Minutes 2020-06-23 SP ACTION MINUTES
SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2020
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 215 E. BRANCH STREET
ARROYO GRANDE, CALIFORNIA
In compliance with the State Shelter at Home Order due to the coronavirus pandemic, and as
allowed by the Governor's Executive Order N-29-20, which allows for a deviation of
teleconference rules required by the Ralph M. Brown Act, this meeting was held by
teleconference.
SPECIAL MEETING 5:00 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Ray Russom called the Special City Council Meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. via
teleconference.
2. ROLL CALL
Council Members Lan George, Jimmy Paulding, Kristen Barneich, Mayor Pro Tem Keith Storton,
and Mayor Caren Ray Russom were all present via teleconference.
Staff members present via teleconference were Acting City Manager Bill Robeson, Acting Deputy
City Manager Whitney McDonald, and City Attorney Timothy Carmel. City Clerk Kelly Wetmore,
and Information Technology Manager Walt Cuzick were present in the Council Chambers.
3. FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Ray Russom led the flag salute.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
None.
5. CLOSED SESSION
The City Council recessed to a closed session for the following:
a) Conference with Labor Negotiator pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6:
Agency Negotiator: Bill Robeson, Acting City Manager
Represented Employees: Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 620
RECONVENE
The City Council reconvened to open session at 6:00 p.m. in conjunction with the City Council
Regular Meeting. Announcements of any reportable action were made under Item 5.
REGULAR MEETING 6:00 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Ray Russom called the Regular City Council Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. via
teleconference.
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Tuesday, June 23, 2020
2. ROLL CALL
City Council: Council Members Lan George, Jimmy Paulding, Kristen Barneich, Mayor
Pro Tem Keith Storton, and Mayor Caren Ray Russom were all present
via teleconference.
Staff Present: Acting City Manager Bill Robeson, Director of Legislative and Information
Services/City Clerk Kelly Wetmore, Administrative Services Director Mike
Stevens, Police Chief Pryor, Commander Shawn Cosgrove, Commander
Mike Martinez, and Information Technology Manager Walt Cuzick were
present in the Council Chambers. Acting Deputy City Manager Whitney
McDonald, City Attorney Timothy Carmel, Recreation Services Director
Sheridan Bohlken, and Accounting Manager Nicole Valentine were
present via teleconference.
3. MOMENT OF REFLECTION
4. FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Ray Russom led the flag salute.
5. AGENDA REVIEW
5.a. Closed Session Announcements.
a) Conference with Labor Negotiator pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6:
Agency Negotiator: Bill Robeson, Acting City Manager
Represented Employees: Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 620
City Attorney Carmel announced that the City Council discussed labor negotiations with its
negotiator, Acting City Manager Bill Robeson, regarding a new memorandum of understanding
with SEIU Local 620, that it is very early in the process, and there was no reportable action.
5.b. Ordinances Read in Title Only.
Mayor Ray Russom moved, Council Member Barneich seconded, and the motion passed
unanimously by roil-call vote that all ordinances presented at the meeting shall be read by title
only and all further readings be waived.
6. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
6.a. Update Regarding Countywide COVID-19 Efforts.
Recommended Action: Receive update, accept public comments, discuss, and provide
direction, as necessary.
Acting Deputy City Manager McDonald provided a brief update on Countywide and Citywide
COVID-19 efforts. She stated that due to the increase in positive cases, the State has issued an
order requiring face masks to be worn, reminded the public about the free testing locations, and
referred members of the public to the www.ReadySLO.org website which is being updated
regularly with current information.
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Tuesday, June 23, 2020
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public via teleconference was
Linda Drummy, regarding enforcement of the State's mask order and urged the Council to adopt
a similar local ordinance as soon as possible. City Clerk Wetmore read correspondence into the
record received from Vonie Grim. No further public comments were received.
