From left are Morri Elliott, Mark Callum, Rob Olmstead, Kendra Johnson, Samantha Beck, Stacey Yankee, Rosie Buck and Judith Schoer. Photo by Abbey Wicks

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) – At the Aug. 20 meeting of Carmichael’s monthly community roundtable, Inside Carmichael, local leaders covered hot topics including new tire regulations, a nonprofit’s proposed halfway house and new businesses coming to Carmichael.

Field representative for Assemblyman Josh Hoover, Mark Cullum shared updates as the legislative sessions wraps up at the end of August. During the month of September, the governor will sign or veto any bills that made it past the floor.

One of the most heavily discussed legislative updates was the passing of new regulations by the California Energy Commission to remove 70 percent of the tires being sold in California.

Cullum shared that many constituents and Hoover himself feel strongly against the regulations, which will impact tire manufactures and residents in rural and agriculture areas.

“We’re already paying the highest gas taxes in the nation, and now we are going to probably have to pay some of the highest prices for tires in the nation, unfortunately,” Cullum said. The reasoning behind it is largely environmental.

The first phase of the regulations will roll out in 2029, with the second phase set to roll out in 2033.

Also present to share updates with the community was Samantha Beck, executive director of the Carmichael Improvement District (CID), which focuses focuses on property and business improvement representing 6.5 square miles in Carmichael. The district provides a security team that works 12 hours a day, seven days a week, as well as a maintenance team that works eight hours a day, five days a week.

Beck urged residents to utilize these services, but also to call 911 if they witness a crime taking place as the district has seen a pickup in activity and unhoused individuals sleeping in public areas.

“Things need to be reported in order for (Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office) to know that it’s happening and for them to focus on our area,” Beck said.

Business in Carmichael is continuing to expand following the opening of the Chick-Fil-A on Fair Oaks Boulevard earlier this summer; a Habit Burger & Grill drive through and a Burlington department store are coming soon to Crestview Village Shopping Center, Beck said.

The district is holding two events this fall to engage with the community and local business.

The Carmichael Circuit: Discover the District will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17 at Carmichael Oaks Shopping Center (6406 Fair Oaks Blvd). The event encourages residents to spend, shop, dine and hang out in Cardinal Oaks with us, Beck said.

The second event, Carmichael Connect, is tailored for brokers, developers and real estate agents looking to expand into or develop in the Carmichael area. It will be held on Oct. 7 at Golf Fitness Solutions (4444 Manzanita Ave.), right by the Pappas development that is under construction. Development President John Pappas will be the event’s guest speaker.

Rob Olmstead, district director for State Senator Roger Niello, shared legislative updates including Niello’s election to Senate Republican Leader effective Nov. 5. Niello will have to be reelected before the new position goes into effect.

Local leaders gather for a roundtable discussion of community updates at the Aug. 20 installment of Inside Carmichael. Photo by Abbey Wicks

Olmstead also reminded attendees about the California State Controller's Office Unclaimed Property Program. If a financial institution or mortgage company is unable to return or refund money, it goes to the possession of the state where amounts of up to $5,000 can be claimed. Searching and filing a claim comes at no cost.

“There’s billions of assets right now of folks in California that just need to claim it,” Olmstead said.

Stacey Yankee from the Carmichael Recreation and Park District shared updates on several park improvement projects across the district. Renovations at O’Donnell Heritage Park were unveiled at an Aug. 14 ribbon-cutting ceremony; another ceremony on Aug. 21 celebrated the opening of the multi-use field at La Sierra Community Center.

Parks still under construction include Cardinal Oaks and Jan Park, which are both seeing accessibility and modernization upgrades. Cardinal Oaks is also gaining a new parking lot off El Camino Avenue.

Carmichael Park will most likely see upgrades next summer including a basketball court and accessibility improvements, Yankee said.

 The district also recently announced their fall and winter activity guide, which can be viewed at www.carmichaelpark.com/activity-guide.

At the Carmichael Chamber of Commerce, the 2027 Honorary Mayor race is underway, where each dollar towards a charity of a candidate’s choosing equals one vote.

Best of Carmichael will kick off Sept. 2, when both nominations and voting open. Residents can vote for their favorite businesses, nonprofits, teachers and more.

This year’s Best of Carmichael awards ceremony will take place Nov. 6 at La Sierra Community Center with a Clue board game theme.

Carmichael’s “Calling All Creatives” Food Truck Nights has been rescheduled for Sept. 24 after an earlier date was cancelled due to high heat. Vendor and community group booths are available for those interested.  

Kendra Johnson from Supervisor Rich Desmond’s office said that the supervisor is still recovering and laying low following a July 3 motorcycle accident.

Johnson also discussed a local nonprofit’s plan to open a halfway house on Norris Avenue near two San Juan Unified elementary schools. The home has caused concern among neighbors and residents as the home didn’t require any permitting or signing off from the county or City of Sacramento.

A community meeting regarding the house drew over 300 people, Johnson said. According to Johnson, the meeting was unproductive due to the volume of attendees. The nonprofit has agreed to hold monthly community meets with the supervisor’s office, who is considering ways to hold meetings to limit the number of attendees.  

“As a San Juan dad, it’s a huge issue because it backs up to Cowan Elementary,” said Morri Elliot, a candidate for the San Juan Unified School District Board who was present at the community meeting. “For any of us with kids, having that there is really tough, and that’s going to be a major issue for San Juan Unified and their board as soon as they open their business.”

Johnson said Desmond is working closely with Senator Niello, Sheriff Cooper and District Attorney Thien Ho as they continue to navigate the situation.

The next “Inside Carmichael: Policy, Projects, & People” event is scheduled for 9 a.m. Sept. 17 at the Carmichael Park Community Clubhouse.