City Hall, Council Chamber

100 Santa Rosa Avenue

Santa Rosa, CA 95404

City of Santa Rosa

City Council

Regular Meeting Minutes - Draft

Tuesday, March 4, 2025

2:30 PM

1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

Mayor Stapp called the meeting to order at 2:30 p.m.

7 -

Present:

Mayor Mark Stapp, Vice Mayor Eddie Alvarez, Council Member

Caroline Bañuelos, Council Member Victoria Fleming, Council

Member Dianna MacDonald, Council Member Jeff Okrepkie, and

Council Member Natalie Rogers

2. REMOTE PARTICIPATION UNDER AB 2449 (IF NEEDED)

3. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ITEMS

3.1

PUBLIC EMPLOYEE - EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE

(Government Code Section 54957(b)) (THIS ITEM WAS CONTINUED

FROM THE FEBRUARY 25, 2025, REGULAR MEETING.)

Title: City Attorney

No public comments were made.

Mayor Stapp recessed the meeting to closed session at 2:31

p.m. to discuss Item 3.1.

This item was received and filed.

4. STUDY SESSION - NONE.

Mayor Stapp adjourned closed session at approximately 4:08 p.m. and

reconvened to regular session at 4:14 p.m.

5. ANNOUNCEMENT OF ROLL CALL (IF NEEDED)

7 -

Present:

Mayor Mark Stapp, Vice Mayor Eddie Alvarez, Council Member

Caroline Bañuelos, Council Member Victoria Fleming, Council

Member Dianna MacDonald, Council Member Jeff Okrepkie, and

Council Member Natalie Rogers

6. REPORT, IF ANY, ON STUDY AND CLOSED SESSIONS

Mayor Stapp reported there was no reportable action from closed

session.

7. PROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATIONS

7.1

PROCLAMATION - RED CROSS MONTH

Council Member Bañuelos read and presented the proclamation to

Andy Witthohn, Red Cross Volunteer-Governmental Relations. Andy

Witthohn provided brief comments on the work Red Cross performs

within the community.

No public comments were made.

PROCLAMATION - ARBOR WEEK

7.2

Council Member Fleming read and presented the proclamation to

James Castro, Parks Superintendent. James Castro provided brief

comments related to the services the Parks crew provides to the

City.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Duane De Witt spoke in support of the proclamation and work the

Parks team provides to the City.

8. STAFF BRIEFINGS

8.1

OVERVIEW OF RENEWAL ENTERPRISE DISTRICT

The Renewal Enterprise District (RED) will be providing an overview of

the RED, efforts to date, and initiatives/focus for the next 12 months. No

action will be taken except for possible direction to staff.

Megan Basinger, Director - Housing and Community Services

introduced Robin Stefani, Executive Director - Renewal Enterprise

District, and Chris Coursey, Sonoma County Supervisor, who then

presented and answered questions from Council.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Stephanie Bower, Deputy Director - Generation Housing, spoke in

support of the Renewal Enterprise District.

Duane De Witt, Sonoma County Housing Advocacy Group, spoke in

support of the Renewal Enterprise District and the work they are

doing in the City.

This item was received and filed.

8.2

COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT PLAN UPDATE

This is a standing item on the agenda. No action will be taken except for

possible direction to staff.

Ana Horta, Community Engagement Manager, presented.

Shenanigans the Leprechaun made a special appearance, joined

the staff table, and presented on the upcoming Leprechaun hunt in

City parks throughout the month of March.

No public comments were made.

This item was received and filed.

9. CITY MANAGER’S/CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORTS

Maraskeshia Smith, City Manager, presented on the launch of

Redwood Bikeshare program launched with 35 e-bikes recently and

for more information go to www.redwoodbikeshare.com; the draft

Active Transportation Plan is now available for review, public

comments are open until March 30 and for more information go to

www.srcity.org/atp; and Recreation and Parks is hosting the St.

Patrick's 5k run walk on March 16 and for more information go to

https://www.srcity.org/3927/Recreation-Parks.

