CITY OF CITRUS HEIGHTS
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
Regular Meeting of Wednesday, December 10, 2025
City Hall Council Chambers
6360 Fountain Square Dr., Citrus Heights, CA
CALL REGULAR MEETING TO ORDER
The regular meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Karpinski-Costa.
1. The Flag Salute was led by Council Member Middleton.
2. Roll Call: Council Members present: Middleton, Nelson, Schaefer, Lopez-Taff, Karpinski-Costa Council Members absent: None
Staff Members present: Bermudez, Campbell, Feeney, D. Jones, R. Jones, Kempenaar, Turcotte, Van, and department directors.
3. The video statement was read by Acting City Clerk Jones.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
ACTION: On a motion by Council Member Schaefer, seconded by Vice Mayor Lopez-Taff, the City Council approved the agenda.
AYES: Middleton, Nelson, Schaefer, Lopez-Taff, Karpinski-Costa NOES: None
ABSENT: None
SPECIAL ITEMS
Selection of Mayor and Vice Mayor
City Clerk Van introduced the item and provided a brief overview of the annual rotational appointment process, for the benefit of the public.
Public Comment
Bill Shirley, president of the Neighborhood Area CHASEN (Citrus Heights Areas 7, 8 & 9), expressed appreciation for Vice Mayor Lopez-Taff's community engagement and spoke in support of her to be appointed Mayor.
ACTION: On a motion by Council Member Schaefer, seconded by Council Member Middleton, the City Council appointed MariJane Lopez-Taff as Mayor.
AYES: Middleton, Nelson, Schaefer, Lopez-Taff, Karpinski-Costa NOES: None
ABSENT: None
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Citrus Heights City Council Wednesday, December 10, 2025 ACTION: On a motion by Council Member Karpinski-Costa, seconded by Council Member Nelson, the City Council appointed Porsche Middleton as Vice Mayor.
AYES: Karpinski-Costa, Nelson, Schaefer, Middleton, Lopez-Taff NOES: None
ABSENT: None
The City Council took a brief recess from 6:06 to 6:10 p.m. The seating at the dais changed.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Ruth Fox of Neighborhood Area CHATS (Citrus Heights Areas 2 and 6) provided a report on how the area spent its Community Grant funds and managed its budget this year. They supported events, fulfilled holiday wishes for low-income families and provided gift cards and supplies to elementary school teachers and students.
Acting City Clerk Jones read the following written public comment submitted by Alfred Sanchez, "Sunday December 21st is National Homeless Persons Memorial Day. For the 7th year we will be meeting at Adalbertos Restaurant on the corner of Greenback and Auburn Blvd at 7pm. Everyone is welcome. Please contact me if you have any questions. Remembering those who died while Homeless on our streets. Alfred Sanchez"
COMMENTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND REGIONAL BOARD UPDATES
Council Member Karpinski-Costa attended the recent pet microchipping events. She hosted Mondays with the Mayor. She attended the Citrus Heights Women's Club 50th Anniversary. She went to the Citrus Heights Chamber Luncheon, where Senator Niello spoke. She attended a Neighborhood Area SOAR (Area 10 - Sylvan Old Auburn Road) meeting and a League of CA Cities webinar on new laws, including Senate Bill 827 - additional financial training for elected officials and department heads. She went to the Teddy Bear Luncheon hosted by Lakeview Village. She participated in the Annual Citrus Heights Tree Lighting. She attended a lunch gathering of local mayors. She attended the Annual City Employee and Volunteer Holiday Luncheon. She attended a Sacramento Area Sewer District meeting Council Member Nelson reported on attending a Sacramento Transportation Authority meeting. She went to the Teddy Bear Luncheon and the Stones Gambling Hall's "21" Award event. She also attended the Annual Citrus Heights Tree Lighting.
Council Member Schaefer reported on attending a Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority meeting. He went to the Annual Citrus Heights Tree Lighting. He attended the Stones Gambling Hall's "21" Award and a Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) Policy Innovation meeting. He attended a Sacramento Regional Transit District Board meeting and briefly discussed the new RT Flex fare program.
He attended the Annual City Employee and Volunteer Holiday Luncheon.
Vice Mayor Middleton delivered pre-made meals of non-perishable items to the Sayonara Center. She spent the holidays visiting local businesses. She went to a Capitol Region Elected Women (CREW) forum.
