City Council Meeting - September 23, 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. Council Member Loe and Mayor Pro Tem Secrest were absent.
3. MOMENT OF REFLECTION
4. FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Ray Russom led the flag salute.
5. AGENDA REVIEW
5.a
Closed Session Announcements
Assistant City Attorney Shapses announced that there was no reportable action.
5.b
Ordinances read in title only
Moved by
Mayor Ray Russom
Seconded by
Council Member Maraviglia
Move that all ordinances presented at the meeting shall be read by title only and all further readings be waived.
AYES (3)
Mayor Ray Russom, Council Member Maraviglia, and Council Member Guthrie ABSENT (2)
Mayor Pro Tem Secrest, and Council Member Loe
Passed (3 to 0)
6. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
6.a
Mayor's Commendation Presented Posthumously to Anne McCracken
1. CC 2025-09-23 Mayors Commendation Posthumously.pdf
Mayor Ray Russom presented and read the Mayor's Commendation posthumously honoring Anne McCracken. The McCracken Family accepted the Commendation.
6.b
Introduction of New Employee - Engineering Technician Anthony Morin Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director Robeson introduced new Engineering Technician, Anthony Morin and highlighted his educational and professional background.
6.c
Introductions and Oaths of Office - Commander Greg Pierce, Sgt. Stephen Doherty, Senior Officers Alejandro Estrada and Raymon Easter Police Chief Culver introduced
Commander Greg Pierce, Sgt. Stephen Doherty, Senior Officers Alejandro Estrada and Raymon Easter and highlighted their educational and professional background . City Clerk Matson administered the Oaths of Office. A badge pinning ceremony followed.
6.d
City Manager Communications
City Manager Downing provided updates on upcoming Tip-a-Cop fundraiser on October 7; pouring of concrete for the Traffic Way Bridge Replacement Project; success of Summer Concert Series; and upcoming Harvest Festival September 26-27th.
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:
Audit Committee
California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (CJPIA)
Five Cities Fire Authority JPA Board
San Luis Obispo County Mayor's Meeting
South San Luis Obispo County Sanitation District (SSLOCSD) Other
7.b
COUNCIL MEMBER GUTHRIE:
Central Coast Community Energy (CCCE) Policy Board
Integrated Waste Management Authority Board (IWMA)
REACH Economic Development Roundtable
Other
7.c
COUNCIL MEMBER MARAVIGLIA:
Five Cities Fire Authority JPA Board
Visit SLO CAL Advisory Board
Other
8. COMMUNITY COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment.
Speaking from the public were
Betsy Newell, Steven Hanamakai, and Alexandria Davis. 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 invited public comment. No public comments were received.
Council Member Maraviglia commented on Item 9.e. and stated that the Lopez Litigation cost will be shared by rate payers.
Moved by
Mayor Ray Russom
Seconded by
Council Member Guthrie
Approve Consent Agenda Items 9.a. through 9.h., with the recommended courses of action.
AYES (3)
Mayor Ray Russom, Council Member Maraviglia, and Council Member Guthrie ABSENT (2)
Mayor Pro Tem Secrest, and Council Member Loe
Passed (3 to 0)
9.a
Approval of Minutes
1. CC 2025-09-23 Approval of Minutes_Sep09.pdf
Approved the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of September 9, 2025, as submitted.
9.b
Cash Disbursement Ratification
1. CC 2025-09-23 Cash Disbursement Ratification.pdf
2. CC 2025-09-23 Attachment 1 - Cash Disbursement Ratification.pdf
3. CC 2025-09-23 Attachment 2 - Cash Disbursement Ratification.pdf Reviewed and ratified the listing of cash disbursements for the period of August 16 through August 31, 2025.
9.c
Consideration of Agreement for Cross-Connection Inspection Services
1. CC 2025-09-23 Consideration Of Agreement For Cross-connection Inspection Services.pdf
2. CC 2025-09-23 Attachment 1 - Resolution(1).pdf
3. CC 2025-09-23 Attachment 1 Exhibit A - Cross Connection Inspection Agreement.pdf 1) Adopted a Resolution entitled:
"A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE RATIFYING THE CITY MANAGER’S APPROVAL AND EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT FOR CROSS-CONNECTION INSPECTION SERVICES WITH THE COUNTY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO"; 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 of the environment. (State CEQA Guideline §15060, subd. (c)(2)-(3), 15378) or, alternatively, that is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3) (the “common sense exemption”).
9.d
Accepting an Offer of Dedication for Tract 3101
1. CC 2025-09-23 Accept Offer of Dedication Tract 3101.pdf
2. CC 2025-09-23 Attachment 1 - Resolution.pdf
3. CC 2025-09-23 Attachment 1 Exhibit A - Tract 3101 MapS.pdf 1) Adopted a Resolution entitled:
"A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE RESCINDING REJECTION AND ACCEPTING FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES AN OFFER OF DEDICATION OF PARCEL “A”, SHOWN ON TRACT MAP 3101"; 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.e
Monthly Water Supply and Demand Update
1. CC 2025-09-23 Monthly Water Supply and Demand Update.pdf
2. CC 2025-09-23 Attachment 1-Monthly Operations Report.pdf
3. CC 2025-09-23 Attachment 2-Lopez Reservoir Storage Projection Chart.pdf
4. CC 2025-09-23 Attachment 3- Previous Year Water Use Comparison.pdf
5. CC 2025-09-23 Attachment 4- Deep Well Index Level.pdf
6. CC 2025-09-23 Attachment 5 -2011-2024 Lopez Reservoir- Actual Storage vs. Predicted Storage.pdf Received and filed the Monthly Water Supply and Demand Update.
