Santa Rosa · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Santa Rosa public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Settlements and active litigation
The city paid $250,000 to settle claims with former City Manager Maraskeshia Smith and $205,000 to settle the Clare Hartman wrongful termination case. The city denies liability in Hartman; 32 lawsuits remain active.
Capital Improvement Program status
Roseland residents argued capital dollars flow to wealthier areas like Oakmont while west-side roads crumble; Alvarez countered District One has received the most road funding. MacDonald asked for a district-by-district project tracker.
Wastewater revenue bonds, Series 2026A
About $50 million in bonds will fund electrical upgrades at the Laguna Treatment Plant, paid by sewer ratepayers — not the general fund. Restructuring saves an estimated $12 million versus earlier projections.
Downtown flood risk
Betty Andrews urged the council to act on recent FEMA flood studies to reduce downtown flood risk.
Municipal Debt Strategy for Infrastructure
Staff made the case that the city has been too shy about borrowing, letting deferred maintenance on streets, city hall, and the wastewater plant pile up. A $35 million wastewater revenue bond is coming soon, and a broader debt strategy for roads and facilities will come to council in coming months.
City Hall Development Agreement Supplemental EIR
The environmental review for the City Hall Development Agreement with Museum on the Square, LLC was continued to October 22 — the public will get its chance to weigh in then.
Greenway Connectivity Study — linking east and west bike trails across Santa Rosa
A $750,000 donation from the Sonoma Land Trust will help pay for planning the Southeast Greenway, a park and trail project on the old freeway right-of-way.
School board meeting accessibility
A parent pointed out that school board meetings don't allow virtual comment and run six hours, shutting out working parents — she asked the district to follow the city's lead.
Education as an economic engine
Schools and colleges are major drivers of Santa Rosa's economy — SRJC tripled dual-enrollment to 1,000 students in three years, and Sonoma State proposed a 'Santa Rosa Compact' to link schools, city, chamber, and colleges. Demographic decline in K-12 enrollment looms as a structural challenge.
Gun Buyback
Santa Rosa police successfully scooped up 583 unwanted weapons off our streets during their latest gun buyback event. It's a huge haul that directly cuts down the number of accessible firearms in our community.
Water waste regulations update (AB 1572)
State law forces the city to ban watering decorative turf with potable water at businesses, HOAs, and public agencies, with deadlines starting in 2027. Most residents' home lawns are not affected.
Fulton Road sewer lift station relocation financing
The council authorized applications for low-interest federal and state loans to pay for relocating the Fulton Road sewer lift station.
Park Royal Water Consolidation funding
The council approved $4.4 million in state drinking water grant funding to consolidate the Robin Way water system, improving water reliability for that neighborhood.
Conditions around Sam Jones shelter
A resident urged council members to personally tour the area around the Sam Jones shelter, citing vagrancy, ditch camping, and arson — including a car fire he attributed to someone camping nearby.
Moody's credit rating upgrade to Aa1
Santa Rosa's credit rating was upgraded to Aa1, the second-highest rating — a sign the city's finances are on solid ground, which helps when borrowing for projects like the 520 3rd Street purchase.
Storm water charges on property tax roll
The annual storm water enterprise charge will be collected on the county property tax bill again for FY 2026-27, funding flood control and clean water compliance.
College Avenue Starbucks drive-thru and extended hours
A new drive-thru-only Starbucks near the Highway 101 exit would operate 4 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. The adjacent homeowner worried about noise, traffic, and health impacts; the commission approved it 4-2.
Coffey Park and Fountaingrove road disaster recovery funding
The council awarded a $4.66 million contract to rebuild the Hopper Avenue corridor after the 2017 fires, funded entirely from the Capital Improvement Fund.
Graffiti abatement along Highway 101 corridor
Longtime resident John Claeys urged the city to act on graffiti along the Highway 101 sound walls north of Todd Road and near Steele Lane, calling the corridor the gateway to Santa Rosa. Staff said the areas are on the city's radar and took his contact information to follow up.
Weed abatement and fire prevention
The council confirmed the Fire Department's annual weed abatement report, which places liens on parcels the city had to clear. Fire officials noted recent arson arrests involved fires kept small because of abatement work.
Affordable housing bond financing for Santa Rosa Garden Apartments
The council approved up to $20 million in tax-exempt bonds to rehabilitate the 111-unit Santa Rosa Garden Apartments, with 26 units reserved for the very lowest incomes. No city money is at risk — the borrower repays the bonds.
