Sacramento City Council Faces Scrutiny Over Housing Affordability, Homelessness, and Public Safety Concerns in Contentious Meeting

(Sacramento, CA) — The January 13 Sacramento City council meeting unfolded as a marathon of sharp debate, public criticism, and pivotal decisions on issues shaping Sacramento’s future: economic development, affordable housing, homelessness, and public safety.

However, before tackling the contentious agenda, Mayor Kevin McCarty and council members started Sacramento’s first 2026 meeting by celebrating community milestones.

(Photo by Sarah Denos, OpGov.ai)

First up, the council honored Ken McCulloch, longtime Junior Giants Commissioner, for his 30 years of service to Sacramento youth. McCulloch has long been a driving force behind Sacramento’s Junior Giants program—a free, noncompetitive baseball initiative that provides underserved youth with access to the game. Through his leadership, the program has expanded opportunities for children ages 5–18, promoting teamwork, respect, and self-esteem—values that reflect his decades-long dedication to community engagement and youth development.

(Photo of Sacramento History Alliance members by Sarah Denos, OpGov.ai)

That same commitment to strengthening Sacramento’s sense of community was evident as the council next celebrated the Sacramento History Museum’s 40th anniversary. The milestone was marked by remarks from District 4 Councilmember Philip Pluckebaum, and members of the Sacramento Museum History Alliance, underscoring the importance of preserving the city’s rich cultural heritage.

The Sacramento History Museum has been a place that's created a venue, forum for us to celebrate the rich diversity of people who make up our city and an opportunity for us to look at, not just where we are now, but where we've been and how we got here,” Pluckebaum said.

Together, these recognitions highlight Sacramento’s dual investment in its future and its past—empowering young leaders, while honoring the stories that have shaped the community.

(Photo of City Manager Maraskeshia Smith from Youtube.com, Metro Cable 14)

Mayor McCarty next officially welcomed Sacramento’s new City Manager Maraskeshia Smith, the first Black woman to hold the position—a historic milestone for the city. Smith began her tenure on January 5, under a three-year contract.

According to online news sources, Smith oversees daily city operations, manages a budget exceeding $1.6 billion, and leads nearly 6,000 employees. She brings extensive experience, having served as City Manager for Santa Rosa and held leadership positions in Oakland, Stockton, and Cincinnati. Smith has pledged to break down silos, foster partnerships, and tackle Sacramento’s most pressing challenges—including homelessness and economic development—with integrity, transparency, and a collaborative approach.

Councilmember Vang Questions Data Privacy in License Plate Reader Proposal

Right out of the gate was discussion of Item 12—a proposed license plate recognition system purchase agreement capped at $1 million—Councilmember Mai Vang (District 8) raised concerns about data privacy and surveillance.

“I want to reaffirm to the public that we’re being responsible in how we collect data,” Vang said to Fleet Manager Alison Kerstetter, city of Sacramento Department of Public Works, noting national debates and constituent emails about potential misuse. “I know there's been instances across the country with city municipalities sharing data whether that's with public or private agencies. And, I want to make sure that we're doing everything we can to protect private data information.”

Kerstetter assured Vang that all data is stored on city-owned servers under the city’s automated license plate reader policy, not in the cloud, and is not shared with federal agencies. Kerstetter also confirmed the vendor change to I.P. Solutions was due to certification requirements, not technology or data practices. Vang emphasized the need for “clear guardrails, transparency, and protecting the rights of the people we serve” as the city adopts new technology.

Billboard Deal Sparks Outcry Over Transparency and Housing

A major flashpoint in the evening was the council’s approval of the Railyards Master Lease for digital billboards, passed in an 8-1 vote despite widespread opposition. Critics blasted the agreement as a “giant subsidy” for developers, citing the lack of transparency around the estimated $115–$150 million value of 12 billboard leases. Public speakers argued the deal funnels millions into private hands while delivering only six percent affordable housing, far below the 25 percent benchmark advocates demanded—and a stark contrast to San Francisco’s 40 percent.

Residents like Francisco Garcia and President Aamir Deen, with the Local 49, condemned the city for prioritizing developers over working families struggling with housing costs. Others, including Nancy Williams and Pam Freeman, warned of light pollution and called for postponing the vote until full financial disclosure is provided.

Council Pushes for Radical Change on Homelessness

The council also voted 7-2 to direct staff to draft a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) framework for homelessness and housing governance—a move signaling impatience with incremental reforms. The decision bypasses the County’s recommended Continuum of Care (CoC) adjustments in favor of a unified structure, despite concerns from service providers about destabilizing existing systems.

Community leaders like Lisa Bates of Sacramento Steps Forward urged alignment and accountability, while Joseph Smith, CoC Board Chair, warned that shifting authority to elected bodies could weaken independent governance and jeopardize services for unhoused residents. Public commenters, including advocates from Sacramento ACT, denounced ongoing sweeps as “cruel and ineffective,” calling for humane solutions such as safe camping sites, housing navigators, and expanded alternative housing models.

Public Safety Debate Dominates Community Voices

Public safety emerged as another deeply divisive issue. Business owners, neighborhood leaders, and residents voiced alarm over rising traffic fatalities, road rage, and crime, demanding full police staffing and restoration of specialized units. Speakers like Karen Kay and Jenny Davison argued that Sacramento faces a “crisis of mobility” and cannot afford further cuts to law enforcement, citing 170 fewer officers since 2012 and 100 current vacancies.

Conversely, advocates for criminal justice reform, including Barbara Ram and Andrew Cramer, urged the city to reduce reliance on enforcement in addressing homelessness, warning that arrests and sweeps perpetuate cycles of poverty and instability.

OpGov.ai reports other Key Actions from Tuesday’s discussions and the agenda, included:

The council adopted the 2025 Title 17 Omnibus Ordinance for planning and development code maintenance.

The council approved a labor agreement with IAMAW, including a 2% wage increase and Juneteenth as a city holiday.

The council authorized rehiring of retired Public Works Assistant Director Lucinda Willcox to manage financing for a $300M bridge replacement project.

A City at a Crossroads

From calls for permanent funding for the RydeFreeRT program to pleas for transparency in development deals, the meeting underscored Sacramento’s struggle to balance growth, equity, and safety.

As Karen Kay, speaking on behalf of herself at the meeting, put it: “If Sacramento is not safe, nothing else we do matters”—a sentiment echoed across competing priorities that will shape the city’s trajectory in 2026 and beyond.

Submit Sacramento County tips and story ideas to Sarah Denos at sarahkdenos@gmail.com.