Folsom City Council Regular Meeting – April 28, 2026

The Folsom City Council met on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at 2:45 PM to address a wide-ranging agenda including library services, a state parks mural project, the 2026 winter shelter report, public hearings on assessment districts and fees, the Benevento Family Park master plan, and the Riley Street safety project. The meeting began with closed session and the regular session was called to order at approximately 2:45 PM. All council members were present. Several votes were taken, with notable debate on the pedestrian overcrossing project and the park design.

Consent Calendar

• Resolution 11597 (item 9) authorizing grant applications for the Folsom Boulevard Pedestrian Overcrossing Project was pulled for discussion and passed 4-1 (Councilmember Rorba dissenting).
• Resolution 11600 (item 11) authorizing grant applications for SACOG 2026 federal funding programs (nine project opportunities) was pulled and passed unanimously.
• The remainder of the consent calendar was approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Library presentation (item 1): Library Commissioner Solomon Kish expressed full support for library services and urged the council to find additional funding in the budget, noting the library’s many programs despite limited resources.
• Business from the floor: Paran Mathira invited the council to a Guru Vandana teacher appreciation event on May 9, 2026, at Folsom Middle School.
• Winter shelter (item 3): Miranda Pond, an unhoused participant, criticized Heart of Folsom (the shelter operator) for allegedly misrepresenting case management services and including unlawful questions on transitional housing applications. She also stated that the claimed partnership with Folsom Lake College does not exist, as confirmed by the college vice president.
• Benevento Family Park (item 18): Several residents spoke in favor of the park and requested inclusion of add alternates (lighted basketball, sand volleyball, fishing dock). Andrew Silcox, Terry Isaacs, Karen Gifford, Stephanie Parsons, Frank Mukhtar, and Wendy Campbell emphasized the long wait for the park and urged the council to approve a plan that includes active amenities and cost transparency.
• Riley Street project (item 19): Loretta Hedinger, representing Heritage Preservation League, urged that the design be compatible with the historic district and avoid rolled curbs and rounded intersections, and noted that the project should go before the Historic District Commission.

Discussion Items

• Library Programs and Services (item 1): Library Director Tom Grunison, along with staff Lindsay Melhass, Amanda Perez, and Andrew Tweet, presented an overview of library usage statistics: over half a million items checked out, more storytimes than any other neighboring library, 775 kindergarten library cards issued, 80 teen volunteers contributing over 1,000 hours, 27 computers with 17,000 annual sessions, and 10,000 monthly Wi-Fi device connections. The library serves 200,000 visitors annually.
• State Parks Mural Project (item 2): District Superintendent Steve Hilton, interpreter Devin, and artist Stan Padilla presented a proposal for murals on pillars under the Lake Natoma bridge honoring Native American history. The design depicts a historical riverscape with indigenous life on one side and modern users (angler, kayaker) on the other. The murals would be painted on durable parachute cloth and adhered to the pillars. Council members expressed strong support, noting the project enhances the area and aligns with the “paddling capital of the West” initiative. Goal is completion by summer 2027.
• 2026 Winter Shelter Report (item 3): Bev Sees, director of Hart Winter Shelter, reported that the shelter operated January 2 – March 1, 2026, with 47 guests, 693 guest nights, an average of 12 guests per night. Demographics: 64% men, 36% women; oldest guest 72, youngest 22; 11% veterans; 73% had been in Folsom prior to the season. 3 guests worked during shelter, 4 sought work, 2 entered recovery programs, 2 went to full-time shelters, 2 entered transitional housing, 3 made plans with family. Collaboration with police, fire, library, parks, and faith groups highlighted.
• Pedestrian Overcrossing Project (item 9 debate): Councilmember Rorba opposed the grant application, arguing the $2 million local match could be better used for higher-priority traffic projects like Empire Ranch interchange. Councilmember Kozlowski and Leary supported it for active transportation benefits and connections to light rail and employment centers. Motion passed 4-1.
• SACOG Federal Funding Program (item 11): Zach Bosch presented nine grant applications across three categories (system preservation, next gen solutions, system performance). Councilmember Rorba noted the importance of public oversight and staff prioritization. Motion passed unanimously.
• Natoma Station Maintenance Assessment District (item 14): Derek Prez presented the protest and ballot proceedings. The public hearing was opened and closed with no speakers. Ballots will be tabulated on April 29, 2026, with results presented May 12, 2026.
• Folsom Tourism Business Improvement District (item 15): City Manager reported that all hotel owner protests had been withdrawn after agreeing to a governance structure. Resolution declaring results of majority protest proceedings and modifying assessment rate to 4% passed unanimously. Councilmember Aquino requested that future appointments to the TBID oversight committee be clarified. Eileen Reynolds expressed gratitude for the outcome.
• City Impact and User Fee Updates (items 16 & 17): Elizabeth Hannah presented the annual inflationary adjustments: 2.43% for impact fees (based on CCI) and 3.04% for user fees (based on CPI). Both resolutions passed unanimously with no public comment.
• Benevento Family Park Master Plan (item 18): Brad Nelson presented two plan options: a base plan ($6M construction, 4% pickleball, basketball, multi-use field, playgrounds, picnic areas, parking) and an alternate with add alternates (lighted basketball courts, two lighted sand volleyball courts, fishing dock) costing approximately $74,000 in additional design. Survey of 250 residents within half-mile indicated 80% preferred the more active amenities. Council voted to approve Plan 2 including all three add alternates as bid alternatives, with the understanding that construction bids will determine affordability. Motion passed 5-0.
• Riley Street Safety Improvement Project (item 19): Ryan Neves recommended a revised approach: fully design and environmentally clear the entire corridor (sidewalks, pavement, water, sewer, storm drain improvements) instead of phasing, to maximize grant efficiency. Contract amendment with REY Engineers for full design was approved unanimously. Councilmember Kozlowski and public comments noted historic district design considerations, which staff will bring to the Historic District Commission.

Key Outcomes

• Library presentation: Received for information; no formal vote.
• State Parks Mural Project: Council expressed strong support; future steps include developing final design and returning for approval.
• Winter Shelter Report: Received; no formal action.
• Pedestrian Overcrossing: Resolution 11597 passed 4-1 (Rorba dissenting). Staff authorized to submit grant applications.
• SACOG Grants: Resolution 11600 passed unanimously. Nine grant applications authorized across three programs.
• Natoma Station Assessment District: Public hearing closed; ballots to be tallied April 29, results at May 12 meeting.
• TBID Assessment: Resolution 11539 passed unanimously, declaring no majority protest and setting 4% assessment rate. Future appointment of council representatives to oversight committee to be determined.
• Impact Fees (item 16) and User Fees (item 17): Resolutions 11601 and 11604 adopted unanimously.
• Benevento Park: Resolution 11596 approved with motion for Plan 2 (including add alternates for lighted basketball, sand volleyball, fishing dock as bid alternatives) – passed 5-0. Design contract to incorporate alternates; construction bids will inform final scope.
• Riley Street Project: Resolution 11603 authorizing contract amendment with REY Engineers for full design passed unanimously. Environmental document and design to be brought back for approval; Historic District Commission review planned.