What may lie ahead for the Elk Grove Mayor and her City Council in the second half of 2024
https://www.elkgrovenews.net/2024/07/what-may-lie-ahead-for-elk-grove-mayor.html
Traditionally, the Elk Grove City Council has a recess from the first meeting of July for their summer break. When they conduct the first meeting during the second half of 2024 on July 24, Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen and her city councilmen could face some interesting challenges.
With the Sacramento Zoo project approved and temporarily out of the spotlight, Singh-Allen's and Councilmembers Darren Suen and Kevin Spease's most pressing concern will be their reelection campaigns. All three are up for reelection in November.
Singh-Allen, Spease, and Suen are poised to coast to victory as none of them have declared challengers. If they do face an 11th-hour challenge, their opponent will not have the financial resources to mount a meaningful campaign, so their reelection is the closest thing to a sure bet.
Although they will likely be reelected, they will still face some challenges, at least during city council meetings. These difficulties will come from three housing projects generating passion among constituents.
Those projects are the proposed senior housing in Old Town-Historic Downtown Elk Grove and two affordable housing projects in District 3. Each has generated passionate opposition.
The other thing looming over Mayor Singh-Allen and her four councilmen is the fair housing lawsuit from California Attorney General Rob Bonta over their rejection of the Oak Rose affordable supportive housing project. Although the city paid $10 million to make the lawsuit from Oak Rose developer Long Beach, Calif.-based Excelerate Housing Group go away and relocate it to District 3, the state continues to press its case.
Ironically, if the city ends up getting fined for its rejection of the Oak Rose project and placed under some sanction or decree, it will provide the mayor a shield from the opponents of the District 3 affordable housing projects. As they have already done in city council meetings, and from reports from people attending a meeting this week on the Sheldon Farms affordable housing project, they will blame the state.
Regarding the Oak Rose lawsuit, there could be significant developments during next week's Sacramento Superior Court hearing. That hearing could put the Oak Rose debacle behind for the mayor and her four councilmen and provide them a shield by telling constituents they have no choice in these matters.
Regardless of the outcome of that court hearing, voters and residents can count on the mayor and her city council never apologizing for their $10 million mistake, and they will shift the blame on their affordable housing follies to the state of California.
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Do to personal family medical issues I have been pretty quiet but wanted to share something that those continue to blame the city over Oak Rose. 1st the state mandated lists of properties that the city must keep current for projects like Oak Rose. Why wasn’t this list used? Why didn’t the AG assist in the negotiation process between the parties? Did EHG buy the Elk Grove blvd. property out of spite after they were turned down in a round of grant money? Is there a connection between EHG and the A.G.’s office over projects filed under SB35. I find it strange how this was an issue throughout the state and the 2 seemed to be jointed at the hip through many lawsuits. What made Elk Grove different than the other cities? We did not say no but not here but we would like it built on one of the mandated property lists. Now I have heard to many times you are just a NIMBY. Actually no I am just following the rules that EHG and the A.G. did not follow. The monies that were spent it had been proven that the majority of the monies is something the city gives to most if not all the affordable housing projects so the amount is much smaller associated with lawyer fees. Spend some time digging into EHG and the States A.G. office you might be surprised. Lastly the Sr. Affordable Apts. there are a few against but the project is overwhelmingly supported. There are some design issues that are being worked through but the project is needed and a good fit for this location on Elk Grove Blvd.
Get well soon Randy.
It’s my mom Dan, unfortunately it’s terminal. Thank you
I am sorry to hear that. Sincere regards to your mother, you and your entire family.
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