Folsom City Council Meeting - July 27, 2021

The Folsom City Council held a special meeting at 5:30 PM for a closed session evaluation of the City Manager, followed by the regular meeting at 6:30 PM on July 27, 2021. The regular meeting included presentations, consent calendar approvals, public hearings, and discussions on drought response, solid waste rate increases, the transition to district-based elections, and a proclamation of local emergency due to extreme fire danger. Key votes included authorizing a Proposition 218 notice for solid waste rate adjustments, adopting a resolution of intent to transition to district elections, and declaring a fire emergency.

Consent Calendar

• Approved items 2-7 unanimously: Ordinance No. 1315 (water cross-connection control), resolutions for construction management (West Yost & Associates), construction administration (Water Works Engineers), construction contract (Caggiano General Engineering), subdivision improvement agreement (Toll Brothers at Folsom Ranch Phase 1B & 1C), and purchase of five solid waste collection vehicles (Western Truck Parts). Item 8 (Chamber of Commerce lease amendment) was pulled for separate discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mary Ann Salinovich requested blocking an anonymous user who repeatedly posts about homeless-related issues on the city's Click Fix app.
• John Ingram (Powerhouse) clarified that Powerhouse and Hart were asked by staff to submit separate proposals for homeless funding, not to compete with the Alliance; he emphasized asking questions before making judgments.
• Blanca Hurtado urged the council to support mask choice in schools, questioning the science behind mandatory masking for children.
• Mike Reynolds (Historic Folsom Residents Association) proposed a restrictive parking signage pilot for hotspot streets (Figueroa between Reading and Scott, adjacent feeders), along with improved wayfinding signage, to address commercial spillover parking.
• Adina Blair (resident) opposed parking permits but supported signage directing people to the parking garage, noting a sign at Scott and Natoma Street that directs traffic into her neighborhood.
• Robert Holderness (private citizen, working with 603 Sutter Street owners) expressed support for the parking pilot and noted growing stakeholder consensus.
• Denise Satterberry called for more community awareness on litter and plastics.
• Jim Snook (adhoc committee member) thanked city for the parking study and emphasized need for comprehensive approach including enforcement.
• Ryan Burnham (self-identified Native American and homeless) argued that the homeless crisis mirrors historical displacement of Native Americans and urged city to invest in solutions; he also asked council members to publicly state their salaries.
• On the Chamber lease (item 8), Beth Kelly (Heritage Preservation League) expressed concern about the automatic renewal, citing a modern sliding glass door installed by the Chamber, and requested that any future improvements be reviewed by a historic preservation architect.
• On the drought resolution (item 10), a resident (Patty Folsom Dig In) questioned the value of the turf replacement rebate and asked the city to consider reviving a "Cash for Grass" program.
• On the solid waste rate increase (item 11), Muriel Brownstein noted the rate would rise from $34 to $67 in five years and expressed concern for low-income residents; Patty Folsom Dig In also raised concerns about low-income impacts and the reduction from 3 bulky waste pickups to 1.
• On district elections (item 12), numerous speakers both supported and opposed. Donald Burks strongly supported district elections, stating he wants a representative who knows his street. Tom Rupp opposed, arguing at-large elections have served the city well and questioning the motivation behind forced change. Muriel Brownstein supported district elections, citing lack of accountability on the south of 50 annexation and the second bridge issue. Bernard Dooley, Cheryl Davis, Robert Dresser, Vijay Jana Lagata, Donna McGuire, Paula Lee (League of Women Voters), Linda Ryan, Dolly Seod, Teresa Garcia (via email), Chris Yatuma (via email), Lois Ballard (via email), and John Wright (via email) all expressed support. Catherine Corbett, Sharon Waddell (via email), and Trish McKinsey (via email) opposed. Scott Bailey suggested considering a seven-member council rather than five. Patty Folsom Dig In noted a positive experience with Councilmember Aquino visiting her neighborhood and argued for staying at-large.
• On the fire emergency (item 13), Steve Brown (Beach Hut Deli owner) described a fire that started from a homeless camp behind his business, emphasizing the speed of fire spread and thanking fire and police. Patty Folsom Dig In requested more proactive vegetation maintenance along Blue Ravine.

