ACTION MINUTES

REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at 6:00 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, 
• Council Member Barneich, 
• Council Member Lan George, 
• Mayor Pro Tem Guthrie, 
• and Council Member Secrest 

Staff Present:

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

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

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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

Mayor Ray Russom led the flag salute. 

5.

AGENDA REVIEW

Council concurred to move Item 11.a. before Item 10.a. and 10.b., and move Item 12 after the Consent Agenda.

5.a

Closed Session Announcements

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 Lan George, Council Member Secrest, and Mayor Pro Tem Guthrie

  Passed (5 to 0)

6.

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

6.a

Honorary Proclamation Declaring November 2024 as "National Hospice and Palliative Care Month"

Mayor Ray Russom presented the Proclamation declaring November as National Hospice and Palliative Care Month. Renee Beebe, Hospice SLO County Board Treasurer, accepted the Proclamation. 

6.b

Honorary Proclamation Recognizing November 17-23, 2024 as "National Apprenticeship Week"

Mayor Ray Russom presented a Proclamation declaring November 17-23, 2024 as National Apprenticeship Week. Diana Morin, Program Manager with County Workforce Development Board, accepted the Proclamation.

6.c

City Manager Communications

City Manager Downing provided updates regarding the November 5, 2024 General Municipal Election ballot counts; Arroyo Grande Day at Cal Poly Football on November 16th; and Turkey Trot Fun Run on Sunday, November 17th. 

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 Carol Cranfield, No Name Provided, Anita Price, Garry Schmidt, No Name Provided, Gaea Powell. No further public comments were received. 

Mayor Ray Russom addressed public comment. City Attorney Rosen responded to questions from the public. Community Development Director Pedrotti and City Manager Downing 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. There were none.

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

• Moved by Council Member Barneich
  Seconded by Council Member Lan George

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

  AYES (5)

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

  Passed (5 to 0)

9.a

Cash Disbursement Ratification

• Revied and ratified the attached listing of cash disbursements for the period of October 1 through October 15, 2024.

9.b

Statement of Investment Deposits for September 2024

• Received and filed the attached report listing investment deposits of the City of Arroyo Grande as of September 30, 2024, as required by Government Code Section 53646(b).

9.c

Approval of Minutes

• Approved the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of October 22, 2024, as submitted.

9.d

Agreement with GSI Water Solutions, Inc. for the Preparation of the Northern Cities Management Area Annual Report and Monitoring Program for the Years of 2024 through 2026

• Approved an agreement with GSI Water Solutions, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $217,960, which includes a 9% contingency and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the Professional Services Agreement for the preparation of the 2024, 2025, and 2026 NCMA Annual Report and Monitoring Program subject to any minor, technical, or non-substantive changes as approved by the City Manager in consultation with the City Attorney.

9.e

Authorize the Village Holiday Parade and Jingle Bell Dash on December 1, 2024 (TUP 24-008) and Find the Action Categorically Exempt from CEQA

• 1) Adopted a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE APPROVING TEMPORARY USE PERMIT NO. 24-008 AUTHORIZING THE CLOSURE OF STREETS AND THE ARROYO GRANDE VILLAGE HOLIDAY PARADE AND JINGLE BELL DASH TO TAKE PLACE IN THE VILLAGE AND FIND THE ACTION EXEMPT FROM CEQA PURSUANT TO SECTION 15304 OF THE CEQA GUIDELINES"; and

  2) Found the action exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15304 of the CEQA Guidelines.

10.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

10.a

Amendments to Title 16 of the Arroyo Grande Municipal Code Regarding Accessory Dwelling Units

This item was heard out of order.

Mayor Ray Russom declared a conflict of interest on this item due to ownership of an ADU and for Item 10.b. and left the meeting.

Council Member George declared a conflict of interest on this item due to ownership of an ADU and for Item 10.b. due to proximity of her personal residence to the project and left the meeting.

Mayor Pro Tem Guthrie presided.

Community Development Director Pedrotti introduced the item. Planning Manager Perez presented and responded to questions from Council. City Attorney Rosen responded to questions from Council.

