2025/08/26 City Council Minutes WINERT PAR
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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
Tuesday,August 26,2025
1. CITY COUNCIL/RPFA/SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE CDC JOINT REGULAR
MEETING - CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Mayor Giudice called the joint regular meeting to order at 5:02 p.m., which was legally noticed
on August 21, 2025.
Council Present: Gerard Giudice, Mayor
Emily Sanborn, Vice Mayor
Susan H. Adams, Councilmember
Jackie Elward, Councilmember(arrived at 5:02 p.m.)
Samantha Rodriguez, Councilmember
Staff present: City Manager Piedra, City Attorney Kenyon, Director of Finance Howze,
Director of Community Services Bagley, Director of Public Safety Mattos, Human
Resources Director Cannon, Public Works General Services Operations Manager
Bunte, Senior Analyst Carey, Information Systems Operations Manager Cotter, and City
Clerk Lopez Cuevas.
2. READING OF THE LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Recited by Mayor Giudice.
George Barich spoke against the Land Acknowledgment.
Peter Alexander spoke in support of the Land Acknowledgment.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Vice Mayor Sanborn.
4. PRESENTATIONS
Mayor's Proclamation: Proclaiming August 26, 2025, as Women's Equality Day in the City of
Rohnert Park. Mayor Giudice read the proclamation and presented it to Commission on the Status
of Women Vice Chair Melanie Jones-Carter, Vice Mayor Emily Sanborn, councilmembers Susan
H. Adams, Jackie Elward, and Samantha Rodriguez, City Manager Marcela Piedra, City Attorney
Michelle Kenyon, Finance Director Betsy Howze, Human Resources Director Jamie Cannon,
Director of Development Services Ali Giudice, Director of Community Services Cindy Bagley,
Director of Public Works Vanessa Garret and City Clerk Sylvia Lopez Cuevas.
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RPFA/CDC Successor Agency Page 2 of 5
A. Mayor's Proclamation: Proclaiming September 2025 as National Service Dog
Month in the City of Rohnert Park. Mayor Giudice read the proclamation and presented it to
Paws for Purple Hearts Senior Program Instructor Marjorie LaReste and Claire Richardson
Paws for Purple Hearts Regional Site Manager.
5. DEPARTMENT HEAD BRIEFINGS
A. Informational Report by Director of Community Services Cindy Bagley
Regarding Pickleball Courts Signage. Director of Community Services Bagley and Public
Works General Services Operations Manager Bunte provided an overview of the pickleball
courts project including the installation of new"pickleball use only" signage, and informed that
the poles, nets and court paint is being funded by the Rohnert Park Pickleball Club.
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Per City Council Protocols, Mayor Giudice requested to extend the public comment period to
50 minutes due to the high number of speaker cards received.
ACTION: Moved/seconded (Rodriguez/Elward)to extend the public comment
period to allow commenters 2.5 minutes each to speak.
Motion carried by the following unanimous 5-0-0-0 voice vote:
AYES: Adams, Elward, Rodriguez, Sanborn, and Giudice NOES: None,
ABSENT: None, ABSTAINS: None.
Jim Bell, Sephanie Lennox, Molly Rubardt, Michael Puccetti, Kirsten VanNys, Patrick Mundy,
Justin Flake, Erich Zuver, Karleen Novak, Jose Morales, Gregory Schmid, Sharon Wultich,
Kevin Arnold, Barbara Marland, Mike Bodily, Alima Koniak, Wowlvenas Seward-Katzmiller,
Karen Hudson, Emma Hatton, Sahara Hatton, and Robin Hobbins spoke against the Resynergi
project.
Aaron Burton spoke about the agreement SEIU and the city recently reached.
Peter Alexander spoke about project mockingbird, Sandy Banso, and media manipulation.
Mayor Giudice stated for the record"I lease property at SOMO Village and my ten years on the
city Planning Commission and almost five years on the City Council I've recused myself from
any items regarding SOMO village."
ACTION: Moved/seconded (Adams/Rodriguez)to further extend the public
comment period to allow two additional commenters.
