Folsom City Council Regular Meeting - July 9, 2024

The Folsom City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at 6:30 PM in City Council Chambers. The meeting began with proclamations for National Zookeeper Week (July 21-27, 2024) and Parks Make Life Better Month (July 2024). The council approved consent calendar items except for three items pulled for discussion: Item 4 (tree removals for light rail), Item 7 (water conservation assessment), and Item 11 (Dish Wireless license). A public hearing on a rezone for 1000 East Natoma was held and approved. The council also accepted a progress report on the River District Master Plan and authorized formation of a second citizens advisory committee.

Consent Calendar

• The council approved Resolution Nos. 11218, 11220, 11221, 11224, 11226, 11228, 11229, 11230, 11231, and minutes from June 25, 2024, as part of the consent calendar, with a motion and second. The consent calendar was approved unanimously (5-0) for items not pulled for discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Business from the Floor: Justin Raithel, a resident, reported homeless encampments and illegal camping near Parkshore community, including unleashed dogs, a fire, and trash dumping into Willow Creek. He stated the land is City of Folsom property and urged faster cleanup. He suggested hiring contractors if staff is insufficient, adding a "illegal camping" category to the ClicFix reporting system, removing benches behind Goodwill, and securing backflow devices. Raithel noted Folsom PD plans to clean up next Wednesday but requested immediate action.

Discussion Items

• Item 4 – Declassification of Five Landmark Trees for Light Rail Modernization: Two public speakers commented. Barbara Leary expressed support for the light rail project and noted RT's commitment to enhanced mitigation including replanting larger trees. Bruce Klein, representing Friends of Folsom Parkway, provided history of the landmark grove designation and urged on-site mitigation rather than off-site payments. Councilmember Rohrbough expressed concern over the cumulative number of tree removals (23 total) and questioned whether the council would have approved the project had they known the full extent. Mayor Kozlowski and Vice Mayor Aquino described walking the site with staff and stated the tree canopy loss would be minimal. The resolution was approved 4-1 (Rohrbough dissenting). (Vote: 4-1)
• Item 7 – Agreement with Water Systems Consulting for Water Conservation Needs Assessment: Councilmember Chalamcherla praised staff for a thorough procurement process and noted the importance of including cost in evaluation under the Brooks Act. The item was approved unanimously without further discussion. (Vote: 5-0)
• Item 11 – Communications Site License with Dish Wireless at B.T. Collins Park: Senior Management Analyst Liz Voggy answered council questions about equipment (151 sq ft on PG&E tower), market rate (3% escalation), and that Dish will be a co-locator with a direct agreement with the city. The license was approved unanimously. (Vote: 5-0)
• Item 13 – Rezone for 1000 East Natoma (Ordinance 1346): Principal Planner Jessica Brandt presented the request to rezone two parcels from split zoning to R1-ML to allow future development. The site is 4.6 acres currently with a residence and barn; the applicant (Foundation Lutheran Church) intends to develop a church subject to future use permit. The Planning Commission recommended approval 6-0-1. No public speakers. Council approved the first reading unanimously. After the vote, Pastor Dave Calpine briefly thanked the council. (Vote: 5-0)
• Item 14 – River District Master Plan Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) Progress Report: City Manager Goss reported the first CAC has held 11 meetings over 10 months, covering opportunities and constraints, key sites (river promenade, Rodeo Park, Traders Lane), and land use direction. Staff requested acceptance of the progress report and formation of a second CAC to complete the plan by year-end. The resolution was approved unanimously. (Vote: 5-0)

Key Outcomes

• Item 4 approved 4-1 (Councilmember Rohrbough opposed).
• Items 7, 11, 13, 14 approved unanimously (5-0).
• The consent calendar was adopted for items not discussed.
• The council received city manager reports on cooling center hours (through July 12), zoo early closures due to heat, waste route changes (beginning week of July 22), free concerts, and National Night Out (August 6).
• Council comments included recognition of volunteers for Rodeo and Fourth of July, a call to address illegal fireworks enforcement and pet safety, and appreciation for staff and volunteers.