[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6629441,"mediaKeyId","2703778-8b77c7c757c5e0327c8fb3af63e39690","parentId",2703778,"title","Sonoma Water outlines $82 million FY25-26 budget; proposes 7.6% wholesale rate increase for Sonoma Aqueduct","audioSeconds",2436,"startMs",3480000,"endMs",5916000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2703778-8b77c7c757c5e0327c8fb3af63e39690&start=3480&end=5916","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2703778-8b77c7c757c5e0327c8fb3af63e39690/thumbnail_3480000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6629441/Sonoma-City/Sonoma-County/California/Sonoma-Water-outlines-82-million-FY25-26-budget-proposes-76-wholesale-rate-increase-for-Sonoma-Aqueduct","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6629441-a72161f77af2423ca8c3702bb33976b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177215&Signature=Vz5s~QJEXWChy1hW6JVzH7aqAbpWiclrZ88ahTqGyqcZEBRD0YGt93L7DrHA47FsdlDRerEQpl2LXOXSrANGZduTr45~2154yP80X~kioOnM3BNwwqwKuH4cQXyT70eZ-N-f~vGlnoSb1f6r6QPqoqrTPCpQ3se7AAGkqPoowhbvJQ38phXnIODhlwFcPBfFzxIuTmYAfzy1Lfj-IpCo1KFNieGNjIcmTI6gwHgPzdzpPD5Oh6~jwbSbvzSNzmVyU3zVOqnbIxSsm2O6Aw6krkLxJz-5I9gI2ByM8C9BLAAyvmdAjQ36mBnXAjvyVVInpH0R6zJklKA7Us6hi2bdtg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Sonoma, CA","date","2025-03-20T04:15:48.487Z","article","Sonoma Water staff presented a proposed FY25-26 budget and wholesale-rate proposal to the City of Sonoma council on March 19, asking member agencies to recommend the package to the Water Advisory Committee for a vote on April 7.

The proposed combined budget across multiple funds is about $82 million, including approximately $18.3 million in capital projects and roughly $55.8 million in operations and maintenance. Finance Manager Jake Spalding and Lynn Roselli, Sonoma Water's financial services manager, told the council that aging infrastructure (many assets date to 1959'63) and lower water deliveries increase rate pressure because the transmission system uses fully volumetric rates.

Why it matters: Wholesale rates pay for critical regional water transmission infrastructure. Sonoma Water serves multiple contractors and 600,000 residents; rate decisions affect municipal budgets and customer bills across several jurisdictions.

Budget and rate drivers: Staff cited several drivers for the proposed increase: condition assessments showing assets with limited remaining useful life, multi-year water-treatment modernization needs, hazard-mitigation projects (some financed in part by FEMA or other grants) and the necessity to maintain emergency inventory (pipe, valves) to respond quickly to hazards. The Sonoma Aqueduct proposal includes a discretionary capital charge that helps stabilize rates; staff said Sonoma Aqueduct customers face higher discretionary charges because of a relatively smaller user base.

Spalding described how Sonoma Water calculates wholesale rates under the restructured agreement's volumetric approach (total operations and maintenance divided by water deliveries). He showed the sensitivity of rates to deliveries: a 500-acre-foot change in deliveries alters the rate by roughly 1.3% in his example. The proposed Sonoma Aqueduct increase in the current budget cycle is 7.6%; longer-range planning presented by Roselli shows scenarios where future years could see higher increases (she illustrated long-range impacts and a potential bond issuance sized about $123.5 million over the plan horizon to finance replacements and smooth rates).

Council reactions and direction: Councilmembers asked detailed technical questions about asset condition assessment methods, labor versus consultant spending in operations, and why Sonoma Water's overall wholesale rates historically were lower than some larger Bay Area wholesalers (staff cited prior delivery volumes, deferred maintenance in some years and a smaller system footprint). Councilmember Ding noted the burden of rate increases on local users and encouraged outreach to residents. Vice Mayor Wallander and others expressed support for the staff's management approach and for monitoring potential impacts of external projects (e.g., Potter Valley discussions) on rates. At the close of the discussion councilmembers indicated they would support or give direction to their WACC representative ahead of the April 7 vote; Sonoma Water asked the council to formally recommend the budget and rates to its WACC representative for consideration.

