Santa Rosa City Council Regular Meeting - January 28, 2025
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Santa Rosa City Council Regular Meeting - January 28, 2025
The Santa Rosa City Council held a regular meeting on January 28, 2025, starting at 4:05 PM and adjourning at 7:00 PM. All council members were present except Councilmember Natalie Rogers. The meeting included a proclamation, consent items, a public hearing on budget priorities, and reports on the state legislative platform, homelessness strategic plan, sewer code amendments, and mid-year budget adjustments. Several votes were taken, and public comments were heard on a range of topics.
Consent Calendar
- Item 13.1 – Approved a sole manufacturer bid award for the purchase of three 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD 4WD Crew Cab vehicles from Winner Chevrolet, Inc., for a total amount not to exceed $187,359.63. (Resolution RES-2025-005; adopted unanimously 6-0)
- Item 13.3 – Approved a revision to the Permanent Local Housing Allocation Program (PLHA) Plan to allocate 40% of Round 5 PLHA funds (estimated $456,230) to Affordable Owner-Occupied Workforce Housing for low- or moderate-income households. (Resolution RES-2025-006; adopted unanimously 6-0)
- Item 13.5 – Adopted on second reading an ordinance amending Title 20 of the Santa Rosa City Code to modify zoning code provisions related to density bonus, parking requirements, and accessory dwelling units. (Ordinance ORD-2025-001; originally introduced January 7, 2025, by a 4-3 vote; adopted 6-0)
- Item 13.2 (HVAC maintenance agreement) was withdrawn. Item 13.4 (Homekey+ grant application for Caritas Homes Phase II) was continued to a date uncertain.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Duane DeWitt spoke on multiple occasions throughout the meeting. He expressed appreciation for the January 27 town hall, raised concerns about gang graffiti in Roseland, urged the city to address the former Caritas site as a warming center, and opposed annexations until existing city infrastructure is improved. He also commented on the Renewal Enterprise District (RED) and the need for open government, youth involvement, and fire safety in Roseland Creek Park. He thanked city staff for recent cleanups but criticized the city's response to volunteer efforts.
- Gregory Fearon supported the town hall held January 27 and praised the mayor and vice mayor.
- Cameron Miller referenced the book "Strong Towns" and asked the council to consider the long-term fiscal impacts of new development, requesting more information on infrastructure repair obligations.
- Sher Ennis spoke about high permit fees in the historic district, noting that a permit fee for a roof replacement increased from $1,337 in 2018 to $10,000 currently, which she said discourages compliance.
- Ken MacNab (representing property owners in south Santa Rosa) requested the council discuss an annexation strategy for the South Santa Rosa area during upcoming goal-setting sessions to avoid delays after the specific plan is adopted.
Discussion Items
- Item 7.1 – Proclamation: Mayor Stapp presented a proclamation declaring the 2025 Lunar New Year celebration by the Redwood Empire Chinese Association (RECA). Rena Wang accepted on behalf of RECA, highlighting the association's cultural and community programs. No public comments.
- Item 15.1 – 2025 State Legislative Platform: Staff and consultant Dane Hutchings presented the proposed platform, covering priorities in insurance, housing, homelessness, economic development, public safety, environment, water, transportation, and more. Councilmember MacDonald requested adding support for after-school and summer program funding under economic development. Councilmember Okrepkie requested adding support for local control in housing and planning and support for hospitals regarding the seismic retrofit deadline. The platform was adopted in two resolutions: Resolution RES-2025-007 (on insurance for Wildland Urban Interface) passed 5-0 (Okrepkie recused); Resolution RES-2025-008 (overall platform as amended) passed 6-0.
- Item 15.2 – Homelessness Solutions Strategic Plan Year Two Report (2024): Staff reported an 18% decrease in homelessness in Santa Rosa from 2022 to 2024 (from 1,658 to 1,365 persons). The city invested approximately $5 million annually. Key accomplishments: 579 individuals housed through city-sponsored programs (52% increase over prior year), 43% reduction in encampments with 10+ dwellings, 89% reduction in occupied vehicles/RVs, and a $3.9 million homelessness prevention pilot (Keep People Housed Sonoma). The council received the report (motion 5-0, Alvarez absent). Speaker Duane DeWitt noted challenges with HUD-VASH voucher utilization and urged attention to veterans.
- Item 15.3 – Sewer Code Amendments (EPA Compliance): Staff presented minor edits to Title 15 to correct typographical errors and clarify reporting and recordkeeping requirements following the 2022 EPA audit. The ordinance was introduced on first reading (motion 5-0, Alvarez absent; will return for second reading).
- Item 15.4 – Mid-Year Budget Adjustments: CFO Alan Alton presented FY 2024-25 budget reductions totaling $16.6 million in one-time and ongoing savings, including $9.2 million from stale appropriations and $7.4 million from vacant position reductions and operating cuts. Adjustments from the October study session included restoring five positions (in streets, facilities, recreation) and removing the $1.15 million PERS trust withdrawal. Two resolutions were adopted: Resolution RES-2025-009 (Parks Maintenance budget reductions) passed 4-0 (MacDonald recused, Alvarez absent); Resolution RES-2025-010 (General Fund reductions, new Trucked Waste Coordinator classification, and $50,000 appropriation to Renewal Enterprise District) passed 5-0 (Alvarez absent). Councilmember Fleming raised concerns about cutting aquatics concessions at Howarth and Ridgeway parks; the city manager agreed to explore raising prices to offset costs.
