UPDATE 10/14/20
The community input process to help Santa Rosa City Council prioritize investment of the City’s $95 million in PG&E settlement funds has been extended through October 25th. The process was delayed due to the City’s emergency response to the Glass Fire, the evacuation of thousands of residents, and power outages throughout the eastern part of the City during the last week of September and early October.
Community members are encouraged to complete the City’s online survey to provide input and ideas by October 25th*. The survey is available at the following links:
PG&E Settlement Funds Survey - English
PG&E Settlement Funds Survey - Spanish
*Please note: respondents will only be allowed to complete the survey once.
Additionally, two virtual community meetings where residents can learn more about the settlement funds, the City’s remaining unfunded wildfire recovery projects, and ask questions or share input on how Council should prioritize use of the funds have been rescheduled as follows:
Wednesday, October 21, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
For fire survivors of the Fountaingrove, Hidden Valley, Montecito, and Oakmont neighborhood areas
Join Zoom Meeting: https://srcity-org.zoom.us/j/93360291503 | Meeting ID: 933 6029 1503
Thursday, October 22, 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
For all Santa Rosa Community Members
*Spanish translation services will be available during the meeting*
Join Zoom Meeting: https://srcity-org.zoom.us/j/92688843097 | Meeting ID: 926 8884 3097
A planned virtual community meeting for fire survivors of the Coffey Park neighborhood area and Santa Rosa’s fire-impacted mobile home communities occurred as scheduled on September 24th.
After October 25th, the input received to date from the community will be compiled by City staff and shared as a report to Council Members at two upcoming public meetings. The first meeting will be before the Long-Term Financial Policy and Audit Subcommittee on November 12th, followed by a comprehensive discussion and consideration of all public input before the full Council at a regularly scheduled City Council meeting on November 17th.
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.
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. In addition to fire recovery projects, the Council also expects to consider a range of other projects aimed at strengthening the resiliency of the community.
For more information on the PG&E settlement funds and to access the survey to provide input, visit srcity.org/2017FiresSettlement.
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ORIGINAL MESSAGE 9/15/20
The Santa Rosa City Council wants to hear from the community regarding how to prioritize spending of the City of Santa Rosa’s $95 million allocation of PG&E settlement funds.
Community members are encouraged to complete the City’s online survey to provide input and ideas by October 4th. The survey is available at the following links:
PG&E Settlement Funds Survey - English
PG&E Settlement Funds Survey - Spanish
Input received from the community will then be compiled by City staff and shared as a report to Council Members at two upcoming public meetings. First, the City Council’s Long-Term Financial Policy and Audit Subcommittee members will review the community’s input when they meet on October 8th. The Subcommittee meeting will be followed by a comprehensive discussion and consideration of all public input received to date when the full Council meets at its October 27th City Council Meeting.
Aside from the survey, community members may also attend planned 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.
The upcoming 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
Join Zoom Meeting: https://srcity-org.zoom.us/j/98705296789 | Meeting ID: 987 0529 6789
September 28, 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
For fire survivors of the Fountaingrove, Hidden Valley, Montecito, and Oakmont neighborhood areas
Join Zoom Meeting: https://srcity-org.zoom.us/j/95710925013 | Meeting ID: 957 1092 5013
September 30, 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
For all Santa Rosa Community Members
Join Zoom Meeting: https://srcity-org.zoom.us/j/91224691499 | Meeting ID: 912 2469 1499
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.
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. In addition to fire recovery projects, the Council also expects to consider a range of other projects aimed at strengthening the resiliency of the community.
For more information on the PG&E settlement funds and to access the survey to provide input, visit srcity.org/2017FiresSettlement.
