CC 2017-01-24_09b Approval of Minutes
ACTION MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2017
SOUTH COUNTY REGIONAL CENTER, 800 W. BRANCH STREET
ARROYO GRANDE, CALIFORNIA
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Hill called the Special City Council Meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
City Council: Council Members Caren Ray, Barbara Harmon, Kristen Barneich, and
Mayor Jim Hill were present. Mayor Pro Tem Tim Brown was absent.
Staff Present: Acting City Manager/Public Works Director Geoff English, City Attorney
Heather Whitham, Director of Legislative and Information Services/City
Clerk Kelly Wetmore, Community Development Director Teresa McClish,
and Interim City Engineer Jim Garing.
3. MOMENT OF REFLECTION
4. FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Hill led the Flag Salute.
5. AGENDA REVIEW
5.a.Closed Session Announcements.
Special Meeting of December 13, 2016
a) Public Employee Performance Evaluation pursuant to Government Code Section
54957:
Title: Interim City Manager
City Attorney Whitham announced that the Council met in closed session on December 13,
2016 and no reportable action was taken.
5.b. Ordinances Read in Title Only.
Council Member Barneich moved, Council Member Ray 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
None.
7. CITIZENS’ INPUT, COMMENTS, AND SUGGESTIONS
Mayor Hill invited public comment. Speaking from the public were Linda Osty, who offered an
Invocation; and Shirley Gibson, who wished Happy New Year to the City Council and shared
local Arroyo Grande history about cars and horses on Branch Street.
Minutes: City Council Special Meeting Page 2
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
8. INTERIM CITY MANAGER REPORT:
Acting City Manager English provided a status update on the recent storm and rainfall; reported
on the elevation increase at Lake Lopez; encouraged residents to continue water conservation
efforts and noted that the City is still under mandated reduction and restriction requirements;
reported on flooding and mudslides in the City as a result of the rain, the City’s response efforts,
and maintenance of storm drain infrastructure; announced that the Brisco ramps are anticipated
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to be reopened on January 18 pending weather conditions; and that staff anticipates relocation
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of public meetings back to the Council Chambers on January 24. In response to a question
from Council, consultant Nate Stong clarified issues related to the striping plan under the Brisco
Interchange bridge.
9. CONSENT AGENDA
Mayor Hill requested that Item 9.g. be pulled.
Mayor Hill invited public comment on the consent agenda. Speaking from the public was Patty
Welsh, in support of Item 9.g. (Consideration of a Letter of Intent to Participate with the Cities of
Pismo Beach and Grover Beach and the Oceano Community Services District in the Regional
Groundwater Sustainability Project). No further public comments were received.
Action:
Council Member Barneich moved, and Council Member Harmon seconded the motion
to approve Consent Agenda Items 9.a. through 9.f., with the recommended courses of action.
The motion passed on the following roll-call vote:
AYES:
Barneich, Harmon, Guthrie, Hill
NOES:
None
ABSENT:
Brown
9.a.Consideration of Cash Disbursement Ratification.
Action:
Ratified the listing of cash disbursements for the period December 1, 2016
through December 31, 2016.
9.b.Consideration of Approval of Minutes.
Action:
Approved the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of December 13,
2016, as submitted.
9.c.Consideration of Acceptance of the El Camino Real Storm Drain Rehabilitation
Project, PW 2016-12.
Action:
1) Accepted the project improvements as constructed by Insituform
Technologies LLC, in accordance with the plans and specifications for the El Camino
Real Storm Drain Rehabilitation Project; 2) Directed staff to file a Notice of Completion;
and 3) Authorized release of retention, thirty-five (35) days after the Notice of
Completion has been recorded, if no liens have been filed.
9.d.Consideration of Acceptance of the Arroyo Grande Creek Sewer Rehabilitation
Project, PW 2016-05.
Action:
1) Accepted the project improvements as constructed by Insituform
Technologies LLC, in accordance with the plans and specifications for the Arroyo
Grande Creek Sewer Rehabilitation Project; 2) Directed staff to file a Notice of
Completion; and 3) Authorized release of retention, thirty-five (35) days after the Notice
of Completion has been recorded, if no liens have been filed.