What happens next: The Technical Advisory Committee and Water Advisory Committee will consider the proposed budget and rates; the Sonoma Water board is scheduled to adopt final rates on April 22. Council members who serve on water advisory bodies will be asked to cast their representative votes or recommendations as the process advances.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council - 19 Mar 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Sonoma Water presented a proposed FY25-26 budget totaling about $82 million and a proposed 7.6% wholesale rate increase for the Sonoma Aqueduct, citing aging infrastructure and lower deliveries as drivers.","taxTitle","Sonoma City, Sonoma County, California","taxId",72202,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6629448,"Sonoma council narrows redistricting options; directs staff to post revised Map B3 and return with ordinance",2081,275000,2356000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2703778-8b77c7c757c5e0327c8fb3af63e39690&start=275&end=2356","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2703778-8b77c7c757c5e0327c8fb3af63e39690/thumbnail_275000.jpg","/articles/6629448/Sonoma-City/Sonoma-County/California/Sonoma-council-narrows-redistricting-options-directs-staff-to-post-revised-Map-B3-and-return-with-ordinance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6629448-a3662eb6e382eb2d5943b82db9f9c77c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177215&Signature=b~F~69gCwndH0CVt0jA0Gzqkpk3qUZT0VJGYFScca5zv~3dUqAwacQPnyJwYMdDpD0uA1SLZSddH3~CKPUvRKsranfHEXI7binRw3KW90e9TOn2QntvzI3eYY64YJpFmmdrzpOVYn2ZtwfPo0VC2urnu~~NGxhDCDzO88NiZoabU-XdNWyYx7JGSgxvMt7Ybr50a1ateO9g3xrbWzvPoXCpW4Y9V0J0WeAUOEoYuRKP7Lk7v5VI8~W9IKkmSJefONtN10cSXgNWoOw8p4wUXhf8J0b14C8DhkoaN7NNKLW-MzIvL5rjFtHHEPCyIev6R614whWMrRXZrFxav5yxUeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City of Sonoma councilmembers reviewed draft voting-district maps at a March 19 public hearing and directed staff to post a modified version of Draft Plan B (saved as Draft Map B3) for the 7-day public review required before adoption.

The meeting, the fourth in the city's redistricting series, featured consultant Paul Mitchell of Districts Partners and City Manager David Gui. Mitchell walked the council through legal criteria for districting and visualized two ways to resolve population imbalances caused by a single census block. The council then discussed whether manufactured-home (mobile home) communities should be placed together in one district or split between two districts.

Why it matters: The city is transitioning from at-large to by-district elections and must adopt a five-district map and sequencing (which districts are on the ballot in 2026 vs. 2028) before formal adoption. The choice affects which communities have concentrated representation and how soon those council districts will stand for election.

Mitchell said the goal is to designate one map at the next hearing that can be posted for seven days and then adopted with a sequencing plan at a subsequent meeting. He emphasized the traditional redistricting criteria: equal population using the 2020 census, contiguity, maintaining communities of interest, identifiable boundaries, and compactness. Mitchell demonstrated that a single census block in the western part of the city forced trade-offs across multiple districts: \"making this one change ... every district [would be] adjusted because you want to make this one change,\" he said. He offered two visualizations: one that keeps the north-south relationship of western districts and another that places both manufactured-home parks in the same district.

Several councilmembers favored putting manufactured-home communities together. Councilmember Low said the visualization that consolidated the parks \"makes sense\" and \"feels like a population that moves with one another there.\" Councilmember Gurney said manufactured-home residents \"do have unique issues\" and agreed they would benefit from collective representation. Vice Mayor Wallander also favored consolidation and said the council should \"maintain communities of interest.\" Several councilmembers added that major streets such as Broadway and Napa are useful, understandable dividing lines for voters when feasible.

Council direction and next steps: After discussion the council asked staff and the consultant to \"clean up\" one small unpopulated spur to make the map visually clearer and saved the modified map as Draft Map B3. The council directed staff to post Draft Map B3 on the city's website for the required seven-day public review and to return with a draft ordinance for introduction at the next meeting that would include recommended sequencing (which districts will have elections in 2026 and 2028). No final ordinance adoption or vote on the map occurred that night; adoption and sequencing are scheduled for a later hearing.

