City Hall, Council Chamber  
100 Santa Rosa Avenue  
Santa Rosa, CA 95404  
City of Santa Rosa  
City Council  
Regular Meeting Minutes - Final  
Tuesday, October 10, 2023  
3:00 PM  
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL  
Mayor N. Rogers called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.  
7 -  
Present:  
Mayor Natalie Rogers, Vice Mayor Dianna MacDonald, Council  
Member Eddie Alvarez, Council Member Victoria Fleming, Council  
Member Jeff Okrepkie, Council Member Chris Rogers, and Council  
Member Mark Stapp  
2. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ITEMS  
No public comments were made.  
Mayor N. Rogers recessed the meeting to closed session at  
3:01 p.m. to discuss Item 2.1 as listed on the agenda.  
2.1  
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION  
(Paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Government Code Section 54956.9)  
Name of Case: Constance Brown v. City of Santa Rosa  
Sonoma County Superior Court Case No. SCV-270785  
This item was received and filed.  
Mayor N. Rogers adjourned closed session at 3:22 p.m. and reconvened the  
meeting to open session at 4:00 p.m.  
3. STUDY SESSION - NONE.  
4. ANNOUNCEMENT OF ROLL CALL (IF NEEDED)  
6 -  
Present:  
Mayor Natalie Rogers, Vice Mayor Dianna MacDonald, Council  
Member Eddie Alvarez, Council Member Victoria Fleming, Council  
Member Jeff Okrepkie, and Council Member Mark Stapp  
1 - Council Member Chris Rogers  
Absent:  
5. REPORT, IF ANY, ON STUDY AND CLOSED SESSIONS  
Jessica Mullan, Assistant City Attorney, reported that Council met in  
closed session and approved a settlement of $100,000 and  
authorized the City Attorney to sign the agreement.  
No public comments were made.  
6. PROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATIONS  
6.1  
PROCLAMATION - DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH  
Proclamation  
Attachments:  
Mayor N. Rogers read and presented the proclamation to Madeleine  
Kegan O'Connell, Chief Executive Officer of Sonoma County  
YWCA.  
Council Member C. Rogers joined the meeting at 4:04 p.m.  
Madeleine Keegan O'Connell thanked the Council for honoring  
Domestic Violence Awareness Month and provided information on  
the work the YWCA does for the County.  
PUBLIC COMMENT:  
Gregory Fearon spoke in support of the YWCA and also recognized  
the efforts of The Living Room organization as it supports women  
fleeing violence.  
7 -  
Present:  
Mayor Natalie Rogers, Vice Mayor Dianna MacDonald, Council  
Member Eddie Alvarez, Council Member Victoria Fleming, Council  
Member Jeff Okrepkie, Council Member Chris Rogers, and Council  
Member Mark Stapp  
7. STAFF BRIEFINGS  
7.1  
DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE LOAN PROGRAM  
Housing and Community Services will give a brief update on the Down  
Payment Assistance Loan Program (DPAL). No action will be taken  
except for possible direction to staff.  
Megan Basinger, Director of Housing and Community Services and  
Nicole Del Fiorentino, Housing and Community Services Manager,  
provided a brief report on the Down Payment Assistance Loan  
Program and answered questions from Council.  
PUBLIC COMMENT:  
Duane De Witt spoke in support of the program and asked for  
thoughtful oversight and additional considerations.  
Gregory Fearon spoke in support of the program.  
VIOLENCE PREVENTION PARTNERSHIP UPDATE  
7.2  
Violence Prevention Partnership staff will provide a brief overview of the  
new 2023-2028 Strategic Plan. No action will be taken except for  
possible direction to staff.  
Strategic Plan  
Presentation  
Attachments:  
Danielle Garduno, Program Manager, presented a brief report on  
the Violence Prevention Partnership (VPP) Strategic Plan and  
answered questions from Council.  
PUBLIC COMMENTS:  
Duane De Witt spoke on the item, requested more attention towards  
graffiti removal in Roseland and West 9th Street, provided  
suggestions on improvements to address graffiti abatement by  
incorporating youth and veteran volunteers, and workforce  
development as a tool in the strategic plan.  
Erika Klohe, Buckelew Foundation, spoke in support of the VPP  
strategic plan. Additional comment provided on speaker card: It is  
very important to support families in our community. VPP strategic  
plan supports prevention and is comprehensive.  
