Mayor's address: Folsom's future remains bright

The last 11 months have produced many firsts in everyday life as everyone adapts to limitations set forth by the coronavirus pandemic. Such was the case last Thursday as Folsom's newest Mayor, Mike Kozlowski, delivered the 2021 State of the City Address, virtually. Presented by the Folsom Chamber of Commerce, this annual event normally takes place with much fanfare and a sold-out crowd packed into Lakeside Church, where all are treated to a catered lunch and have the opportunity to network face to face before the city's leader takes to the stage. Despite the restrictions, Kozlowski and the chamber put on an event that still got the job done while managing to bring the community together as they all tuned in. After a successful virtual pre-event networking session took place for members of the business community, along with representatives from the chamber and various organizations, Kozlowski took center stage online. Standing in the chambers of City Hall, Kozlowski reflected on 2020 and shared recent accomplishments and upcoming milestones in the year ahead. As he opened his address, Kozlowski credited his family and co-workers for their support of his ongoing commitment to the city. He then recognized Vice Mayor Sarah Aquino for her role as mayor over the past year. Kozlowski then recognized fellow council members of the present and the past. At this time, he recognized the late Ernie Sheldon for his longtime commitment to the city. Late last year, Sheldon lost his battle with cancer just as his vice mayor term was coming to a close. "It would be impossible to visit Folsom or live here for more than a week without encountering the good works of the recently departed Folsom City Councilman and life-long public servant Ernie Sheldon," said Kozlowski. "His legacy is manifest and omnipresent in our park and trail system and the thousands of families he touched directly or indirectly by his devotion to Folsom youth sports. Ernie most likely has seen every previous State of the City address, and I hope to live up to his expectations here today. We should all strive to match his devotion to public service." Kozlowski welcomed the newest members of city council, YK Chalamcherla and Rosario Rodriguez. "I have said many times before that Folsom is chock full of smart and capable people, and YK and Rosario are no exception," said Kozlowski. "They have brought welcome diversity to our City Council and will, without a doubt, continue to be excellent leaders and ambassadors for our town." Kozlowski also took time to thank former council member Roger Gaylord for his service. Gaylord resigned his position with just five months left in his term and relocated to El Dorado County but continues to be a voice in the Folsom community in area events and on various government topics that arise on social media. "Roger brought generational change to the Council when he was elected," said Kozlowski. "His dedication to using modern communication tools provided a roadmap for each of us who has been elected since." At the top of the several topics Kozlowski touched was, undoubtedly, the COVID-19 pandemic and how it affected as well as energized the Folsom community that has come together and displayed its true resilience over the last 11 months. Kozlowski's segue into the topic was on a sad note, as he recognized longtime city volunteer Ron Pew. Pew perished from COVID-19 complications. He was one of the longest-serving volunteers in the Folsom Police CAPS program and member of the city's traffic safety commission. Pew was described by Kozlowski as being a relentlessly cheerful, dedicated volunteer and gentleman. "Our highest priority and responsibility is to protect the community's health and safety. In times like this, that mission is crystal clear and I am proud of Folsom's level of readiness and preparation in handling the events of 2020," said Kozlowski. "Together with our local schools, businesses, medical providers and first responders, we sprang into action." Kozlowski spoke out to local business owners and community organizations, recognizing them for their dedication and creativity amidst the difficult times where health orders have forced them to limit their services and, in some cases, close their operations. "Throughout this crisis, business owners and many others demonstrated our community resiliency in a variety of ways," said Kozlowski. "Some made small gestures that helped lift our spirits, such as inspirational chalk drawings on sidewalks or painted rocks with encouraging messages in neighborhoods and parks. Or holding drive-through birthday parties and virtual celebrations, and by displaying really over the top Christmas decorations." One group Kozlowski specifically named were the Folsom Mask Makers, who came together when the need for protective masks struck the community. The group continues to work hard today, working to protect our frontline workers and members of the community. "The Folsom Mask Makers built a small group of crafters into an organized and super-productive army who have produced more than 65,000 life-saving masks and thousands of other pieces of personal protective equipment, "he noted. While he noted how the community came together to face the challenges of COVID-19, Kozlowski made it a point that the city still has a long road ahead to emerge from the pandemic and the effects it will leave on the local economy long after it