ACTION MINUTES

REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at 5:00 P.m. - 10:00 P.m.

Hybrid City Council Chamber/Virtual Zoom Meeting

215 East Branch Street, Arroyo Grande

Council Members Present:

• Mayor Ray Russom, 
• Mayor Pro Tem Barneich, 
• Council Member George, 
• Council Member Guthrie, 
• and Council Member Secrest 

Staff Present:

• City Manager Whitney McDonald, 
• Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director Bill Robeson, 
• Administrative Services Director Nicole Valentine, 
• and City Clerk Jessica Matson 

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

CLOSED SESSION MEETING 5:00 P.M.

1.  CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Ray Russom called the Closed Session meeting to order at 5:01 p.m.

2.  ROLL CALL        

City Clerk Matson took roll call.

3.  FLAG SALUTE

Mayor Ray Russom lead the flag salute.

4.  PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS      

No public comments were received.

5.  CLOSED SESSION        
The City Council recessed to a closed session for the following and reported any reportable action at the City Council meeting beginning at 6:00 p.m.:

a) LABOR NEGOTIATION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957.6:

1.  Employee Organization: Arroyo Grande Police Officers’ Association
1. City-designated negotiators: Che Johnson, Special Labor Counsel; Tashina Ureno, Human Resources Officer; Nicole Valentine, Director of Administrative Services
2.  Employee Organization: Service Employees International Union, Local 620
1. City-designated negotiators: Che Johnson, Special Labor Counsel; Tashina Ureno, Human Resources Officer; Nicole Valentine, Director of Administrative Services
3. Unrepresented Management Employees
1.  City-designated negotiators: Che Johnson, Special Labor Counsel
4. City Manager
1. City-designated negotiators: Che Johnson, Special Labor Counsel

6.  ADJOURNMENT

Mayor Ray Russom adjourned the meeting at 5:57 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 6:01 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

City Council Closed Session Meeting of August 22, 2023

a) LABOR NEGOTIATION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957.6:

1.  Employee Organization: Arroyo Grande Police Officers’ Association
1. City-designated negotiators: Che Johnson, Special Labor Counsel; Tashina Ureno, Human Resources Officer; Nicole Valentine, Director of Administrative Services
2.  Employee Organization: Service Employees International Union, Local 620
1. City-designated negotiators: Che Johnson, Special Labor Counsel; Tashina Ureno, Human Resources Officer; Nicole Valentine, Director of Administrative Services
3. Unrepresented Management Employees
1.  City-designated negotiators: Che Johnson, Special Labor Counsel
4. City Manager
1. City-designated negotiators: Che Johnson, Special Labor Counsel

City Attorney Isaac Rosen announced that there was no reportable action.

5.b

Ordinances read in title only

None.

6.

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

6.a

Interim City Manager Communications

Interim City Manager Robeson provided information regarding complaints received about a different taste in the water.

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

No action was taken on this item.

7.

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.

7.a

MAYOR RAY RUSSOM:

1. California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (CJPIA)
2. Central Coast Blue Regional Recycled Water Authority Board
3. Five Cities Fire Authority
4. San Luis Obispo County Mayor's Meeting
5. South San Luis Obispo County Sanitation District (SSLOCSD)
6. Other

7.b

MAYOR PRO TEM BARNEICH:

1. Audit Committee
2. Homeless Services Oversight Council (HSOC)
3. Zone 3 Water Advisory Board
4. Other

7.c

COUNCIL MEMBER GEORGE:

1. Five Cities Fire Authority
2. Tourism Business Improvement District Advisory Board
3. Visit SLO CAL Advisory Board
4. Other

7.d

COUNCIL MEMBER GUTHRIE:

1. County Water Resources Advisory Committee (WRAC)
2. Council of Governments/Regional Transit Authority/ South County Transit (SLOCOG/SLORTA/SCT)
3. Integrated Waste Management Authority Board (IWMA)
4. REACH Economic Development Roundtable
5. Other

7.e

COUNCIL MEMBER SECREST:

1. Air Pollution Control District (APCD)
2. South County Chambers of Commerce Governmental Affairs Committee
3. Other

8.

COMMUNITY COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS

Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment.  No 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.  

Mayor Ray Russom acknowledged supplemental information for Item 9.d. and Council made comments on Items 9.d., 9.e., 9.f., and 9.g. 

Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public was No Name Provided.  No further public comments were received.

• Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Barneich
  Seconded by Council Member George

  Approve Consent Agenda Items 9.a. through 9.l. with the recommended courses of action and amended recommendation in Item 9.d.

  AYES (5)

  Mayor Ray Russom, Mayor Pro Tem Barneich, Council Member George, Council Member Secrest, and Council Member Guthrie

  Passed (5 to 0)

9.a

Consideration of Cash Disbursement Ratification

• 1) Ratified the listing of cash disbursements for the period of July 16 through July 31, 2023; and 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. (b)(2)-(3), 15378.)

