Community Corner

City Council: Looser Alcohol Sales Restrictions, New Development Fee Structure

Click through out live blog for a play-by-play.

5 p.m. The Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety announced the promotion of a newly-promoted public safety officer, who started in Rohnert Park as an explorer and a reserve officer.

5:05: Sgt. Aaron Johnson reports to the City Council that the department was awarded a grant for more than $70,000 through the California Office of Traffic Safety, which will be used for purchasing new equipment, such as traffic radar guns and live speed tracking devices.

Funds will also be used to pay for staff training in the field of traffic enforcement, any overtime associated with the training and focused driving under the influence stings. Johnson said stings will be implemented at five high-collision areas in Rohnert Park; the department will also conduct two DUI checkpoints and targeted stings enforcing red light safety.

Find out what's happening in Rohnert Park-Cotatiwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

5:15: Lt. Jeff Taylor reports on the city's vehicle abatement program. In the last three months, 93 vehicle abatements have been started, eight towed and 85 moved. In addition, 126 parking citations have been issued over a three-month period.

The majority of calls for service have been for vehicle abatement (51 percent), followed by parking violations (22 percent), animal issues (19 percent) and municipal code violations (four percent). The remainder was miscellaneous.

Find out what's happening in Rohnert Park-Cotatiwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

5:20: Gene Abravaya, the managing director for Spreckels Performing Arts Center, reports that the theater, for a two-week period, had about 1,000 tickets purchaed for the showing of "Jekyll and Hyde, the Musical."

Spreckels made a small profit — expenses for the production came in at $20,987 and sales came to $21,595, for a profit of a little more than $600.

Vice Mayor Jake Mackenzie raised concerns about Rohnert Park residents not frequenting shows at Spreckels.

Abravaya said he'll work on getting the word out about Rohnert Park residents getting a discount for shows.

City Manager Gabe Gonzalez reported that City Clerk Terri Griffin is moving to the the same position for the city of Santa Rosa.

"Terri, you’re wonderful," said Councilwoman Pam Stafford. "I’m going to miss you tremendously."

The Council commended that Griffin was always there, her leaderhip, and how she embraced technology.

"We're going to miss you," said Mayor Gina Belforte.

"It's been such an honor and privilege to serve Rohnert Park," Griffin said.

5:30: Rebecca Zito, a management analyst for the city, reported to the Council about the Department of Public Works blog on Rohnert Park Patch. .

5:45: The Counil votes unanimously to approve the Rancho Verde Mobile Home Park Condominium Subdivision Map, located at 750 Rohnert Park Expressway.

The Council raised questions about flooding in the area. Engineer Darrin Jenkins said the new map would help with any flooding in the area.

6 p.m. Lt. Taylor briefed the Council on a proposal to redraft a city ordinance that limits alcoholic beverage establishments. Currently, the law states that no establishment can be located within 1,000 feet within schools, parks and places of worship.

Taylor said the Public Safety Department recommends reducing the restriction to 500 feet, noting that it "allows for future economic growth and keeps the consideration of the peace, order and moral welfare of the public. The proposal would also elimate places of worship from the restrictions based on "sensitive uses."

Taylor requested the Council consider the proposal, "for using discretion in granting alcohol use permits." It gives Chief Brian Masterson more flexibilty, Taylor said.

The 1,000 feet restriction may limit a potential business, according to a staff report, and limit future economic growth.

"This is the perfect example fo going back and fixing what doesn’t work," Stafford said.

Councilman Amy Ahanotu said this was a good example of city departments working together, to find solutions to ordinances that aren't working, and promoting future economic growth.

6:05: Mackenzie and Councilman Joe Callinan raised questions about the safety of revising the ordinance.

The ordinance would still restrict uses, such as bars, at the 1,000 feet distance, but places, such as a grocery store, would allow sales of alcoholic beverages within 500 feet. All uses would be reviewed by Chief Masterson.

The 1,000 distance limits new uses, such as grocery stores, Taylor said.

6:17: "I'm for this and I'm for the chief having discretion," Belforte said.

6:23: City Council votes unanimously in favor of removing the alcohol sales restrictions.

6:30: Jenkins presents a new development fee program that would fund infrastructure upkeep and expansion, of things such as streets and sewer capacity, for all new developments including businesses and housing.

"It's a way fo new development to pay their fair share," Jenkins said.

The financing plan was passed in 2004 and updated in 2006; this is the most recent update and includes all land uses for new developments, including the University District, Wilfred-Dowdell, Southeast and Northeast specific plans.

Jenkins said the new finance plan is a way for developers to pay for their use of infrastructure upkeep and expansion over time.

Sewer and wastewater-related costs are the biggest needs in terms of infrastructure, Jenkins said. The new ordinance would come back to the City Council in two weeks, he said.

6:40: Council votes 5-0 to approve the integration of public facilities fees with sewer capacity fees.

6:42: The major issues on tonight's agenda are finished. We had to cut tonight's live blog short due to a special Cotati City Council meeting on a proposed ravamp of Old Redwood Highway. Stay tuned for coverage of that issue.


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