Folsom City Council Regular Meeting - October 27, 2026

The Folsom City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at Folsom City Hall, 50 Natoma Street, beginning at 6:30 p.m. and adjourning at 10:23 p.m. Mayor Justin Raithel presided; Vice Mayor Anna Rohrbough and Councilmembers Sarah Aquino, Barbara Leary, and Mike Kozlowski were present. The agenda included scheduled presentations, a consent calendar, a public hearing, three new business items, and public comment. Agenda updates noted that item 7 regarding the Folsom Heights Phase 1 final map was continued to early 2027 at the applicant's request; corrections were read into the record for Resolutions 11735 and 11737; and revised language and public emails were distributed for the e-bike ordinance.

Scheduled Presentations

• 13th Annual Folsom Community Service Day Results: Ted Ocampo and committee chair Sandy Economy reported on the September 19, 2026 event. Results included 1,642 volunteers, 103 citywide projects, 6,568 volunteer hours, 18 tons of food collected, 11 pints of blood donated by 17 donors, 12 lives saved, and 63 neighbors-helping-seniors projects. Sponsorships and in-kind giving totaled $115,000, with a small remainder carried forward. The next event is scheduled for the third Saturday of September 2027.
• Folsom Tourism Bureau FY 2025-26 Annual Report: Sally, Jody Franklin, and Jennifer Cliff presented the annual report. Hotel performance was flat, which they described as positive compared with declining gateway markets. First-quarter FY 2026-27 hotel room nights were up about 3,500 with one additional hotel in the market. The additional 4% Tourism Business Improvement District assessment was approved in May 2026 and began being collected July 1, 2026. Marketing highlights included 5.6 million social media views, content reach of about 854,000 people, a 206% increase over the previous year, link clicks up 133%, more than 26,000 followers, 66,000 website users up 28%, and 81,000 website sessions up 32%. Hotel package campaigns generated 98,000 impressions, reached 557,000 people, and produced 23,000 clicks and 16,400 landing page views, with average costs of about 14 cents per click and 20 cents per landing page view. The Folsom International Film Festival is planned for February 4-8, 2027, with an anticipated 300 hotel room nights. They acknowledged the first-year film festival showed a $20,000 loss and described long-term goals of becoming a top-500 festival by year three, top-300 by year five, and potentially Oscar-qualifying in ten years.
• Financial Reports: Chief Financial Officer Stacey Tamani presented the FY 2025-26 fourth quarter and FY 2026-27 first quarter results. FY 2025-26 general fund revenues were estimated at $124.9 million, including $4.3 million in transfers in, and expenditures at $123.3 million, including $3.5 million in transfers out. This produced about $1.6 million in revenue over expenditures. An additional $1.5 million came from a one-time reduction in required encumbrance reserves, leaving $3.1 million above the city's 20% reserve requirement and an unassigned fund balance of $28.3 million. The city began the year with a projected $3.49 million general fund deficit. Approved actions included about $3 million in first-phase reductions, $1.16 million in second-phase adjustments, and roughly $436,000 in additional annual fee revenue. Charges for services totaled $21.7 million, about $2.8 million over budget. Expenditures came in at 97.5% of budget, helped by $2.3 million in salary and benefit savings. Enterprise fund working capital projections were $27.5 million for water, $35.6 million for wastewater, and $40 million for solid waste. For Q1 FY 2026-27, general fund revenues were about $9.9 million, or 8% of the annual budget, and expenditures were $26.1 million, or 21% of the annual budget. The city manager said the positive result reflected difficult decisions, but cautioned that the city is not out of the woods and that a $3.1 million transfer to capital renovation and maintenance funds will be considered in February after the audit.
• FY 2026-27 First Quarter Capital Projects Report: Ryan Neves, Touraj Tiradosani, and Marcus Yasutake presented highlights from Parks and Recreation, Public Works, and Utilities. Parks projects included the Lembi Park pickleball expansion, scheduled for a November design contract; Jack Rabbit Hill Park and Benevento Family Park at 90% design with bids planned in January; the Highway 50 Class I trail at 75% design; and the completed Mangene Ranch Trails ribbon cutting on October 28. Public Works projects included SACOG grant decisions expected by December 17 for the Central Business District Complete Streets project, East Natoma/Folsom Lake Crossing roundabout, and Riley Street active transportation project; the $6.89 million East Bidwell pavement rehab grant with construction forecast for spring 2028; and the unfunded Empire Ranch Road interchange construction projected for spring 2029. Utilities projects included the sewer master plan due in March 2027, water master plan due in August 2027, the Willowhill Reservoir valve replacement awaiting state approval, the $4.3 million water system rehabilitation project number three, the $10.5 million Tower Tank rehabilitation, and the $4.2 million water treatment plant caustic soda system project.