Acting Deputy City Manager McDonald responded to public comment and stated that the City
does not currently have an adopted administrative citation ordinance and that it is scheduled to
be on a future agenda in July. She explained that the Council could consider an urgency
ordinance, which requires 4/5 approval of the Council to enact and would take effect immediately
upon adoption.
Police Chief Pryor commented that enforcement of face masks would be reliant upon citizens and
store owners to register a complaint.
Council and staff discussion ensued regarding the current State orders and potential local
ordinances to enforce those orders; that any local ordinance should mirror the requirements set
forth under the current State order, that they be presented as urgency ordinances, and that staff
reach out to the Chamber to receive input from the businesses.
Mayor Ray Russom requested, and the Council concurred, to direct staff to prepare the
appropriate urgency ordinances for consideration by the Council at its next meeting.
6.b. Presentation by Arroyo Grande Police Department Regarding Policies and
Procedures and Training Program.
Police Chief Pryor introduced Commander Cosgrove and Commander Martinez. Commander
Cosgrove provided a presentation on the Police Department Policies and Procedures, and
Commander Martinez provided a presentation on the Police Department's Training Program.
Staff responded to questions from Council.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public via teleconference
regarding the Police Department's policies, procedures and training standards were Barry Price,
and Jamie Maraviglia. City Clerk Wetmore read correspondence received into the record from
Virginia Wolf, Erin Alvas, and Zachery Victor. Additional members speaking from the public via
teleconference were Kyle Berlin, and Kelora Giglia. No further public comments were received.
Council comments and discussion ensued regarding current policies and reviewing them to
ensure they are consistent with State law; expanding policies beyond Lexipol so that they are
more tailored to the City; acknowledgement regarding the suspension and review of certain
policies; a suggestion for some form of citizen oversight; acknowledgement of the Police
Department's efforts; and acknowledgement of the public's desire to be involved.
Based on the discussion, direction was provided to the Police Department to begin with citizen
engagement as the next step moving forward; then a report back on the interface with the County
and the point that the Council can advocate with the County on behalf of the Police Department
on various programs; and then to perform a comprehensive policy review.
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Tuesday, June 23, 2020
Acting City Manager Robeson referred to the investigation relating to the June 9th protest event,
stated that the investigation has been turned over to the Monterey County District Attorney's
Office, and reported that the investigation is still ongoing.
6.c. Honorary Proclamation Declaring July 2020 as Parks Make Life Better Month.
Mayor Ray Russom read the Honorary Proclamation declaring the month of July 2020 as "Parks
Make Life Better Month". Recreation Services Director Bohlken accepted the Proclamation via
teleconference.
6.d. Honorary Proclamation Recognizing June 20, 2020 As "Juneteenth Day".
Mayor Ray Russom read the Honorary Proclamation declaring June 20, 2020 as "Juneteenth
Day," commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. Cheryl Vines, representing NAACP
San Luis Obispo County, accepted the Proclamation via teleconference.
7. COMMUNITY COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public via teleconference were:
Brenda McAlice, corrected public comments she made at a previous Council meeting regarding
the weed abatement process, spoke about face mask compliance, and asked what the Police
Department is doing to address the underlying culture of the blue wall of silence; and Speaker
(no name provided), expressed concerns regarding retaliation by the Arroyo Grande Police
Department, racism, and discrimination. City Clerk Wetmore read correspondence into the record
received from Karen Kubarek, Nate Page, Ryan Crandall, Breana Peterson, Janie Leikind, Annie
Wald. No further public comments were received.
8. 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 Member Barneich requested that item 8.i. be pulled. Mayor Ray Russom requested that
Items 8.i. and 8.j. be pulled.
In response to questions from Council Member Barneich regarding Item 8.i. (Consideration of
Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the Temporary Closure of Short Street South of East Branch
Street and North of Olohan Alley to Accommodate its Use as an Outdoor Eating Area During the
COVID-19 Reopening Process), Acting City Manager Robeson clarified the rental costs per day
for the water barricades, stated that staff would fill and refill them in order to save on costs, and
commented that staff has looked into purchasing barricades.
