ACTION MINUTES

REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at 6:00 P.m. - 11:00 P.m.

Hybrid City Council Chamber/Virtual Zoom Meeting

215 East Branch Street, Arroyo Grande

Council Members Present:

• Mayor Ray Russom, 
• Mayor Pro Tem George, 
• Council Member Barneich, 
• Council Member Paulding, 
• and Council Member Storton

Staff Present:

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

Given the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in San Luis Obispo County, and in compliance with Assembly Bill (AB) 361, which allows for a deviation of teleconference rules required by the Ralph M. Brown Act, 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 call.

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

None.

6.

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

6.a

Update Regarding Countywide COVID-19 Efforts

City Manager McDonald provided a brief update on COVID-19.

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

No action was taken on this item.

6.b

City Manager Communications

City Manager McDonald discussed upcoming items for Council consideration.

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

No action was taken on this item.

6.c

Honorary Proclamation Declaring May 11-17, 2022 as "National Police Week" and May 15, 2022 as "National Peace Officers' Memorial Day"

Mayor Ray Russom read the Honorary Proclamation Declaring May 11-17, 2022 as "National Police Week" and May 15, 2022 as "National Peace Officers' Memorial Day". Sr. Officer Elia Esparza, Arroyo Grande Police Department, accepted the proclamation.

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

No action was taken on this item.

7.

COMMUNITY COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS

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

8.

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 requested Item 8.j. be pulled for separate vote.

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

• Moved by Council Member Storton
  Seconded by Council Member Barneich

  Approve Consent Agenda Items 8.a. through 8.i., with the exception of Item 8.j., with the recommended courses of action.

  AYES (5)

  Mayor Ray Russom, Council Member Paulding, Council Member Barneich, Council Member Storton, and Mayor Pro Tem George

  Passed (5 to 0)

8.a

Consideration of Cash Disbursement Ratification

• Ratified the listing of cash disbursements for the period of April 1 through April 15, 2022.

8.b

Consideration of Statement of Investment Deposits

• Received and filed the attached report listing investment deposits of the City of Arroyo Grande as of March 31, 2022, as required by Government Code Section 53646(b).

8.c

Consideration of Fiscal Year 2021-22 Third Quarter Financial Status Report

• Received, considered, and filed the FY 2021-22 Third Quarter Financial Status Report.

8.d

Consideration of a Resolution Declaring Surplus Property

• Adopted a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE DECLARING CERTAIN PROPERTY AS SURPLUS AND AUTHORIZING ITS DISPOSAL".

8.e

Approval of Minutes

• Approved the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of April 26, 2022, as submitted.

8.f

Consideration of Adoption of a Resolution Declaring a Continued Local Emergency Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Authorizing the Continuance of Remote Teleconference Meetings of the Legislative Bodies Pursuant to Government Code Section 54953(e)(3)

• Adopted a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE DECLARING A CONTINUED LOCAL EMERGENCY RELATED TO THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC AND AUTHORIZING THE CONTINUANCE OF REMOTE TELECONFERENCE MEETINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE BODIES OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54953(e)".

8.g

Consideration of Authorization to Sign a Letter by REACH and the Diablo Canyon Power Plant (DCPP) MOU Stakeholder Group in Support of Reuse Opportunities at the Diablo Canyon Power Plant Site

• Authorized the Mayor to sign the letter from REACH and the DCPP MOU stakeholder group, on behalf of the City, in support of reuse opportunities at the DCPP site.

8.h

Consideration of Approval of Construction Specifications for the Wood Place, Farroll/Sandalwood, Sandalwood/Cameron, & Woodland Back Yards Sewer Lining Project and Associated California Environmental Quality Act Exemption, PW 2021-10

• 1) Approved the construction specifications for the Wood Place, Farroll/Sandalwood, Sandalwood/Cameron, & Woodland Back Yards Sewer Lining Project, PW 2021-10; 2) Authorized staff to advertise for construction bids; 3) Found that the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(b); and 5) Directed the City Clerk to file a Notice of Exemption

8.i

Consideration of Engineer’s Reports and Resolutions Declaring the City’s Intention to Levy and Collect Assessments for the Parkside and Grace Lane Assessment Districts, and Landscaping and Lighting District No. 1, Within Tract 1769, for FY 2022-23

• 1) Approved the Engineer’s Reports for the Parkside Village Assessment District, Grace Lane Assessment District, and Landscaping and Lighting Assessment District No. 1, within Tract 1769, for Fiscal Year 2022-2023; 2) Adopted Resolutions entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE DECLARING ITS INTENTION TO LEVY AND COLLECT ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS RELATED TO THE PARKSIDE VILLAGE ASSESSMENT DISTRICT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022-2023"; "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE DECLARING ITS INTENTION TO LEVY AND COLLECT ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS RELATED TO THE GRACE LANE ASSESSMENT DISTRICT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022-2023"; and "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE DECLARING ITS INTENTION TO LEVY AND COLLECT ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS RELATED TO THE ARROYO GRANDE LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. 1, WITHIN TRACT 1769, FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022-2023"; and 3) Set a public hearing for June 14, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. for the Parkside Village Assessment District, Grace Lane Assessment District, and Landscaping and Lighting Assessment District No. 1, within Tract 1769, to consider levying the property assessments.

