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Record of Proceedings

Santa Rosa City Council Meeting - Proclamations, Policy Updates, and Waste Management - September 30, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, September 30, 2025
BodySanta Rosa, California
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, September 30, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:12:02

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
2:19

Good afternoon.

2:20

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

2:26

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.

2:42

It looks like a globe.

2:51

Click done to activate and begin the interpretation.

2:55

Once you join the Spanish channel, we recommend you shut off the main audio so you only hear the Spanish interpretation.

4:48

No, okay, we'll move on to item three.

4:50

Um, our closed session items.

4:52

We have four items today.

4:54

Comp three point.

4:55

Do I need to enumerate them?

4:56

Would you like me to read them?

4:58

Okay.

5:00

All right.

5:00

Uh do we have any public comment on items three point one through three point four?

4:59

Seeing no public comment, we will recess into the closed session.

8:00

We need to make it with me.

9:24

Welcome back, everyone.

9:26

It's nice to have so many people with us today.

9:29

All right, it's four o'clock and we will reconvene in open session.

9:32

Madam City Clerk, could you please call the roll?

9:37

Thank you, Mayor.

9:40

Councilmember Rogers.

9:41

Councilmember O'Krepke.

9:43

Here.

9:43

Councilmember McDonald.

9:45

Councilmember Fleming.

9:49

Councilmember, pardon me, Vice Mayor Alvarez.

9:52

Mayor Stopp.

9:53

Here.

9:54

Let the record show that all council and acknowledge that Councilmember Fleming is walking to the dais.

10:00

Thank you.

10:00

Yes.

10:01

All council members are present.

10:02

Thank you.

10:03

Yes, that was a dramatic appearance.

10:04

Okay, let's move on to item six, our report on study and closed sessions.

10:09

Madam City Attorney.

10:13

Thank you, Mr.

10:14

Mayor.

10:14

Just one second.

10:36

I do have one item to report out from closed session.

10:40

Uh council by unanimous vote with council member, I'm sorry, Vice Mayor Alvarez absent, authorize uh the city to initiate litigation, the defendants and details of which will be disclosed upon inquiry once the action has been commenced.

10:57

Um I would also like to note for the record that the vice mayor did join us in closed session at about 2 20 p.m.

11:03

And otherwise I have no reportable action from closed session.

11:08

Thank you very much.

11:09

All right, we'll move on to the fun portion of our agenda, our proclamations and presentations.

11:14

We'll start with item 7.1, our proclamation uh for October being domestic violence awareness month.

11:21

Ms.

11:21

Fleming.

11:25

Thank you, Mr.

11:25

Mayor.

11:27

Whereas the City of Santa Rosa recognizes that domestic violence affects one in four families in our local community, and nearly all of us know someone who has been abused.

11:38

The crime of domestic violence violates an individual's privacy, dignity, and security based on systematic use of emotional, physical, sexual, psychological, and economic control or abuse.

11:49

And whereas established in 1976, the YWCA Sonoma County is our community's singular and vital resource for local residents experiencing violence in the place where we should all feel most safe inside our own homes.

12:03

YWCA operates Sonoma County's only confidential safe house shelter and Sonoma County's only 24-7 domestic violence crisis hotline.

12:11

YWCA's counseling support services offers trauma-informed individual and support group therapy for victims and trauma of trauma and domestic violence, including the students at YWCA's therapeutic preschool serving one of our most vulnerable populations, children three to five years old.

12:26

And whereas only an informed community effort will end the side cycle of violence for local families.

12:34

Members of our community are encouraged to participate in YWCA's scheduled events and programs to raise much needed funding to support their vision of every family in Sonoma County to live healthy, productive lives and be safe in their own homes.

12:46

Now, therefore, be it resolved that Mark Staff, the Mayor of the City of Santa Rosa, on behalf of the entire council, recognizes and recognition of our community does hereby proclaim October 2025 in Santa Rosa's domestic violence awareness month.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Environmental Protection███████████████████19%
Parks and Recreation████████████████16%
Water And Wastewater Management██████████████14%
Procedural█████████████13%
Public Safety████████8%
Engineering And Infrastructure████████8%
Community Engagement██████6%
Economic Development██2%
Miscellaneous██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Santa Rosa City Council Meeting - September 30, 2025

The Santa Rosa City Council convened on September 30, 2025, for a meeting that included a closed session report, multiple proclamations, presentations from community partners, and approvals for city policies and standards. Key discussions centered on domestic violence awareness, geothermal energy, water professionals, and waste management. The council also made decisions regarding litigation initiation, consent calendar items, and delegating authority for technical standards.