Madonna Feather Cruz spoke in support of the VPP strategic plan  
and provided suggestions for improvement related to living in  
poverty considerations.  
Kevin Anderson, Program Director at Chops Teen Club, spoke in  
support of the VPP strategic plan and in appreciation of the VPP.  
Ernesto Olivares spoke in support of the VPP strategic plan and the  
work that has been put in over time on addressing youth and gang  
violence.  
7.3  
COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT PLAN UPDATE  
This will be a standing item on the agenda. No action will be taken  
except for possible direction to staff.  
Lon Peterson, Chief Communications and Intergovernmental  
Relations Officer, provided a brief report on recent and upcoming  
engagement events.  
PUBLIC COMMENT:  
Duane De Witt spoke on the item and provided suggestion to  
expand the reach of the community engagement by holding  
meetings without an agenda prepared.  
8. CITY MANAGER’S/CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORTS  
City Manager had no report.  
8.1  
REPORT OF SETTLEMENTS AND ACTIVE LITIGATION  
The City Attorney will report on settlements over $50,000 through  
September 2023 as well as provide a summary of pending litigation  
against the City.  
Litigation Report  
Attachments:  
Jessica Mullan, Assistant City Attorney, noted the earlier report out  
on settlement approved on Item 2.1 and that the September report  
is attached in the agenda packet.  
9. STATEMENTS OF ABSTENTION BY COUNCIL MEMBERS  
No statements of abstention were made.  
10. MAYOR'S/COUNCIL MEMBERS’ REPORTS  
Council Member C. Rogers provided a brief report on recent events.  
Council Member Alvarez reported on recent events attended.  
Council Member Okrepkie provided a brief report.  
Vice Mayor MacDonald provided a report on recent events and  
meetings attended.  
Council Member Fleming reported on an upcoming Bay Area  
Housing Finance Authority meeting.  
Mayor N. Rogers provided a report on events attended and  
upcoming events.  
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  
Council Member C. Rogers provided a report on the Climate  
Action Subcommittee.  
10.1.2 Sonoma County Transportation Authority/Regional Climate  
Protection Authority (SCTA/RCPA)  
Council Member C. Rogers provided a brief report.  
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  
Council Member Stapp provided a brief report.  
10.1.6 Sonoma Clean Power Authority (SCPA)  
Council Member C. Rogers provided a brief report.  
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)  
Mayor N. Rogers provided a brief report.  
10.1.10 Renewal Enterprise District (RED)  
10.1.11 Public Safety Subcommittee  
10.1.12 Other  
PUBLIC COMMENT:  
Gregory Fearon spoke in support of all of the reports made at the meeting,  
specifically the housing bond report out provided by Council Member Fleming.  
11. APPROVAL OF MINUTES  
11.1  
September 26, 2023, Regular Meeting Minutes.  
Draft Minutes  
Attachments:  
No public comments were made.  
Approved as submitted.  
12. CONSENT ITEMS  
Alan Alton, Director of Finance, answered questions related to Item  
12.5.  
Maraskeshia Smith, City Manager, answered questions related to  
Item 12.1.  
PUBLIC COMMENT:  
Duane De Witt spoke on Item 12.1.  
Gregory Fearon spoke on Item 12.1.  
Approval of the Consent Agenda  
A motion was made by Vice Mayor MacDonald, seconded by Council  
Member Rogers, to waive reading of the text and adopt Consent Items 12.1  
through 12.7. The motion carried by the following vote:  
7 -  
Yes:  
Mayor Natalie Rogers, Vice Mayor Dianna MacDonald, Council  
Member Eddie Alvarez, Council Member Victoria Fleming, Council  
Member Jeff Okrepkie, Council Member Chris Rogers, and Council  
Member Mark Stapp  
12.1  
RESOLUTION - AMENDMENT TO THE CITY CLASSIFICATION AND  
SALARY PLAN CREATING THE CLASSIFICATION OF COMMUNITY  
ENGAGEMENT MANAGER AND RECLASSIFICATION OF THE  
VACANT DEPUTY DIRECTOR - COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT  
POSITION TO COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER  
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by the Human Resources  
Department that the Council, by resolution: 1) amend the City  
Classification and Salary Plan to create the classification of Community  
Engagement Manager with a salary range of $111,603 - $142,926  
annually, in Unit 18 - Miscellaneous Mid-Management; and 2) authorize  
the reclassification of the vacant Deputy Director - Community  
Engagement position to Community Engagement Manager.  
