Office of Community  
Engagement  
City of Santa Rosa  
637 First Street  
Community Advisory Board  
Special Meeting Minutes - Final  
Wednesday, December 15, 2021  
6:00 PM  
6:00 P.M.  
PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54953(e) AND THE  
RECOMMENDATION OF THE HEALTH OFFICER OF THE COUNTY OF  
SONOMA, COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS WILL BE  
PARTICIPATING IN THIS MEETING VIA ZOOM WEBINAR.  
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE MEETING BY:  
• BY ZOOM BY VISITING https://srcity-org.zoom.us/j/86796186459, OR  
• BY PHONE BY DIALING 877-853-5257 AND ENTERING WEBINAR ID:  
867 9618 6459.  
THE MEETING WILL 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 or  
submitted by 5:00 pm, the Tuesday (12/14) before the CAB meeting via  
e-mail at communityengagement@srcity.org or via recorded voice  
message at 707-543-3080. Recorded voice message comments will  
played (up to 3 minutes each) at the time that Agenda Item is discussed  
during the CAB meeting. Email public comments will be provided to all  
CAB members prior to the meeting.  
1. CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL  
Meeting called to order at 6:04pm.  
Member Richardson joined at 6:10pm.  
9 -  
Present:  
Absent:  
Chair Leslie Graves, Vice Chair Jorge Inocencio, Board Member  
Manny Baldenegro, Board Member Cherie Barnett, Board Member  
Robin Bartholow, Board Member Steve Rahmn, Board Member  
Candice Richardson, Board Member Andrea Rodriguez, and Board  
Member Damion Square  
1 - Board Member Beth Steffy  
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS  
None.  
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES  
November 17, 2021 Special Meeting Minutes.  
A motion was made by Board Member Rahmn, seconded by Board Member  
Baldenegro, to approve the November 17, 2021 special meeting minutes.  
The motion carried by the following vote:  
7 -  
Yes:  
Chair Graves, Vice Chair Inocencio, Board Member Baldenegro,  
Board Member Barnett, Board Member Rahmn, Board Member  
Richardson, and Board Member Steffy  
3 -  
Abstain:  
Board Member Bartholow, Board Member Rodriguez, and Board  
Member Square  
4. CAB ANNOUNCEMENTS  
Members Bartholow and Rodriguez introduced themselves to the CAB.  
Member Barnett (Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition) announced that there are  
community bike rides happening all over Santa Rosa. One such ride is Taco  
Tuesday which takes place every Tuesday starting at Humboldt Park. There will be  
a Christmas Lights Ride on Sunday, Dec. 19. The group raised $900 to give away  
bikes to children in Santa Rosa.  
Member Rahmn announced that the Coffey Park neighborhood will have their  
Christmas car parade on Saturday, Dec. 18 at 6pm.  
Chair Graves announced that she attended the Mayor's meeting with other City  
board and commission chairs. It was announced at the meeting that there will be an  
active creek cleanup held on the first Saturday of each month. The meet-up location  
is at Olive Park. She also announced that the Mayor stated that if boards and  
commissions start meeting in person in 2022, members have to be vaccinated or  
have a negative COVID test in order to attend in person. There is a question out as  
to whether the City will provide free testing for board and commission members  
and we are waiting on a response. Finally, Chair Graves suggested the CAB’s  
struggles to meet quorum be referred to as an “appointment or roster issue” to  
better reflect that the Board has not had a full roster of 14 members for the entire  
year of 2021. This was welcomed by other chairs.  
Public Comment: none.  
5. STAFF UPDATES  
Community Empowerment Plan Update  
Multicultural Roots Project  
- Project staff need community members who are interested in joining the project  
advisory group. The group will begin meeting quarterly and will provide feedback to  
staff on project implementation, story ideas and outreach. If you or anyone you know  
is interested, please contact Danielle.  
Marylou Lowrider Patrol Car:  
- The artwork is underway and nearing completion. Once the artwork is done, it will  
get a final clear coat and then will be off to have the SRPD logo placed on the  
doors.  
- Remaining items include stereo installation, tire and rim installation and the  
upholstery upgrade.  
- Completion is estimated by the end of January.  
Open Government Update  
- The Subcommittee is on hold temporarily as the City Attorney and City Clerk focus  
their attention on the Charter Update and redistricting. The Subcommittee will  
reconvene in late February.  
Community Improvement Grant Update  
- Q2 Projects Complete: EAHS Mural and Community Matters Safe School  
Ambassadors  
- Q3 Projects Complete: Santa Rosa Dia de los Muertos  
Other Items  
- Vince Harper’s memorial service is scheduled for Dec. 16 from 3-7pm at the  
Finley Community Center.  
- There will be an opportunity for community members to say a few words of  
remembrance and then after the program, there will be food provided.  
- In lieu of flowers, his family is asking donations be made to the SRJC, which has  
set up a scholarship in his name.  
Public Comment: None.  
