Elk Grove City Council
Regular Meeting, February 12, 2025
CIT
Y OF ELK GROVE
Incorporated July 1, 2000
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL
May
or Singh-Allen called the regular City Council meeting of February 12, 2025, to order at 6:20 p.m.
Pr
esent: Mayor Singh-Allen, Vice Mayor Robles, and Council Members Brewer, Spease and Suen.
Abs
ent: None.
Vi
ce Mayor Robles read the Land Acknowledgement.
Cos
umnes Community Services District Fire Chief Felipe Rodriguez 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/Suen to approve the agenda as presented. The motion passed by the following vote: Ayes: 5 (Singh-Allen, Robles, Brewer, Spease, Suen); Noes:
0; Absent: 0.
CLOSED SESSION
None.
PRESENTATIONS / ANNOUNCEMENTS
4.1 M
ayor Singh- Allen presented a proclamation to Judy Covington in recognition of Black History Month.
4.2 W
ith the aid of a visual presentations (filed), the Cosumnes Community Services District Fire Department and Elk Grove Police Department gave presentations regarding wildfire Emergency Readiness.
May
or Singh-Allen requested the presentations and materials be made available as a resource on the City website.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT:
Dus
tin Noble expressed dismay over the death of his family dog Buzz that was pulled under the fence, mauled, and died from the encounter with the neighboring dog.
Elk Grove City Council
Regular Meeting, February 12, 2025
Mr. Noble had filed a report with Animal Control and was disappointed that there was no action from the City, including that the neighboring dog was not designated as a dangerous dog, and he sought some response and action by the City relating to the dog as the conditions of the dog’s aggressive behavior and damage to the neighboring fence continue to exist and posed a risk to Mr. Noble and his family.
Bob Turner suggested naming the zoo as The Elk Grove City Zoo in Sacramento County.
Ron Wyman raised issues of elder abuse and neglect of his mother-in-law in the City, and expressed dissatisfaction with several agencies that were not supportive or adequately responsive during calls for service.
Michael Monasky opposed elected officials taking political campaign contributions from the tobacco industry.
Bruce Kamilos stated the support from the Elk Grove Water District to maintain fire and disaster safety and response for the community.
Lynn Wheat provided information on recognizing February as American Heart Month, noted the negative impacts of tobacco products, reviewed recent state legislation banning tobacco products and that 148 cities had stricter smoking regulations than the state, and opposed elected officials taking political campaign contributions from the tobacco industry (believing such contributions to campaigns should be donated to efforts to curb or correct the negative impacts of tobacco products).
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION
City Manager Jason Behrmann reviewed the Administrative Report for February 12, 2025 (filed).
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
Motion: M/
S Robles/Suen to approve the Consent Calendar as presented. The motion passed by the following vote: Ayes: 5 (Singh-Allen, Robles, Brewer, Spease, Suen); Noes: 0; Absent: 0.
Agenda Item No. 7.1: A
pproved City Council meeting minutes of the January 22, 2025 special 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 February 4, 2025.
Agenda Item No. 7.3: R
eceived report on Requests for Proposals, Qualifications, and Bids.
Elk Grove City Council
Regular Meeting, February 12, 2025
Agenda Item No. 7.4: A dopted 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 structures (Second Reading).
Agenda Item No. 7.5: A
dopted Resolution No. 2025-018 authorizing the City Manager to execute Amended and Restated Letters of Intent with Mutual Housing California and Abode Communities for the development of City -owned sites in Old Town and Sheldon Farms North, respectively (CEQA Exempt).
Agenda Item No. 7.6: A
dopted Resolution No. 2025-019 dispensing with the formal bidding procedure pursuant to Elk Grove Municipal Code Sections 3.42.180(B)(4) and 3.42.220 and authorizing the City Manager to execute a three-year contract for Microsoft software through a cooperative purchasing agreement with CDW Government, LLC in an amount not to exceed $785,663.49.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Agenda Item No. 8.1: A
Public Hearing (continued from November 13, 2024) to consider an Ordinance amending the Old Town Special Planning Area (no further CEQA review required).
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Introduce an ordinance amending the Old Town Special Planning Area relative to bars, breweries, wineries, and brew pubs.
With the aid of a visual presentation (filed), Antonio Ablog, Planning Manager, provided an overview of the staff report and recommendation.
Mayor Singh-Allen declared the public hearing open.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Michael Monasky opposed increasing the number of alcohol establishments.
Randy Bekker believed any future applications needed to be reviewed for safety, lighting, hours of service, and type of use. Mr. Bekker did not want to see any City funding utilized to assist in starting up restaurants, and believed Measure E funds would be appropriate to add additional police officers in the area of Old Town.
