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, March 5, 2024 3:00 PM 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Vice Mayor Stapp called the meeting to order at 3:01 p.m. Present: 5 - Vice Mayor Mark Stapp, Council Member Eddie Alvarez, Council Member Victoria Fleming, Council Member Dianna MacDonald, and Council Member Jeff Okrepkie Absent: 2 - Mayor Natalie Rogers, and Council Member Chris Rogers 2. REMOTE PARTICIPATION UNDER AB 2449 (IF NEEDED) 3. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ITEMS PUBLIC COMMENT: Duane De Witt spoke in support of raises for the lower paid, hands-on, boots on the ground employees. Vice Mayor Stapp recessed the meeting to closed session at 3:04 p.m. to hear Item 3.1 as listed on the agenda. 3.1 CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS (Government Code Section 54957.6) Agency Designated Representatives: Maraskeshia Smith, City Manager; Alan Alton, Chief Financial Officer; Dominique Blanquie, Human Resources Director; Siara Goyer, Employee Relations Manager; and Burke Dunphy of Sloan Sakai Yeung & Wong LLP. Employee Organizations: Santa Rosa Firefighters Association - Local 1401 (representing City Employee Unit 2); Operating Engineers Local 3, Maintenance and Utility System Operators (Employee Units 3 and 16); Santa Rosa City Employees Association (Employee Units 4, 6, 7); Santa Rosa Police Officers Association, (Employee Unit 5); Service Employees International Union Local 1021, (Employee Units 8 and 14); Public Safety Management Association (Employee Unit 9); Executive Management (Employee Unit 10); Middle Management (Employee Unit 11); Confidential (Employee Unit 12); Mechanics (Employee Unit 13); City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 13 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final March 5, 2024 City Attorney (Employee Unit 15); Santa Rosa City Attorneys’ Association (Employee Unit 17), Santa Rosa Management Association (Employee Unit 18). This item was received and filed. Vice Mayor Stapp adjourned closed session at 4:02 p.m. and reconvened the meeting to open session at 4:09 p.m. 4. STUDY SESSION - NONE. 5. ANNOUNCEMENT OF ROLL CALL (IF NEEDED) Present: 5 - Vice Mayor Mark Stapp, Council Member Eddie Alvarez, Council Member Victoria Fleming, Council Member Dianna MacDonald, and Council Member Jeff Okrepkie Absent: 2 - Mayor Natalie Rogers, and Council Member Chris Rogers 6. REPORT, IF ANY, ON STUDY AND CLOSED SESSIONS City Attorney Stricker reported that Council heard Items 3.1 and there was no reportable action. 7. PROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATIONS 7.1 PROCLAMATION - RED CROSS MONTH Attachments: Proclamation Council Member Alvarez read and presented the proclamation to Red Cross Volunteers Andy Witthorn and Steve Countouriotis. PUBLIC COMMENT: Thomas Els spoke in support of the Red Cross proclamation. Chivvis Moore spoke in support of the Red Cross proclamation. Proclamation recipients Andy Witthorn and Steve Countouriotis provided brief comments. 7.2 PROCLAMATION - ARBOR WEEK Attachments: Proclamation Council Member Fleming read and presented the proclamation to City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 13 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final March 5, 2024 Jen Santos, Deputy Director - Parks. PUBLIC COMMENT: Duane De Witt spoke in support of the Arbor Week proclamation, asked for an arborist be brought back to staff, and more focus on planting and care for trees. Danielle spoke on the importance of planting native trees throughout the city. Thomas Els spoke in support of Arbor Day, remembering Luther Burbank, and importance of planting more trees. Jen Santos, Deputy Director - Recreation and Parks and James Castro, Parks Superintendent, provided brief comments and announced upcoming Arbor Day events. 7.3 PROCLAMATION - NATIONAL WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH Attachments: Proclamation Council Member MacDonald read and presented the proclamation to Melanie Jones-Carter, Chair of the Commission on the Status of Women, Ana Dais. PUBLIC COMMENT: Chivvis Moore spoke in support of women outside of the United States. Proclamation recipients Melanie Jones-Carter and Ana Dais provided brief comments. 8. STAFF BRIEFINGS 8.1 COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT PLAN This will be a standing item on the agenda. No action will be taken except for possible direction to staff. City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 13 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final March 5, 2024 Lon Peterson, Chief Communications and Intergovernmental Relations Officer, introduced Francheasca Roberson, DEI & EEO Officer, and Ana Horta, Community Engagement Manager, and provided a brief report on upcoming engagement events. No public comments were made. 9. CITY MANAGER’S/CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORTS No reports were provided. 10. STATEMENTS OF ABSTENTION BY COUNCIL MEMBERS There were no statements of abstention. 