Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Board in Brief — Tuesday, November 3, 2026 PREVIEW
A plain-English preview of what the Board will be asked to decide. Coverage is the whole county, with West County items flagged. Meeting scheduled to start 9:00 A.M. (closed session first; reconvene and consent calendar at 10:00 A.M.) at 575 Administration Drive, Room 102A, Santa Rosa, and by Zoom. Agenda status: Final. An addendum was posted — it moves presentations and Gold Resolutions from 1:30 P.M. to 11:30 A.M. and continues Item 34 to November 17, 2026 at 1:30 P.M. (see the addendum note below). Everything below is framed as proposed or staff-recommended; no outcomes are stated, because the meeting has not yet happened.
What to watch Tuesday
- Public Health Laboratory and Morgue: staff recommend budget adjustments totaling $7,852,374, including a new $1,971,044 state grant, to finish the county’s new combined laboratory and morgue facilities (Item 10).
- $6,602,150 is proposed to award Corcus Construction, Inc. for the River Diversion Structure Modernization on the Russian River (Item 21).
- Airport noise, on the regular calendar: two agreements with Cignus Consulting, LLC totaling $360,000 — $90,000 for the Fly Quiet Program and $270,000 for new flight-procedure concepts at the Sonoma County Airport (Item 32).
- The Board will be asked to adopt the 2027 Legislative Platform, with three new state policy proposals, and to receive an update that includes a planned spring 2027 request for qualifications for state and federal advocacy services (Item 33).
- West County: maintenance agreements for the State Route 116 complete-streets work in downtown Guerneville (Item 17), and a $135,000 increase — to $775,000 — for the West County water quality and recycled water feasibility study for the Russian River County Sanitation District (Item 19).
- Staff will present the final disaster-preparedness report: 31 recommendations from the ARPA-funded community preparedness and long-term recovery project (Item 11, receive only).
West County lens
Coverage is county-wide; these are the items closest to home:
- Downtown Guerneville, State Route 116 — two proposed maintenance agreements with Caltrans for the complete-streets segment between Brookside Lane and Old River Road: litter and debris work reimbursed up to $10,000 a year, plus county care of the new streetlights and street features (Item 17, Fifth District).
- West County water quality and recycled water — a proposed $135,000 increase, to a $775,000 not-to-exceed total, for the feasibility study serving the Russian River County Sanitation District, whose treatment facility is at 18400 Neeley Road in Guerneville; the study area is generally bounded by Occidental, Graton, Monte Rio, and Forestville, and the amendment would add detailed analysis of a fifth regionalization alternative (Item 19, Fifth District).
- Russian River diversion — the proposed $6,602,150 River Diversion Structure Modernization (Item 21) would rebuild parts of Sonoma Water’s 1975 structure that diverts Russian River water into infiltration ponds recharging the aquifer that feeds collectors 3, 4, and 5.
- Flood warning network — two proposed OneRain agreements totaling $721,419 through November 2, 2031 would keep the county’s rain and stream gauge flood-warning network maintained and add equipment as needed (Item 20).
The items that matter most
MONEY · HEALTH FACILITIES
Public Health Lab and Morgue: $7,852,374 in budget adjustments proposed to finish the project
What is proposed: The Board will be asked to accept an additional $1,971,044 from the California Department of Public Health for the new combined Public Health Laboratory and Morgue facilities, increasing the total award from $1,167,240 to $3,138,284; to ratify construction change orders 1 through 23; and to adopt budget adjustments to the FY 2026-27 Adopted Budget totaling $7,852,374 — made up of the $1,971,044 in Health Services state grant revenue and transfers, plus $5,881,330 in Non-Departmental transfers using available unprogrammed fund balance, with $7,650,823 of that going into the Public Health Laboratory Project as construction-in-progress and transfers in. A 4/5 vote is required for the change-order ratification and the budget resolution.
The project money, per the staff fiscal summary: the $7,650,823 project appropriation consists of $1,971,044 in state/federal funding and $5,679,779 in General Fund money. Staff describe the overall facilities investment as approximately $50 million. The item would also authorize a month-to-month lease holdover at the current laboratory at 3313 Chanate Road after December 23, 2026, as needed to complete commissioning and the move.
WATER · RUSSIAN RIVER
River Diversion Structure Modernization: $6,602,150 construction award proposed
What is proposed: Staff recommend the Board, sitting as Sonoma County Water Agency, approve the project plans and specifications and award the construction contract to Corcus Construction, Inc. for $6,602,150.
