Everybody ready?

Yes.

All right.

All right, now that all the council members are present, I call to order the March 4th meeting of the city of West Sacramento City Council, the West Sacramento Redevelopment Agency and Finance Authority.

We will begin with the 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 this 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.

We would like to invite our guests to join council and staff in the pledge, which will be led by Danita and Anita, if you could just stand up and uh lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance, please.

Thank you so much.

And to the Republic for which it stands under God, indivisible with liberty and justice.

As is noted on our agenda, City Council is prohibited by state law from discussing or taking any action on items that are brought up under item one for public comment.

But it provides an important opportunity for a public forum.

And in um and provide it to the city clerk.

And if we have an agenda item that is up, if you can um upon the conclusion of reading the staff report or on any particular agenda item, you uh please uh that's when you have to submit um submit the request.

And once the staff report has been read, we open up the item for public comment.

The clerk will announce your name for you to walk up to the podium and speak.

Now in front of the clerk, there is a timer, and each one will have about three minutes to speak, and we ask that all comments be limited to that amount of time.

Also in front of the clerk is an analog flip chart, which indicates which agenda item the council is currently considering.

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.

Furthermore, so that we may maintain a civil discourse here in the chambers.

We ask that those in attendance and those who address the city council abide by the code of conduct.

Now this brings us to item one on presentations by the public on matters not in the agenda within the jurisdiction of the council.

Madame Clerk, are there any requests to speak?

Yes, ma'am.

Guy Stevenson.

There we go.

Thank you.

But there's an issue.

An issue is with these food vendors.

I know that you people don't, because most Democrats don't care.

Uh but the food vendors out here, these restaurants are complaining about them being out there, and I have a problem with it.

So I told people to call environmental health and blow up their phone.

And let them know, and then they'll send it over here, and I guess old Josh Hurley will uh go out and address it.

If he doesn't, then I'm gonna file a form of complaint against the state, because it's his job to go around and make sure these people are licensed and they're also have, you know, the health department.

You know, they have to do that.

And I, you know, I come in here and I try to have a dialogue with you people, but I really honestly, I don't think you people listen to people.

I think you listen to yourselves.

And I don't think you believe, you know, if it isn't you, right?

Then you're not gonna listen to me.

You're gonna, it's your own agenda.

Whatever suits your need, but put the public and I'm gonna remember this when people are going up to re-election, I'm gonna blast them on uh YouTube.

And I'm gonna say these people promise this and they don't deliver.

You know what I mean?

There's a lot of things that don't make any sense to me.

I just had a conversation with that attorney about why you bought the pheasant club for 3.2 million and sell it for one point.

That's two million dollars of tax money that you people wasted.

That sounds to me like fraud with a big F.

You know what I mean?

You know, I know that you guys hold the purse and the money.

You're the ones that approve it.

But that building is still vacant.

There ain't nothing going on over there.

And then, you know, I know how the game goes with these contractors with the city.

I'm very apparent.

And yes, it does aggravate me because people get sick from food poisoning.

I've been addressing this, and you people don't care.

I I really don't believe you do.

And uh so I told the people in my group to blow up environmental health, which in return will send a letter to Josh Harley over here.

May make them mad, but I don't care.

That's what his job is for, is to make sure these people are compliant, they have a license, the health department checks out their food.

I seen people over with their note gloves on and they got buckets of water and they dip these things in there and then they cook chicken with beef.

You don't do that.

That's stupid.

And it's also dangerous.

So if you guys ain't gonna do nothing about it, that's fine.

But I'm gonna file a complaint with the state.

We'll just take it that avenue.

But anyway, have a good night.

Oh, one last thing, real quick.

Pray for the st military in the Middle East.

Of course.

Thank you so much.

We have no additional requests to speak on this item.

Thank you, Madame Clerk.

Next is agenda item two under presentations from the city manager's office is a presentation of a proclamation recognizing women's history month and honoring artists participating in the gallery, uh, 1075 March.

If you can please come up, Anita and Anita to the front of the podium.

I think you are the two receiving both of you.

Just one.

Oh, and who and I'm sorry, I didn't know there was another recipient.

We were trying to figure that out here.

Yes, come on up, please.

Just two recipients, that's it.

Because we have three proclamations.

So if you have a friend, we got three of you.

Nobody else would like to come up.

There's only two.

Oh, sorry, okay.

All right, then.

Um, and your name, please.

Um, Dr.

Edis LaFever.

Oh, Dr.

Eid La Fever?

Okay, thank you so much.

And what I will do is I will read the proclamation, and then I will allow for each of you to have a few words if you'd like.

Okay.

All right.

Well, thank you so much.

