City News
January 7, 2022
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City of Folsom Moves to Virtual Meetings Due to New Public Health Order |
Due to the continued day-over-day case rate increases of COVID-19 from the highly infectious Omicron variant, the Sacramento County Public Health Officer issued a new health Order requiring all public boards, councils, commissions, and other similar bodies to suspend in-person public meetings and conduct all meetings virtually. The Order took effect January 6 and it will be reevaluated no later than February 1.
“The steep increase in cases and high transmissibility of the omicron variant is very concerning,” said Sacramento County Public Health Officer Olivia Kasirye. “This Order is necessary to protect essential government functions.”
The Order will apply to Folsom City Council and City of Folsom commission and committee meetings. All public meetings will be held remotely. Members of the public who wish to participate in Folsom City Council meetings may do so through Zoom. Participation instructions are included on the agenda for each meeting.
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District Elections Virtual Public Hearing January 11 |
The City of Folsom is transitioning to a by-district system for electing City
Councilmembers and wants to hear from residents about how to draw five City
Council districts.
Draft maps are available for your review and feedback. In addition to the maps submitted by the public, the city’s consulting expert demographer has prepared three draft maps based on the latest 2020 Census data and legally required criteria.
The proposed maps will be presented and discussed at a public hearing held via Zoom during the scheduled January 11 Folsom City Council meeting at 6:30 p.m. Additional public hearings will be held February 8 and February 22.
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Mandatory Commercial Organics Recycling |
SB 1383 was signed into California law in 2016, as part of the state’s broader effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This is the most significant recycling mandate adopted in California in the last 30 years.
The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) is working with local jurisdictions across the state, including the City of Folsom, to divert up to 26 million tons of organic material from landfills annually by 2025 to reduce methane emissions and support the state’s climate change goals. SB 1383 also requires the state to increase edible food recovery by 20% by 2025.
Beginning January 1, all commercial businesses that do not already subscribe to food waste service with Atlas Disposal or Republic Services will be required to subscribe to organics recycling services provided by the City of Folsom Waste and Recycling Division.
Businesses must offer a three-container collection system to separate organic waste, traditional recyclables, and items to be landfilled. This includes a green bin for food scraps and food-soiled papers, a blue bin for recycling (cans, bottles, paper, cardboard), and a gray bin for trash. Folsom businesses should begin providing three-bin systems wherever food waste is generated by employees or customers.
The City of Folsom is here to help local businesses with the new requirements. To schedule a training or for additional information, contact the Waste and Recycling Division at 916-461-6730 or recycle@folsom.ca.us.
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POSTPONED: Public Workshop for Benevento Family Park |
The January 13 public workshop to discuss the design for Benevento Family Park has been postponed due to the unprecedented COVID-19 case rates in Sacramento County.
The health and safety of our staff, residents, and stakeholders is of the
utmost importance. The workshop will be rescheduled for a future date and details will be communicated as they become available. We apologize for the inconvenience caused by this schedule change.
Contact City of Folsom Senior Park Planner Brad Nelson with questions about the workshop or park.
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The City of Folsom will hold its annual Christmas tree recycling drop-off event Saturday, January 8. Trees will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Rodeo Park at the end of Stafford Street. All ornaments, tinsel, lights, nails, and stands must be removed before dropping off a tree. The trees will be recycled and converted into mulch, which adds nutrients into the soil and helps it to retain water.
In addition, community organizations will collect trees throughout the city as part of their fundraising activities. Residents may also recycle Christmas trees in the green waste bins. Trees must be cut into pieces no larger than two feet in length and four inches in diameter, and the lid must close completely to receive service.
For more information, contact the City of Folsom Waste and Recycling Division at 916-461-6748 or recycle@folsom.ca.us.
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Special City Council Meeting Postponed |
The planned January 18 Special City Council meeting has been canceled and will be rescheduled. Stay informed at www.folsom.ca.us.
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Partnership Opportunities with Folsom Parks & Recreation |
Partnerships help Folsom Parks & Recreation provide community events and enrichment programs for all ages. They also support the city’s community recreational facilities—the sports complex, aquatic center, gallery and art center, senior center, and The CAVE Teen Centers. Custom partnership packages are tailored to reach your target audience and aligned with your business interests. Act now to take advantage of the full year of events and activities: contact Frankie Nelson at 916-461-6614 or Marilyn Robitaille at 916-461-6616 to learn more.
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Registration is Open for Youth Sports Programs |
A variety of youth sports classes for preschoolers through teens are open for enrollment. Selections include soccer, tennis, taekwondo, volleyball – and even pickleball! The very popular coed NFL Flag Football program still has a limited number of openings for 2nd and 3rd graders; player evaluations are coming up soon and the program begins at the end of January. Learn more about the youth sports programs and register online or call 916-461-6650.
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Library Offers New Suite of Free Skill Building and Career Development Classes |
The Folsom Public Library added a broad array of free software to help library patrons learn new vocational and educational skills, earn professional certificates, and prepare for jobs.
Thanks to a grant from the California State Library and funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), library patrons now have free access to thousands of online classes from six providers: Coursera, GetSetUp, LearningExpress, LinkedIn Learning, Northstar, and Skillshare.
These online resources expand the digital workforce platform offerings at Folsom Public Library and allow patrons to visit the website or use the library’s public internet computers to participate in online classes, take practice exams, learn new skills, and more. Access to these platforms normally comes with subscriptions and other fees, but for at least one year through ARPA funding, they are all available for free to any California library user.
