Santa Rosa City Council Regular Meeting - February 13, 2024
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Santa Rosa City Council Regular Meeting - February 13, 2024
This meeting of the Santa Rosa City Council included a study session on homelessness and council compensation, a proclamation for Black History Month, consent calendar approvals, two public hearings (vacant properties program and senior care facility zoning), approval of a right‑of‑way vacation, adoption of the 2024 State Legislative Platform, and extensive public comment on the Israel‑Hamas conflict (ceasefire resolution requests). The meeting ran from 2:00 p.m. to 9:26 p.m.
Consent Calendar
- Resolution – Maintenance Agreement with Caltrans for Highway 101 Bicycle/Pedestrian Overcrossing (Item 13.1): Approved unanimously (4‑0).
- Resolution – Fourth Amendment to PlaceWorks, Inc. Agreement for General Plan 2050, GHG Reduction Strategy, and EIR (Item 13.2): Approved unanimously (4‑0).
- Resolution – Second Amendment to Geary, Shea, O’Donnell, Grattan & Mitchell P.C. Agreement for Legal Representation (Item 13.3): Approved unanimously (4‑0).
- Ordinance – Correcting Clerical Error in Hazardous Vegetation and Fuels Management Chapter (Item 13.4): Introduced on first reading, approved unanimously (4‑0).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Closed Session Comment (Item 3): Four speakers (Steve Birdlebough, Duane DeWitt, James Duncan, Thomas Ells) expressed support for the Jennings Avenue at‑grade pedestrian/bicycle crossing and urged continued progress.
- Study Session – Homelessness Plan (Item 4.1): Duane DeWitt thanked staff for efforts and requested support for HUD‑VASH vouchers for homeless veterans in Roseland. Michael Hilber linked homelessness to drug problems and called for a new police chief. Canini spoke off‑topic; Thomas Els noted the plan did not reference the 2015 Homelessness Act.
- Study Session – Council Compensation (Item 4.2): Duane DeWitt urged no action, preferring citizen representatives over professional politicians. Michael Hilber supported no action due to financial constraints. Susan L. advocated using average rather than median income. Thomas Els supported a salary change only if council commits to a “paradigm shift” regarding Hearn Avenue.
- Proclamation – Black History Month (Item 7.1): Duane DeWitt praised the proclamation and encouraged NAACP membership. Alyn Wolves thanked the pro‑Palestine speaker. Ms. Brumfield, an educator, called for continued conversation on student empowerment and safety beyond February.
- Community Empowerment Plan Update (Item 8.1): Canini requested allowing community members to place items on the agenda and moving public comment to the beginning of meetings. Duane DeWitt echoed the need for public involvement and evening meetings.
- Litigation Report (Item 9.1): No public comment.
- Non‑Agenda Matters – First Period (Item 14): Twelve speakers, mostly calling for the council to pass a ceasefire resolution regarding Gaza. Duane DeWitt criticized reduced public comment time and lack of community agenda access. Thomas Els linked local access issues to Gaza. Others (Jason Sweeney, In Hui Lee, Danielle Lemaitre, Simcha Schwartz, Dino Ortega, Gary Huntsman, Canini, Patrick Wylie, Lena Rothman, Therese Maganam‑Walrath) expressed varied opinions: most supported a ceasefire, some conditioned it on hostage release and Hamas surrender.
- Public Hearings – Item 16.1 (Vacant Properties): Duane DeWitt supported the program, citing blight in Roseland.
- Public Hearings – Item 16.2 (Senior Care Zoning): No public comment.
- Right‑of‑Way Vacation (Item 15.1): No public comment.
- State Legislative Platform (Item 15.2): Thomas Els commented on a legal determination linking groundwater to surface water.
