City Council Meeting - April 28, 2026
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Ray Russom called the Regular City Council Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Deputy City Clerk Hawkins 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
City Attorney Rosen announced that there was no reportable action from the following meeting:
April 28, 2026
LABOR NEGOTIATION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957.6:
Meet with City-designated negotiators described below. Negotiation will include salary, compensation and benefits:
1. Employee Organization: Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Local 620 City-designated negotiators: Che Johnson, Special Labor Counsel; Ashley Garcia, Human Resources Officer; Nicole Valentine, Director of Administrative Services
2. Employee Organization: Arroyo Grande Police Officers’ Association (POA) City-designated negotiators: Che Johnson, Special Labor Counsel; Ashley Garcia, Human Resources Officer; Nicole Valentine, Director of Administrative Services
3. Employee Organization: Unrepresented Management Employees City-designated negotiators: Che Johnson, Special Labor Counsel
5.b
Ordinances read in title only
None.
6. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
6.a
Honorary Proclamation Declaring The Month of May 2026 As "National Bike Month"
1. CC 2026-04-28 Honorary Proclamation - Bike Month.pdf Mayor Ray Russom read the Honorary Proclamation declaring t he Month of May 2026 as "National Bike Month."
Meghan Fields, SLO Air Pollution Control District Public Information Officer accepted the proclamation.
No action was taken on this item.
6.b
Honorary Proclamation Declaring May 3-9, 2026 As "Public Service Recognition Week"
1. CC 2026-04-28 Honorary Proclamation - Public Service Appreciation Week.pdf Mayor Ray Russom read the Honorary Proclamation declaring May 3-9, 2026 as "Public Service Recognition Week."
Police Chief Culver accepted the proclamation.
No action was taken on this item.
6.c
City Manager Communications
City Manager Downing provided updates regarding the recent CSTOC meeting, upcoming virtual community meetings on a possible cannabis measure, and the Mother's Day Tea event.
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
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
Other
8. COMMUNITY COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Patty Welsh. 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. Council Member Guthrie requested to pull Item 9.e. for separate consideration.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. No public comments were received.
Moved by
Mayor Pro Tem Maraviglia
Seconded by
Council Member Guthrie
Approve Consent Agenda Items 9.a. through 9.d., excluding Item 9.e., with the recommended courses of action and the modification to the Item 9.a.
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 2026-04-28 Approval of Minutes - Apr14_2026.pdf
Approved the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of April 14, 2026, as amended.
9.b
Cash Disbursement Ratification
1. CC 2026 04-28 Cash Disbursement Ratification.pdf
2. CC 2026-04-28 Attachment 1 - Cash Disbursement Ratification.pdf
3. CC 2026-04-28 Attachment 2 - Cash Disbursement Ratification.pdf Reviewed and ratified the listing of cash disbursements for the period of March 16 through March 31, 2026.
9.c
Monthly Water Supply and Demand Update
1. CC 2026-04-28 Monthly Water Supply and Demand Update.pdf
2. CC 2026-04-28 Attachment 1 - Monthly Operations Report.pdf
3. CC 2026-04-28 Attachment 2 - Lopez Reservoir Storage Projection Chart.pdf
4. CC 2026-04-28 Attachment 3 - Previous Year Water Use Comparison.pdf
5. CC 2026-04-28 Attachment 4 - Deep Well Index Level for 1st Quarter.pdf Received and filed the Monthly Water Supply and Demand Update.
9.d
General Plan Update Progress Report – April 2026
1. CC 2026-04-28 General Plan Update Progress Report.pdf Received and filed a progress report on the Comprehensive General Plan Update.
9.e
Adoption of a Resolution Approving Architectural Review 25-005
1. CC 2026-04-28 Approval of Monarch Books Mural.pdf
2. CC 2026-04-28 Attachment 1 - Resolution.pdf
3. CC 2026-04-28 Attachment 1 Exhibit A - Monarch Books Mural .pdf Council Member Guthrie commented on his previous vote on the Item.
Moved by
Council Member Loe
Seconded by
Council Member Secrest
1) Adopted a Resolution entitled:
"A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE APPROVING ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW 25-005 FOR A PROPOSED MURAL AT 201 EAST BRANCH STREET"; and
2) Found that the project is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 for minor alterations to existing structures.
AYES (4)
Mayor Ray Russom, Mayor Pro Tem Maraviglia, Council Member Secrest, and Council Member Loe NOES (1)
Council Member Guthrie
Passed (4 to 1)
10. PUBLIC HEARINGS
10.a
Public Hearing to Consider the AGTBID Annual Assessment and FY 2026-27 Budget
1. CC 2026-04-28 Public Hearing to Consider the AGTBID Assessment and FY 2026-27 Budget.pdf
2. CC 2026-04-28 Attachment 1 - Proposed Resolution.pdf
3. CC 2026-04-28 Attachment 2 - Resolution of Intention.pdf
4. CC 2026-04-28_10a_Supplemental 1.pdf
Mayor Ray Russom declared a conflict of interest due to ownership of a short-term rental and left the meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Maraviglia presided.
Director of Recreation Services Bohlken presented the report and responded to questions from Council.
Mayor Pro Tem Maraviglia opened the public hearing. Upon hearing no public comments, Mayor Pro Tem Maraviglia closed the public hearing.
