2004/10/12 City Council MinutesCITY OF ROHNERT PARK CONCURRENT MEETINGS MINUTES for:
CITY COUNCIL
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
ROHNERT PARK FINANCING AUTHORITY
October 12, 2004
Tuesday
The Concurrent Meetings of the City of Rohnert Park for
the City Council, the Community Development Commission and
the Rohnert Park Financing Authority met this date in
Regular Session for a regular meeting to commence at
6:00 p.m. at the Rohnert Park City Hall, 6750 Commerce
Boulevard, Rohnert Park, with Mayor Nordin presiding.
CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Nordin CALLED the Regular Session to order at
6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Present: (4) Councilmembers Flores and Vidak- Martinez
(6:03 p.m.); Vice Mayor Spradlin; and
Mayor Nordin
Absent: (1.) Councilmember Mackenzie (Out of town on
business)
Staff present for all or part of the Regular Session:
City Manager Leivo, Interim City Attorney Whelan, Assistant
City.Manager Donley, Senior Planner Bendorff, Recreation
Services Manager Miller, and Interim City Engineer Jenkins.
ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION:
Mayor Nordin adjourned Council to Closed Session at
6:00 p.m. to discuss Litigation Matters. Closed Session
ended at approximately 6:30 p.m. Mayor Nordin resumed
Regular Session at 6:30 p.m. and led the pledge of
allegiance.
EMERGENCY ITEM:-
Mayor Nordin referred to City Manager Leivo, who reported
on a meeting yesterday regarding the California Tiger
Salamander and the proposal for a Strategy Team,Report.
He recommended that the Mayor form an ad hoc committee to
meet with staff with regard to the Strategy Team Report.
*City Council /Community Development Commission/
Rohnert Park Financing Authority
City of Rohnert Park *CONCURRENT MEETINGS MINUTES
October 12, 2004 Page(2 )
Upon MOTION by Councilmember Flores, seconded by
Councilmember Vidak- Martinez, a motion to declare Council
consideration of forming an ad hoc committee with regard
to the California Tiger Salamander Strategy Team Report
an Emergency Item was APPROVED 4 -0 -1 with Councilmember
Mackenzie absent.
Council discussion concluded, and, upon MOTION by
Councilmember Vidak- Martinez, seconded by Councilmember
Flores, a motion to direct the Mayor to form an ad hoc
committee for the California Tiger Salamander Strategy
Team Report, was APPROVED 4 -0 -1 with Councilmember
Mackenzie absent. Mayor Nordin APPOINTED Councilmembers
Mackenzie and Vidak- Martinez to the Tiger Salamander
Ad Hoc Committee. City Manager Leivo noted that staff
will meet with said Ad Hoc Committee either Thursday or
Friday of next week.
1. MAYOR'S REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION:
Mayor Nordin stated that there was nothing to report for
Closed Session.
2. SCHEDULED APPEARANCE /PRESENTATION:
Kecia Kaiser and Lora Neffson of Sonoma County Adult &
Youth Development (SCAYD) re status of the Rohnert Park
Homeless Prevention Program (HPP): Ms. Kaiser and
Ms. Neffson DISTRIBUTED AND REVIEWED a handout regarding
the Sonoma County Community Development Commission,
Community Development Program Quarterly Status Report.
They discussed the Rohnert Park- Cotati Homeless
Prevention Program and responded to Council questions
about the threshold for low- income families, the high
demand for services in July and various aspects of
homelessness. The speakers noted that members of the
public can call 588 -2885 for more information.
3. STUDENT REPORTS:
SSU - Sonoma State University Associated Students,
Incorporated, by James J. Reilly III, Legislative
Representative: Mr. Reilly DISTRIBUTED copies of The
Star, and he reported on the following items: An
astronomy public view night at SSU on Friday, 664 -2267
for information; Transition to year -round operations at
SSU; and debate for Rohnert Park's City Council
candidates, October 21, 7:00 p.m., at the Cooperage at
SSU.
