City Council - Regular Meeting

What is that? Sorry, I went miss We're done.

I don't think that

regular meeting of the city council. And at this point, I would uh like to uh proceed with the pledge of allegiance. So, if you're able, please join us by standing or where you're at. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for its one nation indivisible and justice for all. Okay, before we proceed with our hearing, I just want uh one quick uh housekeeping. If you'll just silence your noise makers and uh maintain an appropriate environment for our meeting, please. So, at this point, could I please have roll call?

Council member Ding here. Council member Farrieas here. Council member Gurnie here. Mayor Wellender here. Thank you. and let the record show that uh Vice Mayor Low is absent. And for those in the audience, u Miss Low is in route. She was held up by another public meeting and so she will hopefully join us about 6:30. Uh we did have a close session, but we have nothing to report at this time. Now I would like to seek approval of our agenda as it is written or

I move to approve the agenda. Second. Okay. Further discussion. I think this is a simple one. We'll just go by and all at once. All those in favor? I.

It passes. All right. This is the time in which the public is given an opportunity to speak on items that are not appearing on the agenda. And to that uh we allow at this point up to 10 people to come forward and to speak on items that uh are not on the agenda. But uh please be advised that because they have not been publicized uh we will not be able to discuss or take any action up here at the dis. Um a very simple routine uh come uh cue it down the aisle come up to the podium just identify yourself and you'll be given two minutes to express your concern. So again this is the time for items not appearing on the agenda. Good evening. My name is Martin Laney and uh recently I wrote a letter highly critical of the council to the local papers, both of them. Uh and it was criticizing your um decision to appoint Miss Alovich as the interim city manager. And I'm here tonight to say that I stand corrected. After the letter was published, she very graciously reached out to me. We had a very cordial conversation. and after her explanation and doing a little bit of additional research, which I should have done in the first place to avoid clickbait, which I fell for, uh, and based on some discussions with some other people in the community who have had a little bit more extensive interaction with her than I have. Uh, I fully support your decision. I was wrong. You were right. And you made a good decision. And as much as I think we're going to miss Mr. Genan who I think we would all agree brought stability, professionalism and really expert guidance to the city. I think you have an excellent opportunity

to appoint someone who will not only continue but build upon his good works in the community. So along while I don't speak with those people that I sp for those people that I spoke with along with them I enthusiastically and unreservedly would support her appointment to the position on a permanent basis. I think you have a real layup there. Thank you for your time. Thank you for your comments. Appreciate it. Anyone else like to come forward? Okay. Yes.

Hello, council people, staff, and uh Sonoma public. Um, as you guys know, I'm representing KVY here today, and we have been working on our strategic plan for several months now. Um, several people have given their input on it and we appreciate that. I just want to announce that on May 14th, that's two Thursdays from now, we are having a community media forum and we'd like to see people show up and we will be laying out part not all of our strategic plan and we'll be gaining information from our audience so we can help hope to complete that that plan which will be announced in June completely. um inviting everybody to come staff and anybody listen listening or watching or in the public here and uh this is an open public forum for everybody to come in and give their input. Thank you very much.

Oh this sorry good one that's building 6 pm. Yes, uh Thursday May 14th. There you go. I could leave little flyers if you like. We should go ahead and hand it to the clerk.

Thank you. Thank you, Bob. Okay, anyone else? Hello. Good evening. I and my wife just wanted to start a conversation about um the need to address the ebikes that are ripping around town very quickly with young children who are not licensed uh to drive any sort of vehicle riding them. Our four-year-old was almost clipped in the plaza the other day by a young man going very quickly. There are signs on the plaza that say no bikes, no dogs, etc. Maybe we need to add a disclaimer, something to the effect of no ebikes or you will be ticketed or arrested, etc. Um, I think that's a good start. They should also not be on the roads um because these children do not know how to drive or obey traffic laws and then it will be the driver's responsibility uh if one of these kids should get hit. So, I'm not uh in the city council, nor am I a police officer or anyone who knows what to do, but I would like to get the conversation started so that um you know, these things go really fast. If uh our kid, our son is four, if he were to have been hit, it could have been catastrophic uh for how quickly this this ebike was going.

I'm sorry. Uh thank you. And could we just get your name? Oh, I'm sorry. My name is Tanner Surf. Very good. Thank you. Thank you.

All right. I see no one galloping up to the podium. So, I believe at this point I will close the public uh comment period. And now we're going to be moving on to dedications. Do we have anyone up here that would like to make a meeting dedication? I see none. So, we'll move on to council members reports and comments. So, please um whoever wishes to speak up and begin. So, do it.

Oh, okay. Good. Let's remember everything I did. It's been a very busy week. So um so you know what helps when you have that because I wasn't in any uh significant meetings so not along to report back but I think it's always good for folks to know the different things that we attended in the last weeks. So uh here we go. Um, so of course we had, as many of you may have known, we had the I'll go backwards, the ribbon ribbon cutting for, and I'm sure you'll mention this as we're well, mayor, for our Tuesday night plaza. So I don't want to steal any of your thunder there. Um, and then, uh, I attended the authors on the plaza free event, which was fabulous. Um and also um the women's both uh Sandra Councilwoman Low and I attended the women's health symposium that it was at the Hannah Center and that was really extremely informative. Uh our council member John Gurnie was there as well and were you there Jack Jeff? I didn't see you there. Okay. So but it was really very very extremely well attended. I think they raised it was a benefit goes as a benefit for Sonoma Valley Hospital. I think they raised $150,000. So that was good. We want to support our local hospital. Uh and they were very much talking about our relationship with UCSF and some of the services, joint services that are being provided through the hospital at UCSF and I think one of them is for uh maternity care. I I may not I may not be correct about that. Um there was also um a a large event this last week for Pets Lifeline which was also very successful and I believe

