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Record of Proceedings

Santa Rosa City Council Regular Meeting – September 26, 2023: General Plan, Water Supply, Graffiti Abatement, and Refuse Rate Increase

City Council — Tuesday, September 26, 2023
BodySanta Rosa, California
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, September 26, 2023
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 5:38:49

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
5:31

Pablo, we're trying to get a sound check on the last interpreter here before we get this meeting started.

5:38

Is everything okay with you?

5:44

Um Spanish interpreter testing one two.

5:58

Thank you, Pablo.

6:05

Oh, sorry, yeah.

6:43

Great.

6:48

I heard you were a little warmery.

6:56

Nobody met better than one.

8:08

We don't have any staff with us, so I don't think we need any.

8:11

We don't need them, really.

9:03

On the toolbar, it looks like a globe.

9:05

Once you join the Spanish channel, we recommend you shut off the main audio so you only hear the Spanish translation.

9:11

Interpreter, will you please respee restate this in Spanish?

10:11

All right.

10:12

Welcome everyone to our September twenty sixth, twenty twenty three, uh, Santa Rosa City Council meeting.

10:19

It is now twelve thirty thirty three, and we will be starting our meeting seeing a quorum.

10:26

Madam City Clerk, can you please call roll?

10:29

Thank you, Mayor.

10:30

Council Member Staff.

10:32

Council Member Rogers.

10:34

Council Member O'Krupke.

10:36

Council Member Fleming.

10:37

Council Member Alvarez.

10:39

Vice Mayor McDonald.

10:41

Here.

10:43

Let the record reflect all council members are present.

10:47

We will now proceed to item two point one, which is our closed session of the day conference with legal counsel on existing litigation.

11:02

We are now taking public comment on item two point one.

11:06

If you are participating via Zoom, please raise your hand or dial star nine.

1:07:44

I'd like to ask the interpreter currently in the Spanish channel to commence translation of the meeting.

1:07:50

For those just joining the meeting, live translation in Spanish is available, and members of the public or staff wishing to listen in Spanish can join the Spanish channel by clicking on the interpretation icon in the Zoom toolbar.

1:08:03

It looks like a globe.

1:10:02

Welcome back everyone.

1:10:04

It is now one thirty-three, and we will resume our meeting.

1:10:08

Madam City Clerk, may you please call the role.

1:10:11

Thank you, Mayor.

1:10:12

Council Member Stapp.

1:10:13

Here.

1:10:14

Councilmember Rogers.

1:10:15

Here.

1:10:15

Councilmember O'Krepki.

1:10:17

Here.

1:10:17

Council Member Fleming.

1:10:19

Here.

1:10:19

Councilmember Alvarez.

1:10:20

Present.

1:10:21

Vice Mayor McDonald.

1:10:22

Here.

1:10:23

Mayor Rogers.

1:10:24

Present.

1:10:24

Let the record reflect all council members are present.

1:10:28

We will now proceed to item 3.1 and 3.2, our study sessions for the day.

1:10:35

Madam City Manager.

1:10:38

Thank you, Mayor.

1:10:38

Good afternoon, members of council.

1:10:40

Item 3.1 is the draft general plan, Santa Rosa Forward.

1:10:46

If the team could calm down and please introduce yourself for the record, thank you.

1:10:57

Good afternoon, uh Mayor Rogers, Vice Mayor McDonald, members of the council.

1:11:01

My name is Jessica Jones.

1:11:03

I'm the deputy director uh for planning.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Engagement█████████████████17%
Procedural███████████████15%
Water And Wastewater Management██████████████14%
Planning And Zoning███████████11%
Pending Litigation█████████9%
Public Safety█████5%
Waste Management█████5%
Community Engagement████4%
Code Enforcement███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Santa Rosa City Council Regular Meeting – September 26, 2023

The Santa Rosa City Council met in regular session on September 26, 2023, starting at 12:30 PM with a closed session on existing litigation (no reportable action), followed by study sessions on the Draft General Plan 2050 and Water Supply Alternatives Plan. The regular session began at 4:00 PM, where the Council issued a proclamation, approved a consent calendar of eight items, debated a graffiti abatement pilot program, and approved a 4.33% refuse rate increase effective January 1, 2024.

