1994/04/05 City Council MinutesCITY OF ROHNERT PARK /SONOMA STATE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT'S CABINET
JOINT MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, April 5, 1994
- Joint Meeting -
The Council of the City of Rohnert Park and the President's
Cabinet of Sonoma State University met this date in joint session
at the Commons (the University Club), located on the Sonoma State
campus, 1801 East Cotati Avenue, Rohnert Park, California.
Call to Order Mayor Reilly called the joint session to order at approximately
6:00 p.m.
Roll Call City Councilmembers:
Present: (4) Councilmembers Eck, Hollingsworth, Spiro and Mayor
Reilly.
Late: (1) Councilmember Gallagher (arrived at approximately
6:30 p.m.)
SSU Cabinet Members -
Present: (6) Diane Abbey, Assoc. Vice President for University
Affairs;
Jim Meyer, Vice President for Development;
Larry Schlereth, Vice Pres. for Admin. & Finance;
Rand Link, Vice President for Student Affairs;
Don Farish, Vice President for Academic Affairs and
Reuben Arminana, President
City Staff present: City Manager Netter, Assistant City Manager
Leivo, and Planning Director Paul Skanchy.
There were brief introductions by all members of the City and
Sonoma State University.
Items for discussion:
l.Joint Dispatch Services -
Mayor Reilly indicated that City Manager Netter and Larry
Schlereth, Vice President /Administration and Finance had
preliminary discussions about joint dispatch services. This
matter has briefly been discussed with both the Public Safety
Director of the City of Rohnert Park and Sonoma State University.
The goal would be to prepare an evaluation and feasibility study
before any affirmative action is taken regarding this matter. It
was the general consensus of both City officials and University
representatives that if joint dispatch services can save the
University money and both agencies can benefit, then this item
should be pursued further. City Manager Netter indicated that
similar discussions were being held with representatives from
Sonoma Life Support (the City's ambulance operator) and the City
of Cotati.
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Rohnert Park City Council /Sonoma State University Minutes (2) April 5, 1994
-Joint Mccting-
University and City officials agreed to look at other possible
areas to combine and explore such as gas vehicle services,
landscape maintenance and other areas.
2. What is the status of School District Offices on SSU campus? -
President Arminana indicated that discussions were still being
held with Dr. Walt Buster and School District representatives
regarding locating the administrative office and maintenance yard
facilities to this location.
3. University Plan Update -
President Reuben Arminana extensively discussed the interest in
the University obtaining or purchasing 50 acres for
student /faculty housing. He indicated that a consultant was
hired to prepare a feasibility study titled "Sonoma State
University Initial Market Testing" by MPC Associates, Inc., of
which a draft has been sent with a copy to the City Manager and
faculty member (Rohnert Park Vice Mayor Dave Eck). President
Arminana indicated the problem of recruiting good faculty members
because of the cost of housing and the lack of housing in the
immediate area. He indicated that approximately 15 to 20 new
faculty members are needed each year due to retirements. He also
indicated that the enrollment at the university was 6,600
students, representing 1,000 less students than two years ago.
He indicated that this is a function of the State budget but
anticipates that 600 to 700 new Freshmen coming in next year. He
also indicated because of the State budget crisis, the athletics'
program may have to be cut or reduced.
Extensive discussion continued on the faculty /staff housing
in which President Arminana indicated that he would like to work
out a joint program with the local School District and the City
if possible. He indicated that he would like to follow the City
of Irvine model whereby a long -term land lease arrangement is
made whereby faculty and staff members could purchase the homes
without the direct ownership but would still be acceptable as a
tax deduction under IRS regulations. There were various
discussions on the possibilities of annexation where the City of
Rohnert Park would provide a services agreement or other methods
such as the University instituting the acquisition of the
property through eminent domain proceedings. If this procedure
was pursued, the City would have little say in its planning or
design. One thing that was noted was that the University would
most likely have to work in relationship with the City due to
water and sewer service needs of any proposed project. President
Arminana indicated he wouldn't like to see this project in
process extend over numerous years because of the City's
bureaucracy, general plan updates, etc., but would like to see
Rohnert Park City Council /Sonoma State University Minutes (3) April 5, 1994
-Joint Meeting -
this proposal implemented over the next four to five years.
Councilmembers informed President Arminana that he must look at
the political realities and items such as IAFCO approval and
other political ramifications such as Quaker Hill Development,
etc. were generally discussed:
Other Matters -
It was suggested that Don Farish from the University be
designated as the University's representative on the new general
plan committee that the Council has discussed formulating
following the finalization of the interim general plan process
currently being discussed by the Planning Commission.
President Arminana strongly encouraged the City to think of a way
that the University could address the needs of faculty housing,
needs of student housing, the creation of facilities for
commercial ventures such as the new book store, which were all
outlined in the University's study. City Manager Netter
indicated that he would forward the study on for City Council's
Vice Mayor Eck suggested a Council Committte be formed to meet
with the University officials regarding this matter.
Coucilman Eck brought up the matter of Trip Reduction Ordinance
and indicated that the University should step forward in
implementing its TRO, similar to what the large corporations such
as Hewlett Packard and State Farm have been doing. The law
indicates that any corporation or business with 100 employees or
more must have a Trip Reduction Ordinance to assist in traffic
congestion and air pollution. Vice Mayor Eck indicated that in
the State's wisdom, they exempted public bodies such as cities,
counties, school districts, and universities. Councilman Eck was
very adament that if local businesses are required to implement
TRO's, then the University and the City should step forward and
attempt to implement similar programs. There was continued
extensive discussion regarding this matter.
There was a brief discussion regarding library services and the
joint project between the Cotati - Rohnert Park Unified School
District and the City of Rohnert Park for a proposed library
project on the Rohnert Park Junior High School site. There was
extensive discussion of the library services at Sonoma State
University, which includes the new information highway.
Mayor Reilly and President Arminana agreed that these meetings
should be held more frequently and it was indicated that the City
should host the next meeting in approximately six months.
There was also a reminder that May 18, 1994, the Chamber of
Commerce would be holding its mixer on the Sonoma State
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Rohnert Park City Council /Sonoma State University Minutes (4) April 5, 1994
-Joint Meeting -
University campus in the Commons building. All City
Councilmembers and University staff were reminded to attend.
The meeting concluded with some further comments on the
students'/faculty housing_ plan in which the University would
update the City about the proposed timelines, etc, at its next
joint meeting. Finally, staff recommended that the University
consider retrofitting all of its toilets and in the student
housing facilities to assist in the wastewater conservation and
sewer flows.
There was also discussion on City /University coordinated efforts
in bike paths and other programs that would benefit both the City
and the University.
Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:00 p.m.
City Clefk 7ayor
JDN /tms
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