Mayor Singh-Allen declared the public hearing closed.
Staff noted that additional field review would be needed to evaluate use of cameras based on lighting conditions, and with the ability to establish adequate technological support , it would inform if officer patrols needed to be assigned.
The City Council deliberated on the matter, noting that the increase to from three to six establishments was modest, and there remained the ability under the required Conditional Use Permit to evaluate applications on a case-by-case basis. Concerns remained about Elk Grove City Council
Regular Meeting, February 12, 2025
safety but encouragement was expressed to utilize technology, video, and improved lighting, and the goal remained to attract visitors to Old Town to foster economic activity in the area.
Motion: M/ S Robles/Suen to introduce Ordinance No. 04-2025 amending the Old Town Special Planning Area relative to bars, breweries, wineries, and brew pubs. The motion passed by the following vote: Ayes: 5 (Singh-Allen, Robles, Brewer, Spease, Suen); Noes: 0; Absent: 0.
Agenda Item No. 8.2 : A
public hearing to consider : 1) a resolution adopting an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program; 2) an ordinance amending the City of Elk Grove Zoning Map for the Dunisch GPA, Rezone, and Map Project (PLNG22- 047) (Assessor Parcel Numbers 116- 0050-010, -011, -013, -027, -030, -031, and -034); and 3) a resolution approving a General Plan Amendment (text and map), Tentative Subdivision Map, Subdivision Design Review, Tree Permit, and Determination of Consistency with the General Plan for Abandonment for the Dunisch GPA, Rezone, and Map Project (PLNG22-047).
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Conduct a public hearing and take the following actions:
1) Adopt resolution approving the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program prepared for the Dunisch GPA, Rezone, and Map Project (PLNG22-047);
2) Introduce ordinance amending the Elk Grove Zoning Map for the Dunisch GPA, Rezone, and Map Project (PLNG22-047) (Assessor Parcel Numbers: 116-0050-010, -011, -013, -027, -030, -031, and -034); and
3) Adopt resolution approving a General Plan Amendment (map and text), Tentative Subdivision Map, Subdivision Design Review, Tree Permit, and Determination of Consistency with the General Plan for the Abandonment of existing right -of-way for the Dunisch GPA, Rezone, and Map Project (PLNG22- 047), based on the findings and subject to the conditions of approval included in the draft Resolution.
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.
Matt Spokely, applicant representative, spoke in support of the staff recommendation.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
Mayor Singh-Allen declared the public hearing closed.
Motion #1:
M/S Brewer/Suen to adopt Resolution No. 2025-020 approving the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program prepared for the Dunisch GPA, Rezone, and Map Project (PLNG22- 047). The motion passed by the following vote: Ayes: 5 (Singh-Allen, Robles, Brewer, Spease, Suen); Noes: 0; Absent: 0.
Elk Grove City Council
Regular Meeting, February 12, 2025
Motion #2: M/ S Brewer/Suen to introduce Ordinance No. 05-2025 amending the Elk Grove Zoning Map for the Dunisch GPA, Rezone, and Map Project (PLNG22- 047) (Assessor Parcel Numbers: 116-0050-010, -011, -013, -027, -030, -031, and -034). The motion passed by the following vote: Ayes: 5 (Singh- Allen, Robles, Brewer, Spease, Suen); Noes: 0; Absent: 0.
Motion #3: M/
S Brewer/Suen to adopt Resolution No. 2025-021 approving a General Plan Amendment (map and text), Tentative Subdivision Map, Subdivision Design Review, Tree Permit, and Determination of Consistency with the General Plan for the Abandonment of existing right -of-way for the Dunisch GPA, Rezone, and Map P roject (PLNG22-047), based on the findings and subject to the conditions of approval included in the draft Resolution . The motion passed by the following vote: Ayes: 5 (Singh- Allen, Robles, Brewer, Spease, Suen); Noes: 0; Absent: 0.
REGULAR AGENDA ACTION ITEMS / RECOMMENDATIONS
Agenda Item No. 9.1 : R
eceive an update on establishing the name of the New Zoo at Elk Grove Project, consider a resolution establishing the name of the facility, and provide additional direction as appropriate.
RECOMMENDATION
Receive an update on establishing the name of the New Zoo at Elk Grove Project, adopt a resolution establishing the name of the facility; and provide additional direction as appropriate.
