ACTION MINUTES

REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, June 25, 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 Bill Robeson, 
• Administrative Services Director Nicole Valentine, 
• City Clerk Jessica Matson, 
• Deputy City Clerk Julie Hawkins, 
• and City Manager Matthew Downing 

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

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Pro Tem Guthrie called the Regular City Council Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 

2.

ROLL CALL

City Clerk Matson took roll call. Mayor Ray Russom was absent.

3.

MOMENT OF REFLECTION

4.

FLAG SALUTE

Mayor Ray Pro Tem Guthrie 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 July 2024 as "Parks Make Life Better" Month

Mayor Pro Tem Guthrie read the Honorary Proclamation Declaring July as "Parks Make Life Better Month." Sheridan Bohlken, Recreation Services Director, accepted the proclamation.

No action was taken on this item.

6.b

City Manager Communications

City Manager Downing provided information on the Swinging Bridge Rehabilitation Project; the start of the summer concert series on July 4th; fireworks sales begin this Friday; and safe and sane fireworks are only allowed to be discharged on July 4th from 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.

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 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.b

COUNCIL MEMBER BARNEICH:

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

8.

COMMUNITY COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS

Mayor Pro Tem Guthrie invited public comment.  Speaking from the public were Stacy Korsgard, RJ Hanson, Gaea Powell, Darcy Cole, Michael Punsalon, Shannon Kesler, No Name Provided. No further public comments were received. City Manager Downing responded to questions from the public.

9.

CONSENT AGENDA

Mayor Pro Tem Guthrie 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 pulled Item 9.g. for separate consideration due to his involvement with the Harvest Festival Committee.

Mayor Pro Tem Guthrie invited public comment. No public comments were received.

• Moved by Council Member Barneich
  Seconded by Council Member Secrest

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

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

  Passed (4 to 0)

9.a

Cash Disbursement Ratification

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

9.b

Consideration of Adoption of a Resolution Amending the Citywide Combined Salary Schedule and Consideration of a Side Letter of Agreement to the Arroyo Grande Police Officers’ Association Memorandum of Understanding

• 1) Adopted a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE APPROVING THE UPDATED CITYWIDE COMBINED SALARY SCHEDULE"; and 2) Adopted a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE APPROVING A SIDE LETTER OF AGREEMENT TO THE ARROYO GRANDE POLICE OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING".

9.c

Homeless Service Grant Agreement with 5Cities Homeless Coalition

• 1) Reviewed the proposal from 5Cities Homeless Coalition (5CHC) and authorize the City Manager to execute a Grant Agreement between the City and 5CHC for Housing Assistance Program and Homeless Shelter Support in the City subject to any, minor, technical, or non-substantive changes as approved by the City Manager and City Attorney that effectuates the City Council’s intent;

  2) Made findings that approval of an agreement and expenditure of funds 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. (c)(2)-(3), 15378.)

9.d

Monthly Water Supply and Demand Update

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

9.e

Approval of a Professional Services Agreement for Consulting Services with North Coast Engineering for The Halcyon Complete Streets Project

• Authorized the City Manager to execute the attached professional services agreement, subject to minor modifications by the City Manager in consultation with the City Attorney with North Coast Engineering (NCE) for design services including preparation of plans, specifications, and engineer’s estimate (PS&E), right-of-way support, construction support, and testing for the Halcyon Complete Streets Project (Project).

9.f

Acceptance of the Highway 101, Linda Drive, and Arroyo Grande Cemetery Easement Sewer Lining Project, PW 2023-07

• 1. Accepted the project improvements as constructed by Sancon Technologies, Inc. in accordance with the plans and specifications for the Highway 101, Linda Drive, and Arroyo Grande Cemetery Easement Sewer Lining Project, PW 2023-07;

  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.h

Consider Traffic Way Bridge Temporary Construction Easement Execution

• 1) Authorized the City Manager to take all actions necessary to fully execute the final two, negotiated temporary construction easements (TCEs) and associated deeds for certain real property, more particularly described as Assessor Parcel Numbers 007-482-006 and 006-311-067, that are necessary for the Traffic Way Bridge Replacement Project; and 2) Found that the public interest associated with approval of these TCEs outweighs any private benefit.

