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Tag: Jeannie Bruins

Citrus Heights will soon get an extra $5-6M per year. How should it be used?

Night-view of the new Citrus Heights city hall. // CH Sentinel

Sentinel staff report–
In a few short years, the City of Citrus Heights will get a long-awaited boost of an additional $5-6 million to save or spend as it pleases — and put in perspective of the City’s current general fund budget of $36.6 million, that’s no small amount of money.

The funding will come from the expiration of a “revenue neutrality” agreement with Sacramento County that will come to an end in 2022. The agreement dates back to when Citrus Heights incorporated in 1997 and reluctantly agreed to have its property taxes be given to the County for 25 years, to compensate for projected negative fiscal impacts the County would incur from Citrus Heights splitting off to govern itself as a city.

While the City technically has been receiving its property tax revenue each year — under the revenue neutrality agreement, that money gets transferred out to the County each year and is not able to be otherwise spent or invested by the City. The amount of property tax revenue generated in Citrus Heights is currently about $5.5 million per year, but that figure is expected to exceed $6 million by 2022, according to a 10-year budget model included in the latest City budget.

Beginning in fiscal year 2022-23, the City will retain all of its property tax revenue, which means the three city council members who will be elected to four-year terms this November will each have a say in how that money will be invested or spent during the budget approval process in 2022.

See the City’s 2018-19 budget: click here

So how will the money be used? The five candidates running for Citrus Heights City Council this year were each asked that question at a forum last week and their 60-second answers are included in their entirety below.

Candidates include three current council members who are up for election — Mayor Steve Miller, Vice Mayor Jeannie Bruins, and appointed Councilmember Al Fox — along with two challengers, Planning Commissioner Porsche Middleton and labor relations manager Treston Shull.

All five were largely in agreement that funding should go towards roads and infrastructure. There was also agreement that a portion of the money should be put back into building up the City’s dwindling reserves — which, according to the City’s 10-year budget model, is projected to drop to about $350,000 by the year 2022. By comparison, before the construction of the new City Hall, the City had more than $20 million built up in reserves.

Steve Miller: “Well, I think by the time it comes around, it’s over $5 million now and I believe it’ll $6 million by the time we start receiving the property taxes with the 2% increases that we see every year. We’ve prepared, we set policies, in that we will be putting aside money and building back our reserve. We knew we would have to draw it down to make it to the end of our revenue neutrality agreement and I think that’s prudent. What that number is, $2-3 million a year, in 10 years we can have our reserve back up to $20-30 million.

“I also think it’ll give us an opportunity to pave our residential streets, finally. I know the original City Council started out trying to do that in 10 years. You know, one year doing 10% of the paving of the residential streets, but that became far too expensive. We spend over a million dollars a year now on residential paving. I think we’ll lose the gas tax, I think it’ll be defeated in November and that would be $1.4 million we’re losing. So I think finally we’ll be able to address some of our residential infrastructure needs.”

Treston Shull: “So, if you actually look at the City budget, it does show that we will be getting our property taxes in 2022 and that’s important because the City actually has the sales tax for the City going up. Now, we are a brick and mortar community — we have been for years and years and years — and two of the largest sales tax contributors were Sears and Toys “R” Us, both of those are gone. So for us to — for the City to assume that the sales tax are gonna continue to go up, I believe is not true. And that’s a majority of our money for the City.

“So we need to focus: as soon as we start getting those property taxes, we need to make sure those property taxes first and foremost is part of a line item which is building the reserves back up. We need to make sure the police and the public safety has everything they need to do what they need to do here in the community to make sure everybody’s safe. We need to rebuild our roads and the infrastructure in Citrus Heights, everybody knows they are awful. And if the City does lose the SB 1 funding — (candidate was cut off by moderator at 60-second time limit).”

Al Fox: “If they do lose the SB 1 funding, which it looks like they are going to, we still have the opportunity to prepare to meet the needs that we have for infrastructure improvements with the fundings that come out of the property tax, because it’ll give us more money to have matching funds to go out and get grants necessary to make those things happen.

