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2006/01/31 City Council MinutesCITY OF ROHNERT PARK CONCURRENT SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES FOR: City Council Community Development Commission January 31,2006 Tuesday The .Concurrent Meetings of the City of Rohnert Park for the City Council and the Community Development Commission met this date for a Special Meeting to commence at 5:00 p.m. at the Rohnert Park City Hall, 6750 Commerce Boulevard. Rohnert Park, with Mayor Smith presiding. CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING Call to Order: Mayor Smith called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m_ Roll Call: Breeze, Flores, Mackenzie, Vidak- Martinez. Smith Staff present for all or part of the meeting: City Manager Donley; Assistant City Attorney Whelan, City Attorney Kenyon, Director of Community Development Bendorff, Director of Public Works /City Engineer Jenkins. Director Public Safety Bullard, Public Safety Fire Inspector Dan Adam. Housing and Redevelopment Project Manager Ellena, Deputy Chief Building Official Bruck and Videographer Beltz. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION Council adjourned to Closed Session at 5:01 P.M. to consider Litigation Matters. SPECIAL SESSION Mayor Smith reconvened Special Session at 5:50 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance. MAYOR'S REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION Mayor Smith stated that no reportable. action was taken in Closed Session. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC APPEARANCES Mayor Smith read the list of speaker cards. All speakers opted to wait to speak during "Sonoma Grove Matters." SONOMA GROVE MATTERS Discussion, including review of available services, State law regarding health and safety issues, and rent control. I. Review of Available Services as follows: Housing and Redevelopment Project Manager Ellena provided an update on available services and upcoming meetings. Manager Ellena introduced the following speakers. City of Rohnert Park CONCURRENT SPECIAL MEETINGS Minutes (2) January 31 2006 for City Council & Community Development Commission ssion Sonoma County Adult and Youth Development ( SCAYD): Lorna Neffson, Homeless Prevention Coordinator for SCAYD, discussed services available to Sonoma Grove residents through SCAYD and responded to Council questions and comments. Ms. Neffson ANNOUNCED that there will be a Workshop for Sonoma Grove residents this Thursday, February 2 °d, at 10:00 a.m. in the Community Room County of Sonoma Social Services: Manager Ellena indicated that Joelle Werner would not be able to attend this evening. Manager Ellena referred Sonoma Grove residents to the web site and phone number for County of Sonoma Social Services as follows: http: / /www.sonoma- __ co countorg /hmiLi vI ris /iri.ssearch.asa.p, (707) 565 -2108. Mayor Smith DIRECTED STAFF to put that link on the City's web site. Committee on the Shelterless (COTS) Shared Living Homes: Eileen Morris discussed services available to Sonoma Grove residents through COTS, noting that COTS will be at the Sonoma Grove Workshop this Thursday to provide information. Burbank Housing Development Corporation: John Lowry explained Burbank's collaborations with organizations that provide services, and he noted that Burbank will be at the Sonoma Grove Workshop this Thursday. Mr. Lowry responded to Council questions and comments. Council CONCURRED TO DIRECT STAFF to work with Burbank Housing on setting up local preferences for people who live and /or work in the jurisdiction. 2. Staff Reports as follows: Health & Safety Standards & Fire Codes Standards: Deputy Chief Building Official Bruck explained how Sonoma Grove is a Special Occupancy Park under State control, with reports to the California State Department of Housing and Community Development regarding imminent health and safety risks_ Building Official Bruck shared a slideshow presentation of outdoor safety concerns noted at a recent informal visual inspection of the premises, and he responded to Council questions and comments. Public Safety Fire Inspector Adam reviewed fire safety concerns per said visual inspection. Staff responded to further Council questions and comments. Housing Element Review: Director of Community Development Bendorff reviewed the contents of the Staff Report and responded to Council questions and comments. Review of Ordinance Options: City Attorney Kenyon gave a brief oral report reviewing her reasons for advising Council against amending the Mobile Home Rent Stabilization Ordinance and /or adopting a rent freeze. City Attorney Kenyon responded to Council questions and comments. 3. Public Comments: Members of the public who submitted speaker cards were called forward. 1. Doreene, Sonoma Grove, was recognized and DISPLAYED birds' nests. She also SHARED pictures with Council of the devastating effects of tree - cutting at Sonoma Grove. She noted her stress over the considerable rent increase, and she asked the City to consider a cease and desist order. City of Rohnert Park .CONCURRENT SPECIAL MEETINGS Minutes (3) January 3l 2006 for GO, Council & Communirr Development Commission 2. lan Sutherland. 