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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Santa Rosa City Council Regular Meeting - September 29, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, September 29, 2026

BodySanta Rosa, California

SessionCity Council

DateTuesday, September 29, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 2:30:07

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

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Speaker 1

0:07

Good afternoon.

0:09

I'd like to ask Grizzell, who is currently on the Spanish channel to commence interpretation of the meeting.

0:15

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.

0:30

It looks like a globe.

0:31

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.

0:39

Click done to activate and begin the interpretation.

0:42

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

0:50

Claudia, will you please restate this in Spanish?

0:53

Yes.

Speaker 2

1:57

Thank you.

1:58

Welcome everyone.

1:59

The time is 235, and we'll call this meeting to order.

2:01

Madam City Clerk.

Speaker 3

2:06

Thank you, Mayor.

2:09

Councilmember Rogers.

2:11

Councilmember McDonald.

2:18

Councilmember Ben Wellos.

2:20

Here.

2:20

Councilmember Alvarez.

Speaker 4

2:21

Present.

Speaker 3

2:22

Vice Mayor O'Krepke.

Speaker 4

2:23

Here.

Speaker 3

2:24

Mayor Stepp.

Speaker 4

2:25

Here.

Speaker 3

2:25

Let the record show that all council members are present with the exceptions of Councilmembers Fleming, McDonald, and Rogers.

Speaker 2

2:31

Thank you.

2:32

All right.

2:33

We have one closed session.

2:34

We uh item is today.

2:35

This is item 3.1, our conference with real property negotiator.

2:39

Uh any public comment on this item from here in chambers?

2:43

Please, the floor, the floor is yours.

Speaker 5

2:57

Okay,

Speaker 6

2:57

so we

Speaker 5

3:00

fancy.

3:02

Good afternoon, Mayor and the Council members.

3:05

I'm Emily Mills Marino of Juno Technology.

3:08

Here on behalf of our team, Community Housing Opportunities Corporation, Bahill Ventures, and Rogel Projects.

3:14

Thank you so much for the time today, and a huge thank you to Jill Scott and her staff for a thorough and very well-run process.

3:22

Santa Rosa has already done the hard part.

3:24

The pro housing designation, the downtown plan, the infrastructure dollars that you guys have fought so hard to keep alive for this site.

3:32

Now what's left is just to get it built.

3:35

That's why we put our team together.

3:37

Our team's track record spans market rate and affordable multifamily housing, mass timber, and other prefabricated elements, public and private capital, and we've taken projects from entitlement all the way through to move in.

3:50

Everything this project needs is on our team.

3:57

Priced for people who work downtown with a daycare for about 30 local kids, and a strategy to replace the existing parking.

4:18

It's a template for the next downtown site and the one after that.

4:21

Every project makes the get the first one right, and every project that comes after it gets easier.

4:34

We are excited to build this with you, and we're and if selected, we're ready to get going as soon as you

Unassigned speaker

4:39

are.

Speaker 2

4:45

Thank you.

4:46

Is there an additional comment?

4:49

Please.

Unassigned speaker

5:00

I'm vice president for real estate finance for Community Housing Opportunities Corporation.

Speaker 7

5:03

We are a part of the Juneau team, which presented on item 3.1.

5:09

We uh I I don't know that I necessarily need a uh recast what Emily presented, uh other than to say we are very enthusiastic uh about the opportunity to work with staff and with council as well as with members of the community to shape a new vision for downtown Santa Rosa uh that looks to the future and looks to a vibrant place where multiple generations of Santa Rosans can thrive together uh as the city looks forward to its future.

5:44

Thank you very much.

Speaker 2

5:46

Thank you.

5:47

And and thank you both for submitting a proposal and for taking the time to be here tonight.

5:51

We we really appreciate that.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Immigration Policy██████████████████████████26%

Procedural███████████████████19%

Downtown Revitalization█████████9%

Public Engagement█████████9%

Public Comment█████████9%

Affordable Housing████4%

Homelessness████4%

Technology and Innovation███3%

Mental Health Awareness███3%

Summary of Proceedings

Santa Rosa City Council Regular Meeting - September 29, 2026

The Santa Rosa City Council met on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, beginning at 2:30 p.m. with a closed session, followed by a study session at 3:30 p.m., and the regular session at 4:00 p.m. Councilmembers Stapp, Okrepkie, Alvarez, and Bañuelos were present for most of the meeting. Councilmember Fleming participated remotely for the study session but was absent for the regular session. Councilmembers MacDonald and Rogers were absent. The meeting covered downtown improvement projects, a public hearing for tax-exempt bond financing for senior housing, and featured extensive public testimony urging amendments to the city’s sanctuary ordinance regarding non-cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Consent Calendar

Parking Agreement (13.1): Approved a Parking Agreement with 425 Humboldt, LLC, allowing the purchase of up to 176 non-reserved residential parking permits in Garage 3 for the 425 Humboldt Street Apartment Project. Council discussed balancing permit parking with public parking demand to maintain an approximately 85% garage utilization target for commercial vibrancy.
Homeless Emergency Extension (13.2): Approved Resolution RES-2026-111, extending the local proclamation of a homeless emergency.
Classification and Compensation (13.3): Adopted Resolution RES-2026-112, approving classification and compensation changes and the updated Salary Plan and Schedule.

Public Participation and Council Reports

Councilmember Reports

Councilmember Alvarez requested a future agenda item to receive an update on the city’s immigration policy and community protocols, which sparked extensive public testimony.
Councilmember Bañuelos reported on the Homeless Coalition, noting challenges with federal grants, an increase in medically vulnerable and senior homelessness, and a lack of shelter beds heading into winter. She stressed the need for permanent supportive housing.
Mayor Stapp reported on the Flock camera community meeting and appointed Councilmember MacDonald to the Public Safety Subcommittee.

