ACTION MINUTES

REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL

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City Council Chamber
215 E Branch Street, Arroyo Grande
Council Members Present:
  • Mayor Ray Russom,
  • Mayor Pro Tem Paulding,
  • Council Member Barneich,
  • Council Member Storton,
  • and Council Member George
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 held by teleconference. 

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 performed roll call.

3.
MOMENT OF REFLECTION
  

4.
FLAG SALUTE
  

Linda Vleit, Rotary Club of Arroyo Grande, led the flag salute. 

5.
AGENDA REVIEW
  

5.a
Closed Session Announcements
  

5.b
Ordinances read in title only
  

  • Moved byMayor Ray Russom
    Seconded byCouncil Member Barneich

    Moved that all ordinances presented for introduction or adoption be read in title only and all further readings be waived.

    AYES (5)Mayor Ray Russom, Mayor Pro Tem Paulding, Council Member Barneich, Council Member Storton, and Council Member George
    Passed (5 to 0)

6.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
  

6.a
Update Regarding Countywide COVID-19 Efforts
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City Manager McDonald provided a brief update on COVID-19 efforts as it relates to the possible lifting of the mask order; highlighted recommendations and guidelines from the County regarding holiday safety; announced that vaccine boosters are available; and responded to questions from Council.

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

No action was taken on this item.

6.b
City Manager Communications
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City Manager McDonald provided an update on Halloween events and stated that the Recreation Services Department will be hosting a Halloween Carnival and Haunted Maze; announced that the second Districting Workshop is upcoming; a Community Meeting regarding the Traffic Way Bridge Replacement Project will take place in November; and Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director provided an update on holiday lighting in the Village.  Staff responded to questions from Council.

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

No action was taken on this item.

6.c
Honorary Proclamation Declaring November 2021 as National Native American and Indigenous Peoples Heritage Month
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Mayor Ray Russom read the Honorary Proclamation Declaring November 2021 as National Native American and Indigenous Peoples Heritage Month.  Mona Olivas Tucker, Chairwoman and Lorie Lathrop Laguna, Tribal Council member of yak tityu tityu yak tiłhini – Northern Chumash Tribe San Luis Obispo County and Region received the Proclamation.

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

No action was taken on this item.

6.d
Honorary Proclamation Declaring November 2021 as "National Adoption Month"
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Mayor Ray Russom read the Honorary Proclamation Declaring November 2021 as "National Adoption Month".  Owen Martin, Social Worker, County of San Luis Obispo, received the Proclamation.

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

No action was taken on this item.

6.e
Mayor's Commendation Recognizing Naomi Luby
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Mayor Pro Tem Paulding read the Mayor’s Commendation Recognizing Naomi Luby for her service to the community by sewing more than 4,000 masks during the VOVID-19 pandemic for churches, first responders, and other community members on the Central Coast.  Naomi Luby accepted the Commendation. 

Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Mona Tucker, and Anne McCracken.  No further public comments were received.

No action was taken on this item.

6.f
Introduction of New Employee - Lynda Horejsi, Accounting Manager
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Administrative Services Director Valentine introduced Linda Horejsi as the new Accounting Manager and highlighted her educational and professional background.

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 asked the Council if there were any questions or any items to be pulled from the consent agenda for further discussion.

Staff responded to questions from Council on Item 8.c., and commented on Item 8.g.

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

  • Moved byCouncil Member Storton
    Seconded byCouncil Member Barneich

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

    AYES (5)Mayor Ray Russom, Mayor Pro Tem Paulding, Council Member Barneich, Council Member Storton, and Council Member George
    Passed (5 to 0)

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 invited public comment. No public comments were received.

  • Moved byCouncil Member Storton
    Seconded byCouncil Member Barneich

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

    AYES (5)Mayor Ray Russom, Mayor Pro Tem Paulding, Council Member Barneich, Council Member Storton, and Council Member George
    Passed (5 to 0)

8.a
Consideration of Cash Disbursement Ratification
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Ratified the listing of cash disbursements for the period October 1, 2021 through October 15, 2021.

8.b
Consideration of Statement of Investment Deposits
This item has attachments.  

Received and filed the report listing of investment deposits of the City of Arroyo Grande, as of September 30, 2021, as required by Government Code Section 53646(b).

8.c
Approval of Minutes
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Approved the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of October 12, 2021, as submitted.

8.d
Adoption of a Resolution Declaring a Continued Local Emergency Related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic
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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".

8.e
Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the Continuance of Remote Teleconference Meetings of the Legislative Bodies of the City of Arroyo Grande Pursuant to Government Code Section 53953(e)(3)
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Adopted a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE AUTHORIZING THE CONTINUANCE OF REMOTE TELECONFERENCE MEETINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE BODIES OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE PURSUANT GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54953(e)".

8.f
Adoption of a Resolution Updating the Name of the City's Accounting Manager in the List of Those Who are Authorized to Deposit City Funds in Various Financial Institutions
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Adopted a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE AUTHORIZING THE DEPOSIT OF CITY FUNDS IN VARIOUS FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS".

8.g
Acceptance of the 2021 Concrete Repairs Project, PW 2021-02
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1) Accepted the project improvements as constructed by CalPortland Construction in accordance with the plans and specifications for the 2021 Concrete Repairs Project, PW 2021-02; 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.

