City News: Your Weekly Update
February 4, 2021
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Celebrate Black History Month with the Folsom Public Library |
Follow the Folsom Public Library and celebrate Black History Month this month. The library will feature recently published works by Black authors for readers of all ages. A selection of these titles and other books by Black authors are available for checkout; the library is currently offering “takeout” services while it is closed for in-person browsing. Library staff members are available to make recommendations or retrieve items for library patrons. Follow the Folsom Public Library on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and visit the library to pick up materials from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. A weekly pickup hour reserved for seniors and medically-compromised individuals is available from 11 a.m. to noon Wednesdays.
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Register Your Interest in Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine |
Sign up to receive email updates about future COVID-19 vaccination clinics hosted by Sacramento County Public Health. To ensure the limited supply of the vaccine is distributed equitably, distribution is guided by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The vaccine will be provided in phases to those with the highest risk first.
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State Eviction Moratorium Extended |
Last week, Governor Newsom signed legislation to extend the state’s eviction moratorium through June 30, 2021. The legislation pauses evictions for tenants who declare under penalty of perjury an inability to pay all or part of their rent due to a COVID-related reason. Tenants are still responsible for paying unpaid amounts to property owners, but those unpaid amounts cannot be the basis for an eviction, even after the moratorium ends.
The legislation also establishes the State Rental Assistance Program to allocate the $2.6 billion in federal rental assistance California will receive. The program will target aid to income-qualified tenants most at-risk with unpaid back rent. Assistance will also be extended to property owners who agree to waive 20% of unpaid rent.
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Sacramento County Department of Health Services provides free COVID-19 testing for Sacramento County residents.
- Each site has up to 500 test appointments per day.
- Free tests to Sacramento County residents regardless of insurance or citizenship status.
- Testing is available for children 2 years or older.
The Folsom COVID-19 community testing site is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Wednesday at Oak Hills Church, 1100 Blue Ravine Road. The site is closed for lunch from noon to 1 p.m. No appointment is necessary, but a one-time registration is required. To find a testing site, register for a test, or schedule an appointment, visit www.saccounty.net/covid-19.
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Utility Relief Programs for Residents and Businesses |
The City of Folsom is committed to providing reliable water and waste disposal service to our customers. We understand that many are facing challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The city offers several residential and business assistance programs designed to help during difficult times.
In addition, SMUD is offering its customers flexible billing options, discounted rates, and waived late fees, and will not disconnect power due to non-payment at this time. Learn more about SMUD’s relief programs at www.smud.org/HereToHelp.
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California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program: February 8 Deadline |
California small businesses and nonprofits impacted by COVID-19 and its related health and safety restrictions can apply for the second round of relief grants available through the California Relief Grant Program. The grant program is administered by California’s Office of the Small Business Advocate. The application window closes February 8. Round two is the final application window for the relief grant program. Visit CAReliefGrant.com for details.
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Applications to Sell Fireworks in Folsom |
The application window for local nonprofit groups to sell state-approved fireworks in the City of Folsom continues through noon March 19. Folsom clubs, such as youth sports groups, school booster clubs, and other civic organizations, are eligible to sell "safe and sane" fireworks to the public during the Fourth of July holiday season to raise money for their Folsom-based organization.
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The City of Folsom is updating the Housing Element of the General Plan to ensure the city is meeting the housing needs of all members of the community. The plan is designed to provide the city with a coordinated and comprehensive strategy for promoting the production of safe, decent, and affordable housing. The city invites community members to review the Draft Housing Element Update and provide city staff with comments. The City Council Public Hearing will be held February 9. To review the draft plan and for more information, visit www.folsomhousingelement.com.
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Wood Chips Available for Residents |
Planning a landscaping project this winter and spring that involves wood chips? The City of Folsom has free wood chips available to residents at the following three self-serve locations:
- Behind City Hall at 50 Natoma Street (look for the cell tower behind the rear parking lot).
- Behind the Folsom rodeo grounds (very northern end of Stafford Street).
- At Fire Station 36 (next to the sandbag location on Oak Avenue Parkway).
The wood chips are available while supplies last. Wood chips are a versatile material for outdoor use such as mulch. The best wood chip mulch is a mix of particle sizes and will include bits of leaves, twigs, and shredded wood – spread it to a 4-inch depth under trees and shrubs.
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Water Conservation Tips: Four Ways to Save Water this Winter |
Saving water isn’t only for hot summer months. Here are four simple tips to help you save water this winter.
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Check toilets to reveal any silent leaks. Easy-to-fix household leaks can waste enough water each year to fill a backyard swimming pool. Just add a few drops of food coloring to the toilet tank and wait 10 minutes before flushing. If dye appears in the toilet bowl, your toilet has a leak. If you find a leak, visit www.epa.gov/watersense/fixaleak for do-it-yourself repair tips or contact a plumbing professional.
- Twist an aerator onto each bathroom faucet to save water without noticing a difference in the water flow. Faucet aerators cost as little as a few dollars and can save a household more than 500 gallons each year—enough to do 14 loads of laundry. Look for the WaterSense label, which is only awarded to products independently tested and certified to meet EPA’s water efficiency and performance criteria.
- Replace your old shower head with a WaterSense labeled model, which helps you shrink your water footprint while still enjoying a satisfying shower. Making this switch reduces a household’s water use by 2,300 gallons annually and the savings on utility bills are a bonus.
- Most of your landscape is dormant and gets all the water it needs from seasonal rains. Turn off your sprinklers and save that water for summer.
The City of Folsom Water Conservation Team is here to help. Call 916-355-7252 or email waterconservation@folsom.ca.us with any questions or to schedule a free Water-Wise House Call.
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New In-Person and Virtual Classes for Kids and Adults Starting Soon |
Folsom Parks & Recreation offers an Itty Bitty Soccer program starting February 15. The outdoor class for kids ages 3 to 5 includes parent participation and focuses on fun games and exercises that introduce basic soccer skills. Virtual guitar lessons for ages 11 through adult begin March 3. These evening classes are for those who already have some guitar skills and focus on fingerstyle patterns in songs. Digital Drawing and Design is a virtual-format class for ages 9 to 14. The next session starts February 16 and features new art projects for students to learn and refine their skills in layering, perspective, and shading. Find more information about additional sports, recreation, and enrichment programs and register online.
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City Council Meeting
February 9, 6:p.m.
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City Council Office Hours |
Mayor's Office Hours
Thursdays from 2 - 5 p.m.
Second Floor, City Hall
No Appointment Necessary
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Contact the City of Folsom's Communications Director
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Get Connected, Stay Informed |
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