With the aid of a visual presentation (filed), Kara Reddig, Deputy City Manager, provided an overview of the staff report and recommendation establishing the name Elk Grove – Sacramento Zoo.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Michael Monasky believed that what was being said and what was written for the Sacramento Zoological Society to meet the $50 million funding commitment were contradictory. Mr. Monasky did not believe the project was feasible, and suggested the facility be named Exotic Animal Prison.
Robert Churchill, Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Sacramento Zoological Society , spoke in support of the staff recommendation.
Lynn Wheat suggested the name Elk Grove Tax Payer Mello- Roos / Sacramento Zoo , and raised concern about the $50 million funding commitment believing the Finance Plan identified that the Sacramento Zoological Society could use debt financing to meet any part of the funding commitment, and the Sacramento Zoological Society could approach the City to place such debt financing in the bond debt issuance.
Randy Bekker voiced support of the zoo project, he did not believe there should remain reference to Sacramento as the City of Sacramento had placed no investment in the move of the zoo, and voiced preference for the name Elk Grove Zoo.
Elk Grove City Council
Regular Meeting, February 12, 2025
Council Member Spease noted that he did not believe the naming was about the City of Sacramento, but it was more referential to the history and institution of the Sacramento Zoo.
Motion: M/
S Suen/ Singh-Allen to adopt Resolution No. 2025 -022 establishing the name of the New Zoo at Elk Grove Project. 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 the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Measure E Annual Report from the Measure E Citizens’ Oversight Committee and review and provide feedback on the draft Annual Measure E Community Report.
RECOMMENDATION
Receive a presentation from the Measure E Citizens’ Oversight Committee and accept the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Measure E Annual Report and review and provide feedback on the draft Annual Measure E Community Report.
With the aid of a visual presentation (filed), Hollis Erb, Chair of the Measure E Citizens’ Oversight Committee, and Jaqui Guzmán, Assistant City Manager , provided the update presentation to the City Council.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
The City Council received and filed the report.
Agenda Item No. 9.3 : R
eceive an update on the Workforce Readiness Certification Program (WORC) and provide direction to staff.
RECOMMENDATION
Receive an update on the Workforce Readiness Certification Program (WORC) and provide direction to staff.
With the aid of a visual presentation (filed), Sara Rodrigues, Economic Development Analyst, provided an overview of the staff report and recommendation.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Marla Clayton Johnson, Director of Adult Education at the Charles A. Jones Career and Education Center, appreciated the partnership as one of the service providers with the City, and encouraged continued participation by the City in workforce development.
The City Council deliberated on the matter , voicing appreciation for the programs completed utilizing American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 ( ARPA) funding to date, and provided direction to support the staff recommendation to reconstitute the WORC Program as a flexible on-demand business-driven program designed to meet the specific and timely hiring needs of Elk Grove businesses.
Elk Grove City Council
Regular Meeting, February 12, 2025
Agenda Item No. 9.4 : Consider appointment of seven voting members to the Arts and Creative Economy Commission.
RECOMMENDATION
Receive information from Mayor Singh- Allen, with the approval of the City Council, regarding the appointment of seven voting members to the Arts and Creative Economy Commission.
Jas
on Lindgren, City Clerk, provided an overview of the staff report and recommendation.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Br
ian Rickel, Ray Apodaca, Darci Robertson, Doug Winter , Amy Labowitch, Cheryl Griess, Mike Mangonon, Julee Cooper, Susan Oto, Markos Egure, Man Phan, Aaron Val, Pablo Espinoza , Nicole Haddad , and Marie Thomas spoke as applicants seeking appointment to the Arts and Creative Economy Commission.
Motion: M/S Singh-Allen/Suen to waive rule of procedure not to consider new business after 10:00 p.m. and to proceed with the remainder of the agenda. The motion passed by the following vote: Ayes: 5 (Singh-Allen, Robles, Brewer, Spease, Suen); Noes:
0; Absent: 0.
May
or Singh-Allen, with consensus of the full City Council, appointed Mike Mangonon, Pablo Espinoza, Brian Rickel, Man Phan, Aaron Val, Julee Cooper, and Sally Guttridge as voting members to the Arts and Creative Economy Commission.
COUNCIL COMMENTS / REPORTS / FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
May
or Singh-Allen and Council Members Brewer, Spease, and Suen had no items to report.
Vi
ce Mayor Robles noted a job fair was scheduled for April 5, 2025.
ADJOURNMENT
Wi
th no additional business to conduct, the February 12, 2025 City Council meeting was adjourned at 10:10 p.m.
JA SON LINDGREN, CITY CLERK
ATTEST:
BOBBIE SINGH-ALLEN, MAYOR