City Council Meeting - September 09, 2025
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. Mayor Pro Tem Secrest was absent.
3. MOMENT OF REFLECTION
4. FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Ray Russom led the flag salute.
5. AGENDA REVIEW
5.a
Closed Session Announcements
City Attorney Rosen announced that the Council met in closed session on August 26, 2025, and there was no reportable action.
5.b
Ordinances read in title only
Moved by
Mayor Ray Russom
Seconded by
Council Member Maraviglia
AYES (4)
Mayor Ray Russom, Council Member Maraviglia, Council Member Guthrie, and Council Member Loe ABSENT (1)
Mayor Pro Tem Secrest
Passed (4 to 0)
6. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
6.a
Honorary Proclamation Recognizing September 15-October 15, 2025 as "National Hispanic Heritage Month"
1. CC 2025-09-09 Honorary Proclamation_Hispanic Heritage(1).pdf Mayor Ray Russom presented a Proclamation r
ecognizing September 15-October 15, 2025 as "National Hispanic Heritage Month." Demitrio Morales-Salazar, Vice President of Latino Outreach Council, accepted the Proclamation.
No action was taken on this Item.
6.b
City Manager Communications
City Manager Downing provided the public with updates on a potential scam regarding contaminated water and assured the community that Arroyo Grande city water is safe to drink; provided updates on Sheriff's Family Day on Saturday; FCFA supporting Madre and Gifford Fires, an industrial accident in Guadalupe, See Canyon Fire, and currently the Garnet Fire in Dinkey Creek, and all stations remaining fully staffed; recruitments for Police Trainee and Firefighter; first survey regarding communications through FlashVote will take place in the coming week; final SLO County Band performance at Rancho Grande Park on Thursday, September 11; and Summer Concert Series taking place this Sunday through September 21.
City Manager Downing responded to questions from Council.
No action was taken on this item.
7. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
8. COMMUNITY COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. No 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. There were none.
Mayor Ray Russom declared a conflict of interest on Item 9.f. due to owning a vacation rental, and requested the Item be pulled from the Consent Agenda for separate consideration.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. No public comments were received.
Moved by
Council Member Maraviglia
Seconded by
Council Member Guthrie
Approve Consent Agenda Items 9.a. through 9.i., with the exception of item 9.f., with the recommended courses of action.
AYES (4)
Mayor Ray Russom, Council Member Maraviglia, Council Member Guthrie, and Council Member Loe ABSENT (1)
Mayor Pro Tem Secrest
Passed (4 to 0)
9.a
Approval of Minutes
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CC_Aug26_2025 - English.pdf
Approved the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of August 26, 2025, as submitted.
9.b
Cash Disbursement Ratification
1. CC 2025-09-09 Cash Disbursement Ratification.pdf
2. CC 2025-09-09 Attachment 1 - Cash Disbursement Ratification.pdf
3. CC 2025-09-09 Attachment 2 - Cash Disbursement Ratification.pdf Reviewed and ratified the attached listing of cash disbursements for the period of August 1 through August 15, 2025.
9.c
Statement of Investment Deposits for July 2025
1. CC 2025-09-09 Statement of Investment Deposits.pdf
2. CC 2025-09-09 Attachment 1 - Statement of Investment Deposits July 2025.pdf Received and filed the attached report listing investment deposits of the City of Arroyo Grande as of July 31, 2025, as required by Government Code Section 53646(b).
