2017 Fires Settlement Header

Santa Rosa City Council Seeks Community Input on Prioritizing Investment of PG&E Settlement Funds

Residents Survey Results

The City of Santa Rosa has received $95M from PG&E to settle a claim for its 2017 wildfire damages. As there are no restrictions on how these funds can be used, Santa Rosa City Council expects to consider a range of other projects aimed at strengthening the resiliency of the community. With that, Council asked to hear from the community regarding how to prioritize spending of the settlement funds, and this input came from three online community meetings and an online survey.

Residents can watch the entirety of those community meetings (scroll down for links to those recordings) and can view the survey results below or download them here.


How will Council Receive the Community’s Input?

Input received from the community was compiled by City staff and will be shared as a report to Council Members at two upcoming public meetings.

  1. November 12at the City Council’s Long-Term Financial Policy and Audit Subcommittee. Virtual meeting log-in:
  2. November 17at the full City Council Meeting. Virtual meeting log-in:

Watch a Past Community Meeting

Aside from the survey, community members attended virtual community meetings to learn more about the settlement funds, the City’s remaining unfunded wildfire recovery projects, and to share input on how Council should prioritize use of the funds.

Those virtual community input meeting are as follows:

  • September 24, 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. For fire survivors of the Coffey Park neighborhood area and fire-impacted mobile home communities 
  • October 21, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. For fire survivors of the Fountaingrove, Hidden Valley, Montecito, and Oakmont neighborhood areas
  • October 22, 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. For all Santa Rosa Community Members

Background on the City’s Settlement Funds

The City’s settlement funds resulted from its claim filed in PG&E’s bankruptcy proceedings to recoup damages and costs resulting from the devastating 2017 wildfires. The claim included the City’s damages and other costs that were not covered by insurance or Federal or State disaster-relief aid. The settlement was received by the City in July following the Bankruptcy Court’s final approval of PG&E’s Plan of Reorganization on June 20, 2020 that included settlements of all 2017 and 2018 wildfire claims, including those filed by other public entities, fire victims, and insurance companies. The City’s final settlement amounted to approximately $95 million after attorneys’ fees were collected.

Where is the City at with Rebuilding and Recovery?

The City of Santa Rosa has made great strides in recovery the last three years, though a few projects remain unfunded and yet to be recovered, including, but not limited to the rebuilding of Fire Station Five in Fountaingrove and repair of sidewalk and road pavement damaged during the wildfires and following debris removal. The City continues to seek every funding opportunity possible for these projects.

Review the following slide decks for more information on the City’s recovery:

English

Spanish