Elk Grove City Council Regular Meeting - March 25, 2026
Elk Grove City Council Regular Meeting - March 25, 2026
The Elk Grove City Council held a regular meeting on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at 6:02 PM at City Hall. The meeting included proclamations, public comments, a consent calendar, and several public hearings and information items. Key actions included approving funding recommendations for community development block grants and community service grants, receiving the police department's annual report and ALPR technology update, and launching a senior ride-free pilot program on Elk Grove transit routes.
Proclamations & Recognitions
- Women History Month (March 2026): The council proclaimed March as Women History Month and recognized RISE Women in Business for their contributions. RISE announced a new training program and a women in business conference in April 2027.
- Fair Housing Month (April 2026): The council proclaimed April as Fair Housing Month, celebrating the 58th anniversary of the Federal Fair Housing Act. Project Sentinel's fair housing coordinator highlighted ongoing education and enforcement efforts.
- Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month (April 2026): The council proclaimed April as Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month. Speakers from the Elk Grove Parkinson Support Group and Fish for Parkinson's shared personal stories and advocated for research, exercise, diet, and community support.
Consent Calendar
- The council unanimously approved the consent calendar, which included routine approvals and actions on items 7.1 through 7.9. One speaker (Lynn Wheat) addressed item 7.9, urging the city to use surplus public lands for affordable housing and a permanent homeless shelter.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Immigration enforcement: Ellen B. requested the city adopt policies to protect residents from ICE raids, including prohibiting ICE on city property and holding publicly noticed community meetings. Staff responded that community meetings on immigration enforcement will be held on April 14, 2026, at District 56, with two sessions (3-5 PM and 6-8 PM).
- Homelessness: Armando Cervantes (a homeless resident) shared his struggles with sleep, citations, and lack of safe shelter, appealing for help.
- Police funding: Michael Manowski criticized the city's general fund allocation to police (70% of general fund dollars), the purchase of a military assault vehicle, and the use of sonic weapons, calling for demilitarization.
- CDBG/CSG grants: Multiple representatives from nonprofits spoke in support of their funding requests, including Goals (special needs), Team Scott Equestrian Foundation (trauma therapy), Meals on Wheels (senior nutrition), Elk Grove Fine Arts Center, X Hope (youth services), Running for Rhett (youth fitness), Musical Mayhem Productions (youth theater), Alchemist CDC (farmers market incentives), Hands and Hooves (equine therapy), Project Sentinel (fair housing), and Center for Land-Based Learning (agricultural education).
- ALPR technology: Ellen B. and Jennifer T. expressed concerns about Flock Safety ALPR data sharing with federal agencies, citing violations in other California cities. They requested suspension of the contract, an independent audit, and a public hearing on surveillance technology.
Discussion Items
8.1: CDBG and Community Service Grant Funding for FY 2026-27 Staff presented funding recommendations totaling $1,026,617 in CDBG funds (estimated), $587,071 in CSG funds, and $149,545 in Measure E funds for homelessness. After a public hearing, the council unanimously supported staff recommendations. Councilmember Spees recused himself from voting on Running for Rhett due to his spouse's board membership and left the room; the rest of the council approved funding at the recommended level.
8.2: Annexation for 9362 Figer Drive Urban Lot Split The council held two public hearings to annex a residential lot split property into Street Maintenance District No. 1, Zone 3AV and Stormwater Drainage Fee Zone 2. No public comment was offered. Ballot outcomes showed no majority protest; the council unanimously approved both resolutions.
9.1: Police Department ALPR Technology and 2025 Annual Report Andrea Cortez (RTIC Manager) and Chief Bobby Davis presented the ALPR program and annual report. Key statistics: 87 ALPR cameras, 1,548 alerts since 2021 leading to 56 arrests, 5,293 calls for service with 13% resulting in arrests. The department reported a 4.4 out of 5 community satisfaction score. Crime decreased 2% overall; traffic fatalities rose to 10 (from 6 in 2024). Use of force occurred in less than 1% of contacts. The council praised transparency and commitment to de-escalation. In response to public concerns, staff noted they use multi-factor authentication and do not share data with ICE, and offered to invite California DOJ for an independent audit.
9.2: Aquatic Center Annual Report for 2025 Jeff Scanlan reported over 35,000 recreation swim visits, nearly 5,000 swim lesson participants, and over 57,000 lap swim visits. Revenue exceeded $950,000. The city's operating subsidy was $927,000 (7.5% under budget). The facility hosted major regional events. Council noted strong performance and stable subsidy.
9.3: Seniors Ride Free Pilot Program The council considered a pilot program allowing Elk Grove residents aged 62+ to ride free on Elk Grove fixed-route buses (local and commuter) until June 2027 or until $100,000 in funds are expended. The program launches March 30, 2026. Councilmembers (including Mayor who serves on SAC RT board) endorsed it as a way to increase senior mobility and independence. The council unanimously authorized the city manager to execute the agreement with Sacramento Regional Transit.
Key Outcomes
- Votes: All motions passed unanimously (5-0) except for the recusal on Running for Rhett (4-0).
- Approvals: CDBG/CSG funding recommendations approved; annexation resolutions approved; seniors ride free agreement authorized.
- Directives: Staff will coordinate community meetings on immigration enforcement (April 14, 2026); Police Department will explore an independent audit by California DOJ of ALPR data sharing; seniors ride free program launches March 30, 2026, with marketing and evaluation.
- Next Steps: The draft CDBG annual action plan will be released for public comment April 13–May 13, 2026, with final adoption on May 13, 2026.
Meeting adjourned at 9:22 PM.
Meeting Transcript
We have reconvened from closed session. I have the following disclosure by a five to zero vote. The city council authorized and directed the city attorney's office to defend the cases of Wynn versus Z Town Entertainment LLC and all, as identified by the case number on the City Council meeting agenda. So 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 Elkgrove City Council regular meeting. Today is Wednesday, March the 25th, 2026. The time is 602 p.m. Clerk. Thank you, Mayor. This meeting of the Elkrove City Council is recorded with closed captioning. The recording will be cable cast on Metro Cable Channel 14, the local government affairs channel on the Comcast and Direct TV Uverse Cable Systems. The recording will also be streamed at Metro14Live.secCounty.gov. Tonight's meeting replays will be on Friday, March 27th at 1 p.m. and Monday, March 30th at 9 a.m. on Metro Channel 14. Once posted, the recordings of this and previous meetings can be viewed on demand at the 3W's Elkgrove.gov or YouTube.com slash Metro Cable 14. For members of the participating audience who have personal electronic devices, please place them on silent mode during the meeting or unmute when you are not speaking. The Elkgrove City Council welcomes, appreciates, and encourages participation in the City Council meetings. 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. Pursuant to resolution number 2021-154. No individual speaker concerning public comment may address the city council for more than three minutes. If you wish to address the city 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 item. With that, Mayor, I will be moving into the roll call. And for the roll call, I will be starting with Councilmember Robles. Present. Councilmember Spees. Councilmember Brewer. Present. Vice Mayor Suan here. And Mayor Singh Allen. Here. Thank you. Next up is our land acknowledgement. Assisting will be our vice mayor. Thank you, Mayor. We honor, respect, and acknowledge Elkgrove'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 the bravery, resiliency, and determination of their ancestors, tribal members, and leaders. Thank you. Next up is our Pledge of Allegiance. I would like to invite Chief Davis to lead us this evening. Thank you. At this time, please join us for a brief moment of silence. Thank you. All right, next up is our approval of the agenda. May I get a motion? So moved. Second. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye.
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