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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Elk Grove City Council Regular Meeting – September 13, 2023

Other — Wednesday, September 13, 2023

BodyElkgrove, California

SessionOther

DateWednesday, September 13, 2023

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:21:43

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:00

See you guys around.

0:02

All right, we have reconvened from closed session.

0:04

I would like to make the following announcement that by a five to zero vote, the city council authorized and directed the city's city attorney's office to defend the case of Nia Lee versus Elk City of Elk Grove as identified by the case number on the City Council meeting agenda.

0:23

With that, uh we will go ahead and adjourn the special meeting at 6.02 p.m.

0:29

And that brings us to our regular meeting.

0:32

I would like to call to order the Elkgrove City Council regular meeting.

0:35

Today is Wednesday, September 13, 2023.

0:38

It is 6.02 p.m.

0:40

Clerk.

0:42

Thank you, Mayor.

0:42

This meeting of the Elk Grove City Council will be cable cast on Metro Cable 14, the local government affairs channel on the Comcast Consolidated Communications and ATT Uverse Cable Systems.

0:53

This meeting is being closed captioned and webcast at Metro14Live.secCounty.gov.

0:59

Tonight's meeting replays will be on Friday, September 15th at 1 p.m.

1:03

and Sunday, September 17th at 6 p.m.

1:05

on Channel 14.

1:06

Previous meetings can be viewed online at www.elkgrove city.org or YouTube.com slash backwards slash Metro Cable 14.

1:15

For members of the participating audience who may have personal electronic devices, please place them on silent mode during the meeting or on mute when you are not speaking.

1:24

The Elkgrove City Council welcomes, appreciates, and encourages participation in the City Council meeting.

1:28

City Council requests that you limit your presentation to three minutes per person so at all present will have time to participate.

1:33

City Council reserves the right to reasonably limit the total time for public comment on any particular notice agenda item as it may deem necessary.

1:40

Pursuant to resolution number 210-24.

1:42

No individual speaker concerning public comment may address the city council for more than three minutes.

1:46

If you wish to address the council during the meeting, please complete a speaker card there.

1:50

The blue cards that can be found at the back of the room or up here with assistant uh city clerk Brenda Haggard and provide them to the assistant city clerk prior to a consideration of the agenda item.

2:00

And Mayor, with that, I will transition us to our first uh order of business, which is the call to order and roll call.

2:07

For the roll call, I will start with Councilmember Robles.

2:10

Present, Councilmember Brewer.

2:12

Present.

2:13

Councilmember Suen.

2:14

Here, Vice Mayor Spees.

2:16

Present.

2:16

And Mayor Singh Allen.

2:18

Here.

2:18

All are present.

2:19

All right, thank you.

2:21

Next up is our Pledge of Allegiance.

2:23

I would like to invite our police chief to lead us today.

2:29

Hand over heart.

2:30

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

2:34

And to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

2:45

Thank you.

2:46

Please join us for a moment of silence.

2:59

Thank you.

3:00

All right.

3:01

May I get a motion to approve the agenda?

3:03

So moved.

3:04

Second.

3:05

All those in favor, please say aye.

3:07

Aye.

3:08

Thank you.

3:09

Next up is our closed session.

3:12

And there are no closed session items on the regular agenda as well for section four of presentations and announcements.

3:17

There are no presentation items on the regular agenda.

3:20

That will advance us to section five, general public comment.

3:23

All right, very good.

3:24

At this time, I will go ahead and open up the public comment opportunity.

3:28

And we have several folks signed up to speak.

3:30

We will start with Alan Vito Jr., followed by Alan Vito the Third.

3:41

This is Mayor, City Council.

3:46

And all others don't want to leave no one out.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Technology and Innovation██████████████████████22%

Economic Development█████████████████████21%

Animal Services██████████████14%

Homelessness███████████11%

Procedural██████████10%

Public Safety███████7%

Land Use Planning████4%

Public Works███3%

Diversity and Inclusion███3%

Summary of Proceedings

Elk Grove City Council Regular Meeting – September 13, 2023

The Elk Grove City Council met in regular session on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, at 6:02 p.m. at City Hall. The meeting included approval of the consent calendar, three public hearings regarding special tax districts for the Pardes Apartments project, discussion of broadband digital access, and action on workforce development training programs. The council also heard public comments on homelessness and animal services.

Consent Calendar

The council approved the consent calendar (items 7.1–7.21) by a unanimous voice vote. Items included:
- Approval of August 23, 2023 meeting minutes.
- Reports on City Manager-approved purchases and contracts.
- Adoption of ordinances for Community Facilities District (CFD) No. 2003‑2 (Police Services) and CFD No. 2006‑1 (Maintenance Services) annexations.
- Amendments to the Municipal Code contracting thresholds.
- An agreement with Lennar Homes for Laguna Ridge CFD reimbursement.
- Contract amendments for the Old Town Area Streetscape Phase 2 Project, animal services grant, CivicSpark program, Kammerer Road Urban Design Study, on‑call environmental services, McGeary Ranch subdivision, landscape maintenance, counseling services, employment investigations, vehicle purchases, fee deferral and affordable housing agreements for The Pardes Project, and engineering services for Elk Grove‑Florin Road.
Three members of the public spoke on item 7.9 (animal services grant). They expressed support for the grant but urged expanded spay/neuter capacity, better trap‑neuter‑return programs, and increased volunteer coordination.

