CC 2016-05-10_09b Approval of MinutesACTION MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 2016
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 215 EAST BRANCH STREET
ARROYO GRANDE, CALIFORNIA
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Hill called the Regular City Council Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
City Council: Council Members Jim Guthrie, Tim Brown, Kristen Barneich, Mayor Pro
Tem Barbara Harmon and Mayor Jim Hill were present.
Staff Present: City Manager Dianne Thompson, City Attorney Heather Whitham,
Director of Legislative and Information Services/City Clerk Kelly Wetmore,
Director of Administrative Services Debbie Malicoat, City Engineer Matt
Horn, Public Works Director Geoff English, and Police Chief Steven
Annibali.
3. MOMENT OF REFLECTION
4. FLAG SALUTE
Terry Orton, representing Arroyo Grande Lions Club, led the Flag Salute.
5. AGENDA REVIEW
5.a. Closed Session Announcements
April 12, 2016 Regular City Council Meeting:
- Conference with Labor Negotiator pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6:
Agency Designated Representative: Dianne Thompson, City Manager and Deborah
Malicoat, Administrative Services Director
Represented Employees: Arroyo Grande Police Officers’ Association (AGPOA)
City Attorney Whitham announced that the City Council directed the City Manager to serve as the
City’s labor negotiator and to commence negotiations with the AGPOA.
5.b. Ordinances Read in Title Only.
Council Member Brown moved, Council Member Barneich seconded, and the motion passed
unanimously that all ordinances presented at the meeting shall be read by title only and all
further readings be waived.
6. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
6.a. Honorary Proclamation Recognizing April 29, 2016 as “Arbor Day”.
Mayor Hill presented an Honorary Proclamation recognizing April 29, 2016 as “Arbor Day”.
Scott Dowlan, representing Arroyo Grande Tree Guild, accepted the Proclamation, thanked the
Council for recognizing the Tree Guild and its partnership with the City, and provided an update
of the Tree Guild’s activities.
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7. CITIZENS’ INPUT, COMMENTS, AND SUGGESTIONS
Mayor Hill invited public comment. Speaking from the public were Patty Welsh, Arroyo Grande,
stating she was glad to see the City Manager is going to start meeting with City residents, but
expressed concern that it would be at coffee houses from 8:00-9:00am and suggested that she
should meet with residents at City Hall in the evening from 6:00-700pm so more residents can
attend; Beatrice Spencer, Arroyo Grande, spoke about issues related to the Sanitation District
including a response to the letter sent to the District Attorney, and that the issue with Sanitation
District fees being placed on the tax rolls is being put back on the Agenda for further
consideration; and Kevin McCarthy, Arroyo Grande, referred to and complimented the City on
its previous donation to the Land Conservancy for purchase of the Pismo Preserve, spoke about
the project and acknowledged the expenditure will benefit the City and the region; and also
thanked City staff for responding to his concerns regarding water issues.
8. CITY MANAGER REPORT:
City Manager Thompson provided a status report on items recently considered by the Traffic
Commission, Architectural Review Committee, Historic Resources Committee, and Downtown
Parking Advisory Board; reported on feedback received from businesses regarding the Google
Plus Yelp Workshop; reported that Community Development and Police Department staff met to
discuss economic development efforts; announced Coffee with the City Manager events starting
in May, stated that the Annual Local Sales Tax Report was mailed to residents this month, and
provided a list of upcoming City Council agenda items for May.
Council Member Barneich noted that she received positive feedback about the Google Yelp
Workshop; however, because it filled quickly, some businesses were asking if there would be
additional workshops in the future. City Manager Thompson indicated there would be a follow
up meeting and that the City would be willing to host additional workshops in the future.
In response to a question by Council Member Brown regarding an email received from Doug
Tait regarding concerns with mowing at Tract 1998 due to the presence of Pismo Clarkia, City
Manager Thompson responded she would follow up on the matter.
9. CONSENT AGENDA
Council Member Brown requested that Items 9.e. and 9.f. be pulled.
Mayor Hill invited public comment on the remaining Consent Agenda items. Speaking from the
public was Patty Welsh, referred to Item 9.h. (traffic signal upgrade project) and asked if this is a
result of the Brisco ramp closure or if the project was previously planned.
At the request of Mayor Hill, Public Works Director English explained that the project has been
scheduled for some time, is not part of the Brisco Interchange project, that it is a traffic signal
improvement project that has already been approved by the Council, and that the item is to
secure funding for project inspections. No further public comments were received.
Action: Council Member Barneich moved, and Council Member Guthrie seconded the motion to
approve Consent Agenda Items 9.a. through 9.h., with the exception of Items 9.e. and 9.f., with
the recommended courses of action. The motion passed on the following roll-call vote:
AYES: Barneich, Guthrie, Brown, Harmon, Hill
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
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9.a. Consideration of Cash Disbursement Ratification.
Action: Ratified the listing of cash disbursements for the period April 1, 2016 through
April 15, 2016.
9.b. Consideration of Investment Deposits.
Action: Received and filed the report listing the current investment deposits of the City,
as of March 31, 2016, as required by Government Code Section 53646(b).
