Folsom City Council Regular Meeting – March 9, 2021

The Folsom City Council met on March 9, 2021, at 6:30 PM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting included presentations, consent calendar approvals, a budget workshop, and a discussion on the future use of city-owned property at 405 Natoma Station Drive. Public comments addressed community needs, including traffic safety, park space, and a proposed Sunday market. The Council provided direction on budget priorities and decided to retain the property for city recreation programs.

Scheduled Presentations

• Resolution of Commendation Honoring the Folsom Telegraph: The Council recognized the Folsom Telegraph as the oldest business in Folsom, serving the community for 165 years. Bill Sullivan, representing the newspaper, accepted the commendation.
• Proclamation of American Red Cross Month: Mayor Kozlowski proclaimed March 2021 as American Red Cross Month in the City of Folsom. Eileen Reynolds, Chairperson for the Board of Directors of the American Red Cross California Gold Country Region, accepted the proclamation. The Red Cross reported serving over 165,000 meals and snacks during the 2020 wildfires and providing 38,903 hotel units for shelter. Since January 2020, volunteers responded to 500 home fires, helping 1,983 people. In 2020, the Red Cross hosted over 300 blood drives and collected 5,785 units of blood.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of February 23, 2021, Special and Regular Meeting Minutes (Item 3)
• Resolution No. 10592 – Authorizing the City Manager to execute a Common Interest and Cost Share Agreement for Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan Amendments (Item 4)
• Resolution No. 10593 – Authorizing the City Manager to execute a Regional Water Authority Major Projects Management Services Program Agreement (Item 5)
• Resolution No. 10598 – Authorizing the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 1 to the Professional Services Agreement with Avolve Software for ProjectDox Upgrade and Renewal of Annual Support Services (Item 6)
• Resolution No. 10599 – Authorizing applications for Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) Grants Program Funds for Housing Related Planning Activities and authorizing the City Manager to execute agreements to accept awarded grant funds (Item 7)

All consent items were approved unanimously (5-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sandra Munoz Bradman (Executive Director, Project Hope Center): Proposed a Sunday market in the historic Folsom Plaza (near the Saturday farmers market) to fund her nonprofit, which provides residential services for formerly incarcerated women. She asked for guidance on permits. The Mayor directed her to contact the City Manager.
• Hari Gadraju (Folsom Ranch resident): Raised urgent traffic safety concerns in Folsom Ranch, citing a recent accident where a child almost lost a leg. He requested stop signs, speed limits, and streetlights, noting that 400 families live there with no park, forcing children to play in the street. He also asked about the timeline for the first park.
• Siva Bolinani (Folsom Ranch resident): Emphasized the need for a park, stating that 600 families have moved in over two and a half years and pay $330 monthly in Melaroo (likely Mello-Roos) taxes. He urged expediting park development. The Parks and Recreation Director, Lorraine Pajoni, was present and offered to meet with them.
• Loretta Hedinger (former city employee): Urged the Council to begin planning for a parking structure in the historic district, warning that without one, the district will see a downward spiral over the next 10 years. She asked staff to investigate financial options and evaluate sites, and to stop new development on Sutter Street until parking is addressed.
• Sandy Hilton (former Parks and Recreation employee, current pottery instructor): Advocated for the city to retain and use the Brighton School site (405 Natoma Station Drive) for recreation programs, citing overcrowding at the Senior and Art Center and the need for youth activities. She highlighted the site's potential to serve as a community hub.

Discussion Items

• Item 8: Ordinance No. 1311 – Arts and Cultural Commission Name Change (Introduction and First Reading): Vice Mayor Aquino introduced an amendment to drop the "al" from "Cultural," changing the commission's name to "Arts and Culture Commission." The chair and vice chair of the commission supported the change. The ordinance was introduced and read for the first time, then approved unanimously (5-0) on first reading.

• Item 9: Fiscal Year 2021-22 Budget Workshop: Finance Director Stacey Tamani presented the proposed budget. The "as is" budget for FY 2021-22 is $91.8 million, an increase of $2.6 million (3%) from the FY 2020-21 budget of $89.5 million, primarily due to MOU salary and benefit increases. A $1 million revenue shortfall is projected, which staff plans to address using one-time mechanisms (e.g., vacant position holds). The Council discussed four questions:

  1. Allocation of resources: The current allocation is approximately 50% for police and fire, 12% general government, 8% public works, 17% culture and recreation, 6% community development, and 1% debt service. Council members generally supported the allocation, with Councilmember Howell requesting a comparison to neighboring cities.
  2. Use of surplus revenues: Councilmember Howell proposed splitting any surplus 50% to replenish the general fund reserve (which was drawn down by $5 million) and 50% to restore recreation programs. Vice Mayor Aquino and Councilmember Rodriguez favored replenishing the rainy day fund to 15% first. Councilmember Chalamcherla emphasized restoring parks and recreation programs cut by 50% due to COVID.
  3. Top three priorities for enhancements: Councilmembers cited park maintenance, open space cleanup (including homeless camps and fire hazard reduction), a modest grant program for homelessness service providers (e.g., Hart), and additional public safety measures (e.g., crosswalk safety at Goldflink Drive and Trails).
  4. Scaling back services: No specific services were identified for reduction. Councilmember Chalamcherla suggested exploring the use of interns or student assistants from Folsom Lake College to supplement staff, potentially at lower cost. He also proposed expanding the CAPS and CERT volunteer programs. The Mayor directed staff to incorporate the feedback into the proposed budget, which will be presented on April 27, 2021.

• Item 10: Future Use Options for City-Owned Property at 405 Natoma Station Drive: Parks and Recreation Director Lorraine Pajoni presented three options: retain for city use, lease, or sell. The property (10,000 sq. ft. building, 8,000 sq. ft. outdoor area) was formerly leased by Brighton Schools for 20 years (monthly rent $6,500, plus utilities). The building is in poor condition, requiring an estimated $350,000 in repairs and ADA compliance. A lease could generate $15,000–$20,000 net monthly revenue. A sale could yield $2.5–$3 million one-time. The Council discussed:

  • Councilmember Howell strongly opposed selling or leasing, favoring retaining the property for city recreation programs (e.g., preschool, youth arts, ceramics) to relieve overcrowding at the Senior and Art Center.
  • Vice Mayor Aquino agreed, noting the unique opportunity and suggesting programming be vetted through the Parks and Recreation Commission.
  • Councilmember Chalamcherla supported retaining the property but suggested exploring a short-term lease if there is interest, though he leaned toward city use. He echoed the need for creative programs.
  • Councilmember Rodriguez supported retaining the property for arts and culture, citing the city's robust offerings for families.
  • The Mayor took a slightly contrarian view, suggesting trying to lease the property for a daycare (to generate revenue for expanded programs), but acknowledged the majority preference. The final consensus was to retain the property for city recreation programs, with staff to bring back more detailed plans after consulting the Parks and Recreation Commission.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously (5-0).
• Ordinance No. 1311 (Arts and Culture Commission name change): Introduced and approved on first reading (5-0).
• Budget Workshop: Council provided direction on priorities: replenish reserves, restore recreation programs, and explore cost-saving measures like student interns. Staff will incorporate feedback and present the proposed budget on April 27, 2021.
• 405 Natoma Station Drive (Brighton School site): Council directed staff to proceed with retaining the property for city recreation programs, with further analysis and input from the Parks and Recreation Commission. No action was taken on leasing or selling.
• Traffic and park concerns in Folsom Ranch: The Parks and Recreation Director offered to meet with residents; the Mayor encouraged them to contact the traffic safety committee.

Next Regular Meeting: March 23, 2021.