Sonoma Mountain

SDC Legislative Meeting: Pleas to Save the Center

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March 16, 2015:

As the Parent Hospital Association (PHA’s) annual legislative meeting convened last Saturday, the overwhelming message to save the Sonoma Developmental Center (SDC) from closure was heard from a patient crowd lined up all the way out the back door of Wagner Hall on the SDC Campus. Some speakers have loved ones who are clients at SDC, some spent their career caring for the developmentally disabled at the site, and some were just concerned citizens. With an audience of more than 200 people, as well as elected officials and representatives from Sonoma County and state, the support for saving the Sonoma Developmental Center was heard loud and clear. State Senator Mike McGuire, Assemblyman Bill Dodd, Supervisor Susan Gorin and representatives from Congressman Thompson, State Senator Lois Wolk and Assemblyman Mark Levine all expressed their support for creating working partnerships for a successful outcome, as well a unified message that the focus should be on those who still call SDC their home.

As many expressed, one of numerous concerns was that SDC could be the last resort for the type of care needed for those with severe physical or mental health challenges. Therefore, the importance that SDC remain open is critical, although many know that “change is on its way.”

It was also announced that the first ‘Transform SDC’ Project workshop is now set for May 2nd at the Vintage House in Sonoma from 9am to 12pm. Additional information will be provided in the following weeks to come.

For further information on how the SDC Legislative Meeting progressed please follow the link below.

Passionate Pleas to Save Sonoma Developmental Center

Provided courtesy of the Press Democrat website, by Robert Digitale.

Agreeing on a Vision for the Future of the Sonoma Developmental Center

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February 5, 2015:

The following article displays the support Susan Gorin, representing the 1st District on the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors has for the ‘Transform SDC’ Project.

Click the link below to view this article on the efforts being put forth and the future goals the SDC Coalition has going forward.

Closer to Home: Agreeing on a vision for the Future of Sonoma Developmental Center

Provided courtesy of the Press Democrat website, by Susan Gorin, 1st District Supervisor of Sonoma County.

Presentation on the Sonoma Developmental Center

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February 5, 2015:

Through this PowerPoint presentation from the Board of Supervisors last May, the following topics and concerns are discussed: the history of SDC, the unity of the community, current services, natural land benefits, outdoor recreational assets, the task force on the future of DCs, the community stakeholders, putting a face to SDC, and the County’s priorities.

Presentation on the Sonoma Developmental Center

Q & A on the Sonoma Developmental Center

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January 29, 2015:

Q: How long has the Sonoma Developmental Center been established in Eldridge, California?

A: Opening at its current location on November 24, 1891, the center has been established for 123 years now. The center has also existed at previous locations in Vallejo and Santa Clara since 1884.

Q: How many people live at the Sonoma Developmental Center?

A: As of December 31, 2014, four-hundred and seventeen individuals live at the Sonoma Developmental Center.

Q: What is at risk if the Sonoma Developmental Center were to close?

A: The loss of the SDC facilities and open space to development would have consequences affecting hundreds of patients and their families, over 1,000 employees, support services in the local community, critical habitat for fish and wildlife, and the potential for recreation and public access. 

Q: Are there plans for the Sonoma Developmental Center to close?

A: There has not been a stated plan to close the Sonoma Developmental Center, but there is no perfect solution for the future of the center as change is inevitable and understandably, the scope of the degree of change is very difficult for those directly affected. According to the California’s Department of Developmental Services website on the History of the Sonoma Developmental Center, ” (it) has always been and will always be committed to continuous improvement of its comprehensive array of therapeutic service.” Although the California Department of Health announced its notice to terminate federal funding for the center, DHCS along with DDS emphasized that patient care will not change as a result of the termination notice. 

Q: Are people allowed to access the property for recreational uses?

A: Individuals have frequented the property for decades now, whether it be for hiking, birding, or horse back riding. It is encouraged that one stays to the out skirts of the property though away from the buildings as the residents of SDC do reside and use the facilities.

Q: What are some special status species that reside on or near the Sonoma Developmental Center?

A: A few special status species that reside on or near the Sonoma Developmental Center are the Northern Spotted Owl, the Red-Legged Frog, the California Tiger Salamander, and the Western Pond Turtle. Pictures of most of these special status species are available to view in the Photos box of this blog.

Q: Where do I go to report a siting of a special status species on or near SDC, or report a safety hazard present on the property?

A: To report a siting of a special status species on or near SDC, go to the California Natural Diversity Database and fill out the form titled Submitting Data to CNDDB. With reporting a safety hazard present on the property, one can email the Department of Developmental Services Chief Deputy Director John Doyle at john.doyle@dds.ca.gov.

Q: When and where is the next public meeting for the ‘Transform SDC’ Project?

A: The next public meeting, the Parent Hospital Association Legislative Meeting, will be held on March 25th from 10am to 12pm at SDC in the Wagner Building. 

