City News: Weekly Update
August 12, 2021
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Open Space Closures in Folsom Due to Extreme Fire Risk |
Designated city-owned open spaces that have high fire risk potential are now off-limits in Folsom. The City of Folsom issued an emergency order August 9 in response to extreme fire danger and extraordinary drought conditions.
All existing public trails, bicycle paths, and parks remain open for normal use. Maps of temporarily closed city-owned open spaces are available on the city’s website. Closed areas have been clearly marked with signage.
The Folsom City Council declared a local emergency July 27 in response to an increased fire risk and designated all city-owned open space areas as “Hazardous Fire Areas” under the Folsom Fire Code. The declaration gives the Folsom Fire Chief – in consultation with the City Manager – authority to temporarily close city-owned open spaces to protect the public’s health, life, and safety by preventing wildfires.
In a report to the City Council, Folsom Fire Chief Ken Cusano stated that the fire risks this summer are extreme. In the last year alone, the Folsom Fire Department responded to 47 fires in the city’s open spaces. All of those fires were caused by people.
“We are experiencing an extremely dry summer season, and we have recently seen many fires in our city’s open spaces. People are the common denominator,” said Folsom Fire Chief Ken Cusano. “Closing these areas is an urgent step to protect our community from dangerous wildfires, as well as avoid steep financial costs associated with major fire suppression efforts.”
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Final Summer of Music Concert Friday |
Folsom Parks & Recreation’s free summer concert series wraps up the season Friday, August 13 in Folsom City Lions Park. The open-air concert from 7 to 9 p.m. features the popular band Innersoul, playing their upbeat mix of R&B, Latin, and funk hits. Bring blankets, lawn chairs, and your own picnic, or purchase food and beverages on site from Hefty Gyros, The Fry Boys, Tailgater44, Local Kine Shave Ice, and the Pink Ice Cream Cart Company.
The concert will also stream live on Folsom Parks & Recreation's Facebook page, so you can still enjoy the music even if you can't make it to the park.
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Newly Expanded Library Hours |
The Folsom Public Library has expanded its hours, and additional storytimes are now available.
Library Hours:
- Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Thursdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Closed Sunday and Monday
Storytime Schedule:
- Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 11 a.m.
- Thursdays through Saturdays, 10:30 a.m.
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Ballot Drop Box Locations in Folsom |
Every active registered California voter will receive a ballot in the mail for the upcoming gubernatorial recall election. Voters will have the option to return their ballot by mail or at one of many Sacramento County ballot drop-off locations.
Folsom City Hall will serve as a ballot drop box location for the election. Beginning Monday, August 16, voters may drop off their ballot in a ballot drop box located in the lobby of Folsom City Hall, 50 Natoma Street.
Vote Center locations are set by Sacramento County Elections Department and will be provided by the county prior to the election. At the Vote Centers, individuals can vote, solve voter registration issues, register to vote, get a replacement ballot, and receive assistance—including assistance with accessible voting devices and language assistance.
Folsom Vote Centers:
Harris Center for the Arts at Folsom Lake College
September 4 - 14
10 College Parkway, Folsom
8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Election Day 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Folsom Community Center
September 11 - 14
52 Natoma Street, Folsom
8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Election Day 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.
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Registration is Open for the CAVE Teen Centers |
The CAVE Teen Centers are now open on the Folsom and Sutter Middle School campuses. The CAVE program is operated by Folsom Parks & Recreation and provides a safe, structured, and positive environment for middle school students in 6th through 8th grades who need supervised after-school care. The teen centers are open from class dismissal to 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and from class dismissal to 5:30 p.m. Friday. The schedule includes all early dismissal days.
Preregistration is required to attend; drop-in attendance is not allowed. The CAVE fees for the 2021-22 school year are: $75/August, and $100/month from September through May (annual total is $975 for the 9-month program). Scholarship opportunities for qualifying individuals are available through the PLAYRS program. Early registration is encouraged – spaces are limited and waitlists will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.
