Law and Legislation Committee Meeting – May 17, 2022
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Law and Legislation Committee Meeting – May 17, 2022
The Law and Legislation Committee met on May 17, 2022, from approximately 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. via teleconference. The committee considered consent calendar items, a proposed panhandle impact fee ordinance, and amendments to the vacant lot registration ordinance. All items were approved or forwarded to the City Council with direction.
Consent Calendar
- Item 1-3: The committee approved the Law and Legislation Log, received and filed legislative advocacy correspondence, and approved the April 19, 2022 meeting minutes. Councilmember Harris requested an update on the status of the cruising ordinance changes; the City Attorney’s office indicated they are actively working on the language and will provide an ETA.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Victor Rivera (Item 5): Expressed support for the proposed amendments to the vacant lot registration ordinance, noting that his property, which includes multiple lots adjacent to his home, is well-maintained and does not appear vacant. He thanked the committee for the work and stated he would prefer not to pay the registration fee.
Discussion Items
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Item 4 – Proposed Panhandle Impact Fee Ordinance: Staff presented the ordinance, which would establish a fee to fund $31 million in backbone infrastructure and public facilities (roadways, sanitary sewer, storm drainage, Class I bike trail) within the panhandle plan area. Developers also agreed to contribute $9 million to underfunded North Natomas facilities via a DA fee. Councilmember Harris asked about the $14 million storm drainage fee; staff explained it includes land acquisition for a large detention basin and that the panhandle area currently has no drainage facilities. The committee voted to forward the ordinance to City Council (unanimous).
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Item 5 – Ordinance Relating to Vacant Lot Registration: Staff proposed amendments to add exemptions and fee waivers for lots under active building permits or used as an extension of a primary residence. Councilmembers provided direction: Harris suggested exemptions for newly subdivided lots (e.g., one-year time limit from subdivision) and for lots in current agricultural use (no time limit, as long as actively cultivated or grazed). Valenzuela asked that outreach include information on the urban agriculture incentive zone and community garden programs. Guerra supported the amendments and noted the importance of addressing lots adjacent to homes and agricultural land. The committee directed staff to incorporate these changes and forward the amended ordinance to City Council (unanimous).
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar: Approved by roll call (4-0).
- Item 4 – Panhandle Impact Fee Ordinance: Motion to forward to City Council approved (4-0).
- Item 5 – Vacant Lot Registration Ordinance: Motion to forward to City Council with the amendments and direction provided by the committee approved (4-0).
- Committee Comments: Councilmember Guerra raised issues about short-term rental enforcement (Airbnb) and coordination with the real estate industry regarding new platforms like OpenDoor. The City Attorney’s office confirmed the sidewalk ordinance is scheduled for the next meeting.
Meeting Transcript
Chair Staff is ready when you are. Thanks very much, Madam Clerk. Let's go ahead and call the role to establish the quorum. Councilmember Gada. Council Member Harris. Here. Councilmember Valenzuela. Here. And Chair Shaneer. I am here. So let's go ahead and sorry, call this meeting of the law and legislation committee to order since we do have a quorum. Go ahead and uh see if we can ask Councilmember Guerra to do the land acknowledgement and then Mr. Harris if you want to lead us in the pledge. Please rise for the opening acknowledgement in honor of Sacramento's Indigenous People and Tribal Lands. So the original people of this land, the Nissanon people, the Southern Maidu, Valley and Plains, Miwok, the Putwin and Winton people, and the people of the Wilton Rancheria, Sacramento is only a federal recognized tribe. And we acknowledge and honor the Native people who came before us and still walk beside us today on these ancestral lands by choosing to gather together today in the active practice of acknowledgement and appreciation for Sacramento's Indigenous Peoples, history, contribution, and lives. Thank you. And if you'll please salute and pledge, I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Councilmember Harris. Thank you, Councilmember Gira. Let's go ahead and get going on this. We'll start off with our consent calendar. Any comments on that? Yes, Chair, I had a question on item one. Please go ahead. Thank you. I was hoping the city attorney's office could give us an update on the status of the cruising ordinance changes that were put on the log by the council. So I don't know, Mr. Itikaki, if you're prepared to give us a quick update on that. Yes, uh good afternoon, Councilmember. Um, I'm not assigned to this ordinance in particular. Um, but I do know that our office is actively engaged with staff and the police department to try to develop the language from that ordinance and bring back to the committee. Do you have any ETA of the next update to council? I have not heard uh any ETA, but I could have staff uh circle back with me to get to work some details. All right, thank you. Just wanted to give that. I'm getting a lot of questions, so wanted to give the public update and uh thank you. And with that, um chair, I'm happy to move consent. Great. Thank you. Is there a second? Second. Okay, and Mr. Itagaki, if you could uh use that technology of texting, and maybe we can get an ETA before the end of the meeting. That would be great. We'll do. Thank you. All right, we have a motion and a second, please call the roll. Councilmember Gatta.
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