City Charter Review 2022

City Council Advances Two Measures for the City Charter to the November 2022 Ballot

On July 26 at its regularly scheduled council meeting, Santa Rosa City Council advanced two measures by resolution to the November 2022 ballot to update the City Charter. The two separate ballot measures would address the need to modernize language in the City Charter and have it come in-line with the city’s district-based elections. READ MORE

Read the RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA ESTABLISHING A CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE AND GIVING DIRECTIONS FOR 2022 CHARTER REVIEW

What is a City Charter?

A charter is, in essence, a constitution for a city. It sets forth the main principles of the city government and can be amended at any time with approval of the voters. For example, the City of Santa Rosa’s charter has sections establishing the seven member City Council, the selection and powers of the mayor, key staff positions for public safety and others, rules on board participation, and even how water and sewer rates are reviewed, among others. Review the City Charter.

Why is the Charter being reviewed?

The Santa Rosa Charter has been amended periodically and, most recently, was updated through the work of a charter review committee in 1994, 2002 and 2012. In fact, section 12 of the charter itself states the review must occur approximately every ten years. That review is now getting underway, and the framework for the committee’s work is now being developed.

How will it be reviewed?

The charter will be reviewed through a City Council-appointed committee, which council has committed would be comprised of a diversity of city residents. At this time, council has appointed 21 committee members for the purpose of city charter review. The August 3 City Council Study Session helped determine how that committee may proceed in its formation and its possible duties. The committee will be charged with review of current charter provisions and recommendations for revisions. 

Who is on the Charter Review Committee?

The City Charter Review Committee held its first meeting on Nov. 17, 2021, to discuss initial logistical and procedural components of the formation of the committee. Watch the replay.

The below list includes all current members of the charter review committee and who on the city council appointed them:

  1. Patti Cisco

    Appointed by Council Member John Sawyer


  1. Adriana Arrizon

    Appointed by Council Member Jack Tibbetts


  1. Lisa Badenfort

    Appointed by Mayor Chris Rogers


  1. Annie Barbour

    Appointed by Council Member Tom Schwedhelm


  1. Scott Bartley

    Appointed by Council Member John Sawyer


  1. Christine Byrne

    Appointed by Vice Mayor Natalie Rogers


  1. Dan Condron

    Appointed by Council Member Jack Tibbetts


  1. Abigail Cunningham

    Appointed by Council Member Tom Schwedhelm


  1. Ana Diaz

    Appointed by Council Member Eddie Alvarez


  1. Jazmin Gudino

    Appointed by Council Member Victoria Fleming


  1. Jen Klose

    Appointed by Council Member Victoria Fleming


  1. Brian Ling

    Appointed by Council Member Jack Tibbetts


  1. Danny Martinez

    Appointed by Council Member Eddie Alvarez


  1. Chris Mazzia

    Appointed by Council Member Victoria Fleming


  1. Ron Miller

    Appointed by Vice Mayor Natalie Rogers


  1. Evette Minor

    Appointed by Council Member John Sawyer


  1. Ernesto Olivares

    Appointed by Vice Mayor Natalie Rogers


  1. Logan Pitts

    Appointed by Mayor Chris Rogers


  1. Jocelyn Villalobos

    Appointed by Mayor Chris Rogers


  1. Mark Walsh

    Appointed by Council Member Eddie Alvarez


  1. Karen Weeks

    Appointed by Council Member Tom Schwedhelm


Catch up on past meetings discussing the 2022 City Charter Review

Watch the City Charter Review Committee's first meeting from Nov. 17, 2021

Watch the City Council meeting from August 17, 2021

Watch the Charter Review Study Session from August 3, 2021