Sacramento City Council Meeting – April 30, 2024

The Sacramento City Council met on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, from 2:12 p.m. to 6:25 p.m. at City Hall. The agenda included special presentations, a consent calendar with 35 items, one public hearing, two major discussion items (Innovation Park term sheet and the Marysville–Del Paso Boulevard Action Plan), and public comments on matters not on the agenda. All nine council members were present; Mayor Steinberg left at 5:40 p.m. The meeting opened with a land acknowledgement led by Councilmember Valenzuela and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Special Presentations

• Law Day (May 1, 2024): Mayor Steinberg and Chief Assistant City Attorney Gustavo Martinez recognized Law Day, emphasizing the theme "Voices of Democracy." A celebration event was scheduled for May 1 at City Hall.
• Denim Day & Sexual Assault Awareness Month: Councilmember Kaplan presented proclamations and recognized representatives from Community Against Sexual Harm (CASH), City of Refuge, Sacramento Regional Family Justice Center, and My Sister’s House. Statistics were shared: approximately one in five women and one in 33 men are raped in their lifetime; 75% of harassment victims experience retaliation.
• Retirement of Sheri Smith: Mayor Pro Tem Talamantes honored Sheri Smith, Special Districts Manager, for 17 years of service, particularly her work on the North Natomas Finance Plan and Enhanced Infrastructure Financing Districts (EIFDs).

Consent Calendar

• Items 1–35 were approved in a single motion (9-0) after public comments. Items pulled for separate discussion: Item 15 (South Sacramento Youth Programming – $2 million state grant), Item 18 (shelter operations RFP at North 5th Street), Item 19 (motel shelter RFP), and Item 27 (Living Wage Ordinance annual report).
• Key consent items:
  • Item 4: Renamed Pioneer Park to Mary Gregory Park.
  • Item 8: Ordinance amending short-term rental regulations.
  • Item 12: $450,000 contract for Memorial Auditorium floor replacement.
  • Item 15: Accepted $2 million from the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research for youth programs in South Sacramento.
  • Item 18 & 19: Suspended competitive bidding to issue RFPs for shelter operations at North 5th Street and for motel sites in the City Motel Shelter Program.
  • Item 35: Adopted a resolution opposing the November 2024 statewide ballot initiative (Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Consent Calendar: Several speakers addressed camp resolution and shelter policies. Residents of Camp Resolution (a homeless encampment) urged the council not to close the site, stating that the city promised permanent housing and that sweeps lead to deaths. Dr. Flocofer cited a JAMA study linking sweeps to increased mortality. Others supported the name change to Mary Gregory Park and the Measure U Community Advisory Committee’s budget recommendations.
• Item 37 – Innovation Park: 18 speakers testified. Union representatives (Sheet Metal Workers, Plumbers & Pipefitters, Operating Engineers, Laborers) and graduates of the Northern California Construction Training (NCCT) pre-apprenticeship program strongly supported the term sheet, emphasizing job creation and career pathways. Some community members asked for inclusive outreach to South Natomas and Garland Northgate, and for workforce training to include health-care jobs. A few speakers raised concerns about the timing of the hospital and the need for a community benefits agreement.
• Item 38 – Marysville–Del Paso Boulevard Action Plan: 11 speakers testified. Residents and business owners expressed strong support, noting that the plan should not be another report that sits on a shelf. Many highlighted historical disinvestment, the need for sustainable funding, and the importance of including all parts of District 2. Some speakers noted that the $700,000 seed funding is a start but insufficient.
• Matters Not on the Agenda: 32 speakers addressed a range of issues, including the planned eviction of Fairbanks Village (a homeless camp in District 2), the need for public cemetery space, and concerns about antisemitic incidents at universities. Several speakers pleaded with the city not to sweep encampments without providing alternative housing.

Discussion Items

• Item 36 – North Natomas Public Facilities Land Acquisition Fee Update (Public Hearing): Staff recommended a 9.58% fee increase (from $375,058 to $410,984 per acre) based on appraised land values. Councilmember Kaplan noted the program is only 43 acres away from its goal. The public hearing was opened and closed with no testimony. The council unanimously adopted the resolution.

• Item 37 – Approval of Term Sheet for Public Financing Assistance for Innovation Park:

  • Presentation: Leslie Fritzsche (Office of Innovation and Economic Development) presented a non-binding term sheet for an Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD) to support infrastructure for the 183-acre Innovation Park on the former Sleep Train Arena site. The project includes a 730,000 sq. ft. teaching hospital (California Northstate University), 350 patient beds, 3,000 permanent jobs, and an estimated $1.5 billion investment. The EIFD could generate $117 million in net present value over 45 years, with 20% set aside for affordable housing. Backbone infrastructure includes roads, traffic signals, and utilities. The term sheet triggers disbursement only upon vertical construction of the hospital or equivalent catalytic project.
  • Council Discussion: Councilmember Kaplan (District 1) moved approval, noting this is a first step. Councilmember Talamantes requested an amendment to prioritize North, South, and West Natomas projects in the infrastructure waterfall, which was accepted. Councilmember Valenzuela raised the issue of card check neutrality for hospital workers; Dr. Chung (CNU president) said he was open to discussion but not ready to commit that night. Vice Mayor Maple and others expressed support for card check neutrality. After debate, the motion passed 9-0 as amended.

• Item 38 – Marysville–Del Paso Boulevard Commercial Corridor and Neighborhood Action Plan (Forward Together Action Plan):

  • Presentation: Fatima Malik (Associate Planner) and community partners presented the plan, developed over 24 months with extensive community engagement. The plan addresses historical disinvestment caused by freeway construction, racial covenants, and annexation. It includes four focus areas: Live, Work, Shop, and Experience. The Neighborhood Development Action Team (NDAT) committed $700,000 in seed funding (including $200,000 from the Office of Arts and Culture) for a pilot grant program to implement community-led actions. Grants range from $5,000 to $500,000.
  • Council Discussion: Councilmember Thao (District 2) moved adoption, emphasizing that the plan is a catalyst for long-overdue investment. Councilmembers Guerra, Vang, and Jennings praised the inclusive process and the need for sustained funding. The motion passed unanimously (9-0).

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved all 35 items (9-0), including resolutions, ordinances, motions, and reports as detailed in the minutes.
• Item 36: Resolution 2024-0136 adopted, increasing the North Natomas land acquisition fee by 9.58%, effective July 1, 2024 (9-0).
• Item 37: Motion 2024-0110 passed, authorizing the City Manager to enter into the non-binding term sheet for Innovation Park financing, with an amendment to prioritize Natomas-serving projects in the infrastructure waterfall (9-0).
• Item 38: Motion 2024-0111 adopted, approving the Marysville–Del Paso Boulevard Commercial Corridor and Neighborhood Action Plan (9-0).
• Public Comments: The council heard extensive testimony on homeless encampment sweeps. Mayor Steinberg stated the city will not displace Camp Resolution residents without safe, dignified, indoor alternatives. Councilmembers directed staff to follow up on specific concerns (e.g., Fairbanks Village, library access, and cemetery space).
• Council Comments: Members reported on the Cap-to-Cap trip (Washington, D.C.) and announced upcoming community events (bike month, Cinco de Mayo, health fairs, etc.).