Consent Calendar

The council unanimously approved all consent calendar items, including:

  • Issuance of purchase orders for police training ammunition.
  • An exclusive negotiation agreement for development at 730 Third Street.
  • A professional services agreement for Highway 101 Hearn Avenue pathway design.
  • Installation of speed cushions on South Avenue.
  • Contract award for Howarth Court Renovations.
  • Resolution for mid-block crosswalk installations.
  • Acceptance of Measure O funding ($3,043,114) for the In-Response mental health support team.
  • Sale of surplus city-owned parcels.
  • Minor amendment to the Permanent Local Housing Allocation program.
  • Confirmation of administrative cost recovery liens for two properties.
  • Approval of an airspace lease amendment with Caltrans.
  • Introduction of an ordinance amending city code sections and revising council manual procedures.
  • Correction of a clerical error in a previous ordinance.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • On Domestic Violence Awareness Proclamation: Peter spoke, linking domestic violence to broader spiritual and ethical issues, advocating for veganism and societal change.
  • On Geysers Anniversary Proclamation: Dwayne DeWitt thanked the council and highlighted the historical roles of former council members Pat Wiggins and Naureen Evans. Peter questioned high PG&E rates and called for public action.
  • On Water Professionals Proclamation: Peter thanked water professionals but diverged into comments about vaccines and nanotechnology.
  • On Recology and Zero Waste Presentations: Anna Bashan asked about industrially compostable plastics and pollutant traces in compost. A student asked about clothing recycling. Peter suggested new services like a storage unit clearance program and offered cactus fences.
  • On Non-Agenda Items: Janice Carman expressed concerns about earthquake safety, citing cracks in a new theater. Peter questioned the District Attorney's actions in an animal rights case and delivered a spiritual monologue. Dwayne DeWitt thanked the city for work in Roseland, highlighted safety issues on Burbank Avenue, and invited participation in a cleanup event.

Discussion Items

  • Report on Closed Session: The City Attorney reported the council authorized the city to initiate litigation (details confidential), with Vice Mayor Alvarez absent during the vote but present later.
  • Proclamations and Presentations:
    • Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Councilmember Fleming read a proclamation, and YWCA representative Madeline Keegan O'Connell accepted, noting a rise in domestic violence-related homicides.
    • Geysers' 65th Anniversary: A proclamation honored Calpine's geothermal operations. Amy from Calpine accepted, highlighting the partnership with Santa Rosa's water recycling project.
    • Water Professionals Appreciation Week: Councilmember Rogers read a proclamation, and Director Jennifer Burke accepted on behalf of Santa Rosa Water.
    • Recology Update: Logan Harvey and Celia Ferber presented on waste reduction, community programs (e.g., Trash Art, Reuse Bazaar), and service improvements (reduced call wait times, driver training). Council questions covered street sweeping, recycling guidelines, bin spacing, and battery disposal.
    • Zero Waste Sonoma Update: Executive Director Leslie Lucash discussed education, hazardous waste management, edible food recovery, and a planned compost facility.
  • City Asset Naming and Renaming Policy: Assistant City Manager Jason Nutt presented a revised policy, addressing criteria for naming after individuals, donation thresholds, application fairness, and cost responsibilities. The council discussed making the process more accessible to the public.
  • Revised Public Storm Drain Standards: Staff from Planning and Economic Development presented updates to technical standards for storm drain design, citing regulatory changes, industry needs, and operational efficiency. They recommended delegating future revisions to the Board of Public Utilities.
  • Legislative Update: Items were listed for information without discussion.

Key Outcomes

  • Closed Session Action: Council authorized litigation initiation (vote: unanimous with Vice Mayor Alvarez absent).
  • Proclamations Adopted: Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Geysers' 65th Anniversary, and Water Professionals Appreciation Week.
  • Consent Calendar: All items approved unanimously (6-0, with Councilmember Fleming absent).
  • City Asset Naming Policy: Council adopted the revised policy (Resolution) using the alternative language for major donations (more flexible thresholds). Vote: 6-0 (Councilmember Fleming absent).
  • Storm Drain Standards: Council adopted the revised standards and delegated future approval authority to the Board of Public Utilities. Vote: 6-0 (Councilmember Fleming absent).
  • Direction to Staff: Council requested simplified public guidance for the naming policy application process.

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 globe. 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. No, okay, we'll move on to item three. Um, our closed session items. We have four items today. Comp three point. Do I need to enumerate them? Would you like me to read them? Okay. All right. Uh do we have any public comment on items three point one through three point four? Seeing no public comment, we will recess into the closed session. We need to make it with me. Welcome back, everyone. It's nice to have so many people with us today. All right, it's four o'clock and we will reconvene in open session. Madam City Clerk, could you please call the roll? Thank you, Mayor. Councilmember Rogers. Councilmember O'Krepke. Here. Councilmember McDonald. Councilmember Fleming. Councilmember, pardon me, Vice Mayor Alvarez. Mayor Stopp. Here. Let the record show that all council and acknowledge that Councilmember Fleming is walking to the dais. Thank you. Yes. All council members are present. Thank you. Yes, that was a dramatic appearance. Okay, let's move on to item six, our report on study and closed sessions. Madam City Attorney. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Just one second. I do have one item to report out from closed session. Uh council by unanimous vote with council member, I'm sorry, Vice Mayor Alvarez absent, authorize uh the city to initiate litigation, the defendants and details of which will be disclosed upon inquiry once the action has been commenced. Um I would also like to note for the record that the vice mayor did join us in closed session at about 2 20 p.m. And otherwise I have no reportable action from closed session. Thank you very much. All right, we'll move on to the fun portion of our agenda, our proclamations and presentations. We'll start with item 7.1, our proclamation uh for October being domestic violence awareness month. Ms. Fleming.

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