Auburn City Council Meeting – October 27, 2025
Auburn City Council Meeting – October 27, 2025
The Auburn City Council held its regular session on October 27, 2025. Councilmember Ridd Harris was absent. The meeting included proclamations, consent calendar approvals, a public hearing on building codes, and reports from the city manager and committee representatives. The meeting was adjourned in memory of longtime community supporter Norma Harris.
Proclamations
- Mayor Sandra Amara proclaimed October 2025 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, recognizing early detection and community support.
- The Council adopted a proclamation supporting the restoration of the historic DeWitt Theater as proposed by the DWIC Community Complex, citing its cultural and historical significance.
Consent Calendar
Items 1, 3, 4, and 5 were approved by a blanket motion with a roll call vote. Item 2 (Ordinance Implementing Staff Reorganization) was removed at Councilmember Holmes's request for separate discussion.
- Item 1: Appointments of Natalie Ottis, Jessica Hicks, and reappointment of Kathryn Gonzales to the Economic Development Commission.
- Item 3: Second reading and adoption of an ordinance establishing Entertainment Zones in Old Town and Downtown Auburn.
- Item 4: Authorization to purchase an HP DesignJet T2600 Plotter ($11,000) and approval of a FY2025-26 budget adjustment.
- Item 5: Amendment No. 7 to the Professional Services Agreement with Trihydro Corporation, authorizing a $16,916 budget adjustment (total not to exceed $346,397).
Discussion Items
- Item 2 – Ordinance Implementing Staff Reorganization: Councilmember Holmes raised a concern that the staff report described the Economic Development Department's functions as focusing on "downtown" initiatives, potentially omitting "Old Town." The City Manager and legal counsel clarified that the ordinance itself (to be codified in Municipal Code Section 32.170) covers the entire city. Councilmember Holmes accepted the clarification. The Council then approved the second reading and adoption of the ordinance.
- City Manager Report: City Manager provided updates on:
- Cannabis ordinance: environmental document expected by year-end, planning commission hearing in late January 2026, and earliest council meeting in February 2026.
- Commercial property owner workshop scheduled for October 30, 2025 at 6 p.m. at City Hall.
- Highway 49 project progressing, sewer line fully installed with manhole work remaining.
- Acknowledged staff with October work anniversaries, including 21 years for Mike Metzner.
- Future Agenda Items: Councilmember Holmes noted an increase in directional signs around the city, finding them distracting. He suggested a future discussion on modifying or regulating such signs. Mayor noted that two council members are needed to place an item on a future agenda.
Public Hearing
- California Building Standards Codes (CBSC): Planning Director Tia Klump presented the required adoption of the 2025 editions of the California Building Standards Codes, effective January 1, 2026. The city must adopt before that date. No public comments were received. The Council closed the hearing and voted to introduce the ordinance (first reading) by motion.
Key Outcomes
- Consent calendar approved as amended (items 1,3,4,5).
- Ordinance implementing staff reorganization adopted (second reading) following clarification on citywide scope.
- Ordinance adopting the 2025 California Building Standards Codes introduced (first reading); final adoption will follow a second reading.
- Council received committee reports: Dowd and Calvio reported on the Placer Business Alliance trip (discussions on fire prevention, housing, economic development); the Sustainability Committee reported on native plants, tree ordinance updates, AB413 parking setback opportunities, and a native plant sale on November 13. The Council noted a $2,400 donation to the Historical Society for Old Town Post Office rent.
- Meeting adjourned in memory of Norma Harris, a community trailblazer who lived to 100 years.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. I'm gonna call to order the regular session of the October Boy, this is loud. October 7th, they work quite well. The October 27th City Council. So we will have a roll call. For the record, Councilmember Ridd Harris is absent this evening. Councilmember Davis down in Calvio. I'm here. Holmes. And Mayor Amara. Here. Please stand for the pledge. I pledge the students. Undergone. So first of all, I want to welcome everyone here tonight. And I understand we have some homeschool children here visiting. So could you please stand and make yourself noticed? So that way you get for sure to get credit. Thank you so much. What school are they from, Madam Mayor? Do you know? Well, I guess I could ask, it's a home school. Do you want to are you affiliated with any uh school beside? I mean, I understand home school, but like Blue Door or something or feather river charter. Oh, excellent. Same with the the girls in front. Okay. Great. Well thank you for coming. Uh so the first item is our mayor's proclamation and commendations. So we have two proclamations tonight. And the first one is for breast cancer awareness month. And I will um with my vice mayor read the proclamation. So uh it is breast cancer awareness month, October, 2025. Whereas breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States, and while significant progress has been made in treatment and survival rates, the disease continues to impact millions of women, men, and their families each year. And whereas early detection through regular screening and mammograms remains the most effective way to reduce the risk of severe outcomes and save lives, and whereas local organizations, health providers, and advocacy groups continue to work tirelessly to raise awareness, provide education and support those affected by breast cancer in our community. And we're at whereas the city of Auburn recognizes the courage and strength of survivors, honors the memory of those who have lost their lives, and stands in support of families, caregivers, and advocates committed to ending this disease. Thank you very much. And whereas the following the state's closure of mental hospitals, the DeWitt property was transferred to Placer County, and the theater remained an active community for venue for films, concerts, and productions until 2016. And whereas, although the theater was closed that year for a commercial project that never materialized, its legacy and community importance remain. And whereas whereas in 2019, Placer County adopted a master plan for the DeWitt Center and supported the formation of the nonprofit DWIC community complex, dedicated to restoring the theater as a modern performance space and outdoor gathering area under the motto where arts, history, and community meet. And whereas Auburn lacks a mid-sized affordable venue for performances, lectures, and events, and a revitalized DeWitt Theater would fill that need while preserving an important piece of local history. And whereas the DeWitt Theater listed on the National Register of His Historic Places stands as a living reminder of Auburn's World War II heritage and an opportunity to strengthen our arts economy and community identity. Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Sandra Amara, mayor of the city of Auburn on behalf of the city council hereby supports the restoration of the historical D.W. Theater as proposed by the DWIC community complex, recognizing its value as a cultural, historical, and community landmark, issued the 27th day of October 2025. So that's it for the proclamations. Now we go to the adoption of the agenda. This is a time set aside for council and/or the public to ask for removal, postponement or a change to the listed sequence of an agenda item. The agenda will be approved by consensus of the council. Do we have any changes, council?
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