*City Council /Community Development Commission/
Rohnert Park Financing Authority
City of Rohnert Park *CONCURRENT MEETINGS MINUTES
October 12, 2004 Page(3 )
4. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC APPEARANCES /COMMENTS:
1. Robert Abramson, 108 Chadwick Way, Cotati, was recognized
and, as a representative of the United Nations
Association of Sonoma County, he noted that Sunday,
October 24 is United Nations Day. He REQUESTED a
proclamation from the City as in year's past, and he
asked that the City fly the United Nations Flag, which
he SUBMITTED to the City Manager, during the week of
October 18th -24th. He discussed the U.N.'s humanitarian
work, and he DISTRIBUTED a handout for the United
Nations Association Film Festival (UNAFF) on Saturday,
October 30, Newman Auditorium, Santa Rosa Junior College,
1:00 -5:35 p.m.
2. Chip Worthington, 4695 Snyder Lane, was.recognized and
thanked those who voted yes on the recall. He SUBMITTED
a letter, ATTACHED TO THE ORIGINAL SET OF MINUTES, from
Rheba Hewitt, a resident of Highland, California, who
lives on the main approach to the San Manuel Casino in
San Bernardino. Mr. Worthington summarized Ms. Hewitt's
extensive concerns about excessive traffic, the size of
the casino, the degradation of the neighborhood by casino
patrons and the number of crimes in the casino parking
lot area. He noted that it is now up to the County to
mitigate the negative impacts of the casino outside of
Rohnert Park, and he urged all citizens to become fully
informed on the true size and impact of the future
casino.
5. PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS:
1. Review of Draft Policy
Services to Properties
Park City Limits:
regarding Extension of City
Located Outside the Rohnert
'a. Staff Report: City Manager Leivo shared opening
comments, and Senior Planner Bendorff reviewed
the contents of the Staff Report. Senior Planner
Bendorff noted a language change in the fourth
"whereas" to include reference to the Public
Resources Code Section 21065, in addition to the
CEQA Guidelines Section 15061, and he responded to
Council questions /comments about Canon Manor and
Tom Roberts' respective situations, the Utility
District, and the creation of roads.
b. Public Comments: None.
*City Council /Community Development Commission/
Rohnert Park Financing Authority
City of Rohnert Park *CONCURRENT MEETINGS MINUTES
October 12, 2004 Page(4 )
c. Resolution for Adoption:
2004 -260 APPROVING A POLICY REGARDING THE EXTENSION OF
CITY SERVICES TO PROPERTIES LOCATED OUTSIDE THE
ROHNERT PARK CITY LIMITS
Council Motion /Discussion /Vote:
Upon MOTION by Councilmember Flores, seconded by
Councilmember Vidak- Martinez, and APPROVED 4 -0 -1 with
Councilmember Mackenzie absent, reading was waived and
Resolution 2004 -260 was ADOPTED with a language
amendment by staff to the fourth "whereas" to include
additional reference to the Public Resources Code
Section 21065.
2. Consideration of an Outside Service Area Agreement
for property located at 4649 Dowdell Avenue:
a. Staff Report: Senior Planner Bendorff shared the
contents of the Staff Report and responded to a
Council question about metering.
b. Public Comments: None.
c. Resolution for Adoption:
2004 -261 APPROVING AN OUTSIDE SERVICE AREA AGREEMENT FOR
PROPERTY LOCATED AT 4649 DOWDELL AVENUE
Council Motion /Discussion /Vote:
Upon MOTION by Councilmember Flores, seconded by Vice
Mayor Spradlin, and APPROVED 4 -0 -1 with Councilmember
Mackenzie absent, reading was waived and Resolution
2004 -261 was ADOPTED.
6. DEFIBRILLATORS FOR SPORTS CENTER AND SENIOR CENTER:
Presentation by Recreation Services Manager Guy Miller:
City Manager Leivo introduced Recreation Services
Manager Miller, who reviewed the information in the
Staff Report and responded to Council comments.
