In early July, when we first wrote about the upcoming Nov. 3 Sebastopol City Council election, only one person had filed papers to run. My, how things have changed! Nomination papers were due on August 12, and there are now seven candidates in the running for three open seats.
Council incumbents Jill McLewis and Sandra Maurer have decided to run again, and there are five newcomers to Sebastopol city politics, including Ian Hoff, Kyreen Jorgensen, Erin Mitchell, Brandie Solavay and James Woodruff.
For our first foray in getting to know these candidates, we asked each candidate to submit a short bio and then answer the following question: What are your top three issues (in order of priority) and what would you do about them?
Here’s what they said:
Ian Hoff
Ian Hoff is a Sebastopol business owner and structural engineer, who works each day to engineer solutions to complex, technical challenges — building blocks that form the foundation of homes, businesses, and structures of all types. As a multi-year volunteer firefighter with the City of Sebastopol and Gold Ridge Fire Protection District, he’s responded to medical emergencies, structure fires, and other public safety crises, engaging residents at a moment’s notice to preserve life and property. Working as a volunteer firefighter up until this spring, Ian has appreciated the opportunity to serve our community, while recognizing the shortcomings of our city in meeting basic needs. From traffic and climate change to education and fiscal sustainability, he’s committed to optimizing city services, and investing in what matters most: a safer, stronger, more resilient Sebastopol. Ian’s wife is an Analy High School science teacher, and together, they devote their livelihoods to forging a brighter future for today’s residents and our next generation. As Ian embarks on his City Council campaign, he is honored to have the early support and endorsement of Sonoma County Supervisor Lynda Hopkins along with community leaders, friends, and neighbors who support his candidacy to serve as our Sebastopol City Councilmember.
What are your top three issues (in order of priority) and what would you do about them?
As a City Councilmember, I will take a holistic view as we address current and future city challenges, keeping in mind we need a stronger foundation to be able to solve the challenges facing Sebastopol.
First and foremost, despite the passage of Measure U, we struggle to improve streets and sidewalks, maintain city facilities like our public library, and meet other basic needs. I saw this firsthand as a volunteer firefighter — some volunteer firefighters got turnouts (protective clothing) that were well-loved and would have otherwise been bound for Mexico. Despite the volunteerism of myself and others serving our city in this capacity, volunteer firefighters wouldn’t have had other crucial items like our helmets, portable radios, jackets, computer tablets in the engines, and even boots, without the generous donations and support of private citizens. While I applaud the community’s support, it would be my hope the city and Gold Ridge can better meet essential public safety equipment needs in the future.
As a secondary priority, I want to see us do more on investments in climate action and community infrastructure — from additional EV charging stations to investing in our wastewater system, public safety services, and streets and sidewalks; our antiquated sewer system is in poor condition, and beyond improvements to Main Street funded by Caltrans, we’ve failed to repair and repave streets in our neighborhoods and downtown core, and have also struggled to strengthen essential public safety services.
Lastly, I want to improve our city’s ability to innovate and strengthen our city’s business climate — one that balances going local with the need to address affordability amidst challenging economic times. If we broaden the base with tasteful businesses that meet residents’ needs while complementing our city’s culture, we’ll expand opportunities to increase city revenues and make all of these community improvements possible. As a Sebastopol business owner, I know what it takes to manage a budget and plan for our future — and want to use this experience to plan a brighter future for our city.
Find out more at ianhoff.com.
Kyreen Jorgensen
Kyreen Jorgensen has lived in Sonoma County for over 20 years, spending the last eight in Sebastopol with her husband and stepson, an SRJC student. Being a working mother shaped her belief in strong schools, opportunity, and community service. Her adult daughter, a proud member of the LGBTQ community, lives in Oregon where she owns a tattoo shop. Being a working mother has shaped Kyreen’s belief in strong schools, opportunity, and building a better life for her family and community.
