Agenda Item #13.1
For Council Meeting of November 18, 2025
CITY OF SANTA ROSA
CITY COUNCIL
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARASKESHIA SMITH, CITY MANAGER
SUBJECT: INSTALLATION OF THE SONOMA COUNTY FIRE MEMORIAL AT NAGASAWA COMMUNITY PARK AT FOUNTAINGROVE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COUNTY OF SONOMA AGENDA ACTION: MOTION
RECOMMENDATION
The City Manager’s Office recommends that the Council, by motion, approve a Revocable License Agreement for the installation of the Sonoma County Fire Memorial at Nagasawa Community Park at Fountaingrove in partnership with the County of Sonoma and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all necessary agreements with the County to facilitate the project. This item has no impact on current fiscal year budget.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors has initiated and is providing funding for commemorative artwork recognizing families whose members perished in the 2017 wildfire complex. The City of Santa Rosa has offered space at Nagasawa Community Park at Fountaingrove as a location for the project’s installation.
GOAL
This memorial contributes to community healing and resilience by providing a space for reflection, remembrance, and unity, thereby aligning itself with Council Goal #4 – Foster a Safe, Healthy and Inclusive Community for All.
BACKGROUND/PRIOR COUNCIL REVIEW
Initiated by the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors in October 2022, the Fire Memorial Project is administered by Creative Sonoma. Through an open nominations and selfnominations process, Creative Sonoma convened a Memorial Task Force to finalize the project Work Plan and to recommend artist finalists for commission. The Task Force’s recommendations are transmitted to the Board of Supervisors for consideration and approval. Creative Sonoma is leading ongoing community engagement, including consultation with the City of Santa Rosa Art in Public Places Committee.
ANALYSIS
The County of Sonoma is proposing to install a Fire Memorial at Nagasawa Community Park to honor the lives lost and the community’s resilience following the 2017 wildfires. The memorial will be fully funded, constructed, and maintained by the County, with the installation taking place on City-owned parkland. City staff have reviewed the proposal and determined that the project is consistent with the Park’s existing use and compatible with the City’s long-term vision for public spaces that foster community connection and healing. Staff recommend that the City Council approve a Revocable License Agreement for the installation of the Sonoma County Fire Memorial at Nagasawa Community Park and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all necessary agreements with the County to facilitate the project.
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this action does not have a fiscal impact on the General Fund.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The recommended action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15050 which states that other agencies with discretionary approval over a project are “responsible agencies,” and may rely on the lead agency’s environmental determination; and CEQA Guidelines Section 15303 which makes a categorical exemption applicable to accessory structures like memorials or monuments in existing facilities or parks.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Not applicable.
NOTIFICATION
Not applicable.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 – Sonoma County Fire Memorial Plan
Attachment 2 – Fire Memorial Community Engagement Framework Attachment 3 – Revocable License Agreement
Attachment 4 – Park Diagram
PRESENTER(S)
Lindsey Daugherty, Administrative Supervisor
Scott Wilkinson, Parks Planner
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