Petaluma Municipal Code Ch. 4.11 Economic Development Revenue Bond Law
Petaluma Municipal Code · 2026-09 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Petaluma
Cite as: Petaluma Municipal Code Chapter 4.11 · Text as of 2026-10-04
Article I. General Provisions and DeDnitions
4.11.101 Title.¶
This chapter may be cited as the "City of Petaluma Economic Development Revenue Bond Law." (Ord. 1520 NCS
§1, 1982.)
4.11.102 Purpose.¶
The council Lnds and declares that it is necessary and essential to the well being of the city that it provide Lnancial
assistance to promote the economic development of the city. Such economic development will serve the following
public purposes and municipal aPairs of the city:
A. The full and gainful employment of residents of the city;
B. The full and eNcient utilization and modernization of existing industrial, commercial, and business facilities;
C. The development of new industrial, commercial and business facilities;
D. The growth of the city’s tax base through increased property values and consumer purchasing;
E. The reduction of the need for and costs of welfare and other remedial programs;
F. The reduction of urban ills, such as crime, attributable in part to inadequate economic opportunities;
G. The stability and diversiLcation of the city’s economy;
H. The lowering of the cost of city consumers of necessary goods and services;
I. The environmentally optimum disposition of waste materials of the city; and
J. The enhancement of the general economic prosperity, health, safety and welfare of the residents of the city.
The availability of the Lnancial assistance authorized by this chapter will serve those purposes and the general
plan of the city by providing private enterprises with new methods of Lnancing capital outlays in the city and by
ensuring that economic development within the city will reMect the local community’s needs and objectives and
will be environmentally optimum with respect to both the physical and social environment of the city. The city shall
promote such public interests pursuant to this chapter without adversely aPecting areas outside the city and
without conMicting with ePorts by the state of California to solve problems of statewide concern. (Ord. 1520 NCS
§1, 1982.)
4.11.103 DeDnitions.¶
Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms deLned in this chapter shall have the following meanings:
A. "Bonds" means the bonds, notes, certiLcates, debentures and other obligations authorized to be issued by
the city pursuant to this chapter and payable as provided in this chapter.
B. "City" means the city of Petaluma.
C. "Cost" means the total of all costs incurred by or on behalf of a participating party to carry out all works and
undertakings and to obtain all rights and powers necessary or incident to the acquisition, construction, installation, reconstruction, rehabilitation or improvement of a facility. "Cost" may include all costs of issuance of
bonds for such purposes, costs for construction undertaken by a participating party as its own contractor,
capitalized bond interest, reserves for debt service and for repairs, replacements, additions and improvements to
a facility, and other working capital incident to the operation of a facility.
D. "Council" means the city council of the city of Petaluma.
E. "Facility" means any of the facilities, places or buildings within the city which are, or will be, maintained and
operated for industrial, commercial or business purposes, conform to the general plan of the city and are
approved by the city for the Lnancing authorized by this chapter, such approval being given only when the city
Lnds and determines that such Lnancing will substantially promote one or more of the public purposes listed in
Section 4.11.102.¶
A "facility" may be an activity which may otherwise be Lnanced pursuant to the California Industrial Development
Financing Act, Government Code Section 91500 et seq., to the extent said Act permits the Lnancing of such activity
under alternative authority. "Facility" includes, without limitation, real and personal property, land, buildings,
structures, Lxtures, machinery and/or equipment and all such property related to or required or useful for the
operation of a facility. "Facility" does not include any facility, place or building used or to be used primarily for
sectarian instruction or study or as a place for devotional activities or religious worship.
F. "Participating party" means any individual, association, corporation, partnership or other entity which is
approved by the city to undertake the Lnancing of the costs of a facility for which this chapter authorizes the
issuance of the bonds.
G. "Revenues" means amounts received by the city as payments of principal, interest, and all other charges with
respect to a loan authorized by this chapter, as payments under a lease, sublease or sale agreement with respect
to a facility, as proceeds received by the city from mortgage, hazard or other insurance on or with respect to such
a loan (or any property securing such loan), lease, sublease or sale agreement, all other rents, charges, fees,
income and receipts derived by the city from the Lnancing of a facility authorized by this chapter, any amounts
received by the city as investment earnings on moneys deposited in any fund securing the bonds, and such other
legally available moneys as the council may, in its discretion, lawfully designate as revenues.
(Ord. 1520 NCS §1, 1982.)
4.11.104 No limitation on appropriations.¶
Revenues, as deLned by this chapter, and the expenditure of such revenues shall not be taken into account in any
manner in determining the city’s compliance with Article XIIIB of the California Constitution. (Ord. 1520 NCS §1,
1982.)
