Measure U Community Advisory Committee Meeting – May 20, 2024

The Measure U Community Advisory Committee met on Monday, May 20, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. (called to order at 5:42 p.m.) in the City Hall Complex. The committee welcomed new Commissioners Jessie Rosales and Natalie McGee, and proceeded through a consent calendar, a detailed overview of the FY2024/25 Measure U proposed budget, development of follow-up budget recommendations, a proposal to amend city code to allow ad hoc committees, and the initiation of the FY2022/23 annual report. Public comments were heard on several items.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes (File ID: 2024-00087): Approved the April 15, 2024, meeting minutes.
• Agenda Log (File ID: 2024-00239): Approved the updated agenda log.
• Quorum Requirement Amendment (File ID: 2024-01062): Approved a recommendation drafted by Member Georgeoff to align the committee’s quorum requirement with the Brown Act by amending City Council Resolution No. 2018-0393. The recommendation will be forwarded to the Personnel and Public Employees Committee. The committee discussed removing a paragraph about council recruitment and noted that the change would also affect subcommittee membership (reducing from seven to half of active membership).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Lambert Davis, founder/CEO of To the Bay and Back Cheesecakes, spoke on multiple items. He expressed support for participatory budgeting, argued against raises for remote city employees, criticized the elimination of ad hoc committees, and stated that his business never received Measure U funds despite attending many meetings. He also noted that some community outreach meetings were canceled, affecting District 2.

Discussion Items

• Item 4 – Overview of FY2024/25 Measure U Proposed Budget: Director of Finance Peter Coletto and Budget Manager Mirthala Santizo presented the city’s proposed $1.6 billion budget, which closes a $66 million funding gap without eliminating filled positions. Measure U appropriations total $148.7 million, supporting 893.4 FTEs. The budget includes $3 million in augmentations (mostly cost-neutral) and $8.3 million in reductions. Key reductions include $1.1 million from affordable housing, suspension of the economic uncertainty reserve contribution, and elimination of Ride Free RT funding. The city faces a structural deficit, with a projected $77 million deficit for FY2025/26. Committee members discussed the equity lens, the impact of cuts on disinvested communities (e.g., parks and pools in District 2), and the need for ongoing strategies versus one-time fixes.
• Item 5 – Follow-up Recommendations on Budget Priorities: The committee discussed updating its March budget recommendation letter. Key points included: 1) reiterating the request for $1 million for participatory budgeting; 2) requesting $8,000 for community focus groups (to engage 500 residents who expressed interest); 3) supporting the mayor’s priorities (e.g., restoring Ride Free RT, increased scholarships); and 4) reinforcing the need for affordable housing and homelessness funding with an equity lens. The committee voted to approve a motion authorizing Member Macias to draft and finalize the letter, and to have committee members speak at the May 21 city council budget hearing.
• Item 6 – Draft Recommendation to Allow Ad Hoc Committees: Member Georgeoff presented a draft to amend Sacramento City Code Chapter 2.40.160, originally proposing three options. After discussion, the committee favored option 3 (allow ad hocs with guidelines) and requested revisions to strengthen transparency arguments and include specific examples of how the lack of ad hocs has hindered the committee’s work (e.g., participatory budgeting, budget recommendations). The motion passed to forward the recommendation to the Personnel and Public Employees Committee, with Member Georgeoff to redraft.
• Item 7 – Development of FY2022/23 Annual Report: The committee received the FY2022/23 Measure U Sales Tax Performance Audit and Final Measure U Programming Update. Member Hojeij volunteered to lead the development of the annual report, using the previous year’s report as a template. The motion passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously (9-0, with Member Wolf absent).
• Budget Follow-up Recommendations: Motion passed (9-0) to: a) approve the recommendations (participatory budgeting, focus groups, support for mayor’s priorities, affordable housing/homelessness funding); b) authorize Member Macias to finalize the letter; and c) forward to the Budget and Audit Committee. Individual committee members will speak at the May 21 council hearing.
• Meeting Extension: Motion passed to extend the meeting beyond two hours.
• Ad Hoc Committee Recommendation: Motion passed (9-0) to approve the recommendation (with revisions) and forward to the Personnel and Public Employees Committee.
• Annual Report Lead: Motion passed (9-0) authorizing Member Hojeij to lead the development of the FY2022/23 annual report.
• Subcommittee Meetings: The city declined the committee’s request for additional subcommittee meetings due to staff capacity.