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Author: Sara Beth Williams

Citrus Heights police bolster forces, increase engagement amid rise in crime

Alex Turcotte, Chief of Police. // SB. Williams

By Sara Beth Williams–
Citrus Heights last year saw double-digit increases in crimes against persons and crimes against society, according to an April 25 report from the police chief.

During the annual report, Chief of Police Alex Turcotte said crimes against persons increased 14 percent in 2023, crimes against society increased 17.5 percent, and crimes against property increased 1 percent.

Cases of rape rose 44 percent, robberies by 30 percent, and kidnapping by 19%. Homicides also increased to seven in 2023, up from four in 2022. Turcotte noted that most rapes and kidnapping incidents were cases between individuals who knew each other, rather than “stranger danger” type incidents.

Citing reasons for the increase, Turcotte noted the department has hired more staff and has been more proactive in encouraging victims and businesses to report crimes, to ensure crimes don’t go unreported. He also said the department switched over to new reporting criteria in 2022, noting that under the prior FBI Uniform Crime Reporting criteria the city would have shown an overall drop in crime last year.

Aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, and theft all decreased from 2022 to 2023 according to the annual report.

Additional statistics presented by Turcotte showed an increase in felony arrests, from 715 in 2022 to 892 last year. Misdemeanor arrests also rose by nearly 50 percent, to 1,218. Homeless-related calls saw an uptick to 3,931, up from 3,445 the prior year. Traffic citations also increased from 2,147 to 3,710.

Overall, Turcotte reported that the department fielded 82,016 calls for service, with officer-initiated activity adding another 14,316 to that number. He also said the department acquired 14 new sworn police officers and 11 new professional staff members in 2023.

In an April 4 announcement on social media, the police department celebrated the addition of six new police officers, four dispatchers, two code enforcement officers, two program assistants, one community service officer, one intern and one volunteer.

“We’re excited to welcome them into the proud law enforcement profession,” the department wrote. All new staff took an Oath of Office in front of family, friends, and coworkers on April 4, according to the post.

During the annual report, Turcotte said the years since the pandemic were challenging because of budget constraints, and because many part-time police academies in the region shut down, which led to full-time academies being overburdened.

In a prior 2022 annual report, Turcotte said the police department is committed to hiring highly qualified officers. Only 22 percent of applicants make it through application screening, and only 6 percent are hired by the department.

In years prior, the Citrus Heights Police Department would recruit for the lateral transfer of officers from other jurisdictions. According to Turcotte, lateral officers only require a month-and-a-half of department training, whereas police academy graduates still require up to six months of department training before they can become a solo officer.

According to the department’s report, there has been an average of two to four lateral transfers between 2017 and 2022. There were no lateral transfers in 2023, but there has already been three lateral transfers in 2024.

Turcotte said the department has also been working to increase community engagement, and has command officers assigned to each neighborhood area, who attend neighborhood association meetings. Officers also strive to attend community events throughout the city.

Turcotte added that the department has been focusing on improving the quality of life in Citrus Heights and has partnered with the Citrus Heights Beautification Crew. According to the report, the Beautification Crew removed 76 tons of debris from city streets in 2023.

April 27, 2024
New eatery coming to renovated Citrus Heights shopping plaza

File photo, new archway signage is installed outside the renovated Sunrise Village shopping plaza in Citrus Heights. // CH Sentinel

By Sara Beth Williams–
A popular frozen yogurt chain is returning to Citrus Heights, several years after shuttering a prior location near Sunrise Mall.

Pinkberry, which offers frozen yogurt bowls with customizable toppings, was recently added to leasing materials for Sunrise Village, located at the northwest corner of Sunrise Boulevard and Madison Avenue in Citrus Heights, according to Sacramento Business Journal.

Sunrise MarketPlace Executive Director Kathilynn Carpenter confirmed that a new Pinkberry is scheduled to open at Sunrise Village but could not confirm an opening date. Carpenter also confirmed that Pinkberry used to occupy a space next to Chipotle at 5855 Sunrise Blvd, on the corner of Sunrise Boulevard and Macy Plaza Drive in the Target shopping center. Carpenter could not confirm a closing date for the former location. According to Yelp reviewers, the former Pinkberry location opened in July of 2010.

Jersey Mike’s Subs, which opened in 2023 according to the Sacramento Bee, is now the current tenant next to Chipotle.

The frozen yogurt franchise surged in popularity in the early 2000s, but encountered difficulty with over-expansion and high competition from other frozen yogurt eateries, and the company closed several locations throughout the country beginning in 2015 according to multiple online reports.

