1973/05/29 City Council MinutesROHNERT PARK CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
May 29, 3973
The Council of the City of Rohnert Park met this date in
adjourned regular session commencing; at 8 :00 p.ra. in the
City Offices, 6750 Commerce Boulevards Rohnert Park, with
Mayor Flores presiding.
Call to Order Mayor Flores called the meeting of the adjourned regular
session to order at approximately 8:00 p.m.
Roll Call Present- (4) Councilmen Be'ary, Hopkins, Smith and Flores
Late- (1) Councilman Roberts_, his time of arrival is
specifically noted in these minutes.
Staff Present for all or part of the meeting-
City Manager Callinan, Deputy City Attorney Cooper,
Planning Director Skanchy and Planning Consultant Lehmann
Resolution No. 73 -74 RESOLUTION ACCEPTING DEEDS CONCERNING RANCHO SONOMA SUB-
DIVISION, UNIT NO. I
City Manager Callinan explained the resolution.
Upon motion of Councilman Hopkins, seconded by Councilman
Beary, and approved by the following voice vote, the reading
.of Resolution No. 73 -74 was waived and said resolution was
adopted.
AYES- (4) Councilmen Beary, Hopkins, Smith and Flores
NOES- (0) None
ABSTAIN: (1) Councilman Roberts
Councilman Roberts stated he abstained from voting since he
had not been present during the explanation of the resolu-
tion.
Councilman Roberts Councilman Roberts arrived near the end of City Manager
Arrives Callinan's explanation of Resolution No. 73 -74, the time
being; approximately 8 :03 p.m.
Proposed Amendments City 3lanager Callinan noted the "Suggested Addendum to the
to Conerai Plan Proposed Amendments to the General Plan" distributed to
each Councilman and advised that in taking action, the Sonofiv
State College Environs Flan map and text should be taken into
consideration.
The Council reviewed and discussed the Amendments to the
General Plan and Addendum thereto, with Planning Consultant
Lehmann, Mrs. Judith DeWitt, Mrs. Vida Jones, Mr. David Eck,
and Mr. Mark Rose participating.
Councilman Hopkins Councilman Hopkins left the Council Chambers during the
Leaves and Returns above discussion, the time being; approximately 8:28 p.m. He
returned at approximately 8:30 p.m.
Page 2. May 29, 1973
Mark Rose Mr. Mark Rose, 416 Horn Avenue, Santa Rosa appeared before
the Council and advised he lives in an area designated as
f4Permanent Open SpaceY7 on the proposed Sphere of Influence
map, the land can no longer produce enough income to pay the
property taxes, and if the city wanted to control adjacent
areas they should be annexed to the city. He further ad-
vised he had a letter from a previous Council which implied
his land could be brought into the city.
Mayor Flores responded that the city had gone on record to
not expand the city limits and would hope the County would
lower property taxes in those areas adjacent to the city.
The Council requested Mr. Rose to bring in the letter refer-
red to so that staff could photo --copy same. Mr. Rose
indicated he would do so.
Councilman Hopkins Counci.lman'Hopkins left the Council Chambers during the above
Leaves and Returns discussion, the time being approximately 8:50 p.m. He re-
turned at approximately 8:52 p.m.
The Council took the following action with regard to the
Amendments to the General Plan.
1. Delete letter of transmittal from F. Guillermo Lehmann;
2. Page 3, Paragraph 3, Land Use and Economic Development
Delete phrase (2)
3. Page 11, Problem 5, Objective
Delete second phrase which reads "and to develop a major
portion of the City as a 'College Town"',
4. Page 5, Problem 6, Objective
Change to read as follows:
To establish certain minimum standards for future
subdivisions and to encourage a greater range of lot
sizes.
5. Page 6, Problem 4, Objectives
Delete Problem 4 and Objectives
6. Page 11, paragraph 3
Delete entire paragraph
7. Page 13, paragraph C
- - C1tcxltgC fifth Se114Glll.c 4v i."ea.t -i. as �.v.i.�..�s:
There is also an area north of'the college designated
as a Major City Park, of over 60 acres in size, which
can be used for more active recreation., and for which
federal funds may be available.
Page 3. May 29, 1973
80, Page 48, paragraph 4
Change last sentence to read as follows:
The Housing Committee, as provided for by the legisla-
ture, could very well become the vehicle for this in-
formation system.