Staff Report  
Resolution  
Attachments:  
This Consent - Resolution was adopted.  
RESOLUTION NO. RES-2023-172 ENTITLED: RESOLUTION OF THE  
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA AMENDING THE CITY  
CLASSIFICATION AND SALARY PLAN TO CREATE THE CLASSIFICATION  
OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER AND RECLASSIFYING THE  
VACANT DEPUTY DIRECTOR - COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT POSITION TO  
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER  
12.2  
RESOLUTION - AMENDMENT TO THE CITY CLASSIFICATION AND  
SALARY PLAN MODIFYING THE SALARY RANGE OF THE  
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND EEO OFFICER  
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by the Human Resources  
Department that the Council, by resolution, amend the City  
Classification and Salary Plan to modify the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion,  
and EEO Officer salary range to $111,603 - $142,926 annually.  
Staff Report  
Resolution  
Attachments:  
This Consent - Resolution was adopted.  
RESOLUTION NO. RES-2023-173 ENTITLED: RESOLUTION OF THE  
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA AMENDING THE CITY  
CLASSIFICATION AND SALARY PLAN TO MODIFY THE SALARY RANGE  
OF THE DIVERSTIY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND EEO OFFICER  
12.3  
RESOLUTION - AMENDMENT TO THE CITY CLASSIFICATION AND  
SALARY PLAN CREATING THE CLASSIFICATION OF WATER  
QUALITY SYSTEMS SUPERVISOR AND RECLASSIFICATION OF  
THE VACANT WATER QUALITY SUPERVISOR POSITION TO  
WATER QUALITY SYSTEMS SUPERVISOR  
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by the Human Resources  
Department that the Council, by resolution: 1) amend the City  
Classification and Salary Plan to create the classification of Water  
Quality Systems Supervisor with a salary range of $93,984 to $111,940  
annually, in Unit 18 - Miscellaneous Mid-Management; and 2) authorize  
the reclassification of the vacant Water Quality Supervisor position to  
Water Quality Systems Supervisor.  
Staff Report  
Resolution  
Attachments:  
This Consent - Resolution was adopted.  
RESOLUTION NO. RES-2023-174 ENTITLED: RESOLUTION OF THE  
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA AMENDING THE CITY  
CLASSIFICATION AND SALARY PLAN TO CREATE THE CLASSIFICATION  
OF WATER QUALITY SYSTEMS SUPERVISOR AND RECLASSIFYING THE  
VACANT WATER QUALITY SUPERVISOR POSITION TO WATER QUALITY  
SYSTEMS SUPERVISOR  
12.4  
RESOLUTION - APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE CITY’S  
SALARY PLAN AND SCHEDULE  
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by the Human Resources  
Department that the Council, by resolution, approve and adopt the  
City’s Salary Plan and Schedule.  
Staff Report  
Resolution  
Exhibit A  
Attachments:  
This Consent - Resolution was adopted.  
RESOLUTION NO. RES-2023-175 ENTITLED: RESOLUTION OF THE  
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA APPROVING AND ADOPTING  
THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA'S SALARY PLAN AND SCHEDULE  
12.5  
RESOLUTION - FREEZE AND CORRECTION OF MISSIONSQUARE  
“OPT-IN” PLANS, AUTHORIZATION TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT  
REPLACEMENT PLANS, AND DESIGNATION OF FIDUCIARY  
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by the Finance Department  
that the Council, by resolution: 1) authorize the freeze and correction of  
the two MissionSquare “opt-in” plans that are described below (Plans);  
2) authorize the City Manager, the Chief Financial Officer, and the  
Human Resource Director to negotiate, develop, and implement one or  
more retirement plans to replace the Plans, once frozen; and 3)  
designate the Chief Financial Officer, or its designee as the individual  
with day-to-day fiduciary responsibility for the proper and prudent  
investment and administration of all City retirement plans.  
Staff Report  
Resolution  
Attachments:  
This Consent - Resolution was adopted.  
