Latest news briefs include a new ordinance going into effect that allows backyard chickens, police announcing a teen driver safety week, a Citrus Heights-based property group purchasing a Capitol Mall building for $28 million, and a unanimous endorsement by the city council of a SMUD board candidate.
Citrus Heights-based property group buys downtown building for $28M
An eight-story Capitol Mall building in downtown Sacramento was purchased by a Citrus Heights-based property group earlier this month for $28 million, according to a report in The Sacramento Bee. County records indicate the building, located at 520 Capitol Mall, was built in 1963 and is approximately 85,000 square feet in size, with an on-site parking garage. The property was last sold in 2001 for $12.5 million by the Sacramento City Unified School District.
The purchaser is the property management group LeFever Mattson, located on Auburn Boulevard near Greenback Lane. The group’s owner, Tim LeFever, told The Bee that recent developments like the nearby Golden 1 Center helped drive his interest in the purchase. Asked what future plans he has for the building, LeFever told the paper: “Well, we just purchased it, so it’s a little early to talk about that… but we certainly have some plans for it.” (See article)
CHPD vs Sac PD softball game delayed due to rain
A softball game between Citrus Heights and Sacramento police departments has been delayed due to rain. The event was originally scheduled for Oct. 16 at Raley Field, but has been pushed back to Oct. 23 at noon. According to an event flier, the free event will benefit the Citrus Heights Police Activities League and will feature food trucks, a SWAT display, and other kid-friendly activities. (See flier)
Police: teen driver awareness week is Oct. 16-22
The Citrus Heights Police Department announced October 16-22 as National Teen Driver Safety Week, joining an effort led by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to promote a “5 to Drive” campaign. The effort urges parents to talk to teens about roadway rules, citing statistics showing the leading cause of death in teens is motor vehicle crashes.
The “5 to Drive” items are: no drinking and driving, buckle up, “eyes on the road, hands on the wheel — all the time,” “stop speeding before it stops you,” and “no more than one passenger at a time.” In a news release issued Friday, police said data shows teens are more than twice as likely to engage in risky behaviors while driving with another peer, compared to while driving alone. See www.safercar.gov/parents for more.
Entire Citrus Heights council endorses SMUD board candidate
In a somewhat uncommon move of unity this election season, every Citrus Heights city council member has opted to endorse candidate Tina Polley as the right pick for Sacramento Municipal Utility District ward 1 director, which covers the city. Polley is running against Brandon Rose, who is endorsed by the majority of existing SMUD directors. Asked about her endorsement, Mayor Jeannie Bruins said Polley “has demonstrated a keen sense of the issues that face SMUD” and believes she will be “a real asset to the SMUD board and serve our community well.”
The five-member city council is also united in support for the election of councilman Jeff Slowey and Rick Doyle for Citrus Heights city council, but are divided on support for Measure B and the race for county supervisor. Bruins has endorsed Mike Kozlowski, while other council members are supporting Sue Frost, who gave up her seat on the city council to run for supervisor this year.
New ordinance allowing backyard chickens now in effect
Effective Oct. 8, up to six hens may be kept on any size single-family residential lot in Citrus Heights, following the recent passage of a new ordinance by the city council. Previously, hens could only be kept on lots over 10,000 square feet in size. Roosters are unaffected by the ordinance change and are only allowed on large lots over 20,000 square feet in size. (See full code)
