City Hall, Council Chamber

100 Santa Rosa Avenue

Santa Rosa, CA 95404

City of Santa Rosa

City Council

Regular Meeting Minutes - Final

Tuesday, January 27, 2026

2:00 PM

1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

Mayor Stapp called the meeting to order at 2:03 p.m.

5 -

Present:

Mayor Mark Stapp, Council Member Eddie Alvarez, Council Member

Caroline Bañuelos, Council Member Victoria Fleming, and Council

Member Dianna MacDonald

2 - Vice Mayor Jeff Okrepkie, and Council Member Natalie Rogers

Absent:

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

3. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ITEMS

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Dino Dargenzio spoke in support of Airport Business Park only

(comment description provided from speaker card).

Doug Van Dyke, Owner - E.R. Sawyer Jewelers, spoke in support of

the item and suggested selection of the local developer - Airport

Business Center (comment description provided from speaker

card).

Richard Coombs, Airport Business Center, spoke in support of the

item and support of ABC (comment description provided from

speaker card).

Mayor Stapp recessed the meeting to closed session at

2:12 p.m. to discuss Items 3.1 through 3.2 as listed on the

agenda.

Council Member Rogers joined the meeting at 2:13 p.m.

3.1

CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR

(Government Code Section 54956.8)

Property: 625 and 637 3rd Street, APNs 009-013-011 and 009-013-012

(“Garage 5”)

Agency Negotiator: Jill Scott, Real Property Negotiator

Negotiating Parties: Grupe Investment Company, Inc.

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: 625 and 637 3rd Street, APNs 009-013-011 and 009-013-012

(“Garage 5”)

Agency Negotiator: Jill Scott, Real Property Negotiator

Negotiating Parties: Airport Business Center

Under Negotiations: Price and terms of payment

Late Correspondence (Uploaded 01-27-2026)

Late Correspondence (Uploaded 01-28-2026)

Attachments:

This item was received and filed.

Mayor Stapp adjourned closed session at approximately 3:10 p.m.

Council Member Alvarez left the meeting at 3:15 p.m.

Mayor Stapp reconvened to the regular session at approximately 3:17 p.m.

4. STUDY SESSION

5 -

Present:

Mayor Mark Stapp, Council Member Caroline Bañuelos, Council

Member Victoria Fleming, Council Member Dianna MacDonald, and

Council Member Natalie Rogers

2 - Vice Mayor Jeff Okrepkie, and Council Member Eddie Alvarez

Absent:

4.1

ENTERTAINMENT ZONES

The Planning and Economic Development Department recommends

that the Council hold a study session for Council to receive information

and provide direction to staff related to the establishment of

entertainment zones within the City of Santa Rosa. This item has no

impact on current fiscal year budget.

Staff Report

Attachments:

Attachment 1 - California Senate Bill 969

Attachment 2 - Courthouse Square Entertainment Zone Map

Attachment 3 - Railroad Square Entertainment Zone Map

Attachment 4 - Signature Events Entertainment Zone Map

Attachment 5 - Public Comment

Presentation

Sachnoor Bisla, City Planner; Gabe Osburn, Director of PED;

Jessica Jones, Deputy Director of Planning; Scott Adair, Chief

Economic Development Officer; Chris Mahurin, Police Lieutenant,

presented and answered questions from Council.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

A.J. Trombetta spoke in support of the ordinance; requested

continued General Plan property owner and district feedback

(comment description provided from speaker card).

Duane De Witt spoke in support of the item.

Abby Arnold spoke in support of the item.

Gregory Fearon spoke on the item and expressed concerns on

behavioral health matters.

Janice Karrman spoke in support of the item with additional

consideration regarding street closures and lighting, and other

resources for businesses.

This item was received and filed.

5. ANNOUNCEMENT OF ROLL CALL (IF NEEDED)

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

Teresa Stricker, City Attorney, reported that there was no reportable

action from closed session.

7. PROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATIONS - NONE.

8. STAFF BRIEFINGS - NONE.

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

Lori Ann Farrell, Interim City Manager provided a report on the

recent Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service event, efforts to

streamline the conditional use permit process, the release of the

Spring-Summer Activity guide on January 29, and celebration of

Transit Equity Day on February 4.

