Rohnert Park District 2 council hopefuls talk homelessness and growth

Three political newcomers are vying to represent Rohnert Park’s expanding southeast corner on the City Council, staking a range of stances on homelessness policy, growth and other citywide and district issues ahead of the Nov. 8 election.

Jason Atallah, who works in cybersecurity for a financial technology firm; Tom Levin, a retired U.S. Coast Guard officer and public sector employee in Mill Valley; and Emily Sanborn, an account manager at Straus Family Creamery, are running in the District 2 race.

It’s the first time voters will elect someone to represent District 2, home to an estimated 8,700 people, since the city switched to district-based elections in 2020. The district includes the L, M and W sections and the Sonoma Mountain Village development, a decade-old plan that once completed will include thousands of homes, retail and office space.

It’s one of three city races on the November ballot, and altogether seven candidates are vying to join the five-member City Council.

The Press Democrat sent questionnaires Oct. 6 to the full field of candidates. Responses, which have been edited for clarity and length, will appear this week in print and online at pressdemocrat.com/election2022.

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Downtown development

Question: The City Council in May advanced a plan to fast-track work on the long-sought downtown project at the former State Farm site. What would you like to see built there, and what steps would you take to advance the project now that the city has more say on how to develop it?

Atallah: I’d like to see momentum. Downtown is on everyone’s mind, making progress and being transparent with the community are all that matter right now. I also want to see local businesses in our downtown. Rohnert Park is overrun by franchises. We need to give our small businesses a fair shot.

Levin: The first step that needs to be completed is to review-update-approve the city’s general plan. The general plan is one of City Council’s long overdue priorities which will take several months of reviewing the downtown’s land use, open space, mixed-use housing, circulation, noise and safety requirements to satisfy our vision of having nice dining, green space for farmers markets and festivals, water fountains, sustainable landscaping, mixed-use retail/residence, with wonderful walkable spaces of a true and beautiful downtown feel. Review the city’s draft proposed “fast track” work plan. Based on blueprint plans, encourage city staff to initiate the long lead-time permitting utility work (sewer, potable water, reclaim water, power and gas). Seek competitive bids for our downtown build-out, and then watch our Rohnert Park’s downtown dream become a reality.

Sanborn: Rohnert Park’s downtown development plans are already articulated, and I will work collaboratively with our City Council to advance these plans.

Casino expansion

Q: The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria have proposed a major expansion of their casino and a second hotel tower. The tribe currently has an agreement to pay a total of $251 million over 20 years to Rohnert Park for public safety, education and other community services. Do you support the expansion, and what revenue sharing and mitigation efforts should the city as it discusses a new agreement with the tribe?

Atallah: Without specific details, it is tough to support or oppose any new developments. I will say, though, with the right provisions and agreements in place, expanding Graton could be great for our city, it could bring in a slew of jobs and revenue.

Levin: The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria that own and operate Graton Casino are a declared sovereign nation and will continue to build and expand with or without Rohnert Park’s support. I will highly encourage the City Council to partner with them to fully understand the breadth and depth of Graton’s general plan along with their proposed 20 year-plus expansion timeline on their 254-acre property. The casino does not want the stigma of a homeless encampment, increasing crime, rampant drug trafficking, distribution and abuse outside their front entrance, as Rohnert Park residents and businesses do not want these increasing problems on our streets, creeks, open spaces nor along business storefronts. We must greatly increase our city police drug task force resources (staffing, funding, enforcement), county drug task force resources, establish a work-for-food-shelter programs and demand that Sonoma County provide more crisis managers to respond to mental crisis issues and relocate those in need to county facilities. This supplemental funding from Graton Casino will pay for increased needed city policing and drug task enforcement resources. Furthermore, I will encourage our county supervisors to also seek additional funding from Graton Casino, separately. This plan will be a win-win solution that Rohnert Park residents and business owners, Sonoma County and Graton Casino wants and needs to make Rohnert Park the best place to live, work and raise a family.

Sanborn: Rohnert Park is located within the traditional homelands of the Indigenous peoples collectively known as Coast Miwok and Southern Pomo. We are fortunate to share this community. I look forward to continuing the relationship with the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria to the mutual benefit of the tribe and the city.

Fireworks

Q: Rohnert Park voters supported banning state-approved fireworks, often described as “safe and sane,” last September. If elected, would you consider bringing back discussions about overturning the ban?

Atallah: No, only because the ban was not a decision made by a few, it was voted on by our community. There are significant safety risks involved with allowing fireworks. However, if there is an overwhelming amount of support for overturning the ban it is not something I would ignore.

Levin: Yes, I will consider bringing back discussions about overturning the ban. Numerous responses from residents from L, M, R and W neighborhoods had three common themes of frustration about the banning of “safe and sane” California-approved fireworks: These “safe and sane” fireworks are California-approved and only sold from June 28 to July 6 each year. These fireworks are designed not to fly nor explode and are low risk for catching homes or park land on fire. With adult supervision, these fun sparklers and fountain works are often displayed along the driveways, sidewalks and streets, which are all safe and responsible locations. The sale profits were a primary source of money to offset the expensive costs to cover youth sports activities. First COVID prevented youth sports for a year or two, and sadly now there will be some children who might not be participating on a sports team due to the increased high costs, without this subsidized financial need. Many families are saddened with the loss of their annual tradition of enjoying safe and sane fireworks with family, friends and neighbors.

Sanborn: The voters of Rohnert Park have spoken, and I’ll honor their decision on the ban.

Housing affordability

Q: Rohnert Park has long been one of the more affordable cities in Sonoma County and has led the region on creating new housing. What specific steps would you take to ensure Rohnert Park remains affordable as the city continues to grow?

