*From left to right, Lisa Kaplan, Karina Talamantes, Caity Maple*

Sacramento, CA (Dec. 13, 2022) - Three new City Council members took the oath of office Tuesday to represent three redrawn districts encompassing such communities as North Natomas, Oak Park, and South Natomas. Starting today, other neighborhoods “deferred” under the redistricting process will have Mayor Darrell Steinberg as their direct City Council representative for the next two years.

“Ladies and gentlemen we have just seated a majority woman City Council in Sacramento,” Mayor Steinberg said. “Progress is possible and its demonstrated here tonight.”

Councilmembers Lisa Kaplan, Karina Talamantes, and Caity Maple now represent districts 1, 3, and 5 respectively. Kaplan, a 20-year member of the Natomas Unified School Board, succeeds newly elected state Senator Angelique Ashby in North Natomas. Ashby’s former Chief of Staff, Talamantes, will take over for former Councilmember Jeff Harris in District 3. The new District 3 encompasses South Natomas, River Gardens, Gardenland, and Northgate.

*Kaplan signing her official oath of office*

Maple, a former lobbyist who now runs her own business, will have responsibility over District 5, which includes Oak Park and Hollywood Park.

Kaplan, Talamantes, and Maple will join Councilmembers Mai Vang and Katie Valenzuela to create a female majority of representatives on the city council.

“This is what we need in Sacramento: bold fresh new voices,” said Councilmember Mai Vang in welcoming her new colleagues.

Rick Jennings also was sworn in Tuesday after winning his reelection for District 7, which now includes Land Park and Curtis Park along with the Pocket, Little Pocket and Greenhaven.

“I’m honored to have a seat on this dais, and thank you to everyone who helped me get here,” said Talamantes

Maple noted that the city faces significant challenges, including the lack of affordable housing and growth of unsheltered homelessness. “I firmly believe we can face all of these challenges working together,” she said.

Kaplan echoed the other new councilmembers in her opening remarks saying, “I know that we will lead this city, we will work together, and I am honored to be up here with you all.“

Residents in some “deferred” neighborhoods of the city were moved into new districts but will not vote for their new representative until 2024. Until that time, they will not officially be represented by the council person for the new district. These neighborhoods include East Sacramento and the River District, which moved from District 3 to District 4, along with Valley Hi and Delta Shores and other parts of south Sacramento. Mayor Steinberg’s office will represent the deferred areas for the next two years and has so far added two experienced staff members, Miesha Ross and Jocelyn Navarro, to accommodate the additional work.

Mayor Steinberg’s office will be working closely with the office of Councilwoman Katie Valenzuela, who now represents District 4, to hold events and address community concerns.

“Mayor Steinberg has put a great team together, and we’re looking forward to working with his office for the next two years to ensure that residents in the deferred areas receive the same attention and great service they’d have with a councilmember,” Valenzuela said.

Every 10 years, in conjunction with the US Census, Sacramento’s Independent Redistricting Commission (SIRC) is assigned the task of redrawing the City’s eight electoral districts. City electoral districts are drawn with the objective of encompassing a balanced population in accordance with local, state, and federal laws. Districts are formed to account for the physical, cultural, and geographic characteristics of neighborhoods, especially cohesiveness, continuity, and compactness.

Using the 311 app on your mobile device, calling or emailing 311 is still the fastest and best way to report a concern in the City of Sacramento. You can look up your councilmember with this tool on the City of Sacramento website. The Mayor’s Office can be reached at 916 808 5300. To contact staff in the Mayor’s office you can email Engage@CityofSacramento.org. Learn more about the mayor’s staff and how to contact them here.