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, February 9, 2021 1:30 PM 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Mayor Rogers called the meeting to order at 1:31p.m. Present: 6 - Mayor Chris Rogers, Vice Mayor Natalie Rogers, Council Member Eddie Alvarez, Council Member Victoria Fleming, Council Member John Sawyer, and Council Member Tom Schwedhelm Absent: 1 - Council Member Jack Tibbetts 2. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ITEMS - NONE. 3. STUDY SESSION 3.1 WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS, MITIGATION AND RESILIENCY PROJECTS: PROPOSED USES OF PG&E SETTLEMENT FUNDS Staff will provide an updated presentation showing the top seven highest priority projects related to wildfire preparedness, mitigation and resiliency, requested to be funded with PG&E settlement funds. Attachments: Staff Report Presentation REVISED Presentation (Uploaded 2-9-2021) LateCorrespondence (Uploaded 2-9-2021) Late Correspondence (Uploaded 2-11-2021) Scott Westrope, Interim Fire Chief, Jason Nutt, Assistant City Manger, and Alan Alton, Deputy Director of Finance, presented and answered questions from the Council. PUBLIC COMMENT Mikko Bojarsky, Coffey Strong, spoke on two parcels of land at the corner of Coffey Park and asked the City to incorporate the land into the park system. Pat Kuta, Co-Chair Roseland Library Coalition, spoke in support of funds going to a permanent library in the Roseland area. City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 15 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final February 9, 2021 Robert Gaiser, Co-Chair of Southeast Greenway Committee, spoke in support of Council purchasing 9.7 acres of Caltrans property to lower the cost to build housing. Adriane Lauby spoke in support of dedicating funding to homeless projects. Kendall Jarvis, Legal Aid of Sonoma County, spoke on her concern of funds being used to rebuild the fire station when other projects would be more beneficial to the community. Danielle Valerio spoke in support for funds for the Roseland Library. This item was received and filed. Mayor Rogers recessed the meeting at 2:39 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 2:45 p.m. Present: 6 - Mayor Chris Rogers, Vice Mayor Natalie Rogers, Council Member Eddie Alvarez, Council Member Victoria Fleming, Council Member John Sawyer, and Council Member Tom Schwedhelm Absent: 1 - Council Member Jack Tibbetts 3.2 HOMELESS SERVICES PROGRAMMING UPDATE Staff will provide a study session to review the City’s homeless services programming, including the following components: 1) existing programs; 2) programs related to COVID-19 emergency response; and 3) new programming concepts. Staff is seeking Council direction on workplan priorities, which will be covered during the presentation portion of this agenda item. Attachments: Staff Report Attachment 1 - City Properties - Safe Parking Program, Sites Evaluated Presentation REVISED Presentation (Uploaded 2-5-2021) Late Correspondence (Uploaded 2-9-2021) Late Correspondence (Uploaded 2-11-2021) Kelli Kuykendall, Housing and Community Services Manager, presented and answered questions from the Council. City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 15 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final February 9, 2021 Jason Nutt, Assistant City Manager, presented information on the debris removal program and answered questions from Council. Rob Sprinkle, Deputy Director Public Works Traffic, presented information on a RV Parking ordinance and answered questions from Council. PUBLIC COMMENT Ludmilla spoke on her experience of being homeless and the need for a safe parking program with trash cans and electrical access. Margaret spoke echoing Ludmilla's comments, asked how services will build relationships, and wanting to see a more holistic approach. Shirley Cheal spoke on the importance of the Housing First program, her church operating a safe parking program for years, noting they are not qualified to help the people. Adriane Lauby, President of Homeless Service provider SAVS, spoke on the safe parking program needing to be a Tier 1 priority, suggested it should be more than overnight parking. Jerry Threet, Chair Commission on Human Rights, spoke on being encouraged by the discussion and the need to talk to homeless about their needs, the need to have safe and sanitary facilities, for Council to reconsider confiscating property of the homeless, and his concern the permit process for RV parking can be discriminatory. Gail Simons, spoke on watching the McBride Safe Parking site with no problems, the need to have options to address the issue and look at lower cost options, and to consider not City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 15 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final February 9, 2021 having an RV parking ordinance. T. Franceschi spoke in opposition to having a safe parking program at the Rincon Valley Library. Thomas Ells spoke on camping sites at Walmart locations, providing opportunities for parking, and using parking structures for overnight parking. Gregory Fearon spoke on the City needing to provide safe shelter, stop decriminalizing the unsheltered, and the importance of Continuum of Care. Rebecca Bell spoke thanking the Council for exploring solutions to address homelessness, and shared comments from interviews she recorded of people living on Industrial Drive. Tomas Phillips, Section 8 landlord, spoke thanking the Council, supports a safe parking program, and appreciates a compassionate response to the issue. Kathleen Finigan spoke thanking Kelli Kuykendall for her presentation and offered new options for Council to consider. Nancy Alcott, Owner of Lattice Educational