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1993/02/03 City Council MinutesRohnert Park City Council and Cotati City Council Joint Meeting Minutes t February 3, 1993 The Council of the City of Rohnert Park met this date in joint session with members of the Cotati City Council at the Dynasty Restaurant located at 6555 Hunter Drive, Rohnert Park, California, with Mayor Hollingsworth presiding and Mayor Elles jointly presiding. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Hollingsworth and Mayor Elles called the joint session to order at approximately 6:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: (4) Councilmembers Eck, Reilly, Spiro and Mayor Hollingsworth Absent: (1) Councilwoman Gallagher Present: (4) Councilmembers Berkemeier, Cullinen, Wirt and Mayor Elles Absent: (1) Councilmember Miller Staff present for all or part of the meeting: Rohnert Park City Manager Netter and Cotati City Manager Long, and Rohnert Park Director of Public Works /City Engineer Brust and Cotati Planning Director Dorch. *Others present: Community Voice Staff Bob Brown *CORRECTION from 2/23/93 and two members of the public, i.e. Jake McKenzie Council meeting: and George Horwadell . Linda Branscomb and Keith Hallock were also present. There was a brief welcome from Mayors Hollingsworth and Elles. AGENDA POSTING City Manager Netter acknowledged posting of the meeting's agenda. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC APPEARANCES George Horwadell said he would like to see these joint meetings held at City Hall so that they could be televised. He also indicated he would still like to see the two cities combined. Jake McKenzie indicated it was great to see the two cities "break bread ", and he would also like to see the two cities combined in the future. Joint Meeting Minutes (2) February 3, 1993 t There was general discussion of the combining of the two cities, and it was indicated that it was talked about seriously many years ago and it was mainly the citizenry which did not want it to happen. Following the main portion of the dinner, both mayors commenced with the topics for discussion as follows: 1) Wastewater Around Mutual Borders - Rohnert Park Councilmember Eck discussed with Cotati representatives how he hoped to continue working with the Open Space District for the irrigation of wastewater in the agricultural areas around both cities. He indicated that urban reclamation is the best way to go, but it must be sold to the residents. He indicated that he would like to see Cotati's support for a reclamation program into the open space areas around both cities. 2) Contract for Use of the Animal Shelter - Mayor Elles indicated Cotati may be interested in exploring the possibility of contracting with Rohnert Park for the use of Rohnert Park's new Animal Shelter when complete. City Manager Netter indicated the facility should be complete by late summer and would invite Cotati officials to the official opening ceremony to inspect said facility. City Manager Netter indicated that in discussion with the Animal Shelter staff and FAIRE representatives, the new Animal Shelter could accommodate Cotati animals. 3) Contiguous Borders (i.e. De- Annexation) - As in the past, Cotati and Rohnert Park representatives talked about the de- annexation of the section along East Cotati Avenue that protrudes between Rohnert Park's C.and L Sections. The proposal would be to make Cotati's easterly border flush with Adrian Drive. Councilmembers indicated this had been discussed in the past and would most likely not occur now or in the future because of the many political hurdles. Joint Meeting Minutes (3) February 3, 1993 k 4) Cotati's Plan for Homes and Golf Course on the West Side (in the Community Separator Area) - Cotati Planning Director Dennis Dorch reviewed the proposed plan for a golf course and residential units on Cotati's west side. He indicated Young America Homes has proposed a plan which virtually eliminated the visibility of homes from U.S. 101. Mayor Hollingsworth asked if any of the project would be in the County's Community Separator. of which Mayor Elles indicated it currently was in the County's Community Separator, but it was not in Cotati's Community Separator as outlined in its General Plan. She indicated that Cotati is working with the County to attempt to bring into conformity the County's General Plan with Cotati's General Plan. City Manager Netter inquired about the freeway access, of which Planning Director Dorch indicated it would be addressed in the Environmental Impact Report which may call for a new interchange at either Railroad Avenue or West Sierra Avenue. He also indicated that to accommodate a freeway interchange at West Sierra Avenue would virtually eliminate the existing City Hall site and several residential units. Therefore, it most likely would not be the selected option. 