Logo courtesy of the City of Rancho Cordova

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - Questions about the financial risks of Downtown DOVA’s proposed arena dominated public comments at a recent Rancho Cordova City Council meeting, as residents weighed the project’s potential economic benefits against concerns about public spending, traffic and parking.

The discussion brought supporters and critics of the development before the council, with several residents calling for greater transparency about the project’s financing and its potential effects on surrounding neighborhoods.

Joyce Rosenberg, who told the council she has lived in Rancho Cordova for 53 years, said she was troubled by the possibility of significant public debt associated with the arena.

“I hope so much that it will work. I really do. I don’t want to see anything fail in Rancho, but I hope you are really thinking about this from the bottom of your wallets,” Rosenberg said.

Others argued that Downtown DOVA could help establish Rancho Cordova as a regional destination for entertainment, restaurants and other businesses.

Mark Daya, a business owner in Capital Village, described the project as an opportunity to bring more activity and investment into a city that has often served as a pass-through between Sacramento and communities farther east.

“Instead of being this go between from Sacramento to Folsom and El Dorado Hills it actually becomes a destination. People will stop just skipping over Rancho or just coming here to work and go home, but people will actually want to spend time in Rancho Cordova,” Daya said. “This can all be a reality. We can make this happen. Years of planning have gone into this. I believe in this project with all my heart and soul.”

Other speakers questioned the number of events the proposed arena could attract, how parking would be accommodated and whether projected revenue would justify the city’s financial participation.

“It’s a great idea of having a major arena soccer league for both men and women but I want to point out there are only 24 games in the men’s season, 12 home and 12 away, women’s average 8 to 12 games throughout the season,” said Stone Creek resident James Garcia. “That is 18 days’ worth of events at this Arena project. Estimated 40 more concerts throughout the year, that’s 60. What are you going to do with the other 300 days out of the year?”

Stone Creek resident Marilyn Metzger expressed frustration with local elections, questioning whether residents’ votes and opinions carry weight when city leaders appear determined to move forward with projects despite public opposition.

“The arena project has left me questioning whether our city leadership is truly representing its residents,” said Metzger. “The cities first obligation is to its residents and taxpayers.”

Resident Ariel Elliott told the council she represented 233 residents of Rancho Cordova seeking answers about the development, stressing that their concerns should not be reduced to simply supporting or opposing an arena.

The discussion occurred during general public comment. The council did not take action on a new Downtown DOVA agreement during the meeting.

Food Hub reports growing demand

Earlier in the meeting, Carrie Johnson, executive director of the Rancho Cordova Community Food Hub, reported that the organization now serves more than 1,500 families each week, compared with approximately 240 households weekly in 2022.

The increase comes as the nonprofit settles into its new grocery-style facility, which opened Aug. 19 and allows families to select their own food rather than receive prepackaged boxes.

Johnson said rising living expenses and uncertainty surrounding federal assistance programs could place additional pressure on the organization in the coming years.

“Many of those households are employed. They simply have more month than money,” Johnson said. “When families experience financial hardship, the community Food Hub is there for them.”

The nonprofit invested its financial reserves in completing the facility, Johnson said, making long-term operating support a priority as demand continues to grow.

City manager receives raise, bonus

In other business, the council unanimously approved a salary increase and one-time performance incentive for City Manager Micah Runner following his annual performance review.

Runner’s annual base salary will increase from $318,000 to $338,352, a $20,352 raise effective Jan. 1, 2027. The council also approved a one-time performance incentive of $15,900.

The compensation is funded through the city’s general fund and included in the operating budget.

Infrastructure costs questioned

Council members also discussed amendments to public works contracts, including work associated with the Mather Field Road Enhancement Project, the Capital Southeast Connector and a planned pedestrian and bicycle bridge near Zinfandel Drive and Highway 50.

“I want to know who’s writing the contracts and who is evaluating them. We seem to be getting a variety of things coming forward that require additional funding,” said resident Helen Whelan-Bashaw. “I am really concerned because I am looking at three items here and they all have overruns. What kind of provisions are we putting in these contracts to protect the city from these kinds of overruns?”

Following public questions about rising contract costs, city staff explained that additional engineering, regulatory reviews and construction management services were needed as the projects advanced.

“We address these contracts at a very focused level for the expected scope,” said Albert Stricker with the city’s public works department. “It is expected for large civil engineering projects like this that additional scope crop up throughout the duration of the project that need to be addressed with either contract amendments or potential change order.”

Stricker said the bridge’s design requires more extensive structural review by Caltrans than some alternative designs would have required.

The council approved the items as part of its consent calendar.

Capital Village development approved

The council also approved two public hearing items related to development in Capital Village.

During public comment, Garcia thanked the city and developer for revisions he said would reduce the number of residences and address concerns about parking and garage use.

Garcia encouraged continued code enforcement to prevent neighborhood parking problems as development moves forward.