Minutes: City Council Special Meeting Page 3
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
9.e.Consideration of Acceptance of the South Alpine Waterline Improvements Project,
PW 2016-06.
Action:
1) Accepted the project improvements as constructed by Crandall Construction
in accordance with the plans and specifications for the South Alpine Waterline
Improvements Project; 2) Directed staff to file a Notice of Completion; and 3) Authorized
release of retention, thirty-five (35) days after the Notice of Completion has been
recorded, if no liens have been filed.
9.f.Consideration of Approval of an Agreement for Contractor Services and an
Appropriation of $25,000 in General Fund Reserves for Roof Repairs to the
Council Chambers Building.
Action:
1) Approved an Agreement for Contractor Services for the Council Chamber
Roof Repair Project to Quaglino Roofing in the amount of $20,420; 2) Authorized the
Interim City Manager to approve change orders for 10% of the contract amount, $2,042,
for unanticipated costs during the construction phase of the project; 3) Appropriated
$25,000 from the General Fund Reserves to cover all project costs; and 4) Authorized
the Mayor to execute the Agreement for Contractor Services.
ITEMS PULLED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA
9.g.Consideration of a Letter of Intent to Participate with the Cities of Pismo Beach
and Grover Beach and the Oceano Community Services District in the Regional
Groundwater Sustainability Project.
Recommended Action:
Authorize the Mayor to sign the Letter of Intent for the
Regional Groundwater Sustainability Project.
Mayor Hill requested a sentence in the letter be modified to read as follows: It is Arroyo
Grande’s understanding that the SSLOCSD will cover the incremental costs to include the
SSLOCSD WWTP site in the EIR, as well as the associated infrastructure to recharge Phase 2
flows remains to be determined.
Action:
Council Member Ray moved to authorize the Mayor to sign the Letter of Intent for the
Regional Groundwater Sustainability Project, as modified.Council Member Harmon seconded,
and the motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
Ray, Harmon, Barneich, Hill
NOES:
None
ABSENT:
Brown
10. PUBLIC HEARINGS
10.a.Consideration of the East Cherry Avenue Specific Plan Project (General Plan
Amendment 15-001; Development Code Amendment 15-001; Specific Plan 15-001;
Vesting Tentative Tract Map 15-001; Conditional Use Permit 15-004) and
Environmental Impact Report; Location – East Cherry Avenue and Traffic Way;
Applicants – Mangano Homes, Inc. and Arroyo Grande Valley Japanese Welfare
Association.
Minutes: City Council Special Meeting Page 4
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
Community Development Director McClish introduced the item. City Consultant John
Rickenbach presented the proposed project, which includes a General Plan Amendment,
Specific Plan, Development Code Amendment, Vesting Tentative Tract Map for Subarea 2,
Conditional Use Permit for Subarea 3, and Environmental Impact Report (EIR); reviewed the
proposed zoning of Subarea 2 from Agriculture (AG) to Village Residential (VR) and Subarea 3
from Agriculture (AG) to Village Mixed Use (VMU) and the proposed Land Use of Subarea 2
from Agriculture (AG) to Single Family Residential (SFR) Medium Density and Subarea 3 from
Agriculture (AG) to Mixed Use (MU); reviewed the project descriptions, development concepts,
infrastructure phasing plan, design standards and guidelines for Subareas 1, 2 and 3; provided
an overview of the applicant’s public outreach efforts and previous advisory body review;
previous Council review and direction as it relates to the Specific Plan and mitigation for
agriculture impacts; project modifications made based on input received; reviewed the CEQA
and public review process; reviewed significant unavoidable impacts; and addressed key issues
related to agricultural, transportation and water use.
Jim Garing, Interim City Engineer, presented historical and current water resources associated
with the East Cherry Specific Plan.
Nate Stong, traffic consultant, Omni-Means, presented an overview of the traffic impact analysis
and project mitigations.
Director McClish provided an update of meetings held with Caltrans since the last Planning
Commission meeting regarding traffic concerns related to the Fair Oaks southbound off-ramp.