“Couple of other things, we need to built up the reserves as somebody else said. And we need to completely fund and make sure that we have our PERS retirement (Public Employees’ Retirement System) obligations solvent for the City. So many cities in our area, northern California, are nearing bankruptcy because of their PERS commitment to their employees that they are not able to cover. Those reserves have got to be handled and prepared. We’re doing a great job at that, better than most. And we need to continue that. Property taxes are not the save all for the City, but they will definitely get us to the point where we can continue to serve our community better.”

Porsche Middleton: “Well, all the good answers are taken. But they’re all true. We need to build back our reserves. We need to get ourselves back to where we were 10 years ago when we had $20 million-plus in the bank and we knew that we could weather a storm. That’s important. We need to make sure that we’re able to put aside money into our reserves, rebuild and resurface our streets. We need to make sure that our commitment to our City employees is honored, because they work for us and they serve us and that’s important; that’s critical. And we also need to make sure that we really be very frugal and conservative about any new projects that we take on. We need to make sure that we are very careful about spending money.

“My husband and I live off of one income and we’re very conservative about how we spend our money –we’re not frivolous. So I understand the City budget and why things are being done the way they’re being done. But we also need to make sure that we are taken care of as citizens.”

Jeannie Bruins: “I think we all agree we need roads, so I’m not going to readdress that. But what I would like to say is that we’ve gotten this far because we intentionally budgeted on a 10-year model. And when we became a City, we knew that we wouldn’t have our property tax for 25 years as a result of revenue neutrality. We thought that we’d have crossed over much sooner than now, where we would have to take our reserves and use them for operating expenses. Because of our philosophy in prudent financial management, we have not had to do that.

“The reason our reserves are low is because they weren’t earning us any money after the economy tanked and we weren’t getting $2-3 million dollars in dividends and interest a year. So we intentionally used our funds to better our community. So going forward when we get our revenue neutrality money back, that’s the time where we will prioritize redeveloping and growing our reserves, as well as addressing infrastructure issues.”

Want to share your own thoughts on how the money should be spent or invested? Click here to submit a letter to the editor for publication.

September 6, 2018
Jeannie Bruins: candidate statement for 2018 Citrus Heights City Council race

Editor’s note: As a service to the public, The Sentinel is publishing candidate statements for each of the five residents who qualified to run for Citrus Heights City Council this year. Statements were submitted by each candidate upon filing to run and will be published in the Sacramento County Voter Information Guide, which is direct-mailed to every voter.

Jeannie Bruins, age 71. Occupation: legal document assistant.

Jeannie Bruins

My leadership in Citrus Heights hails back to 1996, when I co-chaired the effort to bring cityhood to Citrus Heights, resulting in a greatly improved quality of life for our citizens and a stronger business environment for our businesses. As the longest serving member of the Citrus Heights City Council, I have been honored to support all the major decisions since 2003 and witness the extensive improvements to our city that have benefited our citizens.

The challenges and opportunities that lie ahead require solid experience. While continuing our strong financial policy, I will address the impacts the changing economy has on our retail businesses, especially our mall, with innovation and sustainability. I will press our school district to elevate the quality of education for our children. I will vote to wisely use the additional revenue we receive with the end of revenue neutrality to improve infrastructure and underscore economic development.

I will continue to respond to our citizens and their important neighborhood needs as I learn about them. For more information and a growing list of endorsements, please visit my website at www.jeanniebruinsforcitycouncil.com. I ask you to vote for me for City Council.

According to the Elections Code, a 10-calendar day public review period of candidate statements extends through Aug. 20, during which period “any person may seek a Writ of Mandate or injunction requiring any or all of the material in the candidate statement to be amended or deleted.”

August 16, 2018
Guest Opinion: Three Citrus Heights council members got it wrong

*Editor’s note: On July 26, 2018, the City Council voted 3-1 in favor of a resolution giving the City Manager authority to submit letters in support or opposition to “high priority” state legislation where the League of California Cities has requested such action, but where it is determined there is not sufficient time to have the City Council vote on the matter. Mayor Steve Miller, as well as Councilmen Jeff Slowey and Al Fox voted in favor of the resolution. Councilman Bret Daniels voted against the resolution, and Vice Mayor Jeannie Bruins was not present for the vote. The resolution will sunset on Dec. 31, 2019, unless extended by the council. (See full document)

Guest opinion submitted by David Warren–
The primary safeguard of a democracy is the requirement that officials act only under the light of public scrutiny, and the Brown Act requires placing all matters for which action is taken by the City Council on a meeting agenda with adequate notice to the public to allow community members to attend and voice their support or opposition to any action under consideration.

