City Hall, Council  
Chamber  
City of Santa Rosa  
100 Santa Rosa Avenue  
Santa Rosa, CA 95404  
CITY COUNCIL  
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA AND  
SUMMARY REPORT  
MARCH 14, 2023  
2:00 P.M. - CLOSED SESSION (VIA IN-PERSON AND ZOOM)  
4:00 P.M. - REGULAR SESSION (VIA IN-PERSON AND ZOOM)  
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE MEETING BY  
ATTENDING IN-PERSON FROM COUNCIL CHAMBER AT 100 SANTA  
ROSA AVENUE (IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT SOCIAL DISTANCING BE  
OBSERVED), OR VIA ZOOM WEBINAR BY VISITING  
HTTPS://SRCITY-ORG.ZOOM.US/J/86876779687, OR BY DIALING  
877-853-5257 AND ENTERING WEBINAR ID: 868 7677 9687  
THE MEETING WILL ALSO BE LIVE STREAMED AT  
HTTPS://SANTA-ROSA.LEGISTAR.COM/CALENDAR.  
CLICK ON THE "IN PROGRESS" LINK TO VIEW.  
THE MEETING CAN ALSO BE VIEWED ON COMCAST CHANNEL 28,  
AT&T U-VERSE CHANNEL 99, AND AT  
HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/CITYOFSANTAROSA  
Public Comment may be made live during the meeting via Zoom,  
In-Person from Council Chamber, or submitted in advance by 5:00 pm,  
the Monday before the City Council Meeting via e-mail at  
cc-comment@srcity.org, or recorded voice message at 707-543-3005.  
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL E-MAILS SENT TO THE CITY COUNCIL ARE  
CONSIDERED TO BE PUBLIC RECORDS AND SUBJECT TO  
DISCLOSURE UNDER THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC RECORDS ACT.  
DEADLINES AND ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTION FOR PUBLIC COMMENT  
ARE SET FORTH BELOW.  
COUNCIL MAY RECESS DURING THE EVENING FOR BREAKS.  
PUBLIC HEARING MATTERS WILL BEGIN NO EARLIER THAN 5:00 P.M.  
MATTERS ON THE AGENDA MAY BE TAKEN OUT OF ORDER.  
PUBLIC COMMENTS:  
Except for public hearing items, comments from the public will be allowed on  
all agenda items at the time each item is called. Comments on public hearing  
items may be made when the hearing is opened.  
Live Public Comment: Members of the public can provide comment on an  
Agenda Item In-Person from Council Chamber by signing up with the  
Administrator in Council Chamber (in lieu of Speaker Card), by accessing the  
meeting through the Zoom link, or by dial-in at the time an Agenda Item is  
discussed during the City Council Meeting. Go to  
https://srcity.org/virtualparticipation for more information.  
Advanced Public Comment:  
E-mail Public Comment: To submit an e-mailed public comment to the City  
Council, please send to: cc-comment@srcity.org by 5:00 p.m., Monday,  
March 13. Identify in the subject line of your e-mail the Agenda Item Number  
on which you wish to comment, provide your name in the body of the e-mail  
and your comment.  
Recorded Voice Message Public Comment: To submit a voice message  
public comment, please call 707-543-3005 by 5:00 p.m., Monday, March 13.  
State your name, the Agenda Item Number(s) on which you wish to comment,  
and your comment. PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PHONE NUMBER OR  
PERSONAL ADDRESS IN THE VOICE MESSAGE AS IT WILL BE PLAYED  
BACK LIVE DURING THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING.  
E-mail public comments received by the deadline will be distributed to City  
Council members and uploaded to the agenda prior to the start of the City  
Council Meeting for public access. Recorded voice message public comments  
will be played during the meeting at the time the item is heard.  
Non-Agenda Items are the time when any person may address the Council on  
matters not listed on this agenda, but which are within the subject matter  
jurisdiction of the Council. The first public comment period on non-agenda  
items (Agenda Item 13) will begin no earlier than 5:00 p.m. and will be limited  
to twelve speakers selected randomly by the Mayor. Each speaker will be  
allowed three minutes. Speakers who do not have an opportunity to speak  
during this time will be allowed to make public comment under Agenda Item  
17.  
2:00 P.M. (VIA IN-PERSON AND ZOOM)  
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL  
2. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ITEMS  
Following the announcement of Closed Session items and prior to recess into  
Closed Session, the public may speak up to three minutes on items to be  
addressed in Closed Session.  
2.1  
2.2  
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE - EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE  
(Government Code Section 54957(b))  
Title: City Manager  
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS  
(Government Code Section 54957.6)  
Agency Designated Representatives: Mayor Natalie Rogers  
Unrepresented Employee: City Manager  
2.3  
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION  
(Paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Government Code Section 54956.9)  
Name of Case: Bay Cities Paving & Grading, Inc. v. City of Santa Rosa  
Court Case No. Sonoma County Superior Court Case No. SCV-265333  
RECESS CLOSED SESSION(S) AND RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION IN THE  
COUNCIL CHAMBER AND VIA ZOOM.  
