CC 2021-09-28_08c Approval of Minutes_09-14-21ACTION MINUTES
SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 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.
SPECIAL MEETING 4:30 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Ray Russom called the Special City Council Meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Council Members Lan George, Keith Storton, Kristen Barneich, Mayor Pro Tem Jimmy Paulding,
and Mayor Caren Ray Russom were all present via teleconference.
Staff members present via teleconference were City Manager Whitney McDonald, Assistant City
Manager/Public Works Director Bill Robeson, City Attorney Timothy Carmel, and City Clerk
Jessica Matson.
3. FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Ray Russom led the flag salute.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
None.
CLOSED SESSION
The City Attorney announced that City Council would recess to a closed session for the following:
a) Conference with Legal Counsel- Existing Litigation pursuant to Government Code Section
54956.9(d)(1):
Name of Case: Santa Maria Valley Water Conservation District v. City of Santa Maria, et
al. and related actions, Santa Clara Superior Court, Case No. CV 770214.
RECONVENE
The City Council reconvened to open session at 6:00 p.m. in conjunction with the Regular City
Council Meeting. Announcements of any reportable action from the closed session 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 6:04 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.
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Staff Present: City Manager Whitney McDonald, Assistant City Manager/Public Works
Director Bill Robeson, City Attorney Timothy Carmel, City Clerk Jessica
Matson, Administrative Services Director Nicole Valentine, Utilities
Manager Shane Taylor, and Deputy City Clerk/Communications
Coordinator Sarah Lansburgh.
3. MOMENT OF REFLECTION
4. FLAG SALUTE
Council Member George the flag salute.
5. AGENDA REVIEW
5.a. Closed Session Announcements.
Special Meeting of September 14, 2021
a) Conference with Legal Counsel- Existing Litigation pursuant to Government
Code Section 54956.9(d)(1):
Name of Case: Santa Maria Valley Water Conservation District v. City of Santa
Maria, et al. and related actions, Santa Clara Superior Court, Case No. CV 770214.
City Attorney Carmel announced that the City Council discussed the Santa Maria Valley
Groundwater case, and that there was no reportable action.
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.
6.b. City Manager Communications.
Recommended Action: Receive correspondence/comments as presented by the City
Manager and provide direction, as necessary.
City Manager McDonald highlighted that the Planning Commission considered amendments to
the Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance and recommended that the Council consider adoption at
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a future City Council meeting; the first Public Workshop for the 2022 Districting process will be
held virtually September 18, 2021; and that on September 9, 2021 the Mayor sent a letter of
support to the Governor to veto SB 9.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. No public comments were received.
No action was taken on this item.
6.c. Honorary Proclamation Recognizing September 15 – October 15, 2021 as
Hispanic Heritage Month.
Mayor Ray Russom read the Honorary Proclamation Recognizing September 15 – October 15,
2021 as “Hispanic Heritage Month” in Arroyo Grande. CR Lara, Latino Outreach Council, and
Euclides Del Moral, Mexican Consul, accepted the proclamation. Euclides Del Moral presented
a Certificate of Recognition to the Council for highlighting the contributions made by the Latino
and Mexican community in the City of Arroyo Grande and enhancing and connecting the diverse
and multi-racial and multi-cultural mosaic of cultures during Hispanic Heritage Month.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. No public comments were received.
No action was taken on this item.
6.d. Introduction of New Employee – Sarah Lansburgh, Deputy City
Clerk/Communications Coordinator.
City Clerk Matson introduced Sarah Lansburgh as the City’s new Deputy City
Clerk/Communications Coordinator and highlighted her educational and professional
background
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. No 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 pulled item 8.d. for separate consideration.
Council commented in appreciation of Item 8.f. (Consideration of Request to Rename Police
Tribute Park to “Chief Beau D. Pryor Memorial Park”).
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Jim Guthrie. No further
public comments were received.
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Action: Council Member Barneich moved to approve Consent Agenda Items 8.a. through 8.i.,
with the exception of Item 8.d., with the recommended courses of action. 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 August 16 2021
through August 31, 2021.
8.b. Consideration of Approval of Minutes
Action: Approved the minutes of the Special and Regular City Council Meetings of
August 24, 2021, as submitted.
8.c. 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 Grant Acceptance from the Office of Traffic Safety for
Traffic/DUI Enforcement
Action: 1) Adopted a Resolution entitled: “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE AUTHORIZING THE CHIEF OF POLICE TO
EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CALIFORNIA OFFICE OF TRAFFIC
SAFETY TO ACCEPT GRANT FUNDING FOR TRAFFIC SAFETY PROGRAMS
AND TO APPROPRIATE FUNDING FOR THE PROGRAM ACTIVITIES”; and 2)
Approved a Budget Amendment Request for FY 2021-22 in the amount of $50,000 to
department 4209-OTS Special Grant Program.
