Sacramento City Council Regular Meeting - June 16, 2026

The Sacramento City Council met in a joint regular session on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 2:03 PM, convened by Vice Mayor Karina Talamantes. The meeting included a land acknowledgment, pledge of allegiance, a closed session report, and a series of consent calendar items, public hearings, and discussion items. Key actions included adoption of multiple contracts, grants, and resolutions, with substantial public testimony on the cannabis land use ordinance. The meeting adjourned at 4:41 PM.

Closed Session Report

• The City Council, in closed session regarding public employee discipline/dismissal/release, voted unanimously to terminate the employment of the interim director of the Office of Public Safety and Accountability, effective immediately.

Consent Calendar

• The consent calendar, moved by Councilmember Kaplan and seconded by Vice Mayor Talamantes, was approved unanimously (7-0, with Councilmembers Guerra and Mayor McCarty absent). Individual items noted for comment were:
  • Item 4 (CalVIP Cohort 5 Grant): Councilmember Maple and Councilmember Kaplan expressed support, with Kaplan raising concerns about implementation with school districts and calling for a comprehensive youth violence prevention strategy.
  • Item 13 (RiverArc Cost Sharing): Councilmember Kaplan clarified that the water capacity increase is for city needs, not county development.
• All other consent items (1-3, 5-12, 14-15) were approved as recommended, including motions and resolutions for meeting minutes, grants, contracts, and cooperative purchases.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 18 (Cannabis Land Use Ordinance): 27 public speakers provided testimony. Faith-based leaders and community members urged the council to retain churches and faith congregations as sensitive uses (600-foot buffer) for youth protection and community safety. Several cannabis industry representatives spoke in favor of streamlined permitting but opposed adding faith-based congregations to the sensitive use list, citing reduced viable locations. A young speaker (age 9) asked the council to keep dispensaries away from parks and schools.
• Item 20 (Telephonic/Internet Disruption Policy): One speaker, Lambert, criticized the city for not restoring phone-in participation and alleged misuse of the overhead screen.
• Item 21 (SHRA Action Plan): One speaker, Lambert, raised concerns about park restrooms in District 2 and funding for Wood Lake Park.
• Public Comments on Matters Not on the Agenda: Lambert alleged misuse of taxpayer funds (no written agreement) by the city for a company called Wide Open Walls.

Discussion Items

• Item 16 (Urban Water Management Plan): Brett Ewart from the Department of Utilities presented the 2025 UWMP and Water Shortage Contingency Plan. Councilmembers discussed water supply (three times annual usage), drought contingency, climate change impacts (60-70% snowpack decline by mid-century), groundwater banking, and data center water demands. The council adopted Resolution No. 2026-0163 approving the plan (6-0, with 3 absent).
• Item 17 (Landscaping and Lighting Assessment District): Staff presented the FY2026/27 budget and levy. Councilmember Dickinson questioned long-term use of fund balance ($416,000 proposed, down from prior years). Director of Public Works Matt Armin noted initiatives to reduce median maintenance costs and consider solar lighting. The council adopted Resolution No. 2026-0164 (7-0, with 2 absent).
• Item 18 (Cannabis Ordinance – Title 17 Amendments): Kevin Colin, Zoning Administrator, presented amendments to cannabis land use regulations, including sensitive use buffers (600 feet for dispensaries, no change for schools, but adding faith-based congregations and other dispensaries as sensitive uses). Following extensive public comment, Councilmember Kaplan moved to amend the ordinance to include a 1,000-foot buffer for high schools and restore the council call-up provision for hearings. Councilmember Guerra seconded, emphasizing parity for faith-based organizations and operator protections. After debate, the motion passed 8-1 (Councilmember Talamantes voted no, citing her district's opposition to more dispensaries). Ordinance No. 2026-0010 was adopted.
• Item 19 (Natomas Habitat Conservation Plan Fee Extension): Staff presented a 30-day extension of the interim fee adjustment (from $47,031 to $47,567 per gross acre). The fee funds mitigation obligations for development in the Natomas Basin. The council adopted Resolution No. 2026-0165 (9-0), requiring a four-fifths vote.
• Item 20 (Policy on Disruption of Telephonic/Internet Services): Wendy Klock-Johnson, Assistant City Clerk, presented the policy required by SB 707 to govern disruptions of remote participation platforms. After public comment, the council adopted Resolution No. 2026-0166 (9-0).
• Item 21 (SHRA 2027 Action Plan Workshop): Staff presented proposed allocations for federal CDBG, HOME, ESG, and HOPWA funds, including projects like Dixieann Alleyways planning, Fruitridge Road Complete Streets, and park improvements. Councilmembers commented on prioritizing Babcock Park improvements over alleyways, and the need to ensure project readiness. No formal vote was taken; staff will refine the plan and return for adoption in October.

Key Outcomes

• Closed session action: Termination of interim director of OPSA (unanimous).
• Consent calendar: Approved 7-0 (Items 1-15).
• Resolution No. 2026-0163: Approved 2025 Urban Water Management Plan and Water Shortage Contingency Plan (6-0, 3 absent).
• Resolution No. 2026-0164: Approved FY2026/27 Landscaping and Lighting Assessment District levy (7-0, 2 absent).
• Ordinance No. 2026-0010 / Motion No. 2026-0159: Adopted amended Title 17 (cannabis land uses), including 1,000-foot high school buffer, faith-based congregations as sensitive uses, council call-up provision, and retention of conditional use permits (8-1).
• Resolution No. 2026-0165: Extended interim Natomas HCP fee for 30 days (9-0, four-fifths vote).
• Resolution No. 2026-0166: Adopted policy on disruption of telephonic/internet services (9-0).
• SHRA Action Plan: Reviewed; staff directed to consider adjusting project priorities, with final adoption expected in October 2026.