[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6617221,"mediaKeyId","2842611-a7e51550ecf26757fe1335ebea7e53e6","parentId",2842611,"title","Council initiates renaming Board of Community Services and changes membership rules","audioSeconds",960,"startMs",14400000,"endMs",15360000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2842611-a7e51550ecf26757fe1335ebea7e53e6&start=14400&end=15360","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2842611-a7e51550ecf26757fe1335ebea7e53e6/thumbnail_14400000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6617221/Santa-Rosa-City/Sonoma-County/California/Council-initiates-renaming-Board-of-Community-Services-and-changes-membership-rules","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6617221-b3562a580406411a037d848c9fcda45a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450782&Signature=FTKiyEykx~Y3IaSj7FB7Ce63JI0HwbpC1Vms9xeyEFfZgdsas35QYGVUhc4Qn3LR3l4Jpd6m83skMMKYAx4dVstK8Z3QVbuJ3fo~GFbD~5qjKWXOh~XQIp16KRn4Gg~e6kI1O9O-bx6VrjbUKindC0fF1LaoSBedprK~xi~01hkbQz0j9olxwcdoSEYdz7HvvjBq~pEFZVRo~soUK68iFUWhXUUqdr-Pw1QiUTL0xio5ZU~Baz3mdPiFpSKEbqqZMLOZoHVOubiMQWc1bQMX-o8obWAEm0Su8D6suL1CILqnMjP~6miEUvkvwBbyEZJrtYjiHNDhnpHx7LI3Ogv4jw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Santa Rosa, CA","date","2025-04-02T02:20:31.993Z","article","The Santa Rosa City Council introduced an ordinance to retitle and amend City Code chapter 2-04 and adopted a resolution updating council policy to replace references to the Board of Community Services. The measures realign the advisory body with the department name and update appointment, term and quorum rules.

What changed: Staff and the board proposed seven substantive updates to bring the code into alignment with the city charter and council policy 6. The recommendations include changing the advisory body’s formal name to better match the department, reducing the number of members from eight to seven, moving from full‑council appointments to individual council appointments, changing removal authority so members serve at the pleasure of their appointing council member, aligning member terms to the appointing councilmember’s term, reducing the quorum requirement from five to four, and allowing an optional non‑voting youth member.

Council action: The ordinance to retitle and amend chapter 2-04 was introduced with unanimous support. The accompanying resolution to amend Council Policy 6 passed 5–1, with Councilmember McDonald voting no. Council discussion included questions about the exact wording of the new board name; staff confirmed the intent is to align the advisory board name with the Recreation and Parks department and to reflect that change in policy.

Why it matters: Staff and the Board of Community Services said the existing code had diverged from practice—boards had been functioning with seven members and appointing practices that did not match the ordinance—leading to meeting cancellations and staff burden when quorum was difficult to reach. The changes are intended to reduce scheduling problems and improve public clarity about the board’s role.

Implementation: If adopted at second reading and after administrative steps, the code and policy will take effect per standard ordinance and policy procedures; staff noted the Board of Community Services had formed a subcommittee and recommended the changes after two years of review. The ordinance introduction and policy change allow the department and board to proceed with updated bylaws and public outreach under the new structure.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Santa Rosa City Council April 1st, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council introduced an ordinance to retitle the Board of Community Services and approved a resolution updating council policy to reflect the change; council also adopted reforms to reduce quorum requirements, align member appointments to individual councilmembers and permit a non‑voting youth member.","taxTitle","Santa Rosa City, Sonoma County, California","taxId",3913,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6617228,"Council hears CIP preview: $56M in parks, $150M in water funds and hurdles for bike-ped overcrossing",4468,6332000,10800000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2842611-a7e51550ecf26757fe1335ebea7e53e6&start=6332&end=10800","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2842611-a7e51550ecf26757fe1335ebea7e53e6/thumbnail_6332000.jpg","/articles/6617228/Santa-Rosa-City/Sonoma-County/California/Council-hears-CIP-preview-56M-in-parks-150M-in-water-funds-and-hurdles-for-bike-ped-overcrossing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6617228-78587df87026ecbb90c6b3aa2a634232/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450782&Signature=DxtLTg~Qy-QE2wDXHc9p1fj4qHuW~mjy3c535awKY8XlwDKYazYB09haFM50OUZpvpc94RP~NMBmR0PT6vWZJxmqZqgQO6bwFBQCisJYBzTC3fhm4EPFrm9rbYUPp1TiITO-jTwsZB3OxilSIzAEYzbY4Z1L7e33v5d6dIZzFKvsEJFjECUiioVCVtDS3tJ9HRqawllJQHvEbvdSoCCBAOTAiB6tXK522We5x86ijjhxpGGEXGSgL5PMi8uj3VIngO2FzneDTG~6p2vcx-cT~S~GIDHOyz4wbZVl5mU6cqOutl5mbHtqyjFFQI4qRj0yKjApi-QVZBbkUn0Jy0Kl4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the Santa Rosa City Council they have shifted funds and accelerated schedules to deliver dozens of capital projects over the next 12–18 months and the coming fiscal years. The presentation covered parks, water, sewer and transportation projects and identified specific milestones and remaining approvals for several high-profile efforts.