This is a big deal for us all female city council, um, women's history month, whereas March was designated as women's history month by Congress in 1987 to honor the achievements and contributions of women across the country, whereas the origin of women's history began as a week-long local celebration in California in 1978.

And whereas women of every race, class, religion, and ethnic background have made significant contributions where while facing barriers to participation and leadership, whereas contributions to economic, cultural, and social fabric of our society have been made by women who serve as leaders, educators, advocates, and caregivers, representing a large portion of paid and volunteer labor.

And whereas efforts to address systemic inequities and promote a just society align with the 2026 Women's History Month theme, leading the change, women shaping a sustainable future, whereas women served as early leaders of every major progressive social change movement, not only to secure their own right of suffrage and equal opportunity, but also in the abolitionist movement, the emancipation movement, the industrial labor union movement, and the modern civil rights movement.

And whereas the city of West Sacramento reflects a legacy of leadership with an all-women city council and majority of department heads being women, 65%.

And whereas in 2026, we honor the women who have tirelessly worked to dismantle barriers, challenge prejudices, and create opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their background.

And whereas we celebrate the contributions of West Sacramento women who are leaders in our community and contribute immensely to the rich and vibrant city that we enjoy.

And whereas we celebrate the 2026 Women History Month Art Show and Gallery 1075 in West Sacramento and the participating artists reusing their creative artistry to honor women everywhere.

Now, therefore, be it hereby proclaimed that the City Council of the City of West Sacramento does hereby recognize March 2026 as women's history month and encourage all residents to celebrate the various contributions of women in our community and nation.

Thank you so much.

If you can um please share a few words with us.

Thank you for reaching out to me.

This is actually my first time.

Like I do art a lot, but this is my first time like being acknowledged.

And this is also my first time being in a city council meeting, so that's cool.

But thank you guys for just, you know, letting me be a part of this.

I'm amazed and I'm excited, and thank you so much.

Thank you, Denita.

I want to thank you too, and I feel very honored for being recognized.

Josh, not just for myself, but for women everywhere.

I think that recognition, particularly women artists, it's been really difficult to get that kind of recognition.

So this is really nice.

Thank you for being so thoughtful.

And thank you for reaching out to us.

Thank you.

That's wonderful.

Thank you so much.

Council members, would you like to express any words?

Women's History Month, it's a big month for us.

Um, I just want to say that recently I had the great opportunity to go over to Westmarokes and speak to a group of mainly Latinas, but all predominantly women of color, young women of color, 11, 12, 13, uh up and coming.

And one of the proudest things I had an opportunity to say was that we have one of the very few uh boards of a city that is all female.

And um, whether or not that remains, I asked them to please step up so that way we can continue this beautiful legacy.

But it's never um, you know, when it comes down to it as much as we try, no matter how many uh educational accolades, how many um, you know, uh promotions we get at work, how how much we elevate, there are still institutional barriers to our advance.

And it comes down to like when you think about well, if you retire, but you have, you know, uh thousands of hours of sick leave uh that would belong to a man who gets to cash it out as opposed to a woman who has to have multiple children and have to use a sick leave.

I mean, these are just things that biologically go with the flow, unfortunately.

But I do, I am very proud of being part of this council for the last almost 10 years, and and for seeing a lot of the progress we've made, not only on the dais, but off the dais.

And when we talk about a two-thirds of the women in the leadership in our city, the department heads being um of women, uh, that makes me proud to serve in this type of city.

I think that uh the sky's the limit with West Sacramento, and I like what I see tonight.

Thank you so much for being here tonight to receive the proclamation.

Thank you.

I'll go next.

Um, one of the things that I really appreciate about our council and our proclamations, and it sometimes I think it can seem like, oh, well, you know, you're being acknowledged for that month.

Um, and how much is that really, you know, uplifting?

And for me, I would say, particularly during this time in the United States, um, that pausing to recognize women with everything that we are seeing as far as policies changing that are impacting women and our bodies and our autonomy uh and our independence, um, that these moments and our faces and our voices at the table, at the dais being recognized, is even more important than probably it has been for generations that we are speaking up, that we are recognizing the work that women do for this country and for our families.

And so I want to say thank you so much for being that face, for being that voice.

Uh, thank you to our my council, my colleagues uh for one having the courage to continue to do these things and to recognize the work of women.

It is just so important.

So thank you.

Um thank you both for being here tonight.

Um it's as we were starting to have this conversation.

Um, it immediately took me back to when I was at UC Davis and it was one of my classes where we were um, you know, a big auditorium style, like out in the halls, and we did this exercise where um we would all stand on one side of the and I'm gonna completely butcher this, but stick with me.

Um everybody in the class stood on one side of um the sidewalk.

