City Hall, Council Chamber
100 Santa Rosa Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
City of Santa Rosa
City Council
Regular Meeting Minutes - Draft
2:00 PMTuesday, January 27, 2026
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Stapp called the meeting to order at 2:03 p.m.
Mayor Mark Stapp, Council Member Eddie Alvarez, Council Member Caroline Bañuelos, Council Member Victoria Fleming, and Council Member Dianna MacDonald
Present: 5 -
Vice Mayor Jeff Okrepkie, and Council Member Natalie RogersAbsent: 2 -
2. REMOTE PARTICIPATION UNDER THE BROWN ACT (Gov. Code § 54953.8)
3. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Dino Dargenzio spoke in support of Airport Business Park only (comment description provided from speaker card).
Doug Van Dyke, Owner - E.R. Sawyer Jewelers, spoke in support of the item and suggested selection of the local developer - Airport Business Center (comment description provided from speaker card).
Richard Coombs, Airport Business Center, spoke in support of the item and support of ABC (comment description provided from speaker card).
Mayor Stapp recessed the meeting to closed session at
2:12 p.m. to discuss Items 3.1 through 3.2 as listed on the agenda.
Council Member Rogers joined the meeting at 2:13 p.m.
3.1 CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR
(Government Code Section 54956.8)
City of Santa Rosa
Regular Meeting Minutes
January 27, 2026City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Draft Property: 625 and 637 3rd Street, APNs 009-013-011 and 009-013-012 (“Garage 5”)
Agency Negotiator: Jill Scott, Real Property Negotiator Negotiating Parties: Grupe Investment Company, Inc.
Under Negotiations: Price and terms of payment
This item was received and filed.
3.2 CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR
(Government Code Section 54956.8)
Property: 625 and 637 3rd Street, APNs 009-013-011 and 009-013-012 (“Garage 5”)
Agency Negotiator: Jill Scott, Real Property Negotiator Negotiating Parties: Airport Business Center
Under Negotiations: Price and terms of payment
This item was received and filed.
Mayor Stapp adjourned closed session at approximately 3:10 p.m.
Council Member Alvarez left the meeting at 3:15 p.m.
Mayor Stapp reconvened to the regular session at approximately 3:17 p.m.
4. STUDY SESSION
Mayor Mark Stapp, Council Member Caroline Bañuelos, Council Member Victoria Fleming, Council Member Dianna MacDonald, and Council Member Natalie Rogers
Present: 5 -
Vice Mayor Jeff Okrepkie, and Council Member Eddie AlvarezAbsent: 2 -
4.1 ENTERTAINMENT ZONES
The Planning and Economic Development Department recommends that the Council hold a study session for Council to receive information and provide direction to staff related to the establishment of entertainment zones within the City of Santa Rosa. This item has no impact on current fiscal year budget.
Sachnoor Bisla, City Planner; Gabe Osburn, Director of PED; Jessica Jones, Deputy Director of Planning; Scott Adair, Chief Economic Development Officer; Chris Mahurin, Police Lieutenant, presented and answered questions from Council.
City of Santa Rosa
Regular Meeting Minutes
January 27, 2026City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Draft PUBLIC COMMENTS:
A.J. Trombetta spoke in support of the ordinance; requested continued General Plan property owner and district feedback (comment description provided from speaker card).
Duane De Witt spoke in support of the item.
Abby Arnold spoke in support of the item.
Gregory Fearon spoke on the item and expressed concerns on behavioral health matters.
Janice Karrman spoke in support of the item with additional consideration regarding street closures and lighting, and other resources for businesses.
This item was received and filed.
5. ANNOUNCEMENT OF ROLL CALL (IF NEEDED)
6. REPORT, IF ANY, ON STUDY AND CLOSED SESSIONS
Teresa Stricker, City Attorney, reported that there was no reportable action from closed session.
7. PROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATIONS - NONE.
8. STAFF BRIEFINGS - NONE.
9. CITY MANAGER’S/CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORTS
9.1 Lori Ann Farrell, Interim City Manager provided a report on the recent Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service event, efforts to streamline the conditional use permit process, the release of the Spring-Summer Activity guide on January 29, and celebration of Transit Equity Day on February 4.
