CC 2024-01-23_09.e. Approval of Minutes_2024-01-09
1 Item 9.e.
ACTION MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
January 9, 2024, 6:00 p.m.
Hybrid City Council Chamber/Virtual Zoom Meeting
215 East Branch Street, Arroyo Grande
Council Members Present: Mayor Ray Russom, Mayor Pro Tem Guthrie,
Council Member Barneich, Council Member
George, Council Member Secrest
Staff Present: City Clerk Jessica Matson, City Attorney Isaac
Rosen, City Manager Matthew Downing,
Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director
Bill Robeson, Administrative Services Director
Nicole Valentine, Community Development
Director Brian Pedrotti, Recreation Services
Director Sheridan Bohlken, Fire Chief Steve
Lieberman, City Engineer Shannon Sweeney,
IT Manager Kevin Waddy
This meeting was conducted in a hybrid in-person/virtual format.
_____________________________________________________________________
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Ray Russom called the Regular City Council Meeting to order at 6:00 P.M.
2. ROLL CALL
City Clerk Matson took roll call.
3. MOMENT OF REFLECTION
4. FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Ray Russom led the flag salute.
5. AGENDA REVIEW
5.a Closed Session Announcements
None.
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5.b Ordinances read in title only
Moved by Mayor Ray Russom
Seconded by Council Member Barneich
Move that all ordinances presented at the meeting shall be read by title only and all further
readings be waived.
AYES (5): Mayor Ray Russom, Council Member Barneich, Council Member George, Council
Member Secrest, and Mayor Pro Tem Guthrie
Passed (5 to 0)
6. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
6.a Introduction of New Employee and Oath of Office – Matthew Downing, City Manager
Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director Robeson introduced and welcomed City Manager
Matthew Downing. Mayor Ray Russom welcomed City Manager Downing. City Clerk Matson
administered the Oath of Office.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Patty Welsh. No
further public comments were received.
6.b City Manager Communications
City Manager Downing provided Department updates regarding a Community Survey, New
Building Permit Technician, New Police Trainee, and an update on the Village construction
projects.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. No public comments were received.
No action was taken on this item.
7. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
None.
Reports are made during the Second Council Meeting each month.
8. COMMUNITY COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Patty Welsh. No further
public comments were received.
9. 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.
Staff responded to questions regarding Item 9.f.
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Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Patty Welsh. No further
public comments were received. Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director Robeson responded to
questions from the public. City Attorney Rosen provided clarification regarding fee waivers.
Moved by Council Member Barneich
Seconded by Council Member George
Approve Consent Agenda Items 9.a. through 9.g., with the recommended courses of action.
AYES (5): Council Member Barneich, Council Member George, Council Member Secrest, Mayor Pro
Tem Guthrie, and Mayor Ray Russom
Passed (5 to 0)
9.a Consideration of Cash Disbursement Ratification
1) Ratified the listing of cash disbursements for the period of November 15 through December
15, 2023; 2) Determined that ratifying the cash disbursements is not a project subject to the
California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) because it has no potential to result in either a
direct, or reasonably foreseeable indirect, physical change in the environment. (State CEQA
Guidelines, §§ 15060, subd. (c)(2)-(3), 15378.)
9.b Consideration of Statement of Investment Deposits
1) Received and filed the report listing investment deposits of the City of Arroyo Grande as of
November 30, 2023, as required by Government Code Section 53646(b); 2) Determined that
receiving the report of investment deposits is not a project subject to the California
Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) because it has no potential to result in either a direct, or
reasonably foreseeable indirect, physical change in the environment. (State CEQA Guidelines,
§§ 15060, subd. c)(2)-(3), 15378.)
9.c Approval of Minutes
Approved the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of December 12, 2023, as submitted.
9.d Consideration of Resolution Adopting the 2023 County Joinder Amendment to Second
Amended and Restated Joint Powers Agreement of the Integrated Waste Management
Authority
Adopted a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE ADOPTING 2023 COUNTY JOINDER AMENDMENT TO THE SECOND
AMENDED AND RESTATED JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT OF THE INTEGRATED WASTE
MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY"; and 2) Found that rejoining the IWMA via the Resolution is not
a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) because it has no
potential to result in either a direct, or reasonably foreseeable indirect, physical change in the
environment. (State CEQA Guidelines, §§ 15060, subd. (c)(2)-(3), 15378).
