City Council

Good afternoon. I'd like to ask the interpreter currently on the Spanish Channel to commence translation of the meeting for those just joining the meeting, live translation in Spanish and available and members of the public. Our staff wishing to listen in Spanish. Can join the Spanish channel by clicking on the interpretation icon in the Zoom Tool bar, it looks like a glow. Once you join the Spanish Channel, we recommend you shut up the main audio. So you only hear the Spanish translation interpreter. We please restate this in Spanish. >> many of That there could, you know when think that that that's going to be you I know that need yet. Member commission on. Want go campus and a for When I sealing the win a second member, I know that single people and you can they that feel but it's become clear over back to you. Not sure we're not going be in for the community find an mind but it's going to get the feeling and opinion. >> welcome everyone to our 2/13/2024, City council meeting. It is now 02:00pm. It will starting our meetings the corner. Mountain City Clerk me please call the roll. Thank you, Mayor. Councilmember Rogers Councilmember Okrepkie Councilmember MacDonald Councilmember Fleming. >> Councilmember Alvarez present Vice mayor staff here, Rogers, PRESIDENT, let the

record show that all council members are present with the exception of Councilmember Fleming. Thank you. We will now proceed to 3.1 3.2, 3.1 is conference with legal counsel. >> About existing. Litigation and 3 point to this conference with labor negotiators. City clerk, me please. Take public comment. Thank you. We are now taking public comment on item 3 close session items. If you're in the chamber would like to comment but have not provided a speaker card or your name. >> Please make your way to the podium. You will have 2 minutes in a countdown. Timer will alert at the end of that period. If you provided a written public comment. By 5, the 05:00pm deadline as noted on the agenda. Your public comment was uploaded to the agenda packet circulated to council and made available to the public this morning. The lie public comment is not a secondary opportunity to provide public comment on the same agenda or non agenda matters. The first public comment will be from. D followed by Dwayne then James. Please go ahead. >> Where the transportation and land use coalition. I want to commend your Jason, moving this far with the Jennings crossing effort. I can remember in 2015 sitting in this room when that net started. And it's unfortunate that it's taken this long to get going. Hope. We've reached an agreement with the and

smart. For a reasonable construction cost. A smart has 100 crossings. You can take their budget for that 100 and divided by 100. And you have what the city ought to contribute in order to have that crossing going. Glad to see this moving forward. Thank you. >> Thank you. The next public comment will be from Dwayne followed by James and Thomas. >> Hello, we read. Yes, we are. Hello. My name is Dwayne to from Rosen. But I frequently spent time over in the Jennings Avenue neighborhoods. I'm very supportive of you, folks pushing forward to get the Jennings rail pedestrian crossing at grade level. This is most important for many years now, folks in that neighborhood have been cut off from their access over to cutting town easily. And this is something that you folks can get a positive outcome by just continuing to apply pressure upon the snow Marin area, rail transit, folks. This is the type of thing that helps the community and the community is definitely been burdened by smarts delay in all of this. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. The next comment will be from James followed by Thomas. >> I have lived a short walk from the Jennings crossing since 1978. I have been a party in support of the cpc help occasion for the crossing since it was first filed. The city has had to file for the extension of time to build the approved Crossen. Although

there is no opposition. Cpu judge has ruled that the must file a status report on March first and any agreement with smart to construct the crossing. If agreement is a hearing will be set for the city to justifying the extension. Otherwise the approval will expire and that could be a very long time if ever before it is approved to get The crossing is important by itself, but it is also a key component of the Jennings Bicycle Boulevard, which will eventually connect to the planned protest or the bicycle Overcrossing 1, The impending development of the very large property that thrived in Guerneville will with up to 800 new units will create additional traffic the Jennings cross-legged Bicycle Boulevard and the 1, 1, overcrossing will provide an accurate transportation alternative which will help alleviate traffic congestion greenhouse The city Council has always acted in the public interest to keep the crossing If Smart had the honor its commitment to build across that would have been opening years ago. But Smart did not. City council urged to on of the actions of earlier city councils as well as the public interest directing staff to take all necessary steps to obtain the extension and reopen the judge in this cross. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. The next comment will be from comments and then we will move to the zoom public comments. Please go ahead, Thomas.

>> Thank you very Jim. Thank you. That well spoken Transportation Land use Code. Lucian has been at the forefront of each of the 2 items that we're talking about that or bicycle pedestrian crossings today. I believe you have. Then had words overcrossing of the one-on-one also on your agenda. And we have this crossing into Jennings. Those are vitally important. They're both integral to pulling traffic. We from this tree in traffic in particular and bicycle traffic off of do road or or college Avenue. And the reason is that that those things actually interfere with Right? Turn movements and other movements that you have in those intersections. Cleveland and so on. So pulling them off. Of those main arteries allows for them greater safety and also allows for free movement on the roads. They're both together. That's across. Community artery. Me talk about the cross community arteries like Herndon Avenue. There are very, very, very few of them in the South. This is one in the northern part of the city that absolutely needs to be done and it goes right to the junior college. So really great graphic that shows where that's going to go and there's a maintenance agreement. I think you're going green with the college and so on. And Caltrans the point is these together. They're both fine. If you if you make overhead crossing, what happens is you have to go 400 feet in one direction and 400 feet in the other direction. The whole I mean, it's it's like going you have to go up and then you have to go back to where you're going

to cross. The point is you could almost be Guerneville at that point. And everyone's going to be a Greenville. You proved. Thank you. >> Thank you, Ahead of taking public comments from zoom, I'd like to ask councilmember for me to make her announcement about participation. Councilmember Thank you, Mayor. >> be attending this meeting remotely under ab 2, 2, to 4 night. And just caught the of a b, 2, 4, 4, 9, due to convey just all hard to But I do. And video turnover of the meeting in this room. I and I accompanied by anybody. >> Thank you. Councilmember Fleming. Mayor, I'm seeing no one via zoom raised their hands for public comment. Thank you. We will recess into closed session. All right. I want to thank everyone for their patients. I'm sorry. It took us a little longer than we expected in closed session. But we now have a corn City clerk me please call the roll. Thank you, Mayor. Councilmember Rogers here, Councilmember Okrepkie here, Councilmember MacDonald here, Councilmember Fleming. >> Council PRESIDENT. Vice mayor. Stop here. Mayor Rogers PRESIDENT, let the record show that all council members are PRESIDENT With the exception of Councilmember Fleming. >> Thank you. We will now go to item for which is our study session today. And I will pass it over to assistant city

manager. Thank you, MADAM Mayor. >> Item 4.1 is the year one update our homelessness solutions strategic plan. And Kelly cake and all our housing Community Services manager will begin the presentation. >> Good afternoon. Thank you. Mayor Rogers, Vice mayor staff vice mayor staff and members of the council on Kelly k can do with Housing Committee services and they have director Megan vast injure with me as well. And I will be covering first year of our 5 year. Homelessness solutions. A strategic plan. Next slide. Please. This slide provides an overview of the presentation provide some background on the strategic plan the year one implementation plan for 2023, including a report out. I'll provide the preliminary results of a community survey and then our year to implementation plan for the current year 2024. Next slide. Please. As you're aware, Council approved the strategic plan in NOVEMBER of 2022. For the 5 year period. 2023 to 2020 to 7. The strategic plan includes 3 key areas and action items and all be touching on those in more detail. The next couple slides. The purpose of the strategic plan is to improve the city's response to homelessness in alignment with our regional system of care. That's the Sonoma County Homeless Coalition, which is our local continuum of care and the goal of the strategic plan is to achieve functional 0 homelessness by 2027. When they say functional 0. I mean that a person's experience

with homelessness is rare, brief and nonrecurring next slide. Please. The focus of the year when implementation plan was to operation allies. The key strategies and actions outlined in the strategic plan. The plan, implementation plan is broken down into 3 different areas there, a tier one and tier 2 priorities. The implementation plan also identified regional initiatives tier 2 priorities were intended to focus on the key strategies and actions outlined in the strategic plan. Tier 2 priorities were intended to bolster or a compliment supplement to one priorities. Implementation plan was updated on a monthly basis throughout 2023. And made available on the city's website. Next slide. Please. Moving on to the strategy. Strategy one, how the focus of this one is to probe improve the city's response to homelessness in the context regional system of care. 2023 key accomplishments include awarding 2.3 million dollars in home. American Rescue Plan Act funds to 2 agencies. Those agencies are Catholic Charities in committee on the Shelter List. This is a lifts not just by the homeless services depart a division, but our department as a whole. So housing income, you services and the funds will allow for supportive services with a focus on homelessness prevention. The city was awarded 232,000 dollars in continuing care funding for Sam Jones. Home improvements. But specifically for the annex facility to provide interior walls improve client privacy when within the annex facility. We also provided a year one report out to city Council on Safe Parking or see parking program that was in JUNE and were involved in a

number of regional initiatives, including developing homelessness prevention pilot with the county of Sonoma and the city up look Petaluma and a Bay area agency called All home, which has helped a number of communities throughout the Bay area to develop similar homelessness prevention pilots been appointed to the continued cares, coordinated entry committee and that ties into the next point where we've established in are Santa Rosa by names. List specific for our sub region. The purpose of the by names list is to prioritize Those most vulnerable for permanent supportive housing. And we do that in coordination with our coordinated entry system. Next slide. Please. Strategy to this strategy focuses on improving our or the city's response to unsheltered homelessness. One of the things we've done over the past year each the council member should have this flyer. We've created a resource flyer. This is available to our city in Camden team and any city staff that are working the fields. We've also made this available throughout the organization and our front counters. It's a resource fire for anybody experiencing homelessness. Other key accomplishments outlining the slide. The city received grant from the state of California encampment resolution fun for enhanced in Camden response. In southeast and southwest areas of the city. This is a 3 year grant and provides funding for safe parking and expanded outreach and case management services and rapid rehousing. We established a proactive city encampment teen, the intent or the goal

of this team is to individuals living in encampments early and often to prevent or mitigate the health and safety impacts associated with encampments. And as you're aware, we adopted a new camping ordinance in AUGUST that went into effect in SEPTEMBER. Next slide. Please. Strategy 3. The strategy focuses on collaborating with regional Park partners, our regional partners, key accomplishments include completing the year one implementation plan for 2023, which I'm covering with you this afternoon. Increasing awareness and promoting access to essential health behavior, health and substance use services for Santa Rosa residents. We've initiated a partnership with the County Department of Health Services in 2023 and will be continuing that during this this current year 2024. Improving client engagement engagement and feedback. Processees. We've included a provision in our scope of services. We're contractors are required to report out on how they're seeking client engagement and incorporating that feedback received from clients in their programs and improving their process to ease. Providing report on investment and homeless affordable and supportive Be covering that in the next couple sites and then based on data from our most recent homeless count, that would be 2023. We know that our bipoc community members are over represented in our homeless population compared to the the general population. And so we have participated in continued can work. Shops focused on addressing racial and ethnic disparities and will continue to take advantage of those training opportunities in upcoming year. Next slide, please. So in the next couple slides, I

will touch on the progress been addressing homelessness in Santa Santa Rosa and also throughout the county. At the strategic investments that have been made by Santa Rosa in our county partners. And increased coordination, collaboration really across the region has contributed to the decrease in homelessness and also want to highlight the significant effort made on behalf of our homeless service providers to serve our homeless So this slide services between our 2022 homeless count in 2023 homeless Count Santa Rosa had a 30% decrease in homelessness. So any given night in Santa Rosa, there are approximately 1160 individuals experiencing homelessness. 465 or 40% are. Living in unsheltered locations. 695. Approximately 60% are living in our shelters. The city invest approximately 5 million dollars annually home services. Plus, one-time funds in a range of services including street outreach, emergency shelter, safe parking Housing assistance, homelessness, prevention and supportive services and not in the slide. But another service that the city support daytime services. Next slide. Please. This covers a strategic strategic investments made in housing by Santa Rosa. I want to note that again, this is not just the homeless services division. This is our Housing Community Services Department. I'm working very closely with the Santa Rosa Housing Authority. In the last 2 years, the city has invested. 25.5 million dollars in a

variety of funding sources to complete construction of 336 units of affordable housing. Of those 138 are permanent, supportive housing or homeless, dedicated. We currently have 5500 units under construction with more than 35 million dollars in funds for a variety of sort resources. Skews me. Also through our housing authority. We have 131 emergency housing vouchers, 111 of those have been Lee steps that 85% 9 are pending, Lisa and we have 11 individuals who have received vouchers that are currently looking for housing. Next slide. Please. Moving on strategic investments made at a regional or county level. So county wide between 2022 2023 homeless counts. There was a 22% decrease in homelessness. That's the biggest increase since 2015. On any given night in Sonoma County, 2,226 individuals are experiencing homelessness. 1291 or 57% are living in unsheltered locations. 975 or 43% are in or shelters. So the decrease that we're seeing county I touched on this in the previous slide is due in large part to increase the coordination across the county through our continuum of care and our cities. Also the addition of approximately 400 new beds in our system of care. So county wide, this is

due in large part to the homekey program and an infusion of resources into our county. And this includes all bed interim housing, emergency shelter, rapid rehousing in permanent supportive housing. For Santa Rosa. This for the state on key program. This included 24.6 million dollars in funding for 2 projects. A car, toss villages, 40 units of interim housing at the family shelter and Saint Vincent DePaul Commons, which is 51 units of permanent supportive housing that is currently the sting Next slide. Please. Moving on to the year. 2 implementation plan for 2024, we will provide be providing monthly updates and making is available on the city's website. Our key focus areas for this year include implementing the incoming resolution fund in the home are funds that I mentioned a couple slides back in. Those are one-time funds that the city has received developing a stakeholder engagement plan with our communications intergovernmental relations office to row. Our department has worked closely with 0 to provide regular the city connections. Letter on all the efforts that are department is carrying out related to homelessness and housing and will be using feedback from a recent community survey which will touch on in the next slide. 2 developed this plan. Implementing a regional homelessness prevention pilot, which I covered earlier in the presentation and continuing our proactive City in Camden team. Next slide. Please. Community survey. This was released last Housing and homeless. This survey and this

was done as part of our consolidated plan for funding from the U.S. Department of Housing Urban Development and to inform a stakeholder engagement plan is part of our homelessness are treating streets solution. Strategic plan. Want to note for the second bullet point for the consolidated plan that staff will be bringing not planned back to council in APRIL. Those to commute survey was open from JANUARY 4th to FEBRUARY 16th. And so the results are still coming in. And I'll be covering preliminary vote results in the next slide. Please. So 90% of survey shared homelessness is a community priority. So 90% extremely him. We're very important. 49% reported an increase in homelessness to their home or place of work. 35% reported no change in the level. Homelessness and 16% reported a decrease. 74% of survey respondents respondents expressed interest in learning more about what the city is doing to address homelessness. So we'll be working with 0 on next steps to implement the feedback that received the community survey next slide. Please. With It is recommended by the housing commute Services Department. The council received a year one report 2023. On the implementation of the homelessness strategic plan. 2023 through 2027. This concludes my presentation. I'd be happy to answer any questions you MAY have. Thank you. Thank you for the presentation, but also thank you for all the hard work that you do within our We see a decrease because you're doing a lot of the hard work. So you and your team. >> All right. So thank you

very much for that. And looking to council to see if there any questions. Council member MacDonald. >> Thank you, Mayor. I just want to say thank you so much and and echo what has said about the work that you do our unsheltered community. I have a question in the strategic plan and maybe I just didn't hear talk about it. But what are we doing to target our use that are experiencing homelessness right now? I know there's a couple different facilities around the city of Santa. Santa Rosa, but do we have any plans for supporting those efforts or do we have some place that we're able to house them? Good afternoon. I'm Megan passenger, director of housing and Community services in regards to recent communications regarding as a wise future. We've been in communication with Weimer monitoring the situation. There's also been coordination with the county and the county's housing authority has a direct allocation. A housing choice vouchers for foster youth. And so they're making sure that those resources are directed to that population. And then additionally, the housing authority does have loans that are recorded against a couple of as a wise properties. So we're monitoring it closely. >> All right, seeing no additional questions from council. We will now handed over to MADAME City clerk to facilitate public comment. Thank you, mayor. We're now taking public comments on item 4.1. If you're in the chamber would like to comment but have not yet provided a speaker card or your name. Please make your way to the podium. You will have 2 minutes and a countdown timer will alert at

the end of that period. Again, this is for item 4.1. The first public comment will be from Dwayne followed by Michael. Then Kenny. Okay, coming right up. >> Hello, my name is Dwayne Do with grows. This is a copy of a newspaper from 6 years ago after the fire, the junior college was pointing out that they can see rate in Santa Rosa at that time was 1.5% making it very difficult for people to get places to live. Below. This is a article from the San Francisco Chronicle a little bit later, few months later, pointing out that the people who have been affected by the Tubbs Fire. We're joining the homeless ranks and we were having such a problem at that time. So I want to thank the staff and thank the council for the efforts they're making trying to deal with this intractable problem that's been around for many decades, actually probably will last even longer. What I'd like to ask you today is to specifically help us over in Roseland or our neighborhoods are significantly impacted by the fact that people are having to try and camp somewhere, especially at the Oakland, would oak woodland that we have, which we know is the Roseland neighbor would campers have been moving in there? They've been cutting the trees down and they've been starting fires with the fences that were once there. They rip them apart and build

fires back in there. So the city works with the federal government on something called Hood Vash vouchers. That's the Veterans Administration supportive housing for homeless veterans. And I was told there are 40 vouchers not in use because the difficulty between the city and the county and the federal government on coming to terms on how to get those vouchers to those veterans. Some of those people who MAY be camping out in the neighbor would might be veterans. I sure hope that you'll make an effort to utilize every one of those had bash fall. >> So no veteran is homeless. Thank >> Thank you. The next public comment will be from. Michael followed by Kennedy. >> My name is Michael last name. Over. I like to start off by saying I'd like to see get a new police chief, someone new. We'll show an interest getting and one of the drug problem that's going on around here. Because if we you know, look to the drug issue. That will significantly impact homeless issue. Happens to be a written by one your home citizens named that were camp. And, you know, he says in this that he's been moving on Saint Rose Avenue and using methamphetamine on regular basis. And this been going on for years and years. And you know why? Why do we just ignore this? He even told you he buys it from. It says in the book that he came out New Jersey. And he got hooked up with some guidance on

methamphetamine. And, you know, that's essentially the main reason decided to stay. You know, it's not right. You know, if you if you go to the non forest or you might see young man wrapped in a bedspread with the jitters. You know, that's because he's got drugs in system. And they're you know, along the creek there by farmers wanting, you know, the news, quite a few of them. Their last time I went to that Safeway store. And you you even had a meth amphetamine user found running around with a few months cold dangling court. You know that that's embarrassing. And the police, you know, they want credit because they figure out where the disco came from. You know, it was abandoned house with methamphetamine users hanging And they essentially ignored for a long time. Until it came to light. You know, the of call on the cord. >> Thank you. The next speaker will be Kenny. >> This year's war budget is over 800 billion dollars. Big, big chunk of that will go to Israel to further its aggression against the people of the Middle East. Not a fan for ca South and continuing their atrocities against the United You know that Israel bombed the United States. Maybe we find their bombing of the night. There. >> Can we keep your comment on the topic which is homeless? Yes, you're looking for my name. Look to Washington. Look to the defense budget. >> Look to the billions we sent to Israel to attack babies in Palestine. Generally

on the 5 times, PRESIDENT States. Eisenhower said we can need to have but are. Polls. You can't have both. Well, I bring it up to date. If I MAY. >> We can either homes are built homes. MADAM Mayor, I can do both. MADAM Mayor, if I MAY. >> Excuse you you need to keep your comments confined to this particular agenda item. There is another agenda item later this evening where you can discuss any item within the subject matter jurisdiction of the council. This is not that item >> addressing funding for homeless funding for homeless. I'd like my time return. Please. Finding you looking for finding you look in here and they and die when there's billions being spent on unnecessary was Iraq war is going to cost 1 trillion dollars. California >> Thank you. We're going to move on to public comments via zoom on item 4.1. If you wish to make a public comment via zoom on 4.1. Please raise your hand. One moment. Ok? I see no hands being raised via zoom. We do have one more member of the public in the room who they can make public comment. Please go ahead. Comments. >> Thank you. Yes, my name is Thomas. Something I noticed in the planned. It does not referred to the 2015 That requires the prioritization of long-term homeless. So I didn't see that prioritization from the 2015 >> Thank you. Seeing no one else approaching the podium on

