Residents press council on Sunrise Mall plan, street maintenance and allege mayor misconduct during public comment

Multiple residents used the Citrus Heights City Council public-comment period in February 2025 to press elected officials on the Sunrise Mall redevelopment, city street maintenance funding and on civic conduct.

Resident Diane Borman told the council she has followed local discussion of the Sunrise Tomorrow plan and asked whether a revenue study or a formal signed agreement with all mall owners existed before the council approved the plan in November 2021. Borman said the Sunrise Tomorrow plan began at the planning commission in 2019, that a request for proposals was issued in August 2022 and that the city must avoid another lengthy legal fight over the site. "This city simply cannot afford another lengthy legal battle over the same piece of property," she said, and asked what actions the council would take to move the project forward without a multi-decade delay.

Borman also raised concerns about the Pavement Restoration Plan and the city's use of one-time American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for staffing. She noted the staff materials the council provided list about $35,100,000 allocated to the Pavement Restoration Plan over five years and cited a budget line indicating about 34% of city revenue comes from sales tax. Borman asked what alternate revenue avenues the city is considering once ARPA funds used to fill police positions expire.

Resident David B. Shelton used his time to urge civic engagement and voting. "Voting should be viewed in the same view as firing your boss where you work," Shelton said, urging residents to speak with elected officials at the mayor's Monday office hours and to participate in the community.

Another resident, identifying herself in the record as Karen Eastman, criticized Mayor Karpinski Costa for a remark the speaker said was made at a prior meeting about an animal-welfare advocate. Eastman told the council the mayor's comment was "appalling" and urged the council to censure the mayor, saying she believed the mayor's apology had been insufficient because many residents would not see it. She asked other council members to support a censure.

Other public commenters included Cathy Morris, vice president of REACH, who noted neighborhood-area leadership changes; Anna Rulon, who announced a community cleanup at the Stock Ranch Nature Preserve in partnership with the River City Waterway Alliance; and Alfred Sanchez and others who offered brief remarks.

What was said and what follows Council did not take formal action on these public comments during the meeting. Several council members later noted the issues raised by residents — Sunrise Mall, corridor revitalization and street maintenance — as policy priorities during councilmember reports and in discussion on the economic development work plan. Council did not take up a censure motion or other disciplinary action on the record; residents who requested official follow-up may pursue the matter through future agenda items or direct communication with the mayor and council offices.

Ending Residents left the meeting with instructions to monitor neighborhood-area meetings and city announcements for further opportunities to address Sunrise Mall proposals and pavement-restoration priorities; staff and council indicated those topics will be reflected in follow-up work on commercial corridors and capital planning.