Council eyes New Year’s resolutions

In the spirit of new beginnings, we asked the five members of the Sonoma City Council to share their thoughts on resolutions they hope to fulfill for the council in 2014.

According to statisticbrain.com, 45 percent of Americans usually make New Year’s resolutions. The annual rate of resolution success for all Americans is 8 percent. But, according to statisticbrain.com, people who explicitly make resolutions are 10 times more likely to attain their goals than those who don’t.  During the first week, 75 percent of resolutions are maintained. Past six months, the rate falls to 46 percent

So, for what it’s worth, these are the resolutions of your City Council.

Mayor Tom Rouse: My New Year’s resolution for the city is to make myself available to the SCCA anytime, day or night, so that I might have an opportunity to prove to them that I am approachable and, therefore, bring up my grade.

I also resolve to keep my iPad turned off during council meetings in the spring, summer, and especially fall (except during a break), even though my Giants will most certainly be in the pennant race.

Finally, I resolve to run very efficient council meetings and keep the council comments short and ?concise.

Mayor Pro Tem David Cook: Be a better listener. Sonoma will have many challenges in 2014. Being a great listener to its residents, and to the community surrounding it, will allow it to continue being one of the most special places on earth. Happy New Year.

Steve Barbose: My wish for the City Council in 2014, and beyond, is that the council will deal with issues involving land use, growth and tourism in a way that demonstrates a commitment to act for the greater good of the community, and helps restore the citizens’ trust that we will do so. Quality of life issues are important to the community, and the people need to feel that the council is protecting that quality of life.

Ken Brown: My resolution for this coming year for the City of Sonoma and the Sonoma City Council is that we constructively learn from, and move on from, the Measure B election. Our task is far from done and I, for one, am dedicated to fulfilling this resolution.

Laurie Gallian: Sonoma is a unique community. As an elected leader, I, along with the council, will be challenged with bringing this community together around potentially divisive issues. I resolve to do my best to facilitate that dialog in the spirit of compromise toward the best end result.

I am the Sonoma representative on various regional boards, including the Water Advisory Committee, and we face a difficult year of water-related issues, coming off a record year’s drought. I resolve to continue work on a sustainability plan for water delivery, with the goal of addressing infrastructure, supply, rates and usage, and to seek grant opportunities to defray costs.

On the Regional Climate Protection Authority we will continue work on the Climate 2020 plan, including funding mechanisms to improve residential dwellings and commercial establishments. I resolve to reach out locally to communicate the savings residents and businesses can realize with this program. The 2020 plan will also define the greenhouse gas emission reduction, climate mitigation and change adaptation strategies, as provided by each city. I will work to facilitate the City of Sonoma’s response to have the best potential for success.

On the Sonoma County Transportation Authority, I resolve to continue seeking funding for local transportation projects and to offer strategies for their implementation. How we get around safely is a prime focus. Conversations throughout most of the year have identified traffic/pedestrian areas that need improvement. My highest priority is the safety and welfare of all citizens, regardless of the mode of travel.

The council has 6 months of strategic goals yet to implement, and it is time to come together as a community. Let your voices be heard.