Wine Country Times

The Santa Rosa City Council allocated the city's settlement funds during a goal-setting session.

A $95 million settlement was given by PG&E to Santa Rosa as a part of a $1 billion agreement with local governments for wildfires from 2017-18. On Feb. 19, the council directed its staff to reserve a portion of settlement funds for the city budget, wildfire prevention, housing and a new library.

First, $40 million will be used "to support the stabilization of the city organization by replenishing the city’s reserve fund depleted by the impacts of multiple wildfires and the COVID-19 pandemic," according to a release.

The Santa Rosa Fire Department will receive $8 million. About $5.25 million will be allocated to implement a five-year vegetation management program through the new Community Wildfire Protection Plan and $2.75 million for the execution of its Wildland Resiliency and Response Strategic Plan – a five-year effort that may lead to new legislative efforts, staffing plans, community engagement and education, acquisition of additional wildland firefighting equipment and vehicles.

To show support for affordable community housing development, $10 million will be invested in the Renewal Enterprise District (RED).

According to its website, RED is a joint obligation by Sonoma County and the city of Santa Rosa to "create a trusted, replicable and enduring model of housing and community development to meet the changing needs of the 21st century."

Lastly, the council set aside $10 million for the future development of a new permanent library in Roseland without knowing when, where and how the facility will be built.

The remaining $27 million is to be decided upon as numerous projects are still unfunded. The member's preferences will be "brought forward at future council meetings as well as during the next fiscal year budget process which begins in April," according to the release.

The decision will be finalized in June.