City Hall, Council Chamber
100 Santa Rosa Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
City of Santa Rosa
City Council
Regular Meeting Minutes - Draft
Tuesday, September 29, 2026 2:30 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Stapp called the meeting to order at 2:35 p.m.
Mayor Mark Stapp, Vice Mayor Jeff Okrepkie, Council Member Eddie Alvarez, and Council Member Caroline Bañuelos
Present: 4 -
Council Member Victoria Fleming, Council Member Dianna
MacDonald, and Council Member Natalie Rogers
Absent: 3 -
2. REMOTE PARTICIPATION UNDER THE BROWN ACT (Gov. Code § 54953) See statement noted under Item 4.
3. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
3.1 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 Negotiators: Jill Scott, Real Property Negotiator Negotiating Parties: Airport Business Center; Freebird Development and, Juno Team (Juno Technology, Community Housing Opportunities Corp., Bayhill Ventures and Rogal Projects)
Under Negotiations: Price and terms of payment.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Emily Marinell, Juno Technology, spoke in support of Item 3.1.
Feliciano Vera, Vice President - Community Housing Opportunities Corp (CHOC), spoke in support of Item 3.1.
Mayor Stapp recessed to closed session at 2:40 p.m. to
discuss Item 3.1 as listed on the agenda.
This item was received and filed.
City of Santa Rosa
Regular Meeting Minutes
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Draft September 29, 2026 Mayor Stapp adjourned closed session at approximately 3:35 p.m. and reconvened the meeting to open session at 3:37 p.m.
4. STUDY SESSION
Council Member Fleming announced remote participation with both camera and audio on under Government Code 54953.8.3, applying the Just Cause Provision due to a contagious illness. No individual 18 or older was present at the remote location.
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 -
4.1 DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENTS UPDATE
The Transportation and Public Works and Planning and Economic Development Departments present this study session to provide the Council with an update to previously discussed Downtown improvement projects and programs. Council will take no action, but may discuss and provide direction to staff.
Dan Hennessey, Director - Transportation and Public Works, and Gabe Osburn, Director - Planning and Economic Development presented and answered questions from Council.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Duane De Witt spoke on the item.
This item was received and filed.
5. ANNOUNCEMENT OF ROLL CALL (IF NEEDED)
6. REPORT, IF ANY, ON STUDY AND CLOSED SESSIONS
Ashle Crocker, City Attorney reported there was no reportable action.
7. PROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATIONS
7.1 PROCLAMATION - CALIFORNIA WATER PROFESSIONALS
City of Santa Rosa
Regular Meeting Minutes
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Draft September 29, 2026
APPRECIATION WEEK
Council Member Bañuelos read and presented the proclamation to Jennifer Burke, Director - Santa Rosa Water.
Director Burke accepted the proclamation spoke on Santa Rosa Water staff responsibilities in serving the community.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Duane De Witt spoke in support of the work of Santa Rosa Water professionals.
8. STAFF BRIEFINGS - NONE.
9. CITY MANAGER’S/CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORTS
Jason Nutt, City Manager, reported on the Cal-Cities Annual Conference attended by staff and council members.
9.1 REPORT OF SETTLEMENTS AND ACTIVE LITIGATION
The City Attorney will report on all settlements authorized by Council in closed session that were finalized in August 2026, which includes but may not be limited to all settlements or judgments 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 Crocker reported there were no settlements or judgements for the month August. As of September 3, 2026, the active caseload is at 41 litigation matters with 7 trial dates assigned.
No public comments were made.
This item was received and filed.
10. STATEMENTS OF ABSTENTION/RECUSAL BY COUNCIL MEMBERS No statements of abstention or recusal were made.
11. MAYOR'S/COUNCIL MEMBERS’ REPORTS
Council Member Alvarez provided a report on upcoming events in Santa Rosa and recent events attended.
City of Santa Rosa
Regular Meeting Minutes
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Draft September 29, 2026 Council Member Alvarez requested a future agenda item to receive an update on the city's immigration policy. Interim City Manager Nutt addressed that staff will be coming to council at a future meeting with an update.
Council Member Fleming announced appointment of Melinda Rivera to the Board of Public Utilities.
