HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2025-05-13
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ACTION MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
May 13, 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
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, FCFA Chief Scott Hallett,
Recreation Services Director Sheridan
Bohlken, Human Resources Officer Ashley
Garcia, 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.
3. MOMENT OF REFLECTION
4. FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Ray Russom led the flag salute.
5. AGENDA REVIEW
5.a Closed Session Announcements
None.
5.b Ordinances read in title only
None.
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6. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
6.a Honorary Proclamation - National Foster Care Month 2025
Mayor Ray Russom read the Honorary Proclamation Declaring May 2025 as "National Foster
Care Month". Amanda Briley, San Luis Obispo County Social Services, accepted the
proclamation.
No action was taken on this item.
6.b Introduction and Oath of Office for New FCFA Engineers Steven Hensley, Jeff Lane, and
John Penner
Chief Hallett introduced FCFA Engineers Steven Hensley, Jeff Lane, and John Penner, and
highlighted their educational and professional backgrounds. Board Clerk Meyers administered
the Oaths of Office.
6.c City Manager Communications
City Manager Downing provided information regarding the April 30th Boil Water Notice;
encouraged all to sign up for Reverse 911 notifications through ReadySLO.org; provided
information on the Fair Oaks Traffic Circle; gave an update on the Traffic Way Bridge
Replacement Project and detours that will go into affect at 7 a.m. on Monday, May 19th; and
provided information on the application period for service on the Measure E-24 Citizens’ Sales
Tax Oversight Committee (CSTOC) through June 30th.
No action was taken on this item.
7. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
None.
Reports are made during the Second Council Meeting each month.
8. COMMUNITY COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public were Gary Borsos, and
Alexandria Davis. No further public comments were received.
City Manager Downing responded to comments from 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.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. No public comments were received.
Moved by Council Member Guthrie
Seconded by Council Member Maraviglia
Approve Consent Agenda Items 9.a. through 9.e., with the recommended courses of action.
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AYES (5): Council Member Guthrie, Council Member Maraviglia, Council Member Loe, Mayor Pro Tem
Secrest, and Mayor Ray Russom
Passed (5 to 0)
9.a Cash Disbursement Ratification
Reviewed and ratified the listing of cash disbursements for the period of April 1 through April 15,
2025.
9.b Statement of Investment Deposits for March 2025
Received and filed the report listing investment deposits of the City of Arroyo Grande as of
March 31, 2025, as required by Government Code Section 53646(b).
9.c Approval of Minutes
Approved the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of April 22, 2025, as submitted.
9.d Modifications to the Citywide Records Retention Schedule
1) Adopted a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE APPROVING A MODIFIED CITYWIDE RECORDS RETENTION
SCHEDULE AND AUTHORIZING DESTRUCTION OF CERTAIN CITY RECORDS"; and
2) Determined that adopting the Resolution 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 (c)(2) and (3), 15378.)
9.e Resolutions Ordering the Preparation of Annual Engineer’s Reports for Assessment
Districts for FY 2025-26
1) Adopted Resolutions entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE ORDERING THE PREPARATION AND FILING OF THE ANNUAL
ENGINEER’S REPORT FOR THE PARKSIDE VILLAGE ASSESSMENT DISTRICT FOR
FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026"; "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE ORDERING THE PREPARATION AND FILING OF THE ANNUAL
ENGINEER’S REPORT FOR THE GRACE LANE ASSESSMENT DISTRICT FOR FISCAL
YEAR 2025-2026"; "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO
GRANDE ORDERING THE PREPARATION AND FILING OF THE ANNUAL ENGINEERS
REPORT FOR THE ARROYO GRANDE LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING ASSESSMENT
DISTRICT NO. 1, WITHIN TRACT 1769, FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026"; and
2) Determined that adopting the Resolutions ordering the Engineer's reports 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.)
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10. PUBLIC HEARINGS
10.a Tourism Business Improvement District Public Hearing to Levy Annual Assessment and
FY 2025-26 Budget
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. City Attorney Rosen and
Administrative Services Director Valentine responded to questions from Council.
Mayor Pro Tem Secrest opened the public hearing. Speaking from the public was Sean
Dasmann. Upon hearing no further public comments, Mayor Pro Tem Secrest closed the public
hearing. City Clerk Matson reported that as of the close of the public hearing, no protests were
received.
City Council discussion ensued regarding support for the TBID and broadening the use of TBID
funds; results of the marketing effort; evaluating the 2% assessment before the TBID
assessment public hearing next year; and evaluating the possibility to spend down the fund
balance.
City Manager Downing and Director Bohlken responded to questions from Council.
Council Member Maraviglia made a motion to adopt the operating budget and give direction to
the TBID Board to expand the usage of TBID assessments; find the action exempt from CEQA;
and accept the annual report and levy the assessment. Mayor Pro Tem Secrest seconded the
motion.
Council Member Guthrie requested the motion be amended to request staff to bring back a
revised budget with the potential for spending down the fund balance. Council Member
Maraviglia and Mayor Pro Tem Secrest concurred.
