CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - During the Nov. 13 Citrus Heights City Council meeting’s public comment portion, resident Melissa Hayden said she volunteers her time to trap, neuter and release (TNR) feral cats in the city.

But Hayden said it is difficult to get enough spay and neuter appointments to make a significant difference in the feral cat population.

Hayden said that the city’s Police Services Manager has “destroyed the TNR programs completely in our city. … I’m sitting here doing the job for them, because it is not being done.”

Hayden suggested that the city needs better communication between the animal services department and the community, because many residents don’t know that the city has a new contract with the Bradshaw Animal Shelter. Hayden also pushed for the city to find a way to establish an animal shelter and clinic in Citrus Heights.

Resident Deborah Bueti also volunteers trapping feral cats and said she was unsuccessful trying to call the Bradshaw shelter for spay/neuter appointments. Bueti also suggested that the city needs to move money around to fund its own spay/neuter clinic, saying, “This seems like a city with a little bit of money and a lot of heart. … I know we can make it happen.”

Citrus Heights City Manager Ashley Feeney responded to the public comments and spoke up for the animal services team.

“Our animal service unit cares deeply for animals, cares deeply for service for the community. … That team has worked diligently to improve service,” Feeney said.

The team has moved from offering coverage five days a week to seven days a week, Feeney said, and the contract with the Bradshaw facility “has service enhancements for the community and we’re continuing to look at service enhancements.”

While Feeney added that the council is still studying other options for doing more in the future, he said, “I also don’t feel the personal attacks are helpful for bringing solutions. And as city manager, if there’s something a member of the public would like to speak to me about, my door is always open to them.”

Councilmember Tim Schaefer said, “We have a city manager that is incredibly accessible. … If you have an issue with a problem in the city, he is available.”

At a prior meeting, City Council considered a resolution to approve the Measure A Sacramento Countywide Transportation Mitigation Fee Program (SCTMFP) Nexus Study and Amended Agreement on Operating Protocols. The program is an existing half-cent sales tax approved by voters in Sacramento County and renewed in 2004. The revenue generated is used to fund capital projects within the county. Based on the results of the nexus study, the Sacramento Transportation Authority (STA) has issued an amended agreement with approved land uses and updated fees.

“All the agencies that are recipients of the Measure A revenues are required not only to adopt the ordinance but impose the impact fees and remit those to the STA for distribution,” General Services Director Regina Cave said.

 Under the new fee program, Cave said, the majority are equal to or less than the current fees.

At the prior meeting, Councilmember Schaefer worried that the report was building a case for another Measure A and he asked for more time “to digest this.” City Council agreed to continue the item to the Nov.13 meeting.

When the item continued, General Services Director Cave reintroduced the report and said, “The city does benefit greatly from Measure A,” receiving about $3.4 million each year, in addition to other Measure A funding for capital projects.

Councilmember Schaefer said that his initial concern was that the city was paying more into the fund than it was receiving. But after getting some more background from Cave, Schaefer said he now understands that “we are benefitting more than we’re paying into this” and that “the funding supports a lot of capital projects” that are important to Citrus Heights.

“My concerns are resolved at this point,” Schaefer said.

The council voted unanimously to approve the nexus study and the new fee schedule.

The council then heard an update about various community engagement projects underway in the city.

Adopt-a-Trail will encourage community ownership and pride by allowing community groups to adopt portions of the Arcade-Cripple Creek Tail and the Old Auburn Multi-Use Trail. Staff said that community groups are already out there working to keep the trails clean, and this program will provide tools and resources, as well as help to raise awareness about the trails.

The Neighborhood Area Toolbox will assist Neighborhood Area groups with promotion and awareness, providing resources to help them with managing activities, recruitment and retention of volunteers, event planning and project execution.

A new Neighborhood Area Mailer project aims to increase community engagement through the design, coordination and distribution of a citywide mailer promoting all the local Neighborhood Areas.

And finally, an unsung hero award, called Citrus Heights Cares Champion, will recognize volunteers in the city who go the extra mile. The nomination period will take place in March, followed by online voting and an awards ceremony in April.

Vice-Mayor MariJane Lopez-Taff, who previously requested a volunteer award program, said, “I am so excited to see it coming to life.”

Lopez-Taff, said the Neighborhood Areas “are doing amazing work and these new programs will help support them.”

There will be no City Council meeting the week of Thanksgiving, so the next scheduled meeting will be at 6 p.m. Dec. 11 at Citrus Heights City Hall, 6360 Fountain Square Drive.