View the latest version (Jan 31, 2017) of City Council Goals & Priorites
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.
November 13, 2018 - City Council Meeting - highlights:
- No one spoke in Public Comment. Yes, that's news.
- $38k contract awarded to determine if our higher water rates are high enough.
- Study session, $15/hour minimum wage.
- Another contract awarded, for $70k, for traffic study through town.
- User Fee Schedule update getting some consideration.
Read the notes from John Necker.
October 30, 2018 - City Council Meeting - highlights:
- Mumbo-jumbo takes on new meaning in Public Comment, resulting in a new parlor game. And the usual EMF blather.
- Social host ordinance now officially includes weed.
- Bike lanes continue to generate lots of buzz.
- Camping on Morris Street cannot be prohibited.
- 2700k LED street lighting approved 3:1, installation starts early next year, will save $27k/year.
Read the notes from John Necker.
October 16, 2018 - City Council Meeting - highlights:
- PC: Thanks for HAWK at Burbank Heights, no thanks on cell tower, camping on Morris St, and bike lanes.
- Zero Waste coming to Sebastopol...more in this PD story.
- Zoning Ordinance approved, annexation near Tomodachi Park - Joe Rodota Trail initiated.
- City Code to prevent camping in vehicle on public property to be rescinded. Unconstitutional.
- Adding underage weed consumption to Social Host Ordinance discussed.
Read the notes from John Necker.
October 2, 2018 - City Council Meeting - highlights:
- Public comment a-plenty! Several critical of the new bike lanes through downtown.
- Another called for no nighttime parking on Morris St. And of course, another EMF rant.
- Sebastopol World Friends seeks middle school student ambassadors for exchange program with Takeo City, Japan.
- 2 seats on Planning Commission, 3 seats on Design Review opening up Dec 31.
- Zoning Ordinance headed toward approval; Zoning Map approved.
Read the notes from John Necker.
September 18, 2018 - City Council Meeting - highlights:
- Lynda Hopkins thanked everyone for their help in last year's fires, and brought a check from FEMA for $64k.
- Public comment. Yup. EMF. Yup. Misc rambling & castigating. Yup.
- Ghilotti completed sewer and water pipe repair/replacements, at a final cost of $1.5M
- Discussion on parking restrictions on Morris St, and over-size vehicle restrictions in residential areas. No decisions.
- Various traffic studies are desired, but cost too much.
Read the notes from John Necker.
September 4, 2018 - City Council Meeting - highlights:
- The usual rants of public comment, though with a newcomer bent on borderline abuse.
- Conflict of interest code was approved, no evidence of collusion around here.
- Letters in support of SB 12, and opposition to SB 3157 were approved.
- The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act of 2014 elevates the word SNAFU to new heights.
- Various bids came in, over the expected prices. Some work approved.
Read the notes from John Necker.
August 7, 2018 - City Council Meeting - highlights:
- Kari Svanstrom begins her stint as the new City Planning Director. Welcome from Sebastopol Citizens.
- Vice Mayor Hinton convinces Council to delay purchase of $94k ginormous dump truck until after the election. Next: US Supreme Court nominee?
- Sebastopol Hotel project gets reduction in city fees, will be first net zero energy hotel in California.
- Meg Mizutani of Sebastopol World Friends to be next Locals Who Make a Difference honoree.
- Don't skip the Parting Shot, folks.
Read the notes from John Necker.
July 17, 2018 - City Council Meeting - highlights:
- EMF speakers continue to dazzle, razzle...
- Holly Hansen renewed for another year as Outreach Community Coordinator.
- A couple ballot items coming for November election related to taxes.
- City fees for Mr Music Peacetown Summer Concert series at Ives Park reduced.
- RFPs authorized for traffic studies on the SR 116 through town.
- The old cement plant has been purchased by The Barlow.
Read the notes from John Necker.
July 1, 2018 - Bonus link...!
Note from John Necker...
Gentle Reader,
Since the next council meeting isn’t until July 17th, the link below may sustain your addiction to the unusual until that time.
Read the story by Jeff Elliott, contact him here.
June 19, 2018 - City Council Meeting - highlights:
- Stephen Zollman appointed to Library Commission.
- New mural coming to north wall of Basso Building.
- Election in November - seats held by Slayter, Gurney, and Glass on the ballot.
- $2k found for appeciation dinner for volunteer board members.
- Budget adopted. RFP to go out for study to look at returning to two-way traffic downtown.
- Pine Grove Committee changes its name - why? View their latest report.
Read the notes from John Necker.
June 5, 2018 - City Council Meeting - highlights:
- Kenyon Webster retires; Carson Pforsich named first for "Locals Who Made A Difference" program.
- Two “citizen representative” positions open with the Task Force Integrated Waste Management Committee.
- Final weed abatement resolution adopted. Keep those weeds down or the city will. On your tab.
- Budget approval gets dicey as Carnacchi tries to hold the meeting hostage, his attempt fails.
- Carnacchi's descretionary annual $500 to go towards a thank-you dinner for Planning Commissioners.
Read the notes from John Necker.
