Santa Rosa City Council Regular Meeting - September 24, 2024: Ballot Measures Support, Park Master Plan Approval, and Consent Agenda
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Santa Rosa City Council Regular Meeting - September 24, 2024
The Santa Rosa City Council met on September 24, 2024, in a regular session that began with a closed session at 2:34 PM and reconvened at 4:07 PM. The meeting included a proclamation, reports, consent items, a report on ballot measures, and two public hearings. Key actions included supporting six local and state ballot measures, approving the Roseland Creek Community Park Master Plan and its environmental impact report, and advancing annexation and prezoning to address groundwater contamination. The meeting adjourned at 6:57 PM.
Consent Calendar
- Resolution RES-2024-150: Adopted funding recommendations for the Measure H (2022) CHOICE Cycle XII Grant Program (January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2027), with Year Two and Three funding contingent on successful completion of prior years. Authorized the City Manager to execute agreements.
- Resolution RES-2024-151: Adopted an amended Conflict of Interest Code for the City of Santa Rosa, biennially required.
- Resolution RES-2024-152: Approved Supplement No. 5 to the Master Funding Agreement with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, up to $200,000 in Exchange Funds for quick-build low-stress bicycle facilities using K71 bollards on four roadway segments.
- Resolution RES-2024-153: Authorized submittal of a grant application to the State Department of Housing and Community Development’s Prohousing Incentive Pilot Program, up to $1,250,000, for multifamily affordable rental housing.
- Resolutions RES-2024-154, -155, -156: Approved a two-year extension of grant writing services with Renne Public Policy Group (total $148,800) and assigned both grant writing (F002573) and state legislative advocacy (F002371) agreements from Renne Public Law Group, LLP to California Public Policy Group.
- Resolution RES-2024-157: Increased compensation with Stroupe Petroleum Maintenance, Inc. by $50,000 for fuel station testing, inspection, maintenance, and repair, for a new total not to exceed $145,000.
- Resolution RES-2024-158: Added $95,000 to blanket purchase order 172139 with Cream’s Towing, Inc. for abandoned vehicle abatement services, total cumulative amount not to exceed $145,000.
- Resolution RES-2024-159: Approved a seven-year, $2,523,601.11 agreement with Accela, Inc. for a cloud-hosted SaaS solution for development-related permitting, inspections, and code enforcement.
- Item 13.9 (General Business Tax ordinance amendment) was continued from the previous meeting to October 8, 2024.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Sam Hoel (Firefighters Local 1401) addressed closed session labor negotiations, stating the union is out of contract and seeking equitable treatment compared to other city units, citing offers of 7%-4%-4% plus up to 5% survey adjustments for other units and over 15% for safety units.
- Duane De Witt (Roseland) spoke on multiple items, including concerns about grant allocation transparency at the Community Advisory Board and urged the city to apply for EPA Brownfields grants for Roberts Avenue. He also presented historical handouts from a 2002 Roseland cleanup to show long-term community involvement.
- Eric Fraser (No on EEFF.com) opposed item 13.8 (Accela software) and later item 13.9 (business tax), arguing the tax unfairly burdens small businesses with an 800% minimum tax increase and that the city’s claims about funding parks and streets are misleading since proceeds go to the general fund.
- Melissa Stewart (Chops Teen Club), Veronica Cruz (Restorative Resources), KT Swan (Buckelew), and Gabby Holmes (TLC Child and Family Services) all spoke in support of the CHOICE Cycle XII grant funding, thanking the city for the awards.
- Omar Lopez (Generation Housing) supported Proposition 5, stating local housing bond Measure N in 2018 failed despite majority support due to supermajority requirements, and urged endorsement of Prop 5 to lower the approval threshold for housing and infrastructure bonds.
- Ana Diaz (Roseland) opposed the prezoning item 16.1 if it leads to more housing in the Moorland area, citing evacuation concerns during fires with limited exits. Later, she supported the Roseland Creek Park plan, requesting a crosswalk for student safety and future outreach at local schools.
- Carolyn Spencer raised concerns about unequal treatment of a stabbing at Elsie Allen High School compared to a similar incident at Montgomery, and questioned youth protections.
- Adina Flores (Activist) alleged conflicts of interest by Vice Mayor Stapp regarding Groundwater Agency decisions affecting wineries, and opposed Measure I due to administrative costs and a pending lawsuit against the Boys & Girls Club.
- David Harris requested re-evaluation of the sewer cap calculation method.
- On item 16.2 (Roseland Creek Park), numerous speakers expressed positions:
- Omar Lopez (resident) strongly supported the plan, noting the balance of active and passive recreation and safe walking paths.
- Joe Salinas (Pomo Dancer) supported the park but requested a Pomo Park name, a talking circle, and a dog park. He noted that his tribe (Cashayas) and Cloverdale were not consulted.
- Alicia Wray opposed the current parking amount, asking for more natural preservation.
- David Harris opposed the current design, suggesting preparation for future autonomous transportation and reduced parking.
- Virginia Hotz opposed, citing climate resilience and need for restoration of three ecosystems.
- Seth Tippey opposed, stressing the need to keep the park natural.
- Jamie opposed, referencing a superior alternative plan (the Neighborwood plan) focusing on restoration and conservation.
