NEWS BRIEFS

Linda Kelly outside of her new office on the first day of work.
Ryan lely/Sonoma Valley Sun

New City Manager arrives
Carol Giovanatto has been serving as acting city manager for the City of Sonoma since City Manager Mike Fuson retired last month. This week, she’s welcoming Linda Kelly, the new city manager, and resuming her former duties as assistant city manager and finance director. She looks forward to a challenging year as part of a well-functioning team.
“It’s going to be a very active year with regard to internal influences and external influences. We’re going to have to be on our toes this year, but once again, that keeps the energy up. It’s going to be a work in progress for all of us.” She urged the community to be involved. “I always say, if you have a question, pick up the phone and ask. Don’t assume we may know there’s an issue. Just because you’re asking questions doesn’t mean you’re submitting a complaint. Sometimes it’s just for information or to make us aware there’s a situation out there we need to check into.” She welcomes praise as well as complaints. “It’s equally important to look at the glass half full and let us know what we’re doing right.”
Giovanatto’s assessment is overwhelmingly positive, noting the continuing work between the city police department and Sonoma County Sheriff’s office, as well as the joint powers agreement between the Sonoma Fire Authority and the Valley of the Moon Fire Department. “This JPA has been in place for five years,” she said, “but it’s just now totally a seamless operation. We have a total system of fire protection and emergency services available throughout the Valley.” The City’s two- year budget is balanced “and there are reserves in place.” There are three affordable properties available, “and we will be looking for more. Affordable housing is a critical issue here in the Valley.” Finally, charity organizations abound. “This community definitely takes care of its own.”
“I think Linda will bring some new resources and some new energy,” Giovanatto said. “We have a great management staff, which is excited to work with her. The momentum is already set.”

Sonoma commuters face bridge toll hike

A groundswell of protest is building against what is being called the Northbay Commuter Tax, which would force Sonoma and Marin commuters into San Francisco to pay up to $10 for the bridge toll, to help cover the cost of the proposed new Doyle Drive reconstruction. The Doyle Drive ramp into the city of San Francisco from the Golden Gate Bridge is unsafe and needs to be renovated, but not, according to Sonoma Mayor Joanne Sanders, at the expense of North Bay commuters.
Sanders also serves on the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway, and Transportation District Board of Directors. “You’re going to be seeing this thing heat up,” she said. “This is being seen as an unfair tax to reconstruct a roadway within San Francisco paid for by the North Bay commuter. So stay tuned.”
State Senator Carole Migden said, “The current proposal is not equitable, and I cannot support any efforts to impose an undue burden on North Bay commuters. The seismic concerns are real, and as a state highway, both the federal and state government must take responsibility for the timely repair of this critical road.”

County acquires Highway 12 frontage

In order to facilitate the Highway 12 Corridor Improvements Project, the county has been acquiring easements across the front of parcels through the Springs area, including one last week. According to District 1 County Supervisor Valerie Brown, “There were some properties along the Route 12 corridor where we’re doing the sidewalks and we have to pay for easements from property owners.”
Eminent domain may also come into play. “There are about 10 properties listed where we had not formalized easement contracts, and we may have to go to eminent domain.” She said she hoped all steps would be taken to avoid that, noting that for those properties, the easement area may be the only place the residents have to park their cars. Negotiations are in process.
A public hearing before the Board of Supervisors is set for February 26, at 2:10 p.m. to consider a Resolution of Necessity.

Superintendent search underway
Sonoma Valley Unified School District Trustee Helen Marsh reported at the January 15 board meeting that she was encouraged by the previous evening’s meeting with the Leadership Associates superintendent search team, led by Jim Brown and Larry Aceves. The team is looking to elicit from the board and from the community a profile of the ideal superintendent and is committed to listening to the trustees and community members before actively beginning their search.
Marsh said that the team is very happy to be contacted by phone or e-mail by those with ideas or suggestions. Board president Camerino Hawing said the public can also call trustees and they will make sure to pass the information on to Leadership Associates.
The first community meeting has been set for Jan. 24, at 6 p.m. at the Sonoma Valley Unified School District office, located at 17850 Railroad Ave. in Boyes Hot Springs.