- Item 16.1 – Public Hearing on FY 2025-26 Budget Priorities: The hearing was held as required by the City Charter. No action was taken. Public speakers included Ken MacNab (support for annexation planning) and Duane DeWitt (opposition to annexation until existing neighborhoods are served). Input will inform council goal setting and budget development.
Key Outcomes
- The council approved the purchase of three vehicles (Resolution RES-2025-005) and a revision to the PLHA Plan (Resolution RES-2025-006), both unanimously.
- The council adopted on second reading the density bonus/ADU zoning ordinance (ORD-2025-001).
- The council adopted the 2025 State Legislative Platform with amendments: Resolution RES-2025-007 (insurance priorities) passed 5-0; Resolution RES-2025-008 (overall platform) passed 6-0. Added priorities include support for after-school programs, local control in housing, and seismic retrofit relief for hospitals.
- The council received the Homelessness Solutions Strategic Plan Year Two Report (2024) and noted progress toward functional zero homelessness.
- The council introduced on first reading an ordinance amending Title 15 (sewers) to comply with EPA standards (second reading to follow).
- The council adopted mid-year budget reductions: Resolution RES-2025-009 (Parks Maintenance) passed 4-0; Resolution RES-2025-010 (General Fund) passed 5-0. The actions authorize $16.6 million in savings, create a Trucked Waste Coordinator position, and allocate $50,000 from reserves to the Renewal Enterprise District.
- Appointments: Council approved Mayor Stapp's appointments to regional bodies, joint powers authorities, board chairpersons, and council subcommittees (all votes 6-0). Notable: Council Member Fleming appointed to Sonoma Clean Power, RED, and ABAG; Council Member Okrepkie to SCTA and Public Safety Subcommittee; Council Member Bañuelos to Homeless Coalition and Climate Action Subcommittee.
- The meeting was adjourned in memory of Joe Wang.
Meeting Transcript
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 glow. Thank you very much. Back to you. Welcome everyone. The time is four zero five or um four o'clock, four oh five. I'm a little scattered today, apologies. Uh but thank you for coming out. And Madam City Clerk, would you manage would you do the role, please? Thank you, Mayor. Councilmember Rogers is absent. Councilmember O'Krepke. Here. Councilmember McDonald. Here. Councilmember Fleming. Here. Councilmember Ben Wells. Here. Vice Mayor Alvarez. President. Mayor Stapp. Here. Let the record show that all Council members are present with the exception of Councilmember Rogers. Thank you, Madam City Clerk. We did not have a closed session item or closed session today. We also did not have a study session. Uh so we can move right ahead to item number seven, um, proclamations and presentations. And it is my great pleasure to welcome the Redwood Empire Chinese Association to the chamber. Um thank you to so many of you for for coming. Um and I'm I'm looking forward to reading the pro proclamation right now. Uh with a a side note. Um all of us, I think are thinking of Joe Wong today, and in fact, we're gonna be we're gonna be doing this council session in his honor, as I'll mention later. Uh but so happy to have Nancy and so many of Joe's friends here today. And with that, let's get let's get move forward with the proc proclamation. Whereas the Redwood Empire Chinese Association is holding their 2025 Lunar New Year's celebration in various cities of Sonoma County, with the largest celebrations being held in the Finley Center, Santa Rosa, and in the Children's Museum of Sonoma County in Santa Rosa. And whereas we would like to publicly recognize the importance of this intercultural organization in the fields of cultural education by offering community participation, organizational networking, public interactions with intercultural activities, and their many additional events which bring members, friends, and families into social contact and understanding with governmental agencies and diverse people through events such as their lunar lunar new year celebration, potluck socials, and many additional cultural events. And whereas we acknowledge the outstanding work done by the Redwood Empire Chinese Association in providing programs to children and youth by giving presentations to local schools from elementary to college levels, and for providing an active youth group which focuses on teen self teen self-esteem and positive community involvement, including lion dancers and dragon dancers, which provide opportunities for children and teens to perform at community events and for the RECA's annual scholarship for Sonoma County High School Seniors. And whereas we acknowledge the benefit we also acknowledge the benefit of the Redwood Empire Chinese Association's adult programs, including the adult chorus, adult cultural dancers, many members of all ages who offer information and contact at RECA interaction tables at many community events, and RECA's community involvement in assisting governmental agencies, businesses, and schools with requested assistance in matters concerning Chinese and Asian cultural and language issues. Now, therefore, be it resolved that I am Mark Stapp, Mayor of the City of Santa Rosa, on behalf of the entire city council, do hereby proclaim a success a sincere acknowledgement of the many successes in increasing intercultural understanding and acceptance by the Redwood Empire Chinese Association. And with that, are there any representatives of RECA who might wish to speak? Rena? You you've been nominated. Thank you so much to Mayor Stapp, a member of RECA, Vice Mayor Alvarez, and all council members for this amazing acknowledgement of our organization and everything that we do. My name is Rena Wang, and on behalf of Redwood Empire Chinese Association, it's really an honor to receive this proclamation. This proclamation is a tremendous acknowledgement of our organization, especially around this extremely culturally meaningful time around Lunar New Year. And we love that we can celebrate this special holiday with alongside all of you here today. RECA was founded in 1988 and received nonprofit status in the 90s.
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