CITY OF CITRUS HEIGHTS
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
Special and Regular Meetings of Wednesday, September 24, 2025 City Hall Council Chambers
6360 Fountain Square Dr., Citrus Heights, CA
CALL SPECIAL MEETING TO ORDER
The special meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by Mayor Karpinski-Costa.
Roll Call: Council Members present: Middleton, Nelson, Schaefer, Lopez-Taff, Karpinski-Costa Council Member absent:
Staff Members present: Brown, Feeney, Huber, Jones, Van and department directors.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
STUDY SESSION
2. SUBJECT: City Council Media Training
DEPARTMENT: Economic Development & Community Engagement Communications Officer Brown provided a presentation encompassing media inquiry management, spokesperson protocols, and social media usage guidelines for Councilmembers.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Karpinski-Costa adjourned the special meeting at 5:50 p.m.
CALL REGULAR MEETING TO ORDER
The regular meeting was called to order at 6:02 p.m. by Mayor Karpinski-Costa.
The Flag Salute was led by Vice Mayor Lopez-Taff.
Roll Call: Council Members present: Middleton, Nelson, Schaefer, Lopez-Taff, Karpinski-Costa Council Member absent: None
Staff Members present: Aguirre, Brown, Dunning, Feeney, Huber, Jones, Kempenaar, Poole, 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 Nelson, the City Council approved the agenda.
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Citrus Heights City Council Wednesday, September 24, 2025 AYES: Middleton, Nelson, Schaefer, Lopez-Taff, Karpinski-Costa NOES: None
ABSENT: None
PRESENTATIONS
Proclamation of the City of Citrus Heights Proclaiming September 2025 as "Prostate Cancer Awareness Month"
Council Member Schaefer read and presented the proclamation to Cari Washington of the Greater Sacramento Prostate Cancer Support Group.
Proclamation of the City of Citrus Heights Recognizing "Firefighter Appreciation Month" and "California Firefighters Memorial Day"
Council Member Middleton read and presented the proclamation to representatives from the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Gigi Rayford spoke about the mural on the wall of the Sylvan Community Center painted by the Citrus Heights Police Department for the CH 40 Arts District.
Tim Reiber of GreenWaste Recovery gave an overview of the services provided by the company and stated that it would participate in a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the collection of the essential services of waste, recycling and organics for the Citrus Heights community, if one was put out.
Kathy Morris spoke about Good Neighbor Day, its evolution into Good Neighbor Week, and the purpose of observing them. She stated that the intention is for residents to recognize and be aware of who their neighbors are and to be a good neighbor by being conscientious, considerate, communicative, friendly and appreciative.
COMMENTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND REGIONAL BOARD UPDATES
Council Member Middleton attended the 2025 Citrus Heights Police Department Honors and Awards Ceremony. She enjoyed the Battle of the Bands event held at Rusch Community Park. She went to a "Perceptions of Homelessness" briefing at Sacramento State, as well as the Public Safety and Community Appreciation Luncheon hosted by the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office. She attended the Habitat for Humanity Gala.
Vice Mayor Lopez-Taff participated in the re-opening of Leadership Citrus Heights, and she is part of the next class. She attended a meeting of Neighborhood Areas 7, 8 & 9 (CHASEN) where the Citrus Heights Water District started its "budget roadshow". She attended a meeting of the Sacramento Public Library Authority Board Budget-Audit Committee. She enjoyed the inaugural Citrus Nights event.
Council Member Schaefer went to the Battle of the Bands. He traveled to Boston to attend the American Public Transportation Association's TRANSform Conference, representing the Sacramento Regional
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Citrus Heights City Council Wednesday, September 24, 2025 Transit District (SacRT). He reported that he volunteered to be on the Nomination Committee for the leadership on the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG).
Council Member Nelson attended a Sacramento Metropolitan Cable Television Commission briefing.
