RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - A new telecommunication tower masquerading as a clock tower met with negative reaction at the Monday, June 7 City Council Meeting. Vice-Mayor Donald Terry referred to it as only slightly more appealing than other towers. “A good starting point but could be more attractive,” said Councilmember Siri Pulipati. The placement of the tower in the southwest corner of Zinfandel Drive and Folsom Boulevard in between Target and Grocery Outlet was criticized by Councilmember David Sander.

And those were the more positive statements. Mayor Garrett Gatewood emphatically declared his distaste for putting towers up in the city using words like “god ugly” and “terrifying” to describe them. Councilmember Linda Budge also decried the location as one of the most “out of place” she recalled seeing.

Indeed, the discussion echoed meeting comments months ago when a Dutch Bros. was proposed in the nearby Grocery Outlet parking lot. With questions about how the community would react to the structure, city staff was sent back to the drawing board as the item was scheduled to be discussed again in July.

The other “hot” topic of the night centered around illegal firework usage and increasing the punishment and enforcement tools to fight it. With temperatures and dryness increasing in summer months and especially with the upcoming 4th of July holiday weekend, the council discussed an emergency ordinance that would not only deliver hefty fines to those caught but anyone who facilitates the activity in some way. For example, the person who hosts a party at their house would also be charged if a guest launches illegal fireworks on their property (a stance not dissimilar from underage drinking).

While City Manager Cyrus Abhar brought up whether or not those charged would be able to pay the higher fine, Vice-Mayor Terry stated it was far more important to save, say a home, than worry about how some might have difficulty with the repercussions of breaking the law. “We must do something to protect our citizens,” said Mayor Gatewood. Discussion would continue at the next Council Meeting.

Other items discussed June 7 included building more collaboration between the city and the Cordova Parks and Recreation Department (CPRD) regarding the Rio del Oro area and modifications to developments south of Douglas Boulevard and west of Grant Line Road. New city employees were introduced to the public at the beginning of the night as well.