Her career spans public administration, management, and hands-on care. An SRJC graduate with law school training, she served as Deputy Clerk of the Board for Sonoma County and currently serves as Clerk of the Board for SMART, advancing transparent, responsive local government. Her background also includes regional HOA management and teaching behavior skills to disabled children.
Kyreen is stepping forward for City Council to bring her public administration background and organizational skills to local government. She is committed to fiscal sustainability, open decision-making, safe roads, welcoming parks, housing affordability, and environmental stewardship. Kyreen’s core focus is simple: transparency, active listening, and doing the hard work needed to build a thriving Sebastopol for all.
What are your top three issues (in order of priority) and what would you do about them?
My top three issues are all interrelated.
1. Fiscal Sustainability - I would focus on understanding where every dollar goes, ensuring it aligns with Sebastopol’s priorities - safe roads, essential city services and planning for the future. I would engage the community as their input is essential. I would focus on realistic budgeting that avoids short-term fixes and instead strengthens long-term stability. I want to protect Sebastopol’s ability to thrive.
2. Transparency & Open Government - By prioritizing communication with the community and asking clear questions during open meetings and explaining the reasoning behind decisions. Making sure that staff reports, budget documents and all agenda items are accessible and understandable. When residents feel heard, trust grows...the foundation of a good local government
3. Planning for the future for Sebastopol - I’ll start with listening to the values of the community, their challenges, and what kind of city they want to pass on to further generations. I would focus on maintaining essential infrastructure like roads, parks, and city services, while also preparing for issues such as housing affordability, environmental resilience, and changing economic conditions. Collaboration is key to the success of Sebastopol and preserving its character supports the people and keeps our city resilient.
Learn more at kyreenforsebastopol.com.
Sandra Maurer (Incumbent)
My name is Sandra Maurer, and I was elected to the Sebastopol City Council in 2022. It has been an honor to serve my community, and I am currently the Vice-Mayor.
I was born in Stockton, California and am the youngest of six children. I attended Sonoma State University, where I earned a BA in Art Studio. After college, I made and sold ceramic figures to local art galleries and sold handcrafted ceramic stones called Lightstones to gift shops across the country. I’ve lived in Sebastopol for 38 years. I am married, and together we have four daughters and eight grandchildren.
I am the former founding director of the EMF Safety Network. I worked at the California Public Utility Commission and helped win the right for all California investor-owned utility customers to opt out of smart meters.
I have been involved in Sebastopol politics since 2007. I helped create environmental policies, updates to the General Plan Community Health and Wellness goals, and worked to obtain lower-kelvin streetlights in Sebastopol.
That advocacy taught me skills that have been valuable on City Council: researching complex issues, listening to different perspectives, and advocating for residents and the environment.
What are your top three issues (in order of priority) and what would you do about them?
The three top issues Sebastopol is facing include: a structural deficit; the Sonoma County Grand Jury report findings; and the Grocery Outlet proposal.
The structural deficit must be corrected in order for the City to be fiscally sustainable. I’ve been on the budget committee for 3 years, and I am confident that we can find a path forward. It will require diligent oversight, budget cuts where possible, and raising revenue.
The Sonoma County Grand Jury report stated the City took $5.5 million too much from the water and sewer accounts over 20 years. The City disputed these findings; however, I believe the City needs to assess the over-allocation, reconcile the accounts, and ensure this doesn’t happen again.
The proposed Grocery Outlet store has residents expressing strong opinions both for and against. This proposal will first go before the Planning Commission, and if their decision is appealed, it will come before the City Council. I will substantiate my decision with facts, applicable policies, and vote for the best interest of Sebastopol.
My overarching goal as a Councilmember is to be a watchdog for the City, the residents and the environment and to help make thoughtful decisions that preserve Sebastopol’s small town character and support a vibrant community.
Learn more at sandimaurer.com.
