TO: Honorable Members of the City Council
ATTENTION: Ryan Smoot, City Manager
FROM: Victor A. Sanchez, Mayor Pro Tem
SUBJECT: Consideration and possible action to receive and file Travel Request to Sacramento, California, to attend California State University Advocacy Day between February 24 - 25, 2026
(the “Program”).
DATE: February 23, 2026
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Mayor Pro Tem Sanchez will be traveling to Sacramento, California, to attend California State University Advocacy Day between February 24 - 25, 2026 (the “Program”).
Mayor Pro Tem Sanchez will be acting in a personal capacity, but interacting with Assembly Members and Senators. Part of the Program includes advocating for the region’s education needs. The travel arrangements and funds are being provided by California State University Long Beach (CSULB) University Relations and Development Department.
The City Council is asked to concur that the Program is related to an important governmental function to ensure that Mayor Pro Tem Sanchez complies with applicable regulations regarding accepting travel expenses from third-persons.
RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL
1) Receive and file this Travel Request; and
2) Acknowledge that the Program is related to an important governmental function, i.e., advocating for the region’s education needs; or
3) Alternatively, discuss and take other action related to this item.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
BACKGROUND
The Program will consist of meeting with various Assembly Members and Senators to advocate for our region's education needs.
15-E
Staff Report – Travel Request
February 23, 2026
BACKGROUND – Continued
In general, payments, advances, or reimbursements, for travel, including actual transportation and related lodging and subsistence that are reasonably related to a legislative or governmental purpose, made by a foreign government are not prohibited or limited.1 However, such gifts of travel must (1) be reasonably related to a legislative or government purpose; and (2) must be reported on the elected official’s Statement of Economic Interests (“Form 700”).2 Moreover, gifts of the trip expenses may subject the elected official to disqualification from participating in a governmental action affecting the donor.
The travel arrangements and funds are being provided by CSULB's University Relations and Development Department. Mayor Pro Tem Sanchez will generally be paying his own travel costs. There may, however, be some meals and hotel rates that are slightly discounted. In an abundance of caution, therefore, Mayor Pro Tem Sanchez will be reporting the value of any such discounts on his Form 700.
To ensure that Mayor Pro Tem Sanchez complies with applicable regulations concerning accepting third-party travel, the City Council is requested to acknowledge that the Program is an important governmental function.
ATTACHMENT
Advocacy Day Agenda .................................................................................................... 3
1 Gov’t Code § 89506(a)(2).
2 Battersby Advice Letter No. A-98-176 (1998); Polanco Advice Letter No. A-92-433 (1992).
CSU Advocacy Day 2026 Kickoff Breakfast Program Agenda
Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel (1230 J Street, Sacramento) Wednesday, February 25, 2026
8:15 a.m. Registration and Kick-Off Breakfast
Check-in at Sheraton Grand Hotel, Gardenia Room (Lower
Level)
9:00 – 9:05 a.m. Welcome Remarks
Greg Saks, Vice Chancellor, External Relations and
Communications
9:05 – 9:10 a.m. Chancellor’s Welcome
Dr. Mildred García, Chancellor, California State University
9:10 – 9:30 a.m. CSU Champions Awards
Assemblymember Mike Fong, California State Legislature
Olgalilia Ramirez, Chief Consultant, California Senate
Education Committee
9:30 – 9:45 a.m. Budget and Legislation Review
Mark Martin, Assistant Vice Chancellor, Budget Planning and Advocacy
Nathan Dietrich, Assistant Vice Chancellor, Advocacy and State Relations
10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Delegation Meetings with Member Offices 1021 O St, Sacramento, CA 95814
Lunch will not be provided. Here are a few nearby options:
- Statehouse Outpost (Swing Space, 5th Floor) Note: Closes at 2pm
- Statehouse State Capitol (Capitol Building Basement) Note:
Closes at 2pm
- LaBou (1100 O St. #1, Sacramento, CA 95814) Note: Closes at 2:30pm
- Gold Rush Grille (Secretary of State Building, 1500 11th Street, 2nd Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814) Note: ID is
requested at the entrance of the SOS Building. Closes at 2:30pm