RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - Utilizing the not so small phrase “the whole reason why we became a city” with regard to not having Enforceable Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) in the past, Councilmember David Sander along with the majority of the City Council expressed their approval of them (with some caveats) for any future housing development that comes to Rancho Cordova. His words, spoken at the March 15 City Council Meeting, came in discussion after Elizabeth Sparkman, Community Development Director, presented information about options they could choose.

Those three options were 1) A Traditional Homeowner's Association (HOA), 2) A NON-CID HOA or 3) Enforceable CC&Rs. Furthermore, the CC&Rs could feature an Architectural Review Committee, inclusion of referenced City property maintenance codes, the city named as a third-party beneficiary with rights and without obligation to enforce and the prohibiting of parking of boats, recreational vehicles and trailers.

Councilmember Siri Pulipati expressed some interest in the third option but was very much in favor of the first. Speaking about Traditional HOAs, she emphasized, “As a homeowner, safety and security and appearance of neighboring properties” being enforced were most important to her. Pulipati also stated the need of elected members for any given neighborhood that a HOA would provide. Mayor Garret Gatewood also preferred the Traditional HOA structure.

On the other hand, Vice-Mayor Donald Terry, Councilmember Linda Budge and Councilmember Sander looked more favorably on Enforceable CC&Rs. Councilmember Budge did take issue with the Architectural Review Committee feeling it infringed on the rights of property owners and Councilmember Sander thought a mixture of HOA and CC&Rs would work best.

Also heard from was Cornelious Burke of the Building Industry Association who stated the BIA was strongly opposed to Traditional HOAs and NON-CID HOAs.

With the humorous comment from Mayor Gatewood that only lava rock, red clay and palm trees be allowed for home landscaping in the future, the subject was turned back over to Staff to return for a future Council Meeting.

Administrative Services Director Kim Juran presented the 2020/2021 Mid-Year Financial Update Report. Discussing how COVID-19 has affected city revenues, Director Juran said the impact has been uneven. Property Tax and Sales Tax are steady although a possible downturn in the former is not off the table. The Transient Occupancy Tax has been most dramatically impacted trending at 53 percent of what it was during the same period the prior fiscal year. She said it was uncertain if the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine would result in an increase in travel and occupancy. As well, the Utility Users Tax has been affected by business closures and Investment Income has also been negatively impacted. Conversely, Building Permits are generating revenue at an unprecedented rate due to a robustly unprecedented construction market.

Director Juran reported with the recent passage of the $1.9 Trillion COVID-19 Stimulus Bill, $15.8 million would be allocated to the City which could be used for lost revenues. Along these very positive lines was the fact that a year ago anticipating a rough year ahead, Director Juran and Staff amended the Budget which in the end has left over funds that could be used toward the Youth Center and Little League–suggestions with which the Council agreed.

Also giving an update to the Council was Rancho Cordova Police Chief Kate Adams. While stating, “statistics and hard numbers are important”, for the 2021 RCPD First Quarter Report she wanted to present a “holistic overview” on how the Department is utilizing “innovative tools and strategies” to better serve the city. In the past year, their Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) program has sent out drones 59 times to deal with barricaded subjects, search warrant execution and more. Also Rancho Cordova’s dedicated Mobile Crisis Support Team (MCST) will soon be launching to provide a “safe, compassionate and effective response to individuals with mental illness”. Along with these new ways for the Police Department to better serve the city, Adams also mentioned their ability to overcome the community engagement roadblocks brought on by COVID-19 through weekly newsletters, in-person events and ZOOM meetings.

Speaking of ZOOM, the night was plagued by a more than average number of technical difficulties which hampered the showing of the video of the RCPD Drone at work.

Emergency shelters in the city including their permitted location, development and operational standards and definition as the State required led the night’s Public Hearing Items. During his presentation, Stefan Heilser from Community Development reported positive feedback from a recent meeting with the community and the ordinance will have a second reading.

Economic Development Manager Amanda Norton appeared to open a Public Hearing on another item - Renewing the Rancho Cordova Tourism District - and receive testimony. As none was forthcoming, the item will come back next month for consideration and action.

Vaccination was the keyword during Council Reports (and touched on at other points during the night) with members advocating for the community to get their shot. “Absolutely the least painful shot I’d ever got,“ said Councilmember Budge and stressed that the feeling of relief afterwards was “really, really comforting.”

During her report, she also praised the Chamber of Commerce on their brand new coloring book for Rancho Cordova children.

Councilmember Sander happily announced city youth sports like Little League and Girls Soccer were on track to resume. “An enormous benefit for our kids,” said Sanders. He noted the large amount of feedback he received from those living near Sunrise Blvd and Douglas Road concerning improvements on a connector segment that extends north from Douglas along Grant Line Road toward White Rock Road.

As students slowly begin to return to in-person education, Vice-Mayor Terry reported findings that a “majority of families are not interested in sending kids back.” Councilmember Siri Pulipati marked International Women’s Day. City Manager Cyrus Abhar attended a timely Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of commerce meeting and while not possessing full details, shortly discussed the American Rescue Plan Act and how those monies could be used.

During public comment, a woman who has previously spoken at past meetings again repeated her dislike of how Black History month had been celebrated in Rancho Cordova as well as Mayor Gatewood’s reply to her thoughts on the matter. Another community member, Michelle Gerow, discussed what she sees as a deep need for a respite center to aid at-risk and homeless youth in the city.