9.c. Consideration of Approval of Minutes.
Action: Approved the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of April 12, 2016, as
submitted.
9.d. Consideration to Declare Surplus Property.
Action: Adopted a Resolution entitled “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE DECLARING VARIOUS EQUIPMENT AS
SURPLUS PROPERTY AND AUTHORIZING ITS SALE OR DISPOSAL”.
9.g. Consideration of Acceptance of the Reservoir No. 2 Roof Recoating Project, PW
2015-13.
Action: 1) Accepted the project improvements as constructed by Fluid Resource
Management in accordance with the plans and specifications for the Reservoir No. 2
Roof Recoating project; 2) Directed staff to file a Notice of Completion; and 3)
Authorized release of the retention, thirty-five (35) days after the Notice of Completion
has been recorded, if no liens have been filed, and return remaining project budget to
the Fund Balance.
9.h. Consideration of an Appropriation of Traffic Signal Funds for Construction
Management Services for the Oak Park/West Branch Street/US 101 Traffic Signal
Upgrade Project, PW 2014-01.
Action: Appropriated $10,900 from the Traffic Signalization fund.
ITEMS PULLED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA
9.e. Monthly Water Supply and Demand Update.
Recommended Action: Receive and review the Monthly Water Supply and Demand
Report.
In response to questions by Council Member Brown regarding how severe the water supply and
demand is in the City, Director English acknowledged that there are concerns regarding the
water supply and demand in the City and that staff would be bringing forth a comprehensive
update on water use restrictions and drought conditions at the Council’s May 10th meeting.
Mayor Hill invited public comment. No public comments were received.
Action: Council Member Brown moved to receive the Monthly Water Supply and Demand
Report. Council Member Barneich seconded, and the motion passed unanimously by voice
vote.
9.f. Consideration of Approval to Remove a Failing Landmark Oak Tree at 169 Pine
Street.
Recommended Action: Approve a request to remove a failing Landmark Tree located
in the public right of way in front of 169 Pine Street.
In response to questions by Council Member Brown, Director English clarified the location of the
tree, that there have been efforts to preserve the tree, but it has further deteriorated over the
years, and that a second opinion was received recommending the tree be removed immediately
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due to public safety issues. He also noted it was not being recommended to replace the tree in
this location at this time.
Mayor Hill invited public comment. No public comments were received.
Action: Council Member Brown moved to approve a request to remove a failing Landmark Tree
located in the public right of way in front of 169 Pine Street. Council Member Barneich
seconded, and the motion passed on the following roll-call vote:
AYES: Brown, Barneich, Guthrie, Harmon, Hill
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
10. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
11. OLD BUSINESS
None.
12. NEW BUSINESS
12.a. Consideration of the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments Self-Help
Transportation Funding Initiative.
Recommended Action: 1) Review and comment on the draft Transportation Investment
Plan categories and distribution for a proposed half-cent regional sales tax to fund Local
Road Repairs and Transportation Improvements, including the proposed 9-year
duration, formula distribution, and safeguards; 2) Identify key projects for local funding
allocation; and; 3) Direct City staff to work with San Luis Obispo Council of Governments
(SLOCOG) to develop a Final Transportation Investment Plan, ordinance, and
safeguards for City and County evaluation to place on the November 2016 ballot for
voter consideration.
City Manager Thompson introduced Ron DeCarli, representing San Luis Obispo Council of
Governments (SLOCOG), who provided a presentation on the proposed Self Help Counties
Transportation Funding Initiative which would provide funding for transportation projects through
a Countywide voter approved ballot measure. Mr. DeCarli then responded to questions from
Council.
Mayor Hill invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Andrea Seastrand,
representing the Central Coast Taxpayers Association, read a letter stating that the Association
voted to oppose the Self-Help Transportation Funding Initiative; Beatrice Spencer, Arroyo
Grande, expressed concerns about the proposal from the taxpayers standpoint; Patty Welsh,
Arroyo Grande, referred to the School District’s proposed bond measure and spoke in
opposition to the proposal; and Jim DiCecco, thanked the Council for the bike lane in front of the
high school and increasing safety for the students, commented that the Council is determining
tonight whether they should give the citizens the opportunity to tax themselves; and addressed
the need for funding for safe routes to schools. No further public comments were received.
Council comments ensued regarding the proposed Transportation Investment Plan; the
proposed Self-Help Transportation Funding initiative; that the need for transportation
improvements needs to be addressed at the local level without reliance on the State; what the
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alternative plan would be if the measure were not to pass; reviewed the key projects identified
for Arroyo Grande for potential funding allocation, including congestion relief and operational
improvements at E. Branch Street/E. Grand Avenue area; Halcyon corridor complete street
improvements; operational and bike/pedestrian safety improvements at E. Branch Street/Crown
Hill/Huasna and local interchange improvements in the vicinity of Traffic Way and operational
improvements at Fair Oaks in the vicinity of Arroyo Grande High School; acknowledgement that
tax increases are not desirable; consequences of not funding road maintenance and
improvements; commending SLOCOG for proportioning funding throughout the County for
transportation projects; and commending the City’s Public Works staff and the City for
maintaining the City’s transportation infrastructure with the available funding; and the need for
residents to be educated about this initiative.