3. STUDY SESSION - NONE.  
Study Session items are items for in-depth discussion and possible direction  
to staff. No action will be taken.  
4:00 P.M. (VIA IN-PERSON AND ZOOM)  
4. ANNOUNCEMENT OF ROLL CALL (IF NEEDED)  
5. REPORT, IF ANY, ON STUDY AND CLOSED SESSIONS  
6. PROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATIONS  
6.1  
PROCLAMATION - AMERICORPS WEEK  
Proclamation  
PROCLAMATION - ARBOR WEEK IN SANTA ROSA  
Attachments:  
6.2  
Proclamation  
PROCLAMATION - NATIONAL SURVEYORS WEEK  
Proclamation  
Attachments:  
6.3  
Attachments:  
7. STAFF BRIEFINGS  
This time is reserved for City staff to provide a five-minute briefing to the  
Council on departmental issues of interest. No action will be taken on these  
matters except to possibly place a particular item on a future agenda for  
Council consideration.  
7.1  
COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT PLAN UPDATE  
This will be a standing item on the agenda. No action will be taken  
except for possible direction to staff.  
8. CITY MANAGER’S/CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORTS  
8.1  
REPORT OF SETTLEMENTS AND ACTIVE LITIGATION  
The City Attorney will report on settlements over $50,000 through  
February 2023 as well as provide a summary of pending litigation  
against the City.  
Litigation Report  
Attachments:  
9. STATEMENTS OF ABSTENTION BY COUNCIL MEMBERS  
10. MAYOR'S/COUNCIL MEMBERS’ REPORTS  
10.1 MAYOR'S/COUNCIL MEMBERS' SUBCOMMITTEE AND LIAISON  
REPORTS (AND POSSIBLE COUNCIL DIRECTION TO BOARD  
REPRESENTATIVE ON PENDING ISSUES, IF NEEDED)  
10.1.1 Council Subcommittee Reports  
10.1.2 Sonoma County Transportation Authority/Regional Climate  
Protection Authority (SCTA/RCPA)  
10.1.3 Sonoma County Water Agency (SCWA) - Water Advisory Committee  
10.1.4 Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG)  
10.1.5 Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District  
Advisory Committee  
10.1.6 Sonoma Clean Power Authority (SCPA)  
10.1.7 Zero Waste Sonoma (formerly known as Sonoma County Waste  
Management Agency (SCWMA))  
10.1.8 Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA)  
10.1.9 Sonoma County Continuum of Care (CoC)  
10.1.10 Renewal Enterprise District (RED)  
10.1.11 Public Safety Subcommittee  
10.1.12 Other  
11. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - NONE.  
12. CONSENT ITEMS  
12.1  
RESOLUTION - SECOND AMENDMENT TO PROFESSIONAL  
SERVICES AGREEMENT NUMBER F002506 WITH TERI BLACK &  
COMPANY, LLC FOR EXECUTIVE AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT  
RECRUITMENTS  
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by the Human Resources  
Department that the Council, by resolution, approve a Second  
Amendment to Professional Services Agreement Number F002506 with  
Teri Black & Company, LLC in the amount of $150,001 for a total  
contract amount not to exceed $250,000 to provide recruitment services  
for various executive and senior management level positions.  
Staff Report  
Attachments:  
Resolution  
Exhibit A - Second Amendment to PSA  
12.2  
RESOLUTION - APPROVAL OF A DESIGN FUNDING AGREEMENT  
WITH SMART FOR THE DESIGN OF WEST THIRD STREET SIGNAL  
AT SMART MULTIUSE PATH CROSSING - CEQA EXEMPT  
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by the Transportation and  
Public Works Department that the Council, by resolution, approve and  
delegate authority to the City Manager to negotiate and execute a  
Design Funding Agreement in the amount of $153,854.80 between the  
Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) and the City of Santa Rosa  
authorizing the design of the West Third Street signal at the SMART  
Multiuse Path Crossing.  
Staff Report  
Attachments:  
Resolution  
Exhibit A - Design Funding Agreement  
12.3  
RESOLUTION - AUTHORIZATION FOR REQUEST OF LOW CARBON  
TRANSIT OPERATIONS PROGRAM FUNDING FOR FY 2022-2023  
FOR PURCHASE OF BATTERY ELECTRIC BUS  
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by the Transportation and  
Public Works Department that the Council, by resolution, approve and  
authorize:1) the Deputy Director - Transit to request $507,036 in Low  
Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP) formula funds to assist in  
purchasing a battery electric bus; 2) the Deputy Director - Transit to  
execute the Certifications and Assurances and related documents for  
the LCTOP grant; 3) the delegation of authority to the Director of  
Transportation and Public Works to execute an Authorized Agent Form  
for the LCTOP designating the Deputy Director - Transit as the City’s  
Authorized Agent; 4) the Chief Financial Officer to increase  
appropriations in revenue and expenditures by the approved grant  
award; and 5) the submittal of the City’s project nomination and  
allocation request to the Department of Transportation for FY 2022/23  
LCTOP funds.  
