File photo. Citrus Heights City Hall at night. // CH Sentinel
By Sara Beth Williams– Citrus Heights City Council members will meet Wednesday, Nov. 13, to vote on whether to impose fines related to the Neighborhood Cleanup program as well as hold a public hearing related to Measure A fees. The council will also consider options for community groups to adopt portions of the Arcade Cripple Creek Trail and Old Auburn Multi-Use Trail.
Neighborhood Cleanup Program: In an effort to curb blight and scavenging, city staff are seeking to make modifications to the Residential Large Item Collection Neighborhood Cleanup program and are recommending the City Council approve the removal of a waiver of enforcement for materials set out prior to the 48-hour program guidelines. The proposal would authorize an amendment with Republic Services to respond to violations of the 48-hour requirement and further allow for penalties to be assessed to the customer of record for early set out of bulky item materials during the pickups, which occur three times per year.
Measure A Nexus Study: The City Council will be asked Wednesday to approve a 2024 Sacramento Countywide Transportation Mitigation Fee Program Nexus Study, which was adopted by the Sacramento Transportation Authority Governing Board in June 2024. Nexus studies are analyses conducted by local governments to establish a justified connection between new development projects and the need for additional public facilities or services.
Fee changes include increases as well as decreases in fees for various residential and commercial projects. Accessory Dwelling Units under 750 square feet in size remain exempt from fees.
In 2004, Sacramento County voters supported the renewal of Measure A which resulted in a half-cent transportation sales tax. Effective 2009, Measure A included an Expenditure Plan extending the existing Measure A sales tax for 30 years. The program was created to “generate a uniform transportation mitigation fee” on certain new development in Sacramento County as a funding source for road and transit system improvements. The 70-age Nexus study update report can be read in the agenda packet here.
Trail Volunteers. The Department of Economic Development and Community Engagement plans to present options for community groups to adopt portions of the Arcade Cripple Creek Trail and Old Auburn Multi-Use Trail. The idea for having community groups adopt portions of the trails was developed into a strategic objective during the city’s Strategic Planning meeting in March. The department also plans to discuss an Unsung Hero award and the CARES Champion Program.
Those wishing to make a public comment during the meeting can do so by attending the council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 13 at City Hall, at 6 p.m., 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.
City Hall is located at 6360 Fountain Square Drive.
By Sara Beth Williams– Want to be part of the decision-making process at City Hall? The City of Citrus Heights announced last week it is currently accepting applications from residents to fill four seats on the city’s Planning Commission, and three seats on the Construction Board of Appeals.
The seven-member Planning Commission meets up to twice a month and is tasked with making decisions on land-use related proposals, as well as holding public hearings and reviewing proposed ordinances. The commission also makes recommendations to the City Council on major development projects.
The five-member Construction Board of Appeals meets rarely and only on an as-needed basis to hear complaints from those aggrieved by a decision of the city’s chief building official. The board also “assists in determining suitability of materials and methods of construction, as well as interpreting technical codes.”
Historically, the Planning Commission has served as a stepping stone for leaders to gain experience before moving up to an elected position on the City Council, which was the case with Councilmembers Porsche Middleton and Tim Schaefer. Commissioner Kelsey Nelson will also likely join the council, if her lead holds in the District 1 City Council race.
What are the qualifications?
The only qualifications listed for serving on the Planning Commission or Construction Board of Appeals are that the member be at least 18 years of age and be a resident of Citrus Heights. Appeals board members must additionally be “qualified by experience and training to pass upon matters pertaining to building construction.” Construction Board of Appeals members may not be an officer or employee of the City of Citrus Heights.
Are the positions paid?
Planning Commissioners receive a nominal stipend per meeting. As of 2022, the City Clerk’s office said the stipend was $70 per meeting.
What is the time requirement for the Planning Commission?
There is no time requirement given by the city, other than that commissioners are expected to show up to Planning Commission meetings, which are held in the evenings on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m.
Several current and past commissioners have said they spend 8-10 hours per month on Planning Commission business, primarily reading documents in preparation for the meetings.
How long is the term in office?
Five members of the Planning Commission are nominated to serve four-year terms, with each City Council member nominating one commissioner. The remaining two positions on the commission are two-year at-large positions, nominated by the City Council as a whole. Construction Board of Appeals members are appointed to terms of four years.
