HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2025-05-27
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ACTION MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
May 27, 2025, 5:00 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, Assistant City
Attorney Scott Shapses, City Manager
Matthew Downing, Assistant City
Manager/Public Works Director Bill Robeson,
Administrative Services Director Nicole
Valentine, Community Development Director
Brian Pedrotti, Five Cities Fire Chief Scott
Hallett, Police Chief Michael Martinez, Police
Commander David Culver, Human Resources
Officer Ashley Garcia, Recreation Services
Director Sheridan Bohlken, City Engineer
Shannon Sweeney
This meeting was conducted in a hybrid in-person/virtual format.
CLOSED SESSION MEETING 5:00 P.M.:
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Ray Russom called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
City Clerk Matson took roll call.
3. FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Ray Russom led the flag salute.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. No public comments were received.
5. CLOSED SESSION
Assistant City Attorney Shapses announced that the City Council will recess to a closed session for the
following and will report any reportable action at the City Council Regular meeting at 6:00 p.m.:
a) CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION:
(Paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Government Code § 54956.9)
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Name of Case: San Luis Obispo Coastkeeper, et. al v. County of San Luis Obispo, U.S. District Court
Central District of California (Western Division – Los Angeles), Case No. 2:24-cv-06854-SPG-AS
City Council adjourned to Closed Session at 5:02 p.m.
6. ADJOURNMENT
City Council adjourned Closed Session at 6:15 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING 6:00 P.M.
_____________________________________________________________________
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Ray Russom called the Regular City Council Meeting to order at 6:18 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
Assistant City Attorney Shapses announced that there was no reportable action from the
following meeting:
May 27, 2025
a) CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION:
(Paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Government Code § 54956.9)
Name of Case: San Luis Obispo Coastkeeper, et. al v. County of San Luis Obispo, U.S. District
Court Central District of California (Western Division – Los Angeles), Case No. 2:24-cv-06854-
SPG-AS
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 (5): Mayor Ray Russom, Mayor Pro Tem Secrest, Council Member Guthrie, Council
Member Maraviglia, and Council Member Loe
Passed (5 to 0)
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6. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
6.a Honorary Proclamation Recognizing Chief of Police Michael T. Martinez Upon His
Retirement from City Service
Mayor Ray Russom presented a Proclamation recognizing Chief of Police Michael T. Martinez
Upon His Retirement from City Service. Chief Martinez accepted the Proclamation and
addressed the Council, staff, and community.
No action was taken on this item.
6.b Honorary Proclamation Declaring June 2025 as "Pride Month"
Mayor Pro Tem Secrest presented an Honorary Proclamation declaring June 2025 as "Pride
Month." Mark Sanchez Santos, Gala Pride and Diversity Center, accepted the Proclamation.
No action was taken on this item.
6.c Honorary Proclamation Declaring June 6, 2025 as "National Hunger Awareness Day"
Mayor Ray Russom presented an Honorary Proclamation declaring June 6, 2025 as "Hunger
Awareness Day."Molly Kern, SLO Food Bank, accepted the Proclamation.
No action was taken on this item.
6.d City Manager Communications
City Manager Downing provided an update on the Traffic Way Bridge Replacement Project,
detours, and adjustments that have been made to traffic flow plans; and the FlashVote
community engagement platform.
Mayor Ray Russom commended staff for the work done so far on the Traffic Way Bridge
Replacement Project.
No action was taken on this item.
Receive correspondence/comments as presented by the City Manager and Provide direction, as
necessary.
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)
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6. Other
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. SLO County Mayor's Meeting
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
7.e COUNCIL MEMBER LOE:
1. Council of Governments/Regional Transit Authority (SLOCOG/SLORTA)
2. County Water Resources Advisory Committee (WRAC)
3. Zone 3 Water Advisory Board
4. Other
8. COMMUNITY COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public were Alexandria Davis, Emmie
Landers, Gaea Powell, and No Name Provided. No further public comments were received.
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 Mayor Pro Tem Secrest
Approve Consent Agenda Items 9.a. through 9.i., with the recommended courses of action.
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AYES (5): Council Member Guthrie, Mayor Pro Tem Secrest, Council Member Maraviglia, Council
Member Loe, 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 16 through April
30, 2025.
9.b Fiscal Year 2024-25 Third Quarter Status Report
Received and filed the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Third Quarter Financial Status Report.
9.c Approval of Minutes
Approved the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of May 13, 2025, as submitted.