David Warren

Notwithstanding the importance of public debate and comment, councilmembers approved a resolution last month that allows them to avoid public scrutiny of their actions and simultaneously prevents public comment upon issues of significant importance, apparently believing that Edmond Burke is correct that the electorate lacks the ability to fully comprehend issues of public importance and must be treated as children to be lead to the “proper conclusion.”

Citrus Heights is a member of the League of California Cities. The League appears before the California legislature to lobby in support and opposition to various items of legislation. The League does not answer to Citrus Heights residents.

On numerous occasions, the League requests a letter from the City to support or oppose pending legislation, sometimes requesting an immediate response. Because the Brown Act requires minimum notice periods, councilmembers often cannot provide an immediate response to a League request.

Three councilmembers, deeming a response to the League more important than open discourse upon all issues of public importance, delegated authority to the City Manager to write letters in support and opposition to legislation on behalf of the City in response to requests from the League.

The three councilmembers’ justification for adopting the resolution is that placing items on the council agenda prevents rapid responses to a League request. To appease the League, and to the detriment of the city residents, three councilmembers chose to ignore their duty to the electorate by approving an end run around the Brown Act meeting notice requirements via a resolution authorizing the City Manager to issue letters of support or opposition to legislation based solely upon the League’s recommendation, without placing the League request on the council agenda for discussion and debate by both members of the council and the public.

The resolution does purport to limit the City Manager’s power by (1) limiting the authority to matters for which there is insufficient time to obtain council direction; (2) is consistent with previously adopted policies of the City and City Council; and (3) a requirement that the League deems the legislation of “high priority,” a very subjective definition.

In adopting this resolution, the three councilmembers abandoned their responsibility to determine whether or not the requested letter supporting or opposing legislation is consistent with City policies and in the best interests of the City, relying solely upon an unknown person at the League of Cities to make that decision, at the same time denying residents the opportunity for public comment.

In response to objections to the motion to adopt the resolution, the City Attorney was asked by Mayor Steve Miller whether or not the City Manager could poll the councilmembers to obtain their decision to issue the letter requested by the League. The City Attorney responded that the City Manager could call each councilmember and request their position, so long as the City Manager did not disclose the decision by any other councilmember, thus sidestepping the open meeting requirements of the Brown Act which ensures councilmembers must publicly explain the reasons for their vote and guaranteeing public comment upon the matter for which there should be approving or rejecting vote.

The councilmembers are thumbing their noses at the Government Code open meeting requirements for which reason there are three very important issues of concern to every resident.

First, who should be making community policy decisions, the councilmembers or the city manager? The answer is absolutely clear, the councilmembers.

Second, should the councilmembers seek to avoid the Brown Act open meeting requirements in the name of expediency? Clearly not.

Finally, shouldn’t the councilmembers be more concerned with guaranteeing an opportunity for a public hearing than the needs of the League? Absolutely.

The truth remains, that which is to be most feared is government acting without public scrutiny, and it is the duty of the brave to do everything possible to assure public discourse on all public issues.

Stand up for your democratic right to assure that all matters before the City Council are decided in a meeting open to the public, not by secret telephone calls. Call your councilmember and ask that the resolution be withdrawn.

David Warren is a Citrus Heights resident and legislative advocate at the State Capitol with Taxpayers for Public Safety. He can be reached at David@forpublicsafety.com.

Want to share your own thoughts on this topic or another local issue? Submit a letter to the editor or opinion column for publication: Click here

August 5, 2018
Letter: Warren is wrong on Citrus Heights pill bottle lock purchase

Letter submitted by Jeannie Bruins, vice mayor of Citrus Heights–
On Jan. 10, 2018, on the Community Forum page, the Citrus Heights Sentinel included a guest opinion piece from David Warren titled ‘Citrus Heights lacks safe disposal spots for unused drugs.’

