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1992/12/07 City Council MinutesRohnert Park City Council Minutes December 7, 1992 The Council of the City of Rohnert Park met this date in adjourned regular session commencing at 7:00 p.m. in the City Offices, 6750 Commerce Boulevard, Rohnert Park, with Mayor Spiro presiding. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Spiro called the adjourned regular session to order at approximately 7:05 p.m. and led the pledge of allegiance. ROLL CALL Present: (5) Councilmembers Eck, Hollingsworth, Hopkins, Reilly, and Mayor Spiro Absent: (0) None Staff present for all or part of the meeting: City Manager Netter, City Attorney Flitner, Assistant to the City Manager Leivo, Planning Director Skanchy and Director of Public Works /City Engineer Brust. Acknowledging City Manager / The City Manager /Clerk's report on the posting of the agenda Clerk Report was acknowledged. Unscheduled Public Mayor Spiro stated that in compliance with State Law, (The Appearances Brown Act), anyone in the audience who wished to make a comment may do so at this time. Mike Mallens, Planning Commissioner, said he came tonight on behalf of the Planning Commission of the City of Rohnert Park to present Resolution No. 92 -13 to Councilman Hopkins. Commissioner Mallens shared contents therein commending Warren Hopkins on the occasion of his retirement and declaring him an "Honorary Planning Commissioner ". Resolution No.92 -196 A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROHNERT PARK CONGRATULATING JACK CAVANAGH, JR. ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREN= FROM THE CITY OF PETALUMk AND NAMING HIM "HONORARY CITIZEN' OF THE CITY OF ROHNERT PARK Councilman Hopkins referenced the resolution congratulating Jack Cavanagh on the occasion of his retirement from the City of Petaluma. Mr. Hopkins complimented Jack Cavanagh's nearly 30 years on the Petaluma City Council. Upon motion by Councilman Hollingsworth, seconded by Councilman Hopkins, and unanimously approved, reading of Resolution No. 92 -196 was waived and said resolution was adopted. Rohnert Park City Council Minutes (2) December 7, 1992 Resolution No.92 -197 A RESOLUTION DECLARING RESULTS OF CONSOLIDATED GENERAL ELECTION AND MJNICIPAL ELECTION HELD IN THE CITY OF ROHNERT PARK ON NOVE7V1BER 3, 1992 City Manager Netter explained the resolution. Upon motion by Councilman Hollingsworth, seconded by Councilman Reilly, reading of Resolution No. 92 -197 was waived and said resolution was adopted by the following vote: AYES: (5) Councilmembers Eck, Hollingsworth, Hopkins, Reilly and Mayor Spiro NOES: (0) None ABSENT: (0) None Reflections Councilmembers expressed various appreciations to the voters, all the candidates, campaign participants, and City staff. The help and support of family members was also recognized. Each Councilmember introduced their family members who were present in the audience. Councilman Eck said he would like to publicly thank the voters now that the results of the election has been certified. In running a minimal cost campaign, Councilman Eck said he especially appreciated being re- elected. He expressed special appreciation for his wife, Kristin, and his son for their support and assistance with campaign efforts. Councilman Eck said he would especially like to thank the candidates and complimented every member for running a good race even with so many differing opinions on the issues. He said it was an outstanding campaign, and certainly hoped they would run again. Councilman. Hopkins reflected on his twenty -four years of service on the City Council. He further expressed his love for Rohnert Park and said it was a very special place where he and his wife, Joan, have raised their children, and would have been born here, if there had been a hospital. He said the building of a hospital in Rohnert Park was one of the most important things that had not yet been accomplished, and he had hoped to see that done during his years on the Council. Councilman Hopkins said one of the most important things to him was being named Mayor Emeritus and his job would be to represent the City and the Council just like every Mayor has done in the past. He said as Mayor Emeritus he would continue that tradition, and even though it would be hard to do sometimes because of his strong feelings about certain issues, he certainly expected to honor the position. Rohnert Park City Council Minutes (3) December 7, 1992 Mayor Spiro said she would like to collectively give a big thanks to her family and requested all of her family present at tonight's meeting to stand up in recognition of their help and support throughout her campaign efforts. She also expressed appreciation for the many and varied efforts of City staff with particular recognition of Administrative Secretary Lorraine Roberts whose hard job it is to keep Council posted and informed of its many schedules and responsibilities. Mayor Spiro reflected on the accomplishments of the City and community during her term as Mayor. She expressed appreciation for the opportunity of being Mayor and for being elected to the City Council. Oath of Office Deputy City Clerk Judy Hauff administered the Oath of Office to Councilmembers Elect David Eck, Dawna Gallagher and Linda Spiro. She distributed Certificates of Election to each Councilmember accordingly. Election of Upon motion by Councilman Hollingsworth, seconded by Mayor Pro- Tempore Councilman Eck, and unanimously approved, Councilman Reilly was elected to serve as Mayor Pro- Tempore (Vice Mayor). Election of Mayor Upon motion by Councilman Eck, seconded by Councilman Reilly, and unanimously approved, Councilman Hollingsworth was elected as Mayor. Mayor Hollingsworth expressed appreciation to outgoing Mayor Spiro and presented her with an engraved crystal mantel clock as an expression of appreciation from the City for her service as Mayor during the past year. He said unless a person has sat in this seat, there can be no concept of how much is involved in accepting the position. Mayor Hollingsworth welcomed Dawna Gallagher to the City Council. He recognized former Councilmembers and Mayors who were present in tonight's audience, specifically Jimmie Rogers and Vern Smith, and introduced Reba Roberts, wife of the late Art Roberts, who was also a former Councilmember and Mayor. He expressed appreciation