Jill McLewis (Incumbent)
I’m proud to call Sebastopol home for more than 12 years and honored to serve as your Mayor. I ran for Council because I care about the people who live, work, and raise families here. Sebastopol is a special place, and I have a responsibility to help protect what makes it unique while guiding the changes that will shape its future. My career has been rooted in service and problem-solving. After two decades in healthcare, I saw how decisions affect people’s daily lives. I lead a Northern California nonprofit trade association serving food manufacturers, emerging brands, entrepreneurs, local enterprises, and service providers. As a downtown business owner, I understand the challenges here: rising costs, the need for reliable infrastructure, and the importance of a vibrant, welcoming downtown. My background in project management, leadership, and budgeting shapes the practical, common-sense approach I bring to public service. I’m also a wife, a mom to a son attending Santa Rosa Junior College, and a recent breast cancer survivor. Throughout it all, including the intense treatments, I remained committed to showing up for this community. That experience strengthened my resolve. Today I’m healthy, grateful, and excited to keep working for the residents, businesses, and future of the city I care deeply about.
What are your top three issues (in order of priority) and what would you do about them?
My priorities are the community’s priorities. The community surveys I advocated for identified public safety, responsible management of City finances, and preparedness for floods, wildfires, and other natural disasters as the top priorities. A subsequent survey also identified infrastructure and community vitality as important priorities. These are the priorities I supported during the City’s goal-setting process.
1. Public Safety
Public safety is the community’s top priority and mine. I have consistently supported funding for essential public safety services and have made public safety a priority in City spending decisions. When Measure U was proposed, I would not support it without a commitment that 40% of the revenue would be dedicated to public safety and infrastructure. That commitment is now producing tangible results, including road paving and replacement of the generator used by the City’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC), ensuring this critical facility can function during a power outage or emergency.
One of the toughest decisions I made was supporting the consolidation of our Fire Department with Gold Ridge. I had originally advocated for keeping our department independent. But after serving on the Fire Ad Hoc Committee, hiring experts, studying response times, staffing, finances and long-term sustainability, and listening to our fire professionals, the evidence changed my position. I ultimately supported consolidation because I believed it provided better fire and emergency services for our community. I believe good leadership means being willing to listen, learn, and make a difficult decision when the facts show it is the right thing to do.
I have also advocated for stronger animal services, including exploring a regional Joint Powers Authority (JPA). When concerns were raised about the treatment of animals at our contracted facility, I made an unannounced visit to see the conditions firsthand.
Most recently, I have been advocating for vegetation and weed abatement along the Joe Rodota Trail and Laguna to create a cleaner, safer environment for people using the trail while also protecting the surrounding watershed and reducing fire risk.
I will continue to respond directly when concerns arise, ask questions, and hold those providing City services accountable.
2. Fiscal Responsibility and Accountability
I believe the City must live within its means and that taxpayers and ratepayers deserve transparency, accountability, and measurable results for every dollar spent. I have pushed to stop funding pet projects and unnecessary spending, strengthen transparency and financial processes, and demand greater accountability from City staff.
I have championed time tracking so employee costs can be accurately allocated to the appropriate funds. Most recently, I brought forward an agenda item addressing approximately $350,000 in cost allocation for legal services that had been charged to the water and wastewater enterprise funds, advocating that those allocations be reimbursed.
I also serve as Vice Chair of the Cal Cities (GTLR) Governance, Transparency and Labor Relations Committee, where we evaluate state legislation addressing government transparency and accountability. I bring that same focus on transparency and accountability to my work on the City Council.
I voted against the water rates and tier structure ultimately adopted in 2024 after raising concerns about their impact on ratepayers, particularly families, and I have continued to oppose that structure. I also voted against the City’s proposed budget when I could not support adopting a budget with a significant deficit.
These are not simply positions I am taking during an election. They reflect how I have governed. I will continue to question spending, strengthen financial controls, insist on transparency, and hold City staff accountable for how taxpayer and ratepayer dollars are used.
