Elk Grove City Council Regular Meeting - April 24, 2024

The Elk Grove City Council held a regular meeting on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at 6:05 PM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting included presentations, public hearings, and action items. Key topics included a recognition of the outgoing planning commissioner, proclamations for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People, Arbor Day, and Bike Month, an update from the Trails Committee, new employee introductions, amendments to wireless facility regulations, annexations for a development project, increased fireworks enforcement, a letter of intent for Project Elevate (a mixed-use development), modification of the Tourism Marketing District, and allocation of Event Sponsorship Grant funds. The meeting adjourned at 9:11 PM.

Presentations & Announcements

• Proclamation for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP): Mayor read the proclamation designating May 5, 2024 as National Day of Awareness. Chairman Jesus Tarango of the Wilton Rancheria accepted, noting that California has the fifth-largest case load and that indigenous women are murdered at nearly 10 times the national average. He stated that 84.3% of Native women experience violence in their lifetime, and that a candlelight vigil would be held May 1 at the State Capitol.
• Recognition of George Murphy: Councilmember Spease presented a recognition for George Murphy's 17 years of service on the Planning Commission (appointed February 8, 2007). Supervisor Pat Hume also presented a county proclamation. Council members praised his mentorship and advocacy for the rural area. Murphy thanked the community and staff, and urged continued respect for the rural area.
• Arbor Day Proclamation: Councilmember Robles proclaimed April 26, 2024 as Arbor Day. Colin Fagan of the Sacramento Tree Foundation reported that over 2,300 trees have been planted along Franklin Creek on the Toby Johnson Bikeway, with further reforestation plans.
• Bike Month Proclamation: Councilmember Suen proclaimed May 2024 as Bike Month in Elk Grove. He noted that replacing one car trip per day with a bike ride reduces transportation carbon emissions by 67%. Events include Bike to Work Mileage Madness Week (May 11-19) and Bike & Roll to School Day (May 8).
• Trails Committee Annual Update: Chair Mark Mendenhall presented. Completed projects include a new ramp at Sierra River Drive and Rising Creek Way, improvements at Adobe Springs and Bertum drives, and the Sheldon Farms connection along Laguna Creek Trail. Ongoing projects include the Laguna Creek Trail extension, a wayfinding signage program, and an e-bike task force. Four minor CIP projects are being completed this spring. The committee highlighted the need for three new rail crossings to complete trail connectivity.
• New Hire Introductions: City Manager Jason Behrmann introduced new and promoted employees across departments, including multiple police officers, dispatchers, a homeless services navigator, an IT analyst, and public works staff. Several hires were veterans, which was noted with pride.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Keith Diedrich (The Gathering Inn): Thanked the council for the winter-only sanctuary program, noting that 21 of 50 homeless individuals (41%) were placed in permanent housing. He emphasized that the program was extended an additional month at no extra cost to the city.
• Lynn Wheat: Raised concerns about the zoo's financial projections, asking about the Sacramento Zoological Society's fundraising and potential taxpayer liability for bonds. Also criticized use of Measure A funds for outward sprawl instead of existing road repair.
• Lynn Wheat (on Consent Item 7.4): Questioned continued high legal fees to Best Best & Krieger and other firms, and noted various other expenditures (traffic detective supplies, financial modeling for the zoo).
• Juan Fernandez (Commissioner, on 9.1): Supported the fireworks ordinance but suggested adding noise measurement capability to the C-click fix app to capture complaints about loud booms, which affect pets and people with PTSD.
• Sharon Anderson (on 9.2): Suggested incorporating rooftop dining and features into Project Elevate, noting they are currently absent in Elk Grove.
• Sharon Anderson (on 9.4): As president of Camden Neighborhood Association, supported funding for the Music by the Lake event, noting all volunteer organization.
• Sarah Root (Elk Grove Aquatics Club, on 9.4): Requested grant support for the Bill Rose Classic swim meet, expecting 700-800 swimmers and 1,500-2,000 spectators, with an estimated $2.4 million economic impact based on a previous Western Zones meet.
• Alma Lopez (Latino Center of Art and Culture, on 9.4): Supported funding for the Dia de los Muertos 5K, noting that 30% of runners are Elk Grove residents and 69% are from outside, contributing to tourism. The center brings a cultural element and youth dance performances.
• Brian Colson (on 9.4): Expressed concern about the decline of the Western Festival, urging the city and CSD to resolve issues (wording, insurance) to restore the event. Thanked the council for grant support.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously (7.1-7.15): Including approval of minutes, report on City Manager purchases, RFQs, monthly disbursements ($? total), resolutions initiating Laguna West Service Area charges, annexations for Staybridge Suites and Tegan Estates, amendment to Laguna Ridge credit agreement, on-call traffic engineering contracts (up to $1M each), purchase of a used bucket truck ($149,000), rejection of bids for PIM project, modification of Cornerstone Village affordable housing loan, pavement maintenance contract ($1,546,686 with $232,002 change order authority), introduction of speed limit ordinance, update on Connected Elk Grove Smart City Initiative, and authorization to fill a Disability Advisory Committee vacancy.

