City Council Meeting - November 25, 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.
3. MOMENT OF REFLECTION
4. FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Ray Russom led the flag salute.
5. AGENDA REVIEW
Mayor Ray Russom requested to move Item 10.a. and 10.b. to after Item 12. Council Communications. Council concurred.
5.a
Closed Session Announcements
None.
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 (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
Introduction and Oath of Office - Officer Roberto Pulido Chief of Police Culver introduced Officer Robert Pulido and highlighted his educational and professional background. City Clerk Matson administered the Oath of Office. A badge pinning followed.
No action was taken on this item.
6.b
City Manager Communications
City Manager Downing provided updates on Operation Holiday Cheer, a Tractor-Drawn Aerial Ladder Training for FCFA, the city receiving the Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, the launch of a refreshed website and ADA tools, and results from the first FlashVote survey.
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:
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
MAYOR PRO TEM SECREST:
Air Pollution Control District (APCD)
Homeless Services Oversight Council (HSOC)
South County Chambers of Commerce Governmental Affairs Committee Other
7.c
COUNCIL MEMBER GUTHRIE:
Central Coast Community Energy (CCCE) Policy Board
Integrated Waste Management Authority Board (IWMA)
REACH Economic Development Roundtable
Other
7.d
COUNCIL MEMBER MARAVIGLIA:
Five Cities Fire Authority JPA Board
Visit SLO CAL Advisory Board
SLO CAL Summit
REACH Economic Development Roundtable
7.e
COUNCIL MEMBER LOE:
Council of Governments/Regional Transit Authority (SLOCOG/SLORTA) County Water Resources Advisory Committee (WRAC)
Zone 3 Water Advisory Board
Other
8. COMMUNITY COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public were Donna Evenson, and Judy Ceccetti. No further public comments were received.
Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director responded to questions from the public and Council.
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.
City Manager Downing responded to questions from Council regarding Item 9.d.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Garry Schmidt. No further public comments were received.
Moved by
Council Member Loe
Seconded by
Mayor Pro Tem Secrest
Approve Consent Agenda Items 9.a. through 9.i., 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 2025-11-25 Approval of Minutes - Oct28_2025.pdf
Approved the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of October 28, 2025, as submitted.
9.b
Cash Disbursement Ratification
1. CC 2025-11-25 Cash Disbursement Ratification.pdf
2. CC 2025-11-25 Attachment 1 - Cash Disbursement Ratification.pdf
3. CC 2025-11-25 Attachment 2 - Cash Disbursement Ratification.pdf Reviewed and ratified the listing of cash disbursements for the period of October 1 through October 31, 2025.
9.c
Statement of Investment Deposits for September 2025
1. CC 2025-11-25 Statement of Investment Deposits.pdf
2. CC 2025-11-25 Attachment 1 - Statement of Investment Deposits September 2025.pdf Received and filed the report listing investment deposits of the City of Arroyo Grande as of September 30, 2025, as required by Government Code Section 53646(b).
9.d
FlashVote Survey Results – City Communications
1. CC 2025-11-25 FlashVote Survey Results.pdf
Received and filed a presentation on the first FlashVote Survey results regarding City Communications.
9.e
Street Closures for Holiday Parade and Jingle Bell Dash on December 7, 2025
1. CC 2025-11-25 2025 Holiday Parade.pdf
2. CC 2025-11-25 Attachment 1 - Proposed Resolution.pdf
3. CC 2025-11-25 Attachment 2 - Holiday Parade Road Closure Map.pdf 1) Adopted a Resolution entitled:
"A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE AUTHORIZING STREET CLOSURES FOR THE HOLIDAY PARADE AND JINGLE BELL DASH TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 7, 2025, AND FINDING THE ACTION EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA)"; and
2) Found the action exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15304(e) of the CEQA Guidelines. The authorization of the Holiday Parade and Jingle Bell Dash and closure of City streets is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) under the Class 4 exemption, which applies to minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation where the project does not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry and agricultural purposes. (State CEQA Guidelines, § 15304.) The Class 4 exemption applies to this project because it involves a minor temporary use of land having negligible or no permanent effects on the environment. Specifically, the project involves an eight-hour closure of certain streets and parade involving negligible to no permanent effects on the environment. None of the exceptions found in State CEQA Guidelines 15300.2 apply.