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 December 2025, 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 were two settlements over

$50,000 previously authorized by Council in the month of

December: 1) settlement and waiver of claims asserted by former

City Manager Maraskeshia Smith for $250,000; and 2) Clare

Hartman v City of Santa Rosa for $205,000. The caseload remains

constant with 32 litigation matters, with trial dates assigned to

approximately one-third of those matters.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Duane De Witt spoke on Item 9.1.

Janice Karrman spoke on Item 9.1.

Gregory Fearon spoke on Item 9.1.

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 Bañuelos spoke on recent community events

attended and the recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement

events in Minnesota and impacts of those events in Santa Rosa.

Council Member MacDonald reported on recent community events

attended.

Council Member Rogers reported on attendance at a recent policy

meeting in Sacramento, and recent local events attended.

Council Member Fleming reported on recent Immigration and

Customs Enforcement actions in Minnesota.

Mayor Stapp reported on the events in Minnesota, the City's

Indivisible City ordinance, and related Senate Bill 54, and

attendance at recent community events.

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

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))

11.1.8 Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA)

Mayor Stapp provided a brief report.

11.1.9 Sonoma County Homeless Coalition

11.1.10 Renewal Enterprise District (RED)

11.1.11 Public Safety Subcommittee

11.1.12 Other

11.2 SONOMA COUNTY MAYORS' AND COUNCIL MEMBERS' ASSOCIATION /

CITY SELECTION COMMITTEE

11.2.1

SONOMA COUNTY MAYORS’ AND COUNCIL MEMBERS’

ASSOCIATION LETTERS OF INTEREST

The City Council will, by motion, provide direction to the Mayor

regarding letters of interest received for appointments to the

following vacancies, which will be made by the Board of Directors of

the Sonoma County Mayors’ and Councilmembers’ Association at its

General Membership meeting on February 12, 2026.

Board of Directors Appointments:

1. The Charles M. Schulz - Sonoma County Aviation

Commission: A new Commission of two seats with four-year

terms starting in February 2026. Letters received from:

· David Hagele of Healdsburg

· Tanya Potter of Windsor

· Mark Stapp of Santa Rosa

2. Childcare Planning Council: One seat to fill the expiring term of

Mayor Stephen Zollman of Sebastopol. Three-year term

starting in February 2026. Letters received from:

· Karen Nau of Petaluma

· Samantha Rodriguez of Rohnert Park

· Stephen Zollman of Sebastopol

County of Sonoma Summary Report

Attachments:

Aviation Commission Letters of Interest

Childcare Planning Council Letters of Interest

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Janice Karrman spoke on the item.

Duane De Witt spoke on the item.

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

Member Bañuelos, to direct the Mayor to support Tanya Potter and Mark

Stapp for the Charles M. Schultz - Sonoma County Aviation Commission

appointments, and to support Samantha Rodriguez for the Childcare

Planning Council appointment to be made by the Board of Directions of

the Sonoma County Mayors' and Councilmembers' Association at its

General Membership meeting on February 12, 2026. The motion carried

by the following vote:

5 -

Yes:

Mayor Mark Stapp, Council Member Caroline Bañuelos, Council

Member Victoria Fleming, Council Member Dianna MacDonald,

and Council Member Natalie Rogers

2 - Vice Mayor Jeff Okrepkie, and Council Member Eddie Alvarez

Absent:

11.3 COUNCIL LIAISON POSITIONS ON JOINT POWERS AUTHORITY

11.3.1

APPOINTMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE AND ALTERNATE TO

PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY

The Council may, by motion, select and appoint a representative and

alternate to the Public Financing Authority.

No public comments were made.

A motion was made by Mayor Stapp, seconded by Council Member

Fleming, to reappointment Council Members Fleming and Bañuelos to

the Public Financing Authority. The motion carried by the following

vote:

5 -

Yes:

Mayor Mark Stapp, Council Member Caroline Bañuelos, Council

Member Victoria Fleming, Council Member Dianna MacDonald,

and Council Member Natalie Rogers

2 - Vice Mayor Jeff Okrepkie, and Council Member Eddie Alvarez

Absent:

12. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

12.1

January 13, 2026, Regular Meeting Minutes. THIS ITEM IS

CONTINUED TO THE FEBRUARY 10, 2026, REGULAR MEETING.

