Updated August 24, 5:05 p.m.–
Looking for some local events coming up? Citrus Heights happenings this week include a community Q&A forum with the mayor and Congressman Ami Bera, a kid-friendly safety fair, a city council meeting, and several other events.
SUNDAY, Aug. 23– BloodSource will wrap up its three-day blood drive at Sunrise Mall from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The nonprofit’s “bloodmobile” donation buses will be parked near the Elephant Bar parking lot off Sunrise Boulevard.
TUESDAY, Aug 25– A community forum will be held at 6 p.m. in the Citrus Heights Community Center, hosted by Congressman Ami Bera in conjunction with Citrus Heights Mayor Sue Frost and Sacramento County Supervisor Roberta MacGlashan. Speakers will provide an update on federal, county and city issues, with time allowed for Q&A at the end, according to Mayor Frost. (Learn more)
THURSDAY, Aug. 27– The second city council meeting of the month will be held at 7 p.m. in the Citrus Heights Community Center, with council members set to consider approval of a $442,700 contract with AMPCO Contracting to demolish the old Citrus Heights city hall campus.
FRIDAY, Aug. 28– Sacramento-Yolo Vector Control District Manager Gary Goodman will be the guest speaker for County Supervisor Roberta MacGlashan’s “community cabinet” meeting this month at the Denny’s on Sunrise Boulevard near Greenback Lane. The supervisor’s monthly meetings are held at 7:30 a.m. on the fourth Friday of most months and typically feature a guest speaker and a county government update from MacGlashan. (See flier)
SATURDAY, Aug. 29– The Citrus Town Center will hold its annual Safety Fair on Saturday afternoon, promising face painting, train rides and kids entertainment – as well as free bike & car seat safety checks from the Citrus Heights Police Department. The event is scheduled from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Center’s shopping plaza at the corner of Greenback Lane and Sunrise Boulevard. (Learn more) [follow text=”Follow local news:”]
[Don’t see an event you think should be on here, or have an upcoming event you want to let us know about?Click here to contact us.]
Citrus Heights Police Chief Christopher Boyd highlighted details from a study on body cameras last week. (File photo, CHSentinel)
Updated Aug. 20, 8:58 a.m.–
Body-worn cameras on police officers could likely become a future reality in Citrus Heights, Police Chief Christopher Boyd told somewhat-wary city council members in a presentation last week that summarized pros and cons his department had identified in a council-requested study on the issue.
“I do think this is likely in our future,” the police chief said regarding body cameras, indicating it’s the direction law enforcement is moving toward. “I think there’s a lot of good reasons to have the technology, but I think there’s a lot that needs to evolve in the technology itself.”
Citing general benefits found during his department’s study, Chief Boyd told council members various agencies have reported improved accountability, performance and police behavior after introducing body-worn cameras, with other benefits including better evidence-gathering and the possibility to prevent or resolve “frivolous complaints” against officers. But the chief said the study also found camera benefits differ from department to department, largely depending on the level of trust between the community and police.
Addressing several concerns about the technology, Boyd highlighted privacy issues involved in entering a private home with a camera rolling, the possibility of witnesses being unwilling to cooperate on camera, and the potential for “massive releasing” of video records under California’s Public Records Act. He estimated that requests for public records of the video footage would be “enormous,” and said additional staff time and costs would be involved to “review, redact and scrub” the records of any non-releasable portions prior to release.
The chief also told council members body-worn cameras could send a signal to officers that there’s a lack of trust within the department, but said “most all” of his officers would “embrace” the technology, if implemented. He said the Citrus Heights Police Department (CHPD) tested out various body cameras for several months in studying the issue, but currently have none in use.
City Attorney Ruthann Zeigler also added her perspective during Boyd’s presentation, telling council members there’s “a tremendous number of unanswered questions” about the use of body cameras — referencing privacy issues, public records requests, and concerns about recording minors.
Boyd said new local policies to handle these concerns could be crafted, but cautioned that cities could end up with “very little local control,” pending the outcome of body camera legislation currently in the California legislature that could end up dictating such policy at the state level.
“I think we have an interest to wait and to watch and see how police might ultimately be regulated under new laws enacted with this kind of technology,” Boyd told the council. “It might be in our interest to make sure we know, before we own technology subject to regulation – what that regulation might be.”
