Final SOI Outreach Meeting Tonight; Showdown at April 14 City Council Meeting Looms Large

Floodplain issue could have broader political implications The last of four public outreach meetings regarding the City of Elk Grove’s m...



Floodplain issue could have broader political implications


The last of four public outreach meetings regarding the City of Elk Grove’s memorandum of understanding and joint vision related to the proposed Elk Grove sphere of influence (SOI) application will be held at city hall tonight at 6:30 pm.

The stated purpose of the meetings has been to gather input from various stakeholders so that the city council can make an informed decision on how it proceeds with its SOI application with the Sacramento LAFCO.

Since the meetings started early this month, Elk Grove City Planner Director Don Hazen has been placed on paid administrative leave. It is not know if Hazen, who has been part of the planning department team facilitating the meetings, was placed on leave as a result of the strong opposition voiced to city’s SOI.

Subsequent to the first two meetings, the first was on March 2, there has been an almost universal opposition to one aspect of the SOI – the inclusion on the Cosumnes River floodplain in the SOI area.

Even before the completion of all four workshop meetings, Elk Grove City Council member Gary Davis apparently heard the opposition to the inclusion of the floodplain so much that he has already made moves to get it removed from the SOI application. At the council’s April 14 meeting the city council will discuss the status of the floodplain in the application.

While Davis is opposed to the floodplain’s inclusion in the SOI, it is generally viewed that council member Pat Hume is advocating for the floodplain to remain in the SOI application.


Hume vulnerable?


While Davis built and continues to maintain a large coalition of financial supporters, Hume’s campaign chest has been fueled primarily by contributions from real estate developers and home construction interests. With the bloodbath of the Great Recession, Hume’s ability to tap other sources outside real estate developers could hamper his fundraising and, should a strong well-financed candidate emerge, Hume could be vulnerable to defeat.

With Davis and Hume both up for election this year, the outcome of the April 14 city council meeting looms larges as a campaign issue this fall. Currently no candidates have formally announced plans to oppose either of the one-term incumbents.

Hume must be counting the days waiting to see who, if anyone, steps up to the plate to oppose him.

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1 comment

Malleus Codex said...

Pat Hume needs to hear one clear message...TAKE THE FLOODPLAIN OUT OF THE SOI NOW...OR WE WILL VOTE YOU OUT OFF OFFICE...PERIOD!!!!!

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