City Council Meeting - August 25, 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
City Attorney Rosen reported there was no reportable action from the following meeting:
August 25, 2026
a) Public Employee Performance Evaluation pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b):
Title: City Attorney
5.b
Ordinances read in title only
None.
6. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
6.a
Honorary Proclamation Declaring September 2026 as "Hunger Action Month"
1. CC 2026-08-25 Honorary Proclamation_Hunger Action Month.pdf Mayor Ray Russom presented the Proclamation Declaring September 2026 as "Hunger Action Month." Molly Kerns, SLO County Food Bank, accepted the Proclamation.
No action was taken on this Item.
6.b
Introduction of New Employee Reese Swanson, Recreation Coordinator Director Bohlken introduced Recreation Coordinator, Reese Swanson. Mr. Swanson expressed his gratitude to work for the City of Arroyo Grande.
6.c
Introduction of New Employee Trevor Nunez, Utilities Operator I Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director Robeson introduced Utilities Operator I, Trevor Nunez. Mr. Nunez addressed the Council.
6.d
City Manager Communications
City Manager Downing provided updates regarding a Supplemental Memo for Item 9f; informational town halls regarding Measure C-26 on September 10th and one for Measure D-26 on September 29th; Big Ditch Market returning on September 4; Summer Concert Series continuing Sunday. City Clerk Matson responded to questions from 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
Mayor's Meeting
7.c
COUNCIL MEMBER GUTHRIE:
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 were Monty Lopez, No Name Provided, Judy Cecchetti. No further public comments were received. Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director Robeson and City Manager Downing 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 and noted the Supplemental for Item 9f. Council Member Guthrie requested that Item 9f be pulled for separate consideration and declared a conflict of interest due to his involvement with the Harvest Festival Committee.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. No public comments were received.
Moved by
Council Member Loe
Seconded by
Mayor Pro Tem Maraviglia
Approve Consent Agenda Items 9.a. through 9.g., with the exception of Item 9.f., with the recommended courses of action.
Passed
9.a
Approval of Minutes
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CC_Jul28_2026 - English.pdf
Approved the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of July 28, 2026, as submitted.
9.b
Cash Disbursement Ratification
1. CC 2026-08-25 Cash Disbursement Ratification.pdf
2. CC 2026-08-25 Attachment 1 - Cash Disbursement Ratification.pdf
3. CC 2026-08-25 Attachment 2 - Cash Disbursement Ratification.pdf Reviewed and ratified the attached listing of cash disbursements for the period of July 1 through July 31, 2026.
9.c
Statement of Investment Deposits for June 2026
1. CC 2026-08-25 Statement of Investment Deposits June 2026.pdf
2. CC 2026-08-25 Attachment 1 -Statement of Investment Deposits June 2026.pdf Received and filed the attached report listing investment deposits of the City of Arroyo Grande as of June 30, 2026, as required by Government Code Section 53646(b).
9.d
Agreement with the California Office of Traffic Safety
1. CC 2026-08-25 PD Grant Acceptance from the Office of Traffic Safety for Traffic and DUI Enforcement.pdf
2. CC 2026-08-25 Attachment 1 - Resolution.pdf
3. CC 2026-08-25 Attachment 1 Exhibit A - Draft Grant Agreement.pdf 1) Adopted a Resolution authorizing the Chief of Police to execute a grant agreement with the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to accept grant funding for traffic safety programs; 2) Approved a Budget Amendment Request for FY 2026-27 in the amount of $70,600 to account for the additional revenue and expenditures related to the grant; and 3) Found that adopting the Resolution is not a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) because adopting the Resolution does not in itself have potential to result in either a direct, or reasonably foreseeable indirect, physical change to the environment. (State CEQA Guidelines, §§ 15060, subd. (c)(2)-(3), 15378.)
9.e
Quarterly Water Supply and Demand Update
1. CC 2026-08-25 Quarterly Water Supply and Demand Update.pdf
2. CC 2026-08-25 Attachment 1 - Monthly Operations Report.pdf
3. CC 2026-08-25 Attachment 2 - Lopez Storage Projection Chart.pdf
4. CC 2026-08-25 Attachment 3 - 3rd quarter Deep Well Index 1.pdf Received and filed the Quarterly Water Supply and Demand Update.
9.g
General Plan Update Progress Report – August 2026
1. CC 2026-08-25 General Plan Update Progress Report - August 2026.pdf Received and filed a progress report on the Comprehensive General Plan Update.
9.f
Temporary Use Permit 26-005; Authorization for the 87th Annual Arroyo Grande Valley Harvest Festival; Friday and Saturday September 25-26, 2026; Location – Heritage Square Park and Olohan Alley; Applicant – Arroyo Grande Harvest Festival Committee
1. CC 2026-08-25 Harvest Festival.pdf
2. CC 2026-08-25 Attachment 1 - Resolution(1).pdf
3. CC 2026-08-25 Attachment 2 - Resolution 3760.pdf
4. CC 2026-08-25 Attachment 3 - Festival Area Map.pdf
5. CC 2026-08-25 Attachment 4 - Road Closures and Detour Map_Updated.pdf
6. CC 2026-08-25_09f_Supplemental 1.pdf
Moved by
Mayor Pro Tem Maraviglia
Seconded by
Council Member Secrest
1) Adopt a Resolution approving Temporary Use Permit 26-005, authorizing closure of City streets, sale of alcohol, waiver of fees and use of City property for the 87 th
annual Arroyo Grande Valley Harvest Festival (“Festival”), Friday and Saturday, September 25-26, 2026; 2) Authorize a fee waiver of $431.55; and
3) Find this action exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15304 of the CEQA Guidelines.
Passed
10. PUBLIC HEARINGS
11. BUSINESS ITEMS
11.a
2027-2029 Police Department Strategic Plan
1. CC 2026-08-25 PD Presentation of the Police Department Three Year Strategic Plan.pdf
2. CC 2026-08-25 Attachment 1 - Strategic Plan 2027-2029.pdf Chief of Police Culver presented the Item 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 Glenn Martin. No further public comments were received.
Council comments ensued in support of the Strategic Plan; providing more data on calls for service in the future; and embracing community policing. Mayor Ray Russom commented on the Police Department's efforts over the years and need for a new police department facility.
The Strategic Plan was received and filed.
11.b
2025 Annual Report for the Northern Cities Management Area
1. CC 2026-08-25 NCMA Annual Report.pdf
2. CC 2026-08-25 Attachment 1 - NCMA 2025 Annual Report_FINAL.pdf Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director Robeson introduced City Engineer Shannon Sweeney. City Engineer Sweeney presented the Item and responded to questions from Council.
Mayor Ray Russom invited public comment. No public comments were received.
City Engineer Sweeney responded to additional questions from Council.
The report was received and filed.
12. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Council Member Loe commented on the bike path adjacent to Hwy 101 being freshly paved and thanked Cal Trans.
Council Member Secrest expressed disappointment that the SLOCOG measure will not be on the ballot in November; and commented on her attendance at a labor and union construction trades breakfast.
13. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Ray Russom adjourned the meeting at 7:34 pm.