The county Open Space District will not construct its planned trail through the Montini Preserve unless the city of Sonoma agrees to take ownership of the 98-acre parcel.
The title would be transferred at no cost, but the city would become responsible for maintenance in four years, an estimated general fund expense of up to $25,000 annually.
“If no one takes ownership, no trails will be built and there will be no public access,” the OSD’s Leslie Lew told the city council last week. The council agreed to further explore taking ownership, and directed staff to develop a more formal budget and timeline.
“I’m not going to pass up the opportunity to add this property to Sonoma,” said Councilmember Ken Brown. “The object here is to get people on that property.”
The council decision was unanimous, but non-binding. “Nothing revocable is happening here,” said Mayor Steve Barbose.
The estimated initial outlay, according to City Planner David Goodison, would be $10,000 in one-time costs, mainly legal in nature, which would hit city books this fiscal year. The total does not include the value of staff time, he added.
A preliminary proposal from the Sonoma Ecology Center puts the annual maintenance cost at $25,000 but, Goodison said, “There appear to be ways to reduce that cost.”
The SEC currently patrols the off-limits land under a separate contract with the OSD. The volunteer patrols have had a big impact in reducing litter and camping, Lew said.
While the majority of council members felt the expense would be a sound investment in a unique and critical resource, August Sebastiani was concerned about the financial commitment.
“I have serious reservations about taking on the expenses,” he said. “It will be tough to find that $25,000 annually.”
If retained to maintain the Montini trail area, the SEC said it would employ a volunteer patrol program modeled after its successful operation on the city’s Overlook Trail.
Volunteer patrollers would provide a regular and consistent presence, according to the SEC proposal. Patrollers hike properties and report incidents, hazards, trail maintenance needs, and other observations that inform management needs and provide a record of activities and seasonal changes on the land, it said.
Though it owns the Montini Preserve and would pay for all trail construction costs and maintenance for the first three years, the OSD is not set up for the long-term management of property. As in this case, it typically seeks to transfer its acquisitions to another agency or organization.
Sonoma is the best fit on a very short list, according to Lew, who said the OSD has not pursued any other partners. She said she knew of no land trusts that might be interested.
The OSD had discussed transferring the 9-acre pasture property to the City of Sonoma and the 89-acre area, on the hillside above the Vallejo House, to the California State Parks system. Given the state’s budget woes, that scenario is unlikely.
As agreed by the OSD and the city council in December of 2009, the new trail would grant unprecedented access to the prominent hillside that forms the city’s scenic backdrop. It would wind along and up the foothills, looping behind the water tower and Vallejo House, through pristine native habitat to two vista points with optimum views of the town and Valley.
Construction was set to begin last spring. In May, the OSD said that unless it could transfer ownership, the deal was off. At that point the city council expressed interest in the ownership model. Its unanimous vote last week will speed up the exploratory phase.
“I look at this like an investment in our city, for residents and tourists,” Barbose said. “It’s place to get out on the land and experience the beauty.”
Councilmember Laurie Gallian agreed. “It’s a jewel for the city, a draw for generations to come.”
If no other owner steps forward, the likely scenario if Sonoma declines, according to Lew, the property would remain off-limits to all public access. That would suit Sebastiani, who said, “Its value to the community is much more as a scenic backdrop than it is as a hiking trail.” He nonetheless voted in favor of further study.
Councilmember Joanne Sanders was out of town for a council-related meeting.
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