Sacramento City Council and Housing Authority Joint Meeting Summary – April 9, 2024

The Sacramento City Council and Housing Authority held a joint meeting on April 9, 2024, at 2:00 PM at City Hall Complex, 915 I Street, Sacramento, CA. The meeting focused on approving housing development projects, bond issuances, and routine administrative items. Key actions included approvals for three affordable housing projects (River City Apartments, 440 Arden Way Apartments, and Donner Field Senior Apartments), amendments to council rules, and various contract awards. Public comments included concerns about housing for people with developmental disabilities, criticism of bond financing, and resident complaints about heating at a homeless program.

Consent Calendar

• Approved by a single motion (with all members voting aye, no opposition recorded).
• Item 8 (Labor Compliance Augmentation Services) was continued to the April 30, 2024 meeting.
• Key items approved:
  • Central Sacramento Studios Project – Correction to resolution for Homekey funding (up to $25,000,000) for motel conversion to permanent supportive housing.
  • La Mancha Project – Approval of additional CDBG-CV funding application.
  • Kayak Alley – Rescinding traffic restriction (Resolution 1998-068).
  • City Council Rules of Procedure – Adoption of amended rules.
  • Pocket Road Emergency Sewer Improvements – Change orders totaling $460,106.33, bringing total contract to $1,900,834.40.
  • On-Call Survey Services – Awards to BKF Engineers, Kier + Wright, Mark Thomas, Unico Engineering, and Wood Rodgers (each $750,000 for 3 years, with renewal option).
  • 21st Ave Beautification – Budget transfers and construction contract award to B & M Builders ($574,505).
  • 21st Street Sewer Relief Project – Budget transfer of $200,000.
  • Chemicals Purchase – Suspension of competitive bidding for Bay Area Chemical Consortium (two-thirds vote required, passed).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Lambert Davis (on Consent Calendar Item 4): Praised the document but expressed concern that the Brown Act could be trumped and that senior citizens' freedom of speech is limited because call-in is not available.
• MacWorthy (on Consent Calendar): Opposed Item 4, arguing that public input was ignored and that rules were amended without transparency.
• Peter Mendoza (on Item 12): Spoke in favor of River City Apartments, highlighting the need for accessible affordable housing for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• MacWorthy (on Items 12 and 11): Expressed opposition to bond financing, criticized the projects' economic benefits and public input process.
• Crystal Bailey (Public Comments on non-agenda): Raised concerns about lack of heating at the Rose Road Bridge to Homeless Program, requesting heat as soon as possible and opening a back gate for safety.
• MacWorthy (Public Comments on non-agenda): Criticized the city's use of bonds and non-profit developers, and alleged that the public is not fully informed.

Discussion Items

• Item 12: River City Apartments (TEFRA Hearing and Bond Approval) – Presented by Whitney Hinton (SHRA). The project is a new 5-story, 66-unit building at 1601 69th Street, with units for residents earning 30% to 70% of area median income. Includes 15 units reserved for individuals with developmental disabilities served by ALTA California Regional Center. Councilmember Guerra expressed support and directed SHRA to conduct outreach to Sacramento State, especially the disability access center and foster care students. Mayor Steinberg noted this is a precedent for partnerships with developmental disability services. Approved unanimously.
• Item 11: 440 Arden Way Apartments (TEFRA Hearing and Bond Approval) – Presented by Whitney Hinton. The project is a 5-story, 124-unit affordable housing development on Arden Way, with 31 project-based vouchers for formerly homeless individuals. The developer, BRIDGE Housing, and city staff (Yah Yan Isle) spoke in support. Councilmember Thao and Jennings expressed strong support, noting transit-oriented development. Vice Mayor Maple inquired about interagency land collaboration. Approved unanimously.
• Item 13: Donner Field Senior Apartments (TEFRA Hearing and Bond Issuance) – Presented by Whitney Hinton. The project will build 67 senior apartments (age 55+) on a site owned by SHRA since 1987. 17 units will be for MHSA clients. Councilmember Maple asked about the current use of the site as a school track and expressed hope for design consideration. Councilmember Guerra noted the project is part of Stockton Boulevard revitalization. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• All three TEFRA hearings were opened, public testimony heard, and closed; the respective resolutions were approved by unanimous votes (all members voting aye, no opposition).
• Item 8 was continued to April 30, 2024.
• Consent calendar items were approved as a block, including budget adjustments and contract awards.

Other

• Public comments on non-agenda matters were heard, and the meeting adjourned at approximately 2:50 PM (based on the 4 PM closed session schedule).