ACTION MINUTES

REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at 6:00 P.m. - 9:00 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, 
• and Mayor Pro Tem Guthrie 

Council Members Absent:

• Council Member Secrest 

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. 

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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

5.a

Closed Session Announcements

None.

5.b

Ordinances read in title only

None.

6.

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

6.a

Honorary Proclamation Declaring October 6-12, 2025 as "Fire Prevention Week"

Mayor Ray Russom read the Honorary Proclamation Declaring October 6-12, 2024 as "Fire Prevention Week".  Five Cities Fire Authority (FCFA) Chief Hallett and members of the FCFA accepted the Proclamation and acknowledged Captain Leathers who has been coordinating the Burn Relay for years. The next Burn Relay will be on October 10th and there will be an Open House at the FCFA on October 12th at 10 a.m.

No action was taken on this item.

6.b

Introduction of New Police Officers - Bradley Pullen and Vincent Spencer

Chief Martinez introduced new Police Officers, Bradley Pullen and Vincent Spencer and highlighted their educational and professional background. City Clerk Matson administered the Oath of Office.

6.c

City Manager Communications

Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director Robeson provided information regarding upcoming Virtual Town Hall Meetings on October 8th and 10th regarding Measure E-24; City booth at the Harvest Festival; Movie Night at Harvest Festival on Friday, September 27th; Diaper Derby at Harvest Festival on Saturday, September 28th; Active Transportation Plan Workshop on September 26th; and the Wireless Telecommunications Ordinance item continued by Planning Commission. 

Assistant City Manager Robeson and City Clerk Matson responded to questions from Council.

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

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 BARNEICH:

1. Audit Committee
2. Homeless Services Oversight Council (HSOC)
3. Zone 3 Water Advisory Board
4. Other

7.d

COUNCIL MEMBER GEORGE:

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

8.

COMMUNITY COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS

Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public were Aileen Loe, Alexandria Davis, Victor, Gaea Powell. Mayor Ray Russom gave three warnings to commenter Powell at the conclusion of the one minute comment period. Following non-compliance, Mayor Ray Russom called a recess in accordance with Government Code Section 54957.95 regarding disruptions. 

City Council went on a recess at 6:35 p.m. and returned at 6:40 p.m.

Public comment continued. Speaking from the public were Michael Punsalon, Colleen Martin, and Randy. No further public comments were received. 

Assistant City Manager Robeson responded to questions from the public.

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 Pro Tem Guthrie made comments on Item 9.c. thanking former Committee Member CJ Horstman for his service and welcoming Fernando Garcia to the Committee.

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

• Moved by Council Member Barneich
  Seconded by Council Member George

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

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

  Passed (4 to 0)

9.a

Cash Disbursement Ratification

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

9.b

Approval of Minutes

• Approved the minutes of the Special City Council Meeting of September 9, 2024, as submitted.

9.c

Consideration of Appointment to the Architectural Review Committee

• Approved the recommendation of Mayor Pro Tem Guthrie to appoint Fernando Garcia III to the Architectural Review Committee.

9.d

Consideration of Appointment to the Community Service Grant Program Committee

• Appointed Alexandria Davis to the Community Service Grant Program Committee to fill a vacancy.

9.e

Conflict of Interest Code Biennial Review and Resolution Amending the City of Arroyo Grande Conflict of Interest Code

• Adopted a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE APPROVING AN AMENDED CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE FOR DESIGNATED POSITIONS".

9.f

Contract Amendment No. 4 for Consulting Services with Consor Engineers, for Cost Increase and Time Extension Associated with Design, Environmental, and Construction Support Services for the Traffic Way Bridge Replacement Project

• Authorized the City Manager to approve Amendment No. 4 to the contract for consultant services with Consor Engineers for the following: 1) to extend the contract end date from October 31, 2024 to October 31, 2026; and 2) adjusted the not-to-exceed compensation to incorporate the additional services needed to address lengthened project schedule, design changes, right-of way and utility issues, and to include construction support services.

9.g

Monthly Water Supply and Demand Update

• Received and filed the Monthly Water Supply and Demand Update

9.h

Temporary Use Permit 24-006 Authorizing Temporary Closure of Branch Street for Halloween in the Village from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM Tuesday, October 31, 2024; Applicant - Cheers! Arroyo Grande

• 1) Adopted a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE APPROVING TEMPORARY USE PERMIT CASE NO. 24-006 AUTHORIZING “HALLOWEEN IN THE VILLAGE” ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2024 AND DIRECTING STAFF TO IMPLEMENT RELATED SAFETY MEASURES INCLUDING NO PARKING ZONES AND STREET CLOSURES AND FINDING THE ACTION EXEMPT FROM CEQA"; and

  2) Determined that this project is categorically exempt per Section 15304(e) of the CEQA Guidelines regarding minor temporary uses of land.

9.i

General Plan Update Progress Report – September 2024

• Received an update on the status of the Comprehensive General Plan Update project.

10.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

None.

11.

BUSINESS ITEMS

None.

12.

COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS

Council Member Barneich shared her excitement about the Harvest Festival on Friday and Saturday, September 27th-28th.

Council Member George expressed her appreciation for the Fire Department and their service to the community.

Mayor Pro Tem Guthrie reminded the community of the Harvest Festival and Parade starting at 4 p.m. on Friday, September 27th.

Mayor Ray Russom thanked the Harvest Festival Committee.

13.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Ray Russom adjourned the meeting at 6:52 p.m.