Sacramento City Council

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Sacramento City Council
Type
Type
History
FoundedOctober 13, 1849 (1849-10-13)
New session started
December 15, 2020 (2020-12-15)
Leadership
Vice Mayor
Eric Guerra, Democratic
Mayor Pro Tem
Mai Vang, Democratic
Structure
Seats9 (8 city councilmembers with the mayor presiding with voting rights)
Political groups
  Democratic (9)
Length of term
4 years
SalaryCouncilmembers: $65,772 (annual)[1]
Mayor: $111,106 (annual)[2]
Meeting place
Sacramento City Hall
Sacramento, California
Website
Council Website

The Sacramento City Council is the governing body of the city of Sacramento, California. The council holds regular meetings at Sacramento City Hall on Tuesdays at 6:00 pm, with exceptions for holidays and other special cases.[2]

Sacramento's city council is a nine-member mayor-council system of government. The council is composed of a mayor and eight council members, each of whom is elected to four-year terms from their respective districts. Sacramento's government is a "weak mayor" system in that the council retains executive and legislative authority. The management and operations of city affairs are not under the direct control of the mayor or the council; these matters are delegated to a city manager, who is appointed by Sacramento's Mayor and serves at the pleasure of the council.

History[edit]

Previous councils[edit]

Sacramento, the oldest incorporated city in the State of California, has been governed by a council since the city's citizens approved a city charter in 1849. This charter, known as the "City Charter of 1850" in reference to the year that the charter was recognized by the California State Legislature, provided for the election of a ten-member "Common Council" made up of a Mayor and nine council members.[3][4]

In 1858, the governments of Sacramento County and the City of Sacramento merged. As a result, Sacramento was governed by the Sacramento County Board of Directors (a predecessor to the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors) for the next five years.[4]

The revised City Charter of 1863 returned to a separate governing body for the City of Sacramento. The charter established a four-member "Board of Trustees" composed of a Mayor and three trustees. Two more trustees were added to the board under the provisions of the City Charter of 1891. Later, in the City Charter of 1912, the five members of the city's governing body were renamed to "City Commissioners".[4]

Revisions made in the City Charter of 1921 established a nine-member governing body, composed of a mayor and eight council members. The charter established the group's current nomenclature, the "City Council".[4] Councilmembers were elected via a preferential voting system, in which all of Sacramento's electorate were allowed to vote for multiple candidates. Once elected, the council selected one of the councilmembers to serve a two-year term as the city's mayor.[5]

Present council format[edit]

Since 1971, the city has been divided into eight council districts.[6] Each district's boundaries are created using data from the United States Census so that each district contains a relatively equal number of citizens. Councilmembers, who must be residents of the districts that they are elected to, are selected by the voters of their respective districts for four-year terms.[4][7] Unlike the previous system, the city's voters elect the city's mayor to a four-year term via a popular vote.

From the time that the district-based city council was established in 1971, the citizens of Sacramento have considered charters that proposed to consolidate the governments of Sacramento County and the City of Sacramento. On both occasions, in 1974 and again in 1990, the ballot measures were rejected by the citizens of both municipalities.[8]

In 1971, all the seats were up for election as the district format was used for the first time. As a result, councilmembers in odd numbered districts were elected to 6-year terms in 1971 that ended in 1977. Councilmembers in even numbered districts who were elected in 1987 and councilmembers in odd numbered districts that were elected in 1989 were elected to 5-year terms that ended in November 1992 and November 1994 as the city switched to even year elections following those elections.[9]

Council Districts[edit]

Sacramento's city district boundaries are defined in an effort to distribute the city's population evenly, as required by state and federal law.[10] District boundaries are redrawn based on data from the United States Census.[11] In April 2022, questions were raised when the City Attorney published an opinion stating that the City had incorrectly assigned constituencies in new districts to sitting councilmembers in the period between redistricting and elections, and that sitting councilmembers should instead represent the constituencies that originally elected them.[12]

District 1[edit]

District 1 Councilmembers
Name Years Served
Lisa Kaplan 2022–present
Angelique Ashby 2010–2022
Ray Tretheway [a] 2001 - 2010
Heather Fargo [b] 1989 - 2000
David Shore 1981 - 1989
John Roberts 1977 - 1981
Manuel Ferrales 1971 - 1977

Sacramento's District 1 is located in the northwestern area of the city. District 1's neighborhoods include:

Councilmember Lisa Kaplan represents District 1.

