City Hall, Council Chamber
100 Santa Rosa Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
City of Santa Rosa
Economic Development Subcommittee
Regular Meeting Minutes - Final
9:00 AMMonday, February 9, 2026
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chair Okrepkie called the meeting to order at 9:01 am.
Committee Member Fleming departed the meeting at 9:18 am.
2. REMOTE PARTICIPATION UNDER THE BROWN ACT (Gov. Code § 54953.8) None.
3. MODIFICATIONS TO AGENDA
None.
4. ANNOUNCEMENTS
None.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
5.1 Draft Minutes - December 8, 2025.
Approved as submitted.
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Chair Okrepkie opened and closed public comment.
7. MATTERS HELD IN COMMITTEE
None.
8. PRESENTATIONS
None.
9. PARTNER REPORTS
None.
10. ACTION ITEMS
None.
City of Santa Rosa
Regular Meeting Minutes
February 9, 2026Economic Development
Subcommittee
Regular Meeting Minutes - Final
11. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
11.1 Receive an update and demonstration on the New Business Concierge Portal - a component of the virtual One-Stop-Shop initiative. Provide staff with feedback.
Recommended Action: Discussion Item.
Chief Economic Development Officer Scott Adair introduced Small Business Ombudsman Rafael Rivero and Programmer Analyst Debbie Bird.
Staff Rivero reported.
Staff Bird presented.
Staff responded to Committee Member inquiries.
Committee Members provided comments and feedback.
Chair Okrepkie opened and closed public comment.
11.2 Receive an update and report on Economic Development Strategic Plan initiatives and projects - One-Stop Shop, Ross Street Pilot, New Commercial Renter Program, Creative Corridor, In-Home Childcare Guide, Tourism Strategic Plan and SRTBIA.
Recommended Action: Information Only.
Program Analyst Rachel Beer and Staff Adair reported.
Chair Okrepkie opened and closed public comment.
Committee Members provided comments and feedback.
11.3 Receive an update and report on Planning projects which directly align with the Economic Development Strategic Plan - Entertainment Zones and Use Permit Process.
City of Santa Rosa
Regular Meeting Minutes
February 9, 2026Economic Development
Subcommittee
Regular Meeting Minutes - Final
Recommended Action: Information Only.
Deputy Director of Planning Jessica Jones reported.
Chair Okrepkie opened and closed public comment.
Committee Members provided comments and feedback.
11.4 Receive an update and report on sign permitting, application and approval processes for businesses. Provide staff with feedback.
Recommended Action: Discussion Item.
Director of Planning and Economic Development Gabe Osburn and Staff Jones reported.
Staff responded to Committee Member inquiries.
Chair Okrepkie opened and closed public comment.
Committee Members provided comments and feedback.
11.5 Receive a report on Art and Culture initiatives and event policy development.
Recommended Action: Informational Only.
Arts and Culture Manager Meredith Knudsen presented.
Chair Okrepkie opened and closed public comment.
Committee Members provided comments and feedback.
12. OTHER UPDATES
Staff Adair provided updates on Santa Rosa retail leakage, efforts to bring United Soccer League to Santa Rosa, and an economist that will be giving reports to City staff and City Council.
Chair Okrepkie opened and closed public comment.
City of Santa Rosa
Regular Meeting Minutes
February 9, 2026Economic Development
Subcommittee
Regular Meeting Minutes - Final
Committee Members provided comments and feedback.
13. COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
None.
14. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Staff Osburn reported on future possible agenda items.
15. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Okrepkie adjourned the meeting at 10:02 am
Approved on: April 13, 2026
/s Jack Reynolds, Recording Secretary