item 4.1 mayor and no hands being raised via zoom turn it back to you. Thank you. Bring it back to council to see if there are any additional comments. Seeing none. I will turn it Thank you very much for the presentation and I'll turn it back over to the assistant city manager. >> Thank you, MADAM Mayor. Item 4.2. Options for increasing future Council compensation. And I will turn it over to our city attorney for the second. >> MADAM Thank you, MADAM. Mayor Councilmembers to resist Recurs City attorney this study is a discussion of the options. Current options increasing council compensation. Again, this is a study sessions. So that would be no action taken. Direction MAY be given to staff. So next slide, please. Currently council members receive a salary of $1480 per month, which is the equivalent of $17,760 per year. And the mayor receives. $2,220 per month or $26,640 per year. The last increase council compensation occurred in DECEMBER of 2022. Council members are also entitled to health Vision, dental life insurance, long-term disability, retirement, and certain other benefits that employees receive. These benefits have a current value of approximately $19,700. 2 $37,700, depending on the options councilmember, where

does Next slide. So the current process for increasing councilmember salaries is as follows. The city charter currently ties the amount of councilmember compensation to state law. But it does require that the mayor receive one and a half times the salary of council members. State while permits city councils to increase their salaries by ordinance up to certain amounts based on city population. With limited adjustments for inflation. Next slide. So I'm going to provide a little bit of here 2022, the Charter Review Committee made a number of recommendations to the council. One of those recommendations was that a ballot measure be submitted to the voters in NOVEMBER of 2022? To amend the Charters Council compensation provisions based on a number of factors. The committee felt that the workload of the city Council. Was substantial there council members had difficulties, balancing private employment, childcare, responsibilities, and responsibilities on council. And the committee looked at compensation and other Northern California cities. Next slide. Please. Based on those concerns, the Charter Review Committee concluded that increased compensation of counsel at that time. We do a number of things for the city. First, it would enable a greater diversity of council including individuals in a variety of socioeconomic. Classifications and would include potentially younger council members who are not retired. And those with

families. It would also ensure continued strong commitment and professionalism of the council. And it would reflect fairness and respect for the extensive important work that the council performs. Next slide. So ballot measure that the committee recommended to council was that the chartered the change to tie the mayor's salary to the county area. Median income for a household 3% household, which at that time was. $101,500 annually currently that the county area area median income would 1115 $1300 annually. The recommended measure would also said Councilmember salary at two-thirds of the mayor's salary, which would maintain that same proportion that the current counts, the charter provision provides that amount would be 67,600 and $67 annually. I'm currently that it would amount to $76,867 annually. And then finally, the committee recommended that the council consider reducing salary for unexcused absences if there was a situation where there was a citywide salary reduction or in other circumstances, that council MAY determine would be appropriate. Next slide. Please. So following receipt of that recommendation, there was a lot of robust conversation at the council over multiple meetings and in AUGUST of 2022 council determined that it would consider a ballot measure the ballot measure that was recommended by the committee. But for the NOVEMBER 2024 ballot rather than the NOVEMBER 2022, ballot. And

then in DECEMBER of 2022 council instead adopted ordinance up under a state law, increasing council salaries to their current levels. There had been prior to that. There had been no crease in council salaries for 17 years. So back to 2005. Next slide. So there's been a change in state laws since 2022. Since that time s p 3.29, increased the state law limits on City Council member salaries and that bill took effect in JANUARY of this year. Based on the new law and the city's current population sb 3.29. Allows the council to increase by ordinance under your current charter provisions. Councilmember salary up to $2,550 per month, which would be a salary of $30,600 per year. And then under your current charter requirement, the mayor's compensation would be one and a half times. The councilmember salary, which would mean up to $3,825 per month. An annual salary of $45,900 per year. Next slide. The value of the non salary benefits that are available to council members is not included in the limit set by s p 3.29. Nor was it included in the a state law provision prior the bill the state law. And then under the new bill future salary increases be on the limits that were set by population. Initially MAY be increased at a future time to the greater of what I've 2 different formulas. The first is a flat 5% per year rate from the last salary

adjustment. Or the increase in inflation since JANUARY 2024. Capped at 10% per year. Next slide. So should council decide proceed with looking out a salary increase. There are 2 options. So truly, you have 3 options here today by virtue of providing some direction to staff. So the first option would you be to consider moving forward with a ballot measure could be put on the ballot for NOVEMBER 2024. One option would be the Charter Review committee recommendation that was made in 2022. And just a reminder that would be the mayor would receive 100% of the county. Am I for a household of 3 and that would amount to approximately $9,608 per month or 115,000, $300 per year council members would receive two-thirds of that amount which would equate to $6,406 per month or 76,800 and $67 per year. Next slide. Please. Another option under ballot option would be to think other options. And some of the other options and formulas. But the Charter Review Committee considered but ultimately rejected were. Setting councilmember salary at a certain percentage of board of supervisors salaries here in Sonoma County. I'm considering a different percentage of the county am I rather than the 100% for the mayor and then 2 thirds of that for council

members. The ballad that the Ballot Review Committee also looked either an option for setting council member salaries had either the average or the lowest city employee's salary. The review committee. Also look to perhaps average among comparable cities in the bay in the Northern California, in the Bay Area. Next slide. So here's a second option would be to adopt an ordinance under the new bill has be 3.29. To increase council compensation. Under that Bill. You could buy ordinance increase compensation for council members again up to $2,550 per month. With annualized salary at $30,600. The mayor could be then increase to would be one the mayor's salary would be one and a half Times council members. So up to $3,825 per month or 45,900 per year. Under state law. The is is You adopt an ordinance at any time. But this salary increase would only take effect when I knew councilmember begins to term. What that would likely be if you adopted an in this calendar year. You would be looking at a salary increase that could take effect no earlier than at your counsel changeover, which is usually in DECEMBER, sometimes in JANUARY, depending on how quickly we got the election results from the registrar of voters. If you don't do it this year, you wouldn't be

able to do it again. Intel 2 years from that. And so you would be looking at the end 2024 or potentially the end of 2026. As the next 2 opportunities. And again, the timing, you have a lot of flexibility with that ordinance. If you decided to bring it forward this spring, the ordinance would take effect if you passed it through 2 readings, but the salary increase doesn't take effect until the new council is warning. Next slide. Please. And then, of course, there is a 3rd option. The 3rd option is to take no action regarding salaries at this time. And so with that, happy to answer any questions you might have. Thank you for that presentation city attorney looking to council members to see if there any questions. >> All right, in seeing none. We'll go ahead. And as our MADAM City, for to police facilitate public comment. Thank you, mayor. We're now taking public comments on item 4.2, if you're in the chamber would like to comment but have not yet provided a speaker card or your name. Please make your way to the podium again. You'll have 2 minutes and a countdown timer will alert at the end of that period. The first public comment will be from Dwayne followed by Michael. >> In de wit on from Rose Please take no action. This is the wrong time to be asking for raises. Recently it was admitted that will be having a structural deficit for many years and we've got problems financially. You MAY have forgotten. But in the past we had a citizens television station that was given up because it would cost $300,000

to keep it. We also had a senior center on Petaluma Hill Road and the Old South Park School and that was given up because it would take $300,000 to take care of it. Now it's been demolished. That part of our history is gone. One of the dilemmas that we face is a lot of people in Santa Rosa don't want. Permanent professional political class. Actually like the idea of having citizen representatives that citizens like us. Once you become professional politicians, that's a different game for a lot of people, especially here in Santa Rosa, where many people aren't making even $40,000 a year. There's a lot of discussion that needs to be had about this. You voted yourself in a raise last time without any action by the public. So you've got that going, I think, because of the state laws that was mentioned by the staff member, you'll be getting some increases in wages over time as it is. So please advocate that you at least have some forums with the public where were allowed to talk with you at length. Not just these short 2 minutes Pitts and which we don't have a dialogue. We need to have some discussions with the taxpayers about what they're willing to finance and what we're hoping our government will do for us with the money that we put into the system.

So thank you for your time is limited as it >> Nowak please. >> Thank you. The next public comment will be from Michael. And if you would like to make a public comment via zoom now is the time for you to raise your hand on item. 4.2. Please. Go ahead. Michael, thank you. >> Thank you. Michael were we're going to be hit with another half percent sales tax increase for some spots that fire service. So we're paying through the nose. >> My preferred option would option 3. Take no action. When you're in public office, you need to be eyes open. You need you know, did demonstrate awareness of the issues. What's going on around you? I'm not seeing that here. As a for instance, you know, if driving around, I see the the panhandling at the freeway. Actually, it's a guy's you it upside down and the middle the street, you know, collect in cash when the people left turn lane and quite often, you know, they're under the influence. And you can see it in their mannerisms that they have a drug problem. And, you know, there should be an ordinance banning that type of panhandling, you know. And and been. Seen recently, just, you know, sitting in front of the targets, storms a Saint Rose Avenue near the doorway. And they're always out there and the acts of the parking lot. You know, there you should be thinking you know, is this the type of city? Do you want to be representing or, you know, you some way to address that with ordinance banning that sort of panhandling in. You know, get serious about the drug problem and city and county. >> Thank you. The next public

comment I see no additional submitted and we have someone on the West Lectern. I will go ahead and enable year. Mike, please go ahead. >> Yes, my name is Live in Santa Rosa. This MAY seem like a very picky point. But at the beginning, you talked about the median income. Residents of Santa Rosa. This is a deceptive measure. Should always be average. If we use median. Many, many more people could be falling into poverty within our city. And it would never be reflected. In the numbers given. It's actually a way to hide the conditions that are happening. So. Our top. Income earners. Keep increased. They keep getting more and more money, which is what is happening and everybody else is stagnating. The median income will go up. Make it look like everybody is just doing hunky Dory when in fact they aren't. So it's a simple request. Eliminate. Median income, median much of everything housing prices, all that eliminated. And switched average. Thank you. >> Thank you, Thomas. Please go ahead. >> do forgive I said I gave you piece of paper. This is. And the implication, if you will, of my comments. Previous meeting. And when I point out here is a paradigm shift. Engineering, create a paradigm shift creativity, create a

paradigm shift. And I think that's what we need in a not. So support. And just one person. But I mean, I would support a change in salaries. If you commit to paradigm shift. I think that's really what people are talking about. Is if you commit to a paradigm shift a change of your own behavior change of influence. The last line that I have on here. The national represent what you do for her now than in all your strategies by general. I hope vision of an enhanced world using the paradigm I hope to see that vision and vision Greek word any the question was, is is your diminishing world or of an enhanced world. And if you commit to the paradigm shift of an enhanced world. MAY not be the way everyone season. But in hand seeing the world was in and how we live Nepal, hands grows national Happiness Index. Gross National Happiness Index and they run their whole country on the basis gross national happiness and not on the Gross National product. >> Thank you. It see no one else approaching the podium for item 4.2 and no hands being raised to Busan mayoral. Turn it back to you. All right. Thank you. Bring it back to council to see if there is any discussion and we'll start with Councilmember Okrepkie. >> Thank you, Matt. MADAM Mayor, I'm just for context. It was a concern about public input and I know this wouldn't apply to the s p 3.29. Portion of it. But since I know you are Adam City attorney, but you best utility. Can you discuss the charter review

committee, their process and how the recommendation came to be just so the public aware that it that it wasn't just a 2 minute snippet in this meeting. >> Yes, I can. I will tell you what I know. And then I invite the city manager to fill in any any gaps that significant gaps that I missed. As you know, I joined in NOVEMBER of 2023 and so as I understand it, the Charter Review Committee did its work in 2022, there were multiple that the Charter Review Committee held. Those were public meetings bound meetings. There were, I believe, at least 3. I MAY have the number wrong. There could have been more than that. And they were a number of items that were at the Charter Review Committee. This was one of the items it was discussed over again, at least 3 meetings and the question at that point was, should there be a change in your U.S.? A charter city have the ability 2 decide how the the council the formula under which council members would be paid the charter is a is sort of the constitution of the city. It goes to the voters. It has to be approved by the voters. So any regret commended change that is made. Should the council decide to put something on the ballot? It would have to be approved by the voters. So this was really the review committee during a deep dive as it does

every 10 years to really look at what are some recommended changes to the charter that then come to a council for discussion. So on this item, there were, again, at least 3. It then came to the council. There was a study session that occurred with a link the and robust with the public and with counsel. It then came back again at 2, maybe 3 meetings and that that history is actually in the staff report Simon ago. Take a look to make sure that I'm counting correctly MAY 24th 2022. Was a study session. JUNE 21st 2022. 8 was item was considered by the came back on JULY. 12th 2022. In front of council came back again JULY. 26 2022. And then came back again on AUGUST, 9th 20 to 22. And then DECEMBER on DECEMBER 6th and then again on DECEMBER 13th, there was a discussion of adopting an ordinance, not the ballot measure at that point. Under your current charter provisions which ties the ability for salaries to be increased to state law all and under that the state law at that time, the decided to go ahead and an ordinance to give an increase. That was a 5% per year. There had not been an increase in 17 years. At that point. And so your current salaries are the result of

that But there was robust public participation and discussion. I'm about the ballot measure. What we have here and the discussion here was was really just bringing back to all of you. The question of a ballot measure as recommended by the Charter Review Committee. >> And through the city attorney and the mayor of that City Charter Review committee met 13 times NOVEMBER of 2021. Through MAY of 2022, thank you. Thank you for that significant correction. My apologies. >> MADAM City manager, would you like to add anything? >> Thank you. MADAM Mayor city attorney, number everything. Thank you. >> Thank you. And now we'll go to Vice Mayor step. >> Thank you, MADAM Mayor, they and thanks to our city attorney for very, very clear presentation that was helpful. I just wanted to weigh in actually. Second, some of the public comment that was made. Thank you to those who took your time at the podium as the as the folks who made comment indicated as we discussed at length that city goal setting last the city has a number of other priorities right now, including keeping ourselves on firm financial footing and also invest in our city priorities, including taking care, our our and other city infrastructure projects. So with respect to this item, it's also it's my preference that we take no no motion at this time. >> Seeing no one else that would like to provide comment. I would say it's my preference also that we take no action at this time and that we do not move forward with the ballot

measure. I see you nodding heads, but I don't see anyone that would like speak. So with that MADAM City attorney, do you feel like you have received? Yes, thank you very All right. We will now go to. Item 6, which is our report I believe the assistant city manager will be giving the report. And MADAM City Attorney. >> Thank you, MADAM I don't have any items to report out at this I don't know. MADAME City manager. She wanted to chime in. >> I do have reports. Thank you. With city manager Benson. >> So I'm pleased to share view that the League of American bicyclists. >> a certified the city of Santa Rosa, which we feel real at Neville Bicycle Friendly Community Award. This particular recognize Santa Rosa for the commitment to creating transportation recreate no resources that benefit benefits. Resident of all and abilities while encouraging healthier and more sustainable. Thank you, >> Another item I had was to recognize city bus operator respect Crews and says that a passenger during a medical emergency during incident. You notice that a passenger would have been a little bit of trouble by exiting the bus. Note is that the passenger had collapsed. I'm Chris being a paramedic and his former career rest to the passenger unstable passing through reading and with able all the paramedic, call 9-1-1 get individual defense. So this on behalf of the city of Santa Rosa, I think we would like to express our gratitude to the city bus operator inspections in. You know, it's the site of a tentative, accident, and matter now, you know, for our bus operator, you know, just

so that they're into the community there. And, you they're they're riders. And and, you know, we don't know what would have happened. Had crews not really been in games and in pain it sink in for And I reinert and we just want to give a that special recognition today. And thank you for that. No, end of my comments. Thank you. We are going to go ahead and it looks like we started on item 9. >> So we'll continue on item 9 in the mall. Go back up to item 6, 0, MADAM City attorney. Thank you. MADAM Mayor. This item is a report out of settlements in active litigation. This is an item that appears on. >> The calendar once a month we have historically tried to put this on at the first meeting of the month. A mandate. That's where it is this particular month the look-back of this report is supposed to be a snapshot in time at the end of the prior month. So that would be the end of JANUARY 2024. If there are months where getting this item pushed out in the packet, leaves us very little time in our office to get things updated in the way that we would like to. So moving forward. We're going to move this item so that it will appear on your calendar at this second meeting of the month. So my office has the ability to get this updated and out to you. So you will have have this report in the future at the second meeting of the month. So that will be starting next month. So please look for this. Your second meeting. So the attach that to the staff report has the report. I am happy to report that we do have a settlement

to report settlement over. $50,000. One was finalized in JANUARY. That is the Baxter versus City of Santa Rosa Matter. This was a in which plaintiff injuries resulting from tripping and falling allegedly due to an uneven There was a global with a total of $175,000 being contributed both of the defendants in the case and resulted mediation that occurred in the middle of JANUARY. The city of Santa Road is city of Santa Rosa. Share is half of that amount or $87,500 for a full release of all claims. So that case dismissals are pending. The document has been signed and the settlement is now finalized. I'm beyond that continue to have a approximately the same number of pending matters that are case in our office, which is sort of in the 28 to 30 range many of those cases have trial dates and we continue to make efforts to resolve cases of fruit as little cost to the city that we can. And so that is the end of my report this month. And I will see you back at the end of next month for the next report. Thank you, MADAM City Clerk, MAY we please public comment on that item? >> Thank you, mayor. We're now taking public comment on item 9.1. If you're in the chamber would like to provide public comment but have not provided a speaker card or your name. Please make your way to the podium. You will have 2 minutes and a countdown timer

will alert at the end of that period. You can also raise your hand via zoom for item. 9.1. Hands being raised in. I know pushing the podium. Thank you. We will now go back up to item I'm sorry for the confusion. >> city attorney. Did you want to report out on closed session? >> Yes, I will first report out on closed You had to closed session items item 3.1 in 3.2, there is no reportable action from either closed session. You just finished holding a study session on 2 items. 4.1 homelessness solutions, strategic plan for 2023 to 2027. I'm your one report 2023 options for increasing future Council compensation. And that is the end of my report. >> Thank you very much. MADAM City Clerk me police facilitate public comment on that item. Thank you. We are now taking public comment on item 6. If you are in chamber would like to comment but have not yet provided a speaker card on this item. Please make your way to the podium. You can also raise your hand. Zoom. You have 2 minutes and a countdown timer will alert at the end of that period. Sino and approaching the podiums on item 6 in new hands. Zoom, thank you. We will now continue with item 7, 7.1, which is our proclamation for National Black History Month. And I have the honor of reading that proclamation. >> Whereas beginning in 1976, every PRESIDENT Has declared the month of FEBRUARY as Black

History Month. The theme for 2024 is African Americans in the arts. African American art is infused with the global African diaspora lived experiences in the field of visual and performing arts literature, fashion folklore, language, film music architecture, culinary and other forms of cultural expression, the African American influence has been paramount, enriching America and indeed the lives of every. American. And whereas blues musicians such as Riley became created and nurtured a style music that became the bedrock of gospel soul and other still popular evolving forms of music. Black contributions to literature includes works by authors such as Octavia Butler and Toni Morrison. And whereas in 1973, hip-hop was started by black musicians in the box and continues to be a pivotal force in political social and cultural spaces and continues to be use has mediums for issues such as racial violence, sexism, economic disinvestment and other issues at the forefront. And whereas black artists have use art to preserve history in community memory as well as empowerment, local artists such as Victor Temple from New World La Santa Rosa and Tina Rogers from catcher be continue to ensure the history and tradition a black art. And in our

community. Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Natalie Rogers of the city, mayor of the city of Santa Rosa on behalf of the entire city Council, do hereby recognize FEBRUARY 2024. As National Black History Month, African Americans in the art. I would like to both Tina and Victor to the podiums to say something. If you wish to do that in Tina, Well, you go up there. I would like you to tell us about the posters that are displaced. >> Hello, everyone. My name is Tina Rogers. I'm very, very grateful for MADAME Mayor and the city Council Snow Santa Rosa to acknowledge and honor Black History month. National Black History Month. It is very, very important. That we celebrate all of us and then the foundation of America. As you see these posters that are hanging. This is the second year that our from kindergarten tk all the way up through high school bees from kindergartens about my thing, 7th grader, 8th grade. Posters are for our celebration. The Sonoma County Martin Luther King junior birthday celebration this year was the 44th year that we've been doing it here in Sonoma County. It's this that's west of the Mississippi. These students of them have been working of cinema library system has been partnering the last 2 years providing workshops that are librarian of lead teachers, different community members have encouraged their students to participate. These are just

the winners. The event was held at Montgomery High School this year on Sunday, JANUARY 14 to provide healing for students and staff and faculty and community of Montgomery. These 7 posters that you see here will be in in the council chambers throughout Black History Month in the greatest part about this year's leap years. So we have an actual day so be released the 29 and that there's some females there. We might want to throughout Women's history month as well. That's, you know, but I'm just getting I think the kids are going to want those back >> I and the product. Sonoma County, a native I am one of the hip-hop kids. The break dancers, the rapper's. We all grew up here. I had the opportunity to go to uc Davis and what I found out is that he's missing, not missing. My passion for the arts here in America. All the music of men has been created by black people were talking about gospel blues, jazz, rock and roll country House music techno high energy rat does go everything. I say. So, you know, with there are so many ways that we can explore, but is very, very important that we have. Arts ethnic studies throughout our schools to help how we all can get along as human beings. Anyone that has the science here. >> We must say read Congo. We must say threes and we have a savory, everybody that is being harmed around the world and not only that, >> I can give us County Black Union students at all the schools in our campuses for ransom. But Montgomery Maria Carrillo Santa Rosa Middle school, >> Middle Comstock. You know,

we are trying to do the best we can for all of our students. Not just certain populations were trying to help all of our students and we're using the arts and we're in the schools and bigger sample. As you please come over here, Victor can tell you about his work that is doing. This is our calling. This is our passion. Most of the time we try to do this for funding. But we have to do it for free by doggone it. That's where we're going to save our >> Thank >> you very much. My name is Greetings and Blessings, everybody. My name is Victor Temple and the artistic director of New World Ballet, artistic director for about 18 years. The company started in 1994. Up in Humboldt County. At the time I had just returned from China and started dancing the Cirque du Soleil and Oakland Ballet. I was asked to take over the company up in Humboldt County. I did that for 8 and a half years and someone here in the city of Santa Rosa. So my work invited my organization to relocate. And the time that I've been artistic director, your kids. I've been teaching. I've taken a lot of kids off the streets. Take for example, one child that was and f student. And turn them around. He became a national honor society student. Now he's an a put Put it paid his way or through a scholarship you know, danced for scholarship. Butler University, a very prestigious dance school in America. So I can boast 100% placement rating for all of my students. And the time that I've been artistic director,

