CC 2019-03-12_08b Approval of CC Minutes_02-26-19ACTION MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2019
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 215 E. BRANCH STREET
ARROYO GRANDE, CALIFORNIA
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Ray Russom called the City Council Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
City Council: Council Members Lan George, Keith Storton, Jimmy Paulding, Mayor Pro
Tem Kristen Barneich, and Mayor Caren Ray Russom were present.
Staff Present: City Manager Jim Bergman, City Attorney Heather Whitham, City Clerk
Kelly Wetmore, Director of Public Works Bill Robeson, Director of
Community Development Teresa McClish, Police Chief Beau Pryor, City
Engineer Robin Dickerson, Recreation Services Director Sheridan
Bohlken, Accounting Manager Nicole Valentine, and Five Cities Fire
Authority Fire Chief Steve Lieberman.
3. MOMENT OF REFLECTION
4. FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Ray Russom led the Flag Salute.
5. AGENDA REVIEW
5.a. Closed Session Announcements.
Regular City Council Meeting of February 12, 2019:
Successor Agency:
a) Conference With Real Property Negotiator pursuant to Government Code Section
54956.8:
Property: APN: 006-151-027; Located at Faeh Avenue and El Camino
Real
Agency Negotiators: James Bergman, City Manager; Marty Indvik, Lee &
Associates
Negotiating Parties: ELA Foods, Inc.
Under Negotiation: Price and terms of payment for sale of property
City Attorney Whitham reported that the Successor Agency directed the Board Chair to execute
an Addendum to the Purchase and Sale Agreement extending the government approval
contingency.
5.b. Ordinances Read in Title Only.
Mayor Pro Tem Barneich moved, Council Member Storton 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.
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6. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
6.a. Honorary Proclamation Recognizing the 110th Anniversary of the Knights of
Columbus Arroyo Grande Council 1375.
Mayor Ray Russom presented an Honorary Proclamation recognizing the 100th Anniversary of
the Knights of Columbus Arroyo Grande Council 1375. Grand Knight Machiej Makowski and
Stephen Hamilton accepted the Proclamation and provided a brief history of the Knights of
Columbus.
6.b. Mayor’s Commendation Recognizing Five Cities Pediatric Dental Group &
Orthodontics.
Mayor Ray Russom presented a Mayor’s Commendation recognizing Five Cities Pediatric Dental
Group & Orthodontics in recognition of their Title Sponsorship of the 1st Annual Breakfast with
Santa event coordinated by the City of Arroyo Grande’s Recreation Services Department.
Shonna Berry, representing Five Cities Pediatric Dental Group & Orthodontics, accepted the
Commendation.
6.c. Recognition of Outgoing Commissioners, Committee, and Board Members.
Mayor Ray Russom recognized outgoing Planning Commissioner Terry Fowler-Payne and
Architectural Review Committee Member Coleen Kubel with City plaques in appreciation for their
service to the City. She also recognized the following outgoing members who were not present:
Planning Commissioner John Mack, and Downtown Parking Advisory Board Members Kevin
Delaney and Julie Gonzalez.
7. COMMUNITY COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public were: Sissy Pace, who
offered an invocation; and Bob Kerwin, representing SCORE, San Luis Obispo Chapter 597,
regarding services they provide to small businesses through mentoring and education.
8. CONSENT AGENDA
Mayor Ray Russom referred to the supplemental memorandum regarding Item 8.f. (Accepting
Public Improvements for Parcel Map AG 11-0046 Located on White Court) which recommended
that the item be continued to a date uncertain in order to resolve issues resulting from recent
damage that occurred to the drainage infrastructure at the site.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment on the remaining consent agenda items. No public
comments were received.
In response to questions by Council Member Storton regarding the sewer lining project (Item
8.h.), Director of Public Works Robeson responded that the life of the sewer lining should last
approximately 30-40 years.
