City News: Your Weekly Update
March 24, 2020
What are “Essential” Businesses?
The City of Folsom is receiving questions about which businesses are allowed to remain open and which cannot. The Sacramento County Health Officer has determined the types of businesses considered to be “essential,” which are those necessary for protecting the health and sustaining the daily lives of Californians during the COVID-19 emergency. The list of “Essential Businesses” includes healthcare, supermarkets, childcare, gas stations, restaurants (only for take-out or delivery), convenience stores, pet supply stores, auto supply and repair shops, hardware stores, and others. For a complete list of “Essential Businesses,” please see Section 10(g) of the Order of the Sacramento County Health Officer dated March 19, 2020 .

To report a non-essential business operating in Folsom in violation of the Health Order, call 916-461-6555 or email COVID19@folsom.ca.us .

The City of Folsom is well-prepared and continues to provide essential services to our community through the COVID-19 emergency, including police, fire, ambulance, water, wastewater, streets, garbage/recycling, planning/building, utility billing, and park maintenance. Folsom City Hall, located at 50 Natoma Street, is open to the public during regular business hours. For the latest information about the status of city programs, events, and facilities, visit  www.folsom.ca.us/covid-19 .
Important Notice Regarding Stray/Found Animals
The Sacramento SPCA (SSPCA), which provides animal shelter services for the City of Folsom and other jurisdictions in the Sacramento region, is currently closed to the public to help combat the spread of COVID-19. Accordingly, Folsom Animal Services can only accept found/stray animals that are in dire need of urgent medical care until further notice.

If you find a sick or injured dog or cat, call Folsom Animal Services at 916-461-6040. If an officer is unable to respond, you may take the animal for medical care directly to the SSPCA located at 6201 Florin Perkins Road in Sacramento, or to the Atlantic Street Pet Emergency Center, located at 1100 Atlantic Street in Roseville. Please note that the City will not pay or reimburse for veterinarian expenses.

If you find a dog or cat that appears to be healthy, and you and your family are able and willing to provide temporary shelter for the animal, please shelter the animal with you and use the tips below to help reunite the pet with its owner. Please note that the City will not pay or reimburse for shelter expenses. It’s recommended that you leave healthy cats where you found them; most likely the cat is near its home and is just out for a stroll.

  • YARD SIGNS: Make a sign for your front yard if permitted (contact your homeowners association for regulations); keep it simple, with basic details like: FOUND DOG/CAT/RABBIT -- size, type (if known), color, sex, and a photograph.
  • SOCIAL MEDIA: Post the animal’s picture and details on local “lost and found pet” Facebook pages, Craigslist, Nextdoor, and other city or neighborhood social media groups.
  • FAX NOTIFICATION: visit www.lostmydoggie.com/package/options.cfm and choose the free option to enter the animal’s photo and details. This information is immediately faxed to animal shelters, veterinary offices, and rescue groups. Many owners have been found this way.
  • NEIGHBORHOOD SIGNS: create flyers on www.lostmydoggie.com (yes, they help cats too!). Post flyers on neighborhood boards and other permitted locations. The owner – or someone who recognizes the pet – may spot the sign.

The Sacramento SPCA has a limited supply of food and other necessities to help you care for your new animal houseguest. Call the SPCA at 916-504-2851.

Thank you for lending a hand to our animal friends during these unprecedented times.
Sacramento County Stay at Home Order
On March 19, 2020, the Sacramento County Health Officer issued a legal Order directing all individuals living in Sacramento County – including the City of Folsom – to stay at their place of residence. The Order is intended to protect those most vulnerable to the disease, slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, and conserve healthcare resources.

Essential services will remain open, such as:       
  • Gas stations 
  • Pharmacies
  • Food: Grocery stores, farmers markets, food banks, convenience stores, take-out and delivery restaurants 
  • Banks 
  • Laundromats/laundry services 
  • Essential state and local government functions will also remain open, including law enforcement and offices that provide government programs and services.

So long as you are maintaining a safe social distance of six feet from people who aren’t part of your household, it is ok to go outside for exercise, a walk or fresh air.

