City Council Meeting - February 24, 2026
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
5.a
Closed Session Announcements
None.
5.b
Ordinances read in title only
None.
6. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
6.a
Honorary Proclamation Recognizing March 2026 as "Women's History Month"
1. CC 2026-02-24 Honorary Proclamation_Womens History Month.pdf Mayor Ray Russom presented the Proclamation recognizing March 2026 as "Women's History Month." Anita Shower, San Luis Obispo County Commission on Status of Women and Girls, accepted the Proclamation.
No action was taken on this Item.
6.b
Introduction of Public Works Manager Mike Robles
Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director Robeson introduced Public Works Manager Mike Robles and highlighted his educational background and professional skills. Public Works Manager Robles addressed the Council.
No action was taken on this item.
6.c
Recognition of Annual Employee Award Recipients
City Manager Downing introduced the City’s annual employee awards recipients: Senior Accounting Clerk Susie Velasquez, Five Cities Fire Authority Administrative Operations Manager Tricia Meyers, Executive Assistant Elizabeth Vega, Battalion Chief Ryan Bird, City Engineer Shannon Sweeney, Deputy City Clerk/Communications Coordinator Julie Hawkins, and Senior Engineer John Benedetti.
No action was taken on this item.
6.d
City Manager Communications
City Manager
Downing provided updates regarding the recruitment for Utilities Manager following the upcoming retirement of Shane Taylor following a 38-year career with the City; recruitments for Police Officer and Police Trainees; FCFA Strategic Plan effort and current survey; Fact Check Central webpage on the City's website; and the current vacancy on SLOCOG’s Citizen Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC).
No action was taken on this item.
Receive correspondence/comments as presented by the City Manager and Provide direction, as necessary.
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 MARAVIGLIA:
Five Cities Fire Authority JPA Board
Visit SLO CAL Advisory Board
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 SECREST:
Air Pollution Control District (APCD)
Homeless Services Oversight Council (HSOC)
South County Chambers of Commerce Governmental Affairs Committee Other
7.e
COUNCIL MEMBER LOE:
Council of Governments/Regional Transit Authority (SLOCOG/SLORTA) County Water Resources Advisory Committee (WRAC)
Zone 3 Water Advisory Board
Mayor's Meeting
8. COMMUNITY COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Alexandria Davis, Lauren Sligh, Lincoln Sligh, Marcy Betita. 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. There were none.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. No public comments were received.
Council Member Loe commented on the completion of the Traffic Way Bridge Replacement Project and success of the Buy Local Program.
Moved by
Council Member Guthrie
Seconded by
Council Member Secrest
Approve Consent Agenda Items 9.a. through 9.e., with the recommended courses of action.
AYES (5)
Mayor Ray Russom, Mayor Pro Tem Maraviglia, Council Member Secrest, Council Member Guthrie, and Council Member Loe Passed (5 to 0)
9.a
Approval of Minutes
1. CC 2026-02-24 Approval of Minutes - Feb10_2026.pdf
Approved the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of February 10, 2026, as submitted.
9.b
Cash Disbursement Ratification
1. CC 2026-02-24 Cash Disbursement Ratification.pdf
2. CC 2026-02-24 Attachment 1 - Cash Disbursement Ratification.pdf
3. CC 2026-02-24 Attachment 2 - Cash Disbursement Ratification.pdf Reviewed and ratified the attached listing of cash disbursements for the period of January 16 through January 31, 2026.
9.c
Accept Traffic Way Bridge Replacement Project, PW 2023-02
1. CC 2026-2-24 Accept Traffic Way Bridge Replacement Project.pdf
2. CC 2026-02-24 Attachment 1 - Resolution(1).pdf
3. CC 2026-02-24 Attachment 2 - Notice of Completion TWB.pdf 1) Adopted a Resolution accepting the project improvements as constructed by Granite Construction Company in accordance with the plans and specifications for the Traffic Way Bridge Replacement Project, PW 2023-02; and 2) Directed staff to file a Notice of Completion.
