Santa Rosa City Council Regular Meeting Summary - July 11, 2023
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Santa Rosa City Council Regular Meeting Summary - July 11, 2023
The Santa Rosa City Council held a regular meeting on July 11, 2023, starting with a closed session at 3:30 PM and reconvening for the open session at 4:26 PM. The meeting included proclamations, staff briefings, reports, consent calendar approvals, and two public hearings, adjourning at 6:45 PM. All five present council members (Mayor Natalie Rogers, Vice Mayor Dianna MacDonald, Council Members Victoria Fleming, Jeff Okrepkie, and Mark Stapp) were joined by Council Members Eddie Alvarez and Chris Rogers at 5:01 PM and 5:02 PM respectively.
Proclamations
- Alan Silow: Recognized for his 20+ year career as President and CEO of the Santa Rosa Symphony, including 20 consecutive years of being cash positive, growing the endowment from $1.5 million to $17 million, and helping raise $145 million for the Green Music Center. He was named the Symphony's first President and CEO Emeritus.
- Parks Make Life Better Month: July 2023 was proclaimed as Parks Make Life Better Month. Deputy Director Jen Santos highlighted the department's over 1,000 acres of parks and the hiring of 300+ temporary employees for summer programs.
Staff Briefings
- Community Empowerment Plan Update: Lon Peterson reported on recruitment efforts for a communications engagement manager and an administrative secretary.
- Park a Month Program Update: Jen Santos and staff presented the program's success: 415 volunteers (double the previous year), 11 events, and 1,245 volunteer hours. The next event is scheduled for Pioneer Park.
City Attorney Report
- City Attorney Sue Gallagher reported a settlement in Pelayo vs. Utility Partners of America for $250,000, affirmed by the courts, and noted 26 pending litigation cases.
Council Reports
- Mayor Rogers announced a $10 million grant from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to purchase new American-built buses and improve transit services.
- Council Member Stapp reported on community events and the Ag + Open Space Advisory Committee recommendation for additional funding for Tierra de Rosas (but not Colgan Creek).
- Council Member C. Rogers reported on the Climate Action Subcommittee, SCTA/RCPA, and Sonoma Clean Power, including updates on PG&E's proposed asset reorganization.
- Council Member Okrepkie reported on the Boys & Girls Club grand opening in Roseland and a police command staff briefing.
- Council Member Okrepkie was appointed chair of the Public Safety Subcommittee.
Consent Calendar
- Approved items 12.1–12.9 and 12.11–12.17 unanimously, with an amendment to item 12.7 (authorizing the City Manager instead of the Assistant City Manager to execute grant documents). Item 12.10 was continued to a date uncertain.
- Key approvals included: design-build procurement for Samuel L. Jones Hall Homeless Shelter Phase 2; pavement maintenance contract for $2,698,573; federal legislative advocacy services for $588,000; acceptance of a $3,883,032.30 Encampment Resolution Funding grant; purchase of a mobile hostage negotiation unit for $313,520.19; purchase of five transit/paratransit cutaway vehicles for $1,023,437; acceptance of a $5,000,000 California State Library grant; and various contract amendments.
- Public comments on item 12.17 (mobile home rent control) were made by JoAnn Jones (support), Tom LaPenna (support, suggested removal of in-place transfer component), and Margaret DeMatteo (Legal Aid, support).
- A pre-recorded comment on item 12.6 questioned the purchase of gas-powered vehicles. Staff explained that cutaway vehicles are not yet available in electric versions meeting range requirements, and the city is transitioning where feasible.
Public Hearings
Tierra de Rosas Appeal (EXT22-0019)
- John Paulsen, appellant, argued that the project violates a recorded easement for parking and circulation. Public comments included support from Robert Nellessen and Satnam Walia (parking concerns), and opposition from Ramon Meraz, Joshua Shipper (Generation Housing), Margaret DeMatteo (Legal Aid), and Eris Weaver (Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition), who supported the project and upholding the Planning Commission's decision.
- Council voted 7-0 to deny the appeal and uphold the Planning Commission's approval of a one-year extension for the tentative map.
Resolution of Necessity for Highway 101 Bicycle and Pedestrian Overcrossing
- The Council considered acquiring 709 square feet of fee simple interest and a 3,495 square foot temporary construction easement from 1975 Cleveland Avenue (APN 012-490-052) for the project. Staff detailed negotiation efforts and the project's public benefits.