In the article, Mr. Warren writes, “The City Council purchased a significant number of ‘secured’ pill bottles for distribution to residents in an effort to reduce substance abuse.” I don’t know how Mr. Warren came to believe that because it is not true.

See original article by David Warren: Guest Opinion: Citrus Heights lacks safe disposal spots for unused drugs

Councilman Bret Daniels, who is the councilman Mr. Warren references as running for sheriff (which is true), brought the concept of secured pill bottle tops to the council during his council comments at a city council meeting. Councilman Jeff Slowey (who was mayor at the time) responded that it should be an agendized item at a future council meeting for discussion. Councilman Daniels had also approached Supervisor Sue Frost with the project and she provided $6,000 in funding to pay for the secure pill bottle tops. The City Council did not purchase any tops. Councilman Daniels purchased them with the funds he received from Supervisor Frost.

This response does not address the worthiness, or lack thereof, of this purchase, but is just offered to set the record straight that the City Council did not purchase the secured pill bottle tops.

Have a different perspective on this topic or another local issue? The Sentinel welcomes letters to the editor and guest opinion columns on local issues from Citrus Heights residents. Click here to submit one.

January 14, 2018
City: night paving to close lanes on Sunrise Blvd, May 1-2

A section of Sunrise Boulevard in Citrus Heights will have night-time lane closures on both May 1 and May 2 to allow for paving operations, according to City officials.

Beginning Sunday at 8 p.m. and continuing through 6 a.m. the following day, Sunrise Boulevard will be reduced to one lane in each direction, from Antelope Road to the border of Roseville.

The closures will repeat Monday night at 8 p.m. and will continue through the following day at 6 a.m., according to a public announcement made by Mayor Jeannie Bruins during an April 28 city council meeting. She said traffic delays are expected.

In a news release about the lane closures, the City acknowledged the “challenges and inconvenience commuters, residents, businesses, bicyclists and pedestrians will experience during the roadwork” and said “patience is appreciated.”

The statement also said a 25 mph construction-zone speed limit will be “strictly enforced” and will remain in effect during the paving and throughout the duration of the project.

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The paving work is along a section of roadway affected by the Sunrise Boulevard Complete Streets Improvement Project, which the City says is in its final stages. Paving will be performed by Martin Brothers Construction.

April 30, 2016
Neighborhood groups REACH out to connect Citrus Heights residents

A map of Citrus Heights, showing the city’s 11 different neighborhood areas.

Sentinel staff report–
Although many aren’t aware of it, for nearly two decades there’s been groups of neighbors all across Citrus Heights who regularly meet to improve the quality of life in their area and provide feedback and input to City staff and leaders.

A total of 11 different neighborhood areas make up the city of Citrus Heights, with each area having a neighborhood association to represent its members. Unlike fee-based homeowner’s associations, the neighborhood groups have no required dues — and anyone residing, working, or owning property within the neighborhood’s boundaries is able to be involved in the association.

Typical monthly meetings include “POP” updates from a Problem-Oriented Policing officer with the Citrus Heights Police Department, where residents are informed about recent crime statistics and trends for the neighborhood. A time for question-and-answer with the officer is also typically available, and it’s not uncommon to hear from a guest speaker like the mayor or police chief at a neighborhood meeting.

Formed in Dec. 1999 and modeled after Roseville’s neighborhood groups, each neighborhood area in Citrus Heights is distinct, with some areas more active than others. Each association also has its own set of unique bylaws to govern the group, with the exception of areas 7 and 8, which merged.

Although technically independent from the City, the neighborhood associations work closely with City staff for administration, operations, and improvement projects, according to the City website. Neighborhoods are also asked for feedback from the City on various projects and housing developments being proposed for their area, and each association is allocated annual Neighborhood Improvement Project (NIP) funds from the City.

REACH
The neighborhoods are also aided by an umbrella organization called the Residents’ Empowerment Association of Citrus Heights (REACH), which seeks to help the 11 areas collaborate together and encourage community involvement and participation, according to REACH Vice President Tim Schaefer.

