RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif. — Voters will fill three Rancho Cordova City Council seats in the election next month.
The election decides Districts 1, 3 and 4. The council adopted a by-district elections map in October 2023. Mayor David Sander, who also serves as president of the National League of Cities, is running unopposed for District 1.
The following candidates (in alphabetical order by last name) seek to lead District 4:
- Siri Pulipati
- Leroy Tripette
ABC10 sent the same seven questions to both candidates about their stances. Here are their responses:
Siri Pulipati
Pulipati said she is a senior manager at a Fortune 500 company. She identified as a nonpartisan candidate.
Why are you running for Rancho Cordova City Council?
I’m running for reelection to the Rancho Cordova City Council because I’m passionate about continuing to serve and advocate for our community. Having lived and worked here for years, I understand the unique challenges we face and the tremendous potential our city holds. During my time on the council, I’ve successfully addressed critical issues like public safety, economic growth, and education. My background in engineering and leadership roles at Fortune 500 companies has equipped me with the analytical skills and problem-solving mindset needed to tackle complex challenges and deliver results.
Moving forward, I will remain focused on creating more job opportunities, supporting our schools, ensuring safe streets and making housing more accessible. I’m also committed to workforce development and helping our local businesses thrive. I want to make Rancho Cordova a place where everyone can succeed, from families to business owners.
I’m asking for the support of our community so I can continue to fight for what matters most to our residents and help shape a bright future for Rancho Cordova — one where everyone feels safe, has opportunities to grow and enjoys a high quality of life.
How do you believe homelessness in Rancho Cordova can best be addressed? Is there any specific program or practice you would like the city to implement with regard to homelessness should you be elected to council?
I believe homelessness in Rancho Cordova can best be addressed through a balanced approach that combines providing essential services with accountability. Our city’s service-first approach is effective, but we must continue to expand support in areas like mental health, addiction treatment and job training. One program I’d like to see enhanced is the "Housing First" model, which focuses on getting individuals into stable housing while offering critical services like mental health care and rehabilitation.
Additionally, strengthening partnerships with Sacramento County and local nonprofits will ensure we have the resources to offer long-term solutions, like affordable housing and more robust outreach efforts. If reelected, I will advocate for increased support for these initiatives, ensuring we not only address homelessness but help individuals achieve long-term stability.
Roughly 1 in 7 people in Rancho Cordova (about 6.71) experience poverty, according to 2023 estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. If you are elected, what would be your approach to addressing these numbers?
Addressing poverty in Rancho Cordova is not just a policy goal for me; it’s a personal commitment to ensure that every resident has the opportunity to thrive. My primary focus will be on workforce development, which is crucial for lifting families out of poverty. We have already invested significant resources into training programs that equip residents with skills in high-demand fields like technology, healthcare and the trades. These programs not only empower individuals to secure better-paying jobs but also create a skilled workforce that supports our local businesses.
In addition to immediate training efforts, we need to prioritize economic development to attract higher-paying jobs to our community. This means actively engaging with businesses to create an environment that fosters growth and innovation, providing more opportunities for residents to succeed.
We must also invest in our youth, preparing them for the workforce through programs that teach both technical skills and essential soft skills. By equipping the next generation with the tools they need, we can break the cycle of poverty and build a brighter future for everyone.
I believe that by working together with our community, local businesses and educational institutions, we can create a holistic approach to poverty reduction. I will continue to advocate fiercely for these initiatives and ensure that every voice is heard in the process.
Council often discusses city development plans while a large portion of its budget goes to public safety. What is your perception of Rancho Cordova law enforcement and their practices? Are there changes, or perhaps improvements, you would make if elected? If so, what?
The Rancho Cordova Police Department (RCPD) has made significant strides in building trust and collaboration with residents, particularly through community policing initiatives that foster positive relationships.
However, there is always room for improvement. If elected, I would prioritize enhancing training for officers, particularly in areas like mental health crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques. Expanding the Mobile Crisis Support Team, which pairs trained officers with mental health professionals, is one effective strategy to ensure that we are addressing not just the symptoms of crime but also the underlying issues contributing to it.
Additionally, I would advocate for more community engagement in law enforcement practices, ensuring that residents have a voice in shaping public safety policies. Regular town hall meetings and community forums could provide valuable feedback and foster greater transparency.
By focusing on these improvements, we can strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and our community, ensuring that public safety measures are effective, equitable and aligned with the needs of all residents.
Rancho Cordova has a large private business park, and employees at high-paying jobs work in the city while low-income earners often leave the city to go to work. How would you best address bringing more Rancho Cordova citizens to work in the city?
To bring more Rancho Cordova residents into meaningful jobs within our city, I am actively championing our Talent Pipeline Management (TPM) initiative. This program is a game-changer, creating career pathways that align with the specific needs of our local businesses, allowing residents to secure stable employment right here in Rancho Cordova.
Led by the Rancho Cordova Area Chamber of Commerce and supported by the city, TPM uses a collaborative cohort model to connect employers with job seekers. While the initial focus is on Advanced Manufacturing, I am committed to expanding this initiative to include sectors like retail, hospitality and services, which can provide accessible job opportunities for our community.
I am working to forge strong partnerships with local training programs and community organizations, ensuring we offer targeted skills development and job readiness programs tailored to our residents’ needs. By promoting internships and entry-level positions, we can help individuals gain hands-on experience and make valuable connections in their chosen fields.
What do you think the future of Rancho Cordova looks like?
The future of Rancho Cordova is incredibly bright, and I envision it as a thriving smart city. By leveraging technology and data-driven solutions, we can enhance the quality of life for our residents and create a more efficient, sustainable community.
