City Council Meeting - March 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
1. CC 2026-03-24_10a_Supplemental 6_Redacted_.pdf
Mayor Ray Russom referred to the Supplemental Information regarding Item 10.a.
City Attorney Rosen stated that the appellant has requested a continuance on Item 10.a.
Mayor Ray Russom announced a conflict of interest and left the meeting at 6:02 p.m. Mayor Pro Tem Maraviglia presided.
City Attorney Rosen acknowledged supplementary information and commented that staff is recommending a one-time continuance of the item to the next regular meeting of the City Council, which is scheduled for April 14, 2026, and commented on making the reasonable accommodation.
City Attorney Rosen commented that staff would re-notice the public hearing for the April 14, 2026 meeting, should the Council approve the continuance.
Moved by
Council Member Loe
Seconded by
Council Member Guthrie
Continue Item 10.a. "
Appeal Case 26-001; Appeal of Planning Commission Approval of Conditional Use Permit 25-001; Location -1271 & 1281 James Way; Appellants - Pismo Medical Properties LLC, Arroyo Grande Partners LLC and Ray B Bunnell Revocable Trust" to a date certain of April 14, 2026 and not open the public hearing at this meeting.
AYES (4)
Mayor Pro Tem Maraviglia, Council Member Secrest, Council Member Guthrie, and Council Member Loe ABSENT (1)
Mayor Ray Russom
Passed (4 to 0)
5.a
Closed Session Announcements
Mayor Ray Russom returned to the meeting.
City Attorney Rosen
announced that there was no reportable action from the following meetings:
March 10, 2026 and March 24, 2026
a)
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION:
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957 (b)(1)
Title: City Manager
b)
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS:
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
Agency Negotiator: City Attorney Isaac Rosen
Title: City Manager
5.b
Ordinances read in title only
Moved by
Mayor Ray Russom
Seconded by
Mayor Pro Tem 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, Mayor Pro Tem Maraviglia, Council Member Secrest, Council Member Guthrie, and Council Member Loe Passed (5 to 0)
6. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
6.a
Honorary Proclamation Declaring April 2026 as "Month of the Child" and "Child Abuse Prevention Month"
1. CC 2026-03-24 Honorary Proclamation_Month of the Child 2026.pdf Mayor Ray Russom presented a Proclamation declaring April 2026 as "Month of the Child" and "Child Abuse Prevention Month".
Jamie Sonbonmatsu, SLO County Early Care and Learning, accepted the Proclamation.
No action was taken on this Item.
6.b
City Manager Communications
City Manager Downing provided information regarding the FCFA Open House on March 28; 37th Annual Egg Hunt and Festival on April 4; Summer Activity Guide is coming out; Wesley and Vernon Water Line Replacement Project update; Pedestrian Improvement Project update; Huasna Roundabout Community Meeting on March 30; and the Halcyon Complete Streets Project beginning this summer. City Manager Downing responded to questions from the Council.
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 MARAVIGLIA:
Five Cities Fire Authority JPA Board
Visit SLO CAL Advisory Board
REACH Summit
7.c
COUNCIL MEMBER GUTHRIE:
Central Coast Community Energy (CCCE) Policy Board
Integrated Waste Management Authority Board (IWMA)
REACH Economic Development Roundtable
REACH Summit
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
Other
8. COMMUNITY COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Dean Castelleno, Patty Welsh, Robert Brenett, Joy Danley, Chris Guillen, Russ Sheppel, No Name Provided, Cheryl Storton, Melissa Boggs, Catharine Judge, Penny Camuses, Gigi, Ray Burnell, Lori Rellano, Peggy Boydoi, Barbara Lemoine, Kevin Thorton, No Name Provided, Carin R'Ourke, No Name Provided. No further public comments were received. Mayor Ray Russom summarized public comments for staff to consider.
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.
Staff responded to questions from Council on Item 9.d.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Jim McNamara, Peter Williamson. No further public comments were received. City Manager Downing responded to comments from the public.
City Manager Downing and Planning Manager Perez responded to questions from Council on Item 9.g.
