OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Sacramento City Council Meeting - March 10, 2026: Budget Work Session, Ordinance on Sikh Kirpan, and Consent Calendar Actions

Other — Tuesday, March 10, 2026
BodySacramento, California
SessionOther
DateTuesday, March 10, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 4:20:13

Transcript — Verbatim
0:14

Okay.

0:16

Calls meeting order, please call the roll.

0:19

Councilmember Kaplan.

0:21

Councilmember Dickinson.

0:22

Vice Mayor Talamantes.

0:24

Councilmember Pluckybaugh.

0:26

Councilmember Maple.

0:27

Here.

0:28

We expect Mayor Pro Tem Gata momentarily.

0:31

Councilmember Jennings.

0:32

Councilmember Vang.

0:34

Here.

0:34

And Mayor McCarty.

0:35

You have a quorum.

0:36

Thank you.

0:37

Councilmember Kaplan, can you please lead us in the land acknowledgement and pledge?

0:46

We are rising to for the opening acknowledgments in honor of Sacramento's indigenous people and tribal lands.

0:53

To the original people of this land, the Nissanon people, the Southern Maidu, the Valley and Plains Miwok, the Putwin Wintune peoples, and the people of Wilton Rancheria, Sacramento's only federally recognized tribe.

1:08

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' histories, contributions, and lives.

1:27

Please remain standing.

1:30

Flash.

1:30

I agree to the flag of the United States of America and just republic for which we stand.

1:38

One nation under God and divisible with liberty and justice for all.

1:47

City attorney, do you have a report out from closed session?

1:50

No, no report out.

1:54

So, Mayor, we move to special presentations.

1:57

Um, we've got women's history month being presented by council member Kaplan.

2:01

Thank you.

2:02

Councilmember.

2:03

Thank you, Mayor.

2:08

Excuse me.

2:10

So, Mayor, Council residents and colleagues, we stand here March 2026 to observe women's history month.

2:19

Historically, this is a time for speeches that look backward.

2:23

A time to honor our suffragists, our trailblazers, and the pioneers who broke down barriers.

2:31

But as women serving in local government today, it's incumbent upon us not to only look back.

2:39

I must look forward.

2:42

And what I see right now is a moment that demands not just celebration, but profound resilience and resistance.

2:51

We are in a time where the very foundation of equality we assumed were permanent are being tested.

2:58

We are witnessing a systematic effort to roll back decades of progress on reproductive freedom, to threaten the safety of our LGBTQI neighbors, and to chip away at the economic security of women and particularly women of color.

3:17

When federal policies seek to define our existence, restrict our health choices, and silence survivors, it feels at times like we are moving backwards.

3:30

But I refuse to believe that the future is already written for us by someone else.

3:38

That is why the work we do on this council is more critical than ever.

3:43

When national leadership turns its back on equality, it's up to the council to be the first line of defense.

3:51

If they try to restrict health access, we must ensure our city remains a sanctuary for care and privacy for our immigrants and our LGBTQ community.

4:03

If they try and push women out of the workforce through economic pressure, we must support local businesses owned by women and advocate for pay equity in our city budget.

4:14

If they try to undermine diversity, equity, and inclusion, we must double down on making our city halls and our local boards a reflective of our diverse community.

4:28

History teaches us that women have always been at the forefront of creating change during times of crisis.

4:36

We do not need to wait for permission to protect our residents.

4:40

We have the power right here to protect the right of every woman in this community.

4:46

So therefore, I challenge my colleagues as we look at this month and beyond to be vocal.

4:52

Do not let the narrative of our regression become normal.

4:56

Be present, support local grassroots organizations supporting women and families.

5:03

Be relentless.

5:04

Use every tool in our local government to strengthen our safety net.

5:09

And to all the women in our city, our city staff, our nurses, our teachers, the business owners, the mothers, the organizers.

5:19

Your voice matters.

5:21

Your work matters.

5:23

We may be facing a challenging, at times discouraging era for gender equality.

5:30

But just as those before us did not give up when facing impossible odds, we will not stop fighting now.

5:38

So let us make this women's history month not just a reflection of the past, but a promise of our future.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety████████████████████████████28%
Budget and Finance█████████████████████21%
Homelessness████████████12%
Community Engagement██████████10%
Religious Accommodation███████7%
Economic Development███████7%
Code Enforcement████4%
Public Comments███3%
Procedural██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Sacramento City Council Meeting - March 10, 2026

The Sacramento City Council convened on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 2:04 p.m. at City Hall (915 I Street). The meeting included a special presentation for Women's History Month, a consent calendar of 13 routine items, a public hearing on weed and rubbish abatement, adoption of an ordinance allowing Sikh religious articles (Kirpan) in city facilities, and an early budget work session covering five city departments. The meeting adjourned at 6:24 p.m. in memory of Josephine Davila.