9.d Engineer’s Reports for Assessment Districts
1) Approved the Engineer’s Reports for FY 2025-26 for the Parkside Village Assessment
District, Grace Lane Assessment District, and Arroyo Grande Landscaping and Lighting
Assessment District No. 1 Tract 1769;
2) Adopted Resolutions entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE DECLARING ITS INTENTION TO LEVY AND COLLECT ANNUAL
ASSESSMENTS RELATED TO THE PARKSIDE VILLAGE ASSESSMENT DISTRICT FOR
FISCAL YEAR 2025-226"; "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE DECLARING ITS INTENTION TO LEVY AND COLLECT ANNUAL
ASSESSMENTS RELATED TO THE GRACE LANE ASSESSMENT DISTRICT FOR FISCAL
YEAR 2025-26"; and "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO
GRANDE DECLARING ITS INTENTION TO LEVY AND COLLECT ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS
RELATED TO THE ARROYO GRANDE LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING ASSESSMENT
DISTRICT NO. 1, WITHIN TRACT 1769, FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-26";
3) Set a public hearing for June 24, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. for the Parkside Village Assessment
District, Grace Lane Assessment District, and Arroyo Grande Landscaping and Lighting
Assessment District No. 1 within Tract 1769, to consider levying the property assessments; and
4) Found the proposed action is exempt from CEQA under State CEQA Guidelines,§ 15302 and
State CEQA Guidelines,§ 15378(b)(5).
9.e Monthly Water Supply and Demand Update
Received and filed the Monthly Water Supply and Demand Update.
9.f Notice of Acceptance, Cornwall Avenue Watermain Replacement Project, PW 2024-02
1) Accepted the Cornwall Avenue Watermain Replacement Project;
2) Directed staff to file a Notice of Completion; and
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3) Authorized release of retention thirty-five days after the Notice of Completion has been
recorded, if no liens have been filed.
9.g General Plan Update Progress Report – May 2025
Received and filed a progress report on the Comprehensive General Plan Update.
9.h Temporary Use Permit 25-003; Authorization for Sale of Beer and Wine at the 2025
Summer Concert Series, and an Application Fee Waiver; Location Heritage Square Park;
Applicant – Arroyo Grande Rotary Club
1) Adopted a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE APPROVING TEMPORARY USE PERMIT NO. 25-003 TO ALLOW THE
SALE OF BEER AND WINE AT THE 2025 HERITAGE SQUARE PARK SUMMER CONCERT
SERIES AND APPROVING A WAIVER OF FEES"; and
2) Found the action exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to
Section 15304 of the CEQA Guidelines.
9.i Temporary Use Permit 25-002; Authorization to Serve Alcohol at Heritage Square Park;
Applicant – Kitchell Corporation
1) Adopted a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE APPROVING TEMPORARY USE PERMIT NO. 25-002 TO ALLOW THE
CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL AT A PRIVATE COMPANY PICNIC"; and
2) Found the action exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to
Section 15304 of the CEQA Guidelines.
10.PUBLIC HEARINGS
10.a Amendments to Title 15 of the Arroyo Grande Municipal Code Regarding the Updated
State Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps
Community Development Director Pedrotti presented the Item. Director Pedrotti and Five Cities
Fire Authority Chief Hallett responded to questions from Council.
Mayor Ray Russom opened the public hearing. Speaking from the public were No Name
Provided, No Name Provided. Upon hearing no further public comments, Mayor Ray Russom
closed the public hearing. Director Pedrotti and City Manager Downing responded to questions
from the public.
Moved by Council Member Maraviglia
Seconded by Council Member Guthrie
1) Introduce an Ordinance entitled: "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF ARROYO GRANDE ADDING CHAPTER 15.15 TO TITLE 15 OF THE ARROYO GRANDE
MUNICIPAL CODE DESIGNATING CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE LOCAL RESPONSIBILITY
AREA REFINED FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES"; 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)).
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AYES (5): Council Member Maraviglia, Council Member Guthrie, Council Member Loe, Mayor
Pro Tem Secrest, and Mayor Ray Russom
Passed (5 to 0)
11.BUSINESS ITEMS
11.a Review Preliminary FY 2025-27 Biennial Operating Budget
Administrative Services Director Valentine presented the Item. Director Valentine and City
Manager Downing responded to questions from Council.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Alexandria Davis. No
further public comments were received. Director Valentine and City Manager Downing
responded to questions from the public.
Council discussion ensued regarding staffing levels and increased Capital Improvement
Projects; City Council Goals; and support for Scenario E in staff's recommendation.
Moved by Council Member Guthrie
Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Secrest
Direct staff to move forward with Scenario E in staff's recommendation in preparation for the
public hearing scheduled for June 10, 2025, to consider the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-27 Biennial
Budget.
AYES (5): Council Member Guthrie, Mayor Pro Tem Secrest, Council Member Maraviglia,
Council Member Loe, and Mayor Ray Russom
Passed (5 to 0)
12.COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Council Member Loe requested that a representative from the County give a presentation at a future
City Council meeting regarding desalination options. Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director
Robeson responded to questions from Council and recommended waiting until more information is
gathered.
13.ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Ray Russom adjourned the
meeting at 8:06 p.m.
_________________________
Caren Ray Russom, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Jessica Matson, City Clerk