2025/09/23 City Council Minutes (0.0 ,4ERT PAAt
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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, September 23,2025
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 5:00 p.m., which was legally noticed
on September 18, 2025.
Council Present: Gerard Giudice, Mayor
Emily Sanborn, Vice Mayor
Susan H. Adams, Councilmember
Jackie Elward, Councilmember
Samantha Rodriguez, Councilmember
Staff present: City Manager Piedra, City Attorney Kenyon, Director of Finance Howze,
Director of Public Safety Mattos, Lieutenant Strongman, Director of Community Service
Bagley, Human Resources Director Cannon, Director of Development Services Giudice,
Housing Administrator Garcia, Public Works General Services Operations Manager Bunte,
Acting Director of Public Works Hendersen, Information Systems Operations Manager
Cotter, and City Clerk Lopez Cuevas.
2. READING OF THE LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Recited by Mayor Giudice.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Mayor Giudice.
4. SSU STUDENT REPORT
A. By Vanessa Mendoza,Vice President of External Affairs, Sonoma State University
Associated Students, Inc. (SSU ASI). Vanessa Mendoza indicated 5,000 students have
enrolled, with strong number of transfers joining us this fall. SSU continues to see a demand for
Calfresh as food and housing insecurity remains pressing for many students. The Committee is
planning on conducting outreach regarding Prop 50 and its impact. The committee is recruiting
students to participate in student governance. Vanessa requested support in spreading these
communications following tonight's meeting.
5. PRESENTATIONS
A. Mayor's Proclamation: Proclaiming October 13,2025, as Indigenous Peoples' Day
in the City of Rohnert Park. Mayor Giudice read the proclamation and presented it to Melissa
Elgin, Tribal Secretary, Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria(FIGR).
City of Rohnert Park Joint Regular Meeting Minutes for City Council September 23,2025
RPFA/CDC Successor Agency Page 2 of 5
B. Mayor's Proclamation: Proclaiming September 15 through October 15, 2025 as
Hispanic/Latine Heritage Month in the City of Rohnert Park. Mayor Giudice read the
proclamation and presented it to Socorro Diaz, Co-Coordinator, Almas Libres, and Renee
Saucedo, Community Organizer, Raizes Collection.
C. Presentation from Committee on the Shelterless (COTS) Chief Executive Officer
Chris Cabral Regarding Keep People Housed Homeless Prevention Program (December
16, 2024 through June 30, 2025). Chris Cabral shared that nearly half of the households
receiving assistance have children, yet there is no shelter in the community specifically for
families with children, highlighting the critical importance of this program. Rohnert Park has
the highest number of applications and the most financial assistance distributed. In fact, 90% of
applicants in the City are receiving support and have been able to remain in their homes.
6. DEPARTMENT HEAD BRIEFINGS
None.
7. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Patrick Mundy, Stephanie Lennox, Molly Rubardt, Elizabeth Ginkel, Blake Johnson, Haley
Seppa, Heather Gallagher, Cami Flake, Kelly Sullivan, Mary Diaz, Luara Blat, Greg Schmid,
and Marc Plotkin spoke against the Resynergi project.
8. CONSENT CALENDAR
8.A Acceptance of Reports from Finance Department:
1. City Bills/Demands for Payment dated August 26, 2025 through September 8, 2025
2. Successor Agency-Cash Report as of August 31, 2025
3. City-Cash Report for Month as of August 31, 2025
8.B Approval of Minutes:
1. City Council/RPFA/Successor Agency Joint Regular Meeting, September 9, 2025
2. City Council Special Meeting, September 9, 2025
8.0 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
8.D By Minute Order, Authorize the Mayor to Execute and Deliver the City's
Response to the Grand Jury Report titled"Who Can Afford to Live in Sonoma
County: A Tale of Two Cities"
8.E Adopt Resolution 2025-072a Authorizing and Accepting a Grant of Emergency Vehicle
Access Easement with Redwood Lodging, LLC for the Development Located at APN
143-391-022 (Project Exempt Under California Environmental Quality Act(CEQA)
Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3))1
8.F. Adopt Resolution 2025-073 Authorizing and Approving the Director of Finance to
Amend the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget to Appropriate $30,617 from General Fund
Restricted Fund Balance to Development Services Contract Services (10002000-64000)
Clerks Note: Resolution No. 2025-072 was used on September 9, 2025.The correct sequence numbers for the
resolutions adopted on 9/23/2025 should be 2025-072a and 2025-073.
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RPFA/CDC Successor Agency Page 3 of 5
ACTION: Moved/seconded (Rodriguez/Elward)to approve the consent
calendar.
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.
Mayor Giudice declared a recess at 6:36 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 6:42 p.m.
9. REGULAR ITEMS
A. Consider Canceling and Rescheduling the November 25,2025 City Council
Meeting, and By Minute Order, Schedule a December 2,2025 Special Meeting for the
Water Rate Public Hearing and Cancel the December 23,2025,Regular City Council
Meeting. City Clerk Lopez Cuevas presented this item. Recommended Action(s): 1) Discuss
and provide direction regarding the November 25, 2025 meeting ; 2) Schedule a City Council
Joint Special Meeting on December 2, 2025 for the public hearing on the proposed water rate
increases. And 3) Cancel the City Council Joint Regular Meeting on December 23, 2025.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.
