Elk Grove City Council Regular Meeting - October 23, 2024

The Elk Grove City Council held its regular meeting on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, starting at 6:06 PM and adjourning at 8:03 PM. The meeting featured a presentation from State Senator Angelique Ashby, introductions of new and promoted city employees, public comments, consent calendar approval, three public hearings, and reports on economic development and transit planning. All votes were unanimous.

Presentations & Announcements

• Senator Angelique Ashby presented an update on legislative achievements benefiting Elk Grove, including Senate Bill 739 (allowing a construction manager at risk contract for the new zoo) and a $1 million state budget appropriation for children's amenities in the new Elk Grove Library. The City Council presented her with a proclamation recognizing her service.
• New Hire Introductions: The city manager introduced numerous new employees and promotions across departments, including Police Department personnel (e.g., Richard Tao, veterinarian JoAnna Swanson), Public Affairs (Jen Lindsley), City Attorney's Office (Brianne Sullivan), Finance (Max Yates), IT (Dirk Pedruga), Development Services (Josh Tavar, Thomas Liu), and Public Works (Eugene Garcia, Songin Wu, Alison Musling).

Consent Calendar

• Items 7.1 through 7.12 were approved unanimously. These included routine approvals such as meeting minutes, purchasing reports, disbursements, an ordinance on development impact fees (Measure A), a conflict of interest code amendment, acceptance of a $529,000 traffic enforcement grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, a Capital Improvement Program quarterly status report, approval of the Arbor Ranch Phase 3 final map, a contract amendment with Cityfi, Inc. for Smart City implementation (additional $80,000, extension to December 2025), and a license agreement amendment for the Elk Grove Community Garden.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Lynn Wheat spoke during public comment on non-agendized items, expressing opposition to the proposed zoo. She argued that the 100-acre site should instead be used for housing solutions like rent-controlled manufactured homes, and criticized the project's cost and lack of a public vote.
• During the consent calendar, Ms. Wheat commented on Item 7.8 (CIP Quarterly Report), noting that 16 projects valued at $17 million were on hold, including two parks. She suggested using general fund reserves set aside for the zoo to complete those projects.
• On Item 8.1 (Poppy Grove Apartments Amendment), Ms. Wheat criticized the project's reduced open space (from 20% to 9%), elimination of balconies, pool, and sports court, and the proposed color change to a "worldly gray," calling it a "bait and switch" and comparing the architecture to "East Berlin Gray."
• On Item 8.2 (Historic Resources), Peggy Forrestith Andrews spoke in support of the designation, noting she was part of the original group that worked to protect historic properties in the 1980s, and urged the council to address submittal fees for historic resources.

Discussion Items

8.1 Poppy Grove Apartments Amendment Project

• Staff Presentation: Senior Planner Sarah Kirchgessner presented a Major Design Review Amendment to modify exterior building colors for the 387-unit affordable housing project at 10149 Bruceville Road. The original palette included dark gray, light gray, violet, and white; the proposed replacement uses a beige-gray called "worldly gray" for plaster, with primary and accent siding colors varied across 14 buildings. The project is under construction and uses objective standards under the Housing Accountability Act.
• Applicant Statement: Reese Jarrett explained the color change was based on a consultant's recommendation after architectural revisions. He noted the project faced interest rate spikes and supply chain issues, but buildings will be completed in phases from December 2024 to June 2025. He highlighted amenities: $3.5 million in solar (eliminating tenant utility costs), 15,000 sq ft of common indoor space, in-unit washers/dryers, and 80-gallon water heaters.
• Council Positions: Councilmember Suen and Spease expressed disappointment in the removal of patios and balconies but acknowledged limited discretion under state housing law. The mayor noted the project provides much-needed housing despite design concerns. The resolution was adopted unanimously.

