Redevelopment and Leaf Blowers

The issue of whether the state will move forward to disestablishing redevelopment agencies statewide will be coming to a head fairly soon.  The City Council has gone on record as opposing that portion of the Governor's budget proposal that calls for the elimination of redevelopment agencies.  Many other local organizations, businesses and citizens have also voiced their oppostion to the elimination of redevelopment agencies.

In Sebastopol, we receive approximately $2,000,000 in revenues for redevelopment.  These funds have been used for many projects including downtown projects like the downtown plaza, police station, business facade improvements, streetscape improvements and many others.  We've also been very successful in using our funds to encourage low and moderate income housing like Petaluma Avenue Homes, Sequoia Village and Hollyhock.

It is true that, under the proposals that we've seen, the City's general fund would see an increase in property tax revenue.  That increase will likely be less than one quarter of the revenues we currently receive. 

 

On another front, at their March 1st meeting, the City Council directed the staff to develop an ordinance that would restrict the use of powered leaf blowers within the City limits.  Staff will develop that ordinance and present it to the Council for their consideration later this spring.