The Cultural Heritage Board of Santa Rosa met on July 17, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. The meeting was called to order with five members present (Chair Meuser, Board Members Garrett, Boren, Fennell, and Klyn) and one absent (Vice Chair Carney). However, during the meeting, Chair Meuser announced his resignation effective July 18, 2024, in protest of recent fee increases for landmark alteration permits. Three other board members (Garrett, Fennell, Boren) and later Board Member Klyn also resigned effective immediately, leading to a loss of quorum. The meeting was adjourned at 4:51 p.m. without considering the scheduled items.
Board Member Reports: Chair Meuser reported on the City of Santa Rosa's updated fee schedule (Resolution 2024-033, effective July 1, 2024). He stated that the fee study by MGT Consulting did not include input from the Cultural Heritage Board or historic property owners. He provided detailed fee increases:
Board Member Garrett: Resigned effective immediately, stating the city is not interested in preserving historic districts.
Board Member Fennell: Resigned effective immediately, citing disappointment that the board was not consulted and that the fees undermine the board's purpose.
Board Member Boren: Resigned effective immediately, echoing the concerns.
Board Member Klyn: Resigned effective immediately, stating she could not continue in good faith.
Assistant City Attorney Ashle Crocker: Informed the board that the meeting needed to adjourn due to loss of quorum (only Chair Meuser remained of the five initial members). She noted the scheduled items would be continued to a date uncertain.
Chair Muser, it is 4 30. If you'd like to call the meeting to order unless you would like to wait. Okay, welcome everybody. It's uh 4 30, and I'm calling the meeting of the City of Santa Rosa Cultural Heritage Board to order. Um Ms. Camp, if we could have a roll call. Thank you, Chair. Uh board member Borin. Here. Uh board member Carney. Looks like he's absent. Board Member Fennel. Absent. Uh board member Klein. Here. Board Member Marslin. Oh, I'm sorry. Uh Board Member Garrett here. And Chair Muser. Here. I let the record reflect that we have all board members here with the exception of Vice Chair Carney and board member Fennel. Thanks. Uh board member Fennel is coming down the stairs. Chair Muser, can you turn your microphone on? Your microphone. There we go. Um item two, remote participation under AB two four four nine. Uh we have none. Item three, approval of minutes. So um draft minutes from June nineteenth, twenty twenty-four. Any oh excuse me. Uh the recording secretary, can you just let the record reflect that board member Fennel is present? Thank you. Thank you. Uh yes, let the record reflect that board member Fennel arrived at 4 32 p.m. Thank you. Item three, approval of minutes. Um June nineteenth, twenty twenty-four. Are there any additions, changes to the minutes? Saying none, leave them as approved. As a okay. Public comments. We are now taking public comments under item four, non-agenda items. This the time when any person may address the board on matters not listed on this agenda. But which are within the subject matter jurisdiction of this committee. Uh recording secretary, could you please provide instructions to the public? Thank you. If you are in chambers and wish to make a comment, please make your way to the podium. You will have three minutes for your comment and a countdown timer will alert you at the conclusion of that period. And it looks like we have Mr.