Consent Calendar

• Items 5, 6, 8(i)-(iii), and 9-16 were approved on a single 5-0 roll call vote. This approved the October 13, 2026 special and regular meeting minutes; the Town Center North large lot final map and offers of dedication; three Water Treatment Plant Caustic Soda System project amendments and appropriations; the Zone 4 Tank Rehabilitation Phase 1 agreement; the Folsom Plan Area Neighborhood Park #2 design contract; the Caltrans program supplement for the White Rock Road Class I Trail; the NCCSIF alternate director appointment; the Property and Evidence Supervisor side letter; the Sacramento Groundwater Authority joint powers agreement amendment; the Steve Miklos Aquatics Center pool heater replacement agreement; and the Southpointe at Folsom Ranch acquisition and shortfall agreement.
• Item 7, Resolution 11734 regarding the Folsom Heights Phase 1 final map, was continued to early 2027 by a separate 5-0 vote.
• Resolution 11738, ratifying the emergency $182,391.14 purchase of two polyethylene chemical storage tanks from Harrington Industrial Plastics, was pulled for discussion. Staff explained that the tanks are specialized double-walled vessels for sodium hypochlorite, quotes were obtained from three companies, and emergency procurement was necessary because both tanks were leaking. The council approved the resolution 5-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Business from the Floor: No in-person speakers came forward. During the financial report, a Zoom commenter named JC questioned the cost of the polyethylene chemical storage tanks on the consent calendar, saying other cities paid considerably less. He later repeated the concern and asked whether public bidding would lower prices. Staff responded that quotes had been obtained and that the tanks are highly specialized for sodium hypochlorite storage.
• Public Hearing on Resolution 11732: Margie Donovan, a blind resident, spoke via Zoom and raised concerns about Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and website accessibility. She urged the council to table the item until the Symbium permitting website was evaluated for compliance. Staff responded that Symbium was one of two platforms specifically recommended by the state and that the contract will include ADA compliance requirements.
• E-bike Ordinance Testimony: Six in-person speakers and one online speaker commented. Brian Greenwalt, representing the Folsom Athletic Association, a coalition of 19 sports leagues, two booster clubs, and two adult sports teams, supported prohibiting e-bike riding in parks and practice fields, citing turf damage, harassment, and unsafe riding. Dr. Dale Cotton, an emergency physician, said e-bike and e-conveyance injuries resemble motorcycle and car crash injuries rather than bicycle injuries, and described severe cases including a child placed on life support. Ian Fraser, Director of Coaching for Folsom Lake Surf, described daily dangerous behavior at Economy Park and supported the restrictions. Dean Williams, a Folsom Athletic Association board member, focused on youth behavior and suggested inexpensive wilderness cameras at parks to document violations and pursue parental accountability. Greg Weiss, a resident near Economy Park, described reckless riding, damaged fields, racial slurs, and close calls, and urged steeper fines and impoundment. Michelle Weiss submitted a statement saying her daughters no longer feel safe in Briggs or Economy parks and urged physical barriers, fencing, and consistent enforcement. Margie, speaking online, supported the approach, noted the city website remains inaccessible to her, and asked for cleanup of pedestrian right-of-way definitions.

Discussion Items

• Public Hearing - Resolution 11732, Amended User Fee Schedule for Streamlined Single Discipline Permits: Building Services Manager Alison Konwinski presented a proposal to reduce fees and streamline high-volume permits such as solar, battery storage, HVAC, water heater, and EV charger installations through the Symbium platform. Beginning January 1, 2027, applicants would have the option to use the streamlined process. The city would pay Symbium a $20,000 annual flat fee, totaling $60,000 over three years from the general fund. The proposed $20 streamlined surcharge per permit would replace the current $50 per-permit fee paid directly to Symbium. Staff estimated that if 1,000 permits use the streamlined process, the $20 fee would fully recover the $20,000 annual contract. The processing fee would be reduced by half, for example from $81 to $40.50, making the streamlined option about $19.50 less expensive. The council opened and closed the public hearing and adopted Resolution 11732 5-0, with staff confirming ADA compliance will be a contractual requirement.
• New Business - Ordinance 1380, E-bikes and E-conveyances: Commander Andrew Bates and Ryan Neves presented the revised ordinance repealing and re-enacting Chapter 10.40. The ordinance sets fines at $100 for a first offense, $250 for a second offense within a year, and $500 for additional violations within a year. It restricts city park riding to paved walkways only, with a 10 mph limit throughout parks, and allows the Parks and Recreation Director to close specific parks or trails with posted signage. Parents remain responsible for fines incurred by minors, and private property enforcement remains. Staff identified Economy Park and Prospector Park as the initial parks for complete e-bike bans, with signage and a public education campaign to follow. Council discussion covered enforcement challenges, liability concerns, the possibility of banning e-bikes in additional parks, and the need for clear criteria. Councilmember Leary expressed strong concerns and offered a substitute motion requiring a clear plan for residents to request additional park bans; it received no second. The motion to introduce Ordinance 1380 on first reading passed 4-1, with Councilmember Leary voting no. A second reading is required before final adoption.
• New Business - Resolution 11726, Briggs Ranch Maintenance Assessment District No. 2026-1: Derek Perez presented the first step in the Proposition 218 process to replace the pre-Prop 218 Briggs Ranch Landscaping and Lighting District. The district has roughly 658 single-family equivalents, a projected FY 2026-27 operational deficit of $54,000, and a negative fund balance of $276,000 as of December 31, 2025, equal to about $420 per unit. If repaid over 15 years, the cost would be about $20 per single-family equivalent per year, or $2.33 per month, using the same amortization approach as Natoma Station. The schedule includes community meetings in January 2027, a council item in February 2027, a public hearing and ballot tabulation in April 2027, and results presented in May 2027. Public comment included Bob McKiernan, a 36-year Briggs Ranch original owner, who questioned why the deficit was not disclosed earlier and asked for guardrails so the district does not become HOA-like. Kevin Lillywhite, a 30-year resident speaking for the Briggs Residence Information Group, accepted that an assessment increase is likely, requested partnership with staff on the engineer's report, and noted city staff and overhead costs were 39.1% of the district budget in FY 2025-26. Staff said they would work with the group, and the city manager acknowledged the deficit developed over roughly five to six years and said the city should have communicated more proactively. Resolution 11726 was approved 5-0.

Key Outcomes

• 5-0: Consent calendar items 5, 6, 8(i)-(iii), and 9-16 approved.
• 5-0: Item 7 continued to early 2027.
• 5-0: Resolution 11738 approving emergency tank purchase approved after discussion.
• 5-0: Resolution 11732 adopted, appropriating $60,000 for Symbium and establishing the $20 streamlined surcharge and reduced processing fee.
• 4-1: Ordinance 1380 introduced on first reading; Councilmember Leary voted no. A second reading is required.
• 5-0: Resolution 11726 adopted, initiating the Briggs Ranch assessment district proceedings.
• Next steps include a February 2027 decision on the $3.1 million transfer to capital funds, SACOG grant decisions by December 17, January 2027 Briggs Ranch community meetings, February 2027 Prop 218 step two, April 2027 public hearing and ballot tabulation, and potential council review of the e-bike ordinance after implementation.

City Manager Reports and Council Comments

The city manager had no additional report. In council comments, a councilmember noted follow-up on malfunction alerts and notification procedures with a city team. The meeting adjourned at 10:23 p.m.