Folsom City Council Special and Regular Meeting - May 10, 2022

This meeting consisted of a special closed session at 6:00 PM and a regular meeting called to order at 6:30 PM. The council considered financial reports, the proposed FY 2022-23 budget, a major apartment project, a controversial appeal of a crematorium denial, an affordable housing loan, and a police equipment policy. The meeting adjourned at 10:44 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of April 12 and April 26, 2022 meetings.
• Ratified emergency fuel tank replacement, subdivision improvement agreements for Mangini Ranch phases, purchase of a ladder truck, construction contracts for water treatment plant upgrades, landscaping/lighting district reports, design contract for East Bidwell Street improvements, trail change order, list of SB1 projects, and another subdivision improvement agreement for Mangini Ranch Phase 1C South.
• All items were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Numerous speakers addressed the appeal of the crematorium (Item 18). Opponents cited historical/cultural sensitivity, air quality concerns, property values, psychological impact, and fire risk from propane tanks. Supporters stressed the need for local cremation services, the professionalism of the applicant, and the lack of environmental impact.
• No public comments were made on other items.

Discussion Items

• Proclamations: Mayor proclaimed May 15-21, 2022 as National Police Week and National Public Works Week, and May 18, 2022 as City Works Day.
• Third Quarter Financial Report (FY 2021-22): General fund revenues projected at $100.6 million (budget $92.5 million), expenses at $98.3 million. Unassigned fund balance expected to reach $22.98 million (23.4% of expenditures). Sales tax recovery was faster than expected, but trend continues to flatten. Risk management and compensated leave funds remain under-replenished.
• Proposed FY 2022-23 Budget: Total general fund appropriations proposed at $102.4 million, an increase of $9.9 million over the original FY 2021-22 budget. The budget includes seven new firefighter positions, three additional firefighters made permanent, one police officer, one dispatcher, one animal control officer, and other items. A projected structural deficit of $3.4 million annually by FY 2028 was noted. Sales tax growth is flattening. The presentation included a five-year forecast and discussion of unfunded needs.
• Folsom Corporate Center Apartments (Item 19): A 253-unit market-rate apartment project on 12 acres. Councilmember Aquino recused herself. The project required a General Plan Amendment, Planned Development Permit, and zoning change. Traffic and design issues were addressed. The council approved the resolution and introduced the zoning ordinance.
• Appeal of Crematorium Denial (Item 18): The Historic District Commission had denied a conditional use permit for a crematory at Lakeside Memorial Lawn Cemetery. After extensive public comment and deliberation, the council voted 3-2 to grant the appeal, overturning the denial. The approved motion included conditions of approval (1-30) from the staff report, but removed a proposed weather station condition. The mitigated negative declaration was also adopted.
• Affordable Housing Loan (Item 20): Approved a $588,265.55 loan to Bidwell Place, LP for a 75-unit affordable multifamily project, using housing funds to cover Quimby fees.
• Police Military Equipment Use Policy (Item 21): Introduced and gave first reading to Ordinance No. 1326 to comply with Assembly Bill 481, requiring council approval for military equipment. The policy covers eight existing categories (e.g., Bearcat, drone, diversion devices). No new equipment is sought.
• Brown Act Response (Item 22): The council approved a motion to continue compliance with the Brown Act in response to a demand letter from Scott Rafferty.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the FY 2021-22 third quarter financial report as presented.
• Approved the FY 2022-23 proposed budget for first reading (public hearing scheduled for May 24, 2022).
• Approved the Folsom Corporate Center Apartments project (Resolution No. 10849 and introduced Ordinance No. 1327).
• Granted the appeal for the Lakeside Memorial Lawn Crematorium (Conditional Use Permit), overturning the Historic District Commission's denial. Vote: 3-2 (Chalamcherla, Rodriguez, Howell in favor; Aquino, Kozlowski opposed).
• Approved the additional affordable housing loan for Bidwell Place (Resolution No. 10831).
• Introduced the Police Department Military Equipment Use Policy (Ordinance No. 1326).
• Approved the motion to continue Brown Act compliance.