2 Varda Street. was recognized and DISTRIBUTED AND REVIEWED an informal survey of the income levels in Sonoma Grove. He called on Council to do their job in helping to protect housing for very -low income people. 3. James Kline, 50 Varda Street. was recognized and recalled his previous comments to Council. He indicated that the park owner's actions, though within her rights, are destroying a community, and he called on Council to follow its General Plan. 4. Walt Lawrence, 9 Alexis Street. was recognized and expressed concerns about the new park owner's actions. He suggested that Council take money from other affordable /workforce housing projects and funnel it into Sonoma Grove. 5. Candace Birchfield, Sonoma Grove, was recognized and SHARED a recent photo with Council of code violations in Sonoma Grove, noting that former management allowed such violations. She stated that residents are willing to make the needed repairs, and she called on Council to declare a rent freeze. She also displayed a copy of The Bohemian and indicated that the local community is paying attention to Council's actions. 6. Gina Clark, 8 Varda Street, was recognized and referred to certain Muncipal Code sections regarding displacement of low- income residents. She stated several of the new rules /restrictions at Sonoma Grove, and she called on Council to protect the residents. 7. Jason Dickamore, 6 Varda Street. was recognized and thanked Council for its time in working with the Sonoma Grove residents. He called on Council to protect the low rents in the Grove for the student population. 8. Laila Barada, 6 Varda Street, was recognized and asked the City to protect the residents of Sonoma Grove by stabilizing their rents. She also expressed concern about the tree - cutting. 9. David Hanranft, 9 Anne Street, was recognized and indicated that he is taking a moral stand on behalf of those who can't. He noted that while he can absorb the rent increase at Sonoma Grove, many can't, and he reminded the Council that the community is watching their actions. 10. Delores A. Callahan, 27 Anne Street, was recognized and expressed her concerns about the rent increases at Sonoma Grove. She asked the City to review the fire reports for Sonoma Grove, and she called on the Council to make the right decision. IL Alice E. McAdams, 2 Anne Street, was recognized and noted all of her medical expenses to Council. She expressed concern about being on a social welfare program, and she asked the Council to fight for the Sonoma Grove residents. 12. Roger Van Gelder, 30 Alexis Street, was recognized and shared some background about Sonoma Grove. He expressed concern about the tree - cutting and called for rent stabilization. Citv of Rohnert Park CONCURRENT SPECIAL MEETINGS Minutes 4 January 31 2006 Joy' City Council & Community Development Commission 13. Linen, Sonoma Grove, was recognized and discussed matters regarding HUD regulations. She noted that there is a two- to three -year waiting list for Section 8 housing. She read a letter expressing Grove residents' grief at the loss of their community. 14. David Grabill, Sonoma Grove Residents' Association, was recognized and called attention to the City's lack of affordable housing. He discussed the City's exposure if they were to freeze rents and modify /adopt a new Mobile Home Rent Stabilization Ordinance. He referred Council to the City of Healdsburg's efforts in this regard. 15. Brian S. Miller, 4 Anne Street, was recognized and reviewed the costs in maintaining a trailer. He noted that those costs must be factored in when considering the rent increase. 16. Adrienne Lauby, Cotati, was recognized and shared her admiration for Sonoma Grove. She expressed concern about the stress level in Sonoma Grove, and she stated that she is proud that Sonoma Grove is in her community. 17. Patricia Villasenor, former Sonoma Grove resident, was recognized and expressed concern about the trailers in Sonoma Grove that cannot be moved. She noted the high cost of dismantling a trailer, and she indicated that it is unfair the residents are being forced out. 18. Edie Sussman, 719 Orchard Street, was recognized and stated that she is an attorney working with David Grabill and the Sonoma Grove Residents' Association. She discussed her reasons for differing with City Attorney Kenyon's legal analysis. She urged the Counccl to go forward with a study and impose a rent freeze. She noted that every day she sees the effects of the lack of adequate housing in Sonoma County. 