is under control. He expressed the process will take patience, time and most of all, will take unity as a community to overcome it and grow strong again. "While I would love nothing more than for us to be able to go back to normal today or tomorrow or at some point in 2021, I also know that we still have challenging times ahead, and COVID will not just go away in a flash," he said. "It will fade away over months or years, becoming part of the background of infection risks we face." Kozlowski reflected on the recent events that took place at the U.S. Capital and spoke about the many demonstrations that took place last year, across the country as well as in Folsom. He commended the local groups for their hard work in holding peaceful demonstrations in the city "that shall welcome all its neighbors for years to come. " "I am optimistic in this way because Folsom has a bumper crop of smart, thoughtful and creative people and even smarter, more thoughtful and creative kids," he said. "While we may not be an island, we are well-equipped to ride out any storm and, if necessary, to build a better boat. equipped to ride out any storm and, if necessary, to build a better boat." Looking ahead, Kozlowski zeroed in on the importance of economic recovery for the city as we work to put COVID-19 in the history book. Folsom is an area that relies greatly on tourism and sales tax revenue, all of which took its share of blows this year. "We anticipate an economic recovery during 2021 and remain committed to expanding Folsom's economy and supporting our business community," he said. "Interest in developing new projects in Folsom remains high." Kozlowski highlighted a long list of successful projects the city had completed in 2020, despite the challenges and many more to come. The projects ranged from economic growth and recovery, to well-planned development and ensuring the quality of life in the city of Folsom for generations to come. "Last year, we welcomed more than 870 new residents to the Folsom Plan Area, growing a strong sense of place and community," he said. "The Folsom Cordova Unified School District broke ground on the area's first elementary school, planning is underway for the area's first park, and we added 1.5 miles of paved trail along Alder Creek Parkway and Grand Prairie Road. This year, we will begin designing the area's first Fire Station. Station 34. We'll see progress on the Capital SouthEast Connector project. Last fall, the City Council approved construction on a segment of the project that will extend from Prairie City Road to E. Bidwell Street, construct a four-lane bridge over Alder Creek, and will realign and widen segments of White Rock Road." As Kozlowski commended our local first responders for their service in 2020. The Folsom Fire Department responded to more than 8,400 incidents, provided life-saving mutual aid to jurisdictions battling wildfire blazes, and added two new wildland fire engines and refurbished a third to ensure the community is prepared. He commended the hard work of the Folsom Police Department, in times of true challenges across the country. "While conversations around police reform happened across the country, I am proud to say that we remain open to discussions with our community," he said. "Our Police Department leadership has been dedicated to providing information about the department's operations, trainings and policies. We are thankful to our community for meeting with us, talking with us and learning about us." Kozlowski's address offered many accolades and recognized a number of community milestones. Among them was the fact that the city of Folsom celebrates its 75th anniversary of incorporation this year and it's time to look back at, "who we are, how far we've come and where we're heading." In his opening, Kozlowski recognized the Folsom Telegraph as being Folsom's oldest running business in the city, celebrating 165 years in March, and Sacramento County's oldest newspaper in operation "The Telegraph is celebrating its 165th anniversary of providing trusted, accurate news and information to the Folsom community," he said. "It is also one of the oldest continuously operating businesses in California. What a monumental achievement!" Before signing off on Thursday's virtual address, Kozlowski assured the residents of Folsom that their city has a strong future ahead and their resilience will ensure it continues to flourish. "Folsom's future is very, very bright," he said. "In 2021, I look forward to continuing to build homes, continuing to welcome new neighbors, continuing to take care of each other and continue planning for the changes that will make Folsom the greatest place to live for the next 75 years." Those wishing to read Mayor Kozlowski's State of the City Address in its entirety below. 