In April, Petaluma’s seven-member City Council approved updates to its electrification requirements for new buildings, authorized a construction contract for a new skatepark, and approved additional RV parking in town.

This isn’t a complete list of actions taken this past month, but shows some of what transpired.

April 6:

• Proclamations: Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Wildfire Awareness Month
• Consent Calendar:
  • ITEM 5 – Authorized the construction contract for the new Lucchesi skate park to San Francisco-based Bauman Landscape and Construction Company for $2,709,016. Passed unanimously 7-0
  • ITEM 7 – Authorized a letter of support for AB 1903, which proposes creating a bolstered inspection and certification process and increased criteria requirements for construction defect claims. Passed 6-1, with Councilmember John Shribbs voting no
  • ITEM 8 – Amended the city code that required all-electric construction in new buildings. The revised policy promotes, but does not require electrification. It comes in response to the federal government filing a lawsuit against Petaluma and Morgan Hill on January 5, 2026. Passed 6-0 with Councilmember Brian Barnacle abstaining because he works with building electrification
  • ITEM 9 – Updated the city’s existing Tree Preservation Ordinance. Passed unanimously 7-0

• Public hearings:
  • ITEM 12 – Two resolutions identifying properties deemed a nuisance with hazardous vegetation and rubbish and ordering the Petaluma Fire Department to abate them if the property owners do not. Passed (required multiple votes because several members of City Council had to abstain due to living in proximity of the listed addresses)
• Workshop:
  • Discussion on the Petaluma Transit Budget and service modifications for fiscal year 2026-27.

April 20:

• Proclamations: Arbor Day, Earth Day, and National Historic Preservation Month
• Presentation: Blue Zones Project update reviewing the project’s progress toward “community certification,” its criteria, and future steps. The majority of its goals are “In Progress,” with a few having been met and a few exceeded.
• Consent Calendar:
  • ITEM 3 – Resolution requesting that CalTrans designate Lakeville Highway a “Safety Corridor” within city limits. Passed 6-1, with Councilmember Alex DeCarli voting no
• Public Hearings and Matters for Consideration:
  • ITEM 10 – Resolution to add new fees in conjunction with the newly adopted Tree Preservation Ordinance, passed on April 6. These fees apply to tree removal permits, onsite tree consultation, tree replacement, and more. Passed 7-0
  • ITEM 11 – The first reading of an ordinance to increase outdoor RV storage at the Rancho Arroyo Business Park, situated in the area surrounding Industrial Avenue. Passed 7-0
  • ITEM 12 – Public hearing to authorize the issuance of bonds to finance construction costs associated with the Petaluma Public Safety Facility. The total construction cost is estimated to be $55 million, with 56% or $30.8 million covered by a sales tax bond, and the remaining 44% or $24.2 million covered by a 30-year, tax-exempt lease revenue bond, according to a staff report. Passed 7-0

Items tentatively scheduled for the upcoming May 4 meeting include:

• Presentation on the fiscal year 2026-27 budget
• Resolution to accept the end of a pavement preventative maintenance contract with Dryco Construction, Inc.
• Resolution to begin preparing the landscape assessment districts’ annual levy report
• Resolution to acknowledge completion of a hangar door replacement project at the Petaluma Municipal Airport
• Adopt a resolution (second reading) to increase outdoor RV parking at Arroyo Business Park
• Implement major updates to the Brown Act under SB 707, which requires increased hybrid participation and additional translation services at government meetings. The city will allow remote public comments over Zoom starting in July 2026.
• Authorize the preparation of the Petaluma Fairgrounds Plan using grant funds 
• Accept the findings of the Annual Housing Element Progress Report for 2025 and authorize its submission to the state

The next City Council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Monday, May 4, inside the City Council Chambers (11 English St.).

For more information on this and other upcoming city meetings, visit: cityofpetaluma.org/meetings.