This week the sudden outbreak of West Coast fires causes puzzlement about why climate action has dropped as a public concern.  It also prompts a look back at the Urban Chat history and position on climate action. 

Plus, a transit scavenger hunt is coming for which more hands would be welcome….Planetizen is recommended as a source of urbanism news…and locally, the Council will presumably approve the purchase of more electric buses for Petaluma Transit…

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I’ve become a regular attendee of the weekly Zoom call “Ask StrongTowns Anything”.  I find the calls insightful and inspirational.  The call this past week was no exception.  The guest was John Simmerman of Active Towns, a nonprofit that advocates for bicycling and aligns well with Strong Towns…

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Clucking Money Recap, Travel/Learning Opportunities, Sonoma County Transit Also Makes Changes, National Night Out

The second forum of the Follow the Clucking Money series was held last week and was another success.  Nearly sixty attendees learned about the revenue streams that sustain the City…

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Part two of Urban Chat’s Following the Clucking Money series has finally arrived.  Learn more about how the revenue side of Petaluma’s annual budget is constructed and participate in a cooperative exercise on expanding revenues.  RSVP now as space is limited.  Next, read about how largely forgotten urban planner Holly Whyte followed his own instincts in changing how we use public spaces.  Plus, learn where to find the best won ton soup in Petaluma…

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Urban Chat’s Follow the Clucking Money series returns on July 15 with a free workshop exploring the revenue side of Petaluma’s budget, building on April’s popular session. RSVP soon, as space is limited. Urban Chat is also seeking a volunteer treasurer to help with basic bookkeeping and financial oversight. Dave’s annual birthday wonton soup lunch tradition returns this week, with community members invited to stop by for conversation. Plus, read about changing transit ridership patterns and a fresh perspective on common objections to new bike lanes…

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Urban Chat’s recent Vacancy Project community forum drew a full house at Della Fattoria, launching an encouraging conversation about creating a more vibrant, climate-friendly, and financially resilient Petaluma. We also share updates on Urban Chat’s funding, the postponement of the Better Petaluma Film Festival, and our search for a part-time staff person. Looking ahead, we’re exploring community-led neighborhood walks inspired by Strong Towns and continuing conversations about the future of local transit in a post-pandemic world…

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We explore what financially sustainable growth could look like for Petaluma, from Chuck Marohn's perspective on development to a vision for future land use, transit, and zoning. We also share an update on Urban Chat, including opportunities to support our work during a challenging funding period and our search for a part-time team member to help advance our community programs and events. We're grateful for your continued engagement, ideas, and support as we keep building a stronger, more resilient Petaluma…

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Demand for our June 24 community gathering for The Vacancy Project remains exceptionally strong. After expanding seating, the event quickly filled again. While we're sorry we can't accommodate everyone, we'll share highlights from the evening and future opportunities to stay involved. This week is Strong Towns Membership Week. Founder Chuck Marohn will discuss the organization's future during Wednesday's webinar. Contact Dave for the Zoom link. Dave's annual birthday lunches return July 7–10, featuring won ton soup and conversation about urbanism, Urban Chat, and the future of Petaluma…

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Urban Chat’s June 24 Vacancy Project forum generated an overwhelming response, filling the room faster than anticipated. While we're excited by the community's enthusiasm, we recognize some supporters may not have had an opportunity to RSVP. We're exploring ways to expand participation and encourage interested attendees to join the waitlist. Looking ahead, our popular Follow the Clucking Money series returns July 15 with a deeper dive into how revenues flow into City Hall. Urban Chat has also launched a new Facebook page as part of expanded community outreach efforts…

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Last week’s Know Before You Grow forum drew more than 50 attendees to discuss the proposed Kentucky Street pedestrianization pilot. Led by committee chair Leslie Fruchey, the Free Range Kentucky team shared examples from other communities, insights from a successful U.S. pedestrianization effort, and gathered extensive public feedback. A recording will be posted on Urban Chat’s Past Events page soon. Community members interested in supporting the effort are encouraged to connect with the Free Range Kentucky team and watch for upcoming opportunities to get involved…

