HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2025-12-09
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ACTION MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
December 9, 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, Community Development
Director Brian Pedrotti, Police Chief David
Culver, Fire Chief Scott Hallett, Human
Resources Officer Ashley Garcia, Planning
Manager Andrew Perez, Management Analyst
Aleah Bergam, City Engineer Shannon
Sweeney, Commander Greg Pierce,
Commander Zak Ayala
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
Charles Jordan with the Arroyo Grande Rotary Club 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 Council Member Maraviglia
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, Council Member Maraviglia, Council Member Guthrie, Council
Member Loe, and Mayor Pro Tem Secrest
Passed (5 to 0)
6. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
6.a Introduction and Oath of Office - Senior Officer Black
Police Chief Culver introduced Senior Officer Jacob Black and highlighted his educational and
professional background. City Clerk Matson administered the Oath of Office. A badge pinning
ceremony followed.
6.b Honorary Proclamation Recognizing Fire Captain Quinlan, Engineer LoPresti, and
Firefighter Vassaur
Mayor Ray Russom presented the Honorary Proclamation recognizing Fire Captain Quinlan,
Engineer LoPresti, and Firefighter Vassaur.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public were Dianna and Andrew
Chestnut. No further public comments were received.
No action was taken on this item.
6.c Honorary Proclamation Recognizing Fire Captain Paul Quinlan Upon His Retirement from
Public Service
Mayor Ray Russom presented a Proclamation Recognizing Fire Captain Paul Quinlan Upon His
Retirement from Public Service. Captain Quinlan addressed the Council and staff. Chief Hallett
provided remarks.
Mayor Ray Russom wished all first responders a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
6.d City Manager Communications
City Manager Downing provided updates on the Lopez Lake Litigation and the Ninth Circuit
Court’s decision regarding water releases from Lopez; the Traffic Way Bridge scheduled to
reopen and detours removed next week; Police Officers attendance at FBI training; current
employment opportunities with the City; the Winter/Spring Activity Guide will be mailed
December 12th; Tree Lighting and Snow event on December 14th at Elm Street Park; and the
newest issue of the Arroyo Grande Gazette is available.
No action was taken on this item.
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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 was Dean Castelino. 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.
Mayor Ray Russom declared a conflict of interest due to owning an ADU and requested items 9.k. and
9.l. be pulled for a separate vote.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. No public comments were received.
Moved by Council Member Maraviglia
Seconded by Council Member Guthrie
Approve Consent Agenda Items 9.a. through 9.i., with the exception of Items 9.k. and 9.l., with the
recommended courses of action.
AYES (5): Council Member Maraviglia, Council Member Guthrie, Council Member Loe, Mayor Pro Tem
Secrest, and Mayor Ray Russom
Passed (5 to 0)
9.a Approval of Minutes
Approved the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of November 25, 2025, as submitted.
9.b Cash Disbursement Ratification
Reviewed and ratified the listing of cash disbursements for the period of November 1 through
November 15, 2025.
9.c Statement of Investment Deposits for October 2025
Received and filed the report listing investment deposits of the City of Arroyo Grande as of
October 31, 2025, as required by Government Code Section 53646(b).
9.d 2026 City Council Regular Meeting Schedule
Adopted a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE ESTABLISHING THE 2026 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
SCHEDULE".
9.e Selection of Council Member Maraviglia as Mayor Pro Tem
Appointed Council Member Maraviglia as the Mayor Pro Tem for the next one-year period,
pursuant to City Council policy.
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9.f City Council Appointments to Regional and Local Boards and Committees
Reviewed the list of Council appointments currently serving on the various regional and local
boards and committees and approve appointments for calendar year 2026.
9.g Adoption of an Ordinance Granting to Phillips 66 Pipeline, LLC, a Pipeline Franchise
Agreement
1) Adopted an Ordinance entitled: "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF ARROYO GRANDE GRANTING TO PHILLIPS 66, LLC A PIPELINE FRANCHISE
AGREEMENT TO CONSTRUCT, OPERATE, AND MAINTAIN PIPELINE FOR THE
TRANSPORT OF OIL, AND OTHER SPECIFIED MATERIAL, IN THE CITY OF ARROYO
GRANDE"; and
2) Found that adoption of the Ordinance granting Phillips 66, a pipeline franchise 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. (b)(2)-(3), 15378.);
9.h Award Engineering Design Services for 2025 Streets Project
1) Adopted a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL
SERVICES CONTRACT FOR ENGINEERING DESIGN SERVICES OF THE 2025 STREETS
PROJECT (PW 2025-01) WITH PAVEMENT ENGINEERING, INC."; and
2) Found that awarding the contract for Engineering Design Services of the 2025 Streets Project
is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA
Guideline Section 15301(c) covering the repair and maintenance of existing streets, sidewalks,
gutters, and similar facilities.