District 2[edit]

District 2 Councilmembers
Name Years Served
Vacant 1/24-present
"Sean" (Shahriar) Loloee 2020–1/24
Allen Warren 2012 - 2020
Sandy Sheedy 2000 - 2012
Rob Kerth 1992 - 2000
Lyla Ferris 1987 - 1992
Charles Bradley [c] 1987
Grantland Johnson [b] 1983 - 1986
Blaine Fisher 1975 - 1983
Herman A. Lawson [c] 1973 - 1975
Rosenwald Robertson [d] 1971 - 1973

District 2 is located in the northeastern area of Sacramento. The district includes the neighborhoods of:

  • Arden Fair
  • Ben Ali
  • Cannon Industrial Park
  • Del Paso Heights
  • Erikson Industrial Park
  • Glenwood Meadows
  • Hagginwood
  • Noralto
  • North Sacramento
  • Parker Homes
  • Robla
  • Strawberry Manor
  • Swanston Estates
  • Woodlake
  • Youngs Heights

In November 2012, Allen Warren narrowly defeated former Councilmember Rob Kerth to win the council seat.[13] Warren, a former stockbroker and founder of a local real estate development company, holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from California State University, East Bay.[14]

District 3[edit]

District 3 Councilmembers
Name Years Served
Karina Talamantes 2022–present
Jeff Harris 2014–2022
Steve Cohn 1994 - 2014
Josh Pane 1989 - 1994
Doug Pope 1977 - 1989
R. Burnett Miller 1971 - 1977

District 3 covers the northern central area of Sacramento. Neighborhoods in District 3 include:

  • Cal Expo
  • CSUS
  • Downtown Railyards
  • Dos Rios Triangle
  • East Sacramento
  • Gardenland
  • Northgate
  • Point West
  • River District
  • River Park
  • South Natomas

Councilman Jeff Harris was elected to the Sacramento City Council in 2014. He has owned Cadence Construction since 1982. He was a city Parks and Recreation Commissioner for 4 years. He is a resident of the River Park neighborhood.

District 4[edit]

District 4 Councilmembers
Name Years Served
Katie Valenzuela 2020–present
Steve Hansen 2012 - 2020
Robert Fong 2004 - 2012
Jimmy Yee 2000 - 2004
Joseph Yee [c] 2000
Jimmy Yee [b] 1992 - 1999
Tom Chinn 1983 - 1992
Anne Rudin 1971 - 1983

Sacramento's District 4 is located in the western central area of the city. District 4 neighborhoods include:

Councilmember Katie Valenzuela defeated Steve Hansen in the March 2020 Primary.[15] Katie is a small business owner working to support environmental justice groups working on state policy, and received her bachelors and masters degree in Community Development from the University of California at Davis.[16]

District 5[edit]

District 5 Councilmembers
Name Years Served
Caity Maple 2022–present
Jay Schenirer 2010–2022
Lauren Hammond [a] 1997 - 2010
Deborah Ortiz [a] [b] 1993 - 1996
Joe Serna [b] 1981 - 1992
Daniel Thompson 1977 - 1981
Callie Carney [c] 1975 - 1977
Phillip Isenberg [b] 1971 - 1975

District 5 is located in the southern central area of Sacramento. Neighborhoods in District 5 include

Councilmember Jay Schenirer represents District 5 of the City of Sacramento. He works as an independent consultant and policy advisor on education reform and youth policy and strategies. Schenirer is an alumnus of University of California, San Diego and earned a Masters of Public Affairs at University of Texas at Austin.

District 6[edit]

District 6 Councilmembers
Name Years Served
Eric Guerra 2015–present
Kevin McCarty 2004 - 2014
Dave Jones [a] 1999 - 2004
Darrell Steinberg [b][c] 1992 - 1998
Kim Mueller 1987 - 1992
Bill Smallman 1983 - 1987
Eva Garcia [c] 1982 - 1983
Lloyd Connelly [b] 1975 - 1982
Ritz Nagrow 1971 - 1975

District 6 is in Sacramento's southeastern central area. The district includes the neighborhoods of:

The district previously included UC Davis Medical Center, however this area was removed through a mid-decade redistricting.[17]

Eric Guerra represents the district on the City Council. An alumnus of California State University, Sacramento, where he earned a Masters in Public Policy and Administration and Bachelors of Science, and later served as Preside of the Alumni Association, Guerra served as a Chief of Staff in the California State Legislature before being elected to the council.

