Santa Rosa City Council Regular Meeting - June 18, 2024

The Santa Rosa City Council met on June 18, 2024, for a regular meeting that began with a closed session at 3:00 PM and reconvened in open session at 5:11 PM. The primary focus was the adoption of the FY 2024-25 Operations and Maintenance Budget and Capital Improvement Program Budget, which included a projected $13.3 million general fund deficit. The meeting also included approval of a consent calendar of ten items, public comments on non-agenda matters—notably in support of saving the Summerfield Cinema—and various council member reports.

Consent Calendar

• Item 13.1: Awarded Contract No. C02395 for Transit Mall Roadbed Rehabilitation to Ghilotti Bros., Inc. for $1,048,835 (total $1,206,160.25 including contingency).
• Item 13.2: Approved the 2023 General Plan, Inclusionary Housing, and Growth Management Annual Report.
• Item 13.3: Approved second amendment with Matrix Consulting Group for a Code Enforcement strategic plan, increasing compensation by $49,980 to $141,480 total.
• Item 13.4: Approved three-year translation and interpretation services agreement with Accent On Languages, Inc. for up to $300,000.
• Item 13.5: Authorized a $1,550,000 matching grant application to Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District for Lower Colgan Creek Neighborhood Park improvements.
• Item 13.6: Granted City Manager, Assistant City Managers, and Mayor authority to sign disaster-related grant applications for three years.
• Item 13.7: Approved fifth amendment with Legal Aid of Sonoma County, increasing compensation by $111,000 (total $599,000) and extending to June 30, 2025.
• Item 13.8: Approved FY 2024/2025 grant agreements totaling $1,038,597 for public services, fair housing, and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA).
• Item 13.9: Approved three-year paratransit and deviated fixed-route service agreement with MV Transportation, Inc. for $7,405,473.
• Item 13.10: Adopted Article XIIIB appropriations limit for FY 2024-25 at $331,203,000.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Non-Agenda Matters (Items 14 & 18): Multiple speakers (Paul Seif, Peter Alexander, Sue Hatter, Derek Stefan, John Duvall) expressed strong support for preserving the Summerfield Cinema, urging the city to consider zoning changes to protect locally owned businesses and prevent conversion to a fitness center. Duane DeWitt spoke on affordable housing needs and the importance of the Housing Authority’s work. One anonymous speaker supported housing vouchers.
• Budget Public Hearing (Item 16.1): Duane DeWitt suggested reallocating Measure O funds to a three-way split for Violence Prevention Partnership and urged pursuing federal brownfield grants for Roseland. Jim McAdler thanked staff for advancing the Southeast Greenway.
• Consent Calendar: Duane DeWitt requested pulling Item 13.2 (General Plan report) for more public discussion. Sunny Noh (Legal Aid) expressed support for Item 13.7 funding eviction prevention. Peter Alexander raised questions on contract awards and translation services.

Discussion Items

• Budget Presentation and Deliberation (Item 16.1): Finance staff presented the FY 2024-25 budget showing a $13.3 million general fund deficit, driven by flat sales tax revenues, rising costs, and the first year of employee wage increases (7% for most bargaining units costing $7.98 million). The five-year forecast indicated reserves would be exhausted by FY 2026-27 if no corrective action is taken. Council discussed:
  • A proposed Climate Action Manager position ($225,000) – several members suggested deferring due to the hiring freeze.
  • Safe parking program – recognized as effective but requiring cost evaluation; Councilmember Rogers noted a potential alternative model.
  • In-Response paramedic program – 24-hour model could qualify for Medicaid reimbursement; currently budgeted at 15-hour model ($2.2 million).
  • School Resource Officers – not included in budget; Councilmember MacDonald requested future consideration with MOU.
  • Potential revenue measures (TOT and business tax) on November ballot, which could provide up to $14 million annually starting FY 2025-26.
  • Cost-saving ideas: facility divestment, merging redundant boards, tourism promotion funding reallocation, zero-based budgeting for next year, and a hiring freeze effective July 1.
• Council Member Reports: Included updates on SMART ridership records, Violent Prevention Partnership efforts, Groundwater Sustainability Agency approval of 43.65 cent extraction rate, and committee appointments (Aaron Pardo to Planning Commission, Vice Mayor Stapp to Zero Waste Sonoma).
• City Attorney Report: One settlement over $50,000 in May (Meadow Green HOA – $263,000). Litigation caseload remains at approximately 36 matters.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Items 13.1–13.10: Approved unanimously (7-0) by motion.
• Budget Resolutions (Primary Budget, Salary Plan, Stormwater Assessment): Adopted 6-0 (Council Member Fleming absent).
• Recreation & Parks Budget Resolutions: Adopted 5-0 (Council Member Fleming absent; Council Member MacDonald recused herself due to personal relationship).
• Transaction and Use Tax Implementation Plan Amendment (gang prevention): Adopted 6-0 (Council Member Fleming absent).
• No action taken on School Resource Officers; staff directed to bring back at mid-year after MOU with school district.
• Hiring freeze and other cost-saving measures to begin July 1.

Meeting adjourned at 7:57 PM.