Measure U Community Advisory Committee Strategic Planning Meeting - September 20, 2021
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Measure U Community Advisory Committee Strategic Planning Meeting - September 20, 2021
The Measure U Community Advisory Committee met virtually via Zoom on September 20, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. to discuss strategic planning for the next 12–18 months, receive updates from ad hoc committees, and approve routine items. The meeting focused on the committee's role in reviewing Measure U expenditures, improving public communication, enhancing performance metrics, and advancing participatory budgeting.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the August 16, 2021 meeting minutes (motion by Member Creswell, second by Vice Chair Williams; passed unanimously with members absent: Goris, Lujaan, Otto Kent, Perez, Thomas).
- Approved the updated Agenda Log, which included items discussed during the meeting.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were made during the meeting.
Discussion Items
- Committee Work Plan Development and Strategic Planning (File ID: 2021-01056): The committee engaged in a lengthy brainstorming session on priorities for the next 12–18 months. Key themes included:
- Improving Communications and Public Awareness: Members stressed the need to better communicate how Measure U funds are spent, including creating a standardized logo, signage (e.g., at parks and libraries), and materials to increase transparency and public trust. Member Mora and Vice Chair Williams emphasized that many residents misunderstand Measure U. Member Kivell suggested creating a branding logo and exploring city staff assistance for design. City staff (Lynette) offered to collaborate with the Communications Ad Hoc Committee.
- Performance Metrics and Evaluation: Multiple members (Chair Cofer, Member Creswell, Member Sala, Member Dickinson) called for requiring funded programs to set goals and report outcomes, similar to the presentation from Youth, Parks, and Community Enrichment. Discussion included whether the city could provide technical assistance to departments for goal-setting. Assistant City Manager Millstein noted that Measure U now funds many programs (e.g., libraries, parks, Office of Community Response) and that staff are developing program-level data ("pods") to be available in early October.
- Participatory Budgeting (PB) Pilot: The PB Ad Hoc reported that consultants have been hired for program design and evaluation. Timeline: planning through November 2021, community engagement January–February 2022, and voting in May 2022. Members of the committee were asked to help introduce PB staff to their respective council members.
- Internal Organization: Member Dickinson proposed creating a committee manual with all principles, correspondence, and recommendations for new members. City Clerk Mindy Cuppy noted a citywide handbook is being developed and will be rolled out to all commissions in January 2022.
- Revenue and Funding Outlook: Discussion touched on the impact of ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds, the current Measure U fund being "upside down" (projected $8 million net loss), and the need to plan for the phase-out of one-time federal funds. Director of Finance Don Taylor explained that Measure U is currently spending more than revenue ($119 million expenditures vs. ~$108 million revenue), limiting new program expansion.
- Updates to Ad Hoc Committees and Membership Composition (File ID: 2021-01057): No changes were made; all existing ad hoc committees continued: Participatory Budgeting, Annual Report, Communication, and Universal Basic Income (UBI) Research.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar Approved: Minutes and Agenda Log adopted unanimously.
- Strategic Planning Direction: The committee agreed to prioritize:
- Enhancing communication and public visibility of Measure U-funded programs.
- Developing performance metrics for funded programs, with staff to provide program-level data (pods) by October 2021.
- Supporting the participatory budgeting pilot with member introductions to council offices.
- Creating a committee manual and improving internal records.
- Ad Hoc Committee Updates:
- Participatory Budgeting: Consultants onboarded; bi-weekly meetings underway; outreach to council members requested.
- Annual Report: No report; product expected next month.
- Communication: Met between meetings; will report in October.
- UBI Research: Investigating existing programs; brief expected in October; potential visitor in November.
- City Manager's Report: Council approved a framework for ARPA spending; staff will return with implementation details.
- Next Steps: The October and November 2021 meetings will include further discussion of performance metrics, participatory budgeting rulebook, potential mid-year budget recommendations, and UBI presentation.
Meeting Transcript
Chair Co. For staff is ready when you are okay. Good evening, everyone. Welcome to the Measure U Community Advisory Committee meeting on September 20th. I'd like to start with a roll call, please. Thank you. Committee member Williams. Member Prey. Here. Member Dickinson. Here. Member Sala. Member Kivill. Here. Member Lujaan. Is absent. Member Thomas. Is absent. Member Goris. Present. Member Cresswell. Member Perez. Is absent. Member Otto Kent. Is absent. Member Mora. Present. And Chair Kofer. Present. Chair, you have a quorum. Thank you so much. Before we go into our first item, we would just like to start with a land acknowledgement. The history of the Sacramento area and the people is rich in heritage, culture, and tradition. This area was and still is the tribal land of the Nishinon people. And Sacramento was a gathering place for many local tribes who have lived throughout the Central Valley and the foothills for generations and were the original stewards of this land. We would like to acknowledge the Southern Maiden people to the north, the Valley and Plains Miwok people to the south of the American River. And we'd also like to honor the Patwin Wintu people to the west of the Sacramento River. We acknowledge that we are standing on the tribal lands of Sacramento's Indigenous people. Welcome again to the meeting of the Measure U Community Advisory Committee as a reminder for those who are participating that our committee's powers and duties by resolution are to provide recommendations through the publication of an annual report that's available on the city's website and presented to the Sacramento City Council, which includes a review of the transactions and use tax revenues, recommendations on how to allocate resources to support inclusive economic development. Recommendations should be informed by committee review and discussion of the revenues from the transactions and use tax and information concerning city expenditures, advice to the council on priorities, and a review of performance measures and evaluation of city expenditures. And we are also supposed to work with city staff on community engagement with respect to the transactions and use tax. And as a reminder for those who may be tuning in, this meeting is taking place on Zoom. If you'd like to make a public comment, please locate the meeting agenda and Zoom link. And if you're on the telephone to raise your hand, you will dial star nine. And then to unmute or mute, you'll dial star six. Thank you, Madam Chair. Good evening, everyone. I made sure that I got here so I could be at the meeting, which is important to our community. So I am here. And when I speak, I will turn on the camera, but I will be driving to Sacramento.
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