11. MAYOR'S/COUNCIL MEMBERS’ REPORTS No reports were provided. 11.1 MAYOR'S/COUNCIL MEMBERS' SUBCOMMITTEE AND LIAISON REPORTS (AND POSSIBLE COUNCIL DIRECTION TO BOARD REPRESENTATIVE ON PENDING ISSUES, IF NEEDED) 11.1.1 Council Subcommittee Reports 11.1.2 Sonoma County Transportation Authority/Regional Climate Protection Authority (SCTA/RCPA) 11.1.3 Sonoma County Water Agency (SCWA) - Water Advisory Committee 11.1.4 Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) 11.1.5 Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District Advisory Committee 11.1.6 Sonoma Clean Power Authority (SCPA) 11.1.7 Zero Waste Sonoma (formerly known as Sonoma County Waste Management Agency (SCWMA)) 11.1.8 Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) 11.1.9 Sonoma County Homeless Coalition 11.1.10 Renewal Enterprise District (RED) City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 13 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final March 5, 2024 11.1.11 Public Safety Subcommittee 11.1.12 Other 12. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 12.1 February 13, 2024, Regular Meeting Minutes. Attachments: Draft Minutes No public comments were made. Approved as submitted. 13. CONSENT ITEMS PUBLIC COMMENTS: Thomas Els spoke in support of 13.1 Approval of the Consent Agenda A motion was made by Council Member Okrepkie, seconded by Council Member Alvarez, to waive reading of the text and adopt Consent Items 13.1 through 13.3. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 5 - Vice Mayor Mark Stapp, Council Member Eddie Alvarez, Council Member Victoria Fleming, Council Member Dianna MacDonald, and Council Member Jeff Okrepkie Absent: 2 - Mayor Natalie Rogers, and Council Member Chris Rogers 13.1 RESOLUTION - EXTENSION OF PROCLAMATION OF HOMELESS EMERGENCY RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by the Housing and Community Services Department that the Council, by resolution, approve an extension of Resolution No. 28839 which formally proclaimed a local homeless emergency within Santa Rosa. Attachments: Staff Report Resolution This Consent - Resolution was adopted. RESOLUTION NO. RES-2024-029 ENTITLED: RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA EXTENDING A PROCLAMATION City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 13 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final March 5, 2024 OF LOCAL HOMELESS EMERGENCY (Government Code Sections 8630 et seq.) 13.2 RESOLUTION - APPROVAL OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH DISABILITY ACCESS CONSULTANTS, LLC RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by the Human Resources Department that the Council, by resolution, approve a Professional Services Agreement with Disability Access Consultants, LLC of Oroville, California, to provide updates to the Americans with Disabilities Act Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan in an amount not to exceed amount of $398,046. Attachments: Staff Report Resolution Exhibit A This Consent - Resolution was adopted. RESOLUTION NO. RES-2024-030 ENTITLED: RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA APPROVING THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH DISABILITY ACCESS CONSULTANTS, LLC OF OROVILLE, CALIFORNIA 13.3 RESOLUTION - AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION BOARD FOR THE LOWER COLGAN CREEK RESTORATION PROJECT - PHASE 3 RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by Santa Rosa Water that the Council, by resolution, 1) approve a grant application to the Wildlife Conservation Board for the construction, public art, and installation of a large-scale monarch and pollinator habitat for the Lower Colgan Creek Restoration Project - Phase 3; 2) authorize the Santa Rosa Water Director (Director) to submit a grant application; 3) authorize the Director to accept the grant and execute the Grant Agreement and amendments thereto, and all other agreements or documents necessary for the completion of the project, subject to approval by the City Attorney; and 4) authorize the Chief Financial Officer to increase appropriations by the approved grant award. Attachments: Staff Report Resolution This Consent - Resolution was adopted. City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 7 of 13 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final March 5, 2024 RESOLUTION NO. RES-2024-031 ENTITLED: RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION BOARD FOR THE LOWER COLGAN CREEK RESTORATION PROJECT - PHASE 3 Vice Mayor Stapp announced that due to the time not yet being 5:00 p.m. Item 15.1 will be taken ahead of Item 14. 