9.d
James Way Sewer Easement Vacation
1. CC 2026-02-24 James Way Sewer Easement Vacation.pdf
2. CC 2026-02-24 Attachment 1 - Resolution.pdf
3. CC 2026-02-24 Attachment 1 Exhibits A and B.pdf
1) Adopted a Resolution ordering the vacation of a Sewer Easement at James Way; and 2) Found that Adopting a Resolution Vacating the Sewer Easement at 1281 James Way 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.);
9.e
Monthly Water Supply & Demand Update
1. CC 2026-02-24 Monthly Water Supply and Demand Update.pdf
2. CC 2026-02-24 Attachment 1 - Monthly Operations Report1.pdf
3. CC 2026-02-24 Attachment 2 - Lopez Reservoir Storage Projection Chart1.pdf
4. CC 2026-02-24 Attachment 3 - Previous Year Water Use Comparison.pdf
5. CC 2026-02-24 Attachment 4 - Deep Well Index Level.pdf Received and filed the Monthly Water Supply and Demand Update.
10. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
11. BUSINESS ITEMS
11.a
San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG) Transportation Expenditure Plan
1. CC 2026-02-24 San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG) final draft Transportation Expenditure Plan.pdf
2. CC 2026-02-24 Attachment 1 - SLOCOG Resolution.pdf
3. CC 2026-02-24 Attachment 2 - SLOCOG Final Draft Expenditure Plan.pdf Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director Robeson introduced the Item and representatives from San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG). Kendall Flint, SLOCOG consultant, presented and responded to questions from Council.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Eric Justeson. No further public comments were received.
Council discussion ensued regarding the potential to become a self-help county. Mayor Ray Russom expressed concerns with the lack of protections for south county funds.
Moved by
Mayor Pro Tem Maraviglia
Seconded by
Council Member Secrest
Adopted a Resolution approving the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG) Final Draft Transportation Expenditure Plan (Plan) and authorized SLOCOG to use the City’s logo on website and informational materials.
AYES (4)
Mayor Pro Tem Maraviglia, Council Member Secrest, Council Member Guthrie, and Council Member Loe NOES (1)
Mayor Ray Russom
Passed (4 to 1)
11.b
Study Session to Consider the Preliminary Public Review Draft General Plan
1. CC 2026-02-24 General Plan Study Session .pdf
2. CC 2026-02-24 Attachment 2 - Public Comment.pdf
3. CC 2026-02-24 Attachment 3 - Technical Edits.pdf
4. CC 2026-02-24_11b_Supplemental 1.pdf
5. CC 2026-02-24_11b_Supplemental 2_Redacted.pdf
6. CC 2026-02-24_11b_Supplemental 3_Redacted.pdf
Community Development Director Pedrotti introduced the Item and consultant. Michael Gibbons, Mintier Harnish consultant, presented the Public Review Draft. Director Pedrotti commented on the project schedule and next steps.
Director Pedrotti summarized the comments received from the public following the publishing of the Agenda and responded to questions from Council.
City Manager Downing responded to questions from Council.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Joel Fishbein, Eric Justeson, Trish Wilson, Peter Williamson. No further public comments were received. Director Pedrotti, City Engineer Sweeney, and City Manager Downing responded to questions from the public. Mayor Ray Russom addressed public questions.
City Manager Downing addressed public interest in tennis and pickleball courts and the current Soto Sports Complex Strategic Plan effort.
Council discussion ensued regarding comments received during the review process. Director Pedrotti, Planning Manager Perez, and City Manager Downing responded to questions from Council.
City Council took a brief break from 8:16 pm - 8:23 pm.
Council discussion continued.
City Council took a brief break due to technical difficulties from 8:51 pm - 9:05 pm.
Council discussion continued including programming that encourages intergenerational care; creating a goal to have non-toxic environments;
encouraging childcare and daycare facilities; enhancing programming for youth and younger families; more policy implementation specific to youth and younger families; and evaluating recreation programs to include seniors and families.
Council directed staff to review the plan for statements reflecting services for seniors and look for opportunities to include other populations.
Council also discussed the potential population growth and having the right infrastructure and funding to support the growth; opportunities for community gardens expanding; a proximity policy for parks; having a transportation strategy to accommodate any population increase; developing agriculture mitigation; residential building improvements; increasing opportunities for affordable-middle housing like incentives or expedited processes, pre-approved plans, or super bonuses for density; surveillance technology oversight; reassessing agriculture as an economic driver; creation of a policy disallowing data centers; de-incentivizing stagnancy for land or areas sitting and not being used.
