OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Santa Rosa City Council Meeting – December 16, 2025: Censure, Housing Authority Appointment, and Farewell to City Manager

City Council — Tuesday, December 16, 2025
BodySanta Rosa, California
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, December 16, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:24:44
Transcript — Verbatim
0:14

Good afternoon.

0:15

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

0:22

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.

0:37

It looks like a globe.

0:38

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.

0:46

Click done to activate and begin the interpretation.

0:50

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

0:57

Isidra, will you please restate this in Spanish?

1:54

Back to you.

1:57

Welcome and happy holidays, everyone.

1:59

And we will call this the time is 401 and we'll call this meeting to order.

2:02

Madam City Clerk.

2:07

Thank you, Mayor.

2:08

Councilmember Rogers.

2:09

Present.

2:10

Councilmember McDonald here.

2:11

Councilmember Fleming.

2:14

Councilmember Ben Wells.

2:16

Here.

2:16

Councilmember Alvarez.

2:18

Present.

2:18

Vice Mayor Krepki?

2:19

Here.

2:20

Mayor Stapp.

2:21

Here.

2:21

Let the record show that all council members are present.

2:24

Thank you very much.

2:25

We're gonna go right ahead to item 4.1, our housing authority interviews.

2:30

Thank you to all the candidates who put in your application and who made the time to be here tonight.

2:34

If I'm not mistaken, we have four candidates tonight.

2:37

Uh is Veronica Castro here.

2:41

Oops, I'm sorry.

2:43

Oh, my apologies.

2:45

I there's been a lot going on tonight.

2:47

Ms.

2:48

Ben Wales, do we have a a recusal this evening?

2:50

Yes, I do.

2:51

Out of an abundance of caution, I'm going to be recusing myself from this item because I sit on the um Sonoma County Homeless Coalition Board, and so does one of the applicants.

3:00

Thank you, and thank you both for your service on the on the uh on that board.

3:09

So as Miss Van Wales is recusing herself, do we have Veronica Castro here?

3:13

Veronica, thank you for coming out tonight.

3:15

If you could make your way down to the front.

3:28

Thank you very much.

3:30

Thank you for joining us.

3:31

Have a have a seat at the table.

3:35

Thank you, Madam City Clerk, for helping us with the microphone.

3:40

Okay.

3:45

Okay.

3:47

Again, thank you for being here, Veronica.

3:49

We'll have three questions for you for you tonight, and the other applicants in the audience can go to school on these.

3:54

Uh the first one's easy enough.

3:56

Can you tell us a little bit about your background and what and what makes you interested in this position?

4:01

Well, I um I've done a lot of volunteering here in Sonoma County, and I was on the housing authority back in 2000.

4:10

Maybe I left in 2003, I believe.

4:14

So I was there for several years, maybe ten.

4:17

And I just saw it come in my mouth.

4:19

I thought, well, there's another opportunity as I'm done taking care of the adopted kids I had and all that, so I'm available.

4:28

That's uh I I don't know much more to say.

4:32

Thank you very much for that.

4:34

Alright, question number two.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Personnel Matters███████████████████████23%
Community Engagement███████████████████19%
Affordable Housing████████████12%
Water And Wastewater Management█████████9%
Intergovernmental Relations████████8%
Engineering And Infrastructure████████8%
Procedural█████5%
Pending Litigation█████5%
Fiscal Sustainability███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Santa Rosa City Council Meeting – December 16, 2025

This meeting included a farewell to departing City Manager MaraKeisha Smith, interviews and appointment to the Housing Authority, approval of the Community Advisory Board work plan, corrections to parking fee schedules, adoption of state building codes, a water supply assessment for a new development, and a public hearing resulting in a censure of Councilmember Diana McDonald based on an independent investigation.

Consent Calendar

  • The consent calendar (items 14.1–14.10) was approved with an amendment to item 14.9 to include the contract previously approved by resolution. The vote was unanimous (7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Housing Authority interviews: Duane DeWitt (Roseland, Sonoma County Housing Advocacy Group) urged the council to select someone who will take an innovative approach and consider reinstating the Section 8 homeownership voucher program. He also raised concerns about a veteran being denied housing due to an egress requirement.
  • City Manager reports: Duane DeWitt praised the city manager for attention to Roseland and described a cleanup event on December 3, 2025. Janice Carmen criticized the city manager for not responding to a complaint about illegal clearcutting.
  • Mayor and Council reports: No public comment.
  • Non‑agenda matters – Schools: Multiple speakers (Jenny Mercado, Alexa Forrester, Ethan Cosgrove, Adrian Covert) urged the council to lead school district consolidation efforts, citing declining enrollment and budget shortfalls. They asked for a study, community education, and a ballot measure. Ethan Cosgrove noted a coalition called Stronger Together Santa Rosa.
  • Non‑agenda matters – Other: Bruce Castleberry introduced himself as the new Press Democrat editor. Robert Kopic requested updates on a police inaction case. Duane DeWitt praised the city’s Roseland cleanup. Janice Carmen thanked staff for road improvements and requested a crosswalk and better road condition near Maria Carrillo High School. Adina Flores raised concerns about mandated reporting violations at Santa Rosa City Schools.
  • Parking fee corrections: Adina Flores opposed raising parking fees, calling it racist and noting businesses without licenses. Anna Diaz (Roseland) said downtown businesses are struggling and urged the council to consider the impact.
  • Water supply assessment: Adina Flores argued the presentation was misleading, citing the Potter Valley Dam decommissioning and claiming the city will not have enough water. She requested the council review FERC comments.
  • Censure resolution: Adina Flores called the censure a “witch hunt” and noted that Councilmember Fleming had a relationship with a city manager that was not investigated. Iris Harrell (Oakmont) praised Councilmember McDonald’s accessibility and work on safety and senior issues. Anna Diaz said McDonald supported young women. Janice Carmen criticized McDonald’s campaign conduct and questioned the cost of the investigation.

