City Council

City Hall, Council Chamber City of Santa Rosa 100 Santa Rosa Avenue Santa Rosa, CA 95404 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final Tuesday, June 30, 2020 1:30 PM 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Mayor Schwedhelm called the meeting to order at 1:40 p.m. Present: 7 - Mayor Tom Schwedhelm, Vice Mayor Victoria Fleming, Council Member Ernesto Olivares, Council Member Chris Rogers, Council Member Jack Tibbetts, Council Member Richard Dowd, and Council Member John Sawyer 2. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ITEMS PUBLIC COMMENT Nicholas Haig-Arack submitted comment on Item 2.1 regarding injuries Marqus Martinez received during the protest and asked that Council pay for his medical bills. Mayor Schwedhelm recessed the meeting to closed session at 1:40 p.m. to discuss Items 2.1 and 2.2 as listed on the agenda: 2.1 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION (Paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Government Code Section 54956.9) Name of Case: Marqus Martinez, et al. v. City of Santa Rosa, et al. Court Case No. USDC Northern District of California 3:20-cv-04135 This item was received and filed. 2.2 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Government Code Section 54956.9: one potential case (Claim of Argelio Giron) This item was received and filed. Mayor Schwedhelm adjourned closed session at 2:30 p.m. and reconvened to study session at 2:50 p.m. 3. STUDY SESSION City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 20 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final June 30, 2020 Present: 7 - Mayor Tom Schwedhelm, Vice Mayor Victoria Fleming, Council Member Ernesto Olivares, Council Member Chris Rogers, Council Member Jack Tibbetts, Council Member Richard Dowd, and Council Member John Sawyer 3.1 REVIEW AND PRIORITIZATION OF ECONOMIC RECOVERY TASK FORCE EFFORTS AND DIRECTION ON EFFECTIVE ONGOING RESPONSE TO CHANGING CONDITIONS The objective of this task force is to address current issues that are within the City’s purview resulting from the pandemic and related health orders while strengthening Santa Rosa’s economic recovery and resiliency for the long run. Since its first meeting on April 10, 2020, the Economic Recovery Task Force agenda has been dynamic and evolving based primarily on direct and indirect input from any and all sources, and actions that address or respond to the changing nature of the health orders. As of the June 2, 2020, council briefing, there were 30 items bucketed into five categories: current projects, potential action items, resolved items, actions that were moved to another committee, or work that could be accomplished through staff level action. Subsequent to hearing the briefing, Council took action to have the list reviewed and prioritized by Council in a public setting via a study session. This study session will provide the Economic Recovery Task Force direction on how the full Council wants current identified actions prioritized, as well as how the task force may move forward effectively in responding to continually changing conditions and acting on new ideas and opportunities. Attachments: Staff Report Attachment 1 - ERT List Presentation (Uploaded 6/29/2020) Raissa de la Rosa, Economic Development Division Director, presented and answered questions from the Council. PUBLIC COMMENTS Cat Wagner spoke on no longer being able to conduct her business during COVID-19, her experience in trying to get a permit to conduct her business from home and asked Council to exempt those requirements to reduce costs for business owners. City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 20 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final June 30, 2020 Eric Fraser spoke on Council focusing on things that are counterproductive to businesses, the parking policy needing to be reconsidered, and his concern there is an undercurrent of changing the rules of the game for home-based businesses in the tourism economy. Council provided direction to staff to continue to provide updates and to provide a way for the community to be engaged in the conversation. The Mayor announced the August 4 goal setting session will be another opportunity to continue the conversation. Mayor Schwedhelm recessed the meeting at 4:09 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 4:25 p.m. Present: 7 - Mayor Tom Schwedhelm, Vice Mayor Victoria Fleming, Council Member Ernesto Olivares, Council Member Chris Rogers, Council Member Jack Tibbetts, Council Member Richard Dowd, and Council Member John Sawyer 3.2 COMMUNITY FORUM AND INPUT ON SANTA ROSA COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT PLAN It has been just over a month since the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis set in motion a groundswell of global protests, including here in Santa Rosa. This study session is a forum for the community to express their grief and anger, as well as demands and desires for a better Santa Rosa. To this end, the Santa Rosa Community Empowerment Plan is a starting point for change in recognition that the City of Santa Rosa seeks to reorient efforts and change policies in a collaborative manner with the community, and particularly with our communities of color. The focus of the Plan is to engage and work in partnership with the public in a way that all community members feel they have a voice and are empowered to seek and implement a better more inclusive system. An overview of this initial plan, intent and timeline will be reviewed so that it may