Action: Mayor Pro Tem Barneich moved, and Council Member George seconded the motion to
approve Consent Agenda Items 8.a. through 8.i., with the exception of 8.f., with the recommended
courses of action. The motion passed on the following roll-call vote:
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AYES: Barneich, George, Paulding, Storton, Ray Russom
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
8.a. Consideration of Cash Disbursement Ratification.
Action: Ratified the listing of cash disbursements for the period February 1, 2019 through
February 15, 2019.
8.b. Consideration of Statement of Investment Deposits.
Action: Received and filed the report listing of investment deposits of the City of Arroyo
Grande, as of January 31, 2019, as required by Government Code Section 53646(b).
8.c. Consideration of a Resolution Authorizing the Deposit of City Funds in Various
Financial Institutions.
Action: Adopted a Resolution entitled: “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE AUTHORIZING THE DEPOSIT OF CITY FUNDS IN
VARIOUS FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS” and updating the names of designated
employees in certain positions authorized to enter into banking or investment
arrangements.
8.d. Consideration of Approval of Minutes.
Action: Approved the minutes of the Regular City Council/Successor Agency of the
Dissolved Arroyo Grande Redevelopment Agency Meeting of February 12, 2019, as
submitted.
8.e. Consideration of Council Appointment to the Architectural Review Committee.
Action: Approved the recommendation of Mayor Ray Russom to appoint Lori Mainini Hall
to the Architectural Review Committee.
8.g. Consideration of Time Extension 18-008; One Year Time Extension in Accordance
with the Subdivision Map Act and Arroyo Grande Municipal Code; Location – La
Canada/Blossom Valley Road (Tract 1998): Applicant – Castlerock Development;
Representative – T. Keith Gurnee.
Action: Adopted a Resolution entitled: “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE APPROVING A ONE-YEAR TIME EXTENSION FOR
VESTING TENTATIVE TRACT MAP NO. 01-001 AND PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT
01-001 (TIME EXTENSION 18-008); APPLIED FOR BY CASTLEROCK DEVELOPMENT
CO.; LOCATED AT JAMES WAY AND LA CANADA”
8.h. Consideration to Approve Construction Specifications and Environmental
Exemption for the Huasna Road/Oro Drive Corrugated Metal Pipe (CMP) and
Woodland Drive Sewer Lining Project, PW 2018-01.
Action: 1) Approved the construction specifications for the Huasna Road/Oro Drive
Corrugated Metal Pipe (CMP) and Woodland Drive Sewer Lining Project, PW 2018-01; 2)
Authorized the City Clerk to advertise for construction bids; 3) Found that the project is
categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to
Guidelines Section 15301(b); and 4) Directed the City Clerk to file a Notice of Exemption.
8.i. Monthly Water Supply and Demand Update.
Action: Received and filed the monthly Water Supply and Demand Report.
ITEMS PULLED FROM CONSENT AGENDA
8.f. Consideration to Adopt a Resolution Accepting Public Improvements for Parcel
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Map AG 11-0046 Located on White Court. This item was continued to a date uncertain.
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
10. OLD BUSINESS
10.a. Provide Direction Related to Fire Service within the City of Arroyo Grande.
City Manager Bergman presented the staff report which provided recommendations that the City
Council direct the City Manager to: 1) Not agree to the new formula, which will lead to the
dissolution of the Five Cities Fire Authority on December 31, 2019; 2) Establish a fully staffed in-
house City Fire Department no later than January 1, 2020, but preferably earlier in fiscal year
2019-20; 3) Continue to work with any willing communities to establish a partnership that will avoid
duplication of personnel and specialized equipment in order to achieve cost savings compared to
an in-house fire department; and 4) Consider outreach efforts with the County of San Luis Obispo
to discuss funding options for the Oceano Community Services District.