In a smart city, we would utilize smart infrastructure to improve everything from traffic management to energy efficiency, making our city safer and more environmentally friendly. We can implement smart lighting, integrated public transportation systems, and enhanced public safety measures that rely on real-time data to respond quickly to community needs.
Moreover, fostering innovation and attracting tech-driven businesses will be key to our economic growth. By investing in broadband access and supporting local startups, we can ensure that all residents have the tools they need to succeed in the digital age.
I believe that by embracing the smart city concept, we can not only improve services but also engage residents in new and meaningful ways. Together, we can create a Rancho Cordova that is not only a great place to live and work but also a model for sustainable, forward-thinking communities.
Should you be elected, are there other issue(s) you would like to address or continue to address as a council member, and can you briefly explain how you would tackle them? Perhaps there are district-specific issues you would like to mention.
As a council member, I want to continue addressing key issues that will benefit our growing community. One of the major concerns is the need for a middle and high school in our area. Currently, many families must send their children to schools outside our district 4, which creates challenges for both students and parents. To address this, I will advocate for the expansion of our school system by working closely with the local school district (and) state education authorities.
Additionally, there is a clear need for more retail options in our district. Expanding retail not only creates job opportunities but also enhances convenience for residents, reducing the need to travel to neighboring cities for shopping and services. I will work to attract new businesses and retailers by offering incentives and ensuring that our city's planning policies support retail growth. By promoting a balance between residential development and retail expansion, we can create a more self-sustaining, vibrant community.
Leroy Tripette
Tripette said he is a government affairs representative and identified as a Democrat.
Why are you running for Rancho Cordova City Council?
For the past several years, I have had the privilege of serving as a member of the Rancho Cordova Planning Commission. I’ve focused on being a voice for my community, using my leadership experience to drive structure to our meetings and ensuring projects enhance our city. Moving Rancho forward was a motivation for joining the commission and why I am now seeking to join the City Council.
I want to focus on making Rancho Cordova a family-friendly city, attracting opportunities for recreation for residents to enjoy and helping make our city attractive for businesses. My wife Torrey and I have lived in Rancho Cordova for over a decade. I want to help create a community my younger son will be proud to grow up in and that my oldest will be proud to return to.
How do you believe homelessness in Rancho Cordova can best be addressed? Is there any specific program or practice you would like the city to implement with regard to homelessness should you be elected to council?
Homelessness is an issue that needs to be addressed on multiple fronts. While Rancho Cordova has struggled with the impacts of homelessness on local businesses, the city has performed better at addressing encampments than many of our surrounding jurisdictions. I will support additional focus on ensuring our Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) engages with our homeless population and ensures they are connected to much needed services including shelter and housing.
However, it’s also important to do what we can to protect our vulnerable population from becoming unhoused. I believe we need to work with regional partners to ensure we are limiting barriers to housing development, and provide housing options at all levels. We must work with the county and others to ensure our vulnerable housed residents have resources to stay afloat and prevent them falling into homelessness. Furthermore, it is critical to champion long-term solutions to combat homelessness such as transitional and permanent supportive housing.
Roughly 1 in 7 people in Rancho Cordova (about 6.71) experience poverty, according to 2023 estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. If you are elected, what would be your approach to addressing these numbers?
I would collaborate with the county and state to maximize the support resources that we have available to our vulnerable community. This could include mental health resources, childcare, access to living wage jobs and secure housing. I support continuing successful program(s) that are helping break the poverty cycle like the Rancho Cordova and Folsom Lake College Promise program that is helping support residents of the city go to college tuition free and offering scholarships to assist students with every day expenses.
I also will work to allocate more resources to affordable housing development in the city to give more opportunities for our low-income residents safety and high quality and affordable housing.
Council often discusses city development plans while a large portion of its budget goes to public safety. What is your perception of Rancho Cordova law enforcement and their practices? Are there changes, or perhaps improvements, you would make if elected? If so, what?
I believe public safety should be a priority as it ensures the well-being and security of the community. Public safety involves protecting citizens from crime and other potential threats while promoting a safe and orderly environment.
I will encourage the (Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office) to make the (Rancho Cordova Police Department) the most innovative part of the (sheriff’s office). I will support new training and pilot programs that enhance the safety of our officers.
My strategy for improving law enforcement would include increasing community policing, enhancing training programs, particularly in those around implicit bias, and fostering transparency and accountability. I believe it is also important to continue to build collaborative programs to strengthen trust in communities.
Rancho Cordova has a large private business park, and employees at high-paying jobs work in the city while low-income earners often leave the city to go to work. How would you best address bringing more Rancho Cordova citizens to work in the city?
I will work to support regional efforts to make our city an attractive place to start, grow and move businesses to our city. I will support the continuation of the city of Rancho Cordova and Folsom Lake College Promise Program that has helped more than a thousand residents attend college since 2017.
The Promise Program is a great example of how the city is working to “Up Skill” our resident(s) so they are qualified for the good paying jobs we have in our city.
What do you think the future of Rancho Cordova looks like?
Our future in Rancho Cordova is bright. We have one of the strongest finances of (a) city in California as old cities surrounding us struggle with the legacy costs our young city will continue to thrive.
Should you be elected, are there other issue(s) you would like to address or continue to address as a council member, and can you briefly explain how you would tackle them? Perhaps there are district-specific issues you would like to mention.
I will strive to ensure all students have access to quality education, develop an abundance of housing and build the infrastructure we need to safely connect our city to the broader region.
