OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Folsom City Council Regular Meeting Summary - April 14, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, April 14, 2026
BodyFolsom, California
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, April 14, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:07:38

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

And with that, we will adjourn the special meeting and we'll move to the regular meeting.

0:03

If you could uh call the roll.

0:06

Council members Leary here, Rorba, here, Aquino, here, Kozlowski, here.

0:11

And Rethel.

0:12

Here.

0:12

If you'll please stand with me for the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:18

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

0:23

And to the Republic for which it stands.

0:26

One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty, justice are all.

0:35

And do we have any agenda updates this evening?

0:39

We do, we do, Mayor.

0:41

Um, on new business item number 19.

0:45

City staff is requesting that the item be continued off calendar.

0:50

And then for item number three, or sorry, item number 23.

0:54

We have an additional information transmittal.

0:56

Um, it's my understanding that the council has all been provided copies of this information, and we have a copy on the back table for members of the public.

1:04

Thank you.

1:05

I'm sorry.

1:06

Uh item number nine.

1:08

23.

1:08

23 and 19 was the one.

1:11

19 continued in off-calendar.

1:16

All right.

1:18

And that brings us to business from the floor.

1:20

This is the time where the public can address the council on any unagendized item for up to three minutes.

1:26

Uh so if you would like to address the council, we've got the blue cards in the back.

1:30

Please fill out one of those and bring it up front uh for us, and we'll start with our first speaker.

1:35

Okay, we have three speakers this evening, and I'll let you know who's speaking and then who's next, so you can be ready if you hear your name coming up as next.

1:43

So our first speaker will be Kevin Goddard.

1:45

Kevin will be followed by Alexis Goddard, who will then be followed by Richard Heiler.

1:59

Testing.

2:00

Okay.

2:01

Good evening, Kevin.

2:02

Good evening, Mayor.

2:04

Uh, so good evening, Mayor, uh, council members, and city manager.

2:08

Uh, first, thank you for what you do.

2:10

Uh, I know you put in a lot of hours and can often be a thankless job.

2:15

I'm here tonight because I'm concerned.

2:18

Uh I'm concerned that the messaging that you've been sending to the people of the city is not in alignment with some of your recent actions.

2:25

Brian, I clearly remember sitting in this audience uh when you first became the city manager, and we're looking at the city's finances, and you told us that Folsom would have to do less with less.

2:38

That was a tough pill to swallow, uh, but I respected the honesty of that message.

2:44

I believed if we all tightened our belts and work through this together, we could get to the other side of this crisis.

2:50

I trusted that leadership would lead by example, and some of you have.

2:56

That's why I'm concerned now.

2:58

Uh we've seen a fire station browned out, staffing reduced, and services outsourced, yet at the same time, a few of our leaders have sought to increase compensation for their roles.

3:10

I'm not saying you shouldn't get paid, but getting a raise is not something that should be part of any conversation until the city is back on its feet and all of the services have been restored.

3:22

I want to remind you that being in public service means you serve the public, and that often comes with personal sacrifices.

3:30

And if you're not willing to make a sacrifice, then maybe this is not a job for you to uh sign up for.

3:35

I'll close with this that trust is earned in teaspoons and it is lost in buckets.

3:41

Thank you.

3:43

Thank you.

3:45

Okay, our next speaker is Alexis Goddard.

3:57

Hi, good evening, City Council.

3:59

You can pull the microphone down.

4:00

Thank you.

4:02

Um I would just like to second what Kevin said.

4:05

I mean, the city, Brian, we've gone to many many meetings, we've heard less with less, city has no money.

4:12

You guys are browning out the fire stations.

4:14

That's a public safety issue.

4:16

The roads are everything's 30 plus years old now in this town.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Engineering And Infrastructure████████████████████████████████████36%
Parks and Recreation█████████████13%
Budget and Finance████████████12%
Community Engagement███████████11%
Public Safety██████████10%
Personnel Matters█████████9%
Procedural█████████9%
Summary of Proceedings

Folsom City Council Regular Meeting – April 14, 2026

The Folsom City Council held a regular meeting on April 14, 2026, beginning at approximately 6:45 PM. The meeting included a special meeting adjournment, proclamations, a fire department deployment update, a homeowner service line protection program presentation, public hearings on landscaping districts and community park alternatives, and old business items including a partnership with Change.org and a contentious vote on council salaries. The council also convened a joint meeting with the Folsom Ranch Financing Authority to authorize bond issuance.

