2021/04/13 City Council Minutes W
19
MINUTES OF THE JOINT REGULAR MEETING
OF THE CITY OF ROHNERT PARK
City Council
Rohnert Park Financing Authority
Successor Agency to the Community Development Commission
and Special Foundation Board Meeting
Tuesday, April 13,2021
1. CITY COUNCIL/RPFA/SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE CDC JOINT REGULAR
MEETING AND FOUNDATION BOARD SPECIAL MEETING - CALL TO
ORDER/ROLL CALL
Mayor Giudice called the joint regular meeting to order at 5:01 p.m.,the notice for which being
legally noticed on April 8, 2021. There was no physical location for this meeting but the
agenda included language on how to observe the meeting and how to submit public comment.
Participating via Zoom Video Communications:
Gerard Giudice, Mayor
Jackie Elward, Vice Mayor
Susan H. Adams, Councilmember
Willy Linares, Councilmember
Pam Stafford, Councilmember
Absent: None.
Staff attending via Zoom Video Communications: City Manager Jenkins, Assistant City
Manager Schwartz, City Attorney Kenyon, Director of Public Works and Community Services
McArthur, Development Services Director Pawson, Finance Director Bali, Director of Public
Safety Mattos, Human Resources Director Perrault, Deputy Director of Community Services
Bagley, Deputy City Engineer Garrett, Fire Marshal Thompson, Housing Administrator Garcia,
Senior Code Compliance Officer Kirk, Senior Analyst L. Tacata, Management Analyst Beran,
Deputy City Clerk Machado and City Clerk Lopez Cuevas.
Staff Present: Information Systems (IS) Operations Manager Rowley.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Mayor Giudice.
3. PRESENTATIONS
Mayor Giudice read a statement and indicated that as a husband, father, elected official and
community member, he stands in solidarity with all victims of sexual violence and honors the
courage of those who have come forward.
Foundation Board Special Meeting and City of Rohnert Park Joint Regular April 13, 2021
Meeting Minutes for City Council RPFA/CDC Successor Agency Page 2 of 6
A. Mayor's Proclamation: Recognizing April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Mayor Giudice read the proclamation and presented it to Jessica Stillman of Verity.
B. Mayor's Proclamation: Proclaiming April as National Fair Housing Month
Mayor Giudice read the proclamation and presented it to Adriana Ames of Fair Housing
Advocate.
4. SSU SUDENT REPORT
Emily Ann Miller, Vice President of External Affairs and Yeymi Perez, Community Affairs
Senator, Sonoma State University Associated Students, Inc. (SSU ASI) provided the report and
stated that Associated Students had their election last month and all positions for 2021-2022
are filled, virtual forums to speak about re-population at SSU this fall continue, they have also
had Q&A's with pop stars and a drag bingo event. They participated in the California Higher
Education Student Summit to speak about legislation affecting SSU students and social justice
week. They advocated with Dr. Sakaki on issues related to the California State Budget. The
students continue to work to assist those with food insecurities and senior citizens during the
pandemic.
5. DEPARTMENT HEAD BRIEFING
None.
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Deputy City Clerk Machado read a comment submitted by April Garcia who spoke about in-
person council meetings.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
7.A. Acceptance of Reports from Finance Department:
1. City Bills/Demands for Payment dated March 13, 2021 through April 12, 2021
2. Successor Agency to the CDC Bills/Demands for Payment dated March 2, 2021 to
March 18, 2021
3. City Council Quarterly Expense Report(January, February and March 2021)
7.13. Approval of Minutes for:
1. City Council/RPFA/Successor Agency Joint Regular Meeting, March 23, 2021
2. City Council/RPFA/Successor Agency Joint Special Meeting, April 5, 2021
7.C. Adopt Resolution 2021-037 Authorizing an Agreement for Routine Maintenance and
Energy Cost Sharing for Certain Traffic Signals with Sonoma County and Related
Actions
ACTION: Moved/seconded (Stafford/Linares)to approve the consent calendar
Motion carried by the following 5-0-0 unanimous roll call vote: AYES:
Adams, Linares, Stafford, Elward and Giudice NOES: None,
ABSTAINS: None, ABSENT: None.
