By Sara Beth Williams–
Candidates for Citrus Heights City Council addressed Sunrise Mall, local business development, roads, police funding, and homelessness during a candidate forum held Tuesday evening, Sept. 29.
The forum included questions about economic development, infrastructure, police technologies, the local business economy and city budgeting.
City Council Candidates Dr. Jayna Karpinski-Costa (incumbent, District 4), Mayor MariJane Lopez-Taff (incumbent, District 2) and Susan Powers (District 4 candidate) were in attendance. Charles Stone (District 2 candidate) was invited but was unable to attend due to a pre-existing commitment.
Below is a summary of the candidates’ responses to each topic discussed.
Sunrise Mall
In response to the question of whether the city could have done more to prevent Sunrise Mall from declining into its current condition, all three candidates agreed that the mall could not have been saved from decline, but noted that the city did try.
Karpinski-Costa said she did not believe the mall could have been saved, citing the property’s multiple ownership structure. She said the city has recently been able to have more involvement in what happens at the mall.
Lopez-Taff said previous councils attempted to negotiate with former majority owner Namdar Realty Group, including traveling to the company’s offices in New York.
Powers agreed with the others, and noted that the growth of online shopping has contributed to the broader decline of shopping malls across the country.
Candidates were also asked whether the city should be willing to compromise on the existing Sunrise Tomorrow plan if doing so could allow portions of the mall to be redeveloped sooner. All candidates agreed that the Plan must adhere to the community’s expressed vision and goals for the property.
All candidates also agreed that the excluded uses, such as multiple fast-food drive thru restaurants or auto-uses are excluded because residents did not want them.
Local business landscape
When discussing other business corridors, candidates discussed the recent beautification of Auburn Boulevard and its potential to attract new businesses. Lopez-Taff described the corridor as having been affected by the lengthy construction associated with undergrounding and beautification and called for additional attention to its economic development.
Karpinski-Costa said Auburn Boulevard serves as a gateway into Citrus Heights and added a newly proposed Business Watch program could help provide businesses with additional security. She also wants to see a grocer open in the shopping center currently home to FunCity and California Burger.
Candidates also expressed the desire to streamline permitting processes and fees for new businesses, as well as for residential properties, specifically regarding remodeling of old homes.
When asked what they would tell a national retailer considering Citrus Heights over Folsom or Roseville, candidates pointed to the city’s family-oriented community, local customer base and existing small businesses.
Lopez-Taff described Citrus Heights as a family-oriented community and said the city’s demographics could provide a customer base for retailers and grocery stores. Powers emphasized a “small-town” feel of community connections and loyalty to local businesses.
Roads
Candidates were also asked which road or intersection in Citrus Heights most urgently needs attention.
Karpinski-Costa pointed to the intersection of Auburn Boulevard and Greenback Lane, citing the high number of gas stations, and also raised concerns about crashes in the area
Powers identified a stretch of Sylvan Road between Greenback Lane and Old Auburn Road as an area of concern. She cited speeding and worn or difficult-to-see striping.
Lopez-Taff said the city is spending $4 million annually to address intersections and encouraged residents to review the city’s published list of upcoming road projects.
Police and public safety
Police funding and the use of license plate reader cameras were also discussed, with Karpinski-Costa and Lopez-Taff agreeing that LPR cameras have been a beneficial asset to the Citrus Heights Police Department in helping solve crimes quickly.
Powers said that LPR cameras need much more regulation regarding what data is retained and for how long. She also said the city should listen to residents’ concerns before committing taxpayer funds to continue the program.
Karpinski-Costa said if the current contract is renewed, and there is no longer grant funding to cover the cost, it is too expensive for the city to support on its own.
In discussing city budgeting, both Lopez-Taff and Powers agreed that the Police Department needed more funding and expressed concerns regarding the disbanding of the Traffic Unit, as well as homelessness response, school-area traffic response, and business and community safety. Powers identified public safety as a priority.
Homelessness
When asked about the recent passage of SB 802, Lopez-Taff said she did not agree with the new mandate, but agreed that elected officials must be involved in overseeing funding and emphasized the necessity for open meetings and public accountability. She discussed her current participation on a Sacramento County homelessness and housing ad hoc task force examining the structure used to make financial allocations for homelessness.
Powers disagreed with SB 802. She said she would advocate for Citrus Heights by participating in meetings and speaking on behalf of the city’s interests, including its approach to funding.
Karpinski-Costa said she supported SB 802 and said amendments added over the last year allow local jurisdictions to retain their local funding. She also advocated for stronger mental health services and addiction treatment for people experiencing homelessness at the county level.
Powers agreed that there needs to be additional mental health and drug rehabilitation resources, along with stronger support from nonprofits and community organizations.
City governance, funding and the budget
The candidates were asked how they would evaluate a police, public works or development proposal before voting on it.
Responses included considering the city’s available financial and staffing resources, community input, the city’s strategic priorities, the long-term costs of a proposal and its effect on residents and businesses. Karpinski-Costa emphasized reviewing whether an expenditure is necessary, affordable and sustainable, including future maintenance and staffing costs, and consulting financial information provided by city staff.
Candidates were also asked what they would cut if general-fund revenue remained flat while still protecting police and street maintenance.
Powers said she would examine every city department and consider the importance of each service and its effect on public safety and the consequences of reducing or temporarily cutting the service.
Lopez-Taff said the city is already anticipating flat general-fund revenue, and suggested she would recommend the minimum 17 percent deposit from the General Fund account, instead of the preferred 25 percent deposit, into the city’s reserve funding.
Karpinski-Costa agreed wholeheartedly, and said reserves also help provide matching funds for grants and allow the city to keep projects ready for funding when grants become available.
To read more about each candidate, check out each candidate’s Q&A interview with The Sentinel below.
Meet MariJane Lopez-Taff, Citrus Heights City Council candidate in District 2
Meet Susan Powers, candidate for Citrus Heights City Council District 4
Meet Charles Stone, Candidate for Citrus Heights City Council District 2
Meet Jayna Karpinski-Costa, Citrus Heights City Council candidate in District 4