May 15, 2018 - City Council Meeting - highlights:
- Mr. Necker mailed this one in
- We are loaning our buiding inspector part-time to Rohnert Park
- Yurts galore in this report
- Proposed 2018-2019 Budget getting reviewed
- Local Sebastopol bus 24 will be FREE for a while
Read the notes from John Necker.
May 1, 2018 - City Council Meeting - highlights:
- The EMF lady: blah, blah, blah, blah.
- Fireworks will again be on sale in Seb for 4th July.
- Outreach Coordinator presented annual report
- Comprehensive update to zoning ordinance to comply with General Plan has begun. No decisions yet.
- Affordable housing is oxymoronic in Sebtown.
Read the notes from John Necker.
April 17, 2018 - City Council Meeting - highlights:
- No mercy in public comment - 30 minutes of blather for which Seb Council has no jurisdiction.
- Lighting assessment increasing. If we had LEDs, it would decrease.
- Grant being submitted to FEMA to fund a fulltime firefighter.
- Sebastopol World Friends, a fantastic sister city organization, reported on latest trip of 28 folks to Takeo, Japan.
- Linda Hopkins and Mayor Slayter pitched a $300M bond for housing, for the November ballot.
Read the notes from John Necker.
April 3, 2018 - City Council Meeting - highlights:
- Steve Levenberg appointed to county Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee.
- City to join with county to finance first steps to improve several bike & road conditions.
- Cittaslow reported.
- Ned Kahn's sculpture for the East entrance to town, a new design required by Caltrans, will go forward.
<-- See the picture, left
Read the notes from John Necker.
March 20, 2018 - City Council Meeting - highlights:
- Still no energy-saving, cost-saving, low maintenance LEDs on our streets.
- Dangers of EMF and other random items make up public comment.
- A flashing beacon system will be installed at Bodega Ave & Ragle Rd.
- Sonoma County Library Commission has a vacant seat.
- With lots of consternation, Council approves new building on the CVS lot.
<-- See the picture, left - Planning Commision to look at updating the Telecom Ordinance before Verizon installs 5G antennas.
Read the notes from John Necker.
March 6, 2018 - City Council Meeting - highlights:
- Snap crackle pop of EMF detector competes with BS detector in public comment.
- Sebastopol pot ordinance is now approved.
- 10k Race coming to the Barlow on April 14.
- Council overrules Planning Commission approval for downtown fitness gym.
- Want your PGE meter read every month? Get a Smart Meter.
- Under 3 hour meeting, congratulations.
Read the notes from John Necker.
February 20, 2018 - City Council Meeting - highlights:
- Public comment, the usual mixed bag.
- Pot ordinance becoming permanent, wafting towards approval, includes delivery options.
- Application to add another building on the CVS property continued to March 20.
- Public Art Committee looking to place some art on front of the library.
- New "Sound Like a Fit?" brochure pitching Sebastopol approved.
- No Council Reports, no parting shot.
Read the notes from John Necker.
February 6, 2018 - City Council Meeting - highlights:
- Public comment. Yup.
- Apple Blossom Parade is April 22
- County Bike-Pedestrian Committee needs citizen volunteer. Application here.
- Another update on pedestrian-bike path to Petaluma
- The "Door to Hell" sculpture needs a new home. Yours for $20k.
- Caltrans work on 116 is hitting its own potlholes.
Read the notes from John Necker.
January 16, 2018 - City Council Meeting - highlights:
- Public comment does not disappoint
- Pine Grove Square - parking study is controversial
- Sebastopol pot laws extended 10 months
- LED lights fail again 5:0, no annual $26k saving for Sebville
Read the notes from John Necker.
January 1, 2018 - Annual Summary 2017 - Read it here.
December 19, 2017 - City Council Meeting - highlights:
- DRB and Planning Commission seats filled, not without drama
- Marking for bike lanes completed
- Fee structure for granny units to be examined...reductions coming?
- Recreational pot sales will go ahead in Sebastopol starting Jan 1
- Is a brand new $8.5M library in Sebastopol's future?
Read the notes from John Necker.
December 5, 2017 - City Council Meeting - highlights:
- Patrick Slayter is now Mayor, Neysa Hinton is Vice Mayor
- 7-layer aluminum hat protects public comment speaker from EMF
- A new LED proposal from PGE, with a warmer 3k color, would save Sebastopol $26,000 a year, got a frosty Luddite response
- Establishing rules for recreational pot sales moving forward, expect an urgency ordinance to make the Jan 1 deadline
- Grinding, repaving work on 116 from Mill Station Rd to McKinley St takes place 12/11 thru 12/15 from 7pm to 7am - yes that's all night - details here
Read the notes from John Necker.
November 21, 2017 - City Council Meeting - highlights:
- After 10 years, Diana Rich to retire as Director of the Community Center
- Volunteer firefighters to get protective pants and coats
- $245k contract awarded for HAWK flashing light at Bodega and Nelson Way
- Housing committee reported
- Caltrans adding bike lane markings, with issues
Read the notes from John Necker.
November 7, 2017 - City Council Meeting - highlights:
- Closed session, litigatin rolls on, even over CVS
- 13 people had their say at public comment
- Median strips on Covert lane to be removed for bike lanes
- Is a second building coming to the CVS site? Stay tuned...
Read the notes from John Necker.