City of Santa Rosa City Hall, Council
Chamber
100 Santa Rosa Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA AND
SUMMARY REPORT - FINAL
DECEMBER 2, 2025
2:30 P.M. - CLOSED SESSION
4:00 P.M. - REGULAR SESSION
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE MEETING BY
ATTENDING IN-PERSON FROM COUNCIL CHAMBER AT
100 SANTA ROSA AVENUE, SANTA ROSA.
THE PUBLIC CAN ALSO VIEW OR LISTEN TO THE MEETING LIVE AT:
1. HTTPS://SANTA-ROSA.LEGISTAR.COM/CALENDAR. CLICK ON THE "IN PROGRESS" LINK TO VIEW;
2. VIA ZOOM WEBINAR BY VISITING
HTTPS://SRCITY-ORG.ZOOM.US/J/84471867952, OR BY DIALING 877-853-5257 AND ENTERING WEBINAR ID: 844 7186 7952;
3. COMCAST CHANNEL 28, AT&T U-VERSE CHANNEL 99; AND
4. VIA YOUTUBE AT HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/CITYOFSANTAROSA Public Comment may be made live during the meeting
In-Person from Council Chamber or submitted in advance
via email at [email protected] by 5:00 p.m. the
Monday before the City Council Meeting.
IN THE EVENT A COUNCIL MEMBER PARTICIPATES REMOTELY BASED
ON JUST CAUSE OR EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES PURSUANT TO
AB 2449, THE CITY WILL ALSO ALLOW FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
THROUGH THE ZOOM LINK OR DIAL-IN NUMBER ABOVE.
Regular Meeting Agenda and Summary Report
City of Santa Rosa
DECEMBER 2, 2025City Council - FINAL
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 completing a Speaker Card or signing up with the Administrator in Council Chamber.
Advanced Public Comment Via E-mail: To submit an e-mailed public comment to the City Council, please send to: [email protected] by 5:00 p.m., the Monday prior to the Council Meeting. Identify in the subject line of your e-mail the Agenda Item Number on which you wish to comment, and provide your name and comment in the body of the e-mail. 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.
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 14) 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 up to three minutes. Speakers who do not have an opportunity to Regular Meeting Agenda and Summary Report
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DECEMBER 2, 2025City Council - FINAL
speak during this time will be allowed to make public comment under Agenda Item 18.
2:30 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
2. REMOTE PARTICIPATION UNDER AB 2449 (IF NEEDED)
To consider and take action on any request from a Council Member to participate in a meeting remotely due to Just Cause or Emergency Circumstances pursuant to AB 2449 (Government Code Section 549539(f)).
3. 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.
3.1 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION (Paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Government Code Section 54956.9) Clare Hartman v. City of Santa Rosa, et al.
Sonoma County Superior Court Case No. 24CV02546
3.2 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION (Paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Government Code Section 54956.9) Cindy Gemignani, as Conservator of the Estate of Daryl W. Titus, et al. vs. City of Santa Rosa, et al.
Sonoma County Superior Court Case No. SCV-270898
RECESS CLOSED SESSION(S) AND RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER AND VIA ZOOM.
4. 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.
5. ANNOUNCEMENT OF ROLL CALL (IF NEEDED)
Regular Meeting Agenda and Summary Report
City of Santa Rosa
DECEMBER 2, 2025City Council - FINAL
6. REPORT, IF ANY, ON STUDY AND CLOSED SESSIONS
7. PROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATIONS - NONE.
8. 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.
8.1 COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT PLAN UPDATE
This is a standing item on the agenda. No action will be taken except for possible direction to staff.
8.2 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM STATUS UPDATE
Staff will provide an update of projects currently in the Capital Improvement Program. No action will be taken except for possible direction to staff.
