Agenda Item #13.4
For Council Meeting of: July 28, 2026
CITY OF SANTA ROSA
CITY COUNCIL
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: DAN HENNESSEY, DIRECTOR, TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SUBJECT: SONOMA LAND TRUST DONATION FOR SOUTHEAST GREENWAY MASTER PLAN AGENDA ACTION: RESOLUTION
RECOMMENDATION
The Transportation and Public Works Department recommends that Council, by resolution, accept a donation from the Sonoma Land Trust for $750,000 to support the development of the Southeast Greenway Master Plan and authorize the Chief Financial Officer to increase appropriations by the amount of the donation. This item has no impact on current fiscal year budget.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Collaboration with the Sonoma Land Trust has yielded a restricted charitable donation of $750,000 to support development of the Southeast Greenway Master Plan. The donation will enhance the City's community engagement efforts, with an emphasis on equitable outreach, multilingual engagement, partnerships with community-based organizations, and other activities that broaden public participation beyond what would otherwise be achievable through the existing project budget. Acceptance of this donation will help ensure a robust and inclusive master planning process while supporting the timely completion of the Southeast Greenway Master Plan. This action has no impact on the current fiscal year budget.
GOAL
This item relates to Council Goal #2 - Invest in the Development and Maintenance of the City's Infrastructure, Goal #3 – Promote Citywide Economic Development, and Goal #4 - Foster a Safe, Healthy, and Inclusive Community by executing a local funding agreement between the Sonoma Land Trust, a trusted partner in the acquisition and development of the Southeast Greenway, and the City of Santa Rosa. The project will create new recreational, transportation, and economic development opportunities by transforming nearly 50 acres of dormant land into a key element of the City’s park system.
BACKGROUND/PRIOR COUNCIL REVIEW
On June 17, 2014, Council approved a Letter of Intent with Members of the Southeast Greenway Partnership.
On July 7, 2015, Council adopted Resolution No. 28666 approving the 2015 MOU between Caltrans and the Partnership.
On July 9, 2019, Council certified the Southeast Greenway Project Environmental Impact Report, adopted findings of fact, a mitigation monitoring and reporting program, and statement of overriding considerations pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act and adopted a General Plan Amendment and Rezoning for the Property.
On July 7, 2020, Council approved a first amendment to the 2015 MOU.
On July 25, 2023, Council declared the future Southeast Greenway property for a public purpose, approved a deed restriction for same, and established park land requirements for land retained by Caltrans in Resolution RES-2023-131.
On August 20, 2024, Council authorized the submission of a grant application to the Association of Bay Area Governments Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s Priority Conservation Area Grant Program for the Master Planning and design of the Southeast Greenway Project.
On May 13, 2025, Council authorized a Resolution of local support for the filing of an application for funding assigned to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission through the Priority Conservation Area Grant Program.
On June 16, 2026, Council authorized a Professional Services Agreement to provide Master Planning, Community Outreach and Landscape Architectural Design Services with CMG Landscape Architects of San Francisco, California for a total contract amount not to exceed $2,671,409. The funding section of the staff report noted that a donation from the Sonoma Land Trust would be necessary to fund the project at this level.
ANALYSIS
The Southeast Greenway represents one of the City's most significant park and active transportation projects, transforming approximately 49 acres of former highway right-of-way into a community park, open space, and multi-use pathway connecting neighborhoods to regional parks and trails. In June 2026, the Council approved a Professional Services Agreement to begin preparation of a comprehensive Master Plan that will establish the long-term vision for the Greenway through an extensive public planning process.
Sonoma Land Trust, which has served as a longstanding partner in the acquisition and advancement of the Southeast Greenway, has secured philanthropic funding to provide the City with a restricted donation of $750,000 to support the Master Planning process. The donation reflects the continued collaboration between the City, Sonoma Land Trust, and the Southeast Greenway Campaign to deliver a community-driven vision for the future park.
The donated funds are restricted for activities directly related to development of the Southeast Greenway Master Plan, with particular emphasis on strengthening community engagement and expanding opportunities for public participation. The funding is intended to support culturally responsive and multilingual outreach, partnerships with community-based organizations, youth engagement, neighborhood-based outreach, visual communication materials, and other innovative engagement strategies that promote participation from residents and communities historically underrepresented in civic planning processes.
The proposed Donation Agreement establishes the terms governing the use, administration, and reporting of the restricted funds while ensuring they are used exclusively to support the Master Planning process. Acceptance of this donation will supplement existing project funding, enhance the quality and inclusiveness of the planning effort, and support the timely completion of a Master Plan that reflects the priorities and values of the Santa Rosa community.
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this action does not have a fiscal impact on the General Fund. The $750,000 donation will be appropriated to JL Key 09786.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378, the recommended action is not a “project” subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it does not have the potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. In the alternative, the recommended action is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the recommended action may have a significant effect on the environment.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Not applicable.
NOTIFICATION
Not applicable.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution / Exhibit A - Restricted Donation for Southeast Greenway Master Plan
PRESENTER(S)
Dan Hennessey, Director, Transportation and Public Works Department
SONOMA LAND TRUST DONATION FOR SOUTHEAST GREENWAY MASTER PLAN PAGE 3 OF 3