Petaluma meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Petaluma agendas: zoning overhaul, water rules, pump station contract

Petaluma's boards took up a zoning overhaul, water conservation rules and a historic-district addition over the past two weeks, but the records provided for those meetings list agenda items only. Minutes have not been published, so no votes, dollar amounts or outcomes are available for any of the recent meetings summarized here.

Planning Commission weighs zoning and SmartCode changes

On October 13, the Planning Commission continued a public hearing on proposed amendments to the Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance (IZO) and SmartCode. The items listed include amendments to IZO Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 11, 12, 24, 26 and 28; repeal and replacement of Chapter 6 (Floodway and Flood Plain Districts) and Chapter 27 (Residential Density Bonus); and the addition of a new Chapter 29 (Maker/Microbusiness). Amendments to the Petaluma Zoning Ordinance Map and the Central Petaluma Specific Plan Zoning Map are also listed. The commission was to consider a resolution recommending the changes to the City Council to align regulations with the General Plan, Housing Element and Blueprint for Climate Action. No recommendation is recorded in the supplied material.

Council takes up water conservation ordinance and abatement costs

The City Council and the Petaluma Community Development Successor Agency (PCDSA) met October 5 at 6:00 PM in a hybrid format. Listed business included a public hearing to confirm the cost of abating hazardous vegetation and rubbish and to forward unpaid bills to the County Assessor's Office for collection as assessments, and the first reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 15.17 of the Petaluma Municipal Code, "Water Conservation Regulations." The consent calendar listed a resolution approving an amended and restated Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement for the Petaluma Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agency, and a resolution in support of Measure H (Parks) on the November 3, 2026 General Election ballot. Proclamations for Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Fire Prevention Week were scheduled, along with a presentation titled "Measure M — Parks For All — Investment and Impacts Summary."

535 Howard Street addition

The Historic & Cultural Preservation Committee met October 6 at 4:00 PM in the City Hall Council Chamber, 11 English Street. Its public hearing concerned a resolution for Major Historic Site Plan and Architectural Review of an approximately 408-square-foot one-story addition to the north elevation of an existing ca. 1917 craftsman bungalow at 535 Howard Street in the Oakhill-Brewster Historic District, APN 006-065-013, City Record No. PLSR-2026-0012, plus associated site modifications. The agenda states the project is categorically exempt from CEQA under Guidelines Section 15331 (Class 31) and Section 15301 (Class 1), with no exceptions under Section 15300.2. The committee also listed approval of minutes for January 6, February 24 and July 7, 2026, and an administrative appointment of Chair and Vice Chair.

Bike and pedestrian committee support letters

The Pedestrian & Bicycle Advisory Committee met October 7 at 6:30 PM in the City Hall Council Chamber. The business item was a recommendation to authorize the Chair to sign letters of support for funding requests to the Caltrans Local Highway Safety Improvement Program and the Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant. The agenda lists no dollar amounts or specific projects.

Candidate forums

AAUW Petaluma, the League of Women Voters and the Petaluma Area Chamber of Commerce hosted candidate forums on October 12, covering the City Council (7PM - 9PM) and the School Board (6PM - 6:45PM).

Coming up

• **October 19 — City Council/PCDSA:** a resolution awarding a contract for the Primary Influent Pump Station (PIPS) Parallel Force Main Project (C66502032) to Garney Pacific, Inc. The agenda summary does not state a contract amount.
• **October 20 — Transit Advisory Committee:** approval of September 15, 2026 minutes and the Transit Manager's Report.
• **October 21 — Tree Advisory Committee:** final feedback on tree species selection for the Caufield Lane Paving Project, review of the "Protect," "Grow" and "Engage" ad-hoc sub-committees, approval of September 16, 2026 minutes, and the oath of office for Brian Fishman.
• **October 21 — Recreation, Music & Parks Commission:** review of Rainbow Bridge project locations at Alman Marsh and Prince Park, and a proposed recommendation to the City Council on naming a community baseball field after Johnny "JJ" Jackson.

Petaluma agendas: zoning overhaul, water conservation rules and abatement bills — but no outcomes yet published

Petaluma boards and committees took up land-use, water and neighborhood items over the past two weeks, but as of Oct. 13 no minutes had been published for any of the five meetings listed below. That means the record shows what was scheduled and proposed, not what was decided. No vote tallies or dollar amounts appear in the supplied agendas.

