HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 03/26/20073
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March 26, 2007
City of Petaluma, California
MEETING OF THE PETALUMA
City Council/Fair Board Minutes
Monday, March 26, 2007
Special Meeting
Sonoma -Marin Fairgrounds
Herzog Hall
MARCH 26, 2007
AFTERNOON SESSION
CALL TO ORDER - AFTERNOON SESSION - 5:00 P.M.
Vol. 42, Page 353
CITY COUNCIL/
Present: Petaluma City Council Members Barrett, Freitas, Harris, O'Brien,
Rabbitt, Vice Mayor Nau, and Mayor Torliatt;
Sonoma -Marina Fair Board Members Herm Benedetti, James
Burleson, Jeff James, Richard Courier, Nicole Marzo, Ruth McClure,
Jim Mickelson, Margaret "Peg" Smith, and President Brian Sobel,
Fair Board CEO Tawny Tesconi
Absent: None
Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Torliatt
PUBLIC COMMENT
Claire McCarthy, Petaluma, spoke regarding the EIR on the Regency project, and points
she does not think have been adequately addressed, including impacts on health,
climate, traffic, and schools. She urged the Council not to adopt the EIR in its present
form.
Grayson James, Petaluma, City of Petaluma "Green Team" Member, Executive Director,
Petaluma Bounty, spoke in favor of a sustainable local food system and an urban
educational farm on the Regency/fairgrounds property.
Xander, Petaluma, lives two blocks away and believes that big box stores would have a
negative impact on his Old East Petaluma neighborhood, and would take away from
the local economy. He said this "charming little town could be ruined."
Melissa Abercrombie, Petaluma, lives in the Old East Petaluma neighborhood, and said
this is an active community use area. She already feels that her "health and safety are
compromised" when crossing East Washington Street. She feels the retail leakage study
should be reevaluated for 2007. She urged Council to consider local businesses for this
Vol. 42, Page 354 March 26, 2007
property, and fears "putting a big box store right off the City's main artery would kill the
downtown."
Chip Rees, Petaluma, moved up from San Francisco because he saw in Petaluma
"charm and character lacking in other cities." He asked Council to consider the effects a
big box development would have on Petaluma. He suggested they read the book, Big -
Box Swindle: The True Cost of Mega -Retailers and the Fight for America's Independent
Businesses by Stacy Mitchell.
Camille Przewodek, Petaluma, lives in the Old East Petaluma neighborhood and told
Council that big box retail may initial generate more revenue for the City, but will
ultimately destroy it. She said it would be better to put the types of local businesses
currently lacking in Petaluma on the Regency property. She believes the citizens of
Petaluma are largely uninformed about the potential of a big box retail project being
approved for the property. She said she doesn't want to "live in another Rohnert Park."
Linda Hamm, Petaluma, owner of Early Work Toy Station, moved to Petaluma and
opened her store almost 20 years ago because she believed the City supported local
businesses such as hers. Now it seems that the Council and Planning Commission may not
share that commitment. She told Council they should regard the City as a kind of
business and focus on what makes it unique and what will make it thrive. She suggested
a possible rental rate cap for small businesses.
Gene Hamm, Petaluma, animator and cartoonist, suggested Council look at the website
jibjab.com and specifically at "Big Box Mart." He then read lyrics of a song to the tune of
"Oh, Susannah" about the negative effects of big box retail on towns.
David Keller, Petaluma, former Council Member, suggested a convention center for the
fairgrounds property if the fair were to move to another location. The Council should
commit to the best interests of the community. The retail leakage study did not take into
account internet, phone, and mail sales and should be updated.
Geoff Cartwright, Petaluma, had concerns about the Brown Act and public comment.
He then talked about flooding on East Court and said that the water came from the
fairgrounds property.
Will Stapp, Executive Director, Live Oak Charter School, spoke in support of keeping the
fairgrounds at the center of town. He said the property has great potential for providing
cultural and agricultural resources.
Mayor Torliatt
411 / ! I ►� a
None.
BOARD COMMENT
President Sobel
1. GENERAL PURPOSE OF WORKSHOP - President Sobel, Mayor Torliatt
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March 26, 2007
President Sobel
Vol. 42, Page 355
Mayor Torliatt
President Sobel
2. APPROVALS
A. Approval of Agenda (for current meeting only) - Approved unanimously,
as presented.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
4. HISTORY AND CURRENT USES OF THE FAIRGROUNDS - CEO Tesconi
A. Fair Layout and Structures
B. Fair Financial Condition and Revenue Sources
Sonoma -Morin Fair CEO Tawny Tesconi
Director Sobel
Mayor Torliatt
Council Member Harris
Ms. Tesconi
Council Member Freitas
Ms. Tesconi
Council Member Freitas
Ms. Tesconi
Council Member O'Brien
Ms. Tesconi
Council Member Barrett
Ms. Tesconi
President Sobel
5. REVIEW OF THE REGENGY PROJECT - City Manager Bierman
City Manager Bierman
6. DISCUSSION OF FAIR'S MASTER AND LONG RANGE PLANS - Director Mickelson and
CEO Tesconi
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Vol. 42, Page 356
President Sobel
Director Mickelson
Council Member Barrett
Ms. Tesconi
Mayor Torliatt
Council Member Rabbitt
Ms. Tesconi
Vice Mayor Nau
President Sobel
Council Member Barrett
Director Mickelson
Director Courier
President Sobel
March 26, 2007
Mayor Torliatt
President Sobel
7. CITY OF PETALUMA'S ECONOMIC FACTORS AND 2025 GENERAL PLAN - City
Manager Bierman
A. Sales Tax Leakage Study
B. Zero Based Tax Status of Property
C. 2025 General Plan
City Manager Bierman
8. DISCUSSION OF COMMON GOALS AND PROPOSED OBJECTIVES
President Sobel
City Manager Bierman
Mayor Torliatt
President Sobel
Council consensus to form a subcommittee to work with the Sonoma -Marin Fair
Board Subcommittee on Master Planning for the property.
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March 26, 2007
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
ATTEST:
/S/
Claire Cooper, CMC, City Clerk
/S/
Pamela Torliatt, Mayor
Vol. 42, Page 357