The new location of Pinkberry coming to Sunrise Village will join a cast of tenants including The Habit, Joann Fabric and Crafts, Olive Garden, Starbucks, and Firehouse Subs.

According to the eatery’s website, Pinkberry was initially inspired by European gelato and was established in January 2005 with a store in Los Angeles. Pinkberry operates over 300 stores worldwide.

Locally, Pinkberry currently operates locations throughout Sacramento, including in the Arden-Arcade area, Folsom, Elk Grove and downtown Sacramento.

April 27, 2024
Students can now take free Driver’s Ed courses at San Juan, Mesa Verde high schools

San Juan High School. // SB Williams

By Sara Beth Williams–
An online Driver’s Education course is now available to Mesa Verde High School and San Juan High School students, according to San Juan Unified School District Director of Communication Raj Rai.

In September 2023, parents like Deshai Knight began to question why driver’s education courses weren’t available to local high school students in the San Juan Unified School District.

Knight told The Sentinel in an interview that she began to inquire with the district by sending emails. When a district representative didn’t get back to her, Knight emailed all the San Juan district board members.

Knight said she feels it’s important for students to be offered driver’s education because it’s required by law and because not all families can afford paying out of pocket for driver’s education courses.

“The district should have to abide by the education code,” Knight said, adding that kids have enough going on without “additional hurdles being thrown at them” that keep them from getting a license before 18.

According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, students under 18 “must complete classroom driver’s education and enroll in behind-the-wheel driver’s training at a licensed driver’s training school” before they are allowed to obtain an instructional permit.

According to the California Department of Education code, section 51220, public schools are required to provide free driver’s education to public school children, as stated on the education department’s website.

Rai told the Sentinel in an April 19 email that anecdotally, high schools had seen a decrease in student interest in taking driver’s education courses, and that many districts have struggled with offering courses because teachers are required to have specific certifications. Rai also added that driver’s education is not part of the health standards, and not required for students to graduate.

Rai did not have any data on when local high schools stopped offering driver’s education courses but told The Sentinel that the San Juan district did receive “several inquiries from families” regarding driver’s education courses. Rai did not specify when the district received such inquiries.

The new driver’s education program available for students is online-based and free of charge to all high school students enrolled in the district. Behind-the-wheel training is not included.

Parents who want to register students for driver’s education or find out more information can visit the district’s website here:

April 25, 2024
Citrus Heights Arts forms new arts, culture council

Wall art can be seen by drivers passing along Sunrise Boulevard, near Greenback Lane. // CH Sentinel

By Sara Beth Williams–
Citrus Heights Arts announced the establishment of a Citrus Heights Arts and Culture Council in a news release earlier this month. The nonprofit calls the council formation a “dynamic initiative” designed to foster creativity and cultural diversity in the city.

“The Citrus Heights Arts and Culture Council will serve as a pivotal platform for artists, performers, artisans, and cultural enthusiasts to collaborate, showcase their work, and engage with the community,” the nonprofit wrote in their announcement, adding that the establishment of the council communicates the nonprofit’s commitment to “harnessing and celebrating the wealth of creativity” in the local community.

The stated goals of the council will be to promote both emerging and existing local talent, offer diverse cultural enrichment experiences through exhibitions, workshops, and festivals, provide arts education and outreach to encourage creativity, and to facilitate more community engagement between artists, residents, businesses, and civic organizations.

The council also hopes to collaborate with local stakeholders to “enhance public spaces with thought-provoking installations and murals” that represent the spirit of Citrus Heights.

Citrus Heights Arts is a nonprofit organization with a mission of promoting and supporting the arts in Citrus Heights and its surrounding communities. The nonprofit organization regularly hosts workshops, classes, and local events, and collaborates with local artists to create public art displays throughout Citrus Heights.

An upcoming ArtBeat event will return to the Marketplace at Birdcage this summer, from May 31-June 2, 2024. Those interested in learning more can find more information posted at citrusheightsarts.org.

April 25, 2024
What’s going on with the plans for a hotel at Sunrise Mall?

The corner of Sunrise Boulevard and Greenback Lane is under review for proposed subdivision. // SB Williams

By Sara Beth Williams–
After a year-and-a half-under review, plans to subdivide a 2.8-acre parcel in the corner of the Sunrise Mall parking lot into three parcels are expected to be completed by the end of 2024, according to Patrick Ellwood with Ellwood Commercial Real Estate.

Plans to subdivide the corner lot at Sunrise Boulevard and Greenback Lane include a “footprint” for a potential hotel and were submitted in October 2022, according to application data online.

