Moving Past Hard Times
Jul 06, 2022 12:00AM ● By Story by Shaunna Boyd
Councilmembers voted unanimously to fully fund applicants such as the Citrus Heights Marching Band from the Community Support Fund this year since the program was undersubscribed. Recommendations were made to relaunch the application period. Photo courtesy CHCMB
Council is Able to Approves a Variety of New Funding Allocations
CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - The City of Citrus Heights allocates money each year to the Economic Development Support Fund, which provides grants to businesses and organizations for events, promotion, and other eligible activities. A total of $154,000 was allocated for the 2021-2022 fiscal year and $104,414 is currently available. At the June 23 meeting, the Citrus Heights City Council considered an application from Royal Stage (a performing arts nonprofit with both youth and adult participants), which requested $25,000 in grant funding to establish a performing arts venue in Sunrise Mall. The funds would allow Royal Stage to transform a vacant retail space in the mall into a performance and rehearsal space.
Economic Development and Communications Manager Meghan Huber explained that the application meets the fund’s guidelines since it will promote Sunrise Mall, attract new shoppers to the location, and diversify the retail space by bringing art and culture into the environment. Huber also said the new space would provide a community benefit by enhancing vibrancy and engagement at Sunrise Mall.
The grant would be used for construction costs, marketing, and programming, and per the grant guidelines, the funding would be distributed through reimbursement of expended costs up to grant amount.
Councilmember Jeannie Bruins said, “I think this is a really good example of innovative reuse. Not only will it bring something new to Citrus Heights that we don’t have right now, which is a performing arts center that children will participate in … this type of venue will be able to change and grow with us as we implement Sunrise Tomorrow. This has so many positives and I don’t see any negatives to it.”
The Council voted unanimously to approve the grant application.
The Council also considered annual allocations from the Community Support Fund for fiscal year 2022-2023. There is $147,862 available in the fund and the applications received totaled $134,950, so it was recommended that each application be granted in full: $8,000 for Citrus Heights Marching Band, $15,000 for Campus Life Sayonara Center, $94,500 for Meals on Wheels, $15,000 for Single Mom Strong, and $2,450 for Sunrise Christian Food Ministry. Representatives from the organizations spoke during public comment to describe how the funds will support their services to the community.
Since the program is undersubscribed and additional funds remain, the Finance Committee recommended relaunching the application period so current applicants can apply for the remaining funds.
Councilmember Bruins said this was the first time since she’s been on the Council that they’ve been able to fully fund each request: “It’s always been painful in the past when we’ve had to make a decision where we would cut the requests, since they were all worthy.” The allocations were unanimously approved by the Council.
Interim Administrative Services Director Bill Zenoni presented a mid-cycle budget review with promising numbers. The projected year-end increase to the General Fund reserves for fiscal year 2021-2022 is approximately $1.3 million, and for fiscal year 2022-2023, the reserves could be increased by another $6.7 million. The presentation included amendments to the operating budget based on these updated numbers
Zenoni explained that the Council decision in March to pay off the balance of the City’s line of credit saved considerable interest expenses and has led to a debt-free Citrus Heights.
The Council unanimously approved the amendments to the budget.
As discussed during prior meetings regarding the allocation of the City’s federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, the Council considered the final approval of funds for necessary equipment upgrades at the Citrus Heights Police Department. A total of $2 million in ARPA funding will be allocated to the CHPD for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. Replacement of 22 police fleet vehicles, along with the installation of police-specific equipment in the vehicles, will total $1.4 million. The remaining $600,000 of the allocation will be used to upgrade equipment in the 911 public communications dispatch center.
The Council voted unanimously to approve the funding allocation to the CHPD.
Another previously discussed allocation of ARPA funds also came before Council for a final vote—$875,000 to fund the Beautification Crew Pilot Program through fiscal year 2025-2026. Operations Manager Regina Cave explained that residents and businesses have concerns about blight throughout the community and the impact of trash and debris left by homeless encampments. Funds allocated to the Beautification Crew would be used to hire two dedicated staff members to address these issues by keeping public right of ways safe and clean for members of the community. The allocation would also include the purchase of a vehicle and equipment so the crew could respond quickly to reports from the community.
Councilmember Bret Daniels said he was “extremely excited about this.” He asked that the program be fast-tracked to get it up and running before the fall. “It’s such a high priority with our residents, our businesses,” he said.
Several members of the public spoke in support of the program during Public Comment, including Diane Ebbitt-Riehle, executive director of Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce and co-chair of the Auburn Blvd. Business Association. She said that community members often feel that not enough is being done in the city to address blight and homeless encampments, so she believes the Beautification Crew will show the public that “their voices are being heard.”
Alfred Sanchez—known as the “Snack Man” in Citrus Heights because every day he visits homeless people in the city to provide snacks and companionship—also spoke during Public Comment, but he brought up concerns about how this program and its planned collaboration with CHPD could lead to more enforcement and policing than the situation requires. He hoped that the enforcement would focus on the businesses that have requested that additional support.
The Council unanimously approved the funding allocation for the Beautification Crew.
During City Manager items, City Manager Ashley Feeney announced that the recruitment for a new administrative services director recently concluded with the hiring of Susan Talwar. She has worked for the Citrus Heights Water District, and also served the city through Rotary, Kiwanis, Soroptimists, and the Chamber of Commerce. Talwar said she’s “excited here today to further expand my public service to the city and the community.” She will take over for Interim Administrative Services Director Bill Zenoni, who the Council thanked for his hard work and expertise during a difficult financial period for the City.