City of Elk Grove Newsletter
Storm Prep: Small Steps at Home Make a Big Difference for Neighbors
Some of our region’s biggest storms arrive between December and February. Now is the time to check your storm drains and help prevent flooding around your home and on our streets.
Here’s what you can do:
• Maintain and clear debris from drainage ditches and culverts on your property.
• Keep storm drains free of leaves and trash — never wash debris down the drain.
• Place leaves and yard debris in your green organics waste cart, not loose in the street.
o Need extra space? Call Republic Services at (916) 635-2500 to request up to three green waste carts at no additional charge or to schedule a bulky waste pickup.
o Drop off residential green waste for free at the Recycle Area at the Special Waste Collection Center (9255 Disposal Lane).
• Report stormwater drainage problems to the Public Works hotline at (916) 687-3005
Visit elkgrove.gov/storm for flood preparedness resources or check creek and channel water levels anytime at the City’s online Creek Monitoring Stations at elkgrove.onerain.com
To
Veterans Day Parade to Conclude at Special Park Memorial
This Veterans Day, November 11, the annual Elk Grove Veterans Day Parade will conclude at the Elk Grove Regional Veterans Memorial in Elk Grove Park. The memorial honors the service of veterans in the Sacramento region with a bronze-colored concrete star, flagpole, benches, and a patio with engraved dedication pavers.
Work is underway on a new concrete wall designed to resemble a waving American flag, expanding the space for reflection and remembrance. Residents can honor heroes by purchasing an engraved paver or granite tile. Learn more at CosumnesCSD.gov/veterans
Elk Grove Veterans Day Parade
Tuesday, November 11
Ceremony: Starting at 10 a.m.
8820 Elk Grove Blvd.
Parade: Starting at 11:11 a.m.
Visit cosumnescsd.gov for parade route details.
holidays, all cards must be mailed by Friday, December 19.
Senior Send a Smile
The holidays can be a lonely time for older residents without family. The City partners with local senior living facilities to identify those residents who could use some holiday cheer. Since 2020, over 4,000 holiday cards have been distributed to Elk Grove seniors through the Send a Smile project. Here is how you can help:
The City will provide card-making kits with everything you need to craft a special holiday wish including a pre-addressed stamped envelope, cardstock, and stickers. Your help is needed to decorate each card, write a holiday wish, and drop them in the mail.
Elk Grove Residents:
• Pick up card kits between November 20 and December 5 at City Hall (max 5 per family), while supplies last.
Elk Grove Community Groups:
• Submit a bulk card request online at elkgrove.gov/seniorsendasmile between November 10 and December 3 (max 35 cards). Requests will be reviewed and requestors notified to pick up cards between December 8 and December 12, while supplies last.
ensure delivery before the
YOUR MEASURE E DOLLARS AT WORK
The City is taking the next important step in addressing homelessness by planning for a permanent, year-round shelter Over the past several months, we’ve collected feedback on the design of the facility and criteria that the community feels is important when considering the permanent location for the project.
We’re using what we’ve learned along the way to compile a short list of locations that will be shared with the community and the City Council in early 2026. Before any decision is made, we will be seeking the community’s input again.
A permanent shelter supports Elk Grove’s ongoing commitment to provide compassionate, effective solutions for those experiencing homelessness, a top priority for our community. Learn more and sign up for updates on this project at elkgrove.gov/longtermshelter
Not Just Seasonal Support –Year-Round Shelter Update
The City and its partner, The Gathering Inn, have operated a temporary year-round shelter at Calvary Christian Center since November 2024. This facility provides shelter and support services for up to 30 unhoused adults when it is fully occupied. Guests are referred to the program through the City’s Homeless Navigator team. The program has affirmed the need for a permanent city shelter. To the right is a summary of essential shelter information since January 2025.
If you would like to support the work of the year-round shelter by donating meals or supplies, please contact Christian Seymour at The Gathering Inn at (916) 903-9079 or cseymour@thegatheringinn.com
Celebrate the Holidays with a Piece of Elk Grove!
This season, give a gift that’s truly unique! The City has teamed up with nationally renowned folk artist Eric Dowdle to create a limited-edition puzzle celebrating our city and the results are arriving just in time for the holidays.
Dowdle, whose puzzles have captivated enthusiasts worldwide and whose hit TV show The Piece Maker showcases his colorful cityscapes, has captured the heart of Elk Grove in a unique, limited-edition jigsaw puzzle. Elk Grove now joins other California cities, from San Francisco to Santa Barbara, celebrated in Dowdle’s iconic puzzle collection—a festive, hands-on way to connect with the city you love.
Be among the first to get a glimpse of this unique artwork by attending the public unveiling event on Monday, November 24, at District56. Puzzles will be available for $25 at the event and from the City’s pop-up shop at the Old Town Dickens Street Faire (Nov. 29) and the Illumination Holiday Festival (Dec. 6). Pair it with the City’s 25th anniversary holiday ornament for a perfect locally inspired gift!
5,943 Bed Nights Provided
“Bed nights” refer to the number of times beds were used in the specified time frame.
Since opening in November 2024, the shelter has served 60 guests.
30 Years of Holiday Cheer: The Annual Toy Project
Donation Stations 2025
Elk Grove Police Department (Daily, 8am-5pm) 8400 Laguna Palms Way
The holiday season is brighter in Elk Grove thanks to the 30th Annual Toy Project, a cherished partnership between the Elk Grove Police Department and the Cosumnes Fire Department.
