Elk Grove City Council
Regular Meeting, January 22, 2025
CIT
Y OF ELK GROVE
Incorporated July 1, 2000
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL
May
or Singh-Allen called the regular City Council meeting of January 22, 2025, to order at 6:14 p.m.
Pr
esent: Mayor Singh- Allen, Vice Mayor Robles, and Council Members Spease and Suen.
Abs
ent: Council Member Brewer (Council Member Brewer arrived at 6:59 p.m.).
Vi
ce Mayor Robles read the Land Acknowledgement.
Counc
il Member Suen led the Pledge of Allegiance.
May
or Singh-Allen asked that a moment of silence be observed.
APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
Motion: M/S Robles/Spease to approve the agenda as presented. The motion passed by the following vote: Ayes: 4 (Singh- Allen, Robles, Spease, Suen); Noes: 0;
Absent: 1 (Brewer).
CLOSED SESSION
None.
PRESENTATIONS / ANNOUNCEMENTS
4.1 W
ith the aid of a visual presentation (filed), the Youth Commission provided the Semi-Annual Update.
4.2 D
epartment heads introduced New Hire Introductions of the prior quarter.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION
Ci
ty Manager Jason Behrmann reviewed the Administrative Report for January 22, 2025 (filed).
Elk Grove City Council
Regular Meeting, January 22, 2025
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
Motion: M/
S Suen/ Spease to approve the Consent Calendar as presented. The motion passed by the following vote: Ayes: 4 (Singh- Allen, Robles, Spease, Suen); Noes: 0; Absent: 1 (Brewer).
Agenda Item No. 7.1 : A
pproved City Council meeting minutes of the January 8, 2024 regular meeting.
Agenda Item No. 7.2: R
eceived 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 January 14, 2025.
Agenda Item No. 7.3: R
eceived report on Requests for Proposals, Qualifications, and Bids.
Agenda Item No. 7.4: R eceived the Monthly Disbursement Summary and AP Check Register Listing for December 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024, showing Automatic Clearing House Nos. 23017 through 23102; General Warrant Nos.145728 through 146112; and Electronic Fund Transfer Nos. 90072950 through 90072966.
Agenda Item No. 7.5 : A
dopted Ordinance No. 01- 2025 levying and apportioning the special tax in territory annexed to Community Facilities District No. 2003-2 (Police Services) (Annexation No. 76) and amending Elk Grove Municipal Code Section 3.18.010 (Second Reading).
Agenda Item No. 7.6 : A
dopted Ordinance No. 02- 2025 levying and apportioning the special tax in territory annexed to Community Facilities District No. 2006-1 (Maintenance Services) (Annexation No. 100) and amending Elk Grove Municipal Code Section 3.19.010 (Second Reading).
Agenda Item No. 7.7: A
dopted Resolution No. 2025-013 authorizing the City Manager to execute an Agreement for Acquisition of Privately-Constructed Facilities or Reimbursement of Eligible Expenditures within the City of Elk Grove Community Facilities District No. 2005- 1 (Laguna Ridge) by and between the City of Elk Grove and Poppy Grove I, LP, a California limited partnership, utilizing funds from the CFD 2005-1 Series 2024 bonds pursuant to the Laguna Ridge Community Facilities District Guiding Principles.
Agenda Item No. 7.8: A
dopted Resolution No. 2025-014 authorizing the City Manager to execute an Agreement for Acquisition of Privately-Constructed Facilities or Reimbursement of Eligible Expenditures within the City of Elk Grove Community Facilities District No. 2005- 1 (Laguna Ridge) by and between the City of Elk Grove and Poppy Grove II, LP, a California limited partnership, utilizing funds from the CFD 2005-1 Series 2024 bonds pursuant to the Laguna Ridge Community Facilities District Guiding Principles.
Elk Grove City Council
Regular Meeting, January 22, 2025
Agenda Item No. 7.9: A dopted Resolution No. 2025-015 authorizing the City Manager to execute an Agreement for Acquisition of Privately-Constructed Facilities or Reimbursement of Eligible Expenditures within the City of Elk Grove Community Facilities District No. 2005- 1 (Laguna Ridge) by and between the City of Elk Grove and Poppy Grove III, LP, a California limited partnership, utilizing funds from the CFD 2005-1 Series 2024 bonds pursuant to the Laguna Ridge Community Facilities District Guiding Principles.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Agenda Item No. 8.1: A
public hearing to consider: 1) a resolution adopting amendments to the Elk Grove General Plan; and 2) an Ordinance approving revisions to Elk Grove Municipal Code Chapter 16.50 (Flood Damage Prevention) and Chapter 23.100 (General Definitions) for Floodplain Allowances for public improvements and non-habitable structures (CEQA Exempt).
