Latest local news briefs include the City Council voting 4-1 to give final approval for a rental housing inspection program, a new ordinance expanding the City’s ban on outdoor smoking, and “pedophile” fliers appearing near Rusch Park, along with multiple “bait” arrests and controversial comments from a local gun shop.
City Council approves new $500k Citrus Heights rental inspection program in 4-1 vote
On Thursday night, City Councilmembers voted to approve an ordinance for a new Rental Housing Inspection Unit, which will be tasked with proactive inspections of interiors and exteriors of the city’s roughly 15,000 rental homes and apartments. Councilman Bret Daniels was the lone vote against program.
The ordinance will become effective Jan. 1, 2019, with inspections beginning later that year on July 1. Fees levied on property owners to fund the program will begin being collected in January. Landlords and tenants will be sent a notice in advance of inspections. According to the wording of the ordinance, tenants will have a right to opt out of an inspection, while landlords will not be able to opt out. (Read the ordinance and staff report)
Council votes 5-0 to expand smoking ban in Citrus Heights
City Councilmembers unanimously voted to approve a staff recommendation to repeal and replace the City’s existing ordinance regulating smoking, in order to bring the code into conformance with state law and also expand areas where smoking will be banned. Once the ordinance goes into effect, smoking will be prohibited in all public parks, trails, nature preserves, outdoor dining areas, and various other areas. In addition, the smoking of marijuana (both medical and non-medical) will be prohibited in all public places.
City Councilmembers agreed to strike wording that would have banned smoking at golf and disc golf courses. That decision was prompted by comments from Councilman Jeff Slowey who said he would vote against the new ordinance unless the golf course wording was removed. “I just don’t want my name associated when my buddies come up and say ‘hey, you know, [I] can’t smoke a cigar on the golf course,’ when it’s bothering nobody,” the councilman said. (See staff report, draft ordinance)
Police: fliers implying pedophile resident near Rusch Park were ‘unfounded’
Citrus Heights police said on Tuesday that authorities had become aware of fliers being distributed in the area of Rusch Park with messages implying that “someone was a pedophile/sex registrant,” but said they found “no merit” to the allegations and determined them to be “unfounded.”
Police said residents are reminded to be cautious with what they see or hear on social media, “as it may not always be true.” The department said residents are able to check MegansLaw.ca.gov to view registered sex offenders by geographical area, but are advised to not misuse the information available. (See Facebook post)
More Briefly:
- Arrest. 35-year-old Rachael Braden, of Citrus Heights, was arrested after community tips connected her with surveillance images of an identity theft suspect were shared on Facebook by the Placer County Sheriff’s Office. (See post)
- Gun shop. Citrus Heights-based Sacramento Black Rifle drew the attention of the Sacramento Bee after the gun shop posted a controversial clip-art image of a bomb in a mailbox on its Facebook page Wednesday, along with a comment reading “Have a (bomb) day.” (See SacBee story)
- Bait Arrests. The Citrus Heights Police Department said three suspects were arrested in separate bait theft incidents on Oct. 21st. (See Facebook post)
- More arrests. 42-year-old Donald Buchanan, of Citrus Heights was arrested in Loomis on Oct. 22 after authorities said he fled police and was in possession of drugs and burglary tools. (See Facebook post)
- Crime Podcast. A new 21-minute podcast was released by the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office on how a DNA hit helped play a role in prosecuting the UC Davis Sweetheart Murders. (Listen)