to Council for selecting him as Mayor for the upcoming year. W. Hollingsworth introduced his wife, Sandra, and numerous children and grandchildren who were present at tonight's meeting. Councilmember Gallagher introduced family members present at tonight's meeting with tribute to her mother for her continual support and extra efforts as a single mom and special appreciation to her husband, Ken McCoy, and his son. She acknowledged the efforts and teanviork of the many people who helped with her campaign. Councilmember Gallagher shared Rohnert Park City Council Minutes (4) December 7, 1992 examples of commitment for education and said she hoped to make education a priority at local levels. She said, as a new person on the City Council, she would have to earn the trust and respect of the Council and signified there was a lot to learn according to the amount of reading material distributed to Council prior to the meetings. She said government does not work without the participation of the people and encouraged those attending tonight's meeting to keep attending future meetings as that is the way it works. Councilmember Gallagher expressed appreciation for being elected to the City Council. Vice Mayor Reilly extended a welcome to everyone who was able to attend this special occasion, congratulated Linda Spiro and David Eck on their re- election and Dawna Gallagher on her election, and thanked Council for selecting him as %yor Pro - Tempore. Mr. Reilly expressed appreciation to his supporters of the past two years, as well as to the many people who have expressed their point of view to this Council either in person, by mail or by phone, whether or not it agrees with his position. He encouraged residents to continue speaking out on the issues facing the City-of Rohnert Park and hoped many more neighbors would also become involved because the process does not work without public participation. Vice Mayor Reilly also expressed appreciation to City staff, both in the spotlight and out of it, for the hard work they do. He requested City Manager Netter to pass Council's sincere gratitude on to the employees because it is often easy to overlook their valuable contribution to the process. Mr. Reilly expressed appreciation to his wife, Anne, and their three children for their continued support and understanding that makes it possible for him to be here and take the necessary time to try and be a well informed Councilmember. Vice Mayor Reilly listed his hopes for the City during the next twelve months which included the following: expansion of undersized library; finding a location for a Veterans of Foreign Wars building; broadcasting Council meetings live in addition to the tape delayed broadcasts; the conducting of regular neighborhood meetings with the possibility of organizing Neighborhood Advisory Committees to allow more public input; continue to seek ways to reduce costs and increase revenues with the possibility of discussions at the proposed neighborhood meetings contributing to such solutions; and, finally, address the growth issue facing Rohnert Park over the next ten to twenty years. Vice Mayor Reilly said this has already begun through efforts of the General Plan Update Committee over the past six months and he would like to see it continue. Rohnert Park City Council Minutes (5) December 7, 1992 Adjournment Mayor Hollingsworth shared how he visualized 1993. He complimented former Mayor Spiro on the above - reviewed accomplishments of 1992 and then reviewed upcoming challenges facing the Council during the next year. Mayor Hollingsworth said Rohnert Park is going to be found in a bit of a transitionary period. Where the growth used to be residential, it is now commercial, making it obvious that there has been some changes in how the City wants to grow. Mr. Hollingsworth said he looked forward to the challenges ahead. He said it will be a difficult year in regard to balancing the budget and expressed concern about the possibility of further taxes but hoped that would not be necessary. Mayor Hollingsworth said the City of Rohnert Park has been built on a solid foundation over the last thirty years and it was his desire to continue to build this beautiful city. He said these were his goals for 1993 and he hoped we could fulfill them together. Ntyor Hollingsworth acknowledged former Councilman Warren Hopkins and said we will miss you. Councilman Eck recorm-ended that Councilman. Hopkins gavel down this meeting in honor of his final attendance as a City Council Member. Council concurred. There being no further business, Councilman. Hopkins adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:45 p.m. to refreshments, Mayor LINDA SPIRO MAYOR, CITY OF ROHNERT PARK HIGHLIGHTS FOR CALENDAR YEAR 1992 Foo ora Rohnert Park has added 8,688 sq. ft. of commerical /retail space. Major retail discount stores: Price Club, Food 4 Less, Walmart, Home Depot, Target (under construction) Smaller retailers: Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Petsmart, Sears Homelife, Home Express, House of Fabrics, United Furniture, Craftstore, Fashion Bug, Kelly Moore Paints, Chili's Restaurant, and more. Estimated increase in sales tax to Rohnert Park - $1.1 million dollars. Capital improvement projects completed or approved: Sonoma County Wine and Visitors Center, 13,000 sq. ft. New Public Safety Headquarters, 34,000 sq. ft. Recently approved a 10,000 sq. ft. animal shelter Rainbow Park, 2.5 acre park, in R Section Magnolia Park, 14 acre park in M Section $3.5 million dollar expansion of R.P. sewer plant Approved a lease for a Sonoma County Community School. Approved a lease for the Boys and Girls Club. Affordable housing projects approved or completed: Burbank Housing - Tower Apartments (50 units on E. Cotati Ave.) Altamont Apartments (230 senior units on Enterprise Dr.) 25 Units planned for 1 acre site on Santa Alicia Drive N.E.H. Affordable Ownership Program set aside $250,000 for silent seconds Establishment of a General Plan Committee Establishment of an Interim Housing Task Force Consolidated Community Outreach for Youth & Families (COYF) with Youth Services, creating a Youth & Families Services Department Cleaned up Southwest Boulevard shopping center site. New businesses include 49er Pet Store. First year of Young Woman of the Year Program at Dorothy Rohnert Spreckles Performing Arts Center