Numbers and technical details cited at the hearing: Draft Plan B showed a 5.2% total population deviation and was created by blending two public-submitted plans; Draft B2 contained only a small modification to the green district line. Mitchell illustrated that a change moving approximately 100 people across a creek or along Broadway could raise the plan deviation from within acceptable bounds to around 14% if not balanced by additional swaps across multiple districts.

What the council will decide next: At the next public hearing the council is expected to select a single map to publish for seven days and adopt an ordinance that includes district numbering and sequencing. Mitchell said numbering (which district is numbered 1'5) can be renumbered at the end of the process to match the council's preferred election sequencing.

Meeting evidence: The city recorded public and council discussion of maps, two visualization options, and the council's decision to save and post Draft Map B3 for public review. The consultant and multiple councilmembers described the population trade-offs required by a single census block and asked the public to weigh in during the mandatory posting period.","City of Sonoma councilmembers reviewed draft voting-district maps at a March 19 public hearing and directed staff to post a modified version of Draft Plan B (saved as Draft Map B3) for the 7-day public review required before adoption.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6629444,"Residents press city on Sebastiani site as Sonoma council approves 2024 General Plan annual progress report",3123,2373000,5496000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2703778-8b77c7c757c5e0327c8fb3af63e39690&start=2373&end=5496","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2703778-8b77c7c757c5e0327c8fb3af63e39690/thumbnail_2373000.jpg","/articles/6629444/Sonoma-City/Sonoma-County/California/Residents-press-city-on-Sebastiani-site-as-Sonoma-council-approves-2024-General-Plan-annual-progress-report","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6629444-5e767c6aeb9bd4dcef60bf3a84d5ba25/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177215&Signature=euMHwhu5z-uOM6R~r9QaI5sLChSsYIWjYG4PHOlsy2GnJIaWLRD0QAz6ls23q7PuNuCg6r7OR-vuz-F6FLgoUii~a~UDqCDxq7chzfN8kvF~n3YMO~ShvW920RwmV-cFLrcpJOEyXSQnag3wNbO4Z1eK7hdyokmkeb1JRdIW817baWtGm23VtQJQgEGCHNRYj8ZyqzZodsjoSxFZ3B0SSXZh7cN5hEC3mGpbAJ1caJaKFciA~Ss00pzvueR88J5wPNwmJDn16nhL0jQCnY7vkriLegHP~bs5r1LzcDB94enTAOcGDBpbnlWmj7fagyH6nRaBQgwsigkzipfNgkCUMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents urged the City of Sonoma to take a cautious approach to land-use changes for the Sebastiani property while the council approved the 2024 general plan annual progress report and directed staff to distribute the report to state agencies.

During public comment several speakers described the 22-acre Sebastiani site as unusually large for the city and said proposed changes could alter the character of Sonoma's downtown and increase fire and evacuation risk. Janet Boyle, who identified herself as a Brazil Street resident and a prior planning commission speaker, told the council the property's size \"could change the center of the city\" and said recent CAL FIRE updates raising fire-danger designations heightened her concerns. Charles Zipkin, a San Lorenzo Court resident, said a newly proposed land-use category called \"Sonoma Mixed Use\" was unclear and warned that altering residential zoning could unintentionally change the city's character. Bob Flanagan, an East Spain resident, urged a surgical approach that preserved agricultural and historic portions of the property while addressing specific development needs.

Why it matters: The general plan frames long-term land-use and growth decisions. Public comment on major properties such as Sebastiani informs staff and elected officials ahead of any rezone or general plan amendments that could change allowable uses or density.

Staff presentation and council action: Later in the meeting planning staff presented the city's 2024 general plan annual progress report (APR), which documents implementation steps and progress, including housing element actions, staffing changes, code updates and permitting improvements. Jennifer Gates, Community Development Director, and Diane Levine, Associate Planner, summarized accomplishments in 2024 and priorities for 2025. Noted items included improved online permit workflows, completion of a housing element reporting form and steps to refine objective development standards, ADU ordinance updates, and an ongoing general plan update task force.

After the presentation the council voted to accept the 2024 General Plan annual progress report and to direct staff to distribute the document to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and the Governor's Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI). The motion passed with an affirmative vote; the report fulfills the city's April 1 submittal requirement to state agencies.

Staff highlighted housing-development projects underway, including a 50-unit Montaldo project (with 25 affordable units) in environmental review, the Hummingbird subdivision under construction (15 units with an affordable component), and a 31-unit infill project at 254 First Street East with affordable units. Levine told council the city would continue working on ADU pre-approved plans, rezoning opportunities to allow affordable housing by-right, a tree inventory and urban canopy assessment, and updates to objective design standards for multifamily and mixed-use development.

