Measure U Community Advisory Committee Meeting - April 26, 2021

The Measure U Community Advisory Committee met on April 26, 2021, to review the proposed Fiscal Year 2021/22 Measure U budget, discuss revised recommendations to City Council, receive updates on the Participatory Budgeting pilot, adjust ad hoc committee assignments, and approve the committee's agenda log. The meeting featured extensive public comment and committee deliberation on budget transparency, spending priorities, and the alignment of Measure U expenditures with voter promises.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The committee unanimously approved the minutes from the March 15, 2021 meeting. Member Goris abstained as a first meeting courtesy.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ben Casnell and Liv Moe expressed strong support for the $2.8 million allocation to the Office of Arts and Culture (Creative Edge), emphasizing the creative economy's role in equity, workforce development, and community resilience. Liv Moe noted artists lost upwards of $10,000 in 2020 due to cancelled tours.
• Bill Blake urged support for arts funding, calling arts, performances, and festivals essential to the economy and youth well-being.
• Brenda Ruiz (Sacramento Food Policy Council) elevated the need for food access and food equity investments, noting a new Environmental Justice chapter in the General Plan update that includes food access for the first time, and asked for a placeholder in the budget for implementation.

Discussion Items

Overview of FY2021/22 Proposed Measure U Budget

• Dawn Holm (Finance Director) and Laney Mills (Assistant City Manager) presented the budget. Key figures: $92.5 million for operations, $18.1 million for multi-year operating projects (MYOPs), and $5.7 million for capital improvement programs (CIPs). Measure U revenues grew 14.5% over prior forecasts. The budget funds 614 positions.
• The budget was restructured from a department focus to a programmatic focus to better show spending on youth, homelessness, and inclusive economic development.
• The combined General Fund and Measure U forecast shows a shortfall in FY22 but improving out-years.
• Committee members raised concerns:
  • Member Salah, Member Perez, Member Odo Kent, and Member Dickinson questioned why over 50% of Measure U spending goes to police and why categories like libraries and pools are grouped under "youth services."
  • Member Cresswell (via Chair Cofer) asked for clarity on affordable housing funding: the $31.5 million housing trust fund includes $20 million from Measure U, but ongoing expenditures focus on staff, not development. She requested a comprehensive view of all city funding sources for housing.
  • Member Pray pointed out that illegal dumping is funded multiple times, totaling over $2.5 million, while the Office of Community Response (alternative response to 911 calls) appears fragmented. Staff clarified illegal dumping is $300,000 and the OCR budget is $5 million (including 15 FTEs in the general fund).
  • Member Mora asked for deeper specificity in categories, e.g., whether swim lessons are youth-targeted.
• Staff committed to providing historical spending data (since November 2018) and a third document showing all 163 million spent on ballot measure promises, excluding public safety.

Revised Recommendations to City Council

• The committee discussed updating its previous budget recommendations. Chair Cofer proposed focusing on concrete dollar asks rather than process. Key points:
  • Participatory Budgeting (PB): The committee reaffirmed its ask of $15 million (up from the current commitment of $1 million). Member Perry noted Vallejo allocates $8.24 per resident to PB; Sacramento would allocate about $2.00 per resident.
  • Inclusive Economic Development: Member Perez stressed that ARPA funds are recovery, not forward-moving. The committee wants increased funding for broadband access and business recovery.
  • Homelessness and Affordable Housing: Member Dickinson called for ensuring adequate spending on services, shelters, and homes, referencing the $31.5 million housing trust fund. Member Cresswell will advise on specific increases.
  • Youth Services: Vice Chair Williams urged increased funding for youth programming (gang prevention, pop-ups, youth jobs) separate from maintenance costs.
• Action: The committee passed a motion to deputize the Budget Oversight and Transparency Ad Hoc Committee to concretize these recommendations and update the prior letter to council.

Participatory Budgeting Pilot Program Update

• Member Odo Kent reported that the PB Ad Hoc Committee has drafted an RFP for an implementation partner, scheduled for release on May 4, 2021, with work starting July 19, 2021. The scope includes planning, implementing, and evaluating the PB process.

Updates to Ad Hoc Committees and Membership Composition

• The committee added members to ad hoc committees:
  • Civic and Community Engagement: Members Goris, Mora, and Tracy Thomas.
  • Budget Oversight and Transparency: Members Mora, Tracy Thomas, and Davon Thomas.
• No new committees were formed; the Budget Ad Hoc will handle category refinement.

Measure U Community Advisory Committee Agenda Log

• The committee approved a proposed agenda log format for the year, including:
  • Starting meetings with a land acknowledgement.
  • Structuring agendas to place heavy items first and consent calendar last (to avoid decision fatigue).
  • Limiting staff presentations to 10 minutes with pre-submitted questions from the committee.
  • Adding a quarterly revenue and expenditure update from staff.
• The motion passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Motion 1 (Item 3): Passed to deputize the Budget Oversight Ad Hoc Committee to revise and flesh out budget recommendations to City Council, with emphasis on $15 million for participatory budgeting, increased youth programming, and inclusive economic development.
• Motion 2 (Item 5): Passed to add members Goris, Mora, and Tracy Thomas to Civic and Community Engagement Ad Hoc; and members Mora, Tracy Thomas, and Davon Thomas to Budget Oversight and Transparency Ad Hoc.
• Motion 3 (Item 6): Passed to approve the committee's preferred agenda log format and updated log items as discussed.
• Volunteers for Ad Hoc Meeting Coordination: Members volunteered to schedule meetings for Civic Engagement (Goris), Budget Oversight (Mora), and Annual Report (Dickinson). Participatory budgeting will continue under Odo Kent's coordination.
• Next Steps: Staff will provide the committee with historical Measure U spending data (by categories), a combined general fund/Measure U forecast for council, and a comprehensive document covering all $163 million in ballot promise spending. The Budget Ad Hoc will present finalized recommendations to the full committee before the May 17 or 24 meeting for forwarding to City Council. The PB RFP is targeted for release on May 4, 2021.
• City Manager's Office Report: Danielle Foster updated that the $31.5 million housing trust fund will be used for affordable housing projects, with a committee including Measure U representative Kathy Cresswell to advise on project selection. Two items (a $10 million SHRA loan and a $3 million respite center loan) will go to council on May 4.