dev.citrusheightssentinel.com

Author: Sara Beth Williams

  • Rehab of ‘dilapidated’ complex for homeless, at-risk seniors moves forward

    Rehab of ‘dilapidated’ complex for homeless, at-risk seniors moves forward

    The Auburn Oaks Senior Living apartment complex is located at 7501 Sunrise Blvd. // M. Hazlip

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    An area nonprofit seeking to provide low-income housing for seniors who are homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless won approval from the Citrus Heights City Council last month for a $500,000 grant.

    After expressing multiple concerns to the nonprofit during a prior meeting, the council heard a follow up presentation on Aug. 28 regarding the request for grant funding from Hope Cooperative. The nonprofit plans to purchase and perform a full rehabilitation of the senior housing complex located at 7501 Auburn Blvd.

    Councilmember Porsche Middleton, who voiced support for awarding the grant at the previous council meeting, was absent from the Aug. 28 meeting.

    The follow up presentation zeroed in on concerns previously expressed by the council, including concerns related to whether minors would be allowed to live at the facility, whether Sacramento or Citrus Heights residents would be referred to the facility, and the potential negative impact another low-income housing complex will have on the surrounding neighborhood.

    Addressing concerns, a city staff report said federal fair housing law will not allow Citrus Heights residents to receive priority when applying for rent at the facility. The report also said minors will be allowed as residents in rare cases where the minor is a dependent of the primary resident, who will all be 55+ in age. Staffing will also be a 1-18 ratio at the facility, according to Hope Cooperative.

    Currently, the city said, the Auburn Oaks facility incurs a higher number of police service calls because of a lack of active management on site, which would otherwise handle on-site problems. The city’s community development director told the council the current facilities are “pretty dilapidated,” with many buildings requiring new roofing and HVAC systems. Hope Cooperative says it will provide 24-hour management services on site seven days a week, as part of its permanent, supportive housing program.

    According to the city, the existing assisted living units at Auburn Oaks are only filled with about 20 residents, and all existing residents will be allowed to remain. A total of 88 units would be offered, with Hope Cooperative planning to combine the existing assisted living units into studio and one-bedroom apartments, and the existing apartments will be updated throughout. Hope Cooperative will also be providing on-site supportive services and case management, the city said.

    Hope Cooperative previously received a $25 million Community Care Expansion Capital Expansion grant from the California Department of Social Services. After identifying a shortfall in funding, the nonprofit requested gap funding from the City of Citrus Heights to support the project. The grant amount would come from the city’s Permanent Local Housing Allocation funding.

    The project is designed to “expand capacity to serve vulnerable seniors” who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of experiencing homelessness, the city said, adding that Hope Cooperative is a “responsive” service provider with extensive experience of over 40 years.

    Up to 30 units would be allocated toward accommodating those with behavioral health needs, referred from the Sacramento Behavioral Health full-service Partnership. Another 28 units would be referred from Sacramento Steps Forward. Lastly, up to 30 additional units would be allocated for those referred from Sacramento County Department of Family, Child, and Adult Services.

    To be eligible, heads of household will need to be 55 years of age or older, be experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness, and have an income of less than 50 percent of the surrounding area’s income level. New annual income eligibility is released each year.

    In January 2024, The Sentinel reported that living conditions at the former skilled nursing facility “have been poor from the start,” according to residents interviewed by Sentinel staff. Brown water was reportedly coming from bathroom fixtures, along with recurring pest problems and other issues.

    At least one resident was referred to the facility under Project Roomkey, a statewide project launched during the pandemic to provide non-congregate shelter options for people experiencing homelessness.

    See prior story: Residents facing eviction at senior living complex in Citrus Heights – Citrus Heights Sentinel

  • Citrus Heights council to discuss filling vacancy at upcoming meeting

    Citrus Heights City Coucil
    Citrus Heights City Council. // CH Sentinel

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    Following the resignation of Mayor Bret Daniels last month, Citrus Heights City Council members will consider options for filling the current council seat vacancy at the next City Council meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 11.

    Daniels resigned from his District 1 City Council seat three months before the end of his term, with the city subsequently releasing a statement regarding how the council plans to address vacancies.

    “The position is part of a collaborative governance model in which the entire City Council works together to set policy and direction for the community,” the city wrote in a statement, adding that, in the event of an early vacancy, the city has established procedures in place to fill the vacancy in order to “maintain stability.”

