Councilmembers present: Dell’Osso, Elles, Jensen, Berkemeier, Cullinen

Staff members present: Marangella, Dorch, McAdler, Rook, Anna, Walter

It was moved by Dell’Osso, seconded by Jensen, to approve the minutes of September 23, 1998 and to waive the reading of all ordinances introduced and/or adopted under this agenda.

Yes: 5 No: 0

1. Regular meeting of September 23, 1998

CITIZENS BUSINESS

Bob Jones, 8570 Oak Circle, speaking as Chairman of Cotati Citizens Action Committee, invited everyone to the annual Celebrate Cotati event at La Plaza Park this Sunday. He requested that the bathrooms in La Plaza Park be left open for the event, as they were for the Showcase Cotati event.

Following Council discussion, consensus was to let stand the present policy of requiring the event holders to provide portable toilets and to direct staff to place consideration of the present policy on a future agenda.

John Eder, 8570 Cypress Avenue, requested clarification as to the direction Council was taking, and then stated he agreed that the present policy should remain in place.

Mr. Eder went on to say that the work on East Cotati Avenue is resulting in some badly sunken patches in certain places which are hazardous to drivers. He requested that the contractor be required to do a better job of filling the holes.

Chuck Lucas said he would personally guarantee cleaning of the La Plaza bathrooms if they could be left open during the Celebrate Cotati event. In response, Mayor Cullinen stated that Council’s consensus was to have the bathrooms locked.

Thomas Hobbs, 802 E. Cotati Avenue, the Marvin Garden apartments near the Cheaper gas station, said he and his neighbors will be holding a Neighborhood Watch meeting in the near future and wish to encourage everyone to attend. They hope to improve their neighborhood by discouraging the criminal activities they have observed in the area.

Patricia Jonas Voulgaris, Cotati, said she does not care for designs for the proposed roundabouts which look like European designs. She encouraged the City to pursue Main Street monies and get designs which look like Cotati.

CONSENT CALENDAR

Items pulled: 3, 4

Item 3: Councilwoman Elles said she would want more information before approving the resolution. Following discussion, no action was taken. Staff was directed to bring back a report to the Council at its regular meeting of October 28, 1998.

Item 4: Councilwoman Elles requested that a sentence be added to the letter indicating that Cotati will continue working with the Regional Water Quality Control Board to assure optimal water quality practices."

It was moved by Elles, seconded by Berkemeier, to approve Item 4.

Yes: 5 No: 0

Announcements

Mayor Cullinen called attention to the announcement.

Correspondence and Presentations

Following Council discussion, Mayor Cullinen indicated he would call Phyllis Rosenfield to communicate Council’s wish to hold a workshop, ideally a more regional one and not just focused on Cotati alone.

Report by Honorary Mayor

7. Jennifer Jehley, Thomas Page School

Honorary Mayor Jehley introduced herself and spoke regarding her interests and scholastic activities and responded to questions from Council. Vice Mayor Berkemeier asked her to discuss what sort of mark she will leave at Thomas Page School when she leaves. Mayor Cullinen thanked her for her presentation.

Proclamations

8. United Nations Day – Saturday, October 24, 1998

Council accepted the proclamations.

Vice Mayor Berkemeier complimented and thanked everyone who participated in preparation work on Cator Field next to City Hall, noting that volunteers are needed for installation of irrigation in the park this weekend.

Commissions, Committees, Boards and Task Forces

10. Rent Appeals Board – Acceptance of Resignation of Michelle Schlittler

The Mayor regretfully accepted Ms. Schlittler’s resignation and directed staff to advertise the vacancy.

Bob Jones, Chairman of the Rent Appeals Board, reviewed the Board’s request for authorization to retain the services of a mediator in some concerns involving the Sierra Mobile Home Park and to appoint the Board as a special Council subcommittee to do research into a just cause for eviction ordinance.

Councilwoman Elles recommended Board members contact the mediation department at Sonoma State University to help locate a mediator.

City Attorney Walter recommended the two disputing parties select a mediator rather than the Board selecting the mediator.

Steve Guinn, 50 Ramble Creek Drive, said he would prefer that the mediator address all the complaints in all the mobile home parks.

City Manager Marangella requested that the item regarding appropriating funds for a mediator be removed from this agenda and added later to the joint City Council/Redevelopment Agency Board of Directors meeting agenda tonight.

It was so directed by Mayor Cullinen.

It was moved by Elles, seconded by Berkemeier, to appoint current Rent Appeals Board members to a special Council subcommittee to research a possible just cause for eviction ordinance in the event current rent stabilization law is repealed as a result of the November 3, 1998 election.

Yes: 5 No: 0

Planning Director Dorch commented briefly on the General Plan update process and introduced Nadin Sponamore of Sponamore Associates, who prepared the Draft Final Environmental Impact Report.

Following Council discussion, it was moved by Dell’Osso, seconded by Elles, to adopt Resolution No. 98-74 Adopting and Certifying the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the 1998 General Plan Update.

It was moved by Dell’Osso, seconded by Berkemeier, to adopt Resolution No. 98-75 Approving the 1998 General Plan Update as amended to incorporate changes requested by Council at this meeting.

City Manager Marangella gave a staff report and responded to questions from Council.

There was no public comment.

It was moved by Dell’Osso, seconded by Berkemeier, to pursue implementation of a dog park in the northeastern corner of Putnam Park as a one-year pilot project and to implement the rules recommended by staff.

Yes: 5 No: 0

It was moved by Dell’Osso, seconded by Berkemeier, to authorize cancellation of the regular meeting of December 23, 1998 and request staff to issue a press release to the local newspapers advising of the cancellation and noting the date of the next regular meeting, January 13, 1999; and authorize closure of City Hall.

Call to Order

The joint meeting was called to order at 9:11 p.m.

Roll Call

Council/Board Members present: Dell’Osso, Elles, Jensen, Berkemeier, Cullinen

Staff Members Present: Marangella, McAdler, Rook, Anna

It was moved by Dell’Osso, seconded by Elles, to add to the agenda consideration of funding a mediator from Redevelopment Low to Moderate Income Fund.

Yes: 5 No: 0

There was no public comment.

It was moved by Elles, seconded by Berkemeier, to approve appropriation not to exceed $1,500, allocated from the low-to-moderate income budget, Outside Contracts Account (Fund 037-61025), to provide for professional mediation/facilitation services for resolution of conflicts between Sierra Mobile Home Park owners and residents.

Yes: 5 No: 0

Consent Calendar

Adjournment of joint meeting; reconvening of regular meeting of City Council

The joint meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m. and the regular City Council meeting reconvened.

Following discussion, Council consensus was to take no position on Proposition 9.

Councilmembers gave reports on meetings they have attended.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:36 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

____________________________

Deputy City Clerk