1991/01/29 City Council MinutesPresent
Rohnert Park City Council Minutes
Joint Session With Cotati - Rohnert Park
Unified School District
January 29, 1991
The Council of the City of Rohnert Park met this date in adjourned
regular session in a joint session with the Cotati - Rohnert Park
Unified School District. The meeting was held at the Mountain Shadows
Resort Restaurant at 100 Golf Course Drive at approximately 7:00 p.m.
with Mayor Eck presiding.
Councilmembers: (5) Hollingsworth, Hopkins, Reilly, Spiro
Absent: (0) None and Mayor Eck
School Board: (5) Brown, Chevalier, Kirchmann, Palladino -King
and Weissenburger
Staff present for all or part of the meeting: City Manager Netter,
Director of Public Safety Dennett, Director of Public Works Brust,
Planning Director Skanchy, Finance Director Harrow, Assistant to the
City Manager Leivo, Recreation Director Pekkain.
School District staff present: Interim Superintendent Al Morse, Supt.
of Business Services Mike Edwards, Asst. Supt. of Personnel Bill Luna,
and Asst. Supt. of Educational Services Adam Wolf.
Also present was Cecelia Belle from Sonoma County A.I.D.E.
There was a general discussion among the City Council and School Board
Members on items listed on the agenda which included the following:
(1) Growth and bounaaries of the School District - The School
District indicated that the population of the School District in
number of students has slacked off due to the reduced building in
Rohnert Park as well as less turnover due to the downturn in the
housing market.
(2) Middle school site selection - School District representatives
outlined two proposals for a possible site for a new middle
school. One was an area adjacent to the Hewlett Packard site,
and the other site was across from Rancho Grande Mobile Home Park
Off of Snyder Lane. The School District's preference at this
time is the 54 acres across from Rancho Grande Mobile Home Park
as this site was very accessible and reasonably priced compared
to the Hewlett Packard site. The School District indicated that
this site could be purchased for approximately $60,000 an acre as
opposed to the Hewlett Packard site at $300,000 an acre. There
was general discussion on the possibility of leaving that area
outside the city and servicing it with sewer, water, and police
Rohnert Park City Council /Cotati- Rohnert Park Unified School
District - Joint Session - January 29, 1991
services by contract. School representatives indicated that the
middle school would be grades 6, 7 & 8 with a possibility of
housing the new Administration Building on the same site as the
school would only need 25 acres, so there would be approximately
25+ additional acres for open space areas and a possible
Administration Building.
(3) Contracts for school grounds maintenance was discussed in light
of the $1 million deficit and possible cutbacks in the School
District. City staff outlined the history of the program between
the School District and the City and indicated that it was a
tremendous cost savings to the City and the School District as
the contractors combine work and save money based on the economy
of scale.
(4) Shared Administrative Building - City staff commenced discussion
on the second phase of the Civic Center site which includes a new
City Hall. It was previously discussed that the School District
would possibly buy a floor of the new facility which would house
their new Administrative Offices. In light of the new
information received on the possible site on Snyder Lane, it may
put this proposal in jeopardy. Staff from the City and the
School district indicated they would keep in close communication
in order to determine which proposal would be best suited for the
City and the School District. If the School District decidedd
not to join with the City, then the new City Hall would be
reduced by one story.
(5) Gang Activity - There was general discussion regarding gang
activity throughout the Rohnert Park community. Director of
Public Safety Bob Dennett gave a brief summary of what the City
is doing co stop gang activity and indicated that the School
District and the City have a very good working relationship in
solving the gang problems. There was general discussion on some
problems with the University Park Shopping Center and the local
pizza parlor at that location. In addition, the idea of open and
closed campus was discussed, including the pro's and con's of
such proposal.
(6) Junior high school gymnasium - Mike Edwards from the School
District announced that the gymnasium was complete except for the
bleachers. He said the final walk through would be this coming
Friday. It was recommended that the School District and the City
have a .joint opening of the new facility with proper public
notice sent out. This was recommended as the City has
contributed $750,000 from its Community Development Agency. Mike
Edwards said that he would handle the details and inform the City
of the time and date of the grand opening.
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Rohnert Park City Council / Cotati- Rohnert Park Unified
School District - Joint Session - January 29, 1991
(7) Bike Paths - Sonoma State - A general discussion was held regarding
the bike path on the south side of Rancho Cotate High School
going east to Sonoma State University. Mike Edwards indicated
this project should be completed this summer, which would provide
for the opening of the new bike path through that area. He
indicated that gravel has been put down and that he would check
to make sure this gravel is sifficient during the current winter
months. Additionally, he indicated that landscaping would be
provided along the fence, which will be provided by McBail
Company once the construction is completed.
There was general discussion on the bike path that will be
completed on the north end of the high school along Copeland
Creek. City Engineer Brust indicated that there is a $35,000
grant to complete this project which is estimated to cost about
$50,000. He indicated this project would go out to bid early
this summer.
(8) Recycling program within the School District - Mayor Eck
indicated that he had met with fourth graders at Marguerite Hahn
Elementary School and was very surprised to see how informed and
interested they were in recycling. There was general discussion
regarding recycling throughout the community for both residential
and commercial users.
Staff discussed AB 939 in which a city source reduction and
recycling plan must be completed. Information on the work
session was given to the School Board members and staff was
advised to add the School District to the AB 939 work sessions.
(9) Update on new superintendent recruitment - Intermim
Superintendent Al Morse indicated that a consulting firm has been
hired in order to recruit a new superintendent. The consultant
has been interviewing several business and governmental managers
throughout the community to get a feel of what they would like to
see in a new superintendent. The process should be completed
with the hiring sometime in June of 1991.
Mike Edwards indicated that he would be leaving the District at
the end of February, with the School District looking to replace
his position with possible advancements from within the School
District.
Other items of discussion:
1) Mike Edwards indicated that the State funding for the Monte
Vista school site should be available by mid -year so that the
City could finalize its sale between the City and the School
District.
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Rohnert Park City Council /Cotati- Rohnert Park Unified
School District - Joint Session - January 29, 1991
2) Mayor Eck indicated the city might have some extra trees
which are being removed from the Commerce Boulevard area and that
if the City cannot find a place to replant these trees along bike
trails, etc., he inquired if the School District would be
interested in the trees. Mike Edwards indicated they can always
find spots on School District land to plant trees. Staff
indicated they would communicate to Mike Edwards if trees would
be available to the School District.
Cecelia Belle was introduced and discussed the City's Healthy
Cities Program in conjunction with her Healthy Kids Program. She
indicated she works with children from kindergarten to twelfth
grade in substance abuse programs and other programs that build
self esteem. She indicated she is a member of the Healthy Cities
Program which worked with the tobacco use program surveying of
minors. She indicated that Rohnert Park's statistics in that area
were very good compared to other cities in the state. She
briefly reviewed other programs on which she is working with
regard to youths and programs to keep children out of trouble.
Adjournment: There being no further business or discussion, the joint meeting
was adjourned at approximately 9:14 p.m.
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