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Citrus Heights City Council Wednesday, December 10, 2025 Mayor Lopez-Taff attended several of the same events as the rest of the City Council. She also attended ribbon-cuttings for the grand re-openings of Walmart and Narenj Grocery.
CONSENT CALENDAR
5. SUBJECT: Approval of Minutes
RECOMMENDATION: Approve the Minutes of the Special and Regular Meeting of November 12,2025
SUBJECT: Annual AB 1600 Development Fee Report
STAFF REPORT: S. Talwar / A. Preciado
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt Resolution No. 2025-087, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Citrus Heights, California, Accepting, Filing, and Making the Findings Identified in the City's Annual AB 1600 Fee Report for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2025 SUBJECT: Resolution Adopting Amended Salary Table
STAFF REPORT: S. Talwar
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt Resolution No. 2025-088, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Citrus Heights, California, Adopting the Amended Salary Table, Exhibit A
8. SUBJECT: Submission of Application for Tree City USA Designation STAFF REPORT: C. Kempenaar / S. Lui
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt Resolution No. 2025-089, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Citrus Heights, California, Authorizing the Submission of an Application to the National Arbor Day Foundation for Consideration of Citrus Heights Being Designated a Tree City USA Community
9. SUBJECT: Sunrise Boulevard Resurfacing Project - Final Acceptance and Notice of Completion STAFF REPORT: R. Cave / L. Blomquist
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt Resolution No. 2025-090, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Citrus Heights, California, Accepting the Sunrise Boulevard Resurfacing Project as Complete and Authorizing the General Services Director to Record a Notice of Completion and Release the Contract Retention
ACTION: On a motion by Council Member Schaefer, seconded by Council Member Karpinski-Costa, the City Council adopted Consent Calendar Items 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.
AYES: Karpinski-Costa, Nelson, Schaefer, Middleton, Lopez-Taff NOES: None
ABSENT: None
PUBLIC HEARING
10. SUBJECT: Prohousing Designation Renewal Application & Authorization to Receive Prohousing Incentive Program Grant Award
STAFF REPORT: C. Kempenaar / A. Bermudez
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the following:
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Citrus Heights City Council Wednesday, December 10, 2025 a.) Adopt Resolution 2025-091, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Citrus Heights, California, Authorizing Application to and Participation in the Prohousing Designation Program; and
b.) Adopt Resolution 2025-092, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Citrus Heights, California, Authorizing Application for, and Receipt of, Prohousing Incentive Program Funds.
Resolution 2025-092, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Citrus Heights, California, Authorizing Application for, and Receipt of, Prohousing Incentive Program Funds.
Senior Planner Bermudez presented an overview of the Prohousing Designation. This is a state program that recognizes jurisdictions for their efforts at streamlining housing projects. The City was awarded this designation in 2022 and it is set to expire. She reported on the key points of the City's renewal application, the application process and the benefits of the designation. If the application is approved, the City is eligible to receive up to $900,000 in Prohousing Incentive Program Funds.
Mayor Lopez-Taff opened the public hearing at 6:37 p.m. Hearing no requests for public comment, she closed the public hearing.
City Council comments followed.
ACTION: On a motion by Council Member Schaefer, seconded by Council Member Karpinski-Costa, the City Council adopted Resolution 2025-091, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Citrus Heights, California, Authorizing Application to and Participation in the Prohousing Designation Program and Resolution 2025-092, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Citrus Heights, California, Authorizing Application for, and Receipt of, Prohousing Incentive Program Funds.
AYES: Karpinski-Costa, Nelson, Schaefer, Middleton, Lopez-Taff NOES: None
ABSENT: None
REGULAR CALENDAR
11. SUBJECT: Discussion Item of Strategic Goal Related to Mobile Food Vending STAFF REPORT: C. Kempenaar / A. Bermudez / A. Turcotte / K. Frey / W. Dunning / D. Miller RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council review the information presented in this report and accompanying presentation. Following the discussion, staff seeks input and feedback on possible code amendments.