Atallah: Rohnert Park is growing, and the housing supply is shrinking. One of the biggest ways to combat this is by greenlighting new developments.

Levin: Fortunately, Rohnert Park has been creating more housing in the past several years, but that’s only after a long, 15-year housing build hiatus (no growth period) by Rohnert Park and many neighboring communities as well. As we are “catching up” with the housing demand, there are no guarantees that housing will be affordable if our neighboring cities and Sonoma County are not also keeping up with their housing demands. Many communities tend to be split with no growth versus expansion due to more traffic, noise and change of character issues. Meanwhile, Rohnert Park’s urban growth boundary cannot be enlarged for many years, therefore the only remaining type of homes that can be built are high density housing as infill within mixed-use or residential zoned areas.

Sanborn: Housing at all levels is a top priority of our City Council, and Rohnert Park is meeting its Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) goals. I want to work collaboratively with my fellow council members to complete the build out outlined in our general plan.

Homelessness

Q: The council is facing increased pressure from residents and businesses to take more forceful action to reduce the number of people camping across parts of the city. What additional steps does the city need to take to reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness and get those people more help?

Atallah: For starters, we need to ensure the encampments don’t continue to grow because that helps nobody. Secondly, I would take the assistance that is being offered (such as emergency housing vouchers through U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development). From what I’ve seen, Sonoma County has 153 and are using 54. None are allocated to Rohnert Park. Gov. (Gavin) Newsom is also introducing a slate of vouchers to combat homelessness, some of which are already available. First thing I would do is apply for as many of these as possible and put families into homes.

Levin: The additional steps the city need to take to reduce the number of homelessness is to stop the drug trafficking, distribution and abuse within Rohnert Park. We need to protect our children, save our neighborhoods and save Rohnert Park. To do that, we need to increase the city’s police drug task force, partner with county drug task force and establish work-for-food-and-shelter programs for those individuals that are mentally and physical capable to work. There are four general categories of homelessness that require compassionate corrective steps for each group that includes:

• Transitional homelessness resulting from a major life change or catastrophic event. Individuals need Sonoma County crisis workers to be responsible for getting the necessary help from willing nonprofits so they can get back on their own. Once determined they’re mentally and physically fit to work, they are excellent candidates to enter trade skills programs so that they become productive working citizens once again.
• Mentally disabled people who need corrective drug treatment and Sonoma County crisis workers to be responsible for getting them necessary help from county treatment centers and should be transported to county encampments, and not left in city encampments.
• The floatersthat bounce from one location to another based on good food and shelter availability. Those individuals will be subject to the work-for-food-and-shelter voucher programs.
• The heavy drug users and those individuals who often don’t want to change their behaviors and tend to scare the public due to their unpredictable actions while often drugged with illegal and/or dangerous drugs. They and their drug suppliers are to be targeted by drug enforcement officers.

Sanborn: The city of Rohnert Park has taken great steps to address homelessness by adding and expanding services, building temporary supportive housing facility Labath Landing and revising city ordinances to ensure public health and safety.

Police accountability

Q: The city has retained an auditor and implemented other measures to address calls for police accountability. What would you like to see from the auditor, and what additional steps do you think the Department of Public Safety should take to address oversight and improve relationships with the community?

Atallah: I fully support retaining an external auditor. We need to continue keeping an emphasis on accountability and transparency.

Levin: Upon my review of the auditor’s report, I was impressed by the city's swift implementation and excellent progress of numerous supervisory oversight and police accountability measures. I feel the matter has been effectively addressed, successfully implemented and now completed.

Sanborn: The current council has made great strides to improve public safety/community relations, transparency and accountability. There is an outlined plan already in place, and I will work to ensure actions are taken.

SoMo Village

Q: The Sonoma Mountain Village development has been a decade in the making. If elected, what steps would you take to ensure the project moves forward?

Atallah: Progress on SoMo Village is picking up again. It’s hard to say what steps should be taken without intimate knowledge of the project. I would keep an open line of communication though to ensure continued progress.

Levin: This SoMo Village development plan still needs to be reviewed and updated within Rohnert Park’s general plan. Relative to the downtown project, the SoMo development plans remain quiet and nontransparent, according to numerous residents that I spoke to within Sections M and W. Residents from M and W sections appear surprised to learn that a neighborhood “V” section will be constructed along the southern hayfield from SoMo. As District 2 council member, I will serve as their ambassador to shed more light on this previously approved project and share what traffic and safety controls are being implemented (and perhaps more controls may be necessary) during Rohnert Park’s southeast future expansion of mixed-use build-out homes, retail and office space.

Sanborn: I will support the development agreement already in place between the city of Rohnert Park and Sonoma Mountain Village, and work collaboratively with city staff and the developer to see the plan to fruition.

Growth

Q: District 2 is one of the fastest growing areas of the city. What do you think needs to be done to properly equip that part of the city to handle growth?

Atallah: District 2 is growing at a fast rate. Luckily, this hasn’t caused much strain on its residents. I support the continued growth of District 2 but it’s vital we interact with the community to ensure the growth is in everyone’s best interest.

Levin: Current construction truck traffic and future vehicle traffic will be M and W sections biggest concerns during the next several years during the SoMo expansion. W section residents have expressed concerns about excessive high-speed traffic along Bodway Parkway and across the two crosswalks. More police presence to stop the noisy vehicle spinouts near the SoMo entrance is being requested.

Sanborn: I look forward to serving as the first direct representative for District 2. I am in favor of and support the completion of the growth plans already established in the city’s general plan.

You can reach Staff Writer Paulina Pineda at 707-521-5268 or paulina.pineda@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @paulinapineda22.