Santa Rosa City Council Regular Meeting - May 23, 2023

The Santa Rosa City Council met on May 23, 2023, starting at 2:30 p.m. with a closed session, followed by board interviews at 3:30 p.m., and a regular session at 4:00 p.m. The meeting included proclamations, a staff briefing, approval of consent items, a repeal of the cruising ordinance, and introduction of a housing code amendment. The meeting adjourned at 6:35 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• Item 13.1: Adoption of Final Report of City Council Priorities – Approved unanimously (5-0). The report summarizes the March 9-10, 2023 priority-setting workshop.
• Item 13.2: Eighth Amendment to Agreement with R3 Consulting Group, Inc. – Approved unanimously (5-0). Authorizes a $70,000 rate review of Recology’s January 1, 2024 rate application, with total contract not to exceed $448,910.
• Item 13.3: Resolution Opposing Initiative 21-0042A1 – Approved unanimously (5-0). Opposes the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act, a proposed statewide ballot measure for November 2024.
• Item 13.4: First Amendment to Agreement with Turbo Data Systems, Inc. – Approved unanimously (5-0). Extends parking citation processing services through June 30, 2024, and increases compensation by $94,000 for a total not-to-exceed amount of $519,000.
• Item 13.5: Amendment No. 2 to City Manager’s Employment Agreement – Approved unanimously (5-0). Provides a 5% merit increase effective January 1, 2023 (to $290,588), a 2.5% COLA effective July 2, 2023 (to $297,853), additional merit increases through 2025, a $4,800 wellness benefit, a five-year contract term, and an opportunity to explore housing loan options.

Public Comments & Testimony

• On Consent Items: Duane DeWitt criticized the lack of public detail on the priorities report and opposed the ballot measure and City Manager pay. Eric Fraser and Gregory Fearon also commented on transparency and the need for better public access to information.
• On Non-Agenda Matters (Item 14): Several Roseland University Prep students (Kevin Becerra Herrera, Alexandra Mendoza, Eunice Lopez, Christian Mojico, Daniela Grassi) spoke about the Roseland Creek Care Project, including art outreach on pollution reduction and hands-on restoration. Alina Nuebel and teacher Silvia I. Langan advocated for the project and a community micro-grid. Maureen Linde, Eric Fraser, and David Long spoke against current short-term rental rules, citing noise, disruption, and zoning inconsistencies. Duane DeWitt praised the creek work and urged conservation of Roseland Creek. Gregory Fearon highlighted the city’s affordable housing map and noted that approximately 2,000 mobile home park units lost regulatory affordability controls in February 2023.
• On Cruising Ordinance Repeal (Item 15.1): Jose Mico Quiroz and Teresa Medina expressed strong support for repealing the ordinance, sharing personal stories about lowrider culture and its positive role in community and healing.

Discussion Items

• Closed Session (Item 2.1): The council met in closed session regarding STG Unocal Place, LLC v. City of Santa Rosa. The city attorney reported that the council approved a settlement of $612,500, with the claimant also agreeing to defend and indemnify the city against future third-party claims. The initial claim was over $2 million.
• Proclamations (Items 7.1-7.4): Presented proclamations for National Public Works Week (May 21-27), Jewish American Heritage Month, Wildfire Awareness Month, and Mental Health Awareness Month. Recipients and community members spoke, including Rabbi George Gittleman on anti-Semitism, Division Chief Paul Lowenthal on wildfire prevention, and inResponse Director Katie Swan on mental health crisis response. The inResponse team has responded to 2,893 calls in 2022, with 1,762 diverted from law enforcement.
• Staff Briefing (Item 8.1): Jennifer Burke, Director of Santa Rosa Water, provided an update on the Russian River Water Forum, a grant-funded collaborative effort to address water supply resiliency following PG&E’s planned decommissioning of the Potter Valley Project. The forum includes a steering committee, planning group, and leadership council. The council’s policy direction includes supporting continued water flow, a regional entity, and proportional funding.
• Mayor’s Absence (Item 11.1.12.1): The council approved (4-0-1, Mayor Rogers abstaining) a motion allowing Mayor Rogers a possible extended absence from June 4 to July 11, 2023, due to travel, with remote participation as allowed by the Brown Act.
• Board Appointments (Item 11.2): Appointed Ever Deras-Flores to the Personnel Board (At-Large), Michael Stanford (Labor Representative), Paul Schwarz (Senior Community Representative, Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board), and Abel Jeffcoat (Disabled Community Representative, Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board). All appointments were approved 5-0.
• Public Financing Authority Appointments (Item 11.2.2): Approved Mayor Rogers’ appointments of Council Members Fleming and C. Rogers as members, and Council Member Stapp as alternate, to the Public Financing Authority (5-0).
• Repeal of Cruising Ordinance (Item 15.1): The council introduced on first reading an ordinance to repeal Chapter 11-16, which prohibited cruising in the core area. Staff noted the ordinance has not been enforced for years and signs have been removed. The repeal aligns with state legislation (AB 463) and recognizes lowrider culture as a positive community and violence prevention element. The motion passed 5-0.
• Housing Legislation Zoning Code Text Amendment (Item 16.1): The council introduced on first reading an ordinance to amend Title 20 of the City Code to comply with 2022 state housing laws. Key changes include reducing parking requirements near transit (AB 2097, AB 2244), extending density bonus provisions (AB 682, AB 2334), allowing residential development on commercial land (SB 6, AB 2011), and educational agency land (AB 2295). The planning commission recommended the changes as required by law. The motion passed 5-0.
• Item 16.2: The public hearing on the 1650 W Steele Lane Apartments appeal was continued to a date uncertain due to low council attendance.

Key Outcomes

• Closed Session Settlement: Approved $612,500 settlement for STG Unocal Place, LLC v. City of Santa Rosa.
• Consent Items: All five items approved unanimously (5-0).
• Mayor’s Absence: Approved 4-0-1 (Mayor abstaining).
• Board Appointments: All four appointments approved unanimously (5-0).
• Public Financing Authority Appointments: Approved unanimously (5-0).
• Cruising Ordinance Repeal: Introduced on first reading, approved unanimously (5-0).
• Housing Legislation Zoning Code Amendment: Introduced on first reading, approved unanimously (5-0).
• Next Meeting: The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at a time to be set by the Mayor.