PresentationAttachments:
9. CITY MANAGER’S/CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORTS
10. STATEMENTS OF ABSTENTION/RECUSAL BY COUNCIL MEMBERS
11. MAYOR'S/COUNCIL MEMBERS’ REPORTS
11.1 MAYOR'S/COUNCIL MEMBERS' SUBCOMMITTEE AND LIAISON
REPORTS (AND POSSIBLE COUNCIL DIRECTION TO BOARD
REPRESENTATIVE ON PENDING ISSUES, IF NEEDED)
11.1.1 Council Subcommittee Reports
11.1.2 Sonoma County Transportation and Climate Authorities (SCTCA)
11.1.3 Sonoma County Water Agency (SCWA) - Water Advisory Committee
11.1.4 Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG)
Regular Meeting Agenda and Summary Report
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DECEMBER 2, 2025City Council - FINAL
11.1.5 Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District Advisory Committee
11.1.6 Sonoma Clean Power Authority (SCPA)
11.1.7 Zero Waste Sonoma (formerly known as Sonoma County Waste Management Agency (SCWMA))
11.1.8 Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA)
11.1.9 Sonoma County Homeless Coalition
11.1.10 Renewal Enterprise District (RED)
11.1.11 Public Safety Subcommittee
11.1.12 Other
12. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
12.1 November 18, 2025, Special Meeting Minutes.
Draft MinutesAttachments:
12.2 November 18, 2025, Regular Meeting Minutes.
Draft MinutesAttachments:
13. CONSENT ITEMS
13.1 MOTION - FIRST AMENDMENT TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
AGREEMENT NUMBER F003153 WITH BEST BEST & KRIEGER LLP
FOR CONTINUED LEGAL REPRESENTATION
RECOMMENDATION: The City Attorney recommends that the Council, by motion: 1) approve the First Amendment to Professional Services Agreement Number F003153 with Best Best & Krieger LLP increasing compensation by $45,000, for a total contract amount not to exceed $145,000, for continued legal representation in the matter of Cornerstone Communities II, LLC v. City of Santa Rosa, et. al., Sonoma County Superior Court Case 25CV06089; 2) authorize the City Attorney to execute the agreement; and 3) appropriate $145,000 from Regular Meeting Agenda and Summary Report
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DECEMBER 2, 2025City Council - FINAL
unassigned General Funds to the City Manager’s professional services budget to fund the legal services in Cornerstone through trial.
Staff Report
Attachment 1
Attachments:
13.2 MOTION - FIRST AMENDMENT TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
AGREEMENT NUMBER F003096 WITH ATKINSON, ANDELSON,
LOYA, RUUD & ROMO FOR CONTINUED LEGAL SERVICES
RECOMMENDATION: The City Attorney and the Human Resources Director recommend that the Council, by motion: 1) approve the First Amendment to Professional Services Agreement Number F003096 with Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo increasing compensation by $100,000, for a total contract amount not to exceed $200,000, for continued legal services; and 2) authorize the City Attorney to execute the agreement.
Staff Report
Attachment 1 - First Amendment to PSA F003096
Attachments:
13.3 MOTION - APPROVAL - GENERAL SERVICE AGREEMENT F003152
FOR TREE SERVICES
RECOMMENDATION: The Finance Department recommends that the Council, by motion, approve a two-year General Services Agreement Number F003152 with California Expert Tree Solutions Inc., DBA California Tree Solutions, San Jose, California, for tree services for a total amount of $300,000, and authorizes the Purchasing Agent make non-substantive changes to the Agreement, subject to approval by the City Attorney, and execute the Agreement. This item has no impact on current fiscal year budget.
Staff Report
Attachment 1 - General Services Agreement
Attachments:
13.4 MOTION - ORDINANCE INTRODUCTION - ORDINANCE ENTITLED:
ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA
AMENDING CHAPTERS 11-08 AND 11-20 OF THE SANTA ROSA
CITY CODE TO UPDATE STAFF DELEGATIONS AND TITLES AND
REMOVE REQUIREMENT OF COUNCIL APPROVAL TO INSTALL
Regular Meeting Agenda and Summary Report
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DECEMBER 2, 2025City Council - FINAL
MIDBLOCK CROSSWALKS, ROAD UNDULATIONS AND OTHER
TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES
RECOMMENDATION: The Transportation and Public Works
Department recommends that the Council: 1) introduce an ordinance revising staff delegations entitled Chapter 11-08 and Chapter 11-20 of the City Code; and 2) approve a motion to rescind Council Policy Number 000-14, Policy of the City of Santa Rosa Relative to the Use of Road Undulations for Traffic Control. This item has no impact on the fiscal year budget.
