Auburn City Council Meeting - January 26, 2026
Auburn City Council Meeting - January 26, 2026
The Auburn City Council met on January 26, 2026, at 2:15 PM PT. The meeting included a mayor's commendation, approval of a consent calendar, a public hearing on the Conflict of Interest Code, emergency contracting for airport lighting repairs, and reports from the city manager and council members.
Mayor's Commendation
- Mayor Kelly Davis presented a commendation to Coach Carl Swain for 50 years of service to Auburn Little League (1976–2025). The commendation highlighted his volunteer coaching, hosting MLB All-Star Fernando Viña, and his impact on thousands of youth. The Swain family joined for a photo.
Consent Calendar
- The council approved the consent calendar by a single motion (roll call vote: all present in favor). Items included:
- Approval of minutes from December 8, 2025, and January 12, 2026.
- Appointments to committees: Cynci Calvin, Shannon Weil, Larry Grilli (Endurance Capital Committee); Jennifer Costa (Historic Design Review Commission); Doreen Drake, Susan Dupre, Brian Fries, April Maynard (Arts Commission); Melissa Johnson (Economic Development Commission); Sherry Sabbah, Tim Monroe, Jan Foster (Greater Auburn Area Fire Safe Council).
- Approval of warrants paid October–December 2025.
- Environmental determination and authorization to advertise the Canyon Court Sewer Lift Station Improvement Project (CEQA exemptions per Sections 15301, 15302, 15303).
- Contract Amendment No. 1 with LaFleur Engineering for the Aeolia Drive Sewer & Water Line Replacement Project ($50,000 increase).
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public spoke during the public comment period. However, council members made announcements:
- Councilmember Amara recognized Ann Trayson for her induction into the 2026 USA Track & Field Pacific Hall of Fame (ultra runner, 27 100-mile race wins).
- Councilmember Down Calvia thanked Public Works employee Tim for filling potholes, congratulated Josephine restaurant owners (Courtney McDonald and Eric Anderson) on being James Beard Award semifinalists, and thanked Auburn Police Department officers (Collins, Silva, Aranda, Assistant Sergeant Almeida) for recovering a stolen bike.
Public Hearing: Adoption of the Conflict of Interest Code
- Staff presented the biennial review of the Conflict of Interest Code. Key change: Finance Director reclassified as an 87200 filer (files directly with FPPC) per SB 852. Other positions updated on Appendix A. The public hearing was opened and closed with no public testimony. The council approved the revised code by motion (roll call: all present in favor).
Council Business: Emergency Contracting for Auburn Airport PAPI Light System Repair
- Airport Manager Ty Richardson reported that the Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) lights were struck in December 2025. Norris Electrical, a local contractor with prior airport experience, submitted the only bid. The council approved an emergency declaration and contract with Norris Electrical (requires four-fifths vote; roll call: all present in favor). Discussion included possible bollards (not feasible due to FAA runway protection zone rules) and coordination with Auburn PD.
City Manager Report
- City Manager announced:
- Effective February 1, 2026, Battalion Chief Tony D’Ambrogi will become Assistant Fire Chief. He began as a volunteer in 2008.
- Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce awards (January 23, 2026): Rising Star – Chris Hapt (Two Ass Brewery); Best Local Event – Faith and Fantasy Ball; Volunteer of the Year – Peggy Seitzenger; Best Nonprofit – Friends of the Library; New Entrepreneur – Astrid Whitrow (Tesla Hearing Healing and Wellness); CEO’s Award – Eric Chun; President’s Award – Rosie Joe Hernberger; Lifetime Achievement – Bruce Cosgrove.
- The Historic Design Review Commission approved improvements to the Auburn State Theater (exterior painting, 1,200 sq ft green room, interior upgrades). Construction hoped to begin spring 2026 after ceiling collapse in 2023.
- The city’s bi-monthly newsletter is available via the city website.
- Councilmember Holmes asked about securing a nonprofit to run the July 4 fireworks show (250th anniversary of the nation). City Manager said progress is not going well; will approach Rotary. Deadline to contract with fireworks provider is April or early May.
Future Agenda Items & Council Committee Reports
- Councilmember Down Calvia requested establishing legislative principles (policy framework) to allow the city manager to quickly take positions on legislation without full council vote each time. City Manager will prepare a proposal for the upcoming strategic planning sessions (Feb 2 or Mar 2).
- Councilmember Amara reported on the Downtown Business Association meeting:
- Spring Fest proposed for May 9, 2026 (volunteers needed).
- Forget Me Not Dinner (Forgotten Soldier program) June 12–13, 2026.