7. ADOPT -A -PARK PROGRAM:
Consideration of establishing an Adopt -A -Park Program for
community assistance to help clean City parks:
*City Council /Community Development Commission/
Rohnert Park Financing Authority
City of Rohnert Park *CONCURRENT MEETINGS MINUTES
October 12, 2004 Page(5 )
1. Staff Report /Presentation by Recreation Services
Manager Guy Miller: Recreation Services Manager
Miller reviewed the contents of the Staff Report.
Councilmember Flores suggested that one or more
organizations be allowed to adopt -a -park.
Councilmember Vidak- Martinez recommended that staff
consider a change in the name of the program out of
sensitivity for children waiting to be adopted.
2. Public Comments: None.
3. Resolution for Adoption:
2004 -262 ESTABLISHING AN ADOPT -A -PARK PROGRAM TO RECRUIT
AND RETAIN COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE TO HELP CLEAN
VARIOUS CITY PARKS
Council Motion /Discussion /Vote:
Upon MOTION by Vice Mayor Spradlin, seconded by
Councilmember Flores, and APPROVED 4 -0 -1 with Councilmember
Mackenzie absent, reading was waived and Resolution
2004 -262 was ADOPTED.
8. RECYCLED WATER USE ORDINANCE:
Consideration of Repealing and Replacing Chapter 13.62
of the Rohnert Park Municipal code for Water Waste
Regulations:
1. Staff Report: City Manager Leivo shared opening
comments, and he introduced Mary Grace Pawson from
Winzler & Kelly Engineers, who reviewed the contents
of the Staff Report and responded to a Council
comment about the focus on using reclaimed water in
residential developments.
2. Public Comments: None.
3. Waive First Reading and Introduce Ordinance by. reading
title:
No. 723 REPEALING AND REPLACING CHAPTER 13.62, WATER WASTE
REGULATIONS, OF THE ROHNERT PARK MUNICIPAL CODE
(RECYCLED WATER USE)
Council Motion/Discussion/Vote:
Upon MOTION by Councilmember Flores, seconded by
Councilmember Vidak- Martinez, and APPROVED 4 -0 -1 with
Councilmember Mackenzie absent, reading was waived and
Ordinance No. 723 was INTRODUCED.
*City Council /Community Development Commission/
Rohnert Park Financing Authority
City of Rohnert Park *CONCURRENT MEETINGS MINUTES
October 12, 2004 Page(6 )
9. WATER SHORTAGE EMERGENCY PLAN ORDINANCE:
Consideration of Amending Title 13, Water and Sewers, of
the Rohnert Park Municipal Code to Add Chapter 13.64 to
Establish a Water Shortage Emergency Plan:
1. Staff Report: City Manager Leivo shared introductory
comments, and Toni Bertolero of Winzler & Kelly
Engineers reviewed the contents of the Staff Report.
2. Public Comments:
1. John King, Penngrove, was recognized and inquired if, in
the event the City declares an emergency such as a.
drought, the language in this ordinance circumvents the
agreement /settlement between Penngrove and the City of
Rohnert Park.
3. Waive First Reading and Introduce Ordinance by reading
title.
No. 724 AMENDING TITLE 13, WATER AND SEWERS, OF THE ROHNERT
PARK MUNICIPAL CODE TO ESTABLISH,A WATER SHORTAGE
EMERGENCY PLAN
Council Motion /Discussion /Vote:
Upon MOTION by Councilmember Vidak- Martinez, seconded by
Councilmember Flores, and APPROVED 4 -0 -1 with Councilmember
Mackenzie absent, reading was waived and Ordinance No. 724
was INTRODUCED.
10. PROPOSED SCHOOL DISTRICT TAX INCREMENT SHARING
AGREEMENT:
Consideration of creating an Ad Hoc Subcommittee for this
item:
Council Motion /Discussion /Vote /Appointments by Mayor:
City Manager Leivo gave a brief oral report on the
background of this matter, noting that it would be
helpful to have meetings with members of the School
District.
Councilmembers raised no questions, and, upon MOTION by
Councilmember Flores, seconded by Vice Mayor Spradlin, a
motion to direct the Mayor to appoint a subcommittee to
work with the School District on a tax increment
sharing agreement was APPROVED 4 -0 -1 with Councilmember
Mackenzie absent.