2021 State of the City Speech by Mayor Mike Kozlowski Good afternoon. Please let me start by thanking the Folsom Chamber of Commerce's membership and staff for planning and hosting this event this year and every year for 23 years. It is my honor to have these few minutes to address Folsom's distinguished business leaders, my fellow elected officials, and the wider Folsom community who are joining us today. I would like to recognize a few specific people: First, my family. I will say simply that my wife deserves equal congratulations for every accomplishment attributed to me. She is equal parts a terrific sounding board, a sharp critic, and a shameless advocate. Thanks also to my two sons, who keep me grounded with good-natured trash talk, and to my daughter, who is passionate about two things social issues, and K-pop. Thank you to Kim, Henry, Harrison, and Anastasia. It would be impossible to visit Folsom - or live here for more than a week - without encountering the good works of the recently departed Folsom City Councilman and life-long public servant Ernie Sheldon. His legacy is manifest and omnipresent in our park and trail system and the thousands of families he touched directly or indirectly by his devotion to Folsom youth sports. Ernie most likely has seen every previous State of the City address, and I hope to live up to his expectations here today. We should all strive to match his devotion to public service.I would also like to acknowledge new Councilmembers YK Chalamcherla and Rosario Rodriguez, who were elected to the City Council last November. I have said many times before that Folsom is chock full of smart and capable people, and YK and Rosario are no exception. They have brought welcome diversity to our City Council and will, without a doubt, continue to be excellent leaders and ambassadors for our town. I would like to acknowledge Vice Mayor Sarah Aquino for her steadfast leadership during unprecedented crises last year. I want to acknowledge and thank City Councilman Andy Morin, who inadvertently violated our new term limit rule, by being called back to Council service for five months last year. We deeply appreciate his willingness and dedication to serving our city during very challenging times. I want to acknowledge Roger Gaylord for his service on the City Council. Roger brought generational change to the Council when he was elected. His dedication to using modern communication tools provided a roadmap for each of us who has been elected since. I will point out others who deserve congratulations and thanks as we go along. But as a final opening acknowledgment, I would like to heap praise and congratulations on a long-time member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Folsom Telegraph. The Telegraph is celebrating its 165th anniversary of providing trusted, accurate news and information to the Folsom community. It is also one of the oldest continuously operating businesses in California. What a monumental achievement! So, 2020. It seems like the understatement of a lifetime to suggest that 2020 was anything short of the strangest and most challenging year in decades, and perhaps in the life of Folsom. While we hunkered down to avoid COVID-19, California was once again overrun by the largest wildfires on record and plunged into mid-day darkness from the smoke. Weather worldwide again set high-temperature records and spawned more large destructive storms than in any past year. As a nation, we were confronted with soul-crushing evidence of the continued racial inequity and then faced a cavalier attempt to disrupt the peaceful transfer of presidential power. Most years, we talk about all the great things that were accomplished in Folsom in the preceding 12 months. I do that. I would also like to have us look outward at the big problems of our time and then look inward toward how Folsom has been given an opportunity to be leaders on issues of inclusion, civility, public health, and public safety.COVID-19. Before this pandemic has passed, thousands of our Folsom friends and neighbors will have suffered from this illness. As of today, more than 20 residents of Folsom have perished as a result of COVID-19, including one of our longest serving CAPS volunteers who was also a member of our traffic Safety Commission—the relentlessly cheerful and dedicated volunteer and gentleman Ron Pew. With Ron in mind, my heartfelt gratitude goes out to all those who have volunteered or were called to service and worked hard to address these historic challenges. I'd like to recognize the small business owners and Chamber of Commerce members who have balanced public safety orders against checkbooks. Who worked hard to keep their employees working. Who changed their businesses in small or large ways to adapt. And who, in spite of the clear and present danger to themselves, continued to provide services, meals, and some bits of normality to the rest of us.In addition to those business owners, I would like to acknowledge the remarkable creativity, determination, and work ethic exhibited by the Chamber of Commerce staff. They marshaled every resource, turned over every rock, tried a lot of things, put on a one-of-a-kind Fourth of July Fireworks display, and made sure that we all did the one thing we can always do to help local businesses…. shop local. Throughout this crisis, business owners and many others demonstrated our community resiliency in a variety of ways. Some made small gestures that helped lift our spirits, such as inspirational chalk drawings on sidewalks or painted rocks with encouraging messages in neighborhoods and parks. Or holding drive-through birthday parties and virtual celebrations, and by displaying really over the top Christmas decorations.Others like the Folsom Mask Makers built a small group of crafters into an organized and super-productive army who have produced more than 65,000 life-saving masks and thousands of other pieces of personal protective equipment.Local businesses like StemExpress, who showed us the definition of "pivoting." StemExpress, a Folsom biotech company that typically focuses on stem