Foundation Board Special Meeting and City of Rohnert Park Joint Regular April 13, 2021
Meeting Minutes for City Council RPFA/CDC Successor Agency Page 3 of 6
8. FOUNDATION BOARD REGULAR ITEMS:
A. Consider and Provide Direction for a Replacement Funding Program for Non-Profit
Fireworks Booth Operators
Senior Analyst L. Tacata presented this item. Recommended Action(s): a) Direct staff to
create a one-year grant program that will give awards to local organizations that perform
Foundation-approved projects if fireworks sales are prohibited in 2021; b) Restrict the
eligibility of applicants to the 17 local organizations that are most affected by the loss in
revenue due to the prohibition of fireworks sales for the 2021/22 Fiscal Year; c) Set the value
of total awards to be the "Replacement of Average Annual Revenue from 2015-2020" or scale
the value of the giving program to a different total; d) Set the grant awards in proportion to the
average 2015-2020 fireworks sales experience of the 17 eligible organizations; e) each eligible
applicant must demonstrate non-profit status in good standing and the operation of a primary
meeting place in the City of Rohnert Park.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: Deputy City Clerk Machado read a comment submitted by Julie
Royes and April Garcia who spoke about this item.
ACTION: Moved/seconded (Linares/Elward)to direct staff to create a 5-year grant
program as follows: Year one (2021),the seventeen (17)permit holders
will receive the 2020 year sales amount. For years two to five, the
Foundation will increase the grant program award amount for service
projects that also would open up to all non-profits to make it more
equitable (the increase of the award amount is to be determined at a later
date). This would be contingent upon receiving Casino funds.
Motion carried by the following 3-2-0 roll call vote: AYES: Linares,
Elward, and Giudice,NOES: Adams and Stafford, ABSTAINS:
None, ABSENT: None.
9. REGULAR ITEMS:
A. Introduce by title only and waive first reading of Ordinance No. 954, an
Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Rohnert Park Repealing and Replacing
Chapter 9.49 of the Rohnert Park Municipal Code to Prohibit the Sale and Use of
Fireworks
City Manager Jenkins presented this item. Director of Public Safety Mattos was present
answering questions of the Council. Recommended Action(s): 1) Amend the Municipal Code
to prohibit the sales and use of fireworks in the City. Sales and use of fireworks would only be
allowed when the Municipal Code is amended; 2) Prohibit the sales and use of fireworks in the
City for one year. Permitted sales and use of fireworks would be reinstated for the 2022
Independence Day season, with considerations to provisions that may be necessary to comply
with any applicable health orders; and 3) No change. Permitted fireworks sales and use will
continue.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Deputy City Clerk Machado read comments received in support of banning the sales and use of
fireworks in the City submitted by: Chris Meyer, Lisa Turner, Julie Royes, Diane Borr, Jaime
Foundation Board Special Meeting and City of Rohnert Park Joint Regular April 13,2021
Meeting Minutes for City Council RPFA/CDC Successor Agency Page 4 of 6
and Bonnie Black, Connie Bartlett, Karen Cappa, Catherine O'Connell, Julie Jehly, Monica
Savon, Chris Borr Mike Stricker, Richard and Suzanne Sanders
Deputy City Clerk Machado read comments received in support of allowing the sales and use
of fireworks in the City submitted by: Bailey Nelson, Erin Ballard, Gen, Genn Sutliff, Daryle
Guinn, Scott Niklewicz,Nicole Niklewicz, Shannon Potter, Fionna Laird, Gabriella Greco,
Judy Deniz, Ed Chasco, Genn Sutliff, Resident, Gerry, Jeff Bedoya and Yara Padilla.
ACTION: Moved/seconded (Adams/Stafford) to move forward with option 3 "No
change. Permitted fireworks sales and use will continue."
Motion failed by the following 2-3-0 roll call vote: AYES: Adams and
Stafford,NOES: Linares, Elward, and Giudice, ABSTAINS: None,
ABSENT: None.
ACTION: Moved/seconded(Linares/Elward)to introduce and waive first reading of
Ordinance 954, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Rohnert
Park, California, Repealing and Replacing Chapter 9.49 of the Rohnert
Park Municipal Code to Prohibit the Sale and Use of Fireworks. Title
Read by Mayor Giudice.
