Sacramento County Board of Supervisors Meeting - November 6, 2025
Sacramento County Board of Supervisors Meeting - November 6, 2025
Note: The transcript repeatedly states the meeting date as Tuesday, November 4, 2025, but the provided metadata indicates the meeting took place on 2025-11-06T13:20:26+00:00. This summary uses the metadata date but notes the discrepancy.
The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors convened on November 6, 2025, to address a broad agenda including consent calendar items, public hearings, budget approvals, land use projects, and a major annual report on the Black Child Legacy Campaign. The meeting featured extensive community testimony, unanimous votes on most items, and forward-looking discussions on economic development, housing, and public safety.
Consent Calendar
- Approved items 3 through 44 with a unanimous vote, after pulling several items for separate discussion: items 7 (Watt Avenue Safe Stay contract amendment), 13 (Oxford Property final map), and 32 (MOU with City of Sacramento for community prosecution). Item 32 was separately voted, with Supervisor Rodriguez voting no for consistency with a prior budget position.
- Appointments were confirmed: Brian Gluley as County Surveyor (item 14) and Todd Sturmer as Clerk of the Board (item 4). Both introduced themselves to the board.
- Public comments were received on item 17 (Oveha Branch Solar Board Review). Speakers opposed the project, citing environmental impacts and disruption of natural habitat, though staff noted the speaker might have been referring to a different project (Coyote Creek).
Public Comments & Testimony
- On consent item 17: Rodrigo Arbancipia expressed conditional support for clean energy but opposed the location due to environmental destruction. Darcella Rittwright opposed the solar project on Coyote Creek (possibly confused item) and advocated for solar carports instead of disrupting oak trees.
- On item 48 (4748 Ingles Road multifamily conversion): Two residents spoke in opposition. Amber Viegas, representing MONA and a neighbor, argued that the project fails to meet fire code requirements based on engineering reviews, and noted the adjacent convalescent home would be affected. Catherine Cook, President of Mission Oaks North Neighborhood Association, said the project is identical to a previous rejected proposal, lacks adequate parking, and would harm neighborhood character.
- Extensive public testimony on item 51 (Black Child Legacy Campaign annual report) featured over 20 speakers, including community leaders, program participants, and youth. Speakers universally praised the campaign, sharing personal stories of lives saved, families supported, and the transformative impact of community-driven prevention. Key themes included the need for sustained funding, the success of the Cultural Broker model, the importance of safe sleep education, maternal health support (Black Mothers United), and youth programs like Kings & Queens Rise and Ball Out Academy. Several speakers urged the board to continue unapologetic investment, noting that progress is threatened by potential funding cuts.
Discussion Items
- Item 45 – County Service Area No. 1 Benefit Category Change: Staff presented a proposal for the New Green Apartments project to change benefit category from safety/light only to enhanced street and safety light non-residential, increasing annual charge from $2.56 to $470.98. The public hearing was held, one ballot received (100% in favor), and the board adopted the resolution unanimously.
- Item 46 – SHRA 2026 Proposed Budget: The Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA) presented a $341 million budget. Key points: 70% of funding from federal HUD, 30% from state/local sources. Housing assistance payments are rising due to inflation; capital projects declining. Executive Director James Shields discussed federal shutdown risks (day 35), but December funding expected. SHRA is converting public housing units via RAD and P3 partnerships. Supervisor Kennedy raised concerns about high police call volume at St. Clair at Capitol Park (over 700 calls), and the need for a good neighbor policy. Item passed unanimously.
- Item 2 – Service Award for Gary Hughes: Gary Hughes was recognized for 25 years of county service, starting in Child Support and now in DPS. The board expressed gratitude for his dedication.
- Item 47 – Economic Development Strategic Plan: Director Crystal Bethke presented a five-year plan updated after a year of data analysis and community engagement. The plan focuses on three pillars: resources, communication, partnerships. Supervisor Hume criticized the plan for underemphasizing agriculture in District 5. Supervisor Kennedy suggested a lean methodology for process improvement. Supervisor Rodriguez highlighted the need to generate revenue to address structural deficits. The board approved the plan unanimously, with a request to bring forward an arts in public places ordinance in 2026.
- Item 48 – 4748 Ingles Road Multifamily Conversion: Proposal to convert an office building into 16 market-rate one-bedroom apartments. Staff recommended approval subject to conditions. Supervisor Desmond moved approval, noting it improves a vacant blighted property and provides needed housing. Supervisor Hume supported, noting the state's erosion of local control on development. Despite opposition from neighbors, the board voted unanimously to approve.
- Item 49 – North Watt Avenue Specific Plan Initiation: Staff proposed initiating a specific plan for a 4-mile corridor to address development barriers. The plan will include an EIR and aim for adoption by November 2026. Unanimously approved.
- Item 50 – Sacramento Welcome Homes Quarter 1 Report: Director Shelby Boston presented data on the county-run shelters for youth. 107 unduplicated youth served, average length of stay 5 days. Incidents decreased slightly. A policy on incentivizing positive behaviors was approved. Future goal to end county operation of welcome homes by end of fiscal year. Item passed unanimously.
