Sebastopol to tackle budget cuts, teen drinking

The Sebastopol City Council on Tuesday will begin dealing with its budget for 2010-11 next year, which is projected to have a $90,000 deficit.

"We're dealing with the same difficult times everybody else is dealing with," said City Manager Jack Griffin. "But we haven't suffered the serious revenue hits that others have, partly because of the nature of the city. We are not a growth city, we have not seen variations in property taxes. Our sales taxes have dropped, but not quite as much."

Griffin said it is projected the city will have a total $10 million budget for its general fund and its sewer and water services, with a shortfall of $90,000.

The council Tuesday will be asked to convene a subcommittee made up of Vice Mayor Guy Wilson, Councilwoman Kathleen Shaffer, Griffin and city finance director Ron Puccinelli. Griffin said heads of the city departments on Feb. 16 will have a report on where they believe cuts can be made.

The council Tuesday also will hold a public hearing on an ordinance that would make it illegal for a person to host an event where underage drinking occurs.

Called the Social Host Ordinance, it is being supported by the police department and West County Community Services to address underage drinking in Sebastopol.

The council also will be asked to have its representative to the Sonoma County Mayors and Councilmembers support putting an advisory measure on the June 8 ballot opposing additional casinos in the county. The measure is being proposed by Sonoma County Supervisor Mike Kerns.

The council will hear a report from PG&E on the company's "SmartMeters" that use radio frequencies to report readings and allow the utility to remotely shut power off.

Griffin said there is a group in Sebastopol that is concerned the meters create electromagnetic fields that are a health risk. The city of Sebastopol, however, does not have jurisdiction over the meters, which are governed by the state Public Utilities Commission.

"The council could take a position, but I don't know the city could prevent them or restrict them," Griffin said. "The City Council could certainly, if they want to, convey a message to PG&E and PUC."

The City Council is meeting at 6 p.m. at the Sebastopol Youth Annex.