In conclusion, it was recommended the Council consider the project and adopt a Resolution
certifying the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR), related CEQA findings and MMRP and
approve the related project applications (General Plan Amendment 15-001, Specific Plan 15-
001, Conditional Use Permit 15-004, and Vesting Tentative Tract Map 15-001), and introduce
the Ordinance approving Development Code Amendment 15-001.
Mayor Hill invited the applicants to make a presentation.
Carol Florence, Principal Planner with Oasis Associates, representing the applicant, requested
the Council certify the EIR and approve the project applications; stated that the applicant
accepts all the conditions of approval with the exception of Condition 7; acknowledged efforts of
all involved in the project, including the neighbors; commented on improvements that will be
made to E. Cherry Avenue; thanked staff for the collaborative effort; thanked the Council for
allowing the process to move forward and for involvement; and then provided a presentation of
the proposed project.
Margaret Ideda, representing the Japanese Welfare Association, spoke in support of and on
behalf of the proposed Cultural Center proposed for Subarea 3, provided a timeline history of
the site’s use from 1928 to 2016; and presented the site plan which includes a historic orchard,
farm garden, Japanese Cultural Garden and California native garden.
Mayor Hill called for a break at 7:46 p.m. The Council reconvened at 7:59 p.m.
Staff responded to questions from Council.
Minutes: City Council Special Meeting Page 5
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
Council Member Harmon announced that she had received a written determination from the
Fair Political Practices Commission stating she had no conflict of interest regarding the
proposed project as it relates to her ownership of real property located in the Village area.
Council Members Ray and Barneich also announced for the record that they received the same
written determination that they had no conflict of interest regarding the proposed project as it
relates to their respective ownership of real property located in the Village area.
Eileen Low, Deputy District Director, Caltrans, acknowledged and concurred with staff’s work
with the applicant on the project and requested support to establish a priority to implement
solutions for the Fair Oaks and Orchard Avenue intersection.
Mayor Hill opened the public hearing. Speaking from the public were Katie Rose Lorent, Allen
Street, expressed concerns about the residential development, supported the Japanese
Welfare Association’s proposed project, expressed concern about power and stated that the
homes should have solar panels; Linda Osty, E, Cherry, supported the project, stated she
attended all the meetings and acknowledged the work the applicant has done with neighbors,
expressed concern with the collector road, and asked questions regarding ingress/egress, if the
traffic signal would be timed, how long it will take to build the project, and expressed concern
with the suggestion of a large grocery store; Mary Jean Sage, Chair of the Health Commission,
Heal SLO, read a letter into the record which offered suggestions that would further improve
community health outcomes such as providing added restricted affordable housing within
Subarea 2 and prioritize beautification of the Traffic Way corridor to improve the bike and
pedestrian experience at the southern entrance to the City and promote use of City facilities;
Speaker(did not state name), spoke in support of Subarea 3, and expressed concern about
Subareas 1 and 2 as it relates to the Highway 101 southbound ramp, traffic impacts toward
Branch Mill Road and Pacific Railway Road; Speaker (did not state name), expressed concern
regarding impacts to the school system, bussing, Branch Mill Road and bike safety; Brian
Pedrotti, Village Court, expressed concern regarding the proposed collector street; Shirley
Gibson, Halcyon, expressed appreciation for the study of Allen and Mason Streets, the
reduction of homes, removal of the hotel, and would like Subarea 1 to be limited to a two-story
building, appreciates the proposed park, widening of E. Cherry, and traffic signal, credited Carol
Florence for her collaboration with the project, and supported the proposed Japanese Welfare
Association project; Jason Peterson, Arroyo Grande resident and contractor for Mangano
Homes, spoke regarding economics and in support of the project; Patty Welsh, stated she is
starting to like the project much better, expressed concern about the alley being privatized,
supported the traffic signal, expressed some concern about the suggestion of a grocery store
for Subarea 1 because of truck traffic, and supported the proposed Japanese Garden; Margaret
Ikeda, submitted a letter of support from members of the Japanese Welfare Association for the
proposed Subarea 3 development; Linda Osty, expressed support for the Japanese Welfare
Association and their proposed project; and Tom Cook, spoke in support of additional housing
units and the project. Hearing no further comments, Mayor Hill closed the public hearing
Staff responded to additional questions asked by members of the public regarding the proposed
collector street; timeframe to develop the property; providing affordable housing through
payment of in-lieu fees; which elementary school the development serves; and clarified there is
no parking in the alley.
