Updated Oct. 25, 10:55 p.m.–
Liquor licenses. Public hearings. Police salaries. Debt policy. Those are some topics on the agenda for the Citrus Heights city council’s upcoming Oct. 26 council meeting. Here’s a brief summary of what’s on schedule, followed by vote highlights from the Oct. 12 council meeting:
COUNCIL STUDY SESSION: The city council will hear and discuss reports from city staff on city awareness/promotion campaign results, as well as results from a community survey.
PRESENTATIONS:
- Police dispatcher award: The Northern California Chapter of Association of Public Safety Communications Officials will present their Telecommunicator of the Year Award.
- Homeless Navigator Program: The League of California Cities will present its 2017 Helen Putnam Award for Excellence to the City of Citrus Heights for its navigator program to serve the homeless. The program is credited with reducing homelessness in Citrus Heights. (Learn more)
- Holiday Referral Program: A presentation will be made about the Citrus Heights Police Department’s 9th annual Holiday Referral Program, which benefits children and families in need during the holiday season.
- Water rate increase: The Citrus Heights Water District will make a presentation regarding a proposed water rate increase. A public hearing will also be held on Nov. 8th.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
- Liquor license: The Food Maxx store at 6982 Sunrise Blvd. is seeking to change its existing alcohol license to allow for the sale of distilled spirits, in addition to beer and wine currently sold at the location. A public hearing will be held on whether to approve a “Letter of Public Convenience and Necessity,” which the store must obtain before a license can be issued. A number of community members submitted emails opposing the license upgrade, while city staff and police recommend the council allow a license to be issued.
- Grant Funding: A public hearing will be held on how $589,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant funding will be allocated in Citrus Heights. A draft distribution of funds would send $383,000 to the Citywide Accessibility Improvement Project, $118,000 to program administration, and the remaining 15 percent to seven community organizations. Proposed organizations to benefit from the funds are: A Community for Peace, Campus Life Connections, Crossroads Diversified Services, Meals on Wheels, Sacramento Self Help Housing, Sunrise Christian Food Ministry, and Terra Nova Counseling.
ITEMS OF NOTE:
- Police salaries/benefits: The council will consider approving a 3-year agreement with the Citrus Heights Police Officers Association that includes a 2% salary increase for CHPOA members and a $100 increase in the monthly maximum paid by the city for health insurance premiums.
- Debt policy: The city manager’s office is recommending the council adopt a proposed debt policy. Although Citrus Heights has long-prided itself in being a city with no debt, the recommendation seeks to have the city establish a 12-page debt policy based on SB 1029, a recently passed state law which effectively requires cities to have a debt policy in place 30-days prior to taking on debt.
The city council will meet at 7 p.m. at 6360 Fountain Square Dr., with a study session at 5 p.m. immediately preceding the meeting. The full agenda packet can be viewed by clicking here.
VOTE HIGHLIGHTS FROM OCT. 12 COUNCIL MEETING:
*Note: votes listed are based on the city clerk’s draft meeting minutes.
Present: Mayor Jeff Slowey, Jeannie Bruins, Bret Daniels, Albert Fox, Steve Miller
Meeting length: 1 hour 49 minutes.
- Transportation funds (Consent, 5-0). The council approved a Transportation Development Act funding claim authorization, enabling the city to claim $3.75 million for fiscal year 2017-18.
- Repeal and replace History & Arts program (Regular, 5-0). The council voted to approve a resolution repealing provisions in the city code for the Citrus Heights History & Arts Commission and replacing it with a competitive grant program for funding arts and history-related projects in the city. A second reading is scheduled for the council’s Oct. 26 meeting as a consent action.
- City executive payrates and classifications (Regular, 5-0). The council approved a pair of executive management classifications and salary ranges for two positions. Positions are: assistant city manager (pay range: $157,000-$208,000), and community services director ($150,000-$198,000).
*Note: in the interest of fostering civic awareness and participation, The Sentinel now features this bi-weekly summary of upcoming council meetings, along with a short update of noteworthy votes taken during the most recent council meeting.