In an email to The Sentinel, the city confirmed that the proposed map under review does not include demolishing the bank, but focuses on the surplus parking area in the eastern half of the parcel with the hopes of attracting developers for a future hotel.

“As part of the [Sunrise Tomorrow] Plan development, market data, as well as feedback from the community, calls for the development of a hotel at this location,” the city wrote in an email, adding that the Sunrise Tomorrow Specific Plan calls for an “intensification and diversification of land uses at the Sunrise Mall site.”

Related: City says developer considering hotel at Sunrise and Greenback – Citrus Heights Sentinel

The tentative parcel map shows potential outlines for the division of the 2.8 acres into three parts, including the outline of a building which could be home to a hotel in the future. The tentative map shows the retention of the existing US bank on .9-acres, and additionally includes site improvements required to make room for the potential hotel building, such as removal of existing trees and parking lot curbs.

The remaining division of the parcel is listed as just under one-third of an acre. According to the city, the third and smallest division is anticipated to attract a food or beverage user.

Ellwood told The Sentinel on Friday that the city is “very interested in bringing a hotel to Citrus Heights, and so are we,” but noted high interest rates and construction costs aren’t making it easy.

The Sentinel previously reported that the 289-page plan for Sunrise Tomorrow was developed at a cost of over $1 million to the city, including an extensive Environmental Impact Report in an effort to make the property “shovel ready” and as attractive as possible to developers.

The plan envisions creating a walkable “21st Century Main Street,” with five big ideas guiding the plan: creating an economic engine, livable neighborhoods, streets for people, connected green spaces, and making the site a “community and regional destination.”

The four-phase plan is projected to take 20 years to be fully completed, with the first phase likely being to develop unused parking areas.

The second phase is expected to incorporate office space, retail, dining, and an extended-stay hotel. The third and fourth phases include redeveloping the existing mall into a “21st Century Main Street.”

The current map for the subdivision of the 2.8-acre corner at Sunrise Boulevard and Greenback Lane does not include a formal development proposal. A separate permit would be required for the design of a future hotel building, following the approval of a parcel map.

The city told The Sentinel last week that the current tentative map is “ready to move forward as soon as the owner is ready.”

April 25, 2024
New details emerge in arrest of Citrus Heights robbery suspect

Sage Parrish. // Image courtesy, CHPD

By Sara Beth Williams–
The Citrus Heights Police Department released new details regarding the arrest of a suspect connected to a robbery in Citrus Heights.

In an April 24 press release, police announced the arrest of 27-year-old Sage Parrish in connection with robberies of two local businesses over two days last week, in which the masked assailant “brandished a handgun and demanded money” according to the release.

On April 14, police were called to a business in the 8000 block of Greenback Lane around 10:30 a.m. which had “been robbed at gunpoint by an adult male wearing a mask. On April 16, a second robbery was reported around 6:15 p.m. in the 7000 block of Sunrise Boulevard. That employee also reported they had “been robbed at gunpoint by a masked adult male suspect who also demanded cash before fleeing.” According to police, the total theft from both robberies included $750 in cash.

On April 17, Placer County Sheriff’s deputies spotted the vehicle that matched the description of one connected to the robbery in Citrus Heights, according to local news reports. When deputies tried to confront the man, he fled, and the short pursuit ended when Parrish crashed his vehicle. Multiple items of evidence from both Citrus Heights robberies were located inside the vehicle, along with the firearm, according to police.

Related: Suspect connected to Citrus Heights robbery arrested in Placer County – Citrus Heights Sentinel

Parrish was booked into the Placer County Jail on multiple felony charges, including evading police, possession of drugs while armed with a firearm, false imprisonment, carrying a loaded handgun, possession of a non-serialized firearm, and possession of narcotics, according to the press release.

“The Citrus Heights Police Department appreciates the efforts of those involved in apprehending this suspect, and we thank our partners at the Placer County Sheriff’s Office and the Roseville Police Department,” the department stated in their release, adding a word of gratitude that no one was physically harmed during the series of robberies and subsequent pursuit of the suspect.

Anyone with information about this crime is encouraged to contact the Citrus Heights Police Department Crime Tip Line at 916-727-5524.

April 25, 2024
The Civic Minute: What’s happening at Citrus Heights City Hall?

By Sara Beth Williams–
Citrus Heights City Council members will meet Thursday evening, April 25, to vote on a proposed doubling of the city manager’s signing authority, approve neighborhood and community project grant funding, and hear an annual report from the Citrus Heights Police Department.

The council meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at City Hall, located at 6360 Fountain Square Drive. A summary of what’s on the agenda is included below.

