Communications &  
Intergovernmental  
Relations Office  
City of Santa Rosa  
637 First Street  
Santa Rosa, CA 95404  
Community Advisory Board  
Regular Meeting Minutes - Final  
Wednesday, November 19, 2025  
5:30 PM  
1. CALL TO ORDER  
Chair Rodriguez called the meeting to order at 5:30PM.  
2. REMOTE PARTICIPATION UNDER AB 2449 (IF NEEDED)  
NONE  
3. ROLL CALL  
4 -  
3 -  
Present:  
Chair Andrea Rodriguez, Board Member Clay Daulton, Board  
Member Joshua Hamzehee, and Board Member Douglas Mondell  
Absent:  
Vice Chair Jude Frates, Board Member Ana M. Diaz, and Board  
Member Derek Knowles  
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS  
Janice Karrman made comments regarding the City Council meeting  
on November 18, 2025, and the positivity she witnessed during the  
proceedings.  
Duane DeWitt made comments regarding public attendance at CAB  
meetings, that City boards have become overly politicized, and  
stated that the CAB has not achieved its foundational goals.  
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES  
Public Comments:  
None  
5.1  
Draft Minutes - September 24, 2025  
Approved as submitted.  
6. SCHEDULED ITEMS  
6.1  
PRESENTATION - PUBLIC ART PROGRAM OVERVIEW  
Staff will provide an overview on the Public Art Program, related  
documents, policies and procedures.  
Meredith Knudsen, Art and Culture Coordinator, gave a presentation  
and answered Member questions.  
Public Comments:  
Duane DeWitt made comments regarding City murals that need to  
be updated, recommended the creation of a Gold Star Veteran's  
Memorial, and identified the need for the City to create community  
creative zones.  
6.2  
MOTION - COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT GRANTS  
BACKGROUND: The Community Advisory Board (CAB) reviews and  
approves the 2025 Community Improvement Grant Applications. The  
Board shall award grants to the applicants whose projects best meet  
the criteria. The three grants submitted for the October-November 2025  
period total $7,000. The current balance is $28,673.50; if all grants are  
awarded the remainder balance for the current fiscal year will be  
$21,673.50.  
•The Makeshift Traveler Backpack grant application from The  
HomeMore Project requests $2,000 to distribute 20 solar-powered  
Makeshift Traveler backpacks to individuals experiencing  
homelessness in Santa Rosa, California, specifically targeting older  
adults and seniors. The objective of this project is to provide practical,  
portable, and dignified support to those living unsheltered by equipping  
them with essential survival and connectivity tools. Each Makeshift  
Traveler backpack includes a solar-powered battery bank, sleeping  
bag, rain poncho, hygiene kit, flashlight, radio, and water bottle-all  
designed to enhance safety, health, and stability. The goal is to meet  
immediate needs while empowering recipients with tools for  
communication and self-sufficiency.  
•The Skyhawk Neighborhood Day from Skyhawk United requests  
$2,500 to host their annual event that promotes community, culture, and  
fun, where neighbors gather and meet one another; enjoy an afternoon  
of food, entertainment, arts and culture; and share resources on  
common needs and interests. The goal is to build and create community  
bonds through offering an afternoon of music, food, vendors, and words  
from a diverse showing of cultures represented in our neighborhood.  
The vent will be hosted on August 15, 2026.  
•The AAPIC General Meeting grant application from AAPIC request  
$2,500 to support their 2026 Asian American & Pacific Islander Annual  
Community Gathering. The event’s goal is to instill connection, pride,  
and confidence within their diverse Asian & Pacific Islander community.  
People of all backgrounds are welcome to meet, connect, and  
collaborate with AAPIC, fostering unity across communities.  
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by the Communications and  
Intergovernmental Relations Department that the Community Advisory  
Board, by motion, determine the dispersing of the Community  
Improvement Grants Application for the October-November 2025 period.  
Ana Horta, Community Engagement Manager, provided information  
and answered Member questions.  
Misti Wood, CIRO Officer, assisted in answering Member  
questions.  
Public Comments:  
Janice Karrman made comments regarding her inability to find an  
event date in the AAPIC grant application.  
A motion was made by Board Member Mondell, seconded by Board  
Member Hamzehee, to approve the Makeshift Traveler Backpack grant  
application from the HomeMore Project.  
