City of Sonoma

Municipal water sources include rivers, lakes, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water moves through landscapes or underground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and sometimes radioactive materials, while also potentially collecting substances from animal or human activities.

To ensure public safety, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California State Water Resources Control Board establish regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems. Similarly, FDA regulations and California laws set standards for bottled water to provide comparable public health protection.

All water, including bottled water, reasonably contains at least minimal amounts of some contaminants. Their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. Potential contaminants in source water include:

• Microbial Contaminants: Viruses and bacteria from sewage treatment facilities, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic Contaminants: Naturally occurring salts and metals, or those resulting from urban runoff, industrial waste, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides and Herbicides: From agricultural sources, urban runoff, and residential usage
• Organic Chemical Contaminants: Synthetic and volatile compounds from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, stormwater runoff, and waste systems
• Radioactive Contaminants: Naturally occurring or resulting from oil/gas production and mining activities

For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, contact the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

1. What is included in the $24,000,000 bond proposal? $20 million for constructing a completely new library with all furnishings, equipment, and specialized areas like maker spaces; $1 million for demolishing the Manske Library and converting its location to parkland; and $3 million for Rawhide Park improvements.
2. What does the $12 million renovation estimate cover? In February 2019, Gallagher Construction evaluated renovation needs including: Main Entry exterior updates, facility-wide ADA compliance, new HVAC system, roof replacement, north foundation repairs, technology upgrades, furniture and fixture improvements, additional parking, and temporary relocation costs during construction.
3. Why relocate the Library from its current creek-side location? The City already owns land across from the Library (parking area by Fire Station No. 1). Moving the facility would take it out of the floodplain and allow for integrating a signature park into the Library's overall design, as shown in conceptual renderings.
4. Will residents have input on the final design if the bond passes? Yes! If approved, staff will work with the selected architect to host multiple public meetings gathering community input.
5. Why does construction cost increase by 1% between June and July? Construction costs are currently escalating at approximately 1% monthly, as discussed during the February 5, 2019 City Council Study Session.

The current city tax rate stands at $0.599507. If the bond passes, it would increase by 3¢, resulting in a new rate of $0.629507. The Library's last major renovation occurred in 1975, making parts of the building over 44 years old. Major maintenance like roof and HVAC replacement has been deferred pending decisions on renovation or replacement.

The Sonoma municipal library serves over 140,000 visitors annually, with attendance figures verified by third-party system TRAF-SYS. Public performance management data is available at the city's website.