Public and council context: During the public-comment period and in later discussion, residents repeatedly tied land-use questions to fire-safety and traffic impacts and asked why the city would rezone parcels when property owners previously accepted the existing designations. Staff confirmed the APR is a progress summary for calendar year 2024 and that the formal submittal to state agencies is due April 1. The council did not take a separate land-use change action that night; public comments will inform future hearings if the city pursues amendments or rezones for the Sebastiani site.

What happens next: With the APR accepted and transmitted to state agencies, planning staff will continue to advance the general plan update, zoning-code revisions, housing-element implementation programs and targeted studies such as the proposed tree inventory and canopy assessment. Any formal rezoning or general-plan amendment for the Sebastiani parcels would require separate public hearings and environmental review.","Public commenters raised concerns about proposed land-use changes at the Sebastiani property and fire-safety and traffic impacts. After a staff presentation, the council voted to accept the city's 2024 General Plan annual progress report and direct staff to transmit it to state agencies.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6629433,"Sonoma moves forward on Plaza improvements: approves topographic survey contract and accepts lumber donation from Sonoma Raceway",468,4232000,4700000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2703778-8b77c7c757c5e0327c8fb3af63e39690&start=4232&end=4700","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2703778-8b77c7c757c5e0327c8fb3af63e39690/thumbnail_4232000.jpg","/articles/6629433/Sonoma-City/Sonoma-County/California/Sonoma-moves-forward-on-Plaza-improvements-approves-topographic-survey-contract-and-accepts-lumber-donation-from-Sonoma-Raceway","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6629433-99727b02cf40802283c7cc6a452c49db/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177216&Signature=eboO4nISVXvpDowvGWOPgFOzkgYjsE64pxcb14h0sY6woOc7Mk8hyCUFCNna9SOWnM-zdfiR2XgnEodmnmCqRnMIBpaS6Pc7S-nxMKoAshMGxMr-aSLuJ~zaQ3To8lRi~dJoCUHy7a27U7k~dONfgEhTlwjDavxIuVCqRUl20dO43m22dJtXTi0RccjNtbOrFuYD-EZSR9fehmzj-achznMUIDR8~Xyqref86Kr-PV2G31gK1P4xxltU8zwd~yTVDrg27rRPX2ustlEqztgyXb2QmoKHwRCii7PvQLhxMf7D0lqrFenE~NhK1~0-8UIGrN0zVfKfBpkphNp6Mr7Y2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Sonoma council approved a professional-services contract for a Plaza Park topographic survey and accepted a lumber donation from Sonoma Raceway to refurbish benches and tables in the Sonoma Plaza amphitheater and park.

Survey contract and scope: The council approved a professional-services agreement with BKF Engineers for a topographic survey of the Plaza (contract amount approximately $39,008; budget adjustment $43,008.77 was authorized). City staff said the survey will document existing grades, elevations and utilities to support a Plaza sustainability plan and future work on drainage, irrigation and electrical improvements. Public Works Director Mike Berger said the survey will also support sequencing of repairs so the city avoids repetitive excavation and maximizes efficiency.

Donation and bench replacement: Sonoma Raceway arranged a donation of lumber through its supplier (Humboldt Lumber) valued at about $24,000. The donated timbers have been delivered to the public works yard. Public Works staff will coat and install the new benches and park tables. Berger explained that PROS had weighed staining versus paint; paint had been selected initially for durability and graffiti abatement, but staff said they would pilot a staining approach and preserve pre-stained stock at the yard for efficient replacement when benches need swapping.

Why it matters: The Plaza is a heavily used historic public space; the survey and bench replacements are intended to improve safety, drainage and longevity of park furnishings while minimizing disruption through coordinated work sequencing. The donation closes a funding gap that would otherwise have limited the city to replacing only amphitheater benches rather than benches and tables citywide.

Community and donor comments: Officials credited Karen Collins and Sonoma Raceway General Manager Brian Flynn for facilitating the donation. Flynn described the Raceway's trade relationships with suppliers and said the gift was part of the track's community support. Berger said the Prop 68 grant administrator will assist staff in reprogramming approximately $18,000 of remaining grant funds for other Plaza improvements; grant-funded work must be completed and reported by 2028.