Council Member Bañuelos announced appointment of Howard Oberlander to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board.
Mayor Stapp announced Council Member MacDonald appointment to the Public Safety Subcommittee to replace Mayor Stapp, and provided a brief report on events recently attended.
Council Member Fleming left the meeting at approximately 4:33 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Duane De Witt spoke on the item and Council Member Alvarez's report.
Unidentified, Homeless Action, announced a documentary film viewing on "Thy Neighbor" at Santa Rosa Junior College on Oct 17 at the student activity center.
Unidenitifed spoke in support of the report provided by Council Member Bañuelos.
Renee Salcedo, Sonoma County Sanctuary Coalition, spoke in support on an immigrant rights report and in support of an amendment to the ordinance that prohibits ICE use of city property to strengthen no collaboration with ICE through employee protocols and training, citywide signage regarding the ordinance, and non-collaboration compliance by city contractors.
City of Santa Rosa
Regular Meeting Minutes
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Draft September 29, 2026 Linda Evans, Sanctuary Coalition, spoke in support of an amendment to the ordinance that prohibits ICE use of city property and increased community engagement.
Mark Buchow spoke on the report out from Mayor Stapp on the Flock Community meeting held on September 17, 2026 and
provided feedback on the meeting.
Unidentified spoke in support of an amendment to the ordinance that prohibits ICE use of city property to strengthen no collaboration with ICE through employee protocols and training, citywide signage regarding the ordinance, and non-collaboration compliance by city contractors.
Mary Ann Michaels, Sonoma County Sanctuary Coalition for Immigrant defense, spoke in support of a stronger ordinance on non-cooperation with ICE and include employee protocols and training, citywide signage regarding the ordinance, and non-collaboration compliance by city contractors.
Unidentified member of Sanctuary Coalition, spoke in support of an amendment to the ordinance that prohibits ICE use of city property to strengthen no collaboration with ICE through employee protocols and training, citywide signage regarding the ordinance, and non-collaboration compliance by city contractors.
Gail Simons spoke in support of non-collaboration with ICE and providing a safe community and place that members can ask for help.
Griselda Valencia spoke in support of an amendment to the ordinance that prohibits ICE use of city property to strengthen language to include no collaboration with ICE.
Unidentified spoke in support of an amendment to the ordinance that prohibits ICE use of city property to strengthen language to include City of Santa Rosa
Regular Meeting Minutes
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Draft September 29, 2026 no collaboration with ICE.
Nicholas Valdez, Sanctuary Coalition, spoke in support of amending the ordinance for no collaboration with ICE.
Eileen Bill spoke in support of amending the ordinance for no collaboration with ICE.
Isabelle Lopez, Sanctuary Coalition, spoke in support of amending the resolution for non-collaboration with ICE.
Michael Titone spoke in support of amending the ordinance for no collaboration with ICE.
Unidentified spoke in support of the non-collaboration revision in particular concerned for those families with special needs.
Gloria Rosenberg spoke in support of amending the ordinance for no collaboration with ICE.
Stacy spoke in support of amending the ordinance for no collaboration with ICE.
Chad Bolla spoke in support of amending the ordinance for no collaboration with ICE.
Maria Hernandez spoke in support of non-collaboration with ice.
Tarr Kanana spoke in support of a stronger ordinance on non-cooperation with ICE.
Lilith, Sonoma County Sanctuary Coalition, spoke in support of a stronger ordinance on non-cooperation with ICE.
Teresa spoke in support of a stronger ordinance on
non-cooperation with ICE.
City of Santa Rosa
Regular Meeting Minutes
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Draft September 29, 2026 Silvia Garcia, North Bay Organizing Project, spoke in support of a stronger ordinance on non-cooperation with ICE.
Unidentified spoke in support of a stronger ordinance on non-cooperation with ICE.
Angelica spoke in support of a stronger ordinance on
non-cooperation with ICE.
Lucia spoke in support of a stronger ordinance on non-cooperation with ICE.
Unidentified spoke in support of a stronger ordinance on non-cooperation with ICE.
Dunia Khallouf submitted a speaker card but was not present during public comment. Speaker card indicated support of a sanctuary ordinance on immigration.
