ACTION MINUTES

REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, March 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 George, 
• Mayor Pro Tem Guthrie, 
• and Council Member Secrest 

Staff Present:

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

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 10.a. to be heard after Item 12.b. and to move Item 13 to be heard after Item 9.

5.a

Closed Session Announcements

The City Attorney announced that there was no reportable action from the following meeting: 

February 27, 2024

a) CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS PER GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.8:

Real Property under negotiation along Traffic Way, including the following addresses and negotiating parties:

1. APN 006-311-056: Ben Dohi TRE ETAL
2. APN 007-481-009: Romel & Mercedes Fernandez
3. APN 007-481-008: Dan Frietas Rentals 3 LP a CA LP
4. APN 007-482-026: Mes Hansen
5. APN 007-481-011: Raffi M. Kaloosian
6. APN 007-482-018: Coyote Real Estate Corporation
7. APN 007-482-020: Coyote Real Estate Corporation
8. APN 007-482-006: Lan Vest Limited, Pacific Group Fuel LLC
9. APN 007-481-007: Pearl Cole I Family Trust
10. APN 006-311-067: Adam H. Saruwatari TRE ETAL

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

Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment

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 George, Council Member Secrest, and Mayor Pro Tem Guthrie

  Passed (5 to 0)

6.

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

6.a

Introduction of Employee – FCFA Battalion Chief Craig Angello

Interim FCFA Chief Aggson introduced Battalion Chief Craig Angello, and highlighted his educational and professional background.

6.b

Introduction and Oath of Office – Police Officer Timothy Wilson

Police Chief Martinez introduced Officer Timothy Wilson, and highlighted his educational and professional background.  City Clerk Matson administered the Oath of Office.

6.c

SLOCOG Presentation on Countywide Self-Help Measure

City Manager Downing introduced James Worthley, SLOCOG Deputy Director, who provided a presentation regarding a Countywide Self-Help Measure and responded to questions from Council.

6.d

City Manager Communications

City Manager Downing provided information regarding his participation in a ride along with the Police Department; interviews for the FCFA Chief; a new fire tiller truck; Chief Martinez participated in the Mobile Crisis Working Group; and almost 700 responses to the City survey have already been received. 

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

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 Patty Welsh, Gary Schmidt, Conrad Bedsted, Gaea Powell (for Mike Harris), No Name Provided, and Ethel Landers.  No further public comments were received. 

City Manager Downing responded to questions from the public. City Attorney Rosen stated that the Verizon Wireless Appeal is delayed to at least June 11, 2024.

City Attorney Rosen stated that the public hearing item regarding a domestic well on Noyes Road will be reopened and considered at the March 26, 2024 City Council meeting.

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 Mayor Pro Tem Guthrie

  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 George, Council Member Secrest, and Mayor Pro Tem Guthrie

  Passed (5 to 0)

9.a

Consideration of Cash Disbursement Ratification

• Ratified the listing of cash disbursements for the period of February 1 through February 15, 2024.

9.b

Consideration of Statement of Investment Deposits

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

9.c

Approval of Minutes

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

9.d

Consideration of Acceptance of the 191 Tally Ho Road Frontage Improvements Project, PW 2023-09

• 1)    Accepted the project improvements as constructed by JJ Fisher Construction, Inc. in accordance with the plans and specifications for the 191 Tally Ho Road Frontage Improvements Project, PW 2023-09;
  2)    Directed staff to file a Notice of Completion; and
  3)    Authorized release of retention, thirty-five (35) days after the Notice of Completion has been recorded if no liens have been filed. 

9.e

2023 General Plan Annual Progress Report

• 1) Reviewed and accept the 2023 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).

10.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

10.a

Public Hearing to Consider Introduction of an Ordinance Amending Title 16 of the Arroyo Grande Municipal Code Regarding Accessory Dwelling Units

This item was heard out of order.

Mayor Ray Russom and Council Member George declared a conflict of interest due to ownership of an ADU and left the meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Guthrie presided over the meeting.

Planning Manager Perez presented the staff report and 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 Barneich
  Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Guthrie

  1) Introduce an Ordinance entitled: "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPTING AMENDMENTS TO TITLE 16 OF THE ARROYO GRANDE MUNICIPAL CODE (AGMC) REGARDING ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS"; and

  2) Determine that the Ordinance amendment is statutorily exempt per Section 15282(h) of the CEQA Guidelines regarding projects involving the adoption of an ordinance regarding second units in a single-family or multi-family residential zone by a city to implement Government Code Section 65852.2.

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

  Passed (3 to 0)

11.

OLD BUSINESS

None.

12.

NEW BUSINESS

12.a

Conceptual Village Wayfinding and Parking Signage Program

This item was heard after Item 13. 

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

Mayor Ray Russom called for a brief break at 7:30 p.m. The Council reconvened at 7:35 p.m.

Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Alexandria, and Rhonda O'Dell. No further public comments were received. Mayor Ray Russom stated that written comments from Ms. O'Dell were distributed shortly before the Council meeting.

Council discussion ensued regarding design and placement of parking signs as well as color and design consistency throughout the city.

City Manager Downing providing a summary of Council comments which included modifying the sign in front of the large redwood tree at the entrance to the Village; redesigning the parking signs to include a rectangular sign with an arrow and the words "parking;" reducing sign clutter; adding a sign in Olohan Alley to alert pedestrians of location of restrooms; orienting parking signs to direct drivers to the North side of the Village; and evaluating the monument sign at the Car Corral.

No action was taken on this item.

12.b

Study Session on Revisions to Public Art Guidelines, Public Art Donation Program, and Arroyo Grande Municipal Code Relating to Murals

Community Development Director Pedrotti presented the item and responded to questions from Council. City Attorney Rosen clarified regarding objectivity in the guidelines.

Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Nan Bowman, Jill Von Berg, Shirley Horacek. No further public comments were received. Staff responded to questions from the public.

Council discussion ensued regarding public noticing of public art projects, the application process, an appeal process, and the review of public art applications by the Architectural Review Committee.

City Attorney Rosen clarified regarding the appeal process and public noticing on the City Council Consent Agenda. City Manager Downing commented on public noticing requirements and identifying a process for notifying the City Council of potential projects and stated that the guidelines will come back to Council to consider an Ordinance amendment.

No action was taken on this item.

13.

COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS

This item was considered after Item 9.

There were no Council communications.

14.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Pro Tem Guthrie adjourned the meeting at 10:06 p.m.