Commissioners are limited to serving no more than eight consecutive years on the Planning Commission. However, the city’s municipal code says “An individual who has previously served eight consecutive years on the planning commission is eligible for reappointment to the commission after two years have passed. Partial terms are not counted for the purpose of determining if a member has served eight consecutive years.”
To be considered for appointment to either the Planning Commission or the Construction Board of Appeals, applicants must fill out a three-page application form. All applicants will also take part in a short video interview, which will be made available to the public and City Council prior to council members making appointments.
Applications for all positions are available online at citrusheights.net. The deadline for submitting an application is 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. Applications will be distributed to the City Council to make their appointments at the January 8, 2025 City Council meeting.
Citrus Heights Police announced the arrest of a jewelry theft suspect wanted in multiple burglaries. // Citrus Heights Police Department
By Sara Beth Williams– Citrus Heights police announced on social media the arrest of a felony grand theft suspect in Citrus Heights last week who was wanted for “multiple jewelry store burglaries” in Reno, Nevada.
In the early morning hours of Nov. 7, Reno Police responded to a commercial burglary in the 6000 block of South McCarran Boulevard and found a “significant amount of jewelry” had been stolen, according to news reports based in Reno Nevada. The suspect, later identified as Gabriel Fuoco, fled before officers arrived.
Upon further investigation, Fuoco was believed to be linked to a similar burglary incident that occurred a month prior. A broadcast was issued to neighboring law enforcement agencies with the description of the suspect’s vehicle.
When the vehicle in question was spotted by a Douglas County Sheriff’s Office deputy, the suspect was identified and found to have a Citrus Heights address and local police were contacted.
Later, Citrus Heights police observed Fuoco leave his home with a bag they “believed held the stolen jewelry.” His truck was stopped, and he was detained while the truck was seized and searched. Detectives recovered over $100,000 in stolen jewelry during the arrest, according to Citrus Heights Police. Reno Police Department Burglary Detectives responded to Citrus Heights to assist with search warrants and to interview Fuoco.
Fuoco was booked into the Sacramento County jail on Friday, Nov. 8, on felony charges for possession of stolen property as well as charges for possession of narcotics.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Reno Police Department’s non-emergency line at (775) 334-2677, or Secret Witness at (775) 322-4900 or secretwitness.com.
Trump supporters could be seen outside Sunrise Mall on Nov. 9 // M. Hazlip
By Mike Hazlip– Supporters of President-elect Donald Trump gathered at Sunrise Mall on Saturday, Nov. 9, before departing in a caravan known as a “Trump Train” headed for Grass Valley, participants said.
One of the event organizers, who only identified herself as “Beast” because she said she feared reprisal from ANTIFA, said there were several individuals involved in planning the grass-roots event.
A social media account for the group freedom_riders1776 posted several announcements for what was billed as a “victory party” at the US Bank and Macy’s parking lot on the corner of Sunrise Boulevard and Greenback Lane.
Between 50 and 100 vehicles filled the Macy’s parking lot along Greenback Lane from about 11 a.m. until participants departed at about 1 p.m.
Citrus Heights Police Lt. William Dunning said the event was peaceful and that officers were on hand to monitor the activity. Political events can sometimes encourage counter demonstrations from people with opposing views, Dunning said. There were no conflicts at Saturday’s event, he noted.
“Our job in these types of situations is to make sure that people have the ability to express their First Amendment, while also not causing any kind of disturbances that would slow down traffic,” Dunning said. “Making sure they’re not in the roadway, making sure that anybody that has opposing views — that there isn’t any kind of conflict there.”
Participants were cooperative with police, Dunning added.
Sunrise Marketplace Executive Director Kathilynn Carpenter said organizers did not have permission from the property owner, emphasizing the need to work with the mall’s management and security for future events. A similar event held before the election had 300 to 400 vehicles, according to Carpenter.
“This is private property,” Carpenter said. “There is a process that you must follow. Please contact the property for permission and to find out what their requirements are.”
Carpenter said free speech is protected at shopping malls, but the time, place, and manner of the speech may be restricted. The restrictions do not involve the content of the speech, Carpenter added.
Sentinel Staff Report– The latest Citrus Heights Police Logs show an increase in code enforcement and disturbances, while showing a decrease in suspicious circumstances. Below is a summary of police logs from Oct. 31 through Nov. 6, 2024.
Animal control: 5 (up from 3)
911 hangups: 49 (up from 32)
Code enforcement: 42 (up from 19)
Traffic accidents: 36 (up from 34)
Vehicle violations: 256 (up from 197)
Theft: 35 (up from 34)
Homeless-related: 35 (up from 16)
Vandalism: 8 (down from 9)
Violent/threats: 37 (up from 31)
Disturbance: 117 (up from 103)
Suspicious circumstances: 173 (down from 189)
All incidents: 1224 (up from 1118)
Citrus Heights police note that its logs “are not intended as a full and complete list of all police activity,” with some information not displayed for legal reasons, such as arrests of minors. As such, police advise that summary totals based on public logs may differ from weekly incident and arrest totals posted by police on social media.
The department notes on its website that: “All arrested suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty. Additionally, the original crimes, nature of offenses, and charges may be amended or dismissed as further information is made available.”
Editor’s Note: police log summaries are published with assistance from AI, but edited by humans. Please contact us if you spot an error.
I think this is totally crazy; they should not be fined or given citations for handing out food and having them check to make sure [the homeless] are okay. I think we owe it to them, and as a resident of Citrus Heights for 64 years I believe something has to be done. You can’t just stop one and not have another place in mind. That is cruel and inhumane to do to these people, and I feel that we, Citrus Heights, are better than that. They at least should be able to find them another location — check churches, whatever you have to do — but as a citizen of Citrus Heights, I am totally offended that you would treat people like this. Find a new location for them. — Debra Furry, Citrus Heights resident
Sacramento is hot: hot in the summer, and cold, cold in winter. So why wouldn’t we want an indoor shopping mall? In Sacramento it is necessary. Look at Arden Mall, mostly indoors. I think we need to look at the mismanagement of Sunrise Mall. That is what has led to the decline. —Maria Trujillo Tough, Mather resident
These so called Do Gooders are feeding a problem. Homeless substance abusing squatters! Like feeding wildlife causes harm to the environment and wildlife! Get those off the public funds. If Grace wants to feed a problem take them to Grace! Not our public parks! This crazy feed raccoons on the porch doesn’t work out well. These fed animals cause disease and squalor and blight on the community. — Geoff Sprague, Orangevale resident
Want to share your thoughts on a local issue? The Sentinel welcomes letters on local topics and does not censor letters based on viewpoint. Submit a letter to the editor or opinion column for publication: Click here.
File photo, a temporary, traveling “Wall That Heals” memorial wall was previously set up at Rusch Park in 2023. // M. Hazlip
By Sara Beth Williams– The Citrus Heights Veterans Memorial Project is in the midst of raising funds in order to construct the West Coast’s first permanent 80-percent-scale replica of Washington D.C.’s Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.
The monument is proposed to be constructed on the premises of Calvary Cemetery in Citrus Heights and will be visible from eastbound Interstate 80, according to Scott Miller, Chief Operating Officer with Catholic Funeral and Cemetery Services, which owns Calvary Cemetery.
Miller said the wall will be the second of two roughly 80 percent replicas of the original wall located in Washington, DC. The first replica is located at the Missouri National Veterans Memorial in Perryville, Missouri.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. honors more than three million Americans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces in the Vietnam War, and it bears the names of the 58,281 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam.
The replica wall in Citrus Heights will be constructed of India Black granite, and the names will be engraved, not etched, just as they are on the wall in Washington, DC. The memorial will also include a plaque provided by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund that recognizes the individuals who have lost their lives since the conflict due to their service in Vietnam.
The Citrus Heights Vietnam Memorial Project, a local nonprofit organization, is responsible for raising funds for construction and for an endowment for future maintenance of the memorial. Miller said several integral partnerships with companies and organizations have helped reduce the overall costs for the project, including partnerships with the Missouri National Veterans Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.
History of project The City Council adopted a strategic objective to “explore partnerships to support opportunities to bring a permanent Vietnam Veterans Memorial into the city” at a Strategic Planning meeting in March of 2024.
Following the meeting, Citrus Heights City Manager Ash Feeney approached Calvary Cemetery about the possibility of locating the monument on the grounds at the cemetery, given the large number of veterans that are already laid to rest there.
After gaining approval from the Calvary Funeral and Cemetery Services board, a nonprofit was created to help raise funds to build the permanent Vietnam Veteran Memorial. Representatives of the nonprofit, Catholic Funeral and Cemetery Services, and Feeney visited Perryville, Missouri, to view the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. The visit included a meeting with one of the founders of the memorial, who also spearheaded the design and construction of the project.
“They have been very gracious to us,” Miller said of the Missouri National Veterans Memorial, adding that the founder has provided all the construction plans for the replica memorial wall to the nonprofit. Miller said having design and construction plans already created will save “a ton of money.”
Miller also reported that the Citrus Heights Veterans Memorial Project signed an agreement with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, which allows the nonprofit full access to the architect record for the wall in D.C., along with access to the name files of veterans on the wall at no charge. Access to the name files represents a $50,000 savings, according to Miller.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is responsible for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., as well as the mobile Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall that Heals, which came to Citrus Heights in 2023. The traveling “Wall That Heals,” a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veteran Memorial, along with a mobile Education Center, was temporarily set up at Rusch Community Park.
A city staff report says anticipated construction costs for the wall are estimated to exceed $3 million.
Current progress on permanent replica wall In October, the nonprofit received $120,000 in donations and grant funding, which will go toward the first phase of the project, including a $100,000 donation from the Citrus Heights Rotary Foundation and $20,000 in grant funding from the Citrus Heights City Council. Miller said in October that the nonprofit is continuing fundraising efforts with the help of Stones Gambling Hall, and several other companies have offered services at no charge, such as website design and press release distribution services.
Miller was not able to be reached for comment before press time for an update on current funds raised after Oct. 23. Donations are currently accepted through the nonprofit’s website at chvmp.org but no total amount of donations is listed on the site.
“Years from now, when we’re all gone, that structure will still be here honoring those individuals and reminding people of what true American heroes are all about,” Paul Reyes with American Legion Post 637 said of the project during an Oct. 23 City Council meeting. Reyes previously spearheaded bringing the mobile Veterans Memorial Wall That Heals to Citrus Heights. Reyes is also on the board of the Citrus Heights Veterans Memorial Project nonprofit.
The City Council also unanimously approved a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Citrus Heights, Catholic Funeral & Cemetery Services of the Diocese of Sacramento, Inc., and the Citrus Heights Veterans Memorial Project on Oct. 23.
The city’s participation through the MOU includes waiving fees and accelerated processing of plans and inspections, according to Feeney, as well as making formal requests to partner agencies to do the same.
A tentative timeline shared with the City Council last month lists completion of design work by Nov. 29, followed by construction drawings completed by Jan. 31, and plan review and permitting completed by April 30, 2025. Construction would commence once fundraising is completed.
Those interested in donating to the project can visit the dedicated website here.
Candidates for Trustee Area 4 from left to right, Martin Ross, Nick Bloise, Catrayel Wood. Candidates for Trustee Area 4 from left to right, Jennifer Morgan, Pam Costa. Mohammad Sharif did not share a candidate photo. // Ballotpedia
*Updated Nov. 15 to reflect latest election results from Sacramento County.
By Sara Beth Williams– San Juan Unified School District Board of Education candidate for Trustee Area 4 Nick Bloise is holding steady in the lead with 48.69 percent of the vote as of Nov. 17. Bloise has so far received 8,909 votes in his favor out of almost 16,000. Candidate Catrayel Wood has received 26.99 percent of the vote and candidate Martin Ross has received 24 percent of the vote.
Bloise, a Carmichael resident, has been involved in various community organizations and currently works as a part-time guest teacher in the San Juan Unified School District. Bloise has been endorsed by Citrus Heights Councilmember Tim Schaefer and the Sacramento Parents Association. View the rest of Bloise’s endorsements on his website.
For Citrus Heights voters, only Trustee Area 4 was up for election in 2024, which includes a small portion of Citrus Heights from Greenback Lane, south to Madison Avenue. Three new candidates ran for election in this trustee area, which has been represented by Saul Hernandez.
Trustee Area 2 is also up for election, but is outside the City of Citrus Heights. Pam Costa who was elected at-large previously, holds a decisive lead with 59 percent of the vote as of Saturday, against community volunteer Jennifer Morgan who has 33 percent of the vote, and contract analyst Mohammad Sharif, who has 7 percent.
