dev.citrusheightssentinel.com

Tag: CHWD

Citrus Heights News Briefs: tree lit, city hall update, water use

A crowd gathered outside the Citrus Heights Community Center Thursday night to celebrate the lighting of the City’s Christmas tree. //CHSentinel

Highlights from a few Citrus Heights happenings this week include walls being raised at the new city hall building, the City’s official Christmas tree being lit, and latest water conservation figures being released for the area.

Citrus Heights’ Christmas tree lit during ceremony
Not dampened by Thursday rain showers, hundreds gathered outside the Citrus Heights Community Center as Mayor Sue Frost led a cheerful crowd in a countdown before the City’s official Christmas tree was lit up for the season. Free hot cider, cocoa and cookies were served up inside, followed by performances from the Citrus Heights Community Marching Band and several cultural dance teams from the region.

CHWD water savings continue to beat regional, state averages
A state report on water use released this week showed the Citrus Heights Water District reporting 29 percent water savings during October — beating the statewide average of 22 percent and the regional average of 27 percent. Although still beating its cumulative 32 percent savings requirement by five points, local conservation totals have been slipping since the summer, as there are less opportunities for outdoor water savings in colder months. CHWD reported a 42.5 percent drop in July, 38.3 percent in August, and a much lower 29.1 percent drop in September.

Walls raised on new city hall project
The new Citrus Heights city hall building took a big visual step forward this week, as a construction crane raised walls for the new 35,000-square-foot facility. The project was approved in March of this year, with an expected completion date towards the end of summer 2016.
[follow text=”Follow local news:”]

Construction crews aided by a crane raise a cement wall for the new Citrus Heights city hall building this week. // Photo, City of Citrus Heights

December 4, 2015
Citrus Heights News Briefs: 80 mph chase, water rates (Nov.17-20)

Updated Nov. 21, 10:12 p.m.–
Citrus Heights had a fairly full schedule over the past week, including a high-speed chase, public hearings, a 14% water rate increase, and arrival of the City’s 30-foot Christmas tree. Here’s a look at what happened:

High-speed chase through Citrus Heights ends in arrest
A vehicle being pursued by Sacramento County Sheriff’s Deputies Tuesday night blew through several red lights in Citrus Heights and exceeded speeds of 80 miles per hour, according to a Citrus Heights police lieutenant. The chase began outside city limits and the Citrus Heights Police Department became briefly involved after the pursuit entered their jurisdiction. The vehicle traveled along Antelope Road, ran through a red light at Auburn Boulevard, made a right turn on Old Auburn Road and continued onto Auburn Boulevard until being stopped near Fulton Avenue outside the city, with at least one person arrested. Several phone calls to the Sheriff’s Department media division for additional details were not returned by Friday afternoon.

Citrus Heights Christmas tree arrives for tree lighting ceremony
A 30-foot tall, 400-pound Christmas tree arrived by trailer at the Citrus Heights Community Center Tuesday afternoon, in advance of the City’s 19^th annual tree lighting ceremony and festivities on Dec. 3 this year. Although the ceremony was previously held at the corner of Greenback Lane and Fountain Square Drive, the relocation of city hall and the new medical office building project underway at the corner necessitated a change in location this year. (Read more)

City leaders set 6-month goals for Citrus Heights at Strategic Planning meeting
All five council members, various City staff, and the police chief gathered for a brainstorming session in a small room at the Community Center on Tuesday — emerging five hours later with consensus on a list of objectives to accomplish by May of next year. Assessing past strengths and weaknesses, as well as future opportunities and threats, the team identified a total of 67 accomplishments over the past six months and noted a belief that a list of weaknesses was getting smaller. Objectives identified include plans to complete an online building permit application process, reduce holiday season crime in comparison to 2014, and meet with Sunrise Mall’s new owners and other key businesses. (Additional coverage coming next week)

[Documents: See full list of six-month objectives and past accomplishments]

Citrus Heights Water District board approves 14% rate increase
At a near-empty public hearing in the Rusch Park Community Center Tuesday night, water district board members voted 3-0 to approve water rate and service charge increases after hearing from three members of the public who spoke out against the proposal. CHWD’s Assistant General Manager Hilary Straus credited the District’s public outreach efforts as a factor in the low amount of opposition at the hearing. In a District-wide mailer and presentations at various neighborhood associations, CHWD officials said the increase was primarily needed to cover upcoming replacement of about three-quarters of the District’s aging infrastructure, which was largely installed between 1960 and 1980. Board members also approved a $10.9 million 2016 operating budget and dropped temporary water shortage rates that had gone into effect on July 15. (See agenda packet)

[follow text=”Get local news:”]

Planning Commission approves new Verizon tower, Bikeway plan & Auburn Blvd report
At a Wednesday night public hearing, planning commissioners approved a “Mitigated Negative Declaration” environmental report for Phase II of the City’s Auburn Boulevard revitalization project, which stretches from Grand Oaks Avenue to the Roseville border. Commissioners also approved a proposed Verizon cell tower at the Chuck E. Cheese’s shopping area, and an item related to the City’s updated Bikeway Master Plan, according to the City’s Associate Planner Nick Lagura (See agenda packet for more)

November 20, 2015
Citrus Heights News Briefs: Oct. 1- Oct. 3

Two boys watch as smoke rises from a railroad car that caught fire Friday afternoon near the Citrus Heights border with Roseville. // CHSentinel

Updated Oct. 4, 2:33 p.m.–
October in Citrus Heights kicked off with a new report on water conservation for local users, smokey skies from a nearby rail yard fire and thousands of dollars raised at a local veterans fundraiser.

Oct. 1: Citrus Heights Water District reports 40% drop in usage for August

A state-mandated water conservation report released Thursday showed an average 27 percent drop in water use statewide, while Citrus Heights Water District users topped that number with a reported 40 percent drop in use. The latest report, compiled by the State Water Resources Control Board, showed conservation numbers from water districts across the state for the month of August — comparing water use with 2013 figures. CHWD reported similarly high conservation figures in July, showing a 42 percent drop in water use. (See full story next week.)

Oct. 2: Rail yard fire sends smoke over Citrus Heights homes

Union Pacific confirmed a “small fire” occurred around 4:10 p.m. at the railroad company’s J.R. Davis yard, located just over the border of Citrus Heights in Roseville, according to UP spokesman Francisco Castillo. The fire spread smoke and strong odors as far as Interstate 80 in Citrus Heights, but was extinguished within about 30 minutes with the help of Sac Metro firefighters, according to Castillo. The UP spokesman said the fire was contained to one gondola car loaded with wooden railroad ties that caught fire from sparks created while crews were making repairs. No injuries were reported.

Oct. 3: Veterans fundraiser at Rusch Home raises nearly $10,000

An inaugural all-you-can-eat barbecue event on Saturday raised nearly $10,000 for a local veterans fund, according to preliminary figures from an event organizer. The fundraiser was held outside the historic Rusch Home in Citrus Heights and attracted hundreds of supporters throughout the four-hour event, which featured various barbecue options, beers and desserts, as well as live music and contests. According to Citrus Heights Mayor Sue Frost, who played a key role in organizing the event, all proceeds will go to a “Vets Helping Vets Fund,” which is operated by the local American Legion Post #637. (Note: See original story published prior to the event for more background on the fundraiser.)

An all-you-can-eat barbecue fundraiser outside the historic Rusch Home raised nearly $10,000 for a local veterans fund, Saturday. // CHSentinel

[follow text=”Get more local news:”]

October 4, 2015
CHWD declares stage 4 water crisis; will hire ‘water police’

Sprinklers running off into gutters will be targeted by newly adopted regulations in the Citrus Heights Water District.

This story was initially published May 23, but has been updated:
Following a recent state mandate to cut water use by 32 percent, Citrus Heights Water District board members voted during a May board meeting to declare a long-term Stage 4 Water Crisis – carrying 20 regulations, a water use rate hike, and authorization to hire a private security firm to monitor water waste.

“One of the biggest changes at the District is the watering days,” CHWD Water Efficiency Coordinator Rex Meurer told residents attending the May meeting of Citrus Heights’ Birdcage Heights Neighborhood Association. “We’re going to two days a week… This is pretty drastic for us, but the State means business.”

Outdoor watering days will be determined by street address, according to Meurer, with odd-numbered addresses allowed to water only on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and those with even-numbered addresses on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Asked a question by Mayor Sue Frost about what “water police” would do if they found a lawn wet on the wrong watering day, Meurer said the incident would result in a talk rather than a fine. “We’re not out here to penalize, we’re here to work with you.”

