ACTION MINUTES

REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at 5:00 P.m. - 9:00 P.m.

Hybrid City Council Chamber/Virtual Zoom Meeting

215 East Branch Street, Arroyo Grande

Council Members Present:

• Mayor Caren Ray Russom, 
• Mayor Pro Tem Kate Secrest, 
• Council Member Jim Guthrie, 
• Council Member Jamie Maraviglia, 
• and Council Member Aileen Loe 

Staff Present:

• City Clerk Jessica Matson, 
• City Manager Matthew Downing, 
• Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director Bill Robeson, 
• Administrative Services Director Nicole Valentine, 
• and Deputy City Clerk Julie Hawkins 

This meeting was conducted in a hybrid in-person/virtual format. 

CLOSED SESSION MEETING 5:00 P.M.:

1.  CALL TO ORDER

     Mayor Pro Tem Secrest called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.

2.  ROLL CALL  

     City Clerk Matson took roll call. Mayor Ray Russom was absent.

3.  FLAG SALUTE

     Mayor Pro Tem Secrest led the flag salute.

4.  PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS  

     Mayor Pro Tem Secrest invited public comment. No public comments were received.

5.  CLOSED SESSION        

     City Attorney Rosen announced that the City Council will recess to a closed session for the following and will report any reportable action at the City Council Regular meeting at 6:00 p.m.:

a) CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION:

(Paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Government Code § 54956.9)

Name of Case: San Luis Obispo Coastkeeper, et. al v. County of San Luis Obispo, U.S. District Court Central District of California (Western Division – Los Angeles), Case No. 2:24-cv-06854-SPG-AS

City Council adjourned to Closed Session at 5:01 p.m.

6.  ADJOURNMENT

City Council adjourned Closed Session at 5:54 p.m.

 

REGULAR MEETING 6:00 P.M.

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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

Members of Webelos Den, Cub Scout Pack 13, led the Flag Salute. 

5.

AGENDA REVIEW

5.a

Closed Session Announcements

City Manager Downing announced that, during the following meeting, the City Council voted to create an ad hoc committee comprised of Mayor Ray Russom and Council Member Loe to advise on the litigation's impact on Arroyo Grande:

February 11, 2025

a) CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION:

(Paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Government Code § 54956.9)

Name of Case: San Luis Obispo Coastkeeper, et. al v. County of San Luis Obispo, U.S. District Court Central District of California (Western Division – Los Angeles), Case No. 2:24-cv-06854-SPG-AS

5.b

Ordinances read in title only

Move that all ordinances presented at the meeting shall be read by title only and all further readings be waived.

• Moved by Mayor Ray Russom
  Seconded by Council Member Guthrie

  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 Maraviglia, Mayor Pro Tem Secrest, Council Member Guthrie, and Council Member Loe

  Passed (5 to 0)

6.

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

6.a

Recognition of Outgoing City Commissioners, Committee and Board Members

Mayor Ray Russom recognized outgoing City Commissioners, Committee and Board Members Bruce Berlin, Alex Creswell, Daryl Cope, and Greg Dutson for their time and service to the City.

6.b

Mayor’s Commendation Honoring Toni Pelletier

Mayor Ray Russom read and presented a Mayor's Commendation honoring Toni Pelletier. 

Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. No public comments were received.

No action was taken on this item.

6.c

City Manager Communications

City Manager Downing reported regarding the upcoming storm system and the availability of sand at the City's Corporation Yard and the City's storm preparation; Meet the Machines event on February 22nd; and the success of the Santa Cop program which served over 2,000 individuals.

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 were Alexandria Davis. No further public comments were received. Mayor Ray Russom responded to questions from the public.

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.  Council Member Loe made comments on Item 9.c. regarding a technical clarification in the minutes. Council Member Guthrie concurred.

Council Member Loe made comments on 9.f. and requested the item be pulled for separate consideration. Community Development Director Pedrotti responded to questions from Council.

Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public were No Name Provided, and Joni Benakovich. No further public comments were received.

Community Development Director Pedrotti responded to questions from Council regarding Item 9.f., and explained the process.

• Moved by Council Member Guthrie
  Seconded by Council Member Maraviglia

  Approve Consent Agenda Items 9.a., 9.b., 9.d., 9.e. and 9.g. with the recommended courses of action; and Item 9.c. as modified. 

  AYES (5)

  Mayor Ray Russom, Council Member Maraviglia, Mayor Pro Tem Secrest, Council Member Guthrie, and Council Member Loe

  Passed (5 to 0)

9.a

Cash Disbursement Ratification

• Reviewed and ratified the listing of cash disbursements for the period of January 1 through January 15, 2025.

9.b

Statement of Investment Deposits for December 2024

• Received and filed the report listing investment deposits of the City of Arroyo Grande as of December 31, 2024, as required by Government Code Section 53646(b).

9.c

Approval of Minutes

• Approved the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of January 28, 2025, as modified.