- Public comment from Eris Weaver (Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition) supported the project.
- Council voted 7-0 to adopt the resolution of necessity.
Public Comments on Non-Agenda Matters
- Nathan Coogan requested improved signage for dog off-leash areas at Tanglewood Park.
- Eris Weaver praised the newly completed two-way protected cycle track on Armory and encouraged similar projects on other high-traffic roads.
Key Outcomes
- Consent calendar approved unanimously.
- Ordinance ORD-2023-009 adopted on second reading, setting a cumulative limit on mobile home rent increases for 2023 and 2024.
- Resolution RES-2023-125 adopted denying the Tierra de Rosas appeal.
- Resolution RES-2023-126 adopted for the resolution of necessity for the Highway 101 overcrossing.
- Interim City Attorney appointed (Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP) with an ordinance to establish compensation introduced.
- Minutes for June 6 and June 20, 2023, approved as submitted.
Meeting Transcript
Bienvenidos a la reunion. For those who resent in seven and deciding a reunion in Spanish, we're going to say for unit, I'll click on the eco the interpretation, que everything in a barrel that functions too. It is great to be back. Councilmember Rogers. Councilmember O'Krepke. Councilmember Fleming. Councilmember Alvarez. President. Item two point one conference with legal counsel and anticipated litigation. Madam City Clerk, may you please conduct public comment? If you are participating via Zoom, please raise your hand or dial star nine. All right, we will now resume our meeting. Madam City Clerk, may you please call the roll. Thank you, Mayor. Councilmember Stapp, your Councilmember Rogers. Councilmember Krepke? Councilmember Fleming? Your Councilmember Alvarez? Vice Mayor McDonald? Here. Mayor Rogers. President. Let the record show that all council members are present with the exception of Councilmember Rogers and Councilmember Alvarez. We have no study sessions today, so we'll go on to item five, our report on our closed session. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Um the council just met in closed session on item two point one, which is conference with legal counsel and an anticipated litigation. Uh the council did receive information from legal council, and uh no final action was taken. Thank you. Thank you. We'll now move on to items six point one and six point two are proclamations for this afternoon. Um item six point one will be read by Council Member Stapp. Thank you, Mayor Rogers. Whereas we are here today to express special recognition to Alan Silo and to honor him for his distinguished two decade plus career as president and CEO of the Santa Rosa Symphony. And whereas upon his retirement, Alan Silo will be named the Symphony's first president and CEO emeritus in the 95 year history of the Santa Rosa Symphony. And whereas the Santa Rosa Symphony has grown to become the third largest in the state, with a music education program that serves some thirty thousand young people each year. And whereas Allen has led the Santa Rosa Symphony to be widely recognized on the state and national orchestral map for organizational excellence, artistically, educationally, and financially. And whereas some of the highlights of Alan's career include accomplishing 20 consecutive years of being cash positive, unsurpassed by any other California orchestra, overseeing an endowment fund that grew from one point five million to seventeen million today, displaying commanding leadership that helped rejuvenate a capital fundraising campaign to raise one hundred forty five million to build Sonoma State Sonoma State University's world class Green Music Center, where Sonoma State Symphony has been a resident orchestra since twenty twelve. And as a side note, a special thanks from the Sonoma State University Advancement Office for that for that assistance. And whereas Alan's legacy of leadership as a champion of the arts has made a meaningful distance difference in our community. Now therefore, be it resolved that I, Natalie Rogers, mayor of the City of Santa Rosa, on behalf of the entire City Council, do hereby recognize Alan Silo for his vital contributions to the City of Santa Rosa and the Santa Rosa Symphony. I was just going to invite you to the podium to say something. Well, if you need to, you can come right here if that's easier for you. Twenty-one years does count for something. And I said the one word was community. And with the Santa Rosa Symphony, I would say mission accomplished beyond our wildest dreams. And I'm very grateful for that and grateful for that proclamation. Thank you so much. Madam City Clerk, may you please facilitate public comment? We are now taking public comment on item six point one. If you are in the council chamber and would like to make a comment, but have not provided a speaker card or your name, please make your way to the podiums.
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