Elk Grove City Council
Regular Meeting, October 11, 2023
CIT
Y OF ELK GROVE
Incorporated July 1, 2000
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL
May
or Singh-Allen called the regular City Council meeting of October 11 , 2023, to order at 6:01 p.m.
Pr
esent: Mayor Singh-Allen, Vice Mayor Spease, and Council Members Brewer, Robles, and Suen.
Abs
ent: None.
May
or Singh-Allen read the Land Acknowledgment.
Gar
y Mendoza led the Pledge of Allegiance.
May
or Singh-Allen asked that a moment of silence be observed.
APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
May
or Singh-Allen stated Elk Grove was in good faith discussions with the applicant of Oak Rose, Excelerate Housing Group. The City was having meaningful conversations about an alternative site in hopes of reaching an agreement, the discussions were in the early stages of this process , and the City would continue to conduct its due diligence in hopes of finding a positive solution. The C ity wa s committed to meeting affordable housing needs, having approved many other affordable housing projects, including those with permanent supportive housing. Ms. Singh-Allen noted the intent to continue Item 8.2 to a date uncertain.
Motion: M/S Suen/ Robles to consider Item 8.2 after the conclusion of the presentations and prior to general public comment, and approve the remainder of the agenda as presented. The motion passed by the following vote: Ayes: 5 (Singh-Allen, Spease, Brewer, Robles, and Suen); Noes: 0; Absent: 0.
CLOSED SESSION
None.
PRESENTATIONS / ANNOUNCEMENTS
4.1 C
ouncil Member Brewer presented a proclamation in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month to Eli Galindo.
4.2 C
ouncil Member Suen presented a proclamation in recognition of October as Filipino History Month to representatives of the Filipino Community of Sacramento and Vicinity.
Elk Grove City Council
Regular Meeting, October 11, 2023
4.3 Council Member Robles presented a proclamation recognizing October 8-14, 2023, as Code Enforcement Officers Appreciation Week to Code Enforcement Manager Jose Mendez.
4.4 With the aid of a visual presentation (filed) , Nan Mahon provided the Arts Commission Annual Update.
Note: Item 8.2 was considered after the conclusion of the presentations and prior to general public comment, as noted under the approval of the agenda.
Mayor Singh- Allen stated intent to continue the public hearing of Item 8.2 to a date uncertain.
Agenda Item No. 8.2
: A public hearing (continued from September 27, 2023) to consider a resolution approving the Oak Rose Apartments Project pursuant to Senate Bill 35, with a density bonus and concession/incentive, and authorizing the City Manager to execute an Affordable Housing Regulatory Agreement with Oak Rose Apts LP, a California Limited Partnership (PLNG22-015) (CEQA Exempt).
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt resolution:
1) Finding the Oak Rose Apartments Project exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per Public Resources Code Section 21080(b)(1), Government Code Section 65913.4(d)(2), and CEQA Guidelines Section 15268 as the Project is subject to ministerial review.
2) Finding the Oak Rose Apartments Project eligible for the Senate Bill 35 (SB 35) ministerial review process and approving the Project with a concession/incentive; 3) Approving the Density Bonus for the Oak Rose Apartments Project (PLNG22-015) based on the findings included in the proposed resolution; and 4) Authorizing the City Manager to execute an Affordable Housing Regulatory Agreement with Oak Rose Apts LP, a California limited partnership.
City Attorney Jonathan Hobbs noted the staff recommendation was to not to take any action on the matter tonight, to receive comments from speakers signed up for the item, and to then continue the item to a date uncertain.
Mayor Singh-Allen declared the public hearing open.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Harold Van Dyke, Ken Chappelle, Jean Sadler and Penelope Leonard spoke in support of the City Council pursuing a solution at an alternative site. Speakers did not believe the project as proposed was a proper fit in Old Town and would inhibit the revitalization efforts by the City in Old Town. Mrs. Leonard noted a letter (filed) submitted by her husband, which she had circulated to the offices of the Governor, the Secretary of State, and the Gordon D. Schaber Law Library.
Elk Grove City Council
Regular Meeting, October 11, 2023
Lynn Wheat appreciated the negotiation effort, but supported the project scope and location as proposed. She believed that building a larger facility may bring additional issues, whereas smaller units and smaller facilities we re much more functional, operational, and worked better in communities. She expressed dismay at the response of th e community to this project, believing participants were disrespectful, and such territorialism was detrimental to attracting out of town development interest to invest in the City. Ms. Wheat raised concerns that public funds would be utilized to relocate the project.
Mayor Singh-Allen closed the public comment opportunity.
