City Council - 3/24/2020

At its March 24, 2020 virtual meeting, the Sacramento City Council unanimously approved advancing the Sacramento Transportation Authority’s proposed Measure A expenditure plan, a $8.4 billion, 40-year transportation sales-tax program, for further approvals and potential placement before voters. The plan allocates roughly 60% to streets and roads and 40% to transit, includes $700 million for local projects of regional significance, and was estimated to provide about $2.5 million in benefits to Sacramento. Council members cited transportation improvements, transit fleet replacement, climate goals, air quality, and potential job creation; they also urged that climate-conformity language be included in the ordinance. The council manager recommended postponing most consent-calendar items, including some involving fiscal decisions and city investments, pending greater clarity about the city’s finances.

The council approved a report enabling the city to receive $2.22 million in state funding for homelessness-related COVID-19 response, with an expenditure plan being developed for expanded shelter, motel options, services, and trailers. It also passed, 8–1, an emergency ordinance extending the tenant eviction moratorium to commercial tenants, with deferred rent generally due within 120 days after state protections end; staff were asked to coordinate with property owners on state and federal relief, and council members called for a review in 30 days. No vendor selection or contract award was identified.