Lower Russian River Municipal Advisory Council- Agenda

Chair & Rio Nido Representative: Pip Marquez de la Plata • Vice Chair & Hacienda Representative: Vicki Clewes • Cazadero / Duncan Mills Representative: Tony Goodwin • Guerneville Representative: Joe Rogoff • Guerneville Representative: Spencer R. Scott • Guerneville South / Pocket Canyon Representative: Betsy Van Dyke • Monte Rio / Villa Grande Representative: Patty Thayer • Forestville Representative: Lonnie Lazar • Forestville Representative: Thai Hilton • Non-Voting Student Representative: Faye Zamora

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

The Lower Russian River Municipal Advisory Council will make reasonable accommodations for persons having special needs due to disabilities. Please contact the Fifth District Field Representative at 707-565-1219 during regular business hours at least 48 hours prior to the meeting to ensure necessary accommodations are made.

Call to Order
- Announcement from Spanish Interpreter: The Spanish language interpreter will provide information about how to access the interpretation channel via Zoom or obtain a headset if attending in-person.
- Roll Call
Approval of the Agenda
Discussion Possible Action
This approval process ensures that the agenda accurately reflects the items to be discussed and decided upon. Members may request adjustments to the agenda, including reordering or deletion of items at this time. Any changes must comply with the Brown Act requirements for public notice and agenda setting. The agenda must be finalized before the Council proceeds with other meeting items.
Statement of Conflict of Interest
Discussion
This is the time for the Chair, Vice Chair and Council Members to indicate any statements of conflict of interest for any item listed on this agenda. The River MAC bylaws state that members will not involve themselves in official River MAC activities that could materially benefit them personally, their business interests, or the interests of organizations that they represent. In a conflict of interest, the member will abstain from voting, and the abstention will be recorded in the minutes.
Consent Agenda
Discussion Possible Action
These items are expected to be routine and non-controversial. The Lower Russian River MAC will act upon them at one time without discussion. Any Representatives, staff member or interested party may request that an item be removed from the consent agenda for discussion.
- March 13, 2025 Minutes
- April 10, 2025 Minutes
Councilmember Comment
This is an opportunity for Councilmembers to provide a brief comments, restricted to matters within the Board’s jurisdiction. Due to Brown Act regulations, this is not a time for discussion of any item, however a brief dialogue about considering an item for a future agenda is permitted during this time.
Public Comment on Matters not listed on the Agenda
Comments are restricted to matters within the Lower Russian River MAC’s jurisdiction. Please be brief and limit spoken comments to two minutes. While Councilmembers may not respond to or discuss comments except to express interest in agendizing the topic for a future meeting, staff can briefly address or follow up after the meeting.
County Update
Discussion Possible Action
Updates and Remarks from Supervisor Hopkins and / or Staff Report(s)
- Proposed Russian River Sanitation Sewer Capacity Charge and Rate Increases
  On May 13 the Board of Supervisors will be reviewing and taking action on new capacity charge rates. The item is scheduled to begin at 10:05 AM at Board Chambers, 575 Administration Drive in Santa Rosa.
  Capacity charges are one-time fees assessed on new construction or reassessed parcels to help offset the costs of sewer infrastructure, ensuring those expenses are fairly shared among all users of the sewer system. The capacity charges study is separate from customer sewer rates.
  The proposed rate per ESD (Equivalent Single Family Dwelling) in the Russian River CSD is $15,589, while the current rate is $5,969.
  More information and FAQ’s about the sewer capacity charges can be found online at: https://www.sonomawater.org/capacity-charges.
  