Why it matters: Sonoma Water’s River Diversion Structure was originally constructed in 1975 to divert water from the Russian River into a series of infiltration ponds to recharge the alluvial aquifer feeding collectors 3, 4, and 5. Staff say the project will replace items at the ends of their useful lives. The staff fiscal summary says the $6,602,150 is budgeted in FY 2026-27 from the Common Facilities fund and that no additional appropriation is required.
REGULAR CALENDAR · AIRPORT NOISE
Airport Fly Quiet and new flight procedures: $360,000 in consulting agreements proposed
What is proposed: Two professional services agreements with Cignus Consulting, LLC, totaling $360,000: (A) $90,000 to implement all elements of the Airport Fly Quiet Program — $82,000 in professional fees plus up to $8,000 in separately tracked travel reimbursements; and (B) $270,000 for Phase III airspace and instrument flight procedure concept review and development, including up to eight arrival and departure concepts — $255,000 in professional fees plus $15,000 in travel and reimbursable expenses. The two pieces and their components each sum to their stated totals.
The nuance: Staff say the Phase III work would develop eight concepts for FAA submission over approximately 12–15 months, and that FAA submission does not establish approval or a date a procedure will become available. Staff recommend both agreements at full scope and fee, with all costs paid by the Airport; the Aviation Commission recommended four of the seven Fly Quiet elements, asked that an equal Airport and County funding split be considered, and fully supported the new-procedure scope and fee.
REGULAR CALENDAR · LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
2027 Legislative Platform proposed, with three new state policy proposals
What is proposed: The Board will be asked to receive an update on the Legislative Affairs Program and adopt the Sonoma County 2027 Legislative Platform — the annually adopted policy direction staff use to advocate on state and federal issues.
What is new in 2027, per staff: a new Foundational Principle on state mandates and reimbursements, opposing state mandates without full, timely, and ongoing reimbursement; new and expanded statements responding to H.R. 1’s changes to Medi-Cal and CalFresh; and three new State Policy Proposals — (1) fairgrounds property reuse and financial sustainability after live horse racing at the Sonoma County Fair ended in 2025, (2) remote public comment access with meeting safeguards, and (3) capital funding for veterans memorial buildings (the County owns seven). Staff also plan a single Request for Qualifications for state and federal legislative advocacy services in spring 2027, returning to the Board for approval of resulting agreements; staff put current contract advocacy at $7,500 per month ($90,000 annually), down from $16,500 per month ($198,000 annually) in early 2024. Since the State Policy Proposals section began, staff report three have been enacted: AB 1139 (Rogers), SCR 78 (McGuire), and AB 1601 (Rogers).
WEST COUNTY · GUERNEVILLE
State Route 116 in downtown Guerneville: two Caltrans maintenance agreements proposed
What is proposed: Adopt a resolution approving a Delegated Maintenance Agreement and a Project Specific Maintenance Agreement with Caltrans for State Route 116 in downtown Guerneville, between Brookside Lane and Old River Road, and authorize the Director of Public Infrastructure to execute both.
What each covers: Caltrans led the project improving pedestrian accessibility and safety on this segment — ADA-compliant sidewalks, intersection bulb-outs, pedestrian lighting, and pedestrian hybrid beacons at the Mill Street and Church Street intersections. The delegated agreement would make the County responsible for litter and debris maintenance on about 0.4 mile, with Caltrans reimbursing actual and necessary costs up to $10,000 annually. The project-specific agreement sets county responsibilities for the complete-streets features, including ornamental streetlights. The staff fiscal summary shows $15,000 a year in expenditures, funded by $12,000 in state/federal sources and $3,000 from Countywide Lighting.
WEST COUNTY · WATER QUALITY
West County water quality and recycled water study: $135,000 increase proposed, to $775,000
What is proposed: Authorize Sonoma Water’s General Manager, acting for the Russian River County Sanitation District, to execute a First Amended and Restated Agreement with West Yost & Associates, Inc. The amendment would increase the 2024 contract by $135,000, for a new not-to-exceed total of $775,000, with no change to the June 30, 2027 end date.
Why: Staff say 2019 wastewater discharges from the District’s collection system led to a North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board order requiring this feasibility study. The amendment would expand the scope to include detailed analysis of a fifth wastewater regionalization alternative, construction and operating costs for all alternatives with and without the unsewered community clusters, and additional stakeholder support. The study area is generally bounded by Occidental, Graton, Monte Rio, and Forestville; the District’s treatment facility is at 18400 Neeley Road in Guerneville. The $135,000 is budgeted from FY 2026-27 Russian River County Sanitation District Operations fund appropriations; no additional appropriation is required.
