Live Blog From Tuesday's City Council Meeting

5 p.m. City Council convenes with the Sonoma State University student report from Amanda Burke. Burke said next year's "" event will be bigger than this year's.

5:08: Mayor Gina Belforte proclaims October as domestic violence awareness month in Rohnert Park.

5:12: Belforte recognizes Oct. 9-15 as 2011 fire prevention awareness week in Rohnert Park.

Fire Marshal Dan Adam said he's working on planning a fire prevention awareness day in October.

5:15: Belforte also proclaims Oct. 5 as international "," which encourages parents and students to walk or bike to school instead of driving.

5:20: Guy Miller, the city's recreation services manager, reports that this year's Arts and Music Festival broke even — the first ever event both cost and raised $6,500.

City Manager Gabe Gonzalez awards Chief Brian Masterson with an executive certificate award, for building confidence within the community, amongst other achievements.

"A police officer's best tool is their intuition," Masterson said. "I really do appreciate this high award."

Masterson thanked his family, wife and peers for their support.

"I feel honored to be the director of public safety," he said.

5:25: Linda Babonis, who is the city's and housing and redevelopment manager, asks the council to adopt two ordinances regarding the city's redevelopment agency. 

One, Babonis said, essentially signals the city's intent to , despite the state's proposal to eliminate them.

The second ordiance would signal the city's pledge to pay $4 million to the state to keep the agency going. The Community Development Commission has appealed the payment amount, and is awaiting response from the Department of Finacne, Babonis said.

The council voted unanimously to adopt the ordinances.

5:40: John McArthur presents a proposal to the city which would convert street lights in the city to LED lights. The project would be paid for by a grant from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, which was awarded to the city in 2009 for $164,000.

McArthur said $85,000 of the grant was used to install LED at "various" community parks and the Community Center, and another $25,000 would be spent converting street lights. The remaining money is slated for other energy saving projects in the city, staff said.

The city's fixtures, which were called "outdated technology" cost the city about $140,000 a year in energy costs, according to a staff report. The new lighting would last 36 years instead of the 20 years than induction lights would.

6:05: Vice Mayor Jake Mackenzie and Mayor Gina Belforte both asked whether or not the new lighting projects have an impact on future planned developments, such as University District and Sonoma Mountain Village.

McArthur said for development agreements that have already been approved, developers have not come forth with questions or changes in street light plans.

"The LEDs will save the city money in the future both in maintenance and energy cost," McArthur said.

"I believe this is the correct direction for the city to be going," Mackenzie said.

6:15: Masterson asked for the council's support for a grant program that would provide funding for a anti-gang enforcement officer. The money, which is from Vehicle License Fees out of the governor's office, would fund one police officer who concentrates on gang activity in Rohnert Park.

Sgt. Jeff Justice keeps track of any gang changes or registrants in our community, Masterson said.

6:20: Council gives approval of the grant funding to pay for the officer.

6:40: City sets a strategic planning workshop for 9 a.m. for Nov. 5. The meeting will be open to the public, but the location has not been decided upon yet.

7:05: Council recesses to closed session for public employee evaluation of the city manager.