9.d
Opting into Settlement Agreements with Manufacturers of Opioids, National Opioid Settlement
1. CC 2025-09-09 Opting into Settlement Agreements with Manufacturers of Opioids.pdf
2. CC 2025-09-09 Attachment 1 - Resolution National Opioids Settlement Other Manufacturers Pharma.pdf 1) Adopted a Resolution entitled:
"A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO THE NATIONAL OPIOID SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT WITH OPIOID MANUFACTURERS, ALVOGEN, INC., AMNEAL PHARMACEUTICALS INC., APOTEX CORP., HIKMA PHARMACEUTICALS USA, INC., INDIVIOR INC., MYLAN, SUN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES, INC., AND ZYDUS PHARMACEUTICALS (USA), INC."; and
2) Found that adopting the Resolution opting-into the settlement agreements is not a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) because the adoption in itself 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.e
Adopt Ordinance Amending Various Sections of Title 2 (Administration and Personnel) of the Arroyo Grande Municipal Code
1. CC 2025-09-09 Adopt Ordinance - Administrative Cleanups.pdf
2. CC 2025-09-09 Attachment 1 - Ord Amending the Muni Code_Administrative1.pdf 1) Adopted an Ordinance entitled:
"AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE AMENDING SECTIONS 2.08.030, 2.16.020, 2.17.040, 2.30.020, 2.30.030, AND 2.34.010 OF TITLE 2 (ADMINISTRATION AND PERSONNEL) OF THE ARROYO GRANDE MUNICIPAL CODE"; and
2) Found that the Ordinance is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. (State CEQA Guidelines section 15060, subd. (c)(2); 15061(b)(3)).
9.g
Amendments to Bylaws for the Architectural Review Committee and Planning Commission
1. CC 2025-09-09 Amendments to ARC and PC Bylaws.pdf
2. CC 2025-09-09 Attachment 1 - ARC Bylaws.pdf
3. CC 2025-09-09 Attachment 2 - PC Bylaws.pdf
1) Adopted a Resolution entitled:
"A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE AMENDING THE BYLAWS FOR THE ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE" ;
2) Adopted a Resolution entitled:
"
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE AMENDING THE BYLAWS FOR THE PLANNING COMMISSION" ;
and
3) Found that adopting the Resolutions amending bylaws is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. (State CEQA Guidelines section 15060, subd. (c)(2); 15061(b)(3)).
9.h
Partial Vacation of a Sewer Easement and Acceptance of a Grant of a Sewer Easement
1. CC 2025-09-09 Easement for 1271 and 1281 James Way .pdf
2. CC 2025-09-09 Attachment 1 - Resolution.pdf
3. CC 2025-09-09 Attachment 1 Exhibit A - Sewer Easement.pdf
4. CC 2025-09-09 Attachment 1 Exhibit B - Grant of Sewer Easement.pdf
5. CC 2025-09-09 Attachment 1 Exhibit C - Certificate of Acceptance.pdf 1) Adopted a Resolution entitled:
"A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE ORDERING THE PARTIAL VACATION OF A SEWER EASEMENT AND ACCEPTING A GRANT OF A SEWER EASEMENT ON JAMES WAY" ; and
2) Found that the action 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.) or, alternatively, that it is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3) (the “common sense exemption”).
9.i
Purchase of a 2020 Caterpillar 308 Excavator with Attachment Hardware and Freight
1. CC 2025-09-09 Purchase of Excavator.pdf
2. CC 2025-09-09 Attachment 1 - Resolution Awarding Contract to Holt.pdf
3. CC 2025-09-09 Attachment 2 - Holt Quote.pdf
4. CC 2025-09-09 Attachment 3 - Competitive Bid-Proposal Exemption Request Form (1).pdf
5. CC 2025-09-09 Attachment 4 - KCI Quote.pdf
6. CC 2025-09-09 Attachment 5 - Carter Machinery Quote.pdf 1) Approved the purchase of a 2020 Caterpillar 308 excavator with Masticator, Flail Mower, Hydraulic Thumb, 36” Digging Bucket, 24” Digging Bucket, and Freight; 2) Awarded the purchase contract to Holt of California; 3) Adopted a Resolution entitled:
"A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE AWARDING A CONTRACT FOR THE PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT TO HOLT OF CALIFORNIA CATERPILLAR"; and
4) Determined that approving this purchase is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) under a Class 1 Categorical Exemption, Existing Facilities (CEQA Guidelines § 15301), that consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use.
9.f
Amended Tourism Business Improvement District Budget for FY 2025-26
1. CC 2025-09-09 Revised Tourism Business Improvement District Budget for FY 2025-26.pdf
2. CC 2025-09-09 Attachment 1 - Revised TBID Budget.pdf Moved by
Council Member Maraviglia
Seconded by
Council Member Guthrie
1) Adopted a Resolution entitled:
"A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE ADOPTING THE REVISED FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 BUDGET FOR THE ARROYO GRANDE TOURISM BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT"; and
2) Found that adopting a Resolution to amend the AGTBID budget is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) because these efforts have no potential to result in either a direct, or reasonably foreseeable indirect, physical change in the environment. (State CEQA Guidelines, §§ 15060 (c)(2) and (3), 15378).