*City Council /Community Development Commission/
Rohnert Park Financing Authority
.V
City of Rohnert Park *CONCURRENT MEETINGS MINUTES
October 12, 2004 Page(7 )
Mayor Nordin APPOINTED Councilmember Flores and Vice
Mayor Spradlin to the Ad Hoc Subcommittee for the
Proposed School District Tax Increment Sharing Agreement.
11. COUNCIL COMMITTEE AND /OR OTHER REPORTS:
1. Sonoma County Transportation Authority (SCTA),
October 11, 2004 meeting: Councilmember Vidak-
Martinez reported on the following two items:
(1) Priority of transportation funding for
Highway 12 to Steele Lane and impact of use of
GARVEE Bonds; (2) Adoption of final SCTA budget.
2. Other informational items, if any: None.
12. COMMUNICATIONS:
Communications per the attached outline were brought to the
attention of Council. No communications were discussed.
13. MATTERS FROM /FOR COUNCIL:
1. Schedule of Events and Meetings: Mayor Nordin
reviewed the "Upcoming Events" document and
inquired about Council attendance.
2. City Council Agenda Forecast: Provided in the
agenda packet.
3. Other informational items, if any: None.
14. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT:
1. 2004 -05 United Way Campaign: City Manager Leivo
commented on efforts to encourage staff to
participate. Councilmember Vidak- Martinez, in
her experience as Chairperson for the regional
United Way, discussed the funding that came into
the City based on the City employees, successful
efforts last year-
2. CDC Five -Year Implementation Plan: City Manager
Leivo reviewed the contents of the Staff Report
and responded to Council questions.
*City Council /Community Development Commission/
Rohnert Park Financing Authority
City of Rohnert Park *CONCURRENT MEETINGS MINUTES
October 12, 2004 Page(8 )
3. Other informational items, if any:
a. Out of town: City Manager Leivo noted that he
will be attending the International City
Managers' Association Conference from Saturday,
October 16, through Wednesday, October 24. He
noted that Director Public Safety Bullard will be
in charge of the City during his absence.
15. CONSENT CALENDAR:
Mayor Nordin asked if there were any questions about the
matters on the Consent Calendar, which were explained in
the City Manager's Council Meeting Memo. Mayor Nordin
signified removal of the following items: Resolution
2004 -279 per City Manager Leivo's recommendation. City
Manager Leivo also pulled the Cash /Investments Reports.
A. APPROVAL OF CONCURRENT MEETING MINUTES FOR:
REGULAR CONCURRENT CITY MEETINGS - SEPTEMBER 28, 2004
B. APPROVAL OF BILLS /DEMANDS FOR PAYMENT CONCURRENTLY FOR:
CITY OF ROHNERT PARK /CITY COUNCIL IN THE AMOUNT OF
$861,825.86
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION IN THE AMOUNT OF:
$174,464.52
C. ACCEPTING CASH /INVESTMENTS REPORTS FOR MONTH END,
JULY 31, 2004 CONCURRENTLY FOR:
CITY OF ROHNERT PARK /CITY COUNCIL - DEFERRED
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION - DEFERRED
ROHNERT PARK FINANCING AUTHORITY - DEFERRED
D. RESOLUTIONS FOR ADOPTION:
2004 -263 PROCLAIMING SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2004 AS "MAKE -A-
DIFFERENCE DAY"
2004 -264 COMMEMORATING SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2004 AS "UNITED
NATIONS DAY"
2004 -265 PROCLAIMING OCTOBER 23 -31, 2004 AS "RED RIBBON
WEEK," DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION AND AWARENESS WEEK
2004 -266 OBSERVING OCTOBER 18 -24, 2004 AS "WORLD POPULATION
AWARENESS WEEK"
*City Council /Community Development Commission/
