Communications &  
Intergovernmental  
Relations Office  
City of Santa Rosa  
637 First Street  
Santa Rosa, CA 95404  
Community Advisory Board  
Special Meeting Minutes - Final  
Wednesday, October 30, 2024  
6:00 PM  
1. CALL TO ORDER  
Chair Weeks called the meeting to order at 6:05PM.  
2. REMOTE PARTICIPATION UNDER AB 2449 (IF NEEDED)  
NONE  
3. ROLL CALL  
9 -  
Present:  
Chair Calum Weeks, Vice Chair Andrea Rodriguez, Board Member  
Cherie Barnett, Board Member David Chen, Board Member Ana M.  
Diaz, Board Member Ariana Diaz De Leon, Board Member Jude  
Frates, Board Member Miles Horton, and Board Member Nancy Trejo  
Vazquez  
2 - Board Member Jorge Inocencio, and Board Member Derek Knowles  
Absent:  
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS  
Duane DeWitt thanked the board for their service, and made  
comments regarding the inception of the CAB, the importance of  
public participation, and his intention to continue to participate.  
Noelle Moss, representing the Children's Museum of Sonoma  
County, made comments regarding participation at museum events,  
the Unlocked Potential Capital Campaign to expand the facility, and  
invited members of the CAB to come for a tour.  
Adina Flores thanked the City Manager and City Attorney for  
attending the CAB meeting, and made comments regarding  
conflicts of interest she believes exist with CAB members and the  
passing of CAB grants, her appreciation of City staff, and her hope  
to facilitate transparency.  
Donny Gonzalez, representing Living Grace Foundation, made  
comments regarding the goals and services provided by the  
foundation and stated that he looked forward to working with the  
CAB to bring positive results to Santa Rosa.  
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES  
5.1  
Draft Minutes - September 18, 2024  
Public Comments:  
None  
Approved as submitted.  
6. SCHEDULED ITEMS  
6.1  
COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT GRANTS REVIEW  
Staff will review information regarding the Community Improvement  
Grant eligibility criteria, application process, deadlines, and report  
requirements.  
Provided for information.  
Ana Horta, Community Engagement Manager, gave a presentation  
and answered Member questions.  
Public Comments:  
Jose Villagomez thanked the City of Santa Rosa for supporting the  
Celebrando Culturas Juntos, and made comments regarding the  
mission of the Children's Museum of Santa Rosa and its impact  
upon the City.  
Tina Rogers made comments regarding her appreciation of the  
CAB, and the importance of helping and supporting children in the  
community.  
Adina Flores made comments regarding her concerns about the  
remaining CAB grant funds, conflicts of interest she perceives with  
the CAB member's grant approvals, her disagreement with the grant  
submission for the Children's Museum, and her stance against  
Measure I.  
Duane DeWitt made comments regarding the grant amounts, the  
need to codify a waiting period for reapplying for a CAB grant, a  
previous experience when grant money was withdrawn from a  
project in Roseland, and suggested that grants be reserved for  
disadvantaged areas of the City.  
Eric Fraser made suggestions to revise the confusing format of the  
grant applications, focused use of the grant funds to support those  
who are attempting to make the City better, and the establishment of  
a panel to direct grant funds.  
6.2  
MOTION - COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD GRANTS  
The Community Advisory Board (CAB) reviews and approves the 2024  
Community Improvement Grant Applications. The Board shall award  
grants to the applicants whose projects best meet the criteria. Grant  
Applications for Quarter 3 closed on September 27, 2024. The CAB  
received 10 applications eligible for funding, totaling $25,000.  
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by the Communications and  
Intergovernmental Relations Department that the Community Advisory  
Board, by motion, determine the dispersing of Community Advisory  
Board Q3 2024 Grants.  
Ana Horta, Community Engagement Manager, provided information  
and answered Member questions.  
Member Chen recused from the AAPIC General Meeting &  
Community Gathering grant.  
Public Comments:  
Adina Flores expressed concerns regarding how grant funds have  
been used previously, and recommended that the Latino Service  
Providers Winter Celebration grant be removed from consideration  
by the board.  
Eric Fraser made comments regarding segregating out the grant  
applications from entities that have previously applied, and  
expressed concerns about the way grants are voted upon.  