Mayor Ray Russom also referred to Item 8.i. and thanked Acting City Manager Robeson and
Acting Deputy City Manager McDonald for their proactive work on efforts to temporarily close
Short Street to accommodate outdoor dining. She then referred to Item 8.j. (Resolution
Authorizing the Community Development Director to Waive Application Fees for Encroachment
Permits and Minor Use Permits-Temporary Use Permits Submitted by Restaurants Seeking
Additional Outdoor Dining Space during the COVID-19 Reopening Process) and clarified that this
item waives the application fee that restaurants would have to pay.
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Tuesday, June 23, 2020
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment on the Consent Agenda. City Clerk Wetmore read
into the record written correspondence received from Vonie Grimm regarding Item 8.d.
(Resolution Declaring a Continued Local Emergency Related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Pandemic). No further public comments were received.
In response to a request by Mayor Ray Russom for a response to public comment, City Attorney
Carmel clarified that the continued declaration of a local emergency in the City of Arroyo Grande
is legal under both State law and the City's Municipal Code.
Action: Council Member Paulding moved to approve Consent Agenda Items 8.a. through 8.j.,
with the recommended courses of action. Mayor Pro Tern Storton seconded, and the motion
passed on the following roll-call vote:
AYES: Paulding, Storton, George, Barneich, Ray Russom
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
8.a. Consideration of Cash Disbursement Ratification.
Action: Ratified the listing of cash disbursements for the period June 1, 2020 through
June 15, 2020.
8.b. Consideration of Statement of Investment Deposits.
Action: Received and filed the attached report listing of investment deposits of the City of
Arroyo Grande, as of May 31, 2020 as required by Government Code Section 53646(b).
8.c. Consideration of Approval of Minutes.
Action: Approved the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of June 9, 2020, as
submitted.
8.d. Adoption of a Resolution Declaring a Continued Local Emergency Related to the
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic.
Action: Adopted a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE DECLARING A CONTINUED LOCAL EMERGENCY
RELATED TO THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC".
8.e. Consideration of an Award of Contract to G. Sosa Construction, Inc. for
Construction of the 2020 Concrete Repairs Project, PW 2020-03.
Action: 1) Awarded a contract for the 2020 Concrete Repairs Project to G. Sosa
Construction, Inc. in the amount of $103,963; and 2) Authorized the City Manager to
approve change orders for 10% of the contract amount, $10,396 for unanticipated costs
during the construction phase of the project.
8.f. Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Regarding Preparation of a Groundwater
Sustainability Plan for the Santa Maria River Valley-Arroyo Grande Subbasin.
Action: Approved the MOA regarding preparation of a Groundwater Sustainability Plan
for the Santa Maria River Valley - Arroyo Grande Subbasin with the County of San Luis
Obispo.
8.g. Monthly Water Supply and Demand Update.
Action: Received and filed the monthly Water Supply and Demand Report.
8.h. Consideration of a Resolution Accepting Public Improvements for Parcel Map 11-
0046, Located at the Intersection of White Court and Ridgeview Way.
Action: Adopted a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE ACCEPTING PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS FOR
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Tuesday, June 23, 2020
PARCEL MAP 11-0046, LOCATED AT THE INTERSECTION OF WHITE COURT AND
RIDGEVIEW WAY".
8.i. Consideration of Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the Temporary Closure of
Short Street South of East Branch Street and North of Olohan Alley to
Accommodate its Use as an Outdoor Eating Area During the COVID-19 Reopening
Process.
Action: Adopted a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE AUTHORIZING THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF
SHORT STREET SOUTH OF EAST BRANCH STREET AND NORTH OF OLEHAN
ALLEY TO ACCOMMODATE ITS USE AS A COMMON OUTDOOR EATING AREA
DURING THE COVID-19 REOPENING PROCESS".