Zoning code overhaul returns to Planning Commission

The Planning Commission held a continued public hearing on Sept. 29 on a resolution recommending the City Council adopt Phase 1 amendments to the Implementing Zoning Ordinance (IZO) and SmartCode. The stated aims were to align zoning with the General Plan, implement housing and climate action programs, and address state law and economic development needs. The commission was to receive staff presentations and public comment before making a recommendation.

The same subject is on the agenda for the Planning Commission meeting of Oct. 13, described as a continuation of that hearing. The listed changes include amendments to IZO Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 11, 12, 24, 26 and 28, including new sections on Reasonable Accommodations; repeal and replacement of Chapter 6 (Floodway and Flood Plain Districts); repeal and replacement of Chapter 27 (Residential Density Bonus); addition of a new Chapter 29 (Maker/Microbusiness); and updates to the Zoning Map and the Central Petaluma Specific Plan Zoning Map.

Water conservation ordinance gets a first reading

The City Council and the Petaluma Community Development Successor Agency (PCDSA) met Oct. 5 at 6:00 PM in a hybrid format. The agenda listed a first reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 15.17 of the Petaluma Municipal Code, "Water Conservation Regulations." A first reading is an early step in the process; the agenda does not state an adoption outcome.

Abatement bills, groundwater agreement and Measure H

The same Oct. 5 agenda included a public hearing to confirm the cost of abating hazardous vegetation and rubbish and to forward unpaid bills to the County Assessor's Office for collection as assessments. No dollar figures were listed.

The consent calendar included a resolution approving an amended and restated Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement for the Petaluma Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agency, and a resolution in support of Measure H (Parks) on the November 3, 2026 General Election ballot. The meeting also listed proclamations for Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Fire Prevention Week, and a presentation titled "Measure M — Parks For All — Investment and Impacts Summary."

Historic district: 408-square-foot addition at 535 Howard Street

The Historic & Cultural Preservation Committee met Oct. 6 at 4:00 PM in the City Hall Council Chamber, 11 English Street. Its main item was a public hearing on a resolution for Major Historic Site Plan and Architectural Review of an approximately 408-square-foot one-story addition to the north elevation of an existing ca. 1917 craftsman bungalow at 535 Howard Street in the Oakhill-Brewster Historic District, plus associated site modifications. The record number is PLSR-2026-0012, APN 006-065-013.

The agenda states the project is categorically exempt from CEQA under Guidelines Section 15331 (Class 31) and Section 15301 (Class 1), with no exceptions under Section 15300.2 applying. The committee also was to approve minutes from Jan. 6, Feb. 24 and July 7, 2026, and to make an administrative appointment of Chair and Vice Chair. Spoken comment was limited to three minutes per person, with written comment accepted by email until two hours before the meeting.

Bike and pedestrian committee: letters for two Caltrans grant requests

The Pedestrian & Bicycle Advisory Committee met Oct. 7 at 6:30 PM in the City Hall Council Chamber. The main business item was a recommendation to authorize the Chair to sign letters of support for funding requests to the Caltrans Local Highway Safety Improvement Program and the Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant. The agenda lists no dollar amounts or specific projects. The committee also was to consider minutes from its Aug. 5, 2026 meeting.

Candidate forums

AAUW Petaluma, the League of Women Voters and the Petaluma Area Chamber of Commerce hosted candidate forums on Oct. 12, covering the City Council (7 PM to 9 PM) and the School Board (6 PM to 6:45 PM).

Coming up

The only upcoming meeting listed for the next 14 days is the Planning Commission on Oct. 13, which continues the public hearing on the proposed IZO and SmartCode amendments and the related zoning map changes. It is the item with the widest reach of anything on the near-term calendar, since it covers rules that apply citywide.

Petaluma City Council agenda includes Scott Ranch pool zoning, electric bus purchase

The Petaluma City Council's Aug. 3 agenda includes a zoning change that would allow backyard pools at Scott Ranch, the purchase of five battery-electric buses, and adoption of the annual military equipment report. The council also will consider a $1.2 million grant for transit planning. All items are listed on the agenda; minutes have not yet been published, so no decisions are confirmed.

