HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2025-03-25
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ACTION MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
March 25, 2025, 6:00 p.m.
Hybrid City Council Chamber/Virtual Zoom Meeting
215 East Branch Street, Arroyo Grande
Council Members Present: Mayor Caren Ray Russom, Mayor Pro Tem
Kate Secrest, Council Member Jim Guthrie,
Council Member Jamie Maraviglia
Council Members Absent: Council Member Aileen Loe
Staff Present: City Clerk Jessica Matson, City Attorney Isaac
Rosen, City Manager Matthew Downing,
Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director
Bill Robeson, Administrative Services Director
Nicole Valentine, Community Development
Director Brian Pedrotti, Police Chief Michael
Martinez, Recreation Services Director
Sheridan Bohlken, City Engineer Shannon
Sweeney
This meeting was conducted in a hybrid in-person/virtual format.
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1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Ray Russom called the Regular City Council Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
City Clerk Matson took roll call. Council Member Loe was absent.
3. MOMENT OF REFLECTION
4. FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Ray Russom led the flag salute.
5. AGENDA REVIEW
5.a Closed Session Announcements
None.
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5.b Ordinances read in title only
Moved by Mayor Ray Russom
Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Secrest
Move that all ordinances presented at the meeting shall be read by title only and all further
readings be waived.
AYES (4): Mayor Ray Russom, Mayor Pro Tem Secrest, Council Member Guthrie, and Council
Member Maraviglia
ABSENT (1): Council Member Loe
Passed (4 to 0)
6. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
6.a Honorary Proclamation Declaring the Month April 2025 as "Month of the Child" and
"Child Abuse Prevention Month"
Mayor Ray Russom presented the Proclamation declaring April as "Month of the Child" and
"Child Abuse Prevention Month." Jamie Sonbonmatsu, SLO Early Care and Planning Council,
accepted the Proclamation.
6.b City Manager Communications
City Manager Downing commented on SLOCOG's open seat on the Citizen's Transportation
Advisory Committee (CTAC); Arroyo Grande Police Department EOC upgrade and new DUI
trailer; FCFA beginning annual weed abatement inspections second week of April; Fire Severity
Hazard Zone Maps released by the State and future Council action; Summer Concert Series
lineup release coming this week; and that the Measure E-24 sales tax increase will take effect
April 1, 2025 and the new tax rate will be 8.75%.
No action was taken on this item.
7. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
The City Council provided brief reports from the following committee, commission, board, or other
subcommittee meetings that they attended as the City’s appointed representative.
7.a MAYOR RAY RUSSOM:
1. Audit Committee
2. California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (CJPIA)
3. Five Cities Fire Authority JPA Board
4. San Luis Obispo County Mayor's Meeting
5. South San Luis Obispo County Sanitation District (SSLOCSD)
6. Other
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7.b MAYOR PRO TEM SECREST:
1. Air Pollution Control District (APCD)
2. Homeless Services Oversight Council (HSOC)
3. South County Chambers of Commerce Governmental Affairs Committee
4. Other
7.c COUNCIL MEMBER GUTHRIE:
1. Central Coast Community Energy (CCCE) Policy Board
2. Integrated Waste Management Authority Board (IWMA)
3. REACH Economic Development Roundtable
4. Other
7.d COUNCIL MEMBER MARAVIGLIA:
1. Five Cities Fire Authority JPA Board
2. Visit SLO CAL Advisory Board
3. Other
8. COMMUNITY COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Alexandria Davis. No further
public comments were received.
Mayor Ray Russom responded to comments from the public and "Dark Sky Ordinances." City Manager
Downing responded to Council.
9. CONSENT AGENDA
Mayor Ray Russom asked the Council if there were any questions or any items to be pulled from the
consent agenda for further discussion.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. No public comments were received.
Moved by Council Member Guthrie
Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Secrest
Approve Consent Agenda Items 9.a. through 9.g., with the recommended courses of action.
AYES (4): Council Member Guthrie, Mayor Pro Tem Secrest, Council Member Maraviglia, and Mayor
Ray Russom
ABSENT (1): Council Member Loe
Passed (4 to 0)
9.a Cash Disbursement Ratification
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Reviewed and ratified the listing of cash disbursements for the period of February 1 through
February 15, 2025.
9.b Approval of Minutes
Approved the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of March 11, 2025, as submitted.
9.c Annual Military Equipment Report Pursuant to California AB 481
1) Received and filed the “2024 Military Equipment Use Inventory Report” and the “2025 Annual
Military Equipment Report” in accordance with California Assembly Bill 481, determine that said
report meets all standards for approval set forth in Government Code Section 7071(d); and
2) Approved the renewal of Ordinance No. 714.
9.d Monthly Water Supply and Demand Update
Received and filed the Monthly Water Supply and Demand Update.
9.e 2024 General Plan Annual Progress Report
1) Reviewed and accepted the 2024 General Plan Annual Report (the “Annual Report” or
“Report”) and direct staff to forward the Report to the Governor’s Office of Planning and
Research and the Department of Housing and Community Development; and
2) Found that the request is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act
pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5).
