[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6189227,"mediaKeyId","5058238-c016b145abef6a39fbf4b459f5a0551a","parentId",5058238,"title","Council approves solar installations at police and Fire Station 2, defers City Hall work","audioSeconds",469,"startMs",8121000,"endMs",8590000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5058238-c016b145abef6a39fbf4b459f5a0551a&start=8121&end=8590","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5058238-c016b145abef6a39fbf4b459f5a0551a/thumbnail_8121000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6189227/Auburn/Placer-County/California/Council-approves-solar-installations-at-police-and-Fire-Station-2-defers-City-Hall-work","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189227-c42be393739c7290460c17ddc7b3c6c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1776704933&Signature=WK9TueBndFqLgtbosz5B10eRpSoF2z-lNkqMvyuKoEDfoxUMwf4I9IbnryI4IWaNMPyDQiJuvVmqMYMYPsBwH2~sXzmnuvLUj3-9Y5EX0C3qYHq6IJ3FbFJwuHv~-ED-1AxSaZaxwxHsU5~4cuo14PU6-nlYs46oHZZZRL96waI4JoBqsp7lc~wgw2R3SFcPnnLTPWY51BZ8uRYjbcHA1DL8iLHaeEV5fx094L45t2lDEDADS-zO2UFmTZT8W89nl4i~unCHbEc~KD9WWDY-P1YQoDlmjkP--UNCuOFJIwEwsulkk2ov90FPgcbUOoIA4KF4xTX-T2HhAKMDZOzOkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Auburn City, California","date","2025-06-24T20:23:55.61Z","article","The Auburn City Council authorized solar installations at the Auburn Police Department and Fire Station 2 but elected not to proceed at this time with a City Hall solar project.

City Manager (presenting) and Sean Dean summarized proposals received in response to a May 15 RFP. Staff recommended proceeding with rooftop systems at the police department and Fire Station 2 because those roofs are newer and require minimal additional work. City Hall was not recommended for immediate solar installation due to aging building systems, multiple rooftop HVAC units, single‑pane windows, needed roof replacement and the additional cost burden that would likely require financing. “Given the building’s age… the roof needs replacing,” staff said, adding that carport options would require additional infrastructure and raise upfront costs and payback time.

Foothill Electric was the vendor selected for the police and fire projects. Staff estimated combined system cost not to exceed $462,513 (including a 10% contingency), which the council approved. Staff proposed funding the two installations from a combination of a newly created capital reserve (~$317,523), the general fund unassigned balance (~$95,307 estimated) and capital facilities funds (~$50,000). The city manager and staff also presented an analysis of financing alternatives: a hypothetical $800,000 loan at about 5% interest over eight years would add roughly $131,500 in annual debt service and $202,000 in interest, reducing or negating near‑term savings from the federal investment tax credit.

Staff and the Sustainability Advisory Committee noted expected payback and system performance: the fire station system showed an estimated payback of about 4.35 years and the police system about 3.69 years based on current rates and usage; City Hall rooftop and carport options showed longer paybacks (about 5.44 and 7.73 years respectively) and additional capital needs. Members of the Sustainability Advisory Committee and other commenters urged the council to reconsider a City Hall carport option to capture the federal tax credit and maximize long‑term savings; staff said council could revisit City Hall once building upgrades or financing approaches are resolved.

Council approved the contract authorization to Foothill Electric for the police department and Fire Station 2 installations by roll call vote and directed staff to return with additional City Hall analysis if council wishes to pursue it at a later date.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting, June 23, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council authorized a contract with Foothill Electric to install rooftop solar at the Auburn Police Department and Fire Station 2 (Geetson Station), deferring City Hall work because of roof, HVAC and efficiency issues and the potential financing costs to complete a larger City Hall project.","taxTitle","Auburn, Placer County, California","taxId",57898,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6189232,"Auburn council adopts $37.1 million final budget, establishes reserves and salary schedule",1114,3396000,4510000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5058238-c016b145abef6a39fbf4b459f5a0551a&start=3396&end=4510","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5058238-c016b145abef6a39fbf4b459f5a0551a/thumbnail_3396000.jpg","/articles/6189232/Auburn/Placer-County/California/Auburn-council-adopts-371-million-final-budget-establishes-reserves-and-salary-schedule","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189232-7e84fe42ef46aeefb589ed7508ba997f/orig.mp4?Expires=1776704933&Signature=lA3KZl7pyECg8LwJ9wMdh58V~OtkcI~WRLhkL7FHQjdGlJTqOQ6Daxk~G5RWsUoSdR1p76-6kls2KwVcGtDIQ1E4gqPKseM3iwoLwc8ptYukCOsNXQiUB~TdxEG20I~zdF-v8fEaPyZPEyU1OiyShkvGvwJ-fHwr65PYbEEfnaF6wONDvqn3oMKW76u~VVWBUgG-BiyHWdPuk5Ck38fGhuKPrLEdAyUMl8lX-5a-1ZuovvNXIIIGt0j7cI~ASNgCdSh3p4yIwxwMbDSV7620DltlDFrzcC86kqG1HCbg4jsxizZ1JYyzt45uTPmeYSDwi33n0ZG3FjYV9t8rMPApmA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Auburn City Council adopted the fiscal year 2025–26 final budget, approving a $37,105,709 total and setting reserve targets and a salary schedule that becomes effective July 1, 2025.

