Elk Grove City Council Regular Meeting – November 12, 2025

The Elk Grove City Council met on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at 6:02 p.m. for a regular meeting following a closed session. The meeting, which adjourned at 9:52 p.m., included presentations, public hearings, and votes on several items. Key actions included denying an appeal for the Maverick fueling station, approving bond financing for an affordable housing project, ratifying the 2025 California Fire Code, and adopting the fiscal year 2024–25 year-end budget report.

Consent Calendar

• Item 7.15 – Transitional Housing Contractor: Diane Lampy, representing Elk Grove Heart Homeless Assistance Resource Team, spoke in support of the proposed contractor (Volunteers of America) for transitional housing. The consent calendar was approved by unanimous voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

Non‑Agenda Public Comments

• Beth Headland (Co‑Chair, Strauss Festival of Elk Grove) thanked the Council for support, reporting that the festival attracted an estimated 12,000 attendees in 2025 and operates entirely through volunteers.
• Mary Vogel (Elk Grove resident of ~40 years) urged the city to realistically study stormwater runoff calculations, noting that widened driveways and impervious surfaces in new subdivisions increase flood risk. She also asked about a condemned building in Old Town Elk Grove.
• Lynn Wheat (Elk Grove resident) reiterated concerns about widespread driveway widening and front-yard paving, which she argued reduce natural flood absorption. She recommended that engineering calculations account for these trends rather than rely on code enforcement.

Public Comments on Agenda Items

• Diane Lampy (on Consent Calendar 7.15) – supported the transitional housing contractor.
• Maverick Fueling Station Appeal (8.1) – Approximately 30 speakers commented. Positions were split:
  • Appellants and opponents argued the project is a truck stop that will worsen traffic congestion, air quality, and safety, and that the CEQA infill exemption was improperly applied. Many cited concerns about crime, prostitution, and environmental contamination. Several speakers noted existing gridlock at the Grant Line Road/East Stockton Boulevard intersection.
  • Supporters (including residents who have visited Maverick stations in other states) praised Maverick’s clean facilities, security cameras (50–80 per store), employee benefits, and quality food. They stated the project is a fueling station, not a truck stop, and would serve local residents, RVs, and commuters.
• Coral Blossom Apartments (8.2) – No public comments.
• Annexations (8.3) – No public comments.
• Fire Code Adoption (9.1) – No public comments.
• Budget Report (9.2) – No public comments.
• Ad Hoc Committees (9.3) – No public comments.

Discussion Items

Diversity Inclusion Commission Annual Update (Item 4.1)

Commission Chair Tina Lee Vote presented the 2025 annual report. Highlights included:

• Expanded diversity month to eight events, attracting 5,000 attendees and 40 volunteers.
• Celebrated the fifth anniversary of “Cultural Connections,” focusing on the LGBTQIA+ community.
• The city achieved a perfect 100 score on the Human Rights Campaign Municipal Equality Index.
• Updated the code of ethics from a negative to a positive, aspirational document.
• Plans for 2026 include increased community education and outreach, and collaboration with the Creative Arts and Youth Commissions. Councilmembers praised the commission’s work, noting it has grown beyond the original multicultural festival to become a vital ambassador for Elk Grove’s diversity.

Appeal of Maverick Fueling Station & Convenience Store (Item 8.1)

The appellant, represented by attorney Ed Yates, argued that the Planning Commission’s September 18, 2025 approval violated the Brown Act, that the project is not exempt from CEQA under the infill exemption (Class 32), and that the environmental review was inadequate—particularly regarding groundwater contamination, toxic air contaminants, and traffic congestion. The appellant’s traffic expert claimed that the intersection design would be unsafe for large trucks.