8.f. Consideration of Request to Rename Police Tribute Park to “Chief Beau D. Pryor
Memorial Park”
Action: Adopted a Resolution entitled: “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE RENAMING POLICE TRIBUTE PARK THE
“CHIEF BEAU D. PRYOR MEMORIAL PARK”.
8.g. Consideration of Approval of an Agreement with GSI Water Solutions, Inc. for
the Preparation of the Northern Cities Management Area Annual Report and
Monitoring Program for the Years 2021-2023
Action: Approved and authorized the Mayor to execute an Agreement for Consultant
Services with GSI Water Solutions, Inc. for the preparation of the 2021, 2022, and
2023 NCMA Annual Report and Monitoring Program.
8.h. Consideration to Approve Construction Plans & Specifications and Calif ornia
Environmental Exemption for the 2021 Street Repairs Project, PW 2021-01.
Action: 1) Approved a Budget Amendment Request to carryover $1,696,709 of
unexpended funds from FY 2020-21; 2) Approved the construction plans and
specifications for the 2021 Street Repairs Project; 3) Authorized the City Clerk to
advertise for construction bids; 4) Found that the project is categorically exempt from
the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Guidelines Section
15301(c); and 5) Directed the City Clerk to file a Notice of Exemption.
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8.i. Consideration of Approval of Consultant Services Agreement for Building
Division Staff, Plan Review and Inspection Services.
Action: Approved and authorized the Mayor to execute the Agreement for Consultant
Services for Building Division staff, plan review and inspection services.
8. ITEMS PULLED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA
8.d. Consideration of Approval of a Resolution Amending the Arroyo Grande
Tourism Business Improvement District (AGTBID) Fiscal Year 2021-22 Budget
to Sponsor 2021 Christmas in the Village Events. (McDONALD)
Recommended Action: Adopt a Resolution approving a Budget Amendment
Request to the FY 2021-22 AGTBID budget increasing the use of AGTBID’s available
fund balance by $5,000 for sponsorship of 2021 Christmas in the Village Events.
City Manager McDonald and Gaea Powell, AGVIA, responded to questions from Council.
Jocelyn Brennan, South County Chambers of Commerce, provided background information
regarding AGTBID funds used for Christmas in the Village and responded to questions from
Council.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public were Frank Schiro, Sarah
Gibbs, and Sheila Blake.
Council concurred to direct staff to obtain quotes for lighting in the Village and identify how many
lights the City owns.
No action was taken on this item.
Mayor Ray Russom called for a brief break at 8:02 p.m. The Council reconvened at 8:07 p.m.
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
10. OLD BUSINESS:
10.a. Consideration of Participation in Central Coast Blue Project and Preliminary
Discussion of Water Supply Alternatives.
City Manager McDonald presented the report and recommended that the Council: 1)
Consider authorizing the City Manager to negotiate a cost-sharing agreement and a Joint
Powers Agreement governing the City’s participation in the Project consistent with the
framework provided in Attachment 1; 2) authorize the immediate contribution of $86,000 to
the Project from the Water Availability Fund for pre-construction costs; and 3) receive a
preliminary report identifying water supply alternatives that may be available to the City and
provide direction to staff regarding further analysis of identified alternatives. City Manager
McDonald and Utilities Manager Shane Taylor responded to questions from Council.
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Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public were Jeff Edwards, Julie
Tacker, Allene Villa, Manley McNinch, Anthony Ventura, Joshua Medrano, David Baldwin, and
Autumn Brown. City Clerk Matson read into the record written correspondence received from Jim
Guthrie and Julie Tacker. No further comments were received.
Action: Council Member Storton moved to: 1) Authorize the City Manager to negotiate a cost-
sharing agreement and a Joint Powers Agreement governing the City’s participation in the
Project consistent with the framework provided in Attachment 1; 2) authorize the immediate
contribution of $86,000 to the Project from the Water Availability Fund for pre-construction
costs; and 3) receive a preliminary report identifying water supply alternatives that may be
available to the City and provide direction to staff regarding further anal ysis of identified
alternatives. Mayor Pro Tem Paulding seconded, and the motion passed on the following roll-call
vote:
AYES: Storton, Paulding, Barneich, George, Ray Russom
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
11. NEW BUSINESS
None.
12. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Council Member Barneich commented that she had received a request for a list of approved
vacation rentals to be posted on the City website and commented on the increase in deaths due
to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Council Member George shared information regarding the need for foster families in the
community.
Mayor Ray Russom reminded the public of the dedication of the “Chief Beau D. Pryor Memorial
Park” on Saturday, September 25, 2021 at 9:00 a.m.
13. CLOSED SESSION
None.
14. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come bef ore the City Council, Mayor Ray Russom adjourned
the meeting at 10:04 p.m.
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_______________________________
Caren Ray Russom, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
Jessica Matson, City Clerk
(Approved at CC Mtg _______________)
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