Consent Calendar (Items 1–13)

  • Item 1: Confirmation of board and commission appointments (Shannon Asquith, Elena Monique Gonzalez-Soto, Barry Boyd, Preston Chi Wong) – Passed Motion 2026-0049
  • Item 2: Preliminary plans, environmental exemption, and budget adjustments for Fruitridge Road Improvements (Phases 1 & 2) – Adopted Resolution 2026-0056 (budget increase by $120,000 for Phase 1 and $640,000 for Phase 2 from State/Federal Grant Match Project)
  • Item 3: Acquisition of property from St. Luke Lutheran Church for $356,000 – Passed Motion 2026-0050
  • Item 4: Amendment to ARPA North Sacramento Economic Recovery Plan Framework and $30,000 grant to S.A.V. & Sons, LLC – Adopted Resolution 2026-0057 (public comment received from Lambert Davis expressing concerns about funding distribution)
  • Item 5: Supplemental contract (No. 5) with GHD Inc. for Last Mile Connectivity Project, increasing total to $1,332,335.95 – Passed Motion 2026-0051
  • Item 6: City signatory authority for Oak Park Property and Business Improvement District renewal (32 City properties) – Adopted Resolution 2026-0058
  • Item 7: Changes to Delta Shores Community Facilities District No. 2019-01 (Improvements), designating new Improvement Area No. 4 and proposing special tax and bonded indebtedness – Adopted Resolution 2026-0059
  • Item 8: Salary range for Chief Park Ranger, updated Employer-Employee Relations Policy, and Citywide Salary Schedule – Adopted Resolution 2026-0060
  • Item 9: Use of Omnia Partners cooperative contract with Kone, Inc. for Memorial Garage Elevator Modernization (not-to-exceed $999,000) and $600,000 budget transfer – Adopted Resolution 2026-0061
  • Item 10: Designation of City as Hybrid Entity under HIPAA and contract with Housing for Health California for CalAIM billing/administrative services – Adopted Resolutions 2026-0062 and 2026-0063
  • Item 11: Authorization for SHRA to enter MOU with Sacramento County regarding contracts with CVR Associates – Adopted City Council Resolution 2026-0064
  • Item 12: Update/Correction to DOU Fiscal Year 2025/26 Operating Grant Program and Fund (rescinding Resolution 2026-0021, authorizing grant application up to $340,000) – Adopted Resolution 2026-0065
  • Item 13: Second Quarter Financial Report for FY 2025/26 – Received and filed

The consent calendar was approved with a motion by Councilmember Guerra, seconded by Councilmember Dickinson. Vote: 8 yes (all present except Councilmember Pluckebaum absent).

Public Hearings

Item 14: 2026 Weed and Rubbish Abatement – Staff presentation by Shawn Bartosh (Code Enforcement Manager). Public comment from Justin Wilson (Robla Park Community Association) opposed the resolution, arguing the rural nature of Robla was not accounted for. Councilmember Dickinson expressed support for Wilson's concerns and asked staff about case-by-case accommodations. The public hearing was closed, and the motion to adopt Resolution 2026-0066 as amended passed 9-0. Staff committed to working with Mr. Wilson on his specific circumstances.

Discussion Items

Item 15: Ordinance Amending Section 12.74.030 – Public’s Right to Use City Hall Facility (Sikh Kirpan) – Presented by Councilmember Caity Maple and Jasjit Singh (incoming Director of Legal Services for Jakara Movement). The ordinance allows Sikh community members to carry a Kirpan (ceremonial dagger) in city buildings as an article of faith. Map explained the nearly two-year process and apologized for delays. Public comments: Henry Harry opposed (safety concerns), Mandeep Singh (Jakara Movement) and Chinwa Rhodes spoke in favor, noting that the Kirpan is a required article of faith and that similar ordinances exist in Fresno and other cities. Councilmembers unanimously supported the ordinance. Motion passed 9-0.

