HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 03/02/1998March 2, 1998 Vo1.31, Page 32Y
1 iVIINTJ~'E5
a O~ A ~GUI,AR MEE'I'ING
3 ~ETAL~TNIIA CITI' CO~TNCII.
a 1VIONI)A~', MAI2C~ 2, 1998
5 I~OI.I~ CAI,I. 3:00 q.m.
6 Present: Torliatt, Keller, Hamilton, Read, Stompe, Vice ~Mayor Maguire, Mayor Hilligoss
~ Absent: None
g PiJBLIC COli'IMENT'
9 Beth Grimes, 1629 St. Anne Way, member of Sonoma County Commission on the Status of
io Women - she is concerned that victims are not able to obtain a Temporary Restraining Order
i i(TRO) quickly enough. If they have to travel to Santa Rosa to obtain this document, often it
iz is not obtained because of the need to obtain transportation to Santa Rosa. There could be a.
i3 drop-in group monitored by the Sheriff Department Advocate.
ia Bill Graham, outgoing Manager of the Municipal Airport, introduced the new Airport
is Manager Paul Wagner, who expressed his pleasure in taking over this position. Bill Graham
i6 was thanked for all he has done on behalf of the Airport.
1~ 1VIINLTTES
is The minutes of the January 12 meeting were approved as conected:
i9 Page 265, Line 8- Keller was absent.
Zo The minutes of the February 2 meeting were approved as corrected:
Zi Page 281, Line 9- Mayor Hilligoss was present.
a2 Page 289, Line 17 - the balance of the agenda was postponed due to the opening of the
23 Emergency Operation Center because the PetaYuma ~tiver overflowed its banks.
2a The rrunutes of the February 17 meeting were approved as corrected:
zs Page 7, Line 4- change the attendance count to "38."
a6 General Minutes suggestion - Please identify the member of staff who presented the staff
a~ report.
zs CONSEN'I' CAI,ENDAR
29 The following items which are noncontroversial and which have been reviewed by the City
so Council and staff were enacted by one motion which was introduced by NR and seconded by
si MS.
~2 Ayes: Keller, Torliatt, Hamilton, Read, Stompe, Vice 1Vlayor 1Vlaguire, Mayor Hilligoss
33 NOeS: NOne
34 Absent: None
Key to abbreviations: JH-Councilmember Jane Hamilton, NR-Councilmember Nancy Read
PH-MayorM. PatriciaHilligoss, MS-CouncilmemberMaryStompe
DK- Councilmem6er David Keller, PT-Councilmember Pamela Torliatt
MM-Vice Mayor Matt Maguire
Page 322, Vol. 31 March 2, 1998
i RESO. 98-33 NCS
2 CI.AYIVIS AND ~~LS
3 Resolution 98-33 NCS approving Claims and Bills #71024 to #71294.
a RESO. 98-34 NCS
s POI,IC'E OVERT'INIE - ~'1'. 116
6 Resolution 98-34 NCS authorizing the Police Department to participate in a multi-agency
~ task force. The California Highway Patrol has received grant fiinds from the Office of Traffic
s Safety for the creation of a multi-agency Sonoma Valley Corridor Project Task Force. A
9 portion of the grant funds will be dedicated to the reimbursement of Petaluma Police Officers
io for overtime money spent for enforcement of traffic violatioms on Highway 116 between
~~ ~rates Itoad and Lakeville Highway at U. S. Highway 101. I3etween 1994 and 1996, one
i2 hundred and eleven collisions occurred in this area on State Route Highway 116. Forty-six
is were injury collisions including one fatality.
ia * * * * * End of Consent Calendar * * * * *
is I)OMES'I'IC VIOI.ENCE cont'd. from 2/23
i6 Police Captain Dave Long and Police Lieutenant Chris Thurman addressed the Council
i~ regarding the issue. Lt. Thurman advised what they have not seen is early intervention nor
is have they seen something helpful~ for the children, who are present during many incidents of
i9 domestic crime. We need officers to work with the advocacy group, he said, as well as help
zo for the children and help in tracking the oi~ender. There is a tremendous need in the high
zi schools for seminars in "do's" and "don'ts" in connection with domestic situations. The
zz highest number of victims are in the age range of 19 to 24. Captain Long noted that the 30
~s miles to the Courts in Santa Rosa increases the City's costs in Domestic Violence situations.
