank you!
I'd like to conclude my Reflections of 2009 with a slide show that gives a glimpse
of this past year. I want to first thank Terri Griffin, our Assistant City Clerk, for her
creativity, great ideas and hard work in putting this together with me: Again, I
couldn't have done this without you! Also, I want to thank Beth Lidster,
Administrative Assistant, for her extra eyes and ears in helping with this slide
show as well. And lastly, I'd like to give credit to Sandy Lipitz, Finance Director,
who put together all the slides of the budget. You did an amazing job!
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2009- Reflections
"From Goulies and ghosties and long - legget
night, Good lord, deliver us!" Scottish prayer
Yes we're condemned to live in interesting times. In our case, as elected officials , we
chose our fate in these matters by running for and being elected to office.
So a year ago, we five took our places here and now we can reflect on that journey . for
two of us it was a new and untrodden path and for others , myself included , an old and
well trodden one
The Mayor, as is the right and tradition of that office, will have already reflected on this
past year. This will be my 13th year for such reflections; some might say enough already.
But undeterred by such base thoughts, here I go with # 13.
It will be mercifully brief.
I will concentrate on events for which we can be thankful. Yes there were some!
Fiscally the internal auditing by Urban Futures reminded us that it was the unwise actions
of the City Council in 2004 which caused us to face the Salary and Benefits crisis in
which we are now immersed.
The business climate in Rohnert Park, particularly in vacant Commercial space, is
paralleled and in some cases exceeded in other Sonoma County cities. There is in fact a
general malaise in Sonoma County in this sector. We can be thankful however for
successes in the Sonoma Mountain Village development. One example is the move from
Santa Rosa, of Comcast's Regional operations and office complex. They were attracted
by the" Green" philosophy and practices of this development. Far from being
discouraged, Comcast actively sought out a site where Green Building standards are
embraced not "softened "!
The efforts of our Public works employees should be called out for recognition and
thanks The fresh eyes of our new colleagues are to be thanked as we considered what are
now "Basic Services " in our city. The formation of our own Landscape SWAT team has
resulted in a tidier and less bedraggled environment in our Parks and Streets.
In conclusion we do pay tribute to our faithful staff led by Interim City Manager
Schwarz. This has been a trying and difficult year with not much relief in sight.
For myself now having arrived at my" three score years and ten ", 2009 has seen Barbara
and I celebrate that event in my native Scotland and also and most importantly celebrate
the 25th anniversary of our first date right here in Sonoma County and our 20th wedding
anniversary in Vancouver,BC. My new wedding ring from the Orkney Islands says
"Dreams of Everlasting Love" Let it be, Barbara ,let it be!
Pam Stafford
Mayor, City of Rohnert Park
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
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Thank you for braving the freezing temperatures to be here on this crisp,
beautiful Tuesday evening. Special thanks to my family and friends who are here
tonight and to the City staff who have made preparations for this evenings festivities.
As you might imagine, this is a special night for the Stafford family. It is an
honor and a privilege to serve as the Mayor of the City of Rohnert Park. When our
family moved here in 1976 we could never have imagined what a wonderful experience
it would be. Like many of our friends, we moved to Rohnert Park because home prices
were reasonable. While Mark worked for the government as an ATF agent I tended to
the needs of our three children; Bryce, Kyle and Megan and began serving in the ranks
of Rohnert Park's volunteer world - first as a PTA president, then as a team mom for
basketball, baseball and soccer; on fund raising committees; community event
committees; political campaigns; as a member of the Board of Directors of a local non-
profit organization and as a member of two city sponsored commissions.
My family, friends and this outstanding community have made it possible for me
to enjoy these experiences during the past 33 years and have given me a unique
understanding of our city and the responsibilities we face.
When I think about Rohnert Park it reminds me of a large, boisterous family.
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Like a family, we have common goals and even though we may have differing
perspectives on how to achieve those goals, we need to work together to move in the
appropriate direction. The citizens, members of the business community and our city
employees are all a part of this Rohnert Park family. Everyone wants our city to thrive
and prosper while continuing to provide basic services, including professional public
safety, clean water and other necessary utilities.
