Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
The Sacramento City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, from 5:04 p.m. to 6:29 p.m. at City Hall. The primary action was the unanimous declaration of a city-owned 102-acre parcel at 3100 Meadowview Road as surplus land under the California Surplus Land Act, initiating a 60-day notice of availability and subsequent negotiation process. The meeting also included a special presentation honoring community leader Señora Angelbertha Cobb on her 95th birthday. No consent calendar items were considered.
Item 1: Declaration of Surplus Land – 102-Acre Parcel (File ID 2026-01324)
Staff Presentation: Ginger Weagraff (Economic Development) explained that the city purchased the land in 2022. A feasibility study showed at least $50 million needed for infrastructure, making a private partner essential. A $500,000 grant application for pre-development work was unsuccessful in 2025. In January 2026, a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) found that none of the three submissions met the conditions for an exemption under the Surplus Land Act (specifically Exemption H, which would have required significant affordable housing tied to non-residential uses). Staff concluded the only viable path is the traditional surplus land process: a 60-day Notice of Availability, then at least 90 days of good-faith negotiation with qualified entities. Tonight's action does not approve a sale or specific project; any future development agreement requires council approval. Community engagement produced eight guiding principles (affordable housing, community center, civic amenities, natural features like open parks, connectivity, equitable neighborhoods, job/education opportunities) that staff will embed in the Notice of Availability.
Councilmember Mai Vang (District 8) spoke of her long-standing commitment to a community-led process, referencing the 102 Acres Advisory Committee formed to ensure continuity. She highlighted that eight guiding principles will be incorporated and that a Disposition and Development Agreement (DDA) coming back to council will include legally enforceable public benefits. She moved to adopt the resolution with the guiding principles embedded, directing staff to negotiate a DDA consistent with the Surplus Land Act.
Councilmember Eric Guerra raised the possibility of retaining 8–10 acres for a potential new animal shelter, citing the Front Street shelter's limitations and the Animal Well-Being Commission's needs assessment. He asked if the city could later rescind surplus status on a portion for city use. Staff (Richard Sanders, Facilities & Real Property Superintendent) confirmed the city could declare only a portion surplus, issue a Notice of Availability on the remainder, and if later determined that a portion is needed for city purposes, council could rescind the surplus declaration on that portion.
Vice Mayor Karina Talamantes asked how the city evaluates proposals with equal affordable housing numbers (e.g., 25% affordability and same unit count). Richard Sanders explained the Surplus Land Act prioritizes first the highest number of affordable units, then the greatest depth of affordability (lowest AMI). The city can negotiate with multiple respondents and place additional priorities (e.g., guiding principles) in the solicitation. Council ultimately reviews and approves any final agreement.
Mayor Kevin McCarty emphasized that the city retains leverage through the DDA and zoning process, and that the eight community priorities should serve as the "North Star" for evaluation. He reaffirmed that the 102 Acres Advisory Committee will continue to advise as the project advances.
Councilmember Roger Dickinson asked about the parcel map: the southwest corner is already excluded for a planned water reservoir by the Department of Utilities. He supported directing public works to evaluate feasibility of setting aside acreage for an animal shelter before issuing the Notice of Availability.
Councilmember Lisa Kaplan commended the community engagement process and supported moving forward.
The motion by Councilmember Vang, seconded by Mayor McCarty, carried unanimously 8-0 (Councilmember Caity Maple absent).
Please call the roll for the Sacramento City Council hearing. Thank you, Mayor. Council Kaplan. Councilmember Kaplan. Councilmember Dickinson. Vice Mayor Talamantes. Councilmember Plucky Bong. Councilmember Maple will be absent. Mayor Pro Tem Gatta. Presente. Councilmember Jennings. Here. Councilmember Vang. Here. And Mayor McCarty. Here. You have a quorum. Thank you. Councilmember Vane. Can you lead us in the land acknowledgement? Yes. Please rise if you're able. To the original people of this land, the Nissanon people, the Southern Maidu, Valley and Plains Miwok, Putwin, and Wentu Peoples, and the people of Walton 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 land by choosing to gather today in the active practice of acknowledgement and appreciation for Sacramento 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, liberty, and justice for all. So City Attorney, do you have a report out from closed session? Thank you. And mayor, we have one special presentation this evening. Yes. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Madam Clerk, and members of the council. You know, she has been such a pillar for the community, a person who has provided energy, spirit, uh, the the ganas to keep people moving, and a fighter for justice, one who has focused on education, one who's been recognized uh, you know, humbly at the national level uh in making sure that our our cultures and practices continue on. Uh she had the opportunity early on to lead the danza at the White House for Jimmy Carter. Uh, you know, and but more importantly, as a personal aspect of me, she helped and participated in the early organizations here of Los Comité Patrioticos to making sure that even in times where uh you know people did not lose their culture and identity, uh, and also I helped with the development of uh one of the first uh indigenous tribal community colleges, do Q University, which my mother had an opportunity to go there and uh study it for her uh AA degree as well. Uh and so today, you know, we have an opportunity to celebrate uh her contributions as well. She's uh today uh uh accompanied by uh an amazing group of women, Las Tres Hermanas, the the three uh um you know great leaders here, uh Miss Lupe Portillo, Mr. Peck as well, and uh you know as well, uh, who have been champions. Uh and for anyone who's had an opportunity to go to the Washington elementary school and to see you know their dedication, another set of murals, uh only cataloging more of the work that they've done. We are uh honored to have them here at City at City Hall. And uh and if anything, this weekend, you know, they she was recognized uh by her uh community, recognized by multiple generations uh at the dedication in South Side Park. Uh most excitingly, um, you know, she is uh just celebrated uh of a very young age of 94 years old, felice cumpleaños. Let's give her a big round of applause. And and let me tell you something.