CITY OF COTATI

 

December 22, 2003

 

Minutes of the Adjourned Regular City Council Meeting

and Joint Meeting of the City Council and Cotati Redevelopment Agency Board of Directors

201 W. Sierra Avenue, Cotati, CA  94931-4217

 

 

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:06 p.m. by Mayor Kurvers.

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND MOMENT OF SILENCE

 

ROLL CALL

 

Councilmembers present:  Kurvers, Gilardi, Berkemeier, Moore, Orchard

Staff present:  Stubbings, Gonzalez, Nebb, Hayes, Dorch

 

CITIZENS BUSINESS

 

Linell Hardy-  Spoke regarding the South Sonoma Business Park Revision project.  She expressed concerns with the economic report.  She is concerned with the financial viability of Lowe's in the long term.  She expressed her opinion that the project is “too big”.

 

George Barich- Spoke regarding the South Sonoma Business Park Revision project.  He expressed surprise that the City Council is holding a meeting during the holiday season.  Mr. Barich expressed his opinion that townhomes are not the best use of the property.  He expressed his opinion that the developer is not interested in the community.  Mr. Barich expressed concern with the developer’s reaction to the previous presentation.

 

In response to a question from the public, the Mayor explained that the item on the consent calendar would be pulled for discussion in the event a member of the public requested it.

 

CONSENT CALENDAR

 

Second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 752 Rezoning 31 Acres Located at the Northwestern Intersection of Highway 116 (Gravenstein Highway) and Redwood Drive from Commercial (C-1) and Highway Commercial (CH) to CH:PUD (Highway Commercial:Planned Unit Development) as to a Portion Thereof and C-1:PUD (Commercial:Planned Unit Development) for the Remainder of the Subject Property and Approval of Planned Unit Development (APNs 046-286-011, 046-286-012, 046-286-013, 046-286-014, 046-286-015, 144-050-006, and 144-050-007, PA #21-03) South Sonoma Business Park Revision.

 

 

The item was pulled from the consent calendar for discussion by the Mayor based upon a request from a member of the public.   Mayor Kurvers opened the item for public discussion.

 

Joan Simon-  stated her belief that the Council has worked hard on the project and believes it is in the best interest of the City.  She stated her belief that “locally connected” businesses should be mandated to be tenants in the project. 

 

Tim Frank- Sierra Club-  stated his concern about the “rush” of the project.  Mr. Frank stated that he thinks his group has provided an important contribution to the record.  He requested a complete copy of the record.  

 

Marguerite Leoni- Attorney representing opponents to the project.   Ms. Leoni stated that she believes there are errors in the PUD ordinance.  She identified blanks in the ordinance where parcel numbers are intended to be filled in.  Ms. Leoni stated that there are not supposed to be changes in the ordinance.  She requested a full and complete copy of the ordinance tonight. 

 

Neil Hancock-  stated his belief that the project was opposed by a “fair number of people” in Cotati.   He stated that outlet malls have been proposed and have not done well, office has also not done well.  He stated that he wants something on the site that “fits the City”.

 

Terrell Watt- stated that she would like the City to explain “the rush”.  She stated her belief that most of the speakers have been in opposition to the project.    She stated that she thinks that the process should take 2-3 months and that the City should conduct “workshops”.

 

Lloyd Draper- stated that there are 5 local representatives on the City Council who are here to represent the City.  He stated his belief that the developer could just move the project to another nearby city and that then Cotati would get all of the burdens and none of the revenue.

 

Alan Hahn- stated his opposition to the housing.  He asked the City Council to “follow their convictions”.

 

Paul Foti-  stated his belief that there are several projects in town that are not built as the City Council passed.    He stated that that “won’t fly” this time.

 

There being no further speakers, public comment was closed by Mayor Kurvers.

 

In response to a question from the Mayor, Assistant City Attorney Nebb stated that the parcel numbers could not be filled in because they had not yet been assigned new numbers due to the lot line adjustment.  The Assistant City Attorney further noted that there were several typographical errors that needed to be corrected which were consistent with the City Council’s action in making modifications to the ordinance prior to its introduction.  She described each of the typographical errors.  

 

Mayor Kurvers noted that there is no “cover of darkness” applicable to the project.  The City has held numerous pubic hearings on the project.  The City Council itself has had 3 public hearings on the modifications to the project, which is more than many other projects.  

 

It was moved by Council Member Berkemeier, seconded by Vice Mayor Gilardi, to adopt Ordinance No. 752 Rezoning 31 Acres Located at the Northwestern Intersection of Highway 116 (Gravenstein Highway) and Redwood Drive from Commercial (C-1) and Highway Commercial (CH) to CH:PUD (Highway Commercial:Planned Unit Development) as to a Portion Thereof and C-1:PUD (Commercial:Planned Unit Development) for the Remainder of the Subject Property and Approval of Planned Unit Development (APNs 046-286-011, 046-286-012, 046-286-013, 046-286-014, 046-286-015, 144-050-006, and 144-050-007, PA #21-03) South Sonoma Business Park Revision.

 

Yes:   5            No:   0

 

JOINT MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL AND REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Call to Order

 

The joint meeting was called to order at 7:39 p.m. by Mayor/Chair Kurvers.

 

Roll Call

 

Council/Board Members present:  Kurvers, Gilardi, Berkemeier, Moore, Orchard

Staff present:  Stubbings, Gonzalez, Nebb, Hayes, Dorch

 

Regular Agenda

 

Discussion and direction regarding potential public works projects in the City of Cotati and Redevelopment Project Area I (City Manager/Executive Director)

 

City Manager Stubbings presented the staff report and a list of projects.  She inquired whether the City Council had additional projects to add to the list. 

 

Council Member Berkemeier stated that he thought that the list was appropriate. 

 

Council Member Moore stated that she would like to see a museum/library added to the list.  Council Member Berkemeier asked that Prue and Lloyd Draper be involved in any museum effort. 

 

Mayor Kurvers questioned staff regarding the bus shelters.  Assistant City Manager Dorch responded that the vision is additional shelters such as the one at the West Sierra gateways.  In response to further questions from Mayor Kurvers, Assistant City Manager Dorch responded that the West Sierra shelter cost was approximately $75,000.00-$100, 000.00.

 

In response to a question from Council Member Orchard, City Manager Stubbings responded that this item will be brought back to the City Council at the next Council Meeting for implementation.   She also noted that funds raised could be leveraged to provide even more opportunity for the Council. 

 

Council Members Orchard and Moore noted that they would like more time to look at the list. 

 

Council Member Gilardi suggested that the City should also look at past lists of projects to see if anything can be added.   

 

Public comment on the item was opened by Mayor Kurvers.

 

Joan Simon- stated that she would like to have a copy of the list.   Council Member Berkemeier provided Ms. Simon with his copy of the list.

 

Prue Draper- stated that she applauds the inclusion of a museum library.  She noted that the City should keep in mind that the City’s aspirations are different from Rohnert Park’s in terms of public facilities.  She stated that the City should “keep it on a Cotati scale”.

 

There being no further speakers, Mayor Kurvers closed public comment and directed the City Manager to proceed.

 

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

 

The joint meeting was adjourned, and the regular meeting of the City Council reconvened, at 8:24 p.m.

 

Mayor Kurvers noted that the Draper Park sign is erected and is lovely. 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

_________________________________

City Manager/City Clerk