I've done that. I've changed a lot of lives. I thank you very much for recognition. I would like just take it a step further and ask you for support for the arts, especially for this organization. We're doing so much for your community and we would love to have a building some kind of home instead you know, dancing wherever we can. We can do much better For instance, the the dance theater of Harlem would like to a collaboration with my company and have a dance theater of Harlem West here in Santa Rosa. Well, we'll provide a education, high-level dance education for this children here and sent Santa Rosa all along with the dance theater of Harlem. Alvin Ailey Company has also agreed to do that with us. So the only thing that I'm asking for, is a space to do it. Please help us again. My name is Victor from the new World Ballet. Thank you very much for your time. >> 30 seconds. When pain. >> You can any of your students or children of a catch program on fantasy on the 7th one and at the rose alive or 10:00am. This Thursday and then some the valley's my last one this month. Believe on 18. And also you can catch me and also my kids to be performance program at the p# # # # # # last this Thursday 5, 30 and at 6.30. So look out. We have a lot of stuff going and power to the people power. City of Santa Rosa, Sonoma County. Thank

you. >> MADAM City. MADAM City clerk, are we able to take public comment on this item and following a public comment? We would like to invite both teen and Victor down and take a picture. >> The council, thank you. Thank you. We are now taking public comment on item 7.1. If you're in the chamber would like to make a comment but have not yet provided a speaker card or your name. Please make your way to a podium. You have 2 minutes in a countdown. Timer will alert at the end of that period. If you'd like to make a comment via zoom now is the time to raise your hand for item. 7.1. The first public comment will be from Dwayne. >> when from Rosen and thank you, Ms Rogers and MISTER Temple for coming here. Thank you for the city for honoring Black History Month it's a really good to hear that we were the first west of the Mississippi to do it here in Sonoma County. I encourage all of to join the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. The naacp chapter years, number county, the unit's been existence since 1958, when Platt Williams was one of the founders, we had segregation in Santa Rosa. It was founded because they want to overcome that segregation. So I hope all of you will take the chance to educate yourself about Santa Rosa in Sonoma County and join the local naacp chapter. It's called the unit. Thank you You know what you folks can go to Santa Rosa

High School where they have our own television studio where they had dance programs there. It's called Art. Start going over there and get started nothing but a good time. >> Thank you, Mary. See no one else approaching the podium Council chamber. I do have one hand being raised to be a zoom. So turn it over to a deputy city clerk to facilitate public comment via zoom. >> Thank you for step will be Allen. Allan, I'm asking you please go ahead when you're ready. >> Yes, thank you. My name is Allen was I just wanted thank the speaker or calling for freedom for everyone in Pella and every other country in the world where there people. I think it's our as owner of to do Thank you. >> Thank you. We have no other. Speakers on zoom here. But mayor, we'll go to the final speaker in the room. Please go ahead. >> Hello, everyone. I'm my name is MISS Brumfield. I work very closely Tina Rogers and I'm educator in the crp usd District. This is our second year having a black student union on campus I'm from Santa Rosa tended center's the Middle Sanders. A high school has since you and I must say that it is very nice to see other people of color in the room in this type of setting as a young person Mayor Rogers, thank you so much for acknowledging the work that is happening here in the city. And we know that there's a lot more work to do not only across. The country. And across the world, but here in

our back yards in our homes and this is my first time that a city hall meeting and there is a lot happening within our schools in the classrooms, racial slurs that is affecting our students, their academics, as well as their self-confidence. And I would really like a greater conversation to happen within our educational system. Not only in the month of FEBRUARY, in legislation and whatever we can get so that our students feel empowered and safe campuses. As we many things happening. Not only in Santa Rosa, but especially Oakland. I'm just now hearing of the walkouts and this is our generation's. This is our next generation of leaders and city council members so if we can continue that conversation and partner, it would be greatly appreciate. And thank you all so much. >> Thank you. Seeing no one else approach the podium for public comment on this item. I would like advise members of the community as they are participated in today's meeting. Please keep the doorways clear. So we clear in gress egress from the meeting them. Thank you. MISTER Rogers and MISTER Temple of you would like to come down in whoever came with you so we can take a picture. >> All right. Moving on to item 8, which our staff briefings for this evening and we have a 0. One community empowerment plan update. Thank

you, MADAM Mayor. >> Item 8.1 is a community empowerment Plan which will be presented by one Peterson who is our? Chief of communications and intergovernmental relations. >> Thank you. And good evening, Mayor Vice Mayor City Council as mention Long Petersen director, communications and government relations. We'll be providing the community empowerment plan. Update first step to Santa Rosa Police Department. They're developing a strategic plan and that they're seeking community input on that as well as on MARCH 06:06pm. They will be at 35 Stony Point Road in Santa Rosa and the chief will be hosting a community meeting to get input on public safety priorities. Additionally, the chief or 10, the community advisory be board meeting on FEBRUARY. 28 to solicit additional feedback. And then engage them for participation at the MARCH 6 meeting for more info visit Santa Rosa pd Dot org to get involved. Next up, the violence Prevention partnership continues to focus on community education, JANUARY 31st. They hosted a successful game education and wellness. Fair. Santa Rosa High School, a major Rogers Councilmember Alvarez City manager Smith, as well as the chief attended that session there's 2 additional gang education presentations scheduled for FEBRUARY. 21st 06:00pm Emirate's economy, which will include overview of the pp programming and information on gang activity in the Moreland area. Next is

MARCH 28th. Rows rows and university prep. This presentation will be specifically in Spanish with translation for Lovell if needed. They're also be a resource fair conducted in Spanish and English. The spring Summer Block blast Guide which comes just came out. It's being delivered to households today and tomorrow to approximately 11,000 residents within the city's priority neighborhoods this is put out by the city's neighborhood services with the recreation Department and they provide after school sports recreation programs for underserved youth and families. And you can find this guide src Dot Org, Slash neighborhood services. And that concludes my report this evening. Thank you very much for that report. And looking to council to see if there any questions regarding the seeing none. MADAM City Clerk please facilitate public comment. >> Thank you. We're now taking public comment on item. If you're in the chamber would like to provide a comment but have not provided a speaker card or your name. Please make your way to the podium. Now. >> If you're participating via zoom, please raise your hand. You have 2 minutes in a countdown. Timer will alert at the end of that period. The first public comment will be from Kennedy. Please go ahead. >> First, I want to apologize for my earlier comments. I got my agenda is confused. That happens sometimes. Empowering the community. Sounds like a great idea. >> What about allowing community? >> Members to put items on the agenda. You know, as though this were a democracy, you could pretend this is a

democracy. You MAY want to set some limit on that like maybe you need 50 signatures to put an item on the agenda for the city council. Not all of us have direct access to eu leaders of the city. Second and last item is to facilitate community involvement, particularly here tonight at nice. If public comments will move back to the beginning of the agenda is to go. Public comments was on the agenda. We first. I made us feel welcome and important. Now a push down on the agenda and who knows when the heck there will be a public comment. You have the authority to remove your gender on what you just did. You just did it moving 9 forward. How about opening public comment now? Right here right now after this item. 8.1, would you please open public comment? Thank you for your consideration. >> Thank you. The next public comment will be from playing. >> Hello, my name is doing to it on from Roseland. Those were very pertinent comments that were just made about public empowerment. Most folks here don't know that these meetings used to start with public comments 4 o'clock. And there was 3 minutes given even earlier than that, it was 5 minutes but then cut it down. Right here. Right now. This place is full of people who want to have empowerment. I don't know most of them, but I got to tell you, they probably came down here because they want their voice to count. You know, what goes on in our city. So for whatever issues

they're here for empowerment would be to let them talk with you and find a way to get their issue on to the agenda in the future. As was just mentioned by MISTER Community. I've come here many years now trying to get more public involvement because we feel that the council is detached from the areas that they represent, even though we now have district elections. The people that are on the community advisory board, they never come out to my neighborhood and talked to anybody that we know. All of the stuff that's going on basically happens that what you call a publicly noticed meeting. But most folks don't get the chance to be here to come to these meetings when you have them. So start to empower the community by what MISTER Peterson said having these evening meetings like will happen at Roseland University Prep later in the month of MARCH. Those are good things to do. And I hope that all these people who've come here today will continue to try to participate in our participatory democracy because if you just turn your back on it, it won't get answered. But if you keep pushing for whatever your issue is, it MAY get answered in your lifetime, at least so keep trying. Never say die. >> Thank you, Mayor. Mc no one approached the podium for public comment on a 0.1 see no additional hands or is being used him. Thank you. Will now move on to item 10, which statements of abstention by council members council Cupcake. >> Thank you, MADAM Mayor. I will abstaining from a portion

of 15 point to the state legislative Pat platform that has to do with fire recovery tax measures as well as the portion of has to do interaction with the insurance commissioner. That is the regulatory body of my profession as an insurance agent. Thank you. >> Any other abstentions from council members? All right, seeing none hold that thought. All right. Thank you very much for that pause. We are going to except Councilmember Okrepkie. Zeke abstention for item. >> 10 then we will go down to. Item 14, which is public comment on non agenda matters and all handed over to MADAM City >> Thank you, mayor. We are now taking public comments on item 14 non agenda matters that this is a time when any person on the agenda. >> Marshall and Paul, we have a child on the other side of the gate up here in the council chamber. >> Would you be able given assist? Mayor, which take a brief recess until we got the runner under control. Very cute. So we got him. Thank you. Okay. Back to it. We're now taking public comments on item 14 non agenda matters. This is a time when any person that MAY address the council on matters not listed on the agenda, but which are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the council. If you're in the council chamber would like to make a comment but have not provided

a speaker card or your name. Please provide your name. Now to the administrator, the top of the well. You have 2 minutes in a countdown. Timer will alert at the end of that period. We will take 12 speakers under item 14 if we have more than 12 public comments on item 14, the remaining speakers will be afforded the opportunity to speak on item 18 non agenda matters. As you approach the podium, please state your name for public record. If you choose to do so. Additionally, if you provided written public comment by the 05:00pm deadline as noted on today's agenda, your public comment was uploaded to the agenda packet circulated to city Council and made available to the public this morning. My public comment is not a second opportunity to provide public comment on the same agenda. If you previously provided written public comment. Has names are called, please line up at the opera. Podium as the speaker called the head of you in order to maintain space in an orderly meeting. And I would like to remind everyone that we are unable to get in a back and forth with you. But we do hear you. >> Thank you. The first speaker will be Dwayne followed by Thomas. Rosalynn. >> Yesterday was the anniversary of Lincoln's birthday. What a great day. What a great man. He gave a speech called the Gettysburg Address. You know, you couldn't give that speech in our time limits here. Now used to be able to do it. Used to have school kids come down here and get the Gettysburg Address to us. So we all remember what the country is about government for the people by the people. So you've cut the limits down.

You making it so that there's less time for the people to be able to participate. And yet you want to get raises and you want to say, oh, you were were doing more work. It really feels like you're actually excluding more and you're making it so that the people can participate as well as they'd like to. You have all these people here tonight. And you could perhaps tell him to go to the community advisory board and at the community advisory board, they could get their Each district member here the council could bring stuff forward so that these people get a chance to feel like they are a part of our governmental system right now. And I'm sure this on the minds of many people here. Why can't their issue come forward and be considered by you on the agenda in the future. MISTER Continually pointed out that there should be an opportunity for the community to ask have items on the agenda. I'd like to ask that we return to 3 minutes for public appearances on any of the items and to have public comment at the beginning of the meeting so that these people don't have to wait hours and hours to finally get there. Only 2 minutes of time. Thank you. Kindly. >> Thank you. The next public comment will be from Thomas followed by Jason. Please go ahead. >> Thank you for the opportunity to speak. My name is Thomas. I provided some comments today that you have. Which I sent e-mail. They the amplification of my comment

from last meeting. So this is not. To really comment. For this meeting. But you haven't for this meeting. Just want to make sure that the e-mail was forwarded to you. That a chance to read it. My comments are in the context of of gas and the people here recognizing that there are these 2 worlds that we're living in. We we have this. And entitled World. Israel seems to be entitled to go into and go anywhere. They want to do and kill anybody. They want And we have an world Gazans. We have the same thing. Inroads. They're not in time. They're not even entitled to cross the freeway. So limited is there access. We talk about making new access there, continuing that access from Jennings and over 10 billion in Edwards and to go over that's in the north. And we need to continue that improvement. In the south and you have the finance Finance minister. You have the finance minister here the other day. He was talking about your budget and your expenditures and somebody really left out a lot of information about where capital improvements come from. The come from the developers, builders, you encourage the village, the builders developers to come here. >> But they have to stuff. They have to park streets and things and your maintenance budget that comes from your taxes. And the thing that's not happening is that they're team to don't really see them

all law. >> Thank you. The next public comment will be from excuse me. Jason, followed by and and then Daniel. Jason, go ahead. >> I think you my name is Jason Sweeney. I am a resident of Santa Rosa. A in the 5th District. I'm here to make public comment on the need for a ceasefire resolution. The city of Santa Rosa asking the federal government to heed the national call for an end to the current round of violence in Gaza and the West I want to commend you on the artwork and the beautiful honoring Black history month and now we need to take action to back it up. It's our choices and our actions that define us. I actually had ok quote, someone read our lives, begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. That's Martin Luther King junior. This city unfortunately is already divided. If we cannot agree on the principle that innocent civilians and babies should not be targeted in armed conflicts. That is the divide. Should innocent babies deserve a chance at life or are they condemned to death because of fear and lies stacked on top of lines. And what is the other side of that coin? Israel is not stopping Netanyahu's words. Total victory, that was genocide. Complete. The resolution is a bridge over reading and bring a dictionary if necessary. We're not asking for the intelligent, the reasonable and the principal people to step forward and unite and speak the simple truth. It's peace and safety that you want stop doing harm. Zionism is

rooted in racism. How doing and how to combat and racism individuals need to change their own hearts. So we have to talk about these things as a community. We need to make unacceptable. That is that is at the core of what we're asking. Friends don't let friends of there's no such thing as the chosen people in the multicultural public sphere. I wanted to quickly do you have some equity measures already? Resolutions already passed by the city that that applied. >> All of >> thank you. The next public comment will be from in Queens. >> The next be firm. We followed by Daniel Dunn Please go ahead. >> Souza pio in 1920. She's a pirate. She's applying for a Palestine. >> teen's my name is immunity. I'm a grandmother over too. And I'm pretty Lance Irvine to my comes remember is missed crease arises on Simon for us. Simulation immigrant from South Korea where my people are students up for because of location by said Penn and accordion My country tis of thee by And then there's peace city 1000 U.S. Military presence in South Korea. Welcome patient News in the head in 2010, aside and up on site. And the city 6 years was banned in a pool. Could humans. I do not how Palestine although 100 the year's over. Completion. And I'm here to the concert. Put sees a pioneer is a vision. And as from what I some members of a

here over the community. But there is only one line dividing community than these people are going have use a of abundance line. And that done. And did that I learned the quantification of a political ad that she is kind a teen empathy. Compares shun. And if you can't suffering with the pundits, Stein, how can trust feel we've done, ok, people are suffering. And some members of Saint not informed information is everywhere and that it's a pest. So please take the action now you was in my foot. She is a pioneer in 1920. >> Thank >> you. Thank you. Thank you. The next. >> The next public comment will be from Daniel, followed by some Ched, Dino. My name is Daniel and I'm a resident of District 5 >> I am tired of the rhetoric and false narrative around adopting a cease-fire resolution. We are told that such a resolution result in an increase in Anti-Semitism in cars, division within our community. We are told that the systematic slaughter of tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians is necessary to ensure the safety of Israel and free the hostages. To date the brutal attacks on schools, hospitals, homes, aid trucks, houses of worship and Russia with ug camps has only resulted in the freeing of 2 hostages. Meanwhile, Israeli forces have killed dozens of hostages through bombings and have even gunned down to Jewish hostages that had escaped captivity. The largest number of hostages, 80. Were released during the temporary cease-fire in NOVEMBER. So a cease-fire can be can produce

desired results. The genocide of the Palestinian people MAY make it less safe for Jewish people. The world is watching as Israel defies the ruling of the international Court of Justice and continues the ethnic cleansing of Gaza. Through no fault of their own Jewish people MAY be targeted because of Israel's military aggression in their name. Just as Palestinian-americans are being targeted because of Israel's in the U.S. Propaganda machines. To date 6 today, a 6 year-old boy was stabbed to death. 3 friends were shot for wearing katafias and speaking Arabic, Columbia University students were victims of a chemical attack while attending protest. And last week a young father was stabbed following a pro-palestine rally. In addition to hit and addition to hate crimes across our nation, people in our own community have been victims. Knowing that my government is complicit in this genocide and that my tax dollars are funding. It is unacceptable. Cease-fire. >> Thank you. The next public comment will be from 7 check. The next public comment will be from samhsa followed by Dino than Gary. >> That's something they react. MADAM Mayor City Council members and everyone in this chamber, my name is simply not shorts. I come from a lineage or my grandfather survived the Ukrainian pole rooms in which 90% of my family perished. I have a 2 and a half year old son, Sonoma County resident, his name in Cement, Truth of Zion. Zionism self-determination for the Jewish people in their homeland is real. A land in which the Jewish culture and religion form by. The Jews are indigenous to land of Israel. And when it happened. Fight

back. We no harm from others. We're actually peacemakers peacemakers with Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain, uae, Sudan, Morocco, unlike 22 no seats, Israel's as Jews, Muslims, Christians living with equal rights. People are taking signs of the land back movement in this war to dehumanize Israel and the Jewish people. If you're critical of Israeli government and say so do not abuse are sacred land, Land back movement known as a reminder. There are 20 million Jews people on this planet by far, 10 times more who harbor. Anti-Jewish views. Hamas infiltrate the country. And one of our early stages burned alive. Read the master 1200 people in still 230 innocent civilians 100 so remaining. That was an act of war. And just yesterday 100 word, I Gazans, many of which militants because 2 hostages were rescued. You're so determined to pass a cease-fire resolution, which doesn't seem to be Santa Rosa City Council's responsibility for the sake of Gaza, the Palestinians, Israeli Jews, Christians and arrows, then ask for Hamas to cease fire by returning the hostages and surrendering. This will save Lastly, and most importantly. >> Protect this local community. So and >> thank you. The next public comment will be from Dino followed by Kerry. Then can d no, please go ahead. >> Well, first, I would like to say something to the last comment is the responsibility of Santa Rosa City Council to put on the agenda, a cease-fire resolution for the next meeting and to pass said resolution on have the working people of Santa Rosa because I

believe local government representatives. >> Should hold the political will and ethical convictions of their constituents, especially regarding matters of great moral significance directly into pull our government such as the ongoing massacre. More 23,000 Palestinians in Gaza, by the Israeli government with or Terry in right-wing Netanyahu regime, a massacre funded by our tax dollars to stop the mass killings of Palestinians in Gaza. We the people must appeal to a local governments, use them as a vehicle to shift public consciousness and apply pressure on the White House on Joe Biden, federal government to for a long lasting cease-fire as 70 other cities in this great nation have to call for a cease-fire is a call peace because calling for a cease-fire knowledge, is that the only way to strive for peace in the region for Israelis and for Palestinians is for both sides to cease military action for Israel to stop its mass killings of Palestinian civilians and to come to the table for peace of the world's major human rights groups have come to one unanimous conclusion. A cease-fire is necessary because there is undeniable that Israel has repeatedly violated international law purposely targeting and killing tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians in civilian areas. How many more families need to die before

you take a stand for us. It is unacceptable that 2 million of federal tax dollars and the people of Santa Rosa are going to this atrocity make a stand against that. Use your power for good. To politics the right. >> For >> Thank you. The next public comment will be from Kerry followed by Kenny and Patrick. Pleases. You do make your comments, please direct them to the city council and the mayor. We're not allowed to have a back and forth between public commenters and in order to maintain an efficient quarterly meeting. If you can. In show of support rather than the chairs. If you can, please do hands in support. That helps keep the meeting moving forward and gives everybody opportunity have there the time for public comment. Thank you, Gary. Please go ahead. >> Yes, period. Huntsman. I'm here to say that the fears the basis of most of our ills. >> This war is fear bays. The original starting the attack was fear based and what's going on now is fear based. There's about 100 years and the views Palestinian people our settlement of these lands led the genocide. Fear of the indigenous people trying to take back their stolen land lead to Morgan's side. This war is based on fear as so many things are, including violence work in the sign. Read. The continuing of the war is a result fear. And fragile egos. We need to have

a cease-fire. And this war now, this is nothing to do with sides. There are no sides. That just is just this is a circle. It has no sides. Not going your heart. Answer the love that resides there and stop the killing lack of action is an action. By the way. There's no snooze on taking right action. Any council member who does not. Personally give support to stop the killing in Palestine will not receive support from U.S.. Additionally, have we forgot our heroes in their message for a mug on Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, John Lewis. >> They're brown. Is the breath of the people. >> Thank you. The next public comment will be from Kenny followed by Patrick. Then Lena. Please go ahead. >> City refuses to pass a resolution calling for a cease-fire. Free freedom for Palestine. The reasons I think are just excuses given our country. My own notes. Council has no power, no an thing within his power to effect this action, this crime Palestine. Maybe you don't know that resolutions are brought before Congress. The people bringing the resolutions report. How many cities have passed Selma resolutions. This is part of your power. You could join the other cities who are doing the right thing by passing such a resolution. You do have a fat to you. It's not a social issue. It's not a Santa Rosa issue was not a local issue in front of the city hall. There is a monument to people who have died in these wars of us supporting Israel is the least