6. SCHEDULED ITEMS  
6.1 UPDATE ON CITY CHARTER REVIEW PROCESS  
Director Telles provided the CAB with an overview of the City Charter update  
process and the Charter Review Committee. The Committee is comprised of  
members appointed by City Council Members and meets each week. Each  
Council Member appoints three members to the Committee. The Committee  
has identified 12 topics to focus on:  
1. Directly electing an at-large mayor  
2. Rank choice voting  
3. Police auditor/oversight committee  
4. Pay for Council  
5. Climate change  
6. Diversity, equity and inclusion  
7. Excise taxes  
8. Regulation of rental housing  
9. Procurement policy reforms  
10. Board and commission quorums  
11. Removal of mayor or council member for misconduct  
12. Two-year budget process  
The top three items from the list are Council compensation, ranked choice  
voting, and directly elected mayor. Director Telles will have more detailed  
information for the CAB at the next meeting. Staff also took time to walk the  
CAB through the Charter Review webpage.  
The CAB would like more information on how they can be involved in the  
Charter Review Process. The CAB would also like staff to let the board know  
when there are opportunities to participate in the process. Another suggestion  
was to gather recommendations from other community members and provide  
them to the Committee.  
Public Comment: Gregory Fearon made public comment on this item. The  
Committee and other community members wants to know what the CAB's role  
is in the Charter Review process. The community's point of view is  
disappointment that Community Engagement is not involved in the process yet.  
6.2 CAB 2022 PRIORITY SETTING DISCUSSION  
Staff presented information to the CAB on their roles and responsibilities  
outlined in the City Charter and associated resolutions. Included were several  
recommendations from staff and other community members for CAB to  
consider. Director Telles asked if the CAB would like to revisit and revise the  
strategic plan and what pivots need to be made due to current community  
issues and climate. She also asked to hear what the CAB needed in order to  
stay engaged as members. Staff also brought up the CAB Charter focus area  
that requires the CAB to gather public feedback on Capital Improvement  
Project (CIP) budget priorities and whether it still makes sense to have that as a  
requirement in the Charter. Member Barnett provided information to the CAB on  
the historical context regarding CIP.  
CAB Members gave feedback on the following items:  
- Review CAB's section in the Charter and decide what needs to be change.  
Bring input around Charter Review process to discuss.  
- Review and revise strategic plan to reflect current community needs and reality  
around COVID  
- Dump 4 mandatory meetings per year  
- Rather than target CIP feedback, look into participatory budgeting  
- Look into neighborhood council idea  
Staff would like the CAB to provide a list of materials and tools needed from  
staff to be successful. Chair Graves requested a list be developed of all the  
neighborhood and community meetings with days/times and contacts for CAB  
members to use. Staff stated the CAB developed this several years ago and it  
is used by City staff. Staff will provide this list to the CAB.  
Public Comment: Gregory Fearon made public comment on this item. He stated  
the CAB should eliminate the CIP from their responsibility from the Charter. He  
also stated that the CAB should make revisions to their part in the Charter so  
that it aligns with what they want to be doing and what the community needs  
from the board and the City.  
PRESENTATION - CAB CHARTER REQUIREMENTS AND  
STRATEGIC PLAN FOCUS AREAS  
6.3 HONORING MEMBER HARPER  
The CAB discussed ways in which it would like to honor the memory of Member  
Harper. The following ideas were presented:  
- An award in his honor: the Vince Harper Award (staff will talk to the Merit  
Award Committee)  
- Create a stand alone grant program in his name (request this from the  
Council)  
- Rename the CAB grant program in his name  
- Conduct a day of service and tie into the grant program  
- Name or rename a park after Member Harper  
Public Comment: Gregory Fearon made a public comment about this item. The  
more the CAB gets credible and starts recommending things, the more the City  
will start taking the CAB seriously. Keep the imagination going.  
7. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS  
For January 26, 2022 meeting:  
- Community Improvement Grant application selection  
- Continue CAB priorities discussion  
8. ADJOURNMENT  
The meeting was adjourned at 8:22pm.  
A motion was made by Board Member Bartholow, seconded by Board  
Member Rodriguez, to adjourn the meeting: The motion carried by the  
following vote:  
9 -  
Yes:  
Chair Graves, Vice Chair Inocencio, Board Member Baldenegro,  
Board Member Barnett, Board Member Bartholow, Board Member  
Rahmn, Board Member Richardson, Board Member Rodriguez, and  
Board Member Square  
1 - Board Member Steffy  
Absent:  
The City of Santa Rosa does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admissions or access to, or treatment of or  
employment in, its programs or activities. Disability-related aids or services, including printed information in alternate formats, to  
enable persons with disabilities to participate in public meetings are available by calling (707) 543-4676 one week prior to the  
meeting. (TTY Relay at 711).  
Any writings or documents provided to a majority of this meeting body prior to this meeting regarding any item on this agenda  
are available for public review in the City Clerk's Office, Room 10, City Hall, 100 Santa Rosa Ave, during normal business  
hours.