Folsom City Council Regular Meeting – March 14, 2023

The Folsom City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, beginning at 6:15 PM with a special closed session (no action taken) and reconvening at 6:30 PM for the regular meeting. The meeting included scheduled presentations, a consent calendar, a public hearing, a joint meeting with other agencies, and requests for future agenda items.

Consent Calendar

• Approved items 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 by a single motion. Items 5, 12, and 13 were pulled for individual discussion.
• Item 5: Approved the February 16, 2023 special meeting minutes with two minor edits (correcting “district” to “distinct” and identifying the consultants as Rick Hayden and Jen Perkins of Baker Tilly).
• Item 12 (Resolution 11004): Authorized a construction agreement with McGuire and Hester for the Folsom Lake Crossing and East Natoma Street Friction Enhancement Project. After debate, the resolution passed 4-1 (Councilmember Rohrbough opposed). The project will use open-grade asphalt to improve traction and reduce noise (expected 1-3 decibel reduction), funded by Measure A transportation sales tax. Councilmember Chalamcherla requested that construction follow the median barrier project to minimize disruption and maximize cost efficiency.
• Item 13 (Resolution 11005): Authorized an agreement with West Yost & Associates for construction management and inspection services for the Greenback Sewer and Lift Station No. 3 Project. Approved unanimously after discussion on procurement practices; Vice Mayor Chalamcherla recommended including reference checks and increasing cost weighting in future evaluations.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Shagun Jathani (11th grader at Vista del Lago High School) spoke in support of SB 54, the state law to make packaging recyclable or compostable by 2032. She cited EPA statistics — over 14.5 million tons of plastic in containers and packaging in 2018 — and urged the council to take steps to enforce the bill in Folsom as soon as possible.
• Steve Walsh (President of Friends of Folsom Preservation, a new nonprofit) requested that the organization be considered for stakeholder involvement in the city's River District and water vision planning committees. He noted their recent efforts to protect the Lakeside Memorial Lawn Cemetery and their focus on water-related issues.

Discussion Items

• Proclamation of American Red Cross Month: Mayor Rodriguez proclaimed March 2023 as American Red Cross Month. Red Cross representatives (Eileen Reynolds, Steven Walsh, Tracy Van) spoke about the organization’s local impact, including responding to house fires every eight minutes and providing over 3,400 overnight shelter stays during the 2022 wildfire season.
• City Manager's FY 2022-23 Second Quarter Financial Report (presented by Stacy Tamani, CFO):
  • General fund revenues projected at $106.2 million (budget $103.9 million); expenditures at $108 million (budget $103.9 million). Unassigned fund balance expected to drop from $23.3 million to $22.7 million (21.04% of expenditures).
  • Property tax growth averaging 6% per year (north of Hwy 50) and an additional $4.7 million from the Folsom Ranch area. Sales tax growth has flattened to 2.3% per year over the past six years.
  • Major challenge: Revenue growth ($17 million from property and sales tax combined since FY 2017) lagging behind expenditure growth ($28.7 million over the same period).
  • Fire department overtime projected to exceed budget by over $1.3 million, partially offset by vacant positions. Councilmember Rohrbough questioned the timing of budget requests and staff responsiveness; discussion included that police was $671,000 under budget but that would be consumed once vacancies are filled.
  • Enterprise funds (water, wastewater, solid waste) are in good financial shape, with solid waste rates adjusted to cover green waste program costs, though edible food recovery mandates may require future general fund support.
• Folsom Boulevard Pedestrian and Bicycle Overcrossing Feasibility Study (presented by Brett Bollinger, Senior Trails Planner):
  • The project has been studied since 1994. A feasibility study is underway with $200,000 in ARPA funds. Community outreach includes stakeholder focus groups (first meeting March 23, 2023), an online questionnaire, and a public workshop.
  • The preferred alignment will be near the light rail station, connecting to the Lake Natoma trail system. Estimated cost around $10 million (for environmental, design, construction). Council questions focused on ramp lengths, conflicts with power lines and trees, and the need to demonstrate value given the significant investment.
• Folsom Ranch Apartments Development Agreement Amendment (Public Hearing):
  • Ordinance 1337 approving Amendment No. 2 to the Tier 1 Development Agreement with Eagle Commercial Properties, LLC. The amendment allows 64 deed-restricted affordable housing units (for low, very low, and extremely low income households) on a separate parcel (Parcel 61) instead of mixing them with the 238-unit rental duplex development at Alder Creek Parkway and Westwood Drive.
  • The affordable units will be within the Folsom Plan Area, near the planned UC Davis Medical Center and Folsom Town Center. The developer voluntarily provides these units at no cost to the city, saving an estimated $4.5–$6 million. The amendment also clarifies inclusionary obligations.
  • Councilmember Aquino raised the issue of missing middle housing (for-sale options between $700k+ homes and rentals). Staff noted market trends and that for-sale attached housing is slowly returning.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar Items: Approved as noted above.
• Resolution 11004 (Friction Enhancement): Approved 4-1, with the expectation that construction be sequenced after the median barrier project to avoid rework.
• Resolution 11005 (West Yost): Approved unanimously.
• Ordinance 1337 (Folsom Ranch Apartments DA Amendment): Introduced and first reading approved unanimously. Second reading and adoption will occur at a future meeting.
• Joint Meeting Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously.
• Council Requests for Future Agenda Items:
  1. A joint workshop with the Traffic Safety Committee on the East Natoma corridor (from Green Valley/Blue Ravine to Folsom Lake Crossing) – consensus reached.
  2. A presentation from Hope Cooperative (operator of Bidwell Studios, a 24-unit homeless apartment facility) on program outcomes – consensus reached.
  3. A presentation on the financing plan for the Folsom Ranch area to address rising costs – consensus reached.
  4. A presentation on CalPERS unfunded liability, funding goals, and a strategic action plan – consensus reached; requested for summer 2023 to allow staff time to prepare.
• City Manager Reports and Council Comments: Covered upcoming events, regional meetings (RT board, SACOG), economic development (ICSC conference), water authority updates, and community recognitions.

The meeting adjourned at 8:33 PM.