Parks: Director Hennessy said there is just over $56 million currently available for parks capital planning, with more than $30 million allocated to projects now in design and the majority expected to be delivered next fiscal year. The five top projects shown in staff slides are scheduled for delivery beginning next fiscal year. Hennessy said the MLK Jr. Neighborhood Park shows $2 million remaining and staff were instructed to consider phasing to ensure at least a Phase 1 can proceed. \"We want to make certain that we're getting the funding out the door,\" the city manager said in council remarks.

Hennessy highlighted the Roseland Creek Park project and said the city will build a path and a formal crossing to Roseland Creek Elementary School this coming summer and intends that connection to be open before the next school year. He also said the Bennett Valley Golf Course irrigation pond reached 75% design and is on track for a summer bid, and that Howard and Galvin Park projects are close to bid.

Water and sewer: The Water Department is managing nearly $150 million in water accounts, with roughly $50 million already encumbered by design or construction contracts and about $100 million available for new projects. Hennessy said roughly 30 water projects are anticipated to be bid within the next 12–15 months, totaling just over $100 million. For sewer, staff reported about $44 million available and $32 million anticipated to be bid in the next fiscal year; a number of sewer projects have been phased to fund design and permitting before committing full construction funds.

Transportation and public works: The city has more than $20 million currently in construction, with projects including the Hearne interchange, Coffee Park and Fountain Grove paving, a Sonoma Avenue repaving segment and preparatory work for the bicycle and pedestrian overcrossing of Highway 101. Hennessy said the overcrossing is down to four remaining approvals—Caltrans, PG&E, MTC and the California Transportation Commission—with Caltrans and PG&E currently the primary hurdles. \"We've done a lot of work with Caltrans … I'm fairly optimistic. PG&E is a different story,\" he said.

Other program notes: The Heron Community Hub design-build design notice-to-proceed has been issued, and a fleet garage project bid closed the same day as the presentation. Hennessy said staff are trying to prioritize full funding for projects rather than half-funding many projects, and the city manager encouraged staff to consider reprogramming funds where feasible to finish projects sooner while prices are comparatively lower.

Public comment: Roseland resident Dwayne DeWitt thanked staff for the Roseland Creek Park path commitment and asked that signal work at Burbank and Hearne avenues be prioritized for public safety; he also raised visibility and sidewalk concerns that he said staff and council have been addressing.