15. REPORT ITEMS 15.1 REPORT - RESOLUTION TO APPROVE CITY-WIDE INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT POLICY BACKGROUND: Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a science-based approach to reduce the quantity of harmful pesticides used in landscape management. The key reasons cited for developing IPM policies are to reduce impacts on humans and the environment. The purpose of an IPM policy is to design landscapes that are naturally resistant to pests and utilize non-chemical controls where possible. This includes installing pest-resistant species, controlling weeds with mulch and dense plantings, mechanical removal with powered equipment or grazing animals, and only using chemical controls when all other methods have been determined to not be effective in eliminating the pests to the desired levels. IPM policies typically specify using the least toxic pesticide first before applying more toxic pesticides. The proposed IPM policy will ensure the greatest protection to city staff and the community when managing pests. The policy provides clear guidance on the management of pests on city-owned landscapes, direction on how to control pests, and direction on how to identify and implement methods to minimize the need for pesticide application. RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by Santa Rosa Water and the Recreation and Parks Department that the Council of the City of Santa Rosa, by resolution, adopt the City-Wide Integrated Pest Management Policy. Attachments: Staff Report Attachment 1 - Draft City-Wide Integrated Pest Management Policy Attachment 2 - Appendix A City Integrated Pest Management Policy Resolution Exhibit A - City-Wide Integrated Pest Management Policy Presentation City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 8 of 13 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final March 5, 2024 Sean McNeil, Deputy Director - Environmental Services, Jen Santos, Deputy Director Recreation and Parks, and Paul Lowenthal, Division Fire Chief presented. PUBLIC COMMENT: Thomas Els spoke in support of the item. Tess spoke in support of the item but addressed the exceptions page of the agreement. Susan Lamont, spoke in support of the item. A motion was made by Council Member Fleming, seconded by Council Member Okrepkie, to waive reading of the text and adopt RESOLUTION NO. RES-2024-032 ENTITLED: RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA ADOPTING A CITY-WIDE INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT POLICY. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 5 - Vice Mayor Mark Stapp, Council Member Eddie Alvarez, Council Member Victoria Fleming, Council Member Dianna MacDonald, and Council Member Jeff Okrepkie Absent: 2 - Mayor Natalie Rogers, and Council Member Chris Rogers 14. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA MATTERS LuLu Lashua spoke in support of Council adoption of a ceasefire resolution. Roxy Schilling spoke in support of Council adoption of a ceasefire resolution. Duane DeWitt spoke in support of cooling communities. Elizabeth Neylon spoke on her years of protest and on concerns of arrest in Gaza. Susan Lamont spoke in support of a ceasefire resolution. City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 9 of 13 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final March 5, 2024 In Hui Lee spoke in support of Council adoption of a ceasefire resolution. Dianne Monroe spoke in support of Council adoption of a ceasefire resolution. Gary Huntsman spoke in support of Council adoption of a ceasefire resolution. Matt Conley spoke in support of Council adoption of a ceasefire resolution. Maria spoke in support of Council adoption of a ceasefire resolution. Thomas Els spoke in support of Council adoption of a ceasefire resolution. Jason Sweeney spoke in support of Council adoption of a ceasefire resolution. LATE CORRESPONDENCE Attachments: Late Correspondence (Uploaded 03-05-2024) Late Correspondence (Uploaded 03-07-2024) 16. PUBLIC HEARINGS 16.1 PUBLIC HEARING - DEVELOPMENT RELATED COST OF SERVICE FEE UPDATE BACKGROUND: The Planning and Economic Development Department has contracted with MGT Consulting to perform a cost of service study analyzing the full labor and indirect costs associated with providing development review services such as application processing, plan review, long range planning, and construction inspections. The study is being utilized to set the foundation for a comprehensive update to the Planning and Economic Development Department’s service fee schedule. Staff is recommending that the Council adopt development service fees to reflect the changes in fee descriptions, the removal of obsolete fee categories and the full cost rates identified within the cost City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 10 of 13 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final March 5, 2024 of service study, with an effective date of July 1, 2024. In addition, the Planning and Economic Development Department is recommending the adoption of specific general fund supported subsidies to reduce fees on certain application and service types that support City Council development goals. The proposed reductions also focus on increasing participation in permitting programs associated with ensuring health and life safety and community appeal processes. Staff is also recommending that the Planning and Economic Development Director be authorized