The Cotati City Council approved a resolution authorizing the 2026 Cotati Accordion Festival—including amplified live music, sale of alcoholic beverages and temporary street closures—with a 50% waiver of permit fees and an increased refundable event deposit; the motion passed 5‑0.

Why it matters: The Accordion Festival is a long‑running, large downtown event that generates local economic and nonprofit donations. Council action authorized the festival’s dates, amplified sound limits and street closures and set conditions around municipal fee waivers and post‑event reporting.

Staff summary and council discussion

A city staff presentation described the festival plan: a two‑day event in August 2026 (Saturday and Sunday), with street closures around La Plaza Park, a fenced event area, amplified music from roughly 9:45 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day, and use of a city parking lot for event parking. Staff reported the event organizer requested setup on the Thursday before the event and cleanup through Monday morning. The dossier shows 2024 permit fees totaling $6,042 (street closures, parking lot permit, restroom cleaning, application fees) and an estimate of staff support time; staff recommended a 50% fee waiver (leaving $3,021 to be collected) and raising the refundable deposit from $500 to $1,500 because of the event size.

Staff said the city would absorb certain direct staff costs for the event (an estimated absorption of $7,926.50; the staff report lists an estimated total city contribution when combined with the waived permit amounts). Staff also recommended requiring event organizers to provide budgets in advance and post‑event actuals in cases where a waiver exceeds the standard policy.

Applicant comment and council reaction

Applicant representative Mr. Gorey (event organizer) confirmed the information and said the festival organizers are “working with other Cotati‑specific groups” to increase community benefit but cautioned it is difficult to “put something in stone” for donations and partnerships until after event revenues are known.

Council member Sparks asked for clarification on the fee accounting and whether the permit fee is meant to represent average cost recovery; staff explained fees are intended to recover typical processing costs but that large events can have additional direct field costs, which staff itemized in the report. Sparks suggested granting a full fee waiver as a gesture of support; other council members emphasized the value of the event and supported the staff recommendation to continue a long‑standing 50% waiver while improving budget transparency.

Vote and motion

The council adopted a resolution approving the 2026 Cotati Accordion Festival and authorizing amplified live entertainment, alcohol sales in La Plaza Park and temporary street closures. The motion carried 5‑0.

Key financial and permit details (staff report)

- Standard permit fees (2024 figures shown in packet): $6,042 total (street closures, parking lot permit, restroom cleaning fee, application fee). - Fee waiver recommended: 50% of permit fees (recommended collection $3,021). - City absorption: estimated $7,926.50 in direct staff costs (public works, recreation); combined waived amounts and absorbed costs result in an estimated city contribution noted in staff report. - Refundable deposit: increase from $500 to $1,500 recommended. - Event times: setup Thursday, festival Saturday–Sunday 9:30 a.m.–8 p.m., cleanup through Monday morning. - Amplified music: permitted 9:45 a.m.–8 p.m. on festival days under the council resolution.

Speakers quoted or heard on record: Mr. Gorey (applicant), unnamed staff presenter, Council members Sparks, Harvey and others; Mayor Ford.