CC 2021-03-09_08b Approval of Minutes_02-23-21ACTION MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2021
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.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Ray Russom called the Regular City Council Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
City Council: Council Members Lan George, Kristen Barneich, Keith Storton, Mayor
Pro Tem Jimmy Paulding, and Mayor Caren Ray Russom were all
present via teleconference.
Staff Present: City Manager Whitney McDonald, Assistant City Manager/Public Works
Director Bill Robeson, City Attorney Timothy Carmel, City Clerk Jessica
Matson, Community Development Director Rob Fitzroy, and Director of
Administrative Services Mike Stevens.
3. MOMENT OF REFLECTION
Council Member Barneich requested that the moment of reflection be in memory of the 500,000+
Americans that have perished due to COVID-19.
4. FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Ray Russom led the flag salute.
5. AGENDA REVIEW
Council Member George requested, and the Council concurred, to reorder the Agenda to hear
Item 11.c. prior to Item 11.b. allowing Council to discuss the use of SB 1090 funds.
5.a. Closed Session Announcements.
None.
5.b. Ordinances read in title only.
Mayor Ray Russom moved, Council Member George seconded, and the motion passed
unanimously by roll-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.
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Tuesday, February 23, 2021
City Manager McDonald provided a brief update on COVID-19 efforts and responded to questions
from Council.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. No public comments were received.
No action was taken on this item.
6.b. City Manager Communications.
Recommended Action: Receive correspondence/comments as presented by the City
Manager and provide direction, as necessary.
City Manager McDonald provided an update on the Recreation Department’s Distance Learning
Program, and provided a brief update on the progress of the Olohan Alley repaving project.
Public Works Director/Assistant City Manager Robeson responded to Council questions
regarding the Bridge Street Bridge and Olohan Alley projects.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. No public comments were received.
No action was taken on this item.
6.c. Introduction of New Employee – Rob Fitzroy, Community Development Director.
City Manager McDonald introduced Rob Fitzroy as the City's new Community Development
Director and highlighted his educational and professional background.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. No public comments were received.
No action was taken on this item.
6.d. Introduction and Oath of Office - Jessica Matson, Legislative and Information
Services Director/City Clerk.
Mayor Ray Russom administered the Oath of Office to Legislative and Information Services
Director/City Clerk Jessica Matson.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. No public comments were received.
6.e. Recognition of Outgoing City Commission and Board Members.
Mayor Ray Russom thanked outgoing Downtown Parking and Advisory Board Member Ron
Meier, Planning Commissioner Andrea Montes, and Arroyo Grande Tourism Business
Improvement District Advisory Board Member David Kastner for their service to the community.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public were David Kastner,
Andrea Montes, and Jocelyn Brennan. No further public comments were received.
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Tuesday, February 23, 2021
No action was taken on this item.
7. COMMUNITY COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Kate Vaus; Jamie
Sanbonmatsu; Frankie Lee Slater; and Kelly Wetmore.
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 commented on items 8.e. and 8.f.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. No public comments were received.
Action: Council Member Barneich moved to approve Consent Agenda Items 8.a. through 8.g.
Council Member Storton seconded, and the motion passed on the following roll-call vote:
AYES: Barneich, Storton, George, Paulding, 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, 2021 through
February 15, 2021.
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 January 31, 2021, 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 February 9, 2021,
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 Authorization to Reallocate the Existing Neighborhood Services
Technician Positions from the Police Department to the Community Development
Department and Approve the Associated Budget Transfer Between Departments.
Action: Authorized the reallocation of the existing 1.4 FTE NST positions from the Police
Department to the Community Development Department and approved the transfer of the
associated budget for salaries and benefits for these positions between the departments.
8.f. Monthly Water Supply and Demand Update.
Action: Received and filed the Monthly Water Supply and Demand Report.
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Tuesday, February 23, 2021
8.g. Consideration to Approve an Agreement for Consultant Services with Eikhof Design
Group for the 2021 Concrete Repairs Project, PW 2021-02.
Action: Approved an Agreement for Consultant Services with Eikhof Design Group in the
amount of $28,460 for design services for the 2021 Concrete Repairs Project, PW 2021-
02.
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
10. OLD BUSINESS:
None.
11. NEW BUSINESS
11.a. Consideration of General Fund Five-Year Financial Outlook.
Administrative Services Director Stevens presented the staff report and recommended that the
Council receive, consider, and file the updated Five-Year Financial Outlook Report and responded
to questions from Council.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comments. Speaking from the public was Jim Guthrie. No
further comments were received.
No action was taken on this item. The report was received and file.
Mayor Ray Russom called for a recess at 7:58 p.m. The Council reconvened at 8:05 p.m.
The following items were heard out of order.
11.c. Consideration of Setting Economic Development Goals and Priorities for Purposes
of Creating a Spending Plan for the City’s Allocation of SB 1090 Funds.
City Manager McDonald presented the staff report and recommended that the Council consider
and set economic development goals and priorities for purposes of creating a spending plan for
the City’s allocation of SB 1090 funds. Staff responded to questions from Council.
Council discussion ensued in support of the retention of existing Arroyo Grande businesses;
retention and development of head-of-household jobs; and support of a comprehensive General
Plan Update.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public were Jim Guthrie, and
Jocelyn Brennan. No further comments were received.
Council directed staff to work on a plan for COVID relief funds; work with the Chamber of
Commerce on a proposal for services and bring the proposal to Council for review; and to
agendize a discussion regarding a comprehensive General Plan Update.
Item 8.b. - Page 4
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Tuesday, February 23, 2021
At 10:48 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 11:30 p.m. Council Member
Storton seconded, and the motion passed unanimously on the following roll-call vote:
AYES: Ray Russom, Storton, George, Barneich, Paulding
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
11.b. Consideration of Approval of a COVID-19 Relief Program, Including Allocation of
SB 1090 Funds and/or Other General Funds to the Program.
City Manager McDonald presented the staff report and recommended that the Council consider
approving a COVID-19 Relief Program, allocating funding to the Program, including a portion of
the City’s SB 1090 funds, establishing funding amounts for each program, establishing limits on
the amount of each grant in each program, and providing direction on program components, and
responded to questions from Council.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Jocelyn Brennan. No
further comments were received.
Council discussion ensued in support of business assistance grant programs.
Action: Mayor Ray Russom moved to continue the item to a date certain of March 9, 2021.
Council Member George seconded, and the motion passed on the following roll-call vote:
AYES: Ray Russom, George, Storton, Barneich, Paulding
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 March 9th.
13. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Ray Russom suggested, and the Council concurred, to postpone City Council
communications to the next regular meeting on March 9th.
14. CLOSED SESSION
None.
15. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Ray Russom adjourned
the meeting at 11:29 p.m.
Item 8.b. - Page 5
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Tuesday, February 23, 2021
____________________________
Caren Ray Russom, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
Jessica Matson, City Clerk
(Approved at CC Mtg _______________)
Item 8.b. - Page 6