Public Testimony on Immigration Policy (Sanctuary Ordinance)

Over twenty members of the public, many representing the Sonoma County Sanctuary Coalition and the North Bay Organizing Project, urged the City Council to amend the existing ordinance that prohibits ICE use of city property. They requested five specific amendments: 1) an explicit non-collaboration policy; 2) robust protocols for city employees to not collaborate with ICE; 3) mandatory employee training; 4) citywide signage regarding the non-collaboration policy; and 5) requiring city contractors to comply with the same standards.
Speakers expressed fear, urgency, and frustration with the pace of the city’s actions. Several speakers cited Petaluma’s recent ordinance approval as a model of effective community engagement.
City response: Mayor Stapp stated that much of what was requested is already in place in existing city ordinances. City Manager Nutt confirmed that staff are actively working on updating ordinance language and developing a staff training program, and will provide a detailed update to the Council at a future meeting. Councilmember Alvarez affirmed the need to address the community’s concerns.

Other Public Comments

Duane De Witt spoke on the Downtown Improvement Plan, advocating for the use of “must and shall” language to ensure commitment to projects, and on the homeless emergency, urging the preservation of existing housing stock.
Mark Buchow criticized the Flock camera town hall, stating police leadership did not provide measurable goals and relied on a “trust me” message which he found insufficient.
Will Abrams (Utility Wildfire Survivor Coalition) urged the City to support AB 2700 to ensure full restitution for wildfire survivors.
Abigail Zoger (North Bay Transit Riders) asked councilmembers to participate in the National Week Without Driving campaign.
Ken Davis alerted the Council to an upcoming appeal of a drive-thru project near his neighborhood, asking the Council to uphold the Planning Commission’s prior denial.

Discussion Items (Study Session)

Downtown Improvements Update (Item 4.1): Directors Dan Hennessey (Transportation & Public Works) and Gabe Osburn (Planning & Economic Development) presented updates on several downtown projects. Topics included the Ruth Asawa bronze panel installation in Courthouse Square, new interactive play elements, 4th Street lighting and bike rack standardization, Comstock Mall enhancements, plans to restore the Jeju Way fountain and improve sightlines, and new playground equipment at Julliard Park. The Council discussed the potential activation of a kiosk at Julliard Park for commercial use and the challenges of placing a larger play structure in Courthouse Square. Councilmembers expressed strong support for the beautification efforts. No action was taken.

Public Hearing

TEFRA Bond Reissuance for Vigil Light Senior Apartments (Item 16.1): The Council held a public hearing and unanimously adopted Resolution RES-2026-110 authorizing the California Municipal Finance Authority to reissue tax-exempt revenue bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $20 million. The bonds will finance the acquisition, rehabilitation, development, and equipping of Vigil Light Senior Apartments, a 49-unit affordable senior housing development located at 1945 Long Drive. No public comments were made, and the City confirmed there is no fiscal impact to the General Fund.

Key Outcomes

Resolution RES-2026-110: Adopted 4-0 approving the reissuance of tax-exempt revenue bonds for the Vigil Light Senior Apartments.
Resolution RES-2026-111: Adopted extending the Local Homeless Emergency Proclamation.
Resolution RES-2026-112: Adopted approving updated Classification and Compensation Salary Plans.
Parking Agreement: Approved for the 425 Humboldt Street Apartment Project.
Meeting Minutes: The September 15, 2026 meeting minutes were approved as submitted.
Future Agenda Direction: Staff will return to the Council with a detailed update on the city’s immigration policy, employee protocols, and training.
Closed Session: No reportable action was taken regarding the real property negotiation for properties at 625 and 637 3rd Street (Garage 5).

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon. I'd like to ask Grizzell, who is 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 up the main audio so you only hear the in the Spanish interpretation. Claudia, will you please restate this in Spanish? Yes. Thank you. Welcome everyone. The time is 235, and we'll call this meeting to order. Madam City Clerk. Thank you, Mayor. Councilmember Rogers. Councilmember McDonald. Councilmember Ben Wellos. Here. Councilmember Alvarez. Present. Vice Mayor O'Krepke. Here. Mayor Stepp. Here. Let the record show that all council members are present with the exceptions of Councilmembers Fleming, McDonald, and Rogers. Thank you. All right. We have one closed session. We uh item is today. This is item 3.1, our conference with real property negotiator. Uh any public comment on this item from here in chambers? Please, the floor, the floor is yours. Okay, so we fancy. Good afternoon, Mayor and the Council members. I'm Emily Mills Marino of Juno Technology. Here on behalf of our team, Community Housing Opportunities Corporation, Bahill Ventures, and Rogel Projects. Thank you so much for the time today, and a huge thank you to Jill Scott and her staff for a thorough and very well-run process. Santa Rosa has already done the hard part. The pro housing designation, the downtown plan, the infrastructure dollars that you guys have fought so hard to keep alive for this site. Now what's left is just to get it built. That's why we put our team together. Our team's track record spans market rate and affordable multifamily housing, mass timber, and other prefabricated elements, public and private capital, and we've taken projects from entitlement all the way through to move in. Everything this project needs is on our team. Priced for people who work downtown with a daycare for about 30 local kids, and a strategy to replace the existing parking. It's a template for the next downtown site and the one after that. Every project makes the get the first one right, and every project that comes after it gets easier. We are excited to build this with you, and we're and if selected, we're ready to get going as soon as you are.

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