be modified as needed based on public input. With a repetitive loop of input, action, and analysis, it is intended that the Community Empowerment Plan be iterative and ongoing, evolving based on feedback and need. City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 20 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final June 30, 2020 Attachments: Staff Report Attachment 1 - SR Community Empowerment Plan Attachment 2 - Principles of Community Engagement Attachment 3 - CE Spectrum Overview Presentation Late Correspondence (Uploaded 07-13-2020) Raissa de la Rosa, Economic Development Division Director, presented and answered questions from the Council. PUBLIC COMMENT Evan Phillips thanked Raissa for the presentation and spoke on feeling it was irresponsible of Council to adopt the budget, on the urgency of what the community is facing, and his concern the City is continuing with business as usual. Shelly Smith spoke on her appreciation of the plan and her concern about indigenous leaders not being included. Mitsumasa Waltz echoed the comments of the previous speakers, asked Council to purchase public restrooms for people living outside and having an economy based on care giving. Sarah Bird spoke on her concern of the city's police violence issues, the current police system not working, and the need to explore non-violent problem solving. Keith Rhinehart spoke on the need for a citizen review board instead of an auditor that would include two Council Members, representatives from each district and for the board to have the authority to subpoena police officer records. Karen Weeks read a letter into the record on behalf of the 2014 Mayor's Open Government Task Force stating the report expressed the frustration of the community and urged Council to adopt the sunshine ordinance and the report related to community engagement. City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 20 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final June 30, 2020 Merlin spoke on the global protests, the empowerment plan making an assumption of reform but protecting the police, his concern that the public has not been heard and the persecution of the homeless. Eric Fraser spoke on structural problems creating inefficiencies and injustices, the public being handled by staff, for Council to consider having an elected Mayor and Chief of Police that would be held accountable by the people. Joel Stras thanked the Council for holding the forum and asked if they had looked at policies implemented by San Francisco, Albuquerque, and Eugene. Nick Mattos spoke on the community being clear about defunding police and reallocating funds; on the 8 to Abolition program, and in support of defunding, demilitarizing and dismantling the Santa Rosa Police Department. Nurel spoke on her concern on the fundamentals of the empowerment plan not providing sessions in Spanish, indigenous people needing to have a seat at the table, and in support of defunding police. Colin Metcalfe echoed comments by Merlin and Nick, stated the community has had enough of listening and the abusive relationship with the Santa Rosa Police Department. Rachel Barry spoke on bureaucracy not addressing the needs of the community, in support of adopting the sunshine ordinance and defunding the police. Yesenia spoke on this being her first public meeting participation, on dedicating her time to the protests and the homeless, the mistreatment of removing the homeless under Hwy. 101, and in support of defunding the police. Veronica Cruz spoke on the mindset of police candidates not being City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 20 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final June 30, 2020 discovered during the hiring process, in support of a citizen review board, the police needing to protect and serve the people and not be a military department, and asked for accountability on what happened at the protests. Carla Wiking spoke on her concern about feeling less safe to raise her children in Santa Rosa, the 8 Can't Wait program should have been implemented immediately, asked why rape kits have not been tested, and in support of a citizen review board that has real authority. Brenda spoke on not feeling safe in Santa Rosa, her concern about the lack of intervention for chronic/mentally ill people that need care and compassion with intervention for a solution to get people off the streets, and in opposition to defunding police stating it will erode public health and safety. Evan Moore spoke on his concern that Police Chief Navarro has a seat at the table and that bureaucracy is not an excuse for inaction. Charlotte Borg spoke in opposition to Council adopting the budget, in support of dismantling Measure O, and for a timeline for defunding the police. Dimitra Smith, Chair for the Commission on Human Rights, reported the Commission will be submitting a report to the Council and asked that it be placed on the agenda, stated she was unable to participate on the empowerment plan because the Commission was busy logging human rights violations, and asked for accountability. Roman Campos spoke on his feeling that the Council participating in the march on July 2 was to appease the community, not a show of wanting to take action, and the police system being founded on racist principles. Mel spoke echoing the comments of Evan Phillips and Evan Moore, concerns that Council Member Schwedhelm and Olivares City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 7 of 20 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final