The Folsom City Council met on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at 6:30 PM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting included a proclamation for Hindu Heritage Month, a declaration reaffirming the city’s commitment to an inclusive safe environment, approval of most consent calendar items, a public hearing on a community facilities district amendment, and a lengthy discussion on a potential local sales tax measure. The council also approved a motion to have staff develop ballot language for both a 1% general and a 1% special sales tax, tabled a tree contract for further review, and heard extensive public testimony.
Yeah. We will now we will now call to order the city council regular meeting for Tuesday, October 24th. Would the clerk please call the roll? Council members Rorbah here, Aquino, here, Chalum Chairla, Kozlowski and Rodriguez. Here, let us stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. The Pledge Allegiance to the Flags of America. Are there any agenda updates? Yes, good evening, Madam Mayor. There's an additional information trust middle for item three on Tana's agenda. A copy has been previously provided to you, and it is also available on the table in the back. Thank you. Well, the clerk please call the next item. Your next item this evening is business from the floor. Thank you. Business from the floor is a public's opportunity to address the city council concerning any item within the city council's jurisdiction that is not on the agenda. Please keep in mind that the city council is generally prohibited from discussing or taking action on any item that is not on the agenda. Public comments are limited to no more than three minutes. There is a speaker timer on the podium in front of you that will display the time you have remaining on your three minutes. We ask that everyone respect the three minute limit to ensure that all speakers have an equal opportunity to address the city council. Are there any requests to speak? You have no request to speak under business from the floor. All right. Well, the clerk please call the next item. Your next item is scheduled presentation, and the first scheduled presentation is a proclamation of the mayor of the city of Folsom proclaiming October 2023 as Hindu Heritage Month in the city of Folsom. Okay, here we go. All right, and receiving this proclamation is Sangeira Shankar on behalf of the Hindu American Foundation. Thank you. This proclamation of the mayor of the city of Pulsam. Proclaiming October 2023 as Hindu Heritage Month in the city of Folsom. Whereas the city of Bolsum is committed to promoting diversity, inclusivity, and cultural understanding among its residents. Hinduism is one of the world's oldest spiritual traditions with a rich history and a profound impact on art, science, philosophy, and culture. Hindu Heritage Month provides an opportunity for all residents of Folsom to learn about and celebrate the contributions of Hindu Americans to the fabric of our city. The month of October has been designated as Hindu Heritage Month in recognition of the importance of Diwali, the Festival of Lights, which is one of the most widely celebrated Hindu festivals and symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. The Hindu community in Folsom has displayed an important role in the development and enrichment of our city through their contributions in fields such as science, technology, medicine, education, business, art, and culture. The values of peace, tolerance, and respect for all living beings controlled to central to Hindu philosophy resonate with the principles upon which the city of Folsom was founded. During the Hindu Heritage Month, we acknowledge and appreciate the cultural diversity that strengthens our community, promotes intercultural dialogue, and fosters mutual understanding among all residents. Now, therefore, I, Rosario Rodriguez, mayor for the city of Folsom, do hereby proclaim the month of October as Hindu Heritage Month in our city. I call upon all residents to join in recognizing and celebrating the contributions of the Hindu American community to our cultural mosaic. Let us take this opportunity to learn from one another and strengthen the bonds that unite us as one diverse and harmonious city. Proclaimed on this 24th of October 2023. Would you like to say something? Yes, of course. I'm Sangeeta Shankar and represent the Hindu American Foundation, the oldest and largest advocacy organization in North America that works for the rights and representation of Hindu Americans. On behalf of the Hindu American community and the Hindu American Foundation, I would like to give thanks and commend the mayor and the council members for recognizing October as Hindu American Awareness and Appreciation Month. A special shout out to Vice Mayor Waike Chalamchella for his help with getting this proclamation. So today is a very auspicious day for us, Hindus. It is Dashera, which marks the 10th day of celebration of the universal feminine and the success of good over evil. It is indeed an honor for us to receive this proclamation on such an auspicious day. You know, in this day and age of global conflict and rife, the Hindu American Awareness and Appreciation Proclamation highlights the important message of Hinduism, of peace, progress, and of humanity being one big universal family or Vasudaiva Kutumbakam. The Folsom Hindu community has been an exemplar model of this universal brotherhood.