AYES (3)
Council Member Maraviglia, Council Member Guthrie, and Council Member Loe ABSENT (2)
Mayor Ray Russom, and Mayor Pro Tem Secrest
Passed (3 to 0)
10. PUBLIC HEARINGS
11. BUSINESS ITEMS
11.a
Soto Sports Complex Master Plan and Pickleball Multi-Use Court Request Discussion
1. CC 2025-09-09 Soto Sports Master Plan and Pickleball Multi-Use Court Request Discussion.pdf
2. CC 2025-09-09_11a Supplemental 1.pdf
3. CC 2025-09-09_11a Supplemental 2_Redacted.pdf
4. CC 2025-09-09_11a Supplemental 3_Redacted.pdf
Mayor Ray Russom addressed the public regarding process and decorum.
City Manager Downing provided some background on the Item. Recreation Services Director Bohlken presented the Item. Director Bohlken, Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director Robeson, and City Manager Downing responded to questions from Council.
Council discussion ensued regarding reprioritization of the Master Plan process to add a project due to community demand; parking and restroom needs at the Soto Sports Complex; a temporary solution for adding pickleball courts; and accelerating the Master Plan timeframe.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Kris Hickey, Helen Jacobsen, John Quinn, Adam Hoffman, Leslie Caswood, Nancy Allison, Susan Ritchie, Ronnie Glick, Bob Redloe, Mike Firman, Dan Evangeles, Katie McNeal, William Ashley, Diane Rodge, Peter Jacobsen, Robert, Rich Toskey, Jennifer Jarvis, Anita Smith, Fred Katche, Diane Brand, Judy Cecceti, Michelle Adam, Colleen Thompson, Trish Wilson, Steve Polock, Adriane Ashley, Josh Undesser, Shad Anderson. No further public comments were received.
Director Bohlken and City Manager Downing responded to questions from the public.
Council discussion ensued regarding the Complex parking lots and their evaluation during the Master Plan process; cost of a new court; and analyzing data regarding courts reservations.
Further Council discussion ensued regarding the transition of a tennis court into a multi-use court and its feasibility; concerns with the effects of adding parking at Elm Street Park on the residents in the high-density area around the park; prioritizing building restroom facilities and a permanent building for Recreation Services; completing the Master Plan in-house and identifying 5-6 priorities; the n eed more data regarding the use of the courts and what the larger community wants at the Complex Ray Russom: Does not want to favor one group over the other; use FlashVote and other engagement tools; need data; in favor of #1 recommendation; facility option C; infrastructure options a, c, d, e; connectivity in favor; not in favor of conversion right now Guthrie: $600K should get min facility to house rec staff and provide bathrooms; minimum get more bathrooms Loe: Concerned with mixing planning and construction (combining $275K with $600K); scope for MP is fairly tight; questions about community center; in favor of continuing with MP at a limited scope and prioritize implementation in MP; community engagement option a; facilities option c; infrastructure all options; pickleball temp conversion options c and d - convert one court Maraviglia: Move forward with MP; engagement option a with addition of qualitative research by talking to the users of the facilities; facility option c; infrastructure option a, c, d,e but look at parking to see if it can be reconfigured; connectivity in favor; defer pickleball courts Guthrie: Asked staff to look at spending first sums of money for office and bathrooms; treat surrounding community as equals to interest groups (sports leagues); engagement reach out to immediate neighbors 1 mile; facilities phased - do minimum and then see what demands are option a; infrastructure options a,c,d,e; do separate vote on pickleball courts; separate from master plan Council Member Guthrie requested that the item regarding pickleball courts be taken as a separate vote from the Soto Sports Complex Master Plan.