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Boyd said estimated costs involved would include $64,000 to purchase cameras for 80 officers, $250,000 for related staff and IT technician costs, and an annual cloud-storage cost of about $100,000. For an alternative cost of about $300,000 every five years, Boyd said the City could purchase its own servers to host the estimated 300 terabytes of data needed to store and backup video footage. The chief said actual costs were difficult for his department to estimate, citing unknowns like how much staff time would be involved in responding to public records requests, how long videos would be required to be stored, and under what conditions body cameras would need to be recording video.
Council members react:
Although no action was planned or taken on the body camera issue following the police chief’s August 13 council meeting report, all five city council members expressed their reservation over implementing the technology in Citrus Heights, citing concerns like cost and questioning if the cameras are really necessary.
“In Citrus Heights we really don’t have the problems they have in Baltimore or Ferguson,” Mayor Sue Frost said during the meeting. “I don’t ever get complaints about how our police act in our community – I get compliments.”
“I’m not a fan of body cameras at this point,” said Councilman Mel Turner, commenting that the push for body cameras seems to be a reactionary approach to what’s going on in other parts of the country. “I like to take the proactive approach, which is to make sure we hire the right officers in the first place, so we don’t have to have these problems.”
“If you’re having a problem, I would be all for it,” said Councilman Jeff Slowey. “But knowing – at least today – that we’re in a good place with our police department, I personally would be a little hesitant to jump out and spend that kind of money.”
Council members had previously requested the police department study the costs and ramifications of body-worn cameras following national discussion on the topic over the past year, according to Mayor Frost. She said no action related to implementing cameras is anticipated in the near future.
Citrus Heights city leaders dug in a shovel Wednesday to celebrate the start of construction on a new city hall.
Updated July 16, 11:42 p.m.–
After more than two years of discussion, debate, and planning, Citrus Heights city leaders finally broke ground Wednesday in a ceremony to celebrate the start of construction on a new $22 million city hall.
“I want to thank all of you for being here to join us for this epic moment in our history,” Mayor Sue Frost told a crowd of about 150 people Wednesday morning, calling the city hall groundbreaking “an important step for our future.”
“This is by far the largest project in the history of the City,” Citrus Heights City Manager Henry Tingle told the crowd, who had assembled under a tent on a patch of dirt and crushed gravel at the site of the soon-to-be new city hall. He praised various City employees for their efforts in making the project go from a dream to reality, highlighting the work of his assistant, Monica Alejandrez, who spearheaded the effort.
“When this project is completed, there will be a plaque put on this building and it will have your mom’s name on it,” the city manager told Alejandrez’s two children who were present at the ceremony, seeking to highlight the significance of the project. “When you grow up and have your own families, you can bring her grandkids and show what their grandmother did many years ago.”
Former mayor of Citrus Heights and current Sacramento County Supervisor Roberta MacGlashan was also present for the ceremony, having been one of the City’s first five council members when the City was formed in 1997. MacGlashan called the project a “wonderful accomplishment” and noted it is scheduled for completion just prior to Citrus Heights’ 20th anniversary of becoming a city.
Looking ahead, Capital Partners Developer Rod Johnson told the crowd the site would be transformed quickly, with “a flurry of activity” scheduled to occur next week. He said in a little over 12 months, community members can expect to be sitting outside in a “very beautiful quad area, looking at a state-of-the-art city hall.”
The new hall is part of a larger $53.2 million project approved by city council members in March, which includes a new three-story Dignity Health medical office building being constructed in place of the old city hall at the corner of Fountain Square Drive and Greenback Lane. The new hall will be constructed nearby on a 10.9-acre parcel next to the Post Office, just a block away from the original hall on Fountain Square Drive.
Citrus Heights Mayor Sue Frost speaks to police Sgt. David Gutierrez during a May 14 council meeting where the sergeant was recognized for “heroic actions.” Photo courtesy, Sac Metro Cable 14.
Updated May 16, 5:01 p.m.–
During a council meeting Thursday, City leaders recognized Citrus Heights Police Sergeant David Gutierrez for “heroic actions,” after reports recently came to light about three situations where the sergeant responded to critical situations while off-duty, including pulling a trapped woman from a flaming vehicle before it exploded.