Mayor Pro Tem Guthrie opened the public hearing.  Upon hearing no public comments, Mayor Pro Tem Guthrie closed the public hearing. 

• Moved by Council Member Secrest
  Seconded by Council Member Barneich

  1) Introduce the Ordinance entitled: "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE AMENDING TITLE 16 OF THE ARROYO GRANDE MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND JUNIOR ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND FINDING THE ACTION TO BE STATUTORILY EXEMPT FROM CEQA"; and

  2) Find that the proposed Ordinance is statutorily exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) under Public Resources Code section 21080.17

  AYES (3)	Council Member Barneich, Council Member Secrest, and Mayor Pro Tem Guthrie
  ABSENT (2)	Mayor Ray Russom, and Council Member Lan George

  Passed (3 to 0)

10.b

Resolution Revising the Conditions of Approval for Plot Plan Review 23-001 Which Approved the Installation of One (1) Domestic Well on Property Zoned Planned Development (PD); Applicant – Michael Harris; Representative – Richard Burde, SLO Civil Design

Mayor Ray Russom declared a conflict of interest on this item earlier in the meeting and was not present to hear this item.

Council Member George declared a conflict of interest on this item earlier in the meeting due to proximity of her personal residence to the project and was not present to hear this item.

Community Development Director Pedrotti presented the item.

Mayor Pro Tem Guthrie opened the public hearing.  Speaking from the public were Mike Harris, and Paul Beard.  Upon hearing no further public comments, Mayor Pro Tem Guthrie closed the public hearing.

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

  1) Adopt a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE REVISING THE CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL FOR PLOT PLAN REVIEW 23-001 WHICH APPROVED THE INSTALLATION OF ONE (1) NEW DOMESTIC SUPPLY WELL ON PROPERTY ZONED PLANNED DEVELOPMENT LOCATED NORTHEAST OF THE INTERSECTION OF NOYES ROAD AND EQUESTRIAN WAY (APN: 007-781-055) AND FINDING THAT SAID ACTION IS CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM CEQA PURSUANT TO STATE CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15303 (APPLICANT: MICHAEL HARRIS)"; and

  2) Determine that the Project, with the proposed revised conditions, is categorically exempt from CEQA under the Class 3 exemption, which applies to the construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures; installation of small new equipment and facilities in small structures; and the conversion of existing small structures from one use to another where only minor modifications are made in the exterior of the structure. (State CEQA Guidelines, § 15303.).

  AYES (3)	Council Member Barneich, Council Member Secrest, and Mayor Pro Tem Guthrie
  ABSENT (2)	Mayor Ray Russom, and Council Member Lan George

  Passed (3 to 0)

11.

BUSINESS ITEMS

11.a

Request from South County Sanitary Service for Integrated Solid Waste Collection Rate Adjustment Effective January 14, 2025

This item was heard out of order.

Administrative Services Director Valentine introduced the item. Garth Schultz, consultant with R3, provided a presentation.

Mr. Schultz and Jeff Clarin, South County Sanitary General Manager, responded to questions from City Council.

Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public was No Name Provided. No further public comments were received. Mr. Schultz responded to questions from the public.

Mayor Ray Russom called for a brief break at 7:43 p.m. The Council reconvened at 7:47 p.m.

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

  1) Set a public hearing for January 14, 2025, to consider adjusting the waste collection services rates based on the 4.92 rate proposed by staff to be effective January 14, 2025, and each January 1 from 2026 through 2029; and

  2) Direct staff to prepare and distribute a Proposition 218 notice for a public hearing scheduled for January 14, 2025, for the proposed waste collection services rate adjustment.

  AYES (5)

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

  Passed (5 to 0)

12.

COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS

This item was heard after the Consent Agenda.

Council Member Secrest asked for clarification regarding the Holiday Parade. City Manager Downing responded.

Council Member Barneich thanked Keith Storton and Committee's work on Measure E-24. Mayor Ray Russom also commented on the work and thanked him.

13.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Pro Tem Guthrie adjourned the meeting at 8:09 p.m.