Motion: M/
S Suen/ Robles to continue the public hearing to a date uncertain. The motion passed by the following vote: Ayes: 5 (Singh-Allen, Spease, Brewer, Robles, and Suen); Noes: 0; Absent: 0.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Margie Jones thanked the City for its ongoing support of the Strauss Festival.
Ly
nn Wheat voiced support for inclusionary housing policies to provide for a variety of affordable housing options, believing the practices to the City to date focused the provision of affordable housing as only through high density apartment complexes.
Estella Drake ( handout filed), Kat Mendoza, Kim Mendoza, Paula Schliekelman, Stacie Peterson, Julie Virga, Maria Calderon, and Cecilia Tillett raised concern of the cessation in offering spay and neuter services at the Animal Shelter to address feral cat colonies in Elk Grove with the departure of the former veterinarian , noting additional resources for veterinary care were needed at the shelter (to consider two veterinarian positions, and create a competitive recruitment offer including increasing the salary and consider signing bonuses). Speakers noted that spay and neuter services for feral cats were now only available at two clinics in the region, and the removal of service from Elk Grove had a negative effect on regional services. These clinics provided services first come, first serve which was not functional (noting use of an online registration like Elk Grove had provided would be beneficial, but the regional clinics continued to implement new regulations due to service demands making the processes more onerous) and the locations of the clinics were in industrial sites where service only occurs during late hours which raised safety concerns. Speakers believed the City should look at a contract for high volume spay neuter services, utilize contract veterinarians for services for feral cats, and noted winter was the optimal time of the season to address feral cat colonies (and to not provide services during this time would lead to inevitable overpopulation issues). Speakers stated that trappers were paying out of pocket for medical costs and care for feral cat colonies, suggested coordinated f undraiser initiatives in the community, and recommended expense cuts in City operations to focus revenues for increased shelter services.
K
athy Schiffer addressed the removal of a tree at Betschart Park, and was informed the tree removal was requested by PG&E as the City did not want to pay annual fees to have the trees pruned.
Mayor Singh-Allen requested staff contact Ms. Schiffer regarding the tree removal.
Elk Grove City Council
Regular Meeting, October 11, 2023
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION
City Manager Jason Behrmann addressed staffing and services at the Animal Shelter , noting actions were in process to address current staffing issues . He stated the former veterinarian had left the position on September 29, and contract veterinary services were in place to meet shelter needs. He noted the immediate impacts to the Trap -Neuter- Release (TNR) Program, but recognized that only a few years ago there were no shelter services in Elk Grove , and the City wa s proud of the services provided to date.
Addressing the recruitment, he stated there was a nationwide shortage of veterinarians, the City was looking to increase the salary range, consider a $10,000 signing bonus, and advertising the position nationwide – noting recruitments typically can take 3-6 months.
Addressing requests to hire a second veterinarian, such an investment would also require hiring an additional team of technicians and assistants, and based on review by the former veterinarian and the shelter services consultant, other staffing needs at the Animal Shelter were prioritized over staffing towards a second veterinarian.
Mr. Behrmann reviewed the Administrative Report for October 11, 2023 (filed).
Note: Council Member Robles left at 7:26 p.m.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
Motion: M/S Spease/Suen to approve the Consent Calendar as presented. The motion passed by the following vote: Ayes: 4 (Singh-Allen, Spease, Brewer and Suen); Noes: 0; Absent: 1 (Robles).
Agenda Item No. 7.1: Approved City Council meeting minutes of the September 27 and 29, 2023 special meetings .
Agenda Item No. 7.2: Received report on City Manager approved purchases and contracts authorized by Elk Grove Municipal Code Chapter 3.42 Contracts and Purchasing, and projects awarded under the Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act, filed through October 3, 2023.
Agenda Item No. 7.3: Received report on Requests for Proposals, Qualifications, and Bids.
Agenda Item No. 7.4: Adopted Ordinance No. 21- 2023 amending Elk Grove Municipal Code Chapter 10.40 Truck Routes (Second Reading).
Agenda Item No. 7.5: Adopted Resolution No. 2023-239 ratifying Amendment No. 1 to the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Elk Grove and the Elk Grove Police Officers Association.
Agenda Item No. 7. 6: Adopted Resolution No. 2023-240 authorizing the City Manager to execute a grant agreement with the California Department of Transportation for the Blue Line/Bus Rapid Transit to Elk Grove Implementation Plan and amend the Fiscal Year 2023- 24 Budget to appropriate grant funds up to the amount of $470,000 (CEQA Exempt).
