CITY OF CITRUS HEIGHTS
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
Special and Regular Meetings of Wednesday, February 25, 2026 City Hall Council Chambers
6360 Fountain Square Dr., Citrus Heights, CA 95621
CALL SPECIAL MEETING TO ORDER
The special meeting was called to order at 2:00 p.m. by Mayor Lopez-Taff.
Roll Call: Council Members present: Karpinski-Costa, Nelson, Schaefer, Middleton, Lopez-Taff Council Members absent: None
Staff Members present: Feeney, D. Jones, R. Jones
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
CLOSED SESSION
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Initiation of litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4) Number of potential cases: 1
The City Council, City Manager and City Attorney participated in the closed session.
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
There was no reportable action from closed session.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Lopez-Taff adjourned the special meeting at 5:15 p.m.
CALL REGULAR MEETING TO ORDER
The regular meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Lopez-Taff.
The Flag Salute was led by Council Member Nelson.
2. Roll Call: Council Members present: Karpinski-Costa, Nelson, Schaefer, Middleton, Lopez-Taff Council Members absent: None
Staff Members present: Bermudez, Drexel, Dunning, Feeney, D. Jones, Kempenaar, Poole, Turcotte and department directors.
3. The video statement was read by Acting City Clerk Jones.
Citrus Heights City Council Wednesday, February 25, 2026
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
ACTION: On a motion by Council Member Karpinski-Costa, seconded by Council Member Schaefer, the City Council approved the agenda.
AYES: Karpinski-Costa, Nelson, Schaefer, Middleton, Lopez-Taff NOES: None
ABSENT: None
PRESENTATIONS
4. Proclamation of the City of Citrus Heights Proclaiming March 1 - March 7, 2026 as Women in Construction Week
Vice Mayor Middleton read and presented the Proclamation to Stefanie Foltyn of the Sacramento Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC).
PUBLIC COMMENT
Kathy Morris, president of the Residents' Empowerment Association of Citrus Heights (R.E.A.C.H.), discussed the community potluck scheduled for March 9, 2026 and distributed flyers for the City Council and public.
Pieter Friedrich voiced concerns about the City of Citrus Heights' October 2023 proclamation recognizing Hindu American Awareness and Appreciation Month, including how affiliated Hindu groups used similar proclamations from nearby jurisdictions. He discussed the impact the proclamations had on Senate Bill 509, which was vetoed in 2025. He urged the City Council to deny any future proclamation requests of this nature.
Acting City Clerk Jones read the following written public comment submitted by Alfred Sanchez, "The holy month of Ramadan is upon us again.. To all who celebrate around the world. 'RAMADAN MUBARAK'!!!"
COMMENTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND REGIONAL BOARD UPDATES
Council Member Karpinski-Costa attended a Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito & Vector Control District Board meeting and provided an update on innovative mosquito abatement efforts.
Council Member Schaefer attended a Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) Board meeting and a Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) meeting and reported on transit rates and ridership.
Council Member Nelson stated she had nothing to report on for this meeting.
Vice Mayor Middleton reported on a Sacramento Transportation Authority (STA) meeting. Financing for the | Street Bridge Replacement Project was discussed, along with the future of the Sacramento Abandoned Vehicle Service Authority (SAVSA), including potential consideration of a ballot measure.
Citrus Heights City Council Wednesday, February 25, 2026 Mayor Lopez-Taff went to a Leadership Citrus Heights meeting and announced an event scheduled on May 12 for the unveiling of a mural and installation of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) in Rusch Community Park. She attended the ribbon cutting for Juice Time and the one-year anniversary of DarkHeart Brewery, She attended her neighborhood association meeting, Citrus Heights Areas Seven, Eight, & Nine (CHASEN). She went to the Citrus Heights Chamber ACCESS Luncheon, where Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho spoke. She reported on a Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) meeting she attended on behalf of Council Member Schaefer. She attended a Chamber Board meeting and a Sacramento Public Library Authority Board meeting. She participated in a career panel at Rio Americano High School.
