Atascadero City Council
June 24, 2025
CITY OF ATASCADERO
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
June 24, 2025, 6:00 p.m.
City Hall Council Chambers, Fourth Floor
6500 Palma Avenue, Atascadero, California
_____________________________________________________________________ A. REGULAR SESSION - CALL TO ORDER 6:01 p.m.
B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Bourbeau called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. and Council Member Funk led the Pledge of Allegiance.
C. ROLL CALL
Present: Council Members Funk, Newsom, Peek, Mayor Pro Tem Dariz, and Mayor Bourbeau
Absent: None
Others Present: None
Staff Present: Deputy City Manager/City Clerk Lara Christensen, Deputy Administrative Services Director Cindy Chavez, City Attorney Dave Fleishman, Community Services and Promotions Director Terrie Banish, Deputy Director of Economic & Community Development Loreli Cappel, Fire Chief Casey Bryson, Police Chief Dan Suttles, Deputy Public Works Director Ryan Hayes, Deputy City Manager – IT Luke Knight, Deputy City Clerk Alyssa Slater, Battalion Chief Dave Van Son, Human Resource Manager Rachel Hunter, Public Works Analyst Ryan Betz, and Zoo Director Dr. Cynthia Stringfield.
D. CONSENT CALENDAR
1. City Council Draft Minutes - June 10, 2025 Regular Meeting Recommendation: Council approve the June 10, 2025, City Council Regular Meeting minutes. [City Clerk]
Atascadero City Council
June 24, 2025
2. May 2025 Accounts Payable and Payroll
Fiscal Impact: Total expenditures for all funds is $5,587,842.40 Recommendation: Council approve certified City accounts payable, payroll and payroll vendor checks for May 2025 [Administrative Services]
3. Reclassification of Existing Positions
Fiscal Impact: The reclassification of these positions have an estimated cost of $47,000.00. These changes have been included in the 2025-2027 Budget.
Recommendation: Council:
1. Authorize the City Manager to reclass the position of Deputy City Manager to Assistant City Manager, Lead Maintenance Worker (Parks) to Maintenance Supervisor (Parks), Lead Maintenance Worker (Streets) to Maintenance Supervisor (Streets) and Wastewater Plant Operator II to Wastewater Treatment Plant Lead Operator.
2. Amend the fiscal year 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 monthly salary schedules to add new positions as shown on the staff report.
3. Adopt Draft Resolution for Non-Represented Professional and Management Workers and Confidential Employees; and
4. Authorize the City Manager to execute a Side Letter with the Local 620 Service Employees International Union (SEIU) for the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), dated July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2027; and
5. Authorize the City Manager to approve the Employment Agreement for Lara Christensen to serve as Assistant City Manager. [Human Resources]
Mayor Bourbeau removed Consent Item #D4 for a separate vote.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Mayor Bourbeau opened the Public Comment period for Consent Calendar Items #D1-3.
The following persons spoke on this item: None
Mayor Bourbeau closed the Public Comment period.
MOTION BY: Funk
SECOND BY: Peek
1. Approve Consent Calendar Items #D1-3 (#D3: Resolution No. 2025- 053)
AYES (5): Newsom, Funk, Peek, Dariz and Bourbeau
Passed 5-0
Atascadero City Council
June 24, 2025
4. Adoption of the 2025 Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map
Fiscal Impact: None
Recommendation: Council adopt on second reading, by title only, a Draft Ordinance adopting the State Fire Marshal’s 2025 Local Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map. [Fire and Emergency Services] Council Member Peek, and Mayor Bourbeau recused themselves from discussion and voting on Consent Item #D4 due to a potential conflict of interest.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Mayor Pro Tem Dariz opened the Public Comment period.
The following persons spoke on this item: Geoff Auslen
Mayor Pro Tem Dariz closed the Public Comment period.
MOTION BY: Funk
SECOND BY: Dariz
1. Adopt on second reading, by title only, a Ordinance No. 687 adopting the State Fire Marshal’s 2025 Local Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map.
AYES (3): Newsom, Funk, and Dariz
NOES (0): None
ABSTAIN (2): Peek, Bourbeau
Passed 3-0
E. UPDATES FROM THE CITY MANAGER
Deputy City Manager Christensen gave an update on projects and issues within the City.
F. COMMUNITY FORUM
The following persons spoke: Geoff Auslen
G. PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Adopting Sewer Service Charges to be Added to the 2025-2026 Property Tax Rolls
Fiscal Impact: The City estimates it will collect approximately $5,745,280 in sewer service charges for Fiscal Year 2025-26 if Council adopts the Draft Resolution.
Recommendation: Council:
1. Conduct a public hearing to receive verbal testimony regarding the proposed sewer service charges to be levied onto property tax rolls.