And then the professor asked us to step across and when you were called out for certain things, if you'd been homeless, if you had um if you were a person of color, um, and a bunch of socioeconomic and different statuses that um typically minority statuses, but that um did not make you equal.

And towards the end, she said, if you're a woman, step across.

And in that moment, I felt immense pride for this space that I could step into and look across and see the women that were standing next to me.

And I always knew at that point um that something that I would be doing with my future was focused on women.

Um didn't know how it would play out, but that that would be part of my story.

Uh, and then take it to 2022 when I was elected to city council, and my seat made us the first all female city council in our city's history.

Um and I did it pregnant, like nine months pregnant.

It was crazy.

Um, but that's what women can do.

Women can move the world.

And you know, Dr.

Early, what she just said is taking a moment to recognize us moving the world because I think we're really good at just doing the work.

We're good at putting our head down, we're good at just getting things done and taking the opportunity to recognize the immense power and strength and just how we operate on four to six hours of sleep every night.

I don't know.

Um, but it's a it's different.

And for women, I mean, becoming a mom and connecting with other mothers was some of the most powerful community that I've ever built in my life.

And so these stories that we share and the the ability to recognize and elevate everyone during women's history month, I think is so powerful.

And thank you for sharing your heart with us.

Um that's taking yourself outside of your body and giving us something.

And I just appreciate you both being here to recognize this really special month.

Thank you.

So I was when I read this resolution, I thought it was so fantastic because it acknowledges women now and in the past, and the hope that we have for women in the future.

I was very fortunate when I was on school board, we had the first, I believe it was the first all-female school board with serving with five other members, and many years later, they once again have an all-female board.

So it's really, I mean, I've heard a lot of people saying West Sacramento is run by women, not just our city council, but our school board as well.

And we do have this fantastic staff.

And um, I'm I'm very grateful that um we have had uh the hires.

Um and it's not just um hires for secretaries, these are these are people who are managers and who are the leaders in their fields.

It's fantastic.

It's not to say that secretaries don't do a fantastic job, but it's really great to see this elevation of women.

So thank you so much for everything that you do.

Thank you, council members.

Um it is it is an honor to be uh, you know, the first female elected mayor here of West Sacramento.

And when I looked at um the voting power, it is female.

Um also, you know, regionally, it is female.

And I know that women do want to see representation by somebody who they can relate to, and that is us.

And that is what we've done.

We've made some significant changes here in the city as a result of who we are and how we view things a little differently.

And your representation of that through your art, it is amazing.

Because very few times do we get a chance to be able to see that reflected in art?

And it is such a great opportunity.

I like to thank our our um uh representative here in the city Lanaya for being able to elevate you.

It is great that we have you bringing us to um honor who we are in West Sacramento and honoring women because we know they're they're the strongest voting power here.

And um, it is you know, because of who we are and what we've accomplished here, some of the history we've made in California, actually, you know, on on an international level, that I'll be that I was invited to speak at the United Nations next week.

And it is that momentum that people see what we're doing.

Um and and you know, just being able to take what you're doing, you know, um on an international level.

It is uh just a great experience.

And so thank you so much for what you keep up the great work that you're doing.

And with that, we're gonna go down and take a photo.

Thank you.

Right, ready?

Okay.

All right, one, two, three.

All right, one, two, three.

Beautiful, thank you.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

All right.

All right, this brings us next to our consent agenda items three through six.

Are there any requests to remove an item?

I think I have one that I'd like to remove.

It is well, or is it number five?

I think.

Yes, number five.

Mr.

Huerta.

And I'm bringing this mainly for commentary, but also if you have any comments you'd like to bring to our attention.

To be able to have an opportunity to fund an affordable housing unit is significant here in West Sacramento.

And this is, I think, um, I think a great achievement.

I want to say thank you for being creative and being able to um have West Sacramento's involvement in something that's important for all of us.

And if you wanted to share a few words a little bit about affordable housing and what we're doing, please do.

Thank you.

Um thank you for the opportunity and good evening to everyone.

No, yeah, I think this is a great opportunity, especially because we all know that there's a significant need for affordable housing, not just in West Sacramento, but in the state and in the nation.

Um this project has uh was approved back in 2024.

Um it received its uh conditional use permit and the design was approved.

They have been unsuccessful uh for applying uh for their low-income housing tax credits.

Uh despite the fact that the location of uh the site is is great.

Uh the fact that it uh it's a great project.

So we're hoping that this uh uh assistance that the city uh will be providing will be what will take them over uh that finish line.

Um the developer uh is very hopeful and is um very positive that uh with this additional commitment of funds by the city uh we'll take them over that finish line.

This would be the um the first affordable housing project in several years in Southport.

The last one that was built uh was Savannah, which was I believe in the early uh 2000s.