Mayor Hill called for a break at 10:18 p.m. The Council reconvened at 10:26 p.m.
Minutes: City Council Special Meeting Page 6
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
At 11:00 p.m., City Attorney Whitham noted that pursuant to Council policy, the Council must
vote unanimously to continue the meeting.
Action:
Council Member Ray moved to continue the meeting past 11:00 p.m. Council Member
Harmon seconded, and the motion passed unanimously by voice vote.
Action:
Following Council comments,Council Member Harmon moved to adopt a Resolution
entitled:“A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE
CERTIFYING THE ASSOCIATED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT AND RELATED CEQA
FINDINGS; AND APPROVING THE EAST CHERRY AVENUE SPECIFIC PLAN PROJECT:
GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT 15-001; SPECIFIC PLAN 15-001; VESTING TENTATIVE
TRACT MAP 15-001; CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 15-004; AND DIRECTING THE CITY
CLERK TO FILE THE NOTICE OF DETERMINATION: LOCATION – EAST CHERRY AVENUE
AND TRAFFIC WAY; APPLICANTS – MANGANO HOMES, INC. AND ARROYO GRANDE
VALLEY JAPANESE WELFARE ASSOCIATION ”; with the following modifications to Exhibit A:
Condition 7 is deleted in its entirety; Condition 18, change constructions hours to 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.;
Condition 23.c.i., strike the condition using the deep root planters; Condition 23.c.viii, replace with
“turf is not allowed in residential or commercial areas except in the park”; Condition 100, omit the
word “intended” and state “the latter shall be used on landscaping” and modify all other conditions
that have the same reference; that in the mitigation measures, the use of well water is required for
dust containment, and strike the words “when possible”; Condition 23, that the project landscaping
plan regarding placement of trees in parks, streets, and common areas will return to the
Architectural Review Committee for approval; add conditions to read “the applicant shall install high
visibility bike lanes at transition zones near the project as approved by the City Engineer”, and “the
applicant shall install high visibility decorative crosswalks on Traffic Way, East Cherry, and project
access points”; that for Subarea 1, should a potential hotel project come back, it should be limited
to two-stories with 70 units, and the restaurant limited to 3,000 sq. ft., as suggested in the EIR as
Alternative 2 for Subarea 1; add a condition for a Lot Line Adjustment to be applied for to allow
existing improvements on the mobilehome park to remain; amend Condition 19 in Exhibit B for
Subarea 3 to delete greywater reuse systems; and Condition 17, change construction hours to 7
a.m. to 5 p.m., and ensure that construction hours are consistent throughout the Resolution.
Council Member Ray seconded, and the motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
Harmon, Ray, Barneich, Hill
NOES:
None
ABSENT:
Brown
Action:
Council Member Harmon moved to introduce an Ordinance entitled:“AN ORDINANCE
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE APPROVING DEVELOPMENT
CODE AMENDMENT 15-001 (A PART OF THE EAST CHERRY AVENUE SPECIFIC PLAN
PROJECT)”. Council Member Barneich seconded, and the motion passed on the following roll call
vote:
AYES:
Harmon, Barneich, Ray, Hill
NOES:
None
ABSENT:
Brown
Minutes: City Council Special Meeting Page 7
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
11. OLD BUSINESS
None.
12. NEW BUSINESS
None.
13. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Council Member Barneich requested to put on a future agenda an item regarding funding for
new Planning Commissioner training. Council Member Harmon supported the request.
14. COMMUNITY COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Mayor Hill invited public comment. No public comments were received.
15. CLOSED SESSION
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Hill adjourned the Special Meeting at 11:35 p.m.
_________________________
Jim Hill, Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________
Kelly Wetmore, City Clerk
(Approved at CC Mtg _________)