CC 2020-04-14_08b Approval of CC Minutes_3-10-20 and 3-24-20ACTION MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2020
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 215 E. BRANCH STREET
ARROYO GRANDE, CALIFORNIA
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, Jimmy Paulding, Mayor Pro Tem Keith
Storton, and Mayor Caren Ray Russom were present. Council Member
Kristen Barneich was absent.
Staff Present: City Manager Jim Bergman, Assistant City Attorney David Hirsch,
Director of Legislative and Information Services/City Clerk Kelly
Wetmore, Chief of Police Beau Pryor, Interim Director of Administrative
Services Nicole Valentine, Community Development Director Whitney
McDonald, and City Engineer Robin Dickerson.
3. MOMENT OF REFLECTION
4. FLAG SALUTE
Loni Kuentzel, representing the Central Coast Senior Center, led the Flag Salute.
5. AGENDA REVIEW
Mayor Ray Russom requested, and the Council concurred, that the agenda be reordered to hear
Item 11.a. prior to Item 9.a. to accommodate County staff that are present for the item.
5.a. Closed Session Announcements.
Regular City Council Meeting of February 25, 2020:
a)Conference with Real Property Negotiators pursuant to Government Code Section
54956.8
Property: 250 Wesley Street, Arroyo Grande (APNs 007-011-021 and 007-011-049)
Agency Negotiator: James Bergman, City Manager
Negotiating Party: 5 Cities Community Service Foundation
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment
Assistant City Attorney Hirsch reported that the Council met in closed session on February 25,
2020 and no reportable action was taken.
5.b. Ordinances Read in Title Only.
Council Member George moved, Mayor Pro Tem Storton seconded, and the motion passed
unanimously that all ordinances presented at the meeting shall be read by title only and all further
readings be waived.
6. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
None.
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7. COMMUNITY COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public were: Linda Osty, who
thanked the Council for lowering the flags to half-staff in honor of Katcho Achadjian and offered
an invocation in his honor highlighting his public service; Jim Guthrie, requested an update
regarding the Halcyon Complete Streets Plan, East Grand Avenue Enhancement Plan, funding
for the Brisco Interchange, Elm Street Park Improvement Plan, and Strategic Plan; and Sara
Sanders, representing San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG), announced a free
program called the “Freeway Service Patrol” to provide congestion relief, improved air quality,
and safe highways on Highway 101.
In response to a request by Mayor Ray Russom, City Manager Bergman provided an update on
the progress of the Council Subcommittee with regard to the Strategic Plan and stated it would
come back to Council soon; and he explained that the City is waiting until completion of the City’s
Comprehensive Annual Financial Report before moving forward with exploring financing options
for the Brisco Interchange project. Community Development Director McDonald responded that
she did not have a current update on the Halcyon Complete Streets Plan; that staff has met with
the consultants regarding the East Grand Avenue Enhancement Plan to review work that has
been completed to date, that additional input is needed from the Planning Commission and City
Council regarding street improvement and how the Enhancement Plan can be utilized along with
some of the housing goals that will be included in the Housing Element Update. She also gave
an update on the Brisco Interchange Project explaining that staff has been working with Caltrans
to review the environmental document. City Manager Bergman also reported that there has not
been any significant work on Elm Street Park due to staffing constraints.
8. CONSENT AGENDA
Mayor Ray Russom asked the Council if they had any questions or would like to pull any items
for further discussion.
Mayor Pro Tem Storton referred to Item 8.c. and announced that E. Cherry would be closed on
March 22nd to slurry seal the street, with March 29th as a back-up date depending on weather.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comments on the Consent Agenda. Speaking from the public
was Linda Osty, who expressed that she was looking forward to the street improvements and
being able to park on both sides of the street. No further public comments were received.
Action: Mayor Pro Tem Storton moved, and Council Member George seconded the motion to
approve Consent Agenda Items 8.a. through 8.e., with the recommended courses of action. The
motion passed on the following roll-call vote:
AYES: Storton, George, Paulding, Ray Russom
NOES: None
ABSENT: Barneich
8.a. Consideration of Cash Disbursement Ratification.
Action: Ratified the listing of cash disbursements for the period February 16, 2020
through February 29, 2020.
8.b. Consideration of Approval of Minutes.
Action: Approved the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of February 25, 2020,
as submitted.
Item 8.b. - Page 2
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8.c. Consideration of Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the Temporary Closure of
East Cherry Avenue from Traffic Way to Pacific Coast Railway on Sunday March 22,
2020 or Sunday, March 29, 2020.
