City Hall, Council Chamber
100 Santa Rosa Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
City of Santa Rosa
City Council
Special Meeting Minutes - Draft
Wednesday, October 7, 2026 6:00 PM
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL /
SANTA ROSA CITY SCHOOLS BOARD
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Stapp called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.
Mayor Mark Stapp, Vice Mayor Jeff Okrepkie, Council Member Eddie Alvarez, Council Member Caroline Bañuelos, and Council Member Victoria Fleming
Present: 5 -
Council Member Dianna MacDonald, and Council Member Natalie Rogers
Absent: 2 -
Santa Rosa City Schools Board of Directors present: President Caston, Vice President Prak, Clerk of the Board Jenkins, Trustee De La Toree, Trustee Du Fosee, Trustee Kirby, and Trustee Medina.
Student Board Members Way and Alvarado were absent.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
President Caston led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. TERRITORIAL LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
President Caston led the Territorial Land Acknowledgment
4. REMOTE PARTICIPATION UNDER THE BROWN ACT (Gov. Code § 54953)
5. OPENING REMARKS - SANTA ROSA CITY SCHOOLS BOARD
President Caston provided opening remarks.
6. OPENING REMARKS - CITY COUNCIL
Mayor Stapp provided opening remarks.
Council Member Rogers joined the meeting at 6:10 p.m.
Mayor Mark Stapp, Vice Mayor Jeff Okrepkie, Council Member Eddie Alvarez, Council Member Caroline Bañuelos, Council Member Victoria Fleming, and Council Member Natalie Rogers
Present: 6 -
City of Santa Rosa
Special Meeting Minutes
City Council Special Meeting Minutes - Draft October 7, 2026
Absent: 1 - Council Member Dianna MacDonald
7. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Duane Dewitt spoke on authentic community engagement and programs for youth as alternatives to gang engagement.
Priscilla Cordero spoke on the finances of the district and the impact on disadvantages, english learner students.
Carlos Gonzales, Executive Director, and Johnnie Balmontes, Program Director, both with TRIO Pre-Collegiate Program at Sonoma State University, shared the mission of TRIO and the commitment to students in Sonoma County.
Janice Karrman spoke on the status of education in Santa Rosa and widening occupational opportunities for students.
Jen spoke on accessibility of public comments during Santa Rosa City Schools Board meetings and requested equal support for girls sports.
LATE CORRESPONDENCE
8. STAFF BRIEFINGS
8.1 UPDATE ON YOUTH SAFETY
This presentation will be co-facilitated by Santa Rosa City Schools and Santa Rosa Police Department leadership to highlight the on-going partnership and work around prioritizing youth safety in the City of Santa Rosa. This is an opportunity to highlight promising practices and trends, celebrate successful community partnerships and name ongoing challenges and opportunities for our work moving forward. No action will be taken except for possible direction to staff.
Dr. Monica Thomas, Superintendent - Santa Rosa City Schools, John Cregan, Santa Rosa Police Chief, and Stacy Desideri, Executive Director, Wellness and Engagement - Santa Rosa City Schools, presented and answered questions from City Council and Santa Rosa City Schools Board of Trustees.
City of Santa Rosa
Special Meeting Minutes
City Council Special Meeting Minutes - Draft October 7, 2026 This item was received and filed.
8.2 ROLE AND IMPACT OF EDUCATION IN SANTA ROSA’S ECONOMY Dr. Robert Eyler, Professor of Economics at Sonoma State University, will provide an update on the local economic impacts associated with K-12 education and local higher education institutions. Dr. Michael Spagna, President, Sonoma State University, and Dr. Angelica Garcia, President, Santa Rosa Junior College, will talk about partnerships with the Santa Rosa City School District and others to make strong connections for students from school to the workforce. No action will be taken except for possible direction to staff.
Dr. Robert Eyler, Professor of Economics at Sonoma State University, Dr. Angelica Garcia, President, Santa Rosa Junior College, and Dr. Michael Spagna, President, Sonoma State University presented and answered questions from Council and Santa Rosa City Schools Board of Trustees.
Jason Nutt, City Manager, and Dr. Thomas provided closing comments.
This item was received and filed.
9. ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING
Mayor Stapp and President Caston provided closing comments and adjourned the meeting at 8:29 p.m.
Approved on:
_______________________________
Dina Manis
City Clerk