13 names of Santa Rosa's who have died in wars. United States follows Israel into these wars. You want to tell their family and loved ones. It's not a local issue. I think it's a local issue. United States is guilty of genocide. So stated by U.S., Secretary of State of the United States. >> Did you know that as well as know that Israel bombed the United States? >> This is not the first genocide. If you're interested in the history, look up. Sabra and Shatila ya. And the secretary of state judge p shows reported that we United States of partly responsible. Israel is responsible. And when Israel bombed the U.S. Navy ship uss Liberty, no action was taken against Israel. There's something very sick, very sick. And this relationship with Zionist and it all just. >> Thank you. The next public comment will be from Patrick followed by Lena and Torres. Please go ahead. Yes Patrick Wiley. I applaud the council's past decision not to issue any statement regarding the war in Gaza. >> Regardless of the issue, I oppose local governments taking positions on political ideological. We're social issues that do not pertain directly to local interest influence. To enter the melee of national politics would distract the city from the numerous pressing issues facing Santa Rosa issues for which the council actually has responsible responsibility. Many what we saw earlier today. Since there are calls,

however. Specifically about this issue urging the council to support a cease-fire. Stay tuned. I will comment. Hamas is a terrorist organization with the core mission of destroying Israel and exterminating Jews wherever they reside. We all saw exactly what Hamas wants on OCTOBER 7th when along with hundreds of non Hamas, Palestinians murdered, tortured and raped residents and visitors and most average man and men are possible and have. Communicated that they will continue to do so. There is no possibility for peace in Israel, Palestine or the Middle East. Will Hamas remains in power, therefore advocating for a permanent cease-fire is not a viable option. And Warren used to be executed to completion as quickly as possible. I urge the council resist any calls to support a cease-fire in Gaza. Thank you. >> Thank you. The next public commenter be from Lena followed by Trez. >> Hi, my name is Linda Rothman. >> Jewish? >> I want to ask the city do you want to be shining examples of humanity can Please help stop the killing the massacre. The genocide tax dollars by the bombs and weapons to annihilate hope people. To say not not take a stand against this massacre makes you income plus I don't want that on my conscience. Thank you from listening. I hope you feel 12,000 children have Or Israel attacks hospitals hundreds of journalists. Think he'll do the 3 to 400 health care workers. 10 to 15,000 bodies

decomposing in the streets of Bacteria is mixing with the water. They have nothing to treat these children with poison themselves. They know who was in themselves. We, being shame like the bus driver and that you her Give a Thank you. >> Thank you. The next public comment is from Trez. >> My name is tour as we get them all and I'm Christian Palestinian American born in Jerusalem, Palestine months before the modern state of Israel was created. >> In 1948, my family's let the violence and the massacres. >> Near where we lived. Committed by the underground is really terrorist organizations such as that you're who killed 2 Palestinians forced them out of their homes or frightened them so they could leave. My family to Jordan like over 750,000 others who are displaced, all were never allowed to return to their homes. Over 500 villages were systematically destroyed by the new Israeli government. This is the root of that problem between Israelis and Palestinians. Much like what happened to the indigenous Native Americans in this country. >> The goal of settler colonialists powers is to remove and replace the indigenous population. >> With the new sellers, no matter how long it takes. I

believe that the measure of our humanness is our ability to feel the suffering of other people. Also that we do something to end their suffering. I am here to ask you to call for a cease-fire in Gaza to end killing of other Some of you must have children and grandchildren like I do. Can you imagine them dead under the rubble or orphaned children walking around the rubble in a daze looking for water or something to eat. Palestinians are humans made in GOD's image, too. >> Europe, how? >> Thank you. Thank you, That is 12 public comments on item 14. Okay. Thank you. So I just want to give people a kind of a run of what we're going to do next. We're going to go to item 16, which are our public hearings. >> For this evening and then the council will be taking a break and we'll come back and continue with the rest the agenda. So with that, we will go to item 16.1 assistant city manager. Thank you, MADAM Mayor. >> Item 16.1 is a public hearing. Is the consideration of an ordinance and associated compliance program pertaining to the inspection maintenance and registration, a real properties which existence and maintain vacant lots or which contain vacant or abandoned buildings. The presentation will be given by. Liu. Kirk. Assistant chief building official. Good evening, Mayor. Good evening. Mayor Rogers,

vice staff, members of the City Council staff is here tonight to present ordinance in compliance program addressing the issue, a vacant buildings and lots well before lunch into the body of this presentation. I want to clarify that a minor formatting error was discovered in the ordinance late this afternoon. The Sarah, which appears to heard leading the review process does not affect language or intent. The ordinance overall, well, this being said the error will require correction prior to second reading. Should be ordinance be introduced this evening and without if I could have the next slide, please. Staff's proposal involves repealing and replacing Chapter 9.24. Removing outdated covid-19 regulations in the process and amending a section of Chapter 18, 20. Additionally, we propose amending the city classification and salary plan and to add necessary staff. Lastly, we proposed establishing an annual program registration fee. This proposal closely with City Council goal in policy. Number 4, by promoting economic and community vibrancy and number 5 by focusing on building and maintaining sustainable infrastructure. Next slide, please. The origins of this proposal be to 2017 when the city attorney's office noted the prevalence of neglected properties and the lack of adequate tools to address them. Ordinance development, however, faced unforeseen delays due to the combined. The impacts of the wildfires, the pandemic and should staffing shortages. In late 2022. Efforts to complete the central ordinance were removed with community outreach commenced in 2023. Staff presented the proposed ordinance to the Downtown Area Association subcommittee on

JULY. 12th. And on AUGUST, 12th made a joint presentation before the through Red Square Association and the Board of Realtors staff also presented before the Economic Development Subcommittee on JULY 31st. Fyi Blake, back glean from this outreach informed final development of tonight's proposal. Next slide. Please. Did estimates suggest that 2800 properties MAY additionally be subject to this ordinance. Each of these properties represents an opportunity to improve public health and safety as well as property values while reducing crime and its associated demands on resources as a preventative measure. This ordinance is designed to hold and reverse the proliferation of light. Set clear maintenance expectations safeguard safeguard health and safety and preserve a said x and foster community pride. Next slide. Please. The ordinance is purpose-built to address the collected properties encourage responsible ownership, stimulate reinvestment and suppress neighborhood decline. Building upon historic code requirements and employing rigorous education based standards. It aims to incentivize corrective maintenance for providing an exception path for responsible owners. Next slide. Please. As an economic revitalization tool, the ordinance will serve to improve property values, promote occupancy and create opportunities for attractive and viable commercial areas. This in turn is expected to strengthen reffitt residents engagement within their local come back. An omicron scape resulting in increasingly vibrant and cohesive communities. Next slide.

Please. Once fully staffed the bbl program would be expected to fully commence later this year. The first 3 months of the program would focus on education and outreach aimed at raising awareness and achieving voluntary compliance in order to reduce the number of properties ultimately subject to the ordinance. Subsequently active engagement and at first would occur. Ideally a learning with the start of fiscal year. 24 25 to simplify financial considerations. During this time, increasing number of properties are projected to either chief compliance will become registered, using known indicators regarding case tendencies and compliance rates. The following chart forecast effect isthmus of the program over the pilot term. Next slide. Please. This chart forecast the transition of the program over the pilot period from the education and outreach opening stage through active engagement enforcement and into the maintenance stage. I would like to take a moment here to revisit this phased approach. Summarized above. Education and outreach will include the use of mailers were based resources, collaboration with community partners, direct communication and similar methods during this time staff will proactively inspect, identify and prioritize properties and engage in targeted interactions which highlight the benefits of responsible ownership and encourage property owners to voluntarily bring their vacant lots or buildings up to code. Under active engagement and enforcement. Noncompliant property owners will be required to register their properties and follow the rules. They provided. Application packet will continue to acknowledge meant of the ordinances requirements. The contact information inspection authorizations and similar necessary documents. The annual registration fee must

accompany the completed application. Registered and non-registered properties will be proactively inspected throughout the life of the program. Owners will receive ongoing communication with corrections recommendations for compliance and registration renewal notices the shift to active enforcement will include citations or other needed action for persistent violations. And maintenance stage. A majority of property should be in last in compliance allowing themselves exempt out of the program and remaining open cases should reach a relatively stable base level. The 500 to 600 properties next slide. Please. Staffing considerations or based upon the number of active properties, they're likely compliance patterns and the average resource demand per property. We protest propose a minimum of one fte limited term code enforcement officer and 2 Ft, limited term housing and community service technicians to ensure effective program implementation. The proposed dynamic inspection system will offset resource demands by factoring in the time required over the course of the program. This approach balances against the number of properties managed reach program stage, providing a reasonable estimate a resource needs and avoiding impacts to existing code enforcement operations to the maximum extent possible. Next slide. Please. In terms of fiscal impact, the bbl program once fully established is designed to convey a net-zero budget neutral cost influence on the

city's general fund. The program envisions a registration fee of $1040 per calendar year representing a full cost recovery model. The display chart defined staffs assumptions on the projected revenue schedule. Revenues projected to remain low during the start-up education and outreach periods late in fiscal year. 23 24 commencing in fiscal year. 24 25, however, activity in revenues are projected to increase sharply and then gradually reach equilibrium. As we approach the maintenance stage. Next slide. Please. Revenue projections are deliberately conservative in nature, excluding administrative citation funds altogether, despite their significant expected contribution to program revenue. Similarly non commercial properties, although subject to the ordinance were omitted as they're expected to be relatively few in number. The maintenance stage will include property owners who are unable or unwilling to comply with the ordinance. New noncompliant properties previously compliant properties which returned to a state of noncompliance periodic staff assessments will be used to keep the City Council program, challenges and successes and in form recommendations to either increase or reduce staffing is needed next slide. Please. As previously mentioned, the program envisions the addition of one code enforcement officer and 2 hcs technicians, these limited term positions are considered minimum required staffing to meet the actual needs of the program. Cost projections for these positions are shown in the table being displayed and include total salaries, benefits, services, equipment, supplies and require vehicles. Next slide, please. As a

budget neutral program once established expenditures are forecast not to exceed projected program. Revenues. The registration fee represents full cost recovery throughout the life of the program, including its ongoing maintenance stage. Prior to full program. Establishment initial funding is proposed to come from the General Fund. Well, potential additional funding for a portion of fiscal year. 24 25 MAY be requested if determine necessary. Revenue generation is expected to begin in earnest by late fiscal year. 23 24 with self sustainability anticipated but fiscal year. 24 25. Upon becoming self-sustaining pad will recommend a longer-term goal of directing program and administrative citation revenues to the administrative hearing. An administrative abatement funds further strengthening and supporting these essential programs. Next slide, please. With city Council approval staff will move forward with activating the program hiring staff, procuring needed equipment and supplies and commencing outreach and engagement. As previously mentioned, regular progress reporting will be provided next slide. Please. In summary staff recommends that the city council introduced the proposed ordinance and approved the tax resolution authorizing initial general fund appropriation $134,000. $134,148 for fiscal year. 23. 24 and setting an annual registration fee of $1040 to recover program stuffing cost final slide. Please. This concludes staff's presentation. I'd like to thank you for your attention and consideration and I'm happy to answer any questions you MAY have this time.

>> Thank you for that presentation. And looking to council members to see if there any questions and seeing none. We will now open the public hearing Vice Mayor. >> was a bit slow. They thank you very much for that presentation. Could you just say a little bit more about deficiency, the enforcement process in terms how a nurse it is for lot owners to not applies, not the right word but register in terms of the fee and a fine fish and that is city staff, particularly the the one that he will be assigned to this. >> With respect to the life, they confidence in the city regain bringing back revenue to pay for this program. >> in the the way the program is set up, it's designed to be anything but onerous. Again. We start with our education and outreach. The idea there is to educate the property owners make them understand their obligations, which they already have. By the way, we're not adding necessarily any new regulation. We're just organizer get into a program that allows us to. Staff up the need to go out and make these changes and improvements in our community. So again. Once education is completed, people will have that opportunity, new properties that we become aware of that are being maintained will have a similar opportunity. The ordinance guarantees them a minimum of 30 days after being notified to correct the property and never be subject to the registration registration requirement. Furthermore, once the property

is registered part of this program ever successfully maintaining their properties, they have an opportunity to exempt out of the program provided they continue to maintain those properties and in a code compliant manner. So again, that every turn what we're trying to do is give people every opportunity don't have to be involved in this program at all. >> That's helpful. I guess in my mind I have in mind the vacant lot owner you know, there's lots maybe bacon for reason, potentially person who's not not overly enthusiastic about entering into a partnership with the city. So, you know, in those circumstances, are we are we pretty comfortable that we'll be able without an efficient way? >> Well, at the end of the day, violation of this ordinance risk can result in Code Enforcement action. And again, the program provides a staffing first to dedicate those resources to that program. And again, we can issue administrative citations. We can take other civil action. We can even take criminal action if needed. But the hope is that we resolve these issues at the lowest possible level of enforcement. And ideally, again, during the education stage. >> Helpful again. Thank you very much. Thank you. >> Are there any additional questions from council? Seeing none. We will open the public hearing. City Clerk Lee Police facility. Thank you. We are now taking public comments on item 16.1. If you're in the chamber would like to comment but have not yet provided a speaker card or your name. >> Please make your way to the podium. You will have 2 minutes and a countdown timer will alert at the end of that period. If you'd like to make a public comment via zoom on item 16.1 now is the time to

raise your hand. MISTER, do it. Please go ahead. >> My name is doing to win on from Rosen. Please support this item. It's very important that we have a strong code enforcement team over in Rosen. We've been having problems with temporary conditional use permits that are then not really enforced specifically. There's a site at the old radiator on Sebastopol Road across from Goodman Avenue. 5 years ago. They were given a conditional use permit. They were even this permit thinking that they would be helping the community putting housing in and instead is becoming a blighted lot. So this is very important that you get code enforcement working on elected properties, even if they might not seem vacant, they can definitely put a blight upon an entire community. Such is happening in Roseland. So please support this. Thank you. >> Parents see no one else approach the podium for public comment on item 16.1 and they see no hands being raised via zoom. Thank you. We will now close the public hearing. Council. Are there any comments or questions? All right, seeing none Councilmember Okrepkie take >> Yeah, just real quick, 2 things I really appreciate is the code enforcement philosophy of compliance before punishment. I you guys preach that over and over again. And you've said in this presentation a couple maybe not that concisely, but I appreciate that. That's what you do as a code enforcement

in second. I love the term my second favorite term which is budget neutral. So I really I'm really appreciative of that. So we're going to take this one of the time. I'm on the advice of our attorney. So first I moved introduce an ordinance amending title 9 in 18 of the Santa Rosa City code by repealing Chapter 9 dash. 24 pertaining to administrative enforcement of covid-19 public health orders. Adding a new chapter 9 dash 24 pertaining to the inspection maintenance and registration of real property is in amending section 18 Dash 20.3, 0, 2.4. >> We have a motion made by Councilmember Okrepkie and seconded by Vice Mayor step. Matt and city mean please call Thank you. Councilmember Rogers. Council Cookie. I Councilmember MacDonald. I. Councilmember councilmember of runs, Vice Mayor stop. I Mayor Rogers. Let the record show this 5 affirmative votes. Thank you. In it. >> I also move to approve a resolution amending the city cost occasion in salary plan to add one full-time equivalent 3 year limited term code enforcement officer in 2 full-time equivalent 3 year limited term housing and community Services services, code enforcement technicians, the to the Code Enforcement section an appropriate $134,148 from the General Fund reserves. >> We have a motion made by Councilmember Okrepkie and a second from vice mayor's step. City clerk please call the vote. Thank you. Councilmember Rogers. Councilmember Craig p I Councilmember MacDonald. I councilmember Fleming. Councilmember all are aren't

vice mayor step. I Rogers, I let the record show this past the 5 affirmative votes. >> And finally, I moved to set an annual registration fee to recover staffing cost of associated with program implementation. >> have a motion made by Councilmember Okrepkie and a second from Vice Mayor staff City Clerk. Councilmember Rogers. Councilmember Okrepkie. I Councilmember MacDonald. I councilmember Fleming. Councilmember offense. All right, Vice Mayor stop. I they are Rogers. I let the record show this past the 5 permanent votes. So again, thank you very much. Thank you for the presentation, but also thank you for seeing a way that we can improve our services here at the city of Santa Rosa and bringing it to council. Thank you very >> And now we will move to item 16.2 assistant city manager. >> Item 16.2 is a public hearing on a senior community care facility, zoning code text amendment. And we will be receiving a presentation by Kristin. A 2 >> Thank you. Mayor Rogers and members of the city COUNCILMAN Is Younes an item before you this evening is a senior community care facility, zoning code text amendment next slide. Please. So this is request to amend City Code section 20 dash. 42, 0, 6, 0, to exempt senior care facilities from the spacing and over concentration requirements for community care facilities. And it's also request to amend a code section 20 dash, 70.0, 0, 2, 0, To modify the definition of community care facility to

allow. Palliative care and end of life medical treatments for senior care facilities. Next slide. Please. So just to be a little bit of project history, this was requested a text amendment from applicant who was submitted on AUGUST. 3rd, the 2023 on JANUARY 11, 2020 for the Planning Commission approved a resolution recommending that the council adopt the zoning code text amendment. In addition, the applicant has requested minor use permit for a senior memory care facility at 6, 5, 7, 5 Oakmont Drive, which would benefit from this tax amendment that item is scheduled for zoning administrator pending the outcome of item tonight. On FEBRUARY 15th. Next slide. Please. And a city code section 20 dash. 42 requires that all community care facilities that serve 7 or more clients be located. No closer than 300 feet from another facility. And the term over concentration arises when 2 or more community care facilities are proposed within 1000 feet from one another h trigger additional conditions to mitigate any potential impacts. Over concentration spacing requirement applies to all community care facilities, including senior care. Next slide. Please. The California Health and Safety aims to prevent over concentration of residential care facilities that, quote, impair the integrity of residential neighborhoods. And also defines over concentration residential facilities that are 300 feet or less a part. Based any local needs and The Department of Social Services

could approve a facility less than 300 feet with the approval of the city or county. Next slide. Please. It's important to note that the California Health and safety code those state. But of foster family homes and residential facilities for the elderly shall not be considered in determining over concentration residential facilities and license applications for those facility shall not be denied based upon. Up on the basis of over concentration. So the California Health and safety code does specifically call out senior care. As something they don't apply the over concentration requirement to. Amending City Code. Section 20 dash. 42 0, 6, 0, to secure facilities in the city code would be consistent with the California Health and safety code. Next slide. Please. City Code section 20 dash, 70.0. 0, 2, 0, to finds community care facilities and limits them to find only non medical care. However, because senior care facilities often include palliative or end of life care. The from staff in the planning Commission is to include a request to modify the definition to include this type of care for senior care facilities. Only. Next slide, please. The slide. This slide shows all the findings that would need to be in order to approve zoning code. Text amendment. The analysis and justifications are in the staff report in the pocket. Next slide. Please. And the proposed zoning text has been viewed in compliance with California Environmental

Quality Act. Because the proposed zoning code text amendment is consistent with general plan 2035, the project relies upon the general plan. 23 5 environmental impact report and is consistent secret section 1, 5, 1, 8, 3, Next side. Please. Without it is recommended by the Planning Commission and the Planning and Economic Development Department that the council by motion introduce an ordinance amending the tax of title 20. The Center is a city Code section 20 dash. 42.0 6, 0, community care and health care facilities, here, care facilities from community care of a concentration limitation, space spacing requirement and a section 20 dash, 70.0, 0, 2, 0 definitions, especially ter terms and phrases to modify the definition of community care facility to allow palliative and end of life medical treatments for senior care facilities. Next slide. Please. And here's my contact information. If anyone from the public would like to reach out to me in regards to this project. Staff is available for any questions you MAY have. Thank you. Thank you very much for the presentation. And if I heard correctly, thank you very much for something from one of our. >> Constituents. Residents. There's a business owners in following through to make sure that we can be the best that we can to make ourselves more friendly. Business friendly. I there any questions from council. >> Seeing We will now open the public hearing. MADAM City Clerk. Thank you. We are now taking public comments on item 16.2, if you are in the chamber would like to comment but have not yet provided a speaker card or your name.