oh also attended in um St. Helina on Sunday the 26th the climate champion event. Um, Congressman Thompson does a climate champion event every year and awards u climate champions to each of the counties. He has five counties that he is congressperson for which are Solano, uh, Yolo, um, Napa, Sonoma, and Lake. No longer Lake going forward, but Lake or that part of the lake, but so gave out five awards. One of them in Sonoma was for the executive director uh Richard Dale. So that was that was that was very exciting. And I we and then on um Saturday 25th there was a all day um event at the community center celebrating Earth Day. We had speakers there. There was vendors there. Vendors showing different types of products. So they help you with electrification, with how to deal with your trash. So that was also another very successful event. The other thing that there was on Friday 24th. Uh I attended a uh at Morton Hot Springs. There has been a restoration project going on there to restore the creek that's been going on for approximately eight years. The restoration is complete. So, we were able to go there and what was happening was the way the creek was running was uh there was a um it had, you know, because of construction and different things and they put a brick wall up there. It created a creek that was very deep and the banks were very high. And when that happens, the water runs very, very fast. And when the water is running fast, all sorts of things happen that you don't want to happen for your water and things that you happen that are harmful to the

local aluvial area and also for fish and wildlife. And so now the creek has ripples, has a pool, and has a bend as creeks should. And so you can go to Morton Hot Springs and you can go and walk up the creek. And there's a really amazing sign by the creek or as you it's kind of as you go into the parking lot for the for Hot Springs that tells you all about the restoration and all about the creek. So I encourage people to go now that I think Horton Hot Springs opened this weekend. There you go. That's it.

Thank you, Mayor. Uh sorry I missed the zero zero waste and snow meeting because I had my trip visit in the China and the uh I was invited by San Francisco mayor then Luri and to the Shanghai celebrate 46 anniversary sister city relationship between San Francisco and Shanghai. It was amazing because this is the uh California and San Francisco's legacy. So the I was very honored to have this opportunity. Even two years ago, former mayor London Breed invited me join her visit to China and also and we got a promise and the two pandas to San Francisco zoom right now going on and this time the delegation and the folks with the cultural exchange and also including and the tourism and then hopefully through the city to city as the you know relationship peopleto people relationship and we can gather a mutual benefits from this kind of and the relationship that is my simple report. Thank you

John. I'm pleased to report I have nothing to report.

Well I will then pick up where he left off. Um this goes all the way back to April 15th. So on the 16th we celebrated a local girl made good a very exting uh extinguish distinguished poet uh Ada Leone as our artist of the year for the city. Uh on the 18th I was uh invited to the very popular trash and fashion show at the community center. I felt awkward going in but when I left I was glad I went. Uh on the 19th uh our adjacent community um the valley uh had a opening of the revised and renovated Larsson Park and I'm happy to say that for those that feel that there are not enough pickle ball courts in Sonoma, there are a couple of pickle ball courts now in Larsson Park and I think they would welcome you. Um on the 24th uh we had a ribbon cutting out at the cornerstone. You may have read or heard about it that there has been an exchange in owner or change in ownership and the new owners are breathing new life back into what was a significant destination and we're cautiously optimistic that they will be successful and continue to uh create something that will be a draw both for visitors as well as locals. On the 26th I was able to observe the uh very popular Paton tournament. Uh people from all over came and played a game that I still don't quite understand, but they were having great fun and um it was something that I'm very proud that we have that community activity in our small town. On the 30th, we had a very unusual event. We were selected as the starting point for a crosscountry charity motorcycle ride uh being uh led by a gentleman by the name of Kyle Petty, son of the famous Richard Petty. Stock Car Hall of Famer and it's a

charity. They have established um a camp back in North North Carolina for children that have very difficult diseases, chronic terminal uh similar to what Paul Newman had created, I think on the East Coast as well. And they've raised I want to say about $25 million. And I wanted to see them take off from the plaza. But a certain city manager uh exercised better judgment and said at 6:30 a.m. on a Friday morning would not be a good look to have 150 motorcycles racing down Broadway. So I was overruled. Um community event on April 30th was the Palenta dinner which is at the Shell Vista Fire Department. Uh a great opportunity for raising money for the explorer uh young firefighters. And then that is an announcement for don't forget about the chicken barbecue that'll be coming up uh at the end of June 1st of July. And uh the last item is I did attend what is called the water advisory committee and I was given a few talking points. I'm just going to share a couple of facts regarding the water. We should have uh um adequate water for the summer in spite of the fact that it was a little drier than normal. Uh in Lake Mendescino they have over 84,000 acre feet of water and in Lake Sonoma they have 263,000 acre feet of water. And for those that go down to Murphy's for trivia night just to equate 1 acre foot of water is 325,900 gallons in case that comes up. So again, the good news is that uh we have a good water supply, but we should continue to be good stewards. And with that comment, I'm going to then turn it over to our city manager for her update.

Thank you, mayor and council. Um good evening. I wanted to start off by um acknowledging that it's public service recognition week this week. um which you fundamentally is about the people who choose these careers in public service and helping our communities to thrive. Um we're really fortunate to have such dedicated employees here in Soma. Um this week's this week gives us a chance to pause and recognize the people that keep the city running so well every day. Um as you know, public service is really hard work and it requires patience and professionalism and great care for our residents, businesses, and for one another. So, I just want to appreciate the commitment our employees bring to that responsibility. Every city employee, regardless of their role, contributes to the quality of life that our residents so value here in Soma. Uh residents only get to see like a small part of what the city sees, but and you know, I've been here a month now and I'm I've just been really incredibly impressed that I get to see kind of behind the scenes the dedication and responsiveness that goes into serving the public every day. just wanted to express my personal gratitude and thanks to the entire city team. Okay, and now on to some uh fun things. Not that public service isn't fun. Uh you may notice that there's new artwork in the council chambers tonight. Um these are entries from the 2026 Earth Day photo contest. This year's theme was the power of water. So congratulations to our winners. Leap of Faith was the piece by Leo Dale um in the 13 to 20 year old category and Mil Creek After the Rain by uh Jean Francois Ducaro I think is the proper pronunciation but forgive me if that's not accurate um in the adult category. So um and also thank you to the Sonoma Sonoma Community Center for partnering with us on the exhibit installation and there will be an artist reception uh announced soon. Um, also there's a bike to work day coming up. So the city is partnering with Sonoma Valley Visitors