9.g

Temporary Use Permit 24-003; Authorization for Closure of City Streets, Use of City Property, and Sale of Alcohol for the 85th Annual Arroyo Grande Valley Harvest Festival, Friday and Saturday, September 27-28, 2024; Location – Heritage Square Park

• Moved by Council Member Barneich
  Seconded by Council Member Secrest

  1) Adopted a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE APPROVING TEMPORARY USE PERMIT 24-003, AUTHORIZING CLOSURE OF CITY STREETS, USE OF CITY PROPERTY, AND SALE OF ALCOHOL AND APPROVING A WAIVER OF FEES FOR THE 85^th ANNUAL ARROYO GRANDE VALLEY HARVEST FESTIVAL, FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27-28, 2024", and authorizing a fee waiver of $405.30; and 2) Found the action exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 15304 of the CEQA Guidelines.

  AYES (3)	Council Member Barneich, Council Member George, and Council Member Secrest
  ABSTAINED (1)	Mayor Pro Tem Guthrie
  ABSENT (1)	Mayor Ray Russom

  Passed (3 to 0)

10.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

10.a

Public Art Project for the Repainting of Rancho Grande Basketball Court, Accepting a Donation of Time and Materials, and Approving a Fee Waiver Request; Location – Rancho Grande Park

Community Development Director Pedrotti introduced the item and acknowledged the Supplemental Information Memo with request for continuance of the item; 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 Mayor Pro Tem Guthrie
  Seconded by Council Member Barneich

  Continue the item to a date uncertain.

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

  Passed (4 to 0)

10.b

Public Art Project; One (1) New Painted Mural and Approving a Fee Waiver Request; Location – 190 Station Way

Community Development Director Pedrotti introduced the item and Associate Planner Holub presented.

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 George
  Seconded by Council Member Barneich

  1) Adopted a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE APPROVING A PUBLIC ART PROJECT FOR ONE (1) NEW PAINTED WALL MURAL, APPROVING THE WAIVER OF APPLICATION FEES, AND FINDING THE PROJECT EXEMPT FROM CEQA; LOCATION – 190 STATION WAY; APPLICANT – MINER’S ACE HARDWARE"; and 2) Determined that painting a mural is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to Section 15301 of the State CEQA Guidelines.

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

  Passed (4 to 0)

10.c

Adoption of Resolutions Directing the Levy of the Annual Assessments for the Parkside Village and Grace Lane Assessment Districts and the Arroyo Grande Landscaping and Lighting Assessment District No. 1, Within Tract 1769, for Fiscal Year 2024-2025

Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director Robeson presented the item 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 Council Member George

  1) Adopted a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE DIRECTING THE LEVY of the ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS RELATED TO THE PARKSIDE VILLAGE ASSESSMENT DISTRICT PURSUANT TO THE LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING ACT OF 1972 (STREETS AND HIGHWAYS CODE SECTIONS 22500 ET. SEQ.) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025"; and

  2) Adopted a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE DIRECTING THE LEVY of the ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS RELATED TO THE GRACE LANE ASSESSMENT DISTRICT PURSUANT TO THE LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING ACT OF 1972 (STREETS AND HIGHWAYS CODE SECTIONS 22500 ET. SEQ.) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025"; and

  3) Adopted a Resolution entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE Directing the LEVY of the ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS RELATED TO THE ARROYO GRANDE LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. 1, WITHIN TRACT 1769, PURSUANT TO THE LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING ACT OF 1972 (STREETS AND HIGHWAYS CODE SECTIONS 22500 ET. SEQ.) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025".

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

  Passed (4 to 0)

11.

OLD BUSINESS

None.

12.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

13.

COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS

Council Member Secrest commented that she attended the Hamm Radio Field Day.

Council Member George commented on use of Hamm radios.

Council Member Barneich announced the Harvest Festival on September 27th and 28th; that she attended the Pride event in the Village; and that Council will not have a meeting on July 9th.

Mayor Pro Tem Guthrie commented that he attended the Hamm Radio Field Day.

14.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Pro Tem Guthrie adjourned the meeting at 7:17 p.m.