Staff Report
Attachment 1 - Proposed Relined Changes to Ch 11
Attachment 2 - Council Policy 000-14
Ordinance
Attachments:
13.5 RESOLUTION - ACCEPTANCE OF FUNDING FROM THE
PROPOSITION 47 (PROP 47) GRANT PROGRAM
RECOMMENDATION: The Police Department recommends that the Council, by resolution: 1) accept grant funds in the amount of $1,693,820 from the Board State and Community Corrections (BSCC) through the Proposition 47 Grant Program; 2) approve a Standard Agreement with the State of California Department of General Services; 3) authorize the City Manager or designee to execute award documents and any additional documents for administration of the grant; and 4) authorize the Chief Financial Officer to appropriate $1,693,820 of grant funds to a project key. This item has no impact on current fiscal year budget.
Staff Report
Resolution
Exhibit A - Agreement
Attachments:
13.6 MOTION - WAIVER OF COMPETITIVE BID AND APPROVAL OF
AGREEMENT WITH BUCKELEW PROGRAMS
RECOMMENDATION: The Police Department recommends that the Council, by motion, waive competitive bidding pursuant to Section 3-08.100(d) of the City Code and approve a three-year Professional Regular Meeting Agenda and Summary Report
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DECEMBER 2, 2025City Council - FINAL
Services Agreement, with Buckelew Programs, a California non-profit organization, with an amount not to exceed $1,575,000 and authorize the City Manager or designee to make non-substantive changes to the Agreement, and execute the Agreement. This item has no impact on current fiscal year budget.
Staff Report
Attachment 1 - Professional Services Agreement
Attachments:
13.7 RESOLUTION - EXTENSION OF PROCLAMATION OF LOCAL
HOMELESS EMERGENCY
RECOMMENDATION: The Housing and Community Services
Department recommends that the Council, by resolution, approve an extension of Resolution No. 28839 which formally proclaimed a local homeless emergency within Santa Rosa. This item has no impact on current fiscal year budget.
Staff Report
Resolution
Attachments:
13.8 ORDINANCE ADOPTION SECOND READING - ORDINANCE
ENTITLED: ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA ROSA PREZONING THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2299
BRUSH CREEK ROAD TO THE RURAL RESIDENTIAL (RR-20)
ZONING DISTRICT, ASSESSOR’S PARCEL NUMBER 182-030-031 - FILE NUMBER ANX24-001
RECOMMENDATION: The Planning Commission and Planning and Economic Development Department recommend that the Council approve the second reading and adopt an ordinance to prezone the property located at 2299 Brush Creek Road to the RR-20 (Rural Residential) zoning district, consistent with the Very Low Density Residential General Plan land use designation. This ordinance, introduced at the November 18, 2025, Regular Meeting, passed by a 6-0-1-0 vote (MacDonald absent).
OrdinanceAttachments:
14. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA MATTERS
This is the time when any person may address the Council on matters not Regular Meeting Agenda and Summary Report
City of Santa Rosa
DECEMBER 2, 2025City Council - FINAL
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 up to three minutes. Speakers who do not have an opportunity to speak during this time will be allowed to make public comment under Agenda Item 18.
15. REPORT ITEMS
15.1 REPORT - JENNINGS AVENUE BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN
RAILROAD CROSSING REAL PROPERTY LICENSE AGREEMENT
AND CONSTRUCTION AND FUNDING AGREEMENT WITH THE
SONOMA MARIN AREA RAIL TRANSIT DISTRICT AND
APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS TO CONSTRUCT THE CROSSING
BACKGROUND: On September 20, 2016, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) issued Decision No. 16-09-002 granting the City’s application for an at-grade crossing of SMART’s rail line at Jennings Avenue. Since that date, staff for the City and SMART have been in protracted negotiations over the terms and conditions of a Real Property License Agreement under which SMART would allow the City to utilize its property to construct an at-grade bicycle and pedestrian crossing of the rail lines at Jennings Avenue.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Manager’s Office recommends that the Council, by motion, approve and delegate authority to the City Manager to negotiate and execute both the Real Property License Agreement and Construction and Funding Agreement in substantially the same form as the attached drafts, subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney, and return the executed agreements to the SMART Board of Directors for consideration. This item has no impact on current fiscal year budget.