Action: Council Member Barneich moved to direct staff to work with San Luis Obispo Council of
Governments (SLOCOG) to develop a Final Transportation Investment Plan, ordinance, and
safeguards for City and County evaluation to place on the November 2016 ballot for voter
consideration, and approve the key projects for local funding allocation presented in Attachment
2 of the staff report. Council Member Brown seconded, and the motion passed on the following
roll-call vote:
AYES: Barneich, Brown, Guthrie, Hill
NOES: Harmon
ABSENT: None
Mayor Hill called for a break at 8:30 p.m. The Council reconvened at 8:43 p.m.
12.b. Consideration of Revenue Plan.
City Manager Thompson presented the staff report and recommended that the Council review
and provide direction on the Revenue Plan. Staff responded to questions from Council
regarding the proposed programs set forth in the Revenue Plan to increase the City’s revenues.
Mayor Hill invited public comment. Speaking from the public were Patty Welsh, Arroyo Grande,
commented on health insurance benefits that Council Members receive and suggested
eliminating this benefit, particularly for family members, as a cost savings measure; and
Beatrice Spencer, Arroyo Grande, expressed concern about the proposal for a Business
License Compliance audit as it appears it would cost more for the program than any additional
revenue the City would receive. No further public comments were received.
Council comments ensued on the proposed Revenue Plan programs and recommended action
items to ensure receipt of existing revenue streams, increase existing revenue sources, and
opportunities to create new revenue. Following discussion, Council provided direction to staff to
proceed with the recommended action items, with the exception of the Business License Tax
Compliance program; that the Transient Occupancy Tax audit would initially include the four
large hotels and depending on those results, to continue with the other lodging businesses; and
to prioritize audits of the Franchise Agreements. Council also directed staff to place on a future
agenda review and analysis of City expenditures.
No formal action was taken on this item.
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13. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
The Mayor and Council Members provided brief reports from the following committee,
commission, board, or other subcommittee meetings that they attended as the City’s appointed
representative.
(a) MAYOR HILL:
(1) South San Luis Obispo County Sanitation District (SSLOCSD)
(2) Brisco/Halcyon Interchange Subcommittee
(3) Oversight Board to the Successor Agency to the Dissolved Arroyo
Grande Redevelopment Agency
(4) California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (CJPIA)
(5) Other
(b) MAYOR PRO TEM HARMON:
(1) County Water Resources Advisory Committee (WRAC)
(2) Air Pollution Control District (APCD)
(3) Five Cities Fire Authority (FCFA)
(4) Other
(c) COUNCIL MEMBER GUTHRIE:
(1) San Luis Obispo Council of Governments/Regional Transit Authority
(SLOCOG/RTA)
(2) South County Transit (SCT)
(3) Tourism Committee
(4) Brisco/Halcyon Interchange Subcommittee
(5) Economic Vitality Corporation (Attended as Alternate)
(d) COUNCIL MEMBER BROWN:
(1) Integrated Waste Management Authority Board (IWMA)
(2) Economic Vitality Corporation (EVC)
(3) Other
(e) COUNCIL MEMBER BARNEICH:
(1) Zone 3 Water Advisory Board
(2) Homeless Services Oversight Council (HSOC)
(3) Other
14. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Pro Tem Harmon invited the public to Finn’s Restaurant on May 5, 2016 to benefit the
Five Cities Homeless Coalition.
Council Member Barneich wished Council Member Guthrie good luck on his half marathon, and
referred to an email she received on the Brisco Road interchange off ramp as it relates to the
queuing of cars. In response, City Engineer Horn provided an overview of discussions that have
occurred with Caltrans to remedy the situation.
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15. CLOSED SESSION
At 10:35 p.m., City Attorney Heather Whitham announced the City Council would adjourn to
closed session to consider the following item:
a. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION pursuant to Government
Code Section 54957:
Title: City Attorney
Mayor Hill invited public comment. Speaking from the public were Beatrice Spencer, who
expressed appreciation to Council Members Brown and Guthrie for requesting a review of City
expenditures, commented that she hosted Coffee with the Mayor at Rancho Grande Park;
acknowledged Council Member Guthrie’s upcoming run in a half marathon and announced that
Ma yor Hill would be walking a Mile in High Heels for charity; and Patty Welsh, who expressed
appreciation for the request to review City expenditures, and commented that at the upcoming
South SLO County Sanitation District meeting they would be discussing benefits that are being
paid to Directors. No further public comments were received.
Adjourned to closed session.
16. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION:
Mayor Hill reconvened the meeting to open session at 10:40 p.m. City Attorney Whitham
announced that the City Council discussed the parameters and procedures for the City Attorney
evaluation which will occur at the next City Council meeting.
17. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Hill adjourned the meeting at 10:41 p.m.
_______________________________
Jim Hill, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
Kelly Wetmore, City Clerk
(Approved at CC Mtg ____________)
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