Measure U Community Advisory Commission Meeting Summary - September 29, 2025

The Measure U Community Advisory Commission met on Monday, September 29, 2025, at 5:32 PM in the Sacramento City Hall Council Chamber. Eleven commissioners were present (Cook, Frye-Lucas, Gerofsky, Goris, Johnston, McGee, Novello, Paschal, Rosa, Smith, and Chair Georgeoff), with one absent (Sala). The meeting included approval of the consent calendar, discussion of the Fiscal Year 2026/27 budget process, a review of the 2025 Annual Report and 2026 Workplan, the election of a Vice Chair, and updates from ad hoc committees.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of August 18, 2025 Meeting Minutes (File ID: 2025-00228) – Passed unanimously.
• Approval of Updated Agenda Log (File ID: 2025-00307) – Passed unanimously.
• Dissolution of the Budget Ad Hoc Committee (File ID: 2025-01681) – Passed unanimously. Chair Georgeoff explained the committee had not met and was being replaced by a new ad hoc focused on the annual report.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Lambert Davis (public speaker on multiple items):
  • On Item 5 (Budget Process): Expressed appreciation for Commissioner Cook's inquiries, criticized remote workers receiving raises, and argued the city manager has too much power over 15% cuts while withholding required reports, which he claimed violates the Brown Act.
  • On Item 6 (Community Outreach): Described Measure U as one of the most important commissions but noted low public attendance. He stated that combining Measure U with the general fund was not what voters were promised, and that structural deficits indicate mismanagement.
  • On Item 7 (Annual Report): Criticized the commission for “studying too long,” questioned the sincerity of including Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the budget given resistance in the city manager’s office, and urged the commission to handle budgets as carefully as personal finances.
  • During Public Comments – Matters Not on the Agenda: Shared his personal history as a Sacramento native and local business owner, praised millennials for helping his business, and expressed concern about the city's fiscal responsibility.

Discussion Items

• Item 4: Overview of Measure U Funded Departments and Programs: Office of Public Safety Accountability – Continued to a future meeting because the department could not present.
• Item 5: Overview of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026/27 Budget Process (File ID: 2025-01683) – Peter Coletto, Finance Director, presented the city’s budget forecast, noting a structural deficit that will continue into FY 2026/27. All departments are required to submit 15% reduction strategies. The Budget and Audit Committee is considering options for a two-year budget. Coletto proposed that the commission adopt priorities early to inform department reductions. Commissioners asked about the $1.8 billion in unfunded capital needs, the gap between revenue growth and spending growth (especially for homelessness programs and labor costs), and the timeline for performance metrics. The commission expressed interest in receiving data to support prioritization.
• Item 6: Development of a Measure U Community Outreach, Engagement and Communications Strategy (Oral Report) – No oral report was provided because the lead commissioner (Sala) was absent. The item was passed over.
• Item 7: City of Sacramento Measure U Community Advisory Commission 2025 Annual Report and 2026 Workplan (File ID: 2025-01512) – Chair Georgeoff created an ad hoc committee (Commissioners Cook, Gerofsky, McGee, Smith, and Chair Georgeoff) to finalize the report. The commission discussed including both a backward-looking accomplishments section and forward-looking priorities for FY 2026/27. It was agreed that the report must follow the format established by the City Clerk. The ad hoc will bring a draft to the October meeting for full commission input.
• Item 8: Selection of Vice Chair for Calendar Year 2025 (File ID: 2025-01577) – Commissioner John Cook was elected Vice Chair for the remainder of 2025. The motion passed 11-0-2 (Commissioners Goris and Novello abstained).

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar Approved – All three consent items passed unanimously.
• Budget Process Update Received – The commission received and commented on the FY 2026/27 budget process. Staff will consider early input from the commission on priorities.
• Annual Report Ad Hoc Established – A five-member ad hoc committee (Cook, Gerofsky, McGee, Smith, Chair Georgeoff) was formed to draft the 2025 Annual Report and 2026 Workplan, to be presented for approval in October.
• Vice Chair Elected – Commissioner John Cook was elected Vice Chair for calendar year 2025 with 11 votes in favor and 2 abstentions.
• Metrics Ad Hoc Update – The committee reported that performance metrics are being compiled and will be incorporated into the quarterly Measure U program update, pending alignment with a City Council goal-setting workshop on September 30, 2025.
• Meeting Adjourned – Adjourned at 7:09 PM.