>> Please make your way to the podium. You have 2 minutes in a countdown. Timer will alert at the end of that period. If you're participating via zoom, you can raise your hand now and we will call on you after the in-person public comments. Mariam, see no one approached the podiums on item. 16.2 hands being raised via Zoom. Thank you. We will now close the public hearing. Are there any comments from council members? Seeing none? Council member? MacDonald. Maybe emotion. I move the adoption of the ordinance of the council, the city of Santa Rosa by adopting a zoning code text amendment to title 20 at the Santa Rosa City Code. Section 20. >> 42.0 6, 0 community care and health care facilities to exempt senior care facilities from the community care facility over concentration limitation and spacing requirement and section 20 dash, 70.0, 0, 2, 0, glossary to modify the definition of the community care facility to allow palliative care, end of life, medical treatments for senior care facilities. Dash file number p r j 2, 3, dash. 0, 1, 6 and way. But for the reading of the text, say it. >> We have a motion made by Councilmember MacDonald and a second Councilmember Alvarez. City clerk me please call MADAME Mayor, if I MAY. >> The motion that was made was to adopt an ordinance. This is actually an

introduction of an we will. If you introduce the ordinance this evening, the adoption come back to you your next council meeting. >> Should can we change that can that be a friendly amendment? Yes, it can. Thank Except the friendly Amendment. Councilmember. My second still stands. All right. So we the motion made by council member MacDonald in a second from Councilmember Alvarez and Mountain City Please call Thank you. Mayor Councilmember Rogers. Council Crappie, I Councilmember MacDonald. Councilmember Fleming. >> Councilmember all vice Mayor step. I Mayor Rogers, I let the record show this is introduced with 5 affirmative votes. And again, thank you for the presentation and thank you for pointing out that it was someone else. They brought it to our attention. So we're listening. Thank you. >> And with that council will now be taking a break. So we will be >> we'll try for 6.50. All right, folks. >> Thank you very much for your patients. Recall this meeting back to order, MADAM But you would you call the roll. >> Thank you. Vice Mayor Councilmember Rogers. Councilmember Okrepkie. Councilmember MacDonald Councilmember Fleming. Council PRESIDENT Vice mayor stopped. PRESIDENT Mayor Rogers. Let the record show that all council members are present with the exception of counts by Excuse me here, Rodgers. Council members, Fleming and

Chris Rogers. Perfect. We're going to begin with item 15.1 city clerk. >> right Deputy city manager. Thank you Assistant city manager. Thank you, MISTER Vice Mayor. I mean, get the speed fast. Folks item. 15.1 report item. It's a request for summary vacation of 4 city rights of way on Midway Drive and Hamann Drive. >> Assessors parcel number 0, 1, 3, Dash, 0, 4, 3, Dash, 0, 1, 8, 0, 1, 3, Dash, 0, 4, 1, Dash, 0, 1, 6, 0, 1, 3, Dash, 0, 4, 2, Dashon, 0, 0, 6, 1, 3 Dash, 0, 4, 3 Dash, 0, 1, 8, file number. The ac 2, 2 Dash, 0, 0, 3, Montgomery Village right of Way. Summary vacation and the presentation will be given by our senior planner Monet, Chicago. >> Thank you very ill. Appreciate good evening. Members of the So county Clerk's annex light. I will keep it short and easy. Okay. They requested a the report item as summer vacation requests for for right-of-way. These areas have been continuously maintain and used, by the by Montgomery Village for parking landscaping and pedestrian access. Next slide. Please. Can you click one more time? Great. Thank you. So the red lines here are showing the location of the videos that they're going to be vacated. Along 2 streets. Can you go to next light? And here are the legal descriptions for these areas are going to be okay to hit the Also your staff

reports next slide. Please. And person to the California streets and high of a coat. The cp make some early vacate any excess sort be not required for street or highway purposes. And as we mentioned, these areas very quickly being used for parking landscaping and pedestrians axis and they are not being used for street or highway purposes. Next light. And so we've that the planning and economic Development Department recommends that the council by resolution I approve approved the summary vacation of 18,412 square feet of public right-of-way located on the north and South side, though, of Midway and Mcgavin drive between Farmers Lane and home and write and staff are available to answer questions and the county is also here. Thank you very much. Looking to city council for questions or comments. >> Not seeing any all just add my thanks to the Montgomery Village team for coming out and for that for the nice work that they're that they're doing that with that facility. And with Adam City clerk, public comment. >> Thank you. We are now taking public comment on item 15.1. If you're in the chamber would like to make comment but have not yet provided a speaker card or your name. Please make your way to the podium. You have 2 minutes and a countdown timer will alert at the end of that period. Now is the time in zoom. If you want a pope make a comment on item 15.1 to raise your hand. No one approached the podiums for item. 15.1. We do have a The hand went down and no hands being raised via zoom for item. 15.1. >> All right. Now looking at council for any additional

comment. All right. Well, I think this motion's mine hang on one 0nd. It's not mine. Turning to a councilmember Donald for the motion. Thank you. Vice Mayor. >> I move the adoption of resolution. The council, the city of Santa Rosa approving a summer vacation of 18,412 square feet of the public right of way located on Midway Drive. And on Matt McGowan drive between Farmers Lane and Hey, Min Drive for the property is located at 24 0, 6, a gallon drive assessors person member Apn Apn 0, 1, 3, Dash 0, 4, 3 Dash, 0, 1, 8, 2, 4, 1, one Montgomery Drive Apn. 0, 3, Dash, 0, 4, 2 Dash, 0, 0, 6, 2, 4, 1, 6 Montgomery Drive Apn 0, 1, 3, 0, 4, way 0 went by. And for 2 for Farmers. Lane Aetn 0, 1, 3, 1, 4, 0, 4, one. There's dyslexia for you. 0, 1, 6 file member the a c 22 Dash 0, 0, 3 and waive further weight. Reading of the text. I should let you do it. Second. >> All right. We have councilmember Donald with the motion and we have councilmember creepy with the second Madison clerk. Would you please call the vote? >> Thank you. Councilmember Rogers Councilmember Okrepkie. I Councilmember MacDonald. I councilmember Fleming. Councilmember Alvarez. I vice mayor stopped Mayor Rogers. I let the record show this past of the 5 affirmative votes. Thank you very much. >> We will now move to item

15.2 assistant city manager. >> Thank you, MADAM Mayor. Item 15.2 is report item the 2024 state legislative platform and this item has been continued from the city Council meeting of JANUARY. 30th 2024. And before turning over to Lauren Peterson for the presentation, I'm going to turn it over to our city attorney for a quick remark. >> City attorney, thank you. MADAM Mayor and council members we have one council member who conflict with one of the many policies that are before Councilmember Okrepkie. You just left the chambers. I wanted to talk about briefly the process we're going to use to that You have undertaken process in the past as I understand it to your budgetary process where we are segmenting the item, there will be one staff report council members who are in the room. We'll have the ability to the normal process to ask questions. We'll have public comment on the whole item then bring it back to have counsel discussed the item. You will make that vote one way or the other. If you if you choose to have a motion on a resolution which address. The one item that I councilmember Okrepkie is conflicted on. You make a decision one way or the other on that item. Then Councilmember Okrepkie can come as I'm understanding it, he will be listening to the presentation from outside of And I would recommend once he comes back, he be given the

opportunity to ask whatever questions he might have on the balance of the platform and then you will be given the opportunity then to vote on the balance of the platform with Councilmember Okrepkie here and happy to facilitate. If this gets confusing along the way. But you essentially have one item with 2 separate resolutions and you will take the resolution first. That address is the one item where we have a conflict. It's already confusing. So maybe you have to walk us through. Indeed, we can proceed with the presentation. >> Good evening, Mayor. Vice mayor and city Council long Petersen director communications government relations. I'm joined by Scott Alonso or government relations officer and on zoom sharing that all this with our ppg will be outlining the city's 2024 state legislative platform this evening, sharing the progress we made in 2023. Next slide. Please. The just wanted to highlight this. The state platform, this guide staff counsel with our legislative efforts to make sure that we advance and protect the city's interest. Also allows us to respond cookie with legislation when it comes based on city priorities. And, you know, it's one of the highlight, you know, with the state budget deficit impacting the funding and policies will continue to work closely with our ppg and to monitor its effects. And with that, I'm going to turn it over. Sure. With our ppg highlight some of our efforts as mentioned, Next slide. Please share. >> I good evening. Sharon Gonzalez, director of

government affairs with a mark up Jeanne. MADAM Mayor, vice mayor members of the council on nice to be here with you. So just, you know, is a brief recap as to who we are. We've had an opportunity to work with all of you and meet with you to discuss your priorities for the city we were brought on in 2021. 2 manage the state's the city's state advocacy efforts in doing so. We started working your city staff and council to prepare the legislative platform which would internal review every year. We want to make sure that it highlights not only the top priorities for the city and is a reflection of your counsel currently, but also that we can as MISTER Peterson mention, quickly react to legislation and are prepared to act on things that maybe the state has considered a priority. Really our platform covers everything that falls within local government from housing to water to transportation. People to the next side. As for the city formally position on 28 pieces legislation. That's only those that actually took a position on. We were tracking over 1400 bills for the city and what we are in the second year of a two-year session. So we desired outcome. 13 of those. But that only means bills that were signed or vetoed last year does not include ones that continue to move in 2024. And we also between state budget earmarks and our brands team were able to help the city secure. 21 and a half million dollars in grant

funding. So going to just briefly go over the legislative platform, maybe just hit on a couple of areas within each policy area. If you go to the next slide. So we'll start off with wildfire prevention and recovery you know, this has been actually a huge, huge issue for the city, at least since we started. >> So want to make sure that the city is supporting policies and funding will help to further your wildlife protection plan and your general plan and also looking to continue efforts hazard mitigation plans as well as really monitor what's happening with the insurance industry as it pertains to the cancellation of policies due to wildfire risk when they're tied to. These wildfire mitigation maps. We're seeing more and more the state fall under that and the insurance market is really kind of in a place that's unsustainable right now. And we're on a make sure that we continue to follow that. Next slide. Please. Under governmental transparency and public looking to make sure that we continue to support efforts that enhance the public's access for public meetings as well enable the cities ability to really comply with with what the public see, the public Records act requirements are and then something that we're starting to see more and more of hate speech during public meetings and really giving local jurisdictions the tools that

they need order address those. Under economic development looking at really comes a lockdown to funding mechanisms that we'll continue to further the infrastructure needed to economic resiliency. Also something that's been kind of issue for a number of years that we want to keep an eye on his the disbursement of sales and use tax and how those impact local communities and looking continue to just promote policies that most favorable business climate. Next slide. Under the environment, climate change and sustainability the platform wants to support mitigation measures limit the effects of climate change. Including but definitely not limited to wildfire mitigation and water conservation. And then continue funding for conversion to and purchase of clean vehicles, whether it's the vehicles for the infrastructure needed order to maintain those. And then also I'm continuing to look at this transported, you sustainable planning, looking at transportation, housing and economic development and how they all work together. Looks like. Under water, quality and water supply again, just increasing the availability and funding for multitude of water, infrastructure improvements and making sure that the resources are there, too further. The city's groundwater sustainability plans specifically and very local to Santa Rosa is to

continue to look for and support for the part of Ally Project and working with. Larger statewide coalition such as Aqua to continue to for funding for those programs that are most important to the city under the Department of Water Resources. Next time. >> Under administration human resources in risk management, we have We're seeing a lot of policies that want to further workplace diversity, equity and inclusion wanted to make sure that that's included in there looking at a broad region. >> Policies 100, that's Coke for continuing to promote fiscal solvency is especially where and funded pensions are concerned. And we put in the platform this year monitoring legislation pertaining to artificial intelligence technology we're going to see a lot on this and areas I can be really beneficial probably areas where it can also be detrimental. So it's one of those brand new technologies emerging technologies. Don't know what you don't know. So we want to make sure that we're monitoring all of those and evaluating what the effects of the city will be. >> Under housing and land use planning wanting to continue to support measures that preserve affordable housing as well as looking at what those regional efforts are and continuing to look at some streamline environmental reviews in order get projects belts. Under homelessness. The platform states that we want to continue support funding and flexible policies to really the homeless issues in Santa Rosa and Sonoma County, specifically supporting permanent supportive housing by promoting those resources

that address mental health and substance abuse and making sure that those findings are flexible to meet the needs your community and how best to address those. Looks like. Under recreation and parks. We want to advocate for non competitive per capita funding. That's in order to make sure that you can continue with the maintenance and operations of your existing parks, that housing-related parks program is also similar in that it ties park related funding too. The housing that is being built in the city. And we want to continue to just seek funding that. We'll continue to promote open space and bike lanes after school facilities. Senior services and really strengthen on safety and security around the community. Under public one of our policies is to continue supporting community oriented policies. I'm looking at gun violence prevention. I'm really you know, we talked I so many of our meetings talking the growing issue surrounding 3 d printing the selling of ghost guns and following those. I also want it. Continue to seek funding and policies that help promote the city's in response program. >> support efforts that are going to continue to promote accountability and transparency within law enforcement agency. Next slide. >> Under fire and emergency services. The platform wants to support policy and regulatory efforts really seek regional cooperation and coordination when there's a

public safety shut off and want to advocate for local control of emergency medical and even going services, which is something that needs see just about every year. Next slide. Still under transportation and public when we say we will increase funding for local transportation projects that really includes everything. I'm not just streets euros, but we're looking transit operator, 0 bus admissions, the charging infrastructure, as well as bike lanes. It's I'm really kind of transportation has a full wanting to advocate for improvement of such projects in the city's disadvantaged communities. And also looking to continue to support those efforts that will increase broadband, particularly with the middle and last mile expenditures. Next Under public We brought in to the rim the reference to covid-19, really talking about any public health emergency in needing to make sure supporting efforts for direct and flexible funding in order to be able to sue address anything during a pandemic. Whether it's vaccine distribution testing, public transportation, housing, whatever it might could go to the next slide. And with I will turn it over to MISTER Peterson. And I'm available for any questions. Should you Thank you. Sure. Appreciate that. Without the communications government relations Office recommends the council by 2 resolutions. >> Adopt this 2020 for state legislative platform. With

that, I think the first resolution to be adopting the specific policy proposal related to the wildfire insurance. First. >> So Sharon, thank you so much for being with us this evening Thank our ppg for all their hard work on behalf of. The city. >> Councilmember that don't. >> Thank you. Is this the time that I can actually make a recommendation on a couple of items? I'd like to add to the platform. Yes, thank you. So on and Page 9, I think it would be under parks and recreation's if you could other language to increase emergency evacuation funding to make our parks evacuation ready. I know it's something that I've talked about in the past, but I understand that there's potential grant money out there that we could seek. So in the event that there any type of evacuation, our parks that are used as evacuations, it sites prepared for that. >> Councilmember MacDonald, I'm sorry. >> MADAM City attorney. Is there any way Councilmember MacDonald can just have the questions that are pertaining to Jeff having abstain from part of this item so that he can be here for the full conversation. >> My apologies that a mayor, I engage the conference conversation with a council member. >> I was asking it is can we narrow it down for councilmember MacDonald's? So she's only asking for giving suggestions too. The part Councilmember Okrepkie had to abstain from so that he can be

here for the rest the conversation or no >> yes. And you can that fuller conversation later or you It's my understanding he is listening. And so if you want to have that conversation back and forth, I believe he will have that. And mayor, I would suggest we give him an opportunity to comment on. All of the items, the ones in what staff brought forward in any that are proposed from the diocese evening to give him the ability to comment on that as well. So that that MAY be a more streamlined approach to this is to go ahead and make those comments. I do. Believe he is listening and and will. Be able to comment on that as well. Perfect. All right. I just want a clarification to make sure that Councilmember Okrepkie was involved. >> That's fines. Or did you want me to finish my comments now? Just so I'm hearing you correctly or would you confirm either way you can finish with your comment you, MADAM Mayor? So and that was one point. Believe it would be on Page 9 other parks and recreation, if that's ok with you. And then if you go to page 12 under public works, I'm not sure if this is where bullet would be inserted, but I understand a cell phone towers have not all been replaced. Initially, I thought that this was under the federal legislative platform, but understand it's under California legislative platform. That we advocate that cell phone cam cell phone towers that were damaged during specifically during the fires be replaced. I think that's I got other my eyes. I want to say thank you for the presentation and things to share and then the entire team for all that the work that they do on our grandson legislation. But those are my 2 additions. Thanks. >> You're welcome. Thank you

for that. And just real quick, if I MAY on the current platform under I love for their element that is to advocate for additional funding to be appropriated for emergency areas such as parks to proper bathrooms and be properly equipped for emergency use. So we added that last year, I think per conversation. Did you? >> Pardoning line is wildfire prevention and recovery. Is that what? It's under its under that section. Let me read Okay to advocate for the additional funding we appropriated for emergency areas as parks. I'm not sure if it has to go under that full it if they're still prevention and recovery funding or of it should go under. I'm fine with that. As long as it's in the platform, I guess it doesn't matter where it's at sure. Well, for pointing it out That on MAY first round Thanks. >> Are there any additional questions from council members? >> I don't have very many them have to look very far. Vice Mayor, I'm wondering how you're going to do that from over there because so we're going to hold for the moment. >> Thank you patients, MADAM I think we need to amend the resolution as it's written right now. I was looking to our city attorney for some help with that. >> And that I believe with the vice mayor has in mind making modification to the title resolution one. And this is the again, the resolution, the deals just with the wildfire insurance policy item. My suggestion is just to make the title a little bit clearer and then you if that amendment is accepted, you can introduce

using that particular title. So what I would suggest is to instead of the title, that's their resolution of the Council of the City of Santa Rosa. Adopting. A wildfire. Insurance policy. Priority within the 2024 state legislative platform. I will defer to staff to see if that. It feels like an appropriate title. Absolutely. If they think that clerk has that down. And so I think you can refer to what I just said as in in terms of your motion. I don't think you need to repeat it. So moved enough. >> All right. We have a motion made from Vice mayor staff in a second from councilmember out runs. MADAM City clerk. The police call the vote. We take public comment on sorry public comment long night already. MADAM City Clerk me, so take a look on Thank you. We are taking public comment on item 15.2 resolution. One, if you'd like to make comment, please make your way to the podium or provide your name to the administrator at the top of the well. You have 2 minutes in a countdown. Timer will alert at the end of that period. If you're participating via zoom and would like to make a comment on item. 15.1 now is the time to raise your hand. We will go ahead and start with Thomas. >> Thank you. Thomas cells and environmental engineer do forgive me so I think that something MAY slips, if you will, under the legislative calendar that they're talking about in the sense that the court in Nevada. Just.

>> Mead a determination. >> The groundwater. >> Is. >> a function of the surface water is also legally down to that. So in other words, that grow more is, in fact, surface in one form or another. So it's a legal determination. We as engineers we do. It's very, very difficult to ascertain exactly where groundwater region aimed somewhere in the surface somewhere. It's It's very complicated. I want to get into the details. But the point is that from a legal standpoint now, the surface water is or the groundwater is derived from surface water. One thing that it doesn't allow for is some people have a hypothesis that. Some kind of the underground water services and comes up and recharges groundwater or there's some kind of mysterious thing about. There's definitely water in the mental. There's definitely water down How good it doesn't get up here. They have So the court has determined the groundwater is, in fact, a function of the surface water and that has to do with that part about water and we can understand we have these various groundwater basins now. And I just want to point out that this is a very significant determination the thank you thank you. >> I see no one else approaching the podiums in council chamber and no hands being raised on the first resolution. There. Thank you.

