Business owners in Sacramento voiced frustrations over parking costs, public safety, and homelessness during a town hall hosted by Mayor Kevin McCarty, seeking solutions to challenges affecting their businesses
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
Sacramento business owners gathered at a town hall hosted by Mayor Kevin McCarty to discuss economic development, public safety, and homelessness, sharing frustrations and seeking solutions to issues impacting their businesses.
Jill Osur, CEO of Teneral Cellars in Sacramento’s Lavender Heights neighborhood, attended the event hoping to hear solutions.
“We want to come to talk to people that are in charge of the city, you know, literally voicing just our facts about how our businesses are suffering,” Osur said.
Osur identified parking costs as her biggest concern, citing the impact on customers and employees.
“We are all suffering because of the new parking meters and something needs to be done about that,” she said.
Mayor McCarty explained that the city’s decision to extend parking enforcement hours and add more meters was part of a difficult budget decision.
“I don’t think we’re going to reverse in the near future. Thank you,” McCarty said.
The owner of Midtown’s newest business, The Popcorn Store, raised similar concerns, saying customers often choose her Elk Grove location to avoid parking challenges and homelessness in Sacramento.
“When they don’t want to deal with the homeless. But you, there’s just nowhere to park. They’re circling, so they’ll drive an extra 15 to 20 minutes to Elk Grove,” she said.
She proposed adding a sales tax to help with costs, but McCarty responded, “I don’t think there’s the appetite in the city of Sacramento to increase taxes for core city services.”
Crime was another significant topic of discussion. Todd Yeck, co-owner of Joneck’s Wine Bar, which was recently targeted in a string of break-ins, stressed the need for improved security measures.
“I’d like to find out what the long term plans are about improving security. What kind of plans they have about addressing the homeless issue, finding support for these folks so that they’re not out on the streets, and lighting. I think lighting’s got to be part of their long-term plan,” Yeck said.
McCarty acknowledged the importance of public safety.
“Public safety is a top priority. We haven’t solved the public safety woes yet, but we have been making tremendous progress,” he said.
When asked if the city has been doing enough to advocate for small businesses, Osur said, “No, no, I think it’s a simple answer.”
While the mayor did not provide specific solutions during the town hall, he emphasized that the event was an opportunity for him to listen to the community’s concerns.
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