Public Comments & Testimony

General Public Comment (non‑agenda): Five speakers addressed homelessness concerns in Old Town/Historic Downtown, objecting to a proposed temporary homeless shelter and low‑income housing near the library. They cited safety, addiction triggers, and negative impacts on local businesses and families. One speaker, Estella Drake, advocated for hiring a volunteer coordinator for the animal shelter.
Public Hearing (Item 8.1): No public comments were offered during the three hearings for the Pardes Apartments annexations.
Workforce Development (Item 9.2): Four speakers (one recruiter, three program graduates) testified in strong support of the Cyber Proud program. They described its effectiveness in training residents for cybersecurity and IT careers, highlighting diversity and positive outcomes.

Discussion Items

8.1 Public Hearings – Pardes Apartments Annexations: Staff presented the proposed annexation of the 236‑unit Pardes Apartments (southeast of Poppy Ridge Road and Bighorn Boulevard) into CFD No. 2003‑2 (Police Services), CFD No. 2006‑1 (Maintenance Services), and Street Maintenance District No. 1, Zone 5‑Z. No public comment was received. The council took the following actions:
- Adopted resolutions calling and declaring results of special elections. For each annexation, 236 affirmative votes were cast (100% approval), exceeding the two‑thirds requirement.
- Introduced ordinances levying the special taxes and amendments to Municipal Code sections.
9.1 Broadband Digital Access Report: Staff presented four broadband options: full municipal network, public‑private partnership (PPP), private open‑access network, and business as usual. Council members expressed consensus to pursue a feasibility study for the PPP (Option B), citing balanced control, reduced risk, and potential for federal grants. No formal vote was taken; direction was given to staff.
9.2 Workforce Development Training Programs Update: Staff reported on two ARPA‑funded programs: (1) Charles A. Jones Career & Education Center – 91 residents expressed interest, with 5 of 10 slots filled for a 9‑month manufacturing technician program. (2) Cyber Proud, Inc. – 37 of 40 slots were filled with 100% completion for cybersecurity and 91% for IT support. 86% of participants were from minority groups. Due to high demand and a waitlist of 67 eligible applicants, the council unanimously adopted a resolution authorizing a contract amendment increasing the training capacity from 40 to 120 residents (adding a software development track) for a total not‑to‑exceed amount of $1,110,508 through December 31, 2025.

Key Outcomes

Consent Calendar approved unanimously.
Public Hearings (Pardes Apartments): Resolutions and ordinances adopted for three special tax district annexations (CFD 2003‑2 Annex 70, CFD 2006‑1 Annex 93, SMD 5‑Z Annex 29).
Broadband Digital Access: Council directed staff to develop a feasibility study for a public‑private broadband partnership.
Workforce Development: Council approved the $1,110,508 contract amendment with Cyber Proud, Inc.
Council Comments: Reported on regional board meetings and adjourned in memory of artist/activist Wanishi Orosco.

Meeting Transcript

See you guys around. All right, we have reconvened from closed session. I would like to make the following announcement that by a five to zero vote, the city council authorized and directed the city's city attorney's office to defend the case of Nia Lee versus Elk City of Elk Grove as identified by the case number on the City Council meeting agenda. With that, uh we will go ahead and adjourn the special meeting at 6.02 p.m. And that brings us to our regular meeting. I would like to call to order the Elkgrove City Council regular meeting. Today is Wednesday, September 13, 2023. It is 6.02 p.m. Clerk. Thank you, Mayor. This meeting of the Elk Grove City Council will be cable cast on Metro Cable 14, the local government affairs channel on the Comcast Consolidated Communications and ATT Uverse Cable Systems. This meeting is being closed captioned and webcast at Metro14Live.secCounty.gov. Tonight's meeting replays will be on Friday, September 15th at 1 p.m. and Sunday, September 17th at 6 p.m. on Channel 14. Previous meetings can be viewed online at www.elkgrove city.org or YouTube.com slash backwards slash Metro Cable 14. For members of the participating audience who may have personal electronic devices, please place them on silent mode during the meeting or on mute when you are not speaking. The Elkgrove City Council welcomes, appreciates, and encourages participation in the City Council meeting. City Council requests that you limit your presentation to three minutes per person so at all present will have time to participate. City Council reserves the right to reasonably limit the total time for public comment on any particular notice agenda item as it may deem necessary. Pursuant to resolution number 210-24. No individual speaker concerning public comment may address the city council for more than three minutes. If you wish to address the council during the meeting, please complete a speaker card there. The blue cards that can be found at the back of the room or up here with assistant uh city clerk Brenda Haggard and provide them to the assistant city clerk prior to a consideration of the agenda item. And Mayor, with that, I will transition us to our first uh order of business, which is the call to order and roll call. For the roll call, I will start with Councilmember Robles. Present, Councilmember Brewer. Present. Councilmember Suen. Here, Vice Mayor Spees. Present. And Mayor Singh Allen. Here. All are present. All right, thank you. Next up is our Pledge of Allegiance. I would like to invite our police chief to lead us today. Hand over heart. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Please join us for a moment of silence. Thank you. All right. May I get a motion to approve the agenda? So moved. Second. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Thank you.

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