So there's a significant need um for affordable housing again, especially in Southport.

Um so we're really glad that uh the council is considering this and really hopeful that this project will be moving forward.

It'll add an additional 152 units of affordable housing, uh much needed affordable housing to our residents uh into the community.

Great.

Thank you so much.

Appreciate that.

All right.

With that, I'll accept a motion to approve items three through six.

I'll move.

Second.

May I put the requests to speak before I wrap it up?

We have no requests to speak on any of the consent agenda items.

All right, thank you.

Um and uh mayor of Temps Pizio Hall moved and um who seconded it?

Council Member Brocala seconded, please call the roll.

Councilmember Alcala.

Hi.

Councilmember Early.

Aye.

Councilmember.

Yes.

Mayor Pro Tem Silpizio Hall.

Hi.

Mayor Guerrero.

Aye.

All right.

Now we move to item seven under economic development and housing, and it is a presentation to consider goals for a five-year consolidated plan and to announce the availability of the 2026 community development block grant funding.

And Mr.

Isaiah Alfred will be doing a presentation.

Good evening, everyone.

Um hi, Mayor Guerrero, and members of the council.

Uh my name is Isaiah Alfred.

I'm the associate community investment planner in the economic development and housing department.

Uh, tonight I'll be presenting information related to the five-year consolidated plan and the 2026 community development block grant funding.

I do want to apologize.

I am fighting a bug, so um bear with me if I do cough, I'm sorry.

Distance.

Um being held to announce the proposed goals of the new five-year consolidated plan and the availability of the 2026 CDBG allocations.

After the presentation, we will also receive comments and questions on the proposed goals for the new five-year consolidated plan and proposed activities for the 2026 annual action plan.

And lastly, we'll be proposing an amendment to the citizen participation plan.

So, what is CDBG?

Uh CDBG stands for the Community Development Block Grant, uh, which is a federal funding source provided by the U.S.

Department of Housing and Urban Development known as HUD.

Uh CDBG funds support a wide range of community activities and needs, including affordable housing, homeless service, infrastructure improvements, and economic opportunities.

Uh this program is focused on benefiting low and moderate income households, and the city has been an entitlement jurisdiction since 2016, meaning we receive funding directly from HUD.

So here are some HUD requirements.

All C D BG funds must meet at least one of three national objectives.

Uh the first benefits low and moderate income households with the minimum of 70 percent of the funds meeting a national objective or this objective.

The second is the elimination of slums and blight.

Uh the third addresses urgent needs such as emergencies.

Public services are limited to 15% of the allocation, and administration and planning are limited to 20%.

So, why a new consolidated plan?

Our current consolidated plan covers 2021 through 2025, and it expires this year.

So HUD requires that the city adopt a new five-year plan from 2026 through 2030.

This plan establishes the city's communities priorities, sets the funding direction, and outlines the overall strategy for the use of CDBG funds.

So here is the consolidated plan overview.

The COM plan or consolidated plan is shaped by an evaluation of needs of lower income residents and the neighborhoods in which they live.

The analysis uses HUD data, census data, and other available resources, along with community engagement, public meetings, and a public needs, I'm sorry, community needs survey.

The result is a five-year plan that identifies priority needs and establishes five-year goals.

From this plan, the city develops an annual action plan, which I'll later discuss, uh, which includes annual goals and funding allocations.

This slide summarizes the public input we gathered from the five-year consolidated plan.

Residents, service providers, and community stakeholders told us their top concerns was homelessness, lack of affordable housing, housing stability, and access to supportive services.

We combined those survey results with HUD and census data, local planning data, and point and time count information.

The main takeaway is that housing cost burden is the biggest challenge facing low-income households.

These findings will help shape the priority needs, goals, and strategies for the five-year plan.

So based on that, here are the proposed consolidated plan goals.

The goals for the five-year consolidated plan include providing supportive services for homeless persons, expanding the availability of low barrier housing, reducing housing discrimination and evictions, supporting affordable housing opportunities, and supporting housing stability for people exiting homelessness.

Here's the annual action plan.

The annual action plan proposed projects and activities and funding allocations.

And the purpose of the plan is to ensure that CDBG funds are used in alignment with the city's consolidated plan goals and HUD requirements.

So here are some CDBG eligible uses.

CDBG funds may be used for eligible activities that serve low and moderate income persons, including public services, which are limited to 15%, public facilities, public infrastructure and improvements, economic development, and affordable housing.

So here's some previously funded activities.

The homeless emergency housing rehabilitation project.

Funds were used to support the rehab needs at the former Pickwick and Elta Home motels to provide interim housing for persons experiencing homelessness.

The North Riverwalk Trail Extension Project.

