Sacramento County Board of Supervisors Meeting - May 24, 2024
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Sacramento County Board of Supervisors Meeting - May 24, 2024
This meeting of the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, chaired by Supervisor Kennedy, included public comments on off-agenda items, consent calendar approvals, presentations, a public hearing, and a development agreement amendment discussion. Highlights included extensive testimony from families impacted by sheriff's deputy shootings, concerns about working conditions at county welcoming homes, and a debate over a digital billboard development agreement.
Consent Calendar
- Items 2 through 56 were approved unanimously. The clerk noted revisions to item 11 (Watt EV innovative freight terminal project) with a one-word change in mitigation measure BR-2, and waived readings for items 19 (speed limit ordinance) and 33 (Sacramento County Water Agency ordinance).
- Public comment on item 11: Edith Thatcher (Environmental Council of Sacramento), Don Whitney (District 1 resident), and former Mayor Heather Fargo expressed concerns that the project does not adequately mitigate impacts to Swainson's hawk and giant garter snake, and urged the board to require an incidental take permit from California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Supervisor Cerna responded that the county's legal footing is strong and the project is part of a statewide electric freight network along I-5. The item remained on consent and was approved.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Election integrity (We the People group): Sandy, Debbie, and Catherine cited constitutional requirements for single-day elections and instructed the board to return to constitutional forms, warning that deviations nullify elections. They demanded a written response within 15 days.
- Road conditions: Tom Sirconek (Carmichael resident) displayed photos showing poor pavement conditions on Fair Oaks Boulevard, Cypress Avenue, and Pasadena Avenue, arguing the county's PCI ratings do not reflect the severity in Carmichael. He requested funding for road repairs.
- Sheriff's shootings and mental health crises: Multiple family members and advocates testified about deaths and injuries involving Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies:
- Lisa Naranjo, Erika Naranjo, and Damalia (granddaughter) demanded release of the sheriff's report for Jaime Naranjo (killed in 23 seconds during a mental health crisis), dropping charges against Caitlin Footman and Marquise Chapel, and return of Christopher Gilmore's cell phone. They stated the sheriff's department uses excessive force and needs mental health training.
- Meg White (District 4 resident) supported the families and noted that community wellness response teams (CWRT) are available but not dispatched to mental health calls. She urged policy changes and civilian oversight.
- Bobby and Jamie (sisters of Christopher Gilmore) described how their brother, unarmed and suicidal, was shot six times with rubber bullets and three times with lethal rounds after complying with officers. They demanded mental health training for all officers.
- Andrea News (mother of Marquise Chapel) stated her 18-year-old son was shot twice in the back by sheriff's deputies during a mental health episode and is now jailed. She demanded charges dropped.
- Heather Woodford (licensed clinical social worker) called for silence in memory of those affected, urging the board to consider that mental illness is not a crime.
- Ronald F. Owens Jr. presented data on COVID-19 vaccine injuries and deaths, asking the board to stop administering vaccines and investigate.
- Bike hit-and-run: Sherry Martinez and Kavai Floyd described an August 2023 incident where Martinez was struck by a driver (Caleb Tobman) who had prior violent priors. The DA has not pressed charges. They asked the board to hold the DA accountable.
- Cemetery space: Mark informed the board that burial space is running out, with only Oddfellow Cemetery affordable and about 5-10 years of capacity left. He urged starting planning for a new cemetery district via LAFCO.
- Welcoming homes conditions (Child Protective Services): Mike Gilbert (social worker), Priscilla, Angel McMurray, and Tess Red (union business agent) reported unsafe working conditions at county welcoming homes for children: over 20 staff assaults in nine months, drug use, lack of security, unsanitary conditions, and children feeling unsafe. They asked for better facilities, security, and resources. Supervisor Hume committed to meeting with the union to explore solutions.
Discussion Items
- Item 57 – Older Americans Month Proclamation: Melissa Jacobs (Deputy Director for Senior and Adult Services) presented the proclamation, noting that $500,000 from former Supervisor Natoli is preventing evictions and funding respite care. The board approved the proclamation.
- Item 58 – Adult & Aging Commission 5 over 50 Awards: A video showcased volunteers Margarita Chavez, Wayne Watts, Faye Gaines, and others who have volunteered over 111 combined years. The board presented resolutions and took a photograph.
- Item 59 – County Service Area No. 10, Benefit Zone No. 3 (Wildhawk Creek subdivision): Staff Don Pimentel explained the proposed annual service charge of $126.88 per single-family lot. After a public hearing with no protests, the board approved the levy unanimously.
- Item 60 – Sierra Gateway LLC Development Agreement Amendment: Staff Emma Patton reported that the applicant (Chris Vrame) has defaulted on annual payments since 2019, owing $320,000. The applicant requested to lower payments to $35,000/year, but staff recommended denial, citing lack of evidence of market stagnation and better alternatives. The applicant later proposed 25% of gross lease revenue. Supervisor Hume moved to find the applicant in default (unanimous), then the board voted unanimously to continue the item for up to 60 days for further negotiation of the amendment terms.
- Nominations and appointments (Item 61): Several appointments were continued to June 4, June 11, or July 9. The Community Review Commission was continued to June 11. Michael Whiteside was reappointed to the Fair Oaks Cemetery District (subject to waiver).
Key Outcomes
- Consent calendar (items 2-56) approved unanimously.
- Item 59 (Wildhawk Creek service charge) approved unanimously.
- Item 60: The board unanimously found the applicant in default and continued the matter for up to 60 days for negotiation.
- Appointments: Multiple councils and committees continued; Michael Whiteside reappointed.
- Supervisor Frost requested county counsel investigate COVID-19 vaccine concerns raised by Ronald Owens and respond within 10 days to election integrity questions from the We the People group. County Executive Allison Williams announced the FY2024-25 budget release on Friday, May 24, noting a celebrated deputy probation officer's kindness to a client.
Meeting Transcript
Now we have 21 seconds. Good morning. Welcome to the May 21st meeting of the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors. Would the clerk please call the role? Yes, Supervisor Cerna. Here. Frost. Here. Hume. Here. Kennedy. Here. And you have a quorum. Let the record reflect that Supervisor Desmond is uh not present today. Would you please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance? I pledge allegiance to the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Amen. This meeting of the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors is Cable Cast Live on Metro Cable 14, the local government affairs channel on the Comcast, Consolidated Communications, and ATU verse cable systems. The meeting is closed captioned and live streamed at Metro14Live.sackCounty.gov and can be heard live for free on 96.5 FM KUBU radio. Today's meeting will be repeated Friday, May 24th at 6 p.m. on Channel 14. The Board of Supervisors fosters public engagement during the meeting and encourages public participation, civility, and 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 and are limited to making one comment per agenda or off agenda item. Please be mindful of the public comment procedures to avoid being interrupted while making your comment. To make a comment in person, please fill out a speaker request form and hand it to clerk staff. The chairperson will open public comments for each agenda or 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. You may also send written comments by email to board clerk at SACCounty.gov and your comments 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 or assistance or contact the clerk's office at 916-8745451 or by email at Boardclerk at SACCounty.gov. Thank you in advance for your courtesy and understanding of the meeting procedures. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Would you please call the first item? Our first item is public comments relating to matters not on the posted agenda. And do we have any members of the public that would like to address the board and matters not on the agenda? We do. We have about 21 public comments, and I'm going to bring them up for you. Thank you. And our first person is Sandy. If you can come down to the podium. Okay, so is that order correct? And Debbie. Okay. Hi, Mr. You each have two minutes.
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