Article II. Financing Facilities
4.11.201 Loans for facilities.¶
The city is authorized to make, purchase, or otherwise contract for the making of, a mortgage or other secured or
unsecured loan, with the proceeds of bonds and upon such terms and conditions as the city shall deem proper, to
any participating party for the costs of a facility. (Ord. 1520 NCS §1, 1982.)
4.11.202 Acquisition, construction, leasing and selling of facilities.¶
The city is authorized to acquire, construct, enlarge, remodel, renovate, alter, improve, furnish, equip and lease as
lessee, with the proceeds of bonds, a facility solely for the purpose of selling or leasing as lessor such facility to a
participating party, and is further authorized to make any contracts for such purposes. The city is also authorized
to contract with such participating party to undertake on behalf of the city to construct, enlarge, remodel,
renovate, alter, improve, furnish and equip such facility.
The city is authorized to sell or lease, upon such terms and conditions as the city shall deem proper, to a
participating party any facility owned by the city under this chapter, including a facility conveyed to the city in
connection with a Lnancing authorized by this chapter but not being Lnanced hereunder. (Ord. 1520 NCS §1,
1982.)
4.11.203 Applications for approval.¶
Any person may apply to the city for approval as a participating party and for approval of a facility for Lnancing
under this chapter. Applications shall set forth such information as the city may require in order to enable the city
to evaluate the applicant, the facility and its proposed costs. (Ord. 1520 NCS §1, 1982.)
4.11.204 Fees.¶
The city is authorized to charge participating parties application, commitment, Lnancing and other fees, in order to
recover all administrative and other costs and expenses incurred in the exercise of the powers and duties
conferred by this chapter. The council shall direct the city clerk to transmit a letter agreement or contract to a
participating party which will obligate such party to pay such fees and expenses as the council may charge or incur
hereunder. (Ord. 1520 NCS §1, 1982.)
4.11.205 Insurance.¶
The city is authorized to obtain, or aid in obtaining, from any department or agency of the United States or of the
state of California or any private company, any insurance or guarantee as to, or of, or for the payment or
repayment of, interest or principal, or both, rents, fees or other charges, or any part thereof, on any loan, lease or
sale obligation or any instrument evidencing or securing the same, made or entered into as authorized by this
chapter; and is authorized to accept payment in such manner and form as provided therein in the event of default
by a participating party, and to assign any such insurance or guarantee as security for bonds. (Ord. 1520 NCS §1,
1982.)
4.11.206 Rents and charges.¶
The city is authorized to Lx rents, payments, fees, charges and interest rates for a Lnancing authorized by this
chapter and to agree to revise from time to time such rents, payments, fees, charges and interest rates to reMect
changes in interest rates on bonds, losses due to defaults or changes in other expenses related to this chapter,
including city administrative expenses. (Ord. 1520 NCS §1, 1982.)
4.11.207 Security for loans.¶
The city is authorized to hold deeds of trust or mortgages or security interests in personal property as security for
loans and other obligations authorized by this chapter and to pledge or assign the same as security for repayment
of bonds. Such deeds of trust, mortgages or security interests, or any other interest of the city in any facility, may
be assigned to, and held on behalf of the city by, any bank or trust company appointed to act as trustee by the city
in any resolution or indenture providing for issuance of bonds. (Ord. 1520 NCS §1, 1982.)
4.11.208 Professional services.¶
The city is authorized to contract for such engineering, architectural, Lnancial, accounting, legal or other services
as may be necessary in the judgment of the city for the purposes of this chapter. (Ord. 1520 NCS §1, 1982.)
4.11.209 Public works requirements inapplicable.¶
Except as speciLcally provided in this chapter, the acquisition, construction, installation, reconstruction,
rehabilitation or improvement of a facility Lnanced under this chapter shall not be subject to any requirements
relating to buildings, works or improvements owned or operated by the city, and any requirement of public
competitive bidding or other procedural restriction imposed on the award of contracts for acquisition or
construction of a city building, work or improvement or to the lease, sublease, sale or other disposition of city
property shall not be applicable to any action taken under this chapter. (Ord. 1520 NCS §1, 1982.)
4.11.210 Additional powers.¶
In addition to all other powers speciLcally granted by this chapter, the city is authorized to contract for and do all
things necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes of this chapter, provided, however, that the city shall not
have the power to operate a facility Lnanced under this chapter as a business, except temporarily in the case of a
default by a participating party. (Ord. 1520 NCS §1, 1982.)
Article III. Bonds
4.11.301 Issuance of bonds.¶
The city is authorized to issue bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed twenty million dollars and to
issue such bonds, from time to time, in such series and amounts as are determined by the council to be necessary
or appropriate to provide for the costs of facilities approved by the council. Bonds shall be negotiable instruments
for all purposes, subject only to the provisions of such bonds for registration. (Ord. 1520 NCS §1, 1982.)