Last year, your generosity made an incredible impact:
• 300+ children received gifts
• 133 families were supported
• 2,500+ gifts were delivered
CSO Gonzalez, Crime Prevention Officer (916) 478-8122 cprevention@elkgrove.gov
• 12 bicycles brought smiles to excited kids
With your help, we can make this milestone year even more memorable. To learn how you can donate, volunteer, or request assistance, visit elkgrove.gov/toyproject
The Cosumnes Fire Department and Elk Grove Police Department collect and distribute toys to predetermined families in need for the holiday season. The toys are delivered by volunteers of the police and fire departments.
Saturday, November 29
Wander through Historic Main Street, discover local shops, relish holiday music, explore craft and vendor booths, savor delectable holiday foods, meet enchanting Christmas characters, and socialize with your friends and neighbors.
December 6 3-8pm District56, 9701 Big Horn Blvd.
events
Event details can change. For these and other event listings visit elkgrove.gov/events
Creative Space Market
November 22 at Old Town Plaza
Elk Grove Gobble Wobble
November 27 at Longleaf Drive
Santa & Sirens Parade
December 2,3,4, Locations Vary
Holiday Lights Parade
December 6 at District56
Creative Space Market
December 13 at Old Town Plaza
Light Up Elk Grove
December 14 at Old Town Plaza
Thriftathon: Urban Reclaim Market
December 20 at Old Town Plaza
holidays
FREEADMISSION
Celebrate the holidays in Elk Grove with your family, friends and neighbors!
City Hall will be closed in observance of:
Veterans Day (observed)
Tuesday, November 11
Thanksgiving Day & Day After Thanksgiving Thursday & Friday, November 27-28
Christmas Eve & Christmas Day
Wednesday & Thursday, December 24 -25
New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day
Wednesday & Thursday, December 31 - January 1
Ask Elk Grove (916) 691-CITY (2489) Email: askelkgrove@elkgrove.gov or call the City Information Line: TTY/TDD (888) 435-6092
TTY/TDD (California Relay) 711
(916) 687-3005
683-8726
(916) 389-7877
(916) 687-3023
City of Elk Grove
8401 Laguna Palms Way
Elk Grove, CA 95758
PRESORT STD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID
ELK GROVE, CA PERMIT # 173
8401 Laguna Palms Way Elk Grove, CA 95758 (916) 478-2206 elkgrove.gov
Kristyn Nelson Public Affairs Manager knelson@elkgrove.gov
Lupe Murrietta Graphics & Multimedia Program Manager lmurrietta@elkgrove.gov
SCAN ME with your smart phone for up-to-date information about the City of Elk Grove.
The City does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission to, access to, or operations of its programs, services, or activities. Questions, concerns, or complaints may be forwarded to the City’s ADA Coordinator.
city meetings
The Elk Grove City Council meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month unless noted otherwise.
Visit elkgrove.gov/councilmeeting or scan code to watch live or archived meetings and view agendas. Recordings of City Council meetings are also available on Metro Cable Channel 14.
All commission and committee meeting dates are available if you scan code or visit elkgrove.gov/citymeetings
What Goes Where? Holiday Edition
Holiday clean-up is easier when you know what goes where:
Trees
Place curbside the weeks of Dec. 31, Jan. 14, or Jan. 28 (cut if taller than 6 ft.), or drop off at Elder Creek Transfer Station at 8642 Elder Creek Road, Sacramento or the Special Waste Collection Center (SWCC) at 9255 Disposal Ln, Elk Grove (Elk Grove, Dec. 27–Jan. 6).
Food Waste
All food scraps go in the green organics cart. Fats, oils and greases belong in sealed containers and should be dropped off at the SWCC.
Wrapping & Packaging
Plain paper and cardboard boxes = recycle. Shiny paper, ribbons, bows, foam, plastic bags and wrapping paper = garbage.
city council
Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen bsinghallen@elkgrove.gov
Vice Mayor Sergio Robles | District 4 srobles@elkgrove.gov
Councilmember Rod Brewer | District 2 rbrewer@elkgrove.gov
Councilmember Darren Suen | District 1 dsuen@elkgrove.gov
Councilmember Kevin Spease | District 3 kspease@elkgrove.gov
General Council Inquiries/Questions: citycouncil@elkgrove.gov.
Lights, Batteries & E-Waste
String lights drop off at City Hall (Dec. 1–Jan. 31) or Lights, batteries and e-waste can be dropped off at the SWCC. Never in the trash.
Other Extras
Broken ornaments = garbage.
Rinsed plastic clamshells and party platters = recycle.
There’s a New Flag Flying at City Hall
The City is marking Native American Heritage Month with a historic first in 2025. City and tribal leaders have come together to raise the Wilton Rancheria Tribal Flag at City Hall.
The Elk Grove City Council amended the Flag Policy earlier this year to allow the display, honoring the Tribe’s sovereignty and deep connection to the Elk Grove region. The policy change reinforces Elk Grove’s commitment to inclusion and respect for cultural heritage.
The Wilton Rancheria Tribal Flag now flies alongside the United States, California, and Elk Grove flags on a newly installed 25-foot flagpole at City Hall, serving as a lasting tribute to the enduring friendship between the City and the Tribe.
Did You Know?
The Wilton Rancheria Tribal Flag carries powerful symbols of the Tribe’s heritage: • Acorn – Represents sustenance and self-sufficiency. • Eagle – Symbolizes foresight and protection. • Salmon – Reflects resilience and the cycle of life. Together, these elements share a story of strength, tradition, and connection to the land.