Q:Where can I go to retrieve more information on the efforts being put forth for the project?

A: The ‘Transform SDC’ Blog is made to be a one stop shop for all the information you may need to stay up to date on the efforts of the project. Other websites that may provide additional information and are part of the SDC Coalition are the Parent Hospital Association, the Sonoma Ecology Center, and the County of Sonoma website with connection to Supervisor Susan Gorin.

Q: How can I help with the ‘Transform SDC’ Project?

A: We will be establishing a Tags Committee where those who would like to be involved in the process can come and express their interests and ideas. There will also be public workshops held soon as part of the planning process for the project.

Spread the word and encourage people to follow our ‘Transform SDC’ blog to receive the latest information and be a part of this amazing project!

The Department of General Services Surplus Land Process and Policy for the Sonoma Developmental Center

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January 20, 2015:

The Department of General Services (DGS) Real Estate Services Asset Enhancement Section 

The following describes the step-by-step process of how State-owned land is determined to be surplus and then dispensed:

  1. The State owns all state-owned land; however different agencies have control over lands and account for them in their respective budgets. In the case of the Sonoma Developmental Center (SDC), the agency is the Department of Developmental Services (DDS).
  2. Every year, state agencies must report to DGS on all state-owned land they operate, and identify it as being “fully utilized,” “partially utilized,” or “excess.”
  3. If an agency identifies property/land to be excess, it means that it is no longer efficient or financially sound for the agency to keep it in their budgets.
  4. DGS then takes over, where they send a report to the state legislature each year listing excess properties. They need legislative approval to officially “surplus” state property. This happens in January/February of each year and always takes a year at least to get from being listed as excess to being approved for dispensation by legislature.
  5. Once DGS has approval, they must consult local government about any property that will be dispensed. Local government could mean the city, county, special districts, etc. Local government has the first opportunity to take over the property. If they so wish to use if for a governmental purpose, a park and/or open space, or affordable housing, it will be transferred to them. It must stay in their ownership and they must have a thorough and detailed management plan.
  6. If there is no local government interest in the land, and the property has the potential to be very valuable as urban infill, DGS will negotiate with city/county development agencies about how the property should be zoned. The state is always looking to make the absolute most money out of the situation, so they’ll be pushing for subdivisions or whatever type of zoning will yield the highest purchase price. It is at this point that the county has some pull. If the Board of Supervisors decides that this excess land should be kept as open space, and want to severely limit the development potential, DGS will not go out of their way to fight it, which is not worth the time or expense. They’ll just go ahead and accept the local decision in most cases. 
  7. Once development potential has been determined, DGS puts the property up for sale and sells to the highest bidder.

By looking up SDC on the Statewide Property Inventory, it can be determined that the agency controlling the Center is the Department of Developmental Services, a division of Health and Human Services that deals with people living with developmental disabilities. They would be the ones letting DGS know each year how “utilized” the property is.

Private individuals may contact the controlling agencies to see if any property may one day be listed as “excess.”

Governing Law:  Government Code Sections 54220-54232.

Announcement courtesy of Bob McKinnon, Assistant Chief.

Introducing the ‘Transform SDC’ Project

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January 13, 2015:

In January 2014, the State of California announced plans to “fundamentally transform” the remaining state-operated development centers in California. What was once a network of 21 centers housing over 13,400 residents with developmental and intellectual disabilities has been reduced to four facilities with 1,335 clients. The Sonoma Developmental Center (SDC) is the largest of the remaining facilities, and it is recognized as a critical economic, social and environmental resource for Sonoma County.

This blog site is for everyone who cares about the Sonoma Developmental Center. The Sonoma Land Trust is hosting this site and, in partnership with the County of Sonoma, the Parent Hospital Association, the Sonoma Ecology Center and the other members of the SDC Coalition, we are committed to building public awareness and creating tools for dialogue, learning and activism.

We don’t know what the future holds for SDC. The State of California owns and operates the property and they have not indicated what “transformation” of it will entail. Will the State propose closure of the Center? Will they propose sale of the property? Or can we develop a plan that will retain vital health care services, protect the site’s rich natural resource values and preserve the 1,000+ jobs for the dedicated health care professionals who currently work at SDC?

We believe that an informed and engaged citizenry can make a fundamental difference in the governmental decision-making process. That’s the history of Sonoma County. We like to compare SDC to San Francisco’s Presidio. In the months to come, we will be sponsoring a community dialogue to create a common vision and set of proposed uses for the SDC. You can follow our progress on this blog site and sign up for our eNews as well. We appreciate your interest and invite you to leave comments on this blog site and to share in our work to preserve this precious resource of Sonoma County.

John's Blog photo

Article by John McCaull, Land Acquisition Project Manager at the Sonoma Land Trust.