ACTION MINUTES

REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at 5:30 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, 
• Council Member Lan George, 
• Mayor Pro Tem Jim Guthrie, 
• and Council Member Kate Secrest 

Council Members Absent:

• Council Member Kristen Barneich 

Staff Present:

• Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director Bill Robeson 
• and City Clerk Jessica Matson 

This meeting was conducted in a hybrid in-person/virtual format. 

CLOSED SESSION MEETING 5:30 P.M.:

1.  CALL TO ORDER

     Mayor Ray Russom called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m.

2.  ROLL CALL  

     City Clerk Matson took roll call. Council Member Barneich was absent.

3.  FLAG SALUTE

     Mayor Ray Russom led the flag salute.

4.  PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS  

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

5.  CLOSED SESSION        

     City Attorney Rosen announced that the City Council will recess to a closed session for the following and will report any reportable action at the City Council Regular meeting at 6:00 p.m.:

a) CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION:

Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9: 1 potential case

City Council adjourned to Closed Session at 5:32 p.m.

6.  ADJOURNMENT

City Council adjourned Closed Session at 5:59 p.m.

 

REGULAR MEETING 6:00 P.M.

---

1.

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Ray Russom called the Regular City Council Meeting to order at 6:01 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

5.a

Closed Session Announcements

November 26, 2024

CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION:

Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9: 1 potential case

City Attorney Rosen announced that there was no reportable action.

5.b

Ordinances read in title only

None.

6.

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

6.a

Mayor's Commendations Recognizing The Pick Family, Arroyo Grande Lions Club, and Trevor Weiger - Rancho Hoops Public Art Project

Mayor Ray Russom read and presented a Mayor's Commendations to the Lion's Club, The Pick Family and Trevor Weiger for their contribution to the Rancho Hoops Public Art Project.

6.b

City Manager Communications

Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director Robeson commented on the Holiday Parade and Jingle Bell Dash events coming up on December 1st; the new edition of the City's newsletter Arroyo Grande Gazette; and announced the promotion of FCFA Fire Captain Ian Bennet and also his selection as Firefighter of the Year, .

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. California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (CJPIA)
2. Five Cities Fire Authority
3. San Luis Obispo County Mayor's Meeting
4. South San Luis Obispo County Sanitation District (SSLOCSD)
5. Other - Mayor's Consortium for Vandenberg Air Space Base

7.b

MAYOR PRO TEM GUTHRIE:

1. County Water Resources Advisory Committee (WRAC)
2. Council of Governments/Regional Transit Authority/ South County Transit (SLOCOG/SLORTA/SCT)
3. Integrated Waste Management Authority Board (IWMA)
4. REACH Economic Development Roundtable
5. Other

7.c

COUNCIL MEMBER GEORGE:

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

7.d

COUNCIL MEMBER SECREST:

1. Air Pollution Control District (APCD)
2. South County Chambers of Commerce Governmental Affairs Committee
3. Other - SLO County Economic Forecast; Mayor's Meeting; HSOC; Zone 3 Advisory Committee

8.

COMMUNITY COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS

Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public were Gaea Powell; and Marlea Harmon. 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 asked staff for clarification on Item 9.g. Community Development Director Pedrotti responded to questions from Council.

Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public were Gaea Powell and Mike Harris. No further public comments were received.

• Moved by Council Member George
  Seconded by Council Member Secrest

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

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

  Passed (4 to 0)

9.a

Cash Disbursement Ratification

• Reviewed and ratified the listing of cash disbursements for the period of October 16 through October 31, 2024.

9.b

Fiscal Year 2024-25 First Quarter Status Report and Budget Adjustment Request Approval

• Received and filed the Fiscal Year 2024-25 First Quarter Financial Status Report and approve Budget Adjustment Requests.

9.c

Approval of Minutes

• Approved the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of November 12, 2024, as submitted.

9.d

Accept the Public Safety Camera System Project, PW 2023-10

• 1) Accepted improvements as constructed by ADT Commercial, LLC (ADT), in accordance with the specifications for the Public Safety Camera System (PSCS) Project, PW 2023-10;

  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

Notice of Award, Cornwall Avenue Watermain Replacement Project, PW 2024-02

• 1) Authorized the City Manager to execute a construction contract for the Cornwall Waterline Replacement Project to The J.F. Will Company, Inc. (”JF Will”) for $611,654.59 subject to any minor, technical, or non-substantive changes as approved by the City Manager in consultation with the City Attorney;

  2) Authorized the City Manager to approve change orders of 10% of the contract amount, $61,165.46, for unanticipated costs during the construction phase of this Project; and

  3) Found the action exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under the Class 1 and Class 2 exemptions.

9.f

Monthly Water Supply and Demand Update

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

9.g

General Plan Update Progress Report – November 2024

• Received and filed an update on the Comprehensive General Plan Update project.

10.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

10.a

Citywide Utility Box Painting, Phase Three (Staff Project 24-006); Applicant – Shirley Horacek, Arroyo Grande Public Art

Community Development Director Pedrotti introduced the item. Assistant Planner Gropen presented the item. Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director Robeson responded to questions from Council.

Mayor Ray Russom opened the public hearing.  Upon hearing no public comments, Mayor Ray Russom closed the public hearing. 

Council thanked the artists for their work and discussion ensued regarding support for waiving fees.

• Moved by Council Member George
  Seconded by Council Member Secrest

  1) Adopted a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE APPROVING A PUBLIC ART PROJECT TO PAINT UTILITY BOXES, ACCEPTING DONATIONS OF TIME AND MATERIALS, WAIVING PERMIT APPLICATION FEES, AND FINDING THE PROJECT EXEMPT FROM CEQA; LOCATION – CITYWIDE; APPLICANT – SHIRLEY HORACEK, ARROYO GRANDE PUBLIC ART"; and

  2) Determined that painting of utility boxes is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to Section 15301 of the State CEQA Guidelines.

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

  Passed (4 to 0)

10.b

Appeal Case 24-002; Appeal of Planning Commission Denial of Tentative Parcel Map 23-001; Location – 444 Lierly Lane; Appellant – Bruce Vanderveen and Jeanne Helphenstine; Representative – MBS Land Surveys

Mayor Ray Russom declared a conflict of interest due to the proximity of her residence to the project and left the meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Guthrie presided.

Community Development Director Pedrotti commented on the request from the appellant to continue the hearing to a date certain of January 14, 2024.

Mayor Pro Tem Guthrie opened the public hearing.  Upon hearing no public comments, Mayor Pro Tem Guthrie closed the public hearing. 

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

  Continue the public hearing to a date certain of January 14, 2025 at the request of the appellant.

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

  Passed (3 to 0)

11.

BUSINESS ITEMS

11.a

Preliminary Approval of Community Development Block Grant Projects for Year 2025

Mayor Ray Russom rejoined the meeting. Community Development Director Pedrotti introduced the item. Planning Manager Perez presented the item.

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

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

  1) Preliminarily approve funding recommendations for the City’s allocation of 2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds as shown in Table 1; and

  2) Find that this action is exempt from CEQA, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 subd. (b)(3).

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

  Passed (4 to 0)

12.

COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS

Mayor Ray Russom wished all a good Thanksgiving and invited the public to the December 10th City Council Reorganization meeting.

13.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Ray Russom adjourned the meeting at 6:58 p.m.