Discussion Items

  • Housing Authority Interviews (4.1): Veronica Castro, Gregory Fearon, and John Way were interviewed. Councilmember BenWells recused due to a board conflict. Castro highlighted her past service and the need for community understanding. Fearon emphasized his development experience and partnerships. Way discussed perception and the need for approachability. After public comment, Gregory Fearon was appointed on a motion by Councilmember Fleming, seconded by Councilmember Alvarez. Vote: 6-0 (BenWells recused).
  • City Manager’s and City Attorney’s Reports (10): City Manager Smith had no updates. City Attorney Stricker reported a settlement in a Clean Water Act lawsuit with California River Watch, requiring the city to implement operational conditions for six years. Total litigation caseload remains 34. The council then gave farewell remarks to City Manager Smith, who is leaving for Sacramento. Smith thanked the council, staff, and community.
  • Statements of Abstention/Recusal (11): Councilmember McDonald recused from part of item 16.5 due to a personal relationship.
  • Mayor and Council Reports (12): Councilmembers reported on community events (Mary Market toy giveaway, Hearn Overcross ribbon cutting, SMART board meeting, holiday events). Mayor Stapp added an item to the January 13 agenda to remove Councilmember McDonald from committee assignments.
  • Community Advisory Board Work Plan (16.1): Anna Orta, Andrea Rodriguez, and Jude Freitas presented the 2025‑2027 work plan and annual report. The board held district meetings (84 attendees total) and awarded 20 grants totaling $47,000 in 2024 and 13 grants totaling $26,000 in 2025. Common themes: housing affordability, transportation, infrastructure, public safety. The plan and report were approved unanimously (7-0).
  • Parking Fee Schedule Corrections (16.2): Chad Hedge presented corrections to two clerical errors: the effective date corrected from June 1, 2026 to January 1, 2026, and inclusion of the premium zone lot rate of $2/hour. The resolution passed unanimously (7-0).
  • Water Supply Assessment – Woodlands at Shenate (16.3): Claire Nordley presented the assessment, finding adequate supply under normal, single-dry, and multiple-dry year scenarios (0.6% shortfall in single dry year managed by water shortage contingency plan). The resolution approving the assessment passed unanimously (7-0).
  • Building Code Adoption (16.4): Gabe Osburn and Jimmy Bliss introduced an ordinance adopting state model codes with local amendments. A second phase on reach codes (all‑electric) will be brought in spring 2026. The ordinance was introduced with a motion by Councilmember Alvarez, seconded by Councilmember Rogers, and passed unanimously (7-0).
  • Censure of Councilmember McDonald (16.5): City Attorney Stricker and Special Counsel Jenica Maldonado presented the findings of an independent investigation. The investigator found that Councilmember McDonald violated the city’s anti‑harassment policy through negative behavior related to a consensual relationship, unwelcome comments of a sexual nature, and an attempt to influence a city operational decision. Two resolutions were considered:
    • Resolution One: Censured McDonald, urged recommitment to policies, directed operational steps, policy updates, and additional training. Councilmember McDonald said she did not agree with all findings but accepted training. She voted no. The resolution passed 6-1 (McDonald no).
    • Resolution Two: Directed the city manager to schedule a study session on a policy addressing intimate relationships between council members and city employees. Councilmember McDonald recused. The resolution passed 6-0.

Key Outcomes

  • Housing Authority Appointment: Gregory Fearon appointed (6-0).
  • Community Advisory Board: 2025‑2027 work plan and 2025 annual report approved (7-0).
  • Parking Fee Corrections: Approved (7-0).
  • Water Supply Assessment for Woodlands at Shenate: Approved (7-0).
  • Building Code Adoption: Ordinance introduced (7-0); public hearing set for January.
  • Censure of Councilmember McDonald: Resolution One adopted (6-1). Resolution Two adopted (6-0). Councilmember McDonald will be removed from committee assignments (to be agendized January 13).
  • Consent Calendar: Approved with amendment to include contract for interim city manager (7-0).
  • Farewell to City Manager: Council expressed appreciation; Smith departs for Sacramento.

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. 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. Isidra, will you please restate this in Spanish? Back to you. Welcome and happy holidays, everyone. And we will call this the time is 401 and we'll call this meeting to order. Madam City Clerk. Thank you, Mayor. Councilmember Rogers. Present. Councilmember McDonald here. Councilmember Fleming. Councilmember Ben Wells. Here. Councilmember Alvarez. Present. Vice Mayor Krepki? Here. Mayor Stapp. Here. Let the record show that all council members are present. Thank you very much. We're gonna go right ahead to item 4.1, our housing authority interviews. Thank you to all the candidates who put in your application and who made the time to be here tonight. If I'm not mistaken, we have four candidates tonight. Uh is Veronica Castro here. Oops, I'm sorry. Oh, my apologies. I there's been a lot going on tonight. Ms. Ben Wales, do we have a a recusal this evening? Yes, I do. Out of an abundance of caution, I'm going to be recusing myself from this item because I sit on the um Sonoma County Homeless Coalition Board, and so does one of the applicants. Thank you, and thank you both for your service on the on the uh on that board. So as Miss Van Wales is recusing herself, do we have Veronica Castro here? Veronica, thank you for coming out tonight. If you could make your way down to the front. Thank you very much. Thank you for joining us. Have a have a seat at the table. Thank you, Madam City Clerk, for helping us with the microphone. Okay. Okay. Again, thank you for being here, Veronica. We'll have three questions for you for you tonight, and the other applicants in the audience can go to school on these.

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