City Council (Aug. 3)

The council will hold a hybrid meeting with several action items:

• **Scott Ranch zoning amendment:** First reading of an ordinance amending the Scott Ranch Planned Unit District to permit swimming pools, hot tubs, and spas as accessory uses.
• **Electric bus purchase:** Resolution to purchase five battery-electric buses from New Flyer Industries.
• **Transit planning grant:** Resolution to execute agreements for a $1.2 million Sustainable Communities Transportation Planning Grant for the Transit Vision Plan Project.
• **Military equipment report:** Adoption of the FY25-26 Annual Military Equipment Use Report under AB481.

No vote tallies are available because the meeting has not yet produced minutes.

Pedestrian & Bicycle Advisory Committee (Aug. 5)

The committee will receive updates and provide feedback on two infrastructure projects:

• Howard Street Improvements Project
• Citywide Active Transportation Wayfinding Project

The agenda also includes approval of minutes from June 3, 2026. No formal decisions are listed.

Airport Commission (Aug. 6)

The commission's regular meeting is procedural, with no formal decisions listed. Agenda items include:

• Approval of minutes from June 22, 2026
• Hangar Maintenance and Repairs update
• Hangar Waitlist Policy review
• Hangar Development discussion

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days. Check the city's official meeting calendar for future agendas.

Petaluma meeting roundup: Council agendas cover housing loans, safety funding; outcomes pending

Petaluma's advisory bodies and City Council held four public meetings between July 20 and July 23, 2026, covering topics from affordable housing loans to police recruitment. Minutes have not yet been published for any of these sessions, so outcomes and vote tallies are not yet confirmed in the public record. What follows is what was scheduled for each agenda.

City Council / PCDSA — July 20, 2026

The Council and Petaluma Community Development Successor Agency (PCDSA) had a packed consent calendar and several resolutions on the agenda. Items scheduled for action included:

• A resolution authorizing purchase of a 2026 Freightliner M2 106 chassis through the Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Program.
• A resolution ratifying award of contract and releasing 10% retention for the Beverly C. Wilson Emergency Reroofing Project.
• A resolution approving Cooperative Funding Agreement No. SCTA27001 for the Sonoma County Multijurisdictional Safe Routes to Schools, Parks, and Transit Demonstration Project.
• A resolution authorizing modification, extension, and assignment of existing City affordable housing loans for 575 and 579 Vallejo Street.
• Approval of a side-letter agreement between the City of Petaluma and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), Unit 7.
• Acceptance of a public-art gift.

Because minutes are not yet available, whether each resolution passed and by what vote cannot be confirmed from the current record.

Transit Advisory Committee — July 21, 2026

The Transit Advisory Committee was scheduled to elect its Chair and Vice Chair, approve minutes from its June 16, 2026 meeting, and receive a report from the Transit Manager. No minutes have been published, so the election results are not yet confirmed.

Public Safety Advisory Committee — July 22, 2026

This committee's agenda included administering the oath of office for new members, a presentation of monthly statistics from the Independent Police Auditor, a review of the Petaluma Police Department's recruitment and background investigation process, and discussion of the committee's long-range calendar. Outcomes are not yet available.

Public Art Committee — July 23, 2026

The Public Art Committee was set to approve minutes from its May 28, 2026 meeting and hold a study session on the Gallaher Senior Living public art proposal. The session was structured to receive a presentation and public comment, with the committee providing non-binding comments and direction. Written public comment could be submitted by email to [email protected] at least two hours before the meeting. No minutes have been published.

Coming up

• **August 3, 2026 — City Council / PCDSA Regular Meeting:** The Council is scheduled to hold a first reading of an ordinance amending the Scott Ranch Planned Unit District to permit swimming pools, hot tubs, and spas as accessory uses. Also on the agenda: a resolution to purchase five battery-electric buses from New Flyer Industries, a resolution to execute agreements for a $1.2M Sustainable Communities Transportation Planning Grant for the Transit Vision Plan Project, and adoption of the FY25-26 Annual Military Equipment Use Report under AB481.
• **August 5, 2026 — Pedestrian & Bicycle Advisory Committee:** Updates and feedback on the Howard Street Improvements Project and the Citywide Active Transportation Wayfinding Project, plus approval of June 3, 2026 minutes.
• **August 6, 2026 — Airport Commission:** Approval of June 22, 2026 minutes, plus updates and discussion on hangar maintenance, waitlist policy, and development. No formal decisions are listed.