8.j. Consideration of a Resolution Authorizing the Community Development Director to
Waive Application Fees for Encroachment Permits and Minor Use Permits-
Temporary Use Permits Submitted by Restaurants Seeking Additional Outdoor
Dining Space during the COVID-19 Reopening Process.
Action: Adopted a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE AUTHORIZING THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
DIRECTOR TO WAIVE APPLICATION FEES FOR ENCROACHMENT PERMITS AND
MINOR USE PERMITS-TEMPORARY USE PERMITS SUBMITTED BY
RESTAURANTS SEEKING ADDITIONAL OUTDOOR DINING SPACE DURING THE
COVID-19 REOPENING PROCESS".
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
9.a. Consideration of Adoption of Resolutions Directing the Levy of the Annual
Assessments for the Parkside Village Assessment District,Grace Lane Assessment
District and Landscaping and Lighting Assessment District No. 1,Within Tract 1769,
for Fiscal Year 2020-2021.
Acting City Manager/Public Works Director Robeson presented the staff report and recommended
the Council: 1) Conduct a public hearing for the levy and collection of assessments for the
Parkside Village Assessment District, Grace Lane Assessment District, and Landscaping and
Lighting Assessment District No. 1, within Tract 1769; 2) Adopt a Resolution directing the levy of
the annual assessment for the Parkside Village Assessment District pursuant to the Landscaping
and Lighting Act of 1972 (Streets and Highways Code Sections 22500 et. seq.) for Fiscal Year
2020-2021; 3)Adopt a Resolution directing the levy of the annual assessment for the Grace Lane
Assessment District pursuant to the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972 (Streets and Highways
Code Sections 22500 et. seq.)for Fiscal Year 2020-2021; and 4)Adopt a Resolution directing the
levy of the annual assessment for the Landscaping and Lighting Assessment District No. 1
pursuant to the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972 (Streets and Highways Code Sections
22500 et. seq.) within Tract 1769, for Fiscal Year 2020-2021. Staff responded to questions from
Council.
Mayor Ray Russom opened the public hearing. Upon hearing no comments, Mayor Ray Russom
closed the public hearing.
Action: Mayor Pro Tern Storton moved to adopt a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE DIRECTING THE LEVY OF THE
ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS RELATED TO THE PARKSIDE VILLAGE ASSESSMENT
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Tuesday, June 23, 2020
DISTRICT PURSUANT TO THE LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING ACT OF 1972 (STREETS
AND HIGHWAYS CODE SECTIONS 22500 ET. SEQ.)FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020-2021". Council
Member George seconded, and the motion passed on following roll call vote:
AYES: Storton, George, Paulding, Barneich, Ray Russom
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Action: Mayor Pro Tern Storton moved to adopt a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE DIRECTING THE LEVY OF THE
ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS RELATED TO THE GRACE LANE ASSESSMENT DISTRICT
PURSUANT TO THE LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING ACT OF 1972 (STREETS AND
HIGHWAYS CODE SECTIONS 22500 ET. SEQ.) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020-2021". Council
Member George seconded, and the motion passed on following roll call vote:
AYES: Storton, George, Paulding, Barneich, Ray Russom
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Action: Mayor Pro Tern Storton moved to adopt a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE DIRECTING THE LEVY OF THE
ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS RELATED TO THE ARROYO GRANDE LANDSCAPING AND
LIGHTING ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. 1, WITHIN TRACT 1769, PURSUANT TO THE
LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING ACT OF 1972 (STREETS AND HIGHWAYS CODE
SECTIONS 22500 ET. SEQ.) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020-2021". Council Member George
seconded, and the motion passed on following roll call vote:
AYES: Storton, George, Paulding, Barneich, Ray Russom
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
10. OLD BUSINESS:
10.a. Consideration of Adoption of Fiscal Year 2020-21 Budget.
Administrative Services Director Stevens presented the staff report and recommended that the
Council adopt a Resolution approving the Fiscal Year 2020-21 Budget. Staff responded to
questions from Council.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comments. No public comments were received.
