Auburn City Council Meeting – June 22, 2026

The Auburn City Council met on June 22, 2026, for a regular meeting. The council unanimously approved the consent calendar, conducted two public hearings (Business Improvement District assessments and sewer service charges), adopted the city's Strategic Plan for 2026–2028 with amendments, and received reports from the city manager and council committees. The meeting was adjourned in memory of two deceased fire department volunteers.

Consent Calendar

• Approved 14 routine items by one motion, including the FY 2026-27 Final Budget ($33,607,027, General Fund Reserves of $5,375,542), adoption of ordinances for entertainment zones and historical design review permits, approval of AB 481 military equipment report, dispatch services agreement with CALFIRE (FY 2026-27 through FY 2028-29), Canyon Court Sewer Lift Station Improvement Project contract (not to exceed $1,678,459.20 with 10% contingency), WWTP Clarifier 2 Replacement Notice of Completion, November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election resolution, and four successor Memoranda of Understanding with city employee associations (AEA, APOA, APSA, CHEA) plus updates to unrepresented compensation (5% COLA). All items passed unanimously (4-0, Councilmember Holmes absent).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Adam Torella (resident of Sky Ridge neighborhood) asked the council to review recent street light replacement. He stated that new bright white LED lights are harsher than previous amber lights, create glare, and spill into homes. He cited AMA recommendations, Dark Sky guidelines, and a 2023 study on nighttime light exposure and psychiatric risk. He requested that staff review fixture specifications (color temperature, lumen output, shielding) and consider placing the issue on a future agenda. Mayor Davis noted similar concerns and stated the city is working with PG&E, though PG&E owns the poles. Councilmember Amara suggested council action would be helpful, and the item was referred for the incoming interim city manager to work on.
• Chief John Rogers (Fire Chief) reported the deaths of two fire department volunteers: Jeff Michaels (died June 19) and retired Battalion Chief John Fee (died June 5). He described Michaels' contributions to vegetation management projects and Fee's mentoring and historical work. Mayor Davis requested adjournment in memory of both, which was agreed.
• Mayor Davis also noted the city received a $10,000 donation from the United Auburn Indian Community for July 4th fireworks, and is still fundraising.

Public Hearings

• Business Improvement District (BID) Annual Assessment – Staff presented the FY 2026-27 levy, with rates unchanged from the prior year. The council opened and closed the public hearing with no testimony, then unanimously approved the resolution.
• Sewer Assessment for Placer County Tax Roll – Public Works Director Mengel Dean explained the annual process and the 5% sewer rate increase previously adopted. The council opened and closed the public hearing with no testimony, then unanimously approved the resolution to place charges on the county tax roll.

Council Business: Strategic Plan 2026-2028

• City Manager John Rebeay presented the three-year strategic plan, developed through February and March 2026 workshops with facilitator Scott Winters (Brain Dynamics). The plan includes six focus areas: financial stability, economic development, quality of life (including housing), planning and development, engagement and organization, and infrastructure/transportation. It includes annual objectives, leads, and timelines. Rebeay proposed three amendments: (1) on page 14, change "all departments" to "public-facing departments" for three annual public events; (2) on page 18, remove "and the mayor" from the lead for council candidate briefings; (3) on page 16, clarify that one city employee attend Leadership Auburn and one attend Sacramento Valley Leadership Academy annually.
• Council discussed: Councilmember Amara asked about update frequency. Rebeay recommended annual updates to council and a full refresh at the end of 2028, with timing after the mid-year budget update (February/March). Councilmember Down Calvio praised the collaborative process.
• Outcome: The council unanimously adopted the strategic plan as amended (4-0).

Reports

• City Manager Report:
  • Fireworks: $10,000 donation from United Auburn Indian Community; $1,500 from IFC Finance (Peter Conrad) and from Qualitona, Heiswith & Watley (Gary Bell); other donations. Fundraising continues.
  • General Plan update: Draft EIR and draft general plan expected mid-July 2026 for public review.
  • Domes project (Auburn Station): Final EIR under review; master plan to council in October 2026.
  • Business license transition to HDL: Go-live August 3, 2026; grace period for payments until August 31.
  • Fill the Fire Engine school supply event held June 18 collected about 100 items.
  • National Night Out: August 4, 2026 in Old Town.

Committee Reports

• Sustainability Committee (Councilmember Amara): Front lawn project – mulch laid (6 inches thick), next phase (wall and path) in July, plants in fall. Plastic collection: Jeff Davis collected half a ton; Safeway and Briar Patch will take it. Highway 49 beautification project initiated with Caltrans coordination. Grocery Outlet parking lot tree landscape project. New black trash cans (36) coming.
• Councilmember Down Calvio: Reported on Pioneer Community Energy meeting where bonds were sold to prepay power purchase agreements, with Alphabet investing (first municipality to have high-tech firm invest), saving millions. SACOG meeting in Placerville visited affordable housing project. SACOG study mission to Minneapolis for transit planning.
• Councilmember Harris: Youth Commission applications extended through end of June.
• Mayor Davis: Small Town Talks town hall on August 11; Movies in the Park starting in August; tile dedication for four tiles on June 23 (Jacob Neff, Sam Holiday, Tom Johnson, Hook and Ladder Company).

Key Outcomes

• Consent calendar approved unanimously (4-0).
• Resolution approving FY 2026-27 BID assessments passed unanimously (4-0).
• Resolution authorizing sewer service charges for FY 2026-27 on Placer County tax roll passed unanimously (4-0).
• Strategic Plan for 2026-2028 adopted as amended unanimously (4-0).
• Meeting adjourned in memory of Jeff Michaels and John Fee.