Funds were used to construct infrastructure improvements at the low-income neighborhoods, creating safe ADA compliant, pedestrian and bicycle connections between two existing portions of the Riverwalk Trail.

The Washington and Project Lighting and Safety Project.

Funds were used to improve pedestrian safety and driver visibility through Washington and Broadwick neighborhoods by replacing and updating street traffic signals, benefiting low-income residents in Census Track 101.01.

And this Census Track was identified as a low-income neighborhood.

Fair housing services were funded with CDBG funds every year of our current consolidated plan and our previous consolidated plan, which included supporting fair housing services, including discrimination compliant assistance and community education, and homeless supportive services.

Funds were used to support case management services at the emergency housing sites.

These projects illustrate how CDBG funds support a variety of community needs.

Activities must serve residents and low-income neighborhoods, be ready to move forward within the program year, and leverage other funding sources when possible.

This results total in 576,333 for the 2026 program year.

These are estimates.

The homeless supportive services will provide case management for residents at existing emergency housing sites as well as future sites.

And general administration and planning activities will help support HUD reporting requirements, environmental reviews, and overall planning efforts.

So together, these efforts support the city's goals related to homelessness and housing stability and meeting our national objective.

So here's a proposed amendment to the citizen participation plan.

We have two amendments to this plan.

The first is increasing the city managed to sign an authority threshold for a substantial amendment from 20,000 to 100,000.

The 20,000 was enacted as a part of the original citizen participation plan with when the city became entitlement jurisdiction in 2016.

This limits our ability to move funds when we receive program income, such as loan payoffs.

Um one loan payment can exceed 20,000.

And we will have to expend those funds in a timely manner in order to meet HUD deadlines and HUD requirements.

Any amount over 20,000 will require a formal amendment to the annual action plan, or we would have to wait to use those funds for uh following year.

So this will allow us to act faster in any changes needed.

The second change will be to formalize the city council workshop before the final public hearing at the council.

Uh staff will no longer present before the parks recreation and intergenerational commission.

Uh but we will still share the plans with the parks commission.

Um these changes are intended to support timely plan adoption and compliance with HUD requirements.

So this slide this slide summarizes the timeline for the next steps to the five-year consolidated plan and the 2026 annual action plan.

Uh the first step was presenting before the EDH Commission.

Um, and then presenting before the Parks Recreation and Intergener Generational Commission in February.

And then today is the workshop, and we plan on submitting a public comment period, 30-day public comment period this Friday for 30 days, and then returning to City Council for a public hearing for the adoption of the annual action plan and consolidated plan.

And then if we do receive your approval, we will submit all the plans to HUD by May 15th.

So this concludes my presentation.

Open it up.

Public comment, Mid Employee.

Are there any requests to speak?

Yes, Robin Davis.

Hello.

Especially guy.

Um so reading through the agenda, it kind of inspired me this this item.

Um looking at the consolidated plan that identifies a clear need for small, low barrier units, but these units are rarely being built, leaving West Sacramento reactive, buying and maintaining more motels.

I see that previous year's funds have been allocated for temporary motel rehab and emergency housing as well.

And while that is important and part of the solution, what if we did something different with these funds?

Something more impactful long-term.

A small unit production initiative could do just that.

It would provide infrastructure and site prep support for income-qualified homeowners, including utility hookups, required sidewalks, and scaled impact fee waivers and payment plans.

So compliance costs don't block new housing.

Offer pre-approved small unit designs like ADUs or tiny homes to make building achievable.

Tie gap financing incentives to small unit production, empowering residents to build the housing they need themselves.

We could also support a nonprofit-run tiny home on Wills community modeled after successful examples like Goodness Village in Livermore, where the nonprofit owns and manages the units and pairs them with supportive services.

Research shows that people experiencing homelessness has significantly better outcomes when placed in stable permanent housing compared with temporary shelters.

This approach aligns with goals number one and five by connecting units to case management and housing navigation, expands low barrier housing as goal number two, supports affordable housing opportunities beyond traditional developers under goal number four, promotes fair access and compliance with goal number three.

Across California, ADUs have become one of the fastest growing sources of new housing when cities remove barriers and support residents.

Empowering people to build small units themselves is a practical way to expand housing supply while keeping costs lower, especially long term.

I understand the city is moving quickly to finalize this budget and investing in motel rehab may seem like the easiest path to meet that deadline but maybe we can allocate a portion of these funds or future funds to more proactive solutions that prevent future homelessness and give residents the tool to build housing themselves.

These alternative solutions still align with the city's community needs assessment survey and directly respond to those needs while creating long-term housing stability rather than investing majority in temporary shelters and large scale developments.

Thank you.

We have no additional requests to speak on this item all right thank you Madam quick closing the public comment bringing it back to council yeah council member collar um I want to say thank you to Robin for coming up because that was one of my questions.

