Santa Rosa City Council Regular Meeting - August 18, 2026

The Santa Rosa City Council met on August 18, 2026, for a closed session at 2:00 PM, a study session at 3:00 PM, and a regular session at 4:00 PM. Key actions included approving a real property exchange agreement for the City Hall campus to address a $100+ million capital liability, introducing an ordinance to prohibit irrigation of nonfunctional turf with potable water as required by state law, and approving placement of stormwater enterprise charges on the county property tax roll. The council also received a study session on the South Santa Rosa Specific Plan draft preferred alternative and heard extensive public testimony on housing displacement concerns, particularly from mobile home park residents.

Consent Calendar

• 13.1: Approved Third Amendment to blanket purchase order with KONE Inc. for elevator maintenance, adding $160,000 (total $421,000).
• 13.2: Awarded contract to GCCI, Inc. for Transit Mall Kiosk alterations ($552,200 total).
• 13.3: Awarded contract to Team Ghilotti, Inc. for Downtown Connectivity to Support Housing Density ($4,157,055 total).
• 13.4: Appropriated $22,534,460 in State Water Resources Control Board grant funding for the Santa Rosa Water Consolidation Project.
• 13.5: Accepted $358,323.06 from the California Highway Patrol Cannabis Tax Fund Grant for the Police Department.
• 13.6: Adopted an amended Conflict of Interest Code. All consent items passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• South Santa Rosa Specific Plan (SSRSP): Multiple mobile home park residents, tenants' rights organizers, and community members spoke in support of investment but urged strong anti-displacement protections. Linda Blanco (North Bay Organizing Project) highlighted harassment by Harmony Communities, which owns several parks in the plan area. Caitlin (Legal Aid) urged preservation of naturally occurring affordable housing. Norma Fernandez described unsafe conditions and fear of displacement. Angel Portillo reported a rent increase from $780 to double. Others like Dwayne DeWitt criticized the process as insufficiently community-driven. Support for the plan came from Santa Rosa YIMBY (Abby Arnold) and Fred Olibach, who urged including specific anti-displacement measures.
• City Hall Campus Exchange: Public comment was mixed. Supporters included Richard Carlisle, Derek Stefan, and Santa Rosa YIMBY, who praised the financial savings and potential for creek daylighting. Fred Olibach and Evan Wigg expressed strong concern that the retained 1.61 acres of creek land might be insufficient for flood mitigation and meaningful creek restoration. Betty Andrews, a civil engineer, questioned whether all flood control options are preserved. Dwayne DeWitt opposed any taxpayer payment to the developer, advocating a straight exchange.
• Public Comment on Non-Agenda Matters: Fred Olibach noted appreciation for council transparency; Connie Steele requested naming a trail in Howard Park after a deceased friend; Dwayne DeWitt requested posters for POW/MIA Day; Daniel Paul suggested a committee for innovative policies like autonomous vehicles.
• No public comments on the water waste ordinance, stormwater charges, or consent calendar (aside from Dwayne DeWitt on downtown connectivity).

Discussion Items

• South Santa Rosa Specific Plan (SSRSP) Study Session: Staff presented the Draft Preferred Alternative, combining mixed-use along Santa Rosa Avenue with higher density near the Costco shopping center. Total projected build-out: 6,300 residential units and 3 million sq ft non-residential. Parks and open space would meet the 6 acres/1,000 residents standard. Key feedback from the council included: ensure anti-displacement policies (Councilmember Benwells and Rogers), protect mobile home parks through zoning, improve east-west connectivity (Bellevue crossing), and tie infrastructure costs to development. Staff committed to ongoing policy dialogue with the county and will bring back a full Specific Plan and EIR for adoption in spring 2027.
• City Hall Campus Exchange: Staff detailed a $100+ million deferred maintenance liability on the current campus. The exchange conveys City Hall Campus (except 1.61 acres of creek flood control land) to MOTS LLC in exchange for 520 3rd Street. The net purchase price differential is $4,546,868, funded from previously assigned General Fund Reserves. The city will keep the creek land to retain flood control options. High Futrell (MOTS) emphasized the building's iconic status and his company's long track record in Santa Rosa. The council discussed the development agreement timeline, leaseback terms ($2 total for up to two years), and ongoing maintenance costs. The exchange was approved unanimously.
• Water Waste Ordinance (First Reading): Introduced as required by AB 1572 to prohibit potable water irrigation of nonfunctional turf on commercial, industrial, institutional, HOA common areas, and public agency properties. Compliance deadlines staggered from 2027 to 2029. Staff will notify affected properties. No immediate fiscal impact. Unanimously approved.
• Stormwater Enterprise Charges: Presented annual charge report based on equivalent residential unit ($43.52 per ERU). Requested to place charges on the Sonoma County Property Tax Roll for FY2026-27. Parcels under $10 minimum or with incorrect owner contact info excluded. Unanimously approved.
• Closed Session Report: The council met in closed session on anticipated litigation and voted unanimously to direct legal counsel to initiate litigation against Pierce Manufacturing. No settlements or judgments for July.
• City Manager Reports: Moody's upgraded the city's credit rating to AA1 (second highest). SRPD officers honored by MADD for 614 DUI arrests. Ross Street activation launched. Fall into Fitness registration open.
• Designation of Voting Delegate: Councilmember Rogers designated as voting delegate, with Alvarez and McDonald as alternates for the League of California Cities Annual Conference.

Key Outcomes

• Approved (all unanimous):
  • Real Property Exchange Agreement with MOTS LLC for City Hall Campus (Resolution 1 - Surplus Land Declaration; Resolution 2 - Exchange Agreement).
  • Introduction of Ordinance amending Water Waste Regulations (first reading; second reading scheduled for September 15).
  • Stormwater Enterprise Charge Report and placement on county tax roll.
  • Consent Calendar items 13.1-13.6.
  • Minutes of July 28 and August 4, 2026 (with Councilmember McDonald abstaining on August 4 minutes due to absence).
  • Voting delegates for League of California Cities conference.
• Directed staff to proceed with the Draft Preferred Alternative for the South Santa Rosa Specific Plan, incorporating council feedback on anti-displacement and equitable development.
• Closed Session: Authorized initiation of litigation against Pierce Manufacturing.
• Next Steps: Staff will further develop SSRSP policies, bring back draft specific plan and EIR for council consideration in spring 2027. City Hall exchange escrow target closing December 31, 2026; tenant improvements and development agreement will undergo separate public processes.