News and Press Releases
Highway Ramp Meter Changes Scheduled in Rocklin and Lincoln
New Meters and Adjusted Times on Hwy 65 and I-80 Starting March 1
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will activate 3 new ramp meters and adjust metering times on 4 existing ramp meters in Rocklin and Lincoln to help relieve congestion and allow safe merging during high traffic demand periods.
Round 2 of Grant Funding Available to Rocklin Business Hard Hit by COVID-19
Up to $1,000 Available To Expanded List of Businesses. Application Period Extended Through Feb. 26
With approximately $160,000 in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security funds provided by Placer County, the Rocklin Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Rocklin have collaborated on a new grant program to assist Rocklin businesses in industries hardest hit by Covid-19.
The Keep the Lights on in Rocklin Grant
Program provides grants of up to $1000 to cover power bills
for eligible small businesses.
Rocklin-based businesses (including the unincorporated areas of
Rocklin) in the following industries will be eligible to apply in
Round 2:
- Hair Salons and Barbershops
- Personal Care Services
- Movie Theaters
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Wineries
- Bars, Breweries and Distilleries
- Family Entertainment Centers
- Restaurants
- Retail
- Non-homebased Daycare Centers
- Pet Boarding
- Tutoring/Education Centers
- Dentists
- Chiropractors
- Veterinarians
In the event the program has excess funds, the application process will be opened to the retail and restaurant industries.
Adventure Operations, LLC, receives first-ever ACCT accreditation for Quarry Park Adventures
Adventure Operations, LLC has been granted the very
first accreditation by the Association for Challenge Course
Technology (ACCT) in California for the aerial adventure park
they operate in Rocklin, Calif., Quarry Park Adventures. The
purpose of Operation Accreditation is to identify challenge
course, aerial adventure/trekking park course, zipline and canopy
tour organizations that serve the general public through a
commitment to quality, professional conduct/business practices
and ongoing use and adherence to industry standards.
Rocklin Hires Tameka Usher as Director of Human Resources
The Rocklin City Council unanimously authorized an employment agreement to hire Tameka Usher as the City’s director of human resources at their regularly scheduled meeting on Feb. 9. Usher will join Rocklin from El Dorado County, where she worked as director of human resources for more than three years.
Feb. 9 Council Recap
Sound Financial Strategies Show Big Results, Short-Term Rental Program Discussed
City Financial Strategies Net Large Positives in Funding Retiree Health Benefits
City finance dept. staff on Tuesday night summarized how efforts to control the costs of retiree health benefits have resulted in lowering unfunded liabilities form a high of $44.5 million in 2012 to $7.7 million as of June 30, 2020.
The strategies will also result in savings of approximately $1 million annually, starting next fiscal year, further demonstrating the results of measured and incremental efforts to support a sustainable program.
Managed Grazing Reduces Fire Hazards, Benefits the Environment
Rocklin residents with property near City-managed open spaces may have seen, or heard, approximately 1,000 four-legged visitors in the land just over their backyard fence. The goats and sheep are baaaack!
The City of Rocklin uses the animals as a cost-effective and eco-friendly way to reduce potential fire fuels in open space preserves and help keep adjacent property safe.
Stormwater Pipes being Relined in Rocklin Neighborhoods
If you have noticed an unpleasant smell in the air this week, it may be related to infrastructure repairs to stormwater pipes under city streets.
Rocklin Public Services recently began repairing corrugated metal pipes in several neighborhoods, starting with areas near Fair Dr. and Sunset Blvd, and Eagle Ct. These kind of pipes have a natural expiration date (some are nearly 30 years old) but have been wearing out faster than expected. To avoid unanticipated costs, Public Services has been repairing segments of pipes in residential areas over the past four years.
Jan. 26 Council Meeting Recap
Residential Project Approved,
Council approves Quarry Row residential subdivision - Item 19
Entitlements were approved for the development of the Quarry Row project with slight modifications, clearing the way for construction of 74 single family homes on a 7.4 acre site in downtown Rocklin near Pacific St. and Grove St.
Mural Overlooking Quarry Park Adventures Complete
The faces of Rocklin’s quarrying past have come to life in the form of a 30-ft high mural now complete on the walls of city hall that overlook Quarry Park Adventures.
The spray-painted mural, by local artist John Horton, combines bright colors and modern art elements depicting a true-to-life image of real quarry workers from days gone by. The combined effect is designed to incorporate Rocklin’s rich history and the City’s current vibrancy.
Storm Readiness
The City of Rocklin would like to remind Rocklin residents how they can best prepare for the season and lessen the impact of storms.
Honor Those Giving Back and Consider Doing So Yourself
Nominations for the 2021 Ruhkala Community Service Awards are being accepted now to honor people and organizations that give their time, expertise and resources for the betterment of the Rocklin community.
We all have busy lives with commitments to family, careers, education and more; not to mention trying to find a little time to relax and enjoy ourselves. As daily demands seem to continue to increase, it humbles and inspires me to see so many of you dedicating much of your remaining capacity to help others.