Action taken: The council approved the BKF Engineers contract and authorized the budget adjustment as well as accepting the lumber donation; votes were recorded during the consent calendar and subsequent motions. Staff will proceed with survey work and bench refurbishment and will coordinate the coating and installation schedule with PROS and park maintenance crews.","Council approved a topographic survey contract for Plaza Park and accepted a lumber donation from Sonoma Raceway to replace park benches and tables. Public Works will coat and install the donated redwood; staff and the PROS commission discussed finish options and maintenance strategy.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6629438,"Sonoma council adopts updated Master Tree List to guide plantings and replacements",706,5908000,6614000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2703778-8b77c7c757c5e0327c8fb3af63e39690&start=5908&end=6614","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2703778-8b77c7c757c5e0327c8fb3af63e39690/thumbnail_5908000.jpg","/articles/6629438/Sonoma-City/Sonoma-County/California/Sonoma-council-adopts-updated-Master-Tree-List-to-guide-plantings-and-replacements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6629438-ade0ebf1f6672e6b5ea3287d386a15bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177216&Signature=RiOs0~ZXRuOqtSSIosbUblc96NVuM~7LsbJq8NaluFmajz~wx6rEHXz8EsaphRkzlcQpjApycXQM-8L0ZNUZgPViWOiVADvas46BzImyra5S88hFcPF8M-bSDPD6USO6swWS-LuPrqrHpnNd9b~Su1Yz5MqBzZwQbVRbDSe85m6rLlGlG2YZipl-9bzKj5xj~mkba4f9OPMiXLP7Bx2~FrXF0aw20ZunXlGaUHl2-G3DFpmUiqAZOnNqOiYhPgMhNtJfxiEBnFnJ1MHjaUkYkxK5w-1goknijNSWtSxLdd81izdrrhIVtC-5MHJuuby-sjvMUJn344TdVxNtSl9neQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Sonoma council adopted an updated Master Tree List on March 19 designed to guide future street and park plantings and to help applicants choose appropriate replacement trees for removals.

The Master Tree List was prepared by the Parks and Open Space (PROS) Commission's volunteers together with the city arborist and drew on the University of California Master Gardener 'Climate Forward Trees' project. Commissioner Jessica Miseraca, representing the PROS Commission, told the council the list focuses on species likely to perform well under projected local climate conditions (to 2050 and beyond) and that the list includes guidance on recommended planting locations (street, patio, specimen), canopy sizes, maintenance considerations and limitations (for example, under power lines).

Why it matters: The list is intended as a practical tool for applicants seeking tree replacements after permitted removals, and as public guidance for planting in the public right-of-way and private property. The city will post the list on its website and provide it to applicants as part of tree-permit processes.

Key points from council discussion: Councilmembers asked whether fire-hardening concerns and sidewalk-root impacts were considered. Staff said the fire-vulnerability focus for vegetation-management staff centers on ladder fuels and understory, not individual species selection, but that the arborist had reviewed the list and would remove problem species. Staff also said the list was organized by planting area; trees intended for 2x2 sidewalk wells or narrow spaces are different from larger specimen trees, and recommended root mitigation and proper planting techniques would be used to minimize sidewalk displacement.

Action taken: The council voted unanimously to adopt the Master Tree List and approved posting it for public use. City staff said the list will not remove the ability to require site-specific planting guidance for larger developments; it is intended as a default resource to increase planting success and guide maintenance decisions.

Next steps: The city will post the list on its website, provide the list to applicants and continue work on related items such as the planned full tree inventory and urban canopy assessment.","Council adopted a new Master Tree List to guide public and private tree planting in Sonoma; staff and the Parks and Open Space Commission compiled the list using a UC Master Gardener 'Climate Forward' framework and city arborist input. Council approved the resolution unanimously.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Sonoma Water outlines $82 million FY25-26 budget; proposes 7.6% wholesale rate increase for Sonoma Aqueduct

Sonoma council narrows redistricting options; directs staff to post revised Map B3 and return with ordinance

Residents press city on Sebastiani site as Sonoma council approves 2024 General Plan annual progress report

Sonoma moves forward on Plaza improvements: approves topographic survey contract and accepts lumber donation from Sonoma Raceway

Sonoma council adopts updated Master Tree List to guide plantings and replacements