Kevin McCarty represented District 6 of the City of Sacramento until he was elected to the California State Assembly in November 2014. He had been a member of the City Council since 2004 when he was elected to replace Dave Jones who was running for a seat in the California State Assembly. His is an alumnus of California State University, Long Beach and Cal State Sacramento where he earned a Masters in Public Policy and Administration, McCarty served as policy director to then Lieutenant Governor Cruz Bustamante prior to being elected to the council.

District 7[edit]

District 7 Councilmembers
Name Years Served
Rick Jennings 2015–present
Darrell Fong 2010 - 2014
Robbie Waters 1994 - 2010
Terry Kastanis 1981 - 1994
Thomas Hoeber 1977 - 1981
Michael Sands 1971 - 1977

Sacramento's District 7 is located in the southwestern area of the city. Its neighborhoods include:

Councilmember Rick Jennings represents District 7 of the City of Sacramento. Councilmember Jennings is an alumnus of the University of Maryland and won a Super Bowl with the Oakland Raiders.

His predecessor is Darrell Fong who stepped down to run for California State Assembly. A retired Sacramento Police Department Captain, Fong is an alumnus of California State University, Sacramento.

District 8[edit]

District 8 Councilmembers
Name Years Served
Mai Vang 2020–present
Larry Carr 2014 - 2020
Bonnie Pannell [a] 1998 - 2014
Sam Pannell [d] 1992 - 1998
Lynn Robie 1979 - 1992
Patrick Donovan [c] 1979
Bob Matsui [b] 1971 - 1979

District 8 is located in Sacramento's southern area. District 8 neighborhoods include:

Councilmember Mai Vang represents District 8 of the City of Sacramento.

Her predecessor is Larry Carr.

Past Councils & Councilmembers[edit]

Past City Councils (1971 election - present)[edit]

Year Mayor City Councilmember
District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 District 5 District 6 District 7 District 8
1972 Richard H. Marriott Manuel Ferrales Rosenwald Robertson [d] R. Burnett Miller Anne Rudin Phillip Isenberg [b] Ritz Nagrow Michael Sands Robert Matsui
1973
1974 Herman Lawson [c]
1975
1976 Phillip Isenberg Blaine Fisher Anne Rudin Callie Carney [c] Lloyd Connelly Robert Matsui [b]
1977
1978 John Roberts Doug Pope Daniel Thompson Thomas Hoeber
1979 Patrick Donovan [c]
1980 Phillip Isenberg [b] Blaine Fisher Anne Rudin Lloyd Connelly [b] Lynn Robie
1981
1982 David Shore Doug Pope Joe Serna Terry Kastanis
1983 R. Burnett Miller [c] Eva Garcia [c]
1984 Anne Rudin Grantland Johnson [b] Tom Chinn William Smallman Lynn Robie
1985
1986 David Shore Doug Pope Joe Serna Terry Kastanis
1987 Charles Bradley [c]
1988 Anne Rudin Lyla Ferris Tom Chinn Kim Mueller Lynn Robie
1989
1990 Heather Fargo Josh Pane Joe Serna [b] Terry Kastanis
1991
1992[9]
1993 Joe Serna Rob Kerth Jimmie Yee Deborah Ortiz [a] Darrell Steinberg [c] Sam Pannell
1994
1995 Heather Fargo Steve Cohn Deborah Ortiz [b] Robbie Waters
1996
1997 Joe Serna [d] Rob Kerth Jimmie Yee [b] Lauren Hammond [a] Darrell Steinberg [b] Sam Pannell [d]
1998
1999 Heather Fargo [b] Steve Cohn Lauren Hammond Dave Jones [a] Robbie Waters Bonnie Pannell [a]
2000 Jimmie Yee [c] Joseph Yee [c]
2001 Heather Fargo Ray Tretheway [a] Sandy Sheedy Jimmie Yee Dave Jones Bonnie Pannell
2002
2003 Ray Tretheway Steve Cohn Lauren Hammond Robbie Waters
2004
2005 Heather Fargo Sandy Sheedy Rob Fong Kevin McCarty Bonnie Pannell
2006
2007 Ray Tretheway Steve Cohn Lauren Hammond Robbie Waters
2008
2009 Kevin Johnson Sandy Sheedy Rob Fong Kevin McCarty Bonnie Pannell
2010
2011 Angelique Ashby Steve Cohn Jay Schenirer Darrell Fong
2012
2013 Kevin Johnson Allen Warren Steve Hansen Kevin McCarty [b] Bonnie Pannell
2014
2015 Angelique Ashby Jeff Harris Jay Schenirer Eric Guerra [a] Rick Jennings Larry Carr [a]
2016
2017 Darrell Steinberg Allen Warren Steve Hansen Eric Guerra Larry Carr
2018
2019
2020 Shahriar "Sean" Loloee Katie Valenzuela Mai Vang
2021
2022 Lisa Kaplan Karina Talamantes Caity Maple