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Conduct a public hearing to receive information from staff and comments from the public and then take the following actions:
1) Adopt resolution finding no further environmental review is necessary under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15183 (Projects Consistent with a Community Plan, General Plan, or Zoning) and Section 15162 (Subsequent EIRs and Negative Declarations) of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations (State CEQA Guidelines) and amending the Elk Grove General Plan; and 2) Adopt ordinance amending Elk Grove Municipal Code Chapter 16.50 (Flood Damage Prevention) and Chapter 23.100 (General Definitions) for Floodplain Allowances for public improvements and non-habitable structures.
With the aid of a visual presentation (filed), Sarah Kirchgessner, Senior Planner, provided an overview of the staff report and recommendation.
Mayor Singh-Allen declared the public hearing open.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
Mayor Singh-Allen declared the public hearing closed.
Motion #1 : M/
S Suen/Spease to adopt Resolution No. 2025-016 finding no further environmental review is necessary under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15183 (Projects Consistent with a Community Plan, General P
lan, or Zoning) and Section 15162 (Subsequent EIRs and Negative Declarations) of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations (State CEQA Guidelines) and amending the Elk Grove General Plan. The motion passed by the following vote: Ayes: 4 (Singh-Allen, Robles, Spease, Suen); Noes: 0; Absent: 1 (Brewer).
Motion #2: M/
S Suen/Spease to introduce Ordinance No. 03-2025 amending Elk Grove Municipal Code Chapter 16.50 (Flood Damage Prevention) and Chapter 23.100 (General Definitions) for Floodplain Allowances for public improvements and non- habitable Elk Grove City Council
Regular Meeting, January 22, 2025
structures. The motion passed by the following vote: Ayes: 4 (Singh- Allen, Robles, Spease, Suen); Noes: 0; Absent: 1 (Brewer).
REGULAR AGENDA ACTION ITEMS / RECOMMENDATIONS
Agenda Item No. 9.1 : C
onsider a resolution approving the artwork for the Elk Grove Library and authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with the artist (No Further CEQA Review Required).
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt resolution approving the artwork for the Elk Grove Library and authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with the artist.
With the aid of a visual presentation (filed), Kara Reddig, Deputy City Manager, and Shelly Willis, the City’s public art consultant, provided an overview of the staff report and recommendation for the selection of Aaron T. Stephan to create the piece Radiant Eddy.
Note: Council Member Brewer arrived at 6:59 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
Council Member Spease recommended consideration to keep the middle area of the piece open for pedestrians to enter into the piece for photo opportunities and interaction with the art piece.
Staff noted that lighting and illumination of the piece would be evaluated for the installation.
Motion: M/
S Suen/ Robles to adopt Resolution No. 2025-017 approving the artwork for the Elk Grove Library and authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with the artist.
The motion passed by the following vote: Ayes: 5 (Singh- Allen, Robles, Brewer, Spease, Suen); Noes: 0; Absent: 0.
Agenda Item No. 9.2: R
eceive an update on the New Zoo at Elk Grove Project regarding design status, leadership changes at the Sacramento Zoological Society, fundraising efforts, and the facility naming process; consider a resolution establishing the name of the facility; and provide additional direction as appropriate (No Further CEQA Required).
RECOMMENDATION
Receive an update on the New Zoo at Elk Grove Project regarding design status, leadership changes at the Sacramento Zoological Society, fundraising efforts, and the facility naming process; adopt a resolution establishing the name of the facility; and provide additional direction as appropriate.
With the aid of a visual presentation (filed), Samuel Grimm, Senior Civil Engineer, and Kara Reddig, Deputy City Manager , provided an overview of the staff report and recommendation.
