City of Auburn 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).

Nathan Bagwill, director of administrative services, presented at the first of three budget workshops during the April 24 Auburn City Council meeting. The workshops will highlight different aspects of the 2023-24 fiscal-year budget.

Police Chief Ryan Kinnan delivered his 2022 annual report to the Auburn City Council, reporting an uptick in DUI arrests and a downward trend for most crimes.

The community is one step closer to a community space at the city-owned Carnegie Library. The nonprofit group Almost Free For All will pay $1 a month to use the space, which needs rehab and ADA-compliance projects before it opens to the public.

The city of Auburn has made an offer to Sean Rabe to take over for former City Manager John Donlevy, who retired. According to Mayor Alice Dowdin-Calvillo, “We were extremely fortunate to have received over 35 applications for the position from which we interviewed four highly qualified candidates.”

Four life-saving incidents, increased service calls and more than $11 million in property saved were a few of the highlights in the Auburn City Fire Department’s 2022 Annual Report, delivered by Fire Chief Dave Spencer to the Auburn City Council.

Imagine Auburn, a group hired by the city, is hosting three separate workshops to focus on Auburn’s business future.

An almost $200,000 contract was approved by the Auburn City Council that includes solar improvements to the city’s Public Works Corporation Yard.

High Street Bible Church won its use permit from the Auburn City Council after initial opposition from the Planning Commission.

In addition to holding an open house at City Hall on March 21, consultants from North Star are collecting feedback through the website DistinctlyAuburn.com, created to guide the Auburn branding process.

The city of Auburn hired Genevieve Marsh Design to lead the city through a visioning of the city’s commercial core, which will result in an update to the zoning ordinances.

The city of Auburn is getting closer to increasing its fire safety inspection program as the council discussed a fee study. Auburn City Fire Department Chief Dave Spencer presented the findings, saying, “If we don’t recover fees, that money comes out of the general fund.”

Citing lack of appropriate placement for the neighborhoods, two projects were rejected by members of the Auburn Planning Commission.

An Auburn Union School District meeting draws 200 attendees, who tell of concerns over possible closures of Rock Creek or Auburn Elementary, due to budget shortfalls.

Fourteen Auburn students were chosen for this year’s “Shop With a Cop” program, which awards $250 each to spend at Target to purchase gifts for the season. Local businesses contribute, and local peace officers donate their time.

Old Town Auburn businesses on Commercial Street will stay open as late as 8pm for holiday shopping.

Facing public opposition by 150 community members to the closing due to budget shortfall, the Auburn Unified School District delays final decision until January.

The latest vote results show Sandy Amara with 1,726 votes (28.02 percent), Daniel Berlant with 1,573 votes (25.54 percent) and Mike Holmes with 1,233 votes (20.02 percent).

Auburn Police Department’s Jennifer Solomon retires after 30 years; she was Auburn's first-ever code enforcement officer.

Nic Macy, Alan Loberstein and Scott Holbrook are candidates for two openings on Auburn Area Recreation and Parks District. They discuss priorities: reservations, facilities, and (Loberstein) “a world-class dog park.”

Population growth has caused the existing plant to reach limits; the project will costs tens of millions.

PRIDE industries, an organization that helps “visible and invisible disabilities,” successfully placed workers at the packaging department at Auburn’s Knee Deep Brewery.

Matthew Spokely has decided not to run for reelection after two terms on the Auburn City Council, but fellow incumbents Sandy Amara and Daniel Berlant will defend their seats. Three candidates—Richard Hall, Mike Holmes and Linda Lareau—are also in the running.

Incumbents Sandy Amara and Daniel Berlant return to the ballot to defend their seats. Richard Hall, Mike Holmes and Linda Lareau also seek a spot on the council.

The Auburn City Council has accepted the resignation of City Manager John Donlevy. According to a joint release from Donlevy and the council, his resignation will be effective Jan. 1, 2023.

Auburn is one step closer to having a new community meeting space, as the city and a newly formed nonprofit are in negotiations to rent the Carnegie Library property. The historic building has remained vacant since 2017 and is in need of repairs.

The Auburn City Fire Department put its newest equipment to use earlier this month. The department was awarded a grant for two LUCAS 3 CPR devices, which can be deployed quickly with minimal interruption to patient care. Both department engines are now fitted with the equipment.

The city of Auburn is taking steps to mitigate groundwater contamination at its closed landfill while scaling down potential solutions as a cost-saving measure for the city and eventually ratepayers.

The Auburn City Council approved hiring Genevieve Marsh Design Group to oversee the first two phases of plans to develop a prescriptive zoning code for Auburn’s central commercial core.

Supporters of Downtown and Old Town Auburn gathered at city hall to discuss how the city will spend nearly $1 million split between each business district in pandemic relief funds from the American Rescue Plan Act.