And sorry about that. So MADAM City clerk, we have a motion on the floor made by Vice mayor step in a second from Councilmember Albertus me. Please call >> Thank you. Mayor Councilmember Rogers Councilmember Okrepkie. Councilmember MacDonald. I councilmember Fleming. Councilmember all Thanks, Mayor. Step. Jurors. I let the record show that resolution passes the forefront of votes. >> city do some clarification for it. >> Sure, at this point, I think you think. Councilmember Okrepkie is it is my understanding that Councilmember I had a conflict only with respect to one policy items that just discussed with respect to wildfire insurance issues. >> I believe when he announced his recusal, he also talked about tax measures. And I just wanted to clarify that. I believe your recusal was really only has to the wildfire insurance issue. But I want to clarify that council member. Yes, he's only in reference to the insurance commissioner aspect since he is >> elected official in charge of the governing body of my profession. Without my recommendation would be to allow Councilmember Okrepkie make whatever comments or ask whatever questions he might have with respect to the balance of the platform before you move on consider the resolution adopting that the balance of that platform. >> Are there any additional questions or comments from council members?

>> Seeing none you will. You can do it because you make the motion so you can say or comments or questions. And you can make a motion. >> My comment was simply a Thank lawn Scott and share. I want to underline the 21.5 million dollar number that was in the proposal in in the presentation rep rather all of that, all of those funds coming in to do good things for the city. We know we're hopeful of more more to come. Thank you very much for the good work. >> Thank you. Really appreciate a team effort. As you guys know to thank you. >> And with I would use a to approve this resolution of the council. The city of Santa Rosa adopting the 2024 city of Saint Rose and state legislative platform. Second. >> We have a motion made by Vice mayor staff in a second from Councilmember MacDonald. City clerk. MAY you please call vote. Do we need take public comment on the second resolution? No, okay. The vote. >> If if I MAY clarify with the reason we're not taking public comment is ready to cut public comment on the entire need to forward applicant decay. Thank you. Councilmember Rogers. Councilmember Crappie, I Councilmember MacDonald. I councilmember Fleming. Council member of Vice Mayor step. I. They're let the record show this pacified affirmative votes. >> Thank you. And I would like to to thank chair in an rpg again, but also our team that we have here, the communications and intergovernmental relations. You guys Rock. And you definitely are helping us get

to where we need to to go. So think not to mention all the support you gave me, but thank you very much. >> Very welcome. Thank you. >> All right. I'm on the hot seat again. We're going to move over to item and assistant city manager Dunston you in mind. Thank you, MISTER Vice can you repeat the item again? Please? >> 1, 1, Yeah. That's you, sir. Oh, excuse Item 11. Yes. Okay. Mayor and council members reports here we are. That's that's the theme of the night. I'm looking down the dais. Councilmember Alvarez. Think us first of all, I want to thank Mark Walsh for having served on the board of Public Utilities. The gentleman decided to belong to the summit County Retirement Fund where he was a successful as election and to replace him. I would like to point Yvonne cna to the Board of Public Utilities. And I don't see him here now, but I wanted point that we need to wait to our community advisory board. The gentleman loves rose as much as I do. And I know he will serve in the position with with great effectiveness. So, joy, wherever you're at, I hope you look. So I'm I'm a nation. 2 So please get all of so we can make it official with that being that's less my report. Thank Thank you. Councilmember all resume Rogers. Thank you. >> I would like to appoint Councilmember Rogers to the Open government task force and he will be replacing councilmember funding. Thank you. >> Alright, Councilmember Donald. Thank you. Just a couple things to report out We had in other cities will ad

hoc committee the 3 of us that ended about a week ago and it will be meeting with city schools again, we had her annual cull setting that I was able to 10 for the day as long with all of my council members. I-10 that and Sonoma County mayor and council members association dinner. We had a report out on first 5 in all that they're doing in their communities and also want to do a quick shout out for the park a month event that was held in courthouse square. That resulted in I think about 20 different volunteers in a couple different businesses. Just a shout out to the entire parks team that come every month that rain or shine. Thanks. >> Thank you. All right. 3 quick items for There are 2 large events focused on tourism and hospitality over the past couple of weeks. Putting my son in a county tourism and a Sonoma County Hospitality Association. A number of us on the days that ended his most city That means we're all focused on what is the level of tourism in the area. We do more to to make our region attracted to to do more with our marketing. Some great, some great ideas in discussion. I congratulations to the Sonoma County, far copper farm. Your own on the 3rd they had. They held their annual crab, the event, which is one of the largest in the county. But it takes place in the cities are in a claim it as their own and more than 1700 people at the fairgrounds and raised several $100,000 for a new education as well as agriculture advocacy in the county. My wonderful event. Again, most of most of the council attended and then on councilmember Donovan, I attended that mayors and council member meeting in Cloverdale. We've gotten a report on the county's on universal Basic Basic Income And there are also discussions

around the evolve partnership between Sonoma County Cities and the Summit County Library. And that concludes our Councilmember reports. What item 12 approval of minutes. Any were there, any changes or additions to the minutes? Okay. MADAM City Clerk. Reno's in. >> Like take public comment on. Oh, yes, they want. Going to go back and take public comment on item 11 and item 2 ball, the approval of the minutes of the mayors and council members reports. If you're in the chamber would like to provide comment but have not yet provided a speaker card or your name. Please make your way to the podium. You have 2 minutes in a countdown. Timer will alert at the end of that period. If you're participating via zoom now is the time to raise your hand for item 11 or 11 or Seeing no and approaching the Putin's for public comment on these items and no hands being raised Vice mayor. We can approve those minutes as submitted. >> Thank you. Want item 13 consent? Clerk. >> Thank you. Vice Mayor item 13.1 resolution maintenance agreement between the state of California and the city of Santa Rosa for Highway 101 bicycle and pedestrian overcrossing project. Item 13.2 resolution, 4th Amendment Confessional services agreement. Number f 0, 0, 2, 1, for 4 with Place Works Inc General Plan 2050. Ghg reduction strategy and ir. Item. 13.3. Resolution, Second Amendment to professional services agreement. Number f 0, 0, 2, 6, 7, 2, with Gary. She o'Donnell gratin and Mitchell pc for continued

legal representation. Item. 13.4. Ordinance. Introduction ordinance of the council, the city of Santa Rosa correcting a clerical error and ordinance. Or d dash 2, 0, 2, 3 Dash, 0, 1, 6, by remembering the hazardous vegetation and feels management chapter within the city Santa Rosa City code as chapter 9 dash. 32. Thank you. Clerk, I'm looking to council. >> Turning into public comment. >> Thank you. We are now taking public comment on the consent calendar. >> Please make your way to the podium. If you have provided a speaker card or if you have not, please make your way to the podium. If you're participating the U.S. And we would like to make public comment on the consent calendar. Now's the time to raise your hand. We'll have 2 minutes in a countdown. Timer will alert at the end of that period. First public comment will be from Dwayne. We will move on to Thomas's. I do not see doing in the room. >> You forgive Seems like common quite a few. These that I just want to represent for for the Transportation Land use coalition you heard from some members earlier about Jennings and this is the other part of that, which is moving forward. This is terrific. There. There are a couple other things people want to make. It's it's the design. Is that it be a statement? We were hoping that maybe there will be some other aspects to it, which might signify some of the other interest. In Santa on the crossing. It's it's going to look like

approved over the. Essentially. I think it's over the Sacramento River up in shots And and that's wonderful. But there were some things that we could to add to that we spoke to the arts, public places, things like that in the artwork on there that reference Santa Schultz or something like that, you know, with U.S. To be things like that. But up. Irrespective of that, this is really great move to move This continue was crossing. That is separate from the roads, the main roads that we have that will be Jennings and then and routine. Elliott, the gets over the and different. A lot of the traffic and the so it's a really great move. That seems to Thank you. >> Thank you. See no one else in the room wishing to provide public comment and there are no hands being raised to be is soon will turn it back to you. A smear. >> Thank you. Turn over to COUNCILMAN Donald from Ocean. >> Thank you. Vice mayor. I move items. 13.1 through 13.4. >> All right. We a motion from Councilmember Donald and give it to counsel Robert for the second and the city clerk. You want to call the vote. >> Thank you. Councilmember Rogers. Councilmember Crappie. Councilmember MacDonald. I councilmember Fleming. Councilmember all fronts council vice mayor stop. All right. Mayor Rogers? Let the record show consent counter passes for affirmative votes. >> Thank All right. This has been exciting to or through the agenda tonight, how we're going to jumped out, I believe

to item 17 written communications and 17.1. The notice of final map for the Courtney States. Any public comment on that item? Then we moved to our second public comment on non agenda matters. City clerk. >> Thank you. We're now taking public comments on item 18, the second period for non agenda matters if you have not yet submitted a speaker card or your name, please make your way to the podium. You will have 2 minutes in a countdown. Timer will alert at the end of that period. Again, if you provided written public comment by the 05:00pm deadline, as noted on today's agenda, your public comment was uploaded to the agenda packet circulated to city Council and made available to the public this morning. Like public comment is not a second opportunity to provide public comment on the same agenda or non agenda matters. Names are called police lineup at the opposite podium as the speaker. Called the head of you in order to maintain space and an orderly meeting. The first speaker will non followed by Gen. Then Joan. Non. Please go ahead. People move on to it. Jen. >> I am at Sonoma County resident. I am Palestinian and this and a local issue. According to Rosemary secretary under a general for political and peacebuilding affairs. Cease-fires are not only about stopping the fighting between blood runs effective cease-fire agreements, protect civilians and enable humanitarian access to vulnerable populations. From a political standpoint, cease-fires are major opportunity to set the foundation for inclusive and comprehensive peace talks. We're asking our local city council to adopt a cease-fire resolutions because our federal representatives, Thompson and have been are not

representing the majority of their constituents in calling for and then to genocide return for all hostages. Hostages and the demand for immediate humanitarian aid to all people in Gaza. I want to ask everyone in this room. What world are we living in? When community members bag the representatives to call for a cease-fire, the ending of a massacre bombardment the ending of the senseless killing, starving and cutting off water. The ending a bombing hospitals, churches and targeting ambulances met with counter what Margaret Atwood World is this? What world are we living in that when 3rd all this church on this plan is targeted and bombed with Palestinian Christians inside that nobody blinks an eye that on Christmas, Christian Palestinians are bombarded in Bethlehem and it doesn't make the front page news. Are we to believe that the 3rd most powerful military in the world, Israel has this bad of that at this point they have killed more than 12,000 children in the last 4 months on accident. And what world is that heat words are more heavily weighted than actual American citizens being stabbed and shot to Nobody cares because they were Palestinian. It's that the world we're living in. Yes, we know we live in a Reese's world, but I have believed in this community to do better. I have been wrong. Palestinians are not showing up here anymore because we're afraid for our lives because we're actually being killed here in this country for being

Palestinian. We're being targeted in this >> Thank you. The next public comment will be from followed by Joan than Julia. Jen, thank you. Please go ahead. >> Hello, my name is Jen. I'm Jewish and resident of Santa Rosa. I'm here to speak in support of the cease-fire resolution. I'm here as a call for unity for a cease-fire resolution like we saw in Cotati. I have the honor tonight to read a letter from our Rabbi Irwin in support of cotati resolution. I'm going to read his letter now. My name is Rabbi Irwin Keller. I have and have been for the past 15 years. The rabbi at Congregation Ner Shalom, I'm here today speaking on my own behalf and not that of itself. In our congregation of 140 households. There are a range of viewpoints. However. The membership of knows that. I'm here today to speak in support of the resolution for a cease-fire. I have received 30 e-mails. From my congregants, 29 of which express gratitude and relief for me taking the stance. American Jews are expected to defend Israel. There's a connection we have borne of the shared history of suffering. It makes it difficult to break ranks. But it is our Jewish obligation to speak out. We know that a cease-fire resolution is not peace. But a cease-fire is not nothing. It is the first step in any solution and any future

prospect of peace, every additional day of this war makes the chances for peace. Limmer. Cease-fire cannot happen without world support, particularly without push for from the U.S. Government. And so before one more Palestinian child is killed him before one more Israeli soldier is killed. Let U.S. Pass this resolution and ask our government to be peacemakers. Let the hostages be returned let the bot hostages let the bombs Thank you. >> Thank you. The next public comment will be from Joan followed by Julia in Jordan. People move on to Julia than Jordan than Bree. Julia. Rapkin. Jackie. Do we have Bree coming up? Okay. Thank you, Bree. And then Jackie will move you next. Yes, great, awesome. >> Hi, my name is Bree Emma Sonoma County resident. I'm actually here. I'm going to be reading a letter on behalf of an elder from our community that's moved to Santa Rosa back in 1944, name is Sally Latch. She wrote the following their Santa Rosa City Council members. My name is Sally Latch and I'm a longtime Jewish resident of Sonoma County. It is a very important. That it is understood that the Jewish community is not a monolith. For example, some Jews don't want a cease-fire in Gaza. Others like myself and millions more desperately do want a cease-fire. The catastrophic suffering in Gaza has led to an increase in hatred towards Jews and Palestinians killing does not

make friends. Our security is increasingly threatened. This truth makes it a local issue. The U.S. Has that city Council is charged with responding to local community issues. It is imperative that it stands up to the reality and supports a cease-fire. Now, thank you very much. >> Thank you. The next public comment is Joan in the room. Julia. Jackie go to you next. I apologize. >> Hi, my name is you all know me very well at this I can't believe we're still here. Trainers, you guys to say something. But I want to read something really quick. I just want to highlight the hypocrisy proclamation for Black History Month when all of the great black history leaders that we honor during Black History Month would be on our side here. >> And if there's any people in opposition to the cease-fire resolution, I just want to let you know, as a Ju we want your family to come home safe. We want justice. We want peace. We want everybody to live safe, dignified lives. And that's why we're here. We want the killing to an end. I'm Nora Erekat, Palestinian human rights attorney said on democracy now yesterday last night, the images that came out of Rafah are horrifying. There was a young girl, her legs cut off hanging off of the wire by her. Sure. This is disproportionate excessive force that is meant to terrorize the population that is telling them you have no life here. There is no future

here. You must leave. That is the message that is being sent. And yet we're obscuring these atrocities were obscuring these genocidal campaigns with words of distraction. We're taking it and obstructing it to warfare and strategy. Hostages in the negotiations when the humanitarian situation speaks for itself, when tribunals have told us repeatedly this is a genocide. It must be ended unequivocally. And that come incumbent upon us now before we see the last city in Gaza, the one that is normally home to 220,000 Palestinians now has seeing one and a half million Palestinians, 80% of the population intense and in dire humanitarian situations. We should be rushing in to treat them with medicine with food, with water, with adequate care rather than are >> Thank you. The next public comment will be from Jackie followed by Andrew than Karen. >> Good evening. My name is I am a resident of Santa Rosa. Once again. I councilmember is not present I public comment. This is the 3rd time I've been hearing because Rodgers has been absent Eddie Alvarez, I like to say thank you for being the only council member. He's making consistent eye contact with us this evening. We notice that you're looking away. >> What you're doing is really indicative of what's been happening over the last 4 months. You don't even have the decency to look us in the eye when we're speaking about something that is gravely serious. Over 12,000 children are dead. 17,000 are orphaned. And we know that those numbers are truly much higher. I'm

here tonight as mother, I can't let my daughter in the eyes without thinking about all of the children that are wandering aimlessly >> in Gaza, looking for their parents, raising their own infant children. And now we're hearing reports of young children begging pleading to also die. They're wondering why they've been spared and their parents were taken from them as we continue to fund the bombs with our tax dollars when we could be putting their money here into our own community and helping our kids. Our children here with education. We've got an house children here in our city. And I know that you all became public servants because you believe in doing the public good. So I'm asking you to look inside your hearts. Remind yourselves why you chose to be a public servant. Why did you choose this? Because this is a path you chose. You wanted to represent Do the public good hear us represent Bringing peace amplifier way it's your responsibility. Thank you for having the decency to stay here. I would urge you to speak to the council members that are not present tonight and question them why they are not here. I'm also curious why Mayor Rogers left before she had the opportunity to hear us all speak. Thank you for your time. I appreciate it. Cease-fire. >> Thank you. The next public comment will be from Andrew followed by Karen than love. >> To these team members of the center of the City Council and the kind concerned citizens gathered here today. My name is Andrew I've been in Santa Rosa resident since 2020 and presently a candidate for Congress to serve the people of our city and the rest of

California's 4th district in Washington, D.C., I stand before you now, both of my capacity of inspiring leader in our community and it's a concerned American citizen to implore you to join us. And the other California cities of Cotati Davis, Richmond, Alameda could a Oakland and San Francisco in adopting a proclamation that affirms that our great city stands in support of an immediate Israeli-Palestinian cease-fire and permanent that diplomatic solution to this conflict. To be clear, I and those that stand with me oppose all forms of Anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, racism, bigotry, and genocide. And I will always stand as an advocate for the dignity and safety of people of every community, regardless of skin color, ethnicity, or creed. I condemn the actions of the Hamas in the murder of 1200 innocent Israeli civilians and the taking of some 253 other hostages, OCTOBER 7th. But so, too, do I condemn the over the top response of Netanyahu's indiscriminate shelling of Gaza that has claimed the lives of 28,000 Palestinians and injured roughly 68,000 more, many of which themselves have been innocent civilians and children of the 2 million people have Gaza, roughly 40% of which are under the age of 14. Roughly 1.9 million civilians. 85% of the population have been forcibly displaced, according to the United Nations, nearly half of the buildings in Gaza have been razed to the ground and over half a million people are at risk of succumbing to famine and disease without immediate humanitarian aid. It is my hope that cooler heads will prevail and more voices will join us in the name of peace, love, unity, and respect for the humanity of

all to support resolution. Hr 7, 8, 6, and call upon Congress to demand an immediate and permanent cease-fire in this present conflict for the release of all hostages and the unrestricted entry of humanitarian aid and assistance and the restoration of food, water, electricity and medical supplies to the people of Gaza. Now is the time to choose that. Which side of history will fall upon. And I hope that we will have the courage to choose a better path the one we have set up on. So that love and justice for desperate people in need of aid and a brighter will have the final. >> Thank you. The next public comment will be Karen followed by lending Johanna. Karin followed by Love than Johanna. Johanna. Thank you. Please go ahead. And then we'll go to Ari. >> James Santa Rosa resident. 45 years. Now I'm here again to urge you our elected representatives to adopt a resolution on behalf of the people of Santa Rosa calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza and suspension of all aid to Israel, least until some provisions for peaceful resolution are negotiated. I'm sure you are already well aware of the ever worsening were of the situation in Gaza and the worldwide calls for an end to the carnage occurring there. I know there is some opposition to such a resolution in the belief that is not within the of our city council and that your actions should be strictly limited to matters directly affecting Santa Rosa. I maintain

however, that our shared humanity. >> And concern for the welfare of others does not stop nor should it that the city limits. Considering that this is Black History Month reflect on how that history might be different if people in communities throughout the northern states had taken the position that the abolition of slavery elsewhere was not an appropriate matter of local concern or action, the that as long as they weren't and slaving others in their community or state, it was not their business and was beyond the scope of their control or even influence. One might also argue that any such local resolution can't make any difference. But we have a moral and ethical imperative to speak to oppose Israel's actions. And our U.S. Government's support of that to demand a ceasefire and to insist that this death and devastation is not in our name. Silence is implied consent. I urge you to join the growing number of communities large and small in California and others across the nation >> thank you. The next public comment will be from Ari followed by Julie Virginia. >> My name is are even And new resident of Santa Rosa. >> Can you please get closer to the microphone? Thank you. I'm I'm new to this community. When I came here, this was the first thing that I looked for was for people who were focus. I'm trying to bring peace in Palestine. It is so important

that we adopt the cease-fire. And it's necessary. That is right now the majority of Americans. And you can see in this room how strong the local support is. If you look calling to end genocide of the Palestinian people. The people of guys are no different than any of us be the live and thrive in their home. The damage done is profound. This is a trauma that will be remembered in grieved throughout history. What Will Santa Rosa's like Acb? What can we all say for ourselves? Our government is funding this genocide without her consent. This is a local issue in that over 2 million of sound or is this tax dollars are going towards army Israel, slaughter of Palestinians. We could use those tax dollars here. The house are unhoused defeat our hungry neighbors. Truly. I know you all can think of better things to do with that much money. I would rather see my personal tax dollars set on fire and sent to kill people. Unless we speak up and act. We're all complicit. Thank you. >> Thank you. The next public comment will be from Julie followed by Virginia than Mark. >> I've been a resident of Santa Rosa for 30 years and grateful for the opportunity to speak to my council members. I I'm wondering if anybody has any idea how many children >> maimed or fender killed since the last time many of us can being here to ask for a resolution, a cease-fire resolution to be put on the agenda. It's impossible to know. Many are buried under the rubble. I also want to speak directly to some of you.