2. Adopt Draft Resolution approving sewer service charges to be added to the 2025-2026 property tax rolls. [Public Works]
Atascadero City Council
June 24, 2025
Public Works Analyst Betz gave the presentation and answered questions from the City Council.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Mayor Bourbeau opened the Public Comment period.
The following persons spoke on this item: None
Mayor Bourbeau closed the Public Comment period.
MOTION BY: Peek
SECOND BY: Funk
1. Adopt Resolution 2025-0054, approving sewer service charges to be added to the 2025-2026 property tax rolls.
AYES (5): Newsom, Funk, Peek, Dariz and Bourbeau
Passed 5-0
H. MANAGEMENT REPORTS
1. 2024 Risk Management Update
Fiscal Impact: None
Recommendation: Council receive and file the 2023-24 Risk Management update.
Deputy City Manager/City Clerk Christensen and Tim Karcz, CJPIA Regional Manager, gave the presentation and answered questions from the City Council.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Mayor Bourbeau opened the Public Comment period.
The following persons spoke on this item: None
Mayor Bourbeau closed the Public Comment period.
Council received and filed the 2023-24 Risk Management Update.
2. Introduction of Draft Ordinance Amending Title 2, Chapter 14 of the Atascadero Municpal Code to add Section 2-14.03 to Allow for Electronic and Paperless Filing of FPPC Campaign Disclosure Statements and Statements of Economic Interest
Fiscal Impact: The annual subscription cost for the NetFile electronic filing system is $4,500 (guaranteed for five years) and is incorporated into the City Clerk’s existing budget. The system also provides cost savings Atascadero City Council
June 24, 2025
through reduced staff time for processing and managing filings.
Recommendation: Council introduce for first reading, by title only, a Draft Ordinance amending the Atascadero Municipal Code Title 2 (Administration) Chapter 14 (Elections) to add Section 2-14.03 “Electronic Filing of Campaign Disclosure Statements and Statements of Economic Interest” to allow for the implementation of electronic/paperless filing of several types of Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) forms, including Forms 460, 470, 496, 497, and 700. [City Clerk] Deputy City Manager/City Clerk Christensen gave the presentation and answered questions from the City Council.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Mayor Bourbeau opened the Public Comment period.
The following persons spoke on this item: None
Mayor Bourbeau closed the Public Comment period.
MOTION BY: Dariz
SECOND BY: Funk
1. Introduce for first reading, by title only, a Draft Ordinance amending the Atascadero Municipal Code Title 2 (Administration) Chapter 14 (Elections) to add Section 2-14.03 “Electronic Filing of Campaign Disclosure Statements and Statements of Economic Interest” to allow for the implementation of electronic/paperless filing of several types of Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) forms, including Forms 460, 470, 496, 497, and 700.
AYES (5): Newsom, Funk, Peek, Dariz and Bourbeau
Passed 5-0
3. Update on Zoo's Rebranding Process and Next Steps
Fiscal Impact: Preparation for the rebranding process is part of both the Zoo’s budget and the City’s Marketing budget collectively and will result in an estimated expenditure of $45,000.
Recommendation: Council receive an oral report on the Zoo’s Rebranding Initiative update and next steps. [Community Services and Promotions] Community Services and Promotions Director Banish gave the presentation and she and Deputy City Manager/City Clerk Christensen answered questions from the City Council.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Mayor Bourbeau opened the Public Comment period.
Atascadero City Council
June 24, 2025
The following persons spoke on this item: Luke Phillips, Elaine Foote, Dean Young, Donn Clickard, Angela Cisneros, Annette, Geoff Auslen, Richelle Rickard, Dr. Steve Robinson, Roger Snoble, Linda Mello, Randy Kenney
Mayor Bourbeau closed the Public Comment period.
Council received an oral report on the Zoo’s Rebranding Initiative update and next steps.
I. COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
The following Council Members gave brief update reports on their committees since their last Council meeting:
Mayor Bourbeau
1. County Mayor’s Round Table
2. Integrated Waste Management Authority (IWMA)
3. Central Coast Community Energy (3CE)
Mayor Pro Tem Dariz
1. Air Pollution Control District
2. Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo (CAPSLO) Council Member Funk
1. Homeless Services Oversight Council
J. INDIVIDUAL DETERMINATION AND / OR ACTION: None
Mayor Bourbeau noted there will be only one City Council meeting in July, held on July 22 at 6:00 pm.
K. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Bourbeau adjourned the meeting at 8:02 p.m.
MINUTES PREPARED BY:
______________________________________
Alyssa Slater
Deputy City Clerk
APPROVED: 7/22/25