Staff Report  
Attachments:  
Resolution  
Exhibit A - LCTOP Authorized Agent Form  
12.4  
RESOLUTION - RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE FILING AND  
EXECUTION OF AN APPLICATION FOR FUNDING FROM THE  
FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION BUSES AND BUS FACILITIES  
AND LOW OR NO EMISSION PROGRAMS FOR FEDERAL FY 2023  
AND COMMITTING ANY NECESSARY MATCHING FUNDS  
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by the Transportation and  
Public Works Department that the Council, by resolution: 1) authorize  
the Director of Transportation and Public Works or designee to file and  
execute two grant application(s) and related documents for the Federal  
Transit Administration’s Buses and Bus Facilities Program and the  
Federal Transit Administration’s Low or No Emission Program  
requesting a combined total of $9,899,120 in grant funds for battery  
electric buses and electric bus charging infrastructure; and 2)  
appropriate necessary matching funds.  
Staff Report  
Resolution  
Attachments:  
12.5  
RESOLUTION - APPROVAL OF SECOND AMENDMENT TO  
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT NUMBER F002284 WITH  
RENNE PUBLIC LAW GROUP LLP  
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by the Human Resources  
Department and City Attorney’s Office that the Council, by resolution,  
approve a Second Amendment to Professional Services Agreement  
Number F002284 with Renne Public Law Group LLP for specialized  
labor relations and employment law services increasing the  
not-to-exceed amount by $250,000, for a total contract not-to-exceed  
amount of $500,000.  
Staff Report  
Attachments:  
Resolution  
Exhibit A - Second Amendment to Professional Services Ag  
12.6  
RESOLUTION - TERMINATION OF PROCLAMATION OF EXISTENCE  
OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY RELATING TO THE THREAT TO  
COMMUNITY HEALTH POSED BY COVID-19  
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by the City Attorney’s Office  
that the Council, by resolution, terminate the proclamation of a state of  
local emergency within the City of Santa Rosa relating to the threat to  
community health posed by COVID-19, first proclaimed on March 2,  
2020 and extended since that time.  
Resolution  
Attachments:  
12.7  
RESOLUTION - EXTENSION OF PROCLAMATION OF LOCAL  
HOMELESS EMERGENCY  
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by the Housing and  
Community Services Department that the Council, by resolution,  
approve an extension of Resolution No. 28839 which formally  
proclaimed a local homeless emergency within Santa Rosa.  
Staff Report  
Resolution  
Attachments:  
13. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA MATTERS  
This is the time when any person may address the Council on matters not  
listed on this agenda, but which are within the subject matter jurisdiction of  
the Council. This public comment period will begin no earlier than 5:00 p.m.  
and will be limited to twelve speakers selected randomly by the Mayor. Each  
speaker will be allowed three minutes. Speakers who do not have an  
opportunity to speak during this time will be allowed to make public comment  
under Agenda Item 17.  
Voice message public comments received for non-agenda items may be  
played under Agenda Item 13 or at Item 17. Recorded public comments are  
limited to three minutes to mirror in-person meeting protocols.  
14. REPORT ITEMS  
14.1  
REPORT - RECOMMENDATION TO RESCIND JUNE 29, 2021  
DROUGHT EMERGENCY DECLARATION, RESCIND STAGE 3 OF  
THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA’S WATER SHORTAGE CONTINGENCY  
PLAN, REMOVE AUTHORIZATION TO UTILIZE WATER  
ENTERPRISE FUND CATASTROPHIC RESERVES, AND  
IMPLEMENT DEMAND REDUCTION ACTIONS CONSISTENT WITH  
THE REQUIREMENTS OF TITLE 23, SECTION 996(c)(1) OF THE  
CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS FOR THE DURATION THIS  
EMERGENCY REGULATION IS IN EFFECT  
BACKGROUND: In response to drought conditions, on June 29, 2021,  
the City Council declared a water shortage emergency and adopted  
Stage 3 of the City of Santa Rosa’s Water Shortage Contingency Plan  
imposing mandatory restrictions and requiring customers to reduce  
community-wide water use by 20%. Beginning late December 2022, the  
region experienced a series of atmospheric rivers filling our region’s  
water supply reservoirs, Lake Sonoma and Lake Mendocino. Lake  
Sonoma now holds sufficient storage to provide more than three years  
of water supply. Therefore, required reductions in water use are no  
longer necessary. However, compliance with the State Water  
Resources Control Board (State Water Board) adopted emergency  
water conservation regulations is still required. The City of Santa Rosa  
can rescind the water shortage emergency and implementation of Stage  
3 of the Water Shortage Contingency Plan while retaining measures for  
compliance with State Water Board emergency regulations.  