Motion carried by the following unanimous 5-0-0-0 voice vote:
AYES: Adams, Elward, Rodriguez, Sanborn, and Giudice NOES: None,
ABSENT: None, ABSTAINS: None.
Sarah Paige and Ana Maria Hogue spoke against the Resynergi project.
City Manager Piedra thanked the residents for attending the meeting and explained that the
company is not operating at this time,the company is going through an approval process, and
the company must meet certain conditions under the administrative permit process. The City
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RPFA/CDC Successor Agency Page 3 of 5
issued a stop order, and the permit will be revoked if Resynergi does not meet those conditions.
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District issued the notification process and they have
extended the public comment period to October 3, 2025.
Mayor Giudice declared a recess at 6:32 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 6:43 p.m.
City Attorney Kenyon explained that the Council cannot call a special meeting because the
Council is not able to take any action at this time. All commenters should provide their
comments to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District meeting on October 3, 2025
where action will be taken by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
7.A Acceptance of Reports from Finance Department
1. City Bills/Demands for Payment dated July 29, 2025, through August 11, 2025
2 Successor Agency- Cash Report as of July 31, 2025
3. City- Cash Report for Month as of July 31, 2025
7.B Approval of Minutes for City Council/RPFA/Successor Agency Joint Regular
Meeting and City Council Special Meeting, August 12, 2025
7.0 Receive Progress Report on the Status of the Emergency Public Safety Antenna and
Radio System Replacement Project(CIP2412), as required by the Public Contract
Code and by Minute Order, authorize the continuation of Resolution 2024-051 until
the emergency action is completed
7.D Receive Annual 2024/2025 Fiscal Year Alcoholic Beverage Service Ordinance
(ABSO) Report Pursuant to Rohnert Park Municipal Code 8.34.190
7.E Adopt Resolution 2025-060 Awarding the Construction Contract for the City Hall
Building Improvements Project CIP2501 to CWS Construction Group, Inc. for
$1,825,000, Authorizing the City Manager to approve up to $273,750 (15%) in
Change Orders, Approving the Project Plans and Specifications, and Finding the
project exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act(CEQA) pursuant to
Sections 15301 (Existing Facilities) and 15302 (Replacement or Reconstruction) of
CEQA Guidelines. (14 Cal. Code Regs. §§ 15301, 15302)
7.F Adopt Resolution 2025-061 Authorizing a Budget Amendment Appropriating $30,000
from the Traffic Safety Fund to Fund a New Non-CIP Project for the Installation of an
All Way Stop at the Intersection of Bodway Parkway and Camino Colegio (Exempt
from the California Environmental Quality Act(CEQA) under 15301(c)because it is a
minor alteration of Public Infrastructure)
7.G Adopt Resolution 2025-062 Authorizing and Approving a Letter Agreement to the
Memorandum of Agreement for the Service Employees' International Union- Local
1021 (SEIU)
7.H Adopt a Resolution 2023-063 Authorizing and Approving a Memorandum of
Understanding between the County of Sonoma and the City of Rohnert Park to
Provide a location for the Health-to-Go Project Vending Machine and Outline the
Roles and Responsibilities of the County and the City in the Health-To-Go Project
ACTION: Moved/seconded (Rodriguez/Adams)to approve the consent
calendar.
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RPFA/CDC Successor Agency Page 4 of 5
Motion carried by the following unanimous 5-0-0-0 voice vote:
AYES: Adams, Elward, Rodriguez, Sanborn, and Giudice NOES: None,
ABSENT: None, ABSTAINS: None.
8. REGULAR ITEMS
A. Discuss Proposed Amendments to the City Council Protocols (the Established
Procedural Rules for the Conduct of City Council Meetings and Council Business),
Adopt a Resolution Amending the City Council Protocols, and Adopt Separate
Resolutions Establishing 5:30 p.m. as the Start Time for Regular Meetings of the
Rohnert Park City Council and the Community Development Commission of the City of
Rohnert Park Effective January 1, 2026. City Clerk Lopez Cuevas presented this item.
