Elk Grove City Council Regular Meeting - September 27, 2023
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Elk Grove City Council Regular Meeting - September 27, 2023
The Elk Grove City Council met on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, at 6:01 PM. The meeting included a proclamation for Indigenous Peoples' Day, adoption of a land acknowledgment, approval of the CDBG CAPER, a public hearing on the Oak Rose Apartments project under SB 35 (continued to October 11), and approval of a contract with The Gathering Inn for the 2023-2024 Enhanced Winter Sanctuary. The consent calendar was approved unanimously. Public comment covered a range of topics including animal services, homelessness, and the Oak Rose project.
Presentations / Announcements
- Proclamation Recognizing Indigenous Peoples' Day (October 9, 2023): The council presented the proclamation to representatives of the Wilton Rancheria tribe, including Jeannie McKean, Frank Destino, and Mark Andrews. McKean expressed gratitude and noted the importance of truth and reconciliation.
Land Acknowledgment Resolution (Item 9.2)
- Staff Presentation: Deputy City Manager Kara Reddick presented the proposed land acknowledgment, developed by the Diversity and Inclusion Commission and reviewed by the Wilton Rancheria. It honors the Plains Miwok people and their descendants, the Wilton Rancheria tribe.
- Public Comment: Raina Tarongo thanked the council and commission for the acknowledgment, highlighting its significance.
- Council Discussion: Council members expressed support, noting the long-overdue recognition and thanking the commission and tribe. A motion to adopt the resolution was made and seconded, passing unanimously (5-0). The proclamation photo was then taken.
Public Comment (Non-Agenda Items)
- Lynn Wheat provided historical context on city planning and encouraged residents to stay informed.
- Kat M. and Kim M. spoke about the lack of a shelter veterinarian and the end of the TNR program for community cats. The city manager noted the recruitment process is underway with a transition plan using contract vets.
Consent Calendar (Items 7.1-7.16)
- Approved unanimously (5-0) with no public comment. Items included meeting minutes, purchase reports, disbursement summaries, ordinances for CFD taxes, a recruitment advertising contract with JobElephant.Com (up to $200,000), easement grants, a lease agreement with Teen Center USA, a credit reimbursement agreement for Bruceville Meadows, abandonment of proceedings for CFD annexations, ratifying a funding agreement with Sacramento Metropolitan Cable Television Commission for PEG fees ($145,972), an amendment to the CivicPlus contract for SeeClickFix ($207,958.67), a reimbursement agreement for the 2023 Emergency Vehicle Preemption Pilot Project, introduction of an ordinance amending Truck Routes, and acceptance of SACOG grant for electric bike/scooter lending library ($250,000).
Public Hearing – CDBG CAPER (Item 8.1)
- Staff Presentation: Sarah Bontrager presented the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER). The city received $876,462 in CDBG funding, used for senior meals, housing counseling, ADA curb ramps (84 ramps), and a sewer lateral project. No public comments were received.
- Council Action: Motion and second to adopt the resolution approving the CAPER, passed unanimously.
Public Hearing – Oak Rose Apartments Project (Item 8.2)
- Staff Presentation: Planning Manager Antonio Ablog presented a 67-unit permanent supportive housing project at 9252 Elk Grove Boulevard seeking SB 35 ministerial approval with density bonus and concessions. The project had been denied in 2022 by both Planning Commission and City Council for not meeting objective standards in the Old Town Special Planning Area (OTSPA). The applicant (Oak Rose Apts LP) and the State (HCD and Attorney General's Office) filed lawsuits. Staff now recommended approval based on a revised concession/incentive under a different density bonus statute, making the project eligible for SB 35 streamlining. Conditions of approval were contested by the applicant via letter; staff provided a memo responding point by point. The project would be exempt from CEQA as ministerial. Fiscal impact includes waiver of approximately $240,000 in affordable housing fees.
- Applicant Absence: City Attorney noted the applicant was informed but indicated they would not attend, stating they had "not been invited to participate." The Mayor expressed disappointment.
- Public Comment: Over 30 speakers, mostly opposing the project due to location in Old Town, proximity to schools and businesses, safety concerns, parking shortages, and the developer's refusal to accept alternative city-offered sites and incentives. Some expressed conditional support for affordable housing but not at that location. A few speakers (e.g., Lynn Wheat, William Myers) supported the project as providing needed housing. Several speakers criticized the state's SB 35 process and urged the council to continue fighting.
- Council Discussion: Councilmembers Brewer, Robles, Suen, Spease, and Mayor Singh-Allen all expressed anger at the developer's absence and frustration with state preemption. They noted the city offered alternatives and incentives (millions in city funds) which were rejected. They discussed the high cost of continued litigation (mid-to-high six figures for city, plus potential opponent fees if lost) and broader risks to city land-use authority. Councilmember Suen and others indicated they want to continue the item to seek one more dialogue with the applicant.
- Action: Motion by Councilmember Brewer to continue the public hearing to October 11, 2023, to allow one more attempt at negotiation. Seconded and passed unanimously. A decision will be made at that meeting.