Neighbor arrested for shooting cat
On Saturday, the mystery of who shot Tiger, the cat owned by Mike Crumly and his family, was apparently solved. Police investigating the case said that Crumly had suspected his neighbor, who had been putting barbed wire on the fence around his yard “to keep cats out.” Following a report that the neighbor was out in his yard with a pellet gun, police searched the house and reportedly found a pellet gun, of the type used to injure Tiger. The neighbor, Kenneth McCann, 63, was arrested on the felony charge of cruelty to animals. If convicted, he could face prison and a $20,000 fine.

Dramatic rescue suicide attempt

On Saturday afternoon about 4:30 p.m., rescuers reached the scene near the Sonoma Overlook Trail where a young Sonoma man had fallen 25 feet and lay injured. Thanks to a cord that broke from his weight, the man’s attempt to hang himself had been unsuccessful. He was airlifted directly from the scene by helicopter and transported to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital for emergency treatment. No word on his condition was available at press time.

Police return to First Street West

On Jan. 23, the Sonoma Police Department will begin moving back to its original location at 175 First St. W. The move is expected to take about two days. Police operations will continue as normal during the move, however, there will be limited services for general business matters at the front counter time. Normal business hours should be reinstated on Monday, Jan. 28.
The published phone numbers for the police department will remain the same:
Emergency: 911
Non-emergency dispatch: 707.996.3601
Business calls: 707.996.3602
During this transition, all phone calls to the Police Department will be forwarded to the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department Dispatch Center. In emergency, call 911 for immediate assistance. To contact the police department in person, please come to 175 First St. W.
Police Chief Bret Sackett thanked the citizens of Sonoma for their support and understanding during this transitional period.

Ad hoc committee idea tabled for now

“Can the hospital bond be used to do everything the hospital wants, but just not buy the land?” This question was posed at last week’s meeting of the Sonoma City Council by Mike O’Brien, one of several neighbors who voiced strong objection to the building site chosen by the hospital, and it invites a clarification as to exactly what the $45 million general obligation bond would buy.
According to the Sonoma Valley Health Care District Resolution No. 265 (available on the web at http://www.svh.com/pdf/Res.265_GO-Bond-$45MM.pdf), general obligation bonds would be issued and sold “for the development, expansion, improvement, acquisition, construction, equipping and renovation of health facilities of the district.” Board president Dick Kirk has said that the money will be used to achieve financial stability, to repair and refurbish the present facility and to preserve the local 24-hour emergency room. It will also be used to purchase land for new hospital facilities as well as to finance the planning for future construction.
The resolution also states that it is “the intent of the Board to subsequently seek approval from the District electorate for future general obligation bonds to fund the construction and equipping of additional new hospital facilities to be integrated with the existing hospital.” Thus, while the $45 million being sought now would not fund the construction of buildings on the Carinalli property, it would be used to acquire that land and to continue planning for such construction. Therefore, though O’Brien’s question was not directly addressed by the city council, the answer would appear to be no.
“After we get the bond money,” said Kirk, “we will complete the approval process for the new facility on the land which we will acquire.” That process includes the completion of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR), which requires considerable input from neighbors and other citizens. Preparing an EIR is extensive,” said Kirk, “and involves the opportunity for individuals, city council and other political entities to weigh in on the site design and impact.”
Sonoma Mayor Joanne Sanders had placed on the city council agenda a proposal to create an ad hoc committee to help facilitate communication between the hospital and the neighbors. However, Kirk felt that formation of such a committee would be premature. “The hospital board appreciates the mayor’s and council’s interest, but because no planning is happening now and won’t until after the bond issue, the ad hoc committee may be premature.” Others agreed, O’Brien said, “They’ve put forward the bond, so we have 10 weeks before this vote. I ask the Madame Mayor what we’re going to talk about between then and now?”
While the council did not appoint a committee, the mayor expressed her continuing concern, “This city’s been through a lot on this issue and I’d like to get beyond that. I just hope for the sake of the community that we can have some individual communication.” She invited people to visit her during her office hours, on Mondays from 3-4 p.m., at City Hall, in the upstairs conference room.