A motion was made by Board Member Barnett, seconded by Board Member  
Frates, for disapproval of the following grants:  
AAPIC General Meeting and Community Gathering  
Historic Railroad Square Carriage Rides  
The motion failed by the following vote:  
7 -  
Yes:  
Vice Chair Rodriguez, Board Member Barnett, Board Member Diaz,  
Board Member Diaz De Leon, Board Member Frates, Board  
Member Horton, and Board Member Trejo Vazquez  
1 - Chair Weeks  
No:  
Absent:  
2 - Board Member Inocencio, and Board Member Knowles  
1 - Board Member Chen  
Recused:  
Public Comment:  
Madonna Feather recommended that the Chair refrain from  
expressing his personal feelings regarding the CAB's motion and  
voting process.  
Adina Flores made comments attempting to clarify the Chair's  
previous statements regarding the motion and voting process.  
Tina Rogers made comments regarding the Chair's fairness in  
allowing the members of the CAB to vote upon the CAB grants.  
A motion was made by Board Member Horton, seconded by Board Member  
Diaz De Leon, for disapproval of the following grant:  
AAPIC General Meeting and Community Gathering  
The motion carried by the following vote:  
8 -  
Yes:  
Chair Weeks, Vice Chair Rodriguez, Board Member Barnett, Board  
Member Diaz, Board Member Diaz De Leon, Board Member Frates,  
Board Member Horton, and Board Member Trejo Vazquez  
2 - Board Member Inocencio, and Board Member Knowles  
1 - Board Member Chen  
Absent:  
Abstain:  
Public Comments:  
None  
A motion was made by Board Member Barnett, seconded by Board Member  
Frates, for disapproval of the following grant:  
Historic Railroad Square Carriage Rides  
The motion carried by the following vote:  
9 -  
Yes:  
Chair Weeks, Vice Chair Rodriguez, Board Member Barnett, Board  
Member Chen, Board Member Diaz, Board Member Diaz De Leon,  
Board Member Frates, Board Member Horton, and Board Member  
Trejo Vazquez  
2 - Board Member Inocencio, and Board Member Knowles  
Absent:  
Public Comments:  
None  
A motion was made by Board Member Barnett, seconded by Board Member  
Diaz, to approve the following grant:  
Sonoma CAN Family Area.  
The motion carried by the following vote:  
8 -  
Yes:  
Chair Weeks, Vice Chair Rodriguez, Board Member Barnett, Board  
Member Chen, Board Member Diaz, Board Member Diaz De Leon,  
Board Member Frates, and Board Member Horton  
2 - Board Member Inocencio, and Board Member Knowles  
1 - Board Member Trejo Vazquez  
Absent:  
Recused:  
Public Comment:  
Eric Fraser made comments regarding the exclusion of the Greater  
Cherry Spring Fling grant and protested the comments made by  
Member Horton.  
Adina Flores made comments regarding CAB Member conflicts of  
interest and her opposition members of the CAB who are employed  
by Sonoma Clean Power having input on the Greater Cherry Spring  
Fling and Latino Service Providers grant requests.  
Noelle Moss, representing the Children's Museum of Sonoma  
County, made comments regarding the use of funds for the  
requested Museum-on-the-Go grant would be used within the city  
limits.  
Tina Rogers made comments commending the work of the CAB  
Members.  
Andrew Gino, representing Prophetic Kitchen, made comments  
regarding the services provided to the homeless population by his  
organization.  
Madonna Feather made comments regarding the community  
benefits of the South Park Soccer Club, and recommended an audit  
to provide information about how the CAB grants have impacted the  
Pomo heritage people in the area.  
Member Diaz De Leon left the meeting at 8:00PM.  
A motion was made by Board Member Barnett, seconded by Board Member  
Chen, to approve the following grants:  
The Prophetic Kitchen  
South Park Soccer Club  
Wellness & Cultural Arts Workshop  
Providing a Third Place for the Underserved Community  
The motion carried by the following vote:  
8 -  
Yes:  
Chair Weeks, Vice Chair Rodriguez, Board Member Barnett, Board  
Member Chen, Board Member Diaz, Board Member Frates, Board  
Member Horton, and Board Member Trejo Vazquez  
3 -  
Absent:  
Board Member Diaz De Leon, Board Member Inocencio, and Board  
Member Knowles  
Adina Flores made comments regarding her support of the Greater  
Cherry Spring Fling grant.  
