From: Gregory Fearon
To: _CityCouncilListPublic
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Measure O and the City Charter Amendments Date: Monday, July 18, 2022 5:04:14 PM
Greetings!
The Santa Rosa City Council seems poised to approve two actions by consent on July 26th which will dash opportunities to continue to lead our city into democracy, inclusiveness, and equity. We are referring to your decision on Tuesday to renew Measure O as it's currently written, and pay Councilmembers and Mayors a salary.
Please consider the opportunity to greatly strengthen the likelihood of passage of Measure O, and the passage of increased salaries for our future Councils and Mayors.
The Campaign needs to focus on what Measure O has accomplished (and can
accomplish) if restructured for transparency and innovation. Do not resort to this “doom and gloom” if it’s not passed. Give new and appealing examples of what O can do:
<!--[if !supportLists]-->a. <!--[endif]-->Increase neighborhood policing <!--[if !supportLists]-->b. <!--[endif]-->Focus on crime prevention by strengthening neighborhood preparation and responses (C.O.P.E.) <!--[if !supportLists]-->c. <!--[endif]-->Civilian Oversight of Police <!--[if !supportLists]-->d. <!--[endif]-->Permanent funding of the City’s InRESPONSE Mental Health Support Team.
Additionally, upon reflection, we think you will agree that the proposed salaries for the Council are too high. This could provide risk of backlash and a rationale for people to vote down Measure O. The raises need to be adjusted to be closer and more in line with those whose needs they serve.
Unless the message is changed at the last meeting you can do so, the electorate will reward the Council’s action and over-reach by voting against both Measure O and the Charter Amendments. We urge you to take action to re-direct Measure O into a resiliency and strengthening taxing source, and propose a more acceptable level of salaries for those who are elected to the Council in 2024.
Gregory Fearon
Pat Kuta