Moved by Council Member Maraviglia
Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Secrest
1) Conduct a public hearing to receive public comment and protests regarding the City Council’s
intention to continue the Arroyo Grande Tourism Business Improvement District (AGTBID),
confirm the annual report (the “Annual Report”), and levy an annual assessment for FY 2025-
26;
2) Adopt a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE CONFIRMING THE ANNUAL REPORT AND ASSESSMENT TO BE
LEVIED WITHIN THE ARROYO GRANDE TOURISM BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-26";
3) Adopt a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE ADOPTING THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 BUDGET FOR THE ARROYO
GRANDE TOURISM BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT";
4) Determine that conducting a public hearing to adopt a Resolution confirming the Annual
Report and to levy and collect assessments, and adopting a Resolution to approve the AGTBID
operating budget is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) because it
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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.); and
5) Directed staff to look at the boundaries, consistent with State Law, to expand the usage of
TBID assessments; and to bring back a revised budget that includes a potential to spend down
the fund balance.
AYES (4): Council Member Maraviglia, Mayor Pro Tem Secrest, Council Member Guthrie, and
Council Member Loe
ABSENT (1): Mayor Ray Russom
Passed (4 to 0)
11. BUSINESS ITEMS
11.a Tourism Marketing Services Agreement Extension
Mayor Ray Russom returned to the meeting.
Recreation Services Director Bohlken presented the Item and responded to questions from
Council. Ryan La Rosa, Commune Communications, responded to questions from Council.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public were Alexandria Davis,
and Sean Dasmann. No further public comments were received.
Sean Dasmann, Agrarian Hotel and TBID Chair; and Ryan La Rosa, Commune
Communications, responded to questions from Council.
Council discussion ensued regarding support for extending the agreement for tourism marketing
services; and receiving a report on what is provided with the $25,000 contract amount.
Moved by Council Member Loe
Seconded by Council Member Guthrie
1) Adopt a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A ONE-YEAR
AGREEMENT EXTENSION WITH COMMUNE COMMUNICATION TO PROVIDE MARKETING
SERVICES FOR THE ARROYO GRANDE TOURISM AND BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT
DISTRICT"; and
2) Find that executing the contract extension 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 (5): Council Member Loe, Council Member Guthrie, Council Member Maraviglia, Mayor
Pro Tem Secrest, and Mayor Ray Russom
Passed (5 to 0)
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11.b Operational and Organizational Assessment
City Manager Downing introduced the Item. Human Resources Officer Garcia introduced Emily
Uselton and Rebekah Hosken with Raftelis. Ms. Uselton and Ms. Hosken presented the report
and responded to questions from Council. City Clerk Matson responded to questions from
Council.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. No public comments were received.
Council discussion ensued regarding current staffing levels, workloads, and retention; the
staffing proposal and timing; and other operations recommendations.
Following Council action, discussion ensued regarding next steps in the process. City Manager
Downing responded to questions from Council.
Moved by Council Member Loe
Seconded by Council Member Maraviglia
1) Receive the Report and Recommendations in the Operational and Organizational
Assessment; and
2) Direct staff to move forward with staff’s recommendations for the FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget
and to provide variations regarding advancing or delaying the Assistant City Manager and
Economic Development Coordinator positions for consideration during the budget process.
AYES (3): Council Member Loe, Council Member Maraviglia, and Mayor Pro Tem Secrest
NOES (2): Mayor Ray Russom, and Council Member Guthrie
Passed (3 to 2)
11.c Ten Year Capital Improvement Program, Measure E-24 Local Sales Tax Fund Expenditure
Program, and Measure O-06 Local Sales Tax Fund Expenditure Program
Mayor Ray Russom called for a brief break at 8:50 p.m. The Council reconvened at 8:57 p.m.
City Manager Downing introduced the Item. Administrative Services Director Valentine
presented the Item. Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director Robeson, City Manager
Downing, and Director Valentine responded to questions from Council.
Council discussion ensued regarding staff's recommendation for use of Measure O-06 funds.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public was No Name Provided.
No further public comments were received. City Manager Downing responded to questions from
the public.
Moved by Mayor Ray Russom
Seconded by Council Member Guthrie
1) Adopt a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE APPROVING THE CITY’S 10-YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
PROGRAM FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 THROUGH FISCAL YEAR 2034-35" with the
exception of changes to Fund O-06; and
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2) Find that the approval of the Resolution is statutorily exempt from the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under State CEQA Guidelines, Section §15061(b)(3), as
such approval does not have the potential to result in an effect on the environment. The
approval does not commit the City to any of the identified projects in the CIP. Each individual
project in the plan will be subject to CEQA review as required by law. Secondly, this action
constitutes an organizational or administrative activity that will not result in a physical change in
the environment and is therefore not subject to CEQA pursuant to Section §15378(b)(5).
AYES (3): Mayor Ray Russom, Council Member Guthrie, and Council Member Loe
NOES (2): Council Member Maraviglia, and Mayor Pro Tem Secrest
Passed (3 to 2)
12. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Ray Russom commented on the upcoming Five Cities Repair Café on May 17th at the Oceano
Community Services District.
13. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Ray Russom adjourned the
meeting at 9:46 p.m.
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Caren Ray Russom, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Jessica Matson, City Clerk