City Council Meeting - October 14, 2025
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
Sean Shure, 5 Cities Men's Club, led the flag salute.
5. AGENDA REVIEW
5.a
Closed Session Announcements
City Attorney Rosen announced that there was no reportable action from the meetings of:
September 23, 2025
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
October 14, 2025
a) THREAT TO PUBLIC SERVICES OR FACILITIES pursuant to Government Code 54957(a): Consultation with Agency Counsel and Law Enforcement.
5.b
Ordinances read in title only
Moved by
Mayor Ray Russom
Seconded by
Mayor Pro Tem Secrest
Move that all ordinances presented at the meeting shall be read by title only and all further readings be waived.
AYES (5)
Mayor Ray Russom, Council Member Maraviglia, Mayor Pro Tem Secrest, Council Member Guthrie, and Council Member Loe Passed (5 to 0)
6. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
6.a
Honorary Proclamation Declaring October 2025 as "Domestic Violence Awareness Month"
1. CC 2025-10-14 Honorary Proclamation - DVM.pdf
Council Member Loe read and presented the Proclamation
Declaring October 2025 as "Domestic Violence Awareness Month" . Jill
LeMieux
, Lumina Alliance Board Chair, accepted the Proclamation.
No action was taken on this item.
6.b
Honorary Proclamation Recognizing October 13-19, 2025 as "Apprenticeship Week" in Arroyo Grande
1. CC 2025-10-14 Honrorary Proclamation - Apprenticeship Week.pdf Mayor Pro Tem Secrest read and presented a Proclamation Recognizing October 13-19, 2025 as "Apprenticeship Week" in Arroyo Grande . David Baldwin and Cody Hunstad, Local IBEW, accepted the Proclamation.
No action was taken on this item.
6.c
Honorary Proclamation Recognizing Arroyo Grande In Bloom for Its Work in Earning Arroyo Grande the Title of a "Clean California City"
1. CC 2025-10-14 Honorary Proclamation - Clean CA.pdf
Mayor Ray Russom read and presented a Proclamation
Recognizing Arroyo Grande In Bloom for Its Work in Earning Arroyo Grande the Title of a "Clean California City." Arroyo Grande In Bloom Board Members Bob Lund, Kendra Paulding, and Tina Storton, accepted the Proclamation.
No action was taken on this item.
6.d
City Manager Communications
City Manager Downing thanked all of those attending the meeting to accept the proclamations; provided updates on the Traffic Way Bridge Project; Cops N Kids event on November 2nd at Soto Sports Complex; Law Enforcement Drone Training on November 3rd-5th; Hazardous Fuel Reduction Project at James Way Open Space and other sites; Halloween Carnival Chaos event October 25th-26th; Parkside Park play structure project completion; new Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) payment portal; and announced the South County Sanitary Clean-up Week beginning October 20th.
No action was taken on this item.
7. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
8. COMMUNITY COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public were Garry Schmidt, and Carol Cranfeld. No further public comments were received. City Attorney Rosen and City Manager Downing responded to questions from the public. Community Development Director Pedrotti 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 Ray Russom invited public comment. No public comments were received.
Moved by
Council Member Guthrie
Seconded by
Council Member Maraviglia
Approve Consent Agenda Items 9.a. through 9.j., with the recommended courses of action.
AYES (5)
Mayor Ray Russom, Council Member Maraviglia, Mayor Pro Tem Secrest, Council Member Guthrie, and Council Member Loe Passed (5 to 0)
9.a
Approval of Minutes
1. CC 2025-10-14 Approval of Minutes - CC_Sep23.pdf
Approved the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of September 23, 2025, as submitted.
9.b
Cash Disbursement Ratification
1. CC 2025-10-14 Cash Disbursement Ratification.pdf
2. CC 2025-10-14 Attachment 1 - Cash Disbursement Ratification.pdf
3. CC 2025-10-14 Attachment 2 - Cash Disbursement Ratification.pdf Reviewed and ratified the attached listing of cash disbursements for the period of September 1 through September 15, 2025.
9.c
Statement of Investment Deposits for August 2025
1. CC 2025-10-14 Statement of Investment Deposits.pdf
2. CC 2025-10-14 Attachment 1 - Statement of Investment Deposits August 2025.pdf Received and filed the attached report listing investment deposits of the City of Arroyo Grande as of August 31, 2025, as required by Government Code Section 53646(b).
9.d
Updates to the City Council Handbook
1. CC 2025-10-14 City Council Handbook Update.pdf
2. CC 2025-10-14 Attachment 1 - Resolution_City Council Handbook Update.pdf
3. CC 2025-10-14 Attachment 1 Exhibit A - City Council Handbook Update_2025 clean.pdf 1) Adopted a Resolution approving an update to the City Council Handbook; and 2)Found that adopting the Resolution 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.e
Offer of Dedication, Frontage at 151 South ElmStreet
1. CC 2025-10-14 151 Elm Street.pdf
2. CC 2025-10-14 Attachment 1 - Resolution Offer of Dedication 151 Elm Street-c1.pdf
3. CC 2025-10-14 Attachment 2 - Offer of Dedication 151 Elm.pdf 1) Adopted a Resolution accepting the Offer of Dedication for an easement for public right-of-way along the frontage of 151 South Elm Street for public purposes to fill in a sidewalk gap on the east side of South Elm Street between Sunset Drive and Poplar Street; 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 exception”).
