CITY OF CITRUS HEIGHTS
CITY COUNCIL
Regular Meeting of Thursday, February 8, 2024
City Hall Council Chambers, 6360 Fountain Square Dr., Citrus Heights, CA Regular Meeting 6:00 p.m.
CALL REGULAR MEETING TO ORDER
The regular meeting was called to order at 6:02 p.m. by Mayor Daniels.
Flag Salute was led by Mayor Daniels.
2. Roll Call: Council Members present: Lopez-Taff, Middleton, Schaefer, Karpinski-Costa, Daniels Council Members absent: None
Staff present: Bermudez, Feeney, Jones, Kempenaar, Turcotte, Van, and department directors.
The video statement was read by City Clerk Van.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
ACTION: On a motion by Council Member Schaefer, seconded by Council Member Middleton, the City Council approved the agenda.
AYES: Lopez-Taff, Middleton, Schaefer, Karpinski-Costa, Daniels NOES: None
ABSENT: None
PRESENTATIONS
Proclamation of the City of Citrus Heights Recognizing the Month of February as Black History Month
Council Member Lopez-Taff read the proclamation.
Proclamation Recognizing Diane Ebbitt-Riehle for her service as Executive Director of the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce
Council Member Schaefer read and presented the proclamation to Diane Ebbitt-Riehle, former Executive Director of the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce.
5a. Proclamation of the City of Citrus Heights Recognizing Ryan Jones on the Occasion of His Promotion to Colonel with the California Air National Guard Mayor Daniels read and presented the proclamation to Colonel Ryan R. Jones, City Attorney.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Sandy M stated the World Health Organization has announced an amendment to a credible threat of a public health emergency. She said since the Council has a history of putting the City under Health Printed on Recycled Paper
Citrus Heights City Council Thursday, February 8, 2024
Emergency orders for extended periods of time, they are very concerned that another round of involuntary lockdowns and health orders could occur in the City.
Debbie W believes it is the City Council's duty to always protect the natural rights of the people so they are guaranteed enjoyment of all their natural rights. She stated if the City takes action blocking the people's rights to enjoy freedom then any lockdown mandate or forced use of any medical device will be construed as being done with malice, intent, full knowledge and understanding against your trust and denture.
Niki Mc stated since the Goodwill store is closing maybe we can have a big class and teach everybody how to plan for the future.
Kathy Morris commended City staff for their work on storm related responses.
Forest Allen expressed excitement for the Sound Wall Beautification Project.
Ron Ferns has volunteered his time planting flowers near the soundwall on Auburn Blvd. and requested that sound wall maintenance crews be mindful of flowers along the walls.
City Clerk Van read the following written public comment submitted by Rick Hodgkins, "Hello there! I am so happy to hear that the city now has a brand new option maybe even two brand new options for all you can eat oriental buffets! I understand that the Tokyo buffet on greenback Lane and Fountain Square, Drive had a fire back in 2018 and turns out that they will be under new ownership with a new name, even though I can't remember it offhand. But hibachi grill buffet and sushi bar on sunrise Boulevard at Kingswood, right next to El Tapatio, I am actually going to the new hibachi buffet Grill and sushi bar this coming Saturday, not to celebrate my birthday, that which was just yesterday, but also for Valentine's Day with my girlfriend, as she has to work all day Wednesday, February 14. at the next city council meeting | will report back how things went. I will submit further comment on item 12 related to mixed use development with multifamily housing."
COMMENTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND REGIONAL BOARD UPDATES
Council Member Middleton has been meeting with local faith leaders in the community to talk about congregational engagement and community involvement. She announced the passing of Lauren Hammond, former Sacramento City Council Member, and shared that the memorial services will be held February 9 at Sacramento State University. She requested the Mayor adjourn the City Council meeting in Lauren Hammond's honor.
Council Member Lopez-Taff attended the Rancho Cordova Community Luncheon. She attended the Kiwanis / Soroptimist Crab Feed. She chaired the Citrus Heights Chamber Executive Director search committee. She also attended Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho's State of Public Safety Address. She met with Assemblyman Josh Hoover regarding proposed bills and bipartisan amendments to Proposition 47.
Council Member Schaefer provided updates from the Sacramento Area Council of Governments meeting. He attended Colonel Ryan R. Jones' promotion ceremony with the California Air National Guard.
