GALT, CA (MPG) - At the April 16 Galt City Council meeting, members of Isleton City Council advocated for separate representation of their city and Galt on the Sacramento Transportation Authority (STA). In addition, applicants for city funding of local events and projects had their requests granted in full.

Isleton council members David Kent and Iva Walton voiced their proposal during public comment. Kent said Galt and Isleton have separate traffic concerns that are not adequately addressed with the current representation on the Sacramento Transportation Authority board.

The board consists of 16 members: the five Sacramento County supervisors; five Sacramento City Council members; two Elk Grove City Council members; and one City Council member each from Folsom, Citrus Heights and Rancho Cordova. Galt and Isleton share the 16th seat on a rotating basis. It is currently occupied by Galt Mayor Paul Sandhu.

Kent said the shared seat makes the two cities “rivals” on the board.

“Why are you not represented at the Sacramento Transportation Authority? You are legal and privileged to be awarded the funds that are disbursed by that board, and you do not have an independent seat. Why are we rivals? I won’t put up with it,” Kent said.

Kent said many of Galt’s traffic interests are related to Highway 99, while Isleton has issues with high-speed commuters on city streets and semitruck traffic on Highway 12.

Kent continued that he planned to speak on behalf of Isleton at Sacramento Transportation Authority meetings to get the arrangement changed. He offered to represent Galt as well.

“Whoever set that up, to make rivals out of two competing cities with entirely isolated concerns, missed it. that is just completely wrong, and I think we can rectify it.”

Walton echoed Kent’s comments, saying the two cities “both deserve a seat at the table.”

Sandhu said gaining separate seats would require the board of directors ‘approval but added, “I think I’m happy if we have our own seat and you have your own seat.”

Councilmember Shawn Farmer later thanked the Isleton council members for sharing their concerns.

The council approved funding the full slate of events and projects that community groups proposed for the city’s Special Sponsorship Program.

The program is designed to support events and projects that accomplish goals such as “promote the City of Galt as a desirable place to live, visit and do business;” enhance quality of life; and “encourage the development of neighborhood identity and pride.” An event or project can receive up to $5,000, as well as services such as road closures or facility use.

Eleven applicants applied for city funding, with requests totaling close to $30,200. Galt Area Historical Society sought the full $5,000 for each of two projects: renovations at the Liberty School House and at the Rae House Museum. Galt District Chamber of Commerce also asked for $5,000 each for its planned Old Town Dinner and Dance on Sept. 7 and its Fall Harvest Festival. Other applicants were Galt Teen Center, L’Chayim of Galt, Galt FFA, Liberty Ranch and Galt high schools, and Galt High Alumni Association.

Noting the chamber’s recent notice that it had not yet set a date for the Harvest Festival, Vice-Mayor Rich Lozano said this was appropriate and he supported the item.

City Council reached consensus to fund all of the requests as presented. Farmer and Sandhu spoke in favor of the requests.

“All these events look really great and a lot of fun. I appreciate all these organizations coming forward and putting the efforts forward to do these things to make our community better. They’re all good events or projects,” Farmer said.

Said Sandhu, “I also will support all the events because they are very important for the city.”

In other news, representatives of the Sacramento Police and Sheriff’s Memorial Foundation received a proclamation from Galt City Council honoring the foundation’s annual remembrance ceremony at the memorial in Sacramento. 

Local McDonald’s employee Hillary Crownover receives a certificate from Galt Mayor Paul Sandhu recognizing her use of CPR to rescue a customer who suffered a heart attack.