Auburn City Council Meeting - May 11, 2026: Budget, Transportation Plans, and Entertainment Zone
Auburn City Council Meeting - May 11, 2026
The Auburn City Council met on May 11, 2026, to address a full agenda including commendations, a consent calendar, a public hearing on an entertainment zone, and council business items. Key actions included adopting the Active Transportation Plan and Comprehensive Safety Action Plan, approving business improvement district assessments, and discussing the FY 2026-27 budget. The meeting opened with proclamations honoring retiring music educators, the 175th anniversary of Auburn as the Placer County seat, and Building Safety Month.
Consent Calendar
- Approved unanimously: Minutes of April 13 and April 27, 2026; authorization to apply for STBG grant for High Street Pavement Overlay; approval of a three-year animal control contract with Placer County; and renewal of IT support services agreement with Protronics.
- Item 2 (Appointment to Planning Commission): Removed for separate vote. Councilmember Amara recognized five other applicants before approving Melissa Johnson's appointment by resolution. Vote: 4-0 (Holmes absent).
- Item 4 (Recology rate ceiling): Removed for clarification. Public Works Director Mengel Dean confirmed the rate increase is only a 3.21% cost-of-living adjustment; no other changes. Approved unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Entertainment Zone: Chris Haupt (co-owner of Two Aspiring Company) expressed support for the new zone, stating it would allow events like the Auburn Trail Alliance celebration without special permits and help nonprofits.
- Active Transportation Plan (ATP):
- Shannon Conroy shared cycling experience across the US, supporting class II buffered bike lanes on Auburn Folsom Road, noting that physical barriers could be less safe for downhill cyclists reaching 55 mph.
- Bill Pennington (Sustainability Committee) recommended including enforcement costs in cost-benefit analyses for each project.
- Joe Looney (Sustainability Committee) advocated for signage in shared street neighborhoods to alert drivers and suggested lowering speed limits using new flexibility for areas near pedestrian concentrations.
- Alex Anderson (Skyridge resident) supported the plan's aspirational nature but stressed that paint is not protection; he urged protected bike lanes on high-speed corridors and suggested a vision statement: "Design Auburn so residents can fully participate in city life without the cost burden of car ownership."
- Bob Peterson (Auburn Endurance Committee chair) emphasized education and signage, and noted the need for coordination with Placer County for northern Auburn schools.
- Steve Hyatt (Planning Commission) urged adoption to enable grant applications, calling it a first priority.
- Commission Workplans: No public comments.
Discussion Items
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Entertainment Zone Expansion (Item 7): Staff presented an ordinance creating a third zone on Huffman Avenue at High Street, plus adding holidays (St. Patrick's Day, Cinco de Mayo) and an annual reapplication requirement. Councilmember Dowden Calvio noted no complaints about existing zones and expressed support. Councilmember Holmes hopes future connection between Old Town and downtown via Josephine Street. Motion passed unanimously.
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BID Annual Assessment (Item 8): Old Town and Downtown Business Association representatives presented annual reports. Old Town's Kat Ike highlighted 25% follower growth on Explore Auburn and beautification efforts. Downtown's Lisa Henderson listed events like Cruise Night, Wine and Food Festival, and holiday tree lighting. Council praised joint marketing. Approved resolution to levy fees and set June 22, 2026 public hearing. Unanimous.
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Active Transportation Plan & CSAP (Item 9): Robert from Fehr & Peers gave a detailed presentation. Key statistics: Auburn has 16.5 miles of bikeways; ATP proposes 31 additional miles; total cost $62 million; top five priority projects $10 million; 84% of injury crashes involve vehicles; crashes concentrated on 25% of roadway miles (Highway 49, Auburn Folsom Road, downtown). Plan includes shared street neighborhoods and priority corridors. Council discussion focused on bike classifications (class I-IV), with councilmembers asking about class IV separated bikeways, concerns about removing on-street parking, and the importance of wayfinding signage. Councilmember Holmes noted the plan does not commit to every project; each will require separate council approval. Motion to adopt ATP and CSAP passed unanimously.
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Commission/Committee Workplans (Item 10):
- Arts Commission: Approved $5,000 allocation, with staff recommending no additional city share for the School Park Preserve Native Plant Garden. Unanimous.
- Endurance Capital Committee: Approved $5,000 for promotional items, plaques, and website. Unanimous.
- Economic Development Commission: Approved $5,000 for town hall series, social media, and a new "Real Endurance Experience" program. Unanimous.
