ACTION MINUTES

REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL

-
Hybrid City Council Chamber/Virtual Zoom Meeting
215 East Branch Street, Arroyo Grande
Council Members Present:
  • Mayor Ray Russom, 
  • Council Member George, 
  • Council Member Barneich, 
  • Council Member Secrest, 
  • and Mayor Pro Tem Guthrie 
Staff Present:
  • City Clerk Jessica Matson, 
  • Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director Robeson, 
  • Administrative Services Director Nicole Valentine, 
  • and Deputy City Clerk/Communications Coordinator Hawkins 

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 meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.

2.  ROLL CALL  

Deputy City Clerk Hawkins took roll call. Council Member George was absent at the time of roll call.

3.  FLAG SALUTE

Mayor Ray Russom led flag salute.

4.  PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS  

Mayor Ray Russom invited public comments for Items on the Closed Session Agenda. No public comments were received. 

5.  CLOSED SESSION        

City Attorney Rosen announced that 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 (2 cases) Per Paragraph (1) of Subdivision (d) of Government Code Section 54956.9:

Name of Cases: Aqueous Film-Forming Foams Product Liability Litigation, Master Docket No. 2:18-mn-2873-RMG; City of Camden, et al. v. BASF Corporation, Civil Action No.: 2:24-cv-03174-RMG; City of Camden et. al. v. Tyco Fire Products LP, Civil Action No.: 2-24-cv-02321-RMG

 

b) Conference with Real Property Negotiators Per Government Code Section 54956.8:

Property: 214 East Branch Street

Agency Negotiators: Matthew Downing, City Manager; Bill Robeson, Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director

Council Member George arrived at 5:02 p.m.

City Council adjourned to Closed Session at 5:13 p.m.

6.  ADJOURNMENT

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

 

REGULAR MEETING 6:00 P.M.

1.
CALL TO ORDER

 

Mayor Ray Russom called the Regular City Council Meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. 

2.
ROLL CALL

 

Deputy City Clerk Hawkins took roll call. Council Member George was absent.

3.
MOMENT OF REFLECTION

 

4.
FLAG SALUTE

 

Mayor Ray Russom led the flag salute. 

5.
AGENDA REVIEW

 

5.a
Closed Session Announcements

 

September 9, 2024

a) Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation (2 cases) Per Paragraph (1) of Subdivision (d) of Government Code Section 54956.9:

Name of Cases: Aqueous Film-Forming Foams Product Liability Litigation, Master Docket No. 2:18-mn-2873-RMG; City of Camden, et al. v. BASF Corporation, Civil Action No.: 2:24-cv-03174-RMG; City of Camden et. al. v. Tyco Fire Products LP, Civil Action No.: 2-24-cv-02321-RMG

City Attorney Rosen announced that the City Council opted out of the proposed settlement class for both cases and that the City preserves the right to take future action. 

b) Conference with Real Property Negotiators Per Government Code Section 54956.8:

Property: 214 East Branch Street

Agency Negotiators: Matthew Downing, City Manager; Bill Robeson, Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director

Negotiating Parties: Ed Evans, Broker/Owner Remax; Elissa Williams, Broker/Owner Remax

Under Negotiation: Price and terms of payment

City Attorney Rosen announced that there was no reportable action.

5.b
Ordinances read in title only

 

None.

6.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

 

6.a
Honorary Proclamation Declaring September 15 - October 15, 2024 as "National Hispanic Heritage Month"

This item has attachments. 
1.CC 2024-09-09 Honorary Proclamation - Hispanic Heritage Month.docx.pdf

Mayor Ray Russom read the Honorary Proclamation Declaring September 15 - October 15, 2024 as "National Hispanic Heritage Month."  Andy Pease, Secretary for Latino Outreach Council, accepted the Proclamation.

No action was taken on this item.