cell research, shifted their focus to processing COVID-19 tests and became almost overnight a leading driver of COVID-19 testing in our region. Like many other folks here in Folsom, StemExpress CEO Cate Dyer recognized the confluence of capability and responsibility and was quick to act.My colleagues on the City Council who picked up and delivered essential supplies and groceries for our local seniors. And the essential workers on the frontline that are keeping our community safe and strong. The medical workers keeping us healthy. The first responders keeping us safe. The delivery service workers and truck drivers delivering purchases and food to our doorsteps. And the grocery clerks stocking shelves and being of good humor over our sudden collective desire to bake. While I would love nothing more than for us to be able to go back to normal today or tomorrow or at some point in 2021, I also know that we still have challenging times ahead, and COVID will not just go away in a flash. It will fade away over months or years, becoming part of the background of infection risks we face. By examining how we have been affected by COVID, we can take some lessons from the opportunities it provided and the vulnerabilities it exposed. Let's continue to encourage investment in science and root for businesses like StemExpress. Let's rethink some aspects of our zoning ordinance so that we can more easily shift to outdoor activities. Let's each continue to be involved in civic organizations and community activities so that we can easily build the next Folsom Mask Makers. Let's continue to generously support our local businesses. And let's wear our masks, wash our hands, and be mindful of the safety of our friends, relatives, and neighbors. And let's not forget that resilience is in Folsom's nature. Being welcoming to new neighbors is also in our nature. Folsom has become its own melting pot, and we are now home to people from all over the world and who represent a multitude of language, racial and ethnic minorities. That fact demands that we remain open to discussions of inclusion and equal opportunity. I think it is likely that issues of race and inclusion may end up defining 2020. The year was bookended by the difficult-to-watch video of George Floyd being slowly suffocated to death and then the video of the hard-to-comprehend attack on the U.S. capitol building.George Floyd's death exposed long-standing racial divides and sparked a summer of protests and demonstrations. The demonstrations in Folsom that resulted were peaceful. So I want to give credit to the organizers and participants who provided a forum to discuss a painful subject while modeling restraint and productive public discourse. These local demonstrations served as a reminder that we don't live on an island, and there are issues of race that we may not understand or fully recognize. The scenes of the riot at the U.S. Capitol will remain for me profoundly troubling. Absorbing that event's meaning and understanding exactly how it was sparked will undoubtedly be debated for decades. In the end, our union was not dissolved by either event, and democracy marches forward in its usual fits and starts. It also remains true that places like Folsom have an amazing opportunity to help create a future where these events are less likely to be repeated. I am optimistic in this way because Folsom has a bumper crop of smart, thoughtful, and creative people and even smarter, more thoughtful, and creative kids. While we may not be an island, we are well-equipped to ride out any storm and, if necessary, to build a better boat. equipped to ride out any storm and, if necessary, to build a better boat. Now turning to the city's activities this year. our highest priority and responsibly is to protect the community's health and safety. In times like this, that mission is crystal clear, and I am proud of Folsom's level of readiness and preparation in handling the events of 2020. Together with our local schools, businesses, medical providers, and first responders, we sprang into action. As our businesses closed or adjusted their operations, the city provided its full support. Emergency measures included fee deferrals and fee waivers, relaxed sign regulations, and home occupation requirements. We eased regulations to allow restaurants the flexibility to establish curbside pickup zones and to allow the use of city-owned public properties, like sidewalks, streets, and private parking lots, to make way for al fresco dining outside favorite eateries. A new, online system for planning, building, and engineering applications and permits allowed simple electronic submittals.City utility relief programs supported Folsom residential and business customers facing challenges due to the economic crisis.And we converted the Library into a distribution center for face masks, hand sanitizer, and other PPE. We offered Folsom seniors free prepared and delivered meals from local restaurants.And we've teamed up with the Folsom Chamber of Commerce to encourage residents to shop and support local. You've seen this message "We Support Folsom" on local signs, billboards, newsletters, and social media. Folsom Fire Department personnel have been specially trained to provide COVID testing to Folsom's assisted living and skilled nursing facilities. And earlier this month, Folsom firefighters were trained on administering the vaccine. City of Folsom essential services – including