I believe that there's some of you here who are aware of the cars that are taking place with our dime. And I believe some of you would like to have us past a cease-fire resolution, but maybe you're concerned about your career or dissent. Have anxiety around it. And that's understandable. It's hard to be the first person to stand up. But I I think that that some of capable of out and maybe you want to ask another council member that you think has similar ideas and together you can propose that we put this on the agenda. I'm Chris Rogers. I'm so glad you've come back because I've invited to endorse you and vote for you for state assembly. And I really, really want to. But I need you to step up, need you to step up on this. And soon like right now and I Victoria Fleming, I mean, your district, I voted for you twice. I have signs of my yard. I know you care about people like you care about the unsheltered. You care about immigrants and housing. I need you to step up. Show your leadership. Allow us to put this on the agenda. Also, I'm Jewish and my rabbi, Rabbi Irwin Keller, spoke in Cotati and has a few words that weren't said yet. And he wrote the Babylonian Talmud instructs us that anyone who has you capacity to protest injustice that is being done by members of their household and does not do so. They're considered is a great who are committing injustice >> true. >> Thank you. The next public comment will be from Virginia followed by Mark. Then Shauna. My name is Virginia. I've been

a resident. Of United States of America for a lot of decades. I have worked internationally and nationally in my calling just been. Personal and social responsibility for what happens in the choices that I make. I'm here today because coming at legacy, particularly from my father. I think passed on to me that I need to be. And socially responsible for the choices I make. And because I'm in the health care profession, social services. Crisis, intervention and suicide prevention. Death and dying in hospice. I v. All diseases which lack of the east that have a part of our human being. Because chosen to in ship broke them. I come today, incoherence with everything that has been spoken today advocate us to continue to make choices that are part of the Hippocratic oath, which I think everyone a physician. Everyone is patient. Everyone's a student and everyone is teacher. And so they both position. Do no harm. If I stand with that knowledge my is being spent on something that's couldn't with by believe and I have done >> thank you. The next public comment will be from Mark followed by than Michael. >> City My name is Mark Rutte doubt. I lived in Santa Rosa for 33 years. If the council wants to delve into Middle East politics, I urge to

consider a resolution that calls for the immediate release of Israeli hostages and the immediate surrender of Hamas, a cease-fire with Hamas is worth. Remember, there was a cease-fire on OCTOBER 6 and tober 7th. There was a barbarous invasion of Israel. People were massacred people. Civilians were actually targeted. They were not collateral damage. Hamas is a fundamental is anti Semitic. Death call. That is not fighting for an end of occupation. They're self stated goal is the destruction the state of Israel. It is no mistake that their charter article 7 features the following a The day of judgment will not come about until Muslims fight the Jews, killing the Jews when the Ju will hide behind the stones and trees, the stones and trees will Abdulla. There is a ju behind me come and kill him since their inception. Their tactic has been to murder as many Israeli civilians as possible. They've done it bombs with. Shootings, with car ramming with unbelievable of it. They pursue that. And the only way to get rid of them. You've seen how they've built incredible fortresses under mosques, under hospitals, under schools under under a facilities. A sea of fire will just delay the old. >> Thank you. The next public

comment will be from Shawna, followed by Michael than Roberta. >> Hi, I'm Shanon. I'm the director of a nonprofit farm school called sending in Petaluma some of our families. Our residents of Santa Rosa, we host a parent co-operative play a nature-based preschool and school-age camps for a school age kids. I'm a mother of 2 young girls. And as a woman who has devoted my professional life in service of children and families. I've been deeply grieving these past 4 months, seeing the suffering and the loss in Gaza and in the West Bank. I want to tell you about a local man named Eli us and his family. The histories. For whom I feel immense gratitude because they lease to me are beautiful. 2 acre farm site. Therefore they make my work possible. Elias and his family moved to Sonoma County from Palestine in the early 1980's allies. His father survived the not have 1948. And the many assaults that they experience in his homeland between those 2 dates 2 months ago. When I reached out to Elias to share how horrified and ashamed I am that my tax dollars are helping too mass murder. 10's of thousands of innocent people in his homeland. I was struck and saddened by how much appreciation he felt. And expressed to me in response to me simply caring about him and his family council. It shouldn't be that way. It should be a given that we acknowledge the humanity in our fellow citizens, our Arab citizens here in Sonoma County who are helping to build our communities should know that they matter council your

leadership is needed in this moment by passing a cease-fire resolution. You send a message to our community. The Palestinians are humans. They matter. They should be allowed to exist and it is the bare minimum that you owe us as citizens. Thank you. The next comment will be from Michael followed by Roberta than Stan. >> My name's Michael to tone. I'm a resident of Santa Rosa in district 2. So I'm Mark Stop. I know you're having a side conversation, but I'm here and I hope you are listening. I support a resolution for a cease-fire. And that's what I want to tell you today. I am someone who is involved in the community. I do a lot of outreach work with unsheltered folks through Sonoma County acts of kindness and part of the Sonoma County tenants Union. I help tenants with a lot of their issues. So I really care about local issues. And part of the reason I care about the local issues is because they're part of a bigger problem. And what we're talking about right now is a very big problem. It's not outside the scope of what Santa Rosa City Council should be focused on. It is something that we're very much a part of our government, our tax dollars. Our funding genocide. This isn't the first time this has happened. Our government supported South African apartheid, something that we don't learn too much about in school. And I want our kids to learn that this was. What the U.S. Was doing at this time. We were supporting a genocide in Palestine, but I want them to learn that there was resistance and that even if it was a local level that people stood up said something about

it. We've been to Huffman. We've been to some of us pick it outside Huffman's office. Some of us showed up to the state Capitol and protested for Palestine and they're not listening. So we need everyone here. I need my council member, Marc Stop. I need the council members here to stand up and be very clear on where they stand right now. Because this is unacceptable. And it's something that all of us half to do something about otherwise, it's just bound to continue its bound to be a part of our legacy. As people who did nothing. And it's bound to be a part where our tax >> Thank you. The next speaker will be Roberta followed by Stan than Jimmy. >> Good Evening. Council members. My name is and I've lived Santa Rosa for 50 years. I'm very impressed with the number of issues that you deal with here. I would think that since I arrived in Saint Rose and there's been a lot of there are a lot of problems we have homeless. We have hungry. We have an education system that's not conducive to many of the students. We people that are important to our community like teachers, policemen, firemen who can't afford live here. There are so many things are even more things that you've talked about today. I disagree with them and that I followed. I

would like you to solve the problems that affect our community. If you want to be take action or so. Something on political situations and foreign affairs. That's fine with me. Do it on your own time. Please attend the problems. We have and make Sonoma County in Santa Rosa. A better place to live. Thank you. Thank you. The next public comment will be from stand then Jimmy, then of Eva. >> Hello, my name is Stan Goodman. I've been here for 15 years. The first reason I'm against this resolution is it will embolden people who support Hamas to take violent actions against Jewish institutions. Synagogues and businesses as has happened in other places where such resolutions have been passed. So we certainly don't want that kind of violence here. So I suggest we don't pass this second. People have blood on their hands here in this room, but actually who has blood on their hands? Actually, it is Hamas. Hamas is the one that attacked Israel, killing people, massacring people, babies. Hamas is the one has in the charter has been just mentioned genocide in their charter. Hamas's want to send tens of thousands of rockets into Israel. Hamas is the one who has military equipment in house and house in schools, and Unruh ask Hamas is the one that has the tunnels underneath all these places where they're not supposed to be how many civilians are in the tunnels, none. What is the really purpose of Hamas? What

is their goal for this whole conflict? The actual goal is to have their own people killed. That is what their goal is. And they have succeeded. They're the ones that causing the problems. Why don't they want to choose right now? They've had Tucson last week, 2 weeks. Please. The reason >> well, a lot folks. >> MISTER Vice Mayor, I'm going to recommend a brief recess. Folks. Folks we're going. Take a break. We'll take a brief recess right now. 10 minutes. We're not clear that we're not clear >> Officers, can you please clear clear the chamber? Officers? Can you please clear the chamber? Everyone please leave the chamber so we can settle the room and we will reconvene in 10 minutes as per Vice Mayor steps recommendation. Thank you. >> All right. Now, welcome back, everyone. It's our goal that everybody has a chance to speak tonight. Both the people in this room and online. But in order to do that, have to do to revert to the very polite behavior that we have to start of the meeting. One person speaks at the time. No shouting, no talking or every else and we will then and then if that happens, everyone, the chance to speak. If that doesn't happen, we will likely have to adjourn the meeting. So every one of the best behavior. And with that, we're going we're going to continue with the public commenter who was speaking. I just before we Apologies. We have one more bit of housekeeping here will take out. A city clerk.

>> Thank you. Councilmember Rogers, Councilmember Okrepkie Councilmember MacDonald here, Councilmember Fleming. Council member Robert PRESIDENT Vice mayor step your Mayor, Rogers PRESIDENT, let the record show that all council members are present with the exception of come number Fleming. >> All right. In Medan City clerk, are we ready to resume public comment? We are. All right. We'll begin with the gentleman who was speaking just before we need to add to the break. He will have. I believe 30 to continue to finish a statement. >> Could you say that? I in favor of a cease-fire, but the cease-fire has to be released. Hostages and Hamas has to surrender. They've lost the war. Only reason that we continue the war is I said before, is there more people of their own killed? She's very sad and people have acknowledge that said fact. And if they would surrender the sausages be scanned occur and maybe something good can come of it all. Thank you. >> Thank you. The next speaker will be Jimmy followed by a la Grant. >> It is Doctor Wu and I've been a family physician serving the marginalized populations of Santa Rosa Sonoma County for the past 15 years as somebody is that okay, my career to the pursuit of health equity, especially for those most oppressed. It saddens me greatly to bear witness that undeniable atrocities being perpetrated against the Palestinian people by Israel. It is with this in motion. I passionately urge the Santa Rosa City Council to follow the cotati counterparts and immediately considering and adapting a cease-fire resolution. The tragic numbers are indisputable and we as a community as a country must stop averting arise from the realities and and our

complicity in a senseless violence. There have been 34,000 total killed, including 13,000 children. This is kind of the thousands ares still missing and likely under rubble. In addition over 600 of my medical colleagues have been injured or killed to give you a local perspective, the total number to seize is double. The current enrollment at j c the number of dead children in Gaza is approximately the same number of children who are enrolled in our very own Santa Rosa City School district. Finally, the number of healthcare heroes killed or injured in Gaza is about equal to the total number of hospital beds among Santa Rosa's, 3 main hospitals said with those comparisons for a moment. While those numbers, it's officially horrify anybody. We must not forget the deleterious to Matt. Traumatizing effects of war and death on health and wellness of the Palestinian people, especially the youth who ultimately MAY survive this deadly conflict in my work. I borne witness to how a person's collective traumas throughout their lives contribute to their current health problems and suffering. Now, imagine entire community an entire population having endured through this genocide of their people together and how this will negatively impact the health of current and future generations of Palestinian people. As the city council. If you consider and pass a cease-fire resolution, you would make an incredible difference and shifting at the state and ultimately national conversation on this issue towards one of peace, justice and human rights for all. Thank you. >> Thank you. The next public comment will be from of the that followed by a than Josh. >> My name is v political ads. My family also survived the programs in Ukraine. Well, some of them didn't. Some of

them didn't. And I can't imagine there's anything I'm going to be able to say to you after everyone has spoken so eloquently with such heart and with such facts behind them. To plead with you. But are watching. A campaign of extermination unfold on our phones and we are banking our representatives to do something. And the reason that our representatives can do something is that our government is funding this board. There's no way that this war could continue without our funding. And we've been calling our representatives. We've been protesting. We write them letters. We sure you can fax them. And then it turns out the facts is also just turned into emails that they also ignore. So why is this here for you? The city Council. Because >> you are here to lift up our voices. This is a local issue. Not just because there are Palestinian constituents who are watching their families and their communities be decimated. >> From here in Santa Rosa. But because our money, my money. >> My meager money is going. >> To those bombs and to those jets. To that campaign of starvation. Starvation. People already dying of starvation and cold. You can be our voices. That's what we are begging you to do is be our voices. Thank you. The next public comment will be Allegro followed by Josh than Lee. >> My name is grad. I am in Santa Rosa resident and he is my representative int

>> I'm here because I mom a mom of 2. They're 6.11 and every day when I look at my phone, I see dead, 6 year-olds and at 11 year-olds. And I can't I can't describe to you how painful it is. Those of you who are parents. I don't know how you're living with this. We have to use our conscience people who have gone to where they're told to go to have fled to where they're told they will be safe or not safe. They are now being bombed as well. They are now being killed as well. We're seeing people as others have said starving. They're dying of thirst. And at a certain point, the excuses of this is not our business have to stop. This is all everybody's business. Genocide is everybody's business. Be brave. Stand up against genocide. Stand for a cease-fire. Thank you. Thank you. The next public comment will be from Josh followed by Leavin Mary >> All So I want to talk about leadership just for a second. You know, this has been a big day. And I would think twice before stepping into any of your seats up there in the city council, the community is very he did right now. You can see the salt on Rafah is happening at this moment. It's in our faces. We've seen so much suffering injustice cruelty in the violent conflict in Israel, Palestine. We can't excuse it. And worst of all those seem to be no consequences. It seems to barrel out of control. And so this community came here.

Maybe we trace the weapons money from federal tax monies, followed it all the way down to this chamber. Maybe we feel complicit because we're Jewish and we have to speak up and we feel we have to maybe you've seen the history of injustice and cynical power grabs. And we've heard some folks are getting together and that this is the room where something could be done, some kind of resolution could be made. I understand that crafting a statement is daunting because I've never seen so many people operating with different Ruth's different keywords, different slogans. But that's where leadership comes in and were elected leaders come in the council as an opportunity to speak for the community in a way that works moves us forward in a way that brings our community together and a desire for justice. There are disagreements. Your constituency. I get that. I have a disagreement with myself. But most people want to see the current devastation and and need to see some support towards that in their immediate community. I don't think everyone is going to be happy, but I'm not here to be happy. I'm here to see and to do what I can to and the destruction of a truly precious and irreplaceable part of the human family. The Palestinian people. I think this goal is something we can all support. And I think that leadership can move this through hate and prejudice, bad faith arguments. >> And we need Thank you. >> Thank you. The next public comment will be excuse me. Leave followed by Marie be than tests.

>> Hi, I'm Lee and I'm here and I'm in solidarity with my Palestinian community members. Why anti Zionist Jewish community members in calling for you as the city council representing your constituents. >> To to >> Put on the agenda, a cease-fire and signed a cease-fire agreement. I want to also make sure you're aware that this is not without precedence during Vietnam War. It was local communities like ours. Cooper signed antiwar statements so that they could be her. We could be heard. There is an overwhelming majority of citizens in the U.S. United says the United States who are calling for a cease-fire. We're watching as white-supremacist language is used to somehow dehumanize Palestinian lives. We are watching the exact same thing happened. That happened during apartheid South Africa when the same exact language of white supremacy that is being used today to defend the Israel government. It was used to defend the white supremacist African government against. >> were supporting of part apartheid. So here we are again. Once again, history is repeating itself. Once again, we're here as community members all over the entire country asking for our local community members. 2 stand with us. Call for a cease-fire. Call for an end of the occupation call for for ending of the killing and

calling for. >> Also just let's also stop the funding U.S. Stop the funding, our schools, our roads, everything good, stop. The funding been good and cease-fire. >> Thank you. The next public comment will be from Mary be followed by tests than Kelce. >> Hello, my name is Marty Mendoza. I'm a resident of Saint Rose. I've lived here my entire life. I'm I'm here as everyone else. Mostly everyone else to call for a cease-fire You are my representatives. You're represent. You're supposed to represent what I believe in the policies. My tax money, most importantly, supposed to represent where my taxes go and they're going to kill children, children who I've seen dead on my phone. I would I would show you the pictures if you'd let me there's carnage on my phone. A 12 year-old girl bombed in Refugee Center. It was the one place Netanyahu said everyone would be safe to school. There you'll be safe. Go South, go south. They bonded Super Bowl Sunday when all Americans were busy watching the Super Bowl, they bombed their offer. It has won 1.5 million people primarily children. They're intense conditions where they're being starved. Humanitarian aid is not being let in all we're asking for is for you to uplift our voices and ask for a cease-fire. I think everyone in this room is for a cease-fire, even if we

don't agree on everything, why? Why would we want the numbers to double? 35,000 people have died in Gaza. That's almost 12,500 children have died in Gaza. I have their bodies on my phone. I can show you. So it's pretty much I wanted to say this is the 100 29th day of genocide. Genocide is different from award Palestinian people. They don't have an army to represent them. They have resist occupation group. Okay. Occupation was occupation comes resistance. An action leads to a reaction. That's all we can say about that. Of course, any life being killed a war. No more live should be taken. Pleas. Please just call for a cease-fire. Join the many cities here in California and across the United States that are calling for an end to violence. Thank you. >> Thank you. The next speaker will be tests followed by Kelsey than Julia. >> Hello, my name is Tess Caldwell. I was born in the city of Santa Rosa and I still live here today. I have with me 2 letters from 2 children, 10 year-old Lucas and 11 year-old Luna. I would like to read with to you some things that they shared with us. They think that they would like you to know that Palestine is a very special place and it is important to them because they do not deserve to be killed. Young Luna says that they would like you to know that Palestine had a beautiful ocean and a beautiful land. Palestine was filled with a lot of families. Their use of the past tense here is not lost on me and I hope it's not lost on you. >> Luna says that this is important to them because they

want Palestine to be free because you are killing families and they should live this as you are killing families. And this is why we have blood on our hands. Every 10 minutes we hold our hands up as a collective because every 10 minutes, another child in Gaza dies from Israeli bombs that are made in the U.S. Every 10 minutes. Another child dies. These 2 letters are from 11 year-old and a 10 year-old. There are children younger than who have been killed. Young, a young child, young hinder it. She was 6 years old. She called her mom. She was in a car surrounded by her dead family members. Her mother called the Palestinian Red Crescent to send an ambulance. The Palestinian Red Crescent received an affirmative, ok from the state of Israel to allow the safe passage of the ambulance to his location. She sat in the car with her dead family for hours, if not days until over a week and a half later, her body was found with the rubble of the car and the rest of the remains of her family. She had to sit with her dead family for hours. And you know what? She watched her 15 year-old cousin die in front of her. This is happening with our money and this is happening on our Dime. Pass a cease-fire resolution now. >> Thank you. The next speaker will be Kelsey followed by Julia than Karen. >> My name is Kathy Vero and I also lived in fair that my whole life. I'm here to ask that the city council adopt a resolution for a cease-fire in Gaza and it had to put it on the agenda without away and to recognize that it is important

to your constituents and your committee members and therefore, it is relevant to the city council's work. We recognize that some things are a moral imperative that some things are for history and that this is one of those things that has no middle ground and no compromise. We must unite for a call for an end to this nightmare that has horrified us and they in this war to fuel our action to take a side on this and to increase the pressure on our federal government until it becomes impossible to continue with this genocide. It seems impossible that we are here to have to say that there is no excuse and no legitimate reason 2 to do a genocide that that is the ultimate statement that we're trying to make and that no other argument. Can be made. And we must. Say that as loud often as we can and tell it is not happening anymore. There's no for discussion in part because there will be no people left at the end of her. Lots of conversations about what the future might hold. But if the people are being killed. >> Like this, if they're going to star, if they're going to die of disease, if not from our own bomb, there is no future to So cease-fire now. >> Thank you. The next public comment will be from Julia followed by Karen than love. I think you my name is Julia Rapkin. I work for the county of a and Seward and seiu 10 to one and a delegate to the North Bay Labor Council. >> I want to let you know the unions across this country are standing up and speaking out for a cease-fire in Gaza. Many national and local unions, including the United Auto Workers, postal Workers,

