New Council Reluctantly Votes to Discontinue Great Plates Program

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - The December 10 Citrus Heights City Council meeting was the last one for Mayor Jeff Slowey, who chose not to run for re-election.

Vice Mayor Steve Miller read a proclamation commending Slowey for his work “to promote fiscally responsible leadership, safe and secure neighborhoods, and economic growth to benefit Citrus Heights and the surrounding region. … Due to your incredible vision, sense of duty, and strong leadership—which is highly appreciated—your legacy will continue to positively influence all those that live, work, and play in Citrus Heights for many years to come, if not forever.”

During his 17-year tenure, Slowey served four terms as mayor. He said, “It’s been a great run … but it’s also time for others to take over.”

City Clerk Amy Van read the results of the November 3 municipal election, stating that Councilmember Bret Daniels had been re-elected, representing District 1, and Tim Schaefer was elected to represent District 3. Measure M, the proposed sales tax increase, did not pass.  Before the Council unanimously voted to certify the results, outgoing-Mayor Slowey joked, “So, no outstanding lawsuits looking to overturn the election results here in Citrus Heights? We’re all good there?” Councilmembers Bret Daniels and Tim Schaefer then took the oath of office to officially begin their terms.

Next, the Council selected members to serve as mayor and vice mayor. Councilmember Jeannie Bruins nominated Steve Miller for mayor, seconded by Councilmember Porsche Middleton. The motion passed 3-2, with Councilmembers Bret Daniels and Tim Schaefer dissenting.

Councilmember Bruins nominated Councilmember Middleton to serve as vice mayor, seconded by Mayor Miller. The motion also passed 3-2, with Councilmembers Bret Daniels and Tim Schaefer dissenting.

The first proclamation issued by the new Council was in recognition of December 21 as National Homeless Persons Memorial Day. As the first day of winter, the 21^st is the longest night of the year—a night when many people will be outside in the elements without access to food or shelter. Mayor Miller read the proclamation, which asked residents “to remember those who have died homeless” and to support local efforts to “eliminate homelessness in our community.”

“In this season of generosity and sharing, citizens of Citrus Heights are encouraged to commit themselves to promoting compassion and concern for all, especially those who are in need and homeless,” read Miller.

Alfred Sanchez accepted the proclamation. Sanchez provides food and provisions to homeless people in the community, earning the nickname “the Snack Man of Citrus Heights.” Sanchez said, “The thought of people dying on the streets is very emotional for me … With this proclamation, we stand together as a city and say, ‘You will never be forgotten.’”

Chris Myers of the General Services Department presented the Council with a resolution to discontinue the City’s participation in the Great Plates Delivered Program, which has been funding meal deliveries to eligible seniors since May. In the midst of the devastating COVID-19 pandemic, the program enabled the City to support struggling local restaurants while also providing regular meals to seniors in need. The program has been delivering approximately 3,500 meals each week for the last seven months.

The program is primarily funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and administered by California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES). FEMA provides 75% of the funding, CalOES provides 18.75%, and Citrus Heights is responsible for the remaining 6.25% in local matching funds. But the funding is issued through reimbursement, meaning that the City has been covering the full costs up front and submitting invoices to FEMA for repayment.

Myers explained that by the end of the year, the City will have invested $2.4M into the program. The City has been maintaining weekly payments to the restaurant partners—Beach Hut Deli, Boston's Pizza, Ciro's Pizza Café, Dos Coyotes Border Café, Nor Cal Subs, and R Vida Cantina—totaling $80,000 per week.  So far, the City has only been reimbursed $385,000.

The FEMA administrator recently informed the City that it would be at least 12 months before they are fully reimbursed. “Since we are floating this up front and using general fund cash reserves, it just isn’t something we can continue,” said Myers. City staff recommended that Council approve a resolution to discontinue the City’s participation in the program.

Mayor Miller said, “The fact that FEMA isn’t paying us, and with our current fiscal situation, I don’t think we can front any more money.”

Councilmember Bruins said she was “very disappointed with the Feds on this one” and reluctantly agreed that it was not sustainable.

Myers assured Council that the City was working to refer seniors to other available services as they transition out of the program. And while the restaurants will certainly be fiscally impacted, they are aware of the situation and have always known that it would be a temporary assistance measure.

Mayor Miller said that if Measure M had passed, the City could be in a position to continue fronting the money to continue the program, but “we’re bleeding money. We need to start making cuts. … These are hard choices.” The Council voted unanimously to discontinue the program.