OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Santa Rosa City Council Regular Meeting - August 19, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, August 19, 2025
BodySanta Rosa, California
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, August 19, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 5:33:33

Transcript — Verbatim
2:20

I'd like to ask the interpreter currently on the Spanish channel to commence interpretation of the meeting.

2:25

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.

2:37

It looks like a globe.

5:00

I'm from Roseland.

5:01

I'm also a member of the Sonoma County Housing Advocacy Group, which came into uh existence almost 30 years ago in our effort to get more affordable residential rental housing into not just Santa Rosa but the entire county.

5:19

On today's agenda, there's an item.

5:22

Real property negotiations are occurring.

5:25

And as you know, with real estate, all this is kept in the dark until after the fact for the public.

5:31

But I'm here to at least advocate that whatever type of a real estate activity is occurring with this city-owned property, that there be housing, and that the housing should become affordable, rental, residential, and as many units as possible, and that you also look into having as many veterans get the opportunity to live on these sites, if possible.

6:01

Because I'm in the dark, I don't know what we're dealing with here, but these are just my dreams, if you will.

6:06

Did you know that there's a program called the Housing and Urban Development Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Voucher Program.

6:16

And what that does is it gives vouchers to veterans that are having difficulties finding housing, and it helps them, especially if they're currently housingless, homeless out on the streets, to get a voucher and hopefully get a place to rent.

6:33

One of the dilemmas is the vouchers haven't really been, if you'll excuse the expression, coordinated well between the city and the county, and it's the city that handles them for the entire county.

6:45

And yet, even Jeremy Newton, the chair of the housing authority, doesn't know exactly how many vouchers are available, and no one really knows the numbers, so that we can help the veterans.

6:57

And I go to these meetings and I bring this up because there are homeless veterans out there right now, and when the rain hits, they're going to be in a world of hurt.

7:05

Some of them are living down in a creek, Roseland Creek, which I volunteer to take care of.

7:10

So I bring this all up.

7:12

I know that the business people and the staffers aren't necessarily interested in all this at the time.

7:18

But you can actually use some of those vouchers on project-based situations in which you can verify ahead of time that you'll put 10, 15 vouchers into a project, and then that'll guarantee that veterans will get to live in those units.

7:34

And that's happened in a couple of places.

7:37

Up in Windsor, 55 units were put together, veterans getting to live there, and in some other places.

7:43

So whoever these folks are and whatever they're working on, keep veterans in mind and give them a chance for veterans to live in any kind of housing that might be coming forward on any kind of city land that might have some kind of a project to be getting done in the future.

8:01

And then last but not least, please avoid lawsuits from other folks.

8:06

I saw one of these guys out in the Roseland neighborhood the other day.

8:11

Take care.

8:13

Thank you, Duane.

8:14

Paul.

8:18

I can stand here and listen to the public comment, correct?

8:21

All right.

8:22

Thank you.

8:23

Paul, the floor is yours.

8:25

Thank you, Mayor, staff, council members.

8:29

My name is Paul Parity, and I'm the founder of and CEO of Bahill Ventures.

8:35

Thank you so much.

8:36

That's good.

8:37

That's good.

8:38

Our Bahill team is really excited to be considered for the 733rd Street project.

8:45

Thanks for giving me a few moments today to express our enthusiasm and to share a few thoughts.

8:51

We started Bahill Ventures a few years ago after my 33-year career with Heinz, which is a global real estate company.

9:00

At Heinz, I led the development of major projects like Salesforce Tower in downtown San Francisco, the JP Morgan headquarters at 560 Mission and Sparra, a 35-story high-end apartment uh tower in downtown San Francisco, also.

9:17

All in all, I've worked on about 20 million square feet of commercial real estate development.

9:23

I'm really excited to put my experience to work here in downtown.

9:27

Santa Rosa is a wonderful place to live, and we're really confident there'll be great demand to live in the project that we've envisioned for this beautiful city.

9:38

I've had a home for 20 years on the other side of Trioni and Adele State Park, so I know and love this area of the world very much, and I'd be thrilled to build a project here.

9:51

The site has all the right attributes.

9:53

It's centrally located.

9:55

It uh is surrounded by all the downtown amenities.

10:00

It's large enough to deliver a sizable project, which will allow for lots of variety in the units and uh and amenities, some of which we'll make available to the public.

10:10

This is a really attractive development site, as I'm sure you know.

10:15

So our proposal to invest uh is to invest our own capital to design and entitle the project so that we advance it to a point where we secure investment partners to be able to build.

10:26

We won't rely on finding outside capital to fund the design and entitlement process, which allows momentum right from selection.