19. Teresa Thurman, Sonoma Grove, owner, was recognized and stated that she is working closely with State and local agencies to take care of safety issues. She noted that based on income statistics for the Grove, all of the residents should be on the CARE program. She indicated that she and her family are making decisions regarding health and safety issues for the whole Sonoma Grove community. Mayor Smith SUBMITTED to City Manager Donley a letter from Linda Robbins, 29 Varda Street, regarding this matter. At the suggestion of Mayor Smith, with the approval of City Attorney Kenyon, Council CONCURRED TO RECESS the Special Meeting of the City Council and convene the Special Meeting of the Community Development Commission. Mayor Smith declared a RECESS at 7:50 p.m. of the Special Meeting of the City Council to CONVENE the Special Meeting of the Community Development Commission. City of Robnert Park CONCURRENT SPECIAL MEETINGS Minutes (5) January 31 2006 for City Council & Community Development Commission COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ROHNERT PARK SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, January 31, 2006 Call to Order: 10:55 p.m. Roll Call: Breeze, Flores, Mackenzie, Vidak- Martinez, Smith Also present: Executive Director Donley, General Counsel Kenyon, Housing and Redevelopment Project Manager Ellena and Recorder Leonard Unscheduled public appearances: None. i; rxicr. xxr. i; xr. icrxicxxicxxr. icxricicicxicxxx�xx9; 7cx�cx9c' 3c9c�Fxxk�? �c; Fxxkxkxxx�F�cx�c�cicr '.xxxxx�cxxicxxxic L CONSENT CALENDAR: Chairperson Smith asked the Commissioners if there were any 'questions about the matter on the CDC Consent Calendar. No matters were raised. CDC Resolution for Adoption: 2006 -04 Approving Amendment Number Three (3) to the Agreement with Sonoma County Adult and Youth Development (SCAYD) Authorizing Additional Continued Funding to Provide Homeless Prevention Services for Low Income Rohnert Park Residents At Risk of Becoming Homeless Housing and Redevelopment Project Manager Ellena explained the Staff Report for this matter and responded to Commission questions and comments. A MOTION was made by Commissioner Mackenzie, seconded by Commissioner Flores, to adopt CDC Resolution 2006 -04. Under discussion, Commissioner Breeze noted Commission's desire to get funds to the residents of Sonoma Grove. Commissioner Flores urged Sonoma Grove residents to take advantage of the SCAYD money being offered. Commissioner Mackenzie discussed the significant efforts in earmarking this money. After the motion, which was UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED, reading was waived and CDC Resolution 2006 -04 was ADOPTED. 2. Adjournment of CDC meeting: There being no further business, Chairperson Smith adjourned the Special Meeting of the CDC at 7:59 p.m. Citv of Rohnert Park CONCURRENT SPECIAL MEETINGS Minutes (6) January 31 2006 for City Council & Community Development Commission Mayor Smith RECONVENED the Special Meeting of the City Council at 7:59 p.m 6. Council discussion /direction /action: Consideration of resolution for preparation of rent stabilization ordinance: A MOTION was made by Councilmember Mackenzie, seconded by Mayor Smith, to DIRECT- STAFF to prepare, for the Community Development Commission's consideration, a resolution laying out the costs and parameters of a nexus study regarding the possibility of a rent stabilization ordinance specifically for Sonoma Grove Trailer Park. Under discussion, Councilmember Breeze inquired if any matters to be considered in this nexus study were already covered in the City's Housing Element. Councilmember Flores expressed a desire to focus on available services and resources during this crisis period for the residents of Sonoma Grove. Councilmember Mackenzie noted his support for a nexus study, which he said can be done within two months and should be put on the ballot this year. He referred to the General Plan in terms of maintaining Sonoma Grove, and he reminded Sonoma Grove residents that the City has provided a safety net to help cover the rent increases for the time being. Vice Mayor Vidak- Martinez stated that the City has provided a safety net for the Grove residents, but that it is limited in terms of changing State and Federal law. She referred to a recent report that indicates the City is on track in providing affordable housing. She also noted her support for having staff review ways in which the City can be more aggressive with affordable housing. Said motion was APPROVED 3 -2 BY ROLL CALL VOTE with Councilmember Flores and Vice -Mayor Vidak- Martinez dissenting. Consideration of resolution imposing rent freeze: A MOTION was made by Councilmember Mackenzie to DIRECT STAFF to impose a rent freeze on Sonoma Grove for a maximum of four months until such time as the nexus study and related deliberations determine Council direction. Said motion FAILED FOR LACK OF A SECOND. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC APPEARANCES: Mayor Smith invited members of the public interested in speaking to come forward. No members of the public responded. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Mayor Smith ADJOURNED the Special Meeting of the City Council meeting at 8:20 p.m.. Italy Leonard Certified Shorthand Reporter C.S.R. 11599 Tim Smith Mayor City of Rohnert Park