News and Press Releases
$161,000 in Federal CARES Funding to Support Rocklin Residents in Need
The City of Rocklin annually approves use of federal Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) to support agencies serving the less fortunate in the community. More than $51,000 in total has already been distributed to Habitat for Humanity, Senior’s First, Stand Up Placer, and the Salvation Army as part of the annual CDBG action plan.
The City recently received an additional $164,189 in CDBG funds from the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and Council approved plans for distribution of the funds to the agencies listed below as soon as possible.
Rocklin Housing Element Update Discussed at Special Meeting
Focus on Strategies to Support Affordable Projects
The City of Rocklin (along with cities across the state) is in the process of completing mandatory updates to its housing and safety planning documents. Part of the updated housing element will include identifying sites and creating the needed zoning for developers to build affordable housing.
On Tuesday, Sept. 22, The Rocklin held a public workshop focused on discussing potential programs, tools, and strategies that can help set the table for private firms to build affordable projects.
Sept. 22 Council Meeting Recap
City Council held a special meeting and a regular meeting on Sept. 22. The special meeting was a public hearing focused on potential updates to the Rocklin housing element. The regular meeting followed and covered items including: plans to allocate additional CARES Act funding for community groups, acceptance of a master license agreement for small cell wireless infrastructure, and a budget revenue update.
Housing Element Update
Is Public Transit Meeting Your Needs
Take the annual unmet transit needs survey.
Is public transit meeting your needs?
Placer County Transportation Planning Agency (PCTPA) wants to hear from you about how public transit can best serve the Placer County region. As part of the annual Unmet Transit Needs Process, PCTPA is conducting surveys and seeking community feedback throughout September and October. If you have an idea to improve local transit service, let us know!
Placer declares the end of local COVID-19 health emergency
State of CA COVID-19 Restrictions Still in Place In Placer County
Placer County News Release
Sept. 9, 2020
AUBURN, Calif. — Citing a low incidence of COVID-19 and increasing harm caused by California’s reopening framework, the Placer County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved a resolution declaring the end of Placer County’s local health emergency.
While acknowledging that California’s state of emergency and Department of Public Health orders, directives and guidance remain in full effect in Placer County, the resolution expresses the board’s concerns that the state framework for measuring COVID-19 mischaracterizes the current state of disease specifically in Placer County and harms the community’s economic, health, mental and social well-being.
Rocklin Appoints Police Chief Chad Butler as Interim City Manager
Rocklin, CA – The Rocklin City Council unanimously appointed Police Chief Chad Butler as Rocklin’s interim city manager at their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday night.
Butler will assume his additional responsibilities on September 19 and serve in both capacities for up to six months, or until the City Council appoints a new city manager, whichever occurs first.
Steve Rudolph, Rocklin’s current city manager, recently announced his retirement, effective Sept. 18.
Sept. 8 Council Meeting Recap
Mural Project, Finn Hall Lease, Interim City Manager Announced
30-foot Mural to Adorn City Hall
The walls outside of city hall overlooking Quarry Park Adventures will receive a makeover this fall in the form of a 30-foot tall mural. The artwork will honor Rocklin’s quarrying past, with a modern twist of color to add dimension and draw the eye to the realistic depiction of quarry workers from the late 1800s.
Placer County moves into the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy ‘red tier’
The State of California moved Placer County into the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy “red tier” on Sept. 8, easing some restrictions in the county. Sectors that can open indoors with modifications include restaurants, places of worship, gyms and fitness centers, movie theaters and personal care services. The full list of sectors and capacity restrictions is available online at https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/
Rocklin Firefighter-Paramedic Recognized for Life-saving Service
Rocklin Firefighter-Paramedic Jesse Llopis was recently recognized for actions that saved a hiker’s life.
The Sierra-Sacramento Valley EMS presented Llopis with an Outstanding Service Award for quickly accessing a patient and providing immediate critical care despite being in a wilderness area.
“We’re Open” Sierra College Feature
"Continuing to Offer the Quality Classes Students Deserve"
As an institution of higher learning, Sierra College has two goals it is fully prepared to meet this semester: 1) keep the community safe, and 2) ensure continuity of instruction.
Classes began last Monday, but empty parking lots tell part of the story on how the college is conducting business.
Traffic Division: Public Service for Public Safety
With 72 traffic signals, 3,000 City-owned-and-managed streetlights, and 15,000 signs in City limits, the Rocklin Traffic Division has plenty to keep the department of four busy.
Each traffic signal undergoes quarterly and annual checks to verify that the conflict manager, detectors, controllers, and lights are working properly, and to clean out the cabinets of any debris. Additionally, about 10 intersections of traffic signal lights, or about 50 bulbs, are replaced every year to reduce the chance of burned-out lights causing confusion for drivers.
State Releases New COVID-19 Business Guidelines
Malls, Barbershops, Hair Salons Can Open Indoor Operations
The State of Califorina on Friday announced a new blueprint for reducing COVID-19 in the state with revised criteria for loosening and tightening restrictions on activities based on four tiers.
Placer County (including Rocklin) was placed in the most restrictive Purple Tier based on data from early August. However, the county may be able to move to the next tier, which is Red, on Sept. 8 if data trends continue in the right direction.
- Today, Aug. 31, hair salons and barbershops can reopen indoors and malls can open indoors at 25% capacity (common areas and food courts must remain closed).
- Placer County has also received a response from CDPH indicating that schools will be allowed the option to resume in-person instruction on Sept. 1, as they would have after coming off the previous Monitoring List.
- In the Red Tier, there are additional sectors allowed to reopen, including indoor restaurants at 25% capacity, gyms at 10% capacity, and indoor personal care services.
For full details on what is permitted in each tier, please see: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20Library/COVID-19/Dimmer-Framework-August_2020.pdf. Visit https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/ for more information the entire program on how data will be used evaluate the placements of counties within tiers.
Energy Options Report Recommends Working with Current Providers
Residents of the City of Rocklin have long been concerned with rising energy costs and the overall service provided by PG&E. In fall of 2019, conditions worsened, as public safety power shutoffs (PSPS) began to threaten the livelihood of residents and business owners.
In response to concerns, the City of Rocklin began exploring alternatives to PG&E electric service and entered into a contract with Michael Bell Management Consulting, Inc. (MBMC) to identify potential options.
August 25 Council Meeting Recap
Restaurant Assistance Program, Energy Service Options, Bryce Jessup Day
Council Approves Funding for Restaurant Assistance Program
Restaurants in the City of Rocklin
will soon be able to apply for grant funding to help offset the
cost of unanticipated operating expenses caused by the COVID-19
pandemic.
City of Rocklin Proclaims Saturday, August 29, 2020 as Bryce Jessup Day
The Rocklin City Council is honoring the memory and life of Dr. Bryce Jessup, President Emeritus of William Jessup University, by proclaiming Saturday, August 29, 2020 as Bryce Jessup Day in Rocklin.
Jessup passed away in late July during a fishing and hiking trip in the High Sierras with family. The university has planned a livestreamed memorial celebration for Saturday, August 29, with COVID-19 precautions. Attendees are asked to RSVP in advance here.
RRUFF Completes PetSafe® Maintenance Grant
Rocklin Residents Unite for Fido (RRUFF), a nonprofit organization that helped to build and maintain the RRUFF Dog Park at Johnson-Springview Park, was one of five recipients nationwide to receive the 2018 PetSafe® Bark for Your Park™ Maintenance Grant.
Placer falls off state COVID-19 monitoring list but restrictions remain for now
AUBURN, Calif. — Placer County yesterday fell off the state’s County Data Monitoring List for COVID-19, with the rate of new positive cases in the county now dipping below that state monitoring metric.
If Placer County remains off the list for at least 14 days, K-12 schools could potentially reopen for in-person instruction. However, no other businesses would be allowed to modify their operations until the state modifies the state order.
Rolling Blackouts a Potential Threat Through Thursday
CAISO Says Outages Could last 1 to 2 Hours
PG&E informed the City of Rocklin this afternoon that power in Rocklin may be shutoff for short periods of time between 3 p.m. and 10 p.m. today through Thursday, August 20. The message can be read below. The City of Rocklin is conserving power, encourages residents to do so as well, and has opened a cooling center. More information can be found here.
Rocklin City Offices Closing at 3 p.m. Aug. 17 and 18 to Conserve Energy
Cooling Center at Rocklin PD open through Aug. 18
Rocklin city offices will close at 3 p.m. on Monday, August 17 and Tuesday, August 18 to reduce energy usage in the buildings. Closing early will allow employees to get home before temperatures peak and contribute to preventing energy service interruptions by reducing overall consumption.
The City’s cooling center at the Rocklin Police Department will be open through Tuesday, August 18 from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Additional days may be added if the need persists.
Rocklin Cooling Center Open Through August 18
At Rocklin Police Dept. - 4080 Rocklin Rd.
The City of Rocklin has opened a cooling center at the Rocklin Police Department at 4080 Rocklin Rd. and extended its hours from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. through Tuesday, Aug. 18.
The City will follow California Department of Public Health COVID-19 guidelines and masks will be required. People using the center should also maintain social distance from those outside their household.