HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2025-04-08
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ACTION MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
April 8, 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, Council Member
Jim Guthrie, Council Member Jamie
Maraviglia, Council Member Aileen Loe
Council Members Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Kate Secrest
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, Planning Manager
Andrew Perez, Chief of Police Michael
Martinez, Recreation Services Director
Sheridan Bohlken, Deputy City Clerk Julie
Hawkins
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 6:01 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
City Clerk Matson took roll call.
3. MOMENT OF REFLECTION
4. FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Ray Russom led the flag salute.
5. AGENDA REVIEW
5.a Closed Session Announcements
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None.
5.b Ordinances read in title only
Moved by Mayor Ray Russom
Seconded by Council Member Guthrie
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, Council Member Guthrie, Council Member Maraviglia, and
Council Member Loe
ABSENT (1): Mayor Pro Tem Secrest
Passed (4 to 0)
6. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
6.a Honorary Proclamation Declaring April 2025 as National Sexual Assault Violence
Awareness Month
Mayor Ray Russom read the Honorary Proclamation Declaring April 2025 as "National Sexual
Assault Violence Awareness Month". Shawn Freeman, Lumina Alliance, accepted the
Proclamation.
6.b Honorary Proclamation Declaring April 25, 2025 as Arbor Day
Mayor Ray Russom read the Honorary Proclamation Declaring April 25, 2025 as "Arbor Day".
Bill Robeson, Assistant City Manager/Director of Public Works, and Sheridan Bohlken, Director
of Recreation Services, accepted the Proclamation.
Mayor Ray Russom revisited Item 5. Council concurred to move Item 11.b. before Item 10.a.
6.c City Manager Communications
City Manager Downing provided information regarding the Annual Egg Hunt and Festival on
April 19; Closure of Fair Oaks Avenue on April 21-25 for road improvements and to install a
traffic circle to support the Traffic Way Bridge Project; detour plans for the Traffic Way Bridge
Project; retirement of Chief of Police Michael Martinez; and the appointment of Interim Chief of
Police David Culver.
No action was taken on this item.
7. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
None.
Reports are made during the Second Council Meeting each month.
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8. COMMUNITY COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public were Carol Cranfield; Ethel
Landers; and Josh. No further public comments were received. City Manager Downing responded to
questions from the public. Council directed staff to respond to members of the public.
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. There were none.
Council Member Loe and Mayor Ray Russom commented on Item 9.e.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. No public comments were received.
Moved by Council Member Guthrie
Seconded by Council Member Loe
Approve Consent Agenda Items 9.a. through 9.i., with the recommended courses of action.
AYES (4): Council Member Guthrie, Council Member Loe, Council Member Maraviglia, and Mayor Ray
Russom
ABSENT (1): Mayor Pro Tem Secrest
Passed (4 to 0)
9.a Cash Disbursement Ratification
Reviewed and ratified the listing of cash disbursements for the period of March 1 through March
15, 2025.
9.b Statement of Investment Deposits for February 2025
Received and filed the report listing investment deposits of the City of Arroyo Grande as of
February 28, 2025, as required by Government Code Section 53646(b).
9.c Acceptance of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, Single Audit, and Audit
Report for the Transportation Development Act Transportation Fund Reports
1) Received and filed the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), Single Audit, and
Audit Report for the Transportation Development Act Transportation Fund for the fiscal year
ended June 30, 2024; and;
2) Determined that receiving and filing the ACFR, Single Audit and Audit Report for the
Transportation Development Act Transportation Fund 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.)
9.d Approval of Minutes
Approved the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of March 25, 2025, as submitted.
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9.e Confirm Direction on a “Buy Local Program”
Confirmed staff’s direction on a “Buy Local Program” administered by the South County
Chambers of Commerce to support Village businesses impacted during the Traffic Way Bridge
Replacement Project.
9.f Assembly Bill 2561 (City Workforce Vacancies, Recruitment, and Retention Trends)
Compliance Procedure
1) Adopted a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE ADOPTING PROCEDURES FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS UNDER
ASSEMBLY BILL 2561"; and
2) Directed staff to incorporate the procedure into the City Council Handbook.
9.g Public Works Budget Reallocation for Vehicle Replacement; and Resolution Declaring
Vehicles as Surplus
1) Carried over $160,000 of unspent FY 2023-24 funds into FY 2024-25 for the replacement of a
bucket truck. Authorized the City Manager to approve the purchase of a bucket truck following
competitive bidding per the City’s Purchasing Policy;
2) Reallocated $140,000 in FY 2024-25 funds from the purchase of a medium-duty dump truck
to the purchase of three light-duty trucks and authorize the purchase of the vehicles from Arroyo
Grande Chevrolet for $120,113.72; and
3) Adopted a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE DECLARING SPECIFIED EQUIPMENT TO BE SURPLUS AND
AUTHORIZING THE SALE OR DISPOSAL THEREOF".
9.h 2024 Street Repair Testing and Inspection Contract Amendment
Authorized the City Manager to execute an amendment to the existing special testing and
inspection Purchase Order (Purchase Order No. 2025112) with Pavement Engineering, Inc.
9.i Senate Bill 1 Projects for Fiscal Year 2025-26
1) Adopted a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE ADOPTING A LIST OF PROJECTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-26
FUNDED BY SENATE BILL 1";
2) Authorized the Director of Administrative Services to submit the Resolution to the California
Transportation Commission (CTC); and
3) Made findings that adopting the Resolution is not a project subject to the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because the adoption in itself has no potential to result in
either a direct, or reasonably foreseeable indirect, physical change in the environment. (State
CEQA Guidelines, §§ 15060, subd. (b)(2)-(3), 15378.)
