City Council Regular Meeting - Preliminary Agenda
City Council Regular Meeting - Preliminary Agenda
Tue, November 10, 2026
Agenda items
Vote records
Discussion summary
Transcript
Agenda items (21)
Procedural (10)
1ProceduralCALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The council meeting officially begins with the mayor calling the meeting to order and recording which council members are present.
2ProceduralREMOTE PARTICIPATION UNDER THE BROWN ACT (Gov. Code § 54953) This time is reserved for any Council Member to announce remote participation under the "Just Cause" provision of Government Code Section 54953.8.
Council members may announce if they are participating remotely due to a qualifying hardship under state law.
3ProceduralANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ITEMS Following the announcement of Closed Session items and prior to recess into Closed Session, the public may speak on items to be addressed in Closed Session. At no time will the public comment time be set at more than three minutes per speaker or less than one minute per speaker. RECESS CLOSED SESSION(S) AND RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER AND VIA ZOOM.
The council announces items to be discussed in closed session (private meetings), allows public comment on those items, and then recesses into closed session before reconvening in open session.
4ProceduralVIA YOUTUBE AT HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/CITYOFSANTAROSA Public Comment may be made live during the meeting In-Person from Council Chamber, via Zoom webinar or dial-in, or submitted in advance via email at cc-comment@srcity.org by 5:00 p.m. the Monday before the City Council Meeting.
Residents can watch the meeting live on YouTube or participate in public comment during the meeting in person, via Zoom, or by submitting written comments by email before 5 p.m. on the Monday before the council meeting.
5ProceduralANNOUNCEMENT OF ROLL CALL (IF NEEDED)
If needed, the council clerk announces which council members are present after the meeting reconvenes from closed session.
12ProceduralAPPROVAL OF MINUTES 12.1 October 27, 2026, Regular Meeting Minutes.
The council approves the official minutes from the October 27, 2026 council meeting.
14ProceduralPUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA MATTERS This is the time when any person may address the Council on matters not listed on this agenda, but which are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Council. This public comment period will begin no earlier than 5:00 p.m. and will be limited to twelve speakers selected randomly by the City Clerk. At no time will the public comment time be set at more than three minutes per speaker or less than one minute per speaker. Speakers who do not have an opportunity to speak during this time will be allowed to make public comment under Agenda Item 18.
Residents can speak to the council for up to three minutes about any topic within the council's authority that is not on the agenda; twelve speakers will be randomly selected.
18ProceduralPUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA MATTERS This is the time when any person may address the Council on matters not listed on this agenda, but which are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Council and not able to speak under Agenda Item 14. At no time will the public comment time be set at more than three minutes per speaker or less than one minute per speaker.
Residents can sign up to speak to the city council about any topic within the council's authority that is not already on the agenda, with each speaker limited to 1-3 minutes.
19ProceduralANNOUNCEMENT OF CONTINUED CLOSED SESSION ITEMS, RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION IN THE MAYOR’S CONFERENCE ROOM, RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS [IF NEEDED]
The city council will move into a closed private session to discuss confidential matters, then return to open session to announce any decisions made.
20ProceduralADJOURNMENT OF MEETING
The city council meeting will be adjourned and concluded.
General Business
6General BusinessREPORT, IF ANY, CLOSED SESSIONS
The city attorney reports on any closed session discussions and actions taken during the private meetings held earlier.
7General BusinessPROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATIONS 7.1 PROCLAMATION - FAMILY COURT AWARENESS MONTH
The council will recognize Family Court Awareness Month with a proclamation.
8General BusinessSTAFF BRIEFINGS This time is reserved for City staff to provide a five-minute briefing to the Council on departmental issues of interest. Council will take no action on these matters except to possibly place a particular item on a future agenda for Council consideration. 8.1 COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT PLAN UPDATE This is a standing item on the agenda. Council will take no action except for possible direction to staff. This item has no impact on current fiscal year budget.
City staff provide brief five-minute updates on departmental issues to the council without requiring any council action; staff will provide an update on the Community Empowerment Plan.
9General BusinessCITY MANAGER’S/CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORTS
The city manager and city attorney have an opportunity to report on matters under their authority.
10General BusinessSTATEMENTS OF ABSTENTION/RECUSAL BY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Council members announce if they have a conflict of interest or other reason to recuse themselves from voting on specific agenda items.
11General BusinessMAYOR'S/COUNCIL MEMBERS’ REPORTS
The mayor and council members share updates or announcements of interest to the community.