2a It is difficult to get the victims to court. Many have to facilitate their own transportation.
zs We are trying to address our potential personnel needs. The Chief is looking at the program
26 from New YorYc. The Department will draft a proposal about a TRO cliruc and bring that
z~ back to the Council.
zs Council comments:
z9 ° \7Vould like to see other groups, both public and private, participate in putting a program
so together.
3i ° Create a video about the issue, which may or may not be costly, and how to do that is a
3z subject that could be studied.
33 • The District Attorney runs some kind of program to get child care support payments. It
34 may be another way to know who pays or doesn't pay.
3s ° VVe need a basis point showing w~ere we are now as opposed to where we want to be.
36 • In response to the Assemblywoman's request for input, we could inform Assemblywoman
3~ Mazzoni of the need for a budget item in the County Court system to bring back the
3a ~ourt system to Petaluma.
Key to abbreviations: JH-Councilmember Jane Hamilton, NR-Courecilmember Nancy Read
PH-MayorM. PatriciaHilligoss, MS-CouncilmemberMaryStompe
DK Councilmember David Keller, PT-Councilmember Pamela Torliatt
MM-vice Mayor Matt ~1~Iaguire
March 2, 1998
Vo1.31, Page 323
i • The Police should have a comprehensive plan, a satellite office for TRO and the like.
z ° Maybe the City could have a new department called Human Services, and this could
3 be placed under their wings.
a ° Use child care money.
s Kay Russo - Information received from ~-ICZ indicated that 5% of the people they called, in
6 the telephone survey they did a couple of years ago, had been a victim of domestic violence in
~ the past 5 years. There are existing resources and educational services available. There is the
s teen theatre, which is part of the Teen Court. Shelter services are inadequate and cannot
9 handle the number of victims seeking shelter. Services are difficult to obtain. It was
io suggested that educational materials be made available through places such as barber shops
ii and beauty shops. Also, there should be outreach to the ~Iispamc Community.
iz A CAPS Group was formed in 1997, Collaborative Action Planning Sessions. The group
is represents a number of organizations which are interested in helping with this issue. The date
ia for the ne~ meeting is March 14, 8:30 a.m., at the Lucchesi Park Community Centec.
is Joe Manthey, 22 I,aurel Avenue - called the Council's attention to a book named When She
i6 Was Bad. Arrests of women have increased. Marie de Santos has criticized the Police Chief
i~ for anesting so many women. This is a gender neutral crime.
ia Diane Reilly, the YWCA has counseling services, but you have to ask for it. The Police
iv Department's pamphlet on Domestic Violence should be more widely distributed. You need
~o more Police officers.
Zi At budget time more information will be brought forward about: opening a TRO, funding for
Zz additional officers, and Domestic Violence training program information.
2s 1VIII)-YEAlt BiJDGE'T & FINAI. BUDGET' SC~IEDUI,~
za Finance Director David Spilman promised to bring this year's budget documents to the
zs Council the first meeting in May, pursuant to the City's Charter requirements. In answer to
~6 the question, does he forecast asking for a budget extension, he said "No." He reviewed the
z~ mid-year General Fund budget status report. Revenues are up 4%, Expenditures are up 2%,
zs the anticipated Ending Fund Balance is up. The Contingency Reserve remains at $500,000.
s9 CAD S'I'A~'US I~PORB'
3o This report was continued to another Council meeting because the Police Chief was not able
3i to be present.
32 CI,OSEID S~SSION
33 The Council recessed to Closed Session with the legal counsel - initiation of litigation
34 pursuant to Government Code §549569(c) - 1 matter. There was nothing to report out of
3s Closed Session.
Key to abbreviations: JH-Councilmember Jane Hamilton, NR-Councilmember Nancy Read
PH:Mayor M. Patricia Hilligoss, MS-Councilmember Mary Stompe
DK- Councilmember David Keller, PT-Councilmember Pamela Torliatt
MM-Vice Mayor Matt Maguire
Page 324, Vol. 31 1Vlarch 2, 1998
i AIDJO~J~1
z At °4:35 p.m., the Council adjourned to dinner at Der Schmire.
