ADVOCACY
Legislative Action
The Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce is a leader in legislative advocacy for area business interests on the local, county, state, and national level.
We strive to keep our members up to date on the issues and pending legislation that affect the Valley business community and to encourage member participation in local government affairs. At election time, the Chamber sponsors candidate forums for Sonoma City Council and other local races and issues candidate endorsements.
Get informed—and then get involved!
Chamber Policy & Position Statements on Current Issues
2013
Opposition to Proposed Hotel Limitation Measure
2012
Chamber Endorsement of County of Sonoma 1st District Supervisor Candidates
Support of Measure J - Local City Sales Tax Measure
Prior Years
Redevelopment Agency Preservation
State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund Act of 2010
Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in Sonoma Valley
Chamber Policy Committee
The Government Review Committee (GRC) of the Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce works to develop and implement policy and to provide representation and advocacy for the area business community. GRC members attend public meetings and meet with local government officials and legislators to build awareness of the issues affecting Valley business and the importance of focusing on business retention and job creation. The GRC also helps clarify and communicate information about critical issues such as affordable housing, commercial development, water usage, traffic, and local education.
2011 Government Review Committee
David Cook,Chamber Board Member & GRC Chairman - Cook Vineyard Management
Scott Adams, Comcast
Molly Fedorchak, Union Bank
Jim Lynch, Sonoma Index-Tribune
Doug McKesson, Good Time Touring Co.
Our Legislators
The City of Sonoma is Sonoma Valley’s only incorporated area. Residents outside the city limits are governed by the County of Sonoma, with administrative offices in Santa Rosa. The Valley as a whole falls under a number of state and federal jurisdictions: the 2nd and 3rd State Senate Districts, the 6th and 7th State Assembly Districts, and the 1st and 6th U.S. Congressional Districts.
Sonoma City Council
The City Council is the elected body that oversees all municipal operations, and the city manager acts on its decisions. The five members of the City Council are elected as non-partisans to overlapping four-year terms. There are no term limits. Council members also serve as the board of directors of the Community Development Agency and participate in regional activities.
Public meetings are conducted at the City Council chambers on the first and third Monday evenings of each month and are presided over by the mayor, who is elected each December by a council vote. Agendas are typically available the preceding Friday on the City's website, sonomacity.org. The City Council also relies on input from six advisory bodies: the Planning Commission (meets first and third Wednesdays); the Community Services and Environment Commission (second Wednesdays); the Architectural Review Commission (third Thursdays); the Mobile Home Park Rental Review Board (as needed); the Sonoma Valley Citizens Advisory Commission (fourth Wednesdays); and the Cultural and Fine Arts Commission (fourth Thursdays).
Ken Brown, Mayor (Term expires 2014)
Tom Rouse, Mayor pro tem (Term expires 2014)
Steve Barbose (Term expires 2014)
Laurie Gallian, (Term expires 2016)
David Cook (Term expires 2016)
Contact the City Council
City Hall is located at: No. 1, The Plaza, Sonoma, CA 95476
Phone: 707-938-3743; Fax: 707-938-8775
www.sonomacity.org
cityhall@sonomacity.org
City Council meetings are held at: 177 First Street West, Sonoma, CA 95476
Phone: 707-938-3743
Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Sonoma County government is led by the five-member Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. Each supervisor represents a district of the county and serves a four-year term, with no term limits. Sonoma Valley comprises the largest portion of District 1, which also includes Rincon Valley near Santa Rosa. Supervisors are responsible for policy and planning decisions and oversee special jurisdictions such as the Sonoma County Water Agency, the Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, and the County Sanitation Districts. Board meetings convene on Tuesdays starting at 8:30 a.m. and continue throughout the day.
Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
575 Administrative Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Phone: 707-565-2241
www.sonoma-county.org/board
Valerie Brown (D) Supervisor District 1
575 Administration Drive, Room 1, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Phone: 707-565-2241; Fax: 707-565-3778
vbrown@sonoma-county.org
David Rabbitt, Supervisor District 2; Shirley Zane, Supervisor District 3; Mike McGuire, Supervisor District 4; Efren Carillo, Supervisor District 5
Register to Vote
Local elections are often the closest races to be won or lost. They are also the most important in providing effective and responsive government to citizens. Especially on the local level, your vote counts.
To be eligible to vote in a local, county, state or federal election, you must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, not be in prison or on parole for a felony conviction, and not have been judged by a court to be mentally incompetent. You also must be registered at least 30 days before the election date. Please register today!
Registration forms are available at the Sonoma Valley Regional Library, 755 West Napa Street, Sonoma (during libary remodel, visit the temporary quarters at Burlingame Hall, 252 West Spain Street), at Sonoma City Hall, at local post offices, at the Department of Motor Vehicles, or through the Sonoma County Registrar of Voters (phone 800-750-VOTE, or 707-565-6800)
SonomaPAC
The Sonoma Valley Community Political Action Committee (SonomaPAC) is an independent, voluntary, nonprofit committee created by the Chamber’s board of directors in 2004 to help Chamber members take a more active role in local government affairs and to help promote the effectiveness of non-partisan government. SonomaPAC’s mission is to
Support the preservation and enhancement of the Sonoma Valley community in:
- Providing exceptional education and health and human services
- Protecting public safety and environmental quality and infrastructure through promotion and stewardship of a strong local economy
- Informing the community on important political, economic, and other issues
- Gathering information from the community on issues requiring government action
- Taking steps to help ensure that local government is responsive and accountable
SonomaPAC has helped form local government policy, including the support and preservation of Sonoma Valley Hospital and recommendations to the Sonoma City Council regarding commercial development regulations and zoning updates.
1c76