I know low barrier it's mostly rentals that we assist with with a grant could something like this be possible I think that is it through small units I mean is it what kind of costs are we looking at and um we haven't had any type of um assessment but just off the couple what do you think about what she recommended question.

Mr.

Alford has been talking a lot and as you see he's not feeling his best today but um let me jump in and try to answer that.

So there's a lot of uh components to what um um the public comment uh just noted um some of those aspects may be able to be covered with CDBG funds but obviously as you have seen the city's allocation of CDBG funds is is relatively small um a project like that or a project like that really requires a significant amount of funding um so while CDBG funds may be able to support something uh uh to that effect uh we wouldn't be able to use it or fund it completely with CDBG funds um but some components may be able to be funded um again we C D BG funds while they are very flexible are also very prescriptive so we do have to fit all of our funding uh recommendations to these specific uh squares triangle pegs that CDBG gives us um I hope that somewhat answers your question thank you yes Councilmember early don't don't go yeah don't make him you are so sick sir I just want you to want to just give you hand sanitizer um it's it's an easy quick question um I was looking and it is probably somewhere in this report and I missed it.

Um the survey that uh we did to the public um how many folks uh responded so we did an online survey um and um Isaiah just mentioned that we got uh over 40 surveys you said over 40 yeah back okay so just to be clear when we are because I know that is just a a small component so when we are talking about our the public in input that we got that we are basing this on um it sounds like in conjunction with uh whole host of other data correct uh it it was 40 how long was the survey out and uh how how would people know to do it server was out for 30 days uh we posted it on our social media accounts uh we put it on a um West Sacramento news ledger uh we sent it out to HVEC uh BB can um the housing priority thank you um yeah so we put it through those channels and made it available for the public to participate and because I am channeling um my colleagues uh was it in multiple languages I believe that it was in English and Spanish okay um I I'm gonna provide feedback on this uh so I I think that for our city size uh 40 um responses is uh probably not the the greatest response rate um that we would want to base something like this on um and I would also suggest um based on our population uh English Spanish and and probably Russian and potentially um potentially farsi or something along those lines um would be sort of in the future what I would provide feedback on is there a world in which we could open that survey back up it's just 40 is is not a lot I know this is a draft.

Is there a world in which we could open that survey back up?

It's just 40 is is not a lot.

I know this is a draft.

Correct.

And um so uh as you mentioned earlier, um the surveys was just one of the components that was used to get that public input.

Um our consultant also had multiple meetings with stakeholders uh with uh our HPAC with BBCan um and other service providers to get that and that input.

Um so as you know, just want to make sure that people understand that as well.

Um Isaiah just mentioned that we will have a 30-day public comment period that uh will be starting uh in the next week or two.

So the public will continue to have an opportunity to make additional comments on not just the five-year con plan, but also the proposed um allocations of our annual action plan for 2026.

Um so yes, they can still provide comments.

Um Isaiah will be back in April for uh recommendations on the final approval of the five-year con plan and the annual action plan.

So we will continue to receive public input uh up until then.

Right, thank you.

So you made me think of something, Dr.

Early.

I think it'd be fascinating if you reached out to another city similar to our size and that was going through the same process to see what kind of survey responses they got as well.

Because it it'd be interesting to know is for this subject matter.

40 does seem low, but for this very specific piece of information.

Um, I mean, this isn't like a public art piece that people are being very specific on.

But people care about housing.

Absolutely.

Um but it'd be interesting to know if our numbers where they kind of rank with other cities and if we are significantly lower ways that we could increase engagement.

Of course, the first thing I think of is let's send text messages to everybody, um, which I don't think anybody would love.

Um I know there's a cost associated with that, but you know, how do you get the word out to people?

And then you ask questions about the survey, maybe the data expert over here, is it too long?

All those kind of things.

But I think you bring up a great point.

40 is a low number in the survey itself, but I do appreciate all the extra the additional feedback the consultant receives from the individual meetings they have as well.

So just wanted to throw that out there.

Thank you.

So very informative document, by the way, something I've been really hoping to read more about, you know, as far as um as far as our like our gaps and where they are, and I appreciate that you included foster children.

Um I know it's been there before, but you know, I think you um are just bringing it a little more in um some um you know some modifications.

Um and the partnership with the school district and you know, seeing where the gaps are among children being served that are homeless.

Um I'm not sure if a tiny home would meet everybody's needs.

I think um housing that we are funding like affordable housing near the transit areas um makes a little more sense or near uh where supportive services can be found, makes a little more sense for people, and that's why the motels make a lot of sense to us.

Um and the conversion of that, I think is the cost of that is lower for the number of people that could benefit.