9.b

Consideration of an Agreement with Mosaic Public Partners for Executive and Professional Recruitment Services and Request to Approve a Budget Adjustment Request

• Approved an Agreement with Mosaic Public Partners for executive and professional recruitment services and approve one related budget adjustment.

9.c

Consideration of Adoption of a Resolution Declaring a Continued Local Emergency Related to the Ongoing Storm Events

• 1) Adopted a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE DECLARING A CONTINUED LOCAL EMERGENCY WITHIN THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE (ONGOING STORM EVENTS BEGINNING DECEMBER 27, 2022)"; and 2) Made findings that adopting the Resolution continuing a local emergency is not a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) because the continued declaration in itself has no 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.) 

9.d

Consideration of Appointments to the Arroyo Grande Tourism Business Improvement District Advisory Board

• 1) Approved Mayor Ray Russom’s recommendation to appoint Sean Dasmann to the Arroyo Grande Tourism Business Improvement District (AGTBID) Advisory Board; 2) Approved Mayor Pro Tem Barneich’s recommendation to appoint Greg Dutson to the AGTBID Advisory Board; 3) Approved Council Member Guthrie’s recommendation to appoint Jared Worthen to the AGTBID Advisory Board; and 4) Approved Council Member Secrest’s recommendation to appoint Jeannie Miranda to the AGTBID Advisory Board.

9.e

Consideration of Appointment to the City of Arroyo Grande Downtown Parking Advisory Board

• Approved a recommendation by Mayor Pro Tem Barneich to appoint Alex Creswell to the City of Arroyo Grande Downtown Parking Advisory Board.

9.f

Consideration of an Agreement with Clifford Moss for Voter Opinion Polling and Public Outreach and Education Services for a Potential Future Ballot Measure

• Approved a Professional Services Agreement with Clifford Moss for Voter Opinion Polling and Public Outreach and Education services for an amount not to exceed $115,000 in substantially final form.

9.g

Consideration of Appointment of a Voting Delegate for the League of California Cities Annual Conference

• Appointed Council Member Jim Guthrie as the voting delegate for the League of California Cities Annual Conference and authorized submittal by the City of the League of California Cities’ Voting Delegate/Alternate Form.

9.h

Approval of Minutes

• Approved the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of August 8, 2023, as submitted.

9.i

Consideration to Approve an Exclusive Vendor Police Tow Service Agreement Extension with College Towing South

• Authorized the Interim City Manager to execute a two-year extension for the exclusive vendor police tow service Agreement with College Towing South for towing services with several modified terms, described herein.

9.j

Consideration of Adding the Add-Alternate Elements to the Contract for Construction of the 2022 Concrete Repairs Project, PW 2022-07

• 1) Increased the contract for the 2022 Concrete Repairs Project to JJ Fisher Construction, Inc. in the amount of $122,187 for the two add-alternate elements of, a) the east and south crosswalks and adjoining curb at the intersection of East Branch and Mason Streeet, and b) 920 square feet of sidewalk repairs adjacent to the curb ramp improvements at Alder Street and Farroll Avenue; 2) Authorized the City Manager to approve change orders of 10% of the additional amount, $12,218.70, for unanticipated costs during the construction phase of the Project; and 3) Approved two budget adjustment requests.

9.k

Monthly Water Supply & Demand Update

• Received and filed the Monthly Water Supply and Demand Update.

9.l

Consideration of the Summary Vacation of a Public Utility Easement Located at 1180 Linda Drive

• Adopted a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE SUMMARILY VACATING A PORTION OF PUBLIC UTILITY EASEMENT AT 1180 LINDA DRIVE".

10.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

None.

11.

OLD BUSINESS

11.a

General Plan Update Study Session and Consultant Introduction

Community Development Director Pedrotti introduced the item; Brent Gibbons and Michael Gibbons, Mintier Harnish Consultants, provided a presentation of the General Plan Update. Staff and consultants responded to questions from Council.

Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public was No Name Provided, Patty O'Keefe, and No Name Provided.  City Clerk Matson read into the record written comments submitted by Gaea Powell.  No further public comments were received. Staff and consultants responded to questions from the public.

Council provided feedback and direction regarding indicators of success, key challenges, and key opportunities; and directed staff to pursue options for increased public engagement including hard-copy community surveys along with online surveys.

12.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

13.

COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS

Mayor Pro Tem Barneich shared appreciation expressed from a recipient of the Community Service Grant Program; and stated that she would like the meeting adjourned in honor of late Paso Robles Mayor, Steve Martin.

Mayor Ray Russom commented on a question covered in the Grand Jury Report regarding safe parking; the Day of Hope on August 23rd; the Cal Poly Football "Arroyo Grande Day" on October 7th; and providing a Resolution in honor of late Paso Robles Mayor, Steve Martin.

14.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Ray Russom adjourned the meeting at 8:43 p.m. in memory of former Paso Robles Mayor, Steve Martin.