1995/03/16 City Council MinutesRohnert Park City Council
Rohnert Park Chamber of Commerce Board
Joint Meeting
Thursday, March 16, 1995
Minutes
The Council of the City of Rohnert Park and
the Rohnert Park Chamber of Commerce Board of
Directors met this date in joint session at
the Red Lion Inn, One Red Lion Drive, Rohnert
Park, CA.
Call to Order Mayor Eck and Chairman of the Board Henley
jointly called the session to order at
approximately 7:35 a.m.
Roll Call Councilmembers present: (5) Flores,
Gallagher, Reilly, Spiro, and Mayor Eck.
Board members present: Doug Murray, Flo
Gresty, Jeff Sommers, Lou Beary, Jr., Jim
Bowles, J.C. Crosbie, Rafael De Trinidad, Jim
Meyer, Michael Rosen, Mike Runyan, Joe
Topper, and James T. Henley, Chairman.
City staff present: City Manager Netter and
Assistant City Manager Leivo.
Chamber staff present: Beth Jeffcoat,
President.
Discussion items Economic Development - Jeff Sommers gave the
Economic Development report for the Chamber
and commented on in -fill. The thrust was to
finish the commercial in -fill sites and focus
on business retention. He encouraged a joint
Economic Development Committee headed by the
Chamber with a City Councilmember involved.
There was general discussion on the number of
acres left for in -fill and the focus of in-
fill versus new annexations.
There was some general discussion on comments
from the Chamber's standpoint on economic
development issues as they relate to the City
Council. Discussion also included the
possibility of a Red Lion expansion and
creation of a major convention facility for
Sonoma County.
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Rohnert Park City Council /Chamber of Commerce
March 16, 1995
Joe Topper, Manager of the Red Lion Inn,
elaborated on the Red Lion Inn expansion and
discussion of the City of Santa Rosa's
consideration of a 30- 50,000 square foot
convention facility. Mr. Topper indicated
that he is extremely nervous about Santa
Rosa's proposec'i facility and the impacts on
the Red Lion Inn and how it would affect
revenues to the City of Rohnert Park. He
lnu.icaLei Lhat the Council has to look at
economic development in a broader scope,
which includes expansion and business
retention. There was additional general
discussion regarding this matter.
Government Advisory Committee (GAC) - Mike
Runyan, Joe Topper, and Michael Rosen
commented on this committee. The goal is to
promote commerce through the study and
analysis of issues of interest to Rohnert
Park and its business community. One of the
first plans was to meet with Assemblywoman
Kerri Mazzoni (for which a date of May 5,
1995 at 11:00 a.m. was selected) to discuss
government relations and issues of interest
to both the Chamber and the City.
Chamber of Commerce funding - There was a
general discussion on Chamber funding and thA
different formulas that the City hasJhad -�
throughout the years. It was agreed by both
the Chamber and the City that the ideal would
be for the Chamber to be totally separate
from the City. Michael Rosen indicated that
he looks at the money paid by the City to the
Chamber as a good investment, an investment
which would help bring in new businesses,
retention of existing businesses, and an
overall climate of working together for the
good of businesses and the financial health
of the City.
Councilwoman Gallagher commented that small
businesses do not feel they are represented
by the Chamber and that it focuses on large
businesses. Mike Runyan commented he was
representing small business and disagreed
with that comment. He indicated that a lot
of small businesses are interested but do not
have the time to get involved in the Chamber
activities.
K
Rohnert Park City Council /Chamber of Commerce March 16, 1995
Doug Murray commented about the Bank of
America's report on "New patterns of growth
to fit the new California." This article
discussed the pattern of urban and suburban
developments often referred to as sprawl.
Councilmember Reilly commented on the
Chamber /City relationship, especially as it
involves economic development and voiced his
opinion on perception, especially during the
election process. He indicated he felt
things were extremely different during the
election which, in reality, had not changed
prior to the election. It is his hope that
the Chamber will work towards its goals and
not become so politically sensitive.
Discussion continued with various members on
business retention and the need for economic
growth for vitality and a healthy community.
Mayor Eck again mentioned the Bank of America
urbanization report and also discussed urban
growth boundaries as well as Assemblywoman
Valerie Brown's revenue sharing proposal
which most likely will be discussed in more
details at the Mayors' & Councilmembers'
Association.
Discussion continued with Councilmember
Reilly discussing certain developer
proposals, including the Condiotti and Quaker
Hill proposals, and indicated he would like
to see some type of an economic impact report
on the various proposals with some thought
that maybe Sonoma State University could
provide such a report.
The meeting concluded with some general
discussion on the City /Chamber relations and
how this meeting seemed to be productive and
should be scheduled at least every six months
to a year.
Unscheduled Public Jake MacKenzie commented that he appreciated
being able to attend this meeting and felt
the meeting was good and productive and
should continue.
Adjournment There being no further topics to discuss, the
meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:50
a.m.
City anager /Clerk Mayor
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