Larry Leonard was not present during public comment. Speaker card indicated support of a stronger ordinance on non-cooperation with ICE.
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)
City of Santa Rosa
Regular Meeting Minutes
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Draft September 29, 2026
11.1.7 Zero Waste Sonoma (formerly known as Sonoma County Waste Management Agency (SCWMA))
11.1.8 Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA)
11.1.9 Sonoma County Homeless Coalition
Council Member Bañuelos provided a brief report.
11.1.10 Renewal Enterprise District (RED)
11.1.11 Public Safety Subcommittee
11.1.12 Other
Mayor Stapp recessed the meeting at 5:32 p.m., reconvened at 5:39 p.m. and moved to Item 16.1.
16. PUBLIC HEARINGS
Mayor Mark Stapp, Vice Mayor Jeff Okrepkie, Council Member Eddie Alvarez, and Council Member Caroline Bañuelos
Present: 4 -
Council Member Victoria Fleming, Council Member Dianna
MacDonald, and Council Member Natalie Rogers
Absent: 3 -
16.1 PUBLIC HEARING - TEFRA PUBLIC HEARING AND REISSUANCE OF
TAX-EXEMPT REVENUE BONDS BY THE CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL
FINANCE AUTHORITY IN AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
NOT TO EXCEED $20 MILLION FOR VIGIL LIGHT SENIOR
APARTMENTS - 1945 LONG DRIVE
BACKGROUND: PH Development Group (formerly known as PEP Housing) (“Sponsor”), on behalf of Vigil Light Senior Apartments, L.P., a California limited partnership (“Borrower”) has requested that the California Municipal Finance Authority (“CMFA”), a joint powers authority and public entity of the State of California of which the City is a member, to be the issuer of tax-exempt revenue bonds for Vigil Light Senior Apartments, 49 existing rental units, located at 1945 Long Drive (“Project”). Sponsor is requesting an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $20 million to finance and refinance the acquisition, rehabilitation, development, and equipping of the Project; and has requested that the City Council conduct a public hearing in accordance with the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act (“TEFRA”), Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and California Government Code Section 6500.
City of Santa Rosa
Regular Meeting Minutes
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Draft September 29, 2026 A public hearing is required to provide an opportunity for individuals to express their views, orally or in writing, on the proposed plan of financing providing for the issuance of bonds and the location and nature of the proposed project to be financed. All financial obligations of the bond issuance are the responsibility of the Borrower.
RECOMMENDATION: The Housing and Community Services
Department recommends that the Council: 1) conduct a public hearing pursuant to Section 147(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 regarding the proposed issuance of tax-exempt revenue bonds by the California Municipal Finance Authority; and 2) adopt a resolution approving the issuance of the bonds by the California Municipal Finance Authority in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $20 million to finance and refinance the acquisition, rehabilitation, development, and equipping of Vigil Light Senior Apartments, located at 1945 Long Drive. The bonds will be payable solely from revenues and assets provided by the Borrower and will not constitute an indebtedness or obligation of the City. This item has no impact on the current fiscal year budget or the General Fund.
Angela Morgan, Program Specialist II, presented.
Mayor Stapp opened the public hearing at 5:47 p.m. and
seeing no one wishing to provide public comment closed the public hearing at 5:47 p.m.
A motion was made by Council Member Alvarez, seconded by Council Member Bañuelos, to adopt the resolution as presented by staff.
RESOLUTION NO. RES-2026-110 ENTITLED: RESOLUTION OF THE
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA APPROVING THE REISSUANCE
OF TAX-EXEMPT REVENUE BONDS BY THE CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL
FINANCE AUTHORITY IN AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $20 MILLION FOR VIGIL LIGHT SENIOR APARTMENTS - 1945 LONG DRIVE.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Mark Stapp, Vice Mayor Jeff Okrepkie, Council Member Eddie Alvarez, and Council Member Caroline Bañuelos
4 -
Absent: Council Member Victoria Fleming, Council Member Dianna MacDonald, and Council Member Natalie Rogers
3 -
City of Santa Rosa
Regular Meeting Minutes
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Draft September 29, 2026
12. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
12.1 September 15, 2026, Regular Meeting Minutes.
No public comments were made.