REPORT · DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
Community preparedness and long-term disaster recovery: final report with 31 recommendations
What the Board will hear: A receive-only report — the final report of the ARPA-funded Sonoma County Unified Community Preparedness and Long-Term Disaster Recovery Project, a three-year partnership of the Office of Equity, the Department of Emergency Management, the Human Services Department, Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD), Feathervine, and other faith-based and nonprofit partners.
The recommendations: Staff report 31 recommendations across five areas — Preparedness; Alerts, Warnings, and Communications; Evacuation and Shelter; Recovery Systems; and Coordination and Sustainability — focused on gaps experienced by historically underserved communities. Of the 31, staff say 9 are already in progress, 3 are ongoing, 2 are planned, and 17 are pending (those four numbers sum to 31). Receiving the report has no fiscal impact; staff say implementing recommendations may require future funding decisions.
Also on the consent calendar
Items 3–21 are on the consent calendar, scheduled for 10:00 A.M. The biggest consent items are covered in the cards above (Items 10, 11, 17, 19, and 21); the rest, briefly — all framed as staff recommend:
| Item | What is proposed |
|---|
| 3 · 2026-1109 | AARP Tax-Aide fee waiver — $3,743
Waive the fee for the AARP Tax-Aide Program at the Santa Rosa Veterans Building, February 1 through April 26, 2027, funded from General Fund Contingencies. Staff say last season 83 active volunteers prepared over 3,100 returns in Sonoma County. (Third District) |
| 4 · 2026-1112 | Fourth District Community Investment Fund grants — $70,650 total
Grant awards totaling $67,050 to 22 listed recipients — the largest are People4Parks (two grants) $20,850, Troop 21 - Boy Scouts of America $17,000, and Luther Burbank Center for the Arts $5,000 — plus a $3,600 allocation for the Geyserville Municipal Advisory Council. The $67,050 and $3,600 sum to the $70,650 fiscal total. (Fourth District) |
| 5 · 2026-1028 | Board Ad Hoc update, Third Quarter 2026
Receive the quarterly update on Board Ad Hoc Committee activities for July through September 2026. No fiscal impact, per staff. |
| 6 · 2026-1030 | Workers’ compensation insurance fraud grant — $326,634
Authorize the District Attorney to execute a California Department of Insurance grant agreement and accept $326,634 for the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fraud Investigation Program, July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. |
| 7 · 2025-0345 | Dissolve two advisory boards
Adopt a resolution dissolving the Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) Advisory Board and the Creative Sonoma Advisory Board. Staff cite overlap with the independent Economic Development Board Foundation and the County’s move to a chief executive model. No fiscal impact, per staff. |
| 8 · 2026-1105 | Continue November 2024 storm emergency
Review and make findings continuing the local emergency proclamation for the November 2024 atmospheric river storm event. No fiscal impact, per staff. |
| 9 · 2026-1106 | Continue February 2025 storm emergency
Review and approve continuation of the local emergency proclamation for the February 2025 atmospheric river storm event. No fiscal impact, per staff. |
| 12 · 2026-0974 | Chen’s Vineyard lot line adjustment, Healdsburg
Approve a lot line adjustment between four parcels at 4050, 4146, and 4150 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg (APNs 090-190-001 and 090-190-003), under a Land Conservation Act contract — from parcels of 22.57, 25.95, 1.25, and 1.65 acres to lots of 11, 13.5, 13.5, and 13.42 acres; both sets total 51.42 acres. No fiscal impact; the applicant pays processing costs. (Fourth District) |
| 13 · 2026-1064 | Probation senior technical leadership — +$580,000
Amend the Computer Aid, Inc. (CAI) agreement for short-term senior technical leadership support, increasing the not-to-exceed amount by $580,000 to a new maximum of $1,698,133, through June 30, 2029, to support Probation’s systems replacement alongside the Integrated Justice System modernization. Staff say the cost will be funded from available AB 177 backfill fund balance (about $590,000 accrued). |
| 14 · 2026-1046 | Child Support Services lease, Santa Rosa — notice of intent only
Authorize publishing notice of intent to execute a fourth lease amendment with 3725 Westwind SR LLC for 17,866 square feet at 3725 Westwind Blvd, Suite 200, Santa Rosa. Staff say this step has no fiscal impact and does not commit the County; the proposed amendment described in the staff report would extend the lease five years at an initial monthly rent of $34,838.70 ($1.95 per square foot), rising 3% per year, with state grant reimbursement funding. |
