CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - At the August 11 meeting, the Citrus Heights City Council considered a response to a memo from Sacramento Environmental Commission requesting the city participate in a no-cost Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) recently adopted by Sacramento County, the City of Sacramento, and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD).

The MOU sets the framework for how participating agencies coordinate electrification efforts in building updates and in new construction. Benefits of participation would be increased information sharing, fewer duplicative processes, shared resources, increased community input, and a competitive advantage for requesting related grant funding.

Participation in the MOU would not create any ordinance or regulation within the city or tie the city to actions by other jurisdictions. It would meet policies in the City’s general plan, such as encouraging green building practices, cooperating with regional agencies, and looking at programs with SMUD for further energy conservation efforts.

Associate Planner Eric Singer explained that the MOU is designed to promotes electric use as a greener way forward, thereby decreasing the use of natural gas.

Councilmember Steve Miller said he found the language in the MOU to be disingenuous, since it didn’t specify that the main purpose is to reduce natural gas usage.

Councilmember Bret Daniels said he didn’t have enough information to support it at this time.

Vice Mayor Tim Schaefer said he saw the MOU as an opportunity for the “powers that be” to mandate more policies to the cities. While the MOU wouldn’t cost the City any money or mandate any policies, he said he “has huge concerns.”

Councilmember Jeannie Bruins asked if there would be any impact for the City if they chose not to participate, and Singer explained there would be no change to current practices.

Mayor Porsche Middleton reminded Council that SMUD is trying to get to Zero Carbon Neutral by 2030 and will be doing that by increasing rates “and forcing us to make these kinds of modifications. … so, this is just another step in that process.”

Councilmember Bruins moved that the City not participate in the MOU, and that motion passed unanimously.

Council then considered abandonment of a 25-foot setback impacting 30 properties in the Larchmont Rosewood Subdivision. The setback was recorded in 1983, and Singer said, “There’s no real clear record of what exactly the setback was recorded for.”

Staff determined that it was likely a safety setback, because at the time of recording, the adjacent property was owned by Southern Pacific Railroad. But since that time, the property was sold and developed into more single-family homes, “so that’s negated the need,” said Singer. Abandoning the setback would allow the 30 affected property owners to fully use and build upon their properties in the area currently restricted by the setback.

Council voted unanimously to abandon the setback.

The Council also considered approval of various resolutions to move forward with construction of the Arcade-Cripple Creek Trail Project. The project will construct a 2.9-mile trail connecting various parks in Citrus Heights and Orangevale, as well as Sunrise MarketPlace and Woodside K-8 School. The trail will mostly follow the existing SMUD transmission corridor, providing a paved trail for pedestrians and bicycles. 

The total project cost estimate is $10.3 million—including construction costs totaling $8.4 million, plus 10% contingency costs estimated at $846,603; construction management at $823,340; construction design support services at $60,804; tree mitigation at $41,720; and a $135,645 contract with Sacramento Tree Foundation.

The City has significant grant funding for the project, such as Active Transportation Program Grant, Recreation Trails Grant, and Per Capita Park Grant funds. The city also has funds available through their park impact fees, storm water utility funds, Measure A funds, waste management funds, and tree mitigation funds. The City will need just $2 million in gap funding, which will be provided through a zero-interest loan from Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG), with the city repaying $500,000 per year for four years beginning in July 2023 (with a pledge by the Council not to use money for the General Fund for those repayments).

Community Development Director Casey Kempenaar explained that although the construction bid came in higher than initially estimated, delaying the project to request more bids could result in even higher bids with the current volatility in the construction industry. And the rising cost of materials and supply chain issues are not likely to improve if the City waits to begin construction. Another financial risk to delaying the project is that many of the grants have specific spending timelines, and if the project isn’t completed within the required timeframe, the City would have to pay back those funds.

During Public Comment, many spoke in support of the project and the improved quality of life it will bring the community, by providing a safe and accessible trail system that will allow more people to get outdoors and enjoy nature in the area parks and open spaces.

Other residents voiced safety concerns about how pedestrians and bicyclists could be kept safe when the trail crosses over busy thoroughfares or narrow neighborhood streets where vehicles often speed or run through stop signs.

City Engineer Leslie Blomquist said that a variety of traffic calming measures— such as raised crosswalks, flashing signals, etc.—will be implemented at locations where the trail crosses city streets.

Councilmember Bret Daniels said that although he initially wasn’t really on board with the project, he now fully supports it: “The train has left the station. … This is going to pass tonight, and it should.” He did ask that some specific concerns brought up during the meeting be considered as the project moves forward, and he suggested safety improvements could be made by making minor adjustments to where the trail crosses busy or narrow roads.

Vice Mayor Tim Schaefer said he also supports the project, and he commended staff for listening to resident concerns and making compromises to address those issues throughout the process. He also thanked all the public commenters: “None of this is wasted effort. …. Any great idea will stand up to a great debate, and I think we’ve had a good debate here.”

Councilmember Steve Miller agreed that all the concerns brought forward serve to “make the project better.” And he pledged that while mistakes might be made along the way, City Council and staff will always work to fix them.

Mayor Porsche Middleton said she is passionate about creating a regional trail system and making sure that the city and surrounding areas are “incorporated into what the feeling of Citrus Heights is, which is about family, community, safety, and being able to get around and bring in more folks who want to enjoy nature.”

To the public, Mayor Middleton said, “We hear you, we respect everything that you’ve said tonight, and we’re going to do the best that we can.”

Councilmember Jeannie Bruins recused herself from the discussion and vote due to a conflict of interest as she lives within 500 feet of the project. But the remaining councilmembers voted unanimously to pass the resolutions approving the next steps for the project. With that approval, construction should start this fall, with project completion expected within one year.