Implementation and next steps: Staff asked councilors to flag any prioritization changes ahead of the May budget study session; staff said they will return in May with a budget preview and to track bid results and delivery timing.","Staff reported plans to accelerate delivery of parks, water and transportation projects, including a planned Roseland Creek Park crossing to the elementary school and a bicycle-pedestrian overcrossing pending Caltrans and PG&E approvals.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6617232,"Santa Rosa council adopts five-year water and wastewater rate plan after protest hearing",3060,9900000,12960000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2842611-a7e51550ecf26757fe1335ebea7e53e6&start=9900&end=12960","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2842611-a7e51550ecf26757fe1335ebea7e53e6/thumbnail_9900000.jpg","/articles/6617232/Santa-Rosa-City/Sonoma-County/California/Santa-Rosa-council-adopts-five-year-water-and-wastewater-rate-plan-after-protest-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6617232-e0a2ef81072da00ee4125a72557cdcdf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450782&Signature=AM25k0CHAVlOxRticoLQedqhQI~X02XeTKFEM-cgrT97ZvXwpWficg0aDbbN78oX1u1TFFzjKp6s77rEIsqKfIvNHqc~OP9s8XwyPy4fjrMBptPMy92XZSmziGKukRLd5XGQii-~6ZVZcXKuta9Lrzl1qbeoQAqBOrfKkMgDNzfPNqtBo-ewg-G6q0XzsTUeI8bi70Ex6i4gRuXQaQ27fgj54EvGYTTRonzof~PwD5LDIdFg5brZZT0alAsPj7-GnD~0pvnl4laP1caVmkRgWnHXMugMoJTCgY1eGXVo5Mc40XHskMY77E66nUV7c7-sFbqf7BykpohpuOu~mShyXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Santa Rosa City Council voted to adopt a five-year schedule of increases to potable, recycled and wastewater rates and to change the city code so future potable and recycled water rates can be set by council resolution. The council also adopted a written response to 10 timely objections received under newly enacted Assembly Bill 2257 and proceeded to the Proposition 218 protest hearing; the clerk reported 163 valid written protests, fewer than the majority threshold of 29,236 parcels.

The rate plan approved by the council calls for tiered changes in water revenue of roughly 6% annually for the first three years and 7% for the last two years of the five-year period, and a 5% increase each year for wastewater for five years. City staff said the schedule would support a planned increase in capital spending across water and wastewater infrastructure while keeping rates in the lower half among regional utilities. “We are looking to invest quite a bit more in the infrastructure on the water, wastewater, and regional system,” said Jennifer Burke, director of the Santa Rosa Water Department.

Why it matters: Council and the utility said the increases are intended to fund a large ramp-up in capital projects—pipes, treatment and plant work—so the system remains reliable. The council also voted to add a pass-through mechanism for Sonoma County Water Agency wholesale charges so the city can apply county price changes to retail tiers when those wholesale changes are adopted. City consultants and staff stressed that pass-throughs reduce the risk of over- or under-collecting for unpredictable Sonoma County cost changes.

Key details: The city mailed 58,470 Proposition 218 notices and set a 45-day public review period; staff reported the council has received 156–163 written protests by the close of the hearing and that oral comments do not count toward the majority protest threshold. Mark Hildebrand, the city’s rate consultant, presented the cost-of-service work showing the water utility’s capital appropriations rising from roughly $9.5 million in the near term to about $34 million in later years, and the wastewater program increasing local capital appropriations from about $3.3 million up to $42 million over the planning horizon.

The council acted on three related items: (1) a resolution formally responding to 10 timely written objections submitted under AB 2257, (2) the Proposition 218 action adopting the five-year rate schedule, and (3) introduction of an ordinance amending City Code Title 14 to allow water rates to be established by council resolution going forward. The resolution responding to objections and the rate resolution passed 6–0; the ordinance was introduced with unanimous support.

Public comment and protests: Several members of the public spoke at the hearing, including Dwayne DeWitt of Roseland. The clerk reported 163 valid written protests had been filed by the close of the public hearing—well under the 29,236 protests that would be necessary to constitute a majority veto under Prop 218—so the council moved forward with adoption. City staff reiterated that written protests must include the property address or assessor parcel number and be signed to be counted.

Support and mitigation: Staff highlighted existing assistance programs and conservation initiatives to mitigate rate impacts for lower-income customers, including an income-qualified bill-assistance program (the H2O program) and free water-use audits and conservation rebates. Director Burke noted the city cannot enact a lifeline rate under Prop 218 but can provide targeted assistance through other programs.

What happens next: The rate schedule will take effect July 1 for the first year, and in subsequent years the council will adopt the scheduled increases each fiscal year. The pass-through for Sonoma County Water Agency charges will be applied in later years when county rates are finalized and presented to council.","After a Prop 218 protest hearing, the City Council adopted a five-year schedule of rate increases for potable, recycled and wastewater service and approved a code change to set future water rates by council resolution. Council found the number of written protests fell short of a majority and voted 6-0 on the main measures.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council initiates renaming Board of Community Services and changes membership rules

Council hears CIP preview: $56M in parks, $150M in water funds and hurdles for bike-ped overcrossing

Santa Rosa council adopts five-year water and wastewater rate plan after protest hearing