City News: Your Weekly Update
July 14, 2021
|
|
City Launches New and Improved Online Bill Payment Service |
The City of Folsom today launched a new and improved electronic bill payment service for its utilities customers.
The online payment portal, operated by Invoice Cloud, makes it easier for customers to view and pay their bills with an expanded online bill payment portal. Customers can now view and pay a bill online with a credit card, debit card, and e-check. Customers can also now make a payment by phone 24/7 through an automated payment line or take advantage of the Pay by Text option to receive text message notifications and conveniently pay with a text message.
The new site also features an “at a glance” dashboard, the ability to schedule one-time or automatic payments, securely store payment information, and receive optional email and text reminders. Customers can sign up to receive notifications via email or text when a bill is ready to view, just before the due date, when a payment is late, and when a scheduled payment is pending.
All current AutoPay and bank draft customers must re-enroll in the new online payment portal.
|
|
White Rock Road Detour Starts July 19 |
Beginning Monday, July 19, a section of White Rock Road will be temporarily closed for grading, drainage, and paving of the Capital SouthEast Connector project.
White Rock Road will be detoured from Placerville Road to Alder Creek Parkway to East Bidwell Street in both directions. The detour will be in place through the Labor Day weekend. The city has installed message signs to alert motorists about the closures and detours, and flaggers will direct traffic as needed.
The Capital SouthEast Connector project is a 34-mile expressway that will fill a critical gap by connecting the southern area of Sacramento County to El Dorado County in the east and serve as a connection between Elk Grove, Rancho Cordova, and Folsom.
|
|
City of Folsom Accepting Lease Proposals |
The City of Folsom is accepting proposals for two city-owned buildings. Proposals for the lease of 905 Leidesdorff Street in Folsom’s Historic District are due by 3 p.m. August 30. Permitted uses in the Folsom Historic District and Commercial (C2) zone and uses compatible with adjacent uses within the district will be considered. A second mandatory site visit is scheduled for 10 a.m. August 4. Interested proposers who attended the first mandatory site visit on June 30 are not required to attend the second visit.
Proposals for short- or long-term lease of 405 Natoma Station Drive are due by 3 p.m. August 31. Tenant improvements may be required. Permitted uses in R-1-M zone and uses compatible with adjacent residential neighborhoods such as education, school, and daycare facility will be considered.
|
|
You’re Invited: Neighborhood Park #3 Public Meeting July 14 |
Neighborhood Park #3—as it is currently known—will be the first park in the Folsom Plan Area. The park site is located on Mangini Parkway, immediately adjacent to Mangini Ranch Elementary School, which is scheduled to open for the 2021-22 school year.
City staff and the design consulting team held a virtual public workshop June 9 to provide an overview of the potential features and amenities to be considered in the design of the park. The workshop was attended by 148 community members who provided important input regarding the design of the park. The questions and comments have been reviewed by city staff and the design consultants, and the result is an additional design option for consideration based on the feedback.
July 14 Public Meeting: the meeting will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Neighborhood Park #3 site, located on Mangini Parkway, immediately adjacent to Mangini Ranch Elementary School (currently under construction). The park site is located between Mangini Parkway and Sparrow Drive, west of Sawyer Way. Reservations are not required to attend the meeting.
The meeting area is off Sparrow Drive; on-street parking is available along Sparrow Drive adjacent to the park site and school site only. Please do not park in front of residences. We also encourage neighbors to walk or bike. The weather will likely be warm, so please wear light clothing, sunscreen, and bring bottled water. For more information, contact City of Folsom Senior Park Planner Brad Nelson.
|
|
Folsom City Council to Consider Transition to By-District Elections |
At its Tuesday, July 27 meeting, the Folsom City Council will again consider a resolution of intent that would start the process to transition the city from at-large elections to by-district elections, a move that would change how Folsom residents elect their City Councilmembers.
Since the City of Folsom was incorporated in 1946, the city has elected its Councilmembers through an at-large election system. Under this system, registered Folsom voters elect the five City Councilmembers regardless of where the candidates reside in the city. Under by-district elections, the city is divided into five districts, and each voter within a district may cast one vote for a candidate residing within that district.
In February 2020, the city received a petition from the Folsom Area Democratic Club and numerous Folsom residents to begin the process to change City Council elections from at-large to by-district. In late October, the city received a letter from the petitioners’ attorney alleging that Folsom’s current at-large method of election may be in violation of the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA). On January 20, 2021, the city was served with a lawsuit alleging the city’s at-large election system is in violation of the CVRA. There has been no finding that the City of Folsom has violated the CVRA or any other law protecting Folsom residents’ right to vote.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued executive orders suspending deadlines related to the CVRA, effectively placing a hold on scheduled public meetings to start the districting process. With the lifting of those orders July 1, 2021, the city will resume public meetings about its election system.
Residents are encouraged to learn about the issue and participate in the July 27 City Council meeting. Learn more.
|
|
National Night Out Returns |
The Folsom Police Department is excited to visit neighborhood events for National Night Out! National Night Out is Tuesday, August 3. The Folsom Police Department, along with Folsom Fire Department, and other city officials would like to celebrate our community at neighborhood National Night Out events. To register your neighborhood party, please use form below. Registrations will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Friday, July 23.