- Item 51 – Black Child Legacy Campaign Annual Report (FY 23-24): The multi-departmental presentation highlighted the collective impact model. Data showed mixed progress: 61% reduction in child abuse/neglect homicides, 30% reduction in infant sleep-related deaths, but increases in perinatal condition deaths and third-party homicides. The campaign has invested over $95 million since 2013-14. New 10-year strategic plan aims to eliminate disparities. The board received the report and praised the work, committing to continued investment.
- Item 53 – County Executive Comments: Annouced that Election Day polls close at 8 PM; 915,000 ballots mailed; 700 temporary workers deployed.
- Reports and Announcements: Supervisor Rodriguez requested an amendment to the noise ordinance regarding plainly audible standards for amplified sound from 10 PM to 7 AM, and a quarterly attendance report for commissions. Supervisor Hume recounted a serendipitous meeting with descendants of a former 5th District supervisor. Supervisor Desmond thanked staff for representing the county on unfunded mandates. Chair Cerna thanked colleagues for a productive joint meeting with city mayors and proposed a new tradition of recognizing community members at the end of the chair's term.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar: Adopted unanimously, with separate votes on items 7, 13, and 32. Supervisor Rodriguez dissented on item 32.
- Item 45: Resolution adopted to levy increased service charges for New Green Apartments (unanimous).
- Item 46: SHRA 2026 budget approved unanimously. Directives to separate city/county funding breakdown and to improve good neighbor policies for housing projects.
- Item 47: Economic Development Strategic Plan approved unanimously. Board requested a 2026 framework for arts in public places and better integration of agriculture.
- Item 48: Use permit and related entitlements for Ingles Road conversion approved (unanimous).
- Item 49: Initiation of North Watt Avenue Specific Plan approved (unanimous).
- Item 50: Welcome Homes report received and policy approved (unanimous).
- Item 51: Annual report on Black Child Legacy Campaign received and filed. Board expressed strong continued support.
- Adjournment: Meeting adjourned in memory of Amy Finley, a community advocate from Foothill Farms.
Meeting Transcript
I'd like to call to order this meeting of the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors for Tuesday. Please call the role and establish a quorum. Good morning, Supervisors Kennedy. Desmond Rodriguez. Here. Hugh. Chair Cerna. Here. We do have a quorum. Thank you. Can please read our statement. This meeting of the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors is live and recorded with closed captioning. It is cable cast on Metro Cable Channel 14, the local government affairs channel on the Comcast and Direct TV versus cable systems. It is also live streamed at Metro 14Live.gov. Today's meeting replays Friday, November 7th at 6 o'clock PM on Metro Cable Channel 14. Once posted, the recording of this meeting can be viewed on demand at YouTube.com slash Metro Cable 14. The Board of Supervisors fosters public engagement during the meeting and encourages public participation, civility, and the use of courteous language. The board does not condone the use of profanity, vulgar language, gestures, or other inappropriate behavior, including personal attacks or threats directed towards any meeting participant. Seating is limited and available on a first come, first served basis. Each speaker will be given two minutes to make a public comment or limit it to making one comment per agenda off agenda item. Please be mindful of the public comment procedures to avoid being interrupted while making your comment. Comments made by the public during Board of Supervisors meetings may include information that could be inaccurate or misleading, particularly concerning topics related to public health, voter registrations and elections. The county of Sacramento does not endorse or validate the accuracy of public statements made during these open public forums. The recordings are shared to provide transparency and access to the proceedings of public meetings. To make an in-person comment, please fill out a speaker request form and hand it to clerk staff. The chairperson will open public comments for each agenda off agenda item and direct the clerk to call the name of each speaker. When the clerk calls your name, please come to the podium and make your comment. If a speaker is unavailable to make a comment prior to the closing of public comments, the speaker waves their request to speak, and the clerk will file the speaker request form in the record. The clerk will manage the timer and allow each speaker two minutes to make a comment. Off agenda, public comments will take place for a maximum of 30 minutes. The remainder of the agenda comments will take place at the conclusion of the time matters in the afternoon. You may send written comments by email to board clerk at Sat County.gov. Your comment will be routed to the board and filed in the record. If you need an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act or for medical or other reasons, please see clerk staff for assistance or contact the clerk's office at 916-8745451 by email or at board clerk at Sat County.gov. Thank you in advance for your courtesy and understanding of the meeting procedures. Very good. If you would please rise and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. Again, I'd like to welcome everyone to today's Sacramento County Board of Supervisors proceedings. Another friendly reminder that uh if you choose to address the board on any matter that's on our posted agenda or any matter that's not on our agenda, certainly welcome to do so. We ask that you please complete a speaker slip, get that speaker slip to the clerk. Uh you can give it to her staff and the backup chambers. Uh I will call you in order that I receive those slips. And uh if we could please keep your testimony to two minutes, we would greatly appreciate it. That way anyone who wishes to address the board has that opportunity to do so. All right. With that, Madam Clerk, our first item. Item number one is public comments relating to manners not on the posted agenda. We have not received any public comment requests. Very good, thank you. Next item.
openpublica.com