Sonoma City Council Outlines 2026 Priorities: Disaster Readiness, Climate, and Housing

City leaders focus on strengthening partnerships and practical adaptation over new initiatives.

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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Sonoma City Council held its annual goal-setting session on January 30, 2026, where they discussed the city's top priorities for the upcoming year. The council agreed to focus on disaster and climate readiness, supporting the immigrant community, and regional housing partnerships, rather than pursuing new initiatives. Residents raised concerns about evacuation plans, warming centers, protecting open spaces, and improving walkability and bike infrastructure.

Why it matters

Sonoma's focus on disaster preparedness, climate adaptation, and regional collaboration reflects the city's recognition that many of its challenges are not isolated issues, but require a broader, valley-wide approach. By strengthening partnerships and prioritizing practical solutions, Sonoma aims to build a more resilient community in the face of increasing environmental and social pressures.

The details

During the goal-setting session, the council discussed reframing the unification and annexation goal as a broader, valley-wide concept that could be applied across all categories. They emphasized the need to work with neighboring cities and the county on issues like emergency planning, immigration support, and housing. The council also acknowledged that the city's climate goals are no longer achievable and instead prioritized fire and flood resilience, as well as collaboration with private landowners on fire-safe landscapes.

  • The Sonoma City Council held its annual goal-setting session on January 30, 2026.
  • The council will present a draft of Sonoma's 2026 goals in March 2026.

The players

Sonoma City Council

The governing body of the city of Sonoma, California, responsible for setting the city's priorities and policies.

Sandra Lowe

Vice Mayor of Sonoma.

Ron Wellander

Mayor of Sonoma.

Patricia Farrar-Rivas

Council member of Sonoma.

David Guhin

City Manager of Sonoma.

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What they’re saying

“When these kind of cataclysmic events happen, whether they're political or fiscal events, whatever they are, they're going to be regional. They're not going to be confined to the small city of Sonoma.”

— Sandra Lowe, Vice Mayor (sonomanews.com)

“Because it really comes down to forward thinking. We do live in a bubble, but we shouldn't keep our focus in a bubble. We need to be mindful of things that impact us and our neighbors.”

— Ron Wellander, Mayor (sonomanews.com)

“We're really not going to meet the climate goals that people want to meet to avoid some of the weather disasters that we're going to be facing — it's not possible anymore. We have gone beyond the ability to change global warming. We're not going to be able to (fix) that — not in any of our lifetimes.”

— Patricia Farrar-Rivas, Council member (sonomanews.com)

What’s next

City staffers will present council members with a draft of Sonoma's 2026 goals in March 2026.

The takeaway

Sonoma's shift in focus from new initiatives to strengthening partnerships and practical adaptation reflects the city's recognition that many of its challenges require a regional approach. By prioritizing disaster readiness, climate resilience, and immigrant support, Sonoma aims to build a more resilient community in the face of increasing environmental and social pressures.