Folsom City Council Regular Meeting – April 13, 2021

The Folsom City Council held a regular meeting on April 13, 2021, at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at 50 Natoma Street. The meeting included presentations from Congressman Ami Bera on the American Rescue Plan, proclamations, a workshop on the City Council Governance Manual, discussion on the Park Naming Policy, and decisions on grant applications and business license fee waivers. Public comment primarily focused on homelessness and requests for increased city funding and services.

Consent Calendar

• Item 5 (Ordinance No. 1312 – Sidewalk Vendors) – Pulled by Councilmember Rodriguez who voted no; adopted on a 4-1 vote (Rodriguez yes, Aquino no, Chalamcherla yes, Howell yes, Kozlowski yes).
• Items 6-10 – Approved unanimously (4-0) as a consent block: Resolution acknowledging fire inspections, purchase of three Ford Ranger trucks, sidewalk replacement contract, formation of Prairie Oaks Ranch No. 2 Landscaping and Lighting District, and lease extension for Einstein Cafe.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Charlotte Brock (HART volunteer) – Expressed support for HART’s winter shelter, which provided sanctuary for 48 individuals over 84 nights; thanked volunteers and donors.
• Muriel Bronstein (Toma Station resident) – Urged the council to partner with county and service agencies to address homelessness, warning of a surge when rent moratorium ends.
• Beth Crotu (HART volunteer) – Cited a HART census identifying 96 unhoused individuals in Folsom; reported a 27-year-old man died of a drug overdose. Requested transitional housing, a day center, and city funding.
• Jean Schumann – Proposed an “interim transitional accommodation” using donated tents, tarps, and lockers at Lyons Park; called for a chaplain program and collaborative meetings (noting a biweekly meeting began with Councilmember Rodriguez, FPD, and others).
• Judy Alexander (HART president) – Requested $50,000/year for four transitional housing units at Bidwell Suites, $100,000 one-time for six tiny homes, $300,000/year for a day center, and $860,000/year for a 50-bed shelter. Noted potential funding from the American Rescue Plan.
• Krita Adams (HART board member) – Called for the city to press Sacramento County to provide mental health and Medi-Cal services locally; cited a recent positive collaboration with the county for housing interviews.
• Ed Kelly (past president of HART) – Emphasized the need for transitional housing and a community resource center to bring county services (e.g., drug counseling) to Folsom, as transportation to Sacramento is a barrier.
• Steve Waters (First Step Communities director) – Supported earlier speakers; noted federal and state money is available for homelessness; urged proactive steps to avoid the crisis seen in other cities.
• Written comments – John Wright and Vijay John Alagata submitted letters supporting increased funding for transitional housing and HART services.

Discussion Items

• Presentation – Congressman Ami Bera (American Rescue Plan) – Congressman Bera reported that Folsom would receive approximately $15 million directly, with the first half arriving soon; the Folsom Cordova School District would get about $26 million. Funds are flexible but cannot be used for pensions. Bera recommended continued masking, distancing, and vaccination. Councilmembers thanked him and discussed the need for cautious reopening.
• Proclamations – April 2021 proclaimed as Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month (presented by Councilmember Chalamcherla to Jim Wilkes); Arbor Day celebrated on April 24, with Folsom recognized as a 2020 Tree City USA (15th year) and receiving a Growth Award. A tree planting event at Pruitt Park was announced.
• Presentation – Ladder Fuel and Weed Abatement – Staff (Lorraine Pagioni, Fire Chief Ken Cassano, Lauren Ono, Zachary Paris) outlined a fire hazard rating system with six indicators, a three-year rotation for ladder fuel treatment, and weed abatement on 301 acres annually. A FEMA grant of $500,000 (25% city match) is pending. Councilmember Aquino noted residents are receiving insurance non-renewals due to fire risk; staff agreed to provide information to insurers. Councilmember Howell highlighted the importance of proactive vegetation management.
• Workshop – City Council Governance Manual (Part 1) – City Clerk Krista presentated sections on effective governance and roles/responsibilities. Councilmember Sarah Aquino praised the effort and suggested strengthening the introductory statement. Councilmember Rosario Rodriguez questioned the lack of enforcement mechanisms. Councilmember Howell noted that the manual is a statement of principles, not a penalty system. Councilmember YK Chalamcherla found it helpful for new members. Discussion included clarifying that direction to staff should go through the city manager only. The manual will return for sections 3 and 4.
• Presentation – Park Naming Policy – Parks and Recreation Commission Chair Dave Nasworth and ad hoc committee chair Matt Hedges presented proposed updates to the 1996 policy. Concerns included: allowing naming after geography/topography, prohibitions (felons, alcohol, tobacco, religion), whether nominees must be deceased, time limits on name lists, and process for facilities and donor naming. The committee requested public outreach before revising the policy. Councilmember Howell provided historical context (e.g., naming of Georgia Murray Library and Economy Family Park). Councilmember Aquino supported the review but cautioned against a morals clause. Councilmember Kozlowski allowed the commission to proceed with public outreach.
• New Business – Ratification of Grant Applications – Public Works Director David Nugent reported that the city submitted three projects for federal Community Project Funding (earmarks): Intelligent Transportation Master Plan, Riley Street Sidewalks, and US 50 Empire Ranch Road Interchange. The council unanimously ratified the submissions (Resolution 10609).
• New Business – Business License Fee Waiver – CFO Stacey Tamani announced a new contract with HDL Companies for business license administration. Staff sought direction on waiving fees for FY 21-22. Current waivers only cover home occupation licenses (~$40 fee). Extending to all businesses under $600/year would cost $500,000-$550,000 in general fund revenue and assist 4,620 businesses. After debate, the council voted 4-1 (Rodriguez yes, Aquino yes, Chalamcherla yes, Howell yes, Kozlowski yes) to waive fees for businesses paying less than $600/year, including the $4 state-mandated disability fee. A second motion to also waive the $60 Historic District surtax (covering those streets from fund balance) passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinance No. 1312 (Sidewalk Vendors) – Adopted on second reading (4-1).
• Grant Applications – Ratified submission of three projects to federal Community Project Funding (unanimous).
• Business License Fee Waiver – Waived fees for all businesses paying less than $600/year, including the $4 disability fee and the $60 Historic District surtax, for FY 21-22. Revenue impact of $500,000-$550,000 to be covered by general fund balance.
• Governance Manual – Workshop continued; staff to incorporate feedback and return with sections 3 and 4.
• Park Naming Policy – Parks and Recreation Commission to conduct public outreach and propose a revised policy for council consideration.
• City Manager Reports – Announced a virtual workshop on April 15 for community input on the ground-floor space at 905 Lidesdorf Street; noted the Love My Mom 5K on May 2; recognized National Public Safety Telecommunications Week (FPD dispatchers answered 94,000 calls) and a hometown hero award to 9-year-old Emma.
• Council Comments – Councilmember Chalamcherla urged continued hand sanitizer distribution; Councilmember Rodriguez reported on homelessness outreach, CERT cleanup, and joining the Sacramento Steps Forward board; Councilmember Howell updated on RT board approval of Elk Grove annexation and the Southeast Connector signal; Councilmember Aquino shared a commendation for Public Works staff; Mayor Kozlowski noted SACOG discussions on regional transportation funding and the success of Folsom’s project prioritization, thanking staff. The meeting adjourned at 9:11 p.m.