Folsom City Council Regular and Joint Meetings - December 14, 2021
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Folsom City Council Regular and Joint Meetings - December 14, 2021
The Folsom City Council held a regular meeting, followed by joint meetings of the Folsom Redevelopment Successor Agency, Folsom Public Financing Authority, Folsom Ranch Financing Authority, and South of 50 Parking Authority, on December 14, 2021, at 6:30 PM in the City Council Chambers. The council considered a wide range of items, including scheduled presentations, a consent calendar, multiple public hearings, old business, new business, appointments, and the election of the mayor and vice mayor for 2022. Key outcomes included approval of new solid waste rates with modifications, sale of surplus land to Habitat for Humanity, rejection of a fiber network agreement, and selection of a new mayor and vice mayor.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes for October 26 and November 9, 2021 meetings.
- Approved appointments, ordinances, and resolutions (items 6-16, 18-25) without discussion, except item 17 which was pulled.
- Consent calendar approved 5-0, excluding item 17.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Business from the Floor: Multiple residents (Olivia Klein, Jennifer Lane, Crystal Tobias, Robin Kaplan via statement, Malkush Godvi, Sharon Kindle) expressed strong support for establishing a nature center at Hinkle Creek Nature Area, citing educational and environmental benefits. Speakers requested the city invest in opening the center and continuing a lecture series.
- On Item 17 (Folsom Lake Crossing/East Natoma Safety Improvements): Residents Rebecca Bolin, Gary Bolin, and Jerry Burnell argued that a median barrier alone is insufficient and urged installing a traffic signal at Gianata Way to address speeding. They cited traffic safety committee vote (6-1) supporting a signal. Staff clarified the item is only for median barrier design using HSIP grant funds; a signal would be a separate decision.
- On Solid Waste Rates (Item 26): Speaker Bill Smith advocated for organic waste recycling and suggested employing housed individuals for collection. No other public comments were made.
- On Historic District Commission Appointments (Item 34): Kathleen Cole requested reappointment, citing her experience during the pandemic. Bob Delp thanked the council for consideration.
Discussion Items
- PG&E Vegetation Management Presentation (Item 3): PG&E presented a revised plan after initial community backlash, reducing tree removals from 265 points to 50 trees (14 trims, 36 removals, 8 oak trees—5 less than 3 inches diameter, 3 hazardous). PG&E agreed to provide replacement trees and a tree bank. Council members and resident Bruce Klein expressed appreciation for the collaborative outcome.
- Solid Waste Rate Increase (Item 26 - Public Hearing): The proposed rate increase (Prop 218) was driven by SB 1383 organic waste mandates. Staff received 297 written protests, insufficient for majority protest. Council debated fees for hazardous waste and bulky waste. Discussion included supporting smaller can options, low-income subsidies, and clarifying weekly pickup requirements. Motion amended to remove hazardous waste fee and eliminate bulky waste charges (first pickup free) due to minimal revenue and illegal dumping concerns.
- Community Facilities District No. 23 (Folsom Ranch) (Item 27): Amendments to Improvement Area No. 3 and creation of Improvement Area No. 7 approved; series of resolutions and ordinances adopted following prescribed procedures and 100% landowner support.
- Broadstone Estates and Folsom Heights Subdivision Map Extensions (Items 28-29): Three-year extensions approved for both subdivisions (81 units and 530 units respectively), consistent with new ordinance allowing up to six years.
- Sale of Surplus Land to Habitat for Humanity (Item 30): Council approved sale of 5 lots at 300 Persifer Street for $10,000 to develop 10 for-sale affordable units (5 single-family + 5 ADUs). Motion passed 4-1; Councilmember Aquino dissented due to the steep discount from market value (~$625,000).
- Fiber Networks Installation Agreement (Item 31 - Old Business): Resolution to authorize agreement with SiFi Networks failed 2-3. Councilmembers Howell, Aquino, and Chalamcherla opposed, citing concerns about lack of completed installations, potential road disruptions, and preference to wait for more proven providers. Supporters (Rodriguez, Kozlowski) favored enabling private investment and competition.
- Affordable Housing Loan for Mangini Place (Item 32): Approved $6.86 million loan (3.3% interest, 35-year term) for 152 affordable units in the Folsom Plan Area. Also approved deferral of 75% of city impact fees (up to $6.27 million). Motion passed 5-0.
- Appointments: Bill Romanelli appointed to Planning Commission (unanimous). Kathleen Cole and Mark Doscalos appointed to Historic District Commission (at-large); historic preservation seat left open for future applicants. Planning Commissioner Justin Rafel appointed to HDC as planning commission representative.