    The process for filling a vacant seat requires that current City Council members either appoint a replacement or hold a special election within 60 days, according to the Government Code. A person appointed or elected to fill a vacancy holds office for the extent of the unexpired term of the former incumbent.

    If the City Council were to decide to appoint a replacement, the appointment must be made no later than Oct. 30, after an application and interview process takes place. Any appointed person would only hold office until Dec. 11, the city said in the upcoming agenda packet. The successful District 1 candidate elected during the Nov. 5 election would be seated during the Dec. 11 council meeting.

    According to the city, since the District 1 seat is already scheduled to be filled at the Nov. 5, 2024 election, “it is not necessary for the City Council to call a special election for this purpose.” Therefore, if the City Council doesn’t choose to appoint a replacement, Daniels’ seat would remain vacant until a new council member for District 1 is elected on Nov. 5 for a full four-year term.

    According to the League of California Cities, a council member who moves his or her residence outside the city or district from which he or she was elected is forced to immediately vacate his or her office.

    In his resignation announcement to the City Council at the end of August, Daniels said he was unable to secure housing in his district following his family’s move to Kentucky, and was therefore required to resign. Daniels requested that the council leave his seat open and “let the citizens decide” who the next council member for District 1 will be through the Nov. 5 election process.

    Those wishing to make a public comment during the meeting can do so by attending the council meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 11 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.

  • Local baseball club to bring back classic uniforms for milestone celebration

    From left to right: Landon Juneau stands next to his father, Scott Juneau, each wearing original NBO Baseball Club jerseys from the early days of the organization.
    Landon Juneau, left, stands next to his father, Scott Juneau, each wearing original NBO Baseball Club jerseys. To celebrate 30 years, the club plans to bring the jerseys back, with the addition of a 30th year patch. // Todd Conroy

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    A local baseball and softball club that calls Citrus Heights home will mark its third decade of playing ball next year.

    NBO Baseball Club offers wooden-bat baseball for middle school, high school and college players, and plays home games at Westwood Park in Citrus Heights. Club Director Todd Conroy said the organization is similar to travel ball, in that the baseball club accepts everyone, regardless of gender or city boundaries.

    “One thing that’s important about our club is that we have multiple age groups where they practice and play together in certain games,” Conroy said, adding that the club doesn’t conduct try-outs, but allows everyone who registers to play. In the past, the organization tried to build teams of players younger than middle-school aged, but Conroy said he prefers having a model focused on development, where college-age players help teach younger players.

    To celebrate the upcoming thirtieth year, Conroy said he plans to bring back original “retro” uniform colors of teal and black from the early days of the organization, with the addition of a thirtieth year patch. Current uniform colors include blue and red.

    The ball club regularly plays in four high school tournaments, according to Conroy, and accepts high school players from all over Sacramento and Placer counties, including high schoolers from home school and charter school programs. Teams will travel to play any teams that want to play, Conroy said, with tournaments in Roseville, Fairfield, Yuba City, and a tournament in Reno every July.

    The program operates out of Westwood Park from May to August and shares the field at times with football or soccer programs through Sunrise Recreation and Park District in different seasons of the year. Conroy said the organization is solely responsible for infield maintenance and have made improvements to the field over the years, including installing artificial turf in some areas, and replacing LED lights.

    Conroy said the organization is “community oriented” and often hosts movie nights on the baseball field in the summer. An annual golf tournament is also held, according to the organization’s website.

    “We have legacies. Guys that help coach for me now, whose sons play for me,” Conroy said, adding that several players have also gone on to play college ball, and many now coach high school or college baseball.

    NBO is currently beginning its fall season, according to its website, and also offers lessons during the spring, summer and fall. The club breaks for the month of August.

    More information can be found on the club’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/NboBaseballClub.

  • District upgrades Citrus Heights schools with new security fencing, locks

    Fencing completed at Arlington Elementary School
    New fencing was recently installed at Arlington Elementary in Citrus Heights for the 2024-25 school year. // SJUSD

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    Campus fencing and safety projects have wrapped up at several local schools in Citrus Heights, according to the San Juan Unified School District.

    The district recently announced in a newsletter at the beginning of the school year that fencing projects at Arlington Heights Elementary School, Lichen K-8 School, Kingswood K-8 School, Mesa Verde High School, and San Juan High School, were recently completed..

    In June 2022, Daniel Thigpen, the district’s executive director of labor relations, reported that the district had earmarked $10 million in funds to use for updating and modernizing all campuses. The district then spent seven months conducting school site safety assessments. In August 2023, Thigpen outlined several areas of concern, including out-of-date camera systems, internal door locking mechanisms, and perimeter fencing.

    “One major focus area was around fencing and creating single or limited points of entry on our campuses,” San Juan Unified School District Director of Communication Raj Rai told The Sentinel on Thursday. Rai confirmed that along with new and upgraded fencing being completed at five area schools for the 2024-25 school year, fencing projects had already been previously completed at Carriage Drive Elementary, Grand Oaks Elementary, Skycrest Elementary, Sylvan Middle School, and Woodside K-8.

    New internal locking mechanisms were installed on 381 teaching spaces and classrooms, in order to “ensure that each of our classrooms can be easily locked from the inside,” Rai said, adding that the district will continue to address a handful of spaces that still need updated hardware.

    In regard to upgrading camera systems, the district said the effort is “in the research and planning stages” as the district continues to discuss available technologies and what it would look like to implement.

    When asked about frequent vandalism occurring at the new state-of-the-art stadium recently completed at Mesa Verde High School, Rai said the district continues to remain “vigilant” and will continue to work closely with the Citrus Heights Police Department should there be any future incidents.

  • City seeks to curb ‘rampant’ illegal dumping in Citrus Heights

    A map presented to the City Council showing locations of reported illegal dumping.
    A map produced by the City of Citrus Heights showing locations of reported illegal dumping. Aug. 28, 2024. // City of Citrus Heights.

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    In an effort to address illegal dumping across Citrus Heights, city staff during an Aug. 28 City Council meeting suggested a “progressive” approach to handle blight and associated issues with Neighborhood Cleanup services.

    General Services Department Operations Manager Mary Poole presented FlashVote survey results during the meeting, which detailed feedback from residents regarding the Neighborhood Cleanup program. The program provides residential pickup of bulk waste piles three times per year.

    Before the survey was issued in August, Poole said the city had received complaints over time regarding challenges associated with the Neighborhood Cleanup program, including issues with visible blight along streets, an increase in illegal dumping, scavenging, difficulty coordinating street sweeping schedules and construction projects around the bulk cleanup service, parking issues, and issues caused by inclement weather.

    “Illegal dumping is rampant throughout the city,” Poole said, adding that having materials out for seven days at a time in zones where neighborhood cleanup services are occurring attracts other residents outside the service area to illegally dump “more and more” materials onto existing piles.

    Related: Citrus Heights survey shows residents overwhelmingly support bulk waste pickup days

    Poole called scavenging “a pro and a con,” saying that it can help recycle materials, and residents commented throughout the survey that they plan on putting materials out in anticipation of scavengers recycling items. Poole also said scavengers can be “messy” as they sift through piles, and often will drive through neighborhoods at all hours of the day looking for items.

    During the presentation, Poole shared photos of illegal dumping, where others who were not part of the service area included more materials on existing piles, including a landscaper who was witnessed to be dumping illegally by a Republic Services route supervisor.

    Poole said the city tends to have an increase in illegal dumping around the neighborhood cleanup schedule, and presented a map showing the locations of reported illegal dumping. The reports of illegal dumping appear to occur more often on the boundaries of the service area of the Neighborhood Cleanup program in June, July, and August, respectively.

    In order to address complaints and issues, city staff recommended enforcing existing program guidelines and adding penalties for setting out piles early. Staff also want to include “extensive” educational outreach to the community at large.

    Bret Daniels, who resigned from the council several days following the meeting, said during the meeting that that there are “too many negatives” with the current program, and supported a change. Daniels described parking as a “real problem” during the Neighborhood Cleanup service because it coincides with regular trash pickup, leaving nowhere on the streets for residents to park.

    Councilmember MariJane Lopez-Taff suggested phasing out the program gradually to an on-call service, and also suggested citing drivers who are “clearly” scavengers.

    The contract with Republic Services for the Neighborhood Cleanup program ends in three years, the city said. Poole also suggested eventually decreasing the allotted time to set out items from 48 hours to 24 hours.

    Vice Mayor Jayna Karpinski-Costa expressed concern regarding being charged for actions taken by individuals dumping illegally on her property without her knowing. Karpinski-Costa also said the city tried to do an on-call bulk item pickup service in the past and “it didn’t work.” Karpinski-Costa suggested that changing to an on-call service option would only encourage scavengers to drive around more frequently looking for items.

    The council collectively agreed to consider a future resolution that would seek to amend the current contract with Republic Services to allow for “staff authority to customize service in certain areas,” such as HOAs and mobile home parks, and include the issuance of penalties for setting out items outside of a 48-hour window.

  • Ribbon cutting kicks off plans for playground for children with disabilities

    A kick off ceremony for Mike's Playground
    A kick off ceremony was held for Mike’s Playground at San Juan Park, Aug. 23, 2024. // M. Hazlip

    By Mike Hazlip–
    Community members and business leaders gathered at San Juan Park last month to kickoff efforts to build Mike’s Playground, a playground that will accommodate children living with disabilities.

    A ribbon-cutting was held Friday, Aug. 23 with the support of the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce and community leaders, followed by a fundraiser on Saturday, Aug. 24 at the park. Representatives for Supervisor Sue Frost, Assemblyman Josh Hoover, and Representative Ami Bera were on hand to present Mike’s Playground founder Aurelia Walker with certificates of recognition in support of her efforts.

    Citrus Heights Police Chief Alex Turcotte joined City Manager Ash Feeney and Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sheri Merrick in support of the playground along with a representative from Metro Fire.

    “We are more than delighted to have Mike’s Playground Corporation as a chamber member,” Merrick said. “Ms. Aurelia is just absolutely amazing, she’s very passionate about her cause and has infected her excitement in all of us.”

    Turcotte emphasized the importance of investing in the children, saying it makes for better citizens later in life.

    The event marks a milestone for Mike’s Playground, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping families that have children with special needs. The Sentinel previously reported that Walker founded the non-profit organization in 2021 as a way to help her grandson who requires the use of a wheelchair for mobility.

    Related: Citrus Heights mom, grandmother on mission to build public playground for disabled children

    An emotional Walker thanked the community for their support, saying she hopes to see the completion of the project.

    “I just never, ever thought this would happen,” Walker said. “My grandson and his friends, although their condition is what it is, we can’t change it, but we can just put a smile on their face. That’s all they want.”

    Walker also thanked the Citrus Heights Police Department and Metro Fire for their work in responding to her grandson’s emergency medical needs.

    In an interview after the event, Walker said she was “overjoyed.”

    “I completed a task from a higher power for the children,” Walker said, adding there are many more tasks that lay ahead.

    The playground equipment Walker is proposing can accommodate children using wheelchairs and other assistive devices without the need to transfer them out of the device, plans show. The equipment would give children a greater measure of independence, a spokeswoman for Mike’s Playground said.

    Walker said she is working with the Sunrise Recreation and Parks District to build the new playground at San Juan Park. Renderings for the playground show merry-go-rounds and swing-sets large enough to accommodate a wheelchair.

    In a previous story, The Sentinel reported Walker’s grandson, Michael Alex Steven Sellu III, is living with Dravet Syndrome, a type of epilepsy that begins in infancy. Sellu experienced a seizure at six months old, marking the beginning of the family’s journey to find answers for his condition.

    Now 16, Sellu uses a motorized wheelchair for mobility.  His mother, Ashley Walker-Benjamin, cares for him in their Citrus Heights home along with Walker.

    Sellu attends the Ralph Richardson Center in Carmichael, a school in the San Juan Unified School District that serves students with functional needs, Walker-Benjamin said. The school has specialized equipment that enables the students to exercise and play, Walker said.

    The playground at San Juan Park seeks to have equipment similar to the Ralph Richardson Center, suitable for all children, Walker said.

    “It starts from adults and we’re going to bring it to the children, and everyone deserves to play,” Walker said during the ceremony, adding that it takes “courage, strength, consistency” and “a lot of love.”

  • Annual 9/11 memorial service to be held at Sylvan Cemetery

    9/11 memorial 2021
    Jim Monteton speaks during a Sept. 11 memorial event at Sylvan Cemetery, Sept. 11, 2021 // M. Hazlip

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    A 9/11 memorial ceremony will be held at Sylvan Cemetery in Citrus Heights on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024.

    The ceremony will begin at 8:15 a.m. and last for 30 minutes, event organizers said in a media release. As in previous years, the memorial will be held in the gazebo near the center of the cemetery. Folding chairs will be provided.

    The cemetery has hosted a 9/11 memorial ceremony annually for six years to honor those who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Prior events have included local elected officials and members of the Citrus Heights Police Department, as well as veterans.

    Sylvan Cemetery is located at 7401 Auburn Blvd. and is known for holding annual ceremonies each Veterans Day and Memorial Day. The first 9/11 memorial event at the ceremony began in 2019.

  • ATF offers $5k reward for info on deadly Citrus Heights house fire

    ATF announces reward for anyone with information leading to suspects involved in deadly June 7 house fire. // ATF San Francisco Field Division

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) announced it is offering an award of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for setting fire to a home in Citrus Heights.

    After responding to a house fire on Oak Grove Avenue on June 7, 2024, fire officials discovered a deceased individual inside, who was later identified as 61-year-old George Benson. Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District officials confirmed the fire is being investigated as arson. The Citrus Heights Police Department called the death “suspicious” and recently released a photo of a vehicle of interest in the case in an Aug. 15 social media post.

    According to a press release from the ATF San Francisco Field Division, the vehicle of interest is a 2002-2006 blue Toyota Camry with “oxidation” on the roof and 5-spoke chrome rims. The vehicle doesn’t have tinted windows or a sun or moon roof and no license plate information is available, the release said.

    Anyone with information regarding the vehicle in question or the June 7 incident is being asked to contact ATF via phone or email at ATFtips@atf.org or www.reportit.com. Calls and tips can remain anonymous.

    The Citrus Heights Police Department, in conjunction with ATF, is continuing to investigate the case.

  • Memorial for longtime Citrus Heights Little League coach draws hundreds

    Jerry Garcia Memorial 2024
    A memorial for Jerry Garcia drew an estimated 350 people on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. // SB Williams

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    Local residents impacted by the life of Jerry Garcia gathered in the shade at Garsh Field in Rusch Community Park on Saturday to celebrate Garcia’s long legacy within Citrus Heights.

    Garcia, known as “Garsh” or “Coach Garsh” passed away on July 30, 2024. He was 75 years old. Throughout the Aug. 31 memorial, longtime friends from across the Citrus Heights community spoke about the impact Garcia had on their lives.

    Several former players and coaches with Citrus Heights Little League who spoke during the memorial said Garcia was a “huge influence” on their lives as they grew up in the little league. Former player Rob Fuller called him a “shining example” of what little league baseball represented to him.

    Terry Malone, who played in a handful of bands with Garcia at Steve Cook’s Fireside Lanes, said Garcia had a love for “bowling, baseball, cars, and guitars,” though he also played drums when he played with the Retronauts, a band that plays “surf music.” Garcia also played with two other bands, the Rebel Creek Band and One Night Stand.

    Malone’s daughter, Katy Affleck, sang on occasion with the bands and said she “literally never had a negative interaction” with Garcia. Affleck also said observing Garcia and his wife together was a “great testament” of what an ideal marriage looked like.

    During the memorial, visitors were able to tour a line of classic cars parked along the outfield in honor of Garcia, who was a fan of classic cars. John Diaz with the Thunderbolts Capital Auto Club said Garcia had been involved with the Thunderbolts classic car club for over two decades.

    Sacramento Autorama Butch Gardner Clubhouse Manager Ed Gardner said he had the honor of inducting Garcia into the Legends of Autorama for the Sacramento Autorama. Garcia was inducted in 2017, according to the company’s website. Gardner played under Garcia from 1979 to 1982, and said Garcia and his dad were friends who first met “because of hotrods.”

    Former Citrus Heights Little League board member Mara Crist, who organized the memorial, estimated that at least 350 people were in attendance on Saturday. Crist said Garcia served on the little league’s board for 54 years, up until his passing. The softball field at Rusch Park was renamed Garsh Field four years ago in honor of Garcia’s 50th anniversary serving with the little league, Crist said.

    Tahoe Arbogast, current president with Citrus Heights Little League, called the turnout for the event “incredible” and said that the life Garcia lived was worth celebrating.

    “There is an incredible legacy left behind,” Arbogast said. He encouraged current coaches and players to take whatever knowledge they learned from Garcia and pass it on to others.

    “That’s how a legacy carries on,” Arbogast said.

    A GoFundMe fundraising page for Garcia’s surviving family was established following his passing and has raised over $2,300 as of Sept. 5.

  • Citrus Heights survey shows residents overwhelmingly support bulk waste pickup days

    FlashVote survey results show %76.3 surveyed want to continue using the existing program without any changes.
    FlashVote survey results show three-quarters of those surveyed want to continue using the existing bulk waste pickup program without any changes. Aug. 21, 2024. // City of Citrus Heights

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    City staff recently presented survey results showing a strong majority of Citrus Heights residents use and want to continue utilizing free Neighborhood Cleanup services offered by the city.

    A survey through FlashVote opened on Aug. 19 and offered Citrus Heights residents a two-day window in which to share their thoughts on neighborhood bulk waste pickup service, which occurs three times per year. Survey results were released Aug. 21 and showed that 407 residents had responded.

    The survey found that 90 percent of respondents made use of the bulk waste pickup program in the last 12 months, 5.9 percent of respondents knew the service existed but didn’t use it, and only 3.5 percent of those surveyed said they didn’t know about the program.

    The survey also revealed that 50 percent of respondents noticed that scavengers picked through piles and left a mess, but 70 percent of respondents noticed that scavengers did not leave a mess. 20 percent of respondents said they noticed illegal dumping of items by people who were not part of the neighborhood at the time of the scheduled service.

    Around three-quarters of respondents wanted the Neighborhood Cleanup program to continue as is without any changes. 17 percent of those surveyed said they would support changing to scheduled pickup appointments up to three times per year, or on an as-needed basis. Zero respondents indicated they would want to eliminate the program. 3.6 percent said they were unsure.

    A majority of respondents who commented said they appreciated the service, with comments like “We always use it. Please continue,”, “Love the pick up days,” and “It is a great service.” Many respondents said the issues that come up, such as scavengers, are not significant enough to discontinue the service, and others said they “really appreciate” the free cleanup service. Still more respondents commented that having the program available three times a year “helps prevent illegal dumping.”

    The city last week told The Sentinel the reason for the survey was in response to “numerous complaints about piles being out for days before scheduled pickups, the blight this creates, scavenging, and residents missing scheduled pickups.” The Neighborhood Cleanup program has been in operation since 2006, the city said.

    Some survey respondents said scavengers have made “a mess.” Others suggested a shorter time-frame in which to allow items to be on the street, a stronger response from code enforcement, a more “stern enforcement of the rules” to discourage scavengers, and more law enforcement presence during scheduled pickup times.

    Others commented that “people scavenging have been very courteous.” Some also said they have personally obtained “valuable items” and “stuff that is almost brand new” from other residents’ bulky item piles. Another respondent said they “hope someone comes along and finds stuff they can use.” and others echoed, saying that they support scavengers because they are usually “recycling stuff.”

    Respondents also expressed concerns over the collection of bulk waste items, saying that a mess is left behind by the collection agency when large piles are removed. Some suggested the use of either hand push brooms or street sweepers immediately following the Neighborhood Cleanup services.

    The city called scavengers “a pro and a con” during a presentation to the City Council on Aug. 28, acknowledging that many residents want scavengers to recycle items, but adding that scavengers can create a bigger mess.

    In response to the survey and in order to address the blight issue, the city recommended to the City Council that the city bring forth a resolution to amend the current contract with Republic Services regarding the program. Amendments would include stronger enforcement of the 48-hour time limit and include penalties for early set up.

    According to the city’s website, the Neighborhood Cleanup program provides free removal of large items three times per year, but has restrictions on what items are allowed to be disposed of. Residents are given a 48-hour window in which to place items on the street and bulk items are picked up on the same day trash is collected. Pickup schedules vary based on a resident’s address within the city, and services are staggered throughout the year between neighborhood zones.

    More information regarding the Neighborhood Cleanup schedule can be found on the city’s website.

    To participate in future local FlashVote surveys, residents can find out more on the city’s website and sign up for alerts to be notified when the city issues new surveys.