City Hall, Council Chamber

100 Santa Rosa Avenue

Santa Rosa, CA 95404

City of Santa Rosa

City Council

Regular Meeting Minutes - Final

Tuesday, February 24, 2026

2:00 PM

1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

Mayor Stapp called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m.

6 -

Present:

Mayor Mark Stapp, Vice Mayor Jeff Okrepkie, Council Member Eddie

Alvarez, Council Member Caroline Bañuelos, Council Member Dianna

MacDonald, and Council Member Natalie Rogers

1 - Council Member Victoria Fleming

Absent:

2. REMOTE PARTICIPATION UNDER THE BROWN ACT (Gov. Code § 54953.8)

3. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ITEMS

No public comments were made.

Mayor Stapp recessed to closed session at 2:02 p.m.

Council Member Fleming joined the meeting at 2:06 p.m.

3.1

CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR

(Government Code Section 54956.8)

Property: 520 3rd Street and 521 2nd Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95401

APN 010-063-027 and 010-063-019

Agency Negotiator: Jill Scott, Real Property Negotiator

Negotiating Parties: Museum on the Square, LLC

Under Negotiations: Price and terms of payment.

This item was received and filed.

3.2

CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR

(Government Code Section 54956.8)

Property: 100 Santa Rosa Avenue APN 009-191-021, 90 Santa Rosa

Avenue APN 009-073-023, 631 1st Street APN 009-073-019, -020, -021

and -022 and 655 1st Street APN 009-073-018

Agency Negotiator: Jill Scott, Real Property Negotiator

Negotiating Parties: Hugh Futrell

Under Negotiations: Price and terms of payment.

This item was received and filed.

3.3

CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR

(Government Code Section 54956.8)

Property: 1 Santa Rosa Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95401 APN

010-063-025

Agency Negotiator: Jill Scott, Real Property Negotiator

Negotiating Parties: Glen Ellen Properties

Under Negotiations: Price and terms of payment.

This item was received and filed.

3.4

CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR

(Government Code Section 54956.8)

Property: 777 Sonoma Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95404 APN

009-191-023

Agency Negotiator: Jill Scott, Real Property Negotiator, Stephanie

Valkovic, Associate Real Property Negotiator

Negotiating Parties: United State of America - Federal General Services

Under Negotiations: Price and terms of payment.

This item was received and filed.

4. STUDY SESSION

4.1

SENATE BILL 707 - BROWN ACT AMENDMENTS OVERVIEW (THIS

ITEM IS CONTINUED TO THE MARCH 10, 2026, REGULAR

MEETING)

The City Clerk’s and City Attorney’s Offices present this study session

to provide the Council an overview of recent Brown Act changes

adopted under Senate Bill 707 (2025). Council will take no action

except provide direction to staff. This item has no impact on current

fiscal year budget.

This item was continued to the March 10, 2026, regular meeting.

Mayor Stapp recessed closed session and reconvened to the regular session

at approximately 4:03 p.m.

5. ANNOUNCEMENT OF ROLL CALL (IF NEEDED)

7 -

Present:

Mayor Mark Stapp, Vice Mayor Jeff Okrepkie, Council Member Eddie

Alvarez, Council Member Caroline Bañuelos, Council Member Victoria

Fleming, Council Member Dianna MacDonald, and Council Member

Natalie Rogers

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

Teresa Stricker, City Attorney, reported there was no reportable

action from closed session.

7. PROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATIONS

7.1

PROCLAMATION - BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Proclamation (Uploaded 02-24-2026)

Attachments:

Council Member Rogers read and presented the proclamation to

Nancy Rogers, Black Chamber of Commerce; and Arthur Chaney,

100 Black Men of Sonoma County.

Nancy Rogers, North Bay Black Chamber of Commerce, spoke on

the proclamation and the City's efforts to honor the importance of

Black History.

Ruben Scott, 2025 Merit Award winner, spoke on the proclamation,

the continued and growing support of Santa Rosa's Black

community, and invited all to come to the upcoming Black Joy

Parade in April.

Arthur Chaney, 100 Black Men and Sonoma State University,

expressed appreciation for the proclamation.

No public comments were made.

7.2

PRESENTATION - SONOMA WATER’S WATER TRANSMISSION

SYSTEM CAPITAL PROJECTS AND MAINTENANCE UPDATE

Presentation

Attachments:

David Royall, Assistant General Manager, Sonoma Water and Kent

Gylfe, Director of Engineering, Sonoma Water presented and

answered questions from Council.