Rohnert Park Financing Authority
City of Rohnert Park *CONCURRENT MEETINGS MINUTES
October 12, 2004 Page(9 )
2004 -267 APPROVING APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FOR THE
YOUTH SOCCER AND RECREATION DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAM UNDER THE CALIFORNIA CLEAN WATER,
CLEAN AIR, SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS, AND
COASTAL PROTECTION ACT OF 2002
2004 -268 AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS
AWARDED FROM THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
AGENCY (FEMA) FOR ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS
GRANT PROGRAM 2003
2004 -269 APPROVING FINAL MAP AND AUTHORIZING MAYOR TO
EXECUTE SUBDIVISION AGREEMENT, CITY CENTER TOWN
HOMES SUBDIVISION
2004 -270 AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR SIDEWALK ACCESS RAMPS,
PHASE IV, PROJECT NO. 2004 -01, TO ACEQUTA CEMENT
2004 -271 AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR COMMUNITY CENTER MULTI -USE
FLOOR REPLACEMENT, PROJECT NO. 2003 -24
2004 -272 APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT WITH BRELJE & RACE
CONSULTING ENGINEERS FOR WATER OPERATIONS
ENGINEERING
2004 -273 APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT WITH BRELJE & RACE
CONSULTING ENGINEERS FOR WATER MAIN DESIGN
SERVICES
2004 -274 APPROVAL OF LETTER PROPOSAL FROM BAECHTEL HUDIS,
INC., FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR DESIGN OF
HINEBAUGH CREEK BICYCLE BRIDGE AT COMMERCE
BOULEVARD, PROJECT NO. 2003 -15
2004 -275 APPROVAL OF TASK ORDER NO. 2004 -12 WITH WINZLER &
KELLY ENGINEERS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE
EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN FOR THE CITY DRINKING
WATER SYSTEM
2004 -276 APPROVAL OF TASK ORDER NO. 2004 -20 WITH WINZLER &
KELLY ENGINEERS FOR CONDUCTING A HAZARDOUS
MATERIAL, SURVEY FOR THE ANIMAL SHELTER RENOVATION
PROJECT NO. 2003 -28
2004 -277 CALLING FOR SEALED PROPOSALS FOR PRINTING AND
MAILING SERVICE FOR UTILITY BILLING, ANIMAL AND
BUSINESS LICENSES
2004 -278 APPROVAL OF PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND CALL FOR
SEALED PROPOSALS FOR ANIMAL SHELTER RENOVATION
PROJECT NO. 2003 -28
*City Council /Community Development Commission/
Rohnert Park Financing Authority
5
City of Rohnert Park *CONCURRENT MEETINGS MINUTES
October 12, 2004 Page(10)
2004 -280 APPROVAL OF CONTRACT CHANGE ORDER NO. 1 WITH
A.E. NELSON CONSTRUCTION COMPANY FOR COMMUNITY
CENTER TRUSS REPAIR PROJECT NO. 2000 -06
2004 -281 ACCEPTING COMPLETION AND DIRECTING THE CITY
ENGINEER TO FILE NOTICE OF COMPLETION FOR
COMMUNITY CENTER TRUSS REPAIR PROJECT NO. 2000 -06
2004 -282 REJECTING THE CLAIM OF RICHARD LYLE SHOWN
REGARDING ALLEGED PERSONAL INJURY
2004 -283 REJECTING THE CLAIM OF NEIL WAY REGARDING ALLEGED
AUTO DAMAGE FROM POTHOLES ON GOLF COURSE DRIVE
Upon MOTION by Councilmember Vidak- Martinez, seconded by
Councilmember Vice Mayor Spradlin, the Consent Calendar,
with the exception of Resolution No. 2004 -279 and the
Cash /Investments Reports, was UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
Item for Consideration:
2004 -279 ACCEPTING COMPLETION AND DIRECTING THE CITY
ENGINEER TO FILE NOTICE OF COMPLETION FOR
CITYWIDE SLURRY SEAL PROJECT NO. 2003 -18
City Manager Leivo stated that said resolution has not
been completed at this time.
16. PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Members of the public desiring to.speak were invited to
come forward. No members of the public responded.
