City Council: Bring Jobs, New Businesses and Oh Yeah, Log Public Service Complaints Online

5 p.m.  Michael Thompson, the assistant general manager from the Sonoma County Water Agency updates the City Council on priorities for creek maintenance in Rohnert Park.

“Flood protection in Rohnert Park is one of the highest priorities for the Sonoma County Water Agency,” Thompson said.

Some of the biggest projects are flood control on Labath Avenue, removing sediment from creekbeds and removing invasive vegetation from creek paths.

The overarching goal is to have a defined water channel that flows freely through the summer, is shadowed by native trees to help protect native species and to have the creek banks free of exotic plant species.

The maintenance upkeep not only protects critical wildlife habitat, but also aids public safety by creating visibility for pedestrians and cyclists on both sides.

"Rohnert Park has some of the highest sediment loads compared to any other creek ... because of drainage from Sonoma Mountain," Thompson added. In Rohnert Park, most of it is captured and removed on Copeland Creek between Snyder Lane and Country Club Drive.

Thompson said the water agency couldn't do flood control in Rohnert Park or in Sonoma County without the help of the Sonoma County Youth Ecology Corps — a collection of youths the water agency employs for seasonal employment.

The demand is high, he said. This year, 80 people applied for 16 positions. In Rohnert Park, the program is run by Sonoma County Youth Adult and Youth Development.

5:15: “This has become an absolute critical program for the flood control maintenance program,” Thompson said. “Some [employees] are disadvantaged, some are at-risk, some aren’t … the response was a little overwhelming”

Another project underway is a Copeland Creek restoration project and a plan to build a bike path that extends from Sonoma State University to Crane Creek Regional Park.

The Copeland Creek restoration project is funded by Prop. 84 monies, which was passed by voters in 2006 and allows municipalities to get funding for regional water health projects.

"This is a great program, I'd love to see it continue," said Mayor Gina Belforte.

5:30: Sgt. Mike Bates with the Rohnert Park Department Public Safety gives an annual report on the status of local enforcement and problems with the Alcohol and Beverage Control sales ordinance.

Bates said the Department of Public Safety conducts annual checks to local businesses to make sure they're not selling alcohol to minors.

Last year the department sent out 18 patrols to 66 Rohnert Park businesses, and nine citations were issued. Bates said what the department found was that none of the business owners, managers or employees caught had attended Responsible Beverage Service Training, which is provided by the city.

The city fined $23,3000 thousand in fines to local businesses, and the program cost $15,700 to run — made up of providing responsible beverage classes and compliance checks to local businesses.

We had problems with sales of alchohol to minors, said Vice Mayor Jake Mackenzie, which have subsided over the last 10 years due to the enforcement of ABC laws.

5:40: David Rowley, the city's information technology manager, reports that a new program called "Reach Rohnert Park" is launched as of Tuesday, Oct. 15.

The program would allow residents to log on to the city's website through a comptuter or smart phone and report any complaint, comment, compliment, request or question about any public service or safety issue they might have.

The idea is that if a citizen sees a streetlight out, or a problematic pothole, or a loose pet, they can go online and report the problem or feedback in real time. To assist the program, eight public works employees received smart phones, so they can access the computer system immediately and respond — either to the person by calling, emailing or reporting to the problem.

"This is a good example of what happens when you have a good system that is working," said counciman Amy Ahanotu.

"This is exciting," Belforte said.

5:55: Linda Babonis, the city's economic development manager, updates the council on a newly-minted economic development program. Following are selected goals. Interestd? .

• Retain and expand businesses within the city.

• Market vacant propoerties

• Attract fine dining and popular restaurants

• Work with the to place graduates of the program into the city's vacant properties.

• Create a stronger local economy and stimulate job creation.

"You're already doing some of these things," said counciwoman Pam Stafford. Stafford pointed to the grand opening of G&C autobody as a good example of a strong relationship between the city and local businesses.

"I'ts very very important that business leaders in Rohnert Park be included ... to have a buy-in in the program, Ahanotu said. "I'm looking forward to this process."

Mackenzie said the plan is nothing new, but, he said, "I think what I am sensing a greater sense of commitment to actually make things happen."

"There has been a lack of consistency there has been a lack of continuity," he said.

Mackenzie said an essential part is getting feedback from businsesses here — ones that are doing well and poorly.

6:10: Mackenzie said he'd like to see the city spearhead some sort of video from new local businesses testifying about the business growth climate here.

Belforte said and Goodwill should be included, along with G&C Autobody.

6:14: Mackenzie said local education institutions need to develop alongside the city's development, economically. The council echoed the desire to reach out to Sonoma State and other local businesses.

6:25: Council weighs awarding short-term contract agreements for debris box services to an exclusive single-provide.

6:37: City rescinds (a unanimous vote of 4-0; Councilman Joe Callinan is absent) a previous resolution that would have awarded a franchise agreement for exclusive temporary debris box and roll-off collection services to Rohnert Park Disposal, Inc.

"We did our businsess, they decided not to sign that agreement," Mackenzie said.

7 p.m. Belforte said at a recent meeting of the Sonoma County Mayors' and Councilmembers' Association that she explained to the other elected officials Rohnert Park's decision on the proposed countywide — that they didn't vote against the ban becasue they favor plastic bags.

In response to a local member of the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee, the council says at a future council meeting they'll weigh whether or not to let people who have businesses in Rohnert Park, but don't live here, serve on city commissions.

Mackenzie and Stafford said they'd be willing to talk about amending the current ordinance, that requires people serving on citizen commissions live in the city.

If they have a business, and vested interest in Rohnert Park, this is somthing that we should talk about, Ahanotu said.

7:25: The council agreed that residents should be notified of any event located adjacent to Rohnert Park's city limit. Council will take up the matter at a future meeting.

7:30: Council adjourns to closed session to consider legal action with Rohnert Park Disposal and anticipated litigation.