3. Infrastructure, Disaster Preparedness and Community Vitality
Our community has told us that infrastructure, disaster preparedness, and community vitality matter. I believe that means focusing on practical improvements residents can actually see and experience.
I championed the policy requiring 40% of Measure U revenue to be dedicated to public safety and infrastructure. Because of that policy, Measure U dollars are now being used to pave Sebastopol roads, turning the commitment I fought for into a tangible improvement residents can see and experience. After years of deferred infrastructure needs, I believe we need to continue investing in the basics our residents rely on every day.
I have also advocated for dedicated funding to replace trash cans in our downtown core and continue to push for improvements that make downtown cleaner, more welcoming, and more vibrant. These may seem like basic improvements, but they matter to our residents, businesses, and visitors and to the overall vitality of our city.
I will continue pushing for tangible improvements to our roads, infrastructure, downtown, and public spaces while making sure we take care of what we already have.
My record reflects my approach: listen to residents, question spending, demand transparency and accountability, and make decisions that produce tangible results for Sebastopol.
Learn more at jill4sebastopol.com/
Erin Mitchell
I was born and raised here from a family of Educators. My Grandfather taught at the High School for 30 years, instilling my Values of Integrity, Honesty, Listening and Helping others. I have put myself through College as a single Mother, obtaining 3 Associates in Natural Resources, Science and Watershed Management at the SRJC. I am completing an Undergraduate Degree currently at Sonoma State University in Geography, Environment and Planning, with a Minor in Political Science and an emphasis in Sustainable Community Development. My hope is to represent the under-represented: Nature, Children, Education, Health for All, Seniors and the Working Class. I strive to keep the Peaceful Traditions of Sebastopol going for Future Generations.
What are your top three issues (in order of priority) and what would you do about them?
My priority is “Keeping Sebastopol’s Small Town Unique Charm” through
Enviro: Upholding CEQA, keeping environmental standards, water infrastructure.
Planning: Addressing increased traffic, emergency response plans, parking, maintaining the slow city.
Balancing the budget with community goals: Listening to the concerns of citizens, prioritizing working class, small business and farmers over corporations and tech influence.
Learn more at erinforsebastopol.com
Brandie Solavay
Brandie Solovay has practiced law in California since 2009, at both private law offices and nonprofit legal services organizations. Her work has spanned family law, disability, immigration, and criminal defense. She often represents people who desperately need someone in the room fighting for them. She has grown private legal practices and built nonprofit legal services programs, and currently serves as her organization’s Legal Director. She has also served on and advised nonprofit boards. Brandie brings lived experience to questions of access. She and her wife bought their home in Sebastopol in 2023 and are raising their child here, a town they chose deliberately, after living in cities big and small across the country, because none of them had our incredible small town charm and stubborn originality. Before her family finished moving in, their house caught fire, and the Sebastopol fire department saved it. Brandie knows how to listen to all perspectives, including ones she disagrees with; she has a proven track record of building both a private law practice and funding programs within nonprofit organizations; and Brandie loves to advocate — all skills she is eager to bring to the City Council.
What are your top three issues (in order of priority) and what would you do about them?
1. Sebastopol’s financial soundness.
Without major changes, the city faces an average annual structural shortfall of roughly $1.3 million over the next decade. The recent budget closed its gap largely with one-time savings, unfilled positions and deferred pavement work, which the city’s own budget document acknowledges is not ongoing. That is a delay, not a solution.
Two things I would push for. First, pursue the revenue we are leaving on the table. For example, transient occupancy tax is only about three cents of every general fund dollar, and the city cut grant writer support as a savings measure when a grant writer in a city this size typically pays for itself several times over. Second, take shared services with neighboring jurisdictions seriously and pursue these cost-saving opportunities —the Gold Ridge fire consolidation shows it can work.
I would also make it easier to run a business here. Sales tax is 39% of our general fund, and empty storefronts generate none of it. They also detract from Sebastopol’s character. For many reasons, our businesses are one of our top strengths and should be celebrated and valued as such.