Council Member Guthrie commented on the TBID and TOT.
Deputy City Clerk Hawkins reported that no protests were received.
Moved by
Council Member Loe
Seconded by
Council Member Secrest
1) Conduct a Public Hearing to receive public comment and protests regarding the continuation of the Arroyo Grande Tourism Business Improvement District (AGTBID), confirm the Annual Assessment Report (the ‘Annual Report’), and levy an annual assessment for FY 2026-27; 2) Determine if a majority protest has been received; if no majority protest has been received, adopt a Resolution entitled:
"A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE CONFIRMING THE ANNUAL REPORT AND ASSESSMENT TO BE LEVIED WITHIN THE ARROYO GRANDE TOURISM BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2026-27"; and
3) 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).
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)
11. BUSINESS ITEMS
11.a
City Workforce Vacancies, Recruitment, and Retention Trends Presentation (Assembly Bill 2561)
1. CC 2026-04-28 City Workforce Vacancies, Recruitment and Retention Trends Presentation (AB 2561).pdf
2. CC 2026-04-28 Attachment 1 - 2026 Workforce Vacancies Recruitment and Retention Trends presentation.pdf
3. CC 2026-04-28 Attachment 2 - SEIU Local 620 AB 2561 Public Comment.pdf Mayor Ray Russom returned to the meeting.
Human Resources Officer Ashley Garcia presented the Item.
Senior Police Officer Enriqueda Peinado provided a report for the Arroyo Grande Police Officer's Association.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Anthony. No further public comments were received.
No action was taken on this item. The report was received and filed.
11.b
Traffic Way Bridge Replacement Project Detour Elements Discussion
1. CC 2026-04-28 Traffic Way Bridge detour elements discussion.pdf
2. CC 2026-04-28 Attachment 1 - FlashVote Results.pdf
3. CC 2026-04-28 Attachment 2 - AGHS TRAFFIC CIRCLE ALTERNATIVES.pdf
4. CC 2026-04-28_11b_Supplemental 1.pdf
City Engineer Sweeney presented the report and responded to questions from Council.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public were Cheryl Storton, Alexandria Davis, and Judy Cecchetti. No further public comments were received.
Council discussion ensued. Council directed staff to make no changes to Bridge/Branch Street; make no changes to Fair Oaks Avenue/Highway 101/Orchard Street; leave the temporary traffic circle in place at this time, add speed feedback signs, increase education and enforcement, remove two trees, and work towards installing a larger, more permanent roundabout as space is obtained or becomes available; and bringing back a more detailed staff report for formal action to include discussion of signage, potential for curb removal and tree removal, and directing staff to reach out to the agriculture community regarding potential concerns, as well as the school district.
11.c
Halcyon Complete Streets Project Pre-Bid
1. CC 2026-04-28 Halcyon Complete Streets Pre-bid.pdf
2. CC 2026-04-28 Attachment 1 - Impacts.pdf
3. CC 2026-04-28 Attachment 2 - Halcyon Complete Streets Plan Set.pdf
4. CC 2026-04-28_11c_Supplemental 1_Redacted.pdf
City Engineer Sweeney presented the staff report and responded to questions from Council. City Manager Downing responded to questions from Council.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. Speaking from the public were Cheryl Storton, Laura Mullen, and Judy Cecchetti. No further public comments were received. Staff responded to questions from the public including the amount of outreach conducted for this project.
Council discussion ensued.
Moved by
Mayor Ray Russom
Seconded by
Council Member Secrest
Direct staff to advertise the Halcyon Complete Streets Project for construction as designed and to include a monument sign at entrance to the City at The Pike.
AYES (5)
Mayor Ray Russom, Mayor Pro Tem Maraviglia, Council Member Secrest, Council Member Guthrie, and Council Member Loe Passed (5 to 0)
11.d
Proposed Second Amendment to City Manager Employment Agreement
1. CC 2026-04-28 City Manager Contract Amendment.pdf
2. CC 2026-04-28 Attachment 1 - Second Amendment to City Manager Employment Agreement-c1.pdf City Attorney Rosen presented the staff report.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. No public comments were received.
Moved by
Mayor Ray Russom
Seconded by
Mayor Pro Tem Maraviglia
Approve the Second Amendment to the Employment Agreement Between the City of Arroyo Grande and Matthew Downing (“Second Amendment”) following an oral report by the City Attorney summarizing any changes in the salaries, salary schedules or compensation paid in the form of fringe benefits consistent with the Brown Act.
AYES (5)
Mayor Ray Russom, Mayor Pro Tem Maraviglia, Council Member Secrest, Council Member Guthrie, and Council Member Loe Passed (5 to 0)
12. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Council Member Secrest noted the beautiful flowers in Arroyo Grande and nice weather.
Council Member Loe commented on her attendance of a workshop by SLOCOG to discuss transportation and housing; expressed appreciation for the service of 5 Cities Homeless Coalition Executive Director, Janna Nichols, upon her retirement; and toured the MERF Recycling facility with Staff.
Mayor Pro Tem Maraviglia commented on her attendance of at the affordable housing summit.
13. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Ray Russom adjourned the meeting at 8:33 p.m.