WEST SACRAMENTO (MPG) - West Sacramento City Council December 6 meeting.

Public Comment

Guy Stevenson – Guy spoke about the importance of First Responders. He stated that he believes that there needs to be more funding dedicated to paying Police and Fire personnel. He asked them to please come up with the money and suggested that maybe they use the money that they get from selling Club Pheasant, to give our First Responders a raise.

Robyn Davis – Robyn owns a tiny home in the Broderick/Bryte area and she thanked the council for moving forward with allowing tiny homes into West Sacramento. She stated that she would be happy to be a part of a workshop to explore the possibility of a concentration of tiny homes in Broderick/Bryte area. She said that she would be willing to go on a neighborhood tour somewhere that has tiny home neighborhoods. She said that owning a tiny home is a responsible, intentional decision and people that make that decision should not be looked down upon, just because their home has wheels. She said that in a way to help with affordable housing, many cities are waiving the impact fee.

Alfred Melbourn – Alfred spoke on a few things, very quickly. He asked that the council “Cease Fire” and not to encourage the genocide that is going on in the world. He then said that he would like for the Land Acknowledgment that they read at the beginning of each meeting to be more than just words. He spoke about the Bryte/Broderick Community Center is still not open and that he believes that when the Council or City Staff Members speak to Rhonda Morningstar Pope Florez, that they should treat her with the respect that she deserves. He said Rhonda is an elder of a local tribe and she has done a lot to help this city, and that the city is just giving her resistance.

Mayor Guerrero then asked City Staff for an update on the Community Center. They told her that permits have been issued and an inspection had been done that day and that it is moving forward.

Agenda Items as posted by City of West Sacramento

Capital Projects

Item 2.– Consideration of approval of amendment 5 to the professional services contract with Bennett Engineering services for the E & F streets Frontage Improvement Project (CIP 15047)

Objective: The objective of this report is to provide the City Council with sufficient information for approval of Amendment 5 to the professional services contract with Bennett Engineering Services for the E & F Streets Frontage Improvement Project (CIP 15047).

APPROVED

Item 4.- Consideration of adoption of resolution 23-91 amending the Capital Improvement Program and approval of a professional services contract with NCE for engineering services for the Sutter Street Pavement & Drainage improvements project (CIP 15054)

Objective: The objective of this report is to provide the City Council with sufficient information to adopt Resolution 23-91 amending the Capital Improvement Program and to approve a professional services contract with NCE for a Feasibility Study and Engineering Design for the Sutter Street Pavement and Drainage Improvements Project (CIP 15054).

Editorial note: Mayor Guerrero asked for explanation of change in cost. She said that money could be used for emergency services. They explained the upfront amount now will reduce future need for money. There is a possibility of back billing in future. Councilwoman Early requested that the plan include the renaming of Sutter St.

APPROVED

Police

Item 11.- Public hearing and consideration of police department military equipment use annual report affirming renewal of ORDINANCE 22-16

Objective: The purpose of this report is to comply with current AB 481 regulations, which require that law enforcement agencies obtain approval from the applicable governing body for the funding, acquisition, collaboration or other use of “military equipment” as defined by Section 7070(c).

Public Comment – Alfred Melbourn – Alfred asked why do our Police need such extreme equipment and how is such heavy duty equipment used as a de-escalation tool? He also expressed that they did not allow a time for Public Comment on this topic prior to the report. He also asked how many of our officers actually live in West Sacramento.

Rob Strange, West Sacramento Chief of Police explained the department agrees with Melbourn about not giving the public sufficient notice to speak on this matter and that was why they plan on announcing the opportunity for public comment soon and would like to give another report in February.

Editorial note: Mayor Guerrero spoke about the fact that she recently went on a twelve hour ride-a-long with the Police and she found out how scary it can be even with some traffic stops. She explained how they try to get as much information about the situation and the people involved prior to contact with the person. This is because the person may have priors with being armed, assaulting an officer, resisting, violence, or many other things.

The Mayor also spoke about the Police, at any one time, have multiple calls for service. By gathering as much information as possible, it helps them to be able to prioritize the calls. Deputy Chief Meeks pointed out that though they always try to prioritize, at any moment something can change about one of those calls, that can change it all.

Meeks also tried to answer Melbourn’s question about the military tools being used to de-escalate. Meeks explained that quite often when someone hears that K9 is going to be released, they will stop and give up. He also said that if someone has a shotgun and the heavy duty military assault vehicle pulls up, the person realizes that the shotgun is no match and will also give up. “This is exactly what we want in both scenarios,” Meeks said.

Approved. However, the Police will give another report in February.

Economic Development & Housing

Items 13-Consideration Of First Reading of Ordinance 24-3 regarding Blackpine 440 West, LLC Development Agreement

Objective: The purpose of this item is to facilitate the City Council's consideration of a proposed Development Agreement between Blackpine 440 West, LLC and the City of West Sacramento for a 106-unit single-family residential project that includes a public neighborhood park and related infrastructure improvements at 412-430 6th Street and 425 and 640-702 E Street in the Washington District.

Many of the steps for this project have already been approved by the developer and covered in the budget. This includes the upgrades, like rod iron fencing required by the city. January 17 will be the public hearing for comments.

APPROVED

City Manager’s Office

Item 14.-Workshop on campaign contribution limits and consideration of first reading of ordinance 24-4 amending municipal code chapter 2.18 related to campaign contribution limitations.

Objective: The purpose of this report is to provide information about changes to campaign contribution limits under Senate Bill (SB) 1439 and to request that the Council consider first reading of ORDINANCE 24-4, which would amend Chapter 2.18 of the West Sacramento Municipal Code to update the campaign contribution limitations.

Approved.