13General BusinessCONSENT ITEMS 13.1 MOTION - APPROVAL OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR LEGAL SERVICES WITH JONES HALL LLP FOR EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF CERTIFICATES OF PARTICIPATION RECOMMENDATION: The Finance Department recommends that the City of Santa Rosa Regular Meeting Agenda and Summary Report
The council will approve a contract with the law firm Jones Hall LLP to provide legal services related to issuing certificates of participation.
15General BusinessREPORT ITEMS 15.1 REPORT - RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA PROCLAIMING A LOCAL EMERGENCY RELATED TO THE THREAT OF SEVERE WINTER STORMS, FLOODING, AND OTHER HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE 2026-2027 EL NINO EVENT BACKGROUND: The proposed proclamation is a proactive preparedness measure intended to support coordinated emergency planning, response readiness, and the protection of public health, safety and property. Adoption does not mean that a major storm is imminent. Rather, it establishes a framework for the City to respond effectively should conditions warrant.
The council will adopt a proclamation declaring a local emergency related to winter storms and flooding from the 2026-2027 El Niño event to allow the city to prepare and respond effectively if needed.
16General BusinessPUBLIC HEARINGS Public Hearing matters will begin no earlier than 5:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the matters are reached on the agenda. 16.1 PUBLIC HEARING - 2026 SONOMA COUNTY MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN AND CITY OF SANTA ROSA ANNEX BACKGROUND: The City of Santa Rosa participated with the County of Sonoma and other local jurisdictions and special districts in the preparation of the 2026 Sonoma County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP). The MJHMP identifies natural hazards affecting Sonoma County and participating jurisdictions, assesses risks and vulnerabilities, and establishes mitigation strategies intended to reduce long-term risks to people and property. Adoption of the updated MJHMP and City of Santa Rosa Annex is required to maintain the City’s eligibility for certain Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) hazard mitigation funding. Following adoption, staff will bring forward a separate amendment to the General Plan Safety Element to incorporate the updated hazard mitigation plan consistent with State law. RECOMMENDATION: The Fire and Planning and Economic Development Departments recommend that the Council, by resolution, adopt the 2026 Sonoma County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan and the City of Santa Rosa Annex contained within Volume II, including Supplemental Section 8.10.4 regarding High Hazard Potential Dam Grant eligibility. This item has no impact on current fiscal year budget.
The council will hold a public hearing and adopt the 2026 Sonoma County Hazard Mitigation Plan and Santa Rosa's portion of it, which identifies natural hazards and strategies to reduce risks; adoption is required to maintain the city's eligibility for federal emergency funding.
17General BusinessWRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS 17.1 QUARTERLY BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES
The city council will receive a written update on the quarterly activities and status of Santa Rosa's various boards, commissions, and committees.
21General BusinessUPCOMING MEETINGS This schedule is tentative and subject to change pending final publication and posting of the City Council Meeting Agenda. 21.1 UPCOMING MEETINGS LIST *Did not appear on the preliminary agenda. **Quasi-judicial or adjudicative action, ex-parte communication disclosure is required. The Open Government Ordinance was adopted by City Council in December 2020 (ORD-2020-018) and amended in July 2021 (ORD-2021-007). These ordinances added and amended Chapter 1-10 to the City Code to codify the City of Santa Rosa's commitment to embrace a culture of open government to ensure public trust, engage the community, and establish a system of transparency, public participation, and collaboration. To view a full versions of the Open Government Ordinances go to http://srcity.org/OpenGovOrdinance and http://srcity.org/OpenGovOrdinanceAmend. To request paper copies of the Open Government Ordinances contact the City Clerk's Office at 707-543-3015 (TTY Relay at 711) or cityclerk@srcity.org. The City of Santa Rosa does not discriminate against individuals (including member(s) of a legislative body) with disabilities in its employment, services, benefits, facilities, programs, or activities. Requests for accommodations, auxiliary aids, or services necessary to participate in a City program, service, or activity, including printed information in alternate formats, are available by contacting the City Clerk's Office at 707-543-3015 (TTY Relay at 711) or cityclerk@srcity.org. The e-mail subject line should read "ADA Accommodation Request" or "Language Assistance" and the e-mail should include your name, address, telephone number, and a description of the request. If the request is received at least seven (7) business days prior to the City Council meeting, the copy shall be provided no later than two (2) business days prior to the City Council meeting. Meeting information can also be accessed via the internet at http://srcity.org.
The city council will review and announce the schedule of upcoming council meetings, which may be subject to change.