Elk Grove Officials Admit District56 Meeting Was Not Promoted Despite 45 Attendees

Elk Grove officials acknowledged this week that a community meeting on Tuesday night on immigration enforcement held at the city’s District56 facility drew about 45 residents, even though the gathering was not broadly advertised by the city.

During the March 11 Elk Grove City Council meeting, Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen attempted to downplay the lack of public notice, describing the March 10 meeting as an informal gathering that stemmed from a single resident’s request during a prior council meeting.

Singh-Allen said Assistant City Manager Jacqui Guzman and city staff organized the meeting to address concerns raised by that resident and a small group of community members, emphasizing that it was not intended to be a formal city meeting. Because of that, she said, the city did not issue a broader public notice.

“The meeting last night came about from the last city council meeting where one person came and spoke and Miss Guzman met with them in the hallway," Singh-Allen argued in defense of not publicizing the meeting. "One person spoke, and so that meeting came about from that person. It wasn’t meant to be a formal meeting.”

The mayor failed to mention numerous emails sent by several residents in recent weeks, asking city officials to more widely publicize discussions on immigration enforcement concerns.

Guzman confirmed that the meeting invitations initially went only to individuals who had contacted the mayor and city council. However, those invitees shared the information with others, resulting in roughly 45 people attending the discussion at the city’s District56 community center, showing the widespread community interest.

Despite no city outreach, the meeting drew strong interest from residents concerned about immigration enforcement and the city’s policies. Guzman told the council that officials discussed the limits placed on local police by California’s Values Act, which restricts local agencies from assisting federal immigration enforcement activities.

Guzman said Police Chief Bobby Davis reiterated during the meeting that Elk Grove officers would still respond to emergency calls and investigate potential violations of state law or threats to public safety, regardless of a person's immigration status.

Singh-Allen said additional meetings will be scheduled and publicly advertised so more residents can participate.

With the unexpected turnout at the District56 meeting, city officials now say future gatherings on the topic will be formally announced to the public.

“As opposed to last night, those meetings will be public meetings that will be advertised,” Guzman promised.