McKinley East Sacramento Neighborhood Association (MENA)

Mediation Center helps with neighborhood issues

Oct 13, 2005

The Sacramento Mediation Center is a non-profit dispute resolution service located in mid-town Sacramento committed to helping the community learn to achieve their own solutions to various problems. The center conducts confidential mediations to address conflicts associated with barking dogs, noisy neighbors, landlord-tenant issues, human resource issues, personal relationships, divorce, business contracts and many other areas. The resolution rate in which parties reach an agreement is over 90 percent.
Compared to using the legal system, mediation is frequently both time and cost effective because the process can begin promptly and includes the parties in resolving their own problems. Different than arbitration, where a third neutral party makes the decision, mediators assist the parties in determining what will best work for them. Having the opportunity to voice concerns and guidance in crafting an agreement, generates a high level of satisfaction for participants. Parties, who were initially unable to even speak to each other, leave their sessions heartened by having been heard and understood, as well as, having their needs met.
The fee for a mediation involving two disputing parties is $24 to open a case and, should all parties agree to participate, $80 for three hours of mediation with a panel of trained, volunteer mediators.
Multiple party mediations involve three or more stakeholders and can focus on a range of issues ranging from the impacts of homeless activity in a neighborhood, to resolving conflicts related to land use decisions, to addressing nuisance activity associated with a private residence, apartment complex, school or business. The center?’s Multiple Party Mediation and Problem Solving service fee is $150 an hour and includes individual pre-session interviews, on-going meeting summaries and four to five sessions during which participants define the problem, sort the issues and develop a resolution.
The center?’s mission also includes ongoing training for volunteer community mediators and staff case developers. Many of the mediators are local attorneys, law students, educators, government workers and retired professionals.
The Sacramento Mediation Center is located on Capitol Avenue and can be reached at 441-7979.