West Sacramento City Council Meeting - August 21, 2024
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West Sacramento City Council, Redevelopment Assessor Agency, and Finance Authority Meeting – August 21, 2024
The meeting included public comments on transparency, tree ordinance, district elections, and community center closure; consent agenda approval with item 8 continued; and unanimous approval of infrastructure financing bonds and midterm budget amendments.
Consent Calendar
- Approved items 2 through 12 (with item 8 continued to September 18, 2024) via motion by Councilmember Alcala and second by Councilmember Orozco, passed unanimously (5-0).
- Item 3 (State Streets Pavement Rehabilitation Project) was discussed: Councilmember Orozco expressed strong support, noting the neighborhood's need. Councilmember Sapisial Hall asked about potential delays; staff indicated weather was the only anticipated delay. Groundbreaking planned for October 2024.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Guy Stevenson: Expressed concerns about city transparency, alleging “back room” deals and lack of public knowledge. He stated he supports the special needs community and urged council to be more transparent.
- Denise Koto: Criticized the tree ordinance (enacted 20 years ago) for not distinguishing residential vs. commercial properties. She described being told she would need to plant 38 trees to replace one tree or pay $12,000, and noted difficulty navigating the appeals process. Asked the council to revise the ordinance proportionate to lot size.
- Maria Grijalva (Latino Information and Resource Center): Praised district elections as empowering marginalized communities. She compared Mayor Guerrero to Martin Luther King and criticized Dr. Early (comparing to Clarence Thomas) for voting against district elections. Expressed sadness over Dr. Early running for mayor.
- Robin Davis (Brighton Broderick resident): Read a letter from community members requesting the Buena Vista tribe postpone the sale of the Brighton Broadway Community Center (BBCC) until alternatives could be explored. Noted the center had been open only six months and hosted many events. Requested the tribe keep it open for at least one more year.
- Ronda Pope Flores (former tribal chairwoman): Expressed sadness at the BBCC closure, criticized the city for making it difficult for the tribe to open the center, and urged the city to reform processes. She stated she stepped down from the tribe over disagreements.
Discussion Items
- Item 13 – Resolution 24-86 (Infrastructure Financing District #1 Bonds): Finance Director Roberta Raper presented the proposal to authorize up to $233 million in bonds (not to exceed) for the Bridge District, with proceeds used for infrastructure. This is one of three such districts in California; bonds would not be city obligations. A judicial validation action is planned before any issuance. Council approved unanimously (5-0) via motion by Councilmember Sapisial Hall, second by Councilmember Orozco.
- Item 14 – Resolution 24-42 (Midterm Budget Amendments): Roberta Raper presented updates: FY 2023-24 general fund ended with $7M surplus; FY 2024-25 revenue increased by $6.2M; proposed $33M in midterm requests (including $4.5M for I Street Bridge from EIFD, $220K for State Streets project, and other CIP items). General fund reserves remain at 17% ($14.1M). Council also considered second reading of ordinance increasing council compensation to $1,600 per month (effective after December election) and revised benefit summaries. After Q&A regarding police overhire reserve and TOT revenue increase, council approved unanimously (5-0) via motion by Councilmember Orozco, second by Councilmember Alcala.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda approved: Items 2–12 (except item 8 continued to September 18).
- Item 13 (IFD bonds): Resolution 24-86 adopted unanimously.
- Item 14 (Midterm budget): Resolution 24-42 and related ordinances adopted unanimously, including:
- Second reading of Ordinance 24-10 increasing council compensation to $1,600/month.
- Approval of revised authorized position list and benefit summaries for unrepresented groups.
- $4.5 million from EIFD for I Street Bridge project.
- Council calendar: Upcoming events – State Streets groundbreaking (tentatively September 12 at 10 a.m. at Willie De Prado Park), Rec Center tennis court lighting ceremony (October 23 at 6:45 p.m.), Power Bridge dinner (September 8 at 4:30 p.m.), special meeting September 12 (Arbor project development agreement).
- City Manager: Announced he will be off-grid for ALF wilderness trip (August 22–27).
Meeting Transcript
I now call to order the meeting for August 21st of the City of West Sacramento City Council, redevelopment assessor agency, and finance authority. We will begin with a land acknowledgement. We would like to acknowledge that the land on which we live, work, learn, and commune is the original homelands of the indigenous people of West Sacramento who have stewarded this land throughout the generations. We acknowledge and we thank the original inhabitants who have occupied, maintained and secured the place and who still exist on this land. We respect and celebrate the many diverse indigenous peoples still connected to this land on which we gather. Thank you. We would like to invite our guests to join the council and staff in the pledge, which will be led by Sean Franklin, who, by the way, as he's walking up, please come up, sir. Um, is part of the team that made sure that we got the lights on today. So thank you so much. No problem. I pledge allegiance to the flag America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation in the visible justice for all. The council did not meet in closed session this evening. And that brings us to item one, which is presentations by the public on matters not on the agenda within the jurisdiction of the council. As is noted on our agenda, we are prohibited by state law from discussing or taking any actions on items that are brought up under item one, but it provides an important opportunity for a public forum. We do ask that anyone wishing to address the council on this or any other item this evening to please fill out a request to speak card and return it to the clerk. In front of the clerk, there is a timer to ensure that everyone has a chance to be heard, and we ask that all comments be limited to no more than three minutes. Also, in front of the clerk is a chart which indicates which agenda agenda item the council is currently considering. If you are addressing a specific agenda item, please turn in your card as soon as possible, but definitely before the conclusion of the staff report for that particular agenda item. We also recognize that for some, speaking in public can cause anxiety. So we request that there be no applause or booze, cat calls, or other demonstrations. Yes, ma'am. Guy Stevenson. I think that you guys, I mean, you ladies are doing a great job. However, I don't think that the city over here is transparent enough. I noticed that a lot of deals are going through the city manager. And you know, I do a lot of background on different people that are candidates, and I know that a three of you, at least three of you, are want votes. I'm not gonna get into the politics about voting, but I think that people need to be more transparent with the city instead of doing all your business, which I call mob dealings when they go to the back room and they talk about it, and then the public doesn't know what you're doing. And you know, that's the only thing I'm saying. If you're gonna do stuff, the public should know because it's taxpayers' money that's paying for all this stuff. You know, we all pay taxes. We love West Sacramento, you know, but we want to know what you guys are doing over here, you know, and some stuff is not you know, public, you know, you do a lot of stuff in the back, and I'm not hating on you guys, I'm not. I just think that people need to be more transparent with any position that you hold. And the very last thing is is that I take care of a couple special needs people, and I just love them to death. They're my life, they keep me balanced. That's what I do over here for a public service. These special needs people are my life. I go to Ride Aid, get their meds, I feed, I make sure they eat, and I make sure they stay healthy, because that's what I want. I want people to stay healthy. All right, that's why I love West Sacramento because it is a good city. I wish all of you that are running for office, I wish you your votes. I hope that you can make a difference and maybe change up the politics with uh being transparent, because you know, people look at your backgrounds and they see what you're about. And I there's nobody up there that I dislike. It's just that I think that you need to be more transparent with the public in what you're doing. That's all I'm asking. You know what I mean? And I'm sure a lot of people feel the same way. But anyway, ladies, mayor and city council members, have a really nice blessed night. Thank you. Denise Koto.
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