CITY COUNCIL
Darrell Steinberg, Mayor
Angelique Ashby, Vice Mayor, District 1
Sean Loloee, District 2
Jeff Harris, District 3
Katie Valenzuela, District 4
Jay Schenirer, District 5
Eric Guerra, Mayor Pro Tem, District 6
Rick Jennings, II, District 7
Mai Vang, District 8
CHARTER OFFICERS
Mindy Cuppy, City Clerk
Susana Alcala Wood, City Attorney
Jorge Oseguera, City Auditor
Howard Chan, City Manager
John Colville, City Treasurer
City Council
Financing Authority
Housing Authority
Public Financing Authority
Redevelopment Agency
Successor Agency
City Hall-Council Chamber
915 I Street, 1st Floor
Published by the Office of the City Clerk
(916) 808-5163
CORRESPONDENCE
Description of Attached: Correspondence received after publishing the Agenda.
For the Meeting of: Tuesday, February 15, 2022, at 5:00 p.m.
Agenda Item: Public Comments – Matters Not on the Agenda
From: [email protected]
To: Mindy Cuppy; Public Comment
Cc: [email protected]; Alexandra Reagan; [email protected] Subject: Follow up to City Council Meeting, Feb 8, 2022, Climate and Transportation Workshop Date: Monday, February 14, 2022 5:35:17 PM
Attachments: 220214 ECOS LETTER to City of Sacramento re Transportation Workshop.pdf 220207 ECOS LETTER to CITY re-Transportation-Wksp.pdf
Mindy Cuppy
City Clerk
City of Sacramento
915 I Street, 5th Floor
Sacramento, CA
Hello Mindy,
I am the new president of ECOS and am on a learning curve on many fronts. Our transportation team lead John Deeter mentioned to me that our letter of February 7, 2022 was not included in the attachments to City Council Feb. 8, 2022, Agenda Item 19, Transportation Workshop. Should we make it a practice in the future to copy you on all correspondence with the Mayor and Councilmembers to have it included in the record? Thanks very much for your guidance on this.
Below and attached is a follow up letter dated 2/24/22 and also attached is our letter from 2/7/22.
Sincerely,
Susan
ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL OF SACRAMENTO
Susan Herre AIA AICP, ECOS President
https://www.ecosacramento.net/
[email protected], 202-747-4087
From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, February 14, 2022 4:40 PM
To: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] Cc: 'Jennifer Venema' <[email protected]>; 'Jennifer Donlon Wyant' <[email protected]>; [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: Follow up to City Council Meeting, Feb 8, 2022, Climate and Transportation Workshop
Mayor and Council Members
City of Sacramento
915 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
SUBJECT: City Council Meeting, Feb 8, 2022, Climate and Transportation Workshop
Dear Mr. Mayor and Council Members,
Please accept these follow-up comments to the Climate and Transportation Workshop.
ECOS supports the proposed seven active transportation projects as a good start. We urge the City to focus these and other active transportation infrastructure investments in districts around light rail stations and along major bus corridors, with safe walk/bike ways to the next adjacent transit hub. In these same districts, we urge the City to apply planning policies to catalyze new development to create new centers of community where it is enjoyable to walk and where transit provides good regional access. We encourage you to use the lens of climate adaptation and equity as you proceed.
When Sam Zimbabwe talked about transit in Seattle, he showed the list of ballot measures to fund transit starting in 1996. I lived in Seattle then, and with others from the American Institute of Architects, helped to promote the $3.9B ballot initiative for light rail, commuter rail, express bus, local bus, community connections, and HOV improvements. It passed and became the start of Sound Transit. The system is regional, including three counties. Please let me know if my expertise or the assistance of ECOS can help you in moving forward. The City could benefit from a similar regional approach to funding a reasonable and meaningful set of transportation projects and programs.
Sincerely,
Susan Herre
ECOS President
ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL OF SACRAMENTO
Susan Herre AIA AICP, ECOS President
https://www.ecosacramento.net/
[email protected], 202-747-4087
www.ecosacramento.net
Post Office Box 1526 | Sacramento, CA 95812-1526
February 7, 2022
ECOS letter in advance of Sac City Council transportation workshop 2/8/22
Dear Mayor Steinberg and members, Sacramento City Council:
The Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS) thanks the Mayor and City Council for sponsoring this workshop, and to city staff for their thoughtful and thorough preparation.
The Council has acknowledged the need to address the impacts of climate change by declaring a climate emergency in December 2019. However, we are far from meeting the City’s carbon neutrality goal – we need plans and funding. The City is making progress on building electrification, but the most important sector for meeting our climate neutrality goal is transportation, which accounts for over half of our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
It is imperative that the City immediately transform its transportation priorities to deal with our ongoing climate emergency. We must drastically reduce dependence on automobiles, and prioritize investment in other modes, chiefly walking, rolling, and transit. In doing so, we must be mindful of accommodating historically disadvantaged communities – ethnic, economic, and mobility limited. Their concerns must be fully addressed in our planning.
