Elk Grove City Council Regular Meeting - December 13, 2023
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Elk Grove City Council Regular Meeting - December 13, 2023
The Elk Grove City Council met on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, at 6:01 PM at City Hall. The meeting included the selection of a new Vice Mayor, adoption of a resolution supporting the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), a presentation on domestic violence and human trafficking, approval of the consent calendar, several public hearings on utility districts, fee updates, and General Plan amendments, and multiple appointments to regional boards and commissions.
Special Action Item
- Selection of Vice Mayor and Reorganization of the City Council: Councilmember Rod Brewer was nominated by Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen and unanimously selected as Vice Mayor for the upcoming term. He expressed gratitude and commitment to serving the community.
Presentations & Announcements
- Recognition of Youth MMA Champions (Item 4.1): The Council recognized Cora Wadlington (gold medalist), Adam Maldonado Jr., and Brooklyn Harper for representing Team USA at the 2023 IMMAF Youth MMA Championships in Abu Dhabi. Councilmember Darren Suen presented the certificates.
- Presentation by Sacramento Regional Family Justice Center (Item 4.2): CEO Faith Whitmore and Deputy Director Joyce Bellou provided an update on domestic violence, human trafficking, and elder abuse services. They noted that Elk Grove has the second-highest rate of victims referred to the center in Sacramento County. They highlighted the center's 24/7 human trafficking hotline (over 2,000 calls in 18 months), training for law enforcement, and a high-risk domestic violence team. The Council thanked them for their work.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Kirk Thompson: Spoke in support of the CEDAW resolution but raised concerns about potential misuse. Also commented on Halloween participation and fireworks regulations.
- Sophia Nguyen: Requested support for the Miss Vietnam Norcal Pageant, emphasizing its role in empowering women and promoting cultural diversity.
- Keith Diedrich (President/CEO of The Gathering Inn): Praised the city's winter sanctuary program, noting that the first person had been housed. He commended city staff for their support.
- Ahmed Raghabe: Urged the Council to adopt a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, citing humanitarian concerns. He requested the city to join other municipalities in demanding an end to hostilities and unrestricted humanitarian aid.
Consent Calendar
- Items 7.1 through 7.22 were approved unanimously, with a correction noted on Item 7.22 (clerical correction to APN number). The consent calendar included approval of minutes, reports on purchases and contracts, monthly disbursement summaries, second readings of ordinances (speed limits, rezones), final maps, annual reports, and various resolutions authorizing agreements, grants, and budget amendments.
Public Hearings
- Item 8.1 – Underground Utility District (Elk Grove Boulevard): The Council adopted a resolution declaring public necessity for an underground utility district from School Street to Waterman Road, and authorized an agreement with SMUD for the Old Town Streetscape Phase 2 project. Public commenter Randy Becker requested speed limit reductions and truck detour signs for construction safety.
- Item 8.2 – Updated User Fees for Aquatics Center and District56: The Council adopted updated fees for the Elk Grove Aquatics Center and The Center at District56. The increases (up to 10%) were justified by inflation, minimum wage increases, and equipment replacement needs. Council members supported the balanced approach and thanked staff for their work.
- Item 8.3 – Four Public Hearings on Annexations to Special Tax Districts: The Council conducted four separate hearings for the Telos Greens Project, Grantline Construction Aggregates Production and Recycling Facility, and Remodel for Elk Grove Masonic Lodge #173. All annexations were approved unanimously after ballot tabulation showed more than two-thirds affirmative votes for each.
- Item 8.4 – General Plan Amendments and EIR Certification: The Council certified the Subsequent Environmental Impact Report, adopted findings and a mitigation monitoring program, and approved amendments to the General Plan (incorporating the Kammerer Road Urban Design Study and Livable Employment Area Community Plan) and updates to transportation analysis guidelines. Staff noted that the plan creates a walkable, mixed-use employment district with diverse housing options. Council members expressed strong support for the long-term vision.
Regular Agenda Action Items
- Item 9.1 – Resolution in Support of CEDAW: Adopted unanimously (5-0). The resolution supports the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. Staff noted no fiscal impact. Council members spoke about the importance of equality and the need to continue addressing discrimination.
- Item 9.2 – Police Department Military Equipment Report: The Council adopted a resolution approving the 2022 Military Equipment Report and renewing Ordinance No. 11-2022. Chief Davis noted no significant changes in equipment types.
