City of Santa Rosa City Council 9-29-26

The September 29, 2026, Santa Rosa City Council meeting included a study session on downtown improvements and approval of a tax-exempt bond reissuance for affordable senior housing. By a 4–0 vote, the council approved the California Municipal Finance Authority’s reissuance of bonds for Vigilite Senior Apartments, 1945 Long Drive, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $20 million. The financing will support acquisition, rehabilitation, development, and equipping of the existing 49-unit property; the borrower is responsible for repayment, and the action has no impact on the city’s current-year budget. Two development teams also spoke during public comment on a downtown real-property opportunity, but no selection or negotiation action was reported.

In a downtown-improvements update, staff discussed planned work at Courthouse Square, Fourth Street, Comstock Mall, JJU Way, and Juilliard Park, including replacing playground equipment, restoring a fountain, improving lighting and planters, and converting trash cans to Big Belly units. Potential funding includes downtown park development impact fees, Measure M, and a Zero Waste Sonoma grant; the presentation was informational and no spending approvals or vendor awards were made. Public comment also urged the city to strengthen its non-cooperation policy with ICE, including protocols, staff training, signage, and contractor requirements; no policy decision was taken at this meeting.