9.f
Easement Acceptance on Behalf of City Council
1. CC 2025-10-14 Easement Acceptance on Behalf of City Council.pdf
2. CC 2025-10-14 Attachment 1 - Resolution Delegate Easement Authority.pdf
3. CC 2025-10-14 Attachment 1 Exhibit A - Acceptance of Offer to Dedicate.pdf 1) Adopted a Resolution delegating authority to accept grants of easements to the City Manager or authorized designee, for easements that cost up to the City Manager’s purchasing authority for public projects; and 2) Found that this action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) because it is not a project pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) as an organizational and administrative activity of government and pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines sections 15060(c)(2) and 15061(b)(3) because it will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable physical change in the environment.
9.g
Reject Bids for Roof Repairs on City Structures, PW 2025-08
1. CC 2025-10-14 Staff Report Reject Bid Roofing of City Structures.pdf
2. CC 2025-10-14 Attachment 1 - Resolution Reject Bids Roofing of City Structures.pdf
3. CC 2025-10-14 Attachment 2 - Bid Summary Roof Repairs.pdf 1) Adopted a Resolution rejecting all bids received for the Roof Repairs on City Structures (PW 2025-08), directing staff to pursue urgent repairs through informal solicitation, and re-bidding reroofing in Spring 2026; and 2) Found that the proposed action is categorically exempt from CEQA review under State CEQA Guidelines section 15301 (Class 1 – Existing Facilities), and alternatively, State CEQA Guidelines section 15(c)(2) and 15061(b)(3), as having no potential to cause a significant effect on the environment.
9.h
2025 ADA Transition Plan
1. CC 2025-10-14 ADA Transition Plan.pdf
2. CC 2025-10-14 Attachment 1 - Resolution.pdf
3. CC 2025-10-14 Attachment 1 Exhibit A - 2025 ADA Transition Plan.pdf
4. CC 2025-10-14 Attachment 2 - ADA Transition Plan Oct 1997.pdf
5. CC 2025-10-14 Attachment 3 - Public Comment.pdf
1) Adopted a Resolution adopting the 2025 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan; and 2) Found that this action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines sections 15060(c)(2) and 15061(b)(3) because it will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable physical change in the environment.
9.i
Acceptance of an Easement and License Agreement
1. CC 2025-10-14 1243 Huasna Easement.pdf
2. CC 2025-10-14 Attachment 1 - Proposed Resolution.pdf 1) Adopted a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an easement deed for PG&E on City-owned parcel 007-462-001 and a license agreement for the establishment of the easement; 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.j
Adoption of an Ordinance Amending Title 16 of the Arroyo Grande Municipal Code Regarding Supportive Housing, Transitional Housing, and Low Barrier Navigation Centers
1. CC 2025-10-14 Adoption of Supportive Housing Ordinance.pdf
2. CC 2025-10-14 Attachment 1 - Ordinance.pdf
1) Adopted the Ordinance 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) Found 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 to the environment (State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(2) and 15061(b)(3)).
10. PUBLIC HEARINGS
10.a
Amendments to Title 16 of the Arroyo Grande Municipal Code Regarding Urban Lot Splits and Two-Unit Developments
1. CC 2025-10-14 SB 9 Ordinance Amendments.pdf
2. CC 2025-10-14 Attachment 1 - Ordinance(1).pdf
City Attorney Rosen provided information regarding recent signed legislation related to Housing Bills and the Item's revised recommendation. Community Development Director Pedrotti presented the Item. Director Pedrotti and City Manager Downing responded to questions from Council. City Attorney Rosen 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 requested staff provide visuals to help tell the story when the Item comes back to Council.
No action was taken on this item.
11. BUSINESS ITEMS
11.a
Tourism Marketing Report FY 2024-25
1. CC 2025-10-14 TBID Annual Marketing Report FY 2024-25.pdf
2. CC 2025-10-14 Attachment 1 - Visit AG 2025 Annual Report.pdf Mayor Ray Russom announced she would abstain from participating in the Item and left the meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Secrest presided.
Recreation Services Director Bohlken presented the Item. Richard Reigart, Commune Communications, presented the Tourism Marketing Report. Mr. Reigart responded to questions from Council.
Mayor Pro Tem Secrest invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Judy Ceccheti. No further public comments were received. Director Bohlken responded to questions from the public.
Council comments ensued regarding visitorship to the Village and tracking mechanisms, conversion rate for hotel stays, the new tourism website, and messaging strategy.
No action was taken on this item. The item was received and filed. 1) Receive and file the Tourism Marketing Report FY 2024-25 forwarded by the Arroyo Grande Tourism Business Improvement District (AGTBID) Advisory Board for FY 2024-25; and 2) Find that the recommended actions are 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).
12. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Council Member Loe commented on the IBEW Climate and Energy Event and the October 8-10 LOCC Annual Conference.
Council Members Guthrie and Maraviglia commented that they also attended the LOCC Annual Conference.
Mayor Pro Tem Secrest commented on the Hazardous Fuel Reduction project; the Parkside Park Project Event; and Harvest Festival activities.
13. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Pro Tem Secrest adjourned the meeting at 7:36 p.m.