Priorities and Issues in Petaluma
This next election is critical because our next City Council will finalize Petaluma’s blueprint for the next 20 years, our “General Plan.” It is paramount our City elevate consideration of water supply, traffic, infrastructure, and flood risk in decision making. Quantifiable science matters and quality of life, sustainable environmental policies, and economic and community strength must be top priority.
Our Water Supply: Plan and Prepare for More Drought
Partner with regional government and nonprofits to ensure groundwater sustainability
Expand water catchment systems
Expand purple pipes to deliver recycled water to our yards, gardens and businesses
Ensure irrigation of trees for climate resilience
Permit large vineyards only after adequate water supply verification
Safe Streets for Cars, Bikes, and Pedestrians
Implement “Vision Zero’s” “Safe Streets for All” program including, workable and fully-tested bike lane installation and separate bike/ped paths and Safe Routes to School
Reconfigure the Corona intersection to be safe for current residents and planned future development
Move forward with needed Corona Overpass earthquake retrofit and expand the overpass to increase capacity and safety for all modes of transport
Complete Eastside SMART station with appropriate housing development design that respects current neighborhood and traffic needs
Fix and properly maintain City roads
Use current funding available for the Caulfield Connector
Deliver final assessment of Rainier Connector opportunity
Economize and increase efficiency of our transit system, including Ride Share and smaller Paratransit buses with expanded circuit
Improve Parks: Protect our Northeast Greenbelt
Protect our treasured 6-mile Northeast Greenbelt from real estate development, preserve the land just beyond the Greenbelt
Increasing our Open Space, especially ecologically sensitive and flood-hazard acreage
Increase opportunities for residents to recreate in unspoiled, natural areas, including the last “wild” segment of the North Petaluma River
A Petaluma 20-Year General Plan with Strong, Science-Based Actions that Address Climate Change
Reduce carbon emissions from transport and buildings
Keep Petaluma cool and our air clean with more trees
Expand electrification
Facilitate adding solar arrays and EV charge stations through policy and State/Federal grant funding
Incorporate drought, flood prevention, and Sea Level Rise into City planning
Save our Fairgrounds!
Retain our Fairgrounds agricultural heritage and functionality, including its critical role as an emergency center for Petalumans and Sonoma County
Expand agricultural programs for our youth
Increase activities and access to the public year-round
Enhance the grounds, infrastructure, and facilities, improving landscaping and adding trees
Renegotiate Fairgrounds lease to enable all above improvements and place Petalumans as stakeholders to ensure protection of our centrally-located Fair and ag heritage
Strong Economic Growth
Expand green business programs and innovate facilitation policies
Supporting local agriculture with policy and support programs
Improve and streamline permits and taxation for local industry, including Cannabis
Balance property owner and tenant needs with Just Cause Evictions policies that respect the rights of investors and tenants
Introduce landlord incentives for maintenance, improvements, and long-term green investment
Protect Environment for Future Generations
Protect our Heritage California Oak Forests (hundreds-year-old oak trees), wetlands and special-status species
Reduce Petaluma River and Watershed pollution with maintenance, technology, native vegetation, development policy, and adoption of Integrated Pest Management
Plan and Prepare for flooding and Sea Level Rise with state-of-science multi-factor flood modeling
Partner with regional government and nonprofits to save expanded Petaluma Marsh, watershed-critical land, wildlife corridors, and the Petaluma River endangered-species habitat areas
Affordable Housing
Intelligently add housing, focused on affordability for our workers, seniors, and teachers, meeting the minimum State required housing (RHNA)
A stepwise systemic solution for our homeless/houseless
Take care of our Growing Senior Population
Expand support services around health, recreation, quality of life, and transport
Prioritize affordable housing for our seniors