3 RECONVENE 7:00 n.m.
a Present: Torliatt, Keller, Hamilton, Read, Stompe, Vice Mayor Maguire, Mayor Hilligoss
s Absent: None
6 PI,EDGE OF AI,I,EGIAI~TCE
~ Pamela Tuft, Planning Director, led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
~ 1VIOIV~EIV'T OF SII..ENCE
9 PUBLIC COMMENT
io I.arry Torres - commented about his experience with the Police Department relating to
ii whether or not he carries a hand gun, and lus marnage is over.
iz Lori Shea, 349 Ridgeview Drive - has questions about the Rainier Interchange project. She
i3 noted the project has been in the General Plan since the 1960's. It will help alleviate traffic
ia congestion.
is MS - this will be on the agenda May 4. PT - it is her understanding that the
i6 Planning Staffwill review all the alternatives with the committee.
i~ Will Stapp, 1264 Mountain View - regarding Lafferty Ranch. He believes it is time for fence
is mending on the mountain. Pat Cheda has mentioned the need to fix the fence between her
i9 property and the L,afferty property. NIr. Stapp will form a volunteer committee to help fix
Zo the fence. ~'he City Council may want to lease the property for grazing this year. In 1962
2i t}us park was in the General Flan for picnicking, hiking, camping as part of that plan. We can
2z and will e~cist in relative harmony.
23 JH - do you want the Council to discuss this? ~Yr. Stapp said, yes. I)K - we
aa need an estimate of the costs of materials and questions of the survey points
zs should be resolved along with any legal problems.
26 I~ave King - 835 Si~h Street - regarding transportation projects, he is concerned about
z~ growth. Rail will bring unmanaged growth. Urban limit line is good. It is time to consider a
aa citizen vote on a 20 year iJrban Limit line. ~Ie has prepared an ordinance for the Council's
s9 consideration. ~Iopefully there will be land use control between PetaYuma and Novato.
3o VYN~'AGE Cfl~A'I'EA~J
3i This public hearing was rescheduled and renoticed for March 16.
3z CO~TNCII, COl1VIIlVgEN'T
33 DK wants an update on the sewer plant schedule and on the Lalceville bridge completion. He
3a also noted the SCTA will have its hearing on the 101 Highway tax measure issues on
3s 'Thursday, March 12. The Central Petaluma Specific Plan had a good meeting last weekend.
Key to abbreviations: JH-Councilmember Jane Hamilton, NR-Cou»cilmember Nancy Read
PH-Mayor M. Patricia Hilligoss, MS-Councilmember Mary Stompe
DK- Councilmember David Keller, PT-Councilmember Pamela Torliatt
MM-Vice Mayor Matt Maguire
March 2, 1998 Vo1.31, Page 325
i PT - Novato has brought up having a light rail travel between Novato and the Marin County
2 Fair at the beginning of July. Maybe we could have the same exhibit for our fair.
3 JH - the Central Petaluma Specific Plan Committee will conduct another charete on March 28
a and individuals are invited to come to tell the Committee what they think would make a
s better town.
6 MM - This would be a working train from Novato to the Marin County Fair. DK - the trac-c
~ is not in good enough shape to go between Petaluma and Novato.
s NR - They are attempting to put a light rail exhibit at their fair. The track is not in good
9 shape between Novato and Petaluma. The fair runs from July 1 to 4. The Corona Reach
io Specific Plan Committee again chose to send the reverse option Rainier Interchange design to
i i the City Council on an 8- 2 vote. The next meeting is March 25 at Lucchesi Community
i~ Center. These questions being asked causes stalling, and she is not willing to wait. Have the
~3 Rainier Consultants taken off hold. She called the attention of the Council to the letter
ia written by Gerald 7ohnson. She urged everyone to attend that meeting.
is MS - Santa Rosa has a program to offer free rides to employees of large organizations. She
i6 asked that this be placed on the agenda. On Rainier there is much misinformation being used:
i~ It is a myth that the cost is $40 Million, reality is $35 Million; we have no strip malls planned,
is reality is that land uses are being studied; the notion that traffic would be worse, reality is the
i9 Rainier Connection and Interchange would be a benefit to the entire corridor. East
2o Washington requires improvements. She wants this as an action item on May 4.
~i MM - disagrees with NR, you get a polarized approach when you say we disagree, let's not
22 exacerbate the situation.
z3 PT - there are questions from the public on the Corona Reach, and she wants the committee
Za to have an opportunity to work at alternatives.
Zs PH - advised there was notlung to report from the Closed Session. She went on to say that
z6 I'etaluma was the first city to have controlled growth supported by the Courts.
