City of Folsom Government News Digest

In April, Folsom reported the third-most home sales among Sacramento County communities at 61. Elk Grove came in second place with 63, and Roseville topped the list by far with 172.

The action-oriented five-year plan outlines the city's vision, mission, operating principles and priority areas of focus aimed at supporting financial sustainability, increasing public safety resources, boosting economic and community development and organizational effectiveness.

The city of Folsom is reaching out to the public this month, seeking feedback regarding four potential Folsom Boulevard overcrossing locations.

Sixteen years and an estimated 3.5 million visitors later, the Folsom Public Library is getting new carpet. The library will be closed from May 9-25 and will reopen just in time to kick off its Summer Reading Challenge.

The city of Folsom has hired Kelly Gonzalez as its next Parks & Recreation director, effective May 8. Gonzalez will oversee the operations of 48 parks, over 50 miles of paved trails, facilities, and recreation programs.

At the March 28 Folsom City Council meeting, staff presented an update of Folsom’s current very low- and low-income unit capacity. The council directed staff to continue moving forward with its effort to increase capacity.

With the intention of invigorating Folsom, the city has begun work on a Central Business District Master Plan, which will focus on a 220-acre retail and commercial area.

The city of Folsom is forming an enhancement plan for a six-mile stretch along the river and Lake Natoma. The goal is to bring the underutilized waterfront back to life.

The City of Folsom is holding a feasibility study in an effort to consider an overpass that will increase safety on Folsom Boulevard.

Folsom City Council unanimously approved the development agreement amendment for the plan, which will have 238 market-rate apartments on 15.8 acres.

On March 25, the city of Folsom is hosting a family-friendly event focused on tree care and reduced water use. It will feature activities, demonstrations and exhibits.

The Folsom City Council has designated two trees under its Landmark Tree Program, which had been dormant for 23 years before an application was received in 2022.

Folsom Vice Mayor YK Chalamcherla has announced his intention to run for California State Assembly in District 7. He comes into the race with more than 25 years of experience in politics.

The Folsom City Council reviewed an update on the pilot program to expand the transient occupancy tax—currently collected from registered hotel operators—to short-term rentals within the city limits.

Folsom is planning on adding nine new parks, starting with the 10.5-acre Prospector Park. The ultimate goal is for every Folsom resident to have a park within a 10-minute walk of their home.

Folsom Mayor Rosario Rodriguez delivered the 2023 State of the City address to a capacity- filled auditorium, marking her first mayoral address.

The Folsom Historic District has launched a new ride-share app that allows easy access to the free visitor shuttle service.

The Folsom restaurant, led by Eric Lee and exec chef Victor Octavio, held a series of fundraising dinners to raise money for the Shriners children’s hospital in Sacramento.

The Folsom City Council selected its first Latina mayor and Asian American vice mayor at a special meeting on Dec. 16. Rosario Rodriguez was chosen mayor in a unanimous vote, as was YK Chalamcherla for vice mayor.

The Barley Barn Tap House in Folsom moves forward after a Sacramento County Superior Court judge denied an environmental impact challenge to the 4,300-square-foot business.

Intel is laying off 111 Folsom-based employees. Some 90 more layoffs are anticipated statewide.

Anna Rohrbough increased her lead to 282 votes over Folsom Mayor Kerri Howell. “It’s as official as it can get without being officially official,” said Rohrbough.

Commenting on the statistics that the Asian American population has quadrupled in Folsom since 2000, city communication director Christine Brainerd suggests that the draw is “the high quality of life that Folsom is known for.”

The Homeless Assistance Resource Team of Folsom is readying winter shelter for the unhoused. HART seeks volunteer trainees for intaking applicants for the program, which will run Jan. 8 through April.

With 140,000 ballots remaining to be counted, Anna Rohrbough has a 29-vote lead over Mayor Kerri Howell for District 5 seat. Incumbents Mike Kozlowski and Sarah Aquino have significant leads over their challengers.

City of Folsom officials have filed a petition in Sacramento Superior Court for emergency review after learning that Folsom Mayor Kerri Howell allegedly allowed a fellow council member to collect signatures for her 2022 campaign for reelection to City Council.

Seven candidates, three slots in three separate districts: Folsom City Council candidates sit down to discuss the Folsom Ranch plan, recreation, traffic, homelessness and a decline in sales tax revenues.

Folsom City Council has lifted a 1997 law limiting the number of garage sales in the same premises to two per year, and outlawing sales that last more than three consecutive days.

At “Go Bulldogs! 100 Years of Folsom High,” an exhibit at Folsom History Museum, visitors (and alumni) can chart the century-long history of this school.

It’s Folsom’s first election with geographic districts for council members, and Councilman Michael Kozlowski is running to represent the newly created District 1. But there’s a question about whether he’s really living there.