HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2026-01-271
ACTION MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
January 27, 2026, 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
Jamie Maraviglia, Council Member Kate
Secrest, Council Member Aileen Loe
Council Members Absent: Council Member Jim Guthrie
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,
FCFA Board Clerk Tricia Meyers, Police Chief
Dave Culver, Human Resources Officer
Ashley Garcia, IT Manager Kevin Waddy
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
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Moved by Mayor Ray Russom
Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Maraviglia
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 Maraviglia, Council Member Secrest, and
Council Member Loe
ABSENT (1): Council Member Guthrie
Passed (4 to 0)
6. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
6.a Honorary Proclamation Recognizing February 2026 as "Black History Month"
Mayor Ray Russom presented the Proclamation recognizing February 2026 as "Black History
Month". John King, Executive Committee Member, Freedom Fund, accepted the Proclamation.
No action was taken on this Item.
6.b Introduction and Oath of Office of FCFA Captain Burl Vreeland
Chief Hallett introduced Five Cities Fire Authority Captain Burl Vreeland, and highlighted his
educational and professional background. Five Cities Fire Authority Board Clerk Tricia Meyers
administered the Oath of Office.
6.c City Manager Communications
City Manager Downing provided updates on the Wesley and Vernon Waterline Replacement
Project; adult sports registration now open; current City employment opportunities; the Traffic
Way Bridge Replacement Project Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on February 4th at 5:00 p.m.; and
recognized Cody Stiles for receiving Volunteer Service Award, J.R. Garcia for the Community
Service Award, Menchie’s and Toste Construction for the Sponsorship Award, Knights of
Columbus Council 1375 and California Conservation Corps for the Service Club Award, and
New Life Painting for the Recreation Services Director Award at the Volunteer Appreciation
Event.
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)
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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
7.b MAYOR PRO TEM MARAVIGLIA:
1. Five Cities Fire Authority JPA Board
2. Visit SLO CAL Advisory Board
3. 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 SECREST:
1. Air Pollution Control District (APCD)
2. Homeless Services Oversight Council (HSOC)
3. South County Chambers of Commerce Governmental Affairs Committee
4. State of South County
5. Mayor's Meeting
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. State of South County
5. LOCC Mayors and New Council Members Academy
8. COMMUNITY COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public was John Rohner. No further
public comments were received.
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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.
Council provided comments on Item 9.h. and Item 9.j. Community Development Director Pedrotti and
City Manager Downing responded to questions from Council.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. No public comments were received.
Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Maraviglia
Seconded by Council Member Secrest
Approve Consent Agenda Items 9.a. through 9.j., with the recommended courses of action.
AYES (4): Mayor Pro Tem Maraviglia, Council Member Secrest, Council Member Loe, and Mayor Ray
Russom
ABSENT (1): Council Member Guthrie
Passed (4 to 0)
9.a Approval of Minutes
Approved the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of January 13, 2026, as submitted.
9.b Cash Disbursement Ratification
Reviewed and ratified the attached listing of cash disbursements for the period of December 1
through December 31, 2025.
9.c Annual Adjustment of Development Impact Fees Including the Sewer Connection Fee
1) Adopted a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE ADJUSTING DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEES; INCLUDING THE SEWER
CONNECTION FEE TO INCREASE BY 2.43%, CONSISTENT WITH ENGINEERING NEWS
RECORD CONSTRUCTION COST INDEX"; and
2) Found that establishing development impact fees, including sewer connection fees, are not a
project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) because the action 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 Appointment to the Community Service Grant Program Committee
Adopted a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE APPOINTING JR GARCIA TO THE COMMUNITY SERVICE GRANT
PROGRAM COMMITTEE".
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9.e Public Outreach and Education Related to a Potential Cannabis Tax Ballot Measure
1) Adopted a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE APPROPRIATING $50,000 FROM THE GENERAL FUND UNASSIGNED
FUND BALANCE TO SUPPORT PUBLIC OUTREACH AND EDUCATION RELATED TO A
POTENTIAL CANNABIS TAX BALLOT MEASURE"; and
2) Found that appropriating funds from the General Fund Unassigned Fund Balance 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.f Annual Military Equipment Report Pursuant to California AB 481
1) Received and filed the “2025 Military Equipment Use Inventory Report” and the “2026 Annual
Military Equipment Report” in accordance with California Assembly Bill 481, determined 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.g Adoption of an Ordinance Certifying Extension of Existing Radar Speed Surveys
1) Adopted the Ordinance entitled: "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF ARROYO GRANDE EXTENDING THE CERTIFICATION OF THE 2018 FIVE-YEAR
RADAR SPEED SURVEY"; and;
2) Found that adoption of this Ordinance does not constitute 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.h Award of 2026 Pedestrian Improvements 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 2026 PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT (PW 2025-19) TO V.
LOPEZ JR. & SONS GENERAL ENGINEERING CONTRACTORS INC."; and
2) Found that the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act
(“CEQA”) under Sections 15301 (Class 1 – Existing Facilities) and 15303 (Class 3 – New
Construction of Small Facilities), as it consists of repair and minor alteration of existing public
facilities and construction of small pedestrian and traffic safety improvements within the existing
public right-of-way, with no expansion of use beyond existing conditions.
9.i Calendar Year 2025 Water Supply and Demand Update
Received and filed the Calendar Year 2025 Water Supply and Demand Update.
9.j General Plan Update Progress Report – January 2026
Received and filed a progress report on the Comprehensive General Plan Update.
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10. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
11. BUSINESS ITEMS
11.a Information Technology (IT) Strategic Plan
IT Manager Waddy introduced the Item. Patrick Griffin, consultant with SDI, presented the Item.
Mr. Griffin responded to questions from Council.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. No public comments were received.
Moved by Council Member Loe
Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Maraviglia
1) Adopt a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE APPROVING THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STRATEGIC PLAN";
and
2) Find that adopting a Resolution approving the IT Strategic Plan 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 Loe, Mayor Pro Tem Maraviglia, Council Member Secrest, and
Mayor Ray Russom
ABSENT (1): Council Member Guthrie
Passed (4 to 0)
11.b Update on City Council Goals and Priorities
City Manager Downing presented the Item and responded to questions from Council.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. No public comments were received.
Council discussion ensued regarding the importance of the General Plan Update and its
timeline. Council commended staff for their work on the Council Goals.
Receive an update regarding progress made toward meeting the City Council’s Goals and
Priorities for Fiscal Year 2025-27 (July 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025).
No action was taken on this item.
12. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Council Member Secrest commented on her experience participating in the Homeless Services
Oversight Council point in time count.
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13. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Ray Russom adjourned the
meeting at 7:25 p.m. in honor of Black History Month.
_________________________
Caren Ray Russom, Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________
Jessica Matson, City Clerk