REPORT OF SETTLEMENTS AND ACTIVE LITIGATION
The City Attorney will report on all settlements authorized by Council in City of Santa Rosa
Regular Meeting Minutes
January 27, 2026City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Draft closed session that were finalized in December 2025, which includes but may not be limited to all settlements requiring the City to pay more than $50,000. The City Attorney will also provide a summary of pending litigation against the City.
City Attorney Stricker, reported there were two settlements over $50,000 previously authorized by Council in the month of December: 1) settlement and waiver of claims asserted by former City Manager Maraskeshia Smith for $250,000; and 2) Clare Hartman v City of Santa Rosa for $205,000. The caseload remains constant with 32 litigation matters, with trial dates assigned to approximately one-third of those matters.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Duane De Witt spoke on Item 9.1.
Janice Karrman spoke on Item 9.1.
Gregory Fearon spoke on Item 9.1.
This item was received and filed.
10. STATEMENTS OF ABSTENTION/RECUSAL BY COUNCIL MEMBERS There were no statements of abstention or recusal.
11. MAYOR'S/COUNCIL MEMBERS’ REPORTS
Council Member Bañuelos spoke on recent community events attended and the recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement events in Minnesota and impacts of those events in Santa Rosa.
Council Member MacDonald reported on recent community events attended.
Council Member Rogers reported on attendance at a recent policy meeting in Sacramento, and recent local events attended.
Council Member Fleming reported on recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions in Minnesota.
City of Santa Rosa
Regular Meeting Minutes
January 27, 2026City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Draft Mayor Stapp reported on the events in Minnesota, the City's Indivisible City ordinance, and related Senate Bill 54, and attendance at recent community events.
No public comments were made.
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)
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)
Mayor Stapp provided a brief report.
11.1.9 Sonoma County Homeless Coalition
11.1.10 Renewal Enterprise District (RED)
11.1.11 Public Safety Subcommittee
11.1.12 Other
11.2 SONOMA COUNTY MAYORS' AND COUNCIL MEMBERS' ASSOCIATION /
CITY SELECTION COMMITTEE
11.2.1 SONOMA COUNTY MAYORS’ AND COUNCIL MEMBERS’
ASSOCIATION LETTERS OF INTEREST
City of Santa Rosa
Regular Meeting Minutes
January 27, 2026City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Draft The City Council will, by motion, provide direction to the Mayor regarding letters of interest received for appointments to the following vacancies, which will be made by the Board of Directors of the Sonoma County Mayors’ and Councilmembers’ Association at its General Membership meeting on February 12, 2026.
Board of Directors Appointments:
1. The Charles M. Schulz - Sonoma County Aviation
Commission: A new Commission of two seats with four-year terms starting in February 2026. Letters received from:
· David Hagele of Healdsburg
· Tanya Potter of Windsor
· Mark Stapp of Santa Rosa
2. Childcare Planning Council: One seat to fill the expiring term of Mayor Stephen Zollman of Sebastopol. Three-year term
starting in February 2026. Letters received from:
· Karen Nau of Petaluma
· Samantha Rodriguez of Rohnert Park
· Stephen Zollman of Sebastopol
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Janice Karrman spoke on the item.
Duane De Witt spoke on the item.
A motion was made by Council Member Fleming, seconded by Council Member Bañuelos, to direct the Mayor to support Tanya Potter and Mark Stapp for the Charles M. Schultz - Sonoma County Aviation Commission appointments, and to support Samantha Rodriguez for the Childcare Planning Council appointment to be made by the Board of Directions of the Sonoma County Mayors' and Councilmembers' Association at its General Membership meeting on February 12, 2026. The motion carried by the following vote:
City of Santa Rosa
Regular Meeting Minutes
January 27, 2026City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Draft Yes: Mayor Mark Stapp, Council Member Caroline Bañuelos, Council Member Victoria Fleming, Council Member Dianna MacDonald, and Council Member Natalie Rogers
5 -
Absent: Vice Mayor Jeff Okrepkie, and Council Member Eddie Alvarez2 -
11.3 COUNCIL LIAISON POSITIONS ON JOINT POWERS AUTHORITY
11.3.1 APPOINTMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE AND ALTERNATE TO
PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY
The Council may, by motion, select and appoint a representative and alternate to the Public Financing Authority.