to adjust all adopted fees on July 1st of each year to incorporate price changes identified in the Consumer Price Index. RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by the Planning and Economic Development Department that the Council: 1) adopt the full cost development service fees identified in the Development Related Cost of Service Study prepared by MGT Consulting; 2) authorize the Planning and Economic Development Director to adjust all fees identified within the study annually based on price changes as identified by the Consumer Price Index; and 3) adopt certain fee reductions to further encourage City development goals and public participation in health and life safety permitting programs and community appeal processes. Attachments: Staff Report Attachment 1 - Stakeholder Outreach & Comparison Survey Resolution Exhibit A – Development Related Cost of Service Study Exhibit B – Development Service Fee Reductions Presentation Public Hearing Notice Gabe Osburn, Director of Planning and Economic Development, and Cindy Sconce, MGT Consulting Group, presented and answered questions from Council. Vice Mayor Stapp opened the public hearing at 6:03 p.m. Calum Weeks spoke in support of Item 16.1. Thomas Els spoke on the item and suggested recovering the fee reductions from developers after occupancy. Roxy spoke in support of more incentives for affordable and City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 11 of 13 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final March 5, 2024 supportive housing. Vice Mayor Stapp closed the public hearing at 6:08 p.m. A motion was made by Council Member Alvarez, seconded by Council Member MacDonald, to waive reading of the text and adopt RESOLUTION NO. RES-2024-033 ENTITLED: RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA ADOPTING THE FULL COST DEVELOPMENT SERVICE FEES; AUTHORIZING THE PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR TO ADJUST ALL FEES ANNUALLY BASED ON THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX; AND ADOPTING CERTAIN FEE REDUCTIONS TO FURTHER CITY DEVELOPMENT GOALS. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 5 - Vice Mayor Mark Stapp, Council Member Eddie Alvarez, Council Member Victoria Fleming, Council Member Dianna MacDonald, and Council Member Jeff Okrepkie Absent: 2 - Mayor Natalie Rogers, and Council Member Chris Rogers 17. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS - NONE. 18. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA MATTERS Tess Caldwell spoke in support of Council adoption of a ceasefire resolution. Holly Calica spoke in support of Council adoption of a ceasefire resolution. Tammy McNulty spoke in support of Council adoption of a ceasefire resolution. Jordan spoke in support of Council adoption of a ceasefire resolution. Summer spoke in support of Council adoption of a ceasefire resolution. Maribi Mendoza spoke in support of Council adoption of a ceasefire resolution. City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 12 of 13 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final March 5, 2024 Giovani Contreras spoke in support of Council adoption of a ceasefire resolution. Jacquelin Oneal Mermet spoke in support of Council adoption of a ceasefire resolution. Sarah Soss spoke in support of Council adoption of a ceasefire resolution. Lee Vandeveer spoke in support of Council adoption of a ceasefire resolution. Bailey Russell-Willis spoke in support of Council adoption of a ceasefire resolution. Oona Risling-Shell spoke in support of Council adoption of a ceasefire resolution. Ari Vinion spoke in support of Council adoption of a ceasefire resolution. Michael Titone spoke in support of Council adoption of a ceasefire resolution. Gary spoke in support of an end to the conflict. Althea spoke in support of Council adoption of a ceasefire resolution. Tamra spoke in support of Council adoption of a ceasefire resolution. Erika spoke in support of Council adoption of a ceasefire resolution. Unidentified spoke on concerns in Israel. City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Minutes Page 13 of 13 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final March 5, 2024 Chivvis Moore was not present for public comment but provided comment on speaker card: "Santa Rosa City Council affirms its commitment to human rights by resolving to demand a permanent ceasefire to the Israeli genocide in Gaza." 19. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CONTINUED CLOSED SESSION ITEMS, RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION IN THE MAYOR’S CONFERENCE ROOM, RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS [IF NEEDED] 20. ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING Vice Mayor Stapp adjourned the meeting at 6:46 p.m. The next regular meeting will be held on March 26, 2024 at a time set by the Mayor. 21. UPCOMING MEETINGS 21.1 UPCOMING MEETINGS LIST Attachments: Upcoming Meetings List This item was received and filed. Approved on: March 26, 2024 /s/ Dina Manis, City Clerk