Study Sessions

3.1 Draft General Plan – Santa Rosa Forward

  • Presentation: Staff (Jessica Jones, Shari Meads, Beatriz Guerrero Auna) presented the draft General Plan 2050, which includes goals, policies, and actions for land use, circulation, environmental justice, health equity, climate resilience, and more. The plan is open for public comment through October 1, 2023.
  • Council Discussion: Councilmembers raised numerous refinements, including adjustments to VMT targets, inclusion of cell phone infrastructure, clarity on drive‑through elimination (all new drive‑throughs proposed for elimination), and requests for a specific VMT reduction target. Staff agreed to remove Action 3‑1.3 (redundant screening tool) and correct several policies.
  • Public Comment: Ken Macnab (Todd Creek property owners) supported the plan but requested modifying Figure 2‑5 to include the Todd Creek area as an Area of Change and coordination with LAFCO on disadvantaged communities. Adrian Covert (Santa Rosa YIMBY) expressed general support while calling for a more ambitious VMT target and fewer actions that increase driving. Several off‑topic speakers were disconnected.

3.2 Water Supply Alternatives Plan

  • Presentation: Colin Close (Senior Water Resources Planner) and consultants Woodard & Curran presented initial feasibility results and four draft portfolios to diversify water supply and enhance drought resilience. The portfolios include combinations of groundwater wells, aquifer storage and recovery, satellite direct potable reuse, stormwater capture, and efficiency programs.
  • Council Input: Councilmember Fleming asked about potable reuse; staff confirmed it is considered (as purified recycled water) in Portfolio 4. Other council members expressed support for the approach.
  • Public Comment: John Koslowski asked about population growth assumptions; staff stated the plan incorporates a ~30% population increase to 2045.

Proclamation

6.1 Water Professionals Appreciation Week (October 7‑15, 2023): Council member Stapp read the proclamation, and Director Jennifer Burke accepted on behalf of Santa Rosa Water staff.

Consent Calendar

  • 12.1 – Professional Services Agreement with Data Instincts ($236,500) for community engagement on Coffey Park/Fountaingrove road recovery (adopted as Resolution RES‑2023‑163).
  • 12.2 – Work Order with Coastland|DCCM ($1,562,459) for construction management and inspection services on the same project (motion approved).
  • 12.3 – Accept $13,835,903.15 CDBG‑DR grant and award construction contract to Argonaut Constructors ($20,031,245.97) for road recovery (Resolution RES‑2023‑164).
  • 12.4 – Authorize joint agreements with MidPen Housing and SMART for AHSC grant funds for Roseland Village Housing (Resolution RES‑2023‑165).
  • 12.5 – Re‑adopt Council Policies 200‑20 and 200‑21 on priority water/sewer service for affordable housing (Resolution RES‑2023‑166).
  • 12.6 – Approve blanket purchase order with BMI Imaging ($475,000) for microfiche conversion (Resolution RES‑2023‑167).
  • 12.7 – Approve professional services agreement with Quadriga Landscape Architecture ($603,763.60) for Kawana Springs Park design (Resolution RES‑2023‑168).
  • 12.8 – Extend proclamation of local homeless emergency (Resolution RES‑2023‑169).
  • Public Comment: One speaker opposed item 12.1, citing the $170/hour consultant rate as fiscally irresponsible. Councilmember Rogers expressed similar concern but noted the contract is supplemental and approved it with the intent to monitor costs. The consent agenda was approved unanimously (7‑0).

Report Item 14.1 – Graffiti Abatement Pilot Program

  • Proposal: Accept $285,200 from the Sonoma County Landfill Settlement Agreement to fund an 18‑month pilot program, including 1.0 FTE limited‑term Code Enforcement Technician and 0.5 FTE Community Outreach Specialist.
  • Council Discussion: Councilmembers stressed the need for rapid removal, coordination with police for gang‑related graffiti, accessibility for residents (e.g., a dedicated website/hotline), and helping private property owners, especially those unable to pay. Staff committed to creating a single point of contact.
  • Public Comment: One speaker advocated a hard‑line approach (disconnected after making a racist comment).
  • Outcome: Resolution RES‑2023‑170 was adopted unanimously (7‑0).