Bureau and Sonoma Valley Hospital to host this event, an Energizer Station on Thursday, May 14th from 7 to 9:00 a.m. in front of the historic Tusano Hotel Visitors Center. So if you're biking to work that morning, stop by and there'll be refreshments and giveaways and stuff like that. Community members have until this Friday, May 8th, to participate in the first round of public input activities for the citywide historic study and survey project that's on the city's website. These activities are helping to gather community input on Sonoma's history, character, and significant places. And this will be the first of several opportunities for public participation as the study continues. Um, an update on a pavement project. The rehabilitation project in the Frier Creek neighborhood is expected to begin next week um with work planned on Frier Creek Drive, Pickicket Street, and Nap Street. Community members should expect temporary traffic delays and detours in the area during construction. We appreciate everyone's patience as that work gets underway. There's also a cemetery volunteer workday coming up that will take place at the veteran cemetery on May 16th from 9:00 am to 12 pm. Um volunteers are invited to help with a light cleanup and beautifification efforts as we prepare the grounds for the upcoming Memorial Day observance on May 25th. Volunteer signups information um can be found on the city's website. And last but not least, Music in Place in partnership with the city of Sonoma's announced the 2026 lineup for Soma Sundays on the Plaza. Free uh the free summer concert series at the Grinstead Amphitheater. Uh series runs Sundays from June through early October and feature a wide variety of musical styles throughout the summer. The full schedule is available both on the city's website and music in places websites. Thank you.

Thank you very much. And now we'll turn to our city attorney for his comments and update. Thank you, Mayor Wellender. I do not have any um comments this evening, but I will be attending the city attorney's conference with Cal Cities next week, so I anticipate a report at our next regular meeting.

Thank you. At this time, we are we're going to move on then to our presentations for which we have quite a few this evening. And um I um have um shared this opportunity with my fellow council members to help me present. And so we will start with the first one which is 6.1 which is the proclamation regarding affordable housing month. And if I could defer

and uh do we have anybody here tonight to receive the proclamation? Great. I don't have your names here. I know one of you, but when you come up, you can introduce yourself, young man. All right. Okay. And so, uh, I'm really excited to be able to present this proclamation. So, we are designating May 2026 as affordable housing month in the city of Soma. So whereas affordable housing is one of the cornerstones of healthy equitable community and essential to preserving the city of Sonoma's diverse character and whereas our community thrives when all individuals and families regardless of income have a safe and affordable place to call home. And whereas each year there are city of Soma residents that struggle to secure affordable housing in one of the most expensive housing markets in the nation. And whereas affordable housing is a critical component of a resilient and equitable recovery from disasters such as wildfire. And as the city of Sonoma's housing action plan supports the development of 181 affordable housing units to meet the needs of the low and moderate income residents. Whereas the city of Sonoma is in committed to ensuring access to safe, stable, and affordable housing for all members of the community. um in over 300 existing affordable units. And whereas the diverse mix of housing options near jobs, schools, and transit support a more vibrant economy, reduces traffic congestion and emissions, and enhances quality of life. And whereas the strength of the city of Sonoma's economic and civic life depends on housing opportunities for people of all ages, abilities, income levels, and backgrounds, allowing them to live and work in the same community. And whereas the nonprofit organizations, housing developers, advocates, and community partners throughout the city of Soma are

working collaboratively collaboratively to create and preserve affordable housing, raise public awareness, and promote inclusive solutions. And whereas these partners are encouraged to work together and with the broader community to recognize affordable housing. This says week, but it should be month through education, outreach, and engagement that highlights solutions and opportunities to meet our shared housing needs. So I'm saying this on behalf of the mayor, Ron Wellander. Um therefore proclaim the city of Soma on behalf of the city council thereby designate the month of May the month all month that's all the days in May as affordable housing month. Thank you. Did you want to come up and say something and then we'll do the photos and all that.

Wonderful. Um, I'm Caitlyn Cornwall and I'm here representing Sonoma Valley Collaborative and this is and I'm Ryan O'Connell from Generation Housing

and uh so our organizations partner often on housing affordability issues in the city and valley of Sonoma and the county actually. Um so uh we're really grateful to be receiving this proclamation and uh what did I want to say? Oh yeah, that we well that we and other organizations partner as the proclamation says because uh changing the housing situation is not an easy thing. It takes a lot of players, a lot of strategies. Um but we have a really good community of organizations that work on these issues. Um so that's great. And I also wanted to just announce that next month, Sonoma Valley Collaborative will be spinning off a new nonprofit that will be a missiondriven nonprofit community development corporation for Sonoma Valley that will be called Sonoma Valley Commons. And you will be hearing more about that.

Thank you. Brian, did you want to say anything? I'm just Caitlyn's bodyguard. Well, you know, we owe a lot to all of the organizations in the valley and in the county and in the city of Sonoma that do the work around affordable housing because as we all know, it is not, especially those of us that work in the city and on council trying to get work done. It is not an easy task, but we will get there. We will get there. So, here we're gonna have the mayor come down for the photo.

You want me to go? Thank you.

One, two, three. Thank you. All right. Very good. We're going to then move on to 6.2 which is a proclamation uh as the designation designating the month of May 2026 as Jewish Heritage Month. And I have asked my fellow council member Sandra if you would be kind enough please.

It's my pleasure. Do is there someone here to receive this? Hi guys.

Hiding in the back there. So uh designating May 2026 as Jewish American Heritage Month in the city of Soma. And it's a nice short resolution. So I'll read it all. Uh whereas Jewish Americans have been an important part of the American story and have greatly contributed to all areas of American life and culture since our nation's earliest days. And whereas on April 20th, 2006, the federal government first proclaimed May as Jewish American Heritage Month, saying, "As a nation of immigrants, the United States is better and stronger because Jewish people from all over the world have chosen to become American citizens." Whereas Jewish Americans connect to their Jewish identity in many ways, including culturally, ethnically, religiously, and through Jewish ethics and values, creating a community that is racially, socially, politically, and economically diverse. And whereas we recognize Jewish American commitment to civic engagement and that the city of Soma has been enriched by Jewish institutions such as congregation Shir Shalom and its educational, cultural, and community building initiatives. Therefore, let it be proclaimed by the mayor on behalf of the city council that we hereby designate the month of May 2026 as Jewish American Heritage Month in appreciation of the achievements and contributions made by members of our Jewish American community. And be it further proclaimed that the city of Soma will continue efforts to confront anti-semitism and hate impacting the Jewish community, support education about the diversity of our Jewish American community, and integrate Jewish American culture into year-round programs, activities, and ceremonies.