9.f
Monthly Water Supply and Demand Update
1. CC 2025-11-25 Monthly Water Supply and Demand Update.pdf
2. CC 2025-11-25 Attachment 1 - Monthly Operation Report.pdf
3. CC 2025-11-25 Attachment 2 - Lopez Reservoir Storage Projection Chart.pdf
4. CC 2025-11-25 Attachment 3 - Previous Year Water Use Comparison.pdf
5. CC 2025-11-25 Attachment 4 - Deep Well Index Level.pdf
6. CC 2025-11-25 Attachment 5 - 2011-2024 Lopez Reservoir- Actual Storage vs. Predicted Storage.pdf
7. CC 2025-11-25 Attachment 6 - 2024-2025 End of Water Year Stored Project Water and Surplus Water Generated.pdf Received and filed the Monthly Water Supply and Demand Update.
9.g
Resolution to Accept Verizon’s Withdrawal of an Appeal of Conditional Use Permit CUP 23-006 for a Telecommunications Facility at 789 Valley Road
1. CC 2025-11-25 Appeal Withdrawal of CUP 23-006 - Verizon Telecom 789 Valley Road.pdf
2. CC 2025-11-25 Attachment 1 - Resolution.pdf
3. CC 2025-11-25 Attachment 2 - Appeal Withdrawal Letter.pdf 1) Adopted a Resolution entitled:
"A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE TO ACCEPT THE WITHDRAWAL OF AN APPEAL OF CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT CUP 23-006 FOR A TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY AT 789 VALLEY ROAD"; and
2) Found that the action is not a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) because acceptance of Verizon’s withdrawal request 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.h
General Plan Update Progress Report – November 2025
1. CC 2025-11-25 General Plan Update Progress Report.pdf
2. CC 2025-11-25 Attachment 1 - General Plan Progress Report.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 Urban Lot Splits and Two-Unit Developments
1. CC 2025-11-25 SB 9 Ordinance.pdf
2. CC 2025-11-25 Attachment 1 - Ordinance(1).pdf
3. CC 2025-11-25 Attachment 2 - Redlines AGMC 16.20.180 and 16.32.060.pdf This item was heard out of order.
Mayor Pro Tem Secrest presided.
Planning Manager Perez presented the Item and responded to questions from Council.
Mayor Pro Tem Secrest opened the public hearing. Speaking from the public was No Name Provided. Upon hearing no further public comments, Mayor Pro Tem Secrest closed the public hearing. Planning Manager Perez responded to questions from the public.
Moved by
Council Member Maraviglia
Seconded by
Council Member Loe
1) Introduce an Ordinance entitled:
"AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE AMENDING SECTIONS 16.20.180 AND 16.32.060 OF THE ARROYO GRANDE MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING URBAN LOT SPLITS AND TWO-UNIT DEVELOPMENTS"; 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 (4)
Council Member Maraviglia, Mayor Pro Tem Secrest, Council Member Guthrie, and Council Member Loe ABSENT (1)
Mayor Ray Russom
Passed (4 to 0)
10.b
Amendments to Title 16 Regarding Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units
1. CC 2025-11-25 ADU Ordinance Update.pdf
2. CC 2025-11-25 Attachment 1 - Ordinance.pdf
3. CC 2025-11-25 Attachment 2 - HCD Letter.pdf
4. CC 2025-11-25 Attachment 3 - City Response to HCD.pdf
5. CC 2025-11-25 Attachment 4 - AGMC 16.52.150 Redline.pdf Planning Manager Perez presented the Item and responded to questions from Council.
Mayor Pro Tem Secrest opened the public hearing. Upon hearing no public comments, Mayor Pro Tem Secrest closed the public hearing.
Moved by
Council Member Guthrie
Seconded by
Mayor Pro Tem Secrest
1) Introduce an Ordinance entitled:
"AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE AMENDING SECTION 16.52.150 OF THE ARROYO GRANDE MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND JUNIOR ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND FINDING THE ACTION TO BE EXEMPT FROM CEQA UNDER PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE SECTION 21080.17"; and
2) Find that the proposed ordinance is statutorily exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under Public Resources Code § 21080.17.
AYES (4)
Council Member Maraviglia, Mayor Pro Tem Secrest, Council Member Guthrie, and Council Member Loe ABSENT (1)
Mayor Ray Russom
Passed (4 to 0)
10.c
Amendments to Title 8 and 15 of the Arroyo Grande Municipal Code and Adopting by Reference the 2025 California Building Standard Code and Uniform Code