Schaefer also said a key benefit of REACH is that its board is made up of members from each neighborhood area, so the group is aware and involved in “almost every level of what happens in each neighborhood.”
Currently, Schaefer said REACH is seeking to encourage participation from residents by re-branding neighborhood associations as "areas," in order to remove a connotation he said exists with many who assume the associations have restricted membership. "If you live in an area, you are automatically a member," Schaefer emphasized, regarding neighborhood associations. "We are very inclusive. We want as much community participation as we can possibly generate." [Click to find out which neighborhood area you're in and when it meets] Relationship with the City In a phone interview with The Sentinel, Mayor Jeannie Bruins said she "absolutely" values REACH and considers the organization a great vehicle for creating leaders and giving the community a voice to be heard at the City level. "[The associations] provide a forum for people in the neighborhood to come together to have a voice as a neighborhood group, because we as council members can't reach everybody,” said Bruins, who resides in area 7 & 8. Schaefer said in general the City has been responsive to feedback received, citing several past examples of the City taking action on projects based on input from REACH and neighborhood associations. But the neighborhood VP also said he'd like to see some improvement in the relationship between the City and REACH, although he didn't address specifics. Mayor Bruins acknowledged there's been some "growing pains" involving REACH and the City, and said a workshop has been scheduled for March 10 to discuss some proposed changes between the two parties. She said specifics couldn't be addressed until formally proposed at the meeting. Funding & Projects REACH is also responsible for allocating about $36,000 of funding from the City each year, about $15,000 of which goes to NIP funding for improvement projects, according to Schaefer. He said REACH often helps neighborhoods collaborate together and combine NIP funds for larger projects. “We're very interested in quality of life,” said the 55-year-old REACH vice president, highlighting that NIP funds have been used in the past to install picnic tables and benches at Crosswoods Park. He also said around $12,000 of exercise equipment will be soon installed at San Juan Park, using combined NIP funds from several neighborhood associations. REACH is also a public presence at many community events, including the annual Red, White & Blue Parade and the Community Camp Out at Rusch Park. The group is also known for holding local candidate forums on election years, and sends representatives to an annual "Neighborhoods USA" community-building conference. Asked why someone should consider getting involved in a neighborhood association or REACH, Schaefer said it gives residents "a voice," as well as an avenue for expressing grievances or resolving issues in their neighborhood. "It gives them a voice; not only with their neighbors, but also gives them a voice with the City." [Click here to find out which neighborhood area you're in and when it meets]

February 23, 2016
Citrus Heights seeks to address area homelessness

File photo, homeless individuals shown sleeping outside the former Linda’s Pizzeria on Greenback Lane, shortly after the business permanently closed. // CH Sentinel

Updated Feb. 8, 4:06 p.m.–
Seeking to address growing concerns about homelessness in Citrus Heights, city council members heard a pair of reports last week on recent outreach efforts to the area’s homeless population.

The reports were delivered during a Jan. 28 council meeting and focused on local efforts by the Homeless Assistance Resource Team (HART), along with an update on efforts to connect the area’s homeless population with resources through a part-time “navigator.”

In a 20-minute report, HART Chairwoman Kathilynn Carpenter, who also serves as executive director of the Sunrise Marketplace business district, highlighted the local efforts of HART, as well as financial impacts of homelessness on local businesses, residents, and taxpayers.

She referenced results of a recent “business walk,” conducted by the City and Chamber of Commerce, which found the majority of 77 businesses contacted had listed homelessness as “an issue.” Carpenter said problems have included loitering, public urination, shoplifting, camping, restrooms being used as showers, and customers being driven away.

She also highlighted “public-sector” costs of homelessness on law enforcement, court costs, hospitalization, and other public services. Although police believe there are just a little over 50 homeless persons in Citrus Heights, Lt. Jason Russo previously told city leaders that the police department receives “quite a few” calls for service related to homelessness, documenting a total of 1,585 calls during a six-month period in 2015.

