Lower Russian River Municipal Advisory Council- Agenda

Chair & Rio Nido Representative: Pip Marquez de la Plata • Vice Chair & Cazadero / Duncan Mills Representative: Mike Nicholls • Guerneville Representative: Joe Rogoff • Guerneville Representative: Spencer R. Scott • Guerneville South / Pocket Canyon Representative: Betsy Van Dyke • Monte Rio / Villa Grande Representative: Cynthia Strecker • Hacienda Representative: Vicki Clewes • Forestville Representative: Lonnie Lazar • Forestville Representative: Thai Hilton

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
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Roll Call
Approval of 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.
- April 11 Minutes
- Bylaws update: the attached revised bylaws reflect a change to clarify that service as an alternate on the River MAC do not count towards the term limits.
Councilmember comment on matters not listed on the agenda
Discussion
Comments are restricted to matters within the Board’s jurisdiction. Please be brief and limit spoken comments to one minute. 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 Comments
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.
County Update from Supervisor Lynda Hopkins / Staff
Discussion
Transient Occupancy Tax Ordinance Amendment
Discussion Possible Action
A first reading of proposed revisions to the Transient Occupancy Tax Ordinance will be heard by the Board of Supervisors at their July 9^th meeting. Administrative Analyst McCall Miller will provide an overview, answer questions, and receive feedback from the Municipal Advisory Council and public. The item was previously heard 11/28/23. Materials can be found here. Video here and here.
The County’s Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Ordinance, codified in Sonoma County Code Chapter 12, requires all Operators within the unincorporated County to collect and remit TOT on the total amount of rent paid for occupancy in any lodging. The current TOT rate is 12%, including the 3% approved in 2016 with Measure L.
The proposed ordinance amendment will update definitions in Section 12-10. Proposed updates include explicitly defining an online marketplace as an “Operator” to obligate them to collect and remit TOT. An online marketplace is defined as, without limitation, any online travel company, online vacation rental site or marketplace or internet-based platform that directly or indirectly facilitates the rental or booking of lodging (collectively, Online Travel Companies or “OTCs”). The amendment will also update the definition of rent to provide a non-exhaustive list of charges and fees charged by an Operator that are subject to TOT, which includes any service or facilitation fee charged by an OTC for use of their platform for booking occupancy. It also adds the term “short-term rental.”
This ordinance amendment will not increase the rate of TOT and is not a new tax on residents or on visitors to Sonoma County. Due to the evolution of OTCs, which were not in existence when the original TOT Ordinance was adopted, these proposed changes will ensure that TOT is applied evenly across all Operators and Lodging within the unincorporated County.
Because this ordinance amendment seeks expansion of definitions under the current Ordinance, voter approval is required. If the ordinance is adopted and submitted to the voters, the ordinance amendment requires a majority vote (50%) to pass
Committee & Community Project Reports
Discussion Possible Action
Written reports are included for review. Committee chair or delegate may briefly highlight parts of the update, respond to councilmember questions, and receive public comment.
- Land Use Standing Committee - no report
- Community Engagement and Outreach Ad Hoc - 2024 Community Engagement Plan adoption (attached)
- Guerneville Plaza Infrastructure Recommendations Ad Hoc - Proposed survey adoption (attached), discussion regarding interim improvements
- Community Stewardship Project - report attached
Adjournment