[Document: Full List of 20 CHWD Stage 4 Mandatory Requirements]

Effective July 15, water use rates will rise 25 percent, bringing current charges of about 77 cents per 748 gallons up to about 96 cents, according to the District’s new drought resources page online. Meurer said a required 30-day notice for the rate increase will be sent out shortly to all customers, which will also include a date for when the new regulations will go into effect.

Until recently, the District did not have a way to temporarily raise rates in a drought, but CHWD board members approved a new pricing structure for water shortages last November, paving the way for the 25 percent rate hike and allowing the District to compensate for decreased revenue as less water is purchased.

[See story from November: Citrus Heights Water District votes 2-0 to raise rates]

Although CHWD does not currently have a “Cash for Grass” incentive to replace lawns with lower water-use landscaping, Meurer said users should take advantage of two local rebates when replacing toilets or clothes washers with high-efficiency models. He also recommended CHWD customers call the District to schedule a free “water efficiency evaluation” — a comprehensive assessment of outdoor watering systems, valued at over $100, according to Meurer.

Calculation for the 32 percent water use reduction will be based on a comparison with 2013 water usage, with the District beginning its reporting to the State Water Resources Control Board at the end of June, according to Meurer. In 2014, he said users successfully met a voluntary request to reduce consumption by 20 percent.

[See 2014 story: WATER: Citrus Heights usage drops 21%, State lags behind]

CHWD’s service area covers a majority of Citrus Heights residents, although about one-third of the city’s residents are served by other water districts. CHWD also provides water to some portions of Fair Oaks, Orangevale, Carmichael, and Roseville.

[follow text=”Get more local news:”]

May 31, 2015
WATER: Citrus Heights usage drops 21%, State lags behind

As California’s drought continues, the Citrus Heights Water District says its customers cut back water use by an average of 21.2 percent during the first eight months of 2014 – exceeding Governor Jerry Brown’s call for a 20 percent reduction.

Photo credit: Sarah/mira66 via Flickr Creative Commons

Ranking among the highest water savers across the state, data shows CHWD users consistently beat statewide averages, which have only been in the single digits until finally hitting an 11 percent reduction in August, according to figures released by the State Water Resources Board in October.

State numbers show CHWD reporting a savings of over 1.45 million gallons of water in August alone, and District Assistant General Manager Darlene Gillum said the total 2014 reduction amounts to a savings of about 36 gallons per capita per day for local users, compared to water use in 2013.

Currently at a Stage 3 Water Warning level, Gillum said the District has “no near-term plans” to bump the warning up to a Stage 4, which would be accompanied by “Water Crisis/Emergency tiered pricing” increases, if the warning remained implemented past 45 days.

The current Stage 3 warning comes with a list of 11 regulations, including a ban on water run-off from properties, and a requirement that automatic shut-off devices be attached at the end of outdoor hoses. The warning also states that restaurants “shall serve water only upon request,” and landscape irrigation is to be reduced by 11 to 25 percent.

Water users in CHWD currently pay about a dollar for every 350 gallons the District delivers, although the Board of Directors will consider a 3 percent rate increase at a November 19 meeting.

Despite its name, CHWD’s service area doesn’t reach all of Citrus Heights, although a majority of the city’s residents are included within the District’s boundaries. Some portions of Fair Oaks, Orangevale, Carmichael, and Roseville are also included in the CHWD service area.

October 16, 2014
Citrus Heights Water Use Drops 20%, While Statewide Use Rises

According to the Citrus Heights Water District, users cut overall water consumption by 20 percent so far this year and will not see any additional reduction requirements from the District — despite other water suppliers resorting to mandatory fines and penalties.

Photo by Matthew Bowden.

In an email response to water questions raised by residents, CHWD said its approach “has been and will continue to be education and working with customers to reduce water use,” and that it “has no intent of reviewing individual meter data to enforce a 20 percent reduction goal.”

In a July Water Update the District said it calculated its water use reduction percentage by comparing overall water use during the first six months of 2014 with the same time period in 2013, finding a total reduction of 20.6 percent.

Following statewide emergency water regulations implemented on July 29, a statement on the CHWD website said its existing Stage 3 Water Warning complies with the new regulations, and that residents will continue to be asked to cut water use by 20 percent. The “Stage 3” warning lists 11 conservation requirements and has been in effect for CHWD users since January 14, 2014.

A full list of “Stage 3” requirements can be found on the District’s website.

August 2, 2014