2~ ANIIVIAL COIV~'~tOL IDISCiJSSION
ss Assistant Manager Gene Beatty reviewed the issues: "no kill" (which was defined as
29 avoidance of destroying healthy, adoptable animals), the state of the Animal Shelter and
3o potential improvements, need for everung hour responses, and additional staff. Dan Knapp
3i from the County Humane Society was present as were Petaluma Animal Shelter employees
s2 and volunteers. He suggested hearing the public comments first, then have a response form
33 Dan Knapp.
3a Linda Adams, 840 Hopper Street - Animal Control Officer - we are doing the best we can
3s with what we've got. You have a dedicated staf~
36 Jim Schultz, 22 Railroad Avenue - Volunteer at the Animal Shelter - from what he has seen,
3~ the Shelter is looking better, the care is better, donations are corrung in well, the relationship
ss with the public is good, they feel comfortable there. Cards of tribute are sent to employees at
39 the Shelter. As a volunteer, that is what he has seen.
ao Phil Greschner, I3umane Society - he volunteers at the Shelter. There have been many
ai changes. It seems to be a positive environment. ~or your consideration, I would suggest
a2 additional staffing and additional funding, building needed upgrades, and the roof leaks now.
Key to abbreviations: JH-Councilmember Jane Hamilton, NR-Councilmember Nancy Read
PH Mayor M. Patricia Hilligoss, MS-Councilmember Mary Stompe
DK- Councilmember David Keller, PT-Councilmember Pamela Torliatt
MM-Vice Mayor Matt Maguire
Page 326, Vol. 31 March 2, 1998
~ Tina Cook, Field Officer for Animal Control - the reputation gs good. We have a positive
z staflF. This facility was built in 1955 and needs some renovatbon such as ventilation. We
3 have more adoptions now, There are 30% fewer euthanasias in Petaluma now. MS - how do
a you deal with kennel cough? Response - We have managed to work with that. Animals have
s a hard time staying in the small areas that are available to them. It is hard to keep animals
6 healthy in this limited space. We have had to put orily one arumal due to from "kennel
~ cough."
a Itebecca Mula, 491 Casa Verde Circle - Humane Society Petaluma Shelter Foster Program -
9 has been a volunteer for 3 years. The Shelter is clean and up beat. Adoptions are up. We
io have a sneezing room for cats. We do need a much larger facility. The Council wants a no
i i kill shelter. We are able to save a lot of animals. There aren't enough homes to adopt these
iz animals. They have a`Fix the Felines' program coming up this month. This gives eat owners
i3 the opportunity to have their cats spayed/neutered at a reduced cost. Y,ocal veterinarians are
ia very helpful in this regard. We fund that through dog washes, yard sales and a lot of energy
is goes into that. If we didn't have to spend so much time to raise funds, we could do more for
i6 the animals. ~ducating the public is necessary, so we ga to the schools and social
i7 orgaruzations, and present articles to the newspapers. A part time person could help us do
is this.
~9 DK - please explain a no kill shelter. Response - there are some feral animals, aggressive
Zo animals and ill animals which are euthanized. We try to avoid euthanizing animals that are
zi adoptable. If we had a larger shelter, that would help. ~1Vhen an arumal becomes unsocial,
zz ~ve try to use foster homes to help them.
z3 Shellie 1Vlayne, 624 Ga.rfield Drive - Petaluma Arumal Shelter Foster Program - She is the
2a ~oster Care Coordinator - overpopulation of animals is causing problems. If we could reduce
2s the overpopulation by spaying and neutering, that would be of great value. Education is
26 needed and is lacking in Petaluma. There is a program that is going to be offered shortly for
2~ a reduced cost spay/neuter opportunity. The local veterinarians are being very helpful. The
Za foster care program needs to be funded. She has over 25 families who are willing to provide
zs foster care for animals. The staff and volunteers are stronger than they have ever been. DK ~
3o vvill you do the news releases for the spay/neuter program in Spanish? MS - is there any
3i program to provide grant money for spaying? Response - yes, the Strawberry Fund. VVe
sz vvould like to build a fund for this type of neutering.
33 Linda Byers - Petaluma Shelter Foster Program - she agrees with everything that has been
3a said.
ss Judy Iteynolds, 210~ Paula I.ane - Animal Shelter ~oster program - thanked the Council to
36 support getting the cats spayed and neutered. She suggested the city consider prohibiting the
3~ giving away of animals in public places, you don't know what kind of homes they will get and
sa you have no assurance there will be neutering. Three strikes and you are fixed - if a dog runs
39 around and is caught 3 times, have the authority to `fix' the dog. Licensing for cats - you
ao could use these funds for the spay/neuter program. Work into it for 3 years. ~irst year offer
ai it to be done free, the second year offer the program at a fee, third year offer the program and
az have penalties. Unaltered animal license - an enormous amount of dogs and cats are being
a3 bred for profit. You may want to consider controlling tlus.