| 15 · 2026-1057 | Transit electric bus charging facility — +$334,043.14 contingency
Authorize an additional $334,043.14 in contingency on the Anvil Builders, Inc. construction contract, funded with Transportation Development Act funds, and ratify change order No. 009 (March 18, 2026) for $284,566.01. A 4/5 vote is required. Staff put total project funding at $2,000,000 in state TIRCP funds plus $3,131,985.54 in TDA funds. |
| 16 · 2026-1056 | 1640 Sanders Road, Windsor — notice of intent to acquire
Declare the County’s intent to purchase the property adjacent to the Airport, identified in the Runway Approach Protection Plan, and authorize publication of the notice. Staff say this step has no direct fiscal impact; if the Board later approves the acquisition, $725,000 would be required — a $700,000 purchase price plus $25,000 in closing costs — initially from Airport fund balance, with reimbursement sought through the FAA Passenger Facility Charge program. |
| 18 · 2026-1062 | CASA license at Los Guilicos — expand and extend
Amend the license with Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) to expand the licensed premises by 575 square feet and extend the term three years to January 31, 2030, with three additional annual renewals through 2033. Staff say there is no monetary consideration and no direct fiscal impact. |
| 20 · 2026-1080 | Flood warning network — $721,419 in two OneRain agreements
Authorize two agreements with OneRain Incorporated through November 2, 2031: $471,419 for flood warning monitoring network maintenance and support, and $250,000 as-needed for installing new monitoring equipment — $721,419 combined. The network of rain and stream gauges was installed after the 2017 firestorm, per staff. |
Appointments and honors
Appointments proposed: Reappoint Fred K Seydel, MD to the Sonoma County Emergency Medical Care Council for a two-year term beginning November 12, 2026 and ending November 12, 2028 (Item 22, Second District); and appoint Fiona Hall to the Sonoma County Public Law Library Board of Trustees for a one-year term beginning January 2, 2027 and ending January 1, 2028 (Item 23, Countywide).
Gold Resolutions proposed — Harvest Fair 2026 (Items 24–29, presented at 11:30 A.M. under the addendum): Brooke Parsons, Outstanding Young Person in Agribusiness; Lee Martinelli, Sr., Lifetime Contribution to Sonoma County Agriculture; Merilark Padget Johnsony, Outstanding Leader in Agricultural Education; Sheila Quince, Friend of Agricultural Award; Old Caz Brewery, Award of Excellence in the Craft Beer, Cider or Spirits Industries; and Clover Sonoma, Award of Excellence in Local Food Production.
Gold Resolutions proposed for presentation at a different date: honoring November 11, 2026 as Veterans Day in Sonoma County (Item 30), and proclaiming November 2026 Family Caregivers Month in Sonoma County (Item 31).
Closed session, the addendum, and the continued item
Closed session (Items 1–2, 9:00 A.M.): The Board will consider, in closed session, conference with legal counsel on anticipated litigation — potential initiation of litigation, 1 matter (Item 1, 2026-1158); and existing litigation, Ann Elizabeth Olsborg v. County of Sonoma, et al., Sonoma County Superior Court Case No. 26CV06763 (Item 2, 2026-1159). A report on closed session is listed later in the agenda.
Addendum: An addendum was posted for this meeting. It changes the presentations and Gold Resolutions session from 1:30 P.M. to 11:30 A.M., and it heads Item 34 as continued. No other addendum changes are shown in the agenda or addendum text provided in Legistar.
Continued — Item 34 (2026-1145): The 1:40 P.M. Permit Sonoma item, File No. ZPE26-0058, proposing to amend an existing open space easement on three contiguous parcels totaling approximately 115.12 acres at 1901 Frates Road, Petaluma (Second District), is headed continued to November 17, 2026 at 1:30 P.M. — so the Board is not scheduled to decide it on November 3.
What to watch next
• Votes to watch: the Public Health Lab and Morgue budget resolution and change-order ratification require a 4/5 vote, as does the transit charging-facility contingency (Items 10 and 15).
• Item 34 returns November 17: the Frates Road open-space easement amendment is continued to November 17, 2026 at 1:30 P.M.; the Board’s next regular meeting is also listed as November 17, 2026.
• After Tuesday: a recap edition will follow once draft minutes post, reporting what the Board actually decided.