Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
The city's Personnel and Public Employee Committee convened on September 29, 2026, to receive and review the annual reports of five charter officers appointed by the city council: City Attorney Gustavo Martinez, City Auditor Parisha, City Clerk Mindy Keppy, City Manager Mara Keisha Smith, and City Treasurer John Colville. The meeting centered on their offices' recent work, caseloads, financial impacts, challenges, and goals for the upcoming fiscal year. The committee voted unanimously to forward all reports to the full city council.
Annual Report: City Attorney (Gustavo Martinez) – Martinez presented the office's report for fiscal year 2526, highlighting 10,500 legal assignments, 457 active civil cases (209 new, roughly four per week), and a staff of 54 out of 62 budgeted positions. He noted a significant spike in litigation costs, with outside counsel billing $350–$600 per hour compared to in-house costs of $98–$160. The office is managing 33 amicus briefs and three direct lawsuits against the Trump administration. Councilmembers expressed strong support for a proposed litigation incentive pay program to attract and retain seasoned litigators and reduce reliance on expensive outside counsel. Vice Chair Kaplan and Vice Mayor Telemonte voiced strong support for filling vacancies. Martinez stated his 'why' is the office's respectful, DEI-focused culture and the ability to see the direct impact of their work on the community.
Annual Report: City Auditor (Parisha) – Parisha reported completing eight projects, including audits of the city's homeless response, emergency medical services, and Measure L. Since 2010, the office has identified $100 million in potential benefits, with $41.9 million realized. Over 150 recommendations were tracked, with more than 60 implemented. The office is now fully staffed and launched a fellowship program with California State University, Sacramento. Goals for 2027 include leveraging AI for audit efficiencies, expanding the fellowship, and enhancing audit recommendation tracking and implementation. Councilmember Vang praised the office's work on the language access and Measure L audits. Parisha stated her 'why' is the ability to see the community impact of her office's recommendations.
Annual Report: City Clerk (Mindy Keppy) – Keppy reported that her office staffed 271 public meetings, processed 1,700 staff reports, and managed 5,000 public records requests (82% closed within 10 days). The June 2026 primary election was successfully managed without a November runoff. The office assisted in the recruitments for city manager and city attorney. Priorities for the coming year include a new agenda management platform for improved accessibility, a citywide commission effectiveness assessment, and updating the city's records retention schedule. Keppy stated her 'why' is demystifying public agencies and ensuring the public and council have the tools they need to participate and make informed decisions.
Annual Report: City Manager (Mara Keisha Smith) – Smith detailed her first eight months, closing a $66.2 million general fund budget gap and helping adopt a $1.7 billion budget. She launched the 'One City, One Future' strategic plan. Key statistics included a 28% decrease in shootings, 42% decrease in homicides, 2,800 potholes patched, and 418,000 service requests handled through 311. She emphasized strengthening accountability, improving internal coordination, and a renewed focus on quality-of-life issues. Councilmembers praised her communication, community presence, and leadership. Smith stated her 'why' is creating a legacy for underrepresented communities and ensuring equitable services across the city.
Annual Report: City Treasurer (John Colville) – Colville reported the office manages $2.1 billion in assets. Highlights included a $5.65 million savings from bond refunding, $12 million in investment earnings returned to the general fund, and the SAFE (SCRS) pension fund reaching a 115% funding status. The office is working on a social responsible investing policy. Succession planning is a key concern due to the office's average age of 56. Colville stated his 'why' is his team and seeing capital projects tangibly improve the city. Councilmembers recognized the office's critical role in generating revenue and emphasized supporting competitive compensation to fill vacancies.
I'd like to welcome you to the September 29th meeting of the personnel and public employee committee. This meeting is now called to order. Will the clerk please call roll to establish a quorum? Thank you, Chair. Vice Mayor Talamontes. And Vice Chair Kaplan. Here. And Councilmember. Here. Sorry about that. And Chair Jennings. Here. We have a quorum. Thank you. Thank you very much. Before we begin, a brief reminder for the members of the public in attendance if you wish to speak or submit comments. Would you please fill out the online form by scanning the QR code in the back at the back of the room or on the back page of the agenda? Handouts are located near the front, and City Clerk Office staff is available in the lobby to assist. You will have two minutes to speak. You can speak up to four items with the time displayed on the screen behind me. Today's meeting is live streamed on YouTube in English and Spanish. The captions and translations are AL generated, and they may contain errors. We will now proceed with today's agenda. Vice Mayor Telemonte, would you please lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance and the land acknowledgement? Please rise for the opening acknowledgments in honor of Sacramento's Indigenous People and Tribal Lands. To the regional people of this land, the Nissan people, the Southern Maidu, Valley and Plains Meanwalk, Patwin Winton peoples, and the people of the Voltime 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 together today in the active practice of acknowledgement and appreciation for Sacramento's Indigenous Peoples history, contributions, and lives. Thank you. Salute. Pledge. And to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God in the world with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Vice Mayor. We will now proceed to the discussion calendar. Item one is the annual report for City Council appointed officer, city attorney. Is there a staff presentation? Yes. I'm sorry, Vice Mayor has a question before we start. Um so today is our annual review for all our charter officers. And after this, we will have a closed session with the entire mayor and council with each individual charter officer to go over performance evaluation, suggestions, recommendations, and overall feedback. And our goal is to do this every single year. So every year, right after council recess, every single charter officer should expect to come to personnel commission to do an annual report. Thank you. Okay, thank you.