City Faces Uphill Battle as Redevelopment is Stripped, Economy Slow to Improve

5 p.m. Meeting commences. About 12 people are present, mostly city staff and public safety. 

Mayor Jake Mackenzie says members of the City Council have been meeting with state and county elected officials, policymakers, as well as education and public safety leaders over the last few weeks.

Most recently, a meeting took place with the Rohnert Park Public Safety Officer's Assocation. Mackenzie, noting that the invitation was gratefully received, said this was the first of this kind of meeting that he knew of.

Conversation centered on economic development matters.

"We were not there to negotiate, we were there to have a conversation," he said.

Mackenzie said it's important to look at Rohnert Park's political, financial and socioeconomic position, noting the economy and that 2012 is an election year. Conversations have been ongoing with Sonoma State officials, developers with Sonoma Mountain Village, state, local and regional lawmakers, including Congressman Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena — .

"I just wanted to let people know these are the type of meetings that are going on," Mackenzie said. "We have every intention of continuing these dialogues." 

5:14: Mayor presents a proclamation to public safety for the 2011 Toy Drive.

5:25: Council approves unanimously three positions, with corresponding salaries: one for an instrumentation technician (pay is $4,960-$6,028 per month), one for a maintenance worker trainee (pay is part-time, dollar amount not noted in report) and the last for community services program director (pay is $3,919-3,224 per month).

5:28: The city's auditing firm presents the mid-year annual report, which is consistent with GASB45 acconting standards — the definition of which changed recently regarding fund balances of municipalities. Now, laws require accounting for all unfunded liabilities — costs for things such as delayed maintenance on city buildings or pools and including funding future salaries and benefits in budget defecits. 

The annual report denotes fund balances from state gas taxes, for example, and details changes in the city's assets — things such as property values. Auditors pointed out that Rohnert Park is experiencing "slow economic recovery" and "extremely slow job growth." Other highlights:

• Decline of technology sector hit Rohnert Park hard.
• Wine industry and tourism are economic drivers in Sonoma County.
• Median price of homes here is $300,000 — "one of the least expensive areas in Sonoma County." 
• Residential vacancy is low — 5 percent, compared with 14 percent in Sonoma County.
• Sales taxes, a major part of the city's revenue stream, have declined 7.2 percent since 2007.
• Measure E is expected to generate $2 million in revenue, about $800,000 less than anticipated.
• $2 million budget deficit at year's start has been significantly reduced, making significant cuts to employee salaries and benefits, and reducing costs by instituting furloughs and other service cuts.
• At the end of fiscal year 2010-2011, total net assets decreased about $8 million. 
• Busines-type and government activities decreased about $3 million each.
• As of June 30, 2011, the city's governmental funds came in at about $58 million, an increase of roughly $1.9 million since the last fiscal year. The general fund balance at the end of June was $8.4 million, of which $3.5 million is committed and $1.5 is assigned. That pays for things such as city services and employee salaries.

5:45: John McArthur, the city's director of public works, introduces a plan to save the city money by outsourcing services to the county. In June 2011, he said, public works started working with the county to find out if the city and county could share services to save money.

The city would oursource things like car fleet maintenance and facilitiy operation and maintenance. That means things like building upkeep, plumbing, light equipment maintenance repair such as tune-ups or smogging vehicles, electrical repair and heating and air conditioning.

"This should save the city quite a bit of money," McArthur said.

Councilwoman Gina Belforte asked if this would impact jobs. McArthur said it would not replace any city employees, but it would help the city do its work better.

6 p.m. McArthur said he thinks the city would be using the county's services much more, and Rohnert Park's ability to help out is low. But cities like Santa Rosa are showing interest in using city facilities.

Councilman Joe Callinan said he wants public works to stay on top of the costs so they don't get out of control. 

Mackenzie said he wants to track this partnership closely. 

"We're pleased with moving forwad, there's a concern it will reduce [service] results ... while we're in a pilot program," he said.

6:10: Sgt. Dave Welch introduces plans to bring in .

"We have not received any complaints that we have too many taxis, or not enough taxis," Welch said. 

Welch said he inspects the vehicles to make sure they're safe and the cab meters to make sure they're sealed. He also requires drivers to submit to a drug test, supply a DMV report and agree to a background check.

There is an ongoing process even after they're operating, Welch said. For example, of a driver holds a permit and is arrested anywhere, police here are notified. Welch said Petaluma's permitting process is very similar to Rohnert Park's.

6:20: Council OK's both cab companies. 

6:23: City takes up redevelopment. The California Supreme Court this month elected to eliminate the 400-plus redevelopment agencies statewide. That would be effective Feb. 1.

Rohnert Park is proposing to identify a successor agency that would continue to make state payments and essentially take over the city's redevelopment agency, called the Community Development Commission. The city is also electing to retain housing assets and other facilities previously held by the agency. The City Council would serve as the successor agency. 

The city's redevelopment balance would be given over to the agency — the council. A new program would be created to help the state budget, communities and schools, according to Linda Babonis, the city's economic devlelopment manager. The law being introduced is SB 659. 

As of June 30, 2011, the city's redevelopment agency has on hand $63.8 million, according to a staff report. 

6:31: The issue of redevelopment is ongoing, Mackenzie said.

Callinan said hee's concerned about a hit on the general fund, to the tune of between $500,000 and $1 million.

Council votes 5-0 to serve as the redeveopment agency's successor agency and retain housing assets. 

6:50: Mackenzie proposed two ad-hoc committees, one for Sonoma State University and one for the Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District. 

Councilwoman Pam Stafford said the city is still working with Foxtail Golf Course on the lease agreement.

7 p.m. Callinan says the city should look into what it would take to restripe in parking spaces in the Community Center Complex. He added that the landscaping has improved, and the repaving of the lot is great. Mackenzie said it concerns to him that people coming here for the first time have a difficult time finding the Community Center and Spreckels. He said lighting and signage are issues. 

7:15: Council adjourns to closed session.