View the latest version (Jan 31, 2017) of City Council Goals & Priorites
June 18, 2019 - City Council Meeting - highlights:
- Lots of public comment, to be sure. Smart meters make a comeback.
- A review of Development Impact Fees and User Fees is underway, significant omissions notwithstanding.
- Garbage rates going UP.
- Weed abatement time. We are looking good, save one East Coaster.
- Is it time to add a full-time paid firefighter in Sebastopol?
Read the notes from John Necker.
June 4, 2019 - City Council Meeting - highlights:
- Swallow nest removal mistake not quite done, gets public comment.
- Budget discussed, not much progress.
- Did Mayor Hinton really draw an inside straight to the chagrin of Councilmember Gurney?
- The City is resisting joining the GSA, and losing control of our own water. It's ugly.
- Meeting length: 6 hours. Plus a 1.5 hour closed session before.
Read the notes from John Necker.
May 21, 2019 - City Council Meeting - highlights:
- May 19-25 proclaimed National Public Works Week. Thanks, peeps.
- Giants baseball remembered. Same kind of Endurance need for Council Meetings.
- Polystyrene Foam container ban approved.
- An appeal of Planning Commission use permit approval was itself approved. Yes, a reversal.
- And yes, reads like it was kind of fishy.
Read the notes from John Necker.
May 7, 2019 - City Council Meeting - highlights:
- Mary Gourley recognized for winning City Clerk of the Year for all of California!
- First Street has a leak in a water main. Major repairs coming.
- Sebastopol World Friends reported, delightfully, on the recent visit of 23 adults and students from sister city Takeo City, Japan.
- Big discussion on Davis Townhomes project, 18 townhouses between Coffe Catz and the Laguna.
- A case is made for Coffee Catz to offer something higher octane when times get tough.
Read the notes from John Necker.
April 16, 2019 - City Council Meeting - highlights:
- Emergency proclamation from flooding extended in hopes of receiving state/federal assistance.
- Yearly lighting tax dropped $3.36 to $33.14, should go down even more next year given new LEDs.
- Use permit approved for Good Run on May 3, start and finish at the Barlow.
- Telecom urgency ordinance adopted to try to gain control over cell phone network installations.
- Council Member Carnacchi makes several attempts to have an impact.
Read the notes from John Necker.
April 2, 2019 - City Council Meeting - highlights:
- Public comment provides the fodder to make one laugh, cry, and cringe.
- 18 ADA curb ramps getting upgraded for a mere $450k.
- The City is moving quickly towards trying to regulate installation of cell equipment on utility poles. A speaker asserts as fact that "the sky is a plasma battery for Artificial Intelligence and we are antennas and our heads are turning into phones."
- CASA, a regional effort to solve the housing crisis, does not care to consult Sebastopol. The Council is not impressed.
Read the notes from John Necker.
March 19, 2019 - City Council Meeting - highlights:
- Public comment alive and well.
- Street lighting assessment is underway, should be less now with LEDs approved.
- Ordinance approved that bans stryofoam containers in food service, effective in 6 months.
- Annual report from Ives Pool presented.
- Moving the Council to using tablets to save paper was, of course, controversial.
- Insurance payout of $500k for the Community Center is expected.
Read the notes from John Necker.
March 5, 2019 - City Council Meeting - highlights:
- March 17-23 is National Surveyor's Week, ties to Kurt Vonnegut noted.
- Zero Waste Sub-Committee and Planning Commission seats filled.
- To Peace Wall: Jim Corbett, Lynn Woolsey, Tula Jaffe, Dr. Earl Herr.
- Building permit fees to be waived for rebuilding from flood damage.
- New ordinance coming “banning use of Food Service Ware and other Polystyrene materials within the City of Sebastopol.”
- A martini needs no straw, and suffers irreparable harm should one be employed.
Read the notes from John Necker.
February 19, 2019 - City Council Meeting - highlights:
- Special Election March 5. Info here.
- The HAWK crossing at Bodega Ave/Nelson Way is completed and accepted, $284k total cost.
- Slab work at Park Village completed at $119k.
- Occupy Bench (no, not financed by Mexico) will be dedicated April 7th.
- Bike to Work Day is May 9th.
Read the notes from John Necker.
February 5, 2019 - City Council Meeting - highlights:
- Pretty quiet public comment.
- Apple Blossom Parade and Festival - April 13 and 14.
- Member Carnacchi pushed for formalizing selection of Mayor and Vice, but had no plan.
- Midyear budget adjustments approved 5:0
- Pretty quiet evening, still took 4+ hours.
Read the notes from John Necker.
January 15, 2019 - City Council Meeting - highlights:
- Appointments made to DRB and Planning Commission (still one OPEN spot).
- $150,000 grant approved for capital improvements in Park Village.
- Attempt to use 2% increase in TOT for CalPERs funding and homelessness fails.
- Changes made to process for filling board positions, given difficulties getting candidates.
- PS: Lest anyone forget, it is the Mayor who runs the meeting.
Read the notes from John Necker.
January 2, 2019 - Annual Summary of 2018
December 18, 2018 - City Council Meeting - highlights:
- Request for more delay on light changes at Safeway/High School Rd for pedestrians to make it across.
- Flashing light at Bodega Ave and Ragle Road is completed.
- Ten year lease extention for Wischemann Hall was approved.
- Member Carnacchi is organizing a council/staff tour of downtown to assess conditions.
- LED lighting is coming to a street near you. The Parting Shot describes one experience.
Read the notes from John Necker.
December 4, 2018 - City Council Meeting - highlights:
- Sarah Glade Gurney, Una Glass and Patrick Slayter re-elected to the City Council.
- Neysa Hinton was selected as Mayor, Patrick Slayter as Vice-Mayor.
- Public comment did not disappoint. Councilmember Carnacchi bailed on part of the meeting, disappointed that he was not selected Vice-Mayor.
- Roger and Linda Collins are the next Locals Who Make a Difference.
- Cell towers, EMF, potential lawsuits, small cell antennae bans all come together.
Read the notes from John Necker.