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The Civic Minute: what’s happening at Citrus Heights City Hall? (Oct. 11)

Sentinel staff report–
The Citrus Heights City Council’s Oct. 11 council meeting will include consideration of a 133-page comprehensive transit plan for the city, amendments to the fire code, uniforms for building inspectors and other staff, and final steps to approve ordinance revisions relating to massage establishments, small lot housing, and subdivisions at commercial centers.

Here’s a brief summary of what’s included in the council’s 245-page agenda packet, followed by vote highlights from the most recent council meeting:

Agenda items of note:

  • Massage ordinance. Following a 5-0 vote during the last council meeting in favor of adopting an updated massage ordinance, a procedural second reading of the ordinance will take place at the Oct. 11 meeting. The new ordinance will require massage establishments to keep a list of their clients and also prohibits sale of a property if an establishment is currently under investigation. The ordinance will also prohibit “provocative advertising” and will require a list of services to be provided, all of which City staff said have been problems encountered over the past two years (see draft ordinance). The council will also hold second readings for ordinance amendments introduced at the last council meeting that seek to discourage subdivisions in commercial centers and allow housing on smaller lots. (See prior article for more)
  • Uniforms. The City Council will consider approving a new “uniform benefit” policy for providing work uniforms to City employees who perform maintenance, inspection or fleet work. A staff report says the City’s goal is to provide “a unified image and make it easier for citizens in the community to identify an individual as a city employee.” State regulations require CalPERS agencies to report the uniforms as a benefit provided to the worker, which is listed at $23 per bi-weekly pay period for maintenance and inspection workers, and $11 for police department fleet technicians.
  • Transit plan. The City Council will consider adopting a 2018 Citrus Heights Transit Plan, which includes an extensive evaluation of the current transit system, as well as recommendations for service priorities and expansion of routes and services. Research included in the 133-page plan found a 17% drop in transit use in Citrus Heights, since 2014. Funding for the development of the plan was provided through a 2015 grant from the Sacramento Area Council of Governments. (See full Transit Plan)
  • Fire code amendment. Council members will consider a recommendation to repeal and re-enact the City’s Fire Prevention and Protection Ordinance, with changes recommended by Metro Fire. According to a staff report, changes include “requiring an approved fire control room in all new buildings, reduced fire areas for all occupancy types in regards to fire sprinkler requirements, [and] changes to fire flows and fire flow durations.”

The City Council meeting will convene at 7 p.m. on Oct. 11, 2018, at 6360 Fountain Square Drive. The full agenda packet can be viewed by clicking here. The meeting will also include a presentation from Sacramento Groundwater Authority Executive Director John Woodling.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE SEPT. 27th COUNCIL MEETING:

Present: Mayor Steve Miller, Vice Mayor Jeannie Bruins, Bret Daniels, Albert Fox, Jeff Slowey
Meeting length: 2 hours.

QUOTABLE: “I think the thing that hurts us more than anything is the parent that sends their kid out of Citrus Heights to go to some other school.” — Councilman Bret Daniels, commenting after a presentation by Mesa Verde Principal Colin Bross.

  • Presentations. The police department’s new assistant chief of police and commanders were formally sworn in, followed by a 15-minute presentation from Mesa Verde High School Principal Colin Bross, who gave an overview of successes and struggles at the school.
  • Repaving. City Council members unanimously approved a $723,000 contract with McGuire and Hester for resurfacing portions of six residential streets, totaling approximately 1.3 miles. See full story: Citrus Heights council approves first 6 streets to be repaved with SB 1 funds
  • Animal shelter. The council unanimously approved a $115,000 contract with Placer County Animal Services to provide animal shelter services. The City’s current 3-year contract with the Sacramento SPCA was terminated by the SPCA for an unspecified reason, effective Oct. 31 of this year. The new contract will begin Nov. 1 and continue through June 30, 2019.
  • Stock Ranch Development. The council unanimously approved a recommendation from the Planning Commission related to development at the Stock Ranch Plaza on Auburn Boulevard, including a permit for a new 8,700-square-foot commercial building near the street frontage. See full story: First of several new buildings finally approved for Auburn Blvd.
  • Commercial subdivisions. The council voted 5-0 to amend the City’s General Plan with wording that discourages the creation of new parcels within existing commercial centers. According to a staff report, the goal of the amendment is encourage future redevelopment of existing centers, which staff say is less likely when multiple owners are involved. For more, see prior story: 3 public hearings to be held by Citrus Heights Planning Commission
  • Small lot housing. The council also voted 5-0 in favor of a Planning Commission recommendation to approve a zoning ordinance designed to encourage housing development on smaller lots and expand affordable housing options by allowing for ownership of single units in multi-family and commercial zones. For more, see prior story: 3 public hearings to be held by Citrus Heights Planning Commission
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