SAFCA Board of Directors Meeting - April 2, 2024
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SAFCA Board of Directors Meeting - April 2, 2024
The Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA) Board of Directors held a meeting on April 2, 2024. The board addressed routine consent items, received the executive director's report on construction progress and federal appropriations, appointed members to finance and policy committees, authorized a board member to serve on YOLO bypass executive committees, and continued a public hearing on an eminent domain action. Public comment was received on the eminent domain item.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Glenn Chidaris (resident of 7281 Nathomas Road) addressed the board on agenda item 9 (eminent domain). He expressed gratitude for improved communication from SAFCA staff and emphasized that when the agency takes property, it should maintain humanity. He noted that if the process had started as well as it finished, the matter would have been resolved a year ago.
Consent Calendar
- The board approved items 1 through 5 on the consent calendar by a unanimous voice vote (no opposition or abstentions). No public comments were received on consent items.
Discussion Items
- Executive Director's Report: Rick Johnson presented a brief report. Construction photos showed progress on a flood wall at Folsom Dike One and foundation work at the SAC weir and bypass fish passage. He reported that Congress passed the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, providing $13 million for the New Thomas project and $600,000 for the comprehensive study of the Yolo Bypass. The President's proposed FY2025 budget includes $34.4 million for Thomas and $600,000 for the Yolo Bypass study. No questions were asked.
- Establishing Finance and Policy Committees (Item 7): Director Kaplan volunteered for the finance committee (meets once a year or as needed), and Director Hume volunteered for the policy committee (had not met in two years). The board passed a resolution approving the appointments on a voice vote.
- Appointment to YOLO Bypass Executive Committees (Item 8): Vice Chair Holloway agreed to serve on executive committees of YOLO bypass related programs. The board authorized the chairman to make the appointment, approved by voice vote.
- Public Hearing on Eminent Domain (Item 9): The board considered a resolution authorizing eminent domain action for Sacramento County APN 226-0020-003 (property owners Joseph and Jennifer Prioriello). Director Avdis recused himself from this item and left the room. A motion was made and seconded to continue the matter for 30 days. The board voted in favor; no public comment was taken on the continuance.
Key Outcomes
- The consent calendar (items 1–5) was approved unanimously.
- Finance committee: Director Kaplan appointed; Policy committee: Director Hume appointed.
- Vice Chair Holloway appointed to serve on YOLO bypass executive committees.
- The public hearing on eminent domain for the Prioriello property was continued for 30 days.
- No votes were recorded as opposed or abstained on any item.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon. Welcome to the March 21st, 2024 meeting of the Safe Ga board of directors. Would the clerk please call the roll? Thank you. Director McCarthy Olmsted here. Director Frost? Here. Director Whom? Here. Chairman Kennedy. Here. Director Cerna. Here. Director Jennings. Director Kaplan. Director Talamantes. Director Holloway. Here. Dr. Johns? Here. Director Avdis. Director Baines. Director Conett. We have an 11 member quorum. Thank you. Would you please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which stands one nation under God. Indivisible with Liberty and Justice Raw. Madam Clerk, please read your announcement. Thank you. Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. This meeting of Safica is being live streamed at Metro 14Live.gov and will be recorded and re-aired on Metro Cable Channel 14 on Sunday, March 24th at 12 p.m. And also will be available on Safega's website within 48 hours after the meeting. Members of the audience who wish to address the board should fill out a speaker form located on the lectern if you have not already done so. When addressing the board, please identify yourself for the record and your comments to three minutes. Thank you. Thank you very much. I have one card uh for agenda item nine, Mr. Chidaris. Is that correct? Okay, thank you. Then do we have any public comments on items not on the agenda? I have not received any. All right. We will recess to close session. All right, come back to order. Would the clerk please call the roll? Yes.
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