No public comments were made.
A motion was made by Mayor Stapp, seconded by Council Member Fleming, to reappointment Council Members Fleming and Bañuelos to the Public Financing Authority. The motion carried by the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Mark Stapp, Council Member Caroline Bañuelos, Council Member Victoria Fleming, Council Member Dianna MacDonald, and Council Member Natalie Rogers
5 -
Absent: Vice Mayor Jeff Okrepkie, and Council Member Eddie Alvarez2 -
12. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
12.1 January 13, 2026, Regular Meeting Minutes. THIS ITEM IS CONTINUED TO THE FEBRUARY 10, 2026, REGULAR MEETING.
This item was continued to the February 10, 2026, regular meeting.
13. CONSENT ITEMS
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Duane Dewitt spoke on Item 13.5.
Janice Karrman spoke on Item 13.5.
Mayor Mark Stapp, Council Member Caroline Bañuelos, Council Member Victoria Fleming, Council Member Dianna MacDonald, and Council Member Natalie Rogers
Present: 5 -
Vice Mayor Jeff Okrepkie, and Council Member Eddie AlvarezAbsent: 2 - City of Santa Rosa
Regular Meeting Minutes
January 27, 2026City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Draft Approval of the Consent Agenda
A motion was made by Council Member Bañuelos, seconded by Council Member MacDonald, to adopt Consent Items 13.1 through 13.6 as presented by staff. The motion carried by the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Mark Stapp, Council Member Caroline Bañuelos, Council Member Victoria Fleming, Council Member Dianna MacDonald, and Council Member Natalie Rogers
5 -
Absent: Vice Mayor Jeff Okrepkie, and Council Member Eddie Alvarez2 -
13.1 MOTION - APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS FOR PROFESSIONAL
SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH THE CENTRE FOR ORGANIZATION
EFFECTIVENESS FOR A DEPARTMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF THE
CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
RECOMMENDATION: The City Attorney’s Office recommends that the Council, by motion, appropriate $47,620 from unassigned General Funds to the City Attorney’s professional services budget to fund a departmental assessment of the City Attorney’s Office by The Centre for Organization Effectiveness. This item is requesting appropriations for one-time funding.
This Consent - Motion was approved.
13.2 MOTION - FIRST AMENDMENT TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
AGREEMENT NUMBER F002790 WITH WARD LEVY APPRAISAL
GROUP, INC. FOR APPRAISAL SERVICES
RECOMMENDATION: Real Estate Services recommends that the Council, by motion, approve the First Amendment to Professional Services Agreement Number F002790 with Ward Levy Appraisal Group, Inc., Santa Rosa, California to increase compensation by $150,000 for a total contract amount not to exceed $249,000 for continued appraisal services, and authorize the Assistant City Manager to execute the Amendment. This item has no impact on current fiscal year budget.
This Consent - Motion was approved.
13.3 MOTION - THIRD AMENDMENT TO PIGGYBACK AGREEMENT
NUMBER 00008865 WITH IMAGETREND, LLC FOR FIRE AND
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES SOFTWARE
City of Santa Rosa
Regular Meeting Minutes
January 27, 2026City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Draft RECOMMENDATION: The Fire Department recommends that the Council, by motion, approve the Third Amendment to Piggyback Agreement Number 00008865 with ImageTrend, LLC, Lakeville, Minnesota to increase compensation in the amount of $45,963.85, for a total contract not to exceed $131,043.85 and authorize the City Manager to make non-substantive changes to the Amendment, subject to approval by the City Attorney, and execute the Amendment. This item has no impact on current fiscal year budget.
This Consent - Motion was approved.
13.4 MOTION - APPROVAL AND ISSUANCE OF A PURCHASE ORDER
FOR THE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE EXTRICATION EQUIPMENT
WITH SOLE SOURCE VENDOR WESTERN EXTRICATION
SPECIALISTS INC.