CONSENT CALENDAR
5. SUBJECT: Approval of Minutes
RECOMMENDATION: Approve the Minutes of the Special and Regular Meeting of January 28, 2026
SUBJECT: Second Reading - Ordinance Repealing Chapter 2, Article IV, Division 5 Construction Board of Appeals and Adding Chapter 18, Article XXXI, Building Code Board of Appeals
STAFF REPORT: C. Kempenaar / A. Van / J. Cuffe
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt Ordinance No. 2026-002, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Citrus Heights, California, Repealing Chapter 2, Article IV, Division 5 Construction Board of Appeals and Adding Chapter 18, Article XXXI Building Code Board of Appeals, to the Citrus Heights Municipal Code Relating to Buildings and Building Regulations 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. 2026-009, 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 ACTION: On a motion by Council Member Nelson, seconded by Council Member Schaefer, the City Council adopted Consent Calendar Items 5, 6 and 7.
AYES: Karpinski-Costa, Nelson, Schaefer, Middleton, Lopez-Taff NOES: None
ABSENT: None
REGULAR CALENDAR
SUBJECT: Options for Residential Solid Waste and Recycling Collection Services Procurement - Results of 60-Day Negotiations
STAFF REPORT: R. Cave / M. Poole
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council either:
a. Adopt Resolution No. 2026-010, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Citrus Heights, California, Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Amended and Restated
Citrus Heights City Council Wednesday, February 25, 2026 Residential Solid Waste and Recycling Collection Services Agreement with Allied Waste Services of North America, LLC, Subject to Results of a Public Hearing Regarding Proposed Rate Increases; or
b. Direct staff to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Residential Solid Waste and Recycling Collection Services contract.
Mayor Lopez-Taff explained to the public how this item would be administered, with the staff presentation followed by a brief recess and then public comment.
An updated staff report was distributed to the City Council and public on February 24. Operations Manager Poole presented the outcomes of the 60-day negotiation period with Republic Services, as staff was directed to do by the Council in November 2025. She reviewed the negotiation timeline, focus areas and approach. She discussed cost comparisons of including residential street sweeping service and potential refinements to the Neighborhood Cleanup Program (NCU), including reducing the number of annual collections and pile size per pickup. Staff also evaluated the feasibility of a local Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) drop off event. Manager Poole reviewed proposed organizational improvements to be included in the contract terms, as well as program and technology improvements. In a comparison of rates across the region, Citrus Heights currently has the lowest. Rate proposals reflected minimal monthly impact, and staff recommended the option to add residential street sweeping and reduce NCU from 3 to 2 times a year. Should the Council choose an amended contract with Republic Services, a rate hearing would still be required.
City Council questions and comments followed. Carrie Baxter from R3 Consulting Group, Inc., responded to rate questions.
The City Council recessed at 7:03 p.m. and reconvened at 7:10 p.m.
Acting City Attorney Drexel made a statement addressing any potential concerns of conflicts of interest on this item under the provisions of the Levine Act pertaining to campaign contributions from participating parties made to Council Members. He stated that, in his opinion and per the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC), no conflict exists regarding any Council Member participating in this vote, as the campaign contributions in question were made in 2024 and fall outside the date range restrictions in the Act. He stated that all Council Members were participating appropriately and the Council could proceed.
Public Comment
Matthew Helgeson spoke in support of Republic Services.
Micheal Hildebrandt spoke in support of Republic Services.
Amanda Subia spoke in support of Republic Services.
Taylor Brown spoke in favor of putting the contract out to competitive bid.
Elyjah Wilbur spoke in support of Republic Services.
Alyssa McClendon spoke in support of Republic Services.
Lucas Zeiher spoke in support of Republic Services.
Matt Bryant spoke in support of Republic Services, as one of its employees.
Spencer Dowling spoke in support of Republic Services, as one of its employees.
Tanya Kravchuk spoke in favor of putting the contract out to competitive bid.
Citrus Heights City Council Wednesday, February 25, 2026 Colin Wallace, General Manager of Republic Services, thanked City staff for the negotiations, spoke about the contract proposals, and thanked the Citrus Heights community for its support.
Acting City Clerk Jones read the following written public comment submitted by Larry Solesbee, "The past 6 years have seen continual price increases, very big jump in 2023, but my social security has not increased at this rate, and
Trash price changes
Date chg price % up CP! SocSecCola
01/30/20 $39.90 3.48 1.20% 1.60%
01/30/21 $41.10 3.01 7.00% 1.30%
01/30/22 $42.54 3.50 6.5% 5.90%
03/30/23 $55.48 30.42 3.40% 8.70% BIG JUMP
07/30/24 $57.44 3.53 2.90% 3.20%
01/30/25 $59.46 3.52 2.70% 2.50%
01/30/26 $61.54 3.50 2.40% 2.50%
50.95 26.10 26.00
And now they want MORE???"