Services, spoke on dealing with unsafe situations for families and children attending her school with the encampment at Industrial Dr. and being encouraged with the long-term solutions. Teddy spoke on having a landlord engagement effort, and shoring up the case management program with safe parking, Maria Barakat, member of Sonoma County Acts of Kindness, spoke thanking Kelli Kuykendall for her work and the need for creative solutions. City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 15 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final February 9, 2021 Nick Goyhenetche spoke echoing the comments of Maria Barakat, in support of a safe parking program, the need to recognize the human dignity of people, and in opposition to the RV parking ordinance. Kalia M. spoke thanking Council, on her work with the homeless population with getting their human needs met, and in opposition to towing vehicles. Alice Linn spoke in support of a 24/7 safe parking program, suggested hiring rotating nurses and health care worker for support rather than spending funding on security, and holding regular public meetings with people who have lived experiences. Mark Kirby spoke on helping build shelters for homeless people, the Rincon Valley Library not being able to accommodate large vehicles and issues with a safe parking program near schools. Eva Quiroz spoke on Southwest Santa Rosa getting the brunt of homeless services, in support of the RV parking program, and the importance of rules for programs. Melissa Salini read a petition from neighbors against a safe parking program in Southwest Santa Rosa. M. Lopez spoke on the difficulties of patronizing businesses on Industrial Dr. due to the encampment, and supports overnight parking if it was on a greater scale. Miles Wilburn, Mask Sonoma, spoke on the closure of bathrooms and dumpsters at Olive Park, and the need to provide more trash cans, not close or reduce numbers. Bob Cheal spoke on the perception that safe parking will turn into an encampment like Industrial Dr. and his experience in City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 15 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final February 9, 2021 dealing with a safe parking program at his church. Heather Jackson called in from Industrial Dr. and provided an opportunity for people at the encampment to make comment on the safe parking program, and spoke on the need to help them. Mayor Rogers recessed the meeting at 6:24 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. Present: 5 - Mayor Chris Rogers, Vice Mayor Natalie Rogers, Council Member Victoria Fleming, Council Member John Sawyer, and Council Member Tom Schwedhelm Absent: 2 - Council Member Eddie Alvarez, and Council Member Jack Tibbetts PUBLIC COMMENT (continued) Jean B. submitted comment on the petition to remove and relocate the encampments in South Park neighborhood, stated the description of the petition underscores the crisis in the community, and asked the Council to address the situation immediately. Kathryn Jerik submitted comment on the properties being considered for the RV parking program. John J. submitted comment in support of creating a safe parking program and transitional spaces. Annette Arnold, resident of South Park, submitted comment requesting the removal of homeless encampments in the area and the problems associated with it. Angin submitted comment stating a double standard exists for when he needs to make improvements to his home and is required to follow rules while homeless encampments are allowed to create trash without any enforcement, the rules should City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 7 of 15 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final February 9, 2021 apply to everyone. Diane Grigsby submitted comment on the situation at Ware St. Eris Weaver, Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition, submitted comment on the need to include safe parking and sanctioned camping areas. Lucio, South Park resident, submitted comment on his concern with the homeless situation in the area. Patrick submitted comment in support of a 24/7 safe parking program and the benefits of providing one. Marianne, Sonoma Applied Village Services & Living Room, submitted comment in support of a safe parking program. Sara Williams, South Park resident, submitted comment on the homeless situation and wants to see solutions to provide services to the people and not just removing them. Duane De Witt submitted comment on the impacts to the Roseland neighborhood by the homeless, and in opposition to overnight camping. Arlie Hauge submitted comment in support of a 24/7 safe parking program, Anonymous, South Park resident, submitted comment from residents in the area not feeling safe in their neighborhood. Rachel Marquez submitted comment in support of a safe parking program in every district. Jonathan, South Park resident, submitted comment on his concern with the homeless encampments in his neighborhood. This item was received and filed. City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 8 of 15 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final February 9, 2021 Mayor Rogers recessed the meeting at 7:43 p.m. and announced the Public Hearing Item 15.1 will be heard when the meeting reconvenes. Mayor Rogers reconvened the meeting at 8:05 p.m. 4. ANNOUNCEMENT OF ROLL CALL Present: 6 - Mayor Chris Rogers, Vice Mayor Natalie Rogers, Council Member Eddie Alvarez, Council Member Victoria Fleming, Council Member John Sawyer, and Council Member Tom Schwedhelm Absent: 1 - Council Member Jack Tibbetts 15. PUBLIC HEARINGS 15.1 PUBLIC HEARING - PUBLIC HEARING ON FISCAL YEAR 2021/22 BUDGET PRIORITIES BACKGROUND: The City Charter, Section 28(a), states