The motion carried by the following vote:  
4 -  
Yes:  
Chair Rodriguez, Board Member Daulton, Board Member  
Hamzehee, and Board Member Mondell  
3 -  
Absent:  
Vice Chair Frates, Board Member Diaz, and Board Member  
Knowles  
A motion was made by Board Member Mondell, seconded by Board  
Member Hamzehee, recommending disapproval of the grant application  
from Skyhawk United.  
The motion carried by the following vote:  
4 -  
3 -  
Yes:  
Chair Rodriguez, Board Member Daulton, Board Member  
Hamzehee, and Board Member Mondell  
Absent:  
Vice Chair Frates, Board Member Diaz, and Board Member  
Knowles  
A motion was made by Chair Rodriguez, seconded by Board Member  
Mondell, to approve the Asian American & Pacific Islander grant  
application.  
The motion carried by the following vote:  
4 -  
Yes:  
Chair Rodriguez, Board Member Daulton, Board Member  
Hamzehee, and Board Member Mondell  
3 -  
Absent:  
Vice Chair Frates, Board Member Diaz, and Board Member  
Knowles  
6.3  
MOTION - COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT GRANT EXTENSION-THE  
WELLNESS AND CULTURAL ARTS WORKSHOP  
BACKGROUND:  
On October 30, 2024, the Community Advisory Board (CAB) approved a  
grant of $2,500 for The Wellness & Cultural Arts Workshop proposed by  
BIPOC Collective. The project aimed to host a two-day workshop  
offering free, inclusive social-emotional engagement and wellness  
activities for the Santa Rosa community.  
Due to unforeseen challenges with contractor availability, BIPOC  
Collective is requesting a six-month extension. This additional time will  
allow them to secure new contractors and submit a revised application  
that includes contractor details for CAB review.  
RECOMMENDATION: The Communications and Intergovernmental  
Relations Office recommends that the Community Advisory Board, by  
motion, determine whether to approve the six-month extension for The  
Wellness & Cultural Arts Workshop grant application from BIPOC  
Collective.  
Ana Horta, Community Engagement Manager, provided information  
and answered Member questions.  
Public Comments:  
Tina Rogers made comments regarding the difficulties that have  
been experienced with the availability of the event's contractors and  
her goals for obtaining new contractors and holding the event within  
the next six months.  
A motion was made by Board Member Hamzehee, seconded by Board  
Member Daulton, to approve the BIPOC request for a six month extension.  
The motion carried by the following vote:  
4 -  
Yes:  
Chair Rodriguez, Board Member Daulton, Board Member  
Hamzehee, and Board Member Mondell  
3 -  
Absent:  
Vice Chair Frates, Board Member Diaz, and Board Member  
Knowles  
6.4  
MOTION - ADOPTION OF 2026 CAB MEETING SCHEDULE  
The Community Advisory Board (CAB) connects city government and  
residents so the public can have a voice in decisions that impact their  
lives and build a stronger community. The CAB currently meets on 4th  
Wednesday of every other month, except when otherwise noticed.  
Meetings begin at 5:30 p.m. and are held in the City’s Chamber  
Building, located at 637 1st Street, Santa Rosa. City Charter requires  
that the CAB meet at least quarterly. Staff recommends the adoption of  
every other month meeting schedule as follows:  
January 28  
March 25  
May 27  
July 22  
September 23  
November 18*  
*Due to the CAB meetings being close to the holiday in November, staff  
recommend holding the meeting on the 3rd Wednesday in November.  
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by staff that the CAB, by  
motion, approve the 2026 meeting schedule as proposed.  
Ana Horta, Community Engagement Manager, provided information  
and answered Member questions.  
Misti Wood, CIRO Officer, assisted with answering Member  
questions.  
Public Comment:  
Janice Karrman made comments regarding board and committee  
meetings that regularly get cancelled, the lack of promotion for City  
meetings, the confusion many community members experience  
when trying to gain information about meetings, and recommended  
that the City use media outlets for additional promotion.  
A motion was made by Chair Rodriguez, seconded by Board Member  
Daulton, to approve as amended the adoption of the 2026 CAB meeting  
schedule with an amendment for the May meeting occur on the third  
Wednesday.  
The motion carried by the following vote:  
4 -  
Yes:  
Chair Rodriguez, Board Member Daulton, Board Member  
Hamzehee, and Board Member Mondell  
3 -  
Absent:  
Vice Chair Frates, Board Member Diaz, and Board Member  
Knowles  
6.5  
MOTION - EXTENSION OF THE 2025 CAB WORK PLAN  
BACKGROUND: In June of 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 Council Members and their  
CAB appointees, and to discuss the creation of an annual work plan for  
the CAB. The work plan was adopted by CAB during the March 26,  
2025, meeting.  