2. Access.
I would start by surveying residents and visitors through town halls to identify what can be fixed quickly and inexpensively to improve access for everyone, while keeping approved projects on track toward full ADA compliance. A sidewalk that a wheelchair, a scooter, a stroller, or a person with low vision cannot safely use is not really serving its purpose. I also think about access more broadly, including access to housing people can afford, and to good jobs.
3. Housing.
Sebastopol needs homes that working families, seniors, and young people can actually afford, and we need to meet our state obligations, but growth has to respect the scale and character of this town. Recent displacement of low-income tenants shows what happens when we do not successfully plan ahead.
I would add that the library closure is a perfect storm of these issues, sitting at the intersection of all three problems: a city-owned building with dry rot, further made inaccessible by mold, with remediation costs the city’s insurance apparently will not cover, all in a community facility that residents rank among our highest priorities. It is a concrete example of what deferred maintenance costs us later, as well as how important it is to correctly insure, protect, and advocate for our investments. From aggressively challenging insurance coverage denials to securing the best bids for city projects and purchases, I’m excited about using my skills to fight for our incredible city.
Learn more at votebrandie.com.
James Woodruff
Hello Sebastopol Times readers! Sebastopol has been my home since I was 13 years old. I’m now 45 years old and feel very fortunate to live in the Sebastopol house I bought 14 years ago. I’ve earned State Water Board certifications in municipal water distribution and water treatment, and I work as a welder. My community activism began when 13-year-old Andy Lopez was murdered by a sheriff’s deputy. I worked near where the shooting took place, and I identified with a boy running around with a toy gun. When the opportunity to participate in designing the Andy Lopez Memorial Park appeared, I joined. That experience struck a spark. I began volunteering delivering food to low-income residents and successfully fought against a PG&E rate increase. Since the Dobbs decision in 2022, I have been a constant presence at local demonstrations. I am the guy wearing a vest with many buttons on it. If you see me, please say hello. I’d be happy to meet you. My interest in serving on the City Council is inspired by my love of the Sebastopol community and a desire to help steward our shared home into the future.
What are your top three issues (in order of priority) and what would you do about them?
Protection from ICE and surveillance. I am deeply concerned about the increasing surveillance and control that is being facilitated by Flock cameras, and the masked thugs employed by ICE. We need to be prepared for the possibility of ICE coming to Sebastopol as it has in the past. Sebastopol has a policy of not collaborating with ICE that I will build on and enhance efforts to ensure city workers are well trained on City procedures to inform and protect the community. I will work to ensure neither Flock or any of their competitors can gain a foothold in our community. I am here for my neighbors, and there is nothing about where a person is born that has any bearing on that. If you work hard, and just want to live your life in peace, then I will fight for you. It does not matter if you can vote for me or not.
Sustainability of our Water and Environment. Sebastopol is facing increasing costs on our water bills and challenges with deteriorating infrastructure. I will work to ensure appropriate funding goes to the Enterprise Funds so that needed improvements can be made. I will utilize my knowledge from being certified in water distribution and water treatment to help Sebastopol make wise investments for long term sustainability of our water infrastructure. The challenges of affording basic necessities like water, energy, and food are becoming more difficult as climate change consequences become more evident. At any time, the next calamity — wildfire, drought, extreme heat, atmospheric river — could hit. I will work to mitigate the causes and the harms, adapt to the realities that are already locked in, and do my part to keep green spaces available for farming, conservation, and recreation. These are not just key to keeping the fundamental nature of our City vibrant and agricultural, but key to our survival.
Support for working people. I am a proud working person, and I want all workers to be able to share in the bounty of our wonderful community. I support unions as well as the rights of workers not covered under the National Labor Rights Act. I will fight for a living wage for every working person as well as for affordable housing and healthcare for all. I will be vigilant so that the spending of our City’s public dollars is for the benefit of the public and not the enrichment of the elite few.
Learn more at ElectJamesWoodruff.com.