From Infrastructure to Cannabis: Auburn City Council Faces Packed Agenda

Cover Image:  Construction on the Grocery Outlet parking lot after a semi-truck sank into the parking lot in February.  Photo Credit:  Auburn City Hall / Instagram

(Auburn, CA) – At its regular March 9 meeting, the Auburn City Council approved a series of infrastructure projects and took steps to address rising pension costs, while also hearing public concerns highlighting tensions within the community.

The meeting opened with proclamations from Mayor Kelley Davis declaring March as Nutritional Awareness Month and Trisomy Awareness Month, with March 9 recognized as Trisomy 9 Awareness Day. Vice Mayor Rachel Radell-Harris shared a personal connection, noting she is the mother of a seven-year-old with Trisomy 9.

Mayor Kelley Davis (right) reads the proclamation declaring March as Nutritional and Trisomy Awareness Month and March 9th as Trisomy 9 Day in Auburn.  Vice Mayor Rachel Radell-Harris at her side. Photo Credit:  Auburn City Council / Youtube / Image by Robert MacMahon

Council members then moved into city business, unanimously approving several infrastructure and public safety items. These included funding for the Middle Fork Project Fuel Reduction Management Program, a wildfire prevention effort, as well as the 2025–2026 Road Maintenance Project and the Aiolia Drive Sewer and Water Replacement Project.

The Aiolia Drive project prompted concerns from resident Peggy Meadows, who addressed the council twice. Meadows says heavy construction equipment had “accelerated” the deterioration of asphalt near her home. She also claims that “exhaust” combined with the “funneling of…hot air in the summer” contributed to the death of a fir tree on her property that was about “8 feet” tall. Meadows asked the city to repair the pavement and provide $100 for the tree’s replacement.

City officials say they are reviewing whether her easement should be included in the project and directed her to file a formal claim regarding the tree. The council ultimately approved the project unanimously.

During public comment, resident Peter Friedrich raised concerns about how the city approves ceremonial proclamations. With an aura of fearmongering, Friedrich says the “Hindu Sivakong HSS, the American Wing of India's RSS, a Hindu nationalist paramilitary” has already “burned Roseville” by obtaining city recognition in 2021 and urges Auburn to establish clearer protocols for recognizing organizations with little acknowledgement from the council. 

The council gave little response to Freidrich, but gave unanimous conceptual approval to a proposed public art installation at the Highway 49 roundabout. Associated with the Auburn Art Commission, the project is titled “Legacy of Leaf,” and will move forward pending final approval from the California Department of Transportation.  

“Legacy of Leaves” video presented to the council before their vote.  Video Credit: Auburn Arts Commision / Genevieve Marsh / YouTube

Financial planning was a central focus of the meeting. Consultant Mike Meyer of NHA told the council that the city’s California Public Employees' Retirement System investments have not met earlier expectations. “It was assumed that the strategy would make over 8% in the stock market,” Meyer said. “But it’s been a bit lower than that.”

In response, the council voted to establish a Section 115 trust, committing over $1 million to help manage unfunded pension liabilities. The strategy is intended to provide greater flexibility in addressing rising costs and is expected to save the city in annual costs. Staff will detail the plan for formal approval at a later date. Meyer notes that “about 89” former employees are affected. 

Presentation of information related to the city's pension plan.  Video Credit: Auburn City Council / YouTube

An emergency repair project also drew discussion. Public Works Director Angel Dean outlined the 414 Grass Valley Emergency Storm Drain Rehabilitation Project, which was initiated after a semi-truck caused damage on property where the city holds easement rights. City Attorney Gary Bell says “it’s possible” the city could recover costs from “the driver or the company” involved.

In response, resident David Burns, a former engineering geologist, praised the city’s quick response but encouraged a broader approach. Burns describes the situation as an “opportunity” to install fish-friendly infrastructure along Auburn Ravine, an active stream, to better support native habitats.

The council also reviewed progress on mapping Auburn’s storm drain system. Director Dean says a complete map is expected within “the next seven or eight months,” adding that “there [were] a lot of areas of the city that we were not even aware that storm drains existed.”  City Manager Sean Rabé describes the issue as a “whackable problem,” adding, “we’re trying to get ahead of it as much as we can, but without a dedicated source of funding, it’s an issue.”

As OpGov.news reports, other areas in California, like Pleasanton and Folsom are also talking about water.

Additional discussion items included a delayed cannabis ordinance pending environmental review, ongoing efforts to improve energy efficiency in municipal buildings, interest in future conversations about artificial intelligence in city operations, and a workshop on the Bradley-Burns sales tax.

The Auburn City Council is scheduled to meet again on March 24th.