Agenda Item No. 8
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council DATE: January 13, 2025 FROM: Matthew Bronson, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Matthew Bronson, City Manager
Rob Lomeli, City Attorney
SUBJECT: Appointment to Fill District 2 City Council Vacancy
RECOMMENDATION
Conduct interviews of applicants and make an appointment to fill an existing vacant District 2 City Council seat for the term ending in December 2026.
BACKGROUND
On December 9, 2024, the City Council received certification of the recall election results for Council Member Daniel Rushing, District 2 creating a vacancy on the Grover Beach City Council.
The Council decided on December 9, 2024 to fill this vacancy by appointment and invited registered voters in Grover Beach residing within Council District 2 to apply for the remaining term of the position for the term ending in December 2026. Community members were asked to complete an application available on the City’s website and submit it to the City Clerk’s Office by 5:00 p.m. on January 3rd. The applications will be provided to the Council at the regular meeting on January 13, 2025 where the Council will conduct interviews and make an appointment for this position.
The City received 11 qualified applications within this timeframe. Attachment 1 shows the names of the applicants along with their respective applications with personal information redacted.
Applicants were sent a letter on January 6 (shown in Attachment 2) about the interview and selection process. Below is a suggested interview and appointment process for the Council’s consideration that follows previous Council vacancy selection processes:
Interview Process
• In the interest of fairness to all applicants, only the applicant being interviewed will be present in the Council Chamber while all other applicants remain in the Conference Room until called by the Council for their respective interview. The order of interviews will be selected at random prior to the meeting.
• Once the applicant’s interview is concluded, they may remain in the Council Chamber to hear any remaining interviews and the City Council’s deliberations. • The interview questions will be the same for all candidates. Candidates will be asked to provide a two-minute overview about themselves and why they are interested in serving on the City Council followed by questions from the Council. • Following the interviews, there will be an opportunity for public comment on this agenda item consistent with other Council agenda items. This will provide an opportunity for members of the public to speak about one or more candidates.
Item 8 Amended: To correct
the Omittance of applicant
Ron Arnoldsen
Staff Report: Appointment to Fill District 2 City Council Vacancy Page 2 January 13, 2025
Appointment Process
• The Council has flexibility in the process used in deciding on the appointment. As an example of a process used when filling a vacancy in 2019, each Council Member identified their top five applicants out of the 10 applicants who interviewed with the Council which led to a group of three finalists who were each asked an additional interview question before an appointment was made. The Council could use a similar process to identify the top applicants following the interviews to determine a final group of applicants to further consider for an appointment.
• Conversely, the Council could choose to use a different process in deciding on the appointment including making a selection immediately following the 11 interviews. A selection must be made by a motion that is seconded and approved by a majority vote of the Council.
• Once the Council reaches a decision on the appointment, the Oath of Office will be administered to the appointee and the newly appointed Council Member will be seated at the dais.
• Following the appointment, the Council will make 2025 appointments of Council Members to various external boards, commissions, and committees throughout the county.
Candidates were requested to be prepared to indicate their interest in serving on particular bodies should the candidate be appointed to the Council. • A new Council Member orientation will be scheduled with the City Manager and City Attorney before the newly appointed Council Member attends the next regular City Council meeting scheduled for January 27, 2025.
• Lastly, pursuant to State law, the applicant appointed to the City Council will be required to file a Statement of Economic Interests (Fair Political Practices Commission - Form 700) reporting sources of income or financial interests for the appointed member, their spouse or registered domestic partner, or dependent children that are located in, doing business in, planning to do business in, or having done business within the City’s jurisdiction during the past two years.
Staff is recommending that the Council conduct interviews of applicants to fill this vacancy on the City Council and make a subsequent appointment. If the Council chooses not to make an appointment at the January 13th regular meeting, the Council will need to make this appointment no later than 60 days from the commencement of the vacancy pursuant to Government Code Section 36512(b) or call a special election. This appointment deadline is February 7, 2025, following the commencement of the vacancy on December 9, 2024.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact from this action of appointing a new Council Member.
ALTERNATIVES
The Council has the following alternatives to consider:
1. Conduct interviews of applicants and make an appointment to fill an existing vacant City Council seat for the term ending in December 2026;
2. Conduct interviews but do not make appointment and continue the appointment process to a subsequent date within the specified timeframe identified herein;
3. Provide alternate direction to staff.
Staff Report: Appointment to Fill District 2 City Council Vacancy Page 3 January 13, 2025
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION
The agenda was posted in accordance with the Brown Act.
Attachments
1. List of names of qualified applicants and associated applications (redacted)
2. Sample letter to applicants
City of Grover Beach
CITY CLERK’S OFFICE
LIST OF APPLICANTS WITH LETTERS SUBMITTED FOR
CONSIDERATION OF BEING APPOINTED TO THE
VACANT SEAT ON THE GROVER BEACH CITY COUNCIL
(Listed in Alphabetic Order by Last Name)
1. Ronald Arnoldsen
2. Braