From left are Mayor Kapinski-Costa, City Communications Officer Marisa Brown and City Manager Ash Feeney. Photo by Thomas J. Sullivan

 

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - In the annual State of the City Address held on Nov. 6, Mayor Dr. Jayna Karpinski-Costa and City Manager Ashley J. Feeney thanked business leaders, local and regional partners, city council members and city staff for their leadership and hard work over the past year.

“Their work each embodies what it means to serve with pride and purpose,” Karpinski-Costa said.

The annual State of the City address reflects the city’s progression towards its stated goals to maintain and enhance fiscal stability while supporting operational excellence and enhance community vibrancy and engagement.

In her opening remarks, Mayor Karpinski-Costa reflected a general tone of optimism and gratitude, noting a decline in crime alongside a balanced budget and examples of measurable examples of community and business engagement which help make the city a safer and a better place to live, work and play.

City communications officer Marisa Brown provided attendees a “Year in Review” flyer summarizing numerous milestones and metric achievements during the 12-month period in areas of public safety, infrastructure, community engagement and economic growth.

Feeney described the “once-in-a-generation” redevelopment opportunity and impact the future development of the Sunrise Mall site will have on future residents. The city manager spoke honestly, but optimistically regarding the fines levied against the property, and the proactive steps the city is taking to prepare the property for future reinvestment.

Karpinski-Costa outlined some of the intentional planning the city has done to advance redevelopment plans for the Sunrise Mall property.

In July, the city filed a lawsuit against Namdar Realty, the majority owner of the Sunrise Mall, to require the full correction of safety violations at the payment of unpaid code-enforcement fines. To date, the city is owed $1.7 million by Namdar Realty, according to Feeney.

The city has also commissioned a third-party pre-condemnation appraisal for Sunrise Mall as part of what it describes as “due diligence on future options.”

The pending appraisal is expected to be completed on, or near the end of December, some 12 to 14 weeks from its August commission date, said city communications officer Marisa Brown.

A case management conference on the lawsuit which was filed by the Citrus Heights law firm Jones Mayer, which is performing service as the city's attorney in the Sacramento County Superior Court against the Namdar Realty Group has been scheduled for March 6, 2026, Brown said.

Mayor Karpinski-Costa also reaffirmed the city and community’s vision for the Sunrise Tomorrow redevelopment plan and refreshed the community on the purpose and impact of the council’s study trip to Lakewood, Colorado, to visit the Belmar Shopping District.

“[The Belmar Mall] was torn down and rebuilt into an urban village, generating substantial cash flow to the city and demonstrating to us what the Sunrise Tomorrow plan could be,” she said.

In May, the City Council reaffirmed the adopted Sunrise Tomorrow Plan by choosing not to incorporate an owner-initiated request proposed by Ethan Conrad Properties to add auto-oriented uses to the plan.

City Manager Ash Feeney said the re-establishment of Citrus Heights Police Department which reestablished their Problem-Oriented Policing (POP) Unit last January has allowed for more pro-active enforcement in the city.

Feeney said drug-related arrests have increased by 83 percent from 2023 to 2024 and by an additional 19 percent so far in 2025, while illegal camping-related incidents have decreased by 44 percent. Some 2,672 arrests were conducted, 3,770 traffic citations were issued and 11 chronic nuisance enforcement cases were filed during the past year.

“We remind everyone that we (as a city) have the shared expectation that everyone should be both a good neighbor and a good steward of all our public spaces,” Feeney said.

According to city flash surveys it has conducted, Feeney reported the public’s general perception of blight in the city is “much improved” over the previous year, citing ongoing efforts by the city’s Beautification Crew, the city is “looking good.”

During the past year, the city awarded three Distinguished Service Medals to Citrus Heights Police Department officers.

Feeney recognized the modernization of the CHPD Police Emergency Communications Center and the professionalism of the department which provides enhanced response coordination and public safety throughout the city.

CHPD officers used aerial drones and targeted patrols to reduce illegal fireworks activities during the Fourth of July Holiday, Feeney said.

“Public safety remains central to the identity and the quality of life here in Citrus Heights,” Feeney said.

Additional milestones during the past year included the adoption of a balanced two-year budget with $4 million dedicated to street improvements and the launch of the Nonprofit Community Support Fund which made and distributed some $133,000 in grants to local non-profits.

During the past year, some 800 business licenses were processed, 29 Auxiliary Dwelling Unit (ADU) permits were issued and 3,269 building permits were issued by the city.

The city hosted 10 major community events during the past year including the annual City Scoop series, debuting the first evening community event, “Citrus Nights” and the first Art in City Hall pop-up gallery in partnership with Citrus Heights Arts, celebrating local artists.

Other accomplishments included the launch of first-ever Neighborhood Area Awareness month to highlight community awareness and pride and the Home Repair Grant Program supporting low-income mobile home households with health and safety programs.

Notable major road improvements during the past year included the continuation of the Auburn Boulevard Phase 2 project, the completion of the Dewey Drive/Van Maren Lane Enhancement project and the resurfacing of Sunrise Boulevard from Madison Avenue to Greenback Lane to improve safety and ride quality.

During the past year, the city also participated in multi-community Big Day of Service, completing 14 local improvement projects, officially designed the Citrus Heights Arts District along Auburn Boulevard and hosted the Stars and Stripes Celebration in Van Maren Park, which drew more than 3,000 attendees.

Other significant community milestones included start of construction on the 26-home Habitat for Humanity single family housing project on Sayonara Drive, the formation of a new partnership with the Bradshaw Animal Shelter to offer free dog vaccines, microchipping and wellness care, increased Youth in Government programming to build future civic leadership and the launch of the city’s first Chip-In Hall of Fame Awards, honoring outstanding volunteers.

The city also recognized its first annual Chip-In Volunteer Award to Janet Harry, who was given the award in April during the city’s Volunteer Appreciation Week.

During the evening, Byers Gymnastics was the first business to receive a quarterly award from the city in its inaugural Business Distinction Awards program. The awards program seeks to highlight businesses quarterly based on popular vote which reflected the theme of civic pride.

Feeney also highlighted ongoing local endeavors, such as the Citrus Heights Veterans Memorial Project, which continues to advocate for and raise funds toward the construction of a permanent Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Citrus Heights.

The City of Citrus Heights partnered with the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce for a State of the City Welcome Reception in the Citrus Heights City Hall lobby prior to the address offering an opportunity to connect with city officials and other community leaders.

A recording of the annual State of the City event will later be posted on the city’s webpage on YouTube.