Updated June 26, 12:21 a.m.–
Latest news briefs in Citrus Heights include an update on a three story medical office building coming to the city, thousands lining the streets of Sunrise Boulevard for the annual “Red, White, & Blue” parade, and the Citrus Heights Water District board voting to drop mandatory water conservation requirements.
City celebrates with Red, White & Blue Parade on Sunrise Blvd
Colorful banners, balloons and marching bands took over Sunrise Boulevard Saturday morning as thousands of residents, City leaders, businesses and others lined the street for the 17th annual Red, White and Blue Parade. Organizer Michelle Saario said a total of 80 entries made up the parade, with a panel of judges awarding several floats with $100 prizes. Entries included neighborhood groups, area businesses, political candidates, bands, dance teams, and more. The Harmer family — with an extravagant, patriotic-themed float — won top pick for the Mayor’s Award and took home $100 — a feat the family has accomplished several times before in past parades. The hour-and-a-half long parade began at 9 a.m. and traveled along Sunrise Boulevard, beginning near Madison Avenue and concluding at Birdcage Center in front of the Sunrise Mall. Roads were reopened for motorists by 11 a.m.
Medical office building expected to begin construction in July
After receiving approval by Citrus Heights council members last March, a three-story Dignity Health medical office building is expected to finally begin construction next month, according to City Manager Henry Tingle. The 68,000-square-feet building will take up the corner of Greenback Lane and Fountain Square Drive, which previously was home to city hall. An environmental lawsuit against the project was settled earlier this year.
[Related: Settlement reached in lawsuit against new city hall & MOB project]
Citrus Heights Water District drops mandatory conservation requirements
Customers in the Citrus Heights Water District, which serves about two-thirds of the city’s residents, are no longer required to reduce water use. Following a vote this month by CHWD board members, a previously enacted Stage 4 Water Crisis in the District was reduced to a Stage 2 Water Alert level, which comes with a voluntary 5 to 10 percent water use reduction policy. Stage 4 regulations and mandatory cutbacks had been in effect since May of 2015.
In a statement on CHWD’s website, the District said changes in State Water Resources Control Board requirements and “improved rainfall and snowpack totals for our region” allowed for the change in local conservation requirements. According to Water Efficiency Coordinator Rex Meurer, the new changes went into effect on June 14.
Read more about changes in the State’s water conservation requirements: “LA Times: What drought? Many Californians no longer required to curb water use”
