City News: Your Weekly Update
May 19, 2020
May is National Water Safety Month
The Folsom Fire Department wants to help you and your family be water safe around waterways, swimming pools, and other standing water. Visit the department’s website for drowning prevention information and other water safety tips. 
Free Life Jacket Loaner Program 
The Folsom Fire Department's Life Jacket Loaner Program provides Folsom residents with free daily and weekend rental of life jackets for all ages of children and adults. The life jackets are available at Folsom Fire Station 35 at 535 Glenn Drive; borrowers must provide a valid driver license. For more information, call 916-461-6300.  
Video Features Water Safety Tips 
As temperatures rise, the region's lakes, rivers, and public pools are popular destinations for outdoor fun. A public safety video by the Folsom Fire Department and Folsom Police Department highlights important boating and water safety tips to keep in mind as you head out to the water this summer.
Folsom Lake State Recreation Area Reopens Six Entrances 
The reopening of the park entrances is part of Stage 2 of Governor Gavin Newsom’s Resiliency Roadmap. Visitors will have access to the day-use facilities, restrooms, and boat launches. Motorized boating is permitted on Folsom Lake and non-motorized boating is open at Lake Natoma. According to California State Parks officials, it is important for visitors to continue to practice physical distancing and avoid congregating with people outside their immediate household.
Folsom Skate and Bike Parks Are Open
The skate and bike parks are now open from 1 to 7 p.m. daily. Both facilities are located at Cummings Family Park, 1775 Creekside Drive. All users must maintain at least six feet of distance from any other person at all times, whether on bike, skateboard, scooter, skates, or on foot. Monitors are on site when the parks are open to remind users to maintain social distancing. Elbow pads, knee pads, and a helmet are required at all times to utilize the skate park. The bike park requires all users to wear a helmet, and pads are strongly recommended. The City of Folsom is following public health guidelines provided by local, state, and federal officials. As these guidelines evolve, the hours of operation at the skate and bike parks may change. Call 916-817-2767 for recorded information about daily operating conditions and hours.
Proper Prescription Drug Disposal Tips 
The Folsom Police Department reminds residents that properly disposing of medications is key to preventing misuse and abuse of prescription medications. The police department lobby is currently closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic , so residents should bring their prescription medications to another facility for disposal or dispose of the medications at home.

To properly dispose of medications at home:
  1. Mix medications (liquids or pills, do not crush tablets or capsules) with an unappealing substance such as dirt, cat litter, or used coffee grounds.
  2. Place the mixture in a sealed container, such as a sealed plastic zipper bag.
  3. Throw the container into a trash container at home.
  4. Remove or delete personal information from labels before disposing in a trash or recycle bin.
Folsom Sees Spike in Waste and Recycling Collections
The City of Folsom Solid Waste Division has seen a 15 percent increase in trash and a 20 percent spike in recycling during the stay-at-home orders. The increase can be attributed to residents eating more meals at home, working on home projects, and doing more yard work.
 
Help manage the extra waste by recycling what you can and keeping prohibited items out of the blue recycle bins. The Solid Waste Division offers simple reminders: 

  • Single-use plastic bags cannot be recycled. Please reuse, place in your garbage can, or dispose at collection bins at your local grocery or home improvement store.
  • Takeout food containers, including utensils, cups, paper plates, and napkins are not recyclable.
  • Recycle cardboard boxes (flattened and cut to about 12”x12” pieces). Larger boxes may be recycled at one of our community recycling drop-off locations.
  • Tin, steel, and aluminum cans are recyclable. Place pet food, soup, and tuna cans in your blue recycling cart. Please make sure the cans are clean and dry.
  • Pizza boxes are not recyclable due to food residue. If the top of the pizza box is completely clean, it may be torn off and placed in the recycle bin.
  • Wondering if an item is recyclable? Simply type an item in the Waste Wizard, and it will inform you if a material can be reused, recycled, composted, or placed in the garbage.
“Stop, Pop, and Go” Food Drives a Success 
Over the course of two weeks, 19 food drives were held and 57,215 pounds of food and $5,000 in cash and gift cards were donated to the Twin Lakes Food Bank. The donations will provide 68,656 meals and feed Twin Lakes Food Bank clients for the next five months.
 
