SPOTLIGHT
ONTHECOVER
On June 25, our Department of Public Safety participated in the 2024 Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. The multiagency team carried the “Flame of Hope” for a 7.7-mile trek from Rohnert Park to Petaluma. The run is an annual fundraiser where law enforcement personnel raise money and awareness for Special Olympic Athletes.
Read more here.
The Friendly City SPOTLIGHT
The Friendly City Spotlight is a bi-weekly, digital publication, and includes current information and news, program and project updates, upcoming events, and more!
To subscribe to receive this publication directly to your inbox, click here.
To view all issues, click here.
Get Social!
Click the icons below to follow us across all our platforms.
CITYOFROHNERTPARK HOLIDAYCLOSURE
THURSDAY, JULY 4, 2024
Cityofficeswillbeclosedon Thursday,July4inobservanceofIndependenceDay.
WewillreopenonFriday,July5,2024at8:00a.m.
REPORT AN ISSUE: CLICK HERE OR SCAN THE QR CODE
FIREWORKS ARE ILLEGAL IN ROHNERT PARK!
As a reminder, ALL fireworks are illegal in Rohnert park - including “Safe and Sane” fireworks. Violations of the City’s fireworks ordinance can result in up to a $1,000 fine.
Help us keep our community safe, especially during this heatwave Click here to learn more.
HEAT ADVISORY + COOLING CENTER RESOURCES
In response to the County of Sonoma's Heat Advisory issued Monday, July 1, the City of Rohnert Park has opened a Cooling Center to the public as follows:
Rohnert Park Community Center 5401 Snyder Lane
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
Monday, July 1 - Wednesday, July 3, 2024
8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Friday, July 5 - Sunday, July 7, 2024
8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The Cooling Center will not be open on Thursday, July 4 due to the Independence Day holiday, however the Community Center will be open for the RP Jubilee event, and you are welcome to join us during the event, where a variety of “beat the heat” options will be available.
Water fountains, power outlets, and free wi-fi are available.
For additional information, please click here.
Did you know that pet licenses are required for all dogs and cats in the City of Rohnert Park?
These licenses help keep our pets and community safe.
To make this process easier, we’re thrilled to announce the launch of our new partnership with DocuPet!
You can now license or renew your pet's license:
Online
In-person
Phone
Visit rpanimalshelter.org/licensing to learn more
4THOFJULY PETSAFETY
The 4th of July is typically the busiest day of the year for most animal shelters.
Fireworks and loud parties can scare and confuse pets. Be sure your animals are secured indoors and turn on some background music for them.
Double check that your pets’ ID tags are current and legible – if not come in during our open hours for a free replacement!
And for a FREE microchip too! Can’t be too safe, right?
Click here for current hours and information.
CITYWIDE PAVEMENT MAINTENANCE
Preventative maintenance (slurry seal) began on July 1, and will be performed across 162 streets within the City of Rohnert Park.
The preventative maintenance will improve pavement condition and longevity. Work includes street cleaning, removal, and replacement of striping, crack sealing and slurry seal of the affected roadways. The contractor will be providing notices to the residents near the work before construction starts. During crack seal work, there may be limited temporary lane closures with flaggers During the slurry seal placement, the roadways will be closed to vehicular traffic for up to six hours. Work is expected to be completed at the end of September
Questions? Contact Jason Sampietro, Associate Engineer, in our Public Works Department at (707) 588-2235 or jsampietro@rpcity.org.
For more information about this project and the proposed construction schedule, please click here.
RECOLOGY’S BULKY ITEM PICKUP SERVICES
Did you know that Recology Sonoma Marin offers convenient, curbside bulky item collections for residential customers? This service is designed to help you dispose of large items that do not fit in your regular trash cart, such as old furniture, appliances, and mattresses.
Recology accepts the following bulky items: refrigerator, freezer, boxspring, couch, dishwasher, dryer, garbage compactor, holiday tree, love seat, mattress, recliner, stove, washing machine, water heater.
Residents are offered up to two free pick-ups per year. Each pick-up can include up to seven bags or one large item such as a couch. Be sure your service account is in your name to use this service.
Here are some important guidelines to follow:
Items must weigh 60 lbs or less; anything over will count as two pick-ups.
Each piece of furniture, large carpet, or appliance counts as one pick-up.
Drivers must be able to load items safely into the truck.
No liquid waste or hazardous materials.
There is a charge for Freon appliances ($52.00), such as freezers, refrigerators, AC units, etc.
Liquids, dirt, rock, concrete, asphalt, hazardous or infectious waste, televisions, monitors, ashes, or materials exceeding 6 feet in length are not accepted. TV and PC monitors cannot be picked up; they are considered hazardous waste The rest of the PC can be placed into the garbage can.
For more information or to schedule a pick-up, please visit the Recology Sonoma Marin website or contact their customer service at: 1-800-243-0291
WANTTORUNFOR CITYCOUNCIL?
