Mayor Bret Daniels. Photo courtesy 

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - The Citrus Heights City Council at its Aug. 28 meeting recognized Mayor Bret Daniels for his years of service to the City of Citrus Heights. This was his last meeting as he is not seeking re-election this November, and he recently announced his resignation from the City Council due to plans to move out of state.

Vice-Mayor Jayna Karpinski-Costa read the proclamation, stating that Daniels worked “to promote quality of life for residents by his support of fiscally responsible leadership, safe and secure neighborhoods, and economic growth to benefit Citrus Heights and the surrounding region.” Daniels was commended for his “distinguished and devoted service” and received a standing ovation from his fellow councilmembers.

Councilmember MariJane Lopez-Taff said Daniels was “the most real elected official that I’ve ever met” and that Daniels always “remembers who he serves and why he serves them.”

Councilmember Tim Schaefer said he was grateful for Daniels’ leadership and “real understanding” of what the community needs.

Karpinski-Costa said Daniels was dedicated to standing up for Citrus Heights and never wavered on his principles.

Daniels delivered an emotional goodbye to the staff and his fellow councilmembers, and said, “Thank you to the citizens of Citrus Heights for trusting me. … I’m incredibly grateful and honored to have served you.”

Staff brought back for further discussion the Auburn Oaks Project, where the nonprofit Hope Cooperative plans to operate 88 units of permanent supportive housing for low-income seniors, particularly those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.  At the previous meeting, councilmembers expressed some concerns about the project, so Community Development director Casey Kempenaar provided an updated report.

Kempenaar explained that there is already an existing assisted-living facility for seniors on the site (located at 7501 Sunrise Blvd.). Currently, the building is dilapidated and mostly vacant, with only 20 occupied units. It’s a site that’s at risk of being purchased and rented at market rate, said Kempenaar, which would displace the existing residents and compound the lack of affordable housing for vulnerable seniors. Due to the vacancies and disrepair, the Citrus Heights Police Department already gets many calls for service to the site.

“It could use some sprucing up to really fit the city’s image that we’re trying to portray,” said Kempenaar. It is a busy corridor, “and it tells a story coming into the city. So I think it’s an opportune time to rehab that and make it shine again,” he said.

Hope Cooperative’s improved facility would have a property manager onsite 24/7, as well as case workers, resident liaisons and on-site chefs. Kempenaar said the improvements to the site, both aesthetically and in provided services, would benefit the city and meet the council’s objectives of reducing homelessness and improving the city’s image. The 20 existing residents would keep their housing and benefit from the many improvements.

Hope Cooperative will put in $100,000 into the $30-million project but most of the funding — $24.7 million —comes from the state’s Community Care Expansion Grant. Local funding for the project includes $2.5 million from Sacramento Housing Redevelopment Agency (a joint partner agency between Sacramento County and the City of Sacramento), and $2.25 million from Sacramento County Behavioral Health.

The City of Citrus Heights is being asked to provide $500,000 to fill a funding gap. The money would come from the city’s Permanent Local Housing Allocation fund, which is ongoing state funding allocated to Citrus Heights’ housing needs.

“This project is happening,” City Manager Ashley Feeney said.

Investing in the project “gives us some local control where we otherwise wouldn’t have it,” Feeney said. “This project is much better than the alternative. It’s certainly way better than the existing condition. We think it’s a fantastic opportunity.”

Daniels said the current site already has a negative impact on nearby businesses, so this project will benefit the city while also providing affordable housing for seniors who need supportive services. The fact that existing residents of the site will be able to remain “is critical,” he said.

Daniels also said it’s important for the council to actually do the work of reducing homelessness: “You can’t complain and moan about seeing them on the streets if you’re not going to be willing to do something to house them.”

City Council voted 4-0 (with Councilmember Porsche Middleton absent) to approve the funding allocation for the Auburn Oaks Project.

The council also considered municipal code amendments adding the use of vehicles to the ordinance against nuisance camping. This change is intended to align with updates to state law addressing the growing trend of individuals living in RVs, motorhomes, trailers and other vehicles parked on private property. According to the Citrus Heights Police Department, this type of long-term parking causes disturbances and safety concerns in local neighborhoods, so updating the ordinance allows law enforcement to effectively protect the rights of property owners.

The amendment specifies that such long-term parking is only allowed with written permission from the property owner, up to 72 hours at a time and only three times per year. Language in the ordinance also specifies that in the course of enforcement, possessions belonging to the unhoused population are not discarded without their consent.

Citrus Heights Police Department Chief Alex Turcotte made it clear that all enforcement against illegal camping comes with referrals to supportive services.

When someone has fallen on hard times and is forced to live in their car, Karpinski-Costa said, “sometimes, they just need somewhere to sleep.

“I’d like to see an exception that you as police can use your compassion, your understanding of this person’s circumstances, and allow it,” Karpinski-Costa said.

Turcotte said, “Nothing about this ordinance requires action. Officers have discretion. Our main goal here is to try to get people to services.” He also clarified that the Citrus Heights Police Department doesn’t get many calls reporting people sleeping overnight in their cars. The main issue is when vehicles such as RVs are parked long term. 

City Manager Feeney cautioned that if passenger vehicles were excluded from the ordinance, it would take away the Citrus Heights Police Department’s enforcement capabilities if someone were causing problems with long-term camping in their parked car.

“We have to be very careful, because even though there’s discretion, the discretion lies with that officer,” Mayor Daniels said. “And I think that there are a lot of people… that are living in their cars and that’s because that’s the last thing they have.”

Many of those people have jobs but don’t make enough to afford housing, Daniels added. He recommended an exception for passenger vehicles, stating that City Council can always amend the ordinance again later if necessary. 

City Council approved the amendments to the nuisance camping ordinance, with an exception for licensed, registered and insured passenger vehicles, on a 3-1 vote, with Councilmember Lopez-Taff dissenting.

The next Citrus Heights City Council meeting is set for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 6360 Fountain Square Drive.