Teresa Stricker, City Attorney, had no report.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Duane De Witt spoke on the Active Transportation Plan and

reminded Council of the idea of a bikeway greenway along south

side of Roseland Creek.

10. STATEMENTS OF ABSTENTION/RECUSAL BY COUNCIL MEMBERS

There were no statements of abstention or recusal.

11. MAYOR'S/COUNCIL MEMBERS’ REPORTS

Council Member MacDonald announced the appointment of Kathryn

Kelly to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board and Omar Lopez

to the Board of Community Services.

Council Member Rogers made a request for two future agenda

items: 1) regarding downtown cannabis dispensary operations; and

2) regarding development of certificate of understanding process

for solar panel energy production and potential homeowner offset.

Council Member Alvarez concurred with the request for future

agenda items.

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)

11.1.11 Public Safety Subcommittee

11.1.12 Other

12. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - NONE.

13. CONSENT ITEMS

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Duane De Witt spoke on Item 13.4 and 13.6.

Approval of the Consent Agenda

A motion was made by Vice Mayor Alvarez, seconded by Council Member

Rogers, to waive reading of the text and adopt Consent Items 13.1 through

13.7. The motion carried by the following vote:

7 -

Yes:

Mayor Mark Stapp, Vice Mayor Eddie Alvarez, Council Member

Caroline Bañuelos, Council Member Victoria Fleming, Council

Member Dianna MacDonald, Council Member Jeff Okrepkie, and

Council Member Natalie Rogers

13.1

MOTION - ACCEPT 2024 ANNUAL PUBLIC RECORDS REQUESTS

REPORT

RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by the City Clerk’s Office that

the Council, by motion, accept the 2024 Annual Public Records

Requests report.

This Consent - Motion was approved.

13.2

MOTION - COFFEY PARK AND FOUNTAINGROVE NEIGHBORHOOD

ROADS DISASTER RECOVERY CONTINGENCY ACTION

RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by the Transportation and

Public Works Department that Council, by motion, authorize additional

construction contingency funds for the Coffey Park and Fountaingrove

Neighborhood Roads Disaster Recovery Project, Contract Number

C02258, in the amount of $2,000,000, increasing the authorized total

contract amount to $22,031,245.97.

This Consent - Motion was approved.

13.3

RESOLUTION - AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL OF AN

APPLICATION TO THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF

HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT’S HOMEKEY+ GRANT

PROGRAM WITH BURBANK HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

CORPORATION, CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE DIOCESE OF

SANTA ROSA AND CARITAS HOMES PHASE II, LLC AS

CO-APPLICANTS FOR CARITAS HOMES PHASE II IN AN AMOUNT

NOT TO EXCEED $13.95 MILLION

RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by the Housing and

Community Services Department that Council, by resolution, authorize

the submittal of a grant application to the State of California Department

of Housing and Community Development’s Homekey+ grant program

with Burbank Housing Development Corporation, Catholic Charities of

the Diocese of Santa Rosa and Caritas Homes Phase II, LLC in an

amount not to exceed $13.95 million for Caritas Homes Phase II.

This Consent - Resolution was adopted.

RESOLUTION NO. RES-2025-031 ENTITLED: RESOLUTION OF THE

COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL

OF A JOINT APPLICATION TO AND PARTICIPATION IN THE CALIFORNIA

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT'S

HOMEKEY+ PROGRAM FOR UP TO $13.95 MILLION FOR DEVELOPMENT

OF CARITAS HOMES PHASE II WITH CO-APPLICANTS BURBANK

HOUSING DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE

DIOCESE OF SANTA ROSA AND CARITAS HOMES PHASE II, LLC; AND

AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE A STANDARD

AGREEMENT AND ANY AMENDMENTS THERETO

13.4

RESOLUTION - AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF A MATCHING

GRANT APPLICATION FOR THE LOWER COLGAN CREEK

NEIGHBORHOOD PARK IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by the Recreation and Parks