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by the Communications and  
Intergovernmental Relations Office that the Community Advisory Board  
approves, by motion, the extension of their work plan until 2027 to align  
with Council’s goal setting cycle.  
Ana Horta, Community Engagement Manager, provided information  
and answered Member questions.  
Misti Wood, CIRO Officer, assisted in answering Member  
questions.  
Public Comments:  
Janice Karrman made comments regarding the abundance of board  
and committee meetings, the difficulty for members of the public to  
attend, and recommended the City look for ways to make the  
meetings more public friendly.  
A motion was made by Board Member Hamzehee, seconded by Chair  
Rodriguez, to approve the extension of the 2025 CAB Work Plan.  
The motion carried by the following vote:  
4 -  
Yes:  
Chair Rodriguez, Board Member Daulton, Board Member  
Hamzehee, and Board Member Mondell  
3 -  
Absent:  
Vice Chair Frates, Board Member Diaz, and Board Member  
Knowles  
7. CAB ANNOUNCEMENTS AND ISSUES OF CONCERN TO CITY RESIDENTS  
Member Mondell attended the West End Neighborhood Association  
meeting on November 15, 2025, where an issue was discussed  
concerning the economic development of downtown and  
Courthouse Square.  
Member Daulton expressed concern about the long-term plan for  
attracting downtown development, citing the loss of two prominent  
downtown businesses.  
Chair Rodriguez commented upon the impact of the recent CAB  
community meetings and how successful they have been.  
Public Comments:  
None  
8. STAFF UPDATES  
Ana Horta, Community Engagement Manager, provided information  
and answered Member questions regarding the following events and  
updates:  
November 6 until December 12, the Santa Rosa Police  
Department (SRPD)is holding their Holiday Toy Drive to benefit  
Catholic Charities.  
November 13 to December 18 to support Redwood Empire Food  
Bank and our neighbors in need, the City is hosting a citywide food  
drive.  
November 27, Santa Rosa Turkey Trot, from 8 to 11 a.m., 600 4th  
St. Old Courthouse Square.  
November 28, Downtown Santa Rosa Tree Lighting Celebration,  
from 4 to 7 p.m., 600 4th St. Old Courthouse Square.  
December 5 and 6, Handmade Holiday Craft Fair, from 10 a.m. to  
4 p.m. Finley Community Center, 2060 W College Ave.  
December 6, Volunteer Planting Day #1 on Colgan Creek  
Restoration Area, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Location details will be  
sent upon registration.  
December 6 and 20, Creek Cleanup on the Greenway, from 10  
a.m. to 12 p.m., Olive Park Footbridge, 1698 Hazel St.  
December 6, Stuff the Bus Toy Drive, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.,  
location TBD. Donations will benefit Toys for Tots Marine Corps  
Reserve program.  
December 13, Holiday Pajama Party with Santa, from 9 a.m. to 12  
p.m. Finley Community Center, 2060 W College Ave.  
December 13, Park-A-Month at Franklin Community Park, 2095  
Franklin Ave.  
April 25, Earth Day.  
District-based meetings: meetings were successful with a total of  
84 attendees. Some of the highlights will be share during the CAB's  
Annual Report to Council on 12/16.  
CAB Annual Presentation to Council on 12/16 will include CAB's  
2025-2027 Work Plan and 2025 Achievements.  
West Ave Mural Project, the two designs have been by approved  
the Arts in Public Places Committee (APPC).  
CAB to consider adding CIG Reports as a standing agenda item.  
Discussion could be held during the January meeting.  
Public Comments:  
Janice Karrman made comments regarding how information is being  
distributed to the public and stated that not enough is being done to  
promote City meetings.  
9. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS  
Chair Rodriguez recommended future agenda items pertaining to  
adding a permanent agenda item for presentations regarding  
completed CIG events, exploring a return to monthly CAB meetings  
with the possibility of holding them at various locations, and a  
presentation from City staff regarding long-term plans for downtown  
economic development.  
Public Comments:  
None  
10. ADJOURNMENT  
Seeing no further business, Chair Rodriguez adjourned the meeting  
at 7:15PM.  
Approved on:  
_______________________________  
Steven V. Brown, Recording Secretary