Approved as submitted.
13. CONSENT ITEMS
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Duane De Witt spoke on Item 13.2.
Approval of the Consent Agenda
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Okrepkie, seconded by Council Member Alvarez, to adopt Consent Items 13.1 through 13.3 as submitted by staff.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Mark Stapp, Vice Mayor Jeff Okrepkie, Council Member Eddie Alvarez, and Council Member Caroline Bañuelos
4 -
Absent: Council Member Victoria Fleming, Council Member Dianna MacDonald, and Council Member Natalie Rogers
3 -
13.1 MOTION - PARKING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA AND 425 HUMBOLDT, LLC FOR THE USE OF PARKING
GARAGE 3
RECOMMENDATION: The Planning and Economic Development
Department recommends that the Council, by motion: 1) approve a Parking Agreement with 425 Humboldt, LLC, of Los Altos, California, allowing the purchase of up to 176 non-reserved residential parking permits in Garage 3, located at 735 Fifth Street, in connection with the approved 425 Humboldt Street Apartment Project, located at 625, 631, and 635 Fifth Street and 431 Humboldt Street; and 2) authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the Agreement, subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney.
This Consent - Motion was approved.
13.2 RESOLUTION - EXTENSION OF PROCLAMATION OF LOCAL
HOMELESS EMERGENCY
RECOMMENDATION: The Housing and Community Services
City of Santa Rosa
Regular Meeting Minutes
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Draft September 29, 2026 Department recommends that the Council, by resolution, determine that the need for the local homeless emergency continues and extend the proclamation of local homeless emergency originally made by Resolution No. 28839. This item has no impact on the current fiscal year budget or the General Fund.
This Consent - Resolution was adopted.
RESOLUTION NO. RES-2026-111 ENTITLED: RESOLUTION OF THE
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA EXTENDING THE
PROCLAMATION OF LOCAL HOMELESS EMERGENCY PURSUANT TO
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE SECTIONS 8630 THROUGH 8634
13.3 RESOLUTION - CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION & SALARY
PLAN AND SCHEDULE
RECOMMENDATION: The Human Resources Department
recommends that the Council, by resolution: 1) receive the Classification and Compensation Study Report; 2) approve the proposed new classifications, salary ranges, reclassifications, and related position-allocation and budget-document changes; and 3) adopt the updated Salary Plan and Schedule. The adopted FY 2026-27 budget contains sufficient appropriations to implement the recommended changes, and no additional appropriation is required.
This Consent - Resolution was adopted.
RESOLUTION NO. RES-2026-112 ENTITLED: RESOLUTION OF THE
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA APPROVING CLASSIFICATION
AND COMPENSATION CHANGES AND ADOPTING THE UPDATED SALARY
PLAN AND SCHEDULE
14. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA MATTERS
LATE CORRESPONDENCE
15. REPORT ITEMS - NONE.
17. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
17.1 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
· AB 1761 - Support Letter - Electricity: Calculation Methodology; City of Santa Rosa
Regular Meeting Minutes
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Draft September 29, 2026 Nonbypassable Charges; Data Disclosure. Provided for information. · SB 692 - Support Letter - Vehicles: Homelessness. Provided for information.
· AB 2047 - Support Letter - Firearms: Three-Dimensional Printing Blocking Technology. Provided for information.
· Wildfire Liability Proposal - Coalition Letter. Provided for information.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Will Abrams spoke on the Coalition Letter Regarding the Wildfire and spoke requesting support on AB 2700 and the wildfire survivor restitution.
This item was received and filed.
18. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA MATTERS
Duane De Witt spoke and invited Council to Make a Difference Day.
Abigail Zoger, North Bay Transit Riders, spoke in support of the National Week without Driving.
Ken Davis spoke on an upcoming appeal coming before Council on October 13, 2026.
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 6:04 p.m. The next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at time set by the Mayor.
21. UPCOMING MEETINGS
21.1 UPCOMING MEETINGS LIST
This item was received and filed.
City of Santa Rosa
Regular Meeting Minutes
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Draft September 29, 2026 Approved on:
_______________________________
Dina Manis
City Clerk