So, um, that is the proclamation. just a few uh editorial comments if you will and my apologies from being late. I was at uh a LAFCO meeting which went on forever. Um so I'm very proud to uh to be able to read this proclamation and honor especially I heard that Sher Shalom celebrated what 30-year anniversary which is amazing. Um I I lived here I've been here over 30 years obviously and and I remember when it when it just started and um you know I will say that you know many um there is a Jewish heritage in Soma. small but mighty. And um I've been honored to be able to to speak at the congregation and and work with Rabbi Steve on on many things. And um it's a wonderful community and I'm just so happy to be able to present this on behalf of the mayor.

And if you'd like to come forward and say a word, you are more than welcome to. Hi, good evening everybody. My name is Armando Yseph Hernandez and I am a board member at Congregation Sher Shalom.

Hi, my name is Lewis and I'm Oh, sorry. Child.

Um, hi, my name is Lewis and I'm a student at Congregation Shears. How you doing? Sean Bellac. Uh great to be here. Thank you council and mayor for this great proclamation. Uh it's really important to us especially during our 30-year anniversary. And um we really appreciate the support. As you said, we're small but mighty. We're continuing to grow. We have a really thriving uh community that includes the Hebrew school that my son Lewis is and my and my daughter Emma both attend. So, um, we love being in Soma and we really appreciate this. Thank you both so much.

Thank you. One, two, three. All right, quickly moving to 6.3 is going to be again a third proclamation for the National Travel and Tourism Week. And with that, uh, my fellow Jack, please. Thank you, mayor. It's great opportunity for me to represent you. Proclamation designating the May 3rd through the 9th, 2026 as National Travel and Tourism Week in the city of the Sonoma. Whereas the travel industry is essential to the success of every industry and will continue to be critical part of the city of Sonoma's economy development and workforce. And whereas the travel is a economic powerhouse for every state and the design nation across the country with

the economic output of the three trillion US dollars supporting 15 million American jobs. And whereas travel spending the support vibrant and the safe communities in Sonoma and across the United States by generating 92 billing in state and local tax revenue in 2025 to support essential services such as education, emergency response, public safety, and more. Whereas the travel enables the success for all industries including manufacturing, agriculture, defense and healthcare and the more by driving sales growth, innovation, education and operation that empower our economy, our nation and the city of the Sonoma. Whereas Americans in the travel industry cannot be globally competitive without maximizing the growth in domestic leisure. A business and international inbound and the travelers. Increasing the travel to and within United States drives our economy to the more prosperous future and connects America and whereas one in every 11 US jobs depend on the travel making it the critical the driver to driver of Americans economy and the force

for connections and opportunities. And whereas the travel is the an essential industry and we must continue to communicate that in the road. Travel leads to economic growth benefits the businesses foster the mutual understanding and connects the nation. Now therefore be a prop made I Ron Wellender mayor of the city of the Sonoma on behalf of the city of the council hereby designated the May 3rd to the 9th 2026 as a national travel and tourism week in the city of the Sonoma and I urge the citizens of the Sonoma to join me in recognizing ize the essential role of vist industry play in the city of the Sonoma. Thank you so much mayor for great opportunity.

Thank you. So is there a representative here that would like to step forward and speak briefly? You're going to hear more from me soon. So uh thank you very much council member Ding for rooting that out and thank you so much for recognizing travel uh and tourism in Sonoma. My name is Tim Zoner Soma Valley Visitors Bureau. Travel is important. I'm gonna tell you more right after the next message. So, thank you so much. I appreciate that. Yes. All right. Yeah. Let's go.

All right. What about you, John? All right, wrapping up the fourth and final proclamation. We have uh May 2026 is bike month. And I have asked the most avid bike rider up here at the dis to please share this proclamation.

Is there somebody here to receive? Okay, don't go away. All right. First, let me put on my city council safety hat. Oh, that's good.

So, um, bike to work month and day. I'm going to summarize the wherees here. So, the Sonoma City Council has officially proclaimed May 2026 as bike month and May 14th, 2026 as bike to work day in Soma. Uh the proclamation highlights the many benefits of bicycling including healthier lifestyles, safer streets, reduced traffic pollution, and support of local tourism and the economy. Once again, um the council also recognizes that the city uh or I'm sorry, Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition for more than two decades has worked to promote bike safety um throughout the city, throughout the valley and the county. And um there are many community programs that are presented. Residents and visitors are encouraged to join the month's rides this month and uh events and activities celebrating biking and active transportation. If you buy gas, I think you'll find bicycles are very enticing. The uh Senan city council has proclaimed May well I just said that so I won't say it again but May 14th is the critical day as we should all be out there on our bikes safety first and the proclamation highlights the bicycling's benefits again that we've talked about and most importantly the mayor Ron Wellander on behalf of the city council designates May 20 May 2026 as bike month and May 14th 2026 as bike to work day in the city of Sonoma and urges all residents to participate.

That's an order by the mayor to participate and uh he has signed this proclamation and he will present this and so if you would like to say a few words we'd love to hear what's on your mind. Thank you, uh, mayor and council. I'm the Eris Weaver, executive director of the Snow County Bicycle Coalition. I'm joined by my, uh, board member, Cynthia Deafuente. And actually, you should probably be up here, too. Tim Zunner is on my advisory council. Uh, thank you for the proclamation, your participation in bike month. Um, as a a city manager, had already man uh mentioned uh the Energizer station that you have happening. We have several other things happening throughout the month, only two of them that I'll mention right now. The rest can all be found at bikesoma.org. On May 20th, we are having a bike movie night showing three documentaries uh depicting cycling, how cycling uh is of benefit to people of all ages and abilities, ethnicities, and parts of the country. And then on May 31st, we're having a great big bike festival called Pedal Fest. That'll be an all day outdoor uh affair with all kinds of bikes and games and activities uh to happen. One of the things that I always love about coming to Sonoma and I hang out on the plaza is how many pedestrians and cyclists I see right around the plaza downtown, whether it's kids riding home from work or tourists walking around shopping. And all I can imagine is what would it be like if that density of bike and ped traffic was around the entire city? Would that not be cool? What would it take to get there? So, I leave you with that potential goal in mind and thank you again for the proclamation.

Awesome.

Awesome. Got it. Okay. Two pictures. So, first one, two, Thank you. And wrapping up the sixth series of this portion, we have now at 6.5 the annual report from the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau and Tourism Improvement District. And um we welcome Tim. Please share.