Mayor Ray Russom made a motion to continue the meeting to 11:15 pm and continue Item 11c to a date uncertain. Council Member Guthrie seconded the motion. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote.
Council directed staff as follows:
Topic
Council Decision
Focus Area Boundary should include all property area
Yes
Characterize property as open space/undeveloped instead of agriculture Yes
Density modified to eliminate Low Density and include mix use (Policy LU-10.2) Yes
Sport Field moved from Frederick property to other location (PRCS-A) Yes
Reduce 20% open space requirement for N. Fair Oaks Focus Area (LU-20) Flexibility on total open space %
Creek Trail Count towards Open Space /Parks and not be developed while active agriculture use Yes
Add connector road from Valley Road to Grand Ave (Table 7-5) if properties developed Yes-not while active agriculture is ongoing
Specify Class I Multi-Use Path along Creek S of Fair Oaks Ave (LU-20) and not build while active agriculture in use Yes
Revise to not create unnecessary burdens for property owners interested in converting from agricultural to urban uses on parcels with an agriculture land use designation (LU-8.3 and LU 8.4) Keep 8.3 and 8.4
Emphasize Camp AG and Tabernacle in Natural and Cultural Resources Element (Policy NCR-4.9) Yes
High-Speed Broadband Internet (SAF-1.6 and SAF-X) (Describe as a community service in PRCS) Yes
Address noise generated at neighborhood level as part of NOI-D Yes
High-Speed Internet (PRCS)
Yes
New Sports Complex (PRCS-1)
Support-remove specifics (i.e. pickleball) from PRCS-1.2 Childcare Facilities (PRCS-5)
Yes
Abandon level of service metric
Maintain level of service
Include Arroyo Grande High School in Policy C-5.9 as a traffic generator Yes
Economic Development Element more permissive of expanding commercial and light industrials opportunities (ED-1.6) Yes
Identify opportunities for City to generate revenue beyond grants/loans (policy ED-3) Yes
Concern that Policy ED-2.6 could deter commercial development; incorporate metrics to indicate balanced growth No-support staff's position
Tennis Courts (PRCS)
Soto Strategic Plan
Pickleball Courts (PRCS)
Soto Strategic Plan
More robust policy on urban forestry (PRCS)
No-support staff's position
Traffic inducing growth and encouraging policies to allocate right-of-way to multimodal transportation types No-support staff's position
New Organic Land Management Policy
Yes
Open Space and Recreation % - "Double Dipping"
No-does not belong in General Plan
Dedicated transportation funding
No
Commit to fixing pedestrian connections
No
Intergenerational Programs
No
Agriculture conversion in-lieu fee
Yes
Maintain adequate road conditions in state of good repair Yes
Support youth and family similar to the document's support of seniors Yes
Community gardens - do not limit to public spaces
No-already addressed
Proximity policy for parks - 10-minute walk
No
Add City administrative support in PRCS
No
Strong transportation strategy to accommodate growth
No
Stronger language on regional partnerships for transportation improvements No-existing
LU-3.11 - Eliminate
Modify to read “support high quality residential design and contribute to neighborhood character” LU-4.4 - remove residential
No
LU-6.2 - soften/potentially eliminate to not overburden new mixed-use projects Yes-eliminate
Consider new residential development types as implementation strategy Yes
Increasing opportunity for missing middle housing
Review with Housing Element
Minimum density requirements
Review with Housing Element
“Super-bonuses” for additional density
Review with Housing Element
Public disclosure and council approval of new surveillance technology No-consider administrative policy
Economic Development Element to not be so heavy agriculture/incorporate other major employers and sectors Yes-call out working regionally on economic development Do not support data centers
No
ED-1.12 – de-incentivizing property stagnancy
No
Received public comment and provided direction for revisions to the Preliminary Public Review Draft General Plan.
11.c
Study Session on Efforts to Redevelop East Grand Avenue
1. CC 2026-02-24 Study Session - E Grand Ave Economic Plan .pdf
2. CC 2026-02-24 Attachment 1 - Draft E Grand Econ Plan RFP.pdf This Item was continued to a date uncertain.
12. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Council Member Loe provided information on SLOCOG's Project in Shell Beach/Avila Beach.
13. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Ray Russom adjourned the meeting at 11:02 pm.