June 30, 2020 participated in the adoption of the budget; people wanting to defund the police, not reform, and to reallocate the funds to other resources. Jenae Leuenberger-Fell spoke in support of law enforcement, having School Resource Officers in schools, and in opposition to defund the police. Sean Jegesky spoke on the inaction of Council, in support of defunding the police, a black new deal and meeting those demands. Kendra spoke in support of defunding, not reforming, the police department. Samra spoke on her concern the Mayor did not acknowledge the police actions and bad behavior at the protest; her concern the police are acting in their own self interest; the rape kits not getting tested, and in support of the abolition of the police. Harmony echoed the comments by previous speakers who spoke on bringing the indigenous people into the conversation; city officials needing to protect First Amendment rights, citizens vilified for expressing their First Amendment rights, and in support of defunding the police. Jenisse spoke in support of defunding the police, not reform. Conar Abramson-Davis spoke on the arrest of over 150 people protesting, in support of defunding and abolition of the police department, and his concern the curfew was meant to arrest people and wants action taken by the Council. Danielle Delario spoke on being proud of the young people who have organized protests and echoed what others have stated on preventive models that are more affective, divesting from police and reallocating funds to low income housing, public schools, rent suspension, helping marginalized communities, and the CAHOOTS City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 8 of 20 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final June 30, 2020 program. Melissa echoed the statement on the gravity of the situation and urged the Council to act immediately, the lack of access to meetings by non-English residents, and the need for more social services for the community. Marcus spoke in support of defunding the police and reallocating funds to other community services. Anandi echoed some of the comments by previous speakers, her concern the business as usual model being dismissive, wanting a referendum on Measure O, and for Council to take action immediately. Liz Rentzel spoke on wanting action now, in support of defunding the police, suspending the use of paid administrative leave for police officers under investigation, withholding pensions and requiring officers to be liable for excessive force settlements, and to place a cap on overtime accrual and pay. Tevy, Founder of Love and Light, echoed other comments and spoke on the first protest in Santa Rosa she led that was peaceful, the community wanting a seat at the table, and the purpose of the police is to serve the people. Michael spoke stating if police are listening on the forum, he wants one to where they are not listening in, and encouraged the Council to work on abolishing the Santa Rosa Police Department. Resident 1489 spoke on feeling the Police department is corrupt and not here to help the people. Gig Hitao submitted comment on Goal 2 of the plan, Objective 2.1, encouraged the Santa Rosa Police Department to develop positive reinforcement for police officers, stating positive reinforcement begets positive behavior and the police officers should be City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 9 of 20 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final June 30, 2020 recognized for their good work. Ellen submitted comment in support of the charges against the protestors be dropped and the elimination of Measure O. KP submitted comment on rape kits not being tested and in support of disbanding the police. Madison submitted comment on the rape kits not being tested, a friends negative experience in being pulled over by police, and in support of disbanding the police department. Talia Muldar submitted comment on the amount of funding for the police department and not being able to test rape kits. Cameron Trinkinoff submitted comment in support of defunding the police. Ari Thomas submitted comment in support of defunding the police, firing officers who use excessive force and misconduct, rape kits not being tested, and policing being a violent and racist institution. Rachel submitted comment in support of defunding the police Gina C. submitted comment on wanting justice for those who have been wronged by the Santa Rosa Police Department. Lily submitted comment on being disgusted that rape kits were not being tested, that not testing the kits protects the criminals, and the testing should be made a priority. Lorena submitted comment on building a society that cares for the most vulnerable and support of defunding the police. Miranda submitted comment on the rape kits not being tested and the Council should make it a priority to get them tested. City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 10 of 20 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final June 30, 2020 Cecelia submitted comment in support of defunding the police and reallocating funds, the foundation of police being rooted in racism and oppression, the 8 to Abolition program, and the police budget being used to harm people. Chris submitted comment in support of defunding the police. Lee Vandeveer submitted comment in support of defunding the police and reallocating funds to better serve the community. Daniel Glenndenning spoke in support of defunding the police and reallocating funds to education, fire services, and