Law and Legislation Committee Meeting Summary - October 18, 2022

The Law and Legislation Committee of the Sacramento City Council met on October 18, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber. Chair Jay Schenirer presided. The meeting lasted approximately 13 minutes. The committee considered a consent calendar of four routine items and one major discussion item: an ordinance to establish a Department of Youth Development.

Consent Calendar

• Item 1: Law and Legislation Log – Approved by unanimous vote.
• Item 2: Legislative Advocacy Correspondence – Received and filed.
• Item 3: Approval of September 20, 2022 meeting minutes – Approved.
• Item 4: Ordinance adopting local amendments to the California Building Standards Code (Sacramento City Building Code) – Reviewed and forwarded to City Council for approval. All items were passed in a single motion (4-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were submitted on consent calendar items, discussion items, or matters not on the agenda. No speakers appeared in person or via Zoom.

Discussion Items

• Item 5: Ordinance Relating to the Establishment of a Department of Youth Development (File ID: 2022-01813). Chair Schenirer introduced the item, arguing that existing youth programs are fragmented across multiple city departments and that a dedicated department would improve coordination, effectiveness, and efficiency, especially for programs targeting at-risk youth during afternoon hours. He noted that many current programs rely on one-time ARPA/CARES funds and that creating a department would better position the city to leverage both base funding and potential new resources (e.g., Measure L). Councilmember Jeff Harris opposed, stating that creating a new department would add unnecessary bureaucracy and that the discussion should be postponed until after the November election to know the outcome of Measure L. Councilmember Eric Guerra supported the ordinance, emphasizing the need to break down government silos, improve coordination with school districts, and better capture state/federal funding. Councilmember Katie Valenzuela also supported, noting her background in youth development and comparing this reorganization to the creation of the Department of Community Response. A motion to forward the ordinance to the full City Council carried 3-1, with Harris voting no.

Key Outcomes

• All four consent calendar items were approved unanimously.
• The ordinance establishing a Department of Youth Development was forwarded to the City Council for final approval with a 3-1 vote. The committee’s recommendation is that the Council consider the ordinance after the November 2022 election and subsequent budget cycle. Councilmember Harris reserved his position pending election results.