Petaluma roundup: Public safety facility contract on council agenda; pathway naming, committee elections fill busy two weeks

City Council: Public safety facility design-build contract on agenda

The Petaluma City Council met July 6 with several significant items on its agenda, including a design-build contract with Alten Construction for the Petaluma Public Safety Facility Project (C11202431). The council also was scheduled to act on a resolution adopting the annual special tax levy for the Riverfront Community Facilities District for Fiscal Year 2026–2027, and to adopt on second reading an ordinance amending Ordinance 2923 N.C.S. to change certain city appropriations for operations from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026.

Additional agenda items included a resolution authorizing purchase and installation of transit shelters and amenities from Tolar Manufacturing Company, Inc., via the CalACT/MBTA Cooperative Purchasing Agreement, and a resolution accepting completion of the Hardin Tank Recoating Project (C67502328) by Olympus and Associates, Inc., and authorizing release of retention.

Note: Minutes for this meeting have not yet been published. The items above reflect what was on the agenda; outcomes and vote tallies are not yet available.

Historic & Cultural Preservation Committee: 1871 home addition at 511 Keokuk St.

On July 7, the committee held a public hearing on a proposed 184-square-foot side addition to a ca. 1871 single-family residence at 511 Keokuk St. (APN 006-151-010) in the Oakhill-Brewster Historic District. The project also includes expansion of a side raised deck and pergola and like-for-like window and finish replacement. The agenda noted the project is categorically exempt from CEQA under Sections 15331 and 15301. The committee also was to approve minutes from its January 6 and February 24, 2026 meetings. Minutes have not yet been published.

Senior Advisory Committee: Officer elections and 2027 Resource Fair discussion

The Senior Advisory Committee met July 9 to swear in new members — administered by City Clerk Caitlin Corey — and elect a Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary. The committee discussed a 2027 Senior Resource Fair at the Petaluma Community Center and heard reports on goals for senior physical and mental health, social activities, intergenerational connections, senior-friendly infrastructure, and the Sonoma County Master Plan for Aging. Minutes have not yet been published.

Climate Action Commission: Biodiversity index presentation, EV subcommittee discussion

On July 9, the commission was scheduled to approve May 14, 2026 minutes, hear a presentation titled "Building a Community-Driven Biodiversity Index" by Liz Chamberlin, Ph.D., and discuss recommendations from the EV Ad Hoc Subcommittee. A general public comment period of up to 20 minutes was included. Minutes have not yet been published.

Tree Advisory Committee: Leadership elections, ad hoc updates

The Tree Advisory Committee met July 15 to elect a Chair and Vice Chair for a term through June 30, 2027, and to swear in Committee Members McKee and Shand. Updates were scheduled from three ad hoc committees: Protect (promoting the Tree Preservation Ordinance), Grow (connecting with volunteer groups for tree plantings), and Engage (improving public websites and event coordination). Minutes have not yet been published.

Recreation, Music & Parks Commission: East Side Pathway naming recommendation

On July 15, the commission reviewed nominations and was to recommend a name to the City Council for the East Side Pathway along the eastern urban separator between Kenilworth Junior High and Casa Grande Road. The commission also was to elect a Chair and Vice Chair through June 30, 2027, and approve 2026–2027 committee, commission, board, and park liaison assignments. Minutes have not yet been published.

Coming up

• **July 20 — City Council/PCDSA Regular Meeting:** Council will consider a resolution authorizing purchase of a 2026 Freightliner M2 106 chassis through the Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Program; ratification of an emergency reroofing contract for the Beverly C. Wilson project; Cooperative Funding Agreement No. SCTA27001 for the Sonoma County Safe Routes to Schools, Parks, and Transit Demonstration Project; modifications to affordable housing loans for 575 and 579 Vallejo Street; and a side-letter agreement with IAFF Unit 7.
• **July 21 — Transit Advisory Committee:** Officer elections, approval of June 16 minutes, and a Transit Manager Report.
• **July 22 — Public Safety Advisory Committee:** Review of Petaluma Police Department recruitment and background investigation process, monthly stats from the Independent Police Auditor, and the committee's long-range calendar.
• **July 23 — Public Art Committee:** Study session on the Gallaher Senior Living public art proposal. Written comments may be emailed to [email protected] at least two hours before the meeting.