Folsom City Council Regular Meeting – October 25, 2022

The Folsom City Council met on October 25, 2022, at 6:30 PM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting included public comments, four presentations, approval of the consent calendar (with two items pulled for discussion), and councilmember reports. The meeting adjourned at 8:08 PM.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Steve Miklos questioned Councilmember Kozlowski about a campaign claim that a fire station was added during Kozlowski's first four years. After exchange, Kozlowski clarified the fire station opened on 9-11-18, before he was elected, and thanked the council for their role.
• Linda Clark requested restoration of local animal services (spay/neuter programs, shelter) and noted only one animal control officer for the growing city. Mayor Howell responded that a second officer position was approved and recruitment is underway.
• Renee Bays (NORCAL Carpenters Union) expressed support for apprenticeship programs, healthcare for all workers, and local hire. She criticized non-responsible general contractors who cheat workers of livable wages, commit tax fraud, and deny healthcare. She urged the council to adopt basic labor standards.
• Mina Kalayan (founder of VMbrace) and Varsha Bondu (Vista del Lago High School student) presented an inclusive 5K walk on Thanksgiving Day at 10 AM (assembly at 8:30 AM) to raise funds for a center serving children and adults with developmental disabilities. They noted a permit application has been submitted.
• Janine Ferrer encouraged residents to vote and thanked Folsom PD for traffic enforcement. She also raised concerns about pedestrian safety on MacAdoo near events and requested attention to the Willow Springs neighborhood.

Presentations

• Resolution of Commendation Honoring Kaiser Permanente on their 20th Anniversary – Mayor Howell presented a resolution recognizing Kaiser Permanente’s 20 years in Folsom, serving over 80,000 members with 80 physicians and 370 staff. Dr. Richard Fleury accepted and thanked the city for partnership, looking forward to a new, larger facility.
• Resolution of Commendation Honoring Aimee Johns and Paul Bandy for Shark Rescue – Councilmember Kozlowski presented. Johns (RN) and Bandy (police officer) helped save a shark attack victim at Lovers Point Beach on June 22, 2022. The couple expressed gratitude and noted the victim, Steve Brummer, is the true hero.
• City of Folsom ALERT Rain and Stream Gauges for Enhanced Storm Response – Public Works Director Mark Rackovan and Senior Engineer Ryan Neves presented. The city installed seven rain gauges and four stream gauges (completed in 2022) funded through DWR grants. Gauges provide real-time data and alerts to city staff. Neves demonstrated how data helps predict flooding (e.g., Sibley Street closure). The public website is folsom.rain.com. Councilmembers discussed leaf debris management and community education.
• Folsom Plan Area Semi-Annual Report – Community Development Director Pam Johns and Senior Engineer Steve Cronup presented development activity. Highlights: 3,800+ final mapped lots, 592 more to be mapped soon; permit activity slowed from ~100/month to ~20/month due to rising interest rates; 1,819 certificates of occupancy; first multifamily affordable housing project (Mangini Park Place apartments) underway; fire station construction started; infrastructure for UC Davis and Dignity Health parcels progressing. Council discussed road closures, traffic impacts, and future buildout timeline (half entitled in first five years, remaining may take longer). Cronup’s upcoming retirement noted.

Consent Calendar

• Items 5-16 (except 10 and 14) were approved unanimously by roll call vote (5-0).
• Item 10 (Resolution No. 10932 – Mangini Ranch Phase 1 Re-landscaping Project) – Pulled by Councilmember Chalamcherla. He suggested the ~$140,000 project could be done with community volunteer support rather than a contractor. The item was approved unanimously after brief discussion; Mayor Howell noted irrigation changes make it more complex.
• Item 14 (Objective Design and Development Standards and Green Means Go Grant Funding) – Pulled by Mayor Howell. She questioned the cost ($170,000–$250,000) for Opticos design standards and noted the storm drain project (500 ft of 18-inch pipe for $312,500) seemed high. Staff explained the design standards are objective requirements for by-right projects; the storm drain issue is in an alley from a related project. Both resolutions (10936 and 10937) were approved unanimously (5-0).

Council Comments & Reports

• City Manager reports: Ribbon-cutting for Folsom connector segment (Oct. 26); trunk-or-treat at police dept. (Oct. 29); Holiday Lights volunteer opportunities; commission applications due Nov. 14.
• Vice Mayor Rodriguez announced multiple Halloween events, Twin Lakes Food Bank numbers (1,700–2,200 per month), Veterans Day Parade, ice skating rink opening Nov. 11, and winter shelter volunteer needs. She requested future presentations on ARPA spending, sales tax revenue improvement, RENA (Regional Housing Needs Allocation), and transient occupancy tax compliance for Airbnb.
• Councilmember Chalamcherla thanked for intersection restriping and urged study of roundabouts for high-speed roads (e.g., East Bidwell, Iron Point). He also highlighted water conservation education needs for new homes.
• Councilmember Kozlowski celebrated sports: Sac State football, Sacramento Republic FC, and local high school football playoffs.
• Councilmember Aquino noted improvements at Walmart shopping center after-school issues; volunteers are present Fridays 2–4 PM to deter loitering and engage students. She also urged property owner to improve cleanliness.
• Mayor Howell reported on RT ridership increases, connector completion (except East Bidwell to county line), and asked for safe driving.

Key Outcomes

• Commendations for Kaiser Permanente and shark rescue heroes adopted.
• Rain and stream gauge network completed; public access at folsom.rain.com.
• Folsom Plan Area development update received; council noted 1,819 occupancies, approximately 4,000 lots mapped, and slowdown in permits.
• Consent calendar approved (5-0) with items 10 and 14 approved individually after discussion.
• Council requested future staff reports on: ARPA fund allocation, economic development plans, RENA presentation, TOT compliance, and a roundabout feasibility study (December 13).
• Recruitment underway for second animal control officer; community encouraged to volunteer for commissions and Holiday Lights.