CC 2021-04-13_08c Approval of Minutes_03-23-21ACTION MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY, MARCH 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 Accounting
Manager Nicole Valentine.
3. MOMENT OF REFLECTION
Mayor Ray Russom requested that the moment of reflection be in memory of Elsie Cecchetti.
4. FLAG SALUTE
Council Member Storton led the flag salute.
5. AGENDA REVIEW
5.a. Closed Session Announcements.
None.
5.b. Ordinances read in title only.
None.
6. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
6.a. Update Regarding Countywide COVID-19 Efforts.
Recommended Action: Receive update, accept public comments, discuss, and provide
direction, as necessary.
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.
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6.b. City Manager Communications.
Recommended Action: Receive correspondence/comments as presented by the City
Manager and provide direction, as necessary.
City Manager McDonald introduced Don Rhodes, Finance Consultant who will be working with
the City’s Administrative Services Department through the budget process; and spoke on the
American Rescue Act.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. No public comments were received.
No action was taken on this item.
6.c. Honorary Proclamation Declaring April as “Month of the Child” and “Child Abuse
Prevention Month”.
Mayor Ray Russom read the Honorary Proclamation recognizing the month of April 2021 as
"Month of the Child" and "Child Abuse Prevention Month". Jamie Sanbonmatsu, representing
Child Care Planning Council via teleconference, accepted the Proclamation.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. No public comments were received.
No action was taken on this item.
7. COMMUNITY COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Jamie Sanbonmatsu.
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 item 8.c., noting a correction under Council Communications to reflect
that the South County Chambers of Commerce is looking for support for an Economic Impact
Assessment for the Oceano Dunes; and item 8.f. regarding a two year rolling update in the future.
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.f.,
with the modification to the minutes of March 9, 2021 in Item 8.c. as noted by Mayor Pro Tem
Paulding. Mayor Pro Tem Paulding seconded, and the motion passed on the following roll-call
vote:
AYES: Barneich, Paulding, Storton, George, Ray Russom
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
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8.a. Consideration of Cash Disbursement Ratification.
Action: Ratified the listing of cash disbursements for the period March 1, 2021 through
March 15, 2021.
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 February 28, 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 March 9, 2021, as
modified.
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 Amendment to the Agreement for Consultant Services with
Quincy Engineering for the Swinging Bridge Project.
Action: Approved and authorized the Mayor to execute Amendment No. 5 to the
Consultant Services Agreement with Quincy Engineering to extend the contract expiration
date to October 15, 2021, and approved the additional scopes of services to prepare a
formal permit application for CDFW, prepare final plans and specifications for construction
bid, and provide bid support and analysis in an amount not to exceed an additional
$17,250.00.
8.f. Monthly Water Supply and Demand Update.
Action: Received and filed the Monthly Water Supply and Demand Report.
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
10. OLD BUSINESS:
10.a. Discussion and Consideration of Approval of the Central Coast Blue Operating
Agreement and Adoption of a Resolution Adopting CEQA Findings, a Statement of
Overriding Considerations, and a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program,
and Directing the City Clerk to File a Notice of Determination for the Project.
Community Development Director Fitzroy presented the staff report and recommended that the
Council review and approve the Central Coast Blue Operating Agreement and adopt a Resolution
adopting CEQA Findings, a Statement of Overriding Considerations, and a Mitigation Monitoring
and Reporting Program and directing the City Clerk to file the Notice of Determination for the
Central Coast Blue project. Staff and Dan Heimel, Water Systems Consulting, responded to
questions.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public were Sean Perry, Scott
Zimmerman, Ryan Stem, Jim Guthrie, John Silveira, Joshua Medrano, Bronson Ross, Autumn
Brown, Mark Menges, and Manley McMench. No further comments were received.
The Council discussed the benefits of a Community Workforce Agreement and the need for a
governance committee.
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Action: Mayor Ray Russom moved to approve the Central Coast Blue Operating Agreement,
adopt a Resolution entitled: “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE, CALIFORNIA, AS A RESPONSIBLE AGENCY ADOPTING CEQA
FINDINGS, A STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS, AND MITIGATION
MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM AND DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO FILE
THE NOTICE OF DETERMINATION FOR THE CENTRAL COAST BLUE PROJECT”, direct the
City Manager to request a Governance Committee, and direct the City Manager to procure a
Community Workforce agreement. Council Member Barneich seconded. City Attorney Carmel
noted that there is not a need to direct the City Manager to request a Governance Committee.
Mayor Ray Russom modified her motion to remove the direction to City Manager. Brief discussion
ensued.
Mayor Ray Russom withdrew her motion.