Citrus Heights Police Chief Christopher Boyd told council members of the first situation where Gutierrez was traveling on Grant Line Road in 2009 with his wife, daughter and newborn baby, when a driver made a sudden u-turn and the truck in front of Gutierrez’s car slammed into the side of the turning vehicle. Boyd told the council Gutierrez quickly grabbed a first aid kit and ran to the accident, finding a woman pinned inside and bleeding from her head, along with a young boy and a screaming two-year-old covered in glass.
While the sergeant’s wife called 9-1-1, Boyd said Gutierrez found that the young girl’s hand had been trapped between her car seat and a smashed-in door. After forcing the door open, he pulled both children to safety while medical personnel and others soon arrived to assist in the effort, according to Boyd, who said he learned details of the event from the sergeant’s wife.
Two years later, Gutierrez and his family were traveling on Highway 50 to go see Disney on Ice when a “giant modular home” being pulled by a truck tipped over sideways and skidded across the road, with the truck landing upside down and badly smashed. Boyd told the council Gutierrez pulled over and was able to kick open the passenger side door as the truck burst into flames. The off-duty sergeant found a woman upside down inside with a “huge gash to her head,” and was able to pull her to safety as a bystander doused the flames with a fire extinguisher.
Boyd said the third incident occurred last November when Gutierrez was driving with his wife and daughter on California’s Highway 89. After turning off Interstate 5 onto the dark, two-lane highway, they encountered brush on the road and observed a black SUV crashed into a tree with sparks coming from the engine. As his wife called 9-1-1, Boyd said Gutierrez got out and was almost hit by a motorist who was swerving to avoid the brush. After removing the brush hazard to avoid another accident, the police chief told council members Gutierrez ran to the crashed vehicle and found a woman with her leg pinned under the dashboard.
Boyd said the off-duty sergeant noticed the woman going into shock and diverted her gaze from a small fire that had begun in the engine compartment, directing her to focus on his face. Showing the council a photo of the flaming vehicle, Boyd said Gutierrez was able to pull the woman through the passenger side window just before a “deafening explosion filled the night and the Jeep went up in flames.”
“This woman could have burned to death if he had not driven down that road that day,” Chief Boyd told the council of Sergeant Gutierrez. “He represents humility, understands personal sacrifice, and knows that his purpose is to assist others and never hesitate to help when the need arises.”
Gutierrez was introduced to an applause, with Councilman Steve Miller calling him “super-Dave.”
“I was amazed and proud and honored that one of our CHPD — even on his off-times — is a hero, running into the danger and saving lives,” Mayor Sue Frost told Boyd and Gutierrez. “And I have to say that your wife probably is a very courageous woman to go on vacation with you now.”
The sergeant spoke briefly, commenting that it was “an extreme honor” to be recognized, but said he didn’t see it as an act of heroism. “It’s just something I think we should do for people that can’t help themselves,” he said.
Gutierrez also received the 2015 “Service above self” award from the Sacramento Rotary Club for his actions, after being nominated by the Citrus Heights Police Department.
Citrus Heights city council members unanimously voted Thursday night to select Sue Frost to replace Mel Turner as mayor of Citrus Heights, choosing Jeannie Bruins to serve as vice mayor for a one-year term as well.
Former Mayor Mel Turner shakes hands with council member Sue Frost, as she officially took the seat as mayor of Citrus Heights, Thursday night.
“I’m extremely proud and honored to serve as the mayor of Citrus Heights,” said Mayor Frost just after officially being voted in as mayor by her fellow council members. “I want to thank the citizens of Citrus Heights for the opportunity to be a public servant.”
The new mayor listed several priorities for the coming year, including continuing the former mayor’s efforts to foster new leaders through the “Shadow Program,” and collaborating with citizens through the Residents’ Empowerment Association of Citrus Heights — proposing a new “citizens leadership council.” She also expressed a desire to expand relations with regional leaders, continue to support local police, promote economic development and continue the City’s “tradition of fiscal responsibility.”
Council members also offered praise to former mayor Turner for his work over the past year, with Jeff Slowey giving Turner “kudos” for the way he responded to several controversies over his term as mayor.
“There was a couple of tough issues that came up this year,” said Slowey, likely referring to citizen uproar over a creek trails project and complaints over a new city hall proposal. “You handled them very well.”
Joining the council in 2012, Frost is the newest member of the council to serve as mayor, with her four colleagues all having served at least one term as mayor in the past. Her colleague Vice Mayor Bruins is the council’s longest-serving member, joining the council in 2002.
