Measure U Community Advisory Committee Meeting - October 16, 2023

The Measure U Community Advisory Committee met on Monday, October 16, 2023, at 6:01 p.m. in the City Hall Complex (915 I Street, Sacramento, CA). The meeting was called to order by Chair Dickinson and adjourned at 7:22 p.m. The committee approved consent calendar items, discussed fiscal year 2023/24 spending categories and ballot language, approved the FY2021/22 Annual Report, and continued discussion of the 2023-2024 Annual Workplan and Calendar to the November meeting.

Consent Calendar

• Item 1 – Approval of August 21, 2023 Meeting Minutes (File ID: 2022-02404): Passed by motion (Member Goris / Member Cooney). Vote: 8 ayes (Members Goris, Cooney, Riviera, Georgeoff, Byrd, Paschal, Diaz, Chair Dickinson); 4 absent (Rueb, Sala, Macias, Wolf).
• Item 2 – Measure U Community Advisory Committee Agenda Log (File ID: 2023-01207): Approved as part of the consent calendar.

Discussion Items

• Item 3 – Fiscal Year (FY) 2023/24 Measure U Spending Categories and November 2018 Ballot Measure Language (File ID: 2023-01209): Vice Chair Cooney presented the concept of organizing future meetings around specific spending categories (e.g., affordable housing, homelessness, community response) to align with ballot measure language. Members expressed support for the idea. Member Rivera stressed the need for community input on topic selection. Deputy City Attorney Angel Solis clarified that serial communication among members outside meetings would violate the Brown Act. Staff noted that the actual vote on the work plan would occur under Item 5. The item was received and discussed.
• Item 4 – Approval of the Measure U Community Advisory Committee FY2021/22 Annual Report (File ID: 2023-01210): Member Diaz presented the draft report, which summarized Measure U expenditures, observations, and recommendations. Key discussion included the need for data transparency, tracking of recommendations versus actual funding, and accountability. Member Sala requested that the report be presented to the Budget and Audit Committee in December, with an opportunity for committee members to speak. The committee passed a motion (Member Paschal / Member Goris) to approve the report and authorize one member to finalize and forward it to the Budget and Audit Committee. Vote: 9 ayes (Members Sala, Goris, Cooney, Riviera, Georgeoff, Byrd, Paschal, Diaz, Chair Dickinson); 3 absent (Rueb, Macias, Wolf).
• Item 5 – Approval of the Measure U Community Advisory Committee 2023-2024 Annual Workplan and Calendar (File ID: 2023-01211): Vice Chair Cooney outlined a draft workplan focusing on affordable housing, homelessness, 911 response, parks, libraries, and participatory budgeting. Members discussed community engagement, outreach, and the need for data by neighborhood. Member Diaz supported starting with affordable housing in January to align with the Point-in-Time Count. The committee decided to continue the item to the November meeting for further refinement. A motion to continue (Member Cooney / Member Goris) passed unanimously. Vote: 8 ayes (Members Sala, Goris, Cooney, Riviera, Georgeoff, Byrd, Paschal, Diaz, Chair Dickinson); 3 absent (Rueb, Macias, Wolf).

City Manager’s Office Report

• No formal report. Chair Dickinson noted attendance at the City Manager’s Innovation and Economic Development Committee meeting regarding the creative economy.

Committee Member Comments – Ideas and Questions

• Member Goris highlighted a $101.3 million state allocation for a soccer field renovation in District 10, secured by Assemblymember Stephanie Wynne with support from Kevin McCarthy and Councilmember Rick Jennings.
• Member Sala reiterated the need for Measure U data to be reported by neighborhood or zip code to better track resource distribution. Staff noted that such granularity would require additional council direction and resources.
• Member Rivera questioned whether data requirements could be included in contracts with external vendors. Staff clarified that the majority of Measure U funds (estimated 75%) go to city staff, not contracts, but that contracted projects could potentially include data reporting requirements.
• Member Diaz asked about the mid-year budget process and the status of participatory budgeting. Staff advised that the committee could use the December presentation of the Annual Report to advocate for mid-year budget recommendations.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar Approved (Items 1 and 2) – unanimous voice vote.
• Item 3 (Spending Categories & Ballot Language) – received and discussed; no formal vote.
• Item 4 (FY2021/22 Annual Report) – approved (9-0-3) with authorization to finalize and forward to the Budget and Audit Committee. A presentation to the committee is expected in December.
• Item 5 (2023-2024 Workplan and Calendar) – discussion continued to the November 2023 meeting; the committee will review amendments and finalize at that time.
• Next Steps: The agenda log may be used to add items not covered in the workplan. Staff will invite the Community Engagement Office to a future meeting.