Elk Grove City Council
Regular Meeting, October 11, 2023
Agenda Item No. 7 .7: A dopted Resolution No. 2023- 241 approving the Pedestrian Crossing Upgrades at 4 Locations Project (WAM010) and the Guardrail Replacement at 4 Locations Project (WTR059); authorizing the City Manager to execute a construction contract with B & M Builders, Inc. for the Projects in the amount of $858,513; authorizing the City Engineer to approve change orders not to exceed $116,252; amending the FY 2023- 24 Budget and 2023-2028 Capital Improvement Program; and if the lowest bidder does not meet filing obligations, authorizing the City Engineer to reject all bids received and re- bid the Projects (CEQA Exempt).
Agenda Item No. 7 .8: A
dopted Resolution No. 2023-242 dispensing with the formal request for proposal procedure pursuant to Elk Grove Municipal Code 3.42.140(B)(3) and authorizing the City Manager to execute the eleventh amendment to the contract with Occu-Med, Ltd. for pre-employment medical exams in the amount of $27,000 for a total amount not to exceed $178,000.
Agenda Item No. 7 .9: A
dopted Resolution No. 2023-243 dispensing with the formal request for proposal procedures pursuant to Elk Grove Municipal Code Chapter
3.42.140(B)(3) and authorizing the City Manager to execute the second amendment to the contract with Franklin Ranch Pet Hospital, Inc. for veterinary care for police canines, modifying pricing through November 1, 2026.
Agenda Item No. 7.10: A
dopted Resolution No. 2023-244 authorizing the City Manager to accept grant funding for traffic records improvement projects from the California Office of Traffic Safety and amend the Police Department’s budget to appropriate grant funds up to the amount of $97,600.
Agenda Item No. 7.11: A
dopted Resolution No. 2023-245 authorizing the City Manager to accept grant funding for concentrated traffic enforcement strategies from the California Office of Traffic Safety and amend the Police Department’s budget to appropriate grant funds up to the amount of $305,000.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Agenda Item No. 8.1 : C
onduct a Public Hearing in consideration of a resolution calling a special election and declaring results of the special election to annex certain territory as described to Storm Water Drainage Fee Zone 2, for the 1 Cherrington Lane Map Project.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt resolution determining to levy assessments in Storm Water Drainage Fee Zone 2 (Annexation No. 63) for the 1 Cherrington Lane Map Project.
With the aid of a visual presentation (filed), Vijay Maisuria, Finance Analyst I, provided an overview of the staff report and recommendation.
M
ayor Singh-Allen declared the public hearing open.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
Elk Grove City Council
Regular Meeting, October 11, 2023
May
or Singh-Allen declared the public hearing closed.
City
Clerk Jason Lindgren stated there was no majority protest. Of four possible votes (weighted according to the proportional financial obligation for each property), four affirmative votes were returned. The ballots approved the proposed assessments and the proposed inflation adjustment limit s described for the parcel s identified in the ballot s. A resolution determining to levy assessments in the district was available for Council consideration.
Motion: M/S Spease/Suen to adopt Resolution No. 2023 -246 determining to levy assessments in Storm Water Drainage Fee Zone 2 (Annexation No. 63) for the 1 Cherrington Lane Map Project. The motion passed by the following vote: Ayes: 4 (Singh-Allen, Spease, Brewer and Suen); Noes: 0; Absent: 1 (Robles).
Not
e: Item 8.2 was considered after the conclusion of the presentations and prior to general public comment, as noted under the approval of the agenda.
Agenda Item No. 8.2: A public hearing (continued from September 27, 2023) to consider a resolution approving the Oak Rose Apartments Project pursuant to Senate Bill 35, with a density bonus and concession/incentive, and authorizing the City Manager to execute an Affordable Housing Regulatory Agreement with Oak Rose Apts LP, a California Limited Partnership (PLNG22-015) (CEQA Exempt).
REGULAR AGENDA ACTION ITEMS / RECOMMENDATIONS
None.
COUNCIL COMMENTS / REPORTS / FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Counc
il Member Suen attended the Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District Board of Directors meeting, and noted an upcoming meeting of the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG).
Vi
ce Mayor Spease noted an upcoming meeting of the Sacramento Transportation Authority (STA) Board.
May
or Singh-Allen and Council Member Brewer had no items to report.
ADJOURNMENT
Wi
th no additional business to conduct, the October 11, 2023 City Council meeting was adjourned at 7:34 p.m.
JA SON LINDGREN, CITY CLERK
ATTEST:
BOBBIE SINGH-ALLEN, MAYOR