The five-member council is in charge of making all policy determinations in the city of Citrus Heights, and votes in a new mayor and vice mayor from among its ranks each year. The council also appoints the city manager, city attorney, and members of advisory boards and commissions.
*Editor’s note: Check back this week for a follow-up “Meet your new mayor” profile story.
Want to tell the City how you feel? Now’s your chance.
As part of the City of Citrus Heights’ plan to identify, prioritize and address community needs using federal, state and local funds, resident and agency input is being sought through a short survey posted on the City’s website.
Citrus Heights asks respondents to rank needs in the community.
With questions addressing funding priorities for sidewalk and street needs, economic development, housing assistance and public service/facility needs, the City’s “10-minute” survey asks respondents to rank needs, ranging from “very low need” to “critical need.”
The survey also has several fill-in-the-blank questions regarding community opinions on common barriers faced in obtaining services, and “critical issues” that affect the provision of local program services. It also asks for feedback on “unmet service needs or gaps in your community,” as well as providing a spot for additional concerns or suggestions.
Asked whether the City really reads the survey responses, and if residents should feel its worth the 10 minutes to fill out, Vice Mayor Sue Frost urged community members to take the time.
“If the people aren’t there to tell us what they think, how can we represent them?” said Frost, encouraging residents to provide input on the survey.
“Our city tries really hard to engage with the citizens because the citizens know what’s going on,” said Frost, who sits on the City’s Community Development Committee. “They see things from a vantage point that the City maybe can’t see.”
Containing about a dozen questions for citizens, the survey includes an additional nine questions directed to respondents who represent agencies and organizations serving Citrus Heights residents.
The survey will be used by the City to develop a Consolidated Plan, a federally required five-year planning document for the use of Community Development Block Grant funds, according to a statement on the City’s website. Once completed, the Plan will serve as “a comprehensive strategy to address the needs of low-and moderate-income households in Citrus Heights” from 2015 through 2019.
The City is requesting responses to be submitted before September 24.
A weekend neighborhood association barbecue in Citrus Heights drew about two dozen neighbors together for burgers, brats and a question and answer time with Vice Mayor Sue Frost.
Residents of the Sunrise Ranch Neighborhood enjoy some food and discussion during a weekend barbecue.
Held at the corner of Twin Oaks and Mariposa Avenue on the Twin Oaks Baptist Church lawn, organizer Doyle Champlain said Saturday’s event was designed as a way for residents to “meet and greet” their neighbors, with guests invited to bring their families — and a side dish.
Blending in amidst a table of residents, the Vice Mayor was invited to share an update with group towards the end of the event, mentioning an upcoming candidate forum on October 16 for the five people running for three seats on the Citrus Heights city council. She also answered questions about the effort to build a new city hall as well as problems with homelessness in the city, although she questioned whether solving homelessness lies within the proper role of government rather than being an issue handled best by private charity.
The community social was hosted by the Sunrise Ranch Neighborhood Area 6, one of 11 different neighborhood areas that make up Citrus Heights. The group meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month to discuss and resolve neighborhood issues, grab some coffee and sweets, and invite various City officials to speak on a variety of topics affecting the community. During the meetings, monthly crime reports and updates are also provided by a Problem Oriented Policing officer with the Citrus Heights Police Department.
The Sunrise Ranch Neighborhood covers the area of Citrus Heights from Old Auburn Road to the Roseville border, and is bounded by Sunrise Boulevard on the East and Auburn Boulevard on the West. The Area represents about 1600 homes, as well as some apartments, trailer parks and businesses, according to the Neighborhood’s blog.
Citrus Heights’ Neighborhood Associations were designed to help encourage local involvement, improve the quality of life, and give residents a way to make their voice heard. Unlike a homeowner’s association those involved do not have to pay any dues or own a home, and anyone living, working, or owning property in Citrus Heights can get involved.
Those interested in connecting with any of the various Neighborhood Associations can find out more on the City’s website.
Citrus Heights Vice Mayor Sue Frost helped Sacramento’s Meals on Wheels deliver their 2 millionth meal to a Citrus Heights senior Thursday, followed by a celebration luncheon at the All Seasons Cafe in the Rusch Park Community Center.
By Vcntest (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia CommonsCalling the event a “major milestone” since forming in 2010, organizers hope the event helped raise awareness to its meal program, along with giving seniors helpful information about Medicare and Social Security.