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

13. CONSENT ITEMS

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Duane Dewitt spoke on Item 13.5.

Janice Karrman spoke on Item 13.5.

5 -

Present:

Mayor Mark Stapp, Council Member Caroline Bañuelos, Council

Member Victoria Fleming, Council Member Dianna MacDonald, and

Council Member Natalie Rogers

2 - Vice Mayor Jeff Okrepkie, and Council Member Eddie Alvarez

Absent:

Approval of the Consent Agenda

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

Member MacDonald, to adopt Consent Items 13.1 through 13.6 as

presented by staff. The motion carried by the following vote:

5 -

Yes:

Mayor Mark Stapp, Council Member Caroline Bañuelos, Council

Member Victoria Fleming, Council Member Dianna MacDonald, and

Council Member Natalie Rogers

2 - Vice Mayor Jeff Okrepkie, and Council Member Eddie Alvarez

Absent:

13.1

MOTION - APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS FOR PROFESSIONAL

SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH THE CENTRE FOR ORGANIZATION

EFFECTIVENESS FOR A DEPARTMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF THE

CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE

RECOMMENDATION: The City Attorney’s Office recommends that the

Council, by motion, appropriate $47,620 from unassigned General

Funds to the City Attorney’s professional services budget to fund a

departmental assessment of the City Attorney’s Office by The Centre for

Organization Effectiveness. This item is requesting appropriations for

one-time funding.

Staff Report

Attachment 1 - Proposal

Attachments:

This Consent - Motion was approved.

13.2

MOTION - FIRST AMENDMENT TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

AGREEMENT NUMBER F002790 WITH WARD LEVY APPRAISAL

GROUP, INC. FOR APPRAISAL SERVICES

RECOMMENDATION: Real Estate Services recommends that the

Council, by motion, approve the First Amendment to Professional

Services Agreement Number F002790 with Ward Levy Appraisal Group,

Inc., Santa Rosa, California to increase compensation by $150,000 for a

total contract amount not to exceed $249,000 for continued appraisal

services, and authorize the Assistant City Manager to execute the

Amendment. This item has no impact on current fiscal year budget.

Staff Report

Attachments:

Attachment 1 - First Amendment

This Consent - Motion was approved.

13.3

MOTION - THIRD AMENDMENT TO PIGGYBACK AGREEMENT

NUMBER 00008865 WITH IMAGETREND, LLC FOR FIRE AND

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES SOFTWARE

RECOMMENDATION: The Fire Department recommends that the

Council, by motion, approve the Third Amendment to Piggyback

Agreement Number 00008865 with ImageTrend, LLC, Lakeville,

Minnesota to increase compensation in the amount of $45,963.85, for a

total contract not to exceed $131,043.85 and authorize the City

Manager to make non-substantive changes to the Amendment, subject

to approval by the City Attorney, and execute the Amendment. This item

has no impact on current fiscal year budget.

Staff Report

Attachments:

Attachment 1 - 3rd Amendment

This Consent - Motion was approved.

13.4

MOTION - APPROVAL AND ISSUANCE OF A PURCHASE ORDER

FOR THE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE EXTRICATION EQUIPMENT

WITH SOLE SOURCE VENDOR WESTERN EXTRICATION

SPECIALISTS INC.

RECOMMENDATION: The Fire Department recommends that the

Council, by motion: 1) approve the issuance of a purchase order for the

purchase of vehicle extrication equipment with sole source vendor

Western Extrication Specialists Inc., Simi Valley, California with an

amount not to exceed $119,959.00; and 2) authorize the Chief Financial

Officer to pay all proper claims from various charge numbers. This item

has no impact on current fiscal year budget.

Staff Report

Attachments:

Attachment 1 - Grant Agreement

Attachment 2 - Sole Source Letter

Attachment 3 - Quote

This Consent - Motion was approved.