Action: Adopted a Resolution entitled: “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE AUTHORIZING THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF
EAST CHERRY AVENUE FROM TRAFFIC WAY TO PACIFIC COAST RAILWAY
REQUESTED BY WATHEN CASTANOS HOMES TO SLURRY SEAL THAT SECTION
OF ROAD”.
8.d. Consideration of a Resolution Accepting Public Improvements for the Arroyo
Grande Shopping Center Located at the Intersection of East Grand Avenue and
South Elm Street.
Action: Adopted a Resolution entitled: “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE ACCEPTING PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE
ARROYO GRANDE SHOPPING CENTER, LOCATED AT THE INTERSECTION OF
EAST GRAND AVENUE AND SOUTH ELM STREET”.
8.e. Consideration of a Resolution Accepting Public Improvements for Tract 3072
Located at the Intersection of Elderberry Court and Courtland Street.
Action: Adopted a Resolution entitled: “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE ACCEPTING PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS FOR
TRACT 3072, LOCATED AT THE INTERSECTION OF ELDERBERRY COURT AND
COURTLAND STREET BY WATHEN CASTANOS HOMES”.
The next item was heard out of order.
11. NEW BUSINESS
11.a. Consideration of Adoption of Resolution Approving the San Luis Obispo
Countywide Regional Compact to Address Housing and Infrastructure Needs and
Authorizing the Mayor to Sign the Compact.
Community Development Director McDonald presented the staff report and recommended that
the Council adopt a Resolution approving the San Luis Obispo Countywide Regional Compact to
address housing and infrastructure needs and authorizing the Mayor to sign the Compact. Staff,
County Administrative Officer Wade Horton, and Carolyn Berg, County Principal Analyst,
responded to questions from the Council.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comments. Speaking from the public in support of the San Luis
Obispo Countywide Regional Compact were: Krista Jeffries; John Fowler, representing Peoples
Self Help Housing; Sara Sanders, representing SLOCOG; and Jim Guthrie, Arroyo Grande
resident. No further public comments were received.
Action: Council Member Paulding moved to adopt a Resolution entitled: “A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE APPROVING THE SAN LUIS
OBISPO COUNTYWIDE REGIONAL COMPACT TO ADDRESS HOUSING AND
INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN THE COMPACT”.
Council Member George seconded, and the motion passed on following roll call vote:
AYES: Paulding, George, Storton, Ray Russom
NOES: None
ABSENT: Barneich
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Tuesday, March 10, 2020
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
9.a. Consideration of Adoption of an Ordinance Repealing the City’s Expanded
Polystyrene Ordinance and Adopting by Reference the Integrated Waste
Management Authority’s Ordinance Regulating Polystyrene and Expanded
Polystyrene Food Containers and Products.
City Manager Bergman presented the staff report and recommended that the Council: 1) Conduct
the public hearing; and 2) Adopt the Ordinance repealing and replacing Chapter 8.34 of the Arroyo
Grande Municipal Code relating to expanded polystyrene and adopting by reference Ordinance
No. 2019-1 of the San Luis Obispo County Integrated Waste Management Authority regulating
polystyrene and expanded polystyrene (EPS) food containers and products.
Mayor Ray Russom opened the public hearing. Upon hearing no public comments, Mayor Ray
Russom closed the public hearing.
Action: Mayor Pro Tem Storton moved to adopt an Ordinance entitled: “AN ORDINANCE OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE REPEALING AND REPLACING
CHAPTER 8.34 OF THE ARROYO GRANDE MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO EXPANDED
POLYSTYRENE AND ADOPTING BY REFERENCE ORDINANCE NO. 2019-1 OF THE SAN
LUIS OBISPO COUNTY INTEGRATED WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY REGULATING
POLYSTYRENE AND EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE (EPS) FOOD CONTAINERS AND
PRODUCTS”. Council Member George seconded, and the motion passed on following roll call
vote:
AYES: Storton, George, Paulding, Ray Russom
NOES: None
ABSENT: Barneich
10. OLD BUSINESS:
None.
11. NEW BUSINESS
Item 11.a. was heard out of order.
11.b. Consideration of Fiscal Year 2019-20 Mid-Year Budget Report.
City Manager Bergman provided introductory comments and Accounting Manager Valentine
presented the staff report and recommended that the Council: 1) Approve detailed budget
adjustments and requests for additional appropriations listed in the Mid-Year Budget Report; and
2) Approve Schedule A attached to the Mid-Year Budget Report. Staff responded to extensive
questions from Council concerning the Mid-Year Budget Report.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comments. Speaking from the public was Jim Guthrie,
regarding the City’s General Fund reserve policy and commented on the use of contract
employees for providing certain City services. No further public comments were received.