RECOMMENDATION: The Fire Department recommends that the Council, by motion: 1) approve the issuance of a purchase order for the purchase of vehicle extrication equipment with sole source vendor Western Extrication Specialists Inc., Simi Valley, California with an amount not to exceed $119,959.00; and 2) authorize the Chief Financial Officer to pay all proper claims from various charge numbers. This item has no impact on current fiscal year budget.
This Consent - Motion was approved.
13.5 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.
This Consent - Resolution was adopted.
RESOLUTION NO. RES-2026-006 ENTITLED: RESOLUTION OF THE
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA EXTENDING A PROCLAMATION OF LOCAL HOMELESS EMERGENCY (Government Code Sections 8630 et seq.)
13.6 RESOLUTION - CONSTRUCTION COMPLETION AND
City of Santa Rosa
Regular Meeting Minutes
January 27, 2026City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Draft
EXPENDITURE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT -
DISASTER RECOVERY GRANT FUNDS - COFFEY PARK AND
FOUNTAINGROVE NEIGHBORHOOD ROAD DISASTER RECOVERY
RECOMMENDATION: The Transportation and Public Works
Department recommends that the Council, by resolution, acknowledge completion of construction of the Coffey Park and Fountaingrove Neighborhood Road Disaster Recovery Project and acknowledge that all grant funds under the Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery Grant Agreement Number 17-DRMIT-1003 have been expended through contract work completed under the Coffey Park and Fountaingrove Neighborhood Road Disaster Recovery Project, City Contract Number C02258. This item has no impact on current fiscal year budget.
This Consent - Resolution was adopted.
RESOLUTION NO. RES-2026-007 ENTITLED: RESOLUTION OF THE
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA CONSTRUCTION COMPLETION
AND EXPENDITURE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT -
DISASTER RECOVERY GRANT FUNDS FOR COFFEY PARK AND
FOUNTAINGROVE NEIGHBORHOOD ROAD DISASTER RECOVERY
13.7 RESOLUTION - APPROVAL OF AWARD - SOFTWARE
SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT F003155 FOR EDISCOVERY
SOFTWARE SYSTEM TO REVEAL DATA CORPORATION (THIS
ITEM IS CONTINUED TO THE FEBRUARY 10, 2026 REGULAR
MEETING)
RECOMMENDATION: The City Clerk’s Office, and the Information Technology and Finance Departments recommend that the Council, by resolution: 1) approve F003155 Software Subscription Agreement for a five year period, with five one year renewal options, to Reveal Data Corporation, Portland, Oregon for an eDiscovery software system for a total not-to-exceed amount under the Agreement of $624,240, and a $100,000 contingency amount for miscellaneous charges, 2) approve appropriations in the amount of $124,848; and 3) authorize the City Manager or Assistant City Manager to negotiate and execute the Agreement, subject to approval by the City Attorney. This item is requesting appropriations for on-going funding.
This item was continued to the February 10, 2026, regular meeting.
City of Santa Rosa
Regular Meeting Minutes
January 27, 2026City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Draft Mayor Stapp took a brief recess at 4:59 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 5:03 p.m.
14. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA MATTERS
Janice Karrman spoke on the Violence Prevention meeting from last week.
Edward Gathercole spoke advocating for direct navigation services.
Duane De Witt spoke on staff assistance at the clean up on Roseland Creek.
Teresa Franklin spoke in support of agendizing and passing a senior zoning overlay for Santa Rosa mobile home parks (comment description provided from speaker card).
Yamah Goodman spoke on recent police presence and actions at the boarder of Santa Rosa and Sebastopol, and the decline of how individuals govern and treat each other.
Valerie Schlafke, Sequoia Gardens MHR/SRMOA, spoke in support of a senior overlay for senior mobile home parks (comment description provided from speaker card).
Elena L spoke in support of the removal of Flock automated license plate readers used by the City of Santa Rosa.
Fred spoke in support of updating the mobile home park closure and conversion ordinance.
Gregory Fearon spoke on recent immigration issues.
Mayor Stapp moved to Item 16.1.