MD Market relocation and alcohol sales on Sebastopol Road
A neighborhood grocery wants to sell beer, wine and spirits and stay open until midnight in a former Kelly-Moore paint store on Guerneville Road. Neighbors worry about crime and late-night nuisance; police data shows the area is mid-range for crime, and commissioners decided an active, lit, managed store beats a vacant one.
New Fire Station No. 9 site acquisition
The council approved buying 2908 Santa Rosa Avenue for $1.65 million (funded from Measure H reserves) to convert into the new Fire Station 9, improving emergency response in south Santa Rosa.
2025 Urban Water Management Plan
The five-year water plan shows Santa Rosa has enough supply to meet projected demand through 2050, even in drought scenarios. Formal adoption comes June 16.
Transparency of closed-session agendas
New state rules require remote public comment at council meetings starting July 2026 and tighten social media rules for officials. The council kept its stronger local translation requirements and asked staff to find a fix for Spanish interpretation during internet outages.
1977 Marsh Road pre-zoning and annexation
A homeowner in a county island wants to annex into Santa Rosa so they can hook up to city sewer and eventually build an accessory dwelling unit. The commission recommended pre-zoning the parcel as Rural Residential, and the council makes the final call. Other island neighbors would each need their own annexation to connect.
Bennett Valley Golf Course subsidy
The golf course keeps its $500,000 general fund subsidy, and Council Member Rogers pressed on when it ends. Staff said debt service ends in 2031 but warned major infrastructure needs — including a $10 million irrigation replacement — remain, with a new operations contract and public-private partnership planned.
Property Tax Disparity Under Proposition 13
Council members pressed staff on why Santa Rosa keeps only 11.7 cents of every property tax dollar — far less than some other agencies. Staff said fixing it would take state-level action, but the county partnership conversation is heating up.
Potential employment-related litigation against the City
The city received information suggesting someone might file an employment-related lawsuit against Santa Rosa. The council discussed it behind closed doors with legal counsel and made no public announcement afterward.
Sonoma Water System Investment
Sonoma Water reported on tank rehabilitations, drought-resilience wells, aqueduct corrosion protection, and a 20-year master plan — with continued rate increases expected to cover deferred maintenance.
Police military equipment renewed under AB 481
The council kept the police department's military equipment policy in place after a public review of drones, armored vehicles, and less-lethal tools. Police confirmed none of the equipment comes from military surplus and none will be used for immigration enforcement.
Conditional Use Permit Streamlining
The city wants to make it faster and cheaper for businesses to open and expand by letting some permits be approved administratively instead of at public hearings, unless a neighbor requests one. It also opens the door to pop-up shops in vacant buildings. The commission recommended it unanimously; the council makes the final call.
Golden Gate Transit late-night service cuts
Speakers warned that regional bus service between Sonoma County and San Francisco will largely vanish after 8 p.m. starting April 12, following a $5.5 million county funding cut — leaving night-shift workers stranded.
Tiny homes on wheels as housing option
New zoning rules let tiny homes on wheels be placed in rural residential districts, and a nonprofit that houses women and children told the council these units have housed 92 people in four years.
Fire Engine Fleet Replacement
The council approved buying four 2029 Pierce Enforcer Type 1 fire engines for up to $5.7 million through a cooperative purchasing agreement.
Small business expansion in Roseland
Del Valle, a locally owned family restaurant since 2017, argued the drive-thru is essential to stay competitive and employ staff year-round. Supporters said the Latino community deserves the convenience; opponents stressed they support the business but not the site design.
MLK Park and Trail master plan
The council adopted an updated master plan for Martin Luther King Jr. Park, the third-highest priority park for improvement citywide. Residents asked for shade, lighting, an enhanced soccer field and public art honoring the community's history.
Safe Parking Program extension
The council extended the Safe Parking Program with Catholic Charities through June 30, 2026, adding $250,000 from homeless fund reserves.
Construction hours in zoning code
A resident urged the commission to limit construction to weekdays ending at 5:30 p.m., citing a year and a half of noise and disruption near her home. Draft zoning code amendments are in the works but this specific change wasn't on the agenda.
2026 Federal and State Legislative Platforms
The council adopted its priority lists for lobbying Washington and Sacramento — covering wildfire/FEMA reform, water infrastructure, housing, public safety, and flood risk. Federal lobbyists reported about $38.6 million secured so far this cycle. Council Member Bañuelos pushed for stronger immigration-related language, which the council agreed to pursue further.
Removal of Council Member MacDonald from Zero Waste Sonoma
Following last month's censure discussion, the council voted 5-0 to remove absent Council Member Dianna MacDonald from the Zero Waste Sonoma board, with Mayor Stapp taking the seat. Resident Duane DeWitt called the move a witch hunt and urged a formal hearing instead.