8.2 Historic Resources Designation

• Staff Presentation: Senior Planner Kyra Killingsworth presented a resolution to acknowledge 49 already-listed historic resources and designate five new local properties on the Elk Grove Register of Historic Resources. The five new properties are four sites at Heritage Park on East Stockton Boulevard and one private residence on Bilby Road. A sixth property at Heritage Park was demolished and removed. The city held a public workshop in June and the Historic Preservation Committee recommended approval, noting concerns about submittal fees.
• Council Questions: Councilmember Robles asked whether property owners were consulted; staff confirmed notices were sent to owners and neighbors within 500 feet. One of the five properties is owned by a member of the Historic Preservation Committee, who is aware of the process. The council directed staff to review submittal fees for historical resources. The resolution was adopted unanimously.

8.3 Special Tax District Annexations (Four Public Hearings)

• Staff Presentation: Finance Manager Kara Taylor-Seaman presented four annexations for two residential projects: Jain Estates (8 single-family units) and 8621 Heritage Hill Drive Map (2 units), into Community Facilities District No. 2003-2 (Police Services, Annexation 75), CFD No. 2006-1 (Maintenance Services, Annexation 99), Street Maintenance District No. 1 Zone 3-AQ (Annexation 54), and Storm Water Drainage Fee Zone 2 (Annexation 69). Each annexation required a special election; ballots were sent to property owners.
• Votes: The council held four separate hearings. In each, the clerk announced results: all 10 eligible ballots cast were affirmative (10-0), with more than two-thirds approval for CFDs and no majority protest for assessment districts. All related resolutions and ordinances were passed unanimously.

9.1 Elk Grove Tourism Marketing District Annual Report

• Staff and Executive Director Presentation: Economic Development Analyst Sarah Rodriguez introduced Explore Elk Grove Executive Director Erin Val. The report covered FY 2023-24 results: 77.3% hotel occupancy, $27.8 million in guest room revenue, $94.6 million in visitor spending, 35,000 event attendees (29% increase from prior year), and $9.8 million in direct business sales from booked events. Marketing highlights included an 88% increase in website sessions, 283,000 newsletter emails, and earned media views of 519,000. The upcoming Western Zones Swim Meet (August 2025) was noted, with 17 states participating. The report was received and filed.

9.2 Sacramento Regional Transit District Update

• Presentation: SacRT Director of Planning Anthony Adams provided an update. Key points:
  • Local bus ridership has fully recovered (student ridership doubled since 2019, driven by the free youth fare program).
  • Commuter ridership remains at about 20% of 2019 levels.
  • The Smart Ride microtransit service will transition to SacRT Flex on a 26-square-mile zone, serving low-income individuals, seniors, and people with disabilities at $2.50 per ride (door-to-door, app-based). Eligibility will use self-certification.
  • A $1 million regional Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) will use cell phone data to optimize routes and consider Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and other options.
  • A $500,000 Caltrans grant will fund a feasibility study for extending the Blue Line light rail into Elk Grove, possibly via BRT as a precursor.
  • Valley Rail commuter service is expected to begin in 2027, with a new station at Laguna and Dwight Road (over 200 parking spaces, served by three bus routes). Construction starts in 2025.
• Council Comments: Members expressed strong support for light rail extension, BRT, and the overall transit vision. Councilmember Robles and the mayor (who sits on the SacRT board) highlighted collaboration on grant funding, including $77 million recently secured from the federal government. The report was received and filed.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Adopted unanimously (all 12 items).
• Poppy Grove Apartments Amendment (8.1): Resolution approved unanimously, approving the Major Design Review Amendment for color changes.
• Historic Resources Designation (8.2): Resolution approved unanimously, acknowledging 49 resources and designating five new properties. Staff directed to review submittal fees.
• Annexations (8.3): All four sets of motions passed unanimously (10-0 on ballots).
  • A-1, A-2, A-3: CFD No. 2003-2 Annexation 75 adopted.
  • B-1, B-2, B-3: CFD No. 2006-1 Annexation 99 adopted.
  • C: Street Maintenance District No. 1, Zone 3-AQ Annexation 54 adopted.
  • D: Storm Water Drainage Fee Zone 2 Annexation 69 adopted.
• Tourism Annual Report (9.1): Received and filed.
• SacRT Transit Update (9.2): Received and filed.