During tonight’s council meeting city leaders are slated to hear an annual crime report from Police Chief Ron Lawrence and also hold a public hearing related to a half-million dollar grant for community development. The city will also officially recognize a local resident for his volunteer work in beautifying the city, and a local business owner says she’s planning to address the council about the city’s restrictions on temporary signs during the meeting.
Here’s a brief summary of what’s on schedule, followed by vote highlights from the most recent council meeting:
PRESENTATIONS:
- City beautification. Resident Ron Ferns will be recognized for his dedication to the city, which has included his volunteer work in planting and maintaining flowers along a section of Auburn Boulevard. See related story: Meet the man who’s beautifying Auburn Blvd one flower at a time.
- Trash report. Republic Services will give its annual update regarding residential garbage and recycling.
PUBLIC COMMENT: The owner of Java Cherry announced on social media that she will address the city council during public comment regarding her concerns about the city’s ban on most temporary signs. The council will not be able to take action during the meeting since the item is not on the agenda. Related story: Owners say portable sign ban in Citrus Heights hurts small businesses
PUBLIC HEARING:
- $589k grant report. A public hearing will be held regarding a 17-page draft evaluation report the city produced that details how $589,469 in Community Development Block Grant Funds from the federal government were used in Citrus Heights last year. The report says a portion of 2017 CDBG funds were used to serve about 8,500 low-to-moderate income persons/households in Citrus Heights, the majority of whom were served by the Sunrise Christian Food Ministry which reported providing emergency food supplies to over 7,600 residents last year. The report also summarizes efforts to reduce homelessness and shows the majority of CDBG funds were used to complete infrastructure improvements to improve disability access. If approved by the council, the report will then be sent to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, along with any public comments received. (See the draft report)
ACTION ITEM:
- General Plan. The council will vote on whether to review and accept a General Plan Annual Progress Report, which is required to be sent to several state agencies. The report was prepared by the city’s planning division and summarizes the current implementation status of various goals in the city’s general plan, including transportation, economic development and public safety goals. The report also includes an update on housing aspects of the general plan, for submitting to the State Department of Housing and Community Development.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS:
- Annual Crime Report. Police Chief Ron Lawrence will present the Citrus Heights Police Department’s annual report, which will include crime trends for 2017.
- Economic development. A pair of reports will be made by the city’s Community and Economic Development Department regarding the city’s First-Time Homebuyer Program and an update on the zoning code.
The city council will meet at 7 p.m. on March 22, 2018, at 6360 Fountain Square Drive. The full agenda packet can be viewed by clicking here.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM FEB 22nd COUNCIL MEETING:
Present: Mayor Steve Miller, Jeff Slowey, Bret Daniels, Albert Fox
Absent: Jeannie Bruins
Meeting length: 1 hr. 7 min.
Quotable: “No sense having a meeting if there’s no business.” – Mayor Steve Miller, responding to a recommendation by the city manager to cancel the March 8 meeting, in light of city staff not having any items or public hearings needing to be heard by the council.
Highlights from the Feb. 22 council meeting include an update on the city’s $60.3 million budget, plans to rebuild affordable housing on Sayonara Drive, public comment on the new SmaRT Ride bus service, and the approval of a nearly $2 million roadway improvement project on Sunrise Boulevard. Read the full summary here: The Civic Minute: what’s happening at Citrus Heights city hall (March 8)