9.e Consideration of Adoption of an Ordinance Amending Title 13 of the Arroyo Grande
Municipal Code Regarding the Water Shortage Contingency Plan
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Adopted the Ordinance amending Section 13.07.030 (C)(2) of the Arroyo Grande Municipal
Code regarding the WSCP
9.f Consideration of Award of Contract to Cushman Contracting Corporation for
Construction of the Swinging Bridge Retrofit Project, PW 2021-06 and Find the Action
Exempt from CEQA
1) Awarded a contract for the Swinging Bridge Retrofit Project to Cushman Contracting
Corporation in the amount of $937,000, in substantially final form subject to any minor, technical
or non-substantive changes approved by the City Manager in consultation with the City
Attorney; 2) Authorized the City Manager to approve change orders of 10% of the contract
amount, $93,700, for unanticipated costs during the construction phase of the Project; and 3)
Determined that the Project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality
Act (“CEQA”) under the Class 1 exemption, which applies to the operation, repair, maintenance,
permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing structures, facilities, mechanical
equipment, or topographical features where the project involves negligible or no expansion of
existing or former use. (State CEQA Guidelines, § 15301)
9.g Consideration of Adoption of a Resolution Waiving or Reimbursing up to $5,000 for
Certain Building Permit Fees Related to Repair or Reconstruction of Homes Damaged by
Flooding in 2023 Declared Local Emergencies
1) Adopted a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE WAIVING OR REIMBURSING UP TO $5,000 FOR CERTAIN BUILDING
PERMIT FEES (DEMOLITION, BUILDING PERMIT, AND INSPECTION FEES) RELATED TO
REPAIR OR RECONSTRUCTION OF HOMES DAMAGED BY FLOODING IN 2023
DECLARED LOCAL EMERGENCIES AND FINDING THE ACTION EXEMPT FROM CEQA";
2) Found the public purpose contained within the Staff Report supports the contemplated
waivers or reimbursements; and 3) Determined that the item is not a project subject to the
California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) because it has not potential to result in either a
direct, or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. (State CEQA
Guidelines, §§ 15060, subd. (b)(2)-(3), 15378.)
10. PUBLIC HEARINGS
10.a Consider a Resolution for the Installation of One (1) Domestic Well on Property Zoned
Planned Development (PD); Applicant – Michael Harris; Representative – Richard Burde,
SLO Civil Design
Community Development Director Pedrotti announced that the applicant requested that this item
be continued.
Mayor Ray Russom opened the public hearing. Upon hearing no public comments, Mayor Ray
Russom closed the public hearing.
Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Guthrie
Seconded by Council Member George
Continue to a date certain of February 27, 2024.
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AYES (5): Mayor Pro Tem Guthrie, Council Member George, Council Member Barneich, Council
Member Secrest, and Mayor Ray Russom
Passed (5 to 0)
11. OLD BUSINESS
None.
12. NEW BUSINESS
12.a Consider Results of Voter Opinion Polling for a Potential Future Ballot Measure
City Clerk Matson introduced the item and Dr. Tim McLarney, True North Research, provided a
presentation regarding the result of the Voter Opinion Poll. City Clerk Matson and Assistant City
Manager/Public Works Director Robeson responded to questions from Council.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. No public comments were received.
Council discussion ensued regarding support for staff to continue working with the consultant on
the potential ballot measure.
Moved by Council Member Barneich
Seconded by Council Member George
Direct staff to continue work with the consultant on a potential future revenue measure
AYES (5): Council Member Barneich, Council Member George, Council Member Secrest, Mayor
Pro Tem Guthrie, and Mayor Ray Russom
Passed (5 to 0)
13. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Council Member Barneich welcomed City Manager Matthew Downing.
Council Member George announced that there will be a bench dedication ceremony in honor of former
Planning Commissioner John Keen on Sunday, January 14th at 2:00 p.m at the Council Chamber.
Mayor Ray Russom requested that the Council consider directing staff to agendize a discussion item
regarding an update of the sign Ordinance. Mayor Pro Tem Guthrie concurred.
14. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Ray Russom adjourned the
meeting at 7:28 p.m.
_________________________
Caren Ray Russom, Mayor
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_________________________
Jessica Matson, City Clerk
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