Action: Mayor Ray Russom moved to approve the Central Coast Blue Operating Agreement,
subject to the Cities of Pismo Beach and Grover Beach separately agreeing to use a Community
Workforce Agreement for project construction. 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
Action: Mayor Ray Russom moved to adopt a Resolution entitled: “A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE, CALIFORNIA, AS A RESPONSIBLE
AGENCY ADOPTING CEQA FINDINGS, A STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING
CONSIDERATIONS, AND MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM AND
DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO FILE THE NOTICE OF DETERMINATION FOR THE
CENTRAL COAST BLUE PROJECT”. 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
Mayor Ray Russom called for a recess at 9:16 p.m. The Council reconvened at 9:23 p.m.
Council Member George suggested and Council concurred to hear item 11.a. before item 10.b.
11. NEW BUSINESS
11.a. Consideration of Arroyo Grande Community Service Grant Program Allocations
for Year 2021.
Associate Planner Perez presented the staff report and recommended the Council adopt a
Resolution approving the Arroyo Grande Community Service Grant Program awards for Year
2021.
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Mayor Ray Russom invited public comments. Speaking from the public were Janna Nichols, and
Judith Bernstein. No further comments were received.
Action: Council Member George moved to approve a Resolution entitled: “A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE APPROVING ARROYO GRANDE
COMMUNITY SERVICE GRANT PROGRAM AWARDS FOR YEAR 2021”, as modified to reduce
funding from the 5Cities Homeless Coalition, Arroyo Grande In Bloom, Hospice, Historical Society,
and CASA and reallocate a total of $2000 towards the Diversity Coalition. Mayor Pro Tem Paulding
seconded, and the motion passed on the following roll-call vote:
AYES: George, Paulding, Barneich, Storton, Ray Russom
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Council returned to item 10.b.
10. OLD BUSINESS:
10.b. Update Regarding Progress Toward the Top 10 Council Priorities for Fiscal Year
2020-2021 and Continued Consideration of a Draft Strategic Plan.
City Manager McDonald presented the staff report and recommended that the Council: 1) Receive
the update on the Top 10 Priorities; 2) Consider the Draft 2020 Strategic Plan; and 3) Direct staff
to delay further strategic planning efforts until directed otherwise.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Jim Guthrie. No
further comments were received.
Council expressed support for annual goal setting and top priority list.
Action: Mayor Pro Tem Paulding moved to receive the update on the Top 10 Priorities, consider
the Draft 2020 Strategic Plan, and direct staff to delay further strategic planning efforts until
directed otherwise. Mayor Ray Russom seconded, and the motion passed unanimously on the
following roll-call vote:
AYES: Paulding, Ray Russom, Barneich, Storton, George
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Action: Mayor Ray Russom moved to continue Item 11.a., Consideration of General Fund Five-
Year Financial Outlook, to a date certain of April 13, 2021. Council Member Storton seconded,
and the motion passed unanimously on the following roll-call vote:
AYES: Ray Russom, Storton, Barneich, George, Paulding
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
12. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
The City Council provided brief reports from the following committee, commission, board, or other
subcommittee meetings that they attended as the City’s appointed representative.
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(a) MAYOR RAY RUSSOM:
(1) California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (CJPIA)
(2) South San Luis Obispo County Sanitation District (SSLOCSD)
(3) Tourism Business Improvement District Advisory Board
(b) MAYOR PRO TEM PAULDING:
(1) Air Pollution Control District (APCD)
(2) Brisco/Halcyon Interchange Subcommittee
(3) Council of Governments/Regional Transit Authority (SLOCOG/SLORTA)
(4) South County Transit (SCT)
(c) COUNCIL MEMBER BARNEICH:
(1) Homeless Services Oversight Council (HSOC)
(2) South County Homeless Taskforce
(3) Zone 3 Water Advisory Board
(d) COUNCIL MEMBER STORTON:
(1) Brisco/Halcyon Interchange Subcommittee
(2) Five Cities Fire Authority (FCFA)
(3) Integrated Waste Management Authority Board (IWMA)
(4) South County Chambers of Commerce Governmental Affairs Committee
(e) COUNCIL MEMBER GEORGE:
(1) Community Action Partnership San Luis Obispo (CAPSLO)
(2) County Water Resources Advisory Committee (WRAC)
(3) Regional Water Initiatives
(4) Visit SLO CAL Advisory Board
13. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
14. CLOSED SESSION
At 10:50 p.m., City Attorney Carmel announced that the Council would adjourn to closed session
to consider the following items:
a) CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR pursuant to Government Code Section
54957.6:
Agency Negotiator: Whitney McDonald, City Manager
Represented Employees: Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 620
b) CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR pursuant to Government Code Section
54957.6:
Agency Designated Representative: Whitney McDonald, City Manager
Employee Organization: Arroyo Grande Police Officers’ Association (AGPOA)
At 10:59 p.m., the closed session concluded and City Attorney Carmel announced that there was
no reportable action. He stated that this report would also be made at the beginning of the next
City Council meeting as this portion of the meeting is not recorded or videotaped.
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15. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Ray Russom adjourned
the meeting at 11:00 p.m.
____________________________
Caren Ray Russom, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
Jessica Matson, City Clerk
(Approved at CC Mtg ________)
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