- Non‑Agenda Matters – Second Period (Item 18): More than 30 speakers, predominantly calling for a ceasefire resolution. Speakers included Hanan Huneidi, Jen Miller (reading Rabbi Erwin Keller’s letter in support), Bri Perkins, Jordan B., Jackie Mermet, Andrew Engdahl, Johanna James, Ari Vinion, Julie Rachanna Chasen, Virginia Newell, Mark Rudow (opposed, urged hostage release and Hamas surrender), Shawna Thompson, Michael Titone, Roberta Berg (urged focus on local issues), Stan Roadman (supported ceasefire only with hostage release and Hamas surrender), Jimmy W., Aviva Lipkowitz, Allegra, Josh Stillen, Lee Vandeveer, Maribi Mendoza, Tess Caldwell, Kelsey Vero, Julia Rapkin, Karen (11‑year‑old, expressed fear of antisemitism), Lev (opposed ceasefire, called it support for Hamas), Susan L. (urged council to act), several anonymous, Taryk, Jean B., Ronni, Hanna, Diana Kingsbury, Alyn Wolves, Tavy Tornedo, Dax (suggested focus on local defense contractors), Margaret DeMeo, Maria Callahan, Hugo Mermet, Katrin Ciaffa, Esther (opposed, cited Hamas’s role), Joshua Pinaula, Edison.
Discussion Items
- Study Session – Homelessness Solutions Strategic Plan Year One (Item 4.1): Kelli Kuykendall presented progress on the five‑year plan (2023‑2027). Key accomplishments: awarded $2.3 million in HOME‑ARP funds, received $232,000 for Sam Jones Hall improvements, launched Encampment Resolution Fund grant, and reported a 30% decrease in homelessness in Santa Rosa (from 2022 to 2023 count). City invests about $5 million annually in homeless services. Council Member MacDonald asked about youth homelessness; Megan Bassinger noted coordination with county and monitoring of SAY’s future. Council received the report.
- Study Session – Options for Increasing Future Council Compensation (Item 4.2): City Attorney Teresa Stricker outlined current salaries ($1,480 /month council, $2,220 /month mayor) and benefits. She presented options: (1) ballot measure tying mayor’s salary to 100% of county AMI (~$115,300/yr) and council to two‑thirds; (2) adopt ordinance under SB 329 increasing salary to $2,550/month council, $3,825/month mayor; (3) take no action. Following public comment, council consensus (with Vice Mayor Stapp leading) directed staff to take no action and not place a ballot measure.
- Proclamation – National Black History Month (Item 7.1): Mayor Rogers read the proclamation, recognizing Black artists and local contributors. Tina Rogers and Victor Temple spoke about youth arts programs. Council accepted the proclamation.
- Community Empowerment Plan Update (Item 8.1): Lon Peterson reported on upcoming police department community meeting (March 6), violence prevention partnership events, and distribution of the Spring/Summer Block Blast guide to 11,000 households.
- City Attorney Report – Settlements and Active Litigation (Item 9.1): Stricker reported settlement of Baxter v. City of Santa Rosa for $87,500 (city’s share), and pending caseload of 28‑30 matters.
- Public Hearing – Vacant Buildings and Lots Compliance Program (Item 16.1): Lou Kirk presented a proposed ordinance to repeal COVID‑19 regulations, create a new Chapter 9‑24 for unmaintained vacant lots and abandoned buildings, add 1.0 FTE Code Enforcement Officer and 2.0 FTE HCS Technicians (three‑year limited term), appropriate $134,148 from the General Fund, and set an annual registration fee of $1,040. The program is intended to be budget‑neutral. Following the hearing, council voted 5‑0 to introduce the ordinance, approve the resolution for staffing and funding, and set the fee.
- Public Hearing – Senior Community Care Facility Zoning Text Amendment (Item 16.2): Senior Planner Kristinae Toomians presented a text amendment exempting senior care facilities from 300‑foot spacing/overconcentration limits and allowing palliative/end‑of‑life care. The Planning Commission recommended approval. Council introduced the ordinance (5‑0).
- Right‑of‑Way Vacation – Montgomery Village (Item 15.1): Senior Planner Monet Sheikhali recommended summary vacation of 18,412 sq ft of rights‑of‑way on Midway Drive and Magowan Drive. Council approved the resolution (5‑0).
