1995/03/06 City Council MinutesRohnert Park City Council and
Sonoma State University President's Cabinet
Joint Meeting Minutes - March 6, 1995
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 Terrace Room) located on the
Sonoma State University campus, 1801 East
Cotati Avenue, Rohnert Park, CA.
Call to Order Mayor Eck and President Arminana called the
joint session to order at approximately 6:00
p.m.
Roll Call Councilmembers present (5): Councilmembers
Flores, Gallagher, Reilly, Spiro, and Mayor
Eck.
SSU Cabinet Members present (6): Don Farish,
Provost; Larry Schelerth, V.P. of Admin. and
Finance; Rand Link, V.P. for Student Affairs;
Anna Marie Rodriguez, CSU Ex Fellow; Jim
Meyer, V.P. for Development; and Ruben
Arminana, President.
City staff present: City Manager Netter,
Assistant City Manager Leivo, Planning
Director Skanchy, and Director of Public
Works /City Engineer Brust.
Members of the public present: Jake
MacKenzie.
There were brief introductions by all members
of the City, Sonoma State University, and the
public.
Discussion Items Director of Public Works /City Engineer Brust
and the Chairman of the Bicycle Advisory
Bicycle Plan Committee, Jake MacKenzie, updated the
University Cabinet and City Council on the
Rohnert Park Bicycle Plan. Mr. MacKenzie
mentioned "Bike to Work Day" on May 4, 1995
and hoped that the University would partici-
pate in this event. There was also general
discussion concerning bicycle safety and
education and how bicycles should be treated
as vehicles.
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Rohnert Park City Council /Sonoma State University Joint Meeting March 6, 1995
Copeland Creek Director of Public Works /City Engineer Brust
Pipeline updated the University and City Council on
the Copeland Creek pipeline to facilitate the
reclaimed water for irrigation of the Uni-
versity and surrounding areas. There was an
overall discussion of the plan and implemen-
tation schedule.
University Plan Rand Link, V.P. of Student Affairs, reported
on the University Plan and mentioned that the
University is currently at 6600 FTE students.
He indicated that the enrollments are strong
with freshman seats being under demand. For
every 700 students, only 5 are accepted into
the freshman class. He indicated that years
ago Sonoma State University was 60% re -entry
students, with 40% being the traditional
students. Sonoma State University has done a
flop, with 60% being of the traditional
student enrollments and 40% being re -entry
students.
Future University
There was general discussion on universities
enrollees
in California as the state and nation reach
the year 2000. There will be an abundance of
over 300,000 people available for college.
Information
There was a discussion on the Information
Highway
Highway and the academic programs for
computer science and business administration,
which are attracting ve. y bright stl.Ldellts
into the SSU campus.
There was also some discussion of the
Library
University's new proposed library
(Information Center) which is projected to
become a prototype to be used throughout
other UC campuses.
Student Housing &
Other discussion included student housing and
Teacher Housing
teacher housing and a great need for the
needs
University to provide affordable housing as
an incentive to bring on new instructors and
professors. There were comments about the
number of retirements the University will see
over the next 10 years and how new professors
coming in will not be able to afford housing
unless new programs are developed. The
University is extremely interested in working
with the City and /or developers to provide
for the need of student and faculty housing.
The University would like to see a joint
project that may even include affordable
housing for City employees.
Rohnert Park City Council /Sonoma State University Joint Meeting March 6, 1995
There was discussion regarding the Quaker
Quaker Hill Hill development proposal and its options for
development proposal the University to obtain some land around the
University for this type of housing.
Other discussion included the University of
California, Irvine, model to attract faculty
and Quaker Hill had indicated they would be
willing to dedicate 50 acres to the
University for student /faculty housing.
Student housing There was a general discussion among various
needs Councilmembers regarding student housing
needs and land development issues, including
sphere of influence, city limit boundaries,
citizen input, etc. Mayor Eck also commented
on the process of developing urban growth
boundaries which would be in the best
interests of the City and University. He
indicated his position is to proceed in July
with the upcoming City long term General Plan
to discuss these issues.
General Plan process The University indicated they would be very
interested in being part of the new General
Plan process and designated Larry Schlereth
as the University member on a future General
Plan committee.
On a unanimous vote, the Council and
University agreed for Larry Schlereth and
City Manager Netter to sit down and discuss
the University Plan in conjunction with the
City's long term General Plan and attempt to
flush out options and proposals to be
discussed further with the City and the
University.
Urban Growth Discussion continued on the Quaker Hill
boundaries project, including the proposed reservoir
site above the University and Sonoma
mountains. Jake MacKenzie discussed the
urgan growth boundary proposal supported
by the Greenbelt Alliance and what is happen-
ing with other cities in the county.
Joint Dispatch City Manager Netter indicated that Director
Program of Public Safety Rooney and Sonoma State
University Public Safety Director Dick
Courrier had a meeting and are attempting to
put a joint dispatch program together. Be-
cause University dispatchers wear many hats,
a program has not materialized, but staff
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Rohnert Park City Council /Sonoma State University Joint Meeting March 6, 1995
will continue to work on the possibility of a
joint dispatch program, especially during the
graveyard shift.
School District move President Arminana discussed the Cotati-
to SSU campus Rohnert Park Unified School District moving
to the SSU campus,in August of 1995 for its
administrative offices. He encouraged
finding ways for joint ventures for the City,
School District and University which may
include library services.
Student housing Mayor Eck discussed in more detail student
housing in Rohnert Park reaching a crisis,
and that landlords are reluctant to rent
apartments, townhouses, or other rentals to
SSU students. He recommended a member of the
student body, University Cabinet, and City
sit down and draw up a model lease so that
SSU students will have more availability in
renting units in Rohnert Park. Rand Link, V.
P. of Student Affairs, was designated to
represent SSU in this endeavor.
Swim Team and Councilmember Reilly discussed joint ventures
Library services with SSU which may include the Rohnert Park
Swim Team. In addition, he discussed his
interest in the library and the possibility
of the University having a satellite library
somewhere in central Rohnert Park.
Upon motion by Councilmember Reilly, seconded
by Vice Mayor Spiro, staff was authorized to
work with SSU on a conceptual plan for
library services that may include the
University, City, County, and School
District.
Fundraising events Vice Mayor Linda Spiro inquired about the use
@ SSU athletic of the Sonoma State University fields for
fields fund raising events. President Arminana
indicated the use of fields for fund raising
is not an option, but he is very interested
in the City /University joint use of fields
for recreational activities and other
athletic events. There was some mention and
concern regarding insurance liability and
other factors.
Adjournment There being no
this time, the
approximately
City a ager Clerk
JDN:1r 4
other topics to discuss at
meeting was adjourned at
8:317 p
ayor