Thank you. It's been so long. Thank you again. So good to see you guys. Uh my name is Tim Zoner with the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau and there's two presentations. This is representing the Visitors Bureau. The second one will be from the Tourism Improvement District. I'm joined from the Visitors Bureau by our chair Chris Sorenson of Catis Wines and he was famously featured in a New York Post article today. So, aren't you fancy? Okay. A quick thing people often ask us is who is the Visitors Bureau? We are a private nonprofit organization like the Chamber of Commerce and we promote visitation to Sonoma Valley. We support local hospitality businesses and we're also a community resource for the residents. Uh we have two full-time staff, myself and Jose, six time staff, 25 plus volunteers. We're always looking for new volunteers. Um and we have 10 plus contractors and vendors, most of whom are in Cinema Valley. So what do we do? Most people know about the visitor centers when Tusano and got a Jacuzzi winery. We run cinema valley.com. If you text 7079961090 and ask us a question, Jose's phone will beep and he'll have to answer it. Uh we manage advertising, social media, podcasts. We have field guides, history info, arts information, and more. And we also get visitors here and into local businesses. We also do events. We do two main events, the lighting of the plaza and the Sonoma Spooktacular. Lighting the Plaza is always a Saturday before Thanksgiving and Cinema Spooktacular is always on October 31st. We run the community event calendar. We do have an open house this Friday from 11 to 1. It is at the Tuscano. Ribbon cutting is happening. There will be big scissors. It's going to be a good time. And some food and some uh treats. We also, people don't know this, we sell bus passes uh to a lot of locals. And we're also the number one sales site for regional parks passes in Sonoma Valley. We have not gotten a plaque for that yet. It's because we're also the only place to sell regional parks passes in Cinema Valley, but I think we should apply for that. Uh we're also the lost and found for the plaza. You'd be amazed what

people lose. Uh and then we also manage the plaza marquee, helping nonprofits get the word out about the different events that are happening there. So, who do we partner with? Well, first of all, I want to thank the city of Soma. Thank you so much for being our landlord and for partnering with us and California State Parks to move in the Tuscano Hotel. It's been a a huge success. We also partner with the county of Sonoma providing visitor services and the Sonoma County tourism board upon which I sit. Um and California State Parks and there's nobody here but they're a wonderful people to work with. And then we work with the usual uh suspects Soma Valley Chamber, Sonoma Valley Ventures and Growers and then a lot of the different nonprofits and allied organizations. I had a good meeting with um Sonoma Family Meal this past weekend or past week talking about what they're doing and what they hope to bring to the valley. So how are we doing? Uh at the Tuscano Hotel, visitor center traffic is up 37%. Location, location, location. It has been a very good move for us. Lodging occupancy though, the city uh lodging occupancy has been up 6 and a half%. The valley has been up 7%. Uh Cinema County has been down 2.8%. So we are uh doing slightly better, well many percentage points better than the rest of the county. And that's and that's a good thing. How does this translate to Soma? Um, hotels and sales taxes account for more than half of general fund revenues. That's from the city budget. So, tourism is very important to the city of Sonoma. It's a major industry here. Uh, transient occupancy tax in calendar year 2025 was 6.6 million and that was up 15% from 2024. That's calendar year numbers. So, you might look differently on your budget if you're looking at fiscal year. Um, for Sonoma County 2025, this is the county numbers. There were 22,000 jobs. Visitor spending was 2.24 billion. and state and local tax revenues 231 million. The cool thing about tourism is that it's really taxed highly. Every activity a tourist does is taxed. I say cool thing because for government that means there's a lot of things that happen. You eat out, you buy gas, you stay in a hotel. There's a lot of government revenue derived from

tourism. Good and bad. Thinking ahead, what are we thinking about for Sonoma Valley? Well, we're going to continue to encourage and support local small businesses. We'd like to work on transportation improvements like the circulator shuttle connections up that way. That's nice.

transfers from San Francisco and improve pedestrian to bike connectivity. We'd also like to encourage events that can be demand drivers especially in the arts and culinary world. Uh and then promote the attributes that can sustain visitor economy like wine, food, outdoors, culture, and history. And you're right, Council Member Ding. I don't know if Train Town is going to get the smart station anytime soon, but if you use the right AI generation tool, maybe we'll get a a better connection there. So, that is my quick introduction to the visitors bureau. Thank you so much for your partnership on that. Uh, and again, our uh visitor Oh, I'll go back one real quick. Oh, can we go back real quick? Sorry, Monique, it's gone. Um, here we go. Uh, Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 is our open house and ribbon cutting. So, please stop by if you can. Okay, the next one.

Yeah, I think we all have an invite for 11:30, but I will because I wanted you to get there in time for me to have everything set and have everything right. Great. Okay. But you can show course if you want to show up. It's from 11 to 1:30 is the time we say we're open. Okay. It's an open house. Just stop by when you can. Bring a casserole. Don't bring a casserole. Uh salt.

Uh for the Sonoma Tourism Improvement District, this I every year I want to do these on separate dates just to keep them separate to explain the difference because people can confuse it. But um here we are. I'm going to do it and and we'll go through there. Uh joining me from the tourism improvement district though, Norm Krug, Dan Parks. Uh Norm is with the Sonoma Valley in and Dan Parks is with the init. Okay. So what is the tourism improvement district? It's an assessment district in the city limits of Sonoma and the city has a representative on the board. Council member Gurnie is our representative on the board and then the city manager uh can attend as well. The T collects a 2% assessment separate from and on top of the city toot. Currently the city TOT is 13% so the total lodging tax and fees is 15% on someone staying within the city limits of Sonoma. The funds are used to promote visitation to Sonoma marketing, advertising, PR, assistance and sales. And we also support events that encourage visitation. I'll talk about that in a second. And then it supports events and programs that provide a reason to stay longer. So we were formed in 2012 with the goal of increasing occupancy and room revenues. And increasing occupancy has the benefit of increased patronage at other Sonoma businesses. So this stands the reason if I can get you to spend the night in the city of Sonoma, I can probably get you to go to a restaurant. I could probably get you to go to a tasting room. And I could probably get you shopping. If you're only here for a day, it's a little bit harder. If I get here for two nights, it's a lot easier. So the programs supported include advertising, marketing, meeting sales, funds for events and programs and services. It's also important to note most ads people here in Cinema Valley don't see. We do not spend money advertising locally. We want to get people from 50 miles away to come here because that is who is most likely to yield an overnight visit. The T also provides funds for different programs uh throughout the year. This is an example of them. Everything from lighted tractor parade, Fourth of July celebration, uh Ketalon's winter and

