Elk Grove City Council Regular Meeting – April 10, 2024
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Elk Grove City Council Regular Meeting – April 10, 2024
The Elk Grove City Council met on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at 6:02 PM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting included proclamations for Fair Housing Month and Donate Life Month, the Stars of Service Awards, public comments, approval of the consent calendar, and the appointment of a new voting member to the Planning Commission.
Proclamations & Awards
- Fair Housing Month (April 2024): Councilmember Darren Suen presented a proclamation recognizing the 56th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act. Avantika Rao of Project Sentinel accepted on behalf of the community.
- Donate Life Month (April 2024): Councilmember Kevin Spease presented a proclamation highlighting organ donation statistics. Kyla Aquino Irving and Chris Mateo, both kidney transplant recipients, shared personal stories and urged attendees to register as organ donors.
- Stars of Service Awards: Mayor Singh-Allen recognized volunteers in six categories: Hollis Erb (Residents/Neighborhoods/Community Groups), Robert Rhymes (Social/Community Services), Kelly Lee (Culture & Heritage), Carolyn and Brian Baptista (Arts), Joshua Green (Youth Sports), Boy Scout Troop 118 (Service Organizations), and Cassie Parsons (Young Volunteer of the Year).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Lynn Wheat (General Public Comment): Criticized land use planning in Elk Grove, specifically the conversion of a planned fire station lot into an employee parking lot in a neighborhood near the Zoo SPA project. She requested the wall at the entrance be identified by community name and landscaped. She also questioned the economic incentive provided to a developer for Costco, requesting measurable returns to residents.
- Susan Santra (General Public Comment): Invited the community to a Toastmasters International open house on April 18 at Mel’s Diner, noting the club has been in Elk Grove for 26 years and helps improve English skills.
- Public Comments on Consent Calendar: Lynn Wheat again spoke on item 7.5 (Annual Comprehensive Financial Report), reiterating concerns about economic incentives and requesting transparency on returns.
- Public Comments on Planning Commission Appointment (Item 9.1): Several residents spoke in support of various candidates:
- Gurman Singh, Luis Cruz, Shakira Haleem, and Varinder Singh all supported Varinder Singh, highlighting his community service, leadership, and qualifications.
- Rochelle Owen Reinwald (an applicant) spoke about her own background and commitment to balancing rural and urban development.
- Irfan Mehmud (an applicant) emphasized his community involvement and requested the appointment of the first Muslim American to the Planning Commission.
- Gus Vina (an applicant) shared his 40 years of local government experience, including as city manager in Brentwood, and his volunteer work.
- Julie Singh (an applicant) discussed her 15 years at Verizon and her desire to give back to the city.
Consent Calendar
- The council approved all consent calendar items (7.1–7.9) by a unanimous voice vote, including:
- Minutes of March 27, 2024 meetings.
- Reports on City Manager approved purchases, RFPs, and bids.
- Resolution authorizing $115,000 in California Office of Traffic Safety grant funds.
- Acceptance of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for FY 2022-23.
- Resolution amending the bond counsel contract with Jones Hall (total not-to-exceed $825,000).
- Resolution approving the Southeast Industrial Area Storm Drain Improvements Project Phase 2 ($848,616.10 contract with Mozingo Construction).
- Resolution approving the Citywide Curb Ramps 2024 Project ($533,077 contract with United Pavement Maintenance).
- Resolution authorizing a Storm Drainage Master Plan Update contract with West Yost & Associates (not-to-exceed $1,208,237).
Discussion Items
- Planning Commission Appointment (Item 9.1): The council considered applications for one voting member to the Planning Commission, replacing retiring Commissioner George Murphy (17 years of service). Ten applications were received; the mayor recommended Varinder Singh, citing strong community support and endorsement from Planning Commission Chair Sumon Singa and outgoing Commissioner Murphy. Councilmembers discussed the difficulty of the decision, acknowledging the quality of all applicants, including Gus Vina, Irfan Mehmud, and Rochelle Owen Reinwald. Councilmember Robles and Suen expressed support for Irfan Mehmud due to his long community involvement, but ultimately the mayor’s recommendation was accepted without a formal vote.
Key Outcomes
- Planning Commission Appointment: Varinder Singh was appointed as a voting member to the Planning Commission. The appointment was confirmed by consensus of the council (no formal vote needed). Singh is a 20-year Elk Grove resident, an IT supervisor at the California Franchise Tax Board, and has volunteered with the Sacramento Punjabi Culture Society and other nonprofits.
- Consent Calendar: All items approved unanimously.
- Future Agenda Item: Councilmember Spease requested to move the 60-day review of the Aquatic Center from April 24 to May 22 due to a scheduling conflict; council concurred.
- Council Reports: Vice Mayor Brewer reported on the Sacramento Public Library Joint Powers Authority budget; Councilmember Spease reported on SACRT updates.
The meeting adjourned at 7:36 PM.
Meeting Transcript
All right, we have reconvened from our closed session, and I would like to make the following disclosure. By a 5-0 vote, the city council authorized the city attorney's office to initiate litigation in one matter. The name of the defendants and details are not subject to disclosure at this time once litigation is filed. This information will be disclosed to any person upon inquiry. With that, we will adjourn the special meeting at 6 02 p.m. And at this time, I would like to call to order the Alkgrove City Council regular meeting. Today is Wednesday, April the 10th, 2024. 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. The meeting is closed caption and webcast at Metro14Live.gov. Tonight's meeting replays will be on Friday, April 12th at 1 p.m. and Wednesday, April 17th at 9 a.m. on Channel 14. Previous meetings can be viewed online at the 3W's Upgrove City.org or YouTube.com backward 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 Elkrove 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 council for more than three minutes. If you wish to address the council during the meeting, please complete a blue speaker card, which can be found at the back of the chamber and provide it to assistant city clerk, Brenda Haggard, prior to consideration of the agenda item. With that, Mayor, we will move in to the roll call. And starting with the roll call, I will start with Councilmember Robles. Present. Councilmember Speeze. Present. Councilmember Sewin. Here. Vice Mayor Brewer. Present. And Mayor Singh Allen. Here. All are present. All right. Thank you. And the land acknowledgement, if I can get our vice mayor to read that, please. Yes, thank you, Mayor. We honor, respect, and acknowledge Oakgrove's first inhabitants, the Plains Miwok, who lived as sovereign caretakers of this land in 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 their bravery, resiliency, and determination of their ancestors, tribal members, and leaders. All right, thank you for that. At this time, uh, let's see. I would like to call on Phil Lewis, our general manager from the C CSD to help lead us in the pledge if you would like to come forward. That's what happens when famous people come to city council meetings. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. At this time, please join us for a brief moment of silence. All right, thank you. Next up is the approval of the agenda.
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