Council Filed Tue, Nov 10 8:11 PM · Updated 8:39 PM

Sacramento council to weigh housing bonds, Railyards plan, zoning changes

A packed agenda includes a $135 million bond for an apartment project, a bigger Railyards financing district, new rules for backyard homes and a small business rebate.

Source: City Council agenda Reviewed by an editor

Unofficial until the minutes are approved. We will update this page when they are posted.

The short version

The council is scheduled to consider issuing up to $135 million in tax-exempt bonds to finance the purchase of The Maven on Broadway Apartments at 230 Broadway (Agenda, item 22).
A proposal would expand the Railyards Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District and raise its affordable housing set-aside from 20% to 25% of net district revenues (Agenda, item 29).
Zoning changes would allow two detached backyard homes per lot, up to 1,600 square feet combined, and update rules for registered house plans (Agenda, items 27 and 28).
The council would vote on a $19.7 million contract for a senior housing project on Rio Linda Blvd and a $1.7 million construction contract for the Lampasas Ave & Rio Linda Blvd project (Agenda, items 2 and 13).
A six-month report on the City-County partnership on homelessness is set for discussion and direction (Agenda, item 23).

Item 22 · Public hearing

Bonds of up to $135 million for The Maven on Broadway Apartments

Amount: Up to $135 million in 501(c)(3) tax-exempt bonds
Where: 230 Broadway, District 4
Who pays fees: The developer is responsible for all fees, per the proposed resolution
Source: Agenda, item 22

The Housing Authority would issue up to $135 million in tax-exempt bonds to help finance the purchase of The Maven on Broadway Apartments.

Under the proposal, the city and Housing Authority would have no obligation beyond issuing the bonds, and the developer would pay all fees. The council would also authorize the County Housing Authority to do business within city limits.

Item 29 · Discussion

Bigger Railyards financing district with more money for affordable housing

Change: Affordable housing set-aside would rise from 20% to 25% of net district revenues
Where: District 4
Source: Agenda, item 29

The council would vote on expanding the Railyards Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District and amending its infrastructure financing plan.

The amendment would raise the share of net district revenues set aside for affordable housing from 20% to 25%. The plan also sets how property taxes are divided.

Items 27 and 28 · Public hearings

New zoning rules for backyard homes and registered house plans

ADU rule: Two detached accessory dwelling units per lot, up to 1,600 square feet combined
Source: Agenda, items 27 and 28

One ordinance would update many parts of the city code on planning and development. It includes staff-recommended language allowing two detached backyard homes on a lot, with a combined maximum of 1,600 square feet.

A second ordinance would change rules for registered house plans. Both ordinances are proposed to be exempt from state environmental review under CEQA.

Items 2 and 13 · Consent calendar

Senior housing contract and street project contract

Housing contract: Increase of $18,903,309, for a new total not to exceed $19,689,400
Housing location: 2809-2821 Rio Linda Blvd, District 2
Street contract: Ghilotti Bros, Inc., not to exceed $1,698,799
Street location: Lampasas Ave and Rio Linda Blvd intersection, District 2
Source: Agenda, items 2 and 13

The council would add about $18.9 million to a contract with Urban Capital, LLC for the Rio Linda Senior HomeKey+ Project, bringing the total to just under $19.7 million. The item needs a two-thirds vote and would waive normal contracting rules for deals over $1 million.

A separate resolution would award a $1.7 million construction contract to Ghilotti Bros, Inc. for the Lampasas Avenue & Rio Linda Boulevard Project. It would also adjust project budgets and approve design and engineering contracts.

Items 24 to 26 · Discussion

Streamline Sacramento: faster permitting and a small business rebate

Rebate program: Small Business Accessibility Rebate Program guidelines up for approval
Incentive program: Adaptive reuse program would use city property tax revenue to subsidize affordable housing in qualifying projects
Source: Agenda, items 24, 25 and 26

Staff will present the city's development process improvement program and ask the council for direction.

The council would also vote on a program that uses eligible city property tax revenue to help pay for required affordable housing in adaptive reuse projects. A third item would approve guidelines for a rebate program for small businesses.

Item 23 · Discussion

Six-month update on city-county homelessness partnership

Action: Review, comment and provide direction
Source: Agenda, item 23

The Department of Community Response will give a six-month report on the City County Partnership for Addressing Homelessness. No vote is scheduled; the council is set to review and give direction.

Items 30 to 32 · Discussion

Railyards digital billboards and funding agreement

Billboards: Lease amendments cover three sign locations; a sublease covers five digital billboards
Source: Agenda, items 30, 31 and 32

The council would vote on lease amendments with Downtown Railyard Venture, LLC and a sublease with Indomitable Ventures, LLC for digital billboards in the Railyards. Staff would need to find the signs meet city code criteria.

A related resolution would authorize a 2026 Master Funding Agreement for the Railyards financing district.

Consent calendar · Routine items

Other contracts, grants and reports

Cannabis grant: Application for $2.125 million from GO-Biz
Traffic control: Contract with Road Safety Inc. up to $2.5 million over five years
Sewer equipment: Vac-Con contract up to $6 million; WECO rental contract raised to $1 million
Source: Agenda, items 6, 10, 18 and 19

The consent calendar also includes the 2027 meeting calendars for the city's legislative bodies, a salary schedule for a new Workforce Development Manager job class, and an audit services agreement with CliftonLarsonAllen LLP.

Other items cover a $2.125 million cannabis equity grant application, a $2.5 million traffic control contract, and sewer vacuum and rental equipment contracts. The council would also receive the September 2026 investment report and the flood control agency's annual progress report.

Item 33 · Continued item

CalPERS contract amendment pushed to December

Action: Motion to continue to 12/1/2026
Source: Agenda, item 33

An ordinance amending the city's contract with CalPERS is scheduled to be continued to December 1, 2026. It was previously continued from October 27.

Read the original City Council agenda →

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