As part of the report, City Manager Bergman provided an overview of each of the following
options: Option #1 - Continue to participate in the FCFA with the current funding formula; Option
#2 - Continue to participate in the FCFA with the proposed modified funding formula; Option #3 -
If agreement between partner agencies cannot be reached, re-establish an in-house fire
department and establish mutual and automatic aid agreements; Option #4 - If agreement
between partner agencies cannot be reached, re-establish the Five Cities Fire Authority with
Grover Beach (if they are willing); and Option #5 - If agreement between partner agencies cannot
be reached, obtain an outside agency to provide fire service. He further provided information
regarding discussions he has had with County staff since distribution of the agenda and noted
their willingness to meet with City staff and designated elected officials to discuss issues relating
to the Five Cities Fire Authority. City Manager Bergman suggested the Council consider using the
authority under the Memorandum of Agreement to extend the term of the Agreement to continue
discussions regarding the funding formula for the JPA. Staff then responded to questions from
Council.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public were: Sean McMahon, on
behalf of the Five Cities Fire Authority (FCFA), spoke regarding trends related to increased
volume in calls for service and the need to increase full time staffing, and supported fully funding
the Strategic Plan as the preferred option or contracting services with County Fire, and requested
the Council approve a request for an RFP from County Fire to explore the benefits that a regional
approach would provide the communities; Barbara Harmon, clarified that the County Report
evaluating fire protection service by special districts in unincorporated areas of San Luis Obispo
County was just recently presented to the Board of Supervisors, referred to Local Sales Tax
Advisory Measure M-06 which identifies the need for funding for public safety equipment and
staffing and inquired if 60-70% of Local Sales Tax funds are spent on capital projects, expressed
concerns about the cost for dissolution and decreases in insurance ratings, and supported Option
2; Jeff Lee, Grover Beach Mayor, stated he was not speaking on behalf of the City of Grover
Beach, stated that the Grover Beach residents identified public safety as its most important
priorities and the City Council directed the City Manager to budget Grover Beach’s portion of the
full Strategic Plan implementation, and that Grover Beach looks forward to working together with
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its partner agencies to improve the FCFA as an organization; Sharon Brown, Grover Beach
resident, supported an extension of time to work out the details of the issue; Mike Hubert, retired
FCFA Fire Chief, provided a history of the formation of the FCFA and explained the original intent
was to consolidate services, implement substantial cost efficiencies, reduce redundancies,
achieve operational efficiencies, and standardize training and equipment, and stated he believed
the current structure is the safest, most cost and operationally efficient model, commented on
the lower ISO rating which results in lower insurance rates for commercial and residential
properties, commented that it is easier from a regional approach to receive grants, and
encouraged the Council to do whatever it could to keep the Fire Authority together; Kay Giliyah,
supported keeping the FCFA together, extending the deadline, and continuing discussions with
the County; Patricia Price, stated that the City could not afford the current model and spoke in
support of a two station model; and Wade Horton, County of San Luis Obispo Administrative
Officer, stated that the County has designated an adhoc committee of two Board Supervisors to
further explore the challenges Special Districts are facing and they would be willing to sit down
with representatives of the City Council to further discuss the challenges and come to a resolution
to move forward. No further public comments were received.
Council comments ensued regarding the FCFA Strategic Plan; options presented in the staff
report, including potential support for a modified version of Option #2 contingent upon an
extension of time to further negotiate the funding formula with the other agencies, including the
County; support for the elimination of the assessed value component currently contained in the
funding formula; that the General Plan, specifically the Safety Element, is the City’s basis for
making decisions concerning public safety; that there is strength working with the neighboring
communities so there is less reliance on mutual aid; that the Specific Plan requires firefighters to
be medics; that the agencies need to share the liability for CalPERS costs; acknowledgment that
Arroyo Grande has a larger area of service; acknowledgment that Oceano Community Services
District is considering the placement of a parcel tax measure on the March 2020 ballot; that data
collection is key to informed decision making; that maintaining a regional approach is favorable
for receiving grants; that if the City is moving toward fully funding the Strategic Plan, there will be
tough decisions to be made in the future about what will need to be cut; a suggestion to extend
the Agreement three months, which coincides with the end of the fiscal year; and support for
meeting with the County’s ad-hoc committee to continue discussions. Further Council comments
included the City’s need to explore revenue generation, including tax and fee increases, the
potential for bringing ambulance service in-house, that the JPA funding formula should be
reviewed every five years, a request for information to be provided to Council regarding the 2006
Local Sax Tax ballot measure, and that information be provided to Council regarding funding for
the pavement management program.