The City Council must prioritize investment in active trans portation and public transit. The Mayors’ Commission on Climate Change recommended changing course to a multimodal transportation policy that prioritizes active transportation as the healthiest and most efficient option, public transit and shared mobility for longer trips, and finally zero emission vehicles for trips where transit or active transportation is not an option. We need more than just electric vehicles – it will be decades before all vehicles will be electric, and we would still face unacceptable traffic congestion, safety, and equity issues.
The new transportation policy must focus on how people move from place to place, not just on cars. The plan should include complete streets, comprehensive multimodal corridors, interconnected low -stress and pedestrian networks, car-free zones, slow streets, a safe and attractive environment, accessible and affordable mobility, clean air, and reduced GHG emissions. A city where streets are for people and not just for cars provides:
• Healthier air, with reduced asthma and cardiovascular disease • Less traffic congestion
• Fewer collisions
• Improved equity from affordable, accessible transportation
To make the most of these transportation policies, the City should promote infill development, particularly new housing, retail and business near light rail stations and major bus corridors. Our affordable housing crisis, which especially impacts disadvantaged communities, is best addressed in this way. This will also lessen pressure for development in areas further from tra nsit, which otherwise would result in much higher vehicle-miles traveled (VMT) and GHG emissions. To achieve urban densities, these new developments www.ecosacramento.net
around and along transit should consist of buildings at least five stories tall, that enclose public outdoor space to create memorable and enjoyable places. Increased urban development will reduce the pressure for greenfield development, and further reduce vehicle travel in the entire Sacramento region. Implementation of the above plan will induce more people t o live in the urban core, thereby increasing the use of active transportation and transit, and also strengthening the City’s economy.
We are encouraged by the City’s commitment to affordable housing as part of the Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) for Aggie Square. Commitments to funding public transit, such as bus -rapid-transit along Stockton Boulevard, would accelerate the progress being made there. The City Council should adopt a CBA ordinance that provides funds for affordable housing and public trans it in other areas to be developed. The City Council should consider that single -family zoning is an impediment to affordable housing and development that minimizes VMT and GHG, and adjust accordingly. City Council members on SACOG’s board should ensure that federal transportation funds are provided for infill, rather than encouraging sprawl.
We wholeheartedly support the staff proposals; they are an important first step and we hope to see continued progress towards a comprehensive active transportation an d transit approach for the city. The Council has declared a climate emergency, and adopted policies to prioritize active transportation and reduce vehicular travel and GHG emissions. Now is the time to put these words into action. We urge you to:
Fund the projects proposed by staff through allocations in the 2022-27 Capital Investment Plan Set aside additional funds in the mid -year and the 2022 -23 budget to make the city eligible for federal and state grants/funding for a comprehensive active transportation and public transit approach Allocate sufficient staff and resources to develop, fund, and implement these programs
We are counting on you to take action, NOW, to ensure the sustainability of our city so that it is livable for generations to come.
Susan Herre
ECOS President
Post Office Box 1526 | Sacramento, CA 95812-1526
February 14, 2022
Mayor and Council Members
City of Sacramento
915 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
Sent via email
SUBJECT: City Council Meeting, Feb 8, 2022, Climate and Transportation Workshop
Dear Mr. Mayor and Council Members,
Please accept these follow-up comments to the Climate and Transportation Workshop.
ECOS supports the proposed seven active transportation projects as a good start. We urge the City to focus these and other active transportation infrastructure investments in districts around light rail stations and along major bus corridors, with safe walk/bike ways to the next adjacent transit hub. In these same districts, we urge the City to apply planning policies to catalyze new development to create new centers of community where it is enjoyable to walk and where transit provides good regional access. We encourage you to use the lens of climate adaptation and equity as you proceed.
When Sam Zimbabwe talked about transit in Seattle, he showed the list of ballot measures to fund transit starting in 1996. I lived in Seattle then, and with others from the American Institute of Architects, helped to promote the $3.9B ballot initiative for light rail, commuter rail, express bus, local bus, community connections, and HOV improvements. It passed and became the start of Sound Transit. The system is regional, including three counties. Please let me know if my expertise or the assistance of ECOS can help you in moving forward. The City could benefit from a similar regional approach to funding a reasonable and meaningful set of transportation projects and programs.
Sincerely,
Susan Herre
ECOS President
From: r
To: Mayor Steinberg; Luis Montes; Mary Lynne Vellinga; Angelique Ashby; Karina Talamantes; Sean Loloee; Veronica Smith; Jeff S. Harris; David Gonsalves; Katie Valenzuela; Michelle Pariset; D4 Constituent Services; Jay Schenirer; Allison Joe; Eric Guerra; KaSandra Soto; Rick Jennings; Dennis M. Rogers; District8; Ryan K. Brown; Public Comment
Subject: Opposed to Guaranteed Income Program for Artists Date: Thursday, February 10, 2022 3:09:51 PM
Dear Mayor Steinberg and Councilmembers,
We are against your proposal for a Guaranteed Basic Income for Artists (GBI) program. It is beyond comprehension how you reached the conclusion that artists, by virtue of their career choice, should be eligible to live off taxpayer dollars. Even more baffling is how you stretched the intent of the Federal American Rescue Plan to cover this expenditure which has absolutely no nexus to the pandemic.