that “…not later than March 31st of each year and prior to any annual goal setting meeting held by the Council, the Council shall hold a public hearing seeking oral and written comment from the public on budget priorities for the upcoming fiscal year.” Public input is an important component to the preparation of the budget. This public hearing also provides information to the City Council as they establish and refine their Council Goals. In addition to this public hearing, members of the public may provide comments or suggestions at any time on the City’s website. RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by the Finance Department, that the Council hold a public hearing on budget priorities and consider written and oral comments as part of future budget deliberations. No action is necessary. Attachments: Staff Report Presentation REVISED Presentation (Uploaded 2-5-2021) Late Correspondence (Uploaded 2-9-2021) Late Correspondence (Uploaded 2-11-2021) Alan Alton, Deputy Director - Finance, presented and answered questions from Council. Mayor Rogers opened the public hearing at 8:36 p.m. City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 9 of 15 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final February 9, 2021 Jeff Buckingham spoke on the homeless population being members of our community that are in need and having a place to park RVs. Kevin Conway spoke on the tenants of the adopted climate resolution and the need to make decisions through that lens. Zoe spoke on the ordinance being punitive towards homeless people and felt the fairgrounds would be a fitting location for a sanctioned encampment. Alex spoke on investing in a utility fiber optic infrastructure for the city. Gregory Fearon spoke on Council needing to make a budget priority to help with the issues between the City and the County. Duane De Witt submitted comment on making the hiring of Recreation and Parks staff be a priority at the top of the budget list as well as parks, roads, and traffic. Alice Linn spoke on the need to identify the lowest cost to help meet the most crucial needs of those living in homelessness, and suggested having a nurse, housing navigator, and recovery services provider to provide services. Thomas Ells spoke on his family being involved in creating housing development for over 40 years, and non-profits not being able to own property because of deregulation. James spoke on being grateful for the City in bringing the Southeast Greenway to a reality and for the continued support by allocating staff time and dedicating part of the PG&E Funds for affordable housing. Seeing no one else wishing to speak, Mayor Rogers closed the City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 10 of 15 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final February 9, 2021 public hearing at 8:57 p.m. 5. REPORT, IF ANY, ON STUDY AND CLOSED SESSIONS No report was provided. 6. PROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATIONS - NONE. 7. STAFF BRIEFINGS 7.1 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 was provided. 7.2 GLASS FIRE RECOVERY UPDATE Staff will provide an update on the Glass Fire Recovery. No action will be taken except for possible direction to staff. No report was provided. 8. CITY MANAGER’S/CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORTS No reports were provided. 9. STATEMENTS OF ABSTENTION BY COUNCIL MEMBERS No statements of abstention were made. 10. MAYOR'S/COUNCIL MEMBERS’ REPORTS Council Member Schwedhelm announced the appointment of Nathan Azhderian to Art In Public Places Committee and thanked Monica Bryant for her service. Council Member Fleming announced the appointment Beth Steffy to the Community Advisory Board. Mayor Rogers thanked Planning Commission Chair Patti Cisco for years of service to the City of Santa Rosa as she steps down from the Commission and announced Karen Weeks as the new Chair. City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 11 of 15 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final February 9, 2021 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 - NONE. 12. CONSENT ITEMS - NONE. 13. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA MATTERS Alex Krohn spoke on the homeless issue being directly related to mental health problems, and the exposure to neuro-toxins related to rf radiation. Ludmilla spoke on reducing costs by implementing a White Bird Clinic and CAHOOTS Program, having people register to pay a fee to park at a known location instead of issuing parking permits, and to consider tiny homes with a partnership with Habitat for Humanity. City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 12 of 15 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final February 9, 2021 Eris Weaver, Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition, submitted comment expressing her pleasure with the hiring of a first ever Active Transportation Planner, and a campaign the coalition is launching named Bike2It encouraging people to use a bike instead of a car for trips of 2 miles or less. Duane De Witt submitted comment on the purchase of acreage between Burbank Avenue and McMinn Avenue for the purpose of a bikeway/greenway to be developed. Attachments: Late Correspondence (Uploaded 2-9-2021) Late Correspondence (Uploaded 2-11-2021) 14. REPORT ITEMS 14.1 REPORT - PROPERTY ASSESSED CLEAN ENERGY (PACE) PROGRAM, CONSIDERATION OF ADDITIONAL PROGRAM IN SANTA ROSA BACKGROUND: In 2009, the City Council authorized the City’s participation in the Sonoma County Energy Independence Program (SCEIP), which is the County’s Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing program. SCEIP allows property owners to install distributed generation, renewable energy sources