National Nurses, United committee of interns and residents, food and commercial workers. Teachers, professors, seiu, hotel and restaurant workers in even the a f l c I o has come out for a cease-fire. Local unions and labor organizations such as my union seiu, 10 to one unite here, local 2 and the North Bay Labor Council have now called for an immediate and permanent cease-fire in Gaza. Why a cease-fire union issue? Because unions fight for solidarity for working people for ordinary people. The old slogan goes an injury to one is an injury to all as public sector workers. Our counterparts in Gaza have virtually no more public services to to not only the constant Israeli bombardment, but the complete siege which prevents all food, water, medicine and fuel from entering Gaza. What possible justification can there be for bombing ambulances and rescue workers? We all know our public services here in the U.S. Are incredibly underfunded and people dying on our streets here because they don't have access to the services they need. And yet the Senate. Yesterday last voted for 95 billion dollars in more military spending. I mean. Why are putting that money into the services we need? That's nothing else is all clear local issues. That's a clear local issue right? And so hospital workers are getting active walking out of their workplaces, attending rallies. Cease-fire is people are I have declaring the majority not going to vote. >> Thank you. The next speaker will be Karen followed by live

in Susan. >> For 7, I haven't felt safe every Sunday morning. My family participate in a program called been for their lives. Within months of peaceful 20 minute walk downtown Santa Rosa. The reason we walk is to release the hostages held in Gaza. Unfortunately, during these walks, people often scream at U.S.. On one occasion, I even recorded a video of this. They're yelling makes me feel like I've done something wrong like I'm a criminal. Thankfully many cars Hawkins support as we walk. I don't understand the hate directed toward us. They shout things like Zion in genocide supporter. We'll show you middle fingers. >> As the level, you this is extremely frightening. >> Even at my Hebrew school, we now have security guards and I'm sp sported to class which was not the case a year ago. To the City Council to address Jewish hatred. All I'm asking for is to be allowed to live without fear. Thank you. Thank you. The next speaker will be left followed by Susan. >> I want to thank the City Council for their focus Citi needs and trying to solve an international conflict that can only be to feeding and grand, bringing more divide within our community. Why would a city council discuss a cease-fire with a terrorist organization that has broken every previous cease-fire agreement? >> raped and mutilated innocent civilians. The people advocating for cease-fire. I'm advocating for release of hostages and Hamas around or their slogan is from the river to the sea. Their symbol is a watermelon and the shape of

Israel's map. They're Hamas sympathizers was just tools of Iran and Russia as Nancy Pelosi recently asked fbi to look into that connection. This be ball looking for a final solution and Middle East without a Democratic Jewish state. And to those who protest against Israel in the chambers. I asked. >> Where were you when Syria and Yemen that for and were being killed? What is that morning weights you to protest so furiously now? I think the answer can be found in the fact that anti Semitic attacks have re shocking levels in the U.S. According to adl from OCTOBER, 7th until OCTOBER 20 Antti Semitic incidents rose by about 4800%. It is k 3, 2 Jews, hatred Israel and supporter of Hamas. A group designated as a terrorist organization that more he waits you. It's time to acknowledge and speak the truth in that year. At the end, one-sided resolution will not solve the conflict. Will bring any closer to peace. Elected officials involved in complex negotiations. I was cia director is in Cairo right now meeting with all the parties pushing full Gaza truce. And what's this release? Let all. >> Thank you. The next speaker will be Susan. >> Susan, I'm onto Santa Rosa District. 2. More than 20 years ago. People went to the city council and asked to have a discussion on the Patriot Act. They wanted the city council to say did not support

the Patriot Act because it got to the human and civil rights Americans. They agreed to put it on the agenda. And this place was packed. It was out the door. And after everyone spoke. The mayor actually said we've heard you. And we know better than you. And as a result. Permanently, as far as we know. All rights have been gutted. That was shameful period for the city council, but they at least put it on the agenda. You haven't done that. Hamas exists for one reason. And that is because of 75 years of killing dispossession and oppression. Wouldn't exist otherwise. The question has been asked. What would Gaza look like without Hamas? The answer is it would look like the West Bank. We're in the first 9 months of 2023. Israel killed more than 200 people. Palestinians. It took Hamas, sadly. To make this a worldwide issue to make Americans care about this. The great philosopher Cornell West said. Human rights. Or what love looks like in public. You have a chance to show. Your love for your. Citizens. >> Residents. >> And for the whole think. >> Thank you. Is there anyone else in the chamber wishing to

provide public comment on this item? Lineup in an orderly fashion at the podiums. We'll start of the West lectern. Started the West sector please go ahead. >> I would like to offer you each a symbolism of the children who have passed away in Gaza. Are you willing to accept that? Or is that something that we can do here? >> Unfortunately, we're not going to record to back and forth during public comment. To 9% members and not at this time. Please continue your comment. Okay? >> Well, as I'm a child of this earth, I am here also to support a cease-fire also to remind you NOVEMBER is coming up very quickly. Hopefully we have reached some sort of a resolution by then. And we've all come to our senses. But I do want to remind you that you. Are up for reelection and the people are speaking and we're paying attention and we're rightfully upset. And if you are not upset, you have not been paying attention. So if you would like to maintain your position of remember that you get that from the people. I push you all loving your hearts and the resilience and the strength. That the Palestinian people bring us. >> a quick follow-up. If you'd like to leave the flowers at with at the desk in the corner that that is possible. Thank you very much. >> think it will move to the speaker on lectern. >> Tar come on. A 20 year resident of Santa Rosa District 5. I would just like to at. But there are so many things I want to say. So I just have to pick something.

But at I want urge you to do your research on These claims that we've been hearing all day. Do the research. I it's hard. It breaks my heart. I wake up every morning and I'm forced. I forced to open my computer read the news watch that terrible videos and all that. And yet we hear all these lies that have disproven many, many times. >> As we know if we talk a lot there. It becomes truth. Another thing that the plane this is something personal that plane that calling for a cease-fire calling for for life to continue something Anti-Semitic. It's something hateful is not true. I'm not Palestinian. I grew up in Palestine. I lived there. I mean, I know it. I'm in constant contact. Every day. I see you see how how Jewish people came up here and spoke today. I c dot every 1000 and sees that and they please keep doing what you're saying. We know you're saying and keep on doing >> Thank you. The next speaker can come to the podium for that item. All right. We're going to move to the public comments on zoom. If there are no additional public comments from. The chamber. Okay. We'll go over to the East Lecter, the West lectern. Please go ahead. Are you ready? >> I think there are some more people in the room that would like to speak my name is JUNE for shares. And I just do want

to remind you that the United Nations as stated that more than 12,000 children have been killed and estimates 17,000 children have been left in a company and orphans separated from their families. And this is after OCTOBER 7 that this has been happening and I wanted to, quote and some excerpts from the speech that Senator Bernie Sanders made today in the U.S. Senate. He said right now today in Gaza, we are witnessing one of the worst humanitarian disasters in modern history. It is unfolding before our very eyes and we must not run away from that reality. 1.7 million people have been driven from their homes. Nearly 80% of the population pushed out of their homes hungry. The devastation caused by Israeli bombardment is unprecedented in modern history. Some 70% of the housing units have been damaged and destroyed. He continues in saying if nothing changes, we will soon have hundreds of thousands of children literally starving to death before our eyes and believe it or not, the situation could become even wars. What is happening in Gaza now is funded by you as taxpayer dollars. These are our bombs in our military equipment that is being used. We are complicit and I'd say the you that, you know, you MAY come to see this is the most significant divining, defining issue of our

lifetime. We don't want that, but it is here upon us. And it's not just the silence that makes one complicity in the Ghazi genocide, but also the lack of acting to answer what leverage we each have. So I ask you to assert that leverage. >> And ceased all solutions. >> Thank you. Next, speaker in the room. If you'd like to make Lee to the podium. >> I just want to say. Please listen to Palestinians. Please listen to that era. And Palestinians key Palestinian people living in this community living in Santa Rosa. Several of them have spoken tonight and I really hope that their words a in for you. People are hurting. prayed for their lives. And you all have responsibility to listen to your constituents. Thank you. >> Thank you. Are there any other speakers in Chambering would like to provide public comment? Please sign up at the podiums and you can from podium the West to the East East West, to the east. Thank you. Please. Go ahead. >> Hi, my name is running mind. I have lived in Sonoma County, my whole life and disappointed to be an American citizen. The dehumanization of Palestinians has been very prevalent in this chamber and it's one of 10 states that stages of genocide. It's not even a question that a genocide is happening in our complicity ad is appalling. As a Mexican-American. I'm no

stranger to see community of color stereotype to the point of fear. And as I mean, the prosecution. Of this community, I can't believe policy and still have to prove their humanity. This disgusting behavior in our complicity is got us to this point. I am so tired of the United States living is protect the bubble. Why weren't the ones funding this genocide? We've already presented a cease-fire resolution and we're ready to work together. So what's stopping us from moving forward? What's stopping us from on the right from standing on the right side of history. >> I'm also an active community member. And I want to echo a fellow constituent. Who share that local issues extends to our relatives across the sea. To stand by Palestine is to stand by Mother Earth do right by humanity. Speak up on behalf of your constituents and called for a cease-fire. Now. Thank u next speaker. Please. Ok, thank you. Are going to move to our public commenters on zoom in turn it over to zoom host, deputy City Clerk Rhonda. >> He's taken away. >> Thank you. We will start with Hannah, followed by Diana and then Allen. Please go ahead when you're ready. >> Hi there. Um, I want to keep a really short because I know everybody has already said everything that I feel in my heart. I just want to say genocide is a local issue. If we cannot stand unified against genocide, what can we stand unified on? This is a community and this is the city Council for a community that is asking for you to adopt an a adopt a cease-fire resolution. No cease-fire, no votes. Consider that next time. Thank you. >> Diana will be followed by

Allen and then take me. And they go ahead when you're ready. >> Good evening. My name is Diana Kingsbury and I'm a voter in Santa Rosa's 5th district represented by Chris Rogers. I'm calling for the center's the city council to put a cease-fire resolution on the agenda and to pass it. A majority of voters in the U.S. Already support a cease-fire. We demand a cease-fire now for our Santa Rosa community members from Palestine and to make it easier for more cities across the country to do the same so we can end this genocide from the grassroots up. Thank you. Thank you, Diana. >> Allen will be followed by tv and then Dax. Allen. Please, GOD, when you're ready. >> Hello, my name is Alan Walls. And then lifelong resident Santa Rosa. And in to whose family also played here from ground Ukraine. You've already heard in prayer meeting model like be here in future People from the Jewish Community Relations Council speaking out against the city Council, passing a cease-fire resolution. This group has been going to every government body in the Bay area that is possibly considering any cease-fire resolution, one of their argument that the government should only focus on local issues, which is quite ironic considering that this is not local organization. They're claiming to produced or concerned about a rise in Anti-Semitism. The growth of Lucian were to be passed. This is nothing but manufactured fear mongering. The rise in actual anti semitism lately has been driven by white supremacy.

That we have nothing to do with the fire resolution that anyone has put forward. What is being called antisemitic is any criticism of the state of Israel. This argument itself is very anti Semitic as it insinuates that only Zion. That's our real choose, which attempts to erase the Judaism roughly 1.5 million Jews in America alone. According to Pew Research Center, do not believe in a direct tie between Judaism and Zionism argument. I keep hearing put forward. Is that user afraid of what will happen that we've these fire resolution? I do not believe that we should be dictating public policy based on the unfounded groups with the Rays that them at their core, white supremacists are afraid of any non-white people taking over. But we don't give in to them and pass resolution based upon that here. During the Super Bowl, the state of Israel started bombing Rafah, the last remaining refuge for millions to the plate helping in refugee from an ongoing genocide every week that goes by without department. Pollution is another week in which we're complicit in genocide. Our collective silent on the issue with telling he's introduced and passed the Peach Pie Resolution without further delay. No cease-fire, no >> will be followed by Jack. And then Margaret. Tv. Go ahead. When you're ready. >> this is Sean to loved in life, Sean, to be tornado members of the center's and city council. We find ourselves on a landmark by contradictions, a nation with the curb appeal of a grand mansion. Yet a foundation echoing the neglect of slum Lord. We are surrounded by narratives carefully curating fed to us to maintain a system

that keeps many oppressed. As we stand crucial to acknowledge the intricate history of this land where Indigenous Palma to indigenous Filipino were sold to Sonoma County's plantation complex. I fresh generation come voting Havertz people who survived genocide witnessing the relentless cycle of abuse. Across generations. The violence persist and the question bags, partisan narrative truly changed. Our struggles are intertwined, transcending borders and cultures. >> To truly break free, we must recognize that liberation for one as in connect Inter connected with the liberation of all. Today, I speak before you not just as the first generation Cambodian who grew up in Roseland, but a voice urging solidarity demanding liberation for Palestine and then an immediate cease-fire. For we're not truly free unless all of us are free. It is time to man told the wall that divides and unite in a collective pursuit of Justice. Santa Rosa has the largest city north of San Francisco Hall significantly in matters yet it's complacency in the violence. The Palestinians speaks volumes. It's time for our city to rise up, to speak out and to demand that our government represents U.S. Residents and calling for a cease-fire. End to the bloodshed or to council members to heed this call for justice that stand on the right side of history and to use your platform to advocate for peace. The quality, the dignity of all Peoples, actual dei work. Will be dak's. >> Followed by Margaret and

then Maria. Dax. Please go ahead when you're ready. >> Hi, I'd like to mostly my fellow attendees in the crowd. So hopefully that you hear me and I would just like reiterate for folks who are hoping that center the City Council will do the right thing, that they will listen to you that they will not. They have no interest doing so and no interest in doing so in 2020 and 2021. Any other time that we have come to them and asked them to do the right thing enters the city Council has a common theme of putting their heads down looking at the table not engaging with their constituents. They have no interest in doing so. And I doubt that they ever well. Tragic, but that's how it goes. Counts. Spineless people. So I would love them that prove me wrong. But I very much doubt it. Instead, I would like suggest to all in the audience that >> there are people who MAY be more receptive to your concerns and your complaints issues with. >> Israel committing genocide in hand. It MAY also indicate you why members of the Santa Rosa City Council would be hesitant to do so. There is. 3 businesses in the county that contribute directly to the Israeli genocidal effort. I'm one of them is cinema photonics, which supplies. Northrop Grumman. With essential materials it's located on 1, 7, 5, 0, Northpointe Parkway in Santa Rosa. There's a another company l 3 to Paris technology that provides f 35 parts. We've sold a bunch 35 to Israel. That is that 4 to 8 Aviation Boulevard. Number 1, 0, 6, 9 in Sandra's and up and yields bird. We also have the general Dynamics, ordnance and tactical systems office at.

General places that reply and on the downside of war effort Israel 1002 1000 and so we tell them what you think of the and what they do core. >> Thanks, several be Margaret, followed by Maria. Margaret, please go ahead. When you're ready. >> I can you hear me, ok? Yes, we can. My name is Mark I'm Sonoma County resident. A mother, a wife, human. And witnessing atrocities hourly has compelled me to stop being silent in this forum. I'm glad that the impact of this was reached into the deepest places in my heart, in my bones and my soul because that is the way that we as humans should react. Witnesses kind. Suffering and I'm going to ration. I totally reject the it and supporting the end of apartheid and occupation of Palestine. I reject. I reject assertion. And it's Anti-Semitic position. Some believed not and so live upsides. One world disconnected from common humanity. And it's hard to watch and witness. Alongside real suffering and a level of trauma and that unrelenting. There is profound suffering. Every split second. And I urge you to act before it is too late to get on to the right side of history. Thank you. >> Except as Maria followed by Hugo and then Katrina. Maria, please go ahead. When you're ready. Hi, I'm speaking tonight as a resident of Santa Rosa Council district one to urge you to adopt a cease-fire resolution. >> In light of Sunday's attack on Rafah, I'm left feeling distraught, all be sworn in as

an attorney in less than 2 weeks in working in housing, justice and civil rights here in Sonoma County. And I feel the fight for rights in our own neighborhood is intrinsically linked to the fight for civil rights around the world. I weep for 100 job and all the innocent lives lost since OCTOBER 7, the escalating violence will only lead the loss of more innocent lives for Palestinians and Israelis and anyone else in the area. Each day that passes without a cease-fire violently steals life from innocent people. Santa Rosa, my stand on the right side of history. And that is an example for peace before it's too late. I'm at a loss as to why you hesitate to speak on an issue that will cost you truly nothing to address if you think this is not a local matter, you're mistaken. Anyone in Santa Rosa who's paying attention will not forget your silence. I urge you to adopt the cease-fire resolution. Now. >> Next up is Hugo followed by train and then Esther. You go, please go ahead when you're ready. >> Thank Good evening. Thank you for giving. Everyone can be there in person at the Council of them a way to express else elsewhere, really residents of Santa Rosa in the 5th district urging for a cease-fire resolution. I'm not tomorrow, not next but now Chris Rogers, if you want my vote, really need to act on this other than this, just would like to say to all of our Jewish friends that if you she'll were even scared, must know that if you ever wear situation of oppression, the way that 2 people is right now, we would fight for you was the same range. So this is not a religious We support you. We love you as a community. Yeah, I just. That's what I want to say

tonight. Thank you. Thank you. >> Next step is cut rain followed by Esther and then Joshua. Go ahead. When you're ready. >> Home could be moved to the possible mobiles on problems. This is in softball. I want to keep this frankly also those with them. I want all the colors since that those people roll call almost possible officers polls a little small. These all this is thank you to do Well, the went missing. Also these little hopeful opening. It was wrong halls long. We need to put a stop to all the way to do. Is through offices, all resolutions, malls, ball well on tuition house, with the models. Well, call. Last means a lot of these. Only awful. Calls both sees all public public to the table. Well, to although also motion these all those solutions mall, just of body. In future say for please. >> Next Stern followed by Joshua and then Robin. Please go ahead. When you're ready. >> My name is Esther and I'm a Ju and a junior every high school, a local school in tatters. Unfortunately, I don't have time to tell you about. Had been to the south of Israel. I've seen the bomb shelters in preschools. I don't have time to tell you. I went to pull in this year and so are millions of my people were murdered terrified every day that it will happen again. I don't have time to explain to the intricacies of the Israeli Palestinian conflict and the historical facts that

date back 2000 years. I don't have time to explain how Hamas has opportunity to bring a permanent see start tomorrow by releasing hundreds of hostages giving up the rule over the people of Gaza. Yet they persist openly promising repeat that tri-cities about over 7 every 2 in the world, this war is affecting everyone. Even in Santa Rosa antisemitism has been on the rise with kids in my own school, doing Hitler salutes drawn swastikas and even my own principal being afraid for the safety of students supporting the release of hostages. But a cease-fire won't solve these problems. As the Washington Post's Jennifer Rubin wrote earlier this month unless and until Hamas is eliminated as a military force in Gaza, none of this is possible. Hamas a terrorist organization that does not have the Palestinians interest and not do not be negotiated with. Don't forget there is a cease-fire effect on OCTOBER 6. Please don't bring the cease-fire resolution to the agenda. Thank you. Next up is Joshua followed by Robin. >> Edison. Joshua, please go ahead. When you're ready. >> Hey, there. Josh. I was like thinking about how the about like genocides in the past. And, you know, I want to think of myself as someone who would like fight back in a situation like that. Maybe

even like, you know. I want to be fighting. You know, I what I say like, hey, there's an evil force there and I'd be the guy on the ground fighting because there is an evil force, a play. But I but like. All people are asking you all to do is resolution where you just like, say, hey, we are in favor one thing. It can be a sentence long. If you're having trouble writing that resolution, it can really just be like. Whereas. Consider a Santa Rosa City does not import support of genocide. Therefore, be it resolved that we are in favor of a cease-fire in the current unrest, Israeli Palestinian conflict. It's. Kind of like really minimal. You know, I would hate to like think of myself as while genocide was happening. I did literally nothing. And that is what you will in that House history will see you all. As people who just did nothing. I get that. You're like a local government. The problem is global and the like we have to have people like you do these resolutions to build support and Bauer. Currently do. But try not to s# # # as what I'm saying. >> Next up is Robin followed by his son. Robin, please go ahead. When you're ready. Okay. We'll go ahead too. I just son. You're being asked to Unmute. Please go ahead. >> Hello, I'm a Sonoma County dad. The past 4 months of livestream ugly and undeniable truth. American imperialism at work. Israel U.S. Funded

colonial nation plus than 100 years ago. We creating the same atrocities that claims its statehood from? We're all witness to the scores of Palestinian families torn apart. So color of their skin again. Our tax dollars in weapons. Reason this apartheid now full genocide are able to occur. As Americans. It is our responsibility to understand what part we play in the world and that bare minimum to oppose the atrocities we commit. The families of Palestine don't deserve this. And the families in America don't deserve to pay for. And Sonoma County deserves to hear its leaders say cease-fire now. We can collectively approves if we can't collectively approach fascism, murder, colonialism, ethnic cleansing, starvation, land, theft, displacement and subjugation. And shame on us. All. If you ever wonder what you would have done and not see Germany, you're doing it right now. >> Robin, you're up next. You're being asked to Unmute. Please go ahead when you're ready. I don't think we're going to be hearing from Robin. Seeing no additional hands raise to provide public comment via zoom. >> Thank you. All right. We're to close public comment. Thank you to everyone for coming out and taking the time thank you for your There are no further items on the agenda so we will