transportation, prohibiting the use of teargas, and dropping all charges against protestors. James submitted comment in support of defunding the police and reallocating funds to address community services. Bailey Russell submitted comment in support of defunding police and in support of Black Lives Matter. Aurelie Tayo submitted comment in support of defunding the police and reallocating funds and for Mayor Schwedhelm to step down. The Seetons submitted comment in support of the Police Department and Sheriff's Office and the need to provide more drug and mental health treatment. Dorothy Callegeri submitted comment in opposition to defund the police and in support of the Sheriff's and Santa Rosa police officers. Katrin Ciaffa submitted comment asking Council to hold the officers accountable for the use of tear gas and rubber bullets during the protest, and on being appalled that Santa Rosa officers supported the driver of the white Porsche who drove into the march at Doyle Park instead of several eyewitnesses. City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 11 of 20 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final June 30, 2020 Bruce Coats submitted comment in opposition to defund the police and sheriffs. Randy Field submitted comment in opposition to defund the police, in support of an increase of police officers on the streets, reinstating the drug court, and the need to address the homeless problem. Lisa Landress, Citizens for Action Now, submitted comment in support of the police and sheriff. Anonymous submitted comment in opposition to defund the police and in support to protect law enforcement. Resident submitted comment in support of defunding the police and reallocating funds, the testing of rape kits needing to be a priority, and to stop using force during peaceful demonstrations. Diane Dearman submitted comment in opposition to defund the police. Resident submitted comment in opposition to defund the police. Cas Cox submitted comment in support of defunding the police, investing funds in education and healthcare, not being able to trust the police, the Council not holding the Santa Rosa Police Department accountable, concern the rape kits not being tested, and in support of dropping the charges against the protestors. Duane De Witt submitted comment on the empowerment plan being implemented, the Open Government Task Force recommendations being ignored, and the City's actions not empowering the community. Jack Osborne submitted comment on the item being racist because it only addresses speaking with only black and brown communities. Katie Moore submitted comment in opposition to defund the police. City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 12 of 20 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final June 30, 2020 Susie McBride submitted comment in opposition to defund the police, wanting law and order to protect law enforcement. Mayor Schwedhelm recessed the meeting at 7:14 and reconvened at 7:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: 7 - Mayor Tom Schwedhelm, Vice Mayor Victoria Fleming, Council Member Ernesto Olivares, Council Member Chris Rogers, Council Member John Sawyer, Council Member Jack Tibbetts, and Council Member Richard Dowd PUBLIC COMMENT (continued) Anna Woods submitted comment for less police funding and more funding for social services. Will Hall submitted comment in support of defunding the police and reallocating resources to help communities in need. Gwen Gunheim submitted comment in support of defunding the police and reallocating resources to community services and housing. Morgan Wren submitted comment that defunding the police does not mean reforming the police, in support to defund the police, to have police unions settle lawsuits with their pensions, to dropping the charges against the protestors, and to stop the over-policing of communities of color. Jacqueline Rocha submitted comment on her grief and anger over racial injustice, the state of policing, and in support of divesting from police and investing in the community. Sophie Weil submitted comment to repeal Measure O, in support of City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 13 of 20 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final June 30, 2020 defunding police and reallocating funds to education, mental health services, housing and other programs that support the community. Nicholas Haig-Arack submitted comment in support of defunding police. Melanie Ahlers submitted comment to lower the police budget and reallocating funds to community services and social programs. Natalie Anderson submitted comment asking the Independent Office of Law Enforcement Review and Oversight be given more power and urged the Council to research the CAHOOTS program and consider local implementation. Hayley Johnston submitted comment regarding allocating more funds to re-imagining public safety and towards unarmed mediation and intervention teams to responds to calls instead of police. Remy Newman submitted comment in support of defunding the police and on having to teach her biracial son on how to fear the police if he is ever stopped by them. John spoke in support of police officers and the people who keep the city safe, there being room to grow in the country, the protestors concerns being valid, and in support of keeping a strong police force. Emmiline Ford spoke in support of defunding by the police and her concern that a pandemic of white supremacy is infiltrating the police force. Sal Alvarez, resident of Sebastopol, spoke on the current police system being broken. Randy spoke on possibly moving his family out of the area due to the current political climate and in opposition to defund the police. City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 14 of 20 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final June 30, 2020 Diana spoke on her concern on the climate of racial bias in the police department, her family being marginalized and victimized, and the county being divided by race. Mayor Schwedhelm thanked the community for giving their feedback. 