RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - “Darcy Run!” Councilmember Siri Pulipati humorously said.

City Planning Manager Darcy Goulart probably thought she was done with her presentation to City Council on the reinstating of the City’s Planning Commission on Monday, September 20, but instead her exit was delayed not once but twice due to much debate, discussion and no small amount of confusion by members.

Dismantled years ago due to lack of projects and inefficiencies, the Planning Commission is a body whose duties include overseeing conditional use permits, major design reviews (residential, commercial and industrial) plus other land uses within the city.

At a previous Council Meeting a few months ago, the Council and staff discussed the Planning Commission’s roles and responsibilities whereas Monday they focused on the qualifications and selection process of members. The hope is the new Planning Commission to be sworn in January 2022.

Most in the Council were in agreement on the Commission containing 7 members (5 appointed, 2 At-large), 2 year terms, experience not necessarily needed and that all members live within the city limits (as opposed to just living in the planning area). However, a point they strongly differed on was the selection process.

Councilmember David Sander and Vice Mayor Donald Terry favored a full Council approval on any nominee while Mayor Garret Gatewood and Councilmember Linda Budge felt their allotted choice should stand on its own without question and be trusted. To think otherwise, was in the words of Councilmember Linda Budge, “a little cheeky”. Siri Pulipati was open to both views but ultimately came down on the side of full Councilmember approval.

Another point of contention was how the two At-large members would be appointed with concerns of how long they should run and how they would be chosen. Without any clear consensus on how to address, Councilmember Pulipati suggested to staff to work on a few solutions, but 15 minutes of tense discussion continued instead until City Manager Cyrus stated staff would prepare something. To this, Pulipati"'who obviously brought her “A” humor game to the night’s meeting"'wryly chimed in they were exactly where they had started.

Aside from the Planning Commision, the Council also received updates on possible new parking code updates as well as the implementation of electric vehicle charging stations. Discussed strategies that could become de rigueur in the city were reducing minimum parking space requirements for residential and non-residential uses, establishing maximum parking space requirements, and providing parking reductions for new developments near transit/rideshare. In regard to electric vehicle charging stations, the council discussed the need for placement of the stations in the most optimal locations due to battery needs.

The Council also was presented with information on the City’s tool, Rancho Cordova Online, where residents can apply for, renew and pay for licenses, submit permits and plans and apply for meeting or event space. Services that heretofore had to be done by mail or in person are now at one’s fingertips 24 hours a day.

Councilmember Siri Pulipati led off the Council Reports by reporting on her meeting with the Folsom Lake College Council, getting a look at their 2021/2022 program, and happily finding funds are in place to support new refugee students. She also attended a luncheon with the Folsom Cordova Unified Superintendent who gave an update on school precautions against COVID-19 as well as security measures to combat a new Tik-Tok challenge where students are being called on to steal school property.

Councilmember David Sander warmly spoke about the success of the recent Rancho Cordova Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and marveled at the talent of this and each year. He confessed he was late to a Sacramento Children’s Museum releasing of butterflies events to honor grandparents but Vice Mayor Terry and Councilmember Pulipati noted they were able to happily do so.

Attending a Los Rios Community College School District meeting, Vice Mayor Terry reported the city won praise for its program that offers first-time, full-time students up to two years of tuition-free education.

All of the council noted the dedication of the Cit Hall’s atrium in the memory of past Mayor Dan Skoglund. Another powerful dedication, the Council spoke on was the memorial for slain officer Mark Stasyuk. Both Councilmembers Bugde and Pulipati remarked on the powerful image of Stasyuk’s mother honoring her son, and Mayor Gatewood felt the memorial statue was “one of the finest pieces of art in the city.”

At the beginning of the night, new city employees were introduced and there was a presentation on the Cordova Lancers, Leaders and Legends aka MACH a Cordova High School mentoring program with testimony from both adults and students. David Sander called MACH the best youth program in Rancho Cordova.

City Manager Cyrus Abhar announced two open positions on the Community Enhancement Funds Oversight Committee.

The Council also received an update on the current drought from city water providers Golden State Water, Sacramento County Water Agency, and Cal American Water. Governor Newsom has called for all Californians to reduce their water use by 15 percent. The presenters commended the successful job Ranch Cordova residents did conserving water in the previous drought 5 years ago and said reducing the amount of outdoor watering as the biggest opportunity to save.

“Next year could be worse and we need to do as much as we can today,” said a representative.