Santa Rosa City Council Regular Meeting – November 19, 2024

The Santa Rosa City Council met on November 19, 2024, starting with a closed session at 1:33 PM and reconvening in open session at 4:03 PM. The meeting was adjourned at 5:50 PM. Councilmember Dianna MacDonald was absent. The council approved consent items, declared two parcels of land as surplus, set a 50% tax increment commitment for a downtown Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District, approved a street outreach and crisis response contract with New Hope for Youth, and held a public hearing to authorize up to $45 million in bonds for the Casa Roseland affordable housing project. Councilmember Chris Rogers announced his resignation effective December 2, 2024, after being elected to the State Assembly.

Consent Calendar

• Resolution 13.1 – Approved a fourth amendment to a legal services agreement with Geary, Shea, O’Donnell, Grattan & Mitchell P.C., increasing compensation by $190,000 for a total not to exceed $540,000, and appropriating $290,000 from the General Fund for continued representation in the Vannucci litigation.
• Resolution 13.2 – Approved a second amendment to the banking services agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, extending the term to September 4, 2028, and increasing the not-to-exceed amount to $600,000.
• Resolution 13.3 – Accepted a $2,500,000 grant from the California Department of Housing and Community Development for Casa Roseland (665 and 883 Sebastopol Road) and authorized payment to MidPen Housing Corporation.
• Resolution 13.4 – Approved a general services agreement with PCD for audio/visual system upgrades at the Utilities Field Operations Building, totaling $482,641.29.
• Item 13.5 (purchase of a sewer inspection vehicle) and Item 13.6 (firefighter MOU and paramedic side letter) were continued to the December 10, 2024, regular meeting.
• Ordinances 13.7, 13.8, and 13.9 – Adopted on second reading as part of the Resilient City Standards update, including amending the zoning code, reclassifying 8,383 parcels, and adding tentative map extensions for the Tubbs/Nuns Fire areas.

All consent items were approved unanimously (6-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Non-agenda matters (Items 14 and 18): No members of the public provided comments.
• Public Hearing (Item 16.1): No public comments were made during the TEFRA hearing for Casa Roseland bonds.
• Item 15.3: Henry Corona, a representative of New Hope for Youth, spoke in support of the street outreach program, highlighting the organization's preventive work with youth as young as nine years old.

Discussion Items

• 15.1 – Surplus Land Declarations: Jill Scott, Real Estate Manager, presented two parcels: 2610 Franz Kafka Avenue (non-exempt surplus, suitable for housing) and 655 1st Street (exempt surplus, under half an acre). Both were declared surplus; the Franz Kafka site will be offered for affordable housing, and the 1st Street property will be pursued for economic development. The council adopted both resolutions (6-0).
• 15.2 – Downtown Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD) Tax Commitment: Gabe Osburn, Director of Planning and Economic Development, presented the proposed EIFD, which would capture a portion of future property tax increments within the downtown boundary to fund public infrastructure and economic development. The county had committed 25% of its increment. Councilmember Fleming proposed setting the city's commitment at a minimum of 50%, with the option to revisit and adjust (up or down) after the Infrastructure Financing Plan is further developed. The council adopted the resolution as amended (6-0).
• 15.3 – Street Outreach and Crisis Response Agreement: Jeff Tibbetts, Danielle Garduno, and Phillip Rodriguez presented the need for a credible messenger model to address a gap in intervention services since 2017. Data showed a 55% increase in juvenile firearms arrests, a 129% increase in ghost guns seized, and a 49% increase in juvenile case filings year-over-year. The contract with New Hope for Youth is for $1,200,000 over two years (2025-2026), funded by Measure H (PSAP) and potential grants. The council approved the resolution (6-0).
• 16.1 – Public Hearing for Casa Roseland Bonds: Angela Morgan presented the proposal for 75 affordable rental units at 665 and 883 Sebastopol Road. The California Municipal Finance Authority would issue up to $45 million in tax-exempt bonds, with all financial obligations borne by the borrower. The council conducted the public hearing and approved the plan of finance (6-0).

Key Outcomes

• Approved (6-0): Consent items 13.1-13.4 and 13.7-13.9.
• Approved (6-0): Resolutions declaring 2610 Franz Kafka Avenue as surplus land and 655 1st Street as exempt surplus land.
• Approved (6-0): Resolution setting the city’s minimum property tax increment commitment for the Downtown EIFD at 50%, with an option to revisit.
• Approved (6-0): Resolution approving a professional services agreement with New Hope for Youth for street outreach and crisis response services ($1.2 million).
• Approved (6-0): Resolution approving the plan of finance and issuance of up to $45 million in tax-exempt bonds for Casa Roseland.
• Continued: Items 13.5 and 13.6 to the December 10, 2024, regular meeting.
• Councilmember Chris Rogers announced his resignation effective December 2, 2024, having been elected to the California State Assembly.