Folsom City Council Regular Meeting – April 25, 2023

The Folsom City Council held a special meeting at 6:00 PM (closed session) followed by a regular meeting at 6:30 PM on April 25, 2023. The regular meeting featured a presentation on new state housing laws, several proclamations and commendations, a public comment period dominated by concerns over the city’s district elections lawsuit, and approval of a consent calendar with individual discussion of three items. The council also received updates on the Folsom Plan Area development and various community events.

Consent Calendar

• Items approved en bloc (6, 10–14): The council approved minutes of the April 11 meetings, resolutions updating the Governance Manual, authorizing construction agreements for Prospector Park and the Folsom Boulevard 27‑inch Trunk Sewer Project, accepting Green Means Go grant awards, and adopting the FY 2023‑24 SB 1 project list. All passed unanimously (5‑0).
• Item 7 (Resolution 11017 – SB 1383 Edible Food Recovery): Pulled by Councilmember Aquino for questions. Staff explained that tier‑two food generators (restaurants with 250+ seats) are defined by state law and will be notified; a regional program manager will oversee implementation. The resolution passed 5‑0.
• Item 8 (Resolution 11024 – Governance Manual Update): Pulled by Councilmember Rohrbough. She noted that initially she thought the manual was unnecessary but now recognizes its value. Mayor Rodriguez requested minor text corrections (e.g., “insure” to “insurers”, “commit” to “commits”, “avoid” to “avoids”). The amended resolution passed 5‑0.
• Item 9 (Resolution 11025 – Prospector Park Construction): Pulled by Vice Mayor Chalamcherla. He commended staff for holding a mandatory pre‑bid site visit, which led to accurate bids. He questioned the 10% contingency ($860,000 on a $8.6 million project). Staff confirmed that the 10% contingency is required by the Folsom Municipal Code and that a similar park (Economy Park) used only about $121,000 of its contingency. The resolution passed 5‑0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Scott Rafferty (resident/attorney): Asserted that the city has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars delaying compliance with the State Voting Rights Act and Fair Maps Act. He claimed the city violated safe‑harbor deadlines, forced Asians into a four‑year term depriving them of equal opportunity, and that the city attorney misled the court. He predicted the case will return to state court and the city will comply with state law in 2024.
• Robert Dresser (resident): Requested a clear accounting of city funds spent on the district‑elections lawsuit, noting the city had already voted for by‑district elections. He urged the council to settle the case rather than continue costly litigation. Mayor Rodriguez said she would follow up with an answer on the amount paid to Mr. Rafferty.
• Margie Donovan (resident, online): Thanked staff for accessibility improvements (accessible pedestrian signals, paratransit accommodations) but criticized the city’s website as inaccessible for signing up for activities. She asked the city to take the issue seriously.

Scheduled Presentations

• Commendation for CERT (Community Emergency Response Team): The council honored CERT’s 2022 service: 43 volunteers provided 3,900 hours across 418 activations, staffing cooling centers and supporting fire departments. The resolution was presented to the team.
• Proclamation of National Public Works Week (May 21–27) and City Works Day (May 17): The council proclaimed the week and day. Staff presented highlights of the upcoming City Works Day event at Lions Park, including a new “Road‑EO” equipment operator competition at the rodeo grounds. A video showcased public works activities.
• Sacramento‑Yolo Mosquito & Vector Control District Presentation: District Manager Gary Goodman warned of a very busy mosquito season due to record rainfall. He described their integrated management approach (surveillance, mosquito fish, chemical control) and noted that West Nile virus activity in Folsom is historically low. The district also monitors invasive Aedes mosquitoes. Board member Craig Burnett was recognized for 45 years of service. The district offers free repellent packets for community events.
• Housing Law Expert Presentation (Barbara Kousk, Goldfarb & Lipman): Kousk gave a detailed briefing on major state housing laws, including the Housing Accountability Act, density bonus law, SB 9, AB 2097 (parking near transit), and AB 2011/SB 6 (ministerial approvals in commercial zones). She emphasized that cities have very limited discretion to deny housing projects and face severe penalties for noncompliance. Councilmembers discussed the challenges of balancing resident concerns with state mandates. Kousk noted that cities are rarely successful in litigation against denials. The presentation was recorded and will be posted on the city website.
• Folsom Plan Area Semi‑Annual Report: Community Development Director Pam Johns and City Engineer Steve Cron provided an update. Development activity has slowed due to weather, but infrastructure work is resuming. Key projects: Manjini Phase 1 apartments under construction, model homes nearly complete in Russell Ranch and Toll Brothers, and the Folsom Boulevard bridge nearing completion. East Bidwell widening is expected to open to two lanes in each direction by summer/fall 2023. The report also covered park and trail progress.

Council Requests for Future Agenda Items

• Vice Mayor Chalamcherla requested a centralized review of the city’s grant application process to improve success rates. City Manager Elaine Andersen agreed to narrow the topic with him upon his return from Washington, D.C.

City Manager Reports

• Library closure: May 9–25 for carpet replacement; reopens May 26 for summer reading challenge.
• Bicycle/pedestrian bridge feasibility study: Over Folsom Boulevard between Blue Ravine and Glen Drive; online questionnaire open through May 12.
• 10th Annual Community Service Day: September 16; project ideas due June 30.
• Water efficiency workshop: May 4, 6:30–8:30 PM at the Community Center.
• Love My Mom 5K: May 7; volunteers needed.

Council Comments

• Councilmember Rohrbough: Thanked participants in the Friends of Folsom Parkways trail maintenance day and congratulated the Folsom Police Department on awards and promotions.
• Councilmember Aquino: Reported meeting with mayors of Citrus Heights, Roseville, and Sacramento; attended a tour of a male community re‑entry program (MCRP) in Oroville and a vendor walk‑through at the former Folsom Women’s Facility. She requested that CDCR make a formal presentation to the council. Also noted updates from regional committees (sewer impact fees, rail JPA).
• Councilmember Kozlowski: Reported on SACOG’s three growth options for the Blueprint update (workshop June 16 in Folsom); thanked FHDA for ice arena planning; and praised Claudia Cummings for a generous donation to the Folsom History Museum.
• Vice Mayor Chalamcherla (via teleconference): Thanked staff for accommodating his remote participation; highlighted “Cap to Cap” meetings in Washington, D.C. (groundwater bank, economic development, federal grant request from Congressman Kiley); promoted the Folsom Garden Tour (April 29‑30). He requested that the council consider reinstating virtual meeting participation for the public, citing his own challenges. He also asked that the meeting be closed in memory of Joseph “Bulldog Joe” Lashinsky, a longtime resident and coach.
• Mayor Rodriguez: Promoted the California Jazz Competition (April 29‑30), Future Folsom event (May 4), first farmers market (May 7), Bike Month activities, and the Balance Bike Bash. She commended executive staff for their expertise and responsiveness, and humorously thanked Interim City Manager Marcus Jasitaki for swiftly addressing a foul odor on Sutter Street.

Key Outcomes

• Approved all consent calendar items (resolutions 11017, 11024, 11025, 11026, 11027, 11028, 11029, 11030) with unanimous votes after individual discussion of items 7, 8, and 9.
• Recognized CERT, Public Works, and Mosquito & Vector Control District with proclamations/commendations.
• Received informational presentations on housing law and the Folsom Plan Area (no action taken).
• Directed staff to follow up with Vice Mayor on grant process review and to coordinate a CDCR presentation on the MCRP.
• The meeting was adjourned at 9:41 PM in memory of Joseph “Bulldog Joe” Lashinsky.