6.b
City Manager Communications

 

City Manager Downing made comments regarding SLO Cal Monopoly; Ribbon Cutting for Swinging Bridge at 3:30 pm Friday, September 13th; hosting three Virtual Town Hall Meetings regarding Measure E-24 with the first on September 19th at 12 pm; Five Cities Fire Authority 9/11 memorial is open to public for remembrance; and the remaining summer concerts. 

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

No action was taken on this item.

  • Receive correspondence/comments as presented by the City Manager and Provide direction, as necessary.

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 Aileen Loe, Katie Kidman, Steve Loomis, Shannon Kessler, Victor, Nathaniel, Scott, Michael Punsalon, Marlea Harmon, Gaea Powell.  Mayor Ray Russom gave three warnings to commenter Powell at the conclusion of the one minute comment period. Following non-compliance, Mayor Ray Russom called a recess in accordance with Government Code Section 54957.95 regarding disruptions.

Council recessed at 6:19 p.m. and returned at 6:26 p.m.

Public comment resumed. 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. Council Member Barneich pulled Item 9.e. for separate consideration.

Chief Martinez made comments regarding Item 9.d. "Resolution Approving a Grant Agreement with the California Office of Traffic Safety and Approve a Budget Adjustment;" described the grant funding received; and commended Sergeant Burns and Officer Estrada for their work. 

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

  • Moved byCouncil Member Barneich
    Seconded byCouncil Member Secrest

    Approve Consent Agenda Items 9.a. through 9.g., with the exception of Item 9.e., with the recommended courses of action.

    AYES (4)Mayor Ray Russom, Council Member Barneich, Mayor Pro Tem Guthrie, and Council Member Secrest
    ABSENT (1)Council Member George
    Passed (4 to 0)

9.a
Cash Disbursement Ratification

This item has attachments. 
1.CC 2024-09-09 Cash Disbursement Ratification.pdf
2.CC 2024-09-09 Attachment 1 - Cash Disbursement Ratification.pdf
3.CC 2024-09-09 Attachment 2 - Cash Disbursement Ratification.pdf

  • Reviewed and ratified the listing of cash disbursements for the period of August 1 through August 15, 2024.

9.b
Statement of Investment Deposits for July 2024

This item has attachments. 
1.CC 2024-09-09 Statement of Investment Deposits.pdf
2.CC 2024-09-09 Attachment 1 - Statement of Investment Deposits.pdf

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

9.c
Approval of Minutes

This item has attachments. 
1.CC 2024-09-09 Approval of Minutes - CC_Aug27_2024.pdf
2.CC 2024-09-09_9c Supplemental 1.pdf

  • Approved the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of August 27, 2024, as submitted.

9.d
Resolution Approving a Grant Agreement with the California Office of Traffic Safety and Approve a Budget Adjustment

This item has attachments. 
1.CC 2024-09-09 PD Grant Acceptance from the Office of Traffic Safety for Traffic and DUI Enforcement.pdf
2.CC 2024-09-10 Attachment 1 - Proposed Resolution.pdf
3.CC 2024-09-10 Attachment 1 Exhibit A - Draft Grant Agreement.pdf

  • 1) Adopted a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE CHIEF OF POLICE TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CALIFORNIA OFFICE OF TRAFFIC SAFETY TO ACCEPT GRANT FUNDING FOR TRAFFIC SAFETY PROGRAMS, APPROPRIATING FUNDING FOR THE PROGRAM ACTIVITIES AND FINDING THE ACTION EXEMPT UNDER CEQA";

    2) Approved a Budget Amendment Request for FY 2024-25 in the amount of $75,000 to account for the additional revenue and expenditures related to the grant; and

    3) Found that adopting the Resolution is not a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) because that 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. (c)(2)-(3), 15378.)