- Entertainment zone ordinance amendments expected in March.
- Discussion on food truck regulations (permitted at special events on business premises, not on city streets).
- Board considering new planters, garbage cans, hanging planters, murals, angled parking on High Street, and one-way Lincoln Way discussions.
- Councilmember Holmes reported on:
- SACOG Board meeting (Jan 15): Jill Galdo (Rocklin) elected chair, Gary Bradford (Yuba County) vice chair; Holmes reappointed as policy committee chair.
- Pioneer Community Energy: Holmes elected chair for fifth consecutive term; expansion into 17 new jurisdictions.
- Auburn Endurance Capital Committee: Approved water bottle filling station (with logo) at the art park restroom; discussed a sticker/QR code program for businesses to promote the Endurance Capital brand (funding from committee budget).
- California Transportation Commission reception (Jan 29) and Placer County Transportation Planning Agency board meeting (Holmes elected vice chair).
- Mayor Davis announced a town hall on February 10, 2026, with the Economic Development Commission to discuss city finances, business support, and shopping local. Panel includes City Manager, Councilmember Manoch, Dallas Drake (Downtown), Kat (Old Town), and Jamie Ross.
- Mayor Davis encouraged committees to prepare promotions for upcoming Canyons (April 24–26) and Western States (last weekend of June) endurance events.
Key Outcomes
- Consent calendar approved unanimously (roll call vote: Amara yes, Down Calvia yes, Holmes yes, Ridell Harris yes, Davis yes).
- Conflict of Interest Code adopted unanimously (same roll call).
- Emergency contracting for Auburn Airport PAPI light system repair approved unanimously (required four-fifths vote, all five in favor).
- Direction to City Manager to bring back legislative principles proposal for council discussion.
- Upcoming strategic planning sessions scheduled for February 2 and March 2, 2026.
Meeting Transcript
Right. Good evening, everyone. Uh, we'll go ahead and call this regular session of Auburn City Council to uh to order uh January twenty-sixth, twenty twenty-six. That sounds nice. If we can, oh, have a roll call. Councilmember Amara. Down Calvia. Present Holmes, Rodel Harris, Mayor Davis. Here. Mr. Holmes, will you please join uh lead us in the pledge? Pledge your leader. Thank you very much. And if I can ask uh Coach Carl Swain to join me up here at the podium. That's all you gotta do. Yeah. Thank you for coming. I I uh well, Ben, Carl's son, and I were discussing a couple months ago, uh, recognizing Carl for his accomplishments. I have known the Swain family for most of my life. Um, and and when I learned about Carl's accomplishments, which I'll share about, um, I really wanted you to be recognized and to have you up here and say a couple words. So you'll have to listen to a couple words. All right. Uh honoring Coach Carl Swain for 50 years of service to Auburn Little League. Whereas in 1976, shortly after marrying his wife Barbara, Carl Swain made Auburn his home, beginning a lifelong commitment to the community he would serve for decades. And whereas Carl's lifelong love of baseball inspired him in 1976 to volunteer as a manager for Auburn Little League, beginning an extraordinary coaching career that would span half a century. Ensuring that all players from first timers to future all-stars felt included, encouraged, and valued. And whereas Coach Schwain enriched the experiences of countless young athletes by creating unforgettable moments, including hosting uh visits from oh MLB, Major League Baseball. Yeah. Yeah, all star gold glove winner Fernando Vinya, offering players inspiration, mentorship, and memories that would last a lifetime. And whereas at the conclusion of the 2025 season, Coach Swain retired after 50 consecutive years of volunteer coaching, making one of the longest and most impactful tenures in the history of Auburn Little League. And whereas, through his dedication, generosity, and enduring love of the game, Coach Swain has influenced thousands of lives and strengthened the fabric of the Auburn community for generations. Now, therefore, I, Kelly Davis, mayor of Auburn, on behalf of the city council, would like to recognize and commend Coach Carl Swain for his 50 years of exceptional service, leadership, and mentorship to Auburn Little League and the youth of Auburn. We could have the Swain family come up. We'll take a quick picture. Yeah. All right. Um next we have adoption of the agenda. This is the time set aside for council members 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 I have any uh a motion? No. No, no objections. Okay. Um next is consent agenda. All matters listed under the consent calendar are considered to be routine in nature and will be approved by one blanket motion with a roll call vote. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless persons request specific items to be removed from the consent calendar for discussion and separate action. Any items removed will be considered after the motion to approve the consent calendar. No request. I move to approve the consent calendar. I'll second it.
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