10:33

Our entitlement and design process creates certainty uh on the budget and schedule, giving our partners in the city confidence that we can commence construction immediately.

10:43

We'll design a community that will attract residents and thrive well into the distant future.

10:48

The high quality of the project will reflect the importance of the site.

10:53

Understanding the rental market is dynamic and still improving from some challenging years.

10:58

We've structured the purchase price to allow the city to benefit from future higher values.

11:03

We see this as the start of the long-term relationship with Santa Rosa and hope it'll be the first of numerous projects.

11:09

And I thank you for your time today.

11:13

Thank you, Paul.

11:14

Thanks for being here.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Planning And Zoning██████████████████18%
Public Safety█████████████13%
Public Engagement██████████10%
Environmental Protection█████████9%
Procedural████████8%
Homelessness█████5%
Energy and Environment█████5%
Affordable Housing████4%
Public Transportation████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Santa Rosa City Council Regular Meeting - August 19, 2025

The Santa Rosa City Council met on August 19, 2025, beginning with a closed session at 12:00 PM and reconvening in open session at 4:00 PM. The meeting covered a wide range of items, including a proclamation for Women's Equality Day, a property tax presentation, a capital improvement program update, and multiple consent calendar items. The most significant action was the council's 5-2 vote to accept an appeal and approve a conditional use permit for the Elm Tree Station project, reversing the Planning Commission's unanimous denial of the gas station and retail development. The council also approved the placement of storm water enterprise charges on the property tax roll, authorized a substantial amendment to the HOME-ARP allocation plan, and approved several contract awards and easement vacations. The meeting adjourned at 9:24 PM.

Consent Calendar

  • 13.1 MOTION - Responses to 2024-2025 Grand Jury Reports: Authorized the Mayor to execute formal responses to three Sonoma County Grand Jury reports regarding local fees, animal services, and housing affordability.
  • 13.2 RESOLUTION - Bid Award for Mobile Modular Building: Approved a purchase order of $132,271.50 to Mobile Modular Management Corporation for a mobile modular building for the Fire Department.
  • 13.3 MOTION - South Davis Neighborhood Park Play Area Revitalization: Awarded a contract to Hanford Applied Restoration & Conservation for $1,498,794.50, with a 15% contingency, totaling $1,723,613.67, funded by the Parks Bond Act Per Capita Grant and Zone 2 Park Development Impact Fees. No General Fund money used.
  • 13.4 MOTION - Kawana Springs Community Park Garden: Consented to the withdrawal of a bid from S2SERM LLC and awarded the contract to Ghilotti Bros, Inc. for $1,568,283.00, with a 10% contingency, totaling $1,725,111.30, funded by the Capital Improvement Fund. No General Fund money used.
  • 13.5 MOTION - Traffic Signalization at Hearn Avenue and Burbank Avenue: Awarded a contract to Mike Brown Electric Company for $690,070, with a 10% contingency of $69,007, totaling $759,077. No General Fund money used.
  • 13.6 MOTION - 2025 Pavement Preventative Maintenance: Awarded a contract to Pavement Coatings Co. for $1,986,605.50, with a 10% contingency, totaling $2,185,266.05, funded by the Capital Improvement Fund. No General Fund money used.
  • 13.7 RESOLUTION - Master Professional Services Agreements: Approved 96 Master Professional Services Agreements across 23 service categories, as amended by a redline resolution provided at the meeting. No fiscal impact on current budget.
  • 13.8 RESOLUTION - Speed Limits on 29 Street Segments: Established radar-enforceable speed limits between 25-40 mph on 29 street segments citywide.
  • 13.9 RESOLUTION - Motorola Radios for Fire Apparatus: Approved a purchase order not to exceed $128,065.70 under Sourcewell Contract for Motorola radios and installation for three fire apparatus.
  • 13.10 RESOLUTION - Parking Agreement with 425 Humboldt, LLC: Approved a parking agreement for Garage 3 to support a proposed 299-unit multi-family mixed-use development at 425 Humboldt Street.
  • 13.11 RESOLUTION - Sale of Surplus Parcel at 0 Coffey Lane: Approved the sale of the surplus parcel (APN 058-033-014) and authorized the City Manager to execute necessary documents.
  • 13.12 RESOLUTION - Sale of Surplus Parcels at 5740 Montecito Avenue and 0 Fountaingrove Parkway: Continued to the September 30, 2025 regular meeting.
  • 13.13 RESOLUTION - Sale of Surplus Parcels at 970-996 Stony Point Road: Approved the sale of five surplus parcels and authorized the City Manager to execute documents.
  • 13.14 RESOLUTION - Environmental Site Assessment Services for City Hall Complex: Approved a Professional Services Agreement with MECA Consulting, Inc. for Phase I, II, and III assessments, not to exceed $133,897.41.
  • 13.15 RESOLUTION - MOU with Burbank Housing Management Corporation: Approved a Memorandum of Understanding for after-school enrichment and recreation programs, authorizing the Director of Housing and Community Services to execute.
  • 13.16 RESOLUTION - Revisions to City Council Manual of Procedures and Protocols: Approved revisions to the manual.
  • 13.17 RESOLUTION - Acceptance of CHP Cannabis Tax Fund Grant: Accepted a grant award of $498,245.30 from the California Highway Patrol for the Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program FY 25/26, and authorized appropriation of grant funds.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Non-Agenda Matters: Speakers addressed ADU permit delays, fire safety in Roseland, police complaints, street safety (fatal pedestrian accident), and homeless services. Victoria Yanez (Homeless Action!) urged compassion for unhoused individuals.
  • Consent Items: Duane De Witt commented on items 13.3, 13.4, 13.5, 13.8, 13.13, 13.15, 13.16, and 13.17, advocating for park naming, community involvement, lower speed limits, and transparency on protocol changes.
  • Storm Water Enterprise Charges (Public Hearing): Speakers discussed creek maintenance, insurance rates, and water quality. No formal protests were filed.
  • HOME-ARP Amendment (Public Hearing): Victoria Yanez requested review of grievance processes for homeless service providers. One speaker opposed the amendment, citing concerns about government corruption and discrimination.
  • Elm Tree Station Appeal (Public Hearing): Over 30 speakers presented. The majority opposed the gas station, citing health risks, environmental concerns, safety on the Joe Rodota Trail, and inconsistency with climate goals. Supporters cited convenience, local business benefits, and the project's exemption from the gas station ban.

