278 replies to this topic

[Kerri Howell]

Thanks for the thank yous! I was not looking for, nor did I expect any thank yous, I simply don't want to be maligned by false accusations that I have been "bought" by developers - or anybody else.

Waterbaby,

Just to clarify the CEQA issue on the park site, the City is the lead agency no matter what. The question is, what type of document is prepared by the City. CEQA does not mean that the State prepares the document, it only refers to the rules and regulations that are governed by CEQA (the California Environmental Quality Act). My argument on the park site was that a Mitigated Negative Declaration - effectively says there is no environmental impact. As stated during several Council meetings, I believe that construction of a 24, 000 sf building, in the middle of the park, on a ball field dedicated to a veteran, which changes the character and use of the park DOES have environmental impacts, that are more than "in-significant".

If you want to talk in more detail about the SOI, please e-mail me directly.

[EDF]

While I will admit that Kerri maybe puts in the time... so what...

I have found her to be very condescending to some of the people that have come forward to speak on any given issue...

I remember one instance a few years back when Kerri was especially this way to Val Doss at a City Council meeting prior to a vote where she just gave in to developers... again....

Maybe Kerri.... you could talk on the issue of the high salaries that city staff seem to enjoy... I know its not part of this thread but many people on my side of this issue think this growth issue is all "staff driven" and that you folks just do what staff wants... because after all they have spent so much time putting together those neat Power Point Presentations...

Sorry... I'm not buying your line Kerri... I especially don't like it when a politician starts using words like involving "my attorney" on some bogus slander issue....

You guys on the city council don't share my views and those of many of the folks in town... you are backed primarily by the Chamber Crowd and developers and of course the police and fire deptartment unions who enjoy all the great benefits that a rich town can offer...

Just remember... we got 4400 signatures in just 4 weekends on that initiative...

So even though you might spend a lot of time in the job of council person doesn't mean you are "in touch" with the folks.....

[valdossjoyce]

QUOTE (old soldier @ Aug 23 2004, 11:54 AM)

" I'm kinda disappointed that none of the candidates seem be be upset about the developer lawyer taking away the request for a vote by 4000 folsom citizens. seems like the elections around here get one by the guy/gal with the most and prettiest signs...

[QUOTE]

Two candidates, Robert Giaccometti (sp?) and Doug Udell, supported the citizens' initiative. It took guts to do that. Now that it's off the ballot, I don't know how the entire south of 50 SOI issue will play out in the election for city council seats.

As for the signs, yes, it's called "name recognition" and it stinks. If I don't know anything about the candidates for a particular office, I just don't vote on that office. Ignorant voting, voting a certain way just to follow one's perception of the "in crowd's" choice---worse than not voting at all.

[valdossjoyce]

QUOTE (EDF @ Aug 26 2004, 01:00 PM)

I have found her to be very condescending to some of the people that have come forward to speak on any given issue... I remember one instance a few years back when Kerri was especially this way to Val Doss at a City Council meeting prior to a vote where she just gave in to developers... again....

[QUOTE]

Thanx, EDF for sticking up for me. I remember that evening well. Since then I've grown up a bit and Kerri's mellowed a bit and I think I can stick up for myself now. She may not vote as I'd like on growth & development issues but I sure like the way she's willing to stand up to the Boyz...more so than our most recent newcomers to city council. Sometimes I think she's our only council member with any _______. [rymes with "falls"].

[ducky]

I must say that Kerri and I haven't always seen eye-to-eye either, but I am impressed that she has stood her ground on the library issue. I agree that it is ironic she is the only woman on the council but she has more rhymes-with-falls than any of the Boyz.

[BeenHere]

I think Kerri is the only half way decent council member we have. At least you know where she stands and she does not roll over and play dead to Miklos, as most of the other council members have.

Miklos thinks he is doing a great job. One question---How many millions of dollars is the city in debt. (not counting the library), thanks in part to Miklos.

[tessieca]

The city isn't in debt. In fact they are building reserves to try to minimize the impact of state take-backs. Thanks for the council and their strategic planning.

[waterbaby149]

Tessa
are u really sure about reserves

how much is going out to the lobbyist on the dam
how much on old town
how much did they spend on the south of 50
there is so much more that they spend that we do not now about
yes they are getting money now
but it won't always be coming in
I think that is the point that others are trying to make
I mean really - $170,000 plus a year for the city manager
that is on scale w/la, san jose and san fran - has folsom reached that level and pretty soon they are going to insist on a full time Mayor .......

[EDF]

The fact is that unbridled growth is fueling the excesses of City Hall...

The City Hall crowd promotes growth because according to them "we need it to pay for police, fire and all the other services"

I ask.... Why....?

Why don't some of our council critters and candidates answer the question, What happens when we are built out...? Do we finally lay off some staff or....?

[BeenHere]

Tesicca --

So the city isn't in debt.

How many million dollars are we in debt to at PERS ?

How much are we in debt to the banks for all the outstanding COPS ?

How much more will the library add to this debt.

If you think the council is building surplus funds, you are completely out of synch, or listening to Miklos.

[waterbaby149]

Been there
I like your swing
cause there certainly is no surplus....
it is spend spend spend

[valdossjoyce]

what are outstanding COPS?

[Jim Karnis]

Val,

In the latest budget for the city of Folsom here is the number you asked about. The outstanding balance as of 6-30-04 for our COPS is approx
12.5 MM.

[camay2327]

Visioning: South of Highway 50 Public Meetings Sept. 8, 11

The City of Folsom invites residents and other interested individuals to help chart the future of the land South of Highway 50 during the second round of Visioning meetings Sept. 8 and 11.  The same meeting will be held at two different times, dates and locations, so residents may choose the one that is most convenient. The first meeting will run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 8 at the Folsom Community Center. The second will be from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 11 at the Folsom High School Learning Resource Center (library).

City staff and planning consultants will share a brief summary of ideas generated during the first round of meetings held in July. Participants will discuss alternative development scenarios, learn about transportation impacts and opportunities, and exchange ideas on the overall “community character” of the area.  For more information on the City’s Visioning Process for the land South of Highway 50, visit www.folsom.ca.us/visioning or call Principal Planner Gail Furness de Pardo at 355-7248 or by email at gdepardo@folsom.ca.us.

[tessieca]

Don't attack me! I don't work for the city. And I can't answer each one of the minutely detailed questions about how much was expended for a lobbyist, etc. I believe the city manager's salary is in excess of what was mentioned, and that would not include any recently voted raises.

What I suggest you do is get yourself a copy of the city budget. It will show the reserves, and it will also show you how much debt is outstanding for COPs (Val, these are certificates of participation that are typically used for balancing cash flow; for example, when the state doesn't pay the property tax until February but funds are needed in in January). The question wouldn't be how much is outstanding but what the debt service amount is.

You can buy a copy of the budget from the city or you can check one out at the library.

Ed may have hit it on the head, that maybe the city is able to build a surplus because they are leveraging growth. But, if that's the case it's not a bad idea to build the surplus so that it exists when growth finally slows. That would lessen the desire to push growth south.