CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - At the September 12 Citrus Heights City Council meeting, the Council considered whether to issue a Letter of Public Convenience and Necessity (PCN) to allow Easter’s Catholic Books and Gifts to sell altar wine.

When the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) receives a request for a Type 20 (beer/wine) license in an area considered to be overconcentrated or at risk of high crime, ABC refers the matter to the local jurisdiction for review and approval of the PCN, which is why the matter was brought to the Council.

Easter’s Catholic Books and Gifts has been located at 6916 Sunrise Blvd. since they moved to Citrus Heights in 2016. The original location was on Auburn Blvd. in Sacramento County where they were granted a Type 20 license, but they had to reapply after the move.

The store sells a variety of religious items and books, and they requested to resume the sale of altar (or liturgical) wine, which is used in church services. They sell the wine by the case directly to parishes and churches, and the wine is not stocked on the sales floor for general public purchase.

After the Citrus Heights Police department and the City’s Planning Division reviewed the application, City staff recommended the Council approve the license. Staff explained that the store would be selling a specialized product not otherwise available in the nearby area, the wine was sold at the previous location without any known issues or violations, the store has limited hours, and the amount of wine in the store would be limited.

Denise Kramer, one of the owners of Easter’s Catholic Books and Gifts, spoke to the Council about the request, explaining that they provided liturgical wine for 15 years at their previous location and it is a “unique item not found readily in the Sacramento area.”  

The move stopped the sale of the wine, and Kramer said, “It has impacted our business, and it has caused us great concern with regards to keeping the store open because when churches would come in for the wine they would also buy other needs, so it kept things flowing.”

“It is a good portion of our sales; it does help us,” said Kramer. “Our sales have declined drastically since we’ve moved to Citrus Heights, and this is one of the reasons.”

Kramer explained that Easter’s Catholic Books and Gifts is “a small family business” and it would not be competing with other businesses in the area that already sell alcohol.

The Council unanimously approved the request for a PCN.

The City of Citrus Heights is a member of the League of California Cities, which is an association of city officials in California that work together to influence the state’s policy decisions.

The League of California Cities annual conference will be held in October, and Councilmembers Bret Daniels, Steve Miller, and Porsche Middleton are scheduled to attend. The Council is required to select a delegate to vote on League resolutions at the conference.

Mayor Jeannie Bruins said, “Our tradition is usually to send our newest councilmember to vote for us. It’s a good experience,” so Councilmember Middleton will cast the votes for Citrus Heights at the conference. Councilmember Miller volunteered to be the alternate delegate, and Councilmember Daniels agreed to act as second alternate.

The Council then discussed two resolutions that will be voted on at the conference and provided direction to Councilmember Middleton regarding the Council’s stance on the issues.

Resolution 1 concerns Rule 20A of the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC), which involves an annual allocation of utilities funds to help communities convert from overhead electric lines to underground lines. The League of California Cities will be voting on whether to request the PUC amend Rule 20A to add projects in very high fire severity zones to the list of eligible criteria and to increase funding allocations for Rule 20A projects.

Vice Mayor Jeff Slowey said, “It really doesn’t have a lot of impact on us, [but] it makes sense to recommend undergrounding, especially in high fire hazard areas… And if the PUC is going to increase funding, it’s kind of spread over everybody. To me, it makes sense to support it.”

Resolution 2 calls on federal and state governments to address the impacts of international transboundary pollution flows from Mexico into the southernmost regions of California and the Pacific Ocean — and calls for additional funding to address the environmental impacts.

Vice Mayor Slowey said, “It makes sense … one county shouldn’t impact the other with their flow.”

Mayor Bruins agreed: “I would support addressing the impacts.”

The Council directed Councilmember Middleton to vote in support of both resolutions at the conference.