ACTION MINUTES

REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at 6:00 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, 
• and Council Member Jamie Maraviglia 

Council Members Absent:

• Council Member Aileen Loe 

Staff Present:

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

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. Council Member Loe was absent.

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

• Moved by Mayor Ray Russom
  Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Secrest

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

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

  Passed (4 to 0)

6.

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

6.a

Honorary Proclamation Declaring the Month April 2025 as "Month of the Child" and "Child Abuse Prevention Month"

Mayor Ray Russom presented the Proclamation declaring April as "Month of the Child" and "Child Abuse Prevention Month." Jamie Sonbonmatsu, SLO Early Care and Planning Council, accepted the Proclamation.

6.b

City Manager Communications

City Manager Downing commented on SLOCOG's open seat on the Citizen's Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC); Arroyo Grande Police Department EOC upgrade and new DUI trailer; FCFA beginning annual weed abatement inspections second week of April; Fire Severity Hazard Zone Maps released by the State and future Council action; Summer Concert Series lineup release coming this week; and that the Measure E-24 sales tax increase will take effect April 1, 2025 and the new tax rate will be 8.75%.

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. Audit Committee
2. California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (CJPIA)
3. Five Cities Fire Authority JPA Board
4. San Luis Obispo County Mayor's Meeting
5. South San Luis Obispo County Sanitation District (SSLOCSD)
6. Other

7.b

MAYOR PRO TEM SECREST:

1. Air Pollution Control District (APCD)
2. Homeless Services Oversight Council (HSOC)
3. South County Chambers of Commerce Governmental Affairs Committee
4. Other 

7.c

COUNCIL MEMBER GUTHRIE:

1. Central Coast Community Energy (CCCE) Policy Board
2. Integrated Waste Management Authority Board (IWMA)
3. REACH Economic Development Roundtable
4. Other

7.d

COUNCIL MEMBER MARAVIGLIA:

1. Five Cities Fire Authority JPA Board
2. Visit SLO CAL Advisory Board
3. Other

8.

COMMUNITY COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS

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

Mayor Ray Russom responded to comments from the public and "Dark Sky Ordinances." City Manager Downing responded to Council.

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 invited public comment. No public comments were received.

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

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

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

  Passed (4 to 0)

9.a

Cash Disbursement Ratification

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

9.b

Approval of Minutes

• Approved the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of March 11, 2025, as submitted.

9.c

Annual Military Equipment Report Pursuant to California AB 481

• 1) Received and filed the “2024 Military Equipment Use Inventory Report” and the “2025 Annual Military Equipment Report” in accordance with California Assembly Bill 481, determine that said report meets all standards for approval set forth in Government Code Section 7071(d); and

  2) Approved the renewal of Ordinance No. 714.

9.d

Monthly Water Supply and Demand Update

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

9.e

2024 General Plan Annual Progress Report

• 1) Reviewed and accepted the 2024 General Plan Annual Report (the “Annual Report” or “Report”) and direct staff to forward the Report to the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research and the Department of Housing and Community Development; and

  2) Found that the request is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5).

9.f

General Plan Update Progress Report – March 2025

• Received and filed a progress report on the Comprehensive General Plan Update.

9.g

Amendments to Title 13 of the Arroyo Grande Municipal Code Regarding the Regulation of Water Wells

• 1) Adopted an Ordinance entitled: "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE AMENDING CHAPTER 13.08 OF THE ARROYO GRANDE MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING WATER WELLS"; and

  2) Found that the Ordinance is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it will not result in a direct, or reasonably foreseeable indirect, physical change in the environment (State CEQA Guidelines, §§ 15060, subd. (c)(2)-(3), 15061, subd. (b)(3); 15307; 15308; and 15378, subd. (b)(5)).

10.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

None.

11.

BUSINESS ITEMS

11.a

Update to User Fees Related to Solar Permits, Transportation Permits, and the Consumer Price Index as Set Forth in the Comprehensive Fee Schedule

Community Development Director Pedrotti presented the item and responded to questions from Council. Administrative Services Director Valentine responded to questions from Council. 

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

Council directed staff to consider bringing back an item to approve automatic fee schedule increases when the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is adjusted.

• Moved by Council Member Maraviglia
  Seconded by Council Member Guthrie

  1) Adopt a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE UPDATING USER FEES RELATED TO SOLAR PERMITS, TRANSPORTATION PERMITS, AND THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX AS SET FORTH IN THE COMPREHENSIVE FEE SCHEDULE”; and

  2) Determine that the update to user fees related to solar permits, transportation permits, and the Consumer Price Index 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 (4)	Mayor Ray Russom, Council Member Maraviglia, Mayor Pro Tem Secrest, and Council Member Guthrie
  ABSENT (1)	Council Member Loe

  Passed (4 to 0)

11.b

Amendments to Title 6 (Animals) of the Arroyo Grande Municipal Code

Police Chief Michael Martinez presented the item. 

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

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

  1) Introduce an Ordinance entitled: "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING TITLE 6 (ANIMALS) OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADOPT AND INCORPORATE BY REFERENCE SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY CODE TITLE 9 (ANIMALS) AND TO RETAIN CERTAIN CITY REQUIREMENTS REGARDING ANIMALS"; and

  2) Find that the ordinance is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it will not result in a direct, or reasonably foreseeable indirect, physical change in the environment (State CEQA Guidelines, §§ 15060 (c)(2) and (3), 15378.).

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

  Passed (4 to 0)

11.c

Tourism Business Improvement District Annual Report and Intent to Levy Annual Assessment

Mayor Ray Russom declared a conflict of interest due to owning a short-term rental and left the meeting.

Mayor Pro Tem Secrest presided.

Recreation Services Director Bohlken presented the item. Richardson Reigart, Commune Communications, presented the Annual Report and responded to questions from Council. Director Bohlken responded to questions from Council. 

Mayor Pro Tem Secrest invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Alexandria Davis. No further public comments were received.

City Attorney Rosen responded to questions from City Council regarding the assessment process.

Council Member Guthrie made comments regarding Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) and the future of the AGTBID.

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

  1) Receive and approve the Annual Report;

  2) Adopt a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE DECLARING ITS INTENTION TO CONTINUE THE ARROYO GRANDE TOURISM BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT, TO CONTINUE THE BASIS FOR AND TO LEVY THE ASSESSMENTS FOR THE DISTRICT, AND TO SET A DATE FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE DISTRICT AND THE ASSESSMENT FOR THE 2025-26 FISCAL YEAR"; and

  3) Find that the Resolution of Intent is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it will not result in a direct, or reasonably foreseeable indirect, physical change in the environment (State CEQA Guidelines, §§ 15060 (c)(2) and (3), 15378.).

  AYES (3)	Council Member Maraviglia, Mayor Pro Tem Secrest, and Council Member Guthrie
  ABSENT (2)	Mayor Ray Russom, and Council Member Loe

  Passed (3 to 0)

12.

COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS

Council Member Maraviglia commented on her attendance at an Arroyo Grande Hospital Lunch and Learn event along with Mayor Pro Tem Secrest and staff.

13.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Pro Tem Secrest adjourned the meeting at 7:11 pm.