The Civic Minute: what’s happening at Citrus Heights City Hall?

Citrus Heights City Council members will meet this Thursday to hear items related to long-range regional planning, a proposed community “block party trailer” program, and a proposal related to a senior living facility on Sunrise Boulevard.

The City Council’s Aug. 25 meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at City Hall, located at 6360 Fountain Square Drive. Below is a summary of what’s included on the 68-page meeting agenda:

Presentation. The council meeting will begin with a presentation from the Sacramento Area Council Of Governments regarding the big picture for Long Range Regional Planning.

League of California Cities. A vote will be held to decide which councilmember will be designated as a voting delegate for the upcoming League of California Cities annual conference in Long Beach, as required by the League. An alternate delegate will also be designated.

Block party trailer. The council will consider approving proposed program guidelines for a “block party trailer,” to be stocked with event-hosting essentials and available for community groups to rent. The cost of the program is listed at $50,000 in a staff report, with funding coming from the American Rescue Plan Act. A trailer has already been purchased and is in the process of being wrapped with program branding, according to the staff report. Stocked items will include tables, chairs, coolers, barricades, cones, lawn games, trash bins and a small sound system.

Senior housing. The council will consider formal action to approve a “Memorandum of Understanding” with the Low Income Family Enrichment Corporation (Life Foundation), specifying that the city will sponsor an application for a Community Care Expansion Program grant to permanently designate the senior apartments at 7501 Sunrise Blvd. as low-income senior housing.

The Life Foundation is in contract to buy the current facility and is seeking help from the city to acquire an anticipated $17 million in grant funding for low-income senior housing. The agreement says the city will annually direct $100,000 of the net income to go towards registered nonprofits within the City of Citrus Heights, but that is “contingent upon income from the property.” The city would not be responsible for ownership and upkeep. According to the agreement, the property is also to be sold after 20 years, with the buyer intended to be one who will maintain the project as an affordable senior housing project.

Other items. The City Council meeting will also include routine second readings of a zoning code update and action to approve a request from a homeowner to abandon a 25-foot setback affecting 30 parcels in the far northwestern city limits near Roseville Road. The council previously approved both actions following public hearings earlier this month.

Public comments for the council meeting can be submitted to cityclerk@citrusheights.net, with up to 250 words, or emailed directly to the City Council as a whole at citycouncil@citrusheights.net. Comments sent to the clerk will be read aloud during the meeting.

The council’s Aug. 25 meeting agenda packet can be viewed in full online, with links for the Zoom meeting included in the packet. (click here)