City Manager. The city is proposing an update to its current purchasing policy that would double the city manager’s purchasing authority to $100,000. The city’s current purchasing policy states that all formal bids between $25,000 up to $50,000 can be approved by the city manager, but all bids over $50,000 must be approved by the City Council. Read more: Citrus Heights council to consider doubling city manager’s purchasing authority

Neighborhood Funds. The Economic Development and Community Engagement department is proposing the City Council approve a total of $6,508 between three neighborhood associations requesting funding for attendance at a national conference and for new sign toppers. The city recommends approving $3,600 to cover Neighborhoods USA Conference costs, which encompasses all expenses of conference attendance, including registration, lodging, airfare, food, and transport. According to the city, this action aligns with the strategic goal of increasing community connection and engagement, per guidelines and eligibility requirements outlined in the Grant and Incentive Program Scoring Rubric. The city has allocated $25,000 total in Neighborhood Improvement Partnership funding for the 2023/24 fiscal year.

Community Project. Staff are recommending that the City Council award $67,000 in grants to 10 local nonprofits. According to the city, funding for community project grants comes from American Rescue Plan Act funds, the Nonprofit Community Support Fund, and History and Arts Grant funding. For more details on other available funding the city has for community grant projects, see the agenda packet here.

Time Change. Staff are recommending that the City Council approve moving regular meetings from the second and fourth Thursday of each month to the second and fourth Wednesday of each month, as per a request made at the March 14 City Council meeting. A recommendation is also being made to approve changing Planning Commission meetings from every second and fourth Wednesday of the month to every second and fourth Tuesday of the month.

Crime Report. The Citrus Heights Police Department is scheduled to give its annual report, which has included crime statistics, staffing updates, and other information. Specific details were not immediately available in the agenda packet. The Police Department’s annual report was initially scheduled for an April 11 council meeting but had been postponed until April 25.

Those wishing to make a public comment during the meeting can do so by attending the council meeting on April 25, 2024, at City Hall, or by submitting a written comment beforehand using the city’s website. The deadline to submit comments online is 4 p.m. on the day of the meeting. See full agenda packet online: Click here:

April 23, 2024
Citrus Heights council to consider doubling city manager’s purchasing authority

Recently hired City Manager Ash Feeney speaks on March 15 to a neighborhood association. // CH Sentinel

By Sara Beth Williams–
Several key directors in the city are requesting that the Citrus Heights City Council approve a resolution that would increase the city manager’s current purchasing authority to $100,000.

At an April 25 council meeting, an agenda packet shows staff will request an approval of an update to the existing purchasing policy, which would increase the city manager’s purchasing power on various city projects, from $50,000 to $100,000. Contracts and purchases include, but aren’t limited to, professional consulting services, equipment purchases, and replacement purchases.

The proposed increase in signing authority is made “in an effort to improve efficiency and expedite delivery of services,” the city wrote, adding that all purchases signed off by the city manager would remain within the city’s budget and within the parameters of the city’s existing Purchasing Policy.

The city’s current purchasing policy states that all formal bids between $25,000 up to $50,000 can be approved by the city manager, but all bids over $50,000 must be approved by the City Council. The new policy would adjust to reflect that only purchases over $100,000 must be approved by the City Council and be posted as an agenda item, and any purchase under that amount would not require council approval.

According to the staff report, when Citrus Heights was initially incorporated in 1997, the city manager was given an allowance of $25,000 in which to sign off on city projects, without requiring city council approval.

In 2005, the policy was amended to allow up to $50,000, with a limited increased authority of up to $75,000 for new Police Department-related purchases only, in hopes of helping facilitate a “smooth transition.” The Citrus Heights Police Department was officially established in 2006.

According to the report, though the city manager purchasing power has remained the same since 2005, the ability to sign off on contracts and purchases has “steadily decreased” due to increased labor costs and higher material costs, which have “escalated” due to the pandemic’s impact on supply and demand.

In 2019, the City Council adopted changes to the city’s existing policy including dropping a requirement for three bids to be received before authorizing purchases of $25,000 to $50,000 (excluding Public Works Projects) and allowing a city manger designee to approve purchases.

The city reviewed purchasing policies and city manager signing authorities in surrounding cities, including Elk Grove, Folsom, Galt, Rancho Cordova, and Sacramento, and found that the cities of Elk Grove, Rancho Cordova and Sacramento all have limits set at $100,00. Roseville was not cited in the report. Folsom has a purchasing cap of $73,209 with an annual consumer price adjustment and Galt’s city manager has a purchasing cap of $70,000.