9.f General Plan Update Progress Report – March 2025
Received and filed a progress report on the Comprehensive General Plan Update.
9.g Amendments to Title 13 of the Arroyo Grande Municipal Code Regarding the Regulation
of Water Wells
1) Adopted an Ordinance entitled: "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF ARROYO GRANDE AMENDING CHAPTER 13.08 OF THE ARROYO GRANDE
MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING WATER WELLS"; and
2) Found that the Ordinance is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
because it will not result in a direct, or reasonably foreseeable indirect, physical change in the
environment (State CEQA Guidelines, §§ 15060, subd. (c)(2)-(3), 15061, subd. (b)(3); 15307;
15308; and 15378, subd. (b)(5)).
10. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
11. BUSINESS ITEMS
11.a Update to User Fees Related to Solar Permits, Transportation Permits, and the Consumer
Price Index as Set Forth in the Comprehensive Fee Schedule
Community Development Director Pedrotti presented the item and responded to questions from
Council. Administrative Services Director Valentine responded to questions from Council.
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Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. No public comments were received.
Council directed staff to consider bringing back an item to approve automatic fee schedule
increases when the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is adjusted.
Moved by Council Member Maraviglia
Seconded by Council Member Guthrie
1) Adopt a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE UPDATING USER FEES RELATED TO SOLAR PERMITS,
TRANSPORTATION PERMITS, AND THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX AS SET FORTH IN
THE COMPREHENSIVE FEE SCHEDULE”; and
2) Determine that the update to user fees related to solar permits, transportation permits, and
the Consumer Price Index is not a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act
(“CEQA”) because it has no potential to result in either a direct, or reasonably foreseeable
indirect, physical change in the environment. (State CEQA Guidelines, §§ 15060, subd. (c)(2)-
(3), 15378).
AYES (4): Council Member Maraviglia, Council Member Guthrie, Mayor Pro Tem Secrest, and
Mayor Ray Russom
ABSENT (1): Council Member Loe
Passed (4 to 0)
11.b Amendments to Title 6 (Animals) of the Arroyo Grande Municipal Code
Police Chief Michael Martinez presented the item.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. No public comments were received.
Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Secrest
Seconded by Council Member Guthrie
1) Introduce an Ordinance entitled: "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF ARROYO GRANDE, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING TITLE 6 (ANIMALS) OF THE MUNICIPAL
CODE TO ADOPT AND INCORPORATE BY REFERENCE SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY
CODE TITLE 9 (ANIMALS) AND TO RETAIN CERTAIN CITY REQUIREMENTS REGARDI NG
ANIMALS"; and
2) Find that the ordinance is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
because it will not result in a direct, or reasonably foreseeable indirect, physical change in the
environment (State CEQA Guidelines, §§ 15060 (c)(2) and (3), 15378.).
AYES (4): Mayor Pro Tem Secrest, Council Member Guthrie, Council Member Maraviglia, and
Mayor Ray Russom
ABSENT (1): Council Member Loe
Passed (4 to 0)
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11.c Tourism Business Improvement District Annual Report and Intent to Levy Annual
Assessment
Mayor Ray Russom declared a conflict of interest due to owning a short-term rental and left the
meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Secrest presided.
Recreation Services Director Bohlken presented the item. Richardson Reigart, Commune
Communications, presented the Annual Report and responded to questions from Council.
Director Bohlken responded to questions from Council.
Mayor Pro Tem Secrest invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Alexandria Davis.
No further public comments were received.
City Attorney Rosen responded to questions from City Council regarding the assessment
process.
Council Member Guthrie made comments regarding Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) and the
future of the AGTBID.
Moved by Council Member Maraviglia
Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Secrest
1) Receive and approve the Annual Report;
2) Adopt a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE DECLARING ITS INTENTION TO CONTINUE THE ARROYO GRANDE
TOURISM BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT, TO CONTINUE THE BASIS FOR AND TO
LEVY THE ASSESSMENTS FOR THE DISTRICT, AND TO SET A DATE FOR THE PUBLIC
HEARING ON THE DISTRICT AND THE ASSESSMENT FOR THE 2025-26 FISCAL YEAR";
and
3) Find that the Resolution of Intent is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) because it will not result in a direct, or reasonably foreseeable indirect, physical change
in the environment (State CEQA Guidelines, §§ 15060 (c)(2) and (3), 15378.).
AYES (3): Council Member Maraviglia, Mayor Pro Tem Secrest, and Council Member Guthrie
ABSENT (2): Mayor Ray Russom, and Council Member Loe
Passed (3 to 0)
12. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Council Member Maraviglia commented on her attendance at an Arroyo Grande Hospital Lunch and
Learn event along with Mayor Pro Tem Secrest and staff.
13. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Pro Tem Secrest adjourned the
meeting at 7:11 pm.
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_________________________
Caren Ray Russom, Mayor
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Jessica Matson, City Clerk