Council made comments on Item 9.d., 9.f., and 9.g.
Council Member Secrest made a motion to approve the consent agenda. Mayor Ray Russom seconded. After brief discussion, Council Member Secrest withdrew the motion.
Council Member Loe requested that Item 9.g. be pulled for separate consideration.
Moved by
Council Member Guthrie
Seconded by
Council Member Secrest
Approve Consent Agenda Items 9.a. through 9.f., with the exception of Item 9.g. 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 2026-03-24 Approval of Minutes - Mar10_2026.pdf
Approved the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of March 10, 2026, as submitted.
9.b
Cash Disbursement Ratification
1. CC 2026-03-24 Cash Disbursement Ratification.pdf
2. CC 2026-03-24 Attachment 1 - Cash Disbursement Ratification.pdf
3. CC 2026-03-24 Attachment 2 - Cash Disbursement Ratification.pdf Reviewed and ratified the attached listing of cash disbursements for the period of February 16 through February 28, 2026.
9.c
2026 Omnibus Municipal Code Cleanup Ordinance
1. CC 2026-03-24 Adopt AGMC Administrative Cleanups.pdf
2. CC 2026-03-24 Attachment 1 - Ord Amending the Muni Code_Administrative.pdf 1) Adopted an Ordinance amending Section 1.01.010 of Title 1 (General Provisions), and various Sections of Chapter 13.26 of Title 13 (Encroachment Permits) of the Arroyo Grande Municipal Code (AGMC); and 2) Found that the Ordinance 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).). Alternatively, the organizational changes made by the amendments to Title 1, and Title 13 of the AGMC by this Ordinance are not a project under CEQA because such changes constitute organizational or administrative activities of a government that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment. (State CEQA Guidelines § 15378(b)(5).)
9.d
Monthly Water Supply and Demand Update
1. CC 2026-03-24 Monthly Water Supply and Demand Update.pdf
2. CC 2026-03-24 Attachment 1 - Monthly Operations Report.pdf
3. CC 2026-03-24 Attachment 2 - Lopez Reservoir Storage Projection Chart.pdf
4. CC 2026-03-24 Attachment 3 - Previous Year Water Use Comparison.pdf
5. CC 2026-03-24 Attachment 4 - Deep Well Index Level.pdf Received and filed the Monthly Water Supply and Demand Update.
9.e
2025 General Plan Annual Progress Report
1. CC 2026-03-24 General Plan Annual Progress Report .pdf
2. CC 2026-03-24 Attachment 1 - 2025 General Plan APR.pdf
3. CC 2026-03-24 Attachment 2 - HCD Spreadsheet.pdf
1) Reviewed and accepted the 2025 General Plan Annual Report (the “Annual Report” or “Report”) and directed staff to forward the Report to the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation and the Department of Housing and Community Development; and 2) Found that the request is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5).
9.f
Community Service Grant Program Allocations for Fiscal Year 2025-26
1. CC 2026-03-24 Community Service Grant Allocations.pdf
2. CC 2026-03-24 Attachment 1 - Resolution.pdf
3. CC 2026-03-24 Attachment 2 - CSGP Policy.pdf
4. CC 2026-03-24 Attachment 3 - CSGP Applications.pdf
1) Adopted a Resolution approving the Arroyo Grande Community Service Grant Program (CSGP) projects for Fiscal Year 2025-26; 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.) Further, adoption of the Resolution is not a project pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines, § 15378(b)(5) as an organizational or administrative activity of government that has no anticipated direct or indirect physical environmental impacts.
9.g
General Plan Update Progress Report – March 2026
1. CC 2026-03-24 General Plan Update Progress Report.pdf
2. CC 2026-03-24_09g_Supplemental 1.pdf
Council discussion ensued regarding a focus on the Circulation Element during the General Plan Update process. Staff responded to questions from Council.
Council Member Loe made a motion to receive and file a progress report on the Comprehensive General Plan Update with the addition of a workshop to coincide with the June public review with an included focus on the circulation element and to provide direction to staff to consider a comprehensive update of the circulation element after the General Plan is approved. The motion was not seconded.