13.5

RESOLUTION - EXTENSION OF PROCLAMATION OF LOCAL

HOMELESS EMERGENCY

RECOMMENDATION: The Housing and Community Services

Department recommends that the Council, by resolution, approve an

extension of Resolution No. 28839 which formally proclaimed a local

homeless emergency within Santa Rosa. This item has no impact on

current fiscal year budget.

Staff Report

Resolution

Attachments:

This Consent - Resolution was adopted.

RESOLUTION NO. RES-2026-006 ENTITLED: RESOLUTION OF THE

COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA EXTENDING A PROCLAMATION

OF LOCAL HOMELESS EMERGENCY (Government Code Sections 8630 et

seq.)

13.6

RESOLUTION - CONSTRUCTION COMPLETION AND

EXPENDITURE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT -

DISASTER RECOVERY GRANT FUNDS - COFFEY PARK AND

FOUNTAINGROVE NEIGHBORHOOD ROAD DISASTER RECOVERY

RECOMMENDATION: The Transportation and Public Works

Department recommends that the Council, by resolution, acknowledge

completion of construction of the Coffey Park and Fountaingrove

Neighborhood Road Disaster Recovery Project and acknowledge that

all grant funds under the Community Development Block Grant -

Disaster Recovery Grant Agreement Number 17-DRMIT-1003 have

been expended through contract work completed under the Coffey Park

and Fountaingrove Neighborhood Road Disaster Recovery Project, City

Contract Number C02258. This item has no impact on current fiscal

year budget.

Staff Report

Attachments:

Attachment 1 - Notice of Completion

Resolution

This Consent - Resolution was adopted.

RESOLUTION NO. RES-2026-007 ENTITLED: RESOLUTION OF THE

COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA CONSTRUCTION COMPLETION

AND EXPENDITURE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT -

DISASTER RECOVERY GRANT FUNDS FOR COFFEY PARK AND

FOUNTAINGROVE NEIGHBORHOOD ROAD DISASTER RECOVERY

13.7

RESOLUTION - APPROVAL OF AWARD - SOFTWARE

SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT F003155 FOR EDISCOVERY

SOFTWARE SYSTEM TO REVEAL DATA CORPORATION (THIS

ITEM IS CONTINUED TO THE FEBRUARY 10, 2026 REGULAR

MEETING)

RECOMMENDATION: The City Clerk’s Office, and the Information

Technology and Finance Departments recommend that the Council, by

resolution: 1) approve F003155 Software Subscription Agreement for a

five year period, with five one year renewal options, to Reveal Data

Corporation, Portland, Oregon for an eDiscovery software system for a

total not-to-exceed amount under the Agreement of $624,240, and a

$100,000 contingency amount for miscellaneous charges, 2) approve

appropriations in the amount of $124,848; and 3) authorize the City

Manager or Assistant City Manager to negotiate and execute the

Agreement, subject to approval by the City Attorney. This item is

requesting appropriations for on-going funding.

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

Mayor Stapp took a brief recess at 4:59 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at

5:03 p.m.

14. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA MATTERS

Janice Karrman spoke on the Violence Prevention meeting from last

week.

Edward Gathercole spoke advocating for direct navigation services.

Duane De Witt spoke on staff assistance at the clean up on

Roseland Creek.

Teresa Franklin spoke in support of agendizing and passing a senior

zoning overlay for Santa Rosa mobile home parks (comment

description provided from speaker card).

Yamah Goodman spoke on recent police presence and actions at

the boarder of Santa Rosa and Sebastopol, and the decline of how

individuals govern and treat each other.

Valerie Schlafke, Sequoia Gardens MHR/SRMOA, spoke in support

of a senior overlay for senior mobile home parks (comment

description provided from speaker card).

Elena L spoke in support of the removal of Flock automated license

plate readers used by the City of Santa Rosa.

Fred spoke in support of updating the mobile home park closure

and conversion ordinance.

Gregory Fearon spoke on recent immigration issues.

Mayor Stapp moved to Item 16.1.

