OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Santa Rosa City Council Regular Meeting Summary – July 14, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, July 14, 2026
BodySanta Rosa, California
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, July 14, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:15:26

Transcript — Verbatim
0:24

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

0:30

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.

0:42

It looks like a globe.

0:43

If you're on your cell phone or tablet, locate the three dots, tap them lightly, and put a check mark on your preferred language.

0:50

Click done to activate and begin the interpretation.

0:53

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

0:59

Claudia, will you please restate this in Spanish?

1:52

Thank you very much.

1:53

Back to you.

1:55

Welcome everyone.

1:56

The time is 2 30, and we can call this meeting to order.

1:58

Madam City Clerk, would you please call the roll?

2:01

Thank you, Mayor.

2:02

Councilmember Rogers.

2:04

Present.

2:04

Councilmember MacDonald.

2:05

Here.

2:06

Councilmember Fleming.

2:08

Councilmember Van Wells.

2:09

Here.

2:10

Councilmember Alvarez.

2:11

President.

2:12

Vice Mayor Krepki.

2:13

Here.

2:13

Mayor Step.

2:14

Here.

2:14

Let the record show that all council members are present with the exception of Councilmember Fleming.

2:19

Thank you.

2:19

We'll move on to item 3.1 regarding our conference with legal counsel over anticipated litigation.

2:25

We can uh open this up to public comment.

2:27

Are there any members of the public wish to speak?

2:29

Mr.

2:30

DeWitt.

2:36

Hello, my name is Dwayne D.W.

2:38

I'm from Roseland.

2:40

I wanted to thank you for having these types of items on the agenda.

2:44

But I do believe, especially for something where there might be a potential case, that here on this little device you have for the public to get information about your items.

2:59

If you were to look at a different item, it would actually have a report.

3:47

It's been about twelve, thirteen years ago.

3:50

A lot of money was spent to make sure we were going to open up our governmental processes so that the members of the public, the taxpayers, would be able to be better informed.

4:00

We're not saying that you should break the confidentiality of this legal type of discussion, but you should at least put that subdivision up there and let people see what you're talking about in that format.

4:16

And then when you go to the next session, study session, your revenue enhancement, you will see that they put extra stuff up there on that device where a member of the public could actually hit something and get information.

4:31

So it's just actually following up on your previous approaches to open government and making it all better.

4:39

Thank you.

4:39

I'll be here for further adventures.

4:42

Thank you, Duane.

4:44

Uh seeing no other members of the public in person.

4:46

Let's go to our Zoom host, Madam City Clerk.

4:48

Any online public comment?

4:51

Lauren, take it away.

4:55

We're now pay taking public comment via Zoom for item 3.1.

5:01

If you'd like to make a public comment, please raise your hand.

5:03

If you dialed in by telephone, dial star nine to raise your hand, and star six to unmute.

5:08

Once I enable your permissions, you will have two minutes for your comment and a countdown timer alert at the conclusion of that period.

5:18

I'm seeing no hands in Zoom.

5:20

Thank you.

5:21

We will reconcile we will recess in the closed session then we're going to be a good idea.

8:10

The time is three o'clock, and we'll reconvene in open session.

8:13

Madam City Clerk, would you please call the roll?

8:15

Thank you, Mayor.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Fiscal Sustainability█████████████████████████████████33%
Procedural█████████████13%
Community Engagement█████████████13%
Public Safety██████████10%
Parks and Recreation██████████10%
Public Engagement███3%
Active Transportation███3%
Homelessness███3%
Cannabis Regulation███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Santa Rosa City Council Regular Meeting Summary – July 14, 2026

On July 14, 2026, the Santa Rosa City Council met in regular session beginning at 2:30 PM with a closed session, followed by a study session on revenue enhancement at 3:00 PM, and a regular session at 4:00 PM. The meeting lasted until 6:07 PM. All council members were present except Council Member Victoria Fleming for part of the closed session; she joined later and participated in all votes. The council discussed the city's structural deficit, community feedback on services, potential sales tax ballot measure, approved bond financing for affordable housing, adopted consent items, accepted the annual diversity report, and directed staff to schedule a study session on unpermitted food vendors.