The Area 1 seat was also up for election this year, but program manager Abid Stanekzai won the seat for Trustee Area 1 by default, as no one else qualified to run. A Candidate Report published Sept. 12 by Sacramento County indicates the Area 1 race would not appear on the Nov. 5 ballot.
As of Nov. 12, Sacramento County officials report that a total of 411,809 ballots have been counted, countywide, with approximately 260,062 ballots remaining to be counted. The county’s report does not break down the number of ballots remaining to be counted by city or area. The next update is expected Tuesday, Nov. 15.
CA State Assembly District 7 Candidates Porsche Middleton (left) and Josh Hoover (right) // CH Sentinel / Ballotpedia
By Sara Beth Williams– Republican incumbent Josh Hoover holds a lead over Citrus Heights City Councilmember Porsche Middleton in the race for California State Assembly District 7, according to the latest voting results.
As of Friday afternoon, Hoover had received 53 percent of the vote, leading Middleton by just over 10,000 votes. Middleton had received 47 percent of the vote with 65,018 votes.
In a Nov. 6 social media post on her campaign page, Middleton thanked her supporters and said: “Whatever happens, know that our work is just beginning.”
Hoover has yet to declare victory, saying on his campaign page that he anticipates making a final call following the next update on Nov. 12.
“I appreciate the hard work of our elections officials who still have thousands of votes left to count,” Hoover said.
Hoover and Middleton first faced off in the primary election in March, where Hoover received 52 percent of the vote over Middleton and YK Chalamcherla, both Democrats.
Hoover was narrowly elected in 2022 to represent California Assembly District 7, winning 50.4% of the vote. Since the beginning of his term, Hoover has served on several Assembly committees, including Jobs, Economic Development, and the Economy, the Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials committee, and the Education Committee.
Middleton currently serves as Citrus Heights City Council, with her term expiring in 2026, and has previously served on the Citrus Heights Planning Commission.
As of Nov. 8, Sacramento County officials report that a total of 411,809 ballots have been counted, countywide, with approximately 260,062 ballots remaining to be counted. The county’s report does not break down the number of ballots remaining to be counted by city or area. The next update is expected Tuesday, Nov. 12.
Election results will change throughout the ballot counting period as vote-by-mail ballots, provisional ballots (including conditional voter registration provisional ballots), and other ballots are tallied.
County election officials have until Dec. 5 to process and count ballots. The Secretary of State will certify the results of the election on Dec. 13.
A long line of customers waited for the grand opening of Amazon Fresh on Thursday morning, Nov. 7, 2024. // L.W. Otterstad
By Sara Beth Williams– A long line of shoppers could be seen assembled in front of Amazon Fresh prior to the store opening for the first time Thursday morning in the Sunrise Village shopping center, with the line extending all the way to the former Rite Aid.
The grocery store, situated in a building formerly occupied by JoAnn’s Fabrics, has been under construction for months and announced plans to open on Nov. 7.
While shoppers waited in line Thursday, an Amazon Fresh staff member announced on a microphone that some shoppers had set up outside the store as early as the night before, hoping to be first in line to receive a free gift card. According to Amazon Fresh advertising and local news reports, the first 100 customers received door prizes such as gift cards of varying values.
After a ceremonial ribbon was cut at 8 a.m., shoppers were allowed to enter. A long exit line inside the store was also observed, with shoppers having to stand in the checkout line for more than thirty minutes.
The new grocery store offers a wide assortment of “national brands and high-quality produce, meat, and seafood,” as well as a range of prepared foods made fresh in store every day.
According to a submitted letter by Amazon Fresh to the City of Citrus Heights, the grocer will also sell beer, wine, and spirits and provide “limited alcohol instructional tastings” in a designated alcohol sampling area. Tastings will be small samples and be offered by trained beverage suppliers or employees to customers 21 years and older, in accordance with Alcoholic Beverage Control regulations.
Amazon Fresh opened its first location in Woodland Hills in September 2020 and has since been joined by more than 40 locations in California, Illinois, New York, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Washington State, and New Jersey, as well as the Washington, D.C. area.
Amazon Fresh is located at 5425 Sunrise Blvd. and has hours listed as 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.