Extensive Council comments ensued regarding the budget amendment requests, General Fund
revenue projections in the areas of sales tax and transient occupancy tax, and the policy goal for
the General Fund Reserve. Mayor Ray Russom expressed concerns about the CivicRec
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expenditure request of $4,500 and stated that it should be absorbed by the department budget
this fiscal year; stated that she is not in favor of the increase of $10,000 for the Jim Guthrie
Community Service Grant Fund in this budget cycle, until the City reaches its General Fund
Reserve policy goal of 15% and because the Grant Fund process is already underway, and that
she is willing to consider an increase to the Grant Fund during the next budget cycle; and opposed
the expenditure request of $25,000 for public education regarding a proposed ballot measure until
more discussion and a decision has been made by the Council regarding the matter. Further
discussion ensued regarding the Jim Guthrie Community Grant Fund process as well as the
timing for bringing back additional information to the Council regarding public outreach as it relates
to the City’s future financial needs and a potential ballot measure.
Action: Council Member Paulding moved to approve the recommended budget adjustments and
Schedule A of the Mid-Year Budget Report, as modified to exclude the Jim Guthrie Community
Service Community Grant fund increase of $10,000. Mayor Pro Tem Storton seconded, and the
motion passed on following roll call vote:
AYES: Paulding, Storton, George
NOES: Ray Russom
ABSENT: Barneich
12. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Council Member Paulding reported that the San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority Board
met on March 4th and discussed the bus maintenance facility project and stated that funding still
needs to be identified for the project.
13. CLOSED SESSION
None.
14. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Ray Russom adjourned
the meeting at 8:45 p.m. in memory of Katcho Achadjian.
___________________________________
Caren Ray Russom, Mayor
ATTEST:
___________________________________
Kelly Wetmore, City Clerk
(Approved at CC Mtg _____________)
Item 8.b. - Page 5
ACTION MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2020
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 215 E. BRANCH STREET
ARROYO GRANDE, CALIFORNIA
In compliance with the State and County Shelter at Home Orders 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 6:14 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
City Council: Council Members Lan George, Jimmy Paulding, Kristen Barneich, Mayor
Pro Tem Keith Storton, and Mayor Caren Ray Russom.
Staff present: City Manager James Bergman, City Attorney Timothy Carmel, Director of
Legislative and Information Services/City Clerk Kelly Wetmore,
Administrative Services Director Mike Stevens, Accounting Manager
Nicole Valentine, Director of Public Works Bill Robeson, Community
Development Director Whitney McDonald, and Information Technology
Manager Walt Cuzick.
3. MOMENT OF REFLECTION
4. FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Ray Russom led the flag salute.
5. AGENDA REVIEW
5.a. Closed Session Announcements.
None.
5.b. Ordinances Read in Title Only.
Mayor Ray Russom moved, Council Member Barneich seconded, and the motion passed
unanimously that all ordinances presented at the meeting shall be read by title only and all further
readings be waived.
6. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
6.a. Introduction of New Employee – Michael Stevens, Director of Administrative
Services.
City Manager Bergman introduced Michael Stevens as the new Director of Administrative
Services and highlighted his educational and professional background.
7. COMMUNITY COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Thomas Murray, who
expressed concern that the traffic light sensors at Rancho Parkway and West Branch Street near
the Five Cities Center are not working properly. No further public comments were received.
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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.
In response to questions by Council Members George and Paulding, Community Development
Director McDonald provided additional information regarding Item 8.e. (Consideration of the 2019
General Plan Annual Report.)
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comments on the Consent Agenda. No public comments were
received.
Action: Mayor Ray Russom moved, and Council Member Barneich seconded the motion to
approve Consent Agenda Items 8.a. through 8.g., with the recommended courses of action. The
motion passed on the following roll-call vote:
AYES: Ray Russom, Barneich, Paulding, George, Storton
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
8.a. Consideration of Cash Disbursement Ratification.
Action: Ratified the listing of cash disbursements for the period March 1, 2020 through
March 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 February 29, 2020 as required by Government Code Section
53646(b).
8.c. Consideration of a Resolution Authorizing the Deposit of City Funds in Various
Financial Institutions.
Action: Adopted a Resolution entitled: “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE AUTHORIZING THE DEPOSIT OF CITY FUNDS IN
VARIOUS FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS”.
8.d. 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. 4 to the
Consultant Services Agreement with Quincy Engineering to extend the contract expiration
date to April 13, 2021.
8.e. Consideration of the 2019 General Plan Annual Report.
Action: Reviewed and accepted the 2019 General Plan Annual Report and directed staff
to forward the Report to the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research and the
Department of Housing and Community Development.