Community Development Director Kempenaar introduced the item and Senior Planner Bermudez provided a presentation. The City did extensive outreach on this topic, including to restaurants, the Chamber of Commerce, food truck operators and Sunrise MarketPlace. Senior Planner Bermudez reviewed the current regulations and discussed the first "Food Truck Plaza" coming in Spring. She reviewed several potential options for changes to regulations, if the City Council desires:
1. Prohibit mobile food vending on private property
2. Limit a mobile food vendor to one Temporary Use Permit per year
3. Prohibit food trucks within a commercial center that has a restaurant or commercial kitchen
4. Require a buffer between mobile food vendors and restaurants/commercial kitchens
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Citrus Heights City Council Wednesday, December 10, 2025
5. Allow mobile food vendors to operate only within an approved Food Truck Plaza
6. Maintain existing regulations
Public Comment
Acting City Clerk Jones read the following written statement submitted by Kevin Miles, "Good evening, my name is Kevin Miles, and I am a co-owner of R Vida Cantina located on Sunrise near the Foodmax. I also speak on behalf of my business partner, Carlos Rodriguez. We apologize for not being able to attend in person, but we love that this is a topic of discussion and wanted to share some thoughts from a restaurant owner perspective. Food trucks as a whole, are not an issue for us as long as there are clear guidelines, and policies that are put in place to ensure the operators have limitations. As a Mexican restaurant, it would not benefit us for a taco truck to be parked in our shopping center, of course, but we aren't saying that it should not be allowed in Citrus Heights as a whole. We welcome other businesses and love that people would want to be in our city, as it only promotes more residents to stay and spend their money in Citrus Heights. The hope would be for that food truck to acquire their clientele and look at making Citrus Heights their home for a brick and motor business. The problem exists if that is never their intentions, they come to Citrus Heights, but take their truck back to "Elk Grove," for example, with zero intentions of making our city their home. Ultimately, not funneling any of that back into our city, in which, we pay taxes for our businesses. Forgive us, as we are not educated on the current policies in place for the food trucks, but we all strive for fairness, in life and business, and we believe that is the most important thing when considering how to move forward on this topic. We have seen a lot of growth in the past 6 years, through our business and even more in Citrus Heights. We don't plan on going anywhere, we are committed to doing our part, and we just hope that everyone who conducts business in Citrus Heights is committed to that same mission. Thank you all for your time!" City Council comments and questions followed. The Council generally favored further exploration of an ordinance around Options 3 and 4 with additional discussion on outdoor seating and like-kind food offerings.
No Action was taken.
12. SUBJECT: Animal Licensing & Microchipping - Options for Potential Amendment to Municipal Code § 8-90
STAFF REPORT: A. Turcotte / K. Frey / T. Campbell
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council review the information presented in this report and accompanying presentation. Following the discussion, staff seek input and feedback on possible Municipal Code amendments.
Police Chief Turcotte introduced the item and Police Services Manager Campbell presented. She reviewed the current regulations, compared regional practices and provided the City Council with options:
1. No Amendments
2. Microchipping Mandate, Amendment regarding dogs and cats
3. First Year Free Licensing, Amendment regarding puppies
4. First Time Free Licensing, Amendment regarding dogs and cats City Council questions followed. The Council generally favored Option #3 and continuing to offer free microchipping services.
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Citrus Heights City Council Wednesday, December 10, 2025 No Action was taken.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
13. SUBJECT: Review 2025 Events Calendar/Evaluate Historical and New Community Events DEPARTMENT: General Services
Director Cave provided a presentation and overview of the City's annual signature community events and this year's new event, Citrus Nights, which took the place of Sunday Funday. She discussed other notable 2025 events, such as the Volunteer Appreciation Week Reception and National Night Out. She presented an option to officially retire the annual Sunday Funday event. City Council questions and comments followed
The Council generally favored retiring Sunday Funday and maintaining the booth availability at the concert series.
CITY MANAGER ITEMS
City Manager Feeney offered year-end comments, thanked the outgoing Mayor and Vice Mayor for their leadership, and thanked the Council and staff for the year's accomplishments. He also thanked the City's community partners. He announced the voting period for "Best Lights in Citrus Heights" and that the December 24 regular City Council meeting has been cancelled due to the holidays. The next Council meeting will be on January 14, 2026. He wished the Council and community happy holidays.
ITEMS REQUESTED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS / FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS High school students in the audience for government class were invited to the podium to introduce themselves and take pictures with the Council.
Council Member Nelson requested a discussion on renaming Sayonara, seconded by Council Member Karpinski-Costa.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Lopez-Taff adjourned the regular meeting at 8:02 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
i Can lan
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