Homeless Assistance Resource Team efforts

Carpenter said HART was formed towards the end of 2014, with a mission to “craft and implement long-term solutions to a long-term problem” of homelessness, through public-private partnerships. The group has since applied for nonprofit status and holds regular meetings at noon on the fourth Thursday of each month, at Holy Family Catholic Church.

According to Carpenter, HART is currently planning a “Stand Down” event for homeless veterans on March 30, which will offer haircuts, counseling, and a variety of services “for one day, in one place.” Additionally, she said HART supports a food bank and is working with the local farmers market to set up a table for collecting food donations.

Carpenter also said her group reached out to two other HART groups in the region that operate winter homeless shelter programs, arranging for Rancho Cordova’s HART to provide shelter for Citrus Heights homeless during most of the winter. She said various churches alternate in providing shelter with Rancho Cordova’s program and said the Citrus Heights HART has a goal to have a similar program in place by 2017.
As part of the shelter arrangement, she said Holy Family church offered to provide temporary overnight shelter for Rancho Cordova and Citrus Heights homeless from Jan. 17 to 24, with about 25 to 30 people participating. Ages ranged from seniors over 60-years-old, to a pregnant woman with a young child -- with participants receiving dinner, toiletries, first aid kits, clothing, and connection with services. "We’re developing a winter shelter subcommittee so that we can have more churches next year and have our own Citrus Heights winter sanctuary," Carpenter told city council members. "We'll be doing a lot of church outreach so we can make that happen." [follow text="Get local news:"] Although largely supportive of HART's report, mention of a winter shelter in Citrus Heights did not sit well with at least one city councilman. “I am not, and I'll say it again, I am not in favor of building a shelter," said Vice Mayor Jeff Slowey, believing that a shelter would only attract more homeless to the area. "If you build it, they will come, is my philosophy." Carpenter clarified to the council that her group is not proposing to build a permanent shelter, but rather a rotating, seasonal shelter, facilitated by churches or other volunteer groups. She also shared her own "paradigm shift" about being a person who was "always calling police" on the homeless, to becoming a person who focused more on long-term solutions. "I had to have the paradigm shift that that doesn't work; it's very temporary," Carpenter told the council. She now believes connecting homeless individuals with available services and resources, in addition to enforcement of existing laws, is “the most cost-effective model” to addressing homelessness. Obstacles faced The Citrus Heights HART leader also said the "biggest obstacle" her group has faced is the lack of social services in communities outside Sacramento's "urban core." She said a "mind-numbing bureaucracy" has made it "nearly impossible" to efficiently connect homeless with services available in downtown Sacramento, especially with limited funding and time. Other obstacles brought up during the meeting included the cost of rent, lack of a phone or transportation to get to a job or appointments, mental illness, and criminal history causing rental applications to be denied. Carpenter also said the majority of homeless in Citrus Heights won't ever leave the area "because they are connected to the city," either by having a family member in the area or having grown up here. She requested the city council's help in advocating for "satellite services" in Citrus Heights and other communities like Fair Oaks and Orangevale, which she said are "all experiencing the same issues we are." Homeless navigator's report Following Carpenter's report, council members heard a report from navigator Fatima Martinez, who works with HART to help connect homeless individuals with available resources -- with an end goal of helping homeless access permanent housing. The one-year navigator pilot program is funded by a $10,000 grant from the City, which pays for a navigator from Sacramento Self-Help Housing to be on the job six hours a week in Citrus Heights. The program has been in operation for about six months. Martinez reported engaging 19 homeless individuals, five of whom declined an opportunity to participate in services like general assistance, bus passes, free government cell phones, motel vouchers and transportation. Of the 14 homeless individuals who agreed to participate, Martinez said four were connected with Rancho Cordova’s winter sanctuary, two were permanently housed, and three were temporarily housed. She also said several received bus passes and hotel vouchers, and one received a free government cell phone. Council members respond Commenting on Martinez's report, Vice Mayor Slowey called her work a "phenomenal success," adding that he had initially been skeptical the $10,000 grant would create any results. "Clearly we ought to get you more money some way, some how," said Slowey, suggesting his fellow council members and city staff work "to find a way to make that $10,000 closer to 50." Several other council members also expressed support for the work of HART, along with a few questions about specific aspects of the navigator's work. Mayor Jeannie Bruins also commented positively about a homeless assistance group called The Gathering Inn, based in Roseville, which operates a year-round shelter. Looking ahead, the City's Community and Economic Development Specialist Katherine Cooley, who works closely with HART, said the navigator pilot program plans to continue with current funding for the next six months. She said additional data would be collected and made available at the conclusion of the pilot program. Note: this is the first article in a series on community issues. Follow future stories about homelessness and other local issues by signing up for The Sentinel’s free Weekend Edition. Save

