Folsom City Council Regular Meeting: School District Updates, Public Comments on Ceasefire, November 28, 2023

The Folsom City Council held a regular meeting on November 28, 2023, beginning at approximately 6:30 PM (after a special meeting adjournment) and adjourning at 9:51 PM. The agenda included a presentation from the Folsom Cordova Unified School District (FCUSD) on district reorganization feasibility and facilities, adoption of the consent calendar, and a lengthy public comment period focused on the Israel-Palestine conflict, with many speakers urging the council to pass a ceasefire resolution. Council members also discussed future agenda items and provided reports.

Consent Calendar

• The consent calendar was adopted unanimously (5-0) after a motion by Councilmember Kozlowski and a second. The calendar included a revised staff report for item number four.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Elena Wagner (Folsom Ranch resident) expressed full support for building new schools in Folsom Ranch, noting that 86% of students in the SFID3 bond area live in Folsom Ranch and that two-thirds of bond money will be paid by Folsom Ranch residents through 2035. She urged the council to protect the city's investment by advocating for schools where students are.
• Justin Zongk (retiring Navy veteran, Folsom Ranch resident) argued that the community south of Highway 50 must become self-sustaining to avoid "tipping over" and capsizing. He stated that the need for a high school is immediate, not by 2029, based on Navy recruiting data.
• Sung Park (Folsom Ranch resident) requested the city council be present at future FCUSD board meetings and emphasize that Measure M funds should benefit all students in SFID3. He suggested separating SFID3 or using remaining funds to build a TK-12 foundation in both communities, with each community building on top later.
• Over 60 speakers addressed the council during Business from the Floor, overwhelmingly calling for a resolution supporting a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Speakers included students, physicians, community leaders, and representatives from the Muslim community of Folsom and CAIR. They cited statistics: over 20,000 Palestinians killed (including 7,000+ children), 1.7 million displaced, and a dire humanitarian crisis. Many criticized the council's October 24 declaration for only condemning attacks on Israeli civilians and failing to mention Palestinian suffering. Several speakers also reported hate crimes and rising Islamophobia.
• Chandra Vinakota and a neighbor from Lake View Oaks community reported a series of hate crimes against Indian American families, including vandalism on Diwali and a fire at a home, with racial slurs used. They asked the council to increase security and send a strong message against hate.
• Jason Davis inquired about follow-up on the October 10 homeless discussion and urged the council to develop a homelessness management plan.
• Nadeem Muhammad (22-year resident) expressed frustration at the council's perceived inaction and called for fairness and inclusivity.

Discussion Items

• Folsom Cordova Unified School District Presentation: Sean Martin, Assistant Superintendent, presented an update on the district reorganization feasibility study (jointly funded with Rancho Cordova and the district) and facilities in SFID3 (south of Highway 50). Key points:
  • The feasibility study for splitting the district is ongoing; a draft report is expected by end of 2023, with a joint meeting in January/February 2024.
  • SFID3 (Measure M, $750 million bond) has about $545 million unissued. Escalation has doubled construction costs since 2016; Folsom Ranch High School is now projected at $400 million in 2023 dollars.
  • The district is redesigning schools to reduce costs, including moving to single-story models and phased construction.
  • Tax rates in SFID3 are a concern due to the limited assessed value base; the board will discuss demographics, tax rates, and timelines at a December 12 study session.
  • Location of the new high school is not yet decided; options include Folsom Ranch, Rancho Cordova, or two smaller high schools. The board is seeking equitable distribution of Measure M funds.
  • Council members asked about enrollment trends, capacity at existing high schools, interdistrict transfers, and the possibility of a new SFID for Folsom.
• Council Requests for Future Agenda Items: Councilmember Kozlowski requested authorization for new polling on a potential sales tax measure. Councilmember Orbaugh requested a follow-up discussion on homelessness (from October 10) and action steps on the strategic plan, unfunded liabilities, and community development department. Vice Mayor Challagulla proposed a future agenda item to bring together Jewish and Muslim communities for dialogue on humanitarian grounds. Mayor stated that the city manager is working on something, possibly by the December 12 meeting.
• City Manager Reports: Announced Rebecca Neves as new city engineer; joint safety message on e-scooters; Folsom Holiday Lights contest; and a $1,900 donation to the library from the author Jeff Kinney event.

Key Outcomes

• The consent calendar was adopted unanimously.
• No formal action was taken on the ceasefire resolution; council members noted that they cannot debate items not on the agenda but acknowledged the public comments. Mayor Rodriguez expressed appreciation for the community's engagement and stated that silence does not mean inaction, referencing ongoing work.
• Councilmember Orbaugh reported on the National League of Cities conference and encouraged other council members to attend future sessions.
• Councilmember Aquino announced he will attend COP28 in Dubai, paid for by the Air District and personally.
• Councilmember Kozlowski expressed sympathy for the suffering in Gaza and noted the difficulty of addressing such issues within meeting rules.
• The meeting was adjourned at 9:51 PM.