Council discussion ensued and Council Member Loe modified her motion.
Moved by
Council Member Loe
Seconded by
Mayor Pro Tem Maraviglia
Council Member Loe made a motion to receive and file a progress report on the Comprehensive General Plan Update with the addition of a workshop to coincide with the June public review with an included focus on the circulation element.
AYES (2)
Mayor Pro Tem Maraviglia, and Council Member Loe
NOES (3)
Mayor Ray Russom, Council Member Secrest, and Council Member Guthrie Failed (2 to 3)
Amendment:
Moved by
Council Member Guthrie
Seconded by
Mayor Ray Russom
Receive and file a progress report on the Comprehensive General Plan Update.
AYES (5)
Mayor Ray Russom, Mayor Pro Tem Maraviglia, Council Member Secrest, Council Member Guthrie, and Council Member Loe Passed (5 to 0)
10. PUBLIC HEARINGS
10.a
Appeal Case 26-002; Appeal of Planning Commission Approval of Conditional Use Permit 25-001; Location – 1271 & 1281 James Way; Appellants – Pismo Medical Properties LLC, Arroyo Grande Partners LLC and Ray B Bunnell Revocable Trust
1. CC 2026-03-24 APL26-001.pdf
2. CC 2026-03-24 Attachment 1 - Resolution-c1.pdf
3. CC 2026-03-24 Attachment 1 Exhibit B.pdf
4. CC 2026-03-24 Attachment 2 - Project Location.pdf
5. CC 2026-03-24 Attachment 3 - PC R 2026-002.pdf
6. CC 2026-03-24 Attachment 4 - Appeal Form_Redacted.pdf
7. CC 2026-03-24 Attachment 5 - AB 130 Findings.pdf
8. CC 2026-03-24 Attachment 6 - Traffic and Circulation Study.pdf
9. CC 2026-03-24_10a_Supplemental 1.pdf
10. CC 2026-03-24_10a_Supplemental 2_Redacted.pdf
11. CC 2026-03-24_10a_Supplemental 3_Redacted.pdf
12. CC 2026-03-24_10a_Supplemental 4_Redacted.pdf
13. CC 2026-03-24_10a_Supplemental 5_Redacted.pdf
14. CC 2026-03-24_10a_Supplemental 6_Redacted.pdf
15. CC 2026-03-24_10a_Supplemental 7_Redacted.pdf
This item was continued in Item 5 to a date certain of April 14, 2026.
Mayor Ray Russom called for a brief break at 7:54 p.m. The Council reconvened at 8:00 p.m.
10.b
Amendments to Title 16 of the Arroyo Grande Municipal Code to Implement Housing Element Programs
1. CC 2026-03-24 Housing Element Program Implementation .pdf
2. CC 2026-03-24 Attachment 1 - Ordinance.pdf
Planning Manager Perez presented the Item.
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 Secrest
1) Introduce an ordinance entitled:
"AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE AMENDING SECTION 1.01.010 OF TITLE 1 (GENERAL PROVISIONS), AND VARIOUS SECTIONS OF CHAPTER 13.26 OF TITLE 13 (ENCROACHMENT PERMITS) OF THE ARROYO GRANDE MUNICIPAL CODE"; and
2) Find that the Ordinance is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080.085.
AYES (5)
Mayor Ray Russom, Mayor Pro Tem Maraviglia, Council Member Secrest, Council Member Guthrie, and Council Member Loe Passed (5 to 0)
11. BUSINESS ITEMS
11.a
Police Department 2025 Annual Activity Report
1. CC 2026-03-24 Police Department 2025 Annual Activity Report.pdf
2. CC 2026-03-24 Attachment 1 - AGPD Annual Report 2025 1.pdf Chief Culver presented the Item and responded to questions from Council.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. No public comments were received.
Council expressed appreciation for staff and the report, and commented regarding comparing calls for service for the two years prior.
No action was taken on this item. The report was received and filed.
12. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
13. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Ray Russom adjourned the meeting at 8:23 p.m.