Discussion Items

  • Proclamation - Women's Equality Day (7.1): Council Member Rogers read the proclamation, presented to Melanie Jones-Carter, Vice Chair of the Commission on the Status of Women. The council recognized August 26, 2025 as Women's Equality Day.
  • Presentation - Property Tax Information (7.2): Sonoma County Assessor Diva Proto presented the 2025-26 assessment roll, showing a 5.44% increase over last year to $127 billion. Santa Rosa's assessed value increased 5.3%. Discussion included distribution of property tax revenue and growth forecasts.
  • Capital Improvement Program Status Update (8.1): Director Dan Hennessey reported 15 successful bids in 2025, with 31 contracts expected by year-end, totaling over $100 million in construction. The Bennett Valley Golf Course Irrigation Pond project is delayed to winter. Staff requested feedback on downtown park improvements, including potential community engagement.
  • City Manager's/City Attorney's Reports (9): City Manager Maraskeshia Smith announced a transportation resource fair and thanked council for support during recent tragic events. City Attorney Teresa Stricker reported one settlement over $50,000 (Wallace Francis vs. City of Santa Rosa, $151,000) and 35 ongoing litigation matters.
  • Mayor's/Council Members' Reports (11): Council members reported on subcommittee meetings, community events, and the Sonoma County Mayors and Councilmembers Association meeting. Council Member Okrepkie requested updating the agenda to reflect the name change of Sonoma County Transportation Authority to Sonoma County Transportation and Climate Authorities.
  • Elm Tree Station Appeal (16.1): The applicant appealed the Planning Commission's April 10, 2025 unanimous denial of a conditional use permit for a gas station, retail, apartment, and park amenities at 874 N Wright Road. The project is exempt from the city's 2022 gas station ban due to a pending application. Staff recommended approval, finding the project consistent with zoning and environmental review. The Planning Commission found the project inconsistent with the general plan, health and safety, and compatibility with the Joe Rodota Trail. Council discussed the exemption, health risks, climate goals, and the site's history. The council voted 5-2 to accept the appeal and approve the conditional use permit, with Council Members Bañuelos and Fleming dissenting.
  • Storm Water Enterprise Charges (16.2): The council approved placing the storm water enterprise charges on the Sonoma County property tax roll for FY 2025-26, as recommended by staff. The fee is $42.46 per ERU. The vote was 6-0 (Vice Mayor Alvarez absent).
  • HOME-ARP Substantial Amendment (16.3): The council authorized submittal of a substantial amendment to HUD, accepting an additional $4,095 in HOME-ARP funds, reallocating $100,000 from administration to supportive services, and approving a second amendment with Catholic Charities increasing the agreement by $104,095 to a total of $1,719,539. The vote was 7-0.
  • Easement Vacations (15.1 and 15.2): The council approved summary vacations of public service easements at 4362 Highway 12 and 3901 Heathfield Place, both without public comment and unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • Elm Tree Station Appeal: Approved (5-2) – Council Members Rogers, Okrepkie, MacDonald, Alvarez, and Stapp in favor; Bañuelos and Fleming opposed. The council adopted Resolution RES-2025-140 (addendum to MND) and RES-2025-141 (conditional use permit approval).
  • Storm Water Enterprise Charges: Approved (6-0) via Resolution RES-2025-137.
  • HOME-ARP Amendment: Approved (7-0) via Resolutions RES-2025-138 and RES-2025-139.
  • Consent Agenda: Approved (6-0) as amended, including Resolutions RES-2025-142 through RES-2025-152.
  • Easement Vacations: Approved (6-0) via Resolutions RES-2025-153 and RES-2025-154.
  • Chairperson Appointment: The council approved Mayor Stapp's selection of Carole Quandt as chair of the Board of Parks and Recreation (6-0).
  • Litigation Report: The City Attorney reported the council authorized initiation of litigation in closed session (6-0, Vice Mayor Alvarez absent).
  • Upcoming Meetings: The next regular meeting is scheduled for September 9, 2025.