9.f
Amendments to On-Call Consultant Services Agreements for Support to the Community Development and Public Works Departments

This item has attachments. 
1.CC 2024-09-09 On-Call Contracts Agreement Amendment.pdf
2.CC 2024-09-09 Attachment 1 - Agreement Amendment Template.pdf
3.CC 2024-09-09 Attachment 2 - On-Call Consultants List 2024-2026.pdf

  • 1) Authorized the City Manager to amend on-call consultant service agreements between the City and sixteen (16) consultants currently on the City’s on-call list for consultant services in 16 disciplines for the Community Development and Public Works Departments, subject to minor modifications determined to be necessary and appropriate by the City Attorney: and

    2) Made findings that executing agreement amendments with consultants 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.g
Accept Public Improvements for Tract 2985

This item has attachments. 
1.CC 2024-09-09 Acceptance of Public Improvements Tract 2985.pdf
2.CC 2024-09-09 Attachment 1 - Proposed Resolution_Acceptance of Public Improvements Tract 2985.pdf
3.CC 2024-09-09 Attachment 2 - Public Improvements.pdf

  • 1) Adopted a Resolution entitled: "RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE ACCEPTING PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS FOR TRACT 2985, LOCATED AT 251 CORBETT CANYON ROAD"; and

    2) Determined that acceptance of the public improvements, which were a required Condition of Approval for the underlying entitlements, 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.e
Approve Agreement for Marketing Services for Arroyo Grande Tourism Business Improvement District

This item has attachments. 
1.CC 2024-09-09 Agreement for AGTBID Marketing Services.pdf
2.CC 2024-09-09 Attachment 1 - Proposed CSA.pdf
3.CC 2024-09-09 Attachment 1 EX A - RFP (1).pdf
4.CC 2024-09-09 Attachment 1 EX B - Schedule of Services (1).pdf
5.CC 2024-09-09 Attachment 2 - Verdin Amendment.pdf

Council Member Barneich disclosed a potential conflict of interest due to her prior work with Verdin Marketing and left the meeting.

The Representative from Commune Communications responded to questions from Council.  

Mayor Ray Russom opened public comment. Speaking from the public were Mary Verdin, Shannon Kessler, Gaea Powell, Jeannie Miranda, and Sean Dasmann.

Council Members made comments commending Verdin Marketing for their service and expressed gratitude. 

  • Moved byMayor Pro Tem Guthrie
    Seconded byCouncil Member Secrest

    1) Approved a Professional Services Agreement with Commune Communications for marketing services for the Arroyo Grande Tourism Business Improvement District (AGTBID); and

    2) Determined that approving an Agreement for marketing services for the AGTBID 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.)

    AYES (3)Mayor Ray Russom, Mayor Pro Tem Guthrie, and Council Member Secrest
    ABSTAINED (1)Council Member Barneich
    ABSENT (1)Council Member George
    Passed (3 to 0)

10.
PUBLIC HEARINGS

 

None.

11.
BUSINESS ITEMS

 

11.a
Traffic Way Bridge Replacement Project, Traffic Detour Plan, and Parking Impacts

This item has attachments. 
1.CC 2024-09-09 Traffic Way Bridge Replacement Project - Discussion of Detour Plan and Parking Impacts .pdf
2.CC 2024-09-09_11a Supplemental 1_Redacted.pdf

Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director introduced the item and City Engineer Sweeney presented the report and responded to questions from Council. 

Mayor Ray Russom opened the public comment period. Speaking from the public were Alexandria Davis, Aileen Loe, Judy Cecchetti, Steve Loomis, and Seth McMillan. No further public comments were received. Staff responded to public comments.

Council gave direction on the traffic detour plan and parking impacts associated with the Traffic Way Bridge Replacement Project. They supported the inclusion of a roundabout at the high school but did not support the proposal to reopen Crown Hill. Additionally, they expressed a preference for the hybrid option for parking removal and traffic flow on Branch Street between Bridge Street and Traffic Way. If the hybrid option is not feasible, the Council favored option 2, followed by option 1.

No action was taken on this item.

12.
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS

 

None.

13.
ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Ray Russom adjourned the meeting at 8:00 PM.

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