9.i Award of Water Main and Service Project
1) Adopted a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONSTRUCTION
CONTRACT FOR THE WATER MAIN AND SERVICE PROJECT (PW 2024-04) TO R. BAKER,
INC. AND APPROVE A BUDGET ADJUSTEMENT"; and
2) Found that the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act
(“CEQA”) under the Class 2 exemption, which applies to the replacement or reconstruction of
existing structures and facilities where the new structure will be located on the same site as the
structure replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure
replaced.
9.j Agreement Amendment for Consultant Services with Miniter Harnish for the
Comprehensive General Plan Update
1) Adopted a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TO
EXECUTE AN AMENDMENT EXTENDING THE AGREEMENT FOR CONSULTANT
SERVICES WITH MINTIER HARNISH FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE GENERAL PLAN
UPDATE"; and
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2) Found that adopting a Resolution to extend the agreement is not a project subject to the
California Environmental Quality Act “(CEQA”) because the amendment 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.)
9.k Adoption of an Ordinance Amending Title 16 Regarding Accessory Dwelling Units and
Junior Accessory Dwelling Units
Moved by Council Member Maraviglia
Seconded by Council Member Guthrie
1) Adopted an Ordinance entitled: "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF ARROYO GRANDE AMENDING SECTION 16.52.150 OF THE ARROYO GRANDE
MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND JUNIOR
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND FINDING THE ACTION TO BE EXEMPT FROM CEQA
UNDER PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE SECTION 21080.17"; and
2) Found that the Ordinance is statutorily exempt from review under the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Public Resources Code § 21080.17.
AYES (4): Council Member Maraviglia, Council Member Guthrie, Council Member Loe and
Mayor Pro Tem Secrest
ABSENT (1): Mayor Ray Russom
Passed (4 to 0)
9.l Adoption of an Ordinance Amending Title 16 of the Arroyo Grande Municipal Code
Regarding Urban Lot Splits and Two-Unit Development
Moved by Council Member Maraviglia
Seconded by Council Member Guthrie
1) Adopted an Ordinance entitled: "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF ARROYO GRANDE AMENDING SECTIONS 16.20.180 AND 16.32.060 OF THE ARROYO
GRANDE MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING URBAN LOT SPLITS AND TWO-UNIT
DEVELOPMENTS"; and
2) Found that the Ordinance is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA) because it will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical
change in the environment (State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(2) and 15061(b)(3)).
AYES (4): Council Member Maraviglia, Council Member Guthrie, Council Member Loe and
Mayor Pro Tem Secrest
ABSENT (1): Mayor Ray Russom
Passed (4 to 0)
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10. PUBLIC HEARINGS
10.a Community Development Block Grant Recommendations for Year 2026
Planning Manager Perez presented the Item.
Mayor Ray Russom opened the public hearing. Upon hearing no public comments, Mayor Ray
Russom closed the public hearing.
Moved by Council Member Loe
Seconded by Council Member Maraviglia
1) Approve funding recommendations for the City’s allocation of 2026 Community Development
Block Grant (CDBG) funds as shown in Table 1; and
2) Find that this action is exempt from CEQA, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061
subd. (b)(3).
AYES (5): Council Member Loe, Council Member Maraviglia, Council Member Guthrie, Mayor
Pro Tem Secrest, and Mayor Ray Russom
Passed (5 to 0)
11. BUSINESS ITEMS
11.a Study Session on Cannabis Regulation Policy Direction
City Manager Downing introduced the Item. Management Analyst Bergam presented the Item.
City Attorney Rosen, City Manager Downing, and Police Chief Culver responded to questions
from Council.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Rachael Golding. No
further public comments were received.
Council discussion ensued regarding regulatory options.
Council directed staff to proceed with the preparation of a local cannabis tax ballot measure
(and draft tax language) to be placed on a future municipal ballot, for consideration at a future
City Council meeting; and upon passing of a tax ballot measure, proceed with drafting
regulations to allow commercial retail cannabis uses and return with zoning, permit process and
a draft ordinance.
Council also provided staff direction on the following regulatory options:
1. Allow both medical and adult use cannabis businesses.
2. Types of businesses: Allow retail and delivery. Do not allow cannabis events. Need more
information on distribution, cultivation, manufacturing, and testing.
3. Location and Zoning: Freeway access areas and shopping centers. Keep out of
neighborhoods and the Village.
4. Number of businesses: 1-2.
5. Types of permits: Merit-based is preferred, but research what other cities have done.
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6. Permit processing: Discretionary approval by Council, not ministerial.
7. Revenue: 6% local tax on gross receipts of cannabis sales. Possibly a development
agreement as well.
8. Only tax on recreational.
12. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Pro Tem Secrest commented on her service as Mayor Pro Tem over the past year.
Mayor Ray Russom commented on the Tree Lighting and Snow event.
13. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Ray Russom adjourned the
meeting at 7:31 pm.
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Caren Ray Russom, Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________
Jessica Matson, City Clerk