Summary of Proceedings
Auburn City Council Meeting – August 25, 2026
Note: The agenda and transcript list the meeting date as August 24, 2026, but the instruction specifies August 25, 2026. This summary uses the instructed date.
The Auburn City Council held a regular meeting starting at 6:00 PM. The council adopted a proclamation for Hunger Action Month (September 2026), approved a consent calendar with one item discussed separately, heard extensive public comment on the proposed bike lane on Pacific Avenue and on the Flock camera system, debated two design options for bicycle facilities, and after a lengthy public hearing voted to adopt Option 2 with further staff direction. The council also interviewed two candidates and appointed Bridget Powers to fill the vacant seat left by the late Councilmember Mike Holmes. A report from the Auburn Recreation and Parks District (ARD) on park impact mitigation fees was received and filed.
Proclamation
- Hunger Action Month: Mayor Davis proclaimed September 2026 as Hunger Action Month. Denise from the Auburn Interfaith Food Closet reported that the closet serves about 32,000 people annually (3,000 per month), is 100% volunteer‑run with 220 volunteers, and 94% of every donated dollar goes directly to food.
Consent Calendar
- The consent calendar was approved unanimously after Councilmember Dowden Calvillo removed Item 5 (Placer Community Foundation grant for an Arts and Entertainment District). That item was later approved separately by a unanimous vote.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Election law concerns: Wayne Mater and Sandy both expressed concern that the council may have bent election law by allowing an incumbent to file during the extension period. Mayor Davis clarified that no action was taken in closed session.
- Flock (license plate reader) cameras: Multiple speakers addressed the Flock system. Jared Lovell, Spencer Delling, and Eric Robb opposed the cameras, citing privacy and constitutional concerns. Dory Havilin and Rich Nielsen spoke in favor, arguing they help law enforcement and that there is no expectation of privacy in public. Four email comments opposed and one favored the cameras. The council noted a town hall on Flock is scheduled for September 21.
- Other: Saul Rocker announced the reopening of the Auburn Library after renovation. Melissa Johnson promoted a free business optimization class. Mark Hoffman of Placer Repertory Theater sought volunteers.
Discussion Items
11. Bicycle Facilities on Pacific Avenue
Director of Public Works Mengel Dean presented two options for bike lanes along Pacific Avenue from Sacramento Street to Gum Lane, both designed to preserve on‑street parking while implementing the Active Transportation Plan (ATP).
- Option 1: 5‑ft bike lanes on each side of the road with parallel parking on the north side (Railhead Park side), providing 102 parking spaces.
- Option 2: One‑way bike lanes on both sides of the road placed on the park side, with parallel parking on the residential side, providing 122 parking spaces. This option allows closing the bike lane for major events to add temporary parking (approximately 6–7 events per year identified with ARD).
Public testimony (over 20 speakers):
- Celeste Low (Auburn Youth Soccer Club) said the red curbs created confusion and safety issues, and she urged preservation of parking for families.
- Dory Havilin and Julie (resident) cited speeding, accidents, and the need for traffic calming and crosswalks.
- Bob Peterson (Sierra Foothills Cycling Club) and several cyclists supported Option 2 for safety.
- Many parents and residents expressed concerns about children crossing the street and the loss of parking for soccer games (up to 200 families per weekend).
- Others emphasized the need for safe routes for students to Placer High School and to increase ridership.
Council deliberation:
- Councilmembers noted that the ATP was based on historical data and that both options improve bicycle connectivity while retaining significant parking. Traffic calming (signage, rumble dots) and a potential ADA‑compliant crosswalk were discussed.
- Motion: Councilmember Dowden Calvillo moved to adopt Option 2 with direction to staff to: (1) conduct community outreach to determine when the bike lane should be closed for parking during large events; (2) investigate the feasibility, cost, and ADA requirements for a crosswalk; and (3) work with the traffic committee on traffic‑calming measures. Councilmember Rodel Harris seconded.
- Vote: Unanimous (4‑0; Councilmember Dell Harris was present and voted aye).
10. Appointment to City Council
City Clerk reported that two eligible applicants remained after the application process. Each candidate gave a two‑minute introduction and answered council questions.
- Felicia Joy to Prosper (not seeking election in November) cited her love of Auburn and concern for road conditions.
- Bridget Powers (running in November) highlighted her previous council experience, work with Placer County, and focus on financial stability, public safety, and collaboration.
- Public comment: One speaker requested that the new councilmember delay appointing a planning commissioner until after the General Plan advances.
- Motion: Councilmember Dowden Calvillo moved to appoint Bridget Powers. Councilmember Rodel Harris seconded. Vote: unanimous (4‑0).