Key to abbreviations: JH-Councilmember Jane Hamilton, NR-Councilmember Nancy Read
PH-MayorM. Patricia Hilligoss, MS-CouncilmemberMary Stompe
DK- Councilmember David Keller, PT-Councilmember Pamela Torliatt
MM- vice Mayor Matt Maguire
March 2, 1998 Vo1.31, Page 327
i Many dedicated people work here. Pet overpopulation is a problem. Hope we can all work
2 together to reduce the numbers of extra animals. MS - it should be one stnke and you're out.
s Put them on a data base. We should know when people turn pets in for euthanasia because
a they are going on vacation, only to return and pick out another pet to keep until the next
s vacation.
6 Sheri Cardo, 501 Bryce Canyon Court - appreciates all this new energy coming from the
~ Shelter. She was a volunteer until she heard that TLC was mistreating animals. There is a
s need for after hours care with an `on call' Animal Control Officer. When the I~umane
9 Society took over after TLC, it was an improved place. She showed a video of how a dog
io looked when he had no care, was full of fox tail stickers and maggots, and how he looked
ii subsequently after the local veterinarians and Animal Control had helped the dog by removing
ia the problems, and she showed a video of the dog with the family that finally adopted him.
i3 This was an example of exemplary care. Then she showed a video of a friendly dog that
ia became antisocial and was euthanized. She felt that the latter dog could have been returned
is to a more social state, but because of the crowded quarters causing `kennel stress,' this did
i6 not occur. There was a time when volunteers quit the Shelter because they didn't feel
i~ welcome. Police took former volunteers away because of the new manager. Sue Simons
is was not wanted anymore by the new Manager. Standards for adoption have been reduced.
i9 Susan Simons, 1727 Capella Court - she was a volunteer and is cunently working at Pets
~o Lifeline in Sonoma. She spoke glowingly about the Sonoma facility. Suggestions mcluded
ai development of a method among animal control shelters whereby they transfer information
zz between the shelters so that. the public is aware of availability of various animals. You need a
Zs "kennel cough" area for dogs. Community Rooms for cats where you can visit with the
24 arumal without strangers affecting the moment with the cat. You should advertise hard to
zs adopt arumals. Students should be taught to be responsible members of the public. You need
a6 volunteers, and get input, and have it listened to by the Manager. There were many bamers
2~ here to help reduce the pet population. You need legislation and education. There are ways
2s to remodel the animal shelter. - The Council thanked her for her contributions to the animals.
z9 Steve Charlip, 104 Sth Street - showed a preliminary drawing that he had done suggesting
so how the Animal Shelter might be remodeled. In response to the questions, did he look at
3i ventilation improvements and did he look at a room to be alone with adoptable cats, he
32 responded that he had not.
33 Don Fredericks, 1563 Anna Way -1VIr. and N1rs. Fredericks had 1Vlarcus, the dog, wearing a
sa cast on a front leg. He has taken pets in to the IIumane Society for euthanasia and took
3s umbrage to the comments of a Councilmember. They have asked if they could adopt Marcus
. s6 and the Human Society is waiting until his medical records is clean. In the meantime, they
3~ are giving tum a foster home. They thanked the many veterinarians who provide services to
3s these animals. 1Zegardless of the politics of who is runrung the pound, there is no perfect
39 government and society. There will always be questions asked. They used to have a dog
ao named "Bond." When they returned to the Animal Shelter to renew his ddog license, the
ai staff had saved the license number of "007" without anyone asking them to do so. These
aa people are very caring and human folks.