She reported on attending a Sacramento Transportation Authority meeting, where the group received a presentation on the SacMoves Coalition. She participated in the Bells Across America event with Mayor Karpinski-Costa. She attended the Habitat for Humanity Gala. She reported on attending an Arts & Cultural 2x2 Committee. She noted that the Terra Madre Americas event is this coming weekend.
Mayor Karpinski-Costa attended the Citrus Heights Police Department Honors and Awards Ceremony and the Battle of the Bands. She went to a fundraiser for the Foothills Kg Association, which supports K9s with training, equipment and medical care throughout their service and retirement. She hosted two Mondays with the Mayor and attended a Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito & Vector Control District Board meeting. She provided an update on West Nile Virus and reported that ground spraying for invasive mosquitoes will take place in Citrus Heights. She participated in the Bells Across America event and attended the ribbon-cutting for Bargain Supermarket. She filled in for Council Member Schaefer at the SACOG meeting. She enjoyed Citrus Nights and hopes the City does it annually. She went to the Public Safety and Community Appreciation Luncheon and the Habitat for Humanity Gala. She went to the Sylvan Old Auburn Road (SOAR) Neighborhood Area meeting where the Citrus Heights Water District presented. She attended a meeting of the Sacramento Area Sewer District
CONSENT CALENDAR
SUBJECT: Approval of Minutes
RECOMMENDATION: Approve the Minutes of the Meeting of August 27, 2025 and Special and Regular Meetings of September 10, 2025
ACTION: On a motion by Council Member Schaefer, seconded by Vice Mayor Lopez-Taff, the City Council adopted Consent Calendar Item 6.
AYES: Middleton, Nelson, Schaefer, Lopez-Taff, Karpinski-Costa NOES: None
ABSENT: None
REGULAR CALENDAR
7. SUBJECT: Proposed Amendments to the Citrus Heights Parking Violation Fine Schedule - AB 413 "Daylighting"
STAFF REPORT: A. Turcotte / R. Jones / W. Dunning
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt Resolution No. 2025-_ _ A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Citrus Heights, California, Amending the Citrus Heights Parking Violation Fine Schedule to include Section 22500(n)(1)(A) of the California Vehicle Code.
Lieutenant Dunning provided a presentation with an overview of Assembly Bill 413 and how the Citrus Heights Police Department intends to implement this new law. Section 22500(n) (1)(A) was added to the California Vehicle Code, prohibiting stopping, standing or parking within 20 feet of the vehicle approach side ot any marked or unmarked crosswalk, and within 15 feet of a crosswalk with a curb extension. The purpose of the law is to enhance visibility at crosswalks and improve traffic safety.
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Citrus Heights City Council Wednesday, September 24, 2025 Lieutenant Dunning noted that a fee in the amount of $62.50 is proposed to be added to the City's Parking Violation Fine Schedule. The Police Department will conduct community outreach and education and a 30-day grace period with warnings would be allowed prior to enforcement action.
City Council questions and comments followed. The response to the proposed enforcement was largely unfavorable, and the Council expressed concern that residents that live on a corner would not be able to park in front of their house. The Council discussed a tiered fee system, with differentiated fee structures for commercial and residential areas. Councilmembers agreed that enforcement should be focused around schools.
Council Member Nelson made a motion to adopt Resolution 2025-076, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Citrus Heights, California, Amending the Citrus Heights Parking Violation Fine Schedule to include Section 22500(n) (1)(A) of the California Vehicle Code. Council Member Middleton seconded.
AYES: Nelson, Middleton
NOES: Schaefer, Lopez-Taff, Karpinski-Costa
ABSENT: None
The motion failed. This item will be brought back to the City Council at a future meeting.
SUBJECT: Six-Month Update: 2025-2027 Economic Development Work Plan STAFF REPORT: M. Huber / A. Aguirre
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council receive and file the Six-Month progress update on the 2025-2027 Economic Development Work Plan.