Meals on Wheels by ACC was formed four years ago in response to County budget cuts, which included discontinuing its senior meal program. As a non-profit organization, Meals on Wheels by ACC replaced the County-run program and now serves about 2000 seniors each weekday, while working to expand its service to parts of Placer County as well.
The organization strives to provide nutritious, affordable meals through its 23 All Seasons Cafe locations across the county, where seniors can meet for lunch and participate in various activities the cafe’s offer. A home meal delivery option is also available for those who are unable to travel to a cafe, as long as certain qualifications are met.
Recognizing the financial difficulties seniors can face, the non-profit group does not require payment for meals in any of its cafes or home deliveries, but does suggest a $2 donation per meal, according to Pat Chilton, Site Coordinator for All Season’s Cafe at the park’s community center.
The event was attended by several local leaders, including Sacramento County Supervisor Roberta MacGlashan and Congressman Ami Bera. It also was supported by Sunrise Recreation and Park District, the City of Citrus Heights, and Area 4 Agency on Aging.
Council members, business owners and other elected officials gathered Tuesday morning to celebrate the completion of “Phase 1” of Auburn Boulevard improvement work.
Council members, business owners and representatives from government agencies gathered Tuesday morning to celebrate the long-awaited completion of “Phase 1” of Auburn Boulevard improvement work.
Business owners present for the ribbon-cutting ceremony were particularly glad for the completion of the project, and expressed hope for increased business now that new sidewalks are open, power lines are under-grounded and lanes are no longer closed.
“I’m glad it’s done,” said business owner Rocky Moffitt, whose 7440 Club took a hit during the road work outside his doors. “The construction actually has hurt my business during the daytime… but overall it looks great. I love the finished project.”
Authorized in 2005, the Auburn Boulevard Complete Streets Revitalization Project envisioned a revitalized and enhanced section of Auburn Boulevard, from Sylvan corners to Interstate 80 — a corridor that is home to over 200 businesses. Due to the size and scope of the effort, the nearly 2-mile long project was broken into two phases, with Phase 1 covering the section from Sylvan corners to just beyond Antelope Road, and Phase 2 covering the remaining section up to Interstate 80.
“We’re not done yet,” said Citrus Heights Mayor Mel Turner at the event, referring to the upcoming work on “Phase II.” “But this is a huge step in the right direction.”
‘Phase II’ of the project has already received some funding for design work, according to Community and Economic Development Director Rhonda Sherman, and City staff are currently preparing to enter the design stage for this final phase.
Questions about the project can be directed to ABCTeam@citrusheights.net or (916) 727-4770. Updates are also available online at http://www.ABCupdate.net.
Citrus Heights Vice Mayor Sue Frost (left) and council member Jeannie Bruins (right) accept the 2014 “Growing Greenprint” award from the Sacramento Tree Foundation. // Photo courtesy of City of Citrus Heights.
The City of Citrus Heights received the 2014 “Growing Greenprint” award from the Sacramento Tree Foundation this month, in recognition of the City’s “noteworthy contributions” toward building a better urban forest.
“We are honored to receive the Growing Greenprint Award,” said Citrus Heights Vice Mayor Sue Frost, who accepted the award on behalf of the City. “We appreciate Sacramento Tree Foundation who has played an important role in helping our city achieve our greenhouse gas reduction goals.”
Contributing factors that led to the award include the City’s establishing of urban forest policies, developing community partnerships, working to create an Urban Forest Management Plan and the City’s planting of approximately 150 new trees in 2013.
Emphasizing the benefit of trees in the city, the vice mayor explained the role of trees in promoting clean air, protecting against harmful UV rays and helping to filter and retain water.
The City’s General Plan also cites the benefit of shade trees in reducing building energy use – a fact which SMUD has recognized as well, offering free shade trees to residents through a partnership with the tree foundation.
This year, the City is continuing its green efforts through a Green Parking Lot Demonstration and Monitoring Project which includes the planting of 65 native trees.
“We all know ‘Trees are a blessing,’ and we look forward to continuing our efforts to replenish our wonderful tree canopy,” said Frost.
For more information about the award, or to participate in the free Shade Tree program, readers can visit http://www.SacTree.com/.
Updated August 24, 5:05 p.m.–
![By Vcntest (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://citrusheightssentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Seniors_CC-BY.jpeg)