9. Incorporate all those suggestions contained in the
"Suggested Addendum to the Proposed Amendment to the
General Plan" a copy of which is attached to the ori-
ginal of these minutes.
City Manager Callinan reviewed his "Suggested Changes to
the Proposed Land Use Map of the Amended General Plan"
dated May 299 1973 a copy of which is attached to the ori-
ginal of these minutes. Discussion followed during which
two additional changes to the map were added and which are
reflected on the copy of "Suggested Changes..." attached
to these minutes.
City Manager Callinan reviewed the proposed resolution which
would adopt the General Plan Amendments. Said resolution
was generally considered acceptable and referred to the
City Attorney's office for final drafting and for schedul-
ing of formal Council action on same at the next Council
meeting.
Planning Consultant Lehmann noted that with the new densitie,
reflected in'the General Plan, the population in Rohnert
'Park would probably only reach 25,000 maximum. A brief
discussion followed.
Upon motion Of Councilman Hopkins, seconded by Councilman
Beary, and unanimously approved, the Amendments to the
General Plan were adapted as discussed.
Revenue Sharing City Manager Callinan briefly reviewed his memo to the Coun-
cil dated Mav 25 concerning Federal Revenue Sharing. Dis-
cussion was held.
Upon motion of Councilman Beary, seconded by Mayor Flores,
and unanimously approved, the Federal Revenue Sharing funds
;received for the January 1, 1973 to JUhe 30, 1973 entitle-
ment period will be used for lighting the tennis courts at
Rancho Cotate High School with the remainder of funds to be
used for the proposed Regional Park and City Manager Callinar
authorized -to file the required documents in connection with
the use of general revenue sharing funds.
Executive Session City Manager Callinan indicated he would like to have a
brief executive session following the meeting to discuss
a personnel matter.
Committee re Acquir- Councilman Beary explained his proposal for an ad hoc com-
ing Open Space. mittee to investigate various methods of acquiring open
space. Discussion followed.
Page 4. May 29, 1973
Upon motion of Councilman Beary, seconded by Councilman
Roberts and unanimously approved, City Attorney Maxwell was
directed to prepare an appropriate resolution to establish
an ad hoc committee on open space.
Cotati Performance Councilman Smith initiated a discussion concerning cars
Center -• File No.0228 accumulating at the Cotati Performance Center on Commerce
Boulevard and expressed concern at the appearance of the
facility..
Planning Director Skanchy responded that the Planning Commis -
sion had directed the City Attorney's office to prepare a
letter to the owner of the property advising that abatement
proceedings would be instituted to revoke the use permit if
conditions of the use permit were not complied with. City
Manager Callinan advised that he and Planning Director
Skanchy had visited the facility and the operator seems to
be sincere in his desire to complete the requirments of the
use permit.
Swimming Pool Fences Councilman Smith initiated a brief discussion concerning
Planning Consultant n oin%1• 7LU an Roberts commerua eu ,7 I -Lanning Consultant Lehmann
Lehmann on his fine work in preparing Amendments to the General Plan
including months of meetings with the Citizens Advisory Com-
mittee, for a modest fee of $4,500 from which he had paid
$500 for the aerial photos of the city hanging in the Coun-
cil Chambers. He noted that the City of Santa Rosa had paid
$36,000 for similar services and the cities of Petaluma and
the recent near drowning of a small child at the apartments
on Avram Avenue and inquired if fences were required around
swimming pools. Staff responded in the affirmative.
Weeds --Fire Hazard
Mayor Flores initiated a brief discussion concerning the tall
weeds growing in the'-field between the duplexes and the
student housing on Southwest Boulevard. City Manager
Callinan advised that the Public Works Department would be
directed to make a fire break in said field.
Park Concession
Mayor Flores initiated a brief discussion concerning the
Stands — Telephones
possible installation of telephones at the concession stands
in the parks, advising that several citizens had voiced a
need for same. City Manager Callinan responded that staff
woud follow -up on the matter.
City of Cotati Sewer
Councilman Roberts initiated a brief discussion concerning
Bill
a newspaper article which had stated that the City of Cotati
had not paid its sewer billing for a period of seven mcja.t.,s.
City Manager Callinan responded that payments were now
current as far as he knew.
City Offices
Councilman Roberts initiated a brief discussion concerning
the possible placement of an emblem of some type on the
curved portion of the City Offices fronting on Commerce
Boulevard that would help to identify the building. City
Manager Callinan indicated he would consult the architect
regarding the matter.
