Auburn City Council Minutes 3/24/2025
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
March 24, 2025
REGULAR SESSION
A Regular Meeting of the Auburn City Council was held at Auburn City Hall, 1225 Lincoln Way, Auburn, CA on Monday, March 24, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. with Mayor Sandra Amara presiding and City Clerk Amy Lind recording the minutes.
CALL TO ORDER/ ROLL CALL
Council Members Present: Rachel Radell-Harris, Alice Dowdin Calvillo, Mike Holmes, Sandra Amara
Council Members Absent: Kelley Davis
Staff Members Present: City Manager Sean Rabé, City Attorney Gary Bell, Public Works Director Mengil Deane, Human Resources Director Jennifer Leal, Community and Economic Development Director Jonathan Wright, Fire Chief John Rogers, and Police Chief Bryan Morrison.
CLOSED SESSION:
By consensus of the Council without objection, adjourn to a Closed Session:
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL; ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
(Gov. Code, § 54956.9, subd. (d)(2).)
A point has been reached where, in the opinion of the City Council on the advice of its legal counsel, based on the below-described existing facts and circumstances, there is a significant exposure to litigation against the City:
Facts and circumstances that might result in litigation but which the City believes are not yet known to potential plaintiff or plaintiffs. (Gov. Code, § 54956.9, subd. (e)(1).)
Number of Potential Cases: One
Report Out of Closed Session:
Mayor Amara stated there was no reportable action.
CALL TO ORDER /ROLL CALL
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
MAYORS COMMENDATION/ PROCLAMATION/ ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Arts, Culture and Creativity Month (April 2025) Proclamation Auburn City Council Minutes 3/24/2025
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
The agenda was approved as presented by consensus of the Council.
CONSENT AGENDA:
1. Minutes
By Motion, approve the City Council Minutes of 2/10/2025 and 2/24/2025.
2. SHAAC Tiles for Approval
By Motion, approve the recommendation from the Streetscape History and Art Advisory Committee (SHAAC) for the placement of 6 tiles.
3. Appointments to the Economic Development Commission
By Resolution 25-27, approve the appointment of Eric Chun, Christine Ubbink and Jason Mussetter to the Economic Development Commission.
4. Annual Housing Element Progress Report- Calendar Year 2024 Review
Removed from the consent calendar, see item 4a.
*** end of consent calendar ***
By motion, approve the consent calendar excluding item 4.
The motion was made by Council Member Dowdin Calvillo and seconded by Council Member Radell-Harris and approved by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Radell-Harris, Dowdin Calvillo, Holmes, Amara
Noes: None
Absent: Davis
CONSENT ITEMS FORWARD:
4a. Annual Housing Element Progress Report- Calendar Year 2024 Review
A short discussion was held regarding housing options in Auburn.
By Motion, adopt the 2024 Housing Element Progress Report and submit the report to the State Office of Planning and Research (OPR) and State Department of Housing and Community Development.
The motion was made by Council Member Dowdin Calvillo and seconded by Council Member Holmes and approved by the
following roll call vote:
2 Auburn City Council Minutes 3/24/2025
Ayes: Radell-Harris, Dowdin Calvillo, Holmes, Amara
Noes: None
Absent: Davis
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Public Works Director Deane recounted a recent incident involving Paige Culbertson, an employee at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, who rendered critical, life-saving assistance.
Hannah Leibert, Youth Advisory Committee, invited the Council to the Senior Prom at the Auburn Senior Center on May 10th. She also thanked the WWTP for a recent field trip.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
5. Updated Fee Schedule for Building and Planning
Community and Economic Development Director Wright presented this item.
By Resolution 25-28 adopt an updated fee schedule for Building and Planning services.
The motion was made by Council Member Dowdin Calvillo and seconded by Council Member Holmes and approved by the
following roll call vote:
Ayes: Radell-Harris, Dowdin Calvillo, Holmes, Amara
Noes: None
Absent: Davis
6. Designate Fire Hazard Severity Zones, and Introduction and Amend Sections of the Auburn Municipal Code Regarding Fire Hazard Severity Zones
Chief Chief Rogers presented this item.
Council directed staff to do more public outreach and provide detailed maps.
Introduce and waive the first reading of an Ordinance Designating Fire Hazard Severity Zones as recommended by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection with modifications pursuant to Government Code Section 51179; and
Introduce and waive the first reading of an Ordinance amending Sections 3 Auburn City Council Minutes 3/24/2025
100.65, 100.66, 100.67, and 100.68 of Chapter 100 of Title IX of the Auburn Municipal Code to align with state law regarding Fire Hazard Severity Zones.
The motion was made by Council Member Radell-Harris and seconded by Council Member Dowdin Calvillo and approved by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Radell-Harris, Dowdin Calvillo, Holmes, Amara
Noes: None
Absent: Davis
COUNCIL BUSINESS:
7. Almost Free to All Carnegie Library Annual Report
Council received an annual report presentation from Almost Free to All on the ongoing renovation of the Carnegie Library.
8. Auburn Fire Department 2024 Year End Report
Council received an informational report on the Auburn Fire Department's 2024 activities and accomplishments.
9. Ticket, Donation and Gift Policy
City Manager Rabé presented this item.
Public comment: April Maynard of the Arts Commission expressed concerns regarding the donation policy.
Council requested an amendment to (8a.) "For all donations provided to the city valued or $10,000 or below, a donation acceptance form is required to be completed, except for donations of $100 or less".
By Resolution 25-29, adopt two policies, as amended, regulating Tickets, Donations and Gifts to the City of Auburn.
The motion was made by Council Member Dowdin Calvillo and seconded by Council Member Holmes and approved by the
following roll call vote:
Ayes: Radell-Harris, Dowdin Calvillo, Holmes, Amara
Noes: None
Absent: Davis
4 Auburn City Council Minutes 3/24/2025
REPORTS:
10. City Manager Report
City Manager Rabé presented a report to the Council, providing updates and information on relevant matters.
11. Future Agenda Items
None
12. City Council Committee Reports
Postponed
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Amara adjourned the meeting without vote and by unanimous consent at 9:02 p.m.
Salut
andra Amara, Mayor