Folsom City Council Special and Regular Meeting – April 12, 2022
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Folsom City Council Special and Regular Meeting – April 12, 2022
The Folsom City Council convened a special meeting at 6:15 PM for closed session (no report), then reconvened at 6:30 PM for the regular meeting. The regular agenda included public comments, two scheduled presentations (Arbor Day proclamation and the Active Transportation Plan), approval of a consent calendar, a joint public hearing with the Folsom Ranch Financing Authority for bond issuance, discussion and votes on a fiber optic network agreement and allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, consideration of a response to a Brown Act demand letter, and city manager/council reports.
Consent Calendar
- Unanimously approved the following items: minutes from March 8 and March 22, 2022 meetings (Items 3–5); food and beverage concession agreement at Lembi Community Park with Folsom Athletic Association (Resolution 10828); amendment to shelter services agreement with Sacramento SPCA (Resolution 10829); Riley Street Sidewalk Feasibility Study contract amendment and fund appropriation (Resolution 10832); reduced tipping fee agreement with Sacramento County (Resolution 10833); household hazardous waste collection program agreement (Resolution 10834); building valuation data update (Resolution 10836); and shaded fuel break and ladder fuel removal contract with Brightview Tree Care Services (Resolution 10837).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Business from the Floor (non‑agenda items): Jean Schumann and Beth Croton thanked the council for a $5,000 grant to Folsom Alliance for the Unhoused, detailing services provided (medical supplies, outreach, 13,000 miles driven, assistance for 82 unhoused individuals). Sharon Kindle advocated for activating the Hinkle Creek Nature Center, noting a prior $740,000 grant and 12 years of underuse. Janine Ferrer, on behalf of feral cat volunteers, requested removal of anonymous posts on the C Click Fix app that reportedly led to harm of cats; she also noted similar stalking of unhoused volunteers. Janet Black supported the nature center. Margie Donovan raised concerns about SACRT Go paratransit fare restrictions and discrimination.
- During ARPA discussion (Item 15): Michael Reynolds (Heifer president) supported enforcement funding for historic district parking. Kathleen Cole, Jim Snook, James Via (shuttle entrepreneur), Jerry Brunell (FHDA treasurer), and Will Kempton (River District Organizing Committee) spoke in favor of historic district funding, shuttle purchase, and economic development plans.
Discussion Items
- Arbor Day Proclamation (Item 1): Mayor Howell proclaimed April 23, 2022 as Arbor Day; Folsom’s 16th year as Tree City USA. Approved unanimously.
- Active Transportation Plan (ATP) Presentation (Item 2): Staff and consultant Aaron David presented the draft plan, summarizing public feedback (safety, speeding, crosswalks, trail connections). The plan recommends 300 projects; high‑priority projects total ~$88 million. Councilmembers discussed speed, bicycle boulevards, and prioritization. No vote was taken; public comment period open through April 24.
- Fiber Network Agreement – SiFi Networks (Item 14): Public Works Director Mark Rackovan presented an updated agreement adding a maintenance funding clause. Public speaker George Condon raised concerns about construction costs and pavement stability. SiFi’s Scott Bradshaw addressed funding (backed by a pension fund with $690B AUM) and construction methods. Councilmember Aquino voted no; motion passed 4–1.
- ARPA Funds Allocation (Item 15): CFO Stacey Tamani outlined the remaining $6.2 million in ARPA funds. Staff recommended broad categories: $3M for facilities/infrastructure, $1.3M for economic development (including River District plan, historic district shuttles, parking management), ~$800K for general government, $540K for public safety (including a ladder truck), and ~$450K unallocated. Councilmembers debated the shuttle bus funding ($200K) and enforcement; Councilmember Chalamcherla requested delay for public input but motion to approve as presented carried 4–1 (Chalamcherla dissenting).
- Brown Act Demand Response (Item 17): Council unanimously approved sending a letter responding to a demand from Scott Rafferty regarding alleged Brown Act violations, affirming ongoing compliance.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously.
- Arbor Day Proclamation: Approved.
- Folsom Ranch Financing Authority – Bonds: Resolutions 10835 and 008‑FRFA (authorizing up to $17 million in Special Tax Revenue Bonds for CFD No. 23, Improvement Area No.1) approved unanimously.
- Fiber Network Agreement – Resolution 10838: Approved 4–1 (Aquino opposed).
- ARPA Fund Allocation: Approved 4–1 (Chalamcherla opposed); staff directed to use the standard allowance for revenue loss and allocate funds within the broad categories presented. Ladder truck funding was prioritized due to supply chain concerns.