Acting City Clerk Jones read the following written public comment submitted by Robert Wichert, "I fully support competitive bidding for Residential Solid Waste and Recycling Collection Services. It is our responsibility to obtain the lowest possible costs for services to our customers. The only way to do that is by competitive bidding."
Acting City Clerk Jones read the following written public comment submitted by Cynthia Roberts, "I am concerned that the City of Citrus Heights is going to be voting on a No Bid $110 Million contract to Republic Services for residential waste later this month and I was shocked to hear that after 27 years, this contract has never been put out to competitive bid.
At the council meetings we heard a parade of repetitive speakers about how Republic Services has been a good community partner - a friend to many groups and elected officials. But taxpayer dollars should NOT be about giving contracts on the basis of friendship - it should be about getting the best service for residents. Opening the bid can lead to price negotiations, technology add on's, education enhancements, and potentially improved service. Also, I am unclear about how the cost of street sweeping will be incurred, will it come separately, from the CH General fund or be deducted from the Franchise fee? CH residents deserve transparency and deserves to know that we're getting the best services for our tax dollars.
There is still time for the City Council to do the right thing and put the contract out for a competitive bid and a transparent process - not a backroom deal for friends." City Council Direction
Staff sought Council direction on the following elements:
• Inclusion of residential street sweeping in customer rates - Council Members Lopez-Taff, Nelson, Middleton and Schaefer said yes; Council Member Karpinski-Costa said no • Refinement of Neighborhood Cleanup (NCU) Program
• Reduce to 2 collections per year - the Council agreed (unanimous)
Citrus Heights City Council Wednesday, February 25, 2026 • Pile size reduction - the Council preferred No reduction, keep at 10 cubic yards (unanimous)
• Addition of annual local Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) drop off event (cost neutral) - the Council agreed (unanimous)
• Shift from bi-monthly to tri-monthly customer billing - the Council agreed (unanimous) MOTION 1:
Council Member Schaefer motioned to Direct staff to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Residential Solid Waste and Recycling Collection Services contract, seconded by Mayor Lopez-Taff.
The vote was taken by roll call
AYES: Schaefer, Lopez-Taff
NOES: Karpinski-Costa, Nelson, Middleton
ABSENT: None
The motion failed.
MOTION 2 / ACTION: On a motion by Vice Mayor Middleton, seconded by Council Member Karpinski- Costa, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2026-010, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Citrus Heights, California, Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Amended and Restated Residential Solid Waste and Recycling Collection Services Agreement with Allied Waste Services of North America, LLC, Subject to Results of a Public Hearing Regarding Proposed Rate Increases.
The vote was taken by roll call.
AYES: Karpinski-Costa, Nelson, Middleton
NOES: Schaefer, Lopez-Taff
ABSENT: None
SUBJECT: Discussion Item of Strategic Goal Related to Massage Establishments STAFF REPORT: A. Turcotte / K. Frey / W. Dunning / D. Miller / C. Kempenaar / A. Bermudez RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council review the information presented in this report and accompanying presentation and provide staff with feedback and direction on possible code amendments.
Lt. Dunning and Senior Planner Bermudez provided a presentation. This item is a strategic goal from the planning meeting in March of 2025 to preserve and enhance public safety by maintaining consistency with regional and adjacent jurisdictions. The current Ordinance was reviewed and staff identified the need for clearer standards, enhanced licensing, operational requirements, and better enforcement tools. An ordinance comparison between neighboring jurisdictions was distributed at the dais, and the proposed amendments to the Citrus Heights Ordinance (19 elements) were in alignment. Outreach was conducted with the community, property owners and business owners in multiple languages.
City Council questions and comments followed
Citrus Heights City Council Wednesday, February 25, 2026 Public Comment
Lauren McLachlan, a Certified Massage Therapist, spoke about updates to the California Massage Act that now recognize California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC)-certified Massage Therapists as healthcare providers. She also provided insight into the industry.
By consensus the City Council directed staff to bring back a draft ordinance based on City Council comments
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
None
CITY MANAGER ITEMS
City Manager Feeney announced that Sunrise Blvd will be closed on Monday, March 2, due to a SMUD project.
ITEMS REQUESTED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS / FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS None
Council Member Karpinski-Costa noted that County Supervisor Rodriguez is holding a community meeting on March 3 in City Council Chambers.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Lopez-Taff adjourned the regular meeting at 8:36 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Anu Van