Registration packets for Folsom Middle School CAVE and Sutter Middle School CAVE are available online or at the Folsom Parks & Recreation service counter located at 48 Natoma Street (inside the Folsom Senior Center). The service counter is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 916-461-6601 for more information.
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Waste Collection Days Changing for Parts of Folsom |
The City of Folsom Solid Waste Division has been working on a waste collection reroute to increase efficiency, accommodate city growth, and prepare for food waste collection in 2022.
Beginning this week, waste collection schedules will change for about 12% of the city.
Collection schedules for most households will not change, but cans may be serviced at different times than usual. Collection schedules are based on the day of the week and service may be provided at any time on your assigned day.
What can you do to make the change easier?
- Set your cans out by 6 a.m. on your service day and leave cans out until trash has been collected.
- Sign up for text reminders by downloading the Folsom Waste Collection app on Google Play or the App Store.
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Visit www.folsom.ca.us/wastecollection for waste collection schedules and online tools.
Affected residents have been notified by mail. Learn more on the city’s website or call 916-461-6730.
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Volunteer with the Folsom Fire Department |
The Folsom Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteer program plays a key role in the City of Folsom’s goal to protect and advance community safety. When large-scale incidents occur, CERT volunteers provide neighbor-helping-neighbor assistance before the arrival of firefighters, police, or other first responders.
The next CERT training course will begin in September and includes curriculum on how to assist family members and neighbors until emergency responders arrive, disaster preparedness, first aid, search and rescue, and emergency response plans.
Members of the current CERT team will teach the course in-person; classes are held from 6 to 9 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday starting September 7 through October 5. All eight classes must be attended to complete the program. Students who complete the required training course and pass a background check may be eligible to volunteer for the Folsom Fire Department’s CERT team.
The CERT training course is free; participants must be age 18 or older, and preference is given to applicants who live or work in Folsom. For more information and to register, email contact@folsomcert.org.
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Folsom Police Department Explorer Program |
Calling all teens and young adults interested in careers in law enforcement! The Folsom Police Department is currently accepting applications for its Explorer Program. Participants can get a first-hand look at law enforcement and how it functions within the community. Training includes crime scene investigation, radio operations and codes, defensive tactics, CPR, vehicle equipment and operation, and much more. Explorers also help the Folsom Police Department with community events such as the annual open house, Folsom Pro Rodeo, and Santa’s Sleigh. Volunteers ages 14-21 must apply by August 18.
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Conserve Water with Water-Saving Rebates |
We're here to help you conserve during these historic dry times. Check out our rebates for:
⏰ Irrigation controllers
💦 Sprinkler nozzles
🌱 Drip systems and more!
Visit our website for a full list of current rebates and qualifications. Keep saving, Folsom!
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Donations Needed for Blue Star Moms Military Care Packages |
The Rolling Hills Blue Star Moms will host a one-day donation drive to collect items for overseas military service members. The items will be assembled and packaged at this year’s Community Service Day event. Drive-thru events will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday, August 27 at three Folsom locations:
Steve Miklos Aquatic Center
1200 Riley Street
Folsom Community Center
52 Natoma Street
Folsom Veterans Hall
1300 Forrest Street
Needed items include:
- Canned fruit (no plastic)
- Canned meat, such as tuna and chicken
- Jerky
- Instant oatmeal
- Travel size baby wipes
- Individual water flavoring packets
- AA/AAA batteries
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Summer Reading Challenge a Success |
The Folsom Public Library Summer Reading Challenge was completed at the end of July. Participants from the community read a total of 18,795 books—far exceeding the goal of 15,000! Nearly 2,000 people completed the challenge by reading five or more books. The four grand prize winners have been contacted and received their $100 Target gift cards, and more than 1,000 kids received a free book after completing the challenge. Learn more about library programs and services at www.folsom.ca.us/library.
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Library Commission
August 17, 6:30 p.m.
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Contact the City of Folsom Communications Director
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Get Connected, Stay Informed |
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