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See Sacramento City Council chambers host the public for first time since pandemic’s start

By Xavier Mascareñas
Mayor Darrell Steinberg, right, listens to Jennifer Venema, the city’s climate action lead, during the Sacramento City Council meeting at City Hall on Tuesday, the first meeting open to public attendance since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Clerk Mindy Cuppy, sits on the dais next to Steinberg. Much of the meeting and public comment focused on the city’s climate goals.
Mayor Darrell Steinberg, right, listens to Jennifer Venema, the city’s climate action lead, during the Sacramento City Council meeting at City Hall on Tuesday, the first meeting open to public attendance since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Clerk Mindy Cuppy, sits on the dais next to Steinberg. Much of the meeting and public comment focused on the city’s climate goals. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com

After two years of virtual meetings because of the coronavirus pandemic, members of the public were allowed to enter the City Council chambers Tuesday night.

The council itself returned to the chambers on Aug. 9, but the city prohibited the media and public from attending that meeting in person.

Masks were required Tuesday for all attendees, and attendance in the chamber was held to 50% capacity. Much of the meeting and public comment focused on the city’s climate goals.

The meetings continue to be live-streamed, and public comments were accepted both in person and via Zoom.

The last meeting held before the City Council went virtual because of COVID-19 was on Friday, March 13, 2020.

Climate advocates holds signs during the Sacramento City Council meeting Tuesday where residents were able to attend in-person for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic. Mask are required and the chambers was kept at half capacity.
Climate advocates holds signs during the Sacramento City Council meeting Tuesday where residents were able to attend in-person for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic. Mask are required and the chambers was kept at half capacity. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
COVID-19 pandemic-related rules are posted outside the Sacramento City Council meeting at City Hall on Tuesday, the first meeting back open to public attendance since in-person closures.
COVID-19 pandemic-related rules are posted outside the Sacramento City Council meeting at City Hall on Tuesday, the first meeting back open to public attendance since in-person closures. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
Voters and members of the public take their seats immediately before the Sacramento City Council agenda begins Tuesday, the first meeting back open to public attendance at City Hall since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Voters and members of the public take their seats immediately before the Sacramento City Council agenda begins Tuesday, the first meeting back open to public attendance at City Hall since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
City Councilman Sean Loloee talks with city staff before the Sacramento City Council meeting at City Hall on Tuesday, the first meeting back open to public attendance since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
City Councilman Sean Loloee talks with city staff before the Sacramento City Council meeting at City Hall on Tuesday, the first meeting back open to public attendance since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
Sacramento City Councilwoman Katie Valenzuela, left, reads a land acknowledgment as Clerk Mindy Cuppy stands nearby Tuesday to start the first meeting open to public attendance at City Hall since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sacramento City Councilwoman Katie Valenzuela, left, reads a land acknowledgment as Clerk Mindy Cuppy stands nearby Tuesday to start the first meeting open to public attendance at City Hall since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
Mayor Darrell Steinberg speaks during the Sacramento City Council meeting at City Hall on Tuesday the first meeting open to public attendance since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Much of the meeting and public comment focused on the city’s climate goals.
Mayor Darrell Steinberg speaks during the Sacramento City Council meeting at City Hall on Tuesday the first meeting open to public attendance since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Much of the meeting and public comment focused on the city’s climate goals. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
City Councilwoman Mai Vang sits at the dais during the Sacramento City Council meeting at City Hall on Tuesday.
City Councilwoman Mai Vang sits at the dais during the Sacramento City Council meeting at City Hall on Tuesday. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
Mayor Darrell Steinberg, center, city council members and staff listen to public comment over Zoom during the Sacramento City Council meeting Tuesday the first meeting back open to public attendance at City Hall since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mayor Darrell Steinberg, center, city council members and staff listen to public comment over Zoom during the Sacramento City Council meeting Tuesday the first meeting back open to public attendance at City Hall since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
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