ACTION MINUTES

REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, March 14, 2023 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, 
• Mayor Pro Tem Barneich, 
• Council Member George, 
• Council Member Guthrie, 
• and Council Member Secrest 

Staff Present:

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

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

Jim Gregory, South County Historical Society 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

Introductions of New Firefighters - Cade Posner and Braden Jones

City Manager McDonald reported that, due to Firefighter storm response, this item will be continued to a date uncertain.

6.b

City Manager Communications

City Manager McDonald provided information regarding the Central Coast Veterans Memorial Museum co-hosting The Wall That Heals event; mentioned that the County of San Luis Obispo is making an effort to remove racially restricted covenants.

Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director Robeson provided an update regarding Lopez Lake water levels.

Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Jeff Metcalfe. No further public comments were received. Director Robeson responded to questions from the public. City Manager McDonald provided information regarding upcoming Council items including a discussion regarding the Urban Water Management Plan.

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 Jeff Metcalfe, and Jim Gregory.  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.  

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

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

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

  AYES (5)

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

  Passed (5 to 0)

9.a

Consideration of Cash Disbursement Ratification

• 1) Ratified the listing of cash disbursements for the period of February 1 through February 15, 2023; 2) Determined that ratifying the cash disbursements 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.b

Consideration of Statement of Investment Deposits

• 1) Received and filed the report listing investment deposits of the City of Arroyo Grande as of January 31, 2023, as required by Government Code Section 53646(b); 2) Determined that ratifying the cash disbursements 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.c

*Consideration of 1) Adoption of a Resolution Declaring a Continued Local Emergency Related to the January 2023 Storm Events and 2) a Declared Local Emergency for Subsequent Storm Events

• 1) Adopted a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE 1) DECLARING A CONTINUED LOCAL EMERGENCY RELATED TO THE JANUARY 2023 WINTER STORMS; 2) DECLARING A LOCAL EMERGENCY FOR SUBSEQUENT STORM EVENTS"; 2) Declared Local Emergency for Subsequent Storm Events; and 3) Made findings that adopting the Resolution continuing a local emergency 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.d

Approval of Minutes

• Approved the minutes of the Regular City Council Meetings of February 14, 2023 and February 28, 2023, as submitted, and approved the minutes of the Special City Council Meeting of March 2, 2023, as submitted.

9.e

Consider Adoption of a Resolution Pursuant to Public Contract Code Section 22050 Determining to Continue Work Under Emergency Contracts for the FCFA Station 1 Emergency Generator Replacement Project, PW 2021-09

• 1) Received and filed an update of the emergency generator replacement project at the FCFA Station 1; 2) Adopted a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE DETERMINING A NEED TO CONTINUE WORK UNDER EMERGENCY CONTRACTS FOR THE FCFA STATION 1 EMERGENCY GENERATOR REPLACEMENT PROJECT"; and 3) Made findings that the continuation of the emergency action and the update of the Emergency generator replacement project at FCFA Station 1 is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) under the Class 2 exemption, which applies to the replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and facilities where the new structure will be located on the same site as the structure replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure replaced, and where none of the exceptions to the exemption apply. (State CEQA Guidelines, § 15302.)

9.f

2022 General Plan Annual Progress Report

• 1) Reviewed and accepted the 2022 General Plan Annual Report (the “Annual Report” or “Report”) and directed staff to forward the Report to the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research and the Department of Housing and Community Development. 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

None.

11.

OLD BUSINESS

None.

12.

NEW BUSINESS

12.a

Consideration of General Fund Five-Year Financial Forecast

Director of Administrative Services Valentine introduced Consultant, Don Rhoads, who provided the General Fund Five-Year Financial Forecast. Director Valentine and Mr. Rhoads responded to questions from Council.

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

No action was taken. The report was received and filed.

• Consider and receive the updated Five-Year Financial Forecast Report.

12.b

Discussion of a Draft Safe Parking Ordinance

Planning Manager Perez presented the staff report, reviewed the proposed ordinance, and responded to questions from Council.

Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public were Jeff Metcalfe, Gary Schmidt, and Janna Nichols.  No further public comments were received.

Council discussion ensued including the social services component of the potential program. Council expressed concerns regarding the proposed appeal process. Interim City Attorney Rosen provided clarification regarding the appeal process as defined in the Municipal Code.

Mayor Ray Russom reopened public comment. Council asked questions of 5 Cities Homeless Coalition Executive Director, Janna Nichols, and St. Patrick's Church representatives, Jeff Metcalfe and Gary Schmidt.

Council provided direction to staff. No action was taken.  

• Review staff’s proposed ordinance, receive public comment, and provide direction to staff.

12.c

Halcyon Complete Streets Plan Update

Mayor Ray Russom called for a brief break at 8:42 p.m. The Council reconvened at 8:49 p.m.

Community Development Director Pedrotti introduced Todd Tregenza, Consultant from GHD, who provided an update on the Halcyon Complete Streets Plan. Director Pedrotti and Mr. Tregenza responded to questions from Council.

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

Council provided direction to staff. No action was taken on this item.

• Review the draft Halcyon Complete Streets Plan, receive public comment, and direct staff to solicit comment from stakeholders and community groups and schedule the item for Planning Commission and City Council hearings.

13.

COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS

Mayor Pro Tem Barneich requested that the Council consider directing staff to agendize an item to fly the Pride Flag in June; and prepare a proclamation for Juneteenth and fly the Juneteenth Flag.  Mayor Ray Russom concurred.

Mayor Ray Russom announced that she will be attending the St. Patrick's Day Parade in the Village; that the Channel Counties Annual Dinner event will take place on April 28, 2023; and requested that the Council consider directing staff to agendize an item to appoint an alternate to the Central Coast Blue Regional Recycled Water Authority Board.  Mayor Pro Tem Barneich concurred.

Council Member Secrest commented that she will also be attending the Channel Counties Annual Dinner event.

14.

CLOSED SESSION

Interim City Attorney Rosen announced that the City Council will meet in closed session to consider the following:

CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8:

Property: 400 West Branch Street

Agency negotiators: Whitney McDonald, City Manager; Bill Robeson, Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director

Negotiating parties: Dev Patel, on behalf of Kamla Hotels

Under negotiation: Price and terms of payment

Any actions taken at the Closed Session will be reported at the next City Council meeting. The Council adjourned to Closed Session at 9:55 p.m.

15.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Ray Russom adjourned the meeting at 10:45 p.m.