Notable Councilmembers[edit]

Past Sacramento City Councilmembers with notable achievements include:

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

a Elected via a special election to complete the remainder of the previous council member's term.
b Resigned prior to the end of their council term after being elected to another office (e.g. Mayor, State Assembly, County Board of Supervisors, etc.).
c Appointed to complete the remainder of the previous council member's term.
d Died in office.
e Retired.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "SN&R • Local Stories • News • Begging for a boost: Sacramento City Council gets pay raise after one member complains about compensation • Sep 8, 2016". Sacramento News & Review. 2016-09-07. Retrieved 2021-02-15.
  2. ^ a b "Being a Member of the City Council" (PDF). City of Sacramento. Retrieved 2008-07-18.
  3. ^ "City of Sacramento 150th Anniversary: Historical Dates and Facts". City of Sacramento. 1999. Retrieved 2008-07-17.
  4. ^ a b c d e "For the record : catalog of the public records, City of Sacramento 1849-1982, Sacramento County, 1848-1982". Online Archive of California. The Regents of the University of California. Retrieved 2008-07-17.
  5. ^ "The Sacramento Bee: 150 Years -- In history's spotlight: Richard Marriott". The Sacramento Bee. 2007-08-26. pp. B2. Archived from the original on 2008-07-12. Retrieved 2022-11-15.
  6. ^ Heilig, Peggy; Mundt, Robert J. (1984). "Efforts to Adopt Districts". Your Voice at City Hall: The Politics, Procedures and Policies of District Representation. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press. pp. 48–50. ISBN 0-87395-821-7.
  7. ^ "City of Sacramento Charter: Article III, Section 21". Sacramento City Code. Retrieved 2008-07-17.
  8. ^ Sparrow, Glen W. (2004). "Consolidation, West-Coast Style: Sacramento County, California". In Leland, Suzanne M.; Thurmaier, Kurt (eds.). Case Studies in City-County Consolidation: Reshaping the Local Government Landscape. Armonk, NY: M.E. Sharpe, Inc. pp. 79–102. ISBN 0-7656-0943-6.
  9. ^ a b "City of Sacramento Charter: Article X, Section 152: Elections". Sacramento City Code. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  10. ^ "City of Sacramento Charter: Article III, Section 23". Sacramento City Code. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  11. ^ "City of Sacramento Charter: Article III, Section 24". Sacramento City Code. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  12. ^ Clift, Theresa (April 6, 2022). "Who's my council member? Sacramento temporarily reverses redistricting amid recall fallout". The Sacramento Bee. Archived from the original on April 6, 2022.
  13. ^ "Warren, Hansen declared winners in Sacramento council races". Sacramento Bee. The McClatchy Company. November 30, 2012. Retrieved 2012-12-27.
  14. ^ "Meet the President". New Faze Development. Retrieved 2012-12-27.
  15. ^ Miller, Nick. "Katie Valenzuela Poised To Upset Steve Hansen, Who Appears To Concede Sacramento City Council Race". www.capradio.org. Retrieved 2021-03-16.
  16. ^ "About Katie | Katie Valenzuela for City Council". Retrieved 2021-03-16.
  17. ^ "Team KJ wants do-overs - Bites - Opinions - November 20, 2014". Sacramento News & Review. Retrieved 6 February 2019.

External links[edit]