City of Colfax Government News Digest

Colfax Mayor Trinity Burruss and Auburn Mayor Alice Dowdin Calvillo traveled to Washington, D.C., as a part of the Sacramento Metro Chamber Cap to Cap trip, which aimed to gain support for the six-county region surrounding Sacramento (including Placer).

The Colfax City Council weighed the permissible scope of cannabis licenses at its latest meeting. Colfax currently only allows for the sale of medicinal marijuana.

The Colfax City Council approved the purchase of a roadway easement for Railroad Street from Union Pacific. Improvements to the roadway are key to improving transportation.

The Colfax City Council approved an ordinance that establishes an expedited process for the electric vehicle charging station permitting process.

The Colfax City Council directed staff to proceed with drafting an ordinance which would allow short-term rentals. At present, Planning Director Emmanuel Ursu says, city code is silent on residential rentals for periods fewer than 30 days.

The Colfax City Council approved the introduction of an ordinance that establishes an expedited process for the permitting process of electric vehicle charging station applications.

The Colfax City Council saw minimal change as it swore in its newly elected officials. Kim Douglass, who served on the council from 2012-20, and incumbents Trinity Burruss and Sean Lomen were sworn in.

As of Monday night, the three leading contenders for three seats on the Colfax City Council are Trinity Burruss with 157 votes (24.49 percent); Sean Lomen with 142 votes (22.15 percent), and Kim A. Douglass with 98 votes (15.29 percent).

Measure B, called a “Traveler’s Tax,” is a 2 percent increase on taxes charged at lodgings that are rented for less than a month.

Residents of Colfax soon will elect three representatives to the Colfax City Council. Six candidates are angling for those spots. Incumbents Trinity Burruss, Sean Lomen and Joe Fatula face off against Kim Douglass, Rocky Orozco and Larry Hillberg.

The Colfax City Council approved the conditional use permit and variance for the Colfax Hotel. Planning Director Emmanuel Ursu said plans include converting the first floor into commercial space and eight hotel rooms. The second and third floors will be converted into long- and short-term rental units.

Measure B, if passed, would increase the city of Colfax’s Transient Occupancy Tax from 8 percent to 10 percent. The tax, paid by guests, would be used to maintain services such as public safety, road maintenance, parks and recreation.

The Colfax City Council has approved a resolution to extend the time limit for speakers during public comment. “I don’t appreciate having to cut people off at three minutes, especially when we have a light agenda,” Colfax Mayor Trinity Burruss said.

The Colfax City Council has approved an ordinance that will restrict or prohibit parking on narrow streets. Under the ordinance, the city engineer will make recommendations on streets that may need enforcement and the council will approve or disapprove parking restrictions.

With the November general election approaching, the city of Colfax approved the introduction of an ordinance to remove time-limit restrictions for posted election campaign signs. City Attorney Mick Cabral told the council he believes the restriction is unconstitutional and unenforceable.

The Colfax City Council continued discussions regarding parking restrictions on narrow residential streets. Next, city staff will draft an ordinance and the council will conduct a public hearing and public comment.

The Colfax City Council has allowed introduction of the Limitations on Number of Animals ordinance, also known as the chicken ordinance, which would allow for a maximum of eight chickens to be kept and raised on Residential R-1 zoned parcels.

More than seven years in the making, Colfax is finally closing the deal on getting a skate park thanks to a secured $75,000 donation form Placer County Parks and Recreation Commission.

The Colfax City Council approved a resolution Oct. 13 appointing Marguerite Bailey as the new city clerk. Bailey’s appointment comes 10 months after the position became vacant due to staff retirement.

The Colfax City Council heard a concept proposal for the Colfax Hotel from Leif Lowery of Vintage Development, who envisions a mixed-use project involving a restaurant or retail with eight hotel rooms and eight multi-family units for long- or short-term occupancy.

There was never a question of if but when Placer County would be hit with a catastrophic wildfire. Unfortunately, the “when” was Aug. 4 with the River Fire, which hit Colfax. Ways to help affected residents are varied, from donating funds and supplies to temporarily housing fire victims’ pets.

A massive team of firemen and women, law enforcement and others held a final morning briefing at the Gold Country Fairgrounds on Monday, sharing the day’s goals for the ongoing battle with the River Fire in Colfax.

A vegetation fire in Colfax on Wednesday afternoon has prompted evacuations for all of Colfax. According to Cal Fire Unified Incident Commander Jim Hudson, the River Fire started within the Bear River Campground, went northeast toward Colfax, and jumped into Nevada County.

The Placer County Board of Supervisors approved two fire service contracts during its meeting Tuesday. One renews an agreement with Cal Fire to provide service to 475 square miles of unincorporated county area. The other brings Colfax’s volunteer firefighters under the Placer Fire umbrella.