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Citrus Heights City Council Thursday, February 8, 2024
Vice Mayor Karpinski-Costa went to an event recognizing Indian Republic Day. She had lunch with a new vice mayors group. She attended a Sacramento Suburban Water District meeting. She attended Colonel Ryan R. Jones' promotion ceremony. She announced a three year adjustment to sewer rates and a public hearing to be held at the Citrus Heights Community Center on March 7 from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. She announced the Fill the Boot event will begin Friday, February 9 and there will be a Safety Fair on Saturday, February 10 at the Sunrise Mall. She gave a reminder that there is a Sunrise Recreation and Park District Board Meeting on February 21 at 5:30 p.m. about a proposed amphitheater at Rusch Park. She gave a reminder about mosquitos and heart worm prevention for pets. She announced that Sacramento SPCA pet adoptions will be $14 on February 14. She seconded Council Member Middleton's request to adjourn the City Council meeting in Lauren Hammond's honor.
Mayor Daniels echoed remarks on the passing of Lauren Hammond. He attended an event recognizing Indian Republic Day. He gave a reminder for Mondays with the Mayor at City Hall. He attended the Sunrise Marketplace PBID Board meeting. He attended the District Attorney's State of Public Safety event. He provided an update from the Sacramento Transportation Authority meeting. He announced the Rotary Crab Feed is February 10. He attended the first annual Purple and Gold Gala hosted by the Purple Pageant.
CONSENT CALENDAR
6. SUBJECT: Approval of Minutes
RECOMMENDATION: Approve the Minutes of the Meeting of January 25, 2024 SUBJECT: Appointment to Sacramento Groundwater Authority STAFF REPORT: A. Van
RECOMMENDATION: Confirm the appointment of members of the Citrus Heights Water District Board to serve on the Sacramento Groundwater Authority Board Confirmed Appointments
Sacramento Groundwater Authority Caryl F. Sheehan
Raymond A. Riehle (Alternate)
8. SUBJECT: Auburn Boulevard Complete Streets Phase 2 Project - Reject All Bids and Authorize Staff to Re-Bid Project
STAFF REPORT: R. Cave /L. Blomquist
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt Resolution 2024-010, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Citrus Heights, California, Rejecting All Bids for Construction of the Auburn Boulevard Complete Streets, Phase 2 Project and Authorizing Staff to Re-Advertise the Project SUBJECT: Authorize City Manager to Execute Agreements Associated with the Retail Theft Prevention Program
STAFF REPORT: A. Turcotte
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt Resolution 2024-011, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Citrus Heights, California, Authorizing the City Manager, or Designee, to Execute All Agreements and Purchasing Associated with the Organized Retail Theft Prevention Grant Funding
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Citrus Heights City Council Thursday, February 8, 2024
10. SUBJECT: Sound Wall Beautification - Award of Contract STAFF REPORT: R. Cave / A. Velasquez
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt Resolution No. 2024-012, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Citrus Heights, California, Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with H.B. Restoration, Inc. for the Sound Wall Beautification Project ACTION: On a motion by Vice Mayor Karpinski-Costa, seconded by Council Member Middleton, the City Council adopted Consent Calendar Items 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10.
AYES: Lopez-Taff, Middleton, Schaefer, Karpinski-Costa, Daniels NOES: None
ABSENT: None
REGULAR CALENDAR
11. SUBJECT: Cannabis Dispensary Study Session
STAFF REPORT: C. Kempenaar / M. Huber / S. Talwar / A. Turcotte RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council:
a. Provide feedback and direction whether to proceed with necessary Municipal Code updates necessary to allow retail Cannabis Businesses as set forth in this staff report b. Approve a proposed timeline for implementation
c. Provide direction whether or not to proceed with a cannabis tax measure for the November 2024 ballot
Community Development Director Kempenaar presented an overview on current State regulations and the City's municipal code on retail cannabis. He noted cannabis deliveries are allowed by the State to come into the City. He provided an overview of the State's cannabis dispensary licensing requirements.
He noted an error in the staff report and corrected that the State does not require a 600 feet separation from another dispensary. He provided an overview of revenue approaches related to retail cannabis Communie epits Fund harder crave a cannabis tax a dade on renoverer 5, 2024 General Election ballot, staff would bring back a draft tax measure for Council consideration. Staff also suggests doing public outreach related to cannabis.
City Council questions and comments followed.
Community Development Director Kempenaar, Police Chief Turcotte, and City Attorney Jones responded to questions.
PUBLIC COMMENT
coe Romero, a cannabis business owner, spoke in favor of allowing retail canabis businesses in the
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Citrus Heights City Council Thursday, February 8, 2024
Kathy Morris spoke in opposition to allowing retail cannabis businesses in the city.
Michael Lagomarsino spoke in opposition to allowing retail cannabis businesses in the city.
Mr. Clark, a social justice activist and member of the community spoke in favor of allowing retail cannabis businesses in the city.
Brandon Bolton, a criminal justice advocate as a Board Member of Mission Green and the Founder of the United Corps Alliance and Cannabis Equity Policy Council, spoke in favor of allowing retail cannabis businesses in the city.
Albert Fox spoke in opposition to allowing retail cannabis businesses in the city.