No public comments were made.

8. STAFF BRIEFINGS - NONE.

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

Lori Ann Farrell reported on the launch of a citywide survey related

to the new City Manager recruitment, Sonoma County Restaurant

Week is underway, after school programs sign ups have opened

now for underserved through the City's Neighborhood Services, and

that the CalHome Rehabilitation Loan Program application period is

now open.

9.1

REPORT OF SETTLEMENTS AND ACTIVE LITIGATION

The City Attorney will report on all settlements authorized by Council in

closed session that were finalized in January 2026, which includes but

may not be limited to all settlements requiring the City to pay more than

$50,000. The City Attorney will also provide a summary of pending

litigation against the City.

Litigation Report

Attachments:

City Attorney Stricker, reported there no settlements authorized by

Council in the month of January and the caseload remains constant

with 33 litigation matters, with trial dates assigned to approximately

one-quarter of those matters.

No public comments were made.

This item was received and filed.

10. STATEMENTS OF ABSTENTION/RECUSAL BY COUNCIL MEMBERS

There were no statements of abstention or recusal.

11. MAYOR'S/COUNCIL MEMBERS’ REPORTS

Council Member Fleming provided a brief report on an upcoming

Metropolitan Transportation Committee on February 25, 2026.

Mayor Stapp reported on the reopening of Dutch Flohr

Neighborhood Park and recent Sonoma County Mayor's and Council

Member's meetings.

No public comments were made.

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

Mayor Stapp provided a brief report on the recent Long Term

Financial Policy and Audit subcommittee.

11.1.2 Sonoma County Transportation and Climate Authorities (SCTCA)

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))

Mayor Stapp provided a brief report.

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

12.1

February 10, 2026, Regular Meeting Minutes.

Final Minutes

Attachments:

No public comments were made.

Approved as submitted.

Mayor Stapp recessed the meeting at 4:45 p.m. and reconvened at

approximately 5:00 p.m.

13. CONSENT ITEMS

7 -

Present:

Mayor Mark Stapp, Vice Mayor Jeff Okrepkie, Council Member Eddie

Alvarez, Council Member Caroline Bañuelos, Council Member Victoria

Fleming, Council Member Dianna MacDonald, and Council Member

Natalie Rogers

Approval of the Consent Agenda

No public comments were made.

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

Rogers, to adopt Consent Items 13.1, 13.2, 13.4, and 13.5 as presented by

staff. The motion carried by the following vote:

7 -

Yes:

Mayor Mark Stapp, Vice Mayor Jeff Okrepkie, Council Member

Eddie Alvarez, Council Member Caroline Bañuelos, Council Member

Victoria Fleming, Council Member Dianna MacDonald, and Council

Member Natalie Rogers

13.1

RESOLUTION - SECOND AMENDMENT TO PROFESSIONAL

SERVICES AGREEMENT NUMBER F003096 WITH ATKINSON,

ANDELSON, LOYA, RUUD & ROMO FOR CONTINUED LEGAL

SERVICES

RECOMMENDATION: The City Attorney and the Human Resources

Director recommend that the Council, by resolution: 1) approve the

Second Amendment to Professional Services Agreement Number

F003096 with Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo increasing

compensation by $175,000, for a total contract amount not to exceed

$375,000, for continued legal services; 2) authorize the City Attorney to

execute the agreement; and 3) appropriate $375,000 from the

unassigned general fund reserves to the City Council professional

services budget to address available funding shortfall within that

budget. This item is requesting appropriations for one-time funding.

Staff Report

Attachments:

Resolution

Exhibit A - Second Amendment

This Consent - Resolution was adopted.

RESOLUTION NO. RES-2026-015 ENTITLED: RESOLUTION OF THE

COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA APPROVING THE SECOND

AMENDMENT TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT NUMBER

F003096 WITH ATKINSON, ANDELSON, LOYA, RUUD & ROMO;

AUTHORIZING THE CITY ATTORNEY TO EXECUTE THE SECOND

AMENDMENT; AND APPROPRIATING $375,000 FROM UNASSIGNED

GENERAL FUNDS TO THE CITY COUNCIL'S PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

BUDGET

13.2

MOTION - CONTRACT AWARD - HOPPER AVENUE CORRIDOR

FIRE RECOVERY

RECOMMENDATION: The Transportation and Public Works

Department recommends that the Council, by motion, award Contract

No. C02406 Hopper Avenue Corridor Fire Recovery Improvements, in

the amount of $4,054,718 to the lowest responsible bidder, Argonaut

Constructors of Santa Rosa, California, approve a 15% contract

contingency in the amount of $608,207.70, and authorize the City

Manager or designee to execute the Contract and any change orders in

a total contract amount of $4,662,925.70. The source of funds is the

Capital Improvement Fund. No City General Fund money is included in

this project.

