Folsom sets new five-year course. Here’s how it could affect residents and city workers

The city of Folsom adopted an economic and community plan at its last city council meeting that aims to complete certain projects by 2028.

In the plan adopted unanimously by city council on March 28, there are clear outlines to create a new fire station, to procure an electric vehicle fleet, to take a full inventory of greenhouse gas emissions and to implement an updated human resource program that tracks employee performance.

Elaine Andersen, Folsom’s city manager, presented the plan to the council the same day it was adopted.

“We are proud of where we are going as a city, and how we go about our work,” she said. “We have ambitious goals as we seek to respond to community interests and organizational needs.”

A new fire station

Andersen said Station 33 would be located in the southwest area of the Folsom Plan Area, the city’s newest community on a 3,520-acre area bounded by Highway 50, White Rock Road, Prairie City Road and the El Dorado County line, according to the city’s website.

“The Fire Department stations are strategically located to provide effective and efficient emergency response capabilities to the community,” she said. “Residents will have no immediate change other than the comfort of knowing a fire station is underway to serve to protect their needs.”

Plans for a new, second fire station in Folsom would include an initial staffing of nine additional employees for a single engine company, according to city documents. Design work would begin in 2025 and the earliest it would open is late spring 2028, Andersen said.

An armada of electricity, environmental efforts

Another project that was approved relates to meeting the city’s sustainability goals by making investments in electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, according to Andersen.

“Emissions-free driving protects our planet’s and city’s health for future generations and makes Folsom greener and cleaner by reducing pollution,” Andersen said.

She said the city owns two public electric vehicle charging stations, and they are both located in the historic district parking structure.

“The city is exploring the cost and feasibility of providing additional charging stations at key public facilities,” she said. “Currently, there are also multiple charging stations on private property that are available to customers, visitors and residents.”

In a presentation to city council, Andersen argued in favor of a full inventory of greenhouse gas emissions so it might enable the city to target reduction strategies in a meaningful way.

Human resources system to track employee performance

Starting in 2025, the city aims to implement a robust human resources information system, according to Christine Brainerd, a city spokesperson.

It would provide the city’s HR department with tools to digitize the onboarding and offboarding processes and track “employee metrics through the employees’ lifecycle from recruitment to retirement,” she said.

Metrics include performance, training and development.

This story was originally published April 6, 2023 at 5:30 AM.