Sacramento City Council (and Related Authorities) Meeting — January 2026

The Sacramento City Council convened at 5:00 PM at City Hall (915 I Street) and recognized community milestones and staff service, approved a large consent calendar, held hearings on planning code updates and an easement vacation, voted on a Railyards digital billboard master lease after extensive testimony, approved a successor labor MOU, and debated the future governance structure for the region’s homelessness/housing system—ultimately directing staff to return with a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) framework. The meeting also included substantial public comment on homelessness sweeps, Ride Free RT, and public safety staffing, and adjourned in memory of Alvin Prasad (age 58; died Dec. 28).

Special Presentations / Recognitions

• Ken McCulloch retirement: Mayor Kevin McCarty recognized McCulloch for 30+ years of City service, highlighting his role in bringing the Junior Giants program to Sacramento and describing impacts including “10,000 kids” participating (as stated by the Mayor). McCulloch thanked the Council and noted the work was supported by staff.
• Sacramento History Museum 40th Anniversary: Councilmember Pluckebaum recognized the museum and its operator (Sacramento History Alliance). Museum leadership cited attendance and outreach metrics including:
  • ~15,000 school children each year served through education programs (as stated).
  • Social media reach (as stated): 1 million Facebook followers, 3 million TikTok followers, 3.75 million YouTube subscribers.
  • “Noon Year’s Eve” event serving “over 400 kids and their families” (as stated).
• Mayor McCarty also welcomed the new City Manager, noting she started the prior Monday.

Consent Calendar

• Council approved Items 1–20 by unanimous voice vote after questions and one speaker.
• Notable items discussed (within consent):
  • Item 12 (License Plate Recognition systems, not-to-exceed $1 million through March 31, 2030): Councilmember Vang asked about surveillance/data protections. Staff stated:
    • Parking enforcement ALPR data is stored on City-owned/managed servers (not in the cloud).
    • The City does not participate in the Genetec Federation data-sharing program.
    • The City does not share the information with federal agencies, including ICE.
    • Vendor change was due to installer/dealer certification status, not a change in technology.
  • Item 17 (CA DOJ Tobacco Grant up to $884,021; duration Nov. 21, 2025–Jun. 30, 2029): Councilmember Dickinson asked about coordination with a county tobacco prevention group; staff said they do not currently collaborate but would look into it.
  • Item 3 (Vice Mayor / Mayor Pro Tem selection for 2026): Public speaker Lambert expressed support for retaining Karina Talamantes as Vice Mayor and Eric Guerra as Mayor Pro Tem, and welcomed the new City Manager.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Railyards billboard lease (Item 21): Multiple speakers affiliated with Unite Here Local 49 and/or Rail Yards for All opposed approval without disclosing the lease value and argued it functions as a subsidy. Key positions/statements included:
  • Speakers repeatedly cited the broader Railyards housing plan as having “6% affordable housing out of 10,000 units” (as stated by speakers) and urged 25% affordable housing.
  • Speakers asserted an estimated value of “$115 million” for “12 billboard leases” (their calculation; City value not disclosed at the meeting).
  • Speakers asked Council to postpone the vote until value analysis is public and to consider dedicating proceeds to affordable housing and a tenant stabilization fund.
  • One Railyards resident speaker described living impacts (including light/glow from existing arena signage) and expressed concern about additional billboards.
• Homelessness governance item (Item 26): Public comments included:
  • A speaker (Barbara Ram) opposed adding another governance layer, criticized perceived lack of transparency/detail, and asked about an earlier promised audit (speaker claim).
  • Lisa Bates (CEO, Sacramento Steps Forward) emphasized alignment, authority clarity, and accountability informed by data/technical expertise; said detail/clarity on actions under governance options was still limited.
  • Joseph Smith (CoC Board Chair) argued the current independent CoC governance model reflects proven approaches used elsewhere; warned changes could destabilize system coordination and stated he would bring the decision to the CoC board.
• Matters not on the agenda (selected themes):
  • Ride Free RT: Several community speakers asked for permanent funding, citing increased usage from “600,000 trips in 2021 to 4.1 million trips in 2025” (as stated).
  • Homelessness sweeps: Multiple speakers (including faith/community advocates and individuals with lived experience) opposed sweeps as ineffective and harmful, urging humane alternatives, safe camping sites, and stronger property safeguards.
  • Public safety staffing: Many downtown/business/neighbor speakers urged prioritizing police staffing and technology; multiple speakers cited staffing reductions since 2012 and current vacancies (speaker-stated figures).
  • Fireworks penalties: One property owner requested reconsideration of penalties after receiving an administrative penalty of $38,500 for alleged fireworks use by tenants.

Discussion Items

Railyards Master Lease for Digital Billboards (Item 21 — pulled from consent)

• Public testimony (see above) requested delay and value disclosure.
• Council deliberation:
  • Councilmember Vang stated she supports the broader Railyards project but could not support the lease without a clear estimate of the value of revenue foregone; noted the lease term would be 34 years and asked about protections if the underlying projects do not move forward.
  • Staff (Marco) stated the billboard rights are tied to the related projects (referenced as Central Shops and soccer stadium) and would not proceed if those projects do not advance.
  • Vice Mayor Talamantes asked for revenue estimates and noted public comparisons to prior arena-related revenue issues; staff said standalone city billboard leases could be upwards of $180,000 annually (for other city leases), while emphasizing the deal’s role in enabling $325 million in private investment (as stated).
  • Councilmember Kaplan asked about light pollution and affordable housing claims; staff said CEQA mitigations and site plan/design review apply and noted the “6%” figure cited by speakers refers to an older mixed-income housing strategy approved around 2015/2016, and changing it could require unwinding the development agreement.
  • Mayor McCarty supported the item, describing the Railyards as “the largest infill site in America” and argued the lease has no general fund impact.
• Decision: Approved 8–1, with Vang voting no.