- Bidwell Place Affordable Housing Grant (Item 16): Continued to May 10, 2022 special meeting.
- Brown Act Response – Resolution: Approved unanimously.
- City Manager Reports: Noted upcoming events (Spring Extravaganza April 16, Community Service Day Sept 17, battery collection program collecting over 36,000 pounds in 2021).
- Council Comments: Councilmembers reported on regional board meetings (STA, Air Quality Management District, RT) and infrastructure updates; urged safer driving.
Meeting Transcript
Convene the special meeting of the Folsom City Council for April 12th, 2022. Do you have anything to report out, Mr. City Attorney? Nothing to report at all, Madam Mayor. Okay, in which case we will adjourn the special meeting and adjourn the regular meeting of the Folsom City Council for April 12th, 2022. And if you will all join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge allegiance to the flag. The United States of America. And to the Republic, religious stance, indivisible liberty, and justice for all. Do we have any agenda updates? Good evening, Madam Mayor. They are additional information for items eight and fourteen on Tennessee's agenda, a copy of which has been provided to you previously, and that they are also available on the table in the back. Additionally, item 14. I apologize, item 16 is being continued to an May T council meeting. And during okay. With that, we will move to business from the floor. And that is the opportunity for people to speak to us about anything that is not on the agenda. We do have three or four so far. That's right. This evening you have three requests to speak under business from the floor. Our first speakers will be Jean Schumann and Beth Croton, who will be followed by Sharon Kindle. Good evening, Madam Mayor. We are start the timer when you're ready to begin. Good evening. Um, I just wanted to take Beth and I wanted to take a moment of your time just to give a thank you to the city council here. And I believe you all have copies of it. I just wanted to read it to you. Um it says while facing critical budget constraints during these unprecedented public health concerns. I want to personally thank you for your strong advocacy and continued partnership on behalf of Folsom Alliance for the Unhoused Sector. You graciously granted several thousand dollars to the independence endeavor, five thousand of it allocated to the alliance's mobile center. This funding allowed the alliance to fulfill their agreement of equipping the center with medical supplies, first aid, narcan, CPR, clothing, shoes, masks, computer, hot spot, refrigerator, microwave, water, and the ability to heat foods. We are able to carry all supplies necessary to provide also for our veteran community stand downs, resource events in this and local communities. The alliance has been in existence for a year. It's had many growing pains in terms of where all these wonderful entities fit together in this puzzle of service. Each brings a set of unique and genuine skills and people who are learning to work together and offer the best solution to our unhoused population. Mentioning each of them is our way of recognizing the contributions they bring and just how in depth the city of Folsom goes to make a coalition of entities. This shows that not only the city, but the community at large plays a stake in its successes, recognizing the following the city of Folsom itself, the City of Folsom Council, the City of Folsom Parks, Folsom Police Department, SAC Self-Help Housing Navigator, Heart of Folsom, Twin Lakes Food Bank, Powerhouse Ministries, Reflection, MCC, Folsom Library Outreach, Jake's Journey Home, joined with Has Hope and all our wonderful volunteers. The brains brawn and heart of these entities couldn't be a finer representation representation of the giving heart of this community. To say the least, making inroads into our unhoused community is a daunting task. The education and information we have obtained has given us a unique insight into the issues surrounding homelessness, addiction, mental health, and family reunification, employment, lack of housing, and basic life skills. Having the ability to go to the unhoused instead of making them come to us has been the key to fixing the problems surrounding our folks. Jake's Journey Home has hope has done outreach in the past year to approximately 82 folks here in Folsom that were on the original unhoused list. We have added about 20 more folks to that list. Outreach from our center includes referral and placement into inpatient, day treatment, mental health services, medical services, physicals, vaccines for inpatient, day passes to appointments, community employment for the unhoused, housing assistance, rental, return to family with transportation, hand holding through all processes, clothing, food, narcan, CPR, masks, educational, vocational skills, legal assistance, case expungement, pardons, court letter, communications with probation departments, bicycle program, obtain driver's licenses, social security cards, and medical insurance, coordination with the VA to assist our veterans into housing and veteran benefits. Coordinating with county programs to bring community-based services to Folsom, website creation to assist folks into services and another venue of outreach, 13,000 miles driven for outreach since we began the alliance. McDonald's is the new remote office. We appreciate them and a trello documentation. For out of homelessness and into a life of product productivity, we appreciate you and this partnership. And then there's another line there. Thank you.
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