News and Press Releases
Council Discusses use of Federal American Rescue Plan Act Funds
The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was signed into law on March 11, 2021, to deliver relief to millions of Americans struggling with the economic crisis caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Gayaldo Park Phase 2
Phase 2 of Gayaldo Park is slated to begin in October 2021. This new phase of the park will include a turf, shrub bed, additional trees to provide shade, and a retaining wall and irrigation to support drainage. This project will be worked on in-house by Rocklin Parks staff. The park will remain open during the construction time for the community to continue to enjoy. The city is looking forward to the expanded portion of this well used neighborhood park.
Rocklin to Honor Original 13 Friends of the Library on Wall of Recognition
During the 1970s, community support for the small Placer County library was waning and the amenity was in danger of closing down. Thirteen Rocklin women, who had a passion for reading and for their community, took it upon themselves to raise support for the library system and gather funds to build a new one from the ground up.
Patio Cover Regulations Allow More Builds
Backyard patio covers (structures open on at least 3 sides), can now be built with only a five-foot clearance from the property line and no longer count towards lot coverage maximums in the City of Rocklin.
The new regulations were implemented in late July and affect most properties in the City. The biggest impact may be on residential homes, allowing owners to add shade in smaller backyards, which is especially important during the hot summer months.
Rocklin Hires Sherri Conway as Assistant City Manager
Sherri Conway has been hired as assistant city manager for the City of Rocklin and will begin work in her new role on Oct. 25.
Conway has over 30 years of experience serving municipalities, most recently as director of the Placer County Office of Economic Development. During her time with the County, Conway oversaw business retention, expansion and attraction efforts, led workforce and job development programs, was responsible for the Placer County Visitor’s Bureau, and more.
“Supporting the Rocklin business community and developing a robust economic development strategy are key priorities as I begin work with the City,” Conway said. “I am honored and thrilled to have the opportunity to serve the residents of Rocklin, City Manager Zimmermann and the Rocklin City Council.”
Rocklin Ranked in Top 50 Best Places to Live in U.S.
The City of Rocklin was recently named one of the top 50 best places to live in America by Money Magazine!
The magazine looked at cities that had a low crime risk, a diverse population between 25,000 and 500,000 people, and affordable cost of living. From there, each city was researched in greater depth, with economic, recreational, educational, and many other factors in consideration.
New Tiller Truck Provides Rocklin Fire Flexibility
The Rocklin Fire Department is equipped with the tools and training to assist Rocklin residents in a wide variety of emergencies.
The newest, and largest, tool in their box is a 62-ft tiller truck, designed to provide better angles to attack structure fires, offer improved mobility in tight spaces, and increase Rocklin Fire’s rescue capabilities.
Rocklin Adopts Balanced FY 2021-2022 Budget
The Rocklin City Council adopted a balanced Fiscal Year 2021-2022 budget on Tuesday, June 22, with $78,399,200 for operations and $13,540,900 for capital expenditures. Read the full budget here, or view the Budget at a Glance handout.
June 22 City Council Meeting Recap
FY 21-22 Budget, Five Year CIP, PCWA Dry Year Efforts
Rocklin Adopts Balanced FY 2021-2022 Budget
The Rocklin City Council adopted a balanced Fiscal Year 2021-2022 budget on Tuesday, June 22, with $78,399,200 for operations and $13,540,900 for capital expenditures. Residents can view the full budget here.
Rocklin Eagle Scout Candidate Helps Fire Dept. Stay Ready
City of Rocklin residents enjoy close proximity to open spaces and easy access to the shopping, dining, and business amenities offered by larger cities.
The beauty and sense of nature in Rocklin are, in part, offered by the juxtaposition of developed and undeveloped spaces, also called the wildland urban interface. There are over 4,000 acres of undeveloped land in Rocklin, which can pose an increased fire risk if all properties are not properly maintained.
The city partners with residents and owners to lower fire risk through weed abatement, reducing fire fuels, managed grazing and much more. However, the Rocklin Fire Department is ready to respond in a fire emergency or rescue situation.