9.f
Temporary Use Permit 25-008 Authorizing Temporary Closure of Branch Street for Halloween in the Village from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM Friday, October 31, 2025; Applicant - Cheers Arroyo Grande
1. CC 2025-09-23 Halloween in the Village.pdf
2. CC 2025-09-23 Attachment 1 - Resolution(2).pdf
3. CC 2025-09-23 Attachment 2 - Detour PlanS.pdf
1) Adopted a Resolution entitled:
"A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE APPROVING TEMPORARY USE PERMIT NO. 25-008 AUTHORIZING “HALLOWEEN IN THE VILLAGE” ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2025, AND DIRECTING STAFF TO IMPLEMENT RELATED SAFETY MEASURES, INCLUDING NO PARKING ZONES AND STREET CLOSURES"; and
2) Found that this project is categorically exempt per Section 15304(e) of the CEQA Guidelines regarding minor temporary uses of land.
9.g
Lease Agreement for Public Parking Area
1. CC 2025-09-23 Mankins Parking Lease Agreement.pdf
2. CC 2025-09-23 Attachment 1 - Resolution(3).pdf
1) Adopted a Resolution entitled:
"A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A LEASE AGREEMENT WITH BLAIR B. MANKINS AND DEANNE P. MANKINS, TRUSTEES OF THE BLAIR AND DEANNE MANKINS REVOCABLE TRUST AND MARK H. MANKINS, TRUSTEE OF THE 2M TRUST FOR PUBLIC OFF-STREET PARKING, SUBJECT TO ANY MINOR, TECHNICAL, OR NON-SUBSTANTIVE CHANGES AS APPROVED BY THE CITY MANAGER IN CONSULTATION WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY"; and
2) Found that adopting the Resolution is not a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) because approval of a lease agreement for public parking does not in itself have potential to result in either a direct, or reasonably foreseeable indirect, physical change to the environment. (State CEQA Guidelines, §§ 15060(c)(2) and 15061(b)(3).)
9.h
General Plan Update Progress Report – September 2025
1. CC 2025-09-23 General Plan Update Progress Report - September 2025.pdf
2. CC 2025-09-23 Attachment 1 - Short Term Progress Schedule.pdf Received and filed a progress report on the Comprehensive General Plan Update.
10. PUBLIC HEARINGS
10.a
Amendments to Title 16 of the Arroyo Grande Municipal Code Regarding Supportive Housing, Transitional Housing, and Low Barrier Navigation Centers
1. CC 2025-09-23 Supportive Housing Ordinance.pdf
2. CC 2025-09-23 Attachment 1 - Ordinance.pdf
Planning Manager Perez presented the item and responded to questions from Council.
Mayor Ray Russom opened the public hearing. Upon hearing no public comments, Mayor Ray Russom closed the public hearing.
Moved by
Council Member Guthrie
Seconded by
Council Member Maraviglia
1) Introduce an Ordinance entitled:
"AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE ADDING SECTION 16.52.280 TO TITLE 16 OF THE ARROYO GRANDE MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, TRANSITIONAL HOUSING, AND LOW BARRIER NAVIGATION CENTERS"; and
2) Find that the Ordinance is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment (State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(2) and 15061(b)(3)).
AYES (3)
Mayor Ray Russom, Council Member Maraviglia, and Council Member Guthrie ABSENT (2)
Mayor Pro Tem Secrest, and Council Member Loe
Passed (3 to 0)
11. BUSINESS ITEMS
11.a
Tourism Marketing Report FY 2024-25
1. CC 2025-09-23 Tourism Annual Marketing Report FY 2024-25.pdf
2. CC 2025-09-23 Attachment 1 - Tourism Annual Marketing Report FY 2024-25.pdf City Manager Downing commented on the lack of a quorum to hear this Item due to Mayor Ray Russom's declared conflict of interest as the owner of a vacation rental and recommended continuing the Item to a date uncertain.
Moved by
Council Member Guthrie
Seconded by
Council Member Maraviglia
Due to a lack of quorum, this item was continued to a date uncertain.
AYES (3)
Mayor Ray Russom, Council Member Maraviglia, and Council Member Guthrie ABSENT (2)
Mayor Pro Tem Secrest, and Council Member Loe
Passed (3 to 0)
12. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Council Member Guthrie commented on the upcoming Harvest Festival.
Council Member Maraviglia commented that she judged the San Francisco Comedy Competition at the Clark Center.
Mayor Ray Russom commented on Council Member Guthrie's service on the Harvest Festival Committee.
13. CLOSED SESSION
Assistant City Attorney Shapses stated that the City Council will recess to a closed session for the following and will report any reportable action at the next regular City Council Regular meeting. a) CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8:
Property: 214 E. Branch Street, Arroyo Grande
Agency Negotiators: Matthew Downing, City Manager; Bill Robeson, Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director Negotiating Parties: Ed Evans, Broker/Owner Remax; Elissa Williams, Broker/Owner Remax Under Negotiation: Price and terms of payment
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. No public comments were received.
City Council adjourned to Closed Session at 6:56 p.m.
14. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
City Council returned to open session at 7:58 p.m. Assistant City Attorney Shapses 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 7:59 p.m.