spring showcase concert, uh the public star parties, the jazz society holidays on the northern frontier. We go through a granting process. It opens up in August. We usually have the grants decided by October. The goal is to encourage visitation in the offseason. Uh and then for meetings, we have a meetings team and their job is to go out there and get meetings typically to come midweek off peak. Midweek is Sunday through Thursday. Off peak is uh November through April. And these are example of some of the meetings we've been able to bring to the city limits of Sonoma to increase funds here. So the future of the T no train on this one. Uh we're continue to support marketing, advertising, and promotions. Going to keep looking for the grants. We want to continue to collaborate with partners in the region. And most importantly, be a good community partner. And I want to talk about that. Oftentimes, I talk about destination because that's my job. It's my job to say there's this destination. The destination rests on top of the community. And the community is Sonoma. And we always want to be a good partner. I know when I speak on behalf of T and the Visitors Bureau, we live here. We work here. We do want to be a good partner and we will continue to do so. So, thank you so much and uh happy to answer any questions.

Thank you, Tim. Any questions for the presenter? No, I do. I have a quick You do. I have a quick question. So, just historically speaking, in the early days, was there which was the first train coming to Sonoma County? Was it coming to the city of Sonoma or was it was it going up the corridor? The first train. Yeah,

you're asking me a history question in Soma and you know there's like five different competing historical societies and now I'm going to get in trouble. Uh I believe the first trains to Soma uh probably came up and I don't think they came all the way to the depot to up here until later. I think they stopped south of town. I could be wrong. I know I'm going to get a correction. Patricia, Robert, everyone else, George is listening. I'm so sorry I'm getting this wrong. Um, but I I think the first trains were by the bay down there. And I'm just thinking of because the smart trains are already going up the corridor like you know we should be using the history of when you know the first trains were coming up from you know San Francisco

uh to this area is you know like how you know I would really I mean we might all be gone from this earth by the time it actually happens but it'd be wonderful if the smart train or any kind of train would come towards cinema because that would be a fantastic game changer for us. Yeah. Yeah. Considering you were just at the last meeting.

Yeah. But I I just want you to know at every single SCTA meeting I bring that up. And um and also that we need to have like a shuttle to the as part of the service until we get an actual engine on the tracks. A shuttle from you know the plaza or somewhere to Paluma would be very easy and then we could go from there. And I'm working on something by the way. I'll let you know what it is. Okay. I'd like to talk to So, we're all going to take a bus and jump on a train. We're going I've got I've got things going on in my head. We're We're going to make it happen. Great. So, it'll be fun. Scary. John says it's But that's why he has to wear a helmet.

Oh, thanks. My parting comment is simply, thank you for mentioning I that motorcycle gang that came into town took out all the rooms in the Sonoma Lodge for an entire week. It was a good economic event. It was a good economic event. So, uh, there you have it. Thank you, Tim. Thank you very much. Thank you.

Sometimes you have regrets when you delegate tasks and you feel like you've been left out. And I realize now that uh I have no proclamation. However, I do have uh a little bit of recognition that I want to state if I could. Uh I know that the calendar weeks are shared with many different organizations and I was it was brought to my attention that May 3rd through the 9th is municipal clerk's week

and we have um a very competent clerk who unfortunately is recovering from knee surgery. but equally as competent and supportive as we have a deputy clerk who happens to be at the controls to my right and I would like to acknowledge her at this point for your significant contribution to Sonoma City Hall. We appreciate your quiet, focused and productive duty as well as which is a significant value to the city. And I'm going to brag a little bit now. She through a lot of diligence and hard work has recently attained her CMC which is the certified m municipal clerk as well as the CPMC which is California professional municipal clerk. So on the part of the council we would like to say thank you and we appreciate your hard work. Okay, now uh onto the consent calendar and we'll let people leave because apparently they don't care about our consent. So these are items that are going to be looked at all at once. Uh we have the opportunity to pull them if we wish to have further discussion, but they'll be taken up as a whole with one motion. So, at this point, would anyone like to pull anything that is currently on the consent calendar? Seeing nothing, I will then request that there be a motion for accepting the consent calendar.

Move to approve consent. Is there a second? I second. Thank you. Comments. Public comments. I'm sorry. Yes. Public comment, please, if there is anyone. regarding the consent calendar of items 7 2 and 73. Thank you, Mr. Attorney, for reminding me. Seeing none, uh, may we have roll call, please? Council member Ding, I. Council member Farrieas, I. Council member Gurnie, yes. Vice Mayor Low, hi. Mayor Welinder, yes. Thank you. The motion carries unanimously.

Thank you. Now on to our regular calendar dominated by our community director. We will be looking at 9.1 which is the 2026 planning commission annual work plan.

Sorry. No, no problem. It's all yours.

All right. Good evening, mayor and city council. I have two items before you. We'll start with the first one um which is the planning commission annual work plan. So we started this a couple of years ago and I started as the community development director and it helps organize a lot of our goals at city council as well as planning commission um and kind of um identifies the priorities for staff to work on um during the uh fiscal year and calendar year. So in this case we're doing calendar year work plans. So on April 16th um commission recommended um that this lovely work plan that's before you um and it's attached um be approved. Um and if you have any questions I'm more than happy to answer. Um it is basically the 2025 work plan continuation with one additional item added and that is the night sky ordinance being added. It's been um a conversation by a lot of people and it's something that has risen to the top of wanting to deal with sooner than later. Our lighting ordinance currently is outdated and needs to be modified. Um we did accomplish a lot of things last year. We continued to streamline our city permit process and we modified a lot of our workflows. We started the citywide historic resources inventory and we adopted um the ordinances for specialized housing um as well as reszoning of the identified site. So implementation of the housing element is definitely still a priority for us. So with that, if there's any questions, I'm happy to answer them.