Recommended Action(s): 1) adopt City Council Resolution 2025-064 Amending the City
Council Protocols (the Established Procedural Rules for the Conduct of City Council
Meetings and Council Business Policy Number 1. 02. 001) and Rescinding Resolution 2023-
047; 2) adopt City Council Resolution 2025-065 Rescinding Resolution 2019-013 and
Establishing 5:30 P.M. as the Start Time for Regular Meetings of the Rohnert Park City
Council effective January 1, 2026; and 3)Acting as the Community Development
Commission (CDC), adopt CDC Resolution 2025-001 Rescinding Resolution 2010-08 and
Establishing 5:30 p.m. Start Time for CDC Meetings effective January 1, 2026.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: Steve Keith spoke in support of public engagement and starting the
meetings at 5:30 p.m.
ACTION: Moved/seconded (Rodriguez/Elward)to adopt Council Resolution
2025-064, Council Resolution 2025-065 and Community
Development Commission Resolution 2025-001.
Motion carried by the following unanimous 5-0-0-0 voice vote:
AYES: Adams, Elward, Rodriguez, Sanborn, and Giudice NOES: None,
ABSENT: None, ABSTAINS: None.
B. Consider Adopting a Resolution Establishing Utility Rate Setting Procedures for
Water and Sewer Rates Under Proposition 218, and Assembly Bill 2257 (Government
Code Sections 53750 through 53759.2) and Repealing Resolution No. 2011-25. Finance
Director Howze presented this item. Recommended Action(s): Adopt Resolution 2025-066
Establishing Utility Rate Setting Procedures for Water and Sewer Rates Under Proposition 218,
and Assembly Bill 2257 (Government Code Sections 53750 through 53759.2) and Repealing
Resolution No. 2011-25.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.
ACTION: Moved/seconded (Rodriguez/Elward)to adopt Resolution 2025-066.
Motion carried by the following unanimous 5-0-0-0 voice vote:
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RPFA/CDC Successor Agency Page 5 of 5
AYES: Adams, Elward, Rodriguez, Sanborn, and Giudice NOES: None.
ABSENT: None, ABSTAINS: None.
9. COMMITTEE /LIAISON/OTHER REPORTS
A. City Standing Committees, Council Liaison Assignments, Outside Agency and Mayors
& Councilmembers/City Selection Committee Appointments and Reports Under
Government Code Section 53232.3(d):
• Councilmember Adams reported on the Rohnert Park Cotati Regional Library
Advisory Board Meeting (8/19)
• Councilmember Rodriguez reported on the Chamber of Commerce Board of
Directors (8/19)
• Vice Mayor Sanborn reported on the Santa Rosa Plain Groundwater Sustainability
Agency Board of Directors (8/14) and Zero Waste Sonoma Board of Directors
Meeting (8/21)
• Mayor Giudice reported on the Sonoma County Mayors' and Councilmembers'
Board of Directors and Association General Meeting in Cloverdale (8/14), Golden
Gate Bridge, Highway & Transportation District Building and Operating Committee,
Finance-Auditing Committee & Governmental Affairs and Public Information
Committee (8/21), Golden Gate Bridge, Highway & Transportation District Board of
Directors Meeting (8/22) and Sonoma County Mayors and Councilmembers
Legislative Committee (8/22) was cancelled.
• Councilmember Rodriguez reported on the State of Black Businesses (8/15)
10. COMMUNICATIONS
Vice Mayor Sanborn stated Utilities Operations Manager Mark Henderson provided a tour of
the Water Facilities and Water Tanks around the city. She invited all to attend tomorrow's tacos
and job opportunities event at Sonoma State University.
Councilmember Rodriguez reminded all of the last day to sponsor the Chamber of Commerce
"Chili Ribs and Bibs" event. She also invited to all to attend the 4th Annual Soul Festival, the
Annual Pacific Islander Festival and congratulated Old Caz on their 6th birthday last weekend.
She also invited all to attend the last"Party at the Plaza"this Friday.
11. ADDING AGENDA ITEMS TO A FUTURE CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
None.
12. PUBLIC COMMENT
Doris Ellis spoke against the Resynergi project.
13. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Giudice adjourned the meeting at 7:37 p.m.
Syl udice, ayor
City of Rohnert Park City of Rohner ark