Folsom City Council Regular Meeting and Joint Authorities Meeting - June 25, 2024

The Folsom City Council met on June 25, 2024, for a regular meeting and joint sessions with the Folsom Redevelopment Successor Agency, Folsom Public Financing Authority, Folsom Ranch Financing Authority, and South of 50 Parking Authority. The primary focus was the adoption of the Fiscal Year 2024-25 operating and capital budgets, which passed 3-1 after amendments. The meeting also included public comments on homelessness, ADA accessibility, youth sports, and park funding, as well as a proclamation for Western Rodeo Days.

Consent Calendar

• Items 2, 5, 6 (Minutes, Resolution No. 11222, Resolution No. 11223) approved unanimously.
• Item 3 (Resolution No. 11218 – Declassification of landmark trees) was continued to a future meeting.
• Item 4 (Resolution No. 11219 – Annual inflationary adjustment for city user fees) was pulled for a speaker who declined to comment; later approved 3-0.
• Joint Meeting Consent Calendar (Item 8 – Monthly investment reports) approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Margie Donovan criticized the city’s ADA compliance, stating the website is not accessible and that she plans to take legal action. She also reported difficulty with police dispatch regarding a homeless encampment, noting that dispatch claimed no calls were received despite her reports.
• Shelby Love (Friends of Folsom Zoo) urged support for the zoo in the budget, describing its positive impact on children.
• Michael Harris thanked the city for a large Juneteenth celebration, expressed disappointment that the official Juneteenth flag was not flown, and requested a future flag-raising ceremony.
• Shannon Dylan raised concerns about homeless encampments at Ernie Sheldon Park (needles, locked bathrooms) and opposed further tree removals, asking for replacement plans.
• Jason Jarrett (President, Folsom Soccer Club) stated his organization pays ~$400,000/year in fees, serves 3,000+ kids, and brings tournament revenue. He argued that grass fields are inadequate and urged investment in turf fields to retain tournaments and revenue.
• Bruce Klein (Yes on G campaign co-chair) highlighted the constrained budget ($1.7M in discretionary funds vs. $37M in needs) and urged maintaining $300,000 for park maintenance.
• Mike Siletti suggested revenue-generating ideas (e.g., taxes on VRBOs, apartments) and criticized the cost escalation of Benevento Park.
• Jackie Siletti proposed revenue strategies for the zoo (pay-to-park, flex passes, on-site food) and aquatic center, arguing against immediate tax increases.
• Dean Williams emphasized the importance of maintaining sports fields to attract tournaments and supported a future tax measure as an investment.
• Robert Goss (former Parks & Rec Director) supported transferring funds from Castle Park to park maintenance and noted that budgeting conservatively is prudent.

Discussion Items

• Proclamation of Western Rodeo Days – The mayor proclaimed July 3-5, 2024, as Western Rodeo Days, recognizing the 63rd Folsom Pro Rodeo and Grand Marshal Brian Martell.
• Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget Adoption (Continued from June 11):
  • City Manager Elaine Andersen presented the proposed budget, highlighting key additions: a park planner, park maintenance worker, street maintenance workers, a homeless outreach team (6 police positions, 3 funded), a fire division chief, software upgrades, and election costs. $1.1M from unassigned fund balance for kids’ play park renovation, plus other one-time expenditures.
  • Councilmember Chalamcherla proposed increasing revenue projections for parks and rec programs (zoo, aquatic center, community services, sports) by 5% from projected 2023-24 levels, arguing it would motivate creative revenue generation. This failed on a 2-2 tie (Aquino and Rodriguez opposed, Rohrbough and Chalamcherla in support).
  • Councilmember Rohrbough sought to increase council travel/meeting budget from $17,000 to $35,000, funded by reducing contingency. Supported 3-1 (Aquino opposed).
  • The council approved $800,000 (reduced from $1.1M) for kids’ play park, with the remaining $300,000 directed to park maintenance to maintain current service levels.
  • Benevento Park – Brad Nelson (Park Planning Manager) detailed the project history: $6.3M already allocated, with a request for $1.65M more for phase one (total $7.9M). Councilmember Rohrbough opposed the additional funding, favoring staying at $6.3M, but the motion to remove the $1.65M failed (2-2 tie, Aquino and Rodriguez vs. Rohrbough and Chalamcherla). The $1.65M remained in the budget.
  • Councilmember Rohrbough proposed funding a fourth police officer (beyond the three funded) using $165,000 from unassigned fund balance. Councilmember Rodriguez and Chalamcherla opposed; Rohrbough withdrew his second of the main motion but later supported the final budget despite the outcome.
  • Councilmember Chalamcherla voted no on the final budget, citing the need for more aggressive revenue goals and full police funding.

Key Outcomes

• Budget Adoption (Resolution No. 11210) – Approved 3-1 (Kozlowski absent; Chalamcherla opposed). Amendments included:
  • Council travel/meeting budget increased from $17,000 to $35,000, offset by reducing the contingency fund by $18,000.
  • Kids’ play park renovation funded at $800,000 (down from $1.1M), with $300,000 reallocated to park maintenance.
  • Benevento Park funding of $1.65M remained unchanged.
  • Police funding remained at three new positions (plus three from department salary savings); no additional funded positions added.
• Consent Calendar items passed as noted.
• Joint Meeting Consent Calendar (investment reports) approved.
• Future Items – Council requested a report from the economic development consultant (expected fall 2024) on cost recovery and revenue optimization. Councilmember Chalamcherla requested quarterly reviews of police funding needs.