City Council - 5/26/2020

The City of Sacramento City Council met on May 26, 2020, to consider COVID-19 CARES Act spending and Parks and Youth Services vacancies. Council approved a CARES funding framework by a 9–0 vote, including increasing small-business assistance to $10 million and supporting allocations and further development of programs addressing digital access, youth services, domestic violence, housing and homelessness, and other pandemic-related needs. The amounts discussed were generally preliminary: the mayor emphasized that program details and eligibility would be vetted and that specific agreements or contracts would return to Council for approval. Staff also reported that the City was executing or in the process of executing a contract with SM3 to conduct community and business surveys, with results expected the week of June 16; no contract value or award vote was stated.

On a separate youth-services item, Council unanimously directed staff to identify $1 million to continue free RT rides for youth, without reducing existing programming, and to consider ongoing funding in the FY 2021–22 base budget. Staff reported that leaving 146.81 positions vacant during the first quarter of FY 2020–21 could save slightly more than $800,000, while warning that some vacancies support youth employment and community programs. Council also requested further work on CARES proposals and equitable, community-informed allocation of funds.