Santa Rosa City Council Regular Meeting - August 4, 2026

The Santa Rosa City Council met in regular session on August 4, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. Councilmembers Rogers, BenWillows, Alvarez, Vice Mayor O'Krepke, and Mayor Stapp were present; Councilmembers McDonald and Fleming were absent. The meeting covered a community empowerment update, city manager reports, council member reports, two consent items, two major housing-related reports, and public comment on non-agenda matters.

Consent Calendar

• Resolution - Authorization of Receipt of Additional CDBG-Disaster Recovery Grant Funds ($1,496,623.27) for the Coffey Park and Fountaingrove Neighborhood Road Disaster Recovery Project, Contract No. C02258. Approved unanimously (5-0).
• Resolution - Extension of Proclamation of Local Homeless Emergency (extension of Resolution No. 28839). Approved unanimously (5-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• During Consent Items (Item 13): A phone caller initially intended to comment on construction at West Third and Fulton but deferred to the non-agenda public comment period.
• During Prohousing Designation (Item 15.1): Gregory Farron, an appointee to the Housing Authority, noted that the $1.25 million in prohousing-related funding plus earlier infrastructure funds could help fund two very low-income projects. He encouraged the council to think about larger state funding pots (e.g., Homekey) that may reward prohousing cities.
• During High-Density Multi-Family Incentive Program (Item 15.2): Gregory Farron commented that fee deferrals help middle-income developers, not just large developers.
• During Non-Agenda Public Comment (Item 18):
  • Adina Flores voiced concerns about Councilmember O'Krepke's alleged connections to former Windsor Mayor Dominic Fopoli (facing rape allegations) and the Boys & Girls Club, referencing a lawsuit she is litigating.
  • John (last name not given) spoke about graffiti abatement blight along Highway 101 at the Bellevue area and urged more city action.
  • Brian Fix, representing the Santa Rosa Police Officers Association, announced the POA's endorsement of Measure Q (a tax measure on the November 2026 ballot) after discussions about the city's financial cuts and need for community support.
  • A phone caller (guest 8309) expressed opposition to a planned unhoused women's clean living facility at West Third and Fulton, citing neighborhood impacts (crime, trash, graffiti) and asking how to stop the project.

Discussion Items

• Item 8.1 - Community Empowerment Plan Update: Misty Wood presented upcoming events: National Night Out (August 4), Park a Month at Rincon Valley Community Park (August 8), creek cleanup (August 15), Rural Cemetery volunteer day (August 15), Live at Juilliard Park concerts (through August 16), and district-based community meetings starting August 26.
• Item 9 - City Manager's Report: City Manager Jason (last name not given) reported on: (1) Ross Street activation (Aug 14 – Oct 31) with live music, food trucks, and family activities; (2) Santa Rosa named "North Bay's Business Friendly City" in the Best of the North Bay Awards; (3) Movies in the Park at Howarth Park (Fridays, Aug 14 – Sept 11).
• Item 11 - Council Member Reports: Councilmember Rogers announced the appointment of Nadia King to Arts and Public Places, and noted the retirement of Sonoma Water General Manager Grant Davis; she provided updates from the WAC and TAC meetings (water supply, Potter Valley project, ERPA meeting).
• Item 15.1 - Prohousing Designation Program Application Authorization: Jessica Jones (Deputy Director of Planning) and Amy Nicholson presented the city's renewal application. The city received 57 points in 2023; the draft application now scores approximately 89 points (well above the 30-point minimum). Benefits include priority processing and additional points for state affordable housing grants, plus access to a set-aside funding pool (~$8 million statewide). Council discussed the value of the designation and the lack of local control incentives from the state. Staff recommended authorization to submit after a 30-day public review period. Council voted 5-0 to adopt the resolution.
• Item 15.2 - High-Density Multi-Family Residential Incentive Program: Jessica Jones and Gabe Osburn (Director of Planning and Economic Development) presented a proposal to extend the program (which reduces capital facilities fees, park fees, and defers water/wastewater fees for downtown high-density residential projects) from its current expiration of August 31, 2026, to August 31, 2031. The program has supported six completed projects (The Cannery, Pullman Lofts, 888 4th Street, The Felix) and three pending projects. Council discussed effectiveness, impact on moderate-income housing, and the need for a comprehensive impact fee study (nexus study) later this year. Council voted 5-0 to adopt three resolutions extending the program and revising fee schedules.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Items 13.1 & 13.2: Approved unanimously (5-0).
• Resolution for Prohousing Designation Application (Item 15.1): Approved 5-0, authorizing staff to submit the renewal application after the public review period.
• Extension of High-Density Multi-Family Incentive Program (Item 15.2): Three resolutions approved 5-0, extending the program to August 31, 2031, and updating fee schedules. Staff will return for a study session on a comprehensive fee incentive approach later in the year.