Pass: 16,389 / 79.2% Yes votes ...... 4,294 / 20.8% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

The City Council of the City of Petaluma has directed that an advisory measure be submitted to City of Petaluma voters pursuant to Section 9603. The advisory measure asks whether the Petaluma City Council shall take all lawful steps to oppose gaming on approximately 277 acres of land south of Petaluma between Highway 101 and the Petaluma River opposite Kastania Road, including: opposing the United States placing such property into trust for the Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians, and urging all other governmental officials with authority concerning gaming on such property to oppose such gaming consistent with the will of the voters.

According to Section 9603, advisory votes express general voter opinion but do not require the sponsoring legislative body to follow the result of the advisory vote. Therefore, the advisory vote will not change existing law or have a binding effect on the City Council.

However, the City Council may follow the result of the advisory vote and, if the vote is "yes," take the steps indicated in the measure. If the advisory vote is "no," the City Council may follow that result, and not take the steps indicated in the measure. Because the advisory vote will not bind the City Council, the City Council may decide whether to take the steps indicated in the measure or not regardless of the result of the advisory vote.

If a majority of Petaluma voters vote "yes" on the measure, and the City Council takes the steps indicated in the measure, that could influence other governmental officials with authority regarding gaming on the property described in the measure, and have an impact on gaming on such property. If a majority of Petaluma voters vote "no" on the measure and the City Council does not take the steps indicated in the measure, such influence or impacts would probably not occur.

s/ Eric Danly
Petaluma City Attorney

The Dry Creek Rancheria band of Pomo Indians has purchased a 277 acre ranch between Highway 101 and the Petaluma River opposite Kastania Road. The tribe says it only plans to use the ranch for farming. This is false. On April 12, 2006 the tribe's board declared that "the Tribe intends to develop a class III gaming facility...in Petaluma." The next day, tribal attorneys wrote to the United States Secretary of the Interior requesting to have the ranch taken into federal trust "for purposes of gaming" and stating that the tribe "intends" to develop a "destination resort," including a casino and hotel.

A "class III" casino can have 5,000 or more slot machines. The same tribe's environmentally insensitive River Rock Casino is a 24-hour operation featuring 1,600 slot machines and 16 gaming tables. Another tribe is proposing a 2,000 slot machine casino near Rohnert Park.

A Petaluma casino would create many profound problems.

A casino would generate additional traffic and congestion on Highway 101 and city streets.

A casino -- located in an important community separator outside Petaluma's voter-approved Urban Growth Boundary--would extend urban sprawl contrary to adopted Petaluma and Sonoma County land use policies.

A casino would be exempt from normal design review guidelines, allowing a gaudy eyesore at Petaluma's gateway.

A casino would create water demand in our water-scarce region and wastewater disposal challenges adjacent to the Petaluma River.

A casino could undermine Petaluma's cherished small-town character by attracting social problems like gambling addiction, substance abuse and DUI's.

Please vote yes to oppose the casino.

s/ Mike Healy
Councilmember

s/ Mike Harris
Councilmember

s/ Pamela Torliatt
Petaluma City Councilmember

s/ Mike O'Brien
Councilmember

s/ David Glass
Mayor of Petaluma