10. PUBLIC HEARINGS
10.a Amendments to Title 6 (Animals) of the Arroyo Grande Municipal Code
This Item was heard out of order.
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Chief of Police Martinez presented the Item and responded to questions from Council. City
Manager Downing responded to questions from Council.
Mayor Ray Russom opened the public hearing. Speaking from the public were Betty Winholz,
and Alexandria Davis. Upon hearing no further public comments, Mayor Ray Russom closed the
public hearing.
Council discussion ensued regarding City staff writing a letter to the County of San Luis Obispo
recommending a change to the euthanasia timeline.
Mayor Ray Russom addressed public comment and concerns with sending a letter of support to
the County.
City Manager Downing commented on the upcoming renewal period for the Animal Services
Agreement with the County.
Moved by Council Member Guthrie
Seconded by Council Member Loe
1) Adopt an Ordinance amending Title 6 (Animals) of the Arroyo Grande Municipal Code, titled:
“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 REGARDING ANIMALS”; and to direct
the City Manager to write a letter on behalf of the City Council recommending changing the
euthanasia timeline from two days to seven days; 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 (3): Council Member Guthrie, Council Member Loe, and Council Member Maraviglia
NOES (1): Mayor Ray Russom
ABSENT (1): Mayor Pro Tem Secrest
Passed (3 to 1)
11. BUSINESS ITEMS
11.a Amendments to Titles 2 and 3 of the Arroyo Grande Municipal Code Regarding Bylaws
for the City’s Advisory Bodies
This Item was heard out of order.
Community Development Director Pedrotti presented the item.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Shannon Kessler. No
further public comments were received.
Moved by Council Member Maraviglia
Seconded by Council Member Loe
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1) Introduce an Ordinance, entitled “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF ARROYO GRANDE AMENDING TITLES 2 AND 3 OF THE ARROYO GRANDE
MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO BYLAWS FOR VARIOUS CITY BODIES AND FINDING
THE ORDINANCE EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT";
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 section 15060, subd. (c)(2); 15061(b)(3)).
AYES (4): Council Member Maraviglia, Council Member Loe, Council Member Guthrie, and
Mayor Ray Russom
ABSENT (1): Mayor Pro Tem Secrest
Passed (4 to 0)
11.b Adoption of a Land Use Scenario for the General Plan Update
This Item was heard before Item 10a.
Mayor Ray Russom addressed the public in attendance and explained the public comment
process.
Community Development Director Pedrotti introduced the item. Michael Gibbons, Minitier
Harnish Consultant, presented the item. Mr. Gibbons, Planning Manager Perez, and Director
Pedrotti responded to questions from Council.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Shannon Kessler, No
Name Provided, Jill Davis-Holmes, Vasik, No Name Provided, No Name Provided, Kimmie
Nguyen, Greg Cottrell, Ryan Crandle, Wes Streisdale, Virginia Roof, Carlie Grueber, Adam
Sarwutari, Krista Jeffries, Ken Dalebout, Liz Worthen, Betty Winholz, Fred Lewis, Paul
Provence, No Name Provided, Mike Harris, and No Name Provided. No further public
comments were received.
Council discussion ensued regarding the 2001 General Plan, City's outreach efforts and
community engagement for this General Plan Update, opportunities for housing and jobs, open
spaces, a specific plan, and infill on Grand Ave.
Planning Manager Perez provided information regarding a density bonus and its application only
to multi-family residential and having the consultant investigate environmental impacts more.
Planning Manager Perez also presented data for Scenario 5 and responded to questions from
Council.
Further Council discussion ensued regarding the need for housing and that the General Plan
lays out possibilities. Council expressed support of a combination of Scenarios 2 and 3.
Moved by Council Member Maraviglia
Seconded by Council Member Guthrie
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1) Adopt the Planning Commission's recommendation of a hybrid of Scenarios 2 and 3, which
reads: The recommended scenario emphasizes densification within the existing city boundaries,
focusing on infill development of vacant and underutilized land to increase housing and
population capacity. This scenario introduces a new Corridor Mixed Use designation that allows
higher residential densities in scenario 2. This scenario would also permit the conversion of
existing agricultural land within city limits to residential uses and complementary amenities, such
as parks and open space. Development within the agriculturally zoned areas would require a
specific plan to guide development within the North Fair Oaks and Frederick’s focus areas; and
2) Find that the adoption of a land use scenario is not a project subject to the California
Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) because adoption has no potential to result in either a
direct, or reasonably foreseeable indirect, physical change in the environment. (State CEQA
Guidelines, §§ 15060 (c)(2) and (3), 15378.).
AYES (4): Council Member Maraviglia, Council Member Guthrie, Council Member Loe, and
Mayor Ray Russom
ABSENT (1): Mayor Pro Tem Secrest
Passed (4 to 0)
Mayor Ray Russom called for a brief break at 8:45 p.m. The Council reconvened at 8:54 p.m.
12. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Council Member Loe thanked staff for providing various remote options for public participation.
13. CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Rosen announced that the City Council will meet in Closed Session to discuss the
following:
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS PER GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957.6
Meet with City-designated negotiators described below. Negotiation will include salary, compensation
and benefits:
1. Unrepresented Management Employees
a. City-designated negotiators: Che Johnson, Special Labor Counsel
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. No public comments were received.
Mayor Ray Russom adjourned to Closed Session at 9:23 p.m.
14. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
The Council returned to Open Session at 10:22 p.m. City Manager Downing announced there was no
reportable action.
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15. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Ray Russom adjourned the
meeting at 10:23 p.m.
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Caren Ray Russom, Mayor
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Jessica Matson, City Clerk