Item 16: Early Budget Work Session – Budget Context and Department Reports – Presentations from the City Manager’s Office/Office of Innovation and Economic Development, Convention and Cultural Services, Department of Community Response (DCR), Fire Department, and Police Department. Finance Director Peter Coletto outlined a structural deficit of $66.2 million, with a baseline plan of $72.8 million in reduction strategies (53% ongoing). Key points:

  • City Manager’s Office/OIED: Proposed cuts of 3 FTEs (2 in media/communications, 1 vacant position moved to parking fund) and reduced contracts.
  • Convention and Cultural Services: Reduction of $291,000 in baseline, including eliminating marina aid vacancies, reducing a registrar position to half-time, and funding source changes.
  • DCR (Brian Pedro): Proposed $3.8 million reduction in FY27 need, including shifting to a voucher-based motel program (from $9.2M to ~$6M), renegotiating contracts ($8.8M savings), and opening microcommunities with cost recovery. Noted that new CalAIM billing and grants help offset costs.
  • Fire Department (Chief Chris Costamani): No sworn layoffs; reducing 2 fire assistant chiefs, eliminating vacant positions, and implementing dynamic staffing (brownouts). $4 million in lost hours due to injuries. Response times may increase.
  • Police Department (Chief Kathy Lester): Elimination of 62 FTEs (40 sworn, 22 professional). No sworn separations; 14 sworn through contract ends, 3 civilianized. Major impacts: eliminating mounted unit, reducing magnet academy, cutting ShotSpotter coverage to north area only, reducing canine, CSO, and recruiting units. Overtime backfill will be affected. Chief noted the department has already made numerous operational adjustments to preserve core patrol. Public comments included 15 speakers, with many opposing the microcommunity sites (particularly in North Natomas) and urging protection of police and fire budgets. Some speakers supported fully funding police and cutting DCR. Council members expressed opposition to across-the-board cuts, emphasized need to protect core services, and requested further data on 911 calls and cost-benefit analyses. No vote was taken; the item was received and filed.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Calendar items 1–13 all approved (8-0-1).
  • Resolution 2026-0066 (Weed and Rubbish Abatement) adopted (9-0).
  • Ordinance 2026-0008 (Sikh Kirpan) adopted (9-0).
  • Budget Work Session received and filed; council will continue hearings on March 17, March 24, and subsequent dates, with a final budget adoption expected in June.
  • Council comments included announcements of upcoming community events and town halls.
  • Meeting adjourned in memory of Josephine Davila.

Meeting Transcript

Okay. Calls meeting order, please call the roll. Councilmember Kaplan. Councilmember Dickinson. Vice Mayor Talamantes. Councilmember Pluckybaugh. Councilmember Maple. Here. We expect Mayor Pro Tem Gata momentarily. Councilmember Jennings. Councilmember Vang. Here. And Mayor McCarty. You have a quorum. Thank you. Councilmember Kaplan, can you please lead us in the land acknowledgement and pledge? We are rising to for the opening acknowledgments in honor of Sacramento's indigenous people and tribal lands. To the original people of this land, the Nissanon people, the Southern Maidu, the Valley and Plains Miwok, the Putwin Wintune peoples, and the people of 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' histories, contributions, and lives. Please remain standing. Flash. I agree to the flag of the United States of America and just republic for which we stand. One nation under God and divisible with liberty and justice for all. City attorney, do you have a report out from closed session? No, no report out. So, Mayor, we move to special presentations. Um, we've got women's history month being presented by council member Kaplan. Thank you. Councilmember. Thank you, Mayor. Excuse me. So, Mayor, Council residents and colleagues, we stand here March 2026 to observe women's history month. Historically, this is a time for speeches that look backward. A time to honor our suffragists, our trailblazers, and the pioneers who broke down barriers. But as women serving in local government today, it's incumbent upon us not to only look back. I must look forward. And what I see right now is a moment that demands not just celebration, but profound resilience and resistance. We are in a time where the very foundation of equality we assumed were permanent are being tested. We are witnessing a systematic effort to roll back decades of progress on reproductive freedom, to threaten the safety of our LGBTQI neighbors, and to chip away at the economic security of women and particularly women of color. When federal policies seek to define our existence, restrict our health choices, and silence survivors, it feels at times like we are moving backwards. But I refuse to believe that the future is already written for us by someone else. That is why the work we do on this council is more critical than ever. When national leadership turns its back on equality, it's up to the council to be the first line of defense. If they try to restrict health access, we must ensure our city remains a sanctuary for care and privacy for our immigrants and our LGBTQ community. If they try and push women out of the workforce through economic pressure, we must support local businesses owned by women and advocate for pay equity in our city budget. If they try to undermine diversity, equity, and inclusion, we must double down on making our city halls and our local boards a reflective of our diverse community. History teaches us that women have always been at the forefront of creating change during times of crisis. We do not need to wait for permission to protect our residents. We have the power right here to protect the right of every woman in this community. So therefore, I challenge my colleagues as we look at this month and beyond to be vocal.

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