8.h
Consideration of Acceptance of Roof Repairs to Corporation Yard Buildings A and B, PW 2021-03
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1) Accepted the project improvements as constructed by Wick's Roofing, Inc. in accordance with its scope of work and estimate submitted for the Roof Repairs to Corporation Yard Buildings A and B Project, PW 2021-03; 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.

8.i
Monthly Water Supply and Demand Update
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Received and filed the Monthly Water Supply and Demand Report.

9.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
  

9.a
Appeal to City Council Case 21-003; Appeal of Conditional Use Permit 21-005 for an Addition to an Existing Commercial Structure and Establishment of an Art Gallery and Wine Tasting Collective; Location - 211 E Branch St; Appellant - Shirley Gibson, et al
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Council Member Barneich stated that she had spoken to both the appellants and the applicants at length and was therefore recusing herself. 

Mayor Ray Russom opened the public hearing. Upon hearing no comments, Mayor Ray Russom continued the public hearing comments to the November 9, 2021 City Council meeting.

  • Moved byCouncil Member George
    Seconded byCouncil Member Storton

    Continue the public hearing to a date certain of November 9, 2021 to provide staff additional time to review issues associated with the appeal.

    AYES (4)Mayor Ray Russom, Mayor Pro Tem Paulding, Council Member Storton, and Council Member George
    ABSTAINED (1)Council Member Barneich
    Passed (4 to 0)

10.
OLD BUSINESS
  

None.

Council Member Barneich rejoined the meeting.

11.
NEW BUSINESS
  

11.a
Approval of the Inclusive Elm Street Park Playground Replacement Project and Its Associated Proposition 68 Per Capita Grant Application, And Appropriate Funds for the Project
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Recreation Services Director Bohlken presented the staff report and recommended that the Council: 1) Approve the Inclusive Elm Street Park Playground Replacement Project proposal, allowing the City Manager to submit an application for the Prop 68 Per Capita Program and process any associated grant documents as necessary; and 2) Appropriate $136,426 from the Sales Tax Fund as part of the total project costs. Staff responded to questions from Council.

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

  • Moved byCouncil Member George
    Seconded byMayor Pro Tem Paulding

    1) Approved the Inclusive Elm Street Park Playground Replacement Project proposal, allowing the City Manager to submit an application for the Prop 68 Per Capita Program and process any associated grant documents as necessary; and 2) Appropriated $136,426 from the Sales Tax Fund as part of the total project costs.

    AYES (5)Mayor Ray Russom, Mayor Pro Tem Paulding, Council Member Barneich, Council Member Storton, and Council Member George
    Passed (5 to 0)

11.b
Introduction of an Ordinance Adding Chapter 8.33, Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction, and Chapter 15.06, SB 1383 CalGreen Recycling and Model Water Efficient Landscaping Ordinance Requirements, to the Municipal Code to Comply with SB 1383
This item has attachments.  

Assistant City Attorney Hirsch presented the report and recommended that the Council introduce an Ordinance adding Chapter 8.33, Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction, and Chapter 15.06, SB 1383 CalGreen Recycling and Model Water Efficient Landscaping Ordinance Requirements, to the Arroyo Grande Municipal Code by title only and waive further reading in order to comply with the requirements of Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383). Staff responded to questions from Council.

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

  • Moved byCouncil Member Storton
    Seconded byCouncil Member Barneich

    Introduced an Ordinance entitled: "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE ADDING CHAPTER 8.33, MANDATORY ORGANIC WASTE DISPOSAL REDUCTION, AND CHAPTER 15.06, SB 1383 CALGREEN RECYCLING AND MODEL WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPING ORDINANCE REQUIREMENTS, TO THE ARROYO GRANDE MUNICIPAL CODE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF SB 1383", to include the revision to Section 8.33.130(e) for fixed fines for penalty violations at $50 for a first violation, $100 for a second violation, and $250 for a third or subsequent violation, and rewording Subsection, 8.33.130(f) as appropriate.

    AYES (5)Mayor Ray Russom, Mayor Pro Tem Paulding, Council Member Barneich, Council Member Storton, and Council Member George
    Passed (5 to 0)

12.
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.

12.a
MAYOR RAY RUSSOM:
  

12.b
MAYOR PRO TEM PAULDING:
  

12.c
COUNCIL MEMBER BARNEICH:
  

12.d
COUNCIL MEMBER STORTON:
  

12.e
COUNCIL MEMBER GEORGE:
  

13.
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
  

Mayor Ray Russom stated that she received a call from Assemblyman Cunningham's Office regarding the districting process that is happening locally as well as statewide, and that the draft Statewide map has been released and is proposing that the City of Arroyo Grande be removed from San Luis Obispo County and lumped in with Santa Barbara County.  Mayor Ray Russom requested staff to bring back information at a future meeting to discuss whether the Council would like to officially respond to the State regarding this matter. Council Member Barneich concurred.

Council Member Barneich requested a warming center update; and notified the community that walk ins are allowed at the COVID-19 testing sites. 

Council Member Storton mentioned that there is an app called RecycleRight SLO County that has helpful tips and reminders for South County Sanitary, as well as your garbage and recycling schedule. 

14.
CLOSED SESSION
  

15.
ADJOURNMENT
  

There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Ray Russom adjourned the meeting at 8:25 p.m.

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