Santa’s Sleigh Visiting Folsom Neighborhoods

Folsom Fire and Police departments are teaming up with Santa Claus to visit Folsom neighborhoods December 4 - 8. A fleet of emergency vehicles, along with firefighters, police officers, and city officials will escort Santa through the neighborhoods. Santa’s elves will collect non-perishable canned goods to help stock the Twin Lakes Food Bank for the holidays, as well as unwrapped toys for the holiday toy drive. Find Santa’s schedule and information at folsomsantatracker.com/routes.

Road Closures December 4 for California International Marathon

The 39th annual California International Marathon is Sunday, December 4, bringing more than 10,000 runners and thousands of spectators to Folsom and the Sacramento region.

The marathon will begin near the Folsom Dam at 7 a.m. The course will continue through Orangevale, Citrus Heights, Fair Oaks, Carmichael, and Sacramento, and will conclude at the State Capitol. Folsom-Auburn Road from Folsom Dam Road to Greenback Lane, Folsom Lake Crossing Road from East Natoma Street to Folsom-Auburn Road, and Oak Avenue Parkway from Folsom-Auburn Road to Santa Juanita Avenue will be closed from 3 to 9:30 a.m. For a complete listing of road closures, schedules and courses, visit the CIM website. Detours will be clearly marked.

The CIM was founded in 1983 by the Sacramento Running Association, a 501c3 nonprofit organization. The CIM is certified and sanctioned by USATF and is a Boston Marathon and US Olympic Trials Marathon qualifier. Learn more at runsra.org.

Free Sandbags Available for Folsom Residents, Businesses

If your property has a history of flooding, it's important to get prepared in advance of a storm. Sand and sandbags are available for Folsom residents and business owners at no charge.

The city's two self-serve sandbag stations are located next to Fire Station 36 at 9700 Oak Avenue Parkway and behind City Hall at 50 Natoma Street. The city offers free sandbag materials, including bags, sand, and shovels. You may also wish to bring safety goggles and gloves. Sandbags and sand can also be purchased at most major hardware or home improvement stores.

Learn how to fill a sandbag and find other useful information at www.folsom.ca.us/sandbags. For information about storm preparation, visit www.folsom.ca.us.

Report Storm-Related Hazards with SeeClickFix Folsom

Clogged storm drain or localized flooding in your neighborhood? Fallen tree limb or stop sign on your street? Non-emergency storm-re­lated incidents can be submitted to the City of Folsom with reporting app SeeClickFix Folsom. This free place-based online and mobile plat­form allows you to document, report, and monitor a variety of neighbor­hood concerns and improvements. To download the app, visit your app store and search for SeeClickFix Folsom or visit www.folsom.ca.us.

City to Resume Sign Ordinance Enforcement

Beginning Monday, January 2, the City of Folsom will resume enforcement of its sign ordinance. The ordinance regulates signage to ensure that permanent and temporary signs meet safety standards and maintain the aesthetic appearance of the city, while providing businesses an advertising venue.

In March 2020, the city relaxed its sign ordinance as part of a series of emergency measures to support local businesses during the pandemic. The City of Folsom retired its COVID-19 emergency proclamation August 23, 2022 – phasing out directives established under executive orders signed during the pandemic.

The Community Development Department's Code Enforcement Division handles all enforcement efforts for signs placed on private and public property. The City of Folsom sign ordinance is contained in Chapter 17.59 of the Folsom Municipal Code. Sign standards in the Folsom Historic District are governed by Chapters 17.79 and 17.52 and reflect the unique architecture, historical elements, and character of the district.

To ensure your sign is placed in accordance with the applicable regulations, read Section 17.59.040 of the Folsom Municipal Code. For more information, or to apply for a sign permit, contact the City of Folsom Community Development Department at 916-461-6202 or [email protected].

Folsom City Council Swearing-In Ceremony December 12

Newly-elected Folsom City Councilmembers will take the oath of office at a special City Council meeting 5:30 p.m. Monday, December 12. The new Folsom City Council will also select the mayor and vice mayor for the next year at the special meeting.

The special City Council meeting will be held in the Council Chambers at Folsom City Hall, 50 Natoma Street. The meeting will be live streamed on the City of Folsom website. Results of the November General Election are available on the County of Sacramento website.

