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

The Citrus Heights City Council will meet this Thursday to discuss whether to update the city’s code to allow for retail cannabis businesses, as well as vote on a staff recommendation to reject all bids received for the second phase of revitalization efforts on Auburn Boulevard, and consider adopting design standards for mixed-use in commercial corridors city-wide.

The council’s Feb. 8th meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at City Hall, located at 6360 Fountain Square Drive. A summary of what’s on the 56-page agenda is included below.

Auburn Boulevard Project. The council will consider a recommendation from the city’s General Services Director and City Engineer to reject all construction bids received for the second phase of the Auburn Boulevard Complete Streets project, due to the bids coming in at nearly $10 million more than the $25.5 million estimate from the city’s engineer. A staff report says the bids are believed to have come in high, due to the complexity of the project, with staff’s recommendation to make adjustments to the proposed scope of work and then re-advertise for construction bids. Learn more about the plan: City shares update on plan to revitalize Auburn Boulevard corridor

Theft Prevention. The council will consider authorizing the City Manager to “execute necessary agreements and make purchases related to a grant aimed at preventing organized retail theft, detailing the use of $2,752,138 in awarded grant funds with no additional impact on the general fund.” Funds were awarded by the state, as part of an Organized Retail Theft grant program. For more, see: Citrus Heights police awarded $2.7M grant for cameras to combat retail theft

Sound Walls. Council members will consider approving a contract with H.B. Restoration, Inc., for $75,700, to complete the city’s Sound Wall Beautification Project. A total of eight proposals were submitted, ranging as high as $347,500. Read more: Citrus Heights eyes improving appearance of sound walls

Cannabis Dispensaries. The council will hold a study session on whether to direct staff to prepare updates to the city code to allow for retail cannabis businesses, and whether staff should be directed to proceed with preparing a cannabis tax measure for the November 2024 ballot. The study session was prompted by a request by Councilman Tim Schaefer during the council’s Dec. 14 meeting, and seconded by Councilwoman Porsche Middleton to be brought forward for discussion. See prior story: Citrus Heights to reconsider ban on cannabis businesses in 2024

Mixed-Use Standards. The council will consider approving a staff recommendation to extend the city’s previously adopted Auburn Boulevard Objective Design and Development Standards for multi-family and residential mixed-use developments within commercial corridors. If passed, the standards would be applicable citywide, to all commercial corridors.

Additional agenda items include a trio of proclamations recognizing February as Black History Month, as well as recognizing Diane Ebbitt-Riehle for heading the local Chamber of Commerce, and a proclamation recognizing City Attorney Ryan Jones for being promoted to the rank of colonel with the California Air National Guard.

Those wishing to make a public comment during the meeting can do so by attending the council meeting on Feb. 8, 2024, at City Hall, or by submitting a written comment beforehand using the city’s website. The deadline to submit comments online is 4 p.m. on the day of the meeting. See full agenda packet online: click here.