National Night Out takes place annually in communities around the country. The events focus on building partnerships between the community and public safety. For questions about National Night Out, please email Jessica Hess, Police Volunteer Coordinator.
|
|
Don’t Let Earthquakes Catch You Off Guard: Sign Up for Free Earthquake Warnings |
Earthquake Warning California is managed by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and is the country’s first publicly available statewide warning system. The warning system is designed to give California residents a few moments of warning to take cover before shaking occurs.
To receive earthquake warnings, Californians can download the free MyShake App, which is available in the Apple App Store and Google Play store. To learn more about Earthquake Warning California, visit earthquake.ca.gov.
|
|
New Exhibit Opens July 16 at the Gallery at 48 Natoma |
Movement, graceful flowing forms, and imagery of dancers are showcased in the gallery’s new “Body of Art” exhibit. The exhibit features photography by Tony Nguyen and unique kinetic metal shadow sculptures by Myra Cooper Holmes. Self-guided gallery tours are available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Additional tour hours are available with an advance reservation; email cabraham@folsom.ca.us or call 916-461-6601 to make a reservation. The gallery will host a free public reception August 27; the exhibit continues through September 30. Learn more about the featured artists and exhibits.
|
|
Folsom Senior Center Programs Reopen |
The Senior Center Lounge is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Wednesday. Seniors ages 55+ are invited to drop in and enjoy books, board games, and friendly conversation. The lively and popular group Bingo starts 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 21. Additional activities will be added to the lounge schedule later this summer. Find the complete schedule in the current digital Rec Guide.
In-person yoga classes for seniors begin August 2, and the popular Walk ‘n’ Talk guided group trail walk program begins September 2. Seniors are also encouraged to register for a wide variety of adult fine arts programs offered at the Folsom Art Center.
The Folsom Senior Center is located at 48 Natoma Street. Learn more about the programs and services online and find details about classes and activities in the digital Rec Guide. Call 916-461-6601 with questions.
|
|
Home Repair Assistance for Seniors |
The eighth annual Community Service Day will be held Saturday, September 18. On that day volunteers will assist with projects such as weeding, gardening, fence repair, gutter cleaning, tree trimming, and more for the Neighbors Helping Seniors project . The Neighbors Helping Seniors initiative aims to help local seniors in need of a helping hand. Please complete the Neighbors Helping Seniors application if you or a loved one can use assistance on Community Service Day.
|
|
Sprinkler Technology Tune-Up |
Spruce up your sprinkler system and save water and money!
Don’t think twice about smart upgrades. Take the guesswork out of irrigation by upgrading to a smart controller. Weather- and soil moisture-based controllers automatically adjust the watering schedule based on conditions at your location.
Save on your next upgrade. The City of Folsom offers rebates for most irrigation efficiency upgrades. Upgrade your current outdoor irrigation system with efficient equipment, including weather-based or soil moisture sensing irrigation controllers, rotary sprinkler nozzles, and drip system retrofit.
Upgrade your sprinkler heads with rotary nozzles. Instead of a fixed stream of water, rotary/high-efficiency nozzles slowly deliver multiple rotating streams of water, reducing water waste. Rotary nozzles have half the flow rate of misting nozzles and distribute water more evenly over your landscape.
|
|
Summer Reading Bingo Challenge Update |
More than 1,000 residents have joined the Summer Reading Bingo Challenge, with over 11,000 books read so far! Help reach the goal of 15,000 books read by the end of July. Pick up a Bingo Challenge game card at the library, or use the library’s Beanstack app to sign up.
Kids and teens completing the Bingo Challenge win a free book and entry into a drawing for a $100 Target gift card. Adults who complete the challenge also earn entry into the drawing. In addition to the reading challenge, readers can log books by scanning ISBN numbers, time reading sessions, and keep records of current and past reading with the one-of-a-kind Beanstack app.
|
|
Housing Element Update and Related Actions
|
The City of Folsom 2021 Housing Element of the General Plan is an update of the goals, policies, and implementation programs for the planning and development of housing in the city. In compliance with state law, the city is also updating the Safety and Noise Element to address climate adaptation and resilience strategies. In addition, the city proposes related updates to the Land Use and Implementation Elements.
The city’s Draft Housing Element, which was released in December of 2020, has been revised in response to comments received during the public review period and the California Department of Housing and Community Development review period.
The Planning Commission will discuss the Draft Housing Element, Draft Safety and Noise Element, and related items and make recommendations to the City Council during their July 21 meeting. Visit the City of Folsom Planning Commission webpage for the meeting agenda and materials.
|
|
Award-Winning Documentary Coming to Folsom Public Library |
The Folsom Public Library will host a virtual screening of the award-winning documentary "Wilder Than Wild" at 6 p.m. Tuesday, August 3. Following the screening, an online panel discussion with the filmmakers and Folsom Fire Department officials will be held. The documentary explores the history of wildfires on the West Coast and how to prevent future fire catastrophes. Advance registration is required. For more information, contact the Folsom Public Library at libstaff@folsom.ca.us or 916-461-6131.
|
|
July 20, 6:30 p.m.
July 20, 6:30 p.m.
|
|
Contact the City of Folsom's Communications Director
|
|
Get Connected, Stay Informed |
|
|
|
|
|
|