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by the Board of Public  
Utilities and Santa Rosa Water that the City Council, by resolution, 1)  
rescind the June 29, 2021 drought emergency declaration, 2) rescind  
the implementation of Stage 3 of the City of Santa Rosa Water  
Shortage Contingency Plan, 3) remove authorization for the Water  
Department to utilize the Water Enterprise Fund Catastrophic Reserves,  
and 4) direct staff to implement demand reduction actions consistent  
with Title 23, Section 996(c)(1) of the California Code of Regulations for  
the duration this emergency regulation is in effect.  
Staff Report  
Attachments:  
Attachment 1 - Board of Public Utilities Resolution No. 1255  
Attachment 2 - City Council Resolution No. RES-2021-125  
Attachment 3 – Board of Public Utilities Resolution No. 131  
Resolution  
Exhibit A  
Presentation  
15. PUBLIC HEARINGS  
Public Hearing matters will begin no earlier than 5:00 p.m. or as soon  
thereafter as the matters are reached on the agenda.  
15.1  
PUBLIC HEARING - ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT URGENCY  
ORDINANCE  
BACKGROUND: The proposed Zoning Code text amendment is  
proposed by way of Urgency ordinance, amending Title 20 of the Santa  
Rosa City Code - modifying Section 20-42.130, Accessory Dwelling  
Units, to remain consistent with State law and to include local  
allowances and protections. This urgency ordinance would be effective  
upon adoption. Under the City Charter, five affirmative votes are  
necessary to adopt an urgency ordinance.  
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by the Planning and  
Economic Development Department that the Council adopt an urgency  
ordinance amending City Code Section 20-42.130 to allow Accessory  
Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units in compliance with  
State law.  
Staff Report  
Attachments:  
Attachment 1 - Redline Changes to Zoning Code  
Attachment 2 - Assembly Bill 2221  
Attachment 3 - Senate Bill 897  
Ordinance  
Public Hearing Notice  
Presentation  
16. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS  
16.1  
STATE LEGISLATIVE UPDATE:  
· Support for AB 30 (Ward) -- Atmospheric Rivers: Research,  
Mitigation, and Climate Forecasting Program. Provided for information.  
State Legislative Memo AB 30-Atmospheric Rivers  
AB 30 Letter of Support  
Attachments:  
Bill Text - AB 30 Atmospheric Rivers, Research, Mitigation,  
17. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA MATTERS  
This is the time when any person may address the Council on matters not  
listed on this agenda, but which are within the subject matter jurisdiction of  
the Council and not able to speak under Agenda Item 13. Each speaker will  
be allowed three minutes.  
18. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CONTINUED CLOSED SESSION ITEMS, RECESS TO  
CLOSED SESSION IN THE MAYOR’S CONFERENCE ROOM, RECONVENE TO  
OPEN SESSION, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS [IF NEEDED]  
19. ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING  
20. UPCOMING MEETINGS  
This schedule is tentative and subject to change pending final publication and  
posting of the City Council Meeting Agenda.  
20.1  
UPCOMING MEETINGS LIST  
Upcoming Meetings List  
Attachments:  
*Did not appear on the preliminary agenda.  
**Quasi-judicial or adjudicative action.  
The Open Government Ordinance (ORD-2020-018) was adopted by City Council in December 2020. This  
ordinance, adds Chapter 1-10 to the City Code to codify the City of Santa Rosa's commitment to embrace  
a culture of open government to ensure public trust, engage the community, and establish a system of  
transparency, public participation, and collaboration. To view a full version of the Open Government  
Ordinance go to http://srcity.org/OpenGovOrdinance. To request a paper copy of the Open Government  
Ordinance contact the City Clerk's Office at 707-543-3015 (TTY Relay at 711) or cityclerk@srcity.org.  
The City of Santa Rosa does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities in its employment, services, benefits,  
facilities, programs, or activities. Requests for accommodations, auxiliary aids, or services necessary to participate in a City  
program, service, or activity, including printed information in alternate formats, are available by contacting the City Clerk's Office  
at 707-543-3015 (TTY Relay at 711) or cityclerk@srcity.org. If the request is received at least 7 business days prior to the City  
Council meeting, the copy shall be provided no later than two (2) business days prior to the City Council meeting.  
Meeting information can also be accessed via the internet at http://srcity.org  
Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the City Council prior to this meeting regarding any item on this agenda,  
excluding closed session items, are available for public review in the City Clerk's Office, Room 10, City Hall, 100 Santa Rosa  
Ave, during normal business hours.