- 2024 State Legislative Platform (Item 15.2): Lon Peterson and Sharon Gonsalves (RPPG) reviewed the platform covering 14 policy areas. Council first adopted a resolution (4‑0‑1, Councilmember Okrepkie recused due to conflict with insurance industry) adding a wildfire insurance priority. After a break, Councilmember Okrepkie returned and council voted 5‑0 to adopt the main legislative platform resolution.
Key Outcomes
- Homelessness Plan: Council received the Year One report with no formal action.
- Council Compensation: Direction given to take no action and not pursue a ballot measure.
- Vacant Properties Program (Item 16.1): Ordinance introduced, staff additions and funding approved, registration fee set – all votes 5‑0 (Councilmembers Fleming and C. Rogers absent).
- Senior Care Zoning (Item 16.2): Ordinance introduced on first reading (5‑0). Second reading scheduled for next meeting.
- Right‑of‑Way Vacation (Item 15.1): Approved (5‑0).
- 2024 State Legislative Platform (Item 15.2): Two resolutions adopted: wildfire insurance priority (4‑0‑1) and the full platform (5‑0).
- Ceasefire Resolution Requests: No action taken; the council did not place a ceasefire resolution on the agenda despite numerous public comments.
- Consent Calendar: Items 13.1‑13.4 approved (4‑0).
- Minutes: January 30, 2024 meeting minutes approved as submitted.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon. I'd like to ask the interpreter currently on 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. Once you join the Spanish channel, we recommend you shut off the main audio so you only hear the Spanish translation. Um three point two is conference with labor negotiators. The five PM deadline as noted on the agenda. The live public comment is not a secondary opportunity to provide public comment on the same agenda or non-agenda matter. The first public comment will be from Steve, followed by Dwayne, then James. Please go ahead, Dwayne. Thank you, Mr. With the Transportation and Land Use Coalition. I can remember in 2015 sitting in this room when that when that started. And it's unfortunate that it's taken this long to get it going. But I hope we've reached an agreement with the city and SMART for a reasonable construction cost. So you can take their budget for that hundred and divide it by a hundred, and uh you'll have what the city ought to contribute in order to have that crossing going. So glad to see this moving forward. Thank you. Thank you. The next public comment will be from Dwayne, followed by James and Thomas. Hello, are we ready? Yes, we are. Hello, my name is Dwayne DeWitt. I'm from Roseland, but I frequently spend time over in the Jennings Avenue neighborhoods. I am very supportive of you folks pushing forward to get the Jennings rail pedestrian crossing at grade level. This is most important. For many years now, folks in that neighborhood have been cut off from their access over to Cottingtown easily. And this is something that you folks can get a positive outcome by just continuing to apply pressure upon the Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit folks. This is the type of thing that helps the community, and the community has definitely been burdened by SMART's delay in all of this. Thank you for your time. Thank you. The next comment will be from James, followed by Thomas. I have lived a short walk from the Jennings Crossing since 1978. I have been a party in support of the CPUC application for the crossing since it was first filed. The city has had to file for an extension of time to build the approved crossing. Although there is no opposition, the CPUC's judge has ruled that the city must file a status report on March 1st on any agreement with SMART to construct the crossing. If no agreement is reached, a hearing will be set for the city to justify the extension. Otherwise, the approval will expire and it could be a very long time, if ever, before it is approved again. The crossing is important by itself, but it is also a key component of the Jennings Bicycle Boulevard, which will eventually connect to the planned pedestrian and bicycle overcrossing of 101. The impending development of the very large property at Lance Drive and Guernville Road will, with up to 800 new units, will create additional considerable traffic. The Jennings crossing and bicycle boulevard and the 101 overcrossing will provide an active transportation alternative, which will help alleviate traffic congestion and greenhouse gases. The city council has always acted in the public interest to keep the crossing open. If SMART had honored its commitment to build the crossing, it would have been opened years ago, but SMART did not. Thank you. The next comment will be from Thomas, and then we will move to the Zoom public comments. Please go ahead, Thomas. Thank you very much. Uh uh Jim, thank you. That was well spoken. Uh the transportation and land use coalition has been at the forefront of each of the two items that we're talking about that are bicycle pedestrian crossings today.
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