Staff Report

Attachments:

Attachment 1 - Location Map

Attachment 2 - Summary of Bids

This Consent - Motion was approved.

13.3

MOTION - APPROVAL OF SECOND AMENDMENT TO

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT NUMBER F002573 FOR

GRANT WRITING SERVICES WITH CALIFORNIA PUBLIC POLICY

GROUP, INC. (THIS ITEM IS CONTINUED TO THE MARCH 24, 2026,

REGULAR MEETING)

RECOMMENDATION: The City Manager’s Office recommends that the

Council, by motion, approve a Second Amendment to Professional

Services Agreement Number F002573 with California Public Policy

Group, Inc., Sacramento, California, increasing the time of performance

by three years and increasing compensation in the amount of $60,000,

for a total contract not to exceed $208,800. This item has no impact on

current fiscal year budget.

This item was continued to the March 24, 2026, regular

meeting.

13.4

MOTION - APPROVAL OF COOPERATIVE PURCHASE OF FOUR (4)

2029 PIERCE ENFORCER TYPE 1 FIRE ENGINES WITH GOLDEN

STATE FIRE APPARATUS INC. (THIS ITEM IS CONTINUED FROM

THE FEBRUARY 10, 2026, REGULAR MEETING)

RECOMMENDATION: The Transportation and Public Works

Department recommends that the Council, by motion: 1) approve the

purchase of four (4) 2029 Pierce Enforcer Type 1 Fire Engines with

Golden State Fire Apparatus Inc. of Sacramento, California for a total

amount not to exceed $5,709,802; 2) approve the use of cooperative

purchasing through the Houston Galveston Area Council Interlocal

Cooperative Agreement #10-2428, Pierce H-GAC Contract #FS12.23;

and 3) authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute the Purchase Order.

This item has no impact on current fiscal year budget.

Staff Report

Attachments:

Attachment 1 - Product Proposal and Terms and Conditions

This Consent - Motion was approved.

13.5

RESOLUTION - AMENDMENT TO THE CLASSIFICATION AND

COMPENSATION & SALARY PLAN AND SCHEDULE AND ADOPTION

OF AN UPDATED SALARY PLAN AND SCHEDULE (THIS ITEM IS

CONTINUED FROM THE FEBRUARY 10, 2026, REGULAR

MEETING)

RECOMMENDATION: The Human Resources Department

recommends that the Council receive the attached Human Resources

Classification/Compensation Reports, and by resolution: 1) approve the

proposed new classification, salaries, associated reclassifications, and

budget changes; 2) adopt the updated Salary Plan and Schedule; and

3) authorize the Chief Financial Officer to increase appropriations in an

amount of $163,122.15. This item is requesting appropriations for

ongoing funding.

Staff Report

Attachments:

Resolution

Exhibit A - Class and Comp Study Report

Exhibit B - Classification Changes

Exhibit C - New Salary Steps

Exhibit D - Summary of Budget Changes

Exhibit E - Salary Plan and Schedule

This Consent - Resolution was adopted.

RESOLUTION NO. RES-2026-016 ENTITLED: RESOLUTION OF THE

COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA APPROVING THE

CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION; ADOPTING AN UPDATED

SALARY PLAN AND SCHEDULE; AND INCREASING APPROPRIATIONS

14. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA MATTERS

Janice Karrman spoke on various city and county meetings with

overlapping times which makes it hard to attend all meetings.

15. REPORT ITEMS - NONE.

16. PUBLIC HEARINGS

**16.1

PUBLIC HEARING - LAGO FRESCA APARTMENTS APPEAL

BACKGROUND: On December 11, 2025, the Planning Commission

unanimously approved a Major Conditional Use Permit for the Project to

allow a 50-unit multifamily residential development within an Office

zoning district. On December 18, 2025, the Design Review and

Preservation Board approved Design Review for the Project by a vote

of 4-1-1, with one member voting no and one member absent. Concerns

were raised during both public hearings from surrounding property

owners regarding potential impacts to traffic circulation, parking and

future evacuation needs as a result of the Project. On December 19,

2025, the City Clerk’s Office received an Appeal on behalf of the

Bennett Valley Community Against Lago Fresca Project, appealing

approvals of both the Conditional Use Permit and Design Review.

