As our Mayor and City Councilmember, Mark has leveraged his experience to address the most important issues facing Santa Rosa, including: 

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• Housing affordability, including policies to increase transit-oriented development downtown and along the SMART Train line. Higher-density housing has been constructed in the heart of downtown, and along major thoroughfares like Santa Rosa Avenue and Mendocino Avenue.

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• Investing in smoother streets, sidewalks, and public infrastructure. 14 miles of streets will be repaved this summer in Bennett Valley…smoother streets are coming to District 2 soon!

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• Alleviating homelessness in our parks and public places. The number of individuals experiencing homelessness has substantially declined since 2022, with more resources and permanent supportive housing available, though more work still needs to be done.

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• Taking action on climate change and environmental issues. Actions taken since Mark joined the City Council include work on a comprehensive Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategy, continued investments in electric buses for Santa Rosa Transit, and a microgrid at the Veteran’s Memorial Building near the fairgrounds, amongst other climate action investments.

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• Conserving water and investing in water resiliency projects, including improvements to the city’s wastewater treatment plant and water and sewer system. Mark’s service on multiple water-related boards has allowed him to become well-informed on city, county, and regional water storage/supply challenges and opportunities.

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• Supporting local businesses while tackling the city’s budgetary challenges by taking a leading role in addressing the city’s long-term financial challenges, including initiatives that have increased city revenues by $4.2 million annually.

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• Advancing long-term plans for the future Southeast Greenway by completing the purchase of the property from the State of California, while beginning work on a Master Plan for the site, due to be completed and released to the public next year.

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• Protecting Bennett Valley Golf Course and Galvin Community Park for public use. When Mark was a candidate for City Council, there were talks of potentially closing and redeveloping Bennett Valley Golf Course, an idea Mark strongly opposed as a candidate. Since Mark joined the City Council, the city has halted any further discussion on the closure of the golf course, overseen an improved outlook for the golf course’s finances, and invested in the course and neighboring Galvin Community Park, including resurfaced tennis courts and new pickleball courts, walking path safety improvements, and other park upgrades for public enjoyment.