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Citrus Heights leaders review accomplishments, set 21 new objectives

Strategic planning, Bret Daniels, Ron Lawrence
Citrus Heights Councilman Bret Daniels, right, speaks with Police Chief Ron Lawrence during a strategic planning meeting on Dec. 4, 2018. // CH Sentinel

Sentinel staff report–
Twice a year, for the past two decades, city leaders have faithfully gathered to review accomplishments, brainstorm and set objectives. The latest meeting was held earlier this month at City Hall, with leaders emerging with consensus on a list of short-term objectives to accomplish over the next six months, along with a list of 59 accomplishments over the past six months.

A brainstormed list of recent accomplishments included adopting a new rental housing ordinance, approving a $12 million line of credit, completing Phase II of improvements on Sunrise Boulevard that concluded near Sayonara Drive, launching an online business licensing option, approving funding for security cameras to be installed in Rusch Park, lowering crime by 10 percent through November, and adopting a “small lot housing ordinance” to expand development options on residential parcels. The list also included the City Council approving the 260-unit Mitchell Farms subdivision off Arcadia Drive, finishing the last fiscal year without incurring debt, and approving a grant-funded $7 million multi-use trail project from Wachtel Way to Sunrise Boulevard, known as the “Electric Greenway” project.

City leaders also agreed to pursue 21 objectives by May of next year, all of which are published on the city’s website and categorized under a set of three-year goals the city previously identified during a strategic planning meeting last year. The following list of objectives is taken from the city’s latest six-month plan:

Maintain fiscal stability:

  • Present a report to the City Council Finance Committee on the feasibility of adopting a 2-year budget cycle.
  • Present a mid-year budget review to the City Council.
  • Present to the City Council for direction options for additional revenue generation, including an analysis of existing city fees.
  • Present to the City Council a proposed budget for FY 2019-2020 and possibly a FY 2020-2021 budget if a two year budget cycle is approved.

Improve streets and infrastructure:

  • Issue a RFP for citywide landscape maintenance and/or replacement services and recommend to the City Council for action the award of a contract.
  • Advertise and recommend to the City Council for action the award of a contract for design services for Auburn Blvd Complete Streets Project, Phase II.
  • Advertise and recommend to the City Council for action the award of a contract for updates to the Pavement Management Program.
  • Recommend to the City Council for action the award of a contract for the Highland Avenue Drainage Project.

Diversify for a changing economy:

  • Hire a new Economic Development Manager.
  • Process entitlements and improvement plans for a Surgery Center at Sylvan and Stock Ranch Road.
  • Visit at least two (2) businesses as part of the Business Visitation Program.
  • Identify health-related businesses to pursue for establishment in Citrus Heights.

Enhance and expand public safety:

  • Ensure continuation of a DUI checkpoint or DUI Saturation Detail (e.g., 3-5 officers conducting a moving DUI checkpoint) is conducted.
  • Report to the City Council an update on the SUAV (drone) Program and possible partnerships with the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District’s Drone Program.
  • Report to the City Council an update on the regional cooperation with regional partners on homelessness case management.
  • Ensure that the Public Safety Elective Course at Mesa Verde High School has at least 7 student interns.

Improve community vibrancy and engagement:

  • Launch the city’s redesigned website.
  • Kick off the Electric Greenway Bicycle and Walking Path civic engagement process, including website postings, video unveilings and public workshops.
  • Expand implementation of the City’s Awareness Campaign, including components such as presentations to the Neighborhood Associations and publishing testimonials.
  • Determine steps to create a Public Safety School Academy.
  • Implement the Rental Housing Inspection Program. Including hiring personnel, training and creating policies.

The full strategic plan can be viewed by visiting citrusheights.net. The city’s next strategic planning meeting is scheduled for May 7, 2019, and will be open to the public.

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