Any questions from the DAS? Yeah, I do. Oh, please. Okay. Thank you Jennifer for comprehensive u uh my question is and we have the plan that is based on calendar year and when we mentioned the budget and the funding that is the fiscal year and fiscal year yeah we covered the two years how you can you know match if anything missing for province fiscal year and we yeah just tell me a little bit

sure so what What we try to do is um one we set calendar year goals at city council. So we're taking that into consideration and then also what are our priorities again like I said some of them go from year to year and some of that identifies where do we need to ask for funding and so um and then other things we already have the funding and so that's what's identified on that right hand column is there are things funded part of the budget cycle um in this next round is the ask is going to be around the housing element implementation needs um as well as maybe some assistance with the code updates that are going to be needed once we adopt a general plan. So that's how we look at all right these are our goals we've already set them out but then we're going to have a budget ask at midyear potentially if if there it's broader than what we already have funding for. Does that make sense?

Makes sense. Yeah. Thank you. My another question is uh you put a lot of the project under the the priority you I'm wondering do you have any and the ranking or and do you have those kind of and the matrix and see which one is number one number two

there's none at number one number two so everything that's in green is our current goals that we are working on and that we've created um ad hocs if necessary to kind if there's an interest from the planning commission to assist in that work. And so um obviously the general plan update is top priority and we are working um diligently on that as long as well as the code updates that would go along with that. Then we have some other code updates. So right now our associate planner Jacob Dunn is going is working on the sign ordinance update. So we should have that probably by this summer and you'll hear from him then. And then we also will probably have um we have some housing element requirements uh an update to our density bonus ordinance and our accessory dwelling unit ordinance and our associate planner Diane Levine is working on that as well. So we we divvy it out and we try to accomplish everything that we can. Um the sign ordinance has been lagging and continuing on longer than we had expected. Um but we're getting there. Um so as you know sometimes things are coming up um that are taking over priority um and we shift accordingly but we're hoping this year to really um get into more of the last two items that were on the list that one was added last year and the one that's added this year um around the vacant structures um and the need to address that and then also our night sky.

Thank you so much. Thank you. I'm not wondering if we have the enough staff the capability or you know staff hours because so many things need to cover. There's a lot of things. Yeah. But we're getting it. Thank you.

Anyone else? A couple quick ones. Um on the new item, I'm curious. Um we have not had a night sky ordinance to date. We have a certain amount of light pollution now. So the question is, is the ordinance that we're going to be compiling everything it will be future oriented? Is there any expectation about trying to upgrade what we currently have in terms of existing lighting that we have in town?

So one of the things that we discussed is there is a lot of lighting that's not covered in our code. Um, a lot of people like to put up lights on trees, for example. Um, and so how do we move that forward into the future? Are we um grandfathering everything in as today, but if somebody asks for a change or a new electrical permit, that's when we would look to implement our new regulation. So, as somebody applies for something new, then we're going to implement it versus going after everybody that has, let's say, uplights on their landscaping. So that's one of the things that we're going to work through. Um along with our code is um very interesting and has um

please define that. Um the the uh the lighting can only reflect off the wall at a twoft candle. Uh yeah. So just little things like that that don't really reflect current standards of how we measure light. Also the fact that we've now moved into a whole new type of light. Um so we're going to take into account, you know, looking at temperature of light, how does that impact our mitigation pattern, our migration patterns, things like that. Okay, great. Um then uh on the last sheet which is long-term goals of the special use standards, planning area standards and historic preservation infill overlay zone

uh just laid out not alphabetical. Is there a priority or they're just all equally weighted as far as what you're hoping to get to long term? So they're on my long-term list because they've been brought up. However, with the general plan update, um we are going to need to do a pretty comprehensive code update. Mhm. And as part of that, all of those three things are going to be part of it. Okay. So, one of the things that we'll probably pull up to the front is going to be the planning area standards and whether to even have them at all anymore. It's a question.

Okay. Great. Great. And um that's it for my questions and I can't comment until I bring it back. Oh, please. So I h have one. I see that the inclusionary housing update is in for in the group of things that were goal for 2025 but are in process. Uh and is also the one I I bet it's within one of these but just let me know where if it is the uh affordable housing by design. So um we have in the very front we don't call it affordable housing by design. We're calling it um missing middle. Okay. Good. Thank you.

Okay. So, with that, I'd like to open it up for the public if they'd like to come forward and make comments or on this item under affordable housing. Okay. Good. And I see no movement. So, I'll bring it back to the dis for comments and or possible motion.

I move approval. Is there a second? I'll second further comments. I will make one. I love your focus on trees. Thank you, clerk. May we have a roll call? Council member Ding. I. Council member Ferrari. I. Council member Gurnie. Yes. Vice Mayor Lo. I. Mayor Wellender. Yes. Thank you. The motion carries unanimously. All right. Uh, different item, same presenter.

Thank you for that intro. Um, all right. So, item number two is the Historic Preservation Commission annual work plan. If you remember last year, we modified the design review historic preservation commission to just focus on historic preservation. And with that um we are doing our first work plan and really trying to identify where um their interests lie and um moving initiatives forward with historic preservation. Obviously we already have some projects moving forward that will need their attention. Um and so with that um we will continue to utilize them for the general plan update. So that's a priority. Again, we have a specific element on cultural resources and then we also are in the process of doing a historic resource survey and context statement. So, their job as the historic preservation commission will be to review that. Also, um the preservation commission has the ability to list historic structures and make recommendations to the city council for listing of historic districts. So as part of this survey, there are potential there is the potential that districts will be identified um as well as potential historic resources. So that is going to be something that they'll need to focus on. Then um something that is of interest to a lot of them is more around historic preservation education engagement and collaborating with our um historical societies and working through what is the kind of information that we want to share and promote within our community um and how do we want to engage more. So that's one of the things and then um lastly is kind of a combo with the planning commission. um we're going to need after the general plan update when we are focusing more on the ordinance itself is to get the historic

preservation section updated um creating more opportunities for incentives um as well as defining more of what the regulations are going to be moving forward. So that is their work plan. Good. So questions please. We have um a lot of trucks, pins, banners, whatever with all different dates on them as far as when the city of Sonoma began. When I first um joined the council,

I had three different badges, all of which said had a different logo, a different year, and everything. So it it sort of made it look like we were just kind of making it up as we go along as they say and not that didn't look too good. So I I'm I'm just bringing that up. I know it's some going to be addressed somehow and it's actually a budget issue because once you start changing logos and you know emblems on trucks and whatever there's a cost factor but I just think that we need to be very consistent um with the public in terms of when when the city of Soma began and you know and historically and I'm hoping the commission could also um when they identify by things that they they sort of you know we make a determination about it because it it it is really confusing out there.

