Measure U Community Advisory Commission Meeting Summary – March 16, 2026

This was the regular meeting of the Measure U Community Advisory Commission, held on Monday, March 16, 2026, beginning at 5:35 p.m. at Sacramento City Hall. Chair Teddy Georgeoff led the meeting, which featured a presentation from the Office of Diversity & Equity, discussions on FY2026/27 budget recommendations, and the creation of a new Budget Recommendations Ad Hoc Committee. The meeting was extended past the two-hour limit, concluding at 7:36 p.m.

Consent Calendar

The commission approved the following items by a 7–1 vote (Commissioner Cook voting no):

• Item 1: Approval of the February 23, 2026 meeting minutes.
• Item 2: Approval of the updated Measure U Agenda Log.
• Item 3: Dissolution of the Metrics Ad Hoc Committee (required by city code after one year).

Following the vote, Chair Georgeoff created a new 2026 Metrics Ad Hoc Committee with the same members (Georgeoff, Frye-Lucas, Johnston, Rosa, Smith, Cook, and Novello) to review the metrics dashboard and compile research.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Lambert Davis (speaking on the consent calendar) urged the commission not to dissolve the Metrics Ad Hoc Committee, stating it had been valuable during participatory budgeting for forcing transparency. He warned dissolving it without a successor could delay budget work.
• Lambert Davis (on Discussion Item 5) criticized that some departments receiving Measure U funds had not appeared before the commission, calling this a pattern that undermines accountability. He argued Measure U had been co-opted since being placed in the general fund.
• Dan Toskowski (Trees for Sacramento) requested that the commission recommend funding for urban forestry (currently $0 from Measure U), noting Sacramento’s canopy coverage goal of 35% by 2045 and poor air quality rankings (e.g., 7th worst for ozone in 2024).

Discussion Items

4. Overview of Measure U Funded Departments and Programs: Office of Diversity & Equity Diversity & Equity Manager Aimee Zenzele Barnes presented on the office’s work, including:

• Evolution of the Race, Gender, and Equity Action Plan (RGAP) from a workforce-only focus to include external equity efforts (procurement, budget, contracting).
• Adoption of the Results-Based Accountability (RBA) framework (from Clear Impact/GARE) to shift from counting outputs (e.g., number of trainings) to measuring outcomes (e.g., “Is anyone better off?”).
• Three planned citywide equity initiatives for 2026: an online equity impact planner/assessment tool, a Sacramento Equity Mapping Atlas, and an equity impact statement for all council staff reports.
• The office is funded for three full-time positions by Measure U, requesting $517,000 for FY2026/27 (up from $503,000 the prior year).

Commissioners asked about department equity teams, use of the GIS-based equity tool, and the challenge of collecting disaggregated demographic data. Commissioner Sala emphasized the need for interpreter services to be clearly posted on city materials. Commissioner Cook questioned how to link the office’s work to the North Star of residents feeling better off (citing a community survey showing only 22% positive rating for care of vulnerable residents). Commissioner Rosa asked how historical inequities are recognized and what the office’s unfunded wish list includes (research/data person, communications person, training/learning development specialist).

5. Development of FY2026/27 Measure U Budget Recommendations Staff outlined that departments are presenting 15% reduction strategies to council through March, and the commission must finalize budget recommendations by its May 18 meeting. Due to scheduling, only a limited number of departments can present in April. Commissioners expressed frustration that some departments had not prioritized presenting (e.g., Office of Public Safety had canceled since December). Commissioner Cook argued that failure to present should result in a recommendation of no funding support. Commissioner Sala noted that many department presentations are available from city council and budget committee meetings.

Key Outcomes

• Vote to extend meeting: Passed 6–3 (Commissioners Novello, Frye-Lucas, and Rosa opposed) to continue past the two-hour mark.
• Creation of 2026/27 Budget Recommendations Ad Hoc Committee: Chair Georgeoff appointed Commissioners Cook, Goris, Miller, Rosa, Sala, Smith, and himself to draft the commission’s budget recommendations for discussion at the April meeting.
• No formal position was adopted on requiring departments to present before receiving a funding recommendation, but several commissioners voiced support for such a policy. The new ad hoc committee is expected to consider this language.
• Next steps: The commission will hear from a limited number of departments in April, and the Budget Recommendations Ad Hoc Committee will bring a draft to the May meeting for final approval.