Auburn City Council Special Session – June 2, 2025

The Auburn City Council held a special session on June 2, 2025, at 1225 Lincoln Way. The meeting opened with a Pride Month proclamation, then moved through the consent calendar, a separately considered bicycle/pedestrian funding claim, youth commission recognition, and city manager and committee reports.

Proclamation

• Mayor Sandra Amara proclaimed June 2025 as LGBTQ+ and Pride Month in the City of Auburn, reading a proclamation that honored the 1969 Stonewall Uprising and affirmed the city's commitment to inclusion, equity, and human dignity.
• The vice mayor introduced the proclamation and dedicated it to her Uncle Bob, who passed away the previous week, saying that love is love and the community can always use more love.
• Community member Sue Thompson expressed gratitude, saying the proclamation sends a powerful message of inclusivity and support, especially when Placer County has been slow to embrace such values. Attendees posed for a group photo.

Consent Calendar

• By motion, the council approved the consent calendar as amended, with Item 6 removed for separate discussion. Approved items included:
  • Approval of the City Council minutes of April 14, 2025, and April 28, 2025.
  • A resolution approving a retention agreement with Brown & Winters for insurance coverage legal work and authorizing the City Manager to execute it.
  • A motion authorizing Mayor Amara's signature on the updated letter of support for the Auburn to Cool bridge at China Bar.
  • Receiving, reviewing, and filing the City of Auburn Investment Report for the quarter ending March 31, 2025.
  • Award of the Sawyer Street Infrastructure Improvement Project contract, plus 10% contingency, to Lafleur Engineering, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $134,724.70, with CEQA categorical exemptions under the existing facilities and replacement/reconstruction sections.
  • Award of the 2025 Sewer Improvements Project contract, plus 10% contingency, to Express Sewer and Drain in an amount not to exceed $1,057,595.00.
  • Award of the Aeolia Dr. Sewer & Water Replacement Project contract, plus 10% contingency, to LaFleur Engineering in an amount not to exceed $1,541,641.20, with CEQA categorical exemptions under the existing facilities and replacement/reconstruction sections.

Discussion: Bicycle and Pedestrian Fund Claim (Item 6)

• A council member asked to remove Item 6 from the consent calendar to discuss whether the approximately $74,000 in Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Development Act funds could be used for a bicycle lane rather than the staff-proposed downtown Auburn ADA ramp and sidewalk project.
• The Public Works Director apologized for the staff report and explained that Placer County Transportation Planning Agency (PCTPA) found the funds through an audit at the last minute. The funds may be used for either bicycle or pedestrian capital facilities.
• Staff clarified that the city could submit the generic claim without locking in a project, and the project description could later be amended. Council members discussed options, including banking funds, using them as local match for a grant, and addressing the partial bike lane gap on Nevada Street near Fulweiler Road. Councilmember Holmes jokingly suggested a bike path through the old cemetery; Councilmember Davis asked whether the funds could be maximized with partner agencies.
• Council amended the page 13 project description to read "bike and pedestrian improvements" to preserve flexibility and directed staff to return with a proposed bicycle facility project for the second June council meeting.
• The resolution, as amended, passed by roll call vote with all council members voting aye.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Eric Chun provided announcements: FAMFEST is scheduled for June 21 at the Auburn Recreation Park; a future request will seek council support for the Central Square audio and sound system; and the Board of Supervisors approved the DeWitt project. He said a new team is revising plans, and the group has 12 months to prepare a bona fide plan to bring back for additional county support.
• Councilmember Holmes used public comment time to urge drivers to use turn signals when turning or changing lanes in Auburn.
• Several council members reflected on the Memorial Day ceremony at DeWitt and the facility's history of medically serving wounded service members during World War II.
• A council member said she and Nicole Meisner and Bonnie Potter will work on a Gold Star family memorial for Auburn.
• Mayor Amara promoted Friday's Art Walk, with bike valet at three locations.

Youth Advisory Commission Update

• Youth commissioners presented their year-end update. The commission was reestablished on August 12, 2024, with appointments approved October 14, 2024, to advise the council on youth needs and promote youth involvement.
• Youth commissioners described the commission's purpose, goals, and roles: advocating for youth, engaging the community, empowering youth voices, and completing at least one community service project.
• The commission's community service project was a senior prom at the Auburn Senior Center, connecting youth and seniors. Approximately 20 seniors and 12 youth attended, along with volunteers. Donors included the Auburn Union Teachers Association, Kids of Palooza, and Serena Lasco Photography.
• Plans for the 2025-26 commission: applications are due June 6; new commissioners will be appointed June 23; and meetings will be held on the first Thursday of the month after school starts. Students from all schools and homeschool settings are encouraged to apply.
• Council members thanked the youth, and the council recognized individual commissioners with certificates. Councilwoman Harris praised the students' energy and community service. Mayor Amara noted that the commission was run with very little staff impact and thanked the staff and volunteers who supported it.

City Manager Report

• The City Manager reported that contracts for the July 4th fireworks show at the Gold Country Fairgrounds have been signed. Fundraising is more than halfway to the $21,000 goal, with about $13,000 raised so far.
• Citywide cleanup day is June 7, in partnership with Recology, for Auburn residents only: one cubic yard per customer, items no longer than three feet, and no heavier than 40 pounds, with exclusions.
• Residential burn season ended May 22 due to dry weather and escaped burn incidents.
• The proposed FY 2025/26 budget will be presented to the council on Monday, June 9, and is balanced.
• In response to a council member's question about green waste pickup, staff said the current Recology franchise agreement includes a two-cubic-yard pass for drop-off, and they will discuss possible curbside green waste collection during upcoming franchise agreement talks.

Council Committee Reports

• Councilwoman Dowden Calvillo reported on the Placer County Transportation Planning Agency meeting, including adoption of the 2025/26 overall work program and budget and the Highway 49 sidewalk gap closure project between Elm and Palm, with conduit installed for future irrigation. She also noted ongoing uncertainty about federal grant funding and that the CVRSafe board adopted a budget that will come to the council in June.
• Councilman Holmes reported that the Arts Commission is developing data for a potential state cultural district designation; he met with Congressman Kevin Kiley, who agreed to support the Old Town plaza appropriation request and to help with an ADA compliance grant for the Carnegie Library. He also attended a Placer School for Adults commencement and noted the Downtown Business Association and Auburn Co-op events on June 19 and August 21.
• Council members had no future agenda items to propose.

Key Outcomes

• Adopted the Pride Month proclamation for June 2025.
• Approved the consent calendar, excluding Item 6, by a single motion.
• Approved the FY 2024/25 Bicycle and Pedestrian Fund Claim to PCTPA with the amended project description "bike and pedestrian improvements," and directed staff to return with a bicycle facility proposal at the second June council meeting.
• Recognized Youth Advisory Commission members and received their presentation.
• Received the City Manager's report and committee reports.
• The meeting was adjourned after future agenda items. The agenda listed a closed session for labor negotiations, but the available transcript does not include a report out of that session.