Last night’s Sebastopol City Council meeting probably wasn’t the shortest on record, but, at just 1.25 hours, it has to be close. There were a couple of reasons for that. There were no public comments for items not on the agenda, and the council unanimously passed the consent calendar, which consisted of 11 items, without pulling any items for further discussion. The regular agenda consisted of only two items: award of a contract for animal services and a review of the progress of the city of Sebastopol’s Revised Emergency Operations Plan.
Mayor Stephen Zollman, Councilmember Neysa Hinton and Councilmember Phill Carter were present in chambers for the Nov. 18 Sebastopol City Council meeting. Vice Mayor Jill McLewis and Councilmember Sandra Maurer attended via Zoom.
The Consent Calendar
The consent calendar consists of items that are routine in nature or don’t require additional discussion, often because they’ve been discussed extensively at a previous council meeting.
The council unanimously approved the following items:
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The council introduced an ordinance to adopt the 2025 California Building Code (Title 24), volumes one through twelve. The ordinance repeals existing sections not applicable to the new codes and modifies Chapters 15.04-15.08 of the City of Sebastopol City Municipal Code. The California Building Code is updated on a three-year cycle, and cities that choose to amend it have to adopt the code, revise their own municipal code to match, and explain any local amendments. See a full description of this item in the staff report.
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After introducing the item above, the council scheduled a public hearing on its adoption for Dec. 2 city council meeting.
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The council amended the composition of the Committee to Build the Commons, removing the Community Foundation, Sebastopol Cultural Community Center and Sebastopol Center for the Arts from the committee per their request.
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The council awarded a $1,873,601 construction contract for the Bodega Avenue Bike Lanes and Rehab Phase 2 Project to Team Ghilotti, Inc. This project is largely funded by the Go Sonoma grant fund. The total project cost is $2,445,961. Learn more.
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Award of a $243,781 construction contract for the Burbank Farm ADA Restroom and Path Project to Cestarallo Construction LLC. Learn more.
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Approval of draft surveillance use policy/ surveillance impact report. A public hearing will be scheduled in January 2026 on this report. Learn more.
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Approval of amendment to contract with Lauren Berges for administrative services for the Sonoma County Mayors and Councilmembers Association Meetings. Each participating agency has already been billed for its share of the annual costs, and the annual amount has already been included and approved in the City Council’s budget for fiscal year 2025-26. Learn more.
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Caltrans owns the two main thoroughfares in Sebastopol: Highway 116 (Main Street) and Highway 12 (Bodega Ave.) The city is sending a letter to Caltrans requesting the following work: 1) Installation of bicycle detection sensors at several signalized intersections. 2) Adjustments to signal operations and motorist guidance at McKinley Street and Petaluma Avenue. 3) Improved visibility at the SR 12 and Barnes Avenue crossing near Napa Auto Parts. Learn more.
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The council approved a resolution establishing utility payment relief for unpaid federal workers during a government shutdown. The financial impact of this is unknown, but according to the staff report, “The program may result in temporary delays in utility cash collection, but balances are anticipated to be recovered through repayment plans.”
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The council gave its final approval for the adoption of a Just Cause Eviction and Tenant Relocation ordinance into the municipal code for large affordable-housing complexes.
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The council also authorized the mayor to sign a letter to the owner of Woodmark Apartments requesting a delay of evictions, tenant information, and a request for the property owner to file a waiver with the USDA.
Regular Agenda
Council delays award of animal services contract …