5) Noise Complaints on Industrial Avenue - Mayor Hollingsworth indicated a group of citizens approached Rohnert Park City Council to ask for help in the mitigation of the sound problems created by the concrete plant on Industrial Avenue in the City of Cotati. He indicated the owner was in the process of changing its operation which would substantially reduce the noise problems. Representatives from Cotati indicated that this has been completed and it seems as if the noise problems have subsided substantially. Cotati representatives indicated that in the future they were looking at this site for a possible future rail station because of its location. In addition, Cotati thought about the possibility of down - zoning this site to M -1. Mayor Hollingsworth indicated the owner, Carl Shuman, has been very helpful in mitigating the sound problems on this site. Joint Meeting Minutes (4) February 3, 1993 City Manager Netter inquired if the City of Cotati had a Sound Ordinance of which Planning Director Dorch indicated they were in the process of developing a Sound Ordinance, but it is only in the draft stage at this time. once complete, a copy would be forwarded on to the City of Rohnert Park. Mr. Netter indicated it was hopeful the new Sound Ordinance developed by Cotati would be a guide that would be followed by the owners of the concrete plant and may help in controlling any future sound problems. 6) Library Services Rohnert Park Vice -Mayor Jim Reilly indicated he would like to see a Library Expansion Project which would be a good venture for both Rohnert Park and Cotati. Mayor Elles agreed and indicated that a if a bond issue was necessary, Cotati should join into that program. City Manager Netter added that both cities needed to think of ways to support the library if the cities would like to see the library open more frequently. He indicated a rumor was going around that the library is considering closing Monday and Tuesday nights. Both Councils concurred. 7) Gang Prevention Measures - There was a general discussion by both City Councils on the problems all communities are encountering with gangs. There was a general discussion on ways that each City could address these problems, that it is a growing nuisance in today's society, and more resources must be allocated to assist in these problems. 8) Major Project Plans (Improving Communication Between the Cities) - There were various and sundry items discussed from the Cotati Interceptor Project to Rohnert Park's Retrofit Program to the overcrowding of the high school and what the plans would be once the middle school is completed. The overall consensus was that the City of Cotati and City of Rohnert Park should continue to have joint meetings and other Joint Meeting Minutes (5) February 3, 1993 meetings neighbors cities. to develop their communications as and work on problems that impact both 9) Recycling in Apartment Complexes - Councilmember Cullinen indicated Cotati has a Recycling Program in its apartment buildings and felt Rohnert Park should also provide such service. City Manager Netter indicated that Rohnert Park instituted an Apartment Recycling Program about a year and a half ago as a pilot program and has implemented said program through most of its apartment buildings. Councilmember Cullinen indicated that he knows several apartment buildings in Rohnert Park that do not have this service. City Manager Netter indicated if anyone knew of any apartments not being serviced, they should give those names either to City Manager Netter or Director of Public Works Brust and they would follow -up on this matter with our franchise operator, Empire Waste Management. 10) Bicycle Advisory Committee Work Plan - Cotati had originally expressed interest in being involved in the Rohnert Park Bicycle Advisory Committee, and the City Council of Rohnert Park agreed on the condition that Cotati would pay its fair share of any out -of- pocket costs for its portion. Cotati Mayor Elles indicated Cotati will probably opt to work with the County as it would be at no cost as well as Cotati could also consider paths between the cities of Petaluma and Sebastopol. 11) other Topics - There was general discussion on other topics such as water conservation, the School District Coordinating Committee, the Composting and Marketing Plan as being proposed by the Waste Management Agency and the School District going out to bid for garbage services within various cities throughout the County. There was a general discussion regarding these and other matters. Joint Meeting Minutes Adjournment The meeting was p.m. ATTEST: City Manager /City Clerk (6) February 3, 1993 adjourned at approximately 8:10 Mayor