Council Filed Tue, Nov 10 8:39 PM

Rancho Cordova council approves budget amendments, landscape and road contracts

The council passed a year-end financial report with budget changes, new reserve rules, and several contract increases, all on 5-0 votes.

Source: City Council minutes Reviewed by an editor

The short version

The council approved the Fiscal Year 2025-26 preliminary year-end financial report, budget amendments for two years, and revised reserve and surplus policies, 5-0 (Minutes).
Landscape maintenance spending would rise to a cap of $3,040,760 under a contract amendment with Roush Landscape Services (Minutes).
A contract with Wood Rodgers Inc. for White Rock Road Phase 3 design and construction support would rise to a cap of $437,562.50 (Minutes).
The council adopted a second reading of an ordinance changing the city's Accessory Dwelling Unit rules (Minutes).
The council approved conduit financing for the Liora Apartments affordable housing project and moved forward on a stormwater fee ballot for the IONNA EV charging project (Minutes).

Item 12.1 · Regular calendar

Year-end finances and reserve rules approved

Vote: 5-0, Budge moved, Pulipati seconded (Minutes, item 12.1)
What changed: Budget amendments for Fiscal Year 2025-26 and 2026-27, plus revised reserve and surplus policies for the General Fund and the Community Enhancement & Investment Fund (Minutes, item 12.1)
Source: Minutes, item 12.1

The council received the preliminary year-end financial report for Fiscal Year 2025-26. Along with it, the council approved budget amendments covering both the closing year and the next year.

The council also approved revised policies for how much the city keeps in reserves and surplus in the General Fund, and updated rules for the Community Enhancement & Investment Fund.

No one spoke during public comment on this item.

Items 9.4 and 9.5 · Consent calendar

More money for landscaping and White Rock Road work

Landscape contract: Roush Landscape Services, from $2,384,960 up to a cap of $3,040,760 (Minutes, item 9.4)
Road contract: Wood Rodgers Inc., from $221,660 up to a cap of $437,562.50 (Minutes, item 9.5)
Vote: Consent items 9.1 through 9.5 approved 5-0, Budge moved, Little seconded (Minutes, item 9)
Source: Minutes, items 9.4 and 9.5

The council raised the cap on its landscape maintenance contract with Roush Landscape Services. The contract covers upkeep of city-owned landscaping.

The council also raised the cap on a contract with Wood Rodgers Inc. for final design, right-of-way and construction administration support on the White Rock Road Phase 3 project.

Both increases were part of the consent calendar, which passed 5-0.

Item 9.3 · Consent calendar

ADU zoning rules get final approval

What changed: Second reading of an ordinance amending the Zoning Code's rules for Accessory Dwelling Units (Minutes, item 9.3)
Environmental review: Exempt under CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3) (Minutes, item 9.3)
Source: Minutes, item 9.3

The council gave final approval to an ordinance changing the city's zoning rules for Accessory Dwelling Units, often called granny flats or backyard homes. The change was adopted as a second reading.

The ordinance was found exempt from detailed environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act.

Items 10.1 and 10.2 · Consent public hearings

Affordable housing financing and a stormwater fee ballot move ahead

Housing project: Conduit financing for the Liora Apartments affordable housing project, bonds issued by the California Municipal Finance Authority (Minutes, item 10.1)
Stormwater fee: Resolution declaring a protest hearing and authorizing mailing of property owner ballots for an annual stormwater utility fee tied to the IONNA EV Charging Project (Minutes, item 10.2)
Vote: Both approved 5-0, Sander moved, Budge seconded (Minutes, item 10)
Source: Minutes, items 10.1 and 10.2

The council approved bond financing for the Liora Apartments affordable housing project. The bonds would be issued by the California Municipal Finance Authority, and the council's vote was needed to meet federal and state requirements for the financing.

The council also authorized mailing ballots to property owners on a proposed annual stormwater utility fee for the IONNA EV Charging Project. The resolution sets up a protest hearing where owners can weigh in.

No one spoke during public comment on these items.

Items 9.1, 9.2 and closed session

Minutes approved, tax zone adopted, labor talks held

Minutes: Minutes of the September 21 regular meeting and September 29 special meeting adopted (Minutes, item 9.1)
Tax zone: Second reading of an ordinance establishing Special Tax Zone No. 36 for transit-related services for the IONNA EV Charging Project (Minutes, item 9.2)
Closed session: Labor negotiations over the City Manager position; staff given direction, no reportable action (Minutes, items 16.1 and 17)
Source: Minutes, items 9.1, 9.2 and 17

The council adopted minutes from its two prior meetings and gave final approval to an ordinance creating Special Tax Zone No. 36 for transit-related services tied to the IONNA EV Charging Project.

The council met in closed session to discuss labor negotiations involving the City Manager. The City Attorney reported that staff was given direction and no reportable action was taken.