Report Item 14.2 – Refuse Rate Increase (Recology)

  • Proposal: Approve a 4.33% rate increase effective January 1, 2024, based on a detailed rate review that reduced Recology’s initial request from 7.46% to 4.33%, saving $2 million annually. Also authorize the City Manager to negotiate a Fifth Amendment.
  • Council Discussion: Councilmember Rogers noted a discrepancy in the resolution (stated 2023 instead of 2024) and confirmed it would be corrected. Councilmembers discussed street sweeping quality and the need for clear notice to residents; staff agreed to review performance standards.
  • Public Comment: None.
  • Outcome: Resolution RES‑2023‑171 was adopted unanimously (7‑0).

Public Comments on Non‑Agenda Matters

  • JoAnn Jones (Country Home Mobile Home Park) urged the Council to initiate overlay zoning for senior parks under rent control to prevent conversion to all‑age parks.
  • Sidnee Cox (EMF Safety Network) spoke against state bills AB 965 and AB 1065 and federal bill HR 3557, which would limit local control over telecom infrastructure.
  • Tom LaPenna (Santa Rosa Manufactured Homeowners Association) requested overlay zoning for 12 senior parks and removal or reduction of the in‑place transfer fee in the rent control ordinance.

Key Outcomes

  • Closed Session: No reportable action taken on litigation (Angelina Lopez, et al. vs. City of Santa Rosa).
  • Study Sessions: Received and filed; staff will incorporate Council and public input into final General Plan and Water Supply Plan.
  • Consent Items 12.1‑12.8: Approved unanimously (7‑0).
  • Graffiti Abatement Pilot Program: Approved (Resolution RES‑2023‑170, 7‑0). Funding of $285,200 appropriated.
  • Refuse Rate Increase: Approved (Resolution RES‑2023‑171, 7‑0) – 4.33% effective January 1, 2024; City Manager authorized to negotiate Fifth Amendment.
  • Proclamation: Declared October 7‑15, 2023 as Water Professionals Appreciation Week.

Meeting Transcript

Pablo, we're trying to get a sound check on the last interpreter here before we get this meeting started. Is everything okay with you? Um Spanish interpreter testing one two. Thank you, Pablo. Oh, sorry, yeah. Great. I heard you were a little warmery. Nobody met better than one. We don't have any staff with us, so I don't think we need any. We don't need them, really. On the toolbar, it looks like a globe. Once you join the Spanish channel, we recommend you shut off the main audio so you only hear the Spanish translation. Interpreter, will you please respee restate this in Spanish? All right. Welcome everyone to our September twenty sixth, twenty twenty three, uh, Santa Rosa City Council meeting. It is now twelve thirty thirty three, and we will be starting our meeting seeing a quorum. Madam City Clerk, can you please call roll? Thank you, Mayor. Council Member Staff. Council Member Rogers. Council Member O'Krupke. Council Member Fleming. Council Member Alvarez. Vice Mayor McDonald. Here. Let the record reflect all council members are present. We will now proceed to item two point one, which is our closed session of the day conference with legal counsel on existing litigation. We are now taking public comment on item two point one. If you are participating via Zoom, please raise your hand or dial star nine. I'd like to ask the interpreter currently in the Spanish channel to commence translation of the meeting. For those just joining the meeting, live translation in Spanish is available, and members of the public or staff wishing to listen in Spanish can join the Spanish channel by clicking on the interpretation icon in the Zoom toolbar. It looks like a globe. Welcome back everyone. It is now one thirty-three, and we will resume our meeting. Madam City Clerk, may you please call the role. Thank you, Mayor. Council Member Stapp. Here. Councilmember Rogers. Here. Councilmember O'Krepki. Here. Council Member Fleming. Here. Councilmember Alvarez. Present. Vice Mayor McDonald. Here. Mayor Rogers. Present.

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