8.j

Consideration of a Resolution Supporting the Application for Funding from the Department of Transportation’s Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant Opportunity for the US 101/Brisco-Halcyon Road Interchange Modification Project

Item 8.j. was pulled for separate vote.

• Moved by Council Member Barneich
  Seconded by Council Member Storton

  Adopted a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE SUPPORTING THE APPLICATION FOR FUNDING FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION’S MULTIMODAL PROJECT DISCRETIONARY GRANT FUNDING REQUEST FOR THE US 101/BRISCO-HALCYON ROAD INTERCHANGE MODIFICATION PROJECT" and designated the City Manager or their designee as the City’s signature authority to take all actions necessary to seek and apply for the funding opportunities through this grant program.

  AYES (4)	Council Member Paulding, Council Member Barneich, Council Member Storton, and Mayor Pro Tem George
  NOES (1)	Mayor Ray Russom

  Passed (4 to 1)

9.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

None.

10.

OLD BUSINESS

10.a

Consideration of Updated Council Goals and Priorities for Fiscal Year 2022-23

City Manager McDonald presented the staff report and recommended that Council approve the proposed updated City Council's Goals and Priorities for Fiscal Year 2022-23. City Manager McDonald and City Clerk Matson responded to questions from Council.

Council discussion ensued regarding the City pursuing a State Water initiative. Based on Council discussion, Mayor Ray Russom requested staff include the initiative on the draft Fiscal Year 2023-24 City Council's Goals and Priorities for future consideration.

Council Member Barneich requested staff provide an update on additional Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice efforts at a future meeting.

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

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

  Approve the proposed updated City Council’s Goals and Priorities for Fiscal Year 2022-23.

  AYES (5)

  Mayor Ray Russom, Council Member Paulding, Council Member Barneich, Council Member Storton, and Mayor Pro Tem George

  Passed (5 to 0)

11.

NEW BUSINESS

11.a

Discussion and Consideration of the Current and Future Short Street Status and Pedestrian Plaza and Park Conceptual Design and Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the Continued Closure of Short Street

Community Development Director Pedrotti presented the staff report and recommended that Council 1) Receive the updated proposed sample concept plan, receive public comment, and provide staff direction to move forward with further evaluation of a conceptual plan along with a cost analysis and public feedback; and 2) Provide staff with direction to implement an intermediate design plan for Short Street that includes adoption of a Resolution to continue closure of Short Street and use as a pedestrian and public area. Director Pedrotti and Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director Robeson answered questions from Council.

Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public were Patty Welsh, Luz, and Frank Schiro. No further public comments were received.

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

  Receive the updated proposed sample concept plan, receive public comment, and provide staff direction to move forward with further evaluation of a conceptual plan along with a cost analysis and public feedback.

  AYES (5)

  Mayor Ray Russom, Council Member Paulding, Council Member Barneich, Council Member Storton, and Mayor Pro Tem George

  Passed (5 to 0)
• Moved by Mayor Ray Russom
  Seconded by Council Member Barneich

  Adopt a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE AUTHORIZING THE CONTINUED TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF SHORT STREET SOUTH OF EAST BRANCH STREET AND NORTH OF OLOHAN ALLEY TO ACCOMMODATE ITS USE AS A PEDESTRIAN AND PUBLIC AREA".

  Mayor Pro Tem George left the meeting and was not present for the vote.

  AYES (4)	Mayor Ray Russom, Council Member Paulding, Council Member Barneich, and Council Member Storton
  ABSENT (1)	Mayor Pro Tem George

  Passed (4 to 0)

11.b

Consideration of Approval of a Child Care Assistance Grant Program

Mayor Ray Russom called for a brief break at 7:54 p.m. The Council reconvened at 8:00 p.m.

Recreation Director Bohlken presented the staff report and recommended that Council approve the proposed Child Care Assistance Grant Program, including direction regarding program components, and authorize the City Manager to execute grant agreements with grant recipients. Director Bohlken answered questions from Council.

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

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

  Consider and approve the proposed Child Care Assistance Grant Program, including direction regarding program components, and authorize the City Manager to execute grant agreements with grant recipients.

  AYES (5)

  Mayor Ray Russom, Council Member Paulding, Council Member Barneich, Council Member Storton, and Mayor Pro Tem George

  Passed (5 to 0)

12.

COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS

Mayor Ray Russom stated that she will be absent at the meeting of June 28, 2022.  Brief discussion ensued whether or not to cancel the meeting.

Mayor Ray Russom also reported that the CJPIA received an unmodified opinion for their audit. 

13.

CLOSED SESSION

None.

14.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Ray Russom adjourned the meeting at 8:11 p.m.