- Oath of Office: The city clerk administered the oath, and Powers took her seat. This marked the first all‑female city council in Auburn history.
12. Auburn Recreation and Park District (ARD) Annual Park Impact Mitigation Fee Report
Kale Muscott presented the report for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026. The district has approximately $59,952 in mitigation funds. Upcoming projects using city mitigation fees include:
- A new ADA‑accessible playground and path of travel at Recreation Park (budget $120,000).
- An emergency exit onto Auburn Folsom Road (estimated $80,000).
Other ARD projects (not using city mitigation funds) include levee repairs at Ashford Park, culvert replacement, scoreboard replacement at Banksfield, and a gazebo replacement due to storm damage. ARD events (Harvest Fest, etc.) were also noted. The council received and filed the report.
Key Outcomes
- Bike Lane (Pacific Avenue): Approved Option 2 (unanimous). Staff directed to engage the community on parking‑closure days, explore a crosswalk, and advance traffic‑calming measures.
- Council Appointment: Bridget Powers appointed (unanimous) to fill the vacancy at through the next election.
- Closed Session: Continued to the next regular meeting on September 14, 2026 (unanimous, with Councilmember Dell Harris absent).
- Consent Calendar and separate items all approved unanimously.
Additional Reports
- City Manager acknowledged service award recipients (5‑year and 20‑year milestones).
- Future agenda items: A stakeholder meeting on high school event parking near Robie Point is being planned.
- Council committee reports: Economic development director reported a successful town hall; SACOG meeting lacked quorum but featured Congressman Vera.
The meeting adjourned without closed session at approximately 9:45 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Recording in progress. You ready? We'll just get going. All right, good evening, everyone. Uh, we're gonna go ahead and call this regular session of our Auburn City Council meeting to order. Ah, here we have Alice. Thank you. Um, at six PM, August twenty-fourth, twenty twenty-six. Madam Clerk, roll call, please. Councilmember Amara. Present. Dowdon Calvillo. Present. Or Dell Harris. Here, Mayor Davis. Here. Thank you very much. Um, Councilmember Amara, will you please leave us in the pledge? I pledge elections to the United States of America and see the repository for which it stands my nation under God's call because of justice crop. All right, first up tonight we have a proclamation for Hunger Action Month. If I can ask Denise, do you want to join me at the podium? Excellent. Tonight we are doing a proclamation for Hunger Action Month, which is September Twenty Twenty Six. Whereas Feeding America, the largest charity working to end hunger in the United States, has designated the month of September twenty twenty-six as Hunger Action Month to bring continued awareness that hunger and poverty are issues of serious concern in the United States. And whereas there are Auburn area individuals and families who experience food insecurities and must make difficult choices every day of whether to buy healthy food or pay for housing, utilities, transportation, or medical care. And whereas the Auburn City Council is committed to raising awareness of hunger needs and commends the ongoing effort of the Auburn Interfaith Food Closet, an agency partner of feeding the foothills, and the number and the numerous hunger relief organizations throughout the area who provide no cost nutritious food to families in need. And whereas the Auburn City Council engages its citizens and businesses to support these organizations as they rely on financial and food donations from our community. And whereas food banks and food closets across the country will host events and activities throughout the month of September, and the Auburn Interfaith Food Closet will be hosting a neighborhood food drive on Saturday, September 26, 2026. Now, therefore, let it be proclaimed that I, Kelly Davis, mayor of the City of Auburn on behalf of the City Council, hereby recognize September as hunger action month, and encourage all our citizens and businesses to support the efforts of local food agencies to reduce hunger in our area. Thank you. Thank you. Yeah, absolutely. Do you want to say something? Thank you, Mayor Davis. I knew her earlier is just Kelly. Um, I want us all thank City Council, the City of Auburn, and also all the community. You have been such a great support to the Auburn Interfaith Food Closet. We couldn't do what we're doing today without you. Um, yes, we do have food security in our area, it's about 12 percent, and we're hitting in the Auburn City limits about 80 to 84 percent are coming to the food closet. We're having a food drive in September. Look for your front doorstep that we'll be dropping off bags in your neighborhood. Feel free to fill them up. That's how we keep our costs down, is with the community's help. Uh, we're grateful for all that you've done. We're still a hundred percent volunteer, and we have about 220 volunteers. We service about 32,000 people a year, it's about 3,000 a month, and our cost is 94 percent of every dollar you donate goes to food. We have very little overhead, and we want to thank we want to thank all of you, and thank you, Kelly. Appreciate it. All right, moving on 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.
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