police, fire, ambulance, water, wastewater, streets, garbage/recycling, planning/building, and park maintenance – remained fully operational. Folsom City Hall, uniquely in our region, has remained open to the public without interruption. We consistently aimed to provide the highest level of enrichment services by providing library lending virtually or as drive-up service and by keeping our parks and trails, open, clean, and available to all. We worked hand-in-hand with our local community organizations and churches to provide for those who need it most.When the Twin Lakes Food Bank experienced a critical food shortage, 19 food drives were organized by the city, churches, and community organizations. More than 57 thousand pounds of food and $5,000 in cash and gift cards were collected.More than 1,200 volunteers completed 80 socially-distanced service projects and contributed a collective more than 6,000 hours of service during our 7th annual Folsom Community Service Day.This all in mind, let me extend my personal thanks to every member of the city staff. Police, fire, public works, parks, and planning/building. Your individual abilities to adapt to these unusual circumstances with such aplomb is both remarkable and further evidence of how truly lucky we all are to call Folsom home. We got some valuable lessons in what a pandemic costs this year. Last June, the Folsom City Council passed a $213 million-dollar balanced budget. It reflected a $7 million reduction in revenues due to the pandemic. That reduction in revenue was almost entirely attributable to drastic changes in consumer spending during the stay-at-home order. We, like all California cities, rely somewhat heavily on sales tax revenue. This is a key area where COVID exposed a serious vulnerability aside from the disease's symptoms. Responsibly, the city tightened its belt, cut expenses, and used $5.5 million from our rainy-day fund to weather the storm. We kept job openings vacant, reduced department budgets, and deferred capital purchases. As our economy begins to stabilize, we are keeping a watchful eye on our spending, preserving our reserve funds, and continuing to focus on maintaining the highest level of services for our community. I would like to thank City Manager Elaine Andresen, Police Chief Rick Hillman, Fire Chief Ken Cusano, Former Fire Chief Felipe Rodriguez, and the leadership team for finding creative ways to deliver high-quality services while reducing overhead and expenses. Being cool under fire is a character strength that Elaine exhibits every day and demands from her management team. This quality is another critical part of Folsom's nature. We anticipate an economic recovery during 2021 and remain committed to expanding Folsom's economy and supporting our business community. Interest in developing new projects in Folsom remains high. Here are some big projects that are coming soon. With a 40-year legacy of serving the Folsom community, Dignity Health last year debuted plans and will shortly begin construction on a new state-of-the-art medical complex in Folsom Plan Area at the corner of Alder Creek Parkway and East Bidwell. Last year, we welcomed more than 870 new residents to the Folsom Plan Area, growing a strong sense of place and community. The Folsom Cordova Unified School District broke ground on the area's first elementary school, planning is underway for the area's first park, and we added 1.5 miles of paved trail along Alder Creek Parkway and Grand Prairie Road. This year, we will begin designing the area's first Fire Station. Station 34.We'll see progress on the Capital SouthEast Connector project. Last fall, the City Council approved construction on a segment of the project that will extend from Prairie City Road to E. Bidwell Street, construct a four-lane bridge over Alder Creek, and will realign and widen segments of White Rock Road. The recently-completed Saratoga Way extension project alleviates traffic on Highway 50 by connecting Folsom and El Dorado Hills at Iron Point Road and El Dorado Hills Boulevard.We recently completed the Green Valley Road widening project, which eliminated a frustrating bottleneck in the road and improved pedestrian and bicycle safety and access. We continue to expand our intelligent transportation system technology that provides tools to ease congestion. And we will upgrade signals along Prairie City Road this year.We know that water quality is essential to our community and economy, and we continue to make investments in the city's drinking water system. And we continue to invest in our wastewater systems to replace aging infrastructure, improve response times, and prevent sanitary sewer spills.In addition to our roadways and water and wastewater infrastructure, investments continue in our treasured park system.Last year we opened the Broder Family Homestead Park, located at 1215 Harvest Loop off East Natoma Street. The family-friendly passive park includes a grove of 74 historic olive trees, a vineyard, and orchard, a covered picnic area, kiddie corral play area with farm animal sculptures, horseshoe pits, and a raised platform area for future outdoor classroom use. The land was once a part of the expansive Broder Family Ranch, and the five-acre property for the park was generously gifted to the city by Vera Broder-Silberstein.You'll see major upgrades at the Steve Miklos Aquatic Center this year, including new water slides, water play features, a completely renovated activity