Discussion Items

• New Utility Bill Payment Portal (Scheduled Presentation): Revenue Services Supervisor Elizabeth Hannah demonstrated the new portal launched July 13th, featuring online, phone, and text payment; auto-pay; paperless billing; and payment reminders. A $3.50 surcharge applies to credit/debit card payments. Councilmembers praised the system.
• Item 8 – Chamber of Commerce Lease Amendment: Councilmember Aquino expressed concerns about allowing the Chamber to sublet unused space (ground floor) and splitting profits 50-50, suggesting the city could directly lease to other nonprofits. Councilmember Chalamcherla proposed opening the space to other organizations. Councilmember Howell noted the value of continuity and that the city retains co-responsibility for sublessees. Councilmember Rodriguez supported maintaining the Chamber's contract. The item passed 3-2 (Howell, Rodriguez, Kozlowski aye; Aquino, Chalamcherla no).
• Item 10 – Drought Resolution: Utilities Section Manager Todd presented on extreme drought conditions: Folsom Lake is approximately 25% full (250,000 acre-feet), inflows are one-third of normal, and the governor called for 15% voluntary reductions. Current city usage has not shown a 10-15% reduction. City Manager Elaine Andersen signaled likely need for mandatory restrictions soon. Councilmembers supported the resolution and encouraged public outreach.
• Item 11 – Solid Waste Rate Adjustment: General Services Manager Marie McKeith explained the need due to SB 1383 (organic waste collection mandate), which will increase costs significantly (new containers, processing, education, enforcement). The proposed five-year rate schedule includes an annual increase and an SB 1383 surcharge extension, resulting in a final bill $3.50 lower than originally presented compared to the previous proposal. The city will conduct a Proposition 218 public outreach campaign with a 45-day protest period and a public hearing on December 14, 2021. Councilmembers stressed more outreach.
• Item 12 – District-Based Elections: City Attorney Stephen Wong explained the legal background: the city received a C VRA demand letter, the safe harbor timeline resumed July 1, 2021, and no city has successfully defended against a C VRA lawsuit, with potential costs of up to $30 million (citing the Santa Monica case). Staff mailed over 30,000 informational mailers; of 474 responses, 295 supported at-large, 154 supported districts, 25 were undecided. The resolution declares intent to transition to district-based elections to avoid costly litigation. Councilmembers expressed reluctance but voted unanimously 5-0 to adopt the resolution.
• Item 13 – Fire Emergency Proclamation: Fire Chief Ken Casano reported that the city has had 47 open-space vegetation fires since July 2020, averaging 15 hours per incident. Fuel moisture is at a record low (97% vs. normal 137%). A video from Steve Brown showed the rapid progress of a fire behind his business, which originated in a homeless camp. The resolution restricts public access to high-fire-hazard open spaces using a rating system. Councilmembers unanimously supported the proclamation.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar Items 2-7: Approved unanimously.
• Item 8 – Chamber Lease Amendment (Resolution No. 10636): Approved 3-2 (Councilmembers Howell, Rodriguez, Kozlowski in favor; Aquino, Chalamcherla opposed).
• Item 9 – Prairie Oaks Ranch #2 Landscaping & Lighting District (Resolution No. 10672): Passed unanimously. Ballot tabulation showed 43.4% return rate, 55.5% in favor, 44.4% opposed; no majority protest.
• Item 10 – Drought Support Resolution (Resolution No. 10669): Approved unanimously. Authorizes City Manager to implement future reduction requirements.
• Item 11 – Solid Waste Prop 218 Notice (Resolution No. 10673): Approved unanimously. A 45-day public protest period will commence with a public hearing on December 14, 2021.
• Item 12 – Transition to District Elections (Resolution No. 10575): Approved unanimously (5-0). Council will proceed with five public hearings after census data is available.
• Item 13 – Fire Emergency Proclamation (Resolution No. 10674): Approved unanimously. City Manager authorized to restrict public access to high-risk open spaces.
• Next Regular Meeting: August 24, 2021.