Gretchen Johnson, the city’s finance director, presented the final budget and identified adjustments since the proposed budget, including a $46,000 increase in projected planning and building revenue tied to recent fee collections and an inclusion of a previously omitted $600,000 transit fund expenditure for electric vehicle charging station infrastructure that had been reflected in revenue. “In the proposed budget, we had just shy of $600,000 showing up as a surplus… we had an expense that was missing in that budget,” Johnson said, explaining staff corrected the transit fund projections.

The council adopted the budget resolution that also set general‑fund reserves at approximately $4.9 million, established an appropriations limit (staff noted an amount near $26.2 million), and approved the city’s salary schedule for the new fiscal year. Johnson noted the budget includes 79 funded positions citywide and reiterated that staff will return in the fall with a pension‑funding options analysis and a capital improvement plan proposal.

Council members thanked staff for a multiyear recovery in the general fund and for adjustments that reduced projected deficits. By roll call, the council approved the resolution to adopt the fiscal year 2025–26 final budget with an amendment to clarify salary-range presentation for director/executive positions.","The council adopted the fiscal year 2025–26 budget totaling $37,105,709, set general-fund reserves and an appropriations limit, and approved a salary schedule effective July 1, 2025.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6189236,"Auburn council reopens public hearing on vacant commercial building ordinance; delays action after mixed feedback",233,1182000,1415000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5058238-c016b145abef6a39fbf4b459f5a0551a&start=1182&end=1415","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5058238-c016b145abef6a39fbf4b459f5a0551a/thumbnail_1182000.jpg","/articles/6189236/Auburn/Placer-County/California/Auburn-council-reopens-public-hearing-on-vacant-commercial-building-ordinance-delays-action-after-mixed-feedback","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189236-32781af353a78e7f306a3ca9884d5221/orig.mp4?Expires=1776704933&Signature=G3-lLPdfkx8W~p~dVR3Zk3Rps14Mg6GC7CcmHWlPAOaUCZGrYflCjLmCPxk9IS21OXT6kKJwCAfR5hqH3OewtoVMvhNxtJViF8dv9eiOGCr47HSn151EbJYIT67LXd-c~1~2NZ~-rcNhN4JX6qfnERlmcKNu2ZL2zCMrtrfljQW6gLLl28pxIIuOiquWyxfKSK2UoxCCy2MyKjjoOvOsg50vbXoGkwYkMQQdRaWWmHp0N3FlAB76jybemXqpf09mQc8C6ErYNc5CWwSUMFFhDSHK-o68W5~nm4ps8MSGfPF76QZ3Hlg5MuHhGVTibxox17rFAlfhH7MjAUGnibzxZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Auburn City Council reopened a public hearing on a proposed vacant commercial building ordinance and associated registration fees, receiving extensive public comment and further council questions before taking no final ordinance action.

Jonathan Wright, the city’s economic development director, summarized the ordinance background and said the registration requirement and proposed $338 quarterly monitoring fee were intended to reimburse staff time and encourage owners to return vacant commercial space to the market. “That registration requirement is triggered after that certain number of days,” Wright said, adding the 90‑day trigger and fee amount were both set at the council’s discretion.

Council members and members of the public probed the ordinance’s language and practical effects. Council members asked whether buildings actively for sale or lease would be treated as in compliance; Wright said a sign or other substantial evidence could meet the standard but that registered properties would still need to remit the quarterly fee and be monitored. City Attorney Gary Mappa clarified that the ordinance separates registration (an administrative requirement) from enforcement: failure to meet the ordinance’s substantive conditions for a vacant building would create a code violation enforceable by staff.

Public commenters, including longtime local property owners and business operators, urged more outreach, a data-driven vacancy study, and alternatives such as a voluntary vacancy registry, landlord outreach and targeted incentives rather than a broad quarterly fee. Cinnamon Pryor, a business owner and property owner in Auburn, said the community needed more transparency and data on vacancy rates before adopting a punitive approach.

