Auburn City Council Meeting - June 9, 2025

The Auburn City Council met on June 9, 2025, for a regular session following a closed session. Key actions included approval of annual assessment fees for business improvement districts, sewer service charges, and a reorganization of city staff positions. The council also held public hearings on workforce vacancies and a proposed vacant commercial building ordinance, which was continued to the next meeting. The FY 2025-26 proposed budget was presented for feedback.

Closed Session Report

• The City Council voted 4-1 to accept the findings and recommendations of a hearing officer regarding the discipline of a police sergeant, affirming the termination of employment.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Nick Willock and Bridget Parks, representing the Mother Lode Foundation, presented a $5,000 check to the City of Auburn to offset the cost of the July 4th fireworks display. They spoke about the foundation's 40-year history of supporting the community.

Public Hearings

• Business Improvement District (BID) Assessment Fee (Item 1): The council conducted a public hearing with no public testimony and unanimously approved a resolution to levy the FY 2025-26 annual assessment fees for the Old Town and Downtown Auburn Business Improvement Districts. (Motion passed 5-0)
• Sewer Service Charge Tax Roll Placement (Item 2): The council held a public hearing with no public testimony and unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the levy of sewer service charges for FY 2025-26 to be placed on the Placer County tax roll. (Motion passed 5-0)
• Workforce Vacancies, Recruitment and Retention (AB 2561) (Item 3): Human Resources Director Jen Leal presented a report on current vacancies, hiring processes, and retention challenges. The council heard a presentation from Gerlin Gao, president of the Auburn Public Safety Association, who noted the loss of a dispatcher and the freezing of a dispatch records supervisor position but highlighted positive developments such as the return of an experienced dispatcher and commendations for staff. The public hearing was closed with no further action.
• Vacant Commercial Building Ordinance and Fee Resolution (Item 4): Community and Economic Development Director Jonathan Wright presented a revised ordinance with changes recommended by the council, including extending the vacancy registration trigger from 30 to 90 days. Several property owners spoke in opposition, arguing that 90 days is too short given market realities. Council discussion focused on the appropriate vacancy period (90 days vs. 180 days). The council voted to continue the public hearing to the June 23, 2025 meeting, at which time the ordinance and fee resolution will be considered for adoption.

Discussion Items

• FY 2025-26 Proposed Budget (Item 5): Finance Director Gretchen Johnson presented the proposed budget totaling $36,480,994. The general fund budget is balanced with a projected surplus of $418,000 to $550,000, achieved through a 19-position reduction citywide (a 18% decrease), a hiring freeze, and labor cost savings. The budget includes a 3% wage increase for employees. Council members discussed funding for bike and pedestrian projects, the status of the closed landfill liability, and the process for approving committee work plans. The council provided feedback for staff to incorporate into the final budget, which will be presented for adoption on June 23, 2025.
• Approval of Changes to the Position Classification Plan (Item 6): City Manager Caleb Engel presented a reorganization plan that splits the Community Development Department into separate Economic Development and Planning departments, creates a payroll support position, reclassifies several roles, and eliminates one administrative assistant position. The net effect is one new full-time position. The council unanimously approved the resolution adopting the classification changes. (Motion passed 5-0)

Key Outcomes

• BID assessment fee levy approved for FY 2025-26.
• Sewer service charge levy approved for placement on Placer County tax roll.
• Workforce vacancy public hearing held; no further action taken.
• Vacant Commercial Building Ordinance hearing continued to June 23, 2025.
• FY 2025-26 proposed budget discussed with feedback to be incorporated; final adoption set for June 23, 2025.
• Position Classification Plan changes approved (5-0).
• The city manager announced upcoming changes to Recology garbage collection routes affecting 75-80% of customers, with outreach planned.
• The second July 2025 council meeting was scheduled to be canceled; one August meeting may also be canceled pending discussion.