February 7, 2016
Video: Mayor reflects on fight to make Citrus Heights a city

Citrus Heights Mayor Jeannie Bruins reflects on the fight for cityhood, in this screenshot from a short video posted on Vimeo by Webinet Media.

Next year marks the 20th anniversary of Citrus Heights becoming a city, and a new video published online earlier this month for a local historic society features current Mayor Jeannie Bruins recalling the “David and Goliath” fight to turn Citrus Heights from County governance into the self-governing city it is today.

“I’ve been here over 30 years, so this is home,” says Bruins at the beginning of the short video, seated in a chair, with soft music added in the background. She recalls her move to Citrus Heights from Southern California in 1984 and warmly describes a few distinctives about the area, before detailing early cityhood efforts in the mid-80’s.

[See video below story]

Upon arrival to Citrus Heights — which was then an unincorporated part of Sacramento County, like Orangevale and Antelope — Bruins describes the formation of the Citrus Heights Incorporation Project (CHIP), spearheaded by business owners and residents who she says were “really dissatisfied” with County governance and were seeking more local control through cityhood.

“We felt that we weren’t getting the services and the representation for the tax dollars we were contributing to the County coffers,” Bruins says in the interview, which was filmed by Webinet Media last year when Bruins was then serving a term as vice mayor of Citrus Heights.

Specific issues listed as reasons for incorporation are detailed on the City’s website, which cites a desire from residents and community leaders for “increased land use controls and public services,” in light of “spiraling” population growth. Growing problems with auto theft, burglaries and vandalism, and a limited number of sheriff’s deputies patrolling the area were also a key issue.

The cityhood effort was met with opposition from Sacramento County leaders, however, who Bruins says “technically broke the law” to keep the incorporation issue off the ballot in 1986.
With no money to fight the County, Bruins says the “rag-tag” grassroots effort had to accept the loss, describing the fight as a continual “David and Goliath story” between cityhood advocates and the County. The edited three-minute video does not cover the cityhood effort through the 90's, but concludes with Bruins saying “it's so important that this history not be lost, because we fought hard to be what we are today.” [follow text="Follow local news:"] The cityhood effort finally won on Nov. 5, 1996, when voters approved of Measure R, which officially made Citrus Heights a city on Jan. 2, 1997. The “Yes on Measure R” campaign was co-chaired by Bruins, with 62.4 percent of voters approving of the measure. In the video's description posted on Vimeo, Webinet Media says it was hired by the Citrus Heights Historic Society to capture and preserve local history by interviewing significant members of the local community. [Read more about Mayor Bruins: Council votes in Jeannie Bruins as new Citrus Heights mayor] Other short interview videos published online this month by the Webinet include Richard Kniesel, of Kniesel's Collision Centers, and several other long-time residents of Citrus Heights. Want more stories on the history of Citrus Heights? Click here to take our one-minute survey and let us know. https://vimeo.com/150962193

January 28, 2016
Citrus Heights News Briefs: DUI arrests, mayors, Kmart & crime (Jan. 16)

Several highlights from local news this week include a suspected DUI collision involving a light pole and an apartment, a closure announcement for the Auburn Boulevard Kmart store, recognition of former Mayor Sue Frost, and release of local crime statistics for 2015.

Driver crashes off Antelope Road; arrested on suspicion of DUI
Police said a car driving on Antelope Road near Auburn Boulevard lost control in the rain on Thursday, colliding with a light pole, and then crashing into the side of an apartment complex before stopping between two buildings. The incident occurred around 6:45 a.m. on Jan. 14 and involved a solo male driver around 30 years of age, according to Lt. Jason Russo. After being contacted on scene, Russo said the driver tried to ingest what police believe was a drug, and was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence. Russo said the driver was lucky to have not hurt anyone and advised motorists to drive slower in the rain.

