Santa Rosa City Council FY 2023-24 Budget Study Session (Day 2) - May 10, 2023

On May 10, 2023, the Santa Rosa City Council continued its FY 2023-24 budget study session from 9:02 a.m. to 3:27 p.m., including a lunch break. Presentations covered the Fire, Police, Planning & Economic Development, Parks & Recreation, Transportation & Public Works, Water departments, and the Capital Improvement Program. The council heard public comments and provided early direction ahead of formal budget adoption in June.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ken MacNab (KMac Advising, representing property owners in the 2010 area) thanked the council and staff, expressing support for budgeting resources for the South Santa Rosa Specific Plan.
• Chris Guenther (co-leader of Bikeable Santa Rosa) supported investment in multimodal transportation and reducing motor vehicle trips, noting collaboration with CityThread on a bike network acceleration plan.
• Bob Gaiser (co-chair, Southeast Greenway Campaign Committee) supported city staff for Southeast Greenway acquisition and planning, and the Parks & Recreation budget proposal.
• Tom Robertson (CEO, SCI Office, LLC) emphasized safety concerns in downtown Santa Rosa, reporting multiple car break-ins and requesting two additional police officers for the downtown area.
• Duane DeWitt (Sonoma County Housing Advocacy Group) discussed the budget deficit, past cuts, replacement of 30 picnic tables/benches, offloading city properties for revenue, and requested a set time for public speaking.
• Joshua Shipper (Generation Housing) urged the council to reduce building costs, specifically by waiving most impact fees on affordable housing (following Petaluma) and applying the ADU fee structure to affordable-by-design multifamily housing.
• Chris Eggers (by speaker card) prioritized funding for protected and connected bikeways.
• Gregory Fearon spoke on ARPA and PG&E one-time fund allocations, suggesting a community update meeting and requesting all funds be utilized.
• Rigel Bowen (North Bay Organizing Project Police Accountability Task Force) opposed adding money from the general fund to the police budget, advocating instead for departments like Housing, Planning, Parks, and Transportation.
• Kelsey Vero (same task force) opposed general fund money for police, especially for school resource officers (SROs), suggesting funding for evidence-based alternative solutions.
• Alyn Wolves (same task force) opposed additional patrol officers and SROs in schools.
• Elizabeth Ridlington (vice chair, Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board, speaking as a citizen) requested funding for Vision Zero and safe routes to school, citing a need for crosswalk improvements.
• Brandon Cho (on behalf of Efren Carrillo, CEO of Gallaher Community Housing) supported modifying development impact fees for affordable housing.
• Shaun Du Fosee favored hiring in-house labor relations staff over outside consultants, and supported planning for potential SROs.
• Cadance Hinkle Allinson (Downtown District) thanked staff, supported hiring an assistant city attorney, a comprehensive economic development plan, and increasing public safety measures/law enforcement, including possible expansion of the downtown enforcement team.
• Lee (North Bay Organizing Project Police Accountability Task Force and Sonoma County Tenants Union) supported funding community programs over increased police funding, opposing police in schools.
• Hugh Futrell (Downtown Action Organization) supported additional public safety investments, an assistant city attorney for code/misdemeanor enforcement, additional downtown enforcement team officers, and retaining park impact fees within the downtown core.
• Stevan Stankovich (Santa Rosa Plaza mall manager) advocated for a safe downtown, additional downtown enforcement team officers, and an extra city attorney for misdemeanor/property claims.
• Michael Lipelt supported investment in active transportation infrastructure and safe, protected bicycle lanes over continued vehicle infrastructure investment.