Planning Consultant n oin%1• 7LU an Roberts commerua eu ,7 I -Lanning Consultant Lehmann
Lehmann on his fine work in preparing Amendments to the General Plan
including months of meetings with the Citizens Advisory Com-
mittee, for a modest fee of $4,500 from which he had paid
$500 for the aerial photos of the city hanging in the Coun-
cil Chambers. He noted that the City of Santa Rosa had paid
$36,000 for similar services and the cities of Petaluma and
"Trails" Report
from San Diego
Adjournment
APPROVED:
Mayor
Page 5. May 29, 1973
and Cotati had paid similar fees.
Mr. Lehmann expressed thanks for the generous remarks and
stated that Rohnert Park was one of his favorite cities.
Councilman Beary presented his copy of "Trails" from the
City of San Diego to staff for study.
There being no further business, Mayor Flores adjourned
the meeting at 9:50 p.m. to an executive session to discuss
personnel matters.
1 -Deputy CiWUerk
11
Executive Session The Council convened in executive session at approximately
9:55 p.m. with all Councilmen, City Manager Callinan, and
Deputy City Attorney Cooper present.
The executive session was held to discuss a personnel
matter brought to the Council's attention by City Manager
Callinam.
Adjournment The executive session was adjourned at approximately
10:10 P.M.
City Clerk
APPROVED:
1 7 , 11
Mayor
SUGGESTED ADDENDUM TO THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
TO THE GENERAL PLAN
1. Page 4, Problem 4 - Chan e to read as follows:
"There is a need to better publicize the city's recent
policy of no annexations for areas presently outside
the city limits. Areas immediately adjacent to the city's west;
east and north limits have been designated as permanent open
space on the adopted spheres of influence map of the City'`
of Rohnert Park."
Objective: To bring within the influence of the city the use
of l aan ^n it's- per p" e�- - that 7411 r1iinerw+ lrl tp n f l uence tlltm
K-ti M. a.L1 A41 Vil .{.4V YI.4+i J. kJ13lw�A 43A4iY YY. Jw {� J.S .r vp •�.v... ..
character of Rohnert Park to make certain that it has precise
and well- defined boundaries bordered by open space.
a`S �� ri 8F ab $M JG a°6 �gr ai 26 °O.
2. Page 10, Type III (Top of page, Mobile Home Parks)
Add
"Adequate controls should be imposed on new mobile home
parks to improve the quality and aesthetics of future
developments. Particular attention should be paid to
eliminating the appearance of a sea of glaring roofs
in large mobile home parks, such as the one planned
for the area east of the'Wilfred Overpass."
3. Page 10, Commercial Areas
Under General. Commercial, No. 1, add the following sentence
at the bottom of. page 10:
"In any event, the large labor market and shopping market is
going to develop over the planning period, so it is important
that major parcels remain available for productive uses in
the future. The temptation to zone these to residential uses
should be resisted."
4. Page 11, paragraph No. 2 Service Commercial
Rewrite as follows
"The areas, marked in the map by a red grid pattern should
be dedicated to service and office areas, of a non-retail
nature. It includes all the P.A. uses of the zoning
ordinance, but it should not exclude such things as beauty
salons, post offices, business schools, churches, or other
institutions, if the sites are sufficiently large to make a
meaningful site development."
5. Page 12, IV. Public Facilities and Institutions, Parks and Open
Areas, paragraph A. The Co Ie e
Change the third para gra h to read as follows;
"The campus, when completed, will consist of twenty -one major
buildings, valued at $75 million. The staff and faculty
will number approximately 1,500 with an annual payroll of
$19 million. At the present time, the campus consists of
221 acres, with an eventual enrollment of 10,000,fulltime
equivalent students."
9L' n � 4C 3: 3C 3"C pi 9aC n
6 Page 13, paragraph C, Open Space, etc.'
Add the following paragraph as the third ara ra h;
"Rohnert Park should cooperate with adjacent cities and the
County of Sonoma to establish a regional park in the foothills
including natural waterways, trees, etc. of sufficient size
to provide for a diversity of recreational uses.44
5°C r a' 9S ar° di ��6 4i eP 'aC °a°C
7. Page 19, paragraph F, Open Space and Conservation Inside the
City Limits
Chan e paragraph 8 to read as follows;
99The city imposes a capital improvement tax on new develop -
ments for the acquisition and construction of parks and
recreational facilities. The city recognizes that public
agencies are not the only entities making decisions on
matters of land use and open space, and that a continuous
exchange of ideas and working of solutions of mutual benefit
with the private sector are essential to achieve objectives."