Artists, like most other able-bodied people, are responsible for making their own way in life. Few artists (actors, writers, etc.) can make a living off their art and must supplement income with a day job. Luckily, the prospect of finding a job in today's market is excellent.
The concept of government assistance (welfare) is to help needy people, not to be a form of patronage to favored groups. Your enthrallment with the arts and artists is great. If you are intent on helping them, I suggest that you rally some of your wealthy friends together and get them to sponsor a few local creatives.
Taxpayer money should not be used for this purpose.
Sincerely,
Read and Zoe Harrison
CITY COUNCIL
Darrell Steinberg, Mayor
Angelique Ashby, Vice Mayor, District 1
Sean Loloee, District 2
Jeff Harris, District 3
Katie Valenzuela, District 4
Jay Schenirer, District 5
Eric Guerra, Mayor Pro Tem, District 6
Rick Jennings, II, District 7
Mai Vang, District 8
CHARTER OFFICERS
Mindy Cuppy, City Clerk
Susana Alcala Wood, City Attorney
Jorge Oseguera, City Auditor
Howard Chan, City Manager
John Colville, City Treasurer
City Council
Financing Authority
Housing Authority
Public Financing Authority
Redevelopment Agency
Successor Agency
City Hall-Council Chamber
915 I Street, 1st Floor
Published by the Office of the City Clerk
(916) 808-5163
FINAL CORRESPONDENCE
Description of Attached: Correspondence received after publishing the Agenda
For the Meeting of: Tuesday, February 15, 2022, at 5:00 p.m.
Agenda Item: Public Comments – Matters Not on the Agenda
From: L. Kennedy
To: Darrell Steinberg; Angelique Ashby; Eric Guerra; Jay Schenirer; Jeff S. Harris; Katie Valenzuela; Mai Vang; Rick Jennings; Sean Loloee; Public Comment
Subject: Against The Guaranteed Basic Income for Artists pilot program Date: Tuesday, February 15, 2022 12:49:27 PM
To the Mayor and Sacramento to Council:
I recently read about an upcoming agenda item re: a basic living wage for artists.
I would strongly encourage a no vote by each one of you and question why you would be adding an additional program when there is already one in place (welfare) for individuals that need help.
A quick web search showed there are studies that show “universal and guaranteed income programs were shown to significantly reduce actual yearly hours worked among the income recipients. As we’ve seen with the COVID stimulus checks, people are working fewer hours and opting out of work altogether.” Yet, we have several businesses that are unable to get the staff and help they need to survive and thrive in today’s economy. I don’t understand why we continue to enable subsets within our community?
I value the art community and support it. However, I don’t think this is the answer. If we start here, where does it end? Who is next?
If there are additional funds available, I would strongly encourage each one of you to look at what our City needs to become a vibrant city once again. There is a significant need to cleanup miles of
trash/drug paraphernalia that have ruined our city streets and waterways. Why don’t we have more police presence to prevent car bombings (Oak Park) or attacks on citizens by the homeless (McKinley Park)? What programs can we expand to help with the mental health and drug addiction needs of those on the street currently and stop the cycle vs. a band aid?
Once again we need the council and mayor to set realistic boundaries and balance community needs for everyone.
I appreciate your consideration and allowing the opportunity to submit comments and express frustrations and concerns,
Thank you,
L. Kennedy
From: Pfeifer Laszlo
To: Pfeifer Laszlo
Subject: Beyond these trees
Date: Thursday, February 17, 2022 9:59:26 AM
Beyond these trees is a building and that building is just before the light rail station. Just before the del Paso light rail station. And just as one approaches this building one feels a sort of sickness in the air. And one can observe the physical feeling of a horrid stench. Likewise as one crosses the bridge to go over the water towards American avenue. On the right hand side there - there is the same feeling. Which is only indicative of sickness and disease. It will be no limit to the extent at which the homeless population if left unchecked will continue to encroach upon our area. Enough is enough.
From: Nicole muller
To: Public Comment
Date: Tuesday, February 15, 2022 3:12:50 PM
Good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor, and City Council. My name is Nicole Muller, I am a Sheet Metal Worker with Local Union 104 in the Sacramento area. Projects like this are crucial for our community and allow for more construction career opportunities. I am in favor of this project and the changes proposed. I hope you are as well because it has the community's best interest at heart. I appreciate your time and consideration.
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
From: Nicole muller
To: Public Comment
Date: Tuesday, February 15, 2022 3:17:06 PM
Good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor, and City Council.
My name is Nicole Muller, I am a Sheet Metal Worker with Local Union 104 in the Sacramento area. Projects like this are crucial for our community and allow for more construction career opportunities. I am in favor of this project and the changes proposed. I hope you are as well because it has the community's best interest at heart. I appreciate your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Nicole Muller
(209)346-4388
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android