Understanding the need for rapid response times, local Boy Scout Mansour Brame recently took up the challenge to help the department clearly mark the many wildland access points in the City as part of his requirements to become an Eagle Scout.
Rocklin dog owners will soon be required to take care of pets’ business
The Rocklin City Council adopted an ordinance Tuesday night requiring pet owners to immediately clean up their pets’ waste when on public property or private property they don’t own.
Growing Up in Rocklin
Students Share What Growing Up in Rocklin has Meant to Them
More than 1,000 Rocklin Unified School District students will graduate this week from the Rocklin Alternative Education Center, Rocklin High School, Victory High School, and Whitney High School.
Mental Health Month
Creating Healthy Routines and Considering Your Feelings
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the City of Rocklin is sharing tips from the organization Mental Health America to help manage mental health.
Whitney Ranch Parkway Extension Scheduled to Open May 18
The extension connecting Whitney Ranch Parkway from Highway 65 to Park Drive is scheduled to open the afternoon of Tuesday, May 18.
The extension will provide a west-to-east connector in northwest Rocklin, allowing current and future residents improved access to their homes, local amenities, and other major thoroughfares.
Speed limits of 35 miles per hour have been posted on the new section of Whitney Ranch Parkway (from the eastern end of Ranchview Drive to Whitney Oaks Drive) and will be enforced.
May is Mental Health Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month and the City of Rocklin is sharing tips from the organization Mental Health America.
While there is a light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel as more and more people are vaccinated, coronavirus has affected everyone in some way. Daily life has been disrupted due to stay at home orders, social distancing, and business closures. It is normal to feel worry and stress during a time of crisis, and paying attention to mental health can help people better cope with the situation.
April 27 City Council Recap
Housing Element Draft, Fire Dept. Annual Report
Draft Housing Element Modifications Discussed – Item 26
The City of Rocklin, along with many cities and counties throughout the state, is in the process of updating its 6th Cycle 2021-2029 Housing Element and Safety Element consistent with recent legislation and state law.
On Tuesday night, staff presented City Council with potential options for updating Rocklin’s draft Housing Element to address critical comments from the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HUD).
The issues focused on five areas, including:
Ruhkala Community Service Awards Feature
Kathie Nippert - Pioneer Award Recipient
It often seems like Kathie Nippert is everywhere things are happening in Rocklin. Her largest role may be as a longtime member and current board member of the Rocklin Historical Society, but she also serves many other aspects of the community.
She has worked on events hosted by the Rocklin Friends of the Library, graduated from the Rocklin Chamber of Commerce’s “Leadership Rocklin” program, volunteers for the annual “Run Rocklin” event, and even read “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” during Rocklin’s virtual tree lighting ceremony.
2021 Ruhkala Community Service Awards Feature
Stuart "Stu" Lehman - Individual Award Recipient
The City of Rocklin could not offer the quality programs and public services it does without the volunteers who work tirelessly to support staff efforts. 2021 Ruhkala Community Service Award honoree Stuart “Stu” Lehman is a great example of someone who has gone above and beyond to consistently serve Rocklin.
2021 Ruhkala Community Service Awards Feature
Staci Bier - Individual Award Recipient
Staci’s Helping Hands was born in 2017 when Rocklin resident Staci Bier took on leadership of a small charitable group and decided to run a food pantry out of her apartment. Her mission was to simply help those in the community who are hungry.
Today, Staci’s Helping Hands has grown into an online community with more than 2,500 members, who regularly provide food and baby products to those in need, and deliver meals and gifts during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.
2021 Ruhkala Community Service Awards Feature
Father Michael Dillon - Pioneer Award Recipient
When Father Michael Dillon arrived in Rocklin on May 1, 1981, the first thing that struck him was the community – everyone seemed to know each other, was involved, and helped out.
“Since long before I came here, Rocklin has been very family oriented and full of friendly, helpful people who were very much in tune with one another,” said Dillon, reflecting back.