8.f. Consideration of Approval of the Turf and Sprinklers Replacement Project Within
the Parkside Village Assessment District.
Action: Approved the Turf and Sprinklers replacement project within the Parkside
Assessment District and appropriated $18,333 from the Parkside Village Assessment
District fund for the cost of the project.
8.g. Monthly Water Supply and Demand Update.
Action: Received and filed the monthly Water Supply and Demand Report.
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
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10. OLD BUSINESS:
None.
11. NEW BUSINESS
11.a. Consideration of Resolution Ratifying the Proclamation of the Existence of a Local
Emergency.
City Manager Bergman presented the report and recommended that the Council adopt a
Resolution ratifying the existence of a local emergency as declared by the Director of Emergency
Services/City Manager.
Mayor Ray Russom acknowledged for the record that correspondence regarding this matter was
received from a member of the public and was distributed to the Council prior to the meeting as
supplemental information.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comments. No public comments were received.
Action: Mayor Pro Tem Storton moved to adopt a Resolution entitled: “A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE, CALIFORNIA, RATIFYING THE
DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY SERVICES/CITY MANAGER’S PROCLAMATION OF THE
EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY (COVID-19)”. Council Member George seconded, and
the motion passed on following roll call vote:
AYES: Storton, George, Barneich, Paulding, Ray Russom
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
11.b. Addition of Emergency Agenda Item – March 24, 2020 City Council Meeting Relating
to COVID-19 Pandemic; Consideration of Resolution Expressly Affirming Actions
of the County of San Luis Obispo Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic as Applicable
and Enforceable within City Jurisdiction and Making Related Determinations
Regarding the Proclaimed Local Emergency.
City Attorney Carmel presented the staff report and recommended that the Council: 1) determine
by majority vote that an emergency situation exists in the City as a result of the COVID-19
pandemic and add item 11.b. to the agenda, and 2) adopt a Resolution Expressly Affirming
Actions of the County of San Luis Obispo Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic as Applicable and
Enforceable Within City Jurisdiction and Making Related Determinations Regarding the
Proclaimed Local Emergency.
Action: Mayor Ray Russom moved to find that an emergency situation exists in the City of Arroyo
Grande as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and add Item 11.b. to the agenda. Mayor Pro Tem
Storton seconded, and the motion passed on following roll call vote:
AYES: Ray Russom, Storton, Barneich, Paulding, George
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comments. No public comments were received.
Item 8.b. - Page 8
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Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Action: Mayor Ray Russom moved to adopt a Resolution entitled: “A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE, CALIFORNIA, RATIFYING THE
DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY SERVICES/CITY MANAGER’S PROCLAMATION OF THE
EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY (COVID-19)”. Council Member George seconded, and
the motion passed on following roll call vote:
AYES: Ray Russom, George, Barneich, Paulding, Storton
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.
(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 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
(5) Attended Mayor’s Meeting on behalf of the Mayor
(c) COUNCIL MEMBER BARNEICH:
(1) Homeless Services Oversight Council (HSOC)
(2) South County Homeless Taskforce
(3) Zone 3 Water Advisory Board
(d) COUNCIL MEMBER 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)
(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
Mayor Ray Russom announced that www.readyslo.org is a resource available for the public to
find information on COVID-19; that there is now a Hotline to report non-compliant businesses;
that the Recreation Services Department has launched a Virtual Recreation page on the City’s
website that provides free recreation activities; and announced “Take-out Tuesday” as a way to
support local restaurant businesses during the pandemic.
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Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Mayor Ray Russom requested, and Council Member George concurred, that staff place on a
future agenda an item to consider delaying Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) late payment
penalties.
Mayor Ray Russom requested, and Council Member Barneich concurred, that staff place on a
future agenda an item to consider authorizing refund of deposits for facility rentals.
Mayor Ray Russom requested, and Council Member George concurred, that staff place on a
future agenda an item to consider waiving late fees on utility bills.
Council Member Paulding thanked staff and Council Members for their efforts during the COVID-
19 pandemic and listed resources available to the public on www.emergency.cvc.gov and listed
ways to cope during the pandemic. He further urged the public to support local businesses.
Council Member Barneich reminded the public of the City’s email address that is available for any
questions and thanked staff for their efforts in quickly updating the City website and social media
sites with current information.
Mayor Pro Tem Storton thanked the Mayor for her leadership during the pandemic and the
dedication of City staff.
14. CLOSED SESSION
None.
15. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Ray Russom adjourned
the meeting at 7:20 p.m.
________________________________
Caren Ray Russom, Mayor
ATTEST:
________________________________
Kelly Wetmore, City Clerk
(Approved at CC Mtg __________)
Item 8.b. - Page 10