4.11.302 Bonds not debt of city.¶
All of the bonds hereby authorized to be issued shall be limited obligations of the city payable from all or any
speciLed part of the revenues and the moneys and assets authorized in this chapter to be pledged or assigned to
secure payment of bonds. Such revenues, moneys or assets shall be the sole source of repayment of such issue of
bonds. Bonds issued as authorized by this chapter shall not be deemed to constitute a debt or liability of the city
or a pledge of the faith and credit of the city but shall be payable solely from speciLed revenues, moneys and
assets. The issuance of bonds shall not directly, indirectly, or contingently obligate the city to levy or pledge any
form of taxation or to make any appropriation for their payment. All bonds shall contain on the face thereof a
statement to the following ePect:
Neither the faith and credit nor the taxing power of the City of Petaluma is pledged to the payment of the principal
of or premium, if any, or interest on this bond. (Ord. 1520 NCS §1, 1982.)
4.11.303 Bond terms.¶
Bonds shall be issued as serial bonds, term bonds, installment bonds or pass-through certiLcates or any
combination thereof. The mayor or city manager shall determine the terms and timing of the issuance of
particular bonds in accord with the resolution of the council approving the particular facility to be Lnanced
thereby. Bonds shall bear such date or dates, mature at such time or times not to exceed thirty-Lve years, bear
interest at such Lxed or variable rate or rates approved by the participating party whose facility is being Lnanced
but not to exceed the maximum rate permitted by law, be payable at such time or times, be in such denominations, be in such form, either coupon or registered, carry such registration privileges, be executed in
such manner, be payable in lawful money of the United States of America at such place or places, be subject to
such terms of redemption and have such other terms and conditions as such resolution, or any indenture to be
entered into by the city pursuant to such resolution, shall provide. Bonds shall be sold at either public or private
sale and for such prices as the city shall determine. (Ord. 1520 NCS §1, 1982.)
4.11.304 Bond provisions.¶
Any resolution relating to the issuance of any bonds, or any indenture to be entered into by the city pursuant to
such resolution, may contain provisions respecting any of the following terms and conditions, which shall be a part
of the contract with the holders of such bonds:
A. The terms, conditions and form of such bonds and the interest and principal to be paid thereon;
B. Limitations on the uses and purposes to which the proceeds of sale of such bonds may be applied and the
pledge or assignment of such proceeds to secure the payment of such bonds;
C. Limitations on the issuance of additional parity bonds, the terms upon which additional parity bonds may be
issued and secured, and the refunding of outstanding bonds;
D. The setting aside of reserves, sinking funds and other funds and the regulation and disposition thereof;
E. The pledge or assignment of all or any part of the revenues and of any other moneys or assets legally
available therefor, including loans, deeds of trust, mortgages, leases, subleases, sales agreements and other
contracts and security interests, and the use and disposition of such revenues, moneys and assets, subject to such
agreements with the holders of bonds as may then be outstanding;
F. Limitation on the use of revenues for operating, administration or other expenses of the city;
G. SpeciLcation of the acts or omissions to act, which shall constitute a default in the duties of the city to holders
of such bonds, and providing the rights and remedies of such holders in the event of default, including any
limitations on the right of action by individual bondholders;
H. The appointment of a corporate trustee to act on behalf of the city and the holders of its bonds, the pledge or
assignment of loans, deeds of trust, mortgages, leases, subleases, sale contracts and any other contracts to such
trustee, and the rights of such trustee;
I. The procedure, if any, by which the terms of any contract with bondholders may be amended or abrogated,
the amount of such bonds the holders of which must consent thereto, and the manner in which such consent may
be given; and
J. Any other provisions which the council may deem reasonable and proper for the purposes of this chapter
and the security of the bondholders.
(Ord. 1520 NCS §1, 1982.)
4.11.305 Pledge of revenues, money or property—Lien.¶
Any pledge of revenues or other moneys or assets as authorized by this chapter shall be valid and binding from
the time such pledge is made. Revenues, moneys and assets so pledged and thereafter received by the city shall
immediately be subject to the lien of such pledge without any physical delivery thereof or further act, and the lien
of any such pledge shall be valid and binding as against all parties having claims of any kind in tort, contract, or
otherwise against the city, irrespective of whether such parties have notice thereof. Neither the resolution nor any
indenture by which a pledge is created need be Lled or recorded except in the records of the city. (Ord. 1520 NCS
§1, 1982.)
