Sacramento City Council Special Meeting – March 24, 2026

Note: The agenda and minutes for this special meeting list only one information item (Notification of Parcel Map of 3225 D Street). However, the recorded transcript reveals that the council also conducted a concurrent regular meeting, discussing and voting on several substantive items including ADU design standards, an enhanced infrastructure financing district, the city auditor’s work plan, a contract for tiny homes, and early budget presentations. This summary reflects the full content of the concurrent meeting as captured in the transcript.

The meeting was called to order at 2:05 p.m. by Mayor Kevin McCarty and adjourned at 5:27 p.m. All nine council members were present. A land acknowledgement was led by Councilmember Maple, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Consent Calendar

• Items 1–6 and 8–13 were approved unanimously (9-0) after Item 7 was pulled for separate discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 16 (Tiny Homes): Michael Melton accused Brian Pedro (Director of Community Response) of lying about an RV removal and alleged misuse of funds. Melton argued that the city should build apartments instead of tiny homes without bathrooms or showers. He also criticized the focus on age 55+ residents, saying it excludes younger homeless individuals.
• Item 17 (Budget Work Session) and General Public Comment:
  • Public Bank: A dozen speakers urged the council to restore $250,000 for a public bank feasibility study (AB 857). Speakers included Dr. Harry Wong (public health), Katie McCammon (350 Sacramento), Diamond Lulo (Hiram Johnson Law Academy student), and others representing Sacramento Climate Coalition, Third Act, and SAC Act. They argued a public bank would keep city funds local, support affordable housing and small businesses, and reduce reliance on Wall Street.
  • Hiram Johnson Magnet Police Academy: Several students and staff (Brianna Wells, Garrett Kirkland, Diamond Lulo, Nancy Hernandez, James Vallejo) spoke passionately against proposed budget cuts. They highlighted the academy’s 100% graduation rate, mentorship, and positive impact on student confidence and leadership.
  • Code Enforcement / Housing Conditions: Twyconda Strain and Teresa Oliver described severe roach, rat, and mold infestations at 595 Santiago Avenue, alleging years of neglect and code violations. They called for action.
  • Budget Cuts: Keon Bliss criticized the budget process for disproportionately targeting small departments while sparing the police department from significant cuts.

Discussion Items

• Item 7 – ADU Design Standards for Historic Properties: Councilmember Maple pulled the item for separate discussion. She expressed concern that the new aesthetic standards (e.g., roof type, siding, windowsill and trim requirements) would increase costs and complexity for ADU builders in historic districts. She noted that most projects already comply, but the standards could force modern designs into a longer site plan review process. Preservation Director Sean DeCoursey explained the standards are meant to control the small percentage of poorly designed units and that the process remains ministerial for compliant projects. Councilmember Dickinson supported the standards, arguing they preserve historic character. Councilmember Pluckebaum also voiced concerns about cost and process. The resolution passed 7-2, with Maple and Pluckebaum voting no.
• Item 14 – District 2 Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD): Councilmember Dickinson introduced the proposal to study a tax-increment financing district for North Sacramento, citing decades of underinvestment in basic infrastructure (curbs, gutters, sidewalks, lighting). Staff presented a high-level analysis showing potential revenue but recommended a full fiscal impact analysis (3 months, ~20 staff hours plus consultant). Public speakers (Shantae Campbell, Andy Hernandez, Rob Kurth, John Vignocchi, Tim Smith, Nas) strongly supported the study, emphasizing equity, economic development, and the need to address infrastructure deficits. One speaker, Justin Wilson, raised concerns about risk to the general fund if projections fall short and suggested a more targeted approach. Council members expressed broad support, with Mayor McCarty noting the need to balance risks and rewards. The council directed staff to proceed with the fiscal impact analysis.
• Item 15 – City Auditor’s Work Plan for FY 26-27: City Auditor Farishta Ahrary presented the proposed work plan, which includes six new audits: homeless response protocol, police overtime practices, code enforcement operations, downtown safety/walkability assessment, urban forestry operations, and a financial management/budgeting forensic audit. The plan also rolls over some incomplete audits. The budget and audit committee had recommended removing some projects (e.g., special event permitting, code enforcement night team) and pausing the illegal cannabis cultivation audit. Councilmember Kaplan thanked the committee for including the police overtime audit. Councilmember Maple noted that the auditor’s office is already lean and that cuts to its staff would jeopardize completion of the work plan. The work plan was approved unanimously.
• Item 16 – Contract to Purchase 35 Tiny Homes for Roseville Road Campus: Brian Pedro (Director of Community Response) requested approval to suspend competitive bidding and purchase 35 additional tiny homes from Boss Cubes, using Encampment Resolution Fund (ERF) grant money. The initial 135-unit campus opened in February 2026 and has filled 71 units (89 people) in one month. Since opening, 303 individuals have been sheltered with 64 exits to permanent housing (44% of all exits). The additional 35 units will serve people from the Sacramento Northern Bike Trail area. The cost is covered by funds saved from the original purchase. Councilmember Kaplan questioned the long-term funding sustainability after ERF funds expire (obligated by Feb 2027, fully expended by Feb 2028). She also noted that the city manager has authority to approve emergency shelter contracts, and a proposal to require council approval for such contracts has not been scheduled. She voted no. The motion passed with one no (Kaplan) and one abstention.
• Item 17 – Early Budget Work Session: City Department Reports on Budget Reduction Strategies: The finance director presented a baseline $66.2 million deficit. Departments presented their 15% reduction proposals:
  • OPSA (Office of Public Safety Accountability): Eliminating 4 positions.
  • City Attorney: Proposed cutting 7 FTEs ($1.47M) but strongly advised against it, arguing that hiring two senior litigators could save $1.48M in outside counsel fees. Councilmember Dickinson asked for analysis of which cases could be brought in-house. Councilmember Kaplan noted the attorney’s office touches all city departments and that cuts would delay critical work.
  • City Auditor: Proposed three options: discontinue community survey ($34K), reduce training/computer expenses ($25K), or eliminate a senior analyst position (layoff). Councilmember Maple emphasized that cuts would delay audits.
  • City Clerk: Proposed cutting $242K (6% of budget) by eliminating one FTE and discontinuing office automation fund allocation. Clerk Mindy Cuppy raised concerns about rising costs for ethics commission complaints (average $14K per complaint) and suggested temporarily suspending the commission. Councilmember Kaplan asked about strategies to prevent abuse of the ethics complaint process.
  • City Treasurer: John Colville reported that his office is a net revenue generator (net $3.9M contribution to general fund) and proposed no cuts. He highlighted savings of $3.5M from refinancing, merchant fee elimination, and superior investment performance. Council members praised the office’s efficiency and argued against cuts.

Key Outcomes

• Item 7 (ADU Standards): Passed 7-2 (Maple and Pluckebaum voting no).
• Item 14 (EIFD): Council directed staff to proceed with a fiscal impact analysis (3 months, report back).
• Item 15 (Auditor Work Plan): Approved unanimously.
• Item 16 (Tiny Homes): Approved with one no (Kaplan) and one abstention.
• Item 17 (Budget Work Session): No action taken; presentations received for information. Council members provided direction to staff on priorities (e.g., preserving police overtime audit, examining public bank feasibility, considering ethics commission changes).
• Public Bank: Several council members (Maple, Vang, Dickinson) expressed support for continuing the feasibility study. Mayor McCarty asked the city treasurer to provide a memo on work done to date for future discussion.
• Hiram Johnson Magnet Academy: Council members heard public testimony opposing cuts; no formal vote on this item.