Staff Report
Attachment 1 - Draft Real Property License Agreement
Attachment 2 - Draft Construction and Funding Agreement Presentation
Late Correspondence (Uploaded 12-2-2025)
Attachments:
15.2 REPORT - APPOINTMENT OF INTERIM CITY MANAGER,
Regular Meeting Agenda and Summary Report
City of Santa Rosa
DECEMBER 2, 2025City Council - FINAL
APPROVAL OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT AND INTRODUCTION
OF AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING SALARY OF THE INTERIM CITY
MANAGER
BACKGROUND: City Manager Maraskeshia Smith has announced her resignation. The City will be conducting an extensive open recruitment for her replacement. It is anticipated that the recruitment could take six months or more. To ensure a smooth transition and uninterrupted City operations, the City Council seeks to appoint an Interim City Manager to serve in the position until a new permanent City Manager is found.
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the Council, by
resolution, appoint Lori Ann Farrell as Interim City Manager effective January 2, 2026, and approve an Employment Agreement with Ms.
Farrell. It is further recommended that the Council approve the first reading and introduce an ordinance entitled ORDINANCE OF THE
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA ESTABLISHING
MONTHLY SALARY OF $24,266.66 ($291,200 ANNUALLY) AND
OTHER COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS FOR THE INTERIM CITY
MANAGER EFFECTIVE JANUARY 2, 2026.
Staff Report
Resolution
Exhibit A - Employment Agreement
Ordinance
Presentation
Attachments:
16. 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.
16.1 PUBLIC HEARING - BENNETT VALLEY GOLF COURSE FEES -
DYNAMIC PRICING FOR NON-RESIDENT GOLF FEES
BACKGROUND: In response to questions by both Council and staff following the new two-year fee schedule adopted by Council on May 6, the City Manager’s Office and Kemper Sports Management, LLC, the City’s contract operations and maintenance company, wish to propose additional fee adjustments for non-resident players by implementing a Regular Meeting Agenda and Summary Report
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DECEMBER 2, 2025City Council - FINAL
Dynamic Pricing fee schedule. Kemper Sports Management, LLC presented the Dynamic Pricing proposal to Council in a study session on November 4, 2025.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Manager’s Office recommends that Council, by resolution, approve the Dynamic Pricing fee schedule for non-resident golf fees at the Bennett Valley Golf Course effective January 1, 2026. This item has no impact on current fiscal year budget.
Staff Report
Attachment 1 - Resolution RES-2025-064
Attachment 2 - Proposed BVGG Fees with Dynamic Pricing
Resolution
Exhibit A - BVGG Fees with Dynamic Pricing
Presentation
Public Hearing Notice
Late Correspondence (Uploaded 12-2-2025)
Attachments:
17. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS - NONE.
18. 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 and not able to speak under Agenda Item 14. Each speaker will be allowed up to three minutes.
19. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CONTINUED CLOSED SESSION ITEMS, RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION IN THE MAYOR’S CONFERENCE ROOM, RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS [IF NEEDED]
20. ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING
21. UPCOMING MEETINGS
This schedule is tentative and subject to change pending final publication and posting of the City Council Meeting Agenda.
21.1 UPCOMING MEETINGS LIST
Upcoming Meetings ListAttachments:
Regular Meeting Agenda and Summary Report
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DECEMBER 2, 2025City Council - FINAL
*Did not appear on the preliminary agenda.
**Quasi-judicial or adjudicative action, ex-parte communication disclosure is required.
The Open Government Ordinance was adopted by City Council in December 2020 (ORD-2020-018) and amended in July 2021 (ORD-2021-007). These ordinances added and amended 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 versions of the Open Government Ordinances go to http://srcity.org/OpenGovOrdinance and http://srcity.org/OpenGovOrdinanceAmend. To request paper copies of the Open Government Ordinances contact the City Clerk's Office at 707-543-3015 (TTY Relay at 711) or [email protected].
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 [email protected]. 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.