Add the following paragraph as the fifth paragraph under F;
RR
The current policy of developing neighborhood parks con -"
taining swimming pools adjacent to school sites should be
continued
The policy of the city shall, be to link parks and open space
together, specifically those areas which are connected by
green belts, landscaped watercourses, such as Hinebaugh Creek
and Copeland Creek, walking paths, bicycle paths, and
bicycle trails. The goal. of this type of development is to
provide means whereby citizens may meander and traverse from
one recreation area to another without major exposure to .
heavily traveled streets.9°
8 Page 20, paragraph I. Corporation Yard
Delete the third paragraph in th,.etBxt which reads as follows!
4
"There is room here to develop the site into the City's major
fire station, since it would protect the business and
industrial areas most directly."
Page 20, paragraph I, Water
Add the following as the second paragraph:
"The City's supply of ground water is an excellent natural
resource which is presently available at a lower cost than
water from the Sonoma County Water Agency. Because of the
econnnii_o advantages of the City's nregent well Rvstpm- rare
should be taken to minimize the passible adverse affect of
urbanization on the rate of recharge of this valuable resource.
The City should continue to develop its water system as recom-
mended in the October 1968 report on storage requirements
prepared for the City by Consulting Engineer M. Hudis.
The City should also continue its efforts to alter the
arrangements for the purchase of additional water from the
Sonoma County Water Agency as suggested in the Draft Proposal
of the Sonoma County Water Agency Water System Augmentation
presently being considered. These two latter documents are
recognized as formal and integral parts of the water
utilization portion of the Conservation Element of this
General Flan. An aggressive water conservation program
should be implemented to solicit citizen cooperation in
conserving water to avoid the possibility of having to
eventually meter single family residential homes -"
Delete paragraph 2 of K, Water which reads as follows:
"Arrangements exist with the Sonoma County Water Agency for
supplementary service. The agency has a program of water
supply expansion that will assure service for the next
20 years."
10. Page 23, The Expressway, add the following ara ra h:
"Extensive landscaping should be provided in the area of
the Expressway Interchange as has been done by the Division of
Highways on U.S. 101 at the Highway 12 Interchange. Efforts
should be made by the City to have the State Division
of Highways prepare and implement an appropriate landscape
plan for this interchange."
11. Page 21, Surface and Storm Drainage, add the following ara ra h:
"Through the implementation of the Hinebaugh Creek Drainage
Plan and the Copeland Creek Drainage Facilities Plan the
City has taken a major step in making certain that the
major drainage ways are developed as landscaped channels
which can be used for passive recreation and other uses in
addition to drainage. The City should exert its influence on
the Sonoma County Water Agency to maintain these landscaped
installations in an appropriate manner commensurate with the
very large investment that has been made to build this
drainage system."
12. Page 279 paragraph 1. The Railroad - add the following sentence:
"The recommendations in the Noise dement should be taken
into consideration when approving residential development
adjacent to the railroad tracks." -
5/29/73 PMC
UGGESTED CHANGES T -O. P QPOSEL LA,WD USE MAP
OF THE AMENDED GENERAL PLAN
1. Rancho Feliz Mobile Home Park should be designated as such
rather than High Density Multiple Residential as shown on the
plan.
2s The lots on Avram Avenue should be changed from Offices and
Business-Services designation to High Density Multiple
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so that Yon may by inly "warow as to "As actions KIM
have been At= by UVI &MV301 WHOM A meat nOUAR"
problemso 1 Me Guaw e,:.. Z, our Mao& minutes and nota..'I
date and subject V v=Tnus pertinent AnTormationc,
purpose is not to cantradino U'.,7
appear only to giva information and to correct any NO—
taken impresaier tLnj our Alstroot has not made evary
off Or b4 to 0"avi:l e-,.,.',"",,'� ,,s,,.-;-�,-ai.�,,
in these pages, I have not mentioned uumerauO MAWS wit'n
various State Officialo prior and since MY 1 — nor have I
racannUd the effortm of the Mondinating Committee — nor
hara I mentjunnd the nonevaue meetings of the AM! Building
committes.
We
alwayn hava
sppreciatad
any Vonetruative advica
and have
considered
all
that was receivnd-
Mease
a3k Ma
any question
ragordAS our Building
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