4.11.306 No personal liability.¶
Neither the members of the council, the oNcers or employees of the city, nor any person executing any bonds
shall be liable personally on the bonds or be subject to any personal liability or accountability by reason of the
issuance thereof. (Ord. 1520 NCS §1, 1982.)
4.11.307 Purchase of bonds by city.¶
The city shall have the power out of any funds available therefor to purchase its bonds. The city may hold, pledge,
cancel, or resell such bonds, subject to and in accordance with agreements with the bondholders. (Ord. 1520 NCS
§1, 1982.)
4.11.308 Actions by bondholders.¶
Any holder of bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter or any of the coupons appertaining thereto, and
any trustee appointed pursuant to any resolution relating to the issuance of bonds, except to the extent the rights
thereof may be restricted by such resolution or any indenture authorized thereby to be entered into by the city,
may, either at law or in equity, by suit, action, mandamus or other proceedings, protect or enforce any and all
rights speciLed in law or in such resolution or indenture to be performed by the city or by any oNcer, employee,
or agent thereof, including the Lxing, charging, and collecting of rates, fees, interest, and charges authorized and
required by the provisions of such resolution or indenture to be Lxed, charged, and collected. (Ord. 1520 NCS §1,
1982.)
4.11.309 Refunding bonds.¶
The city is authorized to issue bonds for the purpose of refunding any bonds then outstanding. (Ord. 1520 NCS §1,
1982.)
4.11.310 Bond anticipation notes.¶
In anticipation of the sale of bonds authorized by this chapter, the city is authorized to issue bond anticipation
notes, and to renew the same from time to time, in such series and amounts as are determined by the council to
be necessary or appropriate for the costs of facilities approved by the council. Such notes shall be payable from
revenues or other moneys or assets authorized by this chapter to be pledged to secure payment of bonds, and
which are not otherwise pledged, or from the proceeds of sale of the particular bonds in anticipation of which they
are issued. Such notices shall be issued in the same manner as bonds. The mayor or city manager shall determine
the terms and timing of the issuance of particular bond anticipation notes in accord with the provisions of Section
4.11.303 and the resolution of the council approving the particular facility to be Lnanced thereby. Such notes, any
resolution relating to the issuance of such notes and any indenture to be entered into by the city pursuant to such
resolution may contain any provisions, conditions or limitations permitted under Section 4.11.304. (Ord. 1520 NCS
§1, 1982.)
4.11.311 Validity of bonds.¶
The validity of the authorization and issuance of any bonds is not dependent on and shall not be aPected in any
way by any proceedings taken by the city for the approval of any Lnancing or the entering into of any agreement,
or by the failure to provide Lnancing or enter into any agreement, for which bonds are authorized to be issued
under this chapter. (Ord. 1520 NCS §1, 1982.)
Article IV. Supplemental Provisions
4.11.401 Liberal construction.¶
This chapter, being necessary for the welfare of the city and its inhabitants, shall be liberally construed to ePect its
purposes. (Ord. 1520 NCS §1, 1982.)
4.11.402 Omissions not to aGect validity of bonds.¶
Any omission of any oNcer or the city in proceedings under this chapter or any other defect in the proceedings
shall not invalidate such proceedings or the bonds issued pursuant to this chapter. (Ord. 1520 NCS §1, 1982.)
4.11.403 Full authority.¶
This chapter is full authority for the issuance of bonds by the city for any of the purposes speciLed herein. (Ord.
1520 NCS §1, 1982.)
4.11.404 Provisions of this chapter are complete, additional and¶
alternative.
This chapter shall be deemed to provide a complete, additional, and alternative method for doing the things
authorized thereby, and shall be regarded as supplemental and additional to the powers conferred by other laws.
The issuance of bonds under the provisions of this chapter need not comply with the requirements of any other
law applicable to the issuance of bonds. The purposes authorized hereby may be ePectuated and bonds are
authorized to be issued for any such purposes under this chapter notwithstanding that any other law may provide
for such purposes or for the issuance of bonds for like purposes and without regard to the requirements,
restrictions, limitations or other provisions contained in any other law. (Ord. 1520 NCS §1, 1982.)
4.11.405 Chapter controlling.¶
To the extent that the provisions of this chapter are inconsistent with the provisions of any general statute or
special act or parts thereof the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed controlling. (Ord. 1520 NCS §1, 1982.)
4.11.406 Severability.¶
If any provision of this chapter or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, such
invalidity shall not aPect any other provisions or application of this chapter which can be given ePect without the
invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this chapter are declared to be severable. The
council declares that it would have adopted and passed this chapter and each section, subsection, sentence,
clause, phrase and word hereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more of the other sections, subsections,
sentences, clauses, phrases or words hereof are declared invalid or unconstitutional. (Ord. 1520 NCS §1, 1982.)
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