Elk Grove residents urge city to coordinate with CCSD and protect community cat caretakers

Elk Grove — During general public comment on April 22 several residents and volunteer caretakers pressed the city for clearer rules and coordination after recent actions by the Cosumnes Community Services District that removed cat shelters and feeding stations along trails.

Multiple speakers — including James McCarthy, Paula Schlichkelman McCarthy, Cindy Taber and Jessica Brown — described long‑running trap‑neuter‑return (TNR) efforts, said most colony cats are spayed/neutered and vaccinated, and reported that shelters and feeding stations have been removed in high‑use trail areas. Jessica Brown asked the council to "define the rules of engagement in respect to the shelter and the cats" and suggested a permit program to identify legally authorized colony locations so caretakers can restore shelters without future removal.

Speakers said the city and CCSD are separate entities but appear to be operating inconsistently; several asked staff to coordinate with CCSD to clarify authority and ensure humane, evidence‑based responses. Vice Mayor Sewan thanked the caretakers for their volunteer work and asked staff to coordinate with CCSD and report back about options (including whether an ordinance or staff policy could address concerns) while making clear there was no immediate council action tonight.

The council did not take formal action, but directed staff to investigate coordination options with CSD and determine whether an ordinance, permit, or administrative approach could address caretakers' concerns and public‑safety rules. Residents asked the city to consider successful community‑cat programs used by other jurisdictions as models.