LATE CORRESPONDENCE
16. PUBLIC HEARINGS
City of Santa Rosa
Regular Meeting Minutes
January 27, 2026City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Draft
16.1 PUBLIC HEARING - PUBLIC HEARING ON FISCAL YEAR 2026-27
BUDGET PRIORITIES
BACKGROUND: Every year, pursuant to the City Charter, the City Council holds a public hearing to solicit input from the community on priorities to be considered for the upcoming budget. This meeting complies with Charter requirements relative to posting and being held prior to the City Council goal setting meeting. It also marks the kick-off of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27 budget process.
RECOMMENDATION: The Finance Department recommends that the Council hold a public hearing on budget priorities and consider written and oral comments as part of future budget deliberations. This item has no impact on current fiscal year budget.
Scott Wagner, Chief Financial Officer, and Veronica Conner, Budget and Financial Analysis Manager, presented and answered questions from Council.
Mayor Stapp opened the public hearing at 5:37 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Janice Karrman spoke on improving the road at Calistoga Road and scheduled infrastructure work.
Fred Allebach, Santa Rosa/Sonoma County NAACP Housing
Committee requested that the South Santa Rosa Specific Plan include concrete anti-gentrification strategies to protect low-come, BIPOC communities and seniors, and adopt a triple bottom line approach to the budget that considers economic, environmental, and social sustainability.
Duane De Witt thanked staff for work to date, suggested looking at reductions in force, and other projects that can bring in funding, avoid annexations, and bicycle bridge alternatives.
Jennie Lynn Holmes, Catholic Charities, expressed appreciation of City of Santa Rosa
Regular Meeting Minutes
January 27, 2026City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Draft Council's service through the fiscal challenges, the impacts of budget reductions on homeless services, Catholic Charities' pursuit of alternative funding sources for services, and requested consideration of no additional cuts to homeless services this budget cycle.
Mayor Stapp closed the public hearing at 5:48 p.m. and
returned to Item 15.1.
15. REPORT ITEMS
15.1 REPORT - FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 PUBLIC SAFETY AND
PREVENTION TAX ANNUAL REPORT
BACKGROUND: Ordinance 3680 added Chapter 3-26 to the Santa Rosa City Code establishing a special transaction and use tax known as Public Safety and Prevention Tax (PSAP). Each year an Annual Report is prepared by City staff, reviewed by the PSAP Citizen Oversight Committee, and presented to the City Council reporting on revenue, expenditures and accomplishments during the past fiscal year.
RECOMMENDATION: The Finance, Fire, Police, and Housing and Community Services Departments, and the Public Safety and Prevention Citizen’s Oversight Committee recommend that the Council, by motion, accept the Public Safety and Prevention Tax Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2024-25. This item has no impact on current fiscal year budget.
Scott Westrope, Fire Chief; John Cregan, Chief of Police and Pamela Lorence, Administrative Services Officer - Police; Jacqui Hamman, Administrative Services Officer - Recreation Division; Joanna Moore, Recreation Supervisor; and Danielle
Ronshausen-Pena, Violence Prevention Manager presented and answered questions from Council.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Janice Karrman spoke in support of Item 15.1.
Duane De Witt spoke on the item, the correlation of gang activity City of Santa Rosa
Regular Meeting Minutes
January 27, 2026City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Draft and lingering graffiti on private property due to fear of retaliation, and advocated for continued Police and Fire presence in Roseland and Burbank Avenue.
A motion was made by Council Member MacDonald, seconded by Council Member Rogers, to accept the Public Safety and Prevention Tax Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2024-25 as presented by staff. The motion carried by the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Mark Stapp, Council Member Caroline Bañuelos, Council Member Victoria Fleming, Council Member Dianna MacDonald, and Council Member Natalie Rogers
5 -
Absent: Vice Mayor Jeff Okrepkie, and Council Member Eddie Alvarez2 -
17. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS - NONE.
18. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA MATTERS
No public comments were made.
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
Mayor Stapp adjourned the meeting at 6:43 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on February 10, 2026 at a time to be set by the Mayor.
21. UPCOMING MEETINGS
21.1 UPCOMING MEETINGS LIST
Approved on:
_______________________________
Dina Manis
City Clerk