ACTION: Moved/seconded (Adams/Rodriguez)to cancel November 25, 2025 City
Council meeting, schedule a City Council special meeting on November
18, 2025, schedule a special meeting on December 2 for the proposed
water rate increases, and cancel December 23, 2025 council meeting.
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. Accept the 2025 Water Rate Study Report,Direct Staff to Send a Notice of Public
Hearing, and Provide Direction Regarding Rate Adjustment Timelines and Notices.
Finance Director Howze and Mark Hildebrand from Hildebrand Consulting presented this
item. Discussions included, amongst other things, the project timeline, noticing requirements,
current rates, calculation for new rates and percent increases for the five years following the
first increase. Recommended Action(s): 1) Accept the 2025 Water Rate Study Report; 2)
Provide direction on the recommended water rate adjustment process; 3) Direct staff to send a
Notice of Public Hearing; and 4) Approve the rate adjustment timeline, including public
hearing date and recommended effective date of new water rates. As described in the staff
report, staff is recommending a 5-year rate schedule with the first-rate increase to be
implemented on January 1, 2026.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.
Council accepted the report.
ACTION: Moved/seconded (Adams/Giudice)to move forward with staff s
recommendation.
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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.
C. Receive Department of Public Safety Annual Staffing and Recruiting Report for
Fiscal Year 2024-2025. Director of Public Safety Mattos and Human Resources Director
Cannon presented this item. Recommended Action(s): Receive Staffing and Recruitment
Report from Public Safety for Fiscal Year 2024/25.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.
Council received the report.
D. Consider Designating a Voting Delegate and Alternates for the League of
California Cities Annual Conference and Expo,Oct. 8-10,2025, in Long Beach CA,
Authorizing the Voting Delegates to Vote on Late Resolutions or Alternate
Recommendations Made at the October 10,2025, General Assembly, and Directing Staff
to Complete the Voting Delegate Form and File it with the League of California Cities.
City Clerk Lopez Cuevas presented this item. Recommended Action(s): Designate Mayor
Gerard Giudice as the City's Voting delegate for the League of California Cities Annual
Conference and Expo, Oct. 8-10, 2025, in Long Beach CA. 2) Authorize the Voting Delegate to
Vote on late Resolutions or alternate recommendations made at the October 10, 2025 General
Assembly. 3) Direct Staff to Complete the Voting Delegate Form and file it with the League of
California Cities.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.
ACTION: Moved/seconded (Adams/Rodriguez)to nominate Mayor Giudice as
the primary Voting Delegate for the League of California Cities
Annual Conference and Expo, Oct. 8-10, 2025.
Motion carried by the following unanimous 5-0-0-0 voice vote: AYES:
Elward, Rodriguez, Sanborn, Giudice, and Adams,NOES: None,
ABSENT: None, ABSTAINS: None.
By consensus, (none opposed), the Council directed staff to complete
the voting delegate form and file it with the League of California
Cities and authorize the voting delegates vote on resolutions or
alternate recommendations made at the October 10, 2025 General
Assembly.
9. COMMITTEE /LIAISON/ OTHER REPORTS
City of Rohnert Park Joint Regular Meeting Minutes for City Council September 23,2025
RPFA/CDC Successor Agency Page 5 of 5
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 Rodriguez reported on the Chamber of Commerce Board of
Directors (9/16) meeting.
• Councilmember Adams reported on the Association of Bay Area Governments
Executive Board Meeting (9/18)
• Vice Mayor Sanborn reported on Zero Waste Sonoma Board of Directors Meeting
(9/18)
• Mayor Giudice reported on the Sonoma County Mayors and Councilmembers Board
of Directors, Legislative Committee and General Membership Meeting in Petaluma,
CA (9/11) and the Sonoma County Mayors and Councilmembers Legislative
Committee (9/19).
• Councilmember Rodriguez reported on the Santa Rosa Junior College Foundation
2025 President's Address (9/18).
10. COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Giudice expressed his condolences on the passing of Peter Callinan, the City's first
Mayor and City Manager.
Councilmember Rodriguez shared information on upcoming community events.
11. ADDING AGENDA ITEMS TO A FUTURE CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
None.
12. PUBLIC COMMENT
Cindy Wilson, Dori Ellis, Kirsten Van Nuys, Amy Hui Johnson, Cindy Steefy, Maureen
Noonan, Ashley H., Kahlen Novak, Edda Lovanger, Dallas Carter, Dr. Kathryn Walsh, Jeffrey
Goodwin, and Justin Flake spoke against the Resynergi project.
Gary Coffman indicated he has not received a response from code compliance and that he does
not agree with the Resynergi location.
Councilmember Adams left the dais at 8:33 p.m. and returned at 8:35 p.m.
13. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Giudice adjourned the meeting at 9:10 p.m. Oa draft
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