CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - At the April 28 meeting, the Citrus Heights City Council issued proclamations recognizing April as Fair Housing Month and April 30 as National Therapy Animal Day.

Councilmember Bret Daniels said research shows that therapy animals improve people’s mental health by “decreasing fear, anxiety, loneliness, and isolation” and that the bond between person and animal plays an essential role in improving overall wellbeing by bringing “comfort and healing to those in need.”

The proclamation was presented to Ms. Buxton and her dog Quincy, who both volunteered through Pet Partners to work with children at Shriner’s Hospital. “It’s really a great program,” she said, “so thank you all.”

April is recognized as Fair Housing Month to mark the enactment of the federal Fair Housing Act of 1968, which prohibits discrimination in the sale, financing, or renting of any dwelling. Vice Mayor Tim Schaefer read the proclamation, stating that “every American has the right to live in dignity and safety without fear of discrimination.”

The proclamation was presented to representatives of Project Sentinel and Sacramento Self-Help Housing, which both work to protect equal housing opportunities and help people in need find safe, affordable housing.

Gary Goodman of the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito & Vector Control District spoke at the meeting to remind everyone that mosquito season is starting. In addition to being a general annoyance, mosquitoes are also vectors for disease, such as West Nile Virus, which originates in birds and is passed to humans through mosquitoes.

But Goodman said they implement control measures throughout the region to reduce the mosquito population and lower the risk of disease transmission. Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, so technicians identify breeding areas in the community, set traps, and introduce chemical controls and biological controls (such as fish that feed on mosquito larvae).

Any water standing for more than three days can become a mosquito breeding site, so residents can help by checking for standing water in their own yards, like in bird baths, planters, or unmaintained swimming pools. People can also call to report any areas with a lot of mosquitoes.

Vice Mayor Schaefer asked whether there are ever difficulties accessing backyard swimming pools that are identified as breeding sites. Goodman said that they are usually able access to 95% of those sites without any problems, but if a resident refuses access, the District has “abatement authority” and can get a search warrant through Sacramento County, and then police officers will escort the technicians into the backyard. “We try not to go to that point, because it just becomes a little more confrontational and that’s not exactly what we’re looking for,” said Goodman. But he explained that most people comply without an issue since it is a free service, and the technicians only need access to the yard for a few minutes to put the controls in place. He said, “Most people are very receptive to that.”  

The District has mosquito repellant available for free, and the mosquito control measures are also free to the community. Call 800-429-1022 or visit https://www.fightthebite.net/ for more information.

Lt. Jason Baldwin, patrol watch commander and traffic and SWAT team commander for Citrus Heights Police Department (CHPD), asked the Council to consider approving a miliary use ordinance for the department.

With the passage of AB 481 in September 2021, law enforcement agencies are now required to get approval through an official ordinance before they can acquire or use military equipment, which is defined as items such as unmanned aerial or ground vehicles, armored vehicles, command and control vehicles, and pepper balls, as well as less-lethal shotguns, projectile launchers, and flashbangs.  

Many of these items are used by CHPD to resolve or de-escalate situations that might otherwise become lethal force incidents. Other items defined as military equipment include foundational equipment like rifles, which CHPD uses to address lethal threats from a greater distance to increase officer safety.

The CHPD asked Council to adopt a military equipment use ordinance so that officers can continue using what they deem to be vital equipment. According to the CHPD, these items are field-tested tools used by law enforcement agencies throughout the country to enhance the safety of both officers and citizens.

The proposed policy outlines the maximum number of each type of military equipment that CHPD may acquire, use, deploy, and maintain at any given time. The department’s current inventory will be reported annually to City Council as required by AB 481. 

There were no public comments submitted for this item, and it was unanimously approved by the Council without discussion. There is no fiscal impact associated with this ordinance.