New Map Highlights Potential, Approved Development Projects
Residents interested in learning more about development and construction projects in the City of Rocklin now have a new tool. Rocklin now offers an easy-to-use online map that lists commercial, housing, and other projects proposed, approved, or already under construction.
Jan. 12 Council Meeting Recap
Business Support Extended, Pernu Park Phase II Opening Soon
Extension of Business Support Program and Local Emergency
The Rocklin City Council unanimously approved the extension of the City’s business support program, initially established in May of 2020 in response to COVID-19. The program provides assistance to local businesses during the health crisis by suspending restrictions on promotional signs, expanding outdoor dining allowances for restaurants, establishing flexibility on late payment of business license taxes, waiving fire safety inspection fees, and more.
Greater Sacramento region exits Regional Stay Home Order
Placer County and Rocklin Now Under 'Purple Tier' Restrictions
Effective January 12, the Greater Sacramento region meets the criteria to exit the Regional Stay Home Order with a four week ICU availability projection of 19 percent.
Placer County and others in the Greater Sacramento region can resume operating under the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy tier structure. Based on the State’s tier criteria, Placer County will be in the Purple Tier.
Ruhkala Award Recipient Recap
Ken Yorde - 2008 Pioneer Award Winner
After living in Italy for six years and for a time in Japan while working as a civilian advisor for the Air Force, Ken Yorde was transferred to California and needed a home near McClelllan AFB. Wanting to live in a city with good public services, Yorde found Rocklin and moved there in 1975.
City Council Approves Police Union MOU Extension
The Rocklin City Council has unanimously approved an agreement between the City of Rocklin and the Rocklin Police Dept. bargaining units made up of the Rocklin Police Officers’ Association and the Rocklin Police Officers Association Public Safety Managers (collectively the Union) amending and extending the current Memoranda of Understanding executed on Feb. 27, 2018, through June 30, 2022.
2020 Ruhkala Award Winners to be Honored
Oct. 27, 6 p.m. - Rocklin Events Center
The 2020 Ruhkala Community Service Award winners will be honored by City Council and the Community Recognition Commission on Oct. 27 at the Council meeting starting at 6 p.m. at the Rocklin Event Center.
The Ruhkala Award winners are traditionally honored in April but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, their recognition was postponed. The City of Rocklin thanks each person and organization for their longstanding commitment to serving the Rocklin community.
Read more about the honorees:
Rocklin, Placer County and the Greater Sacramento Region Remain Under Stay-at-Home Order
The Greater Sacramento region will remain under the stay-at-home order after it was officially extended on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, by the state. Officials from the California Dept. of Public Health said the area’s four-week projected ICU capacity does not meet the 15% needed to exit the order.
The state’s COVID-19 site lists the following criteria on when a region can exit the order, including accessing projected numbers twice a week moving forward.
- The order will end in a region if the region’s ICU capacity projected out four weeks (from day 22 after the Regional Stay Home Order started in the region) is above or equal to 15%. Each county in the region will then be assigned to a tier based on the Blueprint for a Safer Economy and the rules of the Blueprint will apply again.
- The order will remain in effect in a region if its ICU capacity projected out four weeks (from day 22 after the Regional Stay Home Order started in the region) is less than 15%. The order will remain in effect until the region’s projected ICU capacity is equal or greater than 15%. This would be assessed approximately twice a week.
We must continue to do our part to #StopTheSurge. Wear a mask. Don’t gather. Keep your distance. Wash your hands. Stay home.
Dispose of Leaves in Green Waste Bins
The City of Rocklin and Recology remind residents that leaves should be disposed of in green waste bins, not swept into streets or gutters.
The City does not offer a specific leaf collection service and leaves can pose a flood risk by clogging street gutters and storm drains. Clogs also can rot, leading to orders and mess. Street sweepers are not designed to pick up excessive amounts of leaves, which can cause mechanical failures and service delays.
Visit Recology’s website for more information at https://www.recology.com/recology-auburn-placer/your-two-carts/
For more information on storm readiness, visit: https://www.rocklin.ca.us/news/storm-readiness.
Dec. 8 Council Meeting Recap
Gayaldo to Serve as 2021 Mayor
Jill Gayaldo will serve her first term as the Mayor of Rocklin in 2021 after being unanimously chosen by the Rocklin City Council on Dec. 8, 2020.
“I’m incredibly honored to represent the City that I love dearly and has been home to our family for five generations,” said Gayaldo, who served as vice-mayor in 2020. “I’m looking forward to 2021 and some new beginnings, new ways to support our small businesses, getting our community thriving, and having a little fun. I think Rocklin is the crown jewel of Placer County and I’m going to work with this team to do everything I can for that continue.”
City Council also unanimously chose Councilmember Bill Halldin to serve as Vice Mayor of Rocklin in 2021.
Councilmembers Ken Broadway, Greg Janda and Joe Patterson were sworn in for four year terms in office after the results of the Nov. 3 election were declared.