Atascadero City Council
January 30 & 31, 2026
CITY OF ATASCADERO
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
January 30, 2026, 6:00 P.M.
January 31, 2026, 9:00 A.M.
City Hall Council Chambers, Fourth Floor
6500 Palma Avenue, Atascadero, California
_____________________________________________________________________ A. FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2026
Mayor Bourbeau called the meeting to order at 6:01 P.M.
1. Roll Call
Present: Mayor Bourbeau, Mayor Pro Tem Dariz, Council Member Funk, Council Member Newsom, Council Member Peek
Absent: None
Staff
Present:
City Manager James R. Lewis, City Attorney Dave Fleishman, City Treasurer/Administrative Services Director Jeri Rangel, Public Works Director Nick DeBar, Community Development Director Phil Dunsmore, Fire Chief Casey Bryson, Police Chief Dan Suttles, Deputy City Manager - IT Luke Knight,
Community Services and Promotions Director Terrie Banish, Economic Development Manager Loreli Cappel, Planning
Manager Kelly Gleason
2. Welcome and Opening Comments
3. Public Comment
Mayor Bourbeau opened the public comment period
The following persons spoke: Geoff Auslen
Mayor Bourbeau closed the public comment period
4. Review of Progress Thus Far
City Manager Lewis provided a progress update to Council.
Atascadero City Council
January 30 & 31, 2026
5. Focus in On Goals
a. Economic and Community Vibrancy
Key Focus Areas: Downtown Vibrancy, Activation of Underutilized Sites and Nodes, Business Support and Jobs/Housing Balance,
Neighborhood Compatibility and Wellness
• Overview on Major Private Development Projects
Planning Manager Gleason gave the presentation and answered questions from the City Council.
Mayor Bourbeau opened the Public Comment period.
The following persons spoke on this item: None
Mayor Bourbeau closed the Public Comment period.
• Update on Development Review Process Improvements
Community Development Director Dunsmore gave the presentation and answered questions from the City Council. Josh Cross from the Atascadero Chamber of Commerce spoke on the Developer Round Table Process
Mayor Bourbeau opened the Public Comment period.
The following persons spoke on this item: None
Mayor Bourbeau closed the Public Comment period.
• Business Loan Grant Program (Formerly Restaurant Loan Program)
Economic Development Manager Cappel gave the presentation and answered questions from the City Council.
Mayor Bourbeau opened the Public Comment period.
The following persons spoke on this item: Geoff Auslen, Anna Pecharich, Josh Cross
Mayor Bourbeau closed the Public Comment period.
• El Camino Real Project Update (Phase 2)
Public Works Director DeBar gave the presentation and answered questions from the City Council.
Mayor Bourbeau opened the Public Comment period.
The following persons spoke on this item: Geoff Auslen
Atascadero City Council
January 30 & 31, 2026
Mayor Bourbeau closed the Public Comment period.
• General Plan Process Update
Community Development Director Dunsmore gave the presentation and answered questions from the City Council.
Mayor Bourbeau opened the Public Comment period.
The following persons spoke on this item: None
Mayor Bourbeau closed the Public Comment period.
b. Fiscal and Infrastructure Efficiency and Sustainability Key Focus Areas: Asset Management/Replacement/Modernization, Smart and Responsible Financial Strategies, Transparency and Accountability
• Zoo Operations and Capital Update
Community Services and Promotions Director Banish gave the presentation and answered questions from the City Council.
Mayor Bourbeau opened the Public Comment period.
The following persons spoke on this item: None
Mayor Bourbeau closed the Public Comment period.
• Update on Eden Replacement Project and Asset
Management Software (continued)
Deputy City Manager Knight gave the presentation and answered questions from the City Council.
6. Adjournment – 9:03 P.M.
Mayor Bourbeau adjourned the meeting to Saturday, January 31, 2026, 9:00 A.M. to continue the Strategic Planning Workshop
B. SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 2026
Mayor Bourbeau called the meeting to order at 9:01 A.M.