Department that the Council, by resolution: 1) authorize the submittal of

an application to the State of California Department of Parks and

Recreation Office of Grants and Local Services Outdoor Recreation

Legacy Partnership Program for the improvement of Lower Colgan

Creek Neighborhood Park for $1,600,000 in grant funds, which is 19%

of the total estimated project cost of $8,365,495, the remainder of which

will be matched by a combination of Park Development Impact (PDI)

funds and a $1,550,000 grant through the Sonoma County Agricultural

Preservation and Open Space District’s Matching Grant Program

awarded in 2024; and 2) authorize the City Manager to accept the

grant, execute a grant contract and any amendments thereto, a deed

restriction, any and all agreements, conservation easements and

amendments thereto, and all other documents necessary for the

completion of the design and construction of the park improvement

project, subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney; and 3)

authorize the Chief Financial Officer to increase appropriations by the

amount of the grant award.

This Consent - Resolution was adopted.

RESOLUTION NO. RES-2025-032 ENTITLED: RESOLUTION OF THE

COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF A

GRANT APPLICATION TO THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF

PARKS AND RECREATION OFFICE OF GRANTS AND LOCAL SERVICES

OUTDOOR RECREATION LEGACY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM FOR THE

LOWER COLGAN CREEK NEIGHBORHOOD PARK IMPROVEMENT

PROJECT

13.5

RESOLUTION - SERVICE CONTRACT WITH THE SANTA ROSA

CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT TO PROVIDE SUMMER PROGRAMS FOR

YOUTH

RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by the Recreation and Parks

Department that the Council, by resolution: 1) approve a Service

Contract with the Santa Rosa City School District for the Recreation

and Parks Department to provide services for summer youth programs;

and 2) and authorize the City Manager to execute the Santa Rosa City

Schools Service Contract.

This Consent - Resolution was adopted.

RESOLUTION NO. RES-2025-033 ENTITLED: RESOLUTION OF THE

COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA TO APPROVE A SERVICE

CONTRACT WITH THE SANTA ROSA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT AND

DELEGATE AUTHORITY TO THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE

AGREEMENT

13.6

RESOLUTION - REGIONAL HOUSING NEEDS ALLOCATION

TRANSFER

RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by the Planning and

Economic Development Department that the Council, by resolution,

authorize the Mayor to sign a joint City of Santa Rosa and County of

Sonoma letter agreeing to a transfer of 641 Regional Housing Needs

Allocation (RHNA) units from the County of Sonoma to the City of Santa

Rosa, following the annexation of 34.93 acres in northwest Santa Rosa.

This Consent - Resolution was adopted.

RESOLUTION NO. RES-2025-034 ENTITLED: RESOLUTION OF THE

COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO

SIGN AN LETTER AGREEING TO A TRANSFER OF 641 REGIONAL

HOUSING NEEDS ALLOCATION (RHNA) UNITS FROM THE COUNTY OF

SONOMA TO THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA

13.7

RESOLUTION - SOUTH SANTA ROSA SPECIFIC PLAN

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT

RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by the Planning and

Economic Development Department that the Council, by resolution: 1)

approve the Professional Services Agreement with Dyett & Bhatia,

Urban and Regional Planners, Oakland, California, for public

engagement, planning, and environmental review services for a

twenty-two month period to prepare the South Santa Rosa Specific Plan

and Environmental Impact Report in an amount not to exceed $765,272;

and 2) authorize the Chief Financial Officer to establish appropriations

of $104,428 with the source of funds being the Planning and Economic

Development’s Advance Planning Fund.

This Consent - Resolution was adopted.

RESOLUTION NO. RES-2025-035 ENTITLED: RESOLUTION OF THE

COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA APPROVING A PROFESSIONAL

SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH DYETT & BHATIA, URBAN AND REGIONAL

PLANNERS, FOR PREPARATION OF THE SOUTH SANTA ROSA SPECIFIC

PLAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT AND AUTHORIZING THE

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER TO ESTABLISH APPROPRIATIONS OF

$104,428 WITH THE SOURCE OF FUNDS BEING THE PLANNING AND

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT'S ADVANCE PLANNING FUND JL KEY 08015.,

FILE NO. ST23-004

14. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA MATTERS

Adina Flores spoke on conflict considerations related to Council

Member Okrepkie's place of employment.