Eric Fraser made comments regarding the increased cost of  
permits and maintenance in the Cherry Street vicinity and the  
importance of the neighborhood to the City of Santa Rosa.  
A motion was made by Board Member Barnett, seconded by Board Member  
Diaz, to approve the following grant:  
Greater Cherry Spring Fling  
The motion failed by the following vote:  
7 -  
Yes:  
Chair Weeks, Vice Chair Rodriguez, Board Member Barnett, Board  
Member Chen, Board Member Diaz, Board Member Frates, and  
Board Member Trejo Vazquez  
1 - Board Member Horton  
No:  
3 -  
Absent:  
Board Member Diaz De Leon, Board Member Inocencio, and Board  
Member Knowles  
Public Comments:  
Madonna Feather made comments regarding the benefits of  
approving the Museum-on-the-Go grant.  
Adina Flores made comments regarding her perceived conflict of  
interest for CAB Members employed by Sonoma Clean Energy.  
Jose Alvarez made comments regarding the inclusivity of the  
Children's Museum of Sonoma County.  
Eric Fraser made comments regarding his support for the Children's  
Museum of Sonoma County.  
A motion was made by Board Member Horton, seconded by Board Member  
Barnett, to approve the following grant:  
Museum-on-the-Go  
The motion carried by the following vote:  
8 -  
Yes:  
Chair Weeks, Vice Chair Rodriguez, Board Member Barnett, Board  
Member Chen, Board Member Diaz, Board Member Frates, Board  
Member Horton, and Board Member Trejo Vazquez  
3 -  
Absent:  
Board Member Diaz De Leon, Board Member Inocencio, and Board  
Member Knowles  
Public Comments:  
None  
Chair Weeks recommended continued discussion at the December  
4, 2024, CAB meeting to further consider the following grants:  
Greater Cherry Street Spring Fling  
Latino Service Providers Winter Celebration  
Public Comments:  
Eric Fraser made comments regarding his appreciation of the board  
to consider the Greater Cherry Street Spring Fling grant, and  
protested the voting procedures of the CAB.  
Adina Flores made comments regarding the political nature of the  
CAB.  
A motion was made by Board Member Barnett, seconded by Vice Chair  
Rodriguez, to approve the following grant:  
Latino Service Providers Winter Celebration  
The motion failed by the following vote:  
7 -  
Yes:  
Chair Weeks, Vice Chair Rodriguez, Board Member Barnett, Board  
Member Chen, Board Member Frates, Board Member Horton, and  
Board Member Trejo Vazquez  
1 - Board Member Diaz  
No:  
3 -  
Absent:  
Board Member Diaz De Leon, Board Member Inocencio, and Board  
Member Knowles  
6.3  
REPORT - CAB WORK PLAN REVIEW AND APPROVAL  
BACKGROUND: In June 2024, the Community Engagement Manager,  
City Council, and the Community Advisory Board (CAB) began working  
to develop an annual work plan for the CAB. City council members met  
with their respective CAB appointees to increase communication and  
collaboration between councilmember and their CAB appointees and to  
discuss the creation of an annual workplan for the CAB. The work plan  
presented here is the result of those collaborative meetings.  
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by the Communications and  
Intergovernmental Relations Department that the Community Advisory  
Board, by motion, approve their Annual Work Plan for year 2025, and  
make a recommendation to City Council, by motion, to approve it.  
Chair Weeks made the recommendation to table item 6.3 until the  
December 4, 2024, meeting.  
7. CAB ANNOUNCEMENTS AND ISSUES OF CONCERN TO CITY RESIDENTS  
NONE  
8. STAFF UPDATES  
Ana Horta, Community Engagement Manager, provided information  
regarding the next regular meeting of the CAB occurring on  
December 4, 2024.  
Public Comments:  
Tina Rogers made comments regarding her appreciation of the  
CAB.  
9. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS  
Member Barnett requested that the CAB discuss codifying rules  
for permitted frequency of CIG submissions.  
Public Comments:  
None  
10. ADJOURNMENT  
Seeing no further business, Chair Weeks adjourned the meeting at  
8:29PM.  
Approved on:  
_______________________________  
Steven V. Brown,  
Recording Secretary