Councilmember Flores welcomed Assistant City Manager
Donley back from his service duty.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, Mayor Nordin ADJOURNED the
meeting at 7:37 p.m.
Katy Leonard lvgofMRohnert ry . 4Ndin
Certified Shorthand Reporter ayor
CSR No. 11599 Park
*City Council /Community Development Commission/
Rohnert Park Financing Authority
Stop the Casino 101 Coalition
STS101
Pastor Chip Worthington, Founder
Folks
Stijl ;1 �
M !/ A
The following is a message from Rheba Hewitt, a resident of Highland, CA, who lives on the main approach to the
San Manuel Casino. Here is her story of what a casino has done to her community.
Much is said about "mitigation ", but I can promise you that the problems this casino will bring - traffic, congestion,
air pollution, light pollution, noise pollution, crime, destruction of wetlands habitat, loss of a flood plain,
wastewater, groundwater - CANNOT BE ADEQUATELY MITIGATED!!!
Please attend tonight's Rohnert Park City Council meeting. Please come in full force. Print a copy of Rheba's
story, with the photos if you can, and bring it with you to the meeting. Rohnert Park's City Council has to wake up
and face facts: casinos degrade and destroy communities.
Any questions, as always, contact me.
Marilee Montgomery
STC101
707 - 793 -2355
RHEBA'S STORY:
- -- Original Message —
From: Rheba Hewitt
To: Marilee rohnert nark Montgomery
Sent: Monday, October 11, 2004 9:19 PM
Subject: statement for Chip Worthington from rheba
My name is Rheba Hewitt, and my husband and I live in San Bernardino, CA., about one -half mile from the San
Manuel Indian Casino & Bingo. Our property sits alongside the main approach to the Casino, which is about one -
half mile from our home. Over 20,000 vehicles pass down this street each and every day, 24 hours a day. When
the expanded casino opens in January, I conservatively estimate that the traffic will quickly exceed 40,000
vehicles /day. This access street was not designed to handle this quanity of traffic – the noise and conjestion is
herendous!
The new casino is 465,000 square feet with 2,000 slot machines, gaming tables, sports betting, bingo,
entertainment auditorium, resturant, girt shop... This is ten acres under one roof! The parcel of land on which the
new casino is being built is only 500ft from our elementary school property. This multi -story structure towers over
residential homes, blocking the view they once had of the San Bernardino mountains. (See attached photos to
attached emails). The old casino (125,000 sq ft) and current parking lots are just 15 -20ft from backyard property
lines. The new casino will be 30 -50ft from backyard fenses. Plus a 6 -story parking structure has been built which
10/12/04
Page 2 of 2
will soon be enlarged to within 15 -50ft of homeowners' backyards.
The casino has created real problems for area residents with regard to traffic and crime. San Bernardino has
been forced to dedicate five police officers to patrolling the casino area.
Dozens of casino patrons walk alongside my home every day (24/7), having arrived by bus to walk one mile (into
our residential zone) for gaming, prostitution, whatever. Many change clothes, urinate, and even defacate in my
shrubbery - leaving their backpacks (containing underware, toiletries, clothes, parole papers, etc.) hidden in my
landscaping. I make it a point to check my property every day, washing and shoveling the affected
areas, carefully picking -up the disgarded used needles, and trashing any backpacks. Usually one or two days
later they return from the casino and look for their belongings. Occassionally, they come begging at the front door
for bus fare because they lost all their money in the casino.
From data that I've obtained from Police Headquarters, it appears that arrests, within the casino parking lot patrol
area, are many times more then than any other adjacent patrol area. Example:
Casino Area Grand Thefts ..................... .............................92
Three Adjacent Areas .......... ............................... ....2,7,2
Casino Area Larceny Thefts ....... .............................38
Three Adjacent Areas ................... ..........................1,5,5
Our local newspaper reported that 45% of the city's stolen cars were last seen in one of 2 neighborhoods — the
San Manuel Casino or the westside Rialto border. My neighbor (on another street nearer the casino) tells of daily
parked cars up and down his residential street, many of which are hauled off as "stolen vehicles ". To combat this
invasion of privacy, one group of residents has designated their street as "Permit Parking Only" (but this requires
appropiate signs, 2 in front of each house, making the street look shabby /cluttered and requires that homeowners
obtain permits from city hall to park on their own street). Another group has blocked -off their street, at the casino
end, with a massive metal wall (6 -8ft tall), thus limiting their own neighborhood ingress /egress to the only other
road available.