Duane De Witt spoke on affordable housing concerns.

Mayor Stapp took Item 16.1 ahead of Item 15.1.

16. PUBLIC HEARINGS

16.1

PUBLIC HEARING - CONSIDERATION OF MASSAGE ORDINANCE

MUNICIPAL CODE AMENDMENTS AND ADULT ENTERTAINMENT

BUSINESS ZONING CODE AMENDMENT

BACKGROUND: In 2010, Santa Rosa adopted Ordinance No. 3937,

regulating massage establishments and therapists per state certification

standards. Following 2014 state revisions, local jurisdictions were

authorized to implement further regulations. Recent community

concerns regarding illicit massage businesses have exposed the need

to update the Municipal Code. After subcommittee review and

community input, a comprehensive replacement ordinance has been

drafted to include a certification process for massage businesses.

Proposed fees for managing the certification process are included

under a proposed resolution. Separately, the City is also proposing a

Zoning Code amendment to add permitting requirements for adult

entertainment businesses within Commercial and Industrial Zoning

Districts, which are not currently addressed for such uses.

RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by the Planning Commission

and the Planning and Economic Development Department that the

Council, by two ordinances and one resolution: 1) introduce an

ordinance amending Titles 6 and 20 of the Santa Rosa City Code by

repealing Chapter 6-32 entitled Massage Therapy, Massage Business

or Establishment; add a new Zoning Code Chapter 20-49 entitled

Massage Regulation and Massage Establishment Registration; amend

Zoning Code Sections 20-23.030 and 20-24.030 regarding permitting

requirements for “massage related uses”; amend Sections

20-50.020(A), 20-52.060, and 20-62.030(B)(2) adding Administrative

Adjustment provisions; and amend Section 20-70.020 revising the

definition of “office - business/service” and adding a definition for

“massage related uses”; 2) introduce an ordinance amending Zoning

Code Sections 20-23.030 and 20-24.030 regarding permitting

requirements for “adult entertainment business”; and 3) adopt a

resolution establishing fees for the processing and administration of

massage establishment certifications, renewals, administrative

adjustments and inspections.

Gabe Osburn, Director - Planning and Economic Development,

introduced Lou Kirk, Assistant Chief Building Official and Jessica

Jones, Deputy Director - Planning, and all presented and answered

questions from Council.

John Cregan, Police Chief, and Detective Tim Raymond also

answered questions from Council.

Mayor Stapp opened the public hearing at 6:12 p.m.

Kurtis Bennett spoke in support of Item 16.1.

Patrick Murray spoke in support of Item 16.1.

Mark Dixon, Chair of the California Massage Therapy Council, spoke

in support of Item 16.1.

Laurie Fong, Asian American Pacific Islander Coalition of North Bay,

spoke in support of Item 16.1 and in support of marginalized

individuals.

Brad Childs spoke in support of Item 16.1.

Mayor Stapp closed the public hearing at 6:25 p.m.

A motion was made by Council Member Okrepkie, seconded by Council

Member Fleming, to waive reading of the text and introduce

ORDINANCE ENTITLED: ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF

SANTA ROSA AMENDING TITLE 6 AND TITLE 20 OF THE SANTA ROSA

CITY CODE BY REPEALING CHAPTER 6-32 ENTITLED MASSAGE

THERAPY, MASSAGE BUSINESS OR ESTABLISHMENT, IN ITS ENTIRETY;

ADDING A NEW CHAPTER 20-49 ENTITLED MASSAGE REGULATION AND

MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENT REGISTRATION; AMENDING SECTIONS

20-23.030 AND 20-24.030 REGARDING PERMITTING REQUIREMENTS FOR

MASSAGE RELATED USES; AMENDING SECTIONS 20-50.020(A), 20-52.060

AND 20-62.030(B)(2) BY ADDING ADMINISTRATIVE ADJUSTMENT

PROVISIONS; AND AMENDING SECTION 20-70.020 REGARDING

DEFINITIONS OF MASSAGE RELATED USES AND BUSINESSS SERVICE

USES.