Um and it is pretty accessible to where the people are already residing at this point.

Um so they're familiar with that area.

Uh you know, but if you if you see that it's helpful to do a cost analysis, you know, one pager back of the envelope, just for you know, because the the the question's been asked, the comment will continue to surface.

Uh it might be helpful.

I mean, it doesn't hurt to say, well, this is the cost, and this is you get five houses out of it compared to the demand that we have, over you know, a hundred to two hundred people.

Um, and you're gonna have X amount of dollars for CDBG, where you know, we're like you saw the affordable housing person is struggling to find um financing for their project and it's gonna take care of 150 people, that's pretty significant.

I think that's a big dent to meet the gap that we have.

So I appreciate and look forward to learning more.

I was looking a little more on you know those that I see or hear from out in the community, the immigrant population.

We do have a large immigrant population who are constantly looking for housing.

Do we track that?

In what respect uh in terms of tracking?

So when so when we hear from um either the Ukrainian, you know, so it'll be refugees that are coming in.

And uh it'll be like the the like the mosque or um the Ukrainian uh like the um Russian church, they're asking for where can we find affordable housing?

Um and there's they tend to more congregate around each other as a support system, you know, culturally they can um acclimate to the transition here if there is um and I do know that there are probably spaces where that is occurring here in West Sacramento.

Um so as far as affordable housing, we know there are there's a demand, right?

Correct, yeah.

I mean we we don't.

We really don't track at least uh in in the housing department division, we don't track uh where those communities are.

Um or but we do get calls quite often about availability of um affordable housing, apartments, single family homes, et cetera.

And we provide as much information as possible to um you know the various organizations that uh work with uh um immigrant populations, um but specifically we don't track um per se, you know, where they are, what the need is specifically for that community now.

Okay.

And then um along the line of councilmember Early's comment, I think sometimes it could be hard to connect with people that would provide um informative.

I saw mosaic was one of the outreach groups here, Power Yolo.

Um sometimes you know, people um like within like in Power Yolo would need just a very dedicated site.

That's what they would recommend a dedicated secure site for people.

Um, but if there's any other creative ways that other cities have found um productive or effective um to address those unique populations, um that that would be helpful to know.

Um but uh if if to do more outreach, do you have any suggestions of additional resources you would need?

So we've been working with a consultant who has helped us with the draft consolidated plan.

The consultant has been um kind of leading the way and helping us with uh the outreach um in coordination with Isaiah and and and staff.

Um I know that um we've done we try to do a concerted effort to reach out to like the local churches, um the the organizations that we are aware of that work with a lot of these uh low-income communities with the homeless population uh where we have heard that uh the need is.

Um we can continue to look into other sources.

Um I know that we've also I believe reached out to the uh Hispanic uh chamber of commerce to uh outreach, uh do some outreach to them.

Uh but we can continue to have a conversation with our consultant to try to get the the word out.

Um again, we have an additional 30-day public comment period where we can try to get an additional 30-day public comment period.

Well, anything I could do to assist with the um with the various churches, um I can I can assist in any way to support you.

We'll keep that in mind.

And Norma goes to Holy Cross, and I'm sure they they can find somebody the Ukrainian or Russian, um, they can help with the translation, same with the um Muslim and um the Sikh community can help with that as well.

Um if you needed assistance like tabling or anything like that, you know, they have big groups that come in all at once and then leave on all at once.

So it might you might need a translator or two to assist you with that.

Um council member early.

Yeah, I I I'm just I'm curious.

Um I know it sound at least it sounds like, and I'm pretty sure one of you guys mentioned that we worked with Washington Unified School District.

Is that correct?

Yeah, so uh that was one of the uh the groups, uh the organizations.

You can right there.

Um did we did they send out the survey for us to their email um uh listserv?

Our consultants sent it out to the Washington Unified School District.

Did Washington Unified School District send it out to their listserv to all of all of the parents?

That's what you're hearing me ask.

I'm not too sure.

I don't think they did it.

We can we can confirm that.

Uh typically, you know, when uh they reach out to either the school district or one of the service organizations that is the request that the survey be made available uh to the students, they they often put it in their backpacks, uh, send it out so that uh the survey gets uh to the parents.

Um I would say Washington Unified Um School District is actually uh pretty data oriented and um really good at um at sending it out.

Uh again, if it was that was directed, I'm gonna be honest, uh I would be shocked out of basically 7200 um students that you would only get 40 if they did send it out to their list surf.

Uh um I think you would uh accidentally stumble upon 40, right between them and all of the work that that you all did.

And so my guess would be they didn't.

Um there might be an opportunity there.

Again, Washington Unified is such a great partner uh for them to send it out to their listserv and encourage parents um to fill that out.

