The Citrus Heights City Council will meet this Thursday to consider approving an agreement that would put more than two dozen new housing units on Sayonara Drive, as well as consider approving a $1 million business attraction program and hold a public hearing on how more than half-a-million dollars in federal grant money was allocated.
The council’s March 23 meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at Citrus Heights City Hall, preceded by a closed session at 4:30 p.m. for a performance evaluation of the city manager. A summary of what’s included in the 129-page agenda packet is listed below.
Neighborhood Grant. The council will consider approving a staff recommendation to modify guidelines for the city’s Neighborhood Improvement Partnership Grant Program, which has $15,000 budgeted for the current fiscal year. A staff report says changes are designed to make the funds more fully utilized by the city’s neighborhood associations and include a first come, first serve approvals process, with authorization for the city manager to approve micro grants up to $500 without council approval. The changes would also remove a requirement for 100% matching funds to come from another public agency.
Public Hearing. An evaluation report showing how the city used the $624,851 in last year’s Community Development Block Grant Funds will be considered for adoption by the council, following a public hearing. Programs funded included youth services, meals for seniors, emergency food banks, homeless prevention services, landlord/tenant and fair housing counseling, and case management. Funds also went to residential street resurfacing and the Greenback Lane Complete Streets Project.
New School District. The City Council will consider approving the formation of an advisory committee to look into the feasibility of Citrus Heights forming its own school district. See more: Proposed committee would look at forming new Citrus Heights school district
Sayonara Housing. Council members will consider a staff recommendation to partner with Habitat for Humanity to develop 26 replacement housing units on Sayonara Drive. These units will replace blighted housing units that were demolished over a decade ago and will be sold to low-income families who qualify for Habitat’s affordable ownership program.
$1M Business Attraction Funding. The council will consider allocating $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to “help identify, attract and invest in new businesses in target industries.” Such industries are listed as local restaurants, breweries and craft beverage businesses, entertainment and businesses that provide “unique or underrepresented services/goods.”
Floods. Council members will consider approving an ordinance update regarding floods in order to maintain eligibility for inclusion in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). A staff report says there is no direct fiscal impact to the changes, and updates are consistent with the city’s current approach to floodplain management and development within and near floodways.
Senate Bill 316. The council will consider approving a letter of support for SB 316, which is a bill proposed by Senator Roger Niello, seeking to increase penalties for shoplifting.
Police Canines. The council will heard a report from the Police Department regarding AB 742, which seeks to bar the use of police dogs for apprehensions, arrests and crowd control.
Public comments for the council meeting can be submitted to cityclerk@citrusheights.net, with up to 250 words, or emailed directly to the City Council as a whole at citycouncil@citrusheights.net. Comments sent to the clerk will be read aloud during the meeting.
The council’s March 23, 2023, meeting agenda packet can be viewed in full online, with links for the Zoom meeting included in the packet. (click here)