RESOLUTION NO. RES-2023-176 ENTITLED: RESOLUTION OF THE  
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA APPROVING FREEZE AND  
CORRECTION OF MISSIONSQUARE "OPT-IN" PLANS, AUTHORIZATION  
TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT REPLACEMENT PLANS, AND  
DESIGNATION OF FIDUCIARY  
12.6  
RESOLUTION - WAIVER OF COMPETITIVE BIDDING AND  
APPROVAL OF SOLE SOURCE BLANKET PURCHASE ORDER WITH  
YARBROUGH BROS. TOWING, INC. FOR VEHICLE IMPOUND  
SERVICES  
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by the Police and Finance  
Departments that the Council, by resolution: 1) waive competitive  
bidding pursuant to Section 3-08.100(D) of the Santa Rosa City Code;  
and 2) approve issuance of a sole source Blanket Purchase Order, for a  
two-year term with three (3) one year renewal options to Yarbrough  
Bros. Towing, Inc., Santa Rosa, California, for vehicle impound  
services, in the total amount not to exceed $500,000.  
Staff Report  
Resolution  
Exhibit A  
Attachments:  
This Consent - Resolution was adopted.  
RESOLUTION NO. RES-2023-177 ENTITLED: RESOLUTION OF THE  
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA WAIVING COMPETITIVE BIDDING  
AND APPROVING A SOLE SOURCE BLANKET PURCHASE ORDER WITH  
YARBROUGH BROS. TOWING, INC. FOR VEHICLE IMPOUND SERVICES  
12.7  
RESOLUTION - ACCEPTANCE AND APPROPRIATION OF GRANT  
FUNDS FROM BOARD OF STATE AND COMMUNITY  
CORRECTIONS FOR THE ORGANIZED RETAIL THEFT  
PREVENTION GRANT PROGRAM  
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by the Police Department that  
the Council, by resolution: 1) accept a grant award from the Board of  
State and Community Corrections for the Organized Retail Theft  
Prevention Grant Program in the amount of $560,653; 2) authorize the  
City Manager, or designee, to execute all related documents required  
for receiving such funds; and 3) appropriate $560,653 of grant funds to  
a project key to be established by the Chief Financial Officer.  
Staff Report  
Resolution  
Attachments:  
This Consent - Resolution was adopted.  
RESOLUTION NO. RES-2023-178 ENTITLED: RESOLUTION OF THE  
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA ACCEPTING GRANT FUNDING  
FROM THE BOARD OF STATE AND COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS -  
ORGANIZED RETAIL THEFT PREVENTION GRANT PROGRAM IN THE  
AMOUNT OF $560,653; AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER, OR DESIGNEE,  
TO EXECUTE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS; AND AUTHORIZE THE CHIEF  
FINANCIAL OFFICER TO ESTABLISH A PROJECT KEY  
13. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA MATTERS  
All public comments on Non-Agenda matters were heard under Item  
17.  
14. REPORT ITEMS - NONE.  
15. PUBLIC HEARINGS - NONE.  
16. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS  
16.1  
STATE LEGISLATIVE UPDATE:  
• Support for AB 531 (Irwin) -- The Behavioral Health Infrastructure  
Bond Act of 2024. Provided for information.  
State Legislative Memo  
Attachments:  
Bill Text - AB-531 The Behavioral Health Infrastructure Bond Act of 2023  
AB 531 - Letter of support  
No public comments were made.  
This item was received and filed.  
17. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA MATTERS  
Peter Allan, President of Wild Oak Homeowners Association, spoke  
on the need to have notice of violation issued without further delay  
for utility meters at 805 White Oak Dr.  
Michelle Escobar-McCrarry spoke in support of the upcoming  
Tobacco Retail License Ordinance and provided 300 letters of  
support.  
Jim Ahlsten, Wild Oak Homeowners Association, spoke on a  
determination recently made by the City related to a property at Wild  
Oak. Additional comment provided on speaker card: Impartial  
enforcement of city code.  
Drew Gorayeb spoke on a determination recently made by the City  
related to a property at Wild Oak. Additional comment provided on  
speaker card: Balance and fairness in the Building Department.  
Duane De Witt spoke on the 30 year old Southwest Area plan and  
the Roseland Redevelopment Plan.  
Victoria Yanez provided a comment on speaker card but not present  
during public comment: Please change policy for SRPD to  
tow/impound vehicles for late registration or no registration because  
of the onerous process of retrieving the vehicles and review  
process.  
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  
Mayor N. Rogers adjourned the meeting at 5:42 p.m. The next  
regular meeting will be held on October 24, 2023, at time set by the  
Mayor.  
20. UPCOMING MEETINGS  
20.1  
UPCOMING MEETINGS LIST  
Upcoming Meetings List  
Attachments:  
This item was received and filed.  
Approved on: October 24, 2023  
/s/ Dina Manis, City Clerk