Sacramento City Council Regular Meeting Summary – September 1, 2026

The Sacramento City Council met in joint session with the City Financing Authority, Housing Authority, Public Financing Authority, and Redevelopment Agency Successor Agency on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 2:02 p.m. at City Hall. Eight members were present (Councilmember Caity Maple absent on maternity leave), and the meeting was adjourned at 4:06 p.m. in memory of Jorge Acevedo. The council took action on a consent calendar of 13 items, held one public hearing, and approved two discussion items, along with receiving public comments on both agenda items and matters not on the agenda.

Consent Calendar

• Adopted Resolution No. 2026-0234 confirming mayoral appointments to standing committees and regional bodies.
• Passed Motion No. 2026-0237 confirming Innovation Park Public Financing Authority appointments (Heather Fargo, Seat A; Alyssa Lozano, Seat B).
• Passed for publication an ordinance amending Entertainment Zones (Section 12.50.040) for consideration September 15, 2026; Councilmember Kaplan requested a future report analyzing fees and economic impacts.
• Authorized five-year, not-to-exceed $750,000 professional services agreements with Ralph Andersen & Associates and Tri Star Gov Solutions for citywide recruitment.
• Adopted Resolution No. 2026-0235 transferring $680,598 from Gang Prevention to the Office of Violence Prevention (ARPA replacement).
• Passed for publication the Centerpointe at Natomas Crossing Commercial Development (rezoning, tentative map, tree permit); Councilmember Kaplan confirmed pedestrian/bike connections were included.
• Awarded $2,141,141 contract to ARB, Inc. for Richards Boulevard Storm Drainage Improvements (Resolution 2026-0236).
• Approved contract supplements for fire apparatus maintenance and repairs (total increases of $200,000).
• By two-thirds vote, authorized a five-year $3,350,000 ammunition contract with San Diego Police Equipment Company, suspending competitive bidding.
• Adopted Resolution No. 2026-0237 for the Vision Zero School Safety Project, awarding $1,690,212 construction contract to Tim Paxon’s Pacific Excavation and $416,535 professional services to UNICO Engineering; Mayor Pro Tem Guerra highlighted the project’s safety benefits near schools.
• Awarded $554,765 floodgate inspection contract to Mead & Hunt, Inc.
• Approved supplement to 4Leaf, Inc. master services agreement, increasing not-to-exceed amount to $2,000,000 and extending to December 31, 2028.
• Approved supplement to fuel site testing contract with Kaiser Commercial Petroleum for an additional $220,000 (total $1,457,500).

Public Comments & Testimony (Consent Calendar)

• Lambert Davis criticized Councilmember Pluckebaum for absenteeism and urged him to be present when district funds are allocated.
• Annabelle Gonzalez recited a poem about Arena Boulevard, levee risks, and past flooding, opposing shelter placement on Arena.

Public Hearing

• Item 14: Railyards Special Sign District – Subdistrict 2 (Static Digital Signs for Large Entertainment Venues) – Staff presented an amended ordinance allowing static digital signs on historic structures with operational changes (e.g., five-minute display changes during events, dawn-to-midnight operations). The council opened and closed the public hearing with no speakers. Motion by Pluckebaum, second by Dickinson, passed 7-1 (Vang opposed). Adopted Ordinance No. 2026-0020 and Motion No. 2026-0245.

Discussion Items

• Item 15: Thirteenth Amendment to Sacramento Zoological Society Operating Agreement – Staff and zoo leadership presented the amendment to continue exploring a zoo expansion within William Land Park (proposed ~5.6 acres: former pony ride parcel and northern extension). Community engagement included surveys (over 1,000 responses, 97% supporting retention/improvement), workshops, and working group meetings. Public comments were mixed: many supported expansion (educators, veterinarians, volunteers), while neighborhood groups raised concerns about traffic, parking, preservation of the Swanson statue and gardens, tree canopy, and the need for continued community input. Councilmembers expressed strong support, noting the zoo’s 100-year history and the need for expansion to maintain AZA accreditation. Motion by Jennings, second by McCarty, passed 8-0. The amendment does not commit the city to a project; future CEQA review and council approval are required.

• Item 16: Grant Agreement with Urban Capital, LLC for Rio Linda Senior Housing HomeKey+ Project – The city housing manager reported on a conditional award of $31.8 million in state HomeKey+ funds for 100 units of permanent supportive housing for seniors, including 15 units for clients with developmental disabilities. The requested $786,091 pre-development grant would use HHAP-4 funds previously committed. The developer emphasized a cost-effective, innovative design (240 sq ft Boss Homes). One public speaker opposed the project, citing proximity to a daycare (500 feet from a proposed site at 3511 Arena Boulevard, which is a different location, but her comments were directed at this item). Councilmember Dickinson noted community engagement had improved initial opposition. Motion by Dickinson, second by McCarty, passed 6-0 (Guerra, Pluckebaum, Maple absent).

Public Comments & Testimony (Non-Agenda)

• Lambert Davis called for city recognition of the Del Paso Heights 80th anniversary organization and criticized lack of Measure U funding for his family business.
• Cheryl Davis (Moms Demand Action) urged an independent audit of the Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) and expedited release of CalVIP funds awarded in February, citing alleged mismanagement reported by the Sacramento Bee.
• Shelley Hudson echoed calls for an independent audit of OVP grants and expenditures, and re-evaluation of OVP’s placement under the police department, referencing councilmembers’ previous questions.
• Annabelle Gonzalez questioned the Department of Community Response’s (DCR) outcomes and transparency, specifically regarding the proposed micro-community at 3511 Arena Boulevard, and requested public data on program exits and costs.
• L.R. Roberts condemned ICE enforcement actions in Sacramento and urged council action against federal agents.
• Rick A. complained about threats from staff at a McDonald’s and lack of police response.
• Concerned Citizen raised a remote participation issue from the August 18 meeting and requested record access.
• Mary DuPla (gun violence survivor) stressed the urgency of releasing CalVIP funds and conducting an OVP audit, arguing that mismanagement costs lives.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar adopted unanimously (13 items).
• Public Hearing on Railyards digital sign ordinance passed 7-1.
• Zoo expansion 13th amendment passed 8-0.
• Rio Linda Senior Housing pre-development grant passed 6-0.
• Information Item 17 (parcel map) received and filed.
• Councilmembers provided reports on art installations and community events.
• City Manager reported on levee improvements, Camp Sacramento, arts scholarships, foster pet needs, and battery recycling.
• Meeting adjourned in memory of Jorge Acevedo, a longtime city IT specialist.