The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Chair Alvarez.

In attendance: Chair Alvarez, Commissioners Christopher, Blake, Lewin and Pelot-Whitcomb (Commissioner Krupp joined the group at 7:58 p.m.)

Staff present: Assistant City Manager Dorch, Recreation Coordinator Dutra, Administrative Clerk Sime

Assistant City Manager Dorch mentioned that Commissioner Costanza would be resigning her position and will submit a letter to that effect to Mayor Berkemeier.

At the suggestion of Commissioner Blake, Chair Alvarez made a motion to amend the minutes of the Special Meeting of October 22, 2001 to include non-attendance of Commissioners Costanza and Lewin and Council Representative Orchard. Commissioner Pelot-Whitcomb seconded the motion. A unanimous vote was expressed by all Commissioners present to accept the minutes as amended.

A discussion ensued regarding financial assistance to the new Jewish Community Free Clinic. It was decided to invite the free-clinic to attend the Holiday Tree Lighting event.

In answer to a question from Terry Dutra pertaining to meeting minutes, Commissioner Lewin stated that Commissioner Blake had been taking Commission Meeting minutes. Ms. Dutra further commented that she would like to see "draft" minutes sent out to everyone receiving the Community and Environment agenda. Assistant City Manager Dorch mentioned that the CEC could indeed send out "draft" minutes and that he would look into minutes' procedure for the CEC.

Comments:

• Assistant City Manager Dorch commended all those individuals responsible for the success of the event.
• Commissioner Pelot-Whitcomb thought that the event could have been a little longer.
• Commissioner Christopher would like to see more outreach next year.
• Commissioner Lewin cited revisions of the City's Volunteer Waiver Form to include a section whereby volunteers will also need to legibly print their name. Lewin stated an overall need for a more complete sign-up sheet.
• Commissioner Blake would like to see more volunteer information at the bottom of the sign-up sheet.
• Thank yous will be sent to appropriate individuals by Commissioner Christopher.
• Letters will be sent to those who provided for Earth Day. Chair Alvarez will provide a mailing list to Administrative Clerk Sime. Administrative Clerk Sime will produce the letters and Chair Alvarez will sign them.
• Commissioner Blake will see that the Earth Day event is published in the Tuesday edition of The Community Voice.

Saturday, December 8, 2001

Saturday, January 12, 2002

Saturday, February 9, 2002

Saturday, March 9, 2002

Joe Kagan, 105 Falcon Drive, Cotati, was introduced by Assistant City Manager Dorch. Mr. Kagan mentioned that a Hanukah festival will simultaneously take place with the Tree Lighting ceremony. Mr. Kagan requested that the Tree Lighting Festival be a multi-cultural event to include some of the Jewish Hanukah traditions. Commissioner Blake was in agreement with Mr. Kagan to combine the Jewish holiday spirit with the Tree Lighting event. Hanukah cookies, dreidels and geld were among the suggested items which could be intertwined with the Tree Lighting event. Assistant City Manager Dorch will look into the cost of these items.

Commissioner Christopher will serve as Chairman of the Tree Lighting event. Commissioner Pelot-Whitcomb will serve as co-chairman of the event.

Commissioner Christopher presented and explained a draft copy of the Tree Lighting event inventory list.

Tasks discussed included:

• Terry Dutra will bring coffee urns over to the Fire Department. Administrative Clerk Sime will assist Ms. Dutra with coordinating items needed from Public Works Department.
• Sara Anna will provide items from the Master Shopping List.
• Assistant City Manager Dorch will go 'on-line' and price/order 500 dreidels or geld.
• Terry Dutra will purchase candy canes.
• It was suggested that Mr. DeSomber participate as Santa Claus.
• Assistant City Manager Dorch will conduct a background check on Santa.
• Commissioner Christopher will establish a file of available "Santa's".
• Chair Alvarez will secure a gift certificate from a Cotati establishment for the participating Santa.
• Assistant City Manager Dorch will contact the Cotati Fire Department and inform them of the CEC's desire for a 3:00 p.m. set-up time. Dorch will suggest that all Fire Trucks be parked outdoors at 2:00 p.m. on order to expedite set-up. Assistant City Manager Dorch will also secure a contact name for the Fire Department and forward this information to Chair Alvarez.
• Commissioner Blake will make signs for the Tree Lighting to be posted inside the Fire Hall.
• Commissioner Lewin will secure 55-gallon drums from St. Vincent DePaul. Lewin stated that he would see to the return of the gallon drums as well.
• Music will be coordinated by Commissioner Lewin. Mario will set up the P.A. system and bring CDs.

• Terry Dutra will produce a flyer, secure flyer approval from the Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District and distribute the flyers to the schools. Terry requests that flyers be left in her box at City Hall in order that:

• Commissioner Pelot-Whitcomb can distribute flyers to downtown Cotati

• Chair Alvarez can dispense flyers to nursery schools.

• Sara Anna will oversee Public Works' posting the event on the City's downtown bulleting board.

• Mayor Berkemeier will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the Tree Lighting ceremony.
• Terry Dutra will attend to the selection of Christmas caroles.

Further discussion included:

Assistant City Manager Dorch will contact the Fire Department regarding the canned food drive and toy drive.

Commissioners discussed the fact that he Cotati Chamber and United Way should be notified if they wish to set up tables for the event.

Commissioner Pelot-Whitcomb will organize the Kids' Art Table along with help from Commissioner Lewin and Mrs. Lewin.

Suggestions for the Kids' Art Table included:

• Purchase of more glue-sticks and yarn
• 4-H will help "cut out shapes"

Chair Alvarez and Commissioner Pelot-Whitcomb will be in charge of refurbishing Santa's Corner. Set-up will take place at 3:00 p.m.

Those assisting Commissioner Blake with set-up are: Commissioner Christopher, Heidi Hydusik (possibly), Commissioner Krupp and 4-Her's.

The Pasta Feed will take place on Saturday, February 23, 2002, City Corporation Yard. It was mentioned that Public Works Superintendent Nommsen had volunteered his crew to cook for the event. Commissioner Krupp commented that he greatly appreciated Superintendent Nommsen's suggestion to cook for the event but further stated that he would like to engage the Pasta King as chef for the event. Commissioner Krupp added that he would definitely like Public Works to set-up for the event.

• Tickets will be $10 each for adults and $5 each for children.
• Commissioner Lewin will be responsible for music and P.A. system.
• Commissioner Krupp will contact Suzanne Whipple of the Cotati Chamber of Commerce regarding the Chambers' taking charge of the Bingo portion of the event.
• Commissioner Lewin will contact Hertz (a.k.a. Big 4 Rents) regarding donation of chairs and tables.

There were no Commissioner reports at this time.

Assistant City Manager Dorch reported on the success of the Cotati Philharmonic Concert of November 2^nd and 3^rd. Dorch further stated that the next CPO Concert will be held at Spreckles' Performing Art Center, Rohnert Park, 8:00 p.m., Friday, February 1^st and Saturday, February 2^nd.

In answer to a question from Commissioner Christopher relating to the reorganization of the Community and Environment Commission, Assistant City Manager Dorch stated that he would check into the matter of an ordinance regarding this issue.

Assistant City Manager Dorch mentioned that he would check into Commissioner Christopher's concerns regarding the Community Garden fence.

The next meeting of the Community and Environment Commission will be held Monday, December 10, 2001.

Adjournment: 8:39 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Linda E. Sime

Administrative Clerk