There is no doubt that this casino has created crime and degraded our neighborhood, but is also degrades our
town!!! Casino patrons come into town (by any means available), sometimes staying at the casino for 2 -3 days.
They do not stop and do business in the town (shop, eat, attend functions, etc.). The town suffers from this
stream or transients that do not contribute a penny to our community!!!
Our city mayor likes the casino because it "employs the unemployable ". Well, the unemployable is exactly what
we are getting - along with nothing but 99 Cent stores and pawn shops!!! No decent, upper -class business wants
to start a business near a casino and no decent, upper -class family wants to move into an area dominated by a
casino.
I strongly recommend that your city /area reject any gaming business. Turn down the entisement of Indian
payments into the local government coffers. Believe me, it will not be enough. Note that for years Conneneticut
required their casinos to pay 25% to the State, but they now realize that even 25% is not enough for controlling
the negative impacts and has recently voted to HALT any future Indian gaming.
Rheba
casinonot @sbcglobal._net
10/12/04
VOTE YES ON RECALL!! Your VOTE is not for sale!
One year ago, Rohnert Park voters discovered that a massive casino /resort was being
proposed on the border of their family - friendly city. According to news reports, secret
negotiations between RP City Hall and casino proponents had been ongoing prior to the
public presentation on August 14,-2003.
Thousands of RP voters protested, wrote letters, telephoned and signed petitions
begging their elected representatives to stand against this proposal like the cities of
Petaluma, Sonoma, Napa, Vallejo, Sebastopol, and the Sonoma County Board of
Supervisors had done. RP officials ignored their concerns and hastily began more
secret negotiations without requesting casino impact studies, environmental reviews
and water controls to ascertain the actual costs of such a development to the area.
RP Council Members' Flores, Spradlin, Nordin, and Martinez quickly signed off on a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that gave the casino operators the ability to
renegotiate terms if "changes" within the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria (FIGR)
occurred or if "future financial expectations" were not met. Neither Flores; Spradlin,
Nordin, nor Martinez asked what those changes or future financial expectations" might
be; nor did the MOU detail specifics or amounts regarding these outrageous loop -holes
RP City Hall arrogantly told voters there was nothing they or the city could do to stop
the casino project, even though federal procedures had not (and have not as of today)
begun to place the proposed lands into trust for the FIGR. If the casino project was
really a "done deal ", why would the casino proponents even bother to make a public
presentation, extensively promote the project, or offer cash incentives to the city?
Because the casino proponents and city hall knew part of the federal procedure to gain
lands into trust relied heavily on the "goodwill of the community."
The 4 RP council members agreed in the MOU "NOT to oppose the tribe's efforts to
establish a gaming facility..." As elected officials, their decisions represent the
residents who voted them in. These council members purposefully chose to silence the
voters and present a false picture of "community goodwill" to the state and federal
governments.
Thousands of Rohnert Park voters chose NOT to remain silent by signing recall
petitions for Flores and Spradlin, whose terms are up in 2 years, and then elect
replacements for Nordin and Martinez whose terms expire in November of this year.
Today, both the state and federal governments are watching Rohnert Park's historic
recall election very closely. The recall results will show how much "community
goodwill" there is towards a casino whose operators attempt to buy the silence of
voters through their elected representatives.
By voting YES on the recall, your rights as an American voter will ring loud and clear all
the way to Sacramento and Washington D C. By voting YES on the recall, you will regain
your right to self - government that Council Members' Flores and Spradlin thought was
for sale to big money corporate interests.
VOTE YES ON RECALL
Chip Worthington, Recall Candidate
707 584.5673 or 707 795.4673