- SHAC (Streetscape History and Art Advisory Committee): Continued to June 1, 2026 after council requested more detail on which kiosks would be updated and what signage would include.
- Sustainability Advisory Committee: Approved $5,000 with modifications: no work on AB 413 (already under staff review); solar grant research limited to information-gathering only, no staff time for applications; e-bike program exploration also limited to information for staff. Unanimous.
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Budget Development & Q3 Update (Item 11): Finance Director Gretchen Hoskins reported current fiscal year ending with no general fund carryover due to a $1.4 million storm drain repair. Multi-year forecast shows razor-thin margins. Department heads presented priorities: Administration (revenue diversification, efficiency); Economic Development (cannabis ordinance, hotel feasibility, marketing contract); Airport (runway maintenance, hangar development, aging terminal); Planning (permitting software, zoning updates); Police (force multipliers like Flock Safety, live 911, AI reporting, vehicle replacement); Fire (deferred maintenance, station modernization, battery-powered equipment); Public Works (sewer rehab, stormwater mapping, fleet aging). No action taken; proposed budget to be presented June 1, 2026.
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Deferrals: Public Works annual report and committee reports were moved to the June 1, 2026 meeting.
Key Outcomes
- Entertainment Zone Ordinance: Introduced and waived first reading; approved unanimously.
- BID Assessments: Approved resolution to levy fees and set public hearing for June 22, 2026. Unanimous.
- ATP & CSAP: Adopted by resolution, authorizing grant applications and future project implementation. Unanimous.
- Commission Workplans: Arts, Endurance, Economic Development, and Sustainability committees approved with specific directions. SHAC continued to June 1.
- Next Meetings: Regular meeting May 25 canceled (Memorial Day); special closed session May 18; next regular meeting moved to June 1, 2026.
- Future Agenda Items: Councilmember Holmes requested agenda item to certify as a Certified Local Government to access more grants.
Meeting Transcript
Recording in progress. Ready to go. All right, good evening, everyone. Uh returning from closed session. We have nothing to report. Okay. Great. Um I'll call our regular session to order today on May 11th, 2026. Uh, Madam Clerk, roll call, please. Councilmember Amara. Present. Down Calvio. Present. Holmes is absent this evening. Councilmember Radel Harris. Here, Mayor Davis. Here. Thank you very much. Uh, Councilmember Rodel Harris, will you lead us in the pledge? Sure. Happy to. Please stand. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which fans, one nation under God into the school. Thank you. Thank you very much. And we've got a couple commendations here tonight. If we can start with. Madam Mayor, could I say a quick thing first? Yes, of course. So I would just wanted to, since I was the one who put these on the agenda, I just wanted to say a quick little thing before we start with our commendations for Mr. Laurenson and also Mr. Wilkinson. I know many other people who have been at Placer High School who have experienced Mr. Lawrence, I had the pleasure of having Mr. Wilkinson, and just the impact that our music teachers have had, not on just their students, but on the whole community, is just really felt by everyone. And so I just when I heard that both of them are retiring this year and the same year, I we needed to make sure that we recognize them. So I just wanted to let you all know that's the reason why we're recognizing them this evening. Congratulations. Thank you for being here. All right, City of Auburn commendation honoring Mr. David Laurenson on the occasion of his retirement. Whereas Mr. David Lawrence grew up in Connecticut and graduated from Newtown High School before earning a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Puget Sound and a Master of Music in Music Education and Conducting from Western Washington University. And whereas Mr. Lawrence dedicated 19 years to teaching music in Washington State before joining Placer High School in 2006, where he has spent the past 20 years building and sustaining a highly successful music program rooted in perseverance, passion, and a deep commitment to students. And whereas, under his leadership, students were provided opportunities to perform and compete in a wide range of ensembles while participating in cherished community traditions such as the Festival of Lights, the Veterans Day Parade, and collaborations with local schools, fostering musical excellence, confidence, teamwork, and a lifelong appreciation for the arts. And whereas his dedication to excellence in education has been recognized through numerous honors, including Auburn Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Year, Teacher That Makes a Difference, Veterans of Foreign Wars Teacher of the Year, and consistent superior ratings at the Golden Empire Music Festival, reflecting his lasting impact on generations of students and the Auburn community. And now, therefore, I, Kelly Davis, Mayor of Auburn, on behalf of the City Council, hereby recognize and honor Mr. Lawrenceon for his outstanding career in music education and his lasting impact on generations of students and the Auburn community and extend our sincere congratulations and best wishes on your well-earned retirement.
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