Key to abbreviations: JH-Councilmember Jane Hamilton, NR-Councilmember Nancy Read
PH-MayorM. PatriciaHilligoss, MS-CouncilmemberMaryStompe
DK- Councilmember David Keller, PT-Councilmember Pamela Torliatt
MM-T~ice Mayor Matt Maguire
,.~~:
Page 328, Vol. 31 March 2, 1998
i Bonnie Nelson, 106 Washington Street, Apartment 206. She is a self-confessed animal lover.
a She cares limitlessly more for the people that haven't been addressed tonight. The Police
3 I~ispatcher tells evening callers to call Animal Control when the public has an animal
a question, they come in at 11:00 a.m. People are a lot more important that the cutest animal
s around. The best fund raiser, is no fund raiser at all. Send those donations to the Police
6 Department or to Animal Control.
~ Dan Knapp, Humane Society - he feels like he is wearing two hats: Human Society hat and
~ State Authority hat. We have waited 8 years to talk to you about animals. l~L-. Scharer
9 instructed us that there should be no contact with the City Council. It would be helpful for
io the public to know we've waited eight years to talk to yau about animals. We hear
ii accusations that, "You, Humane Society, you aren't doing enough." It's time for a humane
i2 community to start focusing on a team approach to solve these problems. Susan Simons is
i3 one of the best employees we have had. We want the animals to be in a healthy and safe
ia condition to place in adoption. In 1997 we were 2% away from being a totally `no kill
is shelter." Petaluma Shelter is a life oriented Shelter. There are space constraints. There are
i6 space constraints. Whether or not animals are euthanized is determined on a case by case
i~ basis. In response to the question, is there a necessity to iriclude money to reduce
is eutharuzing, he replied one always says "yes" to offers of money.
i9 ~Ie mentioned several of the Shelter's needs:
zo - Shore up weaknesses for core service deliverance of the needs
2i - VVe are understaffed
z2 - We can't add services until we add staffing
z3 -\7Ve need an officer at night to pick up stray dogs
Za - If we promise to do what we do not have the facilities to do, we are promising to fail.
Zs - We need to bring in an enlarged foster care program
z6 -!~n ordinance eliminating free arumal give aways, no pets in front of stores, and breeding
z~ controls.
2s - We have to hold people responsible for letting pets breed and pass the killings on to the
z9 ~aby arumals.
30 ~Ie wants to sit down with the Council, employees, volunteers and the public to take care of
si these tasks. Let's evaluate what we have to do, what we do well, what we don't do well.
3a Do a strategic plan. Put these costs in the budget.
33 JH - after 8 years we are glad you are here. It won't take that long to forge a new
34 relationslup. MS - we have under funded this program. I~K - ask some level of citizen
3s committee to come back with proposals. Citizens who are involved in the Shelter and
36 citizens who are not involved in the Shelter. PH - we have a lot of citizens and carpenters
s~ vvho would help remodel the facility.
Key to abbreviationsr JH-Councilmember Jane Hamilton, NR-Councilmember Naney Read
PHMayorM. PatrieiaHilligoss, MS-CouncilmemberMaryStompe
DK- Counci/member David Keller, PT-CouncilmemberPamePa Torliatt
MM-Vice Mayor Matt Maguire
March 2, 1998
Vo1.31, Page 329
i City Manager Stouder - we will take all the suggestions, package them, work with
z representatives of this group for the first cut and give the Council general cost estimates. If
s you want to pursue this then fine, it will take several weeks to put together. The time it will
a take depends on how much you want.
s IVIlVI - bring this back on 1Vlarch 30 , list the common suggestions, that's Urban Growth
6 Boundary night. JH - wants Council input first, MM- prefers the 30th, a committee rrught be
~ a good idea. City Manager do you want the list streamlined or just a neat package. .'~
s AGENI~A SCI~EI)iJLE -1Vlarch 23
9 Council then agreed that this would be heard on March 23 during the first everung hour
io before Highway 101 discussions.
11 VIN~'AGE GOLID SENIOI2 APAItT1VIENT5
i~ The public hearing on this item was continued to the 1~Iarch 16 meeting.
13 R~CESS 9:35 to 9:45
ia ~'12ANSI'ORTATIOl~T ISSUES -1~IGFIWAY 101 SALES TAX 1VIEASUItE
is This is a continuation of discussion which the Council began on February 23. The Council's
i6 goal for this meeting was to make a recommendation to the Sonoma County Transportation
i~ Authority and the Sonoma~ County Board of Supervisors. Information submitted by Allan
is Tilton, Traf~'ic Engineer, indicated that the percentage of commuters who travel "out of the
i9 County" each day is 40% of the work force in Petaluma to about 5% in Cloverdale. The
zo most "out of County" commuters live in Rohnert Park (25f%) and Cotati (29~%). Mr.
zi Tilton noted that recent data suggests that the proportion of outbound commute from
zz Petaluma is growing.
zs To this date, the $15 Million study, that the City of Petaluma had hoped CALTRANS would
za enter into to develop plans for improving the highway south of Petaluma to Novato, has not
Zs been supported by the California Transportation Commission.