National Urban Land Institute Advisory Panel Evaluates Potential Revitalization of Central Business District

During the week of November 14, national experts in infill development, real estate, market analysis, and housing took part in an Urban Land Institute (ULI) advisory panel to assist the City of Folsom and Sacramento County as both jurisdictions look at ways to improve their aging commercial corridors. The panel evaluated Folsom’s Central Business District, stretching from Coloma Street along East Bidwell and Riley streets to Blue Ravine Road, and Sacramento County’s North Watt Corridor. The ULI panel looked at ways of revitalizing both areas through a combination of infrastructure improvements, new design standards, infill housing, and pedestrian activation. The panel shared its recommendations with the public November 18. These recommendations will serve as a helpful resource for the City Council as staff launch a new planning effort for this area. The recording and slides from the presentation are available on SACOG's website. 

Join the Winter Reading Challenge

Curl up with a good book and join the Folsom Public Library Winter Reading Challenge from December 1 through January 31. Each age group—kids ages 5+, teens, and adults—have a chance to win a prize. To complete the challenge and enter the drawing, simply read five books and log your progress on folsom.beanstack.org. Learn more at www.folsom.ca.us/library.

Natoma Street Lane Closures for Sewer Improvement Project

Work on a sewer improvement project will require daytime lane closures on Natoma Street between Coloma Street and Mill Street beginning December 6.

The lane closures are required to allow the City of Folsom Environmental and Water Resources Department and its contractor McGuire & Hester to perform sewer improvement work including replacing and relocating sewer infrastructure. 

Lane closures along Natoma Street will be in place during the construction hours of 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., excluding Saturdays and Sundays. Traffic signals at the intersection of Natoma and Coloma Streets will be flashing red between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 7 and Thursday, December 8. Motorists should allow for extra time when traveling through these areas during construction hours. Message signs are in place, and flaggers will direct traffic in some cases. The work may cause some noise disturbances. The project will be completed spring/summer 2023.

For more information, contact the City of Folsom Environmental and Water Resources Department at 916-461-6162.

Holiday Lights at the Folsom Zoo Sanctuary

This annual family event returns for the 12th year with its popular seasonal cheer! Thousands of bright and colorful lights, sparkling ornaments and trees, lighted animal figures, and displays transform the zoo sanctuary with holiday spirit. Local caroling groups and musicians provide the merry sounds of the season, and the Folsom Valley Railway miniature train provides special nighttime rides.

Wild Nights and Holiday Lights is open from 5 to 8:30 p.m. December 2, 3, 9-11 and 16-22 (weather permitting; heavy rains will cancel). All proceeds from the event benefit the zoo sanctuary animals.

New this year: event and train tickets are only available online; no tickets will be sold at the gate. To provide an enhanced experience for guests, admission and train rides are limited each night of the event and tickets for both are date-specific. Event admission is $10/person and train tickets are $5/person; admission and train rides are free for ages under 2 years. Event dates will sell out—early ticket purchase is strongly encouraged.

Follow Facebook.com/FolsomParksandRec for daily event updates, ticket availability, and potential weather-related schedule changes. Call 916-461-6601 with questions.

Annual Holiday Toy Drive

The Folsom Citizens Assisting Public Safety (CAPS), in partnership with the Folsom Police and Fire departments, are collecting toys for the Annual Folsom CAPS Holiday Toy Drive. The donated items are delivered to Folsom families in need by police and fire personnel in the days before the holidays. Donations will be accepted through December 9. Here are two ways you can help:

• You can select a wish to fill from the virtual Christmas Tree at www.FolsomToyDrive.com. To fill the specific wish of a child, choose to receive an Amazon Wish List or shop for the item locally.
• Bring a gift of your choosing for a child, teen, or adult. New, unopened, and unwrapped toys, as well as new clothing or gift cards, may be dropped off during regular business hours at Folsom Fire Department Station 35, located at 535 Glenn Drive; at the Folsom Police Department, located at 46 Natoma Street; or other designated toy drop-off locations.

The program helps hundreds of community members annually. Visit www.FolsomToyDrive.com for additional details and designated toy drop-off locations. Contact Jessica Hess at 916-461-6516 or [email protected] for more information.