The official title of the meeting Saturday morning at the Petaluma Veterans Memorial Building was...

INFORMATIONAL WORKSHOP ON DUTRA HAYSTACK LANDING ASPHALT AND RECYCLING FACILITY

Assemblyman Jared Huffman of the 6th Assembly District organized the meeting to foster broad public discussion by all sides on the proposed Dutra Asphalt Plant in Petaluma.

The meeting room was filled beyond capacity and the doors were opened to accommodate the overflow. Outside, the parking lot was full with parking spreading out into the side streets. Cars were still pulling in after the meeting started.

I attempted to count the size of the audience, which was a bit tricky as the meeting was not held in the main auditorium but in the meeting room off to the side. This caused a substantial fluid overflow into the main auditorium, hallways, and outside the building. Somewhere between 486 to 520 people attended.

Unlike the Board of Supervisors meeting in February, there were no demonstrations outside or inside the facility. That is not to say the proponents and opponents were not present. Both sides had "Yes" stickers.

However, they used "Yes" in different ways...

Assemblyman Huffman was joined at the moderator's table by Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, and State Senator Mark Leno...

Mayor Pamela Torliatt and Council Member Mike Healy were in the audience. I also spotted two other Petaluma Bloggers--Susan Kirks & Connie Madden.

Assemblyman Huffman said that the Board of Supervisors was invited to attend but County Counsel advised against it. Huffman did point out that he received a letter from Supervisor Kerns. He said that Kerns "...appreciated the concerns about the project, that he is pleased that this workshop is happening and that it includes a diversity of perspectives. He (Kerns) is aware that it is being videotaped and looks forward to hearing this information in due course."

Congresswoman Woolsey said that the Dutra proposal is the "...largest land use issue in Sonoma County, certainly in this decade so far. It's going to set a precedent. I think that open hearings, bringing it right to the community, are most effective."

Senator Leno took note of the size of the audience: "Wow! To see such community activism early on a Saturday morning makes this San Franciscan feel right at home. I am here to listen and to learn."

NOTE:

1. For a photo album of the meeting, Click Here.

2. The meeting was taped and may be available for public viewing perhaps on one of the community access channels.

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BELOW IS A LIST OF THE THREE MEETING PANELS

PANEL ONE: PROJECT PROPONENTS

• THE DUTRA GROUP
• ASTEC, INC
• CSWIST2
• JUSTICE ASSOCIATES
• LSA ASSOCIATES
• ROSEN, GOLDBERG & DER

PANEL TWO: STATE & FEDERAL REGULATORY AGENCIES PERSPECTIVES

• CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
• U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
• BAY AREA AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT
• DISTRICT REGIONAL STATE WATER QUALITY CONTROL BOARD
• U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
• BAY CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

PANEL THREE: OTHER PERSPECTIVES

• CALIFORNIA STATE COASTAL CONSERVANCY
• FRIENDS OF SHOLLENBERGER PARK
• NORTH BAY LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
• PETALUMA RIVER COUNCIL NORTH BAY ROWING CLUB
• MOMS FOR CLEAN AIR