- Election of Mayor and Vice Mayor: Councilmember Carrie Howell elected Mayor (3 votes), Councilmember Rosario Rodriguez elected Vice Mayor (3 votes) for 2022.
Key Outcomes
- Solid Waste Rates: Resolution 10775 adopted with alternative B (no hazardous waste fee) and removal of bulky waste charges for all pickups (first pickup free). Rates will increase to $46.25/month (Jan 2022) and reach $60/month by 2026. Low-income subsidy discussion deferred to upcoming budget workshops.
- CFD No. 23 (Folsom Ranch): Resolutions 10767-10772 and Ordinances 1321-1322 approved, establishing Improvement Area No. 7 (211 market-rate homes, 1.87-1.88% tax) and amending Improvement Area No. 3 (919 active-adult homes, 1.65-1.68% tax).
- Subdivision Extensions: Resolutions 10759 and 10760 approved, granting three-year extensions for Broadstone Estates and Folsom Heights maps.
- Surplus Land Sale: Resolution 10777 approved, selling 300 Persifer Street to Habitat for Humanity for $10,000 (with deed restriction for 55-year affordability).
- Fiber Network Agreement: Resolution 10744 failed (2-3).
- Affordable Housing Loan: Resolution 10776 approved ($6.86 million loan to Mangini Place Affordable, LP).
- Appointments: Romanelli to Planning Commission; Cole and Doscalos to HDC; Rafel as planning commissioner on HDC.
- Mayor/Vice Mayor: This council took effect immediately for 2022.
- City Manager/Council Reports: Upcoming workshops on budget (Jan 18, 2022), opposition to Senate Bill 262 (no bail), support for Folsom Bulldogs, encouragement to shop local and drive safely.
Meeting Transcript
Taken many walks along Hinkle Creek Trail over the years. We've hunted for tadpoles, searched for items on the nature scavenger hunt, and enjoyed the beautiful trees. My mom will point out what some of the trees are. We've even had a friend take us on a nature walk and identify some of the plants. A nature center would allow us to take a deeper look at learning about the natural species in our area. This kind of knowledge would help us better take care of our environment and the animals that live among us. Please consider providing a nature center that would serve my family and our community. Thank you. Okay, next is Olivia Klein, and she will be followed by Jennifer Lane. Okay, go ahead. Hello, my name is Olivia Klein, and I am in third grade at Carlson Elementary School. I am eight years old. I live in Folsom in American River Canyon. I'm here today to talk about why it is important to have a nature center. Nature is beautiful, and I think it is important to learn about it with my friends and family. If we could have a nature center, it would be fun to learn about the animals that walked in my neighborhood like the skunks, turkeys, squirrels, deers, and birds. And that is why I would like to have a nature center in Folsom. Thank you for your time. Thank you, Miss Klein. Well done. Hi there. Good evening. You can pick the mic up. Good evening. I'm back. As most of you know, I was an elementary school teacher with Folsom Cordova school district for many years. All parts are valued in nature and science. Where we could study birds and other wildlife, including native plants. This is built in with respect. This must be taught. Why do we need to go to other nature centers when we have the very place to study nature here? Our very own city corporation yard right next to Lake Natoma. Let's build our own nature center and take care of this for all our children and others to share this experience. I hope that I have just planted a seed for this idea. I believe that I was put on earth to teach children about this sensitive subject, nature. And thank you for your time tonight. Thank you, Ms. Lynn. Next will be Crystal Tobias and Crystal will be followed by Rebecca Bornamisa. Good evening. I'm Crystal Tobias, longtime city volunteer and activist and co-founder of Friends of Lakes Folsom and Natoma. I want to take a moment to thank the city for their efforts in preserving Folsom's trees, plus all the other hard work that they do to keep our city clean and safe. Oaks are a keystone species that provide a rich source of food and shelter to many creatures and have a positive effect on the surrounding soil and water. They directly or indirectly benefit a wide range of species, including deer, a variety of small mammals, many bird species, some that are declining rare or endangered, reptiles and amphibians, and other organisms. According to Michigan State University, a mature tree is worth 193,250 by generating oxygen, controlling pollution and soil erosion, recycling water, and providing a home for animals. This does not include the value of fruit or lumber. Since I was five years old, I've wanted to live in historic Folsom due to the proximity of the American River's Riparian Corridor. The Greater Folsom area is amazingly beautiful and diverse and is truly a perfect setting for a nature center. Amazingly enough, we have such a center in the Hinkle Creek Nature Area. We are here tonight to strongly encourage the city to continue working towards opening that center to the public, including student groups, and investing in an educational program that would have a lasting positive effect on the people, especially children who visit the center.
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