Auburn City Council Minutes 5/12/2025
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
May 12, 2025
REGULAR SESSION
A Regular Meeting of the Auburn City Council was held at Auburn City Hall, 1225 Lincoln Way, Auburn, CA on Monday, May 12, 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, Kelley Davis, Alice Dowdin Calvillo, Mike Holmes,
Sandra Amara
Council Members Absent: None
Staff Members Present: City Manager Sean Rabé, City Attorney Gary Bell, Public Works Director Mengil Deane, Community and Economic Development Director Jonathan Wright, Fire Chief John Rogers, Human Resources Director Jennifer Leal, Finance Director Gretchen Johnson, and Police Chief Bryan Morrison.
CLOSED SESSION:
By consensus of the Council without objection, adjourn to a Closed Session:
1.CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL; INITIATION OF LITIGATION (Gov.
Code, § 54956.9, subd. (d)(4).)
Number of Potential Cases: Three
Report Out of Closed Session: City Attorney Gary Bell announced that in closed session there was one suit that was authorized unanimously by the Council. The particulars of that, including the defendants and names will be disclosable upon request once that action is commenced.
CALL TO ORDER /ROLL CALL
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
MAYORS COMMENDATION/ PROCLAMATION/ ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
National Public Works Week Proclamation
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
The agenda was approved as presented by consensus of the Council.
Auburn City Council Minutes 5/12/2025
CONSENT AGENDA:
Item 3 and 4 were removed from the consent calendar for further discussion and separate vote.
1. Procedures for Holding Public Hearings and Reporting on the City of Auburn's Workforce Vacancies, Recruitment and Retention Efforts By Resolution 25-40, which adopts procedures for holding public hearings and reporting on the City of Auburn's workforce vacancies, recruitment and retention efforts in compliance with Assembly Bill ("AB") 2561 (Gov. Code § 3502.3).
2. High Street Concrete Repair Project- Award of Contract and Environmental Determination
By resolution 25-41 and 25-42:
1. Authorize the City Manager to execute a Construction Agreement plus contingency with Gabe Mendez, Inc. for the High Street Concrete Repair Project in an amount not to exceed (with a 10% contingency) $66,000.00.
2. Find the High Street Concrete Repair Project categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per Section 15301 (Existing
Facilities) and Section 15302 (Replacement or Reconstruction).
3. Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP) - Authorization to Apply
Removed from the consent calendar; see item 6a.
4. Auburn Transit - Title VI Program, Public Participation Plan & Limited English Proficiency Language Plan
Removed from the consent calendar; see item 6b.
5. Services Agreement by and between City of Auburn and Placer Hills Fire Protection District
By Resolution 25-45, authorize the City Manager to execute a Services Agreement by and between the City of Auburn and the Placer Hills Fire Protection District for Community Risk Reduction and Fire Prevention related services not to exceed $12,000.
6. Professional Services Agreement, with MacKay & Somps Civil Engineers, Inc
By Resolution 25-46, approve authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute a Professional Services Agreement with MacKay & Somps Civil Engineers, Inc. for civil engineering services related to the Auburn/Bowman Connection Assessment.
*** end of consent calendar ***
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By motion, approve the consent calendar excluding items 3 and 4.
The motion was made by Council Member Dowdin Calvillo and seconded by Council Member Dowdin Calvillo and approved by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Radell-Harris, Davis, Dowdin Calvillo, Holmes, Amara Noes: None
Absent: None
CONSENT ITEMS FORWARD:
6a. Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP) - Authorization to Apply
The funding was clarified due to typographical error in staff report (correct amount is $160,643.00).
By Resolution 25-43, authorize the Public Works Director to apply for the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP) to the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans).
The motion was made by Council Member Dowdin Calvillo and seconded by Council Member Davis and approved by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Radell-Harris, Davis, Dowdin Calvillo, Holmes, Amara Noes: None
Absent: None
6b. Auburn Transit - Title VI Program, Public Participation Plan & Limited English Proficiency Language Plan
By Resolution 25-44, adopt the Title VI Program, Public Participation Plan and Limited English Proficiency Language Plan for Auburn Transit.
The motion was made by Council Member Holmes and seconded by Mayor Amara and approved by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Radell-Harris, Davis, Dowdin Calvillo, Holmes, Amara Noes: None
Absent: None
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PUBLIC COMMENT:
Anne Sweeney, addressed rising utility rates, and requested Council's help.
Lisa DeLaby, Community Outreach Manager for Pioneer Community Energy provided a brief update on new programs.
Sunday Caniday inquired about housing for her disabled son.
COUNCIL BUSINESS:
7. Placer Mosquito & Vector Control District (PCMVCD)
Council heard an annual report from the Placer Mosquito & Vector Control District (PCMVCD).
8. Hotel Feasibility Study Presentation
Council received a presentation from PKF Hospitality Group regarding the feasibility of developing a boutique hotel in Auburn, California, based on two potential development scenarios.
9. Intention to Levy Annual Assessment Fee for Business Improvement Districts (BID)
Council received a presentation from Finance Director Gretchen Johnson and approved the Annual Business Improvement District Reports submitted by Old Town and Downtown Business Associations; and By Resolution 25-47, approved the Intention to Levy an Annual Assessment fee for both Districts, for FY 2025-26, and set a Public Hearing date for June 9, 2025, to review the proposed fees.
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, Davis, Dowdin Calvillo, Holmes, Amara Noes: None
Absent: None
10. Fiscal Year 2024-25 Quarter 3 Financial Update and Financial Management Policy Update
Council received a presentation from Finance Director Gretchen Johnson of the FY 2024-25 Quarter 3 (Q3) Financial Update, and of the status of FY 2025-26 budget development; and
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By Resolution 25-48, approve an update to the City's Financial Management Policy.
The motion was made by Council Member Holmes and seconded by Council Member Dowdin Calvillo and approved by the
following roll call vote:
Ayes: Radell-Harris, Davis, Dowdin Calvillo, Holmes, Amara Noes: None
Absent: None
11. Fourth of July Fireworks Event
City Manager Sean Rabé presented this item.
By Motion, direct staff to move forward as proposed with the Fourth of July Fireworks event.
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, Davis, Dowdin Calvillo, Holmes
Noes: Amara
Absent: None
12. Solar Installation & NEM 2.0 Discussion
Public Works Director Mengil Deane presented this item.
By Motion, go out for a RFP for Fire Station 2, City Hall and Police Department.
The motion was made by Mayor Amara and seconded by Council Member Holmes and approved by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Radell-Harris, Davis, Holmes, Amara
Noes: Dowdin Calvillo
Absent: None
REPORTS:
13. City Manager Report
City Manager Rabé presented a report to the Council, providing updates and information on relevant matters.
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14. Future Agenda Items
None
15. City Council Committee Reports
None
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Amara adjourned the meeting without vote and by unanimous consent at 8:49 p.m.
andra Amara, Mayo
Umulind
Amy Lind, City Clerk