Consent Calendar

  • 13.1 – Adopted the Federal Highway Administration Title VI Implementation Plan.
  • 13.2 – Approved the Fourth Amendment to Blanket Purchase Order with Geotab USA, Inc., increasing compensation by $200,000 to a total not to exceed $950,000.
  • 13.3 – Approved $2,000,000 in construction contingency funds for the Route 101 Bicycle and Pedestrian Overcrossing, increasing total contract to $39,574,978.70.
  • 13.4 – Authorized additional $50,000 contingency for Howarth Courts Renovation, total contract now $1,313,571.75.
  • 13.5 – Approved Cooperative Funding Agreement with Sonoma County Transportation Authority for the Safe Streets and Roads for All FY24 project (no fiscal impact).
  • 13.6 – Increased contingency by $150,000 for Kawana Springs Community Park Garden, total contract $1,875,111.30.
  • 13.7 – Approved Second Amendment with Redwood Veterinary Clinic, increasing compensation by $50,000 to $145,000 and extending term through June 30, 2029.
  • 13.8 – Adopted Resolution No. RES-2026-082 accepting $4,600,000 from Sonoma County Measure O for the inRESPONSE Mental Health Support Team over three years, and appropriating funds.
  • 13.9 – Adopted Resolution No. RES-2026-083 approving the Memorandum of Understanding for Unit 9 – Fire Safety Management, effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.
  • 13.10 – Adopted Resolution No. RES-2026-084 authorizing submission of a $1,500,000 grant application to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for WaterSMART Drought Response Program for reconstruction of Carley Well, with a local match of $3,868,250.

The consent agenda was approved unanimously (7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Duane DeWitt (Roseland resident) spoke on closed session transparency, supported parks maintenance staff, encouraged connectivity through Roseland, suggested fees for park vendors and selling city properties rather than tax increases, opposed spending on Route 101 overcrossing and Kawana Springs garden, and advocated for equitable distribution of Community Advisory Board grants to disadvantaged neighborhoods.
  • Michael Hilber opposed the revenue enhancement tax measure, calling it a waste and arguing the city should cut spending instead; opposed the $4.6 million Measure O funding as inappropriate.
  • Gregory Fearon supported the tax measure, emphasized the need to wake the community to service reductions, spoke on oversight of Measure O funds, and mentioned a new nonprofit to support youth serving on boards.
  • Fred A (written comment read by staff) supported the TEFRA bond issuance and submitted written remarks on Proposition 13.
  • Fred (oral) spoke in support of the Santa Rosa Garden Apartments bonds.
  • Public comments also occurred on non-agenda matters (Item 14) about trusted developers and city property sales.

Discussion Items

  • Revenue Enhancement Study Session (Item 4.1) – The council heard a detailed presentation from CFO Scott Wagner and Communications Officer Misti Wood on the city's structural deficit, impact of 82 FTE cuts, pension restructuring savings of $28 million over five years, and reserve depletion projections (from $49 million in FY 2028 to $11.5 million by FY 2030). Police Chief John Cregan and Fire Chief Scott Westrope outlined potential cuts: up to 24 sworn officers eliminated by 2030 (police) and closure of one engine company (2027) and a truck company (2030) for fire. Community survey results showed 80% rated fire/EMS as extremely/very important; 55% of respondents would likely support a one-cent sales tax reauthorization (Measure Q) until repealed by voters, estimated to generate $23.5 million additional annual revenue. The council expressed unanimous support for bringing back ballot measure language for consideration. Council members noted the tax would be a general purpose tax requiring a simple majority, 100% staying in Santa Rosa.
  • Greenway Connectivity Study Staff Briefing (Item 8.1) – Transportation Planner Torina Wilson presented three feasible alternatives to link Prince Memorial Greenway and future Southeast Greenway. Over 550 survey responses received; mailers sent to 10,000 property owners. An in-person workshop is scheduled for July 29. Council encouraged public participation.
  • Community Empowerment Plan Update (Item 8.2) – Community Engagement Manager Ana Horta listed upcoming events: Live at Julia concert series, creek cleanup, National Night Out, among others. Council noted the importance of outreach despite limited resources.
  • TEFRA Public Hearing – Santa Rosa Garden Apartments (Item 16.1) – The council held a public hearing and unanimously adopted Resolution No. RES-2026-081 approving issuance of tax-exempt revenue bonds not exceeding $20 million by the California Statewide Communities Development Authority for the acquisition, rehabilitation, and equipping of the 111-unit affordable housing project at 4601 Montgomery Drive. No fiscal impact to the city.
  • Diversity Report on Boards, Commissions, and Committees (Item 15.1) – City Clerk Dina Manis presented the 2025 annual report. Key figures: 106 applications from 81 individuals, 45 appointments made. Female appointees increased to 60% appointment rate (vs. 19% in 2024). Hispanic appointees at 15% remain underrepresented relative to community (37%). African American appointees increased from zero to two. Districts 2 and 7 improved from zero appointments in 2024 to 70% of active members from those districts appointed in 2025. Council discussed lowering the minimum appointment age (currently 18) and adjusting meeting times to improve diversity. The report was accepted unanimously.
  • Unpermitted Food Vendors (Item 11.3.1) – Council Member Alvarez requested a future study session to address environmental impacts (grease disposal) and regulatory issues. Director Osborn noted existing city and county regulations and state law protections. Council voted unanimously to direct staff to bring forward a study session.