The motion carried by the following vote:

7 -

Yes:

Mayor Mark Stapp, Vice Mayor Eddie Alvarez, Council Member

Caroline Bañuelos, Council Member Victoria Fleming, Council

Member Dianna MacDonald, Council Member Jeff Okrepkie, and

Council Member Natalie Rogers

A motion was made, seconded by Council Member Fleming, to waive

reading of the text and introduce

ORDINANCE ENTITLED: ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF

SANTA ROSA AMENDING TITLE 20 OF THE SANTA ROSA CITY CODE TO

AMEND SECTIONS 20-23.030 AND 20-24.030 REGARDING

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADULT ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESSES.

The motion carried by the following vote:

7 -

Yes:

Mayor Mark Stapp, Vice Mayor Eddie Alvarez, Council Member

Caroline Bañuelos, Council Member Victoria Fleming, Council

Member Dianna MacDonald, Council Member Jeff Okrepkie, and

Council Member Natalie Rogers

A motion was made by Council Member Okrepkie, seconded by Council

Member Fleming, to waive reading of the text and adopt

RESOLUTION NO. RES-2025-036 ENTITLED: RESOLUTION OF THE

COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA ESTABLISHING FEES FOR THE

PROCESSING AND ADMINISTRATION OF MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENT

CERTIFICATIONS, RENEWALS, ADMINISTRATIVE ADJUSTMENTS, AND

INSPECTIONS

The motion carried by the following vote:

7 -

Yes:

Mayor Mark Stapp, Vice Mayor Eddie Alvarez, Council Member

Caroline Bañuelos, Council Member Victoria Fleming, Council

Member Dianna MacDonald, Council Member Jeff Okrepkie, and

Council Member Natalie Rogers

15. REPORT ITEMS

15.1

REPORT - POLICE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL MILITARY EQUIPMENT

REPORT

BACKGROUND: The Santa Rosa Police Department will provide a

presentation to summarize the contents of their annual military

equipment report as required per Assembly Bill No. 481. Upon approval

of a resolution by Council, The Santa Rosa Police Department will be

allowed to continue to use the military equipment they possess and

make any future purchases they have identified.

RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by the Police Department that

the Council, by resolution: 1) approve the Santa Rosa Police

Department Annual Military Equipment Report which complies with the

requirements of AB 481; 2) review Ordinance No. ORD-2022-007; and

3) renew Ordinance No. ORD-2022-007, codified as Chapter 2-38 of

the Santa Rosa City Code per California Assembly Bill No. 481.

Chief Cregan and Christopher Mahurin, Lieutenant, presented and

answered questions from Council.

No public comments were made.

A motion was made by Council Member MacDonald, seconded by Vice

Mayor Alvarez, to waive reading of the text and adopt

RESOLUTION NO. RES-2025-037 ENTITLED: RESOLUTION OF THE

COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA APPROVING THE SANTA ROSA

POLICE DEPARTMENT MILITARY EQUIPMENT REPORT AND RENEWING

CITY OF SANTA ROSA ORDINANCE NO. ORD-2022-007, CODIFIED AS

CHAPTER 2-38 OF THE SANTA ROSA CITY CODE - MILITARY EQUIPMENT

ORDINANCE.

The motion carried by the following vote:

6 -

Yes:

Mayor Mark Stapp, Vice Mayor Eddie Alvarez, Council Member

Victoria Fleming, Council Member Dianna MacDonald, Council

Member Jeff Okrepkie, and Council Member Natalie Rogers

1 - Council Member Caroline Bañuelos

Abstain:

17. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS - NONE.

18. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA MATTERS

No public comments were made.

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