9.d

Appointments to Tourism Business Improvement District Advisory Board and Architectural Review Committee

• 1) Adopted a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE APPOINTING TRICIA KESSELRING TO THE TOURISM BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD AND MIKE HARRIS TO THE ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE AND FINDING THAT THIS ACTION IS EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT"; and

  2) Determined that approving the appointments to the Tourism Business Improvement District Advisory Board and the Architectural Review Committee 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, Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, §§ 15060, subd. (c)(2)-(3), 15378.).

9.e

Traffic Way Bridge Compensatory Mitigation Memorandum of Understanding

• Adopted a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (“MOU”) WITH THE LAND CONSERVANCY OF THE SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY (“LAND CONSERVANCY”) TO CONTRIBUTE FUNDS TO SUPPORT LONG-TERM MAINTENANCE OF THE BLACK LAKE ECOLOGICAL AREA AS ENVIRONMENTAL MITIGATION FOR THE TRAFFIC WAY BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT".

9.g

Amendments to Title 16 of the Arroyo Grande Municipal Code Regarding Wireless Telecommunication Facilities

• 1) Adopted an Ordinance entitled: "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE AMENDING VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF AND ADDING CHAPTER 16.70 TO THE ARROYO GRANDE MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES AND FINDING THE ORDINANCE EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT"; and

  2) Found that the “project” is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per State CEQA Guidelines Sections 15061(b)(3), 15378 and in the alternative, State CEQA Guidelines sections 15301, 15302, 15303 and 15304.

9.f

Summary Vacation of a Public Equestrian Easement on Ridgeview Way

Council discussion ensued regarding Item 9.f., the vacation of easements, and a possible survey to evaluate use of the equestrian path. 

• Moved by Council Member Guthrie
  Seconded by Council Member Maraviglia

  1) Adopted a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE ORDERING SUMMARY VACATION OF A PUBLIC EQUESTRIAN EASEMENT AT 710 WHITE COURT, 711 WHITE COURT, 151 RIDGEVIEW WAY, AND 250 RIDGEVIEW WAY AND FINDING THAT THIS ACTION IS EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT" ; and

  2) Found that the action is not a project under CEQA or, alternatively, that it is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3) (“common sense exemption”).

  AYES (4)	Mayor Ray Russom, Council Member Maraviglia, Mayor Pro Tem Secrest, and Council Member Guthrie
  NOES (1)	Council Member Loe

  Passed (4 to 1)

10.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

10.a

Final Approval of Community Development Block Grant Projects for Year 2025

Planning Manager Perez presented the item.

Mayor Ray Russom opened the public hearing. Upon hearing no public comments, Mayor Ray Russom closed the public hearing. 

• Moved by Council Member Guthrie
  Seconded by Council Member Loe

  1) Adopt a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE RECOMMENDING TO THE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS APPROVAL OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROJECTS FOR YEAR 2025"; and

  2) Find that the preliminary approval of projects is exempt from CEQA, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 subd. (b)(3).

  AYES (5)

  Mayor Ray Russom, Council Member Maraviglia, Mayor Pro Tem Secrest, Council Member Guthrie, and Council Member Loe

  Passed (5 to 0)

10.b

Authorization of a Lease Agreement for City Property; Location – 138 E. Branch Street

Mayor Ray Russom called for a brief break at 6:43 p.m. The Council reconvened at 6:45 p.m.

Community Development Director Pedrotti noted the supplemental information and presented the item.

Mayor Ray Russom opened the public hearing.  Upon hearing no public comments, Mayor Ray Russom closed the public hearing. 

• Moved by Council Member Maraviglia
  Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Secrest

  1) Adopt a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A NEW LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE AND GINA’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT" as amended; and

  2) Determine that the authorization of a lease agreement for the right-of-way adjacent to 138 E. Branch Street 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).

  AYES (5)

  Mayor Ray Russom, Council Member Maraviglia, Mayor Pro Tem Secrest, Council Member Guthrie, and Council Member Loe

  Passed (5 to 0)

11.

BUSINESS ITEMS

11.a

Pre-Application for a New Hotel at 400 W. Branch Street

Planning Manager Perez presented the item.

Mayor Ray Russom explained the process for project pre-applications.

Planning Manager Perez responded to questions from Council. Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director Robeson provided a history of the project as well as benefits to the City, and responded to questions from Council.

Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Edwin Fitchner, Nick DePew, Vincent Bozanich, Lori Wooldridge, Christian Cubel, Jennifer Silva, Lynn Wooldridge, Judy Ceccetti, Barbara Harmon, and Joni Benakovich. No further comments were received.

Mayor Ray Russom called for a brief break at 7:45 p.m. for technical reasons. The Council reconvened at 7:51 p.m.

Tom Bergerson, Project Architect, made statements regarding the project, responded to comments from the public, and commented on upcoming community meetings. 

Planning Manager Perez and Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director Robeson responded to questions from Council.

Mayor Ray Russom explained next steps in the process.

Council discussion ensued regarding parking, traffic analysis, pedestrian access, a tie-in to Village architecture, inclusion of public art, and the project process.

No action was taken on this item.

12.

COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS

Mayor Ray Russom commented on the upcoming Meet the Machines event.

13.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Ray Russom adjourned the meeting at 8:38pm.