NOW’SYOUR CHANCE!
The nomination period for the November 5, 2024, General Election opens on July 15, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. and closes on August 9, 2024 at 5:00 p m (date subject to extension)
The nomination period is the only time eligible candidates who wish to be on the ballot can receive nomination papers, gather signatures, and file their nomination paperwork with the City Clerk.
To be on the November 5, 2024 ballot, you must be:
A U.S. citizen
18 years of age on or before Election Day
Registered voter in either District 1, 3, or 4
Complete the nomination process
Anyone interested in running for City Council should schedule an appointment to meet with the City Clerk during the nomination period at cityclerk@rpcity.org or (707) 5882227. There is no filing fee.
To learn more about elections in Rohnert Park, please click here.
PUT A LID ON IT!
Dive into the world of environmental stewardship with Surjin Banwait's inspiring video, "Protect it with a LID."
Collaborating with Scott Sanders, Rohnert Park's Environmental Coordinator, Surjin highlights our city's innovative Low Impact Development (LID) strategies.
Witness how these initiatives safeguard our environment by effectively managing stormwater runoff, underscoring the importance of sustainable practices in our community.
Click here to watch the video
SPRECKELS 2024/25 SEASON OF PLAYS
Spreckels is delighted to announce our 2024/25 Season! Our entertaining and inspiring selection of plays ensures there’s something for everyone to enjoy in this exciting season. We look forward to seeing you at the show!
The season begins with You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown (revised) from August 30 to September 15, 2024. The beloved Peanuts characters spring to life in a charming and tuneful musical that celebrates the simple joys of being yourself.
Next, we celebrate the legendary music and life of Carole King in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, running from September 27 to October 13, 2024. This Broadway hit offers dozens of Carole King's hit songs while sharing her journey from teenaged wunderkind to superstar.
Step back in time with It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, running from November 22 to December 15, 2024. This delightful adaptation of the beloved holiday classic is presented in the style of a 1940s radio broadcast.
In a special, one-weekend-only holiday event from December 13 to 15, 2024, we offer the inspiring true story of camaraderie, music, and peace in All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914. (This is a special event, and not included in the subscription series.)
The new year begins with Mary Shelley's Body, from January 24 to February 2, 2025. This one-woman show featuring Spreckels Artistic Director, Sheri Lee Miller, imagines the deceased writer of "Frankenstein" telling the story of her life, loves, and the terrifying secret she took to her grave. An exciting mix of fact and fiction.
In March, we offer the sensitive and riveting drama Morning Sun by Simon Stephens, running from March 14 to 30, 2025 Set in Greenwich Village a generation or so ago, this piece reveals one woman’s life, from birth to death, highlighting the inherent interest and worthiness of every life story.
We close the season with the classic Sondheim musical, Company, running from May 2 to 18, 2025. We join Bobby as he navigates love, friendship, and self-discovery in this musical-comedy filled with Stephen Sondheim's sensational score and razor-sharp wit.
Our STEP (Spreckels Theatre Education Program) Productions also bring family-friendly fun with Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr. from July 26 to 28, 2024, and Disney’s Frozen Jr. from February 14 to 23, 2025 Our STEP musical theatre camps are designed to inspire and entertain, offering a special opportunity for young performers to build skills, make friends, and discover new talents!
CITY OF ROHNERT PARK ADOPTS 2024/25 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET
The City of Rohnert Park is pleased to announce the adoption of its 2024/25 fiscal year budget. The annual budget was unanimously adopted at the June 25 Regular City Council meeting, and marks an important annual step in ensuring the city’s financial health and quality of life for its residents.
The approximate $147 million annual operating budget includes $62 5 million in General Fund expenditures.
Revenue projections for fiscal year 202425 assume a soft economy with a relatively flat revenue forecast. Major sources of revenue in the City's General Fund include Sales and Use Taxes, Property Taxes, and Transit Occupancy Taxes The City gratefully acknowledges the $14.1 million financial support provided to the City and the Rohnert Park community by the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria These contributions provide important investments in the community and mitigate the impact of the Tribe's entertainment facility.
The annual adopted budget includes additional funding to certain departments to enhance service delivery and quality of life These include:
Vehicles and Equipment
$2.6 million was allocated to replace 18 City vehicles. This includes an all-electric vehicle in Public Safety, the replacement of a van with a lift which is used to transport seniors and teens, one to two additional electric vans for Public Works, and a new vacon truck used for sewer cleaning.
Infrastructure Maintenance and Beautification
$3.7 million was allocated for regular repair and maintenance and continued progress on deferred maintenance at 62 major facilities throughout the City.
Over 100 current capital projects are in progress, with many critical infrastructure projects scheduled to be completed in the next two to three years. In total, an investment of approximately $70 million has been allocated to these capital projects, which include the Honeybee Pool Renovation, Wooden Streetlight Pole Replacements, Creek Path Replacement, Hinebaugh Creek, Sunrise Park Pickleball Court Replacement, Streets Preventative Maintenance, Southwest Boulevard Complete Streets, B Section Sewer Line Upgrades, and Water Line Replacement in B Section.