LATE CORRESPONDENCE

Late Correspondence (Uploaded 01-27-2026)

Attachments:

16. PUBLIC HEARINGS

16.1

PUBLIC HEARING - PUBLIC HEARING ON FISCAL YEAR 2026-27

BUDGET PRIORITIES

BACKGROUND: Every year, pursuant to the City Charter, the City

Council holds a public hearing to solicit input from the community on

priorities to be considered for the upcoming budget. This meeting

complies with Charter requirements relative to posting and being held

prior to the City Council goal setting meeting. It also marks the kick-off

of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27 budget process.

RECOMMENDATION: The Finance Department recommends that the

Council hold a public hearing on budget priorities and consider written

and oral comments as part of future budget deliberations. This item has

no impact on current fiscal year budget.

Staff Report

Attachments:

Public Hearing Notice

Presentation

Late Correspondence (Uploaded 01-28-2026)

Scott Wagner, Chief Financial Officer, and Veronica Conner, Budget

and Financial Analysis Manager, presented and answered questions

from Council.

Mayor Stapp opened the public hearing at 5:37 p.m.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Janice Karrman spoke on improving the road at Calistoga Road and

scheduled infrastructure work.

Fred Allebach, Santa Rosa/Sonoma County NAACP Housing

Committee requested that the South Santa Rosa Specific Plan

include concrete anti-gentrification strategies to protect low-come,

BIPOC communities and seniors, and adopt a triple bottom line

approach to the budget that considers economic, environmental,

and social sustainability.

Duane De Witt thanked staff for work to date, suggested looking at

reductions in force, and other projects that can bring in funding,

avoid annexations, and bicycle bridge alternatives.

Jennie Lynn Holmes, Catholic Charities, expressed appreciation of

Council's service through the fiscal challenges, the impacts of

budget reductions on homeless services, Catholic Charities' pursuit

of alternative funding sources for services, and requested

consideration of no additional cuts to homeless services this budget

cycle.

Mayor Stapp closed the public hearing at 5:48 p.m. and

returned to Item 15.1.

15. REPORT ITEMS

15.1

REPORT - FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 PUBLIC SAFETY AND

PREVENTION TAX ANNUAL REPORT

BACKGROUND: Ordinance 3680 added Chapter 3-26 to the Santa

Rosa City Code establishing a special transaction and use tax known

as Public Safety and Prevention Tax (PSAP). Each year an Annual

Report is prepared by City staff, reviewed by the PSAP Citizen

Oversight Committee, and presented to the City Council reporting on

revenue, expenditures and accomplishments during the past fiscal year.

RECOMMENDATION: The Finance, Fire, Police, and Housing and

Community Services Departments, and the Public Safety and

Prevention Citizen’s Oversight Committee recommend that the Council,

by motion, accept the Public Safety and Prevention Tax Annual Report

for Fiscal Year 2024-25. This item has no impact on current fiscal year

budget.

Staff Report

Attachments:

Attachment 1 – FY 2024-25 Public Safety and Prevention Annual Report

Presentation

Scott Westrope, Fire Chief; John Cregan, Chief of Police and

Pamela Lorence, Administrative Services Officer - Police; Jacqui

Hamman, Administrative Services Officer - Recreation Division;

Joanna Moore, Recreation Supervisor; and Danielle

Ronshausen-Pena, Violence Prevention Manager presented and

answered questions from Council.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Janice Karrman spoke in support of Item 15.1.

Duane De Witt spoke on the item, the correlation of gang activity

and lingering graffiti on private property due to fear of retaliation, and

advocated for continued Police and Fire presence in Roseland and

Burbank Avenue.

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

Member Rogers, to accept the Public Safety and Prevention Tax Annual

Report for Fiscal Year 2024-25 as presented by staff. The motion carried by

the following vote:

5 -

Yes:

Mayor Mark Stapp, Council Member Caroline Bañuelos, Council

Member Victoria Fleming, Council Member Dianna MacDonald, and

Council Member Natalie Rogers

2 - Vice Mayor Jeff Okrepkie, and Council Member Eddie Alvarez

Absent:

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

Mayor Stapp adjourned the meeting at 6:43 p.m. The next regularly

scheduled meeting will be held on February 10, 2026 at a time to be