Auburn City Council Meeting - July 13, 2026

The Auburn City Council held its regular meeting on July 13, 2026, at 1225 Lincoln Way, Auburn, CA. The meeting included a moment of silence for former Councilmember Mike Holmes, commendations for the Trash Warriors and the America the Entrepreneurial proclamation, and recognition of outgoing City Manager Sean Rabea. The Council approved consent calendar items (with two removed for discussion), appointed an interim city manager, discussed the process for filling the vacant council seat, received a six-month review of the fire sub-joint operations agreement, designated a new opportunity zone, and directed staff to finalize updated council rules and procedures.

Consent Calendar

• The consent calendar was approved by a 5-0 roll call vote, with items 7 (2026 ADA Curb Ramp Upgrade Project) and 10 (Pacific Avenue and Pleasant Avenue Bicycle Improvement Project) removed for separate discussion.
• Item 7: Approved 4-1 (Councilmember Amara voted no). Councilmember Amara expressed concern about receiving only one bid but was assured by Public Works Director Angel Dean that the bid was in line with previous projects and that re-bidding would increase staff costs and likely result in higher prices. The motion to approve the contract with Central Valley Engineering & Asphalt Inc. for $195,215.90 (including contingency) carried.
• Item 10: Approved unanimously. After discussion, Councilmember Dowden Calvio proposed adding a 4-foot pedestrian lane alongside the bike lanes, which Public Works Director Dean confirmed was feasible within the existing contingency. The motion authorized the City Manager to execute the construction agreement with Sierra Traffic Markings, Inc. for $85,734.00 (including contingency) to include the pedestrian lane and to pursue cost savings through city-provided traffic control.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sue (resident): Expressed support for the bike project and requested that it extend to the railroad tracks and Gum Lane. Public Works Director confirmed it would.
• Alex Anderson (Sky Ridge resident): Supported the bike project but voiced concern about mixing pedestrians and cyclists on a shared 12-foot path, urging community discussion on rules (e.g., leash laws).
• Bob Peterson (Sierra Foothills Cycling Club president, representing 327 riders): Supported the concept but requested physical barriers (stanchions) between automobile traffic and the bike lane, and expressed concern about mixed-use without barriers.
• Steve Boswell (Rocklin resident, cyclist): Supported the project as a regional resource, noting it would make roads safer for families and children.
• Jim Holmes (brother of former Councilmember Mike Holmes): Thanked the Council for their remarks about Mike Holmes and urged the appointment of Bridget Powers to fill the vacancy, citing a prior successful appointment.
• Sue (second comment): Raised concerns about traffic safety during Western States event, noting dangerous conditions on Cherry Street and Borland Road, and suggested shutting down those roads during the event.
• Darren (concerned community member): Proposed policies to discourage vacant commercial properties by fining owners who claim tax write-offs for vacancies, and suggested using metrics to charge owners the tax value of lost business.
• Tim DeWitt (resident, architect): Requested the Council enforce conditions of approval for Auburn Bluffs lots 1–12, arguing that the approved plans exceed maximum deck height and do not meet storm drainage requirements, and that the city’s response that “no further design review is required” reflects a misunderstanding of roles. He asked for a council member to oversee the review.

Discussion Items

• Item 13 – Employment Agreement with James Lindsay as Interim City Manager: Approved unanimously. The agreement sets an hourly rate of $108.94, no benefits, and a maximum of 960 hours per fiscal year. Mr. Lindsay has extensive experience as a former city manager in Saratoga and interim city manager in Lodi.
• Item 14 – City Council Vacancy: The Council directed staff to open applications for appointment to fill the vacancy created by the passing of Councilmember Mike Holmes. Applications will be due August 10, 2026, with an appointment planned for the August 24, 2026 meeting. The appointee’s term will end in December 2026, and they must run in the November election if they wish to continue. The motion passed unanimously.
• Item 15 – Six-Month Review of Sub-Joint Operations Agreement (Sub-JOA) with Placer Hills Fire Protection District: Fire Chief John Rogers presented the review, noting achievements in shared administrative, operational, and fire prevention services. Key accomplishments include standardized communication, consolidated procurement (e.g., turnout gear), joint engineer testing, unified scheduling, and implementation of after-action reviews. Challenges included learning curves for staff operating across jurisdictions. The Council received the report and expressed appreciation for the progress.
• Item 16 – Designation as a Qualified Federal Opportunity Zone under 2027 Program: Economic Development Director Jonathan Wright explained that the current downtown opportunity zone is expiring, but a new census tract (06061020300) along the Highway 49 corridor qualifies. The zone provides tax deferral incentives for investors. The Council approved the resolution unanimously, authorizing the city to submit a nomination to the state.
• Item 17 – City Council Rules and Procedures: The Council discussed proposed updates, including adoption of Rosenberg’s Rules of Order as the parliamentary authority. Councilmember Rodel Harris requested a redline version to compare changes, and Councilmember Dowden Calvio suggested several amendments: clarifying teleconferencing language (J1, J2), adding that cancellations can be made by the city manager in consultation with the mayor for reasons beyond lack of quorum or emergency, requiring two council members to place items on the agenda (with reconsideration governed by Rosenberg’s rules), and clarifying that advisory committees cannot expend city funds without council approval. The Council directed staff to incorporate these changes and bring the final version back for approval on the consent calendar. A presentation on the rules was deferred to after the next councilmember installments.

Key Outcomes

• Item 7 (ADA Curb Ramp): Approved 4-1 (Councilmember Amara opposed).
• Item 10 (Bike Lanes): Approved unanimously, with addition of pedestrian lane and direction to pursue cost savings.
• Item 13 (Interim City Manager): Approved unanimously.
• Item 14 (Vacancy Process): Approved unanimously; applications open through August 10, appointment on August 24.
• Item 16 (Opportunity Zone): Approved unanimously.
• Item 17 (Rules & Procedures): Staff directed to make amendments and return on consent calendar; presentation deferred.

Reports

• Interim City Manager Report: James Lindsay thanked the Council and noted new hires (associate planner, finance analyst), progress on the General Plan Amendment and EIR, upcoming food truck ordinance changes, and the successful Fourth of July with minimal public safety incidents. The city has engaged Bob Murray and Associates to recruit a permanent city manager. Employee anniversaries were recognized.
• Council Committee Reports: Councilmember Dowden Calvio reported attending a county wildfire preparedness event. Councilmember Davis announced a movie series starting August 8 and an economic development town hall on August 11.
• Future Agenda Items: No new items identified.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned in memory of former Councilmember and Mayor Mike Holmes.