It is a sign of the times to know that every city in California, indeed every city in
America, including Rohnert Park, must grapple with the effects of an economy in flux.
While many of the challenges we face as the economy improves will be a result of the
arbitrary and capricious decisions made by state and federal legislators, we must take
aggressive actions on a local level that will meet our local needs.
During the coming year we will make economic development the cornerstone of
our efforts to make Rohnert Park the most financially sound, economically strong city in
Sonoma County.
Lyrics to a well known song, written by American songwriter and singer Johnny
Mercer, lay the framework for the attitude we all must adopt if we are to succeed.
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Remember these words from the 1944 song, "Ac- Cent -Tchu -Ate the Positive ?"
We've got to accentuate the positive
Eliminate the negative
And latch on to the affirmative
Don't mess with Mister In- Between
Even though I wasn't born when this song first made its way onto the music scene, the
lyrics are very much in style. While we may not be able to eliminate all that is negative,
there is much before us that is positive. When we approach our work as members of
the city council and as employees of the City of Rohnert Park in a collaborative, sure,
and positive manner we can and will make our city thrive.
We enjoy many outstanding amenities in Rohnert Park including our many
parks, the Community Center, The Sports Center, The Spreckles Performing Arts
Center, and two golf courses. Rohnert Park employs many talented individuals who
continually take the initiative as they bring innovation to the daunting task of doing
more work with fewer employees. These same employees are also cooperating and
working together to provide our citizens with excellent service.
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It is inspiring to visit with the citizens of Rohnert Park. In the last month alone
people have offered their time, talents and services to work with the young people in
our community; to organize work groups to help with the continued beautification of
our city; not to mention the business leaders who tirelessly volunteer their talents to
encourage economic development. People in Rohnert Park see a need and do
something about it — without being asked. Our best and brightest non - profit groups,
including the Education Foundation, SCAYD, CCORP, NOAH and Rebuilding
Together were created because citizens recognized a need and worked to see that need
was met.
Our business community, led by the Chamber of Commerce, continues to
partner with the city to help improve the economic climate. Because city governments
rely on tax dollars to operate, we must encourage and promote public and private
business and economic development. Economic Development encompasses the
intelligent use of limited redevelopment funds and the encouragement of employers. It
is absolutely vital that we work with existing employers who currently operate in
Rohnert Park while making a concerted effort to entice new employers to our
community. Finally, the Sonoma Mountain Business Cluster, located in the property
formerly occupied by Agilent, has proven to be an excellent place to inspire new
employers and businesses.
In addition to expanding our economic base, we can. certainly improve and
expand our relationship with The Cotati Rohnert Park Unified School District and
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Sonoma State University. Since we share many common goals it would be to our
mutual advantage to work together.
In conclusion, I would like to say thank you to Interim City Manager Dan
Schwartz and the excellent employees who help us do our jobs. Thank you to all the
citizens of Rohnert Park who make me feel proud to live here. Thank you to my friends
for keeping me grounded and sane. Last, but certainly not least, thank you to my
family; to my wonderful children and their families for bringing so much joy into my
life. And thank you to my amazing husband Mark, who never gets to go to sleep on the
second and fourth Tuesdays of the month until after I get home from City Council
meetings. Thank you for listening to my recap of the events of the evening. And thank
you, again, to all of you for joining us this evening.
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The Year 2010
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We will be facing many challenges; some known and some not yet known
Known Challenges are
The Economy and its impact on our City; retaining existing businesses and developing
new approaches .
Water Supply and our Urban Water Management Plan; the Water Policy battles are not
over and much work lies ahead as we attempt to coordinate our joint efforts with the
SCWA. We also need to explain what we are doing to our fellow citizens
General Plan Implementation and amendments to that plan; Specific Plans, SMV and
Walmart .
The Impact of Measure "L "; our reserves cannot last for ever.
Unknown Challenges are
Unknown
Our freedom as freelances
Advances towards its end
The earth compels,upon it
Sonnets and birds descend;
And soon,my friend,
We shall have no time for dances.
LOUIS MACNEICE Let's hope we will have time for dances in 2009