26 Phil Erickson, Project Manager for the recent Multi-modal Calthorpe Study about Highway
2~ 101, recapped information on the proposed County sales ta~c measure that will be placed on
zs the November, 1998, ballot by the Sonoma Board of Supervisors. Currently the proposed
a9 sales tax measure that is being discussed is "'/z ¢" for 20 years. I~e said there have been
3o rruxed messages sent to the public from several polls and newspaper articles about those
3i polls.
sz His suggestion was to express the City's preferred priorities to the Board of Supervisors. It
33 is up to the Supervisors, in their development of the ballot measure, to figure out what
sa combination of sales tax and span of time for the sales tax to be effective.
3s Regarding a question about the location of proposed interchange sites south of Petaluma, he
36 said that you need to provide access from public roads to the freeway. This portion of
3~ Highway 101 was not included in the `prefened alternative of the Calthorpe Plan.'
3s DK said he would be unhappy charging his customers more than 8% sales tax to his
39 customers. Currently the sales tax collected in Sonoma County is 7.50%.
Key to abbreviations: JH-Councilmember Jane Hamilton, NR-Councilmember Nancy Read
PH-Mayor M. Patricia Hilligoss, MS-Councilmember Mary Stompe
DK- Councilmember David Keller, PT-Councilmember Pamela Torliatt
MM-Vice Mayor Matt Maguire
k~ ~ •!:iA.~~i
;i
Page 330, Vol. 31
NYarch 2, 1998
i He also suggested that some of the traffic congestion on U. S. Highway 101 is the result of
a the short traffic acceleration lanes located the highway inters~ctions at Lakeville, Petaluma
3 ~lvd. and at Kastania. ~ie also suggested that axle limitations be in effect during commute
a hours. Yf the `fix' were approved today, it would not be done far 10 years.
MOTION FAILED:
It was moved by NR and seconded by MS, to request the Sonoma County
Board of Supervisors include (in its actions) the funding to widen ZJ. S.
Highway 101 to the Sonoma-Marin County line to freeway status as necessary'
including beginning at the north end of the Petaluma Bridge. 'i
io Ayes: Read, Stompe, Mayor Hilligoss
i i Noes: Keller, Torliatt, Hamilton, Vice Mayar 1Vlaguire
i2 Absent: None
ts Reasons for voting `no:' widening.to the County line is regressive, the commuter count is
ia reducing; Gas Tax funding has not come back to Sonoma County; people don't choose to
is commute, it's supply and demand of jobs in Sonoma County. It causes everybody to pay but
i6 few to benefit.
i~
is
19
Zo
21
az
23
Za
zs
26
2~
28
MOTION CARRIED:
It was moved by MM and seconded by JH and DK, that the City recommends
to the Board of Supervisors the adoption the Calthorpe proposed prefened
alternative (for the proposed U. S. Highway 101 improvements) with the
addition of funding for the south Petaluma Highway Bridge. In addition, it is
recommended that the Supervisors aggressively pursue CALTRANS and
Federal funding in~ conjunction with Marin County authorities for a
coordinated effort. If it is decided that there could be an increase in the sales
tax above a l/2 cent for 20 years, then any increase be shared proportionately
with the railroad and other alternative transportation. The Supervisors are
encouraged to forge ahead with an aggressive lobbying effort to obtain more
29 Ayes: Keller, Torliatt, Hamilton, Vice Mayor Maguire
3o Noes: Read, Stompe, Mayor Hilligoss
s i Absent: None
sz It was agreed that the City Council's representative to the Sonoma County Transportation
33 Authority, David Keller, would be present at the Board of Supervisors meeting on March 17
34 to represent the Petaluma position.
35 E~~.lOU~ ~ ~ .
~i~~,~~~'~i ~ ' (~'~ ~
36 At 11:30 p.m. the meeting was adjourned. '
3~ M. Patricia Hilligoss, Mayor
ss ATTEST:
39
ao Patricia E. Bernard, City Clerk
Key to abbreviations: JH-Councilmember Jane Hamilton, NR-Councilmember Nancy Read
PH-MayorM. PatriciaHilligoss, MS-CouncilmemberMaryStompe
DK Councilmember David Keller, PT-Counc.i/member Pamela Torliatt
MM-Vice Mayor Matt Maguire