City of Folsom Continues to Provide Essential Services
The City of Folsom’s essential services – including police, fire, ambulance, water, wastewater, streets, garbage/recycling, planning/building, and park maintenance – remain fully operational and are continuing without interruption. Folsom City Hall, located at 50 Natoma Street, is open to the public during regular business hours. For the latest information about the status of city programs, events, and facilities, visit  www.folsom.ca.us/covid-19 .
Closed City Facilities
The following city facilities are closed until further notice:
  • Folsom Public Library
  • Steve Miklos Aquatic Center
  • Folsom Art Center and the Gallery at 48 Natoma
  • Andy Morin Sports Complex
  • Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary (zookeepers remain on duty to care for the animals)
  • Folsom Senior Center
  • Folsom Community Center
  • Rotary Clubhouse
  • Folsom Skate and Bike Park
 
FIDO Field Dog Park is currently open for use during the regular hours of operation. As the City of Folsom continues to follow evolving COVID-19 protocols, the status of the park may change.

 Folsom City Hall, located at 50 Natoma Street, is open to the public during regular business hours.
Sacramento Regional Transit to Temporarily Reduce Service
In response to COVID-19, SacRT temporarily reduced service starting Monday, March 23. SacRT will operate a Sunday schedule seven days a week and continue to operate some additional service Monday through Friday including the Green Line light rail service, some peak commuter/express routes, SmaRT Ride mictrotransit service, and Folsom Stage Line bus service. At this time, SacRT has no plans to reduce service for Elk Grove's e-tran bus, Rancho CordoVan, North Natomas Jibe, and ADA paratransit. Learn more at  www.SacRT.com.
Maintain Social Distancing While Outdoors and On Trails
We know many want to get outside to exercise and enjoy the fresh air when it is warm and sunny outside. While it’s best to remain home as much as possible during the stay at home order, it’s ok to get out for some quick exercise. Please remember to maintain social distancing at all times, whether you’re on foot or on a bicycle. This means keeping a minimum of six feet between yourself and others (except members of your immediate family). 
Folsom’s Water Supply is Safe
The Folsom Environmental and Water Resources Department reminds the community that the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has no impact on our water quality. The city’s water treatment process uses filtration and disinfectants that remove or kill pathogens. In fact, Folsom’s water quality exceeds both state and federal water quality standards. The Folsom Environmental and Water Resources Department is committed to providing customers with safe, high-quality, and reliable water.
How You Can Help Seniors and Vulnerable Residents
Folsom community members have asked how to support seniors and vulnerable residents during these uncertain times. Here are three ways you can help:
1- Only buy one week’s worth of food and supplies at a time. This will allow stores to keep their shelves stocked and ensure that there are food and paper products for everyone.
2- Call and check in on your neighbors, especially those who are seniors or have health issues. Offer to pick up groceries for them. Many people just need someone to talk to right now.
3- Make a monetary donation to the Twin Lakes Food Bank . Any amount helps.
Sidewalk Chalk Art
While doing your part by maintaining social distancing, you can still engage in outdoor activities like walking, biking, running – and drawing on your sidewalks with chalk. Draw a picture or write an encouraging message on your driveway. If you’re taking a walk around your neighborhood, take some photos of the chalk art that you see and tag us with #ChalkAboutFolsom.
No Wipes in the Pipes
Folsom residents are reminded to keep paper towels, napkins, and flushable wipes out of the sewer system. Items such as these don’t break down easily (or at all) and can cause clogged pipes and backups in your home as well as serious problems for the sewer system. Only human waste and toilet paper should ever be flushed down the toilet. If you’re using other products, please put them in the trash.
Six Ways to Support Local Restaurants and Businesses
Here are six ways you can help support local restaurants and businesses during the COVID-19 crisis: 
  1. Buy gift cards to your favorite restaurant 
  2. Shop your favorite local business online. Many businesses have online stores in addition to their physical locations.
  3. Order takeout or delivery from Folsom restaurants. 
  4. Be patient. Many businesses are working in a reduced capacity and there is a good chance you’ll experience longer waits or out-of-stock items.
  5. Stay home if you’re sick. Don’t put others at risk – consider using a delivery service if there is something you need.
  6. Show your appreciation and thank the employees who are working. It’s easy to forget these employees are potentially putting themselves at risk by providing essential services. 
Donate Blood
Looking for a way to do something good for your community during the stay at home order? Donating blood is considered an essential health care activity. Blood banks need you now and in the coming weeks to replenish the blood supply and ensure blood is available to patients in need. Visit www.vitalant.org to make an appointment. 
Upcoming City Meetings
City Council meeting - CANCELED
March 24, 6:30 p.m.

Traffic Safety Committee - CANCELED
March 26, 4 p.m.
City Council Office Hours
Mayor's Office Hours
March 26, 2-5 p.m.
Contact Mayor Sarah Aquino at 916-798-5380 or saquino@folsom.ca.us .
Contact the City of Folsom's Communication Director
Christine Brainerd · cbrainerd@folsom.ca.us · 916-461-6013 (office)

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