Public Hearings

8.1 Wireless Facility Utility Separation Requirements

• Staff presented an ordinance amending Municipal Code Section 23.94.050 to remove the word "horizontal" from the separation requirement, allowing small cell antenna deployments on streetlight poles located near power lines. The change creates a radial exclusion zone. SMUD had no concerns. Council introduced and adopted the ordinance unanimously.

8.2 Annexations for Bader Singh Parcel Map Project

• Four related public hearings for annexation of four single-family residential units into special tax districts: CFD 2003-2 (Police Services), CFD 2006-1 (Maintenance Services), Street Maintenance District 1 Zone 3-AO, and Storm Water Drainage Fee Zone 2. Ballot tabulations for each showed 4 affirmative votes (all property owners) with no protests. Council approved all four sets of resolutions and ordinances unanimously.

Discussion Items

9.1 Dangerous Fireworks Enforcement

• Staff proposed an ordinance making violations of Chapter 17.06 a misdemeanor, adding host liability, and a resolution increasing administrative fines to $1,000 per violation (each individual firework a separate violation). Council discussed adding noise measurement capability via C-click fix app; staff will explore feasibility. Motion passed unanimously to adopt ordinance and resolution.

9.2 Project Elevate - Letter of Intent with CenterCal

• Staff reviewed the history of the 20-acre city-owned parcel north of District 56. After a previous developer (Heinz) withdrew, the ad hoc subcommittee (Suen and Robles) selected CenterCal Acquisitions. Scott Bohr (CenterCal VP) presented a conceptual mixed-use plan with ~80,000 sq ft retail, 120 hotel keys, 200+ apartments (15% affordable), and a central town square. Letter of Intent terms include a 180-day exclusive negotiation period, cost-sharing for appraisals (city cap $250,000), and options for construction delays. Council adopted resolution authorizing execution of LOI unanimously.

9.3 Tourism Marketing District Modification (Public Meeting)

• Staff presented proposed modifications: increase assessment from 3% to 4% (city) and 1% to 2% (county portion), extend term to 10 years (to 2030), add destination development budget (5%), expand board to include tourism-related businesses, and update boundaries to include Grant Line Business Park. No action taken; final public hearing scheduled May 22, 2024.

9.4 Fiscal Year 2024-25 Event Sponsorship Grant Program

• Staff reported 41 eligible applications requesting over $750,000. Recommended full asks for all applicants (list provided). Council requested no changes. Council directed staff to adopt the recommended allocations as part of the budget.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar approved in full (15 items).
• Ordinance amending wireless facility regulations (PLNG24-006) adopted unanimously.
• Four annexation ordinances and resolutions for Bader Singh Parcel Map Project adopted (CFD 2003-2 annex 73, CFD 2006-1 annex 95, SMD 3-AO annex 52, SWDF Zone 2 annex 65).
• Fireworks enforcement ordinance and resolution adopted, with direction to explore noise measurement technology.
• Resolution authorizing Letter of Intent with CenterCal for Project Elevate adopted; next step: negotiate purchase agreement within 180 days.
• Event Sponsorship Grant allocations directed as recommended; staff to finalize contracts.
• Tourism Marketing District modification public meeting held; further action at May 22 hearing pending county consent (May 7).