Consent Calendar

  • The council approved the consent calendar as presented with a unanimous roll call vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Kevin Goddard expressed concern about a disconnect between the city's messaging of fiscal restraint and recent actions, including compensation increases for leaders while fire stations are browned out and services reduced. He urged leadership to lead by example and warned that trust is easily lost.
  • Alexis Goddard echoed Kevin Goddard's comments, noting the city's financial struggles and arguing that now is not the time for pay increases. She urged the council to table the salary discussion until the city is back on budget.
  • Richard Heiler (Folsom Landscape and Lighting Advisory Committee Vice Chair, representing Los Cerros) recognized two public servants (David Krigg and Derek Perez) for quickly restoring a monument sign damaged in a February accident. He presented a certificate of appreciation.
  • During the public hearing on council salaries, six speakers urged the council to reject or delay the proposed salary increase, citing poor timing, public trust, and fiscal challenges. Speakers included Margie Donovan, Shelley Hudson, Christine Kulowski, Gwen Willison, Catherine O'Morda, Waji Equbal (reading a statement on behalf of Jag Nagendra), and Justin Hurst. They requested a phased approach, more data, or a vote against the increase.

Discussion Items

  • Proclamations (Items 1-4): The council adopted proclamations for National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (April 12–18), National Library Week (April 19–25), Arbor Day (April 18, 2026) and 20 consecutive years as a Tree City USA, and Earth Day (April 22, 2026, celebrated April 18). Each proclamation was accepted by representatives or staff.
  • Fire Department Deployment Model (Item 5): Fire Chief Jason Solak presented a detailed update on the planned deployment changes, effective April 21, 2026. The presentation covered standards of cover, data compliance challenges, and the need to relocate the truck company from Station 34 to Station 35 (temporarily) and eventually to Station 37 after renovations. The plan also involves moving an engine to Station 38 and reassigning medic units. The chief emphasized transparency and data-driven decision-making. The council discussed response times, technology (e.g., traffic signal preemption), and the cost of adding an engine company (approximately $2 million annually). The council received the report and requested a progress report in about six months.
  • Home Serve USA Corp – Water/Sewer Line Protection Program (Item 6): Bill Coffey presented a program offering optional exterior water and sewer line coverage to residents at no cost to the city, with a potential annual revenue of about $14,000. Council members expressed concerns about endorsing a private company, setting a precedent, and the lack of competitive bidding. The council directed staff to perform additional vetting, including checking references with nearby cities, and to bring the item back for further consideration.
  • Landscaping and Lighting Districts Final Engineers Report (Item 16): Staff presented the final report for FY 2026-27, including the financial status of 30 districts. Several districts are underfunded, and staff outlined a multi-year plan for Prop 218 ballot proceedings to increase assessments. The council adopted Resolution 11591 unanimously.
  • Community Park West Alternative Site Development Agreement Amendments (Item 17): Staff presented three ordinances to amend development agreements to allow alternative park sites for Community Park West, should the primary site remain unavailable due to remediation. The planning commission recommended approval. The council approved all three ordinances on first reading (unanimous roll calls).
  • Sanitary Sewer Collection System Ordinance (Item 18): Staff introduced an ordinance amending the municipal code to comply with new state waste discharge requirements. The council approved the first reading unanimously.
  • Water System Cross Connection Control Ordinance (Item 20): Staff introduced an ordinance updating the code to match the state-adopted cross connection control handbook. The council approved the first reading with an amendment to clarify that the city may test backflow devices and charge the customer. Unanimous.
  • Formation of CFD No. 24 – Alder Creek West (Item 21): Staff presented the proposed boundary map and bond necessity for the new community facilities district, which includes four improvement areas and a special tax for public safety services. The council adopted Resolution 11581 and Resolution 11582 unanimously, setting a public hearing for May 26, 2026.
  • Partnership with Change.org (Item 22): The city manager reported on research with other cities (Bozeman, Kansas City, etc.) indicating positive experiences with the free community survey program. The council agreed to move forward with the partnership, with no formal vote required.
  • City Council Salaries (Item 23): After public comment, the council debated Ordinance 1366 (second reading) and Resolution 11584. Councilmember Leary and Aquino opposed the increase, citing tone-deafness and fiscal challenges. Councilmembers Borba, Kozlowski, and Raithel supported it, arguing it would allow broader participation in public service. The ordinance passed 3-2, and the resolution passed 3-2. Councilmember Leary stated she would not accept the increase, and Councilmember Aquino indicated he would not accept it and would rather see the funds used for other programs.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Calendar approved unanimously.
  • Fire Department deployment changes to begin April 21, 2026; progress report expected in six months.
  • Home Serve USA program to be further researched and brought back.
  • Landscaping and Lighting Districts final engineers report approved (Resolution 11591).
  • Community Park West alternative site ordinances approved (first reading) – Ordinances 1363, 1364, 1365.
  • Sanitary sewer ordinance (1367) approved first reading.
  • Water cross connection control ordinance (1369) approved first reading with amendment.
  • CFD No. 24 formation (Resolutions 11581, 11582) approved; public hearing set for May 26, 2026.
  • Change.org partnership agreed to move forward.
  • Council salaries increased to $2,200 per month for mayor and $1,800 per month for council members (effective December 2026); Ordinance 1366 and Resolution 11584 adopted 3-2.
  • Folsom Ranch Financing Authority approved bond issuance for CFD No. 23, Improvement Area 7 (Resolution 11590 and 015-FRFA) unanimously.
  • City manager report acknowledged community efforts at Castle Park build and sinkhole repair progress.
  • Council comments included announcements about a street naming for Silver Star recipient Tyler Vargas Andrews, a proclamation for a Vex Robotics team, and upcoming events.

