Santa Rosa council adopts federal and state platforms, building‑code updates and several appointments

At the Jan. 14 meeting, Santa Rosa City Council approved a series of formal actions, including appointments, legislative platforms and code adoption.

Appointments and committee changes: Council voted to make Mayor Stapp the primary representative to Sonoma Clean Power and Councilmember Fleming the alternate (motion moved by Fleming, seconded by Vice Mayor Okrepkie; unanimous recorded vote). The council also voted (motion moved and seconded) to remove Councilmember McDonald from the 0 Waste Sonoma Board and have Mayor Stapp fill the position for the time being; that motion likewise passed on a recorded five‑vote roll call.

Consent calendar: The council adopted consent items 13.1 through 13.8 on voice/roll call (motion by Vice Mayor Okrepkie, second by Councilmember Alvarez; five affirmative votes).

Legislative platforms: The council adopted the city’s 2026 federal legislative platform by resolution (motion moved by Councilmember Benuelos; second by Councilmember Alvarez) and later adopted the 2026 state legislative platform in two steps to accommodate a recusal on disaster/hazard items; first the disaster‑resiliency portion was adopted while Vice Mayor Okrepkie was recused, then the remainder was adopted after he rejoined the dais. Both actions passed on recorded votes.

Building code adoption: On a separate public hearing the council adopted by reference the 2025 California Building Code (Title 24) with local amendments permitted under state law; the motion (moved by Councilmember Fleming, second by Vice Mayor Okrepkie) passed by recorded vote. Staff said a second phase of reach‑code/all‑electric work will be brought forward later in the year and that local amendments remain subject to state preemption limits.

What the votes mean: These approvals are procedural or policy‑direction actions rather than changes to the gas‑station ordinance. The appointments affect who represents the city on several regional boards; the adopted federal and state platforms set the city’s advocacy priorities for 2026 and provide staff and lobbyists direction for appropriations and legislation. The building‑code adoption brings the city into alignment with the statewide 3‑year Title‑24 cycle; staff noted additional local reach‑code items will come back to council for separate consideration.

Votes at a glance: - Sonoma Clean Power appointment: Fleming moved, Okrepkie second; recorded vote 5‑0 in favor. - Remove Councilmember McDonald from 0 Waste Sonoma: motion moved and seconded; recorded vote 5‑0 in favor. - Consent calendar (13.1–13.8): Okrepkie moved, Alvarez second; recorded vote 5‑0 in favor. - Adopt 2026 federal legislative platform (resolution): Benuelos moved, Alvarez second; recorded vote 5‑0 in favor. - Adopt 2026 state legislative platform (two votes for recusal compliance): motions passed by recorded votes; procedural sequencing described above. - Adopt 2025 California Building Code by reference (Title 24): Fleming moved, Okrepkie second; recorded vote 5‑0 in favor.

Councilmembers expressed appreciation to external lobbyists and staff for securing or advancing grant funding and for the legislative work on behalf of the city. The formal actions concluded the agenda after the gas‑station study session and public comment.

The council closed the meeting and adjourned.