Economic Development & Community Engagement Director Huber provided an overview of the City Council Strategic Objective for an Economic Development Work Plan and elements of the plan. She noted that the implementation of the plan is a phased approach, and she shared some early successes with Business Attraction and Development Services. She discussed the Business Attraction Incentive Program.
Management Analyst II Aguirre presented on Business Retention and Expansion, including the Sign Improvement Grant, Business Safety Hub and the Commercial Property Reoccupancy Ordinance. She reviewed Small Business Support and Innovation, including the Business Toolkit and Business of Distinction program.
Communications Officer Brown presented on the City's marketing initiatives, including the Love Local campaign and website and the Business Bulletin. Director Huber discussed Marketing and Placemaking, including public-private partnerships to revitalize storefronts and the art district murals. She provided a preview of next steps.
City Council questions and comments followed. The Council received and filed the update; no Action was taken.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
SUBJECT: Commercial Vacancy FlashVote Results
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Citrus Heights City Council Wednesday, September 24, 2025 DEPARTMENTS: Economic Development & Community Engagement / Community Development
Economic Development & Community Engagement Director Huber and Community Development Director Kempenaar provided a presentation. Director Huber discussed the City Council Strategic Goal to Diversify for a Vibrant Economy and the Objective to allow for cost recovery and mitigate risk from vacant buildings, including presenting a Vacant Building Ordinance for the City Council's review and consideration. She explained that Code Enforcement is responsive to commercial building issues, but does not have the tools to promote preventative maintenance.
Director Kempenaar provided an overview of the first draft of the Vacancy Ordinance recently presented at a community workshop. He noted that one of the tenants of this Ordinance is to maintain properties before they become a problem. The Ordinance includes maintenance provisions to ensure minimum maintenance and security standards to make sure that they are not getting worse, and that the properties are ready to be leased. He discussed keeping the properties safe and secure and establishing partnerships to communicate and share resources. He reviewed the feedback heard from the Sunrise MarketPlace Business Improvement District board meeting and the community workshop. Key themes included increasing exemptions, extensions on compliance and tiered enforcement.
Director Huber reviewed the results of the FlashVote survey, which measures resident community voices.
A total of 422 residents responded. Overwhelmingly, 68% of the Citrus Heights community have noticed long-term commercial property vacancies and think they are a public problem. The numbers also revealed that 72% of the Citrus Heights community thinks that commercial vacancies detract from the overall image or livability of Citrus Heights and 68% are concerned that commercial vacancies attract homeless encampments. Regarding potential solutions, the results showed that residents believe ensuring vacant properties meet basic exterior upkeep standards (85%) and ensuring vacant properties meet minimum security standards (61%) would be the most appropriate. 79% of the community would support a policy that would require owners of long-term vacant commercial properties to register with the City, follow maintenance standards and pay fees to cover program administration and enforcement.
City Council questions and comments followed. Director Kempenaar reviewed next steps. He and City Manager Feeney responded to Council questions.
CITY MANAGER ITEMS
City Manager Feeney reviewed the Citrus Nights event. He stated that staff will conduct an analysis of different events and review the results with Council. He attended the Citrus Heights Police Department Honors and Awards Ceremony. He reviewed upcoming events, including an Elected Officials Reception, Livability Summit, Fall Chip-in Day, a meeting hosted by Assemblyman Hoover and the Howl O'Ween Parade and Harvest Festival. He noted that the October 8 regular City Council meeting has been cancelled due to the Council attending the League of California Cities annual conference. The next Council meeting is scheduled for October 22, and Mayor Karpinski-Costa announced that she will not be in attendance.
City Manager Feeney announced the passing of Charlotte Corothers, Citrus Heights Police Department Volunteer. He expressed appreciation for everything Charlotte did for the Police Department and community; she was a great community champion and is missed by many.
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Citrus Heights City Council Wednesday, September 24, 2025
ITEMS REQUESTED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS / FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS None
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Karpinski-Costa read a remembrance of Charlotte Corothers and adjourned the regular meeting at 8:02 p.m. in her memory.
Respectfully submitted,
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