Sacramento County Board of Supervisors Meeting - July 2, 2024

This meeting of the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors began at 9:12 AM and adjourned after 2:00 PM. Supervisors Desmond, Frost, Hume, and Kennedy were present (Supervisor Cerna absent). The board addressed a wide range of items including consent calendar approvals, a public hearing on a service charge, a zoning code amendment to comply with state law, a controversial infill subdivision in Orangevale, the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) grant program, affordable housing reports, the Housing Choice Voucher program update, the annual risk management report, and the Child Protective Systems Oversight Committee’s annual report and the county’s response. Several public comments were heard, and the board took unanimous votes on most items, with some amendments.

Consent Calendar

• Items 2 through 69 were approved unanimously. Supervisor Frost highlighted two items: Item 31 (South Sacramento Safe Routes to School contract) and Item 62 (MOU with Federally Qualified Health Centers for school-based health center referral program). Public comment was heard on Item 2 from Beth Hassett (CEO of Weave), thanking the board for funding to support domestic violence victims in Citrus Heights.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 2 (Consent): Beth Hassett expressed support for the allocation, noting it will help open a shelter for domestic violence victims and their children in Citrus Heights, an underserved area.
• Item 72 (Hazel Avenue Project): Karim Nujem, representing neighbors, opposed the project, arguing the community was not properly heard due to scheduling and location of meetings. He urged the board to either reject the rezoning or postpone the decision.
• Item 73 (TOT Grants): Michelle Benihauff (Michael Ziegler Pride Industries Foundation) thanked the board for past support and shared a success story of a person with a disability who gained employment through the funded helpline.

Discussion Items

• Item 70 (CSA 10 Service Charge – Garcia Rivera Subdivision): Public hearing held; no public comments. The board received one ballot in favor (100% of protest ballots in favor). Approved unanimously.
• Item 71 (2023 State Legislative Zoning Update): Staff presented a comprehensive zoning code amendment to incorporate state law changes. Supervisor Hume expressed concerns about loss of local control, particularly regarding ADU setbacks, sidewalk vendors, and short-term rentals. Supervisor Kennedy noted potential for future review of pre-2020 ADU short-term rental rules. No public comments. Approved unanimously.
• Item 72 (Community Plan Amendment, Rezone, Tentative Subdivision Map – Hazel Avenue): Applicant proposed 23 single-family lots and 12 half-plexes (36 total) on 4.63 acres in Orangevale, with a density of 7.6 du/acre (RD10 zoning). Staff noted extensive community opposition at CPAC, but the project was designed to mitigate impacts (single-story perimeter, orientation). Supervisor Frost supported the project, citing infill goals and developer responsiveness. Supervisor Hume seconded, noting that rejecting the project could lead to more intense development. Public comment opposed. Approved unanimously.
• Item 73 (TOT Grant Program 2024-25): Chief Fiscal Officer Amanda Thomas presented highlights from prior cycles and recommendations for the current cycle. Supervisor Hume amended the district allocation, moving $8,000 from the Air Show and Cordova Community Council to the Sacramento Literacy Foundation. Approved unanimously.
• Item 74 (Annual Reports – Housing Trust Fund, Affordable Housing Ordinance, etc.): Christine Weigert (SHRA) presented. The report was received and filed. No public comments.
• Item 75 (2025 One-Year Action Plan & Consolidated Plan Workshop): Stephanie Green (SHRA) presented draft CDBG projects. Supervisor Desmond inquired about agreement cities and administration costs. Received and filed. No public comments.
• Item 76 (Housing Choice Voucher Program Update): Mary Liz Paulson (SHRA) reported a funding shortfall due to rising rents, requiring policy changes (e.g., stopping new vouchers, limiting extensions). The county received $185 million allocation for 2024, with a potential shortfall of $4-6 million. Supervisor Desmond and Siobhan discussed coordination with county staff and data sharing. The board will hold a workshop on August 6. Received and filed.
• Item 77 (George Hill’s Company Annual Report – Risk Management): Presentation indicated a 29% increase in program costs, driven by a doubling of claims (weather-related and AB 218 child sexual abuse revival claims). Supervisor Desmond requested future disaggregation of data by department. Received and filed.
• Item 78 (CPS Oversight Committee 2023 Annual Report): Dr. Maynard Johnston and Chris Orr (DA’s office) presented findings, including challenges with the eSCARs system and high caseloads. They recommended increased funding for law enforcement investigators and continued eSCARs implementation. Supervisor Hume noted the correlation between poverty and abuse rates. Supervisor Desmond requested comparison with other urban counties. The report was received and filed.
• Item 79 (Response to CPS Oversight Committee Report): Melissa Lloyd (CPS) outlined strategies to improve supervision, case reviews, and kinship placement. The board expressed appreciation for the collaborative work. Received and filed.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar (Items 2-69): Approved unanimously.
• Item 70: Approved service charge for Garcia Rivera Subdivision (unanimous).
• Item 71: Approved zoning code amendment (unanimous).
• Item 72: Approved community plan amendment, rezone, tentative map, and permits for Hazel Avenue project (unanimous).
• Item 73: Approved TOT grant recommendations with amendment by Supervisor Hume (unanimous).
• Items 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79: Received and filed (unanimous).
• Appointments (Item 80): Various appointments and continuations approved (unanimous).
• Closed Session: Nothing to report.

Note: The transcript date states June 11, 2024, but the instruction specifies the meeting date as July 2, 2024. This summary uses the provided date.