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Parking Fines Increase in Folsom Historic District |
Formed by the Folsom City Council in 2019, the 11-member Historic District Parking Solutions Ad Hoc Committee developed a list of possible solutions for the parking issues in the district. One of the committee’s high-priority recommendations was to increase the frequency and scope of parking enforcement.
In November, the Folsom City Council approved an increase in parking fines. Parking tickets have increased from $25 to $75 in the Historic District. The increase only applies in the Historic District, bounded by and including Coloma Street, Leidesdorff Street, Folsom Boulevard, and Natoma Street.
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Historic District Parking Pilot Program |
The City of Folsom implemented a new six-month pilot program for a resident-only parking permit zone on Friday and Saturday nights in the Historic District. The area includes Figueroa Street between Scott and Reading streets, and the intersecting blocks of Scott, Decatur, and Wool streets between Figueroa and Sutter.
Permits are required to park in the area on Friday and Saturday nights from 6 p.m. to midnight. Residents are allowed up to four free parking permits per household, including additional guest permits.
The program’s goal is to direct weekend Historic District visitors to the underused parking garage and Light Rail parking lots rather than residential neighborhoods.
For more information on the pilot program, contact the City of Folsom Public Works Department at 916-461-6702 or pwdept@folsom.ca.us.
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Holiday Lights Winners Announced |
Congratulations to the 2021 Folsom Holiday Lights Contest winners!
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Clark Griswold – Best use of holiday lights – 712 Persifer Street
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Holly Jolly Residence – Best overall residence – 1510 Thurman Way
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Hollywood Christmas – Best use of theme and/or fictional characters – 1027 Hildebrand Circle
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Illuminate the Block – Best multi-house display – Ledgemont Court
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Merry and Bright Business – Snooks Candies and Chocolate Factory – 731 Sutter Street
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NeighborWoods Program Grows Roots in Folsom |
The City of Folsom teamed up with the Sacramento Tree Foundation to help grow, care for, and expand Folsom’s tree canopy. The new NeighborWoods community-led initiative improves and beautifies the city and brings neighbors together through community tree plantings and care activities. Together, we are cultivating green spaces that provide shade, clean our air, beautify the community, and continue our legacy as Distinctive by Nature.
Get involved with future tree planting and tree care events, educational workshops, and webinars! Stay informed at www.sactree.com or contact Sacramento Tree Foundation project coordinator Kimmy Boyle at kimberly@sactree.com or 916-214-9682.
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City Seeks Applications for Historic District Commission |
Help protect and enhance the historic and cultural character of Folsom’s treasured Historic District. The City of Folsom seeks a historic preservationist to serve on the Historic District Commission.
The commission is responsible for reviewing the design and architecture of new or altered structures within the Historic District, as well as applications for sign permits, conditional use permits, variances, land divisions, and land mergers within the district. In addition, the Historic District Commission advises and makes recommendations to the City Council concerning matters associated with historic landmarks, sites, and structures.
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Looking for a Rewarding Volunteer Opportunity?
Join the Folsom Zoo Sanctuary’s Docent Training Program!
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The zoo sanctuary is excited to announce the return of the long-awaited Docent Training class! Docents help host school tours, assist with story times and youth day camps, participate in community events, and other ongoing activities. The training class will cover the zoo sanctuary’s guiding mission and vision, information and facts about the animal residents, and expectations for docent volunteers. Current docents will also share their experiences and the rewards of volunteering. Classes are held Mondays from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. starting February 14 and continuing through March 21. Class fee is $40 and includes training materials; must be age 21 or older. Deadline to register is February 7; find more details and register online. Call Sue Bean at 916-715-8610 or 916-933-3664 with questions.
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The Folsom Senior Center offers a variety of social activities for ages 55+ from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. If you haven’t dropped by in a while, you’re invited to join us and get reacquainted with friends and staff. Free activities include lively bingo games, cards and games, trivia contests, and more. Community resource services are also offered for seniors and caregivers.
Seniors are also invited to join the new Better Balance class at 1 p.m. every Tuesday; admission is free. The Memoir Writing class takes place Wednesday mornings through March—participants will learn to write and polish memories to share with family and friends. The popular Walk n Talk program keeps on trekking Tuesday and Thursday mornings, with guided walks to explore some of Folsom’s beautiful trails. Seniors can also register for a variety of adult fine arts programs.
The Folsom Senior Center is located at 48 Natoma Street, next to Folsom City Hall. Call 916-461-6601 for more information.
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Water Conservation Rebate Programs |
The City of Folsom provides five rebate programs to help City of Folsom Water Customers conserve water.
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Cash for Grass Turf Replacement Program. Receive $1 per square foot of turf replaced, up to a maximum of $2,000.
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High Efficiency Toilets. Replace older higher volume per flush toilets with toilets that use 1.25 gallons per flush. Receive 50% of the material cost up to $175.
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Irrigation Efficiency Upgrades. Upgrade your existing sprinkler system by replacing inefficient equipment with newer models including controllers, sprinkler heads, and drip irrigation. Receive 50% of the material cost up to $500.
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Rachio Wi-Fi Irrigation Controllers. Water customers pay just $75 for the latest technology in irrigation controllers.
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Flume Home Water Monitoring System. Pay just $75 for a home water monitoring system that allows customers to track indoor and outdoor water use in real time.
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Contact the City of Folsom Communications Director
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Get Connected, Stay Informed |
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