Motion carried by the following 3-2-0 roll call vote: AYES: Linares,
Elward, and Giudice,NOES: Adams and Stafford, ABSTAINS: None,
ABSENT: None.
Mayor Giudice declared a recess at 7:09 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 7:14 p.m.
B. Receive Overview of Redistricting Process; and Discuss and Provide Direction
Regarding Retention of Demographer, Michael Wagaman of Wagaman Strategies and
Community Outreach Consultant, Tripepi Smith for Services Relating to Redistricting
City Clerk Lopez Cuevas presented this item. Also presenting were Michael Wagaman of
Wagaman Strategies and Ryder T. Smith from Tripepi Smith. Recommended Action(s):
Receive a report providing an overview of the redistricting process following the release of the
2020 Census results and provide direction to staff regarding retention of demographer Michael
Wagaman of Wagaman Strategies and community outreach consultant, Tripepi Smith, for
services relating to redistricting.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: Deputy City Clerk Machado read comments submitted by Chris
Meyer, Diane Borr and Chris Borr who spoke about this item.
ACTION: By consensus (none opposed), Council directed staff to move forward
with their recommended action and retain the services of demographer
Michael Wagaman of Wagaman Strategies and community outreach
consultant, Tripepi Smith, for services relating to redistricting.
Foundation Board Special Meeting and City of Rohnert Park Joint Regular April 13, 2021
Meeting Minutes for City Council RPFA/CDC Successor Agency Page 5 of 6
C. Discussion and Direction on the Southwest-Commerce Roundabout Landscaping
(CIP Project 2017-07)
Deputy City Engineer Garrett presented this item. Peter Trio, WRT Design Architect was also
present. Recommended Action(s): Using a combination of the California Cultural and Oak
Valley concept in a layout as shown on Attachment 2 of the staff report and utilizing the valley
oak tree as the street tree for the roundabout and a combination of decomposed granite,
boulders, and shrubs from the both concepts.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.
ACTION: By consensus (none opposed), Council directed staff to move forward
with their recommended action to use a concept combination.
10. COMMITTEE /LIAISON/OTHER REPORTS
A. Standing Committees:
B. Liaison Reports:
1. Golf Course Oversight Committee Special Meeting (3/30)
Councilmember Linares reported on the meeting.
C. Outside Agency Appointments:
1. Sonoma Clean Power Authority Board of Directors Meeting (4/1)
Vice Mayor Elward reported on the meeting.
2. Health Action Council Meeting (4/2)
Councilmember Linares reported on the meeting.
3. Mayors' and Councilmembers' City Selection Committee. Board & General
Membership (4/8)
Mayor Giudice reported this meeting was cancelled.
4. Sonoma County Transportation Authority/Regional Climate Protection Authority
(SCTA/RCPA) Board of Directors Meeting (4/12)
Mayor Giudice reported he was not able to attend this meeting but he will be reviewing
agenda materials and will report at a next meeting.
5. Redwood Empire Municipal Insurance Fund (REMIF) Board of Directors Special
Meeting (3/25)
City Manager Jenkins reported on this item.
6. Water Advisory Committee (WAC) and Technical Advisory Committee to Sonoma
Water Joint Special Meetings (4/5)
Director of Development Services Pawson and Councilmember Linares reported on this
item.
7. Santa Rosa Plain Groundwater Sustainability Agency Board of Directors Meeting (4/8)
Councilmember Stafford reported on this meeting.
8. Zero Waste Sonoma Board of Directors Special Meeting (3/30)
Councilmember Stafford reported on the meeting.
D. Other Reports:
None.
Foundation Board Special Meeting and City of Rohnert Park Joint Regular April 13, 2021
Meeting Minutes for City Council RPFA/CDC Successor Agency Page 6 of 6
11. COMMUNICATIONS
None.
12. MATTERS FROMIFOR COUNCIL
At the request of Councilmember Adams, City Manager Jenkins will add an item to this
section of the agenda at the next regular meeting for Council to discuss adding a future agenda
item about "public relations campaign to educate the public on illegal fireworks."
13. PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
14. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Giudice adjourned the joint regular meeting at
Sylvia Lopez uev� , City Clerk iudice, Mayor
City of Rohnert-P"ark City of Rohnert Park