The council is expected to vote on a parking lease proposal in February. Sheedy has been beating the popular vote drum since it became apparent she was in a clear minority on the council in opposition of the arena. She will almost assuredly demonize as undemocratic any councilmembers who do not vote with her in this naked ploy to politicize the ESC push. Sheedy has a well-documented feud with Johnson over endorsements in council races, and is using the arena push as a political prop.

As Lillis notes, it is highly unlikely that Sheedy's trickery will be eaten up by the council; Darrell Fong, a swaying palm, may vote with her, but it's difficult to see anyone else on the concil voting to castrate itself ahead of a big decision next month.

Nonetheless, supporters of the ESC project cannot cede an inch to Sheedy's ham-handed politics. If you can make the Tuesday meeting, please do so and remind the council why a new entertainment and sports complex in downtown Sacramento is so vital to our communities and region.