So that is something that um our deputy city clerk has been researching around the logos and what has actually been um submitted to the state for our logo. Um I don't know what the outcome is yet. Um but with that we do have multiple dates because we became a city and then the decision was to not be a city anymore because they some people at that time wanted some benefits so they redid the city after that. So that's why we have some fun dates but we can I can talk more about that at another time when I actually can remember the exact dates. I know it's not really gerine to this particular presentation, but um it was just something that I thought, well, I'll mention it because it it it could be,

you know, when they're looking at benchmarks for the his historical part of the city. I mean we we should have an answer and people on this commission should be prepared to when people ask them well when was you know tell me about the history of Sonoma you know not just identifying well that's a cool old house let's protect it but you know what is what is the actual historic

so the yeah so one of the projects is that contact statement and that's what's going to provide um history during our different periods of history um but one of the goals that I have is to update our website. Um we actually have nothing about historic preservation on our website. Um so I've been working with Sarah to try to start adding some things um here and there. So

yeah, just um how do does the commission and your how do you yourself coordinate with the league? So it's not just the league but both organizations we um whenever so these projects that I have coming down we utilize we send out uh information to them to share with their membership. So we just had the community workshop um on for the uh first u meeting public meeting on the historic resource survey and contact statement and so we sent a lot of that information through them. We also invite them to participate in stakeholder meetings. So when we did the review of the um historic resources element, I actually did it not just with the preservation commission but also stakeholders and invited representatives from our two societies as well as state parks and the tribes.

Great. Thank you. Mhm. Uh my question is uh you mentioned about the inventory list. Do we have an existing the inventory list? We do. So so that means that we need update. Uh another concern is and our historic buildings and how much the impact for our affordable housing you know how to balance or something like that. Is it really not bother you or it it it doesn't matter or yeah that is maybe this question is not proper way you know I just concern yeah

no I understand what you're saying um so right now we have vacant lots and we have other means to provide affordable housing um the you know when we talk about affordable housing too it's not just um or even historic. It's not just the the big beautiful ones um in town. It could be other areas as well. Um what we try not to do is um financially impact them by owning that. So we would build in that's one of the things that we want to build in is an understanding for like a reasonable accommodation for like financial considerations are sometimes built into preservation ordinances. Um so that's one opportunity so that we can take that into account. Um there but as far as creating new affordable housing, I don't see the need to demolish our culture and our historic resources to provide that.

Thank you.

All right. On this side. All right. Uh two quick questions. Uh picking up on previous comment, uh we have a a tremendously rich history in Sonoma and we also have a a rich history of historic characters living and I see them as resources and unfortunately they go beyond just the two formal ones and I just would like to uh question whether or not we're taking full advantage of our local resources that will help with all these so-cal historic tasks that we're going to be doing.

So, I've worked with um so we have um I would call um local historians outside of the organizations as well. Um and so I have conversations with them. They did come to the meeting. I also have family members um local family members that um a gentleman that uh his family built one of the buildings on West Napa sent me an original photo um and just gave his piece of history in that. That's not something that gets into the level of detail that will go into a historic context statement, but some of the information is so that's a local builder potentially that maybe have built other things. And so we'll document the names and so there'll be opportun continue to be opportunities for community input on the the people of Sonoma, the families of who built, who did a lot economically or put their stamp on our community. And my last kind of question is I know that the trigger for historic properties is 45 years and I'm concerned about certain subdivisions that exist that I scratch my head as far as their historic significance. Do you have will we have any latitude on that or is that timeline going to automatically encumber that property? So, um I wouldn't use the word incumber, but um anything that's 45 years or older is going to be part of this survey. So, all all the structures of that age are going to be looked at and whether or not they contribute to our history. Um so, that's the importance of building a context statement because we're going to have a context statement for postwar war,

right? And so, what does that look like? what's important doesn't necessarily mean the 1970s development is part of that history or a major contributor to us developing as a city. Um so that is part of the conversation. It'll be presented as such um in the conversation. It doesn't mean that the city needs to take um a stance on listing that um but we do want to have a determination of eligibility because our goal is to not require HRES anymore. Oh, okay. Thank you. Do you say not require attorneys? HRE, the historic resource evaluations. Oh, HR E. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to.

I won't get rid of him. Historic resource. How did I Yeah. All right. If there aren't any more questions from the dis, I would like to open it up to the public. And seeing no movement of the two, thank you for being here. Uh, I'd like to uh see if there's a motion here at the front. I move to Oh, yeah. You go. I second. Okay. Further discussion. Roll call, please. Council member Ding, I. Council member Farah Rivas, I. Council member Ernie, yes. Vice Mayor Low, Mayor Wellender,

yes. Thank you. The motion carries unanimously. Great. All right. Wonderful. And in the interest of wrapping up this meeting, we have agenda item 9.3. And this is uh giving guidance to the mayor on making the right recommendation. So with that, I'd like to turn it over to our deputy clerk.

Thank you, Mary. Mayor, uh, this item is related to the Soma County Mayors and Council Members Association and the Sonoma County City Selection Committee. So, at their upcoming meeting on May 14th, the mayors and council members board meeting will uh be considering an appointment to the airport land use commission. This is for one seat. The term is for four years and it's filling the expiring term of Todd Lans from Cloverdale. A call for interest uh letters of interest was sent out on February 25th with an original deadline of March 29th. There were no letters submitted at that time, so it was extended to April 6th. There was one letter of interest received from Ariel Kelly from the city of Hiltsburg. So tonight, council is being asked to provide mayor Wellender direction or his designate on how to proceed with the nomination at that meeting when it comes before the city selection committee. So with that, I will turn it back over to council for discussion and direction.

Very good. Thank you. So please comment approve Ariel Ariel Kelly. Yes, together. Yes. Good. Well, I think too it it makes sense where the location of the airport is relative to Hildsburg versus further away. So, very good. So, I have my direction. Yeah. And with that, I will go further by saying we're done. Awesome. Done. That is Look at the time.