Folsom City Council Meeting October 24, 2023: Sales Tax, Tree Contract, and Proclamations
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Folsom City Council Regular Meeting – October 24, 2023
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.
Consent Calendar
- Items 3 through 7 and 9 through 11 were approved unanimously. Item 8 (Resolution No. 11116 – Sacramento Tree Foundation contract for $645,000 over three years) was pulled by Vice Mayor Chalamcherla for discussion.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Hindu Heritage Month Proclamation: Sangeeta Shankar (Hindu American Foundation) expressed gratitude and highlighted the Hindu community’s contributions, including 880+ pounds of food donated to Twin Lakes Food Bank and 3,000 meals provided annually by Annapurna Foundation.
- Declaration on Inclusive Environment: Rabbi Grossman thanked the council and noted the personal impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on the Jewish community, including a hostage situation affecting a family member.
- Sales Tax Measure (Item 13): 17 speakers addressed the council. Many supported a sales tax measure, particularly a citizens’ special tax initiative. Key speakers and positions:
- Dennis Haglin (25-year resident, transportation engineer) urged support for a local sales tax, noting that 40% of sales tax is paid by non-residents and that local funds can leverage federal grants.
- Eli Smith (community engagement professional) supported a special tax to fund youth programs and public safety.
- Andy Morin (former council member) encouraged a unanimous council endorsement, citing the success of past school bond measures that passed with over two-thirds support.
- Jackie Seletti opposed a sales tax, arguing for budget prioritization of public safety first.
- Mike Siletti questioned the city’s projected revenue growth, noting that two base years were COVID-impacted, and suggested cutting spending before raising taxes.
- Bruce Klein (community leader) argued that current funding is inadequate for police, fire, parks, and trails, and supported a citizens’ special tax.
- Dan Carson (Sacramento Area Firefighters Local 522) stated the fire department has been without an engine at Station 35 and a training chief for 15 years, and urged support for a tax measure to fund those positions.
- Sally Calligan and Max Hofstadt (Friends of the Folsom Parkway) highlighted deteriorating trails and safety issues, urging a sales tax for maintenance.
- Rochelle Barcelona (Friends of the Folsom Zoo Sanctuary) noted the zoo needs $1 million in donations over the past decade, but maintenance and compliance needs exceed resources.
- Dean Williams (Folsom Athletic Association) and Ian Frazier (Folsom Lake Surf) described aging sports fields and parks, supporting a sales tax to maintain facilities.
- Several other speakers from youth sports organizations (Ryan Kahn, Jason Anderson) also supported the tax.
- Robert Goss (community leader) presented a citizens’ initiative for a special sales tax, listing six priority areas: fire/EMS, police, transportation, parks/trails, community enhancement, and capital projects.
- Sam Spiegel (retired police chief) emphasized police staffing is down from 93 authorized positions to 81-83, while population and calls for service have increased.
Discussion Items
- Item 8 – Sacramento Tree Foundation Contract: Vice Mayor Chalamcherla expressed concerns about spending $645,000 over three years, suggesting that the city could use a volunteer coordinator and in-house efforts to achieve similar results at lower cost. After debate, the council voted unanimously to table the item and bring it back with a revised scope that includes a volunteer coordinator role.
- Item 12 – Community Facilities District No. 23 (Folsom Ranch) Improvement Area No. 6: Stacey Tamani (CFO) presented the amendment to remove the maximum facility special tax rate for certain land uses. The public hearing was opened and closed with no speakers. Ballots from the special election showed 29 votes in support, 0 opposed (100% approval). The council unanimously approved the resolutions and introduced Ordinance No. 1339.
- Item 13 – Potential Sales Tax Measure: City Manager Elaine Andersen gave a detailed presentation on the city’s structural deficit, projected to reach $4.6 million by FY 2028-29. She explained that a 1% local sales tax could generate approximately $29 million annually, with 40% paid by non-residents. She outlined options for a general tax (50%+1 vote) or a special tax (two-thirds vote), and noted that a citizens’ initiative special tax would require only a simple majority. Councilmembers discussed the merits of each approach. Councilmember Kozlowski moved to have staff bring back ballot language for both a 1% general tax and a 1% special tax by January, including a citizens advisory committee structure. The motion passed 3-2 (Kozlowski, Aquino, Rodriguez in favor; Rohrbough, Chalamcherla opposed).
Key Outcomes
- Sales Tax Measure: Staff will return by January 2024 with proposed ballot language for a 1% general sales tax and a 1% special sales tax, both including a citizens advisory committee.
- Tree Contract (Item 8): The resolution was tabled; staff will revise the scope to incorporate a volunteer coordinator and bring it back for future council consideration.
- CFD No. 23 Amendment (Item 12): Resolutions and ordinance approved unanimously. The special tax levy was introduced.
- Council Requests: A future agenda item on homelessness action planning was requested and will be scheduled for November.
- City Manager Reports: Recognitions for retiring staff (Steve Cron, City Engineer; Lydia Kanopka, Deputy City Clerk). Announcements for upcoming events: Public Safety Trunk or Treat (Oct 28), Drug Take Back Day (Oct 28), and completion of the Traders Lane parking lot project.
- Council Comments: Councilmember Aquino noted a proposed rate increase for Regional Sanitation (Prop 218 process) and requested adjournment in memory of teacher Michelle McDonald.
Meeting Transcript
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.
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