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After 18 days away, Dave is back in Petaluma (despite a travel saga involving multiple bus breakdowns) and ready to resume Urban Chat duties. His trip included a road journey through Midwest and Rust Belt communities, plus two urban planning conferences that sparked new ideas he’ll share soon. He also recommends You’ll Pay for This!, a compelling look at municipal finance and infrastructure costs, and notes a surprising recent surge in readership for his longtime urbanism blog…

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Fresh from the Congress of the New Urbanism in Arkansas—and with the Strong Towns National Gathering still ahead—Urban Chat is bringing home new ideas and hard questions. One striking contrast: while national housing advocates explored bold, flexible solutions to address the housing crisis, a local push in Petaluma called for stricter building height limits regardless of impact. It’s a timely reminder that solving housing challenges requires balancing aesthetics, feasibility, and the urgent need for more homes…

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Urban Chat continues its spring civic conversation series with an upcoming Know Before You Grow forum focused on a proposed Kentucky Street pilot project. Inspired by successful pedestrian-friendly transformations in cities like San Anselmo and Ventura, the Free Range Kentucky team will share a concept for testing whether a similar approach could work in Petaluma. Join the conversation on Wednesday, May 27 at 7:00 PM to learn more, ask questions, and help shape the discussion. A quick note: this week’s update is a bit shorter than usual while I’m traveling…

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Urban Chat has launched the Vacancy Project, mapping and analyzing empty buildings and vacant lots in downtown Petaluma to spark solutions-focused conversation and support revitalization efforts in partnership with Renaissance Petaluma. A coalition meeting is set for June 24. Meanwhile, the “Follow the Clucking Money” workshop materials—including video, participant questions, and budget tools—are now available online. Progress has also been made restoring website links in emails, with additional fixes underway…

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Last week’s email link issues (“spoiled links”) caused some subscribers to see false “Dangerous Site” warnings, making it difficult to RSVP for our City Finances forum. The links were safe, and we’re working on a fix for future emails. Despite the hiccup, our Know Before You Grow forum on City Finances was a success, with strong feedback—especially for the budget exercise balancing $1.9 million in needs against $1 million in available funds. More forums and the event recording are coming soon…

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After nearly a year of deep dives into California and Petaluma finances, the Urban Chat Finance Committee is ready to share what they’ve learned—backed by expert insights and clear visuals. This first forum invites your questions to shape what comes next (with pizza and a little Petaluma humor). If you plan to weigh in on upcoming City budget decisions, this is your starting point.

The housing book club pauses in May, but fresh ideas—from small lot development to faith-based housing—keep the conversation moving…

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Last week’s Know Before You Grow forum featured Strong Towns speaker Norm Van Eeden Petersman, delivering an energetic and thought-provoking session—watch the recording when available. Highlights included creative community-building ideas like neighborhood cleanups and a “Drive to Work Day” experiment to spotlight transportation choices.

Looking ahead, the April 22 KBYG forum will focus on the Petaluma budget, offering a high-level look at revenues, spending, and constraints, with insights shaped by collaboration with City staff…

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Monday, April 6: Continuing a long and complicated process, the City Council will conduct a workshop on potential Petaluma Transit service changes in response to changing financial conditions.  Transit staff will summarize the financial challenges, after which the Council will consider the recommendations of the Transit Advisory Committee…

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Urban Chat’s housing book club continues this Wednesday with discussion of chapters 3 and 4 of On the Housing Crisis, welcoming anyone interested to join. April’s Know Before You Grow schedule is shifting, with the April 8 forum postponed and a new budget-focused series, “Follow the Clucking Money,” launching April 22. Looking ahead, Dave will attend national urban planning conferences in May, bringing back insights to inform future community conversations…

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Dave’s Week of Wonton Soup has been postponed due to a health issue, with a hopeful return in April. Urban Chat’s housing book club kicked off with a lively discussion on key themes from On the Housing Crisis. The next session is April 1 at 6pm. We’re also highlighting rising housing & transportation costs and hosting a Know Before You Grow forum this Wednesday on how street design can improve traffic safety…

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