Council discussion focused on balancing concerns: some council members favored the ordinance as a tool to motivate long‑term absentee owners; others cautioned that the 90‑day window and quarterly fee could penalize owners legitimately marketing or improving properties. A motion to reintroduce the ordinance with a 180‑day registration window failed for lack of a second. Council directed staff to convene property owners, compile additional outreach and data, and return with narrower options (for example, targeted rules for long‑term vacancies) and possible timing tied to completion of the form‑based code and general plan work. No ordinance was adopted at the meeting.","Council reopened the June 9 hearing on a proposed vacant commercial building ordinance, heard extensive public comment and stakeholder concerns about the 90‑day registration window and quarterly $338 fee, and did not adopt the ordinance; staff was directed to meet with property owners and return with targeted options.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6189243,"Auburn council creates Tenant Improvement Economic Assistance Grant, sets $40,000 cap for first year",576,301000,877000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5058238-c016b145abef6a39fbf4b459f5a0551a&start=301&end=877","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5058238-c016b145abef6a39fbf4b459f5a0551a/thumbnail_301000.jpg","/articles/6189243/Auburn/Placer-County/California/Auburn-council-creates-Tenant-Improvement-Economic-Assistance-Grant-sets-40000-cap-for-first-year","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189243-9d34c6df43f8c3e42008df98e3e71073/orig.mp4?Expires=1776704933&Signature=J0pev~xBW-nP6K~T33TEM5UmHtNFE1fYJJfKAu91tpYLoeK5SIgGc0kPHgB7feOMYPhWZjeiXKJmaO6OjWdHr3ifLbiRarb-QNB4z48u0qfXIMLQ3ADojrHaC018YaUnkErMZofSjanKA6YKP-fWrPhxWVodme0xPIqBnAwyNgdtf-w5OwZxvs9GNpSY-PD-cL6p20J8BNRp1ZX~y0m2fhgeUksAZa1gGZbEmU6BlL29CCqE6L~P0MhX0OuryKwIorYPdUZX8Cl70PgG2AT52Kv2ZmNo-vUSi3td0zN26noRVIZWvbtMWcl9bRp7j4~CfCLTjDcCSeYvatoTukQDPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Auburn City Council on a unanimous vote approved a Tenant Improvement Economic Assistance Grant program aimed at helping local businesses with tenant improvement costs.

Councilwoman Dowden Calvio said she supported the idea of a sustainable program and raised questions about award size and program longevity. “I originally thought about perhaps having a 0 interest loan… I really want a sustainable program so that we can benefit as many businesses as possible,” Dowden Calvio said. Jonathan Wright, the city’s economic development director, said the program is designed to match significant private investment and is intended for projects that already have a tenant-improvement permit in process.

Wright told the council the program’s eligibility includes a requirement that applicants be in business for three years and that the tenant-improvement permit be at least $100,000: “It has to be 3 years. They have to have a tenant improvement permit already in process that is at least a value of a $100,000 or more.” Wright said the grant is intended to pair municipal CDBG money with projects demonstrating substantial private investment and that the proposed award amounts reflected needs staff found in conversations with local developers.

Council members discussed program size and reach. Dowden Calvio and others said the city’s available pool of defederalized CDBG funds is modest — she described the fund as “under $350,000” in total — and expressed a preference for keeping the program sustainable so funds can be reused. Several council members supported the $40,000 maximum award for the first year with a direction to reassess after one year to determine whether to increase or otherwise change the program.

By motion, the council approved establishing the Tenant Improvement Economic Assistance Grant program, authorized the city manager to administer and expand funds in accordance with program guidelines, and directed staff to return to council in one year for reassessment.

The program’s initial parameters approved by the council include a $40,000 maximum award for the first year and eligibility criteria requiring at least three years in business and a tenant-improvement permit valued at $100,000 or more. The council did not adopt additional program rules beyond those discussed; staff will prepare implementing guidelines and application materials and return with a one‑year status report on program use and available funds.","The Auburn City Council established a tenant-improvement grant program using CDBG funds, approving a $40,000-per-award cap for the initial year and directing staff to return in one year to reassess funding and sustainability.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves solar installations at police and Fire Station 2, defers City Hall work

Auburn council adopts $37.1 million final budget, establishes reserves and salary schedule

Auburn council reopens public hearing on vacant commercial building ordinance; delays action after mixed feedback

Auburn council creates Tenant Improvement Economic Assistance Grant, sets $40,000 cap for first year