Civic Minute: What’s going on in Citrus Heights City Hall? (April 9)

By Sara Beth Williams–
The Citrus Heights City Council on Wednesday will be discussing the council’s recent tour of the Belmar Shopping District, how to handle City Council stipends, and an employment agreement amendment for the City Manager. The City Council will also be asked to approve an amendment to the city’s fireworks ordinance and consider appointments to an Arts and Culture Ad Hoc committee.

The next City Council meeting will be held April 9 at 6 p.m. at Citrus Heights City Hall.

Presentations: The City Council and city staff will discuss findings from a recent trip taken to the Belmar Shopping District in Lakewood, Colorado, to study the development projects within the city.

The City Council will also hear an annual report from the Citrus Heights Police Department, which typically details accomplishments and statistics from the previous year and progress on crime initiatives for the current year.

Fireworks: The City Council on Wednesday will be asked to approve amendments to the current fireworks ordinance that would both increase fines and tighten enforcement capabilities. The proposed ordinance changes were prompted by multiple residents’ concerns regarding fire danger and inability to enjoy a “quiet environment” due to illegal fireworks, according to a staff report.

Arts and Culture Committee: The City Council will be asked to consider appointing two council members to a temporary Arts and Culture Ad Hoc 2×2 committee. This recommendation comes following the City Council’s approval of several arts and culture programs and initiatives at a previous meeting. The purpose of the ad hoc committee will be to explore, assess, and recommend ways to continue to “refine” the arts and culture programming as well as be a part of the community engagement process to seek public input on the selection of art for the Traffic Signal Control Cabinet Art Program.

Discussion on Stipends: The City Council is scheduled to discuss options brought forth by the city related to depositing received stipends into the city’s General Fund. This item comes following the request of two City Council members at the end of the March 12 City Council meeting.

In addition to serving on the council, Citrus Heights City Council Members represent the city on various regional boards and committees throughout Sacramento County. Each board or commission provides a stipend to each council member for their service.

According to Government Code Section 36516(c), “Legislative body members may receive compensation in excess of the maximum compensation limit only if the additional compensation is authorized by a separate statute,” the city said in a staff report.

After researching, the city found that stipends from the Sacramento Metropolitan Cable Commission and Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) were not established by a separate statute. Pursuant to Government Code Section 36516(c), councilmembers are not allowed to accept compensation from the aforementioned commissions. To adhere to required laws, the city can request stipend funds be forwarded to the city for deposit into the city’s general fund.

Along with the above option, the city is also proposing to the council the option of requesting that stipends from all regional boards and commissions be forwarded to the city for deposit into the general fund. The amount of stipends received by each council member is listed in the city’s agenda packet.

City Manager Employment Agreement Amendment: The City Council will be asked to approve an amended employment agreement for City Manager Ashley Feeney. Feeney has served as City Manager since Jan. 31, 2022, and his employment agreement has not been modified since, according to a staff report. If approved, Feeney’s new salary would be increased to $290,000, with a $500 monthly vehicle allowance.

Those wishing to make a public comment during the meeting can do so by attending the council meeting on Wednesday, April 9, at City Hall, at 6 p.m., 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.

City Hall is located at 6360 Fountain Square Drive.

Read the full agenda packet here.