- Richard Drury (Roseland Action) urged adoption of the Neighborwood alternative, arguing it is environmentally superior and should be legally required under CEQA.
- Jorge Inocencio supported the plan, noting Southwest Community Park is at capacity and the plan is a good compromise.
Discussion Items
- Ballot Measures (Item 15.1): Following a study session on September 10, 2024, staff recommended supporting six measures on the November 5, 2024 ballot: Measure I (Sonoma County – “Our Kids Our Future” quarter-cent sales tax for early childhood and mental health, estimated $30 million/year), Measure W (Sonoma County – library sales tax, continuation of 2016 Measure Y), Proposition 2 (state education bond), Proposition 3 (repeal Prop 8, define marriage right), Proposition 4 (state climate bond), and Proposition 5 (lower threshold for housing and infrastructure bonds from 2/3 to 55%). Council members expressed support, and the motion passed 5-0.
- Prezoning and Annexation (Item 16.1): The Council considered prezoning 34 parcels on Barbara Drive, Robin Way, Eddy Drive, Moorland Avenue, and Bellevue Avenue to R-1-6 and R-2 zoning to support annexation and connection to city water for 29 parcels with nitrate-contaminated groundwater. No new development is proposed. The ordinance was introduced and resolution adopted 5-0.
- Roseland Creek Community Park (Item 16.2): The Council considered certifying the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR), approving the Master Plan, and adopting CEQA Findings of Fact and Mitigation Monitoring Program. The Master Plan preserves over 80% of the park as natural or restored, with a multi-use trail, pedestrian bridge, playground, sports court, lawn, picnic areas, native grassland protection, phased parking, and trilingual interpretive signage. Alternatives analyzed included the Neighborwood plan (more restoration, less parking) which was found environmentally superior but rejected as not meeting all project objectives. The Council approved the plan 4-0-1 (Council Member MacDonald recused due to personal relationship; Council Members Fleming and C. Rogers absent).
Key Outcomes
- Ballot Measure Endorsements: The Council voted 5-0 to support Measure I, Measure W, and Propositions 2, 3, 4, and 5 on the November 5, 2024 ballot.
- Prezoning and Annexation: Ordinance introduced and Resolution of Application to LAFCO adopted (5-0) for 34 parcels to address groundwater contamination.
- Roseland Creek Community Park: FEIR certified, Master Plan approved, and CEQA documentation adopted (4-0-1). Staff will file a Notice of Determination.
- Consent Items: All eight resolutions (13.1-13.8) approved unanimously (5-0).
- Measure O Citizens Oversight Committee: Council directed the Mayor to support Gerard Giudice (Rohnert Park) and Kevin McDonnell (Petaluma) for two expiring three-year terms, to be appointed by the City Selection Committee on October 10, 2024.
- Closed Session: No reportable actions on real property negotiation (730 3rd Street) or labor negotiations with Firefighters Local 1401.
- Litigation Report: Assistant City Attorney reported no settlements over $50,000 in August 2024; approximately 39 active litigation matters.
- Future Meetings: The next regular meeting is scheduled for October 8, 2024.
Meeting Transcript
Deputy City Clerk, can you please pull the slide and make the Spanish announcement? Yes, this is the Spanish interpreter. I'll start. Oh, hold on one second, Claudia. Sure. Thank you. Good afternoon. I'd like to ask the interpreter currently on the Spanish channel to commence interpretation of the meeting. For those just joining the meeting, live interpretation 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. If you are on your cell phone or tablet, locate the three dots, tap them lightly and put a check mark on your preferred language. Click done to activate and begin the interpretation. Once you join the Spanish channel, we recommend you shut off the main audio so you only hear the Spanish interpretation. Claudia, please go ahead and restate this in Spanish. Yes, thank you. Today is the 24th of September, and we'll be starting our meeting. Councilmember McDonald. Here. Yes, we do need to have you. Um let me finish roll call and then we'll do we you will need to have your camera on. So uh councilmember Fleming is present. Councilmember Alvarez. Present. Vice Mayor Stapp. And Mayor Rogers. Present. Let the record show that all council members are present with the exception of Councilmember Chris Rogers. Thank you. Moving on to item two, which is remote participation under AB two four four nine. Councilmember Fleming has identified a need for remote participation under AB two four four nine for this council meeting. Councilmember Fleming, can you please provide your related statement? Yes, thank you. Thank you. The just cause provision requires no additional action by council, but does require public comment to be taken via Zoom if a council member participates remotely. Throughout today's agenda, at each time, we will take public comment in person, then look for hands raised in Zoom. Madam City Clerk, can you please facilitate public comment on item two? Thank you, Mayor. We are now taking public comments on item two under the just cause provision of AB two four four nine. There's no one in council chamber, therefore no public comments from chamber. I will look and ask anyone wishing to provide public comment via Zoom to raise their hands on item two. City Deputy City Clerk, can you please facilitate? I the hand has gone down. Is there anyone wishing to make public comment via Zoom? I am seeing no hands raised at this time. Thank you, Deputy City Clerk. Mayor, there are no public comments on item two. Thank you. Moving on to item three, announcement of our closed session items. We have two closed session items for today. Item 3.1, conference with real property negotiators, and item 3.2, conference with labor negotiators.
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