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Lt. Russo said several hundred DUI arrests are made in Citrus Heights each year, with one officer recently being recognized for making more than 30 DUI arrests. The lieutenant said additional DUI arrest data for 2015 and 2014 would be released next week, in response to an inquiry by The Sentinel.

Citrus Heights Kmart to close in April; begin liquidation Jan. 24
According to various news reports across the state this week, company spokesman Howard Riefs announced the closure of four California Kmart stores, including the Auburn Boulevard store in Citrus Heights. Riefs told The Sacramento Bee on Wednesday the Kmart at 8501 Auburn Blvd. would begin a liquidation sale on Jan. 24, in advance of a mid-April closing date. Other closures will reportedly take place in Anaheim, Chula Vista and San Mateo in the next few months.

Council recognizes former Mayor Sue Frost for past service
Continuing a tradition of recognizing the outgoing Citrus Heights mayor at the beginning of each year, former Citrus Heights Mayor Sue Frost was presented by her colleagues with a bouquet of flowers and a framed “pictorial memorial” of her past year as mayor, during a Jan. 14 council meeting. Current Mayor Jeannie Bruins thanked Frost her service and Vice Mayor Jeff Slowey said she had done a “good job.”

During the meeting, Frost called her year as mayor "the opportunity of a lifetime," and said she looks forward to continued service opportunities. The five-member council annually votes in a new mayor and vice mayor from among its ranks each year. [See prior story for more: Council votes in Jeannie Bruins as new Citrus Heights mayor] Police: 2015 crime in Citrus Heights reduced by 5%, compared to 2014 Crime statistics released by the Citrus Heights Police Department on Jan. 12 showed a five percent reduction in crime for Citrus Heights during 2015, compared to 2014 statistics. Categories of crime with the most significant drops included a 28 percent decrease in motor vehicle theft, an 18 percent drop in burglaries, and a 13 percent drop in assaults, according to statistics provided by Sgt. Jason Baldwin. In a followup statement, Baldwin called 2015 a "great year" for the police department, and said police personnel meet regularly to discuss crime trends and craft plans for how to reduce those trends, in partnership with active community members. [See full story for more crime stats: Citrus Heights Police: crime reduced by 5% in 2015]

January 16, 2016
Citrus Heights leaders award Walmart staff for heroic rescue

Citrus Heights Police Chief Christopher Boyd recognizes Walmart employees during a Dec. 10 city council meeting. // Courtesy, Metro Cable 14

During a Dec. 10 city council meeting, Citrus Heights Walmart employees were recognized for their role in helping lift a car off an elderly woman after she was run over and pinned under a vehicle last month.

Citrus Heights Police Chief Christopher Boyd told council members that a four-door Nissan sedan had run over an 85-year-old woman just after she exited the Auburn Boulevard Walmart store on Nov. 9, with the collision leaving her body “completely concealed” under the car.

A group of Walmart employees responded to the scene and lifted the car off the woman, who was then pulled to safety. The victim suffered severe injuries, including a broken clavicle and rib, a collapsed lung, and bleeding around the heart – but is reportedly recovering well and is “already up and walking around,” according to the police chief.

Boyd told council members that “quick thinking and proactive intervention” on the part of responding store employees “most certainly saved a fellow citizen’s life.”

[Related: Council votes in Jeannie Bruins as new Citrus Heights mayor at Dec. 10 meeting]

Nearly a dozen Walmart staff members were given certificates by the police chief and city council members during the meeting, with those recognized including Store Manager Nick Gonnella and Front-end Manager Nicodemus Hatchett.

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Newly seated Mayor Jeannie Bruins called the Walmart team’s response a “phenomenal act of heroism,” and said the group will also be recognized at a more formal police awards ceremony in 2016.

“It doesn’t get any better than this,” said Bruins. “This is what our city is all about.”

December 13, 2015