4. ANNOUNCEMENT OF ROLL CALL No new roll call taken due to all Council Members still being present in the meeting. 5. REPORT, IF ANY, ON STUDY AND CLOSED SESSIONS City Attorney Sue Gallagher reported Council met in Closed Session on Items 2.1 and 2.2, two items of litigation, noting both items concerned injuries that were suffered by individuals during the protest. City Attorney Gallagher reported Council gave unanimous approval for the City's engagement of an independent investigator to investigate and report publicly on the incidences and gave direction to staff regarding potential for an agreement regarding police practices relative to the protests and demonstrations, pending resolution of the two matters. 6. PROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATIONS - NONE. 7. STAFF BRIEFINGS PUBLIC COMMENT Merlin spoke on the Council "scattering" the unhoused in direct conflict of CDC guidelines with COVID-19 cases continuing to rise. Rachel Funball spoke on her concern on how the homeless population is addressed in this time of COVID-19 and the residents who could afford to stay in Santa Rosa after the fires. Jasmine Janisch spoke asking Council how are they going to respond to displacements and evacuations in light of fire risks becoming a yearly issue and how schooling will be structured around natural disasters. City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 15 of 20 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final June 30, 2020 Samra spoke on Item 7.2 and the police response to the homeless during the pandemic and people not wearing masks in public. Citizens for Action Now spoke on Item 7.2 thanking Council on taking action to remove the homeless and mentally ill off the street and into housing. Charlotte Borg spoke on losing her home in the Tubbs Fire and asked what the City will do when the evacuation happens in the next fire for the vulnerable populations. Diana spoke on Item 7.2 when a homeless man became displaced during the Kincade Fire, when the police took his camper away, provided the Council suggestions on how to serve, and stated that moving the homeless around during the pandemic makes everyone sick. Harmony spoke regarding that during the pandemic, the homeless and poor are the most at risk. 7.1 FIRE RECOVERY AND REBUILD UPDATE This will be a standing item on the agenda. No action will be taken except for possible direction to staff. No report given. 7.2 COVID-19 RESPONSE UPDATE This will be a standing item on the agenda. No action will be taken except for possible direction to staff. No report given. 8. CITY MANAGER’S/CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORTS City Manager Sean McGlynn reported the NAACP will be holding a rally/march on July 2, 2020, and invited the Council to attend. 9. STATEMENTS OF ABSTENTION BY COUNCIL MEMBERS City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 16 of 20 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final June 30, 2020 No abstentions were made. 10. MAYOR'S/COUNCIL MEMBERS’ REPORTS No reports were made. 10.1 MAYOR'S/COUNCIL MEMBERS' SUBCOMMITTEE AND LIAISON REPORTS (AND POSSIBLE COUNCIL DIRECTION TO BOARD REPRESENTATIVE ON PENDING ISSUES, IF NEEDED) 10.1.1 Council Subcommittee Reports 10.1.2 Sonoma County Transportation Authority/Regional Climate Protection Authority (SCTA/RCPA) 10.1.3 Sonoma County Water Agency (SCWA) - Water Advisory Committee 10.1.4 Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) 10.1.5 Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District Advisory Committee 10.1.6 Sonoma Clean Power Authority (SCPA) 10.1.7 Zero Waste Sonoma (formerly known as Sonoma County Waste Management Agency (SCWMA)) 10.1.8 Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) 10.1.9 Home Sonoma County (HSC) 10.1.10 Renewal Enterprise District (RED) 10.1.11 Public Safety Subcommittee 10.1.12 Other 11. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 11.1 April 14, 2020, Regular Meeting Minutes. Attachments: Draft Minutes Approved as submitted. 12. CONSENT ITEMS - NONE. 13. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA MATTERS City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 17 of 20 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final June 30, 2020 Roman Campos spoke regarding Police Chief Navarro's comments on not having the budget to test the rape kits as was discussed in the previous agenda item. Cool Guy spoke against the comments regarding the homeless made by members of Citizens for Action Now. Angel spoke on not receiving help from the Council and her concern that moving the homeless puts all residents at risk of COVID-19. Charlotte spoke on the lack of clarity for the Public Safety Subcommittee agenda items for the July 1, 2020, meeting. Merlin spoke against the comments regarding the homeless made by Citizens for Action Now. Rachel Barry spoke on the Council needing to take direct action and suggested everyone read about the CAHOOTS program. Samra spoke on the auditor being fired for criticizing the City's response to homelessness, having an independent auditor not being a preventative measure, and restructuring police. Lily spoke on the relocation of the homeless during the COVID-19 pandemic and the outbreak at the main adult detention facility. Alysha spoke on her belief that the police and Council are not doing everything they can during the current climate in the community. Jasmine Janisch spoke on an issue that contributes to police brutality is they way children are educated, and in support of investing funds towards education and homelessness. 17. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA MATTERS Jennifer LaPorta spoke thanking the Council for scheduling a study session on 5G and asked that their subject matter experts be allowed to present. City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 18 of 20 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final June 30, 2020 Joe Jones spoke on COVID-19 shifting his career, moving the homeless from under the freeway and testing them before they are moved, the lack of communication between civilians and police officers at the protests, and for more outreach and after-school programs. Diana spoke on the comments made by Mr. Jones, explicit police brutality, police needing to be mentors and protectors, and there not being a place to take the most vulnerable population during the pandemic. Katherine submitted commented on Police Chief Navarro's comments on the rape test kits not being tested and stated there is no excuse for this to happen with a large police budget. Anonymous submitted commit about testing the rape kits. Terri Shore, Greenbelt Alliance, submitted comment about a luxury resort being proposed on the edge of the urban growth boundary and urged the Council to contact the County to deny or delay the luxury resort. Alex Krohn submitted comment on small cell towers, staff not taking action directed by the Council to protect residential areas, and requested they to allow their preapproved experts to present at the study session on July 21. Dr. Monica Meekay submitted comment against small cell towers installed in residential areas and near schools. Sidnee Cox submitted comment urging Council to draft a comprehensive ordinance and against small cell towers installed in residential areas and near schools. Anonymous thanked the Council for scheduling a 5G study session and asked that their subject matter experts be allowed to make a City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 19 of 20 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final June 30, 2020 presentation just as the telecom industry was able to have their representatives make a presentation at a previous meeting. Dr. Joanna Meekay submitted comment against close proximity cell towers in residential neighborhoods and blanketing Santa Rosa with 4G and 5G radiation, and urged the Council to adopt a comprehensive ordinance to protect the community. Tom LaPorta submitted comment urging Council to update the telecom ordinance. Diana Meekay Esq. submitted comment against close proximity small cell towers in residential areas and creating an ordinance to protect the public and stated the FCC guidelines are not protective. Maya Meekay submitted comment against closed proximity small cell towers in neighborhoods and stated the longer the Council takes to create an ordinance, the longer the health of the community is jeopardized. Brenda Gilchrist submitted comment supporting law enforcement. Kim Schroeder submitted comment thanking the Police Department for all they do to protect the community; in opposition to the small cell towers, and her hopes the study session will include a draft telecommunications ordinance to protect the community. Duane De Witt submitted comment asking Council to reopen City Hall with social distancing, for the participation of the public during meetings. Martha Glaser submitted comment thanking the Council for the telecom study session on July 21 and asked that they allow published scientists, physicians, and legal experts to answer questions from the Council. Eris Weaver, Executive Director Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition, City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 20 of 20 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final June 30, 2020 submitted comment on Assembly Bill 3153 that would allow housing developers to replace required car parking spaces with bike parking spaces and asked the Council to pass a resolution supporting the bill. Anita LaFollette submitted comment on the clearing of homeless encampments under Hwy. 101 going against the injunction and CDC direction when there is no other options to place the homeless, the move contributing to the spread of COVID-19, and on not seeing a way to submit comments for agenda items on the City's website. 14. REPORT ITEMS - NONE. 15. PUBLIC HEARINGS - NONE. 16. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS - NONE. 18. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CONTINUED CLOSED SESSION ITEMS, RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION IN THE MAYOR’S CONFERENCE ROOM, RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS [IF NEEDED] 19. ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING Hearing no further business, Mayor Schwedhelm adjourned the meeting 9:56 p.m. 20. UPCOMING MEETINGS 20.1 UPCOMING MEETINGS LIST Attachments: Upcoming Meetings List This item was received and filed. Approved on: January 26, 2021 /s/ Stephanie A. Williams, City Clerk