Mark Mabutos, a cannabis business owner, spoke in favor of allowing retail cannabis businesses in the city.
Jeanne Bruins spoke in opposition to allowing retail cannabis businesses in the city.
Sean Kieran, CEO for Weed for Warriors veteran organization, spoke in favor of allowing retail cannabis businesses in the city.
Mark Carrillo spoke in favor of allowing retail cannabis businesses in the city.
India Hayes, a cannabis business general manager spoke in favor of allowing retail cannabis businesses in the city.
Natalee Price spoke in favor of allowing retail cannabis businesses in the city.
Jimmy Bobak, a cannabis business owner, spoke in favor of allowing retail cannabis businesses in the city.
Jacob Schmick, a cannabis business owner, spoke in favor of allowing retail cannabis businesses in the city.
City Clerk Van referenced the agenda, stating that written public comment should be submitted by 4:00 p.m. and copies of those comments received after 4:00 p.m. have been provided to the City Council.
City Clerk Van read the following written public comment submitted by Maria Uirostegui, " support that the City Council lift the ban on cannabis retail businesses. Currently citrus heights is losing a significant amount of revenue to the city of Sacramento by continuing this ban. The potential of having this revenue stream in the city of citrus heights can be used for many things including improving roads, infrastructure and issues pertaining to the unhoused and homelessness and other social services that are in need of financial support. I encourage the city council to direct staff to revisit this issue and move forward on approving a pathway for the city to attain a revenue stream and create jobs and infill currently open commercial space by pursuing the implementation of opening up cannabis retail in our community".
Council Member Schaefer expressed support for conducting public outreach and exploring this issue.
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Citrus Heights City Council Thursday, February 8, 2024
Council Member Middleton expressed support with continuing to explore this issue.
Vice Mayor Karpinski-Costa expressed support for gathering public input and exploring this issue.
Council Member Lopez-Taff stated she is not in support of allowing retail cannabis businesses within the City.
Mayor Daniels stated he is not in support of a cannabis tax measure, he would like to see a map of where potential businesses may be located depicting state distance requirements.
Community Development Director Kempenaar responded to questions.
By majority consensus, the City Council directed staff to conduct further public outreach and continue to explore allowing retail cannabis businesses within the City and report back to the City Council.
12. SUBJECT: Adoption of Citywide Objective Design & Development Standards STAFF REPORT: C. Kempenaar / A. Bermudez
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt Resolution No. 2024-013, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Citrus Heights, California, Adopting Objective Design Standards for the Review of Qualifying Multi-Family and Residential Mixed-Use Development within the City's Commercial Corridors and Finding the Guidelines are Exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Under Section 15061 (B)(3)
Senior Planner Bermudez provided an overview of the objective design standards for qualifying multi- family and residential mixed-use housing projects in commercial planning zones.
City Council questions and comments followed
Senior Planner Bermudez responded to questions.
City Clerk Van read the following written public comment submitted by Rick Hodgkins, "Other cities just like Sacramento and San Francisco have community models, that where there is mixed use Development combined with multifamily housing, all in one building! Support this and I would ask that the city council please do the same? Thank you."
City Council questions and comments followed.
Community Development Director Kempenaar, Senior Planner Bermudez, and City Manager Feeney responded to questions.
ACTION: On a motion by Council Member Middleton, seconded by Council Member Lopez-Taff, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2024-013, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Citrus Heights, California, Adopting Objective Design Standards for the Review of Qualifying Multi-Family and Residential Mixed-Use Development within the City's Commercial Corridors and Finding the Guidelines are Exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Under Section 15061 (B)(3).
AYES: Lopez-Taff, Middleton, Schaefer, Karpinski-Costa
NOES: Daniels
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Citrus Heights City Council Thursday, February 8, 2024
ABSENT: None
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
None.
CITY MANAGER ITEMS
City Manager Feeney thanked the General Services Department and Police Department for their storm response. He announced that a Ballot Drop Box for the March 5 Presidential Primary Election is located in front of City Hall and open until 8:00 p.m. on Election Day and an In-Person Vote Center will be open at the Community Center from February 24 to March 5. He also announced the Community Workshop will take place February 10 at City Hall. He stated that City Hall will be closed February 19 in observation of Presidents' Day.
ITEMS REQUESTED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS / FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Vice Mayor Karpinski-Costa requested a future agenda item to discuss changing City Council Meeting days. Council Member Middleton supported the request.
Mayor Daniels requested staff bring forward an informational report on traffic signal outages.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Daniels adjourned the regular meeting at 8:59 p.m., with a moment of silence in honor of Lauren Hammond, former Sacramento City Council Member, and Citrus Heights Water District employee, Jason Tupper who both recently passed away.
Respectfully submitted,
Van
Amy Van, City Clerk
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