Sounds great.

Thank you.

We can circle back with them on that.

Thank you.

So in um next 30 days, then we have public outreach.

That's the plan from now.

Correct.

So there will be a uh 30-day public comment period uh that a formal 30-day public comment period that will be starting soon.

Um the reality is that we will take comments up to when we come back to the council for formal approval.

Okay.

Uh it'll be a formal public hearing at that point, and additional public comment can be taken as well.

Um, but there is um, you know, per HUD requirements, a formal 30-day public comment period before we can bring it to the council for formal adoption.

Okay.

And and the only reason why I ask all of my questions, I know it's only $500,000.

It's not a whole lot of things we can throw out there for you know for this amount of money, is just to it's an opportunity to get more data that I find very helpful with what with what you shared here today.

Um, just to get more insight as to where the public is interested, not for primarily this, but for everything.

Certainly.

Generally speaking.

And and that is uh one of the purposes of the five-year con plan.

Um, as you've noted, it covers a lot, right?

It covers a lot of needs.

And the reality is that we won't be able to cover CTBG funds, uh, cover all of those needs with CDBG funds.

And that's really not the purpose, right?

The purpose is to identify those needs and then make a decision on how to allocate our very limited funds.

So that's why, based on at least the feedback that we have received up to this point, those uh recommendations that you see today um kind of channels that information that we've received.

I I I think you identified some really good low-hanging fruit and a good use of the funding from what I've seen.

So I I appreciate what you've done.

Any anybody else on the recommendations?

No.

All right, go forth and get more feedback.

Thank you.

And the 30-day public comment period starts on Friday, March 6th.

All right.

Good.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next, under general administration, functional part two, do we have reports from our council assignments?

Anyone?

Oh, okay.

Council calendar.

Um just one event on this Sunday, March 8th.

There's going to be a women's history um event and uh PD open house at the PD at 10 a.m.

Yes.

Oh, city manager report.

Just a couple quick things.

One, I just wanted to take a moment.

She's still here, good, uh, to acknowledge one of our uh esteemed staff.

Um if you're uh a frequent reader of the city council newsletter, which I know all five of you are.

We are you already know this, but just in case is to highlight this item, Andrea Alice, our community development director has been elected to the uh College of Fellows of the American Institute of Certified Planners.

Um it's kind of like getting an Academy Award in the planning world.

So more like a lifetime achievement award.

So I just want to recognize her.

It is it is a it is an honor.

Uh it's like a year-long process she had to go through.

She's gonna be honored at the uh American Planning Association National Conference in Detroit next month.

Um you know, we're we're proud of a lot of our staff for these types of achievements, but that's a very notable one in the planning process.

So I'm gonna acknowledge her for that.

And then uh Ariana's gone, but just a point of logistics.

Next time you're in City Hall.

Oh, she's here.

Uh she's now upstairs on the third floor.

She moved into Rick Toff's office like the day he was moving out.

Um so you'll find her up on the third floor now.

Big move.

Yes.

Okay.

Um and then and then Jay Chahal uh is now in Ariana's office.

So uh just keeping you up to date with the the seating chart at City Hall.

That's all.

Thank you.

And um just to add, um, do you have any updates about mosaics receipt of uh of funding that you wanted?

Um yes, I can perhaps call Doug up to the podium if he doesn't mind to give a better update than I can.

But we did uh get word that they received um one of the uh congressional appropriation requests.

So Doug, if you want to fill in the details.

Do you have any update about that?

Um outside of the fact that they received it.

I don't have an update.

Um so uh you might recall that um as part of the fiscal year 26 uh federal appropriations process.

Uh we submitted one of our requests on behalf of um Mosaic West Sack for their Mosaic Village project.

Um it did get an amount of funding that I don't have in front of me, so I don't want to miss state it.

Uh so it's in the bill, and it is just um it's a matter of HUD reaching out to us to start the process of uh of getting that grant agreement set up and passing on those funds for their uh Mosaic Village project.

And uh according to the email I received from um Don Bosley, it was uh in the order of two million dollars of federal funding.

So it's a very significant amount for the project.

Yeah.

That'd be great.

Thank you.

Then it's gonna build a new recovery cafe, which is 2.3.

So all they need is 300,000.

They're almost there.

Thank you so much, Doug, for all your hard work on this.

Uh City Attorney Report.

Nothing to report.

Nothing to report.

Staff direction from City Council members, anything?

I don't think we have anything on here and future agenda item requests, none.

With that, um we are adjourned.

Have a good night, everybody.

Thank you.

Oh, just one quick thing.

If you wanted to hold June 18th on your calendar, Cal Cities is having a sweet day with all the Cal City's regional representatives.

It's a June 18th A's game.