- Item 9.3 – Kammerer Road Two-Lane Extension Contract: The Council authorized a contract with Jacobs Engineering Group for professional engineering services (not to exceed $8,016,822) for the I-5 to Bruceville Road segment. The project is part of the Capitol Southeast Connector vision. Council members expressed enthusiasm for its potential to alleviate traffic and improve connectivity.
- Item 9.4 – Appointments to Sacramento Regional Transit District Board: The Council appointed Vice Mayor Rod Brewer as a regular member (second seat) and retained Councilmember Darren Suen as alternate. Councilmember Sergio Robles expressed interest in serving on the air quality board, which will be confirmed at a later meeting.
- Item 9.5 – Review of City Council Ad Hoc Committees: The Council voted to keep existing ad hoc committees unchanged, with a review scheduled for November 2024.
- Item 9.6 – Appointments and Recruitments: The Council confirmed Jenny Rodriguez to the Diversity and Inclusion Commission, reappointed Lyndon Hawkins to the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District, authorized a recruitment for the Sacramento Environmental Commission vacancy, and received the 2023 Local Appointments List.
Key Outcomes
- Rod Brewer elected Vice Mayor.
- Resolution supporting CEDAW adopted (5-0).
- Consent calendar approved with amendment to Item 7.22.
- Underground utility district and fee updates approved.
- All four special tax district annexations approved (unanimous).
- General Plan amendments and EIR certified (5-0).
- Police military equipment report approved.
- Kammerer Road extension design contract awarded to Jacobs Engineering.
- Appointments: Jenny Rodriguez to Diversity and Inclusion Commission; Lyndon Hawkins reappointed to Mosquito and Vector Control; Vice Mayor Brewer to SacRT Board; recruitments authorized for Environmental Commission.
- Meeting adjourned in memory of former Fire Chief Gerald Durr.
Meeting Transcript
All right. We have reconvened from closed session. And I have the following announcements by a five to zero vote. The city council authorized and directed the city attorney's office to defend the cases of Rogers versus Elkgrove Police Department. And Bahaduri versus City of Elkgrove as identified by the case number on the City Council meeting agenda. With that, we will adjourn the special meeting at 6.01 p.m. And uh at this time I'll call to order the Elk Grove City Council regular meeting. Today is Wednesday, December the 13th, 2023, and it is 601 p.m. Clerk. Thank you, Mayor. This meeting of the Elkrove City Council will be cable cast on Metro Cable 14, the local government affairs channel on the Comcast Consolidated Communications and ATT U versus Cable Systems. Meeting is closed caption and webcast at Metro14Live.secCounty.gov. Tonight's meeting replays will be on Friday, December 15th at 1 p.m. and Tuesday, December 19th at 1 p.m. as well on Channel 14. Previous meetings can be viewed online at www.elkgrove city.org or YouTube.com slash uh backwardslash 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. 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 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. With that, Mayor, I will move into the roll call. And the roll call will start with Councilmember Rublis. Present. Councilmember Brewer. Present. Councilmember Sewen. Here. Vice Mayor Spees. Present. And Mayor Singh Allen. All are present. All right. Thank you. Next up is our land acknowledgement. We honor, respect, and acknowledge Elk Grove's first inhabitants, the Plains Mi Walk, who lived as sovereign caretakers of this land and these waterways since time immemorial. We commemorate and advocate for their descendants, the Wilton Rancheria tribe, the only federally recognized tribe in Sacramento County who endure because of the bravery, resiliency, and determination of their ancestors, tribal members, and leaders. Next up, we have our Pledge of Allegiance. And if I can get our Vice Mayor to lead. 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. Next up, we have our moment of silence. All right, thank you. All right, next up we have our special item, item 1A, selection of our vice mayor. Did you have any announcements, sir? Uh all it is is this is prescribed by the norms and procedures manual of the city council. It's one of the first actions that we take with our meeting in December of each year is to select the vice mayor amongst the number of the council to serve going on into the future. We can replace and switch seats if you so wish to do so uh right after the selection of vice mayor is made. In the past, the council has uh made selections to just say that it uh the process will continue into the next meeting. Um so we have either option, we're ready and poised to go. We have placards ready at and ready to I will be making a nomination, but before that I'll open up the public comment opportunity.
openpublica.com