Those interested in making a public comment during the meeting can do so by attending the council meeting on April 25, 2024, at City Hall, or by submitting a written comment beforehand using the city’s website. The deadline to submit comments online is 4 p.m. on the day of the meeting. View the full agenda packet online: Click here.

April 23, 2024
Monthly salary to triple for Citrus Heights City Council members. Here’s why

File photo. Citrus Heights City Hall. // CH Sentinel

By Sara Beth Williams–
The Citrus Heights City Council earlier this month approved an ordinance that will increase council member compensation to $1,900 per month, up from the current $600 per month.

The increase in monthly compensation was made possible by a new senate bill signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom. Vice Mayor Jayna Karpinski-Costa voted no on the ordinance, but did not give comment as to why.

Senate Bill 329, signed into law on June 29, 2023, amended a 1984 law that previously established defined salary limits to city councilmembers in California based on the population of their city. The new law went into effect Jan. 1, 2024.

A chart provided by the city listing new maximum salary caps for councilmembers based on their city’s population indicates that in a city with a population between of 75,000 and 150,000 people, the maximum monthly compensation is $1,900. For reference, Citrus Heights has a population of roughly 86,000. City Attorney Ryan Jones advised the council that compensation could be set at any amount up to the maximum.

According to city staff, the newly established law acknowledges that the previous 1984 bill and corresponding compensation did not “keep pace” with inflation.

“SB 329 allows cities to compensate councilmembers at a salary level that enables them to balance careers and personal obligations with their dedicated commitment to serve the community,” city staff wrote, adding that monthly compensation had not been updated since the city’s incorporation in 1997, despite the cost of living increasing considerably over the last 25 years.

“It’s bizarre, but it’s a law,” Mayor Bret Daniels said, referring to the 1984 law that had capped compensation at $600.

When does it take effect?

Current restrictions in the Citrus Heights city code prohibit changes to compensation during the current term of office for all members of the council. Therefore, the ordinance will only become effective when a new member of the city council is sworn in, or when a current member begins a new term. Then, all councilmembers, regardless of their term end dates, will receive the same increase in compensation when any one member becomes eligible.

The fiscal impact of the increase in monthly salary will total an additional general fund expense of approximately $78,000 per year for salary increases for all council members, according to the city staff report. SB 329 also allows councilmember salaries to be increased above the $1,900 limit, by 5% per future calendar year, or an amount equal to inflation.

April 23, 2024
Second hearing to be held on controversial Mariposa Ave. subdivision

A proposal to subdivide a vacant lot at 7401 Mariposa Avenue has been received by the city. // CH Sentinel

By Sara Beth Williams–
After previous public opposition, the Planning Commission is holding a second hearing on the request to subdivide a vacant 2.3-acre parcel of land at 7401 Mariposa Ave.

The applicant is requesting approval to subdivide a 2.3-acre lot at the corner of Mariposa Avenue and Church Lane into five residential lots, with the smallest measuring just over 10,000 square feet and the largest exceeding 37,000 square feet according to the city.

The subdivision would take up 16 parking spaces along Church Lane, plans show. Currently, no development is proposed, according to a staff report. Any future development would need to abide by all current city zoning regulations.

Neighboring residents, including those from an adjacent church, voiced opposition to the idea in a Jan. 14 Planning Commission meeting, with some saying they were initially told by the new property owner that only two or three homes would be built with the loss of only two parking spaces.

Citrus Heights Fellowship, located at 7405 Mariposa Ave, recently sold the vacant lot to the new owner, but the church’s facilities manager said that the new property owner changed the plans.

The Commission voted 6-1 in January to table the item, with Commissioner Oleg Shishko recusing himself from the matter. City Attorney Ryan Jones informed the audience that Shishko lives within 500 feet of the proposed development.

Related: Church, neighbors speak out against proposed subdivision on Mariposa Avenue – Citrus Heights Sentinel

Since the January meeting, Planning Commission staff conducted further research into the number of parking spots that would be lost, according to the agenda packet, which was initially a contested part of the project plans.

The Planning Commission meeting will be held Wednesday, April 24 at City Hall, beginning at 6 p.m. Those interested in providing public comment can do so in person at the meeting or may email planning@citrusheights.net. Each written comment will be read aloud by the secretary. Public comments are limited to three minutes each.

Read the full Planning Commission agenda packet here.

Editor’s Note: The publisher of The Sentinel lives within 500 feet of the proposed subdivision project. In an effort to maintain objectivity, staff who do not live near the project were intentionally assigned to and independently edited this article.

April 22, 2024