Live Blog From Tuesday's City Council Meeting

5 p.m. Council meeting convenes. About 20 people are in the audience.

Mayor Jake Mackenzie presents proclamations for outstanding community service to the following residents: Carson Williams, L. Kurt Engelhart, Barbara Utter, Nick Aronis, Bonnie Black, David Armstrong, Alice "Janie" Hawker, Faith Adam, Susan Harrow, Olga Senyk and Samanatha Skinner.

5:15: Lt. Jeff Taylor presents the Department of Public Safety's annual review of crimes in Rohnert Park. Data collected are sent to state and feds, used to monitor statistics and look for trends, Taylor said.

"The goal is to identify the trends, so that they don't repeat," he said.

Data is reported on crimes such as homicide, rape, robbery and aggravated assault, for example. In 2007, police recorded one homicide, none in 2008 or 2009, one in 2010 and one in 2011. All killings were solved by police here, Taylor said.

Rapes went up in Rohnert Park, he said. In 2010, 11 were reported and 16 were reported in 2011. Taylor called it unfortunate, and said the alleged victims largely knew their attackers, and that alcohol played a role in most cases. Robberies are down — 22 were recorded in 2010 and 16 in 2011.

Taylor said police identified five bank robbers in 2010, and that helped reduce crimes. Aggravated assault, such as domestic violence, went up from 2010 to 2011, from 134 to 162. Burglary here went up 9 percent in a one-year period, from 142 to 156.

Taylor thanked citizens for contacting officers and not being afraid to report crimes. The City Council applauded the efforts of the department, even as the number of sworn officers has shrunk to 56 today, from 79 in 2008 — a move made in a procession of annual budget cuts in Rohnert Park.

"Visiting businesses, I think, has made a big difference," said Councilman Amy Ahanotu.

Taylor also presented numbers on the amount of overtime for police and fire. For comparison, in December 2010, officers were paid a total of $75,000. Recent data show today it's $60,000. Overtime peaked in May 2011, when officers cashed out on personnel compensation. In addition, 375 overtime hours were spent on the .

Mackenzie called the department's work "magnificent."

5:35: Nelle Seidenspinner presents to the Council on a host of community events and parties planned throughout 2012. Seidenspinner said the Friday Night Farmers Market and Party on the Plaza this year — the third year in a row — will be held June 15 though Aug. 21. So far, organizers have processed more than 40 vendors. Last year, there were more than 100.

"We're really excited for that return," she said.

Seidenspinner said there's also a Fourth of July being planned. More details to come on this she said, but so far it'll be held in Eagle Park and the Rohnert Park Community Band will play.

Councilwoman Gina Belforte asked about the types of vendors who come. Seidenspinner said largely it's first-come, first-serve. She said the market manager, Laure Tatman, makes an effort to not flood the market with the same types of markets. Priority is given to local businesses and residents, Seidenspinner added.

Belforte welcomed the community events.

"A few years ago, we didn't have anything going on in the city," she said. "I am so happy to see all of this happening ... it helps build community."

5:47 p.m. Belforte asked for more explanation as to why a salary increase is being considered for the city clerk, from $88,000 to $94,000.

"I'm struggling with this," she said, reflecting on getting Measure E and union givebacks that took place last year.

City Manager Gabe Gonzalez said the raise wouldn't have an impact on the General Fund, because cost savings have been undertaken in other departments and employees are doing more with less.

"This is something I'm comfortable with," Gonzalez said.

Rohnert Park's city clerk resigned in November, and since, Carol Adams, who was an analyst with the Department of Public Works, has been filling in as the interim city clerk.

According to a staff report, the city looked at job descriptions and salaries of nine agencies in the North Bay.

"We concluded that our current salary is 17 percent too low to attract a highly-qualified candidate," the report stated.

"I'm not comfortable with this," Belforte said.

Ahanotu asked for clarification on if the salary was in cement. Gonzalez said it $94,000 is a ceiling.

"I don't feel uncomfortable with this at all," said Councilwoman Pam Stafford. "We know that a city clerk needs a level of expertise and independence."

Stafford looked to Gonzalez, saying if he was comfortable, she trusted his recommendation — given the city manager's financial background, she said.

6 p.m. Salary increase passes Council. Mackenzie, Ahanotu and Stafford voted in favor, Belforte said no. Councilman Joe Callinan is absent.

6:21: Mackenzie asked for more information on a citizen complaint from Sue Parker about the use of pesticides along Copeland Creek.

"First of all, there was no notification of intention to use dangerous chemicals, or posting of information about their presence in an area frequested by dogs, cats and children," Parker wrote.

Mackenzie asked for a report on what the city's pesticide practices are.

Director of Public Works John McArthur responded.

He said Rohnert Park doesn't use pesticides. At one time the city did, he said, when landscape services were contracted out. He said there is an herbicide applied to medians, for example, for weed control — but not near waterways.

Mackenzie said herbicides are pesticides.

"This scares me a lot," Mackenzie said. "I would like some clarification. This is not a matter of urgency or large expenditure of staff time."

Gonzalez said the city is also preparing an emergency preparedness course for elected officials.

6:31: Meeting adjourned.