1. CC 2025-11-25 Adoption of Building and Fire Codes.pdf
2. CC 2025 11-25 Attachment 1 - Ordinance Building Code.pdf This Item was heard before Item 10 a.
Community Development Director Pedrotti presented the Item. Fire Chief Hallett 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
Mayor Pro Tem Secrest
1) Adopt an Ordinance entitled:
"AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE AMENDING PROVISIONS IN TITLES 8 AND 15 OF THE ARROYO GRANDE MUNICIPAL CODE AND ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE (CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 24), INCLUDING THE 2025 CALIFORNIA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE, 2025 CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE, 2025 CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE, 2025 CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE, 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE, 2025 CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE, 2025 CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE, 2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE, 2025 WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE, AND THE 1997 UNIFORM CODE FOR THE ABATEMENT OF DANGEROUS BUILDINGS AND 2024 INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE"; and
2) Find that it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the proposed action may have a significant adverse effect on the environment, since the Ordinance merely adopts updated building and safety standards. The adoption of this Ordinance is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines. The adoption of the Ordinance will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable physical change in the environment; and the activity is covered by the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment.
AYES (5)
Mayor Ray Russom, Council Member Maraviglia, Mayor Pro Tem Secrest, Council Member Guthrie, and Council Member Loe Passed (5 to 0)
10.d
Introduction of Ordinance Granting to Phillips 66 Pipeline, LLC, a Pipeline Franchise Agreement
1. CC 2025-11-25 Franchise Ordinance 613 Renewal.pdf
2. CC 2025-11-25 Attachment 1 - Ordinance(2).pdf
3. CC 2025-11-25 Attachment 1 Exhibit A - Franchise Agreement.pdf
4. CC 2025-11-25 Attachment 2 - Ordinance 613.pdf
5. CC 2025-11-25 Attachment 3 - OSFM Letter.pdf
6. CC 2025-11-25 Attachment 4 - Preliminary Post Inspection Findings.pdf Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director Robeson presented the Item and 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.
Renee Flores, and David Aguero, Phillips 66 Operations Manager, responded to questions from Council.
Moved by
Council Member Maraviglia
Seconded by
Mayor Pro Tem Secrest
1) Introduce an Ordinance entitled:
“AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE GRANTING TO PHILLIPS 66, LLC A PIPELINE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT TO CONSTRUCT, OPERATE, AND MAINTAIN PIPELINE FOR THE TRANSPORT OF OIL, AND OTHER SPECIFIED MATERIAL, IN THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE” with an addition to the Franchise Agreement that the City be notified should the pipeline be activated for transportation purposes; and 2) Find that adoption of the proposed Ordinance granting Phillips 66, a pipeline franchise 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. (b)(2)-(3), 15378.) AYES (5)
Mayor Ray Russom, Council Member Maraviglia, Mayor Pro Tem Secrest, Council Member Guthrie, and Council Member Loe Passed (5 to 0)
11. BUSINESS ITEMS
11.a
Appropriate Water Enterprise Funds and Authorize an Interfund Loan from the General Fund to the Water Enterprise Fund
1. CC 2025-11-25 Water Financing Options.pdf
2. CC 2025-11-25 Attachment 1 - Resolution Interfund Loan Agreement.pdf
3. CC 2025-11-25 Attachment 1 Exhibit A - Interfund Loan Agreement.pdf City Manager Downing introduced the Item and provided information regarding the current Lopez Litigation. Administrative Services Director Valentine presented the Item. Director Valentine, City Manager Downing, and City Clerk Matson responded to questions from Council.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public were Judy Ceccetti, and Donna. No further public comments were received. City Manager Downing responded to questions from the public.
Council discussion ensued regarding concerns with using LAIF market rate and requested staff look at a different rate for the payback to the General Fund.
Moved by
Council Member Loe
Seconded by
Council Member Guthrie
1) Adopt a Resolution entitled:
"A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE APPROVING A LOAN IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1,430,000 FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO THE WATER FUND"; 2) Appropriate $1,430,000 from Water Enterprise Fund to pay the County of San Luis Obispo Flood Control Zone 3 Contract Water Billing for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 Costs; and 3) Find that adoption of 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).
AYES (5)
Mayor Ray Russom, Council Member Maraviglia, Mayor Pro Tem Secrest, Council Member Guthrie, and Council Member Loe Passed (5 to 0)
12. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
This Item was heard before Item 10.a.
Council Member Loe highlighted the General Plan Update workshop in December and expressed gratitude for all City staff and to community members who get involved.
Mayor Pro Tem Secrest congratulated staff for the Budget Award and the launch of the refreshed City website.
Mayor Ray Russom declared a conflict of interest on Item 10.a. due to a historic resource designation on her residence; and declared a conflict of interest on Item 10.b. due to owning an ADU.
Mayor Ray Russom called for a brief break at 7:51 p.m. and left the meeting. The Council reconvened at 7:58 p.m.
13. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Pro Tem Secrest adjourned the meeting at 8:30 pm.