Elk Grove City Council
Regular Meeting, January 22, 2025
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Walt Hess requested clarification on the pledges and payment milestones , the differentiation between pledges and/or cash and timing of receipt, and noted that in the staff report for this item the pledges reported were for only last quarter (and he would like to see on the City website for the project the full pledge history to date).
Mrs. Reddig stated pledges were a combination of cash and pledges, and the report for this meeting would be added to the listing of pledges and gifts received to date.
Kathy Lee addressed the attachment displaying the pledges believing the report was inadequate, and suggested a third party accounting firm be hired to to review the list of cash and pledges to lend credibility to the process.
Brooke Coe spoke in support of the New Zoo at Elk Grove Project and supported the proposed name of The Greater Sacramento Zoo at Elk Grove.
City Manager Jason Behrmann confirmed that there were various milestones for the Sacramento Zoological Society to display pledges of either cash in hand or accurate, verified pledges by City staff. The City had received $1.9 million in cash to date, and before going to construction in any capacity the full $50 million in cash must be deposited with the City.
Mayor Singh-Allen and Council Member Brewer reviewed the process of generating the zoo name in conjunction with the Sacramento Zoological Society representatives.
Council Member Suen put forward the suggestion of Elk Grove Zoo of Greater Sacramento, and while appreciating the nostalgia of the Sacramento Zoo in the current day, the physical relocation to Elk Grove and the massive scope of investment and land by Elk Grove, it seemed appropriate to emphasize by name the location in Elk Grove of the largest scale project the City has undertaken.
Mr. Behrmann noted the Sacramento Zoological Society had expressed the importance for a name, and a name that would resonate with the existing membership of fundraising contributors, as well provide context and familiarity for the attraction of sponsors to contribute to the zoo.
Liz Stallard , Sacramento Zoological Society representative, stated the important fundraising factors were to have identity for donors, connection and continuity to the Sacramento Zoo and regional supporters, and geographic proximity for potential donors outside of the area to orient themselves geographically to the Sacramento region (nationwide entities wanting a presence in the area). Ms. Stallard noted the longstanding history of the Sacramento Zoo and the Sacramento Zoological Society, the importance to maintain the longevity and continuity of these institutions, and the significant financial investment and partnership of the Sacramento Zoological Society in the project.
The City Council deliberated on the matter, and provided direction to return an alternative naming option based on the night’s discussion, that is also reviewed with the Sacramento Elk Grove City Council
Regular Meeting, January 22, 2025
Zool
ogical Society, with Elk Grove in a place of prominence, and return the matter back for consideration to the regular meeting of February 12, 2025.
Agenda Item No. 9.3 : Receive an update on City Council Priority Projects and provide direction as desired.
RECOMMENDATION
Receive information from staff regarding the status of City Council Priority Projects and provide direction as desired.
Wi
th the aid of a visual presentation (filed), Femi Omotesho, Management Analyst, provided an overview of the staff report and recommendation.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
The C
ity Council received and filed the report.
Agenda Item No. 9.4: Receive information on regional Planning Commissioner stipends and provide direction as needed.
RECOMMENDATION
Receive information on regional Planning Commissioner stipends and provide direction as needed.
Wi
th the aid of a visual presentation (filed), Femi Omotesho, Management Analyst, provided an overview of the staff report and recommendation.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
Th
e City Council deliberated on the matter and provided direction to return an item to set the stipend at $100.00 per meeting for members of the Planning Commission.
COUNCIL COMMENTS / REPORTS / FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Counc
il Members Suen and Spease had no items to report.
Vi
ce Mayor Robles attended the Sacramento Area Sewer District meeting.
Counc
il Member Brewer noted the upcoming Sacramento Public Library Authority Board meeting.
May
or Singh- Allen attended the Sacramento Regional Transit District Board meeting, noted that in light of the Southern California wildfires the Cosumnes Community Services District Fire Department had been invited to provide a presentation of assessment of fire risk in Elk Grove at the February 12, 2025 regular City Council meeting, and she requested consideration be given for funding youth programs (in particular consider the survey findings regarding mental health as identified by the Youth Commission).
Elk Grove City Council
Regular Meeting, January 22, 2025
ADJOURNMENT
Wi
th no additional business to conduct, the January 22, 2025 City Council meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
JA SON LINDGREN, CITY CLERK
ATTEST:
BOBBIE SINGH-ALLEN, MAYOR