Dozens of residents and volunteers packed the West Sacramento City Council chambers to press the city to extend or approve a long‑term lease for 3 Sisters Gardens’ Fifth & C farm.

Speakers praised the nonprofit’s youth programs, food distributions and training and repeatedly asked the council to place a lease extension on the Jan. 21 agenda. Christina Alvarez, chair of the women’s committee for the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, told the council, “I am here today as a community member and as a witness to the positive impact 3 Sisters Gardens has had … I am here to request that this item be placed on the January 21 City Council meeting and to extend that lease.”

Other speakers said the farm provides direct food relief and job training. A youth coordinator said the organization had created more than 60 paid jobs for youth this year; a volunteer estimated the garden had distributed roughly “40,000 pounds of food” to residents. Supporters included volunteers, neighborhood advocates, local educators and representatives of allied organizations who said they had gathered more than 1,000 petition signatures asking the council to act soon.

City staff clarified the process for adding items to a future agenda: a council member must request an item in writing and the council must vote to place it on a future agenda, so public comment tonight could not itself add the item to the next meeting.

Council members did not vote on the lease tonight. Several members thanked speakers and asked staff to review how and when the item could be agendized. Council members and staff suggested the proper next step is for a council member to formally request placement of the lease extension for a future agenda, and for staff to prepare any necessary background materials.

The meeting record shows broad public support for 3 Sisters Gardens and a clear request from the public that council members bring a formal agenda item to review a longer lease for the Fifth & C location.