Residents of Santa Rosa remain confused as to what the Community Advisory Board (CAB) accomplishes as grant requests are continually placed in front of them for approval. In recent years, Santa Rosa Board Members have struggled with grasping the regulations set forth by the Fair Political Practices Commission. Their endeavors as public servants may lead stakeholders to believe that a lack of transparency is afoot.
Under the Fair Political Practice Commission (FPPC’s) Government Code Section 1090: an officer, employee, or agency is prohibited from participating in making government contracts in which the official or employee within the agency has a financial interest.
Section 1090 applies to virtually all state and local officers, employees, and multimember bodies, whether elected or appointed, at both the state and local level.
“Making” a contract includes final approval of the agreement, as well as involvement in preliminary discussion, planning, negotiation, and solicitation of bids.
A broad range of agreements are considered a contract under Section 1090. Generally, there is a contract when an offer is made and accepted and there is something of value bargained for and exchanged by each party. This includes written contracts, purchase of goods or services, employment agreements, leases, development agreements, etc.
Violations of Section 1090 can result in the voiding of contracts, criminal, civil, and administrative penalties, as well as a ban on holding public office.
Regardless of these regulations, some CAB Members not only gave grants to themselves/their families, but failed entirely to submit a statement of economic interest (Form 700) to the FPPC.
Every elected official and public employee who makes or influences governmental decisions is required to submit a Statement of Economic Interest, also known as the Form 700. The Form 700 provides transparency and ensures accountability in two ways:
It provides necessary information to the public about an official’s personal financial interests to ensure that officials are making decisions in the best interest of the public and not enhancing their personal finances.
It serves as a reminder to the public official of potential conflicts of interest so the official can abstain from making or participating in governmental decisions that are deemed conflicts of interest.
On June 26, 2024, CAB approved a community improvement mini for grant of $2,500 for The Neighbors of Coffey Park Saturday in the Park event at the request of Ms. Michele Rahmn, spouse of CAB Member Steve Rahmn. While the minutes indicate that Mr. Rahmn abstained from the vote, the grant application indicates that Ms. Rahmn was informed of the funding opportunity by her spouse.
When I realized that Mr. Rahmn failed to complete a Form 700 for all years served on the Board, the FPPC issued the following rejection letter to my sworn complaint:
“Dear Adina Flores:
This letter is in response to the sworn complaint you submitted to the Enforcement Division of the Fair Political Practices Commission regarding the above-named individual. The Enforcement Division learned that due to an error by the Santa Rosa City Clerk’s office, Steve Rahmn was not added to their electronic filing system at the time of their appointment. Therefore, Rahmn was not informed of their requirements to file Statements of Economic Interests (“SEI”) until they were added to the system recently. Steve Rahmn has since filed all their missing SEIs, therefore, we will not pursue an enforcement action in this matter. If you have any questions, please contact Vanessa Greer at 279-237-5965 or vgreer@fppc.ca.gov.”
Mr. Rahmn submitted a leaving office statement to the City of Santa Rosa on July 30, 2024. He claimed to have no sources of reportable income upon resignation. Therefore, the Neighbors of Coffey Park was not reflected as a source of income. The organization does not appear to have an existing Tax ID per the California Secretary of State, OAG or IRS.
On July 29, 2024, Mr. Rahmn sent the following resignation letter to City Staff & Councilmember Jeff Okrepkie:
“Anna and Lon,
Thanks for taking my call today. Please accept this email as my resignation to the Community Advisory Board. Adina Flores is single handedly dismantling our city. Being a part of the City of Santa Rosa has been rewarding and educational and I truly
appreciate being of CAB. I will continue to supportthe city and their goals and participate as a volunteer.
Please let me know if you need anything.
Lon, I am sorry to share this with you through email and I hope you and I can get together for some closure.
Thank you.
-Steve Rahmn”
Mr. Okrepkie initially appointed Mr. Rahmn to CAB. They are co-founders of Coffey Strong. They exchanged the following text messages upon Mr. Rahmn’s resignation.
While CAB Member David Chen was absent on June 24, 2024, the Board approved a $2,500 mini grant for the Skyhawk Neighborhood Day project under the group Skyhawk United.
According to the filings submitted to the CA Secretary of State, Mr. Chen is the CEO for Skyhawk United. He did not appear to include this source of income on his Form 700.
On March 27, 2024, Mr. Chen voted in favor of approving a $2,500 grant for a Skyhawk Community Bulletin Board at the request of Skyhawk United. He failed completely to abstain from the discussion and vote.
On October 27, 2021, Raizes Collective/United Way of the Wine Country submitted a $2,500 grant request for ‘Woodstock at United Way’. The application indicated that the organizations became aware of the funding opportunity through CAB Member Manuel Baldenegro.
As the Raizes Collective Board President, CAB Member Baldenegro failed to abstain from voting in favor of the grant approval. CAB Member Jorge Inocencio also failed to abstain from the discussion and vote. Mr. Inocencio actively served on the Raizes Board at the time. Raizes’ Executive Director Isabel Lopez is the aunt of Mr. Inocencio’s wife.
Member Baldenegro made a motion to approve all 11 applications for funding. Vice Chair Inocencio seconded the motion.
Raizes requested funding to create an art piece in southwest Santa Rosa which featured Woodstock in a mask. The application indicated that the nearest cross street to the art site would be Sebastopol Road, a largely Latino area of Santa Rosa considered to be ‘the hood’ by those residing in Skyhawk and Coffey Park.
To date, Santa Rosa Council has not shown a further interest in auditing the grants presented to CAB for approval. The City appears to be operating with a high level of dysfunction which leaves a bad taste in the mouths of the taxpayers.
“For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive.”
-1 Thelossians 2:3
Hi Adina,
Greetings from Atlanta! Keep up the good work.