RECOMMENDATION: The Planning and Economic Department

recommends that the Council, by two resolutions: 1) deny the appeal

and uphold the decision of the Planning Commission to approve a

Conditional Use Permit; and 2) deny the appeal and uphold the decision

Vice Mayor Okrepkie reported a site visit.

Mayor Stapp reported a discussion with applicant, being a former

SAY board member, and has been in touch with representatives

from the Redwood Gospel Mission.

Monet Sheikhali, Supervising Planner, Jessica Jones, Deputy

Director, Michaal Van Middle, Deputy Director - Traffic Planning, and

Ashle Crocker, Assistant City Attorney, presented and answered

questions from Council.

Karen Weeks, Planning Commission Chair, and Melanie Jones

Carter, Design Review and Preservation Board presented.

Mayor Stapp opened the public hearing at 5:59 p.m.

Katy Moranda, on behalf of the appellant, presented.

Janver Holly, applicant, and Ingrid Anderson - Architect, Barry

Bergman - W-Trans, Don McNair - Landscape Architect, and James

McNair, Certified Arborist, on behalf of applicant, presented.

Michael Ann Blatt spoke in opposition to the project.

Jeanette McFall spoke in opposition to the project.

Abby Arnold, Santa Rosa YIMBY, spoke in support of the project.

Janice Karrman spoke on the item.

Richard Hunt Sr spoke in opposition to the project.

Analisa Hunt spoke in opposition to the project.

Ann Butler, resident at Sierra Creek Village, spoke in opposition to

the project.

Robert Ostling spoke in opposition to the project.

Michael Fried, BV Neighbors Against Lago Fresca Project, spoke in

opposition to the project.

Anthony Nuno spoke in opposition to the project.

Mindy Shambaugh spoke in opposition to the project.

Katy Moranda, on behalf of Sierra Creek Village Association, spoke

in opposition to the project and requested re-evaluation of driveway

location (comment description provided from speaker card).

Mary Alice Wilson spoke in opposition to the project and no mention

of Dawn Redwood removal (comment description provided from

speaker card).

Sonia Barwick, Generation Housing, spoke in support of the project.

Diane Martini spoke in opposition to the project and unsafe

conditions for evacuation (comment description provided from

speaker card).

Kashy Ghazzagh spoke in opposition to the project and expressed

safety concerns and parking management (comment description

provided from speaker card).

Mike Raymond spoke in opposition to the project and the issue of

traffic at Hoen and Summerfield (comment description provided

from speaker card).

Stephen Schwartz spoke in opposition to the project.

Rebecca Hopper spoke in opposition to the project.

Jerry Huffaker spoke in opposition to the project.

Richard Molley spoke in opposition to the project.

Patti Fitch spoke in opposition to the project.

Fred Allebach spoke in support of the project.

Keith Woxerman spoke in opposition to the project.

Anonymous spoke in opposition to the project.

Ahmad spoke in opposition to the project.

MaDonna Feather submitted a speaker card, was not present at the

time of public comment, and provided no summary sentence on

speaker card.

Katy Moranda, on behalf of the appellant, provided a rebuttal.

Applicant provided a rebuttal.

Staff answered additional question from Council.

Mayor Stapp closed the public hearing at 7:40 p.m.

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

Member Rogers, to adopt resolutions as presented by staff.

RESOLUTION NO. RES-2026-017 ENTITLED: RESOLUTION OF THE

COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA DENYING AN APPEAL AND

UPHOLDING THE DECISION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION

APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR THE LAGO FRESCA

APARTMENTS PROJECT- LOCATED AT 2445 SUMMERFIELD ROAD AND

4744 HOEN AVENUE, APNS: 014-361-029 AND 014-361-028- FILE NUMBER

PRJ22-019 (CUP22-050)