The City will continue its maintenance efforts, such as creek cleaning, street pavement throughout the city, sidewalk replacement, pothole repairs, park improvements, facility repairs, traffic signal maintenance, and other deferred maintenance work.
Staff will continue working on conceptual designs for the expansion of the Public Works Corporation Yard at the downtown site Over 10,000 water meters are being replaced with smart meters. A waterline along Southwest Boulevard is expected to be completed in the next fiscal year.
General Plan
The General Plan is the guiding document for how the community grows and evolves. The City is committed to keeping it updated, and is currently undertaking minor changes to reflect state-mandated requirements and changing land uses related to tribal lands. A Revised General Plan Policy document is anticipated to be available for public review in late July, with an Administrative Draft EIR completed by mid-August.
In March 2024, the City Council and the City’s Leadership Team convened for a strategic workshop to set the priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. The result of this collaborative effort is a set of clearly defined goals and priorities that will guide the city’s efforts through June 30, 2025. This budget reflects the collective vision and dedication of the City Council and the City’s Leadership Team
Goals for Fiscal Year 2024/25
Long Term Financial Sustainability 1 Community Quality of Life 2. Planning and Infrastructure 3. Organization Well Being 4.
Priorities for Fiscal Year 2024/25
Continue to Make Progress on the Downtown 1. Focus on Infrastructure and Beautification 2 Open the Rohnert Park People Services Center 3.
The City of Rohnert Park is confident that the goals and priorities set forth for the 2024/25 fiscal year will drive positive outcomes and continue to foster a thriving, family-friendly community that is a safe and enjoyable place to live, work, and play.
For more information about the 2024/25 fiscal year budget and the city's ongoing projects, please click here.
FACEBO
The C
Rohn
Rohn
Rohn
Sprec
INSTAGR
The C
Rohn
Rohn
Rohn
Sprec
NEXTDOO
The C
#CONNECT
The C
THE FRIE
Read our newsletter
EMERGE
Get real-t missing pe weather, e more.
MEET YOUR CITY COUNCIL
The Rohnert Park City Council is elected by the Rohnert Park voters to serve for four year terms There are five members of the Council, including a Mayor and a Vice Mayor.
The City Council adopts goals and policies during Council meetings to set the direction for the City. The Council approves and adopts the City's Financial Plans, General Plan and the Capital Improvement Plan
The City Council appoints the City Manager, the City Attorney, and members of City Commissions, Committees, and Boards.
To find your district, please click here and simply type in your address at the top-right search bar of the interactive map.
Council District 5
Phone: (707) 899-3085
sadams@rpcity.org
Council District 3
Phone: (707) 899-3087
ggiudice@rpcity.org JACKIE ELWARD COUNCILMEMBER
Council District 4
Phone: (707) 899-3086
jelward@rpcity.org
SAMANTHA RODRIGUEZ COUNCILMEMBER
Council District 1
Phone: (707) 899-3092
srodriguez@rpcity.org EMILY SANBORN COUNCILMEMBER
Council District 2
Phone: (707) 899-3088
esanborn@rpcity.org
CITYCOUNCIL MEETINGS
The City of Rohnert Park welcomes your participation at City Council meetings at 5:00 p m , on the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month.
If you are interested in learning about issues going on in your own backyard, community events, and other hot topics, please feel free to watch on Cable Channel 26, YouTube, or by clicking here.
Come get involved!
Want to receive email notifications when agendas are posted? Subscribe here.
UPCOMING CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
Tuesday, July 9, 2024 | 5:00 p.m.
Rohnert Park City Council Chambers
130 Avram Avenue, Rohnert Park
Tuesday, July 23, 2024 | 5:00 p.m.
Rohnert Park City Council Chambers
130 Avram Avenue, Rohnert Park
Sign-up for agenda posting notifications
Visit Meeting Central here to sign-up for email updates
Review Agenda Materials
Visit Meeting Central at here to view agenda materials for upcoming and past meetings
Attend the meeting in-person or watch live from home
Meeting Central YouTube
Cable Channel 26
Provide Public Comment
Provide public comment in-person during the meeting or from home by emailing your comment to publiccomment@rpcity.org
JOINOURTEAM!
Looking to apply for a new position, or know someone interested in joining our team? Check out our latest open positions below! Click here to learn more or apply.
COMMUNITY SERVICES
Part-Time Facility Attendant
Part-Time Humane Educator - Critter Camp Leader
PUBLIC WORKS
Collection System Operator I/II/III
Landscape Maintenance Worker PUBLIC
“GOREQUEST” SMARTPHONEAPP
The City of Rohnert Park offers an easy way to sub it t b t ffiti l d i stor mor Sca here sma Play Pref Visit Issu Report concerns from wherever you
GoR duri If yo plea