Thank you to everyone who donated to the Stop, Pop, and Go food drives, and to our amazing partners who hosted: Lakeside Church, Bayside Church Folsom, Community Bible Church, Oak Hills Church, Trinity Episcopal Church Folsom, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mount Olive Lutheran, The Gathering Place Church, Rotary Club of Folsom, MCF Muslim Community of Folsom - Masjid/Community Center, Disciples Church, and Jesus Culture. 
Adult Book Club Virtual Meeting
The Folsom Public Library’s Adult Book Club will have a virtual meeting at 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 2. The Book Club will discuss “An American Marriage” by Tayari Jones, which is available now in the Folsom Public Library’s eBook collection. The meeting will be held via Zoom and the link will be posted on the Folsom Public Library website and Facebook page on the day of the meeting. 
Save Water This Summer with Dropcountr 
Dropcountr provides residents with quick access to personal water use information. Users can identify water leaks, compare their own water use to the average neighborhood household use, access special rebates and offers for indoor and outdoor water saving appliances, and achieve water saving goals uniquely set for homes based on household profile and lifestyle. Signing up is quick and easy; simply download the Dropcountr app from your favorite app store or visit www.dropcountr.com/home to sign up online. You will need your account number and name as it appears on your City of Folsom water bill.
May is [Still] Bike Month
Bike Month is celebrated across the nation each May to showcase the benefits of bicycling and to encourage more people to give it a try. This year’s campaign is being held virtually, but still provides inspiration and motivation to celebrate the positive force that bicycling brings to our lives. Hopping on a bike is a great way to enjoy the beautiful weather, get some exercise, and feel mentally refreshed. Register for the Sacramento Region May is Bike Month campaign, and find information about challenges, badges, virtual events, and other opportunities to win prizes.
Trail Safety and Etiquette
Folsom’s 50+ miles of beautiful recreational trails are shared by c yclists and pedestrians; safety and courtesy make for a positive experience for all trail users. These are particularly busy times with more cyclists, walkers, runners, and other new users of the trails. Many are just becoming aware of trail etiquette practices and may not be entirely familiar with them yet. While signage and trail markings are found throughout the city’s trails, there are some heavily-used areas where congestion and perhaps confusion may take place. To help all trail users have a safe and pleasant experience, please follow these simple rules:
   
  • Whether you’re on bike or on foot, maintain a social distance at all times of six feet or more from other people.
  • Go solo or with members of your household – now is not the time to meet up with friends or groups of people.
  • Cyclists should keep to the right side of the trail, maintain a safe speed, and pass on the left side of oncoming pedestrians.
  • Walkers and runners should keep to the left side of the trail in order to face oncoming bicycle traffic.
  • Whether you are a cyclist, pedestrian, or runner – a gentle call-out or a soft bell ring from your bike will help communicate your location and set a good example of common courtesy on the trails.
  • Dogs should be leashed at all times and should stay on the left side of their human companion, and pet waste should be bagged and disposed of in a trash can.
  • All trail users should respect the environment and leave no trace.

Find more information and trail maps on the City of Folsom website.
Stay Informed
Comprehensive and up-to-the-minute Sacramento County Public Health information about COVID-19 can be found at  Covid19.SacCounty.net.

For the latest City of Folsom COVID-19 information and updates, visit  www.folsom.ca.us/covid-19.  Follow us online on   Facebook,  Twitter,  Instagram,  and  Nextdoor.

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Upcoming City Meetings
Historic District Commission
May 20, 6:30 p.m.

City Council Meeting
May 26, 6:30 p.m.

Due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, the City of Folsom is allowing for remote public input during City Council meetings. Members of the public can provide input by email or phone:
 
  • Email comments to CityClerkDept@folsom.ca.us at least 30 minutes before the meeting, and the comments will be read aloud by the City Clerk at the meeting during the agenda item.
  • Participate in the meeting via teleconference. Email CityClerkDept@folsom.ca.us at least 30 minutes before the meeting to obtain call-in information.

Members of the public may continue to participate in the meeting in person at Folsom City Hall, 50 Natoma Street. Appropriate social distancing must be maintained at all times. Each speaker is allowed three minutes on a subject.

City Council Office Hours
Mayor's Office Hours
May 21, 2-5 p.m.

In light of the County's stay at home order, Mayor Sarah Aquino encourages you to call or email her with your questions, comments, or concerns. She may be reached at 916-798-5380 or  saquino@folsom.ca.us .
Contact the City of Folsom's Communications Director
Christine Brainerd · cbrainerd@folsom.ca.us · 916-461-6013 (office)

City of Folsom | 50 Natoma Street | www.folsom.ca.us