RESOLUTION NO. RES-2026-018 ENTITLED: RESOLUTION OF THE

COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA DENYING THE APPEAL AND

UPHOLDING THE DECISION OF THE DESIGN REVIEW AND

PRESERVATION BOARD APPROVING DESIGN REVIEW FOR THE LAGO

FRESCA APARTMENTS PROJECT- LOCATED AT 2445 SUMMERFIELD

ROAD AND 4744 HOEN AVENUE, APNS: 014-361-029 AND 014-361-028-

FILE NUMBER PRJ22-019 (DR22-037)

The motion carried by the following vote:

7 -

Yes:

Mayor Mark Stapp, Vice Mayor Jeff Okrepkie, Council Member

Eddie Alvarez, Council Member Caroline Bañuelos, Council Member

Victoria Fleming, Council Member Dianna MacDonald, and Council

Member Natalie Rogers

16.2

PUBLIC HEARING - FIRST 2026 GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT

PACKAGE

BACKGROUND: Per State law, General Plan Amendments may be

considered up to four times per year. This amendment package

includes City initiated updates to the General Plan and Downtown

Station Area Specific Plan land use diagrams, a text amendment to the

General Plan 2050, and corresponding Zoning Map amendments

needed to maintain consistency between General Plan land use

designations and zoning classifications.

RECOMMENDATION: The Planning Commission and the Planning and

Economic Development Department recommend that the Council, by

two resolutions and one ordinance: 1) adopt an Addendum to the

General Plan 2050 Environmental Impact Report (EIR); 2) adopt

amendments to the land use diagram and text of the General Plan 2050

and to the Downtown Station Area Specific Plan land use figure; and 3)

approve the first reading and introduce an ordinance entitled Ordinance

of the Council of the City of Santa Rosa approving the rezoning of 10

properties to implement the General Plan Land Use Designation - File

Number PLN25-0650. This item has no impact on current fiscal year

budget.

Staff Report

Attachments:

Attachment 1 - General Plan Land Use Diagram Amendments

Attachment 2 - General Plan Text Amendments

Attachment 3 - General Plan 2050 Draft EIR

Attachment 4 - General Plan 2050 Final EIR

Attachment 5 – Planning Commission Resolution PC-RES-2026-002

Attachment 6 – Planning Commission Resolution PC-RES-2026-003

Attachment 7 – Planning Commission Resolution PC-RES-2026-004

Public Hearing Notice

Presentation

Amy Nicholson, Supervising Planner - Planning and Economic

Development, and Jessica Jones, Deputy Director - Planning,

presented and answered questions from Council.

Mayor Stapp opened the public hearing at 8:03 p.m.

Ken MacNab spoke in support of the item and supports changes to

Maxwell Drive properties (comment description provided from

speaker card).

Fred Allebach spoke on the item and on Council's consideration of

land-use compatibility in future projects.

Mayor Stapp closed the public hearing at 8:06 p.m.

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

Okrepkie, to adopt resolutions and introduce ordinance as presented by

staff.

RESOLUTION NO. RES-2026-019 ENTITLED: RESOLUTION OF THE

COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA ADOPTING AN ADDENDUM TO

THE GENERAL PLAN 2050 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT (EIR) FOR

THE FIRST 2026 GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT PACKAGE - FILE NUMBER

PLN25-0650

RESOLUTION NO. RES-2026-020 ENTITLED: RESOLUTION OF THE

COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA ADOPTING AMENDMENTS TO

THE LAND USE DIAGRAM AND TEXT OF THE GENERAL PLAN 2050 AND

TO THE DOWNTOWN STATION AREA SPECIFIC PLAN LAND USE FIGURE

- FILE NUMBER PLN25-0650

ORDINANCE ENTITLED: ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF

SANTA ROSA APPROVING THE REZONING OF 10 PROPERTIES TO

IMPLEMENT THE GENERAL PLAN LAND USE DESIGNATION - FILE

NUMBER PLN25-0650

The motion carried by the following vote:

7 -

Yes:

Mayor Mark Stapp, Vice Mayor Jeff Okrepkie, Council Member

Eddie Alvarez, Council Member Caroline Bañuelos, Council Member

Victoria Fleming, Council Member Dianna MacDonald, and Council

Member Natalie Rogers

17. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS - NONE.

18. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA MATTERS

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

Mayor Stapp adjourned the meeting at 8:07 p.m.

21. UPCOMING MEETINGS

21.1

UPCOMING MEETINGS LIST

Upcoming Meetings List

Attachments:

Approved on: March 10, 2026

/s/ Dina Manis, City Clerk