Meeting Transcript

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. I'm from Roseland. I'm also a member of the Sonoma County Housing Advocacy Group, which came into uh existence almost 30 years ago in our effort to get more affordable residential rental housing into not just Santa Rosa but the entire county. On today's agenda, there's an item. Real property negotiations are occurring. And as you know, with real estate, all this is kept in the dark until after the fact for the public. But I'm here to at least advocate that whatever type of a real estate activity is occurring with this city-owned property, that there be housing, and that the housing should become affordable, rental, residential, and as many units as possible, and that you also look into having as many veterans get the opportunity to live on these sites, if possible. Because I'm in the dark, I don't know what we're dealing with here, but these are just my dreams, if you will. Did you know that there's a program called the Housing and Urban Development Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Voucher Program. And what that does is it gives vouchers to veterans that are having difficulties finding housing, and it helps them, especially if they're currently housingless, homeless out on the streets, to get a voucher and hopefully get a place to rent. One of the dilemmas is the vouchers haven't really been, if you'll excuse the expression, coordinated well between the city and the county, and it's the city that handles them for the entire county. And yet, even Jeremy Newton, the chair of the housing authority, doesn't know exactly how many vouchers are available, and no one really knows the numbers, so that we can help the veterans. And I go to these meetings and I bring this up because there are homeless veterans out there right now, and when the rain hits, they're going to be in a world of hurt. Some of them are living down in a creek, Roseland Creek, which I volunteer to take care of. So I bring this all up. I know that the business people and the staffers aren't necessarily interested in all this at the time. But you can actually use some of those vouchers on project-based situations in which you can verify ahead of time that you'll put 10, 15 vouchers into a project, and then that'll guarantee that veterans will get to live in those units. And that's happened in a couple of places. Up in Windsor, 55 units were put together, veterans getting to live there, and in some other places. So whoever these folks are and whatever they're working on, keep veterans in mind and give them a chance for veterans to live in any kind of housing that might be coming forward on any kind of city land that might have some kind of a project to be getting done in the future. And then last but not least, please avoid lawsuits from other folks. I saw one of these guys out in the Roseland neighborhood the other day. Take care. Thank you, Duane. Paul. I can stand here and listen to the public comment, correct? All right. Thank you. Paul, the floor is yours. Thank you, Mayor, staff, council members. My name is Paul Parity, and I'm the founder of and CEO of Bahill Ventures. Thank you so much. That's good. That's good. Our Bahill team is really excited to be considered for the 733rd Street project. Thanks for giving me a few moments today to express our enthusiasm and to share a few thoughts. We started Bahill Ventures a few years ago after my 33-year career with Heinz, which is a global real estate company. At Heinz, I led the development of major projects like Salesforce Tower in downtown San Francisco, the JP Morgan headquarters at 560 Mission and Sparra, a 35-story high-end apartment uh tower in downtown San Francisco, also. All in all, I've worked on about 20 million square feet of commercial real estate development. I'm really excited to put my experience to work here in downtown. Santa Rosa is a wonderful place to live, and we're really confident there'll be great demand to live in the project that we've envisioned for this beautiful city. I've had a home for 20 years on the other side of Trioni and Adele State Park, so I know and love this area of the world very much, and I'd be thrilled to build a project here. The site has all the right attributes. It's centrally located. It uh is surrounded by all the downtown amenities. It's large enough to deliver a sizable project, which will allow for lots of variety in the units and uh and amenities, some of which we'll make available to the public. This is a really attractive development site, as I'm sure you know. So our proposal to invest uh is to invest our own capital to design and entitle the project so that we advance it to a point where we secure investment partners to be able to build.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com