Folsom City Council Special and Regular Meeting – March 23, 2021

This meeting of the Folsom City Council, held on March 23, 2021, began with a brief special session (closed to the public) regarding lease negotiations for Einstein’s Café, followed by the regular meeting at 6:30 PM. The council addressed a range of items including a proclamation, a new city website, a consent calendar, public testimony on homeless encampments and a home barbershop, a resolution confirming emergency orders related to wildfire risk, and future uses of city-owned properties. Council members present were Howell, Rodriguez, Aquino, Chalamcherla, and Kozlowski.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Heather Riley (on behalf of her mother) spoke against homeless encampment sweeps, arguing they displace unhoused residents and harm mental health. She urged the city to provide resources and reform low-income housing programs, noting that many homeless avoid shelters due to limited stays and prefer tent encampments as guaranteed shelter.
• Michael Myers supported Reed Bellis, a neighbor who converted a garage into a barbershop. Myers described the shop as tasteful and unobtrusive, and asked the council to help resolve permitting issues.
• Reed Bellis himself described building his barbershop after being told by the permitting office in 2020 that he could serve up to eight customers per day, provide a bathroom, and two parking spaces. Despite obtaining a city business license and a state establishment license, code enforcement later deemed the setup “too commercial for a residential neighborhood.” Bellis argued the shop is ADA-compliant, clean, and supported by neighbors.
• Patrick Galvin, a neighbor across the street, expressed support for the barbershop, noting its low impact (limited hours, one car) and safety during the pandemic.
• Mike Barnbaum announced an expansion of the Sacramento Regional Transit smart ride zone south of Highway 50, effective April 5, 2021. The city will promote the service on its website. Councilmembers praised the service and suggested a rider challenge.
• Frank Mostro, a neighbor on the court, opposed the barbershop, stating he was never consulted and that it could lower property values. He asked the council to consider neighbor input.

Presentations

• Proclamation: The mayor proclaimed April 11-17, 2021 as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. In 2020, Folsom police dispatchers answered 94,058 calls; 99.09% were answered in 15 seconds or less. Two dispatchers accepted the proclamation.
• City Website: Communications staff presented the redesigned city website (folsom.ca.us), which launched that day. Key features: mobile-first design, address lookup tool, improved search, reduced pages from 1,100 to 600, and dedicated economic development section. A caller (Margie Donovan, who is blind) raised accessibility concerns, noting that no third-party accessibility audit was performed. Council suggested she provide feedback to staff.

Consent Calendar

• Items 3–12 approved with a single motion, except Item 6 pulled for discussion.
• Item 6: 2020 General Plan Annual Progress Report. A written comment from Bob Delp urged adoption of a citywide noise reduction program, focusing on loud exhaust systems. Council discussed enforcement with Police Chief Hillman, who noted a special class for officers to detect modified vehicles. The item was approved unanimously.

Joint City Council / Agency Meeting

• Consent Calendar approved for December 8, 2020 minutes and monthly investment reports.
• Public Hearing – Item 20: Issuance of special tax bonds for Community Facilities District No. 21 (White Rock Springs Ranch), totaling up to $15 million. Staff explained the CFD was approved in 2018, with total infrastructure costs estimated at $75.3 million. The bond issuance will provide a value-to-lien ratio of 4.4 to 1. A public comment from Loretta Laurent questioned the bond process and requested engineered reports. Both resolutions (10603 and 007 FRFA) passed unanimously.

Old Business

• Item 13: Resolution No. 10600 confirming Emergency Order DES-06-20, which authorizes weed abatement and ladder fuel clearing in open space areas to reduce wildfire risk, including removal of homeless encampments posing a public safety hazard. Staff noted that in 2020, the fire department responded to seven open-space vegetation fires related to homeless encampments. Council approved the resolution unanimously after acknowledging the fire risk.
• Item 14: Further direction on 405 Natoma Station Drive (former Brighton School). Parks and Rec Director Lorraine Pagoni presented options for city programming (vacation zone, kindergarten readiness, ceramics) that could generate net new revenue (e.g., $26,600 from added vacation zone cohort). Council debated between retaining for park use and leasing short-term. After discussion, a motion to direct staff to explore leasing the building (through an RFP process) passed 3-2 (Aquino, Kozlowski, Rodriguez in favor; Howell, Chalamcherla against).

New Business

• Item 15: Retail space in Historic District (parking garage retail). Options: city use, lease, or sell. Public speakers (Jerry Burnell, Layla Scott-Jaworski, Joe Galliardi, Shelby Ryburn) generally favored leasing or selling to a private tenant at market rate to generate revenue and foot traffic, with concerns about competing with existing businesses and parking constraints. Council directed staff to hold a community meeting with stakeholders (business owners, residents) to refine parameters for an RFP.
• Item 16: Dan Russell Rodeo Arena. Staff presented current usage (43,000 annual revenue, events like rodeo, Renaissance Fair, cycle cross) and noted limited parking due to youth sports. Capital improvements needed (~$1.5 million for lighting, drainage, ADA). A sand volleyball proposal was presented by Joe Galliardi, Marco Malikatine, and Tom Alkire, citing 400% growth in the sport, scholarship opportunities, and potential for tournaments. Council decided to send the sand volleyball proposal to the Parks and Recreation Commission for review, with staff to coordinate with volleyball proponents and the tourism director.
• Item 17: Ordinance No. 1312 adding Chapter 12.24 to the Municipal Code on Sidewalk Vendors (first reading). The ordinance requires a 5-foot clear path, sanitary conditions, prohibits vending near certain businesses and at special events, and bans sales of alcohol, cannabis, etc. It exempts lemonade stands and nonprofit fundraisers. Council debated; Vice Mayor Aquino opposed, calling it overkill, but the motion to introduce passed 4-1 (Aquino dissenting).

City Manager Report

• Andy Morin Sports Complex reopened at 10% capacity for drop-in activities.
• Mourning the loss of Pouncer, the 19-year-old tiger at the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary.
• Recognition of Bayside Church of Folsom for supporting local businesses (purchasing $2,500 in gift cards, constructing Sutter Street parklet, lighting display, Easter egg hunt).

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar approved (Item 6 pulled but approved).
• Resolution 10600 (Emergency Order DES-06-20) confirmed unanimously.
• Resolution 10603 & 007 FRFA (Bond issuance for CFD 21) passed unanimously.
• Item 14 (405 Natoma Station): Council directed staff to explore leasing the building (motion passed 3-2).
• Item 15 (Historic District retail): Staff directed to convene a community meeting to inform an RFP for leasing the space at market rate.
• Item 16 (Rodeo Arena): Sand volleyball proposal referred to Parks and Recreation Commission for further study.
• Item 17 (Sidewalk Vendors): Ordinance introduced and passed first reading (4-1).
• Councilmembers noted ongoing concerns about traffic safety (speeding, red-light running), loud exhaust, and the need for community engagement on budget priorities.