Board approves sidewalk eminent-domain resolutions, asks staff to craft language-access policy

The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 10 approved two resolutions of necessity to acquire easements for the Wide A Way sidewalk infill project and dropped a third after the owner signed acquisition documents.

Peter Hannan, program manager with the county’s Real Estate Division, told the board the project requires curb, gutter, sidewalk, accessible curb ramps, minor storm-drain work and streetlights and that 10 acquisitions are necessary. He said two properties remained under discussion but one owner, Paula C. Noonan, had executed acquisition documents so the board should drop that resolution.

Supervisor Serna raised concerns after reviewing the owner-contact history for one parcel, noting an occupant who appears to be Spanish-speaking only. He asked county counsel what statutory requirements exist for outreach to non-English speakers when eminent-domain actions are contemplated.

Deputy County Counsel Keith Floyd answered that “there’s nothing in the statute that requires outreach to English second-language or someone who’s not conversing in English,” but said the county typically translates summons and includes translated cover letters when an action is filed and will have a Spanish translation if needed. Floyd also said the county has used staff and outside translators in previous cases.

Serna and other supervisors characterized current practice as ad hoc and asked for a more formal policy. Serna asked the county executive to meet with his office and county counsel to develop guidance and potentially return a policy to the board that would standardize steps staff must take — for example, providing written notices in the recipient’s language and offering options for future communications in English, Spanish, Hmong or other languages used by the owner.

A Department of Transportation representative said the department has Spanish- and Vietnamese-speaking staff and often brings staff to translate during outreach efforts. Supervisors praised those efforts but still pressed for codified procedures rather than informal, case-by-case practices.

The board then voted to approve the two pending resolutions of necessity and to drop the third, with no public comment recorded during the item.

What’s next: County staff will follow up with Supervisor Serna’s office to schedule a meeting with county counsel and return to the board with recommended language-access steps for eminent-domain and related owner outreach.