and energy efficiency improvements through contractual assessments that are paid back through the property tax bill. In 2014, Sonoma County created the Sonoma County PACE Financing Marketplace (PACE Marketplace) thereby expanding the financing options available to property owners beyond SCEIP within the unincorporated areas of the County. Golden State Financing Authority and Ygrene Energy Fund California, LLC, as PACE Marketplace Program providers, are requesting authorization to operate within the City of Santa Rosa’s jurisdiction. RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by the Transportation and Public Works Department and the Water Department that Council, by three resolutions, 1) consent to the inclusion of properties under both California Senate Bill 555 and Assembly Bill 811 within the City’s jurisdiction in the Golden State Financing Authority’s Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Program, which is administered by Ygrene Energy Fund, LLC; 2) approve the Agreement adding the City of Santa City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 13 of 15 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final February 9, 2021 Rosa as an Associate Member of the Golden State Finance Authority to Permit the Provision of PACE Program Services within such City; and 3) approve the PACE Program Agreement by and between City of Santa Rosa and Ygrene Energy Fund California, LLC Attachments: Staff Report Attachment 1 - GSFA JPA Agreement Resolution 1 Resolution 2 Resolution 3 Exhibit A - Resolution 1, GSFA Associate Member of JPA Agreement Exhibit B - Resolution 1, PACE Ygrene Program Agreement Presentation Tasha Wright, Sustainability Coordinator, presented and answered questions from Council. PUBLIC COMMENT Kara Azevedo, East Bay Community Law Center, spoke on PACE being a high risk program and asked Council to consider changes very carefully, her concern of the financial liability the City may enter into, on lawsuits filed against Ygrene, and urged City Council to review the bankruptcy filings. Emily Goodwin, Ygrene Energy Fund, spoke on the consumer protections it provides, activity in communities with happy customers, created significant job results, PACE being a tried and true policy initiative. Daniel Lewis, legal fellow with Bet Tzedek, spoke on cases in California against Ygrene and PACE, and encouragedthe Council to watch the WR Cog meeting from December 7 ending their PACE program. Ankit Panchal spoke advocating in behalf of Ygrene, being a customer, and the program creating energy efficiencies.. A motion was made by Council Member Alvarez, seconded by Council Member Sawyer, to waive reading of the text and adopt: RESOLUTION NO. RES-2021-025 ENTITLED: RESOLUTION OF THE CITY City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 14 of 15 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final February 9, 2021 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA APPROVING THE (1) AGREEMENT ADDING THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA AS AN ASSOCIATE MEMBER OF THE GOLDEN STATE FINANCE AUTHORITY TO PERMIT THE PROVISION OF PROPERTY ASSESSED CLEAN ENERGY (PACE) PROGRAM SERVICES WITHIN SUCH CITY; AND (2) PACE PROGRAM AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN CITY OF SANTA ROSA AND YGRENE ENERGY FUND CALIFORNIA, LLC. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6 - Mayor Rogers, Vice Mayor Rogers, Council Member Alvarez, Council Member Fleming, Council Member Sawyer, and Council Member Schwedhelm Absent: 1 - Council Member Tibbetts A motion was made by Council Member Alvarez, seconded by Council Member Sawyer,to waive reading of the text and adopt: RESOLUTION NO. RES-2021-026 ENTITLED: RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA, CALIFORNIA CONSENTING TO INCLUSION OF PROPERTIES WITHIN THE CITY'S JURISDICTION IN THE GOLDEN STATE FINANCE AUTHORITY COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT NO. 2014-1 (CLEAN ENERGY) TO FINANCE RENEWABLE ENERGY IMPROVEMENTS, ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND WATER CONSERVATION IMPROVEMENTS, ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6 - Mayor Rogers, Vice Mayor Rogers, Council Member Alvarez, Council Member Fleming, Council Member Sawyer, and Council Member Schwedhelm Absent: 1 - Council Member Tibbetts A motion was made by Council Member Alvarez, seconded by Council Member Sawyer, to waive reading of the text and adopt: RESOLUTION NO. RES-2021-027 ENTITLED: RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA CONSENTING TO THE INCLUSION OF PROPERTIES WITHIN THE CITY'S JURISDICTION IN THE GOLDEN STATE FINANCE AUTHORITY PROGRAM TO FINANCE DISTRIBUTED GENERATION RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES, ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS. City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 15 of 15 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final February 9, 2021 The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6 - Mayor Rogers, Vice Mayor Rogers, Council Member Alvarez, Council Member Fleming, Council Member Sawyer, and Council Member Schwedhelm Absent: 1 - Council Member Tibbetts 16. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS - NONE. 17. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA MATTERS No public comments were made. 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 Seeing no further business, Mayor Rogers adjourned the meeting at 9:44 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on February 23, 2021 at a time set by the Mayor. 20. UPCOMING MEETINGS 20.1 UPCOMING MEETINGS LIST Attachments: Upcoming Meetings List This item was received and filed. Approved on: April 27, 2021 /s/ Stephanie A. Williams, City Clerk