Key Outcomes

  • Revenue Measure: Council directed staff to return with ballot measure language for a potential November 2026 election, reauthorizing Measure Q at one cent (instead of half-cent) until repealed by voters. (Vote: 7-0, study session, no formal action but clear consensus.)
  • Santa Rosa Garden Apartments Bonds: Resolution No. RES-2026-081 adopted unanimously (7-0).
  • Consent Agenda: Approved 7-0.
  • Zero Waste Sonoma Alternate: Dan Hennessey appointed as staff alternate to the Zero Waste Sonoma Agency Board of Directors (7-0).
  • Unpermitted Food Vendors Study Session: Directed staff to schedule a study session (7-0).
  • Minutes: June 2 and June 16, 2026 minutes approved as submitted.
  • Diversity Report: Accepted unanimously (motion by Council Member Fleming, second by Rogers).
  • Appointments: Council member reports included recognition of community events and subcommittee updates; no formal actions beyond the Zero Waste appointment.
  • City Manager's Report: Jason Nutt announced Dominique Blanquie as Acting Assistant City Manager, fall/winter recreation guide release, blood drive on July 21, and opening of nomination period for November 2026 City Council elections.
  • Upcoming: Next regular meeting tentatively scheduled for July 28, 2026.

Meeting Transcript

I'd like to ask the host or 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're 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. Claudia, will you please restate this in Spanish? Thank you very much. Back to you. Welcome everyone. The time is 2 30, and we can call this meeting to order. Madam City Clerk, would you please call the roll? Thank you, Mayor. Councilmember Rogers. Present. Councilmember MacDonald. Here. Councilmember Fleming. Councilmember Van Wells. Here. Councilmember Alvarez. President. Vice Mayor Krepki. Here. Mayor Step. Here. Let the record show that all council members are present with the exception of Councilmember Fleming. Thank you. We'll move on to item 3.1 regarding our conference with legal counsel over anticipated litigation. We can uh open this up to public comment. Are there any members of the public wish to speak? Mr. DeWitt. Hello, my name is Dwayne D.W. I'm from Roseland. I wanted to thank you for having these types of items on the agenda. But I do believe, especially for something where there might be a potential case, that here on this little device you have for the public to get information about your items. If you were to look at a different item, it would actually have a report. It's been about twelve, thirteen years ago. A lot of money was spent to make sure we were going to open up our governmental processes so that the members of the public, the taxpayers, would be able to be better informed. We're not saying that you should break the confidentiality of this legal type of discussion, but you should at least put that subdivision up there and let people see what you're talking about in that format. And then when you go to the next session, study session, your revenue enhancement, you will see that they put extra stuff up there on that device where a member of the public could actually hit something and get information. So it's just actually following up on your previous approaches to open government and making it all better. Thank you. I'll be here for further adventures. Thank you, Duane. Uh seeing no other members of the public in person. Let's go to our Zoom host, Madam City Clerk. Any online public comment? Lauren, take it away.

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