Council Member Loe made a motion to provide direction on the Master Plan to include option (a) for Community Engagement; option (c) for Recreation Facilities; options (a) through (e) for Infrastructure with an asterisk on the parking option stating parking will not be expanded; include Connectivity; and Find that the requested direction and proposed actions are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), including under the Class 1 exemption, which applies to the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features where the project involves negligible or no expansion of existing or former use (State CEQA Guidelines, § 15301); and alternatively, that the Soto Sports Master Plan discussion 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.) Council Member Maraviglia seconded the motion.
Council discussed the motion. Council Member Loe
clarified the motion stating option (c) for Recreation Facilities only pertains to a building structure for the Recreation Services Department; Council Member Maraviglia's second was held. City Manager Downing provided clarification regarding Master Plan engagement.
Council discussion ensued regarding use of the recreation facility and potential partnerships with other community organizations. City Manager Downing and Director Bohlken responded to questions from Council.
City Attorney Rosen clarified the motion. Council Member Loe modified the motion to to provide direction on the Master Plan to include option (a) for Community Engagement; option (c) for Recreation Facilities; options (a) through (e) for Infrastructure; include Connectivity; and Find that the requested direction and proposed actions are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), including under the Class 1 exemption, which applies to the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features where the project involves negligible or no expansion of existing or former use (State CEQA Guidelines, § 15301); and alternatively, that the Soto Sports Master Plan discussion 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.) Council Member Maraviglia's second held. 2-2; motion failed
Council Member Guthrie made a motion to direct staff to convert one of the tennis courts to be exclusively for pickleball and f ind that the requested direction and proposed actions are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) . Council Member Loe seconded the motion. Council Member Loe requested the motion be modified to state one tennis court would be converted to create four exclusively pickleball courts. Council Member Guthrie concurred. 2-2; motion failed
Moved by
Mayor Ray Russom
Seconded by
Council Member Maraviglia
1) Direct Staff to proceed with the Soto Sports Complex Master Plan with option (a) for Community Engagement to include targeted outreach to locals, neighbors and AG residents; option (b) for Recreation Facilities but not include a community survey, have it staff-proposed with City’s fiscal considerations and restraints, and staff may identify a community partner, but if not, proceed without a partner; options (a)-(e) changing option (b) to say "optimize parking and access improvements;" and include Connectivity; and 2) Find that the requested direction and proposed actions are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), including under the Class 1 exemption, which applies to the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features where the project involves negligible or no expansion of existing or former use (State CEQA Guidelines, § 15301); and alternatively, that the Soto Sports Master Plan discussion 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.) AYES (4)
Mayor Ray Russom, Council Member Maraviglia, Council Member Guthrie, and Council Member Loe ABSENT (1)
Mayor Pro Tem Secrest
Passed (4 to 0)
Moved by
Mayor Ray Russom
Seconded by
Council Member Maraviglia
Direct staff to defer conversion of two tennis courts at Soto Sports Complex into pickleball courts until survey data and community input establishes clear priorities for tennis and pickleball.
AYES (3)
Mayor Ray Russom, Council Member Maraviglia, and Council Member Guthrie NOES (1)
Council Member Loe
ABSENT (1)
Mayor Pro Tem Secrest
Passed (3 to 1)
12. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Council Member Loe commented on SLO RTA’s modified bus service to Marian Hospital; and that the Water Resources Advisory Committee (WRAC) meeting on September 15 th
will include an item regarding the Desalination Plan. Council Member Guthrie commented on the September 21 st
Summer
Concert having a raffle benefitting the Harvest Festival.
13. CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Rosen announced that t
he City Council will recess to a closed session for the following:
a)
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION:
(Paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Government Code § 54956.9) Name of Case
: San Luis Obispo Coastkeeper, et. al v. County of San Luis Obispo, U.S. District Court Central District of California (Western Division – Los Angeles), Case No. 2:24-cv-06854-SPG-AS Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. No public comments were received.
City Council adjourned to Closed Session at
9:10 pm.
14. RECONVENE
City Council returned to open session at 9:58 p.m. City Attorney Rosen announced there was no reportable action.
The announcement will be repeated at the beginning of the next Regular City Council meeting as this portion of the meeting was not recorded.
15. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Ray Russom adjourned the meeting at 9:59 p.m.