Lower Russian River Municipal Advisory Council Meeting

1. Call to Order

Announcement from Spanish Interpreter: The Spanish language interpreter will provide information about how to access the interpretation channel via Zoom or obtain a headset if attending in-person.
Roll Call

2. Approval of the Agenda

Discussion / Possible Action: This approval process ensures that the agenda accurately reflects the items to be discussed and decided upon. Members may request adjustments to the agenda, including reordering or deletion of items at this time. Any changes must comply with the Brown Act requirements for public notice and agenda setting. The agenda must be finalized before the Council proceeds with other meeting items.

3. Statement of Conflict of Interest

Discussion: This is the time for the Chair, Vice Chair, and Council Members to indicate any statements of conflict of interest for any item listed on this agenda. The River MAC bylaws state that members will not involve themselves in official River MAC activities that could materially benefit them personally, their business interests, or the interests of organizations that they represent. In a conflict of interest, the member will abstain from voting, and the abstention will be recorded in the minutes.

4. Consent Agenda

Discussion / Possible Action: These items are expected to be routine and non-controversial. The Lower Russian River MAC will act upon them at one time without discussion. Any Representatives, staff member, or interested party may request that an item be removed from the consent agenda for discussion.

A. Approval of June 10, 2025 Minutes

5. Councilmember Comment

Discussion: This is an opportunity for Councilmembers to provide brief comments, restricted to matters within the Board’s jurisdiction. Due to Brown Act regulations, this is not a time for discussion of any item, however, a brief dialogue about considering an item for a future agenda is permitted during this time.

6. Public Comment on Matters not listed on the Agenda

Discussion: Comments are restricted to matters within the Lower Russian River MAC’s jurisdiction. Please be brief and limit spoken comments to two minutes. While Councilmembers may not respond to or discuss comments except to express interest in agendizing the topic for a future meeting, staff can briefly address or follow up after the meeting.

7. County Update

Discussion: Updates and Remarks from Supervisor Hopkins and/or Staff Report(s).

8. Mirabel Road Widening and West County Trail Project

Discussion: Presentation from Planner Ken Tam with Sonoma County Regional Parks and Olguin Caban with Public Infrastructure. The Mirabel Road Widening and West County Trail project has been funded and is currently in the design and environmental phase. The project includes increasing road shoulder widths to add bike lanes and pedestrian pathways along Mirabel Road, which will provide safer and more accessible routes for cyclists and pedestrians. The project also includes a left turn lane at the intersection of Davis Rd/Giusti Rd.

9. WiConduit Initiative

Discussion / Possible Action: The WiConduit initiative aims to bridge the digital divide in the Lower Russian River and Forestville area by providing fast, affordable, and reliable broadband to underserved communities. This presentation from Executive Director Calvin Sandeen will cover the project's goals, including the deployment of broadband infrastructure, adoption strategies, and digital advocacy efforts. Specific focus will be given to the distribution path in Forestville, covering areas such as Pocket Canyon/Hwy 116, Green Valley Rd., Odd Fellows Rd., Martinelli Rd., Old River Rd., Summer Home Park Rd., and nearby roads. The project, expected to be completed by the end of 2026, involves collaboration with key partners like GigabitNow, local internet providers, and Cannon Companies. Community members will also learn about opportunities to get involved and support the project.

10. Ad Hoc Committee Report - Community Engagement for District Formation

Discussion / Possible Action: At its May meeting, the MAC formed a temporary ad hoc committee to support early community engagement in the district formation process. The committee is collaborating with staff from the County Administrator's Office, the Fifth District Supervisor's Office, and consultants from RSG to help shape outreach strategies that reflect local priorities. The ad hoc meeting is scheduled to take place on July 7. The committee will report back on that discussion, and input from the MAC and the public will be gathered during this meeting to be incorporated into the guidance provided to the consultants to help ensure outreach efforts align with community expectations.

11. Adjournment