Action: Mayor Ray Russom moved to continue this item to a date certain of March 12, 2019 for
a decision on whether to extend the discussions with the other entities regarding the funding
formula for three months, to July 1, 2019; that the City Mayors and the Chair of the Oceano
Community Services District and other appropriate members as permitted by the Brown Act meet
with the County, and that the preferred member is Council Member Storton, with Mayor Pro Tem
Barneich as a back-up; and further, that the staff report on March 12th include some feedback on
the additional items that individual Council Members brought up during their comments. Mayor
Pro Tem Barneich seconded the motion, and the motion passed on following roll call vote:
AYES: Ray Russom, Barneich, Paulding, Storton, George
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NOES: None
ABSENT: None
11. NEW BUSINESS
11.a. Consideration of Fiscal Year 2018-19 Mid-Year Budget Report.
Accounting Manager Valentine presented the staff report and recommended the Council: 1)
Approve detailed budget adjustments and requests for additional appropriations listed in the Mid-
Year Budget Report; 2) Approve Schedule A; and 3) Adopt a Resolution approving compensation
adjustments for part-time employees and approval of the updated Citywide combined salary
schedule. Staff responded to questions from Council.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public was: Frank Schiro, who
requested funding for the Babe Ruth Baseball League due to the increase in fees. No further
public comments were received. Brief discussion ensued regarding Mr. Schiro’s request, and
youth sports fee increases the City has recently implemented.
Action: Council Member Storton moved to approve detailed budget adjustments and requests
for additional appropriations listed in the Mid-Year Budget Report; to approve Schedule A; and to
adopt a Resolution entitled: “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE APPROVING COMPENSATION ADJUSTMENTS FOR PART-TIME
EMPLOYEES AND APPROVAL OF THE UPDATED CITYWIDE COMBINED SALARY
SCHEDULE”. Mayor Pro Tem Barneich seconded, and the motion passed on the following roll-
call vote:
AYES: Storton, Barneich, Paulding, George, Ray Russom
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
12. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
This item was postponed to a future meeting.
13. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Pro Tem Barneich requested a future agenda item be scheduled within the next six months
to update the Council on the status of the vacation rental and homestay program, if there have
been impacts to affordable housing, and to discuss the use of TBID funds for enforcement of non-
permitted vacation rentals. Council Member George concurred.
Council Member George referred to the recent public meeting for the Brisco Interchange project
and requested that a presentation with information regarding roundabouts be provided at an
upcoming meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Barneich concurred. Following further discussion, it was
agreed that this information would be provided at the March 12, 2019 or March 26, 2019 Council
meeting.
Mayor Ray Russom requested a future agenda item be scheduled regarding the look back at
Recreation Services fee increases to see how the fees are impacting the programs. Council
Member George concurred. Mayor Ray Russom also announced that SLOCOG will be having a
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public outreach meeting in South County at the Hospital Annex Room on March 21, 2019 from
5:00 pm to 8:00 pm regarding the future of El Campo.
Council Member Storton commended Community Development Director McClish for a successful
public information meeting regarding the Brisco/Halcyon/101 Interchange project.
14. CLOSED SESSION
None.
15. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Ray Russom adjourned the meeting at 11:23 p.m.
____________________________________
Caren Ray Russom, Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________________
Kelly Wetmore, City Clerk
(Approved at CC Mtg __________)
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