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, June 8, 2026
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chair Okrepkie opened public comment at 9:21 am.
Chair Jeff Okrepkie, and Eddie AlvarezPresent: 2 -
Victoria FlemingAbsent: 1 -
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 - April 13, 2026.
Approved as submitted.
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Janice Karrman provided comments.
7. MATTERS HELD IN COMMITTEE
None.
8. NEW BUSINESS
8.1 Presentation from staff on AI Exposure & Workforce Trends Recommended Action: Information Only.
Program Analyst Rachel Beer presented.
Chair Okrepkie opened and closed public comment.
City of Santa Rosa
Regular Meeting Minutes
June 8, 2026Economic Development
Subcommittee
Regular Meeting Minutes - Final
Committee Members provided comments and feedback.
8.2 Economic Development Presentation from Dr. Robert Eyler - Tourism Recommended Action: Information Only.
Dr. Robert Eyler presented.
Dr. Eyler and staff responded to Committee Member inquiries.
Chair Okrepkie opened and closed public comment.
Committee Members provided comments and feedback.
9. PARTNER REPORTS
9.1 Partner Presentation from Santa Rosa Metro Chamber of Commerce on Welcome Center Options
Recommended Action: Discussion.
Ananda Sweet, CEO of the Santa Rosa Metro Chamber, presented.
Ananda Sweet responded to Committee Member inquiries.
Chair Okrepkie opened public comment.
Janice Karrman provided comments.
AJ Trombetta provided comments.
Karissa Cruz provided comments.
Chair Okrepkie closed public comment.
Committee Members provided comments and feedback.
Planning and Economic Development Director Gabe Osburn
reported on next steps.
City of Santa Rosa
Regular Meeting Minutes
June 8, 2026Economic Development
Subcommittee
Regular Meeting Minutes - Final
10. ACTION ITEMS
None.
11. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
11.1 Receive an Update and Report from Staff on Santa Rosa Special Event Processes
Recommended Action: Discussion.
Arts and Culture Manager Meredith Knudsen and Arts and Events Specialist McKenzie Nelson presented.
Staff responded to Committee Member inquiries.
Chair Okrepkie opened and closed public comment.
Committee Members provided comments and feedback.
Chair Okrepkie recessed the meeting at 10:44 am.
Chair Okrepkie reconvened the meeting at 10:49 am.
11.2 Receive an Update and Report from Staff on the Asawa Panel Project
Recommended Action: Discussion.
Staff Knudsen presented.
Staff responded to Committee Member inquiries.
Chair Okrepkie opened public comment.
Janice Karrman provided comments.
Chair Okrepkie closed public comment.
Committee Members provided comments and feedback.
City of Santa Rosa
Regular Meeting Minutes
June 8, 2026Economic Development
Subcommittee
Regular Meeting Minutes - Final
11.3 Receive a report from staff on the Roseland area and maintaining the unique cultural identities of Santa Rosa neighborhoods
Recommended Action: Discussion.
Chief Economic Development Officer Scott Adair, Director Osburn, and Small Business Ombudsman Rafael Rivero reported.
Staff responded to Committee Member inquiries.
Chair Okrepkie opened and closed public comment.
Committee Members provided comments and feedback.
12. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Okrepkie adjourned the meeting at 11:46 am.
Approved on:
August 10, 2026
/s/ Jack Reynolds,
Recording Secretary