1998/03/03 City Council MinutesMINUTES OF JOINT MEETING
CITY OF ROHNERT PARK/SONOMA STATE UNIVERSITY
March 3, 1998
A Joint Meeting was held between the Council of the City of Rohnert Park and executive
staff of Sonoma State University, commencing at 6:00 p.m. in the University Club at Sonoma
State University, 1801 East Cotati Avenue, Rohnert park, with Mayor Linda Spiro and Dr.
Ruben Arminana presiding.
Mayor Spiro called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m., and stated that, in compliance with
State law (The Brown Act), anyone wishing to make an unscheduled appearance may do so at
this time. There was no one wishing to speak.
Council, City staff and SSU staff present at the meeting are listed on the attached roster.
1. Construction Activities at SSU:
Dr. Arminana described the construction projects planned at SSU. New facilities will include
new student housing providing an additional 600 beds and 500 beds in a subsequent phase.
Also planned are an Information Technology Center to replace the existing Salazar Library, a
revised and expanded University Center providing student services, and additional parking to
replace the parking displaced by the Information Technology Center. Other improvements
planned at the campus include a renovation of Salazar Library into instructional space,
improvements to Stevenson Hall, an Environmental Technology Center for joint use with the
Cotati - Rohnert Park School District ( CRPUSD) and the provision of temporary space for
CRPUSD for use during the construction of the Environmental Technology Center.
2. Concert Hall at SSU:
Dr. Arminana described his visit to Tanglewood Hall in upstate New York, and his desire to
build such a facility at SSU. The location of the building could be either north or south of
Copeland Creek, depending on SSU's ability to purchase additional property north of the
creek. Dr. Arminana sees the use as complementary to the City's Spreckels Performing Arts
Center, and as his best chance at raising revenue for the campus, given the limited resources
from the State and the limited ability to raise student fees.
Mayor Spiro suggested forming a joint City -SSU committee to discuss the concert hall plans.
Assistant City Manager Carl Leivo said that a concert hall -type facility had already been
included in the circulation models being developed by the City's General Plan Traffic
Consultant.
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3. Plans for Student Housing:
SSU's plans for additional, on- campus student housing were discussed under Item #1 above.
4. Mandatory Computer Program for Freshman Students:
Mark Resmer, Associate Vice President for Information Technology, described how this
program, initially involving incoming freshman students three years ago, was now being
extended to transfer students also. This program makes distance learning at SSU and other
State campuses possible, and could reduce the number of commute trips to and from the
campus. Mr. Resmer described a set of standards for on -line learning that were being
developed at SSU, to be published in April, and said that they would be made available to
other schools for their use. Councilman Mackenzie asked if this on -line education could be
made available over the fiber optic cable backbone now being installed by the Cable TV
franchise. Mr. Resmer replied that a commercial partner was needed to make that happen.
5. SSU Master Plan: SSU Interest in Areas North and South of Campus:
Dr. Arminana described the need for additional faculty housing in a price range affordable to
the new faculty that was being recruited. SSU would like to acquire additional property
between Copeland Creek and Rohnert Park Expressway, but the City's policy's have a direct
effect on the value of the land. Mayor Spiro suggested that SSU might acquire the property
before the June ballot. Dr. Arminana replied that funds were not currently available.
Councilman Mackenzie said that a specific plan was needed for the area north of the campus.
He questioned if the traditional subdivision pattern in Rohnert Park would fit with SSU's
needs and plans. Assistant City Manager Leivo said that the exact location of the concert hall
is not important now, and that a specific plan could be done by a partnership between SSU
and the private property owners. In response to a question from Councilman Mackenzie, Dr.
Arminana said that SSU has no plans for properties to the south of the campus. Don Farish,
Provost, said that expansion to the north is the school's only opportunity.
6. Communication Between City and Faculty /Students:
Mayor Spiro referenced a letter from Stephanie Klyver, SSU Vice President Internal Affairs,
that was received by the City on March 3, 1998. The letter requested a joint meeting with the
City Council and the Associated Students of SSU. Mayor Spiro said that a meeting will be
set up at a date to be determined.
7. Relationship Issues Between SSU and City:
This item was discussed under the other items above.
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8. 50 -Meter Pool:
Councilman Reilly discussed his desire to see a 50 -meter pool available to the swim teams in
the area. Mr. Reilly described how amateur swim meets could draw 500 to 2,000 swimmers.
Dr. Arminana said that funds were not available for construction of a 50 -meter pool, but that
he was open to participation by the City on this issue.
9. Field Usage for Youth Sports:
Dr. Arminana described the school's plans to convert the football field for soccer uses.
Included in the plan is the installation of lighting and additional seating. Cost estimates for
the work are in the $200,000 range, and the school was seeking funds. There is a committee
on campus dealing with the soccer conversion and uses of the field by other than SSU
students. Participation by the City on this committee is invited. Rand Link, Vice President for
Student Affairs, is the contact person for this committee. Mayor Spiro suggested that the City
could do a resolution of commendation to the teams at SSU, recognizing their achievements,
10. Miscellaneous Items:
Dr. Arminana commended the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety for their
cooperation and prompt response to situations on the campus.
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WwRa'' Mail - yWA / Oj on
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JOINT MEETING
CITY OF ROHNERT PARK/SONOMA STATE UNIVERSITY
March 3, 1998
NT"ma 7 rtle Phone
City of Rohnert Park
Linda Spiro
Mayor, City Council
Armando F. Flores
Citv Council
Jake Mackenzie
City Council
Jim Reilly
Citv Council
Vicki Vidak- Martinez
City Council
Joe Netter
City Manager
Carl Leivo
Assistant City Manager
Joe Gaffney
City Engineer
Wendie Schulenburg
Planning Director
Bill Stephens
Public Works Manager
Sonoma State University
Ruben Arminana
President
Don Farish
Provost
Larry Schlereth
VP Administration & Finance
Rand Link
VP Student Affairs
Jim Meyer
VP Development
Lynn McIntyre
Assoc. VP University Affairs
Mark Resmer
Assoc. VP Information Technology
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