Action: Mayor Ray Russom moved to adopt a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE ADOPTING THE FISCAL YEAR 2020-
21 BUDGET AND MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE AMOUNT BUDGETED". Mayor Pro
Tern Storton seconded, and the motion passed on following roll call vote:
AYES: Ray Russom, Storton, Barneich, Paulding, George
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
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Tuesday, June 23, 2020
Mayor Ray Russom called for a break at 9:45 p.m. The Council reconvened at 9:52 p.m.
11. NEW BUSINESS
11.a. Consideration and Direction Regarding a Proposed Revenue Measure to Address
the City's Future Funding Needs.
Acting City Manager Robeson presented the staff report and recommended the Council consider
a proposed revenue measure to address the City's future funding needs, and, if desired, direct
staff to prepare an action item to place a local transaction and use tax ("sales tax") measure on
the November 2020 ballot. Staff responded to questions from Council.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public via teleconference were:
Frank Schiro, who thanked the Council for helping businesses to reopen, stated businesses are
facing shortages and expressed concern about a 1% increase in sales tax; and Jocelyn Brennan,
President/CEO, South County Chambers of Commerce, stated the Board of Directors has not
taken an official position on the matter but would encourage some of the funds go to the business
community and stated the Chamber would work with the City to engage the business community.
No further public comments were received.
At 10:57 p.m., Mayor Ray Russom stated that pursuant to Council policy, the Council must vote
unanimously to continue the meeting past 11:00 p.m.
Action: Mayor Ray Russom moved to continue the meeting to 11:15 p.m. Council Member
Barneich seconded, and the motion passed unanimously on the following roll-call vote:
AYES: Ray Russom, Barneich, Paulding, George, Storton
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Council comments and discussion ensued regarding the structure of a proposed measure,
including potential advisory measures to help in prioritizing use of the funds; support for utilizing
sales tax revenue to assist local businesses, acknowledgement that there is a need for additional
funding sources for streets, sidewalks and other infrastructure, that this should go to the voters to
decide, that there are transparency and accountability measures in place, that there should not
be a sunset clause, and support for a 1% general tax. Mayor Ray Russom stated that the
presentation demonstrated it was clear that funding is needed for pavement and sidewalks and
that her preference was a special tax for that purpose.
Action: Mayor Pro Tem Storton moved to continue with placing a sales tax measure on the
November ballot asking voters for a 1% increase in sales tax to be designated for the City's
identified top priorities. Council Member Barneich seconded the motion. Brief discussion ensued
to clarify that the top priorities include roads (streets), sidewalks, infrastructure maintenance and
repair, along with local business assistance programs due to COVID-19. Further discussion
ensued regarding the ballot question and potential advisory measures. City Attorney Carmel
explained that staff would need very specific direction with regard to advisory measures, and
noted that as the Acting City Manager demonstrated in the presentation, the City's needs are very
focused to include street and sidewalk maintenance, stormwater and drainage maintenance and
upgrades, parks and open space maintenance and upgrades, public facilities, and local business
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Tuesday, June 23, 2020
assistance. He clarified that the proposed ballot measure question would include these priorities
and would come back to the Council for consideration. The motion passed on following roll call
vote:
AYES: Storton, Barneich, Paulding, George, Ray Russom
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
12. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Mayor Ray Russom suggested, and the Council concurred, to postpone City Council reports to
the next regular meeting on July 14tH
Action: At 11:15 p.m., Mayor Ray Russom moved to continue the meeting for an additional five
minutes, Council Member George seconded, and the motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Ray Russom, George, Paulding, Barneich, Storton
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
13. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
There were no Council communications.
14. CLOSED SESSION
None.
15. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Ray Russom adjourned
the meetin at 11:17 p.m.
Caren RayI ti,„‘„,„2,.4; Mayor
ATTEST:
i J 1 + 3, 1
Kelly WVtm, e, City Clerk
(Approved at CC Mtg 1-243-20 2A )