Discussion Items

• Fire Department (Scott Westrope, Chief): Proposed budget includes a $1.5M increase in salaries/benefits, $250K for REDCOM dispatch (due to call volume), and $1.6M for fleet replacement. The department is fully staffed in fire prevention for the first time since 2007. Challenges include recruiting technical positions, non-contract overtime, and behavioral health. The chief noted progress on plan review backlog (down to 14-day turnaround).
• Police Department (John Cregan, Chief): Proposed total $79M, a 4.4% general fund increase. Highlights include a $2.6M Roseland substation purchase (via Measure H), overtime increase for realistic budgeting, and $50K for large vehicle towing (RVs). The department is recruiting heavily (25 officers in training). Accomplishments include a side show ordinance, restorative justice program, and gun buyback (423 firearms). Challenges: staffing roller coaster, violent crime (record 12 homicides in 2022), and response times (priority one calls at 7:07 minutes vs. 6-minute goal). Chief discussed costs for SROs: $218K per officer, $660K for three new positions; a full program would require 7-8 officers (~$1.5M).
• Planning & Economic Development (Clare Hartman, Director): Proposed budget $19.3M (1.6% general fund increase). Adding a code enforcement officer, centralizing admin, and a technology specialist (housed in IT). Key accomplishments: issued permits for 1,400 housing units, 1,200 land use approvals, general plan in final year, downtown fee incentives extended. Challenges: balancing many initiatives, fee study underway (first update since 2014), and emerging efforts like South Santa Rosa Specific Plan (grant dependent).
• Parks & Recreation (Jason Nutt, Acting Director): Reorganization transferring 31 staff from Public Works. Proposed budget reflects increased costs for MOU, pool chemicals, and Bennett Valley Golf Course operations (new Touchstone agreement). New recreation director position (offset by eliminating other FTE). Challenges: landscape maintenance resources (26 staff for 1,100 acres; national average is 1/3 more staff per acre), infrastructure costs, and grant management. Discussion included after-school programs (Measure O funded), Northwest Community Park ownership, and the need for a funded landscape maintenance contract.
• Transportation & Public Works (Jason Nutt, Acting Director): Budget shifted due to park maintenance transfer. Major increases in electricity, gas, and SB 1383 compliance. Accomplishments: local road safety plan, Hearn Avenue Interchange Phase 3 funding, 4 battery-electric buses deployed. Challenges: 49 vacancies (50% in capital projects engineering), equipment delivery delays (24-36 months for some fleet), and need for climate action staffing. Transit enterprise fund ($16.6M, 9% increase) balanced without using reserves, but fuel costs are uncertain; 14 vacant bus operator positions limit service restoration. First/last mile scooter program (Bird) struggling due to operator issues.
• Water Department (Jennifer Burke, Director): Proposed budget reflects Sonoma Water wholesale rate increase (10.56% approved) and expected demand rebound. Wastewater treatment plant grade dropped to D+; underinvestment of $16M/year. Reserves are funded, but the department is spending down reserves intentionally to manage rate increases. Challenges: workforce turnover (10% loss so far this year), aging infrastructure, and rising chemical/electricity costs.
• Capital Improvement Program (Jason Nutt): Total $75M for FY 2023-24. General fund component: $2M (ADA improvements, Roseland lighting, Roseland pavement). Park impact fees fund projects in four districts; Measure M (Parks for All) splits 50% capital/40% maintenance/10% recreation. Key projects: Hearn Avenue Interchange, Highway 101 bike/pedestrian overcrossing, Lower Colgan Creek Phase 3, and various water/wastewater infrastructure.

Key Outcomes

• No formal actions were taken, as the session was for discussion and direction.
• Councilmember C. Rogers proposed reducing the deputy director for community engagement position (saving ~$200K) and capping the labor contract negotiator at $200K instead of $500K, redirecting savings to planning/economic development priorities.
• Councilmember O'Krepke requested clarification on reallocation within the city attorney's office and a definitive cost estimate for a full SRO program.
• Vice Mayor MacDonald expressed interest in staffing law enforcement to reduce response times, exploring shared costs with school districts for SROs, and considering an outreach coordinator for restorative justice.
• Councilmember Fleming requested cost estimates for replacing supervised adult crews with unincarcerated labor and for a higher-level DEI position.
• Councilmember Stapp supported investing in grants management and technology.
• Mayor Rogers addressed the SRO topic, noting the need for proactive budgeting and ongoing discussions with the school board.
• Staff will incorporate feedback and present a revised budget for formal adoption in June.