Public Hearings

• Item 22 (Railyards Special Sign District amendment): Continued to February 3, 2026 by unanimous vote.
• Item 23 (2025 Title 17 Omnibus Ordinance):
  • Staff described the ordinance as annual “routine maintenance,” addressing state law consistency (2024 legislation including AB 130 cited) and administrative cleanup (including appeal timing and ADU objective standards for historic properties).
  • Public comment raised concerns about infill and ecological carrying capacity.
  • Decision: Ordinance adopted after public hearing by unanimous vote (with one absence noted at the time of the vote).
• Item 24 (VAC25-0004 — vacating portion of public road easement at 1541 Jessie Ave, District 2):
  • Staff stated the dead-end easement serves only the adjacent property; vacation conditioned on utility relocations and reserving public utility easements; intended use is additional parking for religious site users.
  • Decision: Approved by unanimous vote.

Labor Agreement (Item 25 — IAMAW Lodge 2182)

• Staff (Labor Relations Manager Aaron Donato) summarized a two-year successor agreement including:
  • 2% wage increase in the second year (as stated).
  • A one-time signing bonus (amount not stated in transcript).
  • Continued health/welfare contributions.
  • Addition of Juneteenth as a recognized City holiday.
• Staff corrected a scrivener’s error: employee plus one dependent health contribution was incorrectly listed as $16,740 per month; correct amount stated as $1,674 per month.
• Decision: Approved 9–0.

Homeless and Housing System Partnership Structure Update (Item 26)

• Context presented by staff: Following City/County deliberations and a joint regional meeting on Oct. 28, staff and consultants (Mosaic Solutions and Advocacy: Darby Kernan and Matt Cate) recommended reorganizing the Continuum of Care (CoC) board so a majority are elected officials, alongside other sectors and lived-experience representation; with an alternative to create a separate elected-official board if CoC reconstitution is not possible.
• Consultant findings (selected):
  • Cited recurring concerns about lack of coordination, accountability, and clarity between the CoC and Sacramento Steps Forward.
  • Reported an Oct. 28 meeting poll where “99% agreed to keep working together” (as stated).
  • Noted HUD NOFA changes (as characterized by presenters) increasing preference for CoCs with elected officials and law enforcement representation.
• County action cited by staff: On Dec. 9, the County Board of Supervisors directed staff to pursue the recommended CoC reorganization, with fallback authority to pursue an alternative elected-official board.
• Council deliberation:
  • Multiple councilmembers expressed that governance is too fragmented and emphasized the need for regional coordination, accountability, and prevention.
  • A procedural clarification was made by the Interim City Attorney: this agenda item was for receive and file / provide direction, not a final adopting vote.
  • After debate over whether to prioritize immediate CoC restructuring versus focusing solely on a JPA framework, the Council voted on direction.
• Direction approved: By roll call, Council directed staff to return with a framework for a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) involving the City and regional partners (as discussed), to be brought back for future Council consideration. The roll call vote was 7–2 (No: Kaplan, Dickinson).

Critical Need / Retired Annuitant Hire (Item 27 — I Street Bridge financing support)

• Public Works requested approval to hire retired Assistant Director Lucinda Willcox as a retired annuitant (program specialist classification), waiving the 180-day waiting period, for 6–12 months.
• Staff described the I Street Bridge replacement as a $300+ million project with a targeted May 2026 construction start (as stated) and said the role is narrowly focused on complex financing and continuity.
• Decision: Approved 9–0.

Council Comments / Announcements

• Councilmember Dickinson announced:
  • Tree planting at Roble Community Park on Jan. 23 at 9:00 AM.
  • MLK ceremony/march at Grant High School on Jan. 19: program 9:00–10:00 AM, march 10:30–11:30 AM, resource fair/lunch 11:30 AM–2:00 PM.
  • Valentine’s Day concert fundraiser for the Southside Park mural on Feb. 14, 6:00–9:00 PM, at 1019 Del Paso Blvd.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar (Items 1–20): Approved unanimously.
• Railyards digital billboard master lease (Item 21): Approved 8–1 (No: Vang). Staff stated billboard rights terminate if the tied projects do not advance.
• Item 22: Continued to Feb. 3, 2026 (unanimous).
• Title 17 Omnibus Ordinance (Item 23): Adopted (unanimous; one absence noted at vote time).
• Easement vacation at 1541 Jessie Ave (Item 24): Adopted (unanimous).
• IAMAW successor MOU (Item 25): Adopted 9–0; included corrected health contribution figure ($1,674/month, not $16,740/month).
• Homelessness/housing governance (Item 26): Council provided direction (not a final adoption) for staff to return with a JPA framework; direction approved 7–2 (No: Kaplan, Dickinson).
• I Street Bridge financing support retired annuitant (Item 27): Approved 9–0 (time-limited 6–12 months, tied to financing deadlines for $300+ million project).
• Adjournment: Meeting adjourned in memory of Alvin Prasad (58), described as attacked “for how he looked” and who died Dec. 28 (as stated by the Mayor).