Regular Agenda – Enhanced Winter Sanctuary (Item 9.1)
- Staff Presentation: Sarah Bontrager presented a contract with The Gathering Inn to operate a 30-bed, low-barrier winter sanctuary from November 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024, at the former Rite Aid building (9260 Elk Grove Boulevard), which is the future library site. Services include case management, mental health and substance use counseling, three meals a day, and 24/7 operation. Security measures include 360-degree camera coverage, a police patrol vehicle on site, full-time homeless outreach officers, and extra patrols. The contract value is approximately $600,000 for staffing and operations, with no additional security costs beyond existing resources. The Gathering Inn CEO Keith Dieterick emphasized community partnerships and a robust services plan.
- Public Comment: Multiple speakers supported the program (Gina Pernetti, Linda Storm, Mark Headland, Dennis Williams, Diane Lampe, Frank Lucia, Troy Winslow, William Myers) citing the need for shelter and the positive track record of Elk Grove Heart's previous winter sanctuary. Opponents (Robert Lindner, Randy Becker, Peggy Forsyth Andrews, Susan Pope) raised concerns about location, cost ($4,000 per person per month), potential for increased crime, and lack of community engagement before the decision.
- Council Discussion: Councilmembers Suen, Spease, Brewer, Robles, and Mayor Singh-Allen expressed strong support, noting the program meets a critical need, includes wraparound services, and is temporary. Councilmember Brewer acknowledged the lack of prior community outreach and committed to holding a community meeting. The mayor stressed that homelessness is not a crime and the city has a responsibility.
- Action: Motion and second to adopt the resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with The Gathering Inn. Passed unanimously (5-0). The meeting ended at approximately 11:30 PM.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously (5-0).
- Indigenous Peoples' Day Proclamation: Presented and recognized.
- Land Acknowledgment Resolution: Adopted unanimously (5-0).
- CDBG CAPER Resolution: Approved unanimously (5-0).
- Oak Rose Apartments Public Hearing: Continued to October 11, 2023, at 6:00 PM, to allow one final negotiation attempt.
- Enhanced Winter Sanctuary Contract: Approved unanimously (5-0), with a planned community meeting for Old Town businesses and residents.
- Adjournment in Memory: The meeting was adjourned in honor of U.S. Army Specialist Ty J. Johnson, who died in Iraq in 2006.
Other Notes
- The city manager reported on the veterinarian recruitment, economic development awards, library project schedule, Harvest Water meeting, and upcoming events (pumpkin festival, homecoming parade).
- The council waived the 10:00 PM rule to complete the agenda.
Meeting Transcript
Can we all right? Thank you. We have reconvened from our closed session, and I'd like to make the following announcement by a five to zero vote. The city council authorized and directed the city attorney's office to defend the case of Christian V. Miller and all as identified by case number on the city council meeting agenda. With that, we will close or adjourn the special meeting at 6.01 p.m. And switch over to our regular meeting. I would like to call to order the Elk Grove City Council regular meeting. Today is Wednesday, September the 27th, 2023. It is 601 p.m. Clerk. Thank you, Mayor. This meeting of the Elgrove 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. The meeting is closed. Caption will be webcast at Metro14Live.secCounty.gov. Tonight's meeting replays will be on Saturday, September 30th at 7 p.m. And Sunday, October 1st at 6 p.m. on Channel 14. Previous meetings can be viewed online at 3W's dot elkgrovecity.org or YouTube.com backward slash Metro Cable 14. For members of the participating audience and personal electronic devices, please place them on silent mode during the meeting or on mute when you are not speaking. The Illgrove City Council welcomes, appreciates, and encourages participation in the city council meetings. City Council will request that you limit your presentation to three minutes per person, so that 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. Those are the blue cards that you might see at the back of the room or also up here and provide those to the deputy city clerk prior to consideration of the agenda item. And mayor and council, just a few other housekeeping rules as we have quite a full house this evening, and thank you everyone for being here to the meeting this evening. I would like to note that our fire marshal would like to ask that with our large crowd that we keep all exits clear. So those are the large sets of double doors at the back of the chamber. But you also note some blue tape on the ground that we would ask around those doorways that folks keep clear of congregating around those areas. We want to make sure that there's a clear uh egress away from the building in the event that that is required. So we thank you for your assistance with that. I would like folks to know that there is overflow seating in the foyer. And our audience members that are in the foyer will still be hearing my audio going through that uh chamber. We also have large screen TVs so that you can view the meeting and be watching it in real time from the foyer where there is additional seating as folks may need. If you need restroom facilities or water that is back into the foyer, if you exit the chamber, you would be turning to the right, and another series of rights will get you down the hallway to where you need to go. As the last part that I will say is your city clerk is I'd like to say that manners matter, and I would like to be very impressed tonight with our community displaying uh not only that when we come together, though we might have disputes that we give everyone the time that they are allotted in order to express uh their thoughts, and we greatly appreciate it. And I would uh you get a special mark in my book for those folks that are here in the chamber. If there is an opportunity, and we have one of our citizens that are a little more uh senior and might need seating up near the front, I would uh give you a tip of the hat if some folks were to offer their seats to those folks if they do need them. But there is the overflow seating. Please don't forget that. And otherwise, I will hand that over to the mayor. All right, thank you for that. Um at this time, uh please join us for the Pledge of Allegiance. I would like to invite up uh Mr. Michael Hill to lead us in the pledge this evening I pledge allegiance to the flag of United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, individual with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Next up, uh please um join us for a brief moment of silence. Thank you.
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