pool, and instructional pool for swim lessons. This year we'll begin the last phase of Bud and Davies Park, complete with a new youth turf baseball field. We'll begin designing the Benevento Family Park in Empire Ranch and install the first art piece at the Johnny Cash Trail near the Rainbow Bridge. A shade structure will be added at the Andy Morin Sports Complex, providing relief from the hot summer sun. And in partnership with the Folsom Historic District Association, we will construct a shade structure over the outdoor amphitheater in the Historic District Plaza.City facility improvements will continue. This includes expanding the Folsom Police Department building, creating a spacious and modern dispatch center, and renovating Folsom Fire Station 38 at Blue Ravine Road. We continue to invest in technology to provide the highest level of service. This year, we'll launch a new brand-new website and utility bill pay system. We'll help our business customers save water with a new Dropcountr app. A state-of-the-art Permit Center will soon improve and streamline community development services, such as electronic permits, plan checks, and payment systems. And the Folsom Police Department Vital Aware Service has made it easier to help individuals with cognitive vulnerabilities, such as Alzheimer's or Down Syndrome with a potentially life-saving app.We can never say enough about the good work of our public safety departments, but here is an attempt. After the year we just experienced, we are ever more aware of the power and unpredictability of disasters, underscoring the importance of public safety and preparedness. When a disaster strikes, it is local government on the frontlines. During the COVID-19 crisis, the Folsom Fire Department worked closely with the hospitals, prisons, and Sacramento County Public Health on logistics, personnel safety, community safety, and preparedness. And the Folsom Police Department provided a greater community presence while businesses were closed during shelter-in-place orders. This year, Ken Cusano was sworn in as Folsom's new Fire Chief. Ken's selection as chief meant a win-win-win-win for the city as we will benefit from his exceptional leadership, deep community roots, technical expertise, and institutional knowledge. The Fire Department responded to more than 8,400 incidents, provided life-saving mutual aid to jurisdictions battling wildfire blazes, and added two new wildland fire engines and refurbished a third to ensure our community is prepared. The Folsom Police Department continues to provide professional and reliable services to those in need and continues to be a model for police organizations in California. While conversations around police reform happened across the country, I am proud to say that we remain open to discussions with our community. And our Police Department leadership has been dedicated to providing information about the department's operations, trainings, and policies. We are thankful to our community for meeting with us, talking with us, and learning about us. Planning for the Future As we work hard to address the community's current needs, we continue to look out for what makes Folsom special today and what will ensure that we remain the best in class in the future. We continue to refine and implement our Parks and Recreation Renovation Master Plan. We've implemented plans to preserve and maintain Folsom's treasured tree canopy of more than 6,000 public space trees. Work has begun on the city's first comprehensive Local Roadway Safety Plan to identify potential traffic safety projects. We recently completed updates to our emergency operations plan, Fire Department strategic plan, and citywide evacuation plan, ensuring our community is well-prepared in an emergency. And the city is in the process of updating the zoning code, with the goal of creating clear expectations for quality development and regulations that are easy to understand and follow. In closing This year marks the City of Folsom's 75th anniversary. At 75 years, we look back to reflect on who we are, how far we've come, and where we're heading. We also pause to reflect on the many individuals who have served this city with such dedication over the decades. Our community would not be where it is today without the vision, leadership and commitment of past leaders and public servants. The city we know today didn't emerge by happenstance – it's due to 75years of thoughtful and deliberate planning and action. This spring we'll commemorate the city's 75th anniversary, and more details will be announced soon. The opening song of the Broadway musical RENT "525,600 minutes" poses the question, "how do you measure a year?" I think the challenges of 2020 have, like all rough times, measured our character, it reminded us of the fragility of life, exposed some vulnerabilities, but it also exposed the remarkable durability and ingenuity we possess. Folsom's future is very, very bright. In 2021, I look forward to continuing to build homes, continuing to welcome new neighbors, continuing to take care of each other, and continue planning for the changes that will make Folsom the greatest place to live for the next 75 years. Folsom is distinctive and will remain so because collectively, you are resilient, you are demanding, and you are smart, thoughtful, and creative. These qualities are what's in our nature, and I am so very proud to be counted among you. Thank you. &emsp;&emsp;