OBSERVER Newsroom
The City of Sacramento has created a new position — a nighttime economy manager — to serve as a coordinator, collaborator, mediator, policy maker and single point of contact for the nighttime economy.
City Manager Howard Chan has appointed Tina Lee-Vogt to the new position, starting immediately.
Lee-Vogt since 2009 has managed the City’s Entertainment Permit Program, which includes reviewing, approving, issuing and administering permits to businesses throughout the city. In addition to leading an inter-departmental team that addresses and resolves entertainment and nightlife related issues, she also collaborates with the Police and Fire departments to offer the “Pubs, Clubs, and Bars” training for local businesses.
She has fulfilled this role while overseeing other major citywide programs such as tenant protection and rental housing. This new appointment allows her to focus her full attention on managing the city’s growing nighttime economy and working more closely with local businesses, residents and communities.
“Credit to our city manager for making an excellent appointment,” said Mayor Darrell Steinberg. “It’s great to see so many people out exploring our city’s growing nightlife scene. Tina’s new position is part of our effort to support this growth while making sure the nighttime environment is safe for everyone to enjoy.”
Lee-Vogt’s appointment is the latest in a series of steps the City of Sacramento has made in recent months to improve safety in the city core, including new lighting and security for Downtown, Midtown and the Old Sacramento Waterfront. Police officers in the entertainment unit are now working until 3 a.m., focusing on hotspots in Downtown and Midtown. Bike officers are working until 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, and the department has increased the amount of overtime capacity for officers focusing on areas around entertainment venues. Community-based organizations are also working with the city to intervene with youth and adults before violence develops.
As nighttime economy manager, Lee-Vogt will oversee and centralize ongoing efforts from various departments – including Code Enforcement, Police, Public Works and the Office of Innovation and Economic Development – and work closely with local businesses, residents, and communities to address any issues and further enhance the development of Sacramento’s nighttime economy.
The nighttime economy manager will also be responsible for continuing the City’s effort to ensure an entertainment permit process that does not impose undue burdens on applicants and further developing a working group with businesses and community organizations that will tackle issues that impact the nighttime economy and find collaborative solutions.
Lee-Vogt has more than 30 years of service with the City and has worked in a variety of departments, including Police, Neighborhood Services and Finance. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from CSU Chico and a master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration from CSU Sacramento. She is also a member of Nitecap, a nighttime economy, culture, and policy alliance.