Sacramento City Council Meeting - July 28, 2026

The Sacramento City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at 5:06 PM at City Hall, 915 I Street, Sacramento. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kevin McCarty and included a land acknowledgement, pledge of allegiance, and closed session report (none). The council received presentations from the 2026 Semester @ City Hall: Summer Edition program and adopted a Resolution of Intention to establish the Innovation Park Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD). The meeting recessed from 7:22 PM to 7:57 PM and adjourned at 9:13 PM.

Consent Calendar

• No items were listed on the consent calendar.

Public Comments & Testimony

• On Item 1 (Youth Presentations): One speaker, Hassan Badran, was called but not present; no public comments were made.
• On Item 2 (Innovation Park EIFD): 23 speakers provided testimony. The vast majority (including Jeff Dorso, representing the Sacramento Kings; Kevin Ferrer, Executive Director of Sacramento Sierra Building and Construction Trades Council; Doyle Radford, Business Manager of Laborers Local 185; John Rector, Operating Engineers Local 3; John Hershey, UA Local 447; Todd Schiabo, President of Building Trades; Lynn Lindsay, President of North Natomas Community Coalition; Curtis Pollins, 24-year resident; and many union representatives) expressed strong support for the EIFD, emphasizing job creation, the need for a hospital north of the river, and the fulfillment of the "Natomas Promise." Several speakers, including Jeff Dorso, argued that the city's proposed language (linking fund release to vertical construction of a catalytic project) would "kill the project." One speaker, Michael Bevins, suggested mixed-use design and equitable pricing. A later speaker, Dr. Alvin Chung, President and CEO of California North State University, stated the university has invested over $100 million in the hospital project year-to-date. One speaker, Omar Guiato, criticized the council for discussing banning individuals from chambers and urged support for undocumented immigrants. The council took a brief recess after disruptions during his comments.
• On Public Comments-Matters Not on the Agenda: 19 speakers addressed non-agenda topics. Several speakers (Brian Powers, A.J. Albano, Frances Liu, Evan Peterson, Fern Pascual, L.R. Roberts, Sierra Rose, Marcelina, Kevin Boltz) criticized the council for approving $800,000 in federal funding for Sacramento Police Department data sharing with the Central California Intelligence Center (fusion center), alleging it facilitates ICE cooperation and endangers immigrant communities. Speakers also criticized a "hot mic" moment where Mayor McCarty and Vice Mayor Talamantes discussed banning individuals from public comment. Others (Angela Andrews, Lambert Davis) raised personal grievances about city services. One speaker, Sebastian Hart, praised apprenticeship programs. Another, Rob Grow, did not appear.

Discussion Items

• Item 1: 2026 Semester @ City Hall: Summer Edition Presentations (File ID: 2026-01380)
  • Staff introduced the program: 80 youth invited, 49 participants presented four projects. The program offers rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors curriculum in civic engagement, activism, policy, and youth voice.
  • Project 1: "Start Today, Work Tomorrow" (Sporty Oranges) – Addressed lack of youth employment awareness. Survey of 76 respondents: 78 found difficulty finding jobs (56 due to lack of experience); 73% would pay attention to job postings on city social media; 88% never attended the youth resource fair, but 80% would attend if held more than once a year. Solutions: Better advertising (social media, schools, community centers) and hosting the job fair twice a year (including summer). Councilmembers praised the project and suggested linking to the Sacramento Employment Training Agency (SETA) and promoting multilingual resources.
  • Project 2: "Empowering Youth Voices for Mental Health" (Blues Prevention) – Survey of 117 respondents: 41.9% of youth don't feel comfortable speaking to someone they trust; 33.3% prefer mental health info via social media; 29.9% via friends/peers; top causes: academic pressure (46%) and family issues (46%). Solutions: Flyers, Instagram account, motivational and informational materials. Councilmembers discussed using social media safely and engaging school counselors.
  • Project 3: "Bin There, Do That!!" (Project Noir) – Addressed littering crisis. Sacramento collects 250,000 tons of waste annually; CBS News ranks Sacramento 2nd dirtiest city; 34,000 sanitation complaints in 2023; 52% of residents dissatisfied with city response (2026 Sacramento Bee survey). Group survey: 77% see littering at 6 or above on a 10-point scale; 50% admit to littering; 59% unaware of city's anti-littering actions; 81% didn't know about 311 program. Solutions: Billboards, more trash cans, improved signage, updated 311 app, community cleanups. Councilmembers noted alignment with a council proposal for illegal dumping gap analysis.
  • Project 4: "Sacramento Youth for Change" (Cardinals) – Addressed youth violence linked to poor mental health. Survey of 111 respondents: 54.1% witnessed/heard of violence in last 6 months; 95.5% said mental health is biggest contributor; 96% unaware of Measure L-funded programs. Measure L funds two youth violence prevention programs and 12 mental health programs, totaling $17,924,460. Solutions: Increase awareness of Measure L programs, update the Measure L website, and reopen the Youth Voice Survey with quarterly review by the mayor's office. Councilmembers suggested labeling programs as "Funded by Measure L" and improving website navigation.
• Item 2: Resolution of Intention to Establish the Innovation Park Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD) (File ID: 2026-01378)
  • Staff presented the proposal for the 183-acre former Sleep Train Arena site (Innovation Park). The site is privately owned (by Kings subsidiary and others). The EIFD would use property tax increment (not new taxes) to fund public infrastructure (roads, sewers, etc.) with a useful life of 15+ years. The catalyst project is a 350-400 bed California North State University teaching hospital, estimated at $1.5 billion. The resolution states no funds will be released until vertical construction of a catalytic economic development project (defined as 350,000+ sq ft, high-paying jobs, increased city revenue). The action is a first step; subsequent steps include public meetings, two public hearings, formation of a Public Financing Authority, and council approval of an infrastructure financing plan (targeted for early 2027).
  • Councilmember Kaplan moved to strike the language in red in Section 7 (the primary goal language) and direct staff to negotiate terms consistent with the April 30, 2024 term sheet, while still setting up the Public Financing Authority. Vice Mayor Talamantes seconded. Councilmembers Guerra, Dickinson, and others expressed support, noting the importance of the Natomas Promise, the need for a hospital north of the river, and the jobs and economic development opportunity. The motion passed 9-0.

Key Outcomes

• Item 1: Received and discussed all four youth presentations. No formal action taken; council members expressed appreciation and offered to share the youth's materials on social media and connect them with relevant city resources.
• Item 2: Adopted Resolution No. 2026-0221 as amended (9-0) to establish the Innovation Park Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD). The amendment struck the red language in Section 7 and directed staff to negotiate terms consistent with the April 30, 2024 term sheet. The council also approved the formation of the Public Financing Authority. The next steps include public meetings, public hearings, and returning to council with an infrastructure financing plan.
• Council Comments: Councilmembers announced upcoming National Night Out events (August 4, 2026) and community activities.
• City Manager's Report: Reminded residents of an upcoming extreme heat advisory and fire risk.
• Public Comments on Non-Agenda Items: Several speakers expressed opposition to the city's data sharing agreement with the Central California Intelligence Center and criticized council conduct. The meeting adjourned at 9:13 PM.