  Additionally, Russian River rates are proposed to increase 8.5% to an annual rate of $2,486 for Fiscal Year 2025-26. The sanitation rate relief program will continue to be available to qualifying residential customers and non-profits that provide housing to low-income renters.
- Review draft of magnet to be produced and used for outreach purposes
Sheriff's Office Update from Sheriff Eddie Engram
Discussion
Sheriff Engram will provide the Lower Russian River Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) with a mid-program update on the Sheriff's Office pilot program to temporarily re-establish the Narcotics Unit. The program, launched on November 12, 2024, and funded through June 15, 2026, utilizes unspent allocations from the discontinued Solano County Out-of-County Jail Agreement.
The presentation will cover:
- Data on arrests, drug seizures, inter-agency collaborations, and community outreach efforts, with a particular focus on activities in the Lower Russian River area.
- Next steps for the program, including opportunities for public engagement and the exploration of future funding options.
In addition, Sheriff Engram has been invited to provide updates on the following topics:
- The status of the Guerneville Substation.
- The role and activity of Regional Parks Deputies, whose work enhances law enforcement coverage in unincorporated areas.
The MAC welcomes any other information the Sheriff may wish to share that is of relevance to the Lower Russian River community.
Formation of Ad Hoc Committee to Ensure Community Voice and Context in District Formation Outreach
Discussion Possible Action
On March 25, 2025, the Board of Supervisors approved an agreement with RSG, Inc., to provide District Formation Advisory Services. As part of this effort, RSG will launch an initial community engagement phase, anticipated to last approximately two months, focused on supporting interested communities in exploring options for organizing local services and governance.
The goal is to offer technical assistance and information to any community that may wish to consider district formation or other local governance strategies as a way to strengthen self-determination and improve service delivery. This work builds on previous conversations across the Lower Russian River region and elsewhere regarding community needs and aspirations for greater local control.
To assist with localized outreach and ensure community voices are central to the process, staff recommends forming a temporary ad hoc committee of interested Lower Russian River MAC Representatives and/or Alternates. This committee would work with 5th District Supervisor’s Office staff, County Administrator’s Office staff, and/or RSG consultants to help tailor engagement efforts to the diverse needs of Lower Russian River communities.
The ad hoc committee would dissolve upon completion of the initial two-month community engagement phase. Broader technical assistance efforts under the RSG contract will continue beyond this phase to support any interested communities in further exploring opportunities, including — if desired by the community — district formation or other governance changes.
Consideration of Hearing Request and / or Formation of an Ad Hoc Committee to review UPE24-0077, 6615 Front Street, Forestville
Discussion Possible Action
Permit Sonoma intends to post a Notice of Hearing Waiver for the this project on May 8, 2025. The Use Permit approval will be issued without a public hearing, unless a written request is received for a public hearing. If a written hearing request is received within 10 days of the Notice of Hearing Waiver, a public hearing will be scheduled.

Project Description: Request to modify Use Permit UPE20-0046 to allow a 735 sq. ft. outdoor dining area under a new 1,200 sq. ft. arbor structure, legalization of an existing shade structure, and reconfiguration of the parking lot to add a waiting area and bicycle parking in place of two spaces, to an existing restaurant offering indoor dining, takeout food, and alcohol sales. Up to 24 community or promotional events may be held annually, limited to two per month and 49 attendees per event. The existing 1,490 sq. ft. restaurant will continue to operate from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., seven days a week, with 21 employees and approximately 120 daily visitors. A total of 13 on-site parking spaces will be provided, supported by a shared parking agreement for 35 nearby spaces and 20 bicycle parking spots. All existing utilities will remain. This Use Permit (UPE24-0077) shall supersede all prior Use Permit approvals.

Potential Actions:
1) Consider recommending that District 5 submit a hearing request for this Use Permit modification

2) Form an Ad Hoc comprised of a maximum of 4 named members to review the Use Permit modification application and identify potential impacts, missing information, and any potential conditions or mitigations in order to bring the topic back to the full River MAC at a regular meeting for discussion and possible action to provide feedback to District 5 and Permit Sonoma.

Note: The role of the Lower Russian River MAC is not to approve or deny a project, but rather identify key concerns, gather community input, and elevate issues that should be considered during the decision-making process.
Community Engagement Discussion
Discussion Possible Action
This is an opportunity for discussion regarding scheduling for tabling at upcoming events, calendar input for other events, or to report on individual outreach to other MACs or community groups regarding engagement initiatives and best practices.
Adjournment