1. Roll Call
Present Mayor Bourbeau, Mayor Pro Tem Dariz, Council Member Funk, Council Member Newsom, Council Member Peek
Absent: None
Atascadero City Council
January 30 & 31, 2026
Staff
Present:
City Manager James R. Lewis, City Attorney Dave Fleishman, Assistant City Manager/City Clerk Lara Christensen, City Treasurer/Administrative Services Director Jeri Rangel, Public Works Director Nick DeBar, Community Development Director Phil Dunsmore, Fire Chief Casey Bryson, Police Chief Dan Suttles, Deputy City Manager - IT Luke Knight, Community Services and Promotions Director Terrie Banish, Economic Development Manager Loreli Cappel, Planning Manager Kelly Gleason, Fire Marshal Dave Van Son, Battalion Chief Matt Miranda. Deputy Director Public Works Ryan Hayes
2. Public Comment
Mayor Bourbeau noted that he would hold public comment on each individual agenda item
3. Focus in on Goals, Continued
a. Fiscal and Infrastructure Efficiency and Sustainability (Continued) Key Focus Areas: Asset Management/Replacement/Modernization, Smart and Responsible Financial Strategies, Transparency and Accountability
• Update on Eden Replacement Project and Asset
Management Software (continued)
Deputy City Manager Knight resumed the presentation and answered questions from the City Council.
Mayor Bourbeau opened the Public Comment period.
The following persons spoke on this item: Geoff Auslen
Mayor Bourbeau closed the Public Comment period.
• Citizen Engagement
Community Services and Promotion Director Banish and Assistant City Manager Christensen gave the presentation and answered questions from the City Council.
Mayor Bourbeau opened the Public Comment period.
The following persons spoke on this item: Geoff Auslen
Mayor Bourbeau closed the Public Comment period.
Council provided direction to staff
b. Ensuring Public Safety and Providing Exceptional City Services Atascadero City Council
January 30 & 31, 2026
Key Focus Areas: Staff and Facilities, Unhoused Population, Flourishing Community
• Public Safety Project Update
Assistant City Manager Christensen and Deputy Director Public Works Hayes gave the presentation and answered questions from the City Council.
Mayor Bourbeau opened the Public Comment period.
The following persons spoke on this item: Vy Pierce
Mayor Bourbeau closed the Public Comment period.
Mayor Bourbeau recessed the Meeting at 10:47 A.M.
Mayor Bourbeau reconvened the Meeting with all present at 10:53 A.M. • Fire Department Standards of Cover
Battalion Chief Miranda gave the presentation and answered questions from the City Council.
Mayor Bourbeau opened the Public Comment period.
The following persons spoke on this item: None
Mayor Bourbeau closed the Public Comment period.
• Emergency Planning Update
Fire Marshal Van Son gave the presentation and answered questions from the City Council.
Mayor Bourbeau opened the Public Comment period.
The following persons spoke on this item: None
Mayor Bourbeau closed the Public Comment period.
Mayor Bourbeau recessed the Meeting at 12:00 P.M.
Mayor Bourbeau reconvened the Meeting with all present at 12:02 P.M. • Homelessness Response Update
Chief Suttles gave the presentation and answered questions from the City Council.
Mayor Bourbeau opened the Public Comment period.
The following persons spoke on this item: Vy Pierce
Atascadero City Council
January 30 & 31, 2026
Mayor Bourbeau closed the Public Comment period.
Mayor Bourbeau recessed the Meeting at 12:28 P.M.
Mayor Bourbeau reconvened the Meeting with all present at 12:34 P.M. • Staffing: Recruitment, Retention, Morale
City Manager Lewis gave the presentation and answered questions from the City Council.
Mayor Bourbeau opened the Public Comment period.
The following persons spoke on this item: None
Mayor Bourbeau closed the Public Comment period.
4. Additional Updates
• State and Federal Funding Updates
City Manager Lewis gave the presentation and answered questions from the City Council.
Mayor Bourbeau opened the Public Comment period.
The following persons spoke on this item: None
Mayor Bourbeau opened the Public Comment period.
• Timed Parking Zones Downtown
City Manager Lewis gave the presentation and answered questions from the City Council.
Mayor Bourbeau opened the Public Comment period.
The following persons spoke on this item: None
Mayor Bourbeau opened the Public Comment period.
5. Adjournment
Mayor Bourbeau adjourned the meeting at 1:32 PM
MINUTES PREPARED BY:
______________________________________
Alyssa Slater
Deputy City Clerk
APPROVED: 2/24/26