City council vote – no bike lanes for West Spain

On Wednesday night, the Sonoma City Council unanimously voted to drop plans for a bike lane on West Spain Street. Opponents of the plan turned out in force to voice their opinions. They were elated at the outcome of the vote. At the same time,... Continue

New meeting night for City Council?

The Sonoma City Council has approved the idea to move its semimonthly meeting from Wednesday to Monday night. The council has long met on the first and third Wednesday night of every month. The change was suggested to provide for the schedule of city attorney Jeff... Continue

Previous Market chair wins contract

The Sonoma City Council voted unanimously Wednesday night to hire a group headed by Bill Dardon to manage the Tuesday night Farmers Market in 2011. The council opted for the proposal of the Valley of the Moon Certified Farmers Market over the contending group, headed... Continue

Market decision finally at hand?

Will the chambers be packed as with last year’s city council meeting to choose a farmers market manager? Or, like a pot of sadly overcooked vegetables, has the issue finally run out of steam? The Sonoma City Council is due to award the 2011 Tuesday... Continue

Emotional Sebastiani returns to private life

For one of the few Wednesday nights in the last four years, August Sebastiani was home in time to tuck the kids into bed. He had bid an emotional farewell to public office after four years as a member of the Sonoma City Council. The... Continue

Hello, goodbye at City Council meeting

The Dec. 1 meeting that will see Tom Rouse sworn in as the newest member of the Sonoma City Council will also be the finale for August Sebastiani after a four-year term. The ceremonial session will include the naming of Sonoma’s new mayor. Along with... Continue

Rouse joins council incumbents; Prop H win

Joining incumbents Steve Barbose and Ken Brown on the Sonoma City Council will be marketing executive Tom Rouse, elected to his first public office by virtue of a third place finish in Tuesday’s election. With the solid one-two finish, Barbose was elected to his second... Continue

Partial leaf blower ban in the works

Sonoma will ban the use of all leaf blowers on city-owned land for one year, a plan sent by the city council to a sub-committee to determine details including when the moratorium could go into effect. The directive to the Community Services and Environment Commission... Continue

Sebastiani announces council endorsements

Sonoma City Councilmember August Sebastiani, who is not running for reelection, released this letter Tuesday. Editor: As an outgoing member of the Sonoma City Council, many of my supporters have asked if I plan to make an endorsement. This year it hasn’t proven to be... Continue

Candidates debate in council chambers

Sun editors quiz the Sonoma City Council candidates Sunday night during a debate televised live on Sun TV Channel 27. Participating from the chamber seats they hope to secure in the election, from left: Ken Brown; David Cook: Antoinette Castrone; Tom Rouse; Mike Gillaspie; Steve... Continue