Meeting Transcript

And with that, we will adjourn the special meeting and we'll move to the regular meeting. If you could uh call the roll. Council members Leary here, Rorba, here, Aquino, here, Kozlowski, here. And Rethel. Here. If you'll please stand with me for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty, justice are all. And do we have any agenda updates this evening? We do, we do, Mayor. Um, on new business item number 19. City staff is requesting that the item be continued off calendar. And then for item number three, or sorry, item number 23. We have an additional information transmittal. Um, it's my understanding that the council has all been provided copies of this information, and we have a copy on the back table for members of the public. Thank you. I'm sorry. Uh item number nine. 23. 23 and 19 was the one. 19 continued in off-calendar. All right. And that brings us to business from the floor. This is the time where the public can address the council on any unagendized item for up to three minutes. Uh so if you would like to address the council, we've got the blue cards in the back. Please fill out one of those and bring it up front uh for us, and we'll start with our first speaker. Okay, we have three speakers this evening, and I'll let you know who's speaking and then who's next, so you can be ready if you hear your name coming up as next. So our first speaker will be Kevin Goddard. Kevin will be followed by Alexis Goddard, who will then be followed by Richard Heiler. Testing. Okay. Good evening, Kevin. Good evening, Mayor. Uh, so good evening, Mayor, uh, council members, and city manager. Uh, first, thank you for what you do. Uh, I know you put in a lot of hours and can often be a thankless job. I'm here tonight because I'm concerned. Uh I'm concerned that the messaging that you've been sending to the people of the city is not in alignment with some of your recent actions. Brian, I clearly remember sitting in this audience uh when you first became the city manager, and we're looking at the city's finances, and you told us that Folsom would have to do less with less. That was a tough pill to swallow, uh, but I respected the honesty of that message. I believed if we all tightened our belts and work through this together, we could get to the other side of this crisis. I trusted that leadership would lead by example, and some of you have. That's why I'm concerned now. Uh we've seen a fire station browned out, staffing reduced, and services outsourced, yet at the same time, a few of our leaders have sought to increase compensation for their roles. I'm not saying you shouldn't get paid, but getting a raise is not something that should be part of any conversation until the city is back on its feet and all of the services have been restored. I want to remind you that being in public service means you serve the public, and that often comes with personal sacrifices. And if you're not willing to make a sacrifice, then maybe this is not a job for you to uh sign up for. I'll close with this that trust is earned in teaspoons and it is lost in buckets. Thank you.

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