City staff and Maverick representatives (including attorney Casey Shorrock, Todd Myers of Maverick, and engineers) defended the approval:

• Staff confirmed that the project site is substantially surrounded by urban uses, that the CEQA infill exemption was properly applied after thorough analysis by third-party consultants (Ascent Environmental, Kimley‑Horn), and that all environmental criteria (VMT, air quality, noise, water quality) were met.
• Maverick demonstrated that the site is a standard fueling station with 20 passenger‑vehicle pumps and 5 high‑flow diesel/RV pumps, no truck parking, no showers or lounge, and no overnight truck storage. They noted 50–80 security cameras, employee benefits, and a track record of safety awards.
• Traffic engineers presented intersection improvements (right‑turn lane extensions, dedicated free‑right lanes) that would mitigate congestion and accommodate turning movements.
• City officials (Police Chief Davis, Community Development Director Jordan) addressed public safety concerns, stating that the project is manageable and that the city has adequate resources to respond to any issues.

Councilmembers Spees, Brewer, and Vice Mayor Robles spoke in favor of denying the appeal, citing the thorough staff analysis, the lack of evidence for the claimed CEQA violations, and the misleading information disseminated to the public. The Mayor also emphasized the importance of following process and welcoming investment.

Coral Blossom Apartments TEFRA Hearing (Item 8.2)

Staff presented a public hearing required under the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA) for the issuance of bonds by the California Municipal Finance Authority (CMFA) in an amount not to exceed $35 million. The bonds will finance the construction of an 80‑unit affordable housing complex at 8444 Elk Grove Florin Road, serving tenants earning 30–50% of area median income. The city has no financial liability. The Council adopted the resolution approving the bond issuance by unanimous voice vote.

Annexations into Special Tax Districts (Item 8.3)

Three separate public hearings were held to annex properties into Street Maintenance Districts and the Stormwater Drainage Fee Zone:

• Sage Glenn (49 single‑family units) – annexed into SMD Zone 3 and SWDF Zone 2.
• Stone Lake Landing Dutch Bros (non‑residential, 0.76 acres) – annexed into SWDF Zone 2.
• Tex Tuskin Ridge South (114 single‑family units) – annexed into SMD Zone 1, Zone 5. Staff confirmed that all ballots were returned affirmatively and no majority protest existed. The Council approved all three annexations by unanimous voice votes.

2025 California Fire Code Adoption (Item 9.1)

The Council considered a resolution to ratify Cosumnes Community Services District (CCSD) Ordinance No. 23, which adopts the 2025 California Fire Code with local amendments. A key amendment requires a permanent (rather than temporary) water supply during construction, a policy in place since 1992. The North State Building Industry Association (BIA) had requested reverting to the model code, but CCSD staff reported no project delays from the requirement. After discussion, the Council voted unanimously to adopt the resolution.

Budget Year‑End Report for FY 2024‑25 (Item 9.2)

Budget Manager Nathan Bagwell presented the year‑end financial report. General fund revenues exceeded revised budget by $8 million (driven by sales tax and investment income), and expenditures came in at 96% of budget, saving $4 million. The fund balance remains at 30% of adjusted appropriations, with additional surplus recommended for reserves (capital, economic development, pension trust). Measure E revenues were higher than initial estimates. The Council unanimously adopted the resolution allocating general fund reserves.

Ad Hoc Committee Review (Item 9.3)

The Council dissolved the Zoo Project Ad Hoc Committee (by unanimous vote) and formed a new ad hoc committee to oversee the request‑for‑proposal process for federal and state government relations services. Councilmembers Brewer and Suen were appointed to the new committee.

Key Outcomes

• Maverick Appeal (8.1): Motion to deny the appeal and uphold the Planning Commission’s approval carried unanimously (5‑0).
• Coral Blossom Apartments (8.2): Resolution approving bond issuance adopted unanimously.
• Annexations (8.3): Three resolutions approving annexations adopted unanimously.
• Fire Code (9.1): Resolution ratifying CCSD Ordinance No. 23 adopted unanimously.
• Budget Report (9.2): Resolution approving allocation of general fund reserves adopted unanimously.
• Ad Hoc Committees (9.3): Zoo committee dissolved; new lobbying RFP committee formed with Councilmembers Brewer and Suen.