Tuesday's City Council Roundup

5 p.m. City Council meeting convenes.

5:07: Mayor Gina Belforte proclaims Oct. 24 as United Nations Day in the city.

Cotati resident Bob Abramson, who represents the United Nations Association, thanked the council for the proclomation, that he said promotes peace, security, economic development and humanitarian efforts worldwide.

5:20: The City Council voted unanimously to give $35,360 over two years to fund the Santa Rosa Plain Groundwater Management Plan — a study being undertaken by the U.S. Geological Survey to determine future groundwater supply and safety. Other cities participating include Sonoma, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, Cotati and Windsor.

The study is expected to be complete at the end of the year. When data is revealed, we'll have a true picture of nature of our groundwater and its availability, said Vice Mayor Jake Mackenzie.

"We’ll be getting reports from USGS, and will implement the groundwater management program," Mackenzie said.

The Santa Rosa Plain Groundwater Basin covers an area of approximately 80,000 acres and provides water to the cities of Santa Rosa, Cotati, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, Rohnert Park and Windsor.

5:30: Department heads update the council on where they are in implementing new policies, in areas such as the city's fiscal solvency, economic development, public safety and parks and recreation.

City Manager Gabe Gonzalez said he's currently in the process of updating the city budget, which is being amended to reflect public employee salary givebacks.

Gonzalez said he's drafting a long-term strategic plan for the city, and set a workshop for Nov. 4 to develop public and fiscal policies. The meeting is open to the public. One goal, of hiring an economic development manager, , he said.

Gonzalez also said he's addressing the , and has established a working group to address the growing deficit. He also has is working on communicating more with the community, and so far has started sending out bimonthly newsletters and speaking at nonprofits and city groups, such as the Chamber of Commerce.

5:45: Darrin Jenkins, who heads the city's planning, building and engineering departments, said the city is close to rolling out a new .

The idea is, if a resident calls, it's directed to one phone number at the Department of Public Safety, then gets put in a computer system and it's tracked and taken care of more efficiently. . 

Jenkins also said the city's in the process of a $1.5 million street and pathway project rehabilitation program. Upcoming projects include pedestrial safety improvements around the city, reconstructing Copeland Creek and rebuilding East Cotati Avenue.

Most of the projects are funded by grants, Jenkins said.

Chief Brian Masterson, the director of public safety, said the department is working on programs, some of which include installing video cameras at area parks to deter people from stealing copper wiring. 

Masterson said other important goals include increased traffic safety enforcement, developing an intern program with Sonoma State University and focusing on communtiy-oriented policing.

Masterson said he's working with city departments to implement , and Mickey Zeldes, the animal shelter supervisor, will continue to write for the Community Voice and Patch to help get animals adopted.

6 p.m. John McArthur,the director of public works and community services, said one top priority for his department is rolling out the customer service request tracking system, which Jenkins mentioned earlier.

"The public will actually be able to send in a request — whether it's for streets, or code enforcement or public safety — throug email or phone or the system itself," he said.

"It'll reallly enhance what we already do and make sure nothing slips through the cracks," McArthur said. "We want to make sure we get back to people — don't ignore them and educate them."

McArthur said he's aso working on implementing the recently-approved city LED street lighting, and a future goal is to look at energy use and cost reduction energy alternatives.

6:10: With the rainy season coming, Public Works is also working on putting in a "booster pump" on Martin Avenue to drain rainwaters. It keeps water out of people's driveways, and reduces light flooding, McArthur said.

The department has also done some water system capital improvements, including pump replacements, well rehabilitation, building improvements and electrical panel upgrades. 

Guy Miller, who runs the city's recreation services, said festivals and fairs over the last few months have been successful. For example, a barbecue fundraiser for the Senior Center raised a few thousand dollars, Spreckels Performing Arts Center has a steady flow of theater shows and the city's outside markets have been popular amongst residents ( and the ).

6:20: Linda Babonis, the city's housing and redevelopment manager, said an outside redevelopment firm, Seifel, is working on a study to , including and one on .

6:33: Mackenzie emphasized the importance of working with Sonoma State University on a citywide intern program.

"I think this really moves the city forward," Belforte said of the department head presentations. "This is a real win for our residents. We're working on providing better infrastructure, better policing, better everything."

6:45: Gonzalez is requesting the city provide no more than $500 to fund the annual Thanksgiving dinner to be issued at his discretion.

"For over 15 years the city has supported Reverend Samuel Tharpe’s Thanksgiving meals for those in the Rohnert Park community who might not otherwise have the opportunity to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving dinner," Gonzalez said in a staff report.

Council approves unanimously.

6:50: Belforte, Councilwoman Pam Stafford and Mackenzie said they're still questioning a countywide , though they stressed it's not because they're in support of using plastic bags.

"We've asked questions other haven't asked," Belforte said.

Stafford said she met with a golf course committee, and that there were a lot of misconseptions about a .

The golf course is in good shape and play is increasing, she said.

7 p.m. Mackenzie asked if it's OK for city residents to walk on the golf course once play is finished.

Gonzalez said the city is researching it, but Belforte and Councilman Joe Callinan said it's OK as long as safety comes first. Check back with Rohnert Park Patch for clarification later this week.

7:10: Meeting adjourns.