Measure U Community Advisory Commission Special Meeting – April 27, 2026
Measure U Community Advisory Commission Special Meeting – April 27, 2026
The Measure U Community Advisory Commission held a special meeting on April 27, 2026, from 5:36 p.m. to 8:29 p.m. at City Hall Council Chamber to discuss and vote on the Fiscal Year 2026/27 Measure U Budget Recommendations. After extensive deliberation, the Commission approved the recommendations as modified and authorized the Budget Recommendations Ad Hoc Committee to finalize and forward them to the City Council's Budget and Audit Committee.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Lambert (public speaker): Criticized the Commission for not allowing sufficient public input at the prior meeting and expressed concerns about the Economic Development Department, alleging lack of accountability and a hidden agenda behind “gardening economics.” He also argued that staff decisions contribute to the city’s structural deficit. (He later spoke again at the end of the meeting, reiterating frustration with the agenda transparency and fiscal responsibility.)
Discussion Items
- Approval of FY 2026/27 Measure U Budget Recommendations (File ID: 2026-00964) – The sole agenda item. The Commission reviewed and debated draft recommendations regarding budget expenditures. Key points of debate included:
- 1.1 Public Safety Hiring Pipeline: Several commissioners (Sala, Gerofsky, Miller) argued the program should be kept because it funds youth development (cadets and community service officers) and builds trust, though they agreed the name and metrics should be clarified. The Commission voted to keep the section but require splitting the program into three components (cadet, CSO, hiring pipeline) with clearer goals. No formal opposition after discussion.
- 1.2 Fire Diversity & Outreach Recruitment: Commissioner Sala and others defended the program for its youth outreach and EMS training, while others questioned its cost-effectiveness and diversity measures. A vote on removal resulted in 5-4 to delete this section from the recommendations.
- 1.3 Libraries: Commissioner Johnston strongly opposed any reduction, citing community surveys (85% high/medium priority) and voter support. The section was removed by a vote of 9-1 (delete).
- 1.4 Outsourcing: Commissioner Smith noted the city already has a 43‑question process for outsourcing decisions. After debate, the section was removed by a vote of 6-4 (remove).
- 1.5 Non-Measure U Fit Costs (ADA, insurance, IT): The Commission voted to keep this section, with the ad hoc committee to consider adding golf administration costs if ongoing.
- Section 2 – Budget Action Recommendations (Grow/Hold/Reduce): After a prolonged discussion, the Commission agreed to list only items for reduction (Arts and Creative Edge and community development outreach/podcast activities) and growth items (Ride Free program, Office of Violence Prevention three-year funding, participatory budgeting, and programs leveraging grants). All other programs were deemed as “hold.”
- Section 3 – Accountability Framework: The Commission voted to keep Section 3 (accountability framework) as part of the recommendations, with minor wording changes. A proposal to require in-person presentations twice a year was not approved; instead, written reports with sufficient lead time will be accepted.
- Section 4 – Measure U Alignment Notes: Removed by unanimous consent.
Key Outcomes
- Motion Passed (10-0): The Commission approved the recommendations as discussed during the meeting and authorized the 2026/27 Budget Recommendations Ad Hoc Committee (chaired by Chair Georgeoff) to finalize the document and forward it to the City Council’s Budget and Audit Committee for consideration. The ad hoc committee is also responsible for incorporating all modifications, including: removing sections 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, and 4; keeping sections 1.1 (with restructured goals), 1.5, and 3 (with edits); updating Section 2 to reflect the agreed growth and reduction items; and preparing a PowerPoint presentation due by May 6, 2026.
- Commissioner Smith volunteered to present the recommendations to the Budget and Audit Committee on May 5, 2026 (or subsequently on May 26, 2026).
- Meeting Extension: A motion to extend the meeting past two hours passed unanimously.
- Next Steps: The ad hoc committee will finalize the draft by May 6, 2026, for submission.
Meeting Transcript
We're ready when you are uh good evening. Welcome to the April 27th, 2026 Measure New Community Advisory Committee uh meeting. The meeting is now called to order. Will the court clerk please call roll to establish a quorum? Yes, thank you, Chair. Commissioners, if you can please unmute your microphones. Vice Chair McGee is absent. Commissioner Smith? Here. Commissioner Solo? Here. Commissioner Cook? Here. Commissioner Miller? Here. Commissioner Johnston? Here. Commissioner Ruiz Benidez is absent. Commissioner Novello? Here. Commissioner Durofsky. Yeah. Commissioner Bashal. Here. Commissioner Fry Lucas? Yeah. Commissioner Rosa is absent. And Chair George. Here. Thank you. We have a quorum. I'd like to remind members of the public and chambers that if you'd like to speak on an agenda item, please turn in a speaker slip before the item begins. After the item is called, we'll no longer accept speaker slips. You'll have two minutes to speak once you are called on. We will now proceed with today's agenda. Um member Droski, would you be willing to lead us in the pledge in the right and honor Sacramento's independent block? Hadouan Wentu Peoples and the people of the Wilton Rancheria. Sacramento's only federally recognized tribe. May we acknowledge and honor the native people who came before us and still walk beside us today on these ancestral lands by choosing to gather today in the active practice of acknowledgement and appreciation for Sacramento's indigenous peoples' history contributions and lives. Thank you. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you very much for that. Normally we would have a consent calendar, but we actually don't because this is a special setting, uh special meeting. So we just go straight to the discussion calendar. So we will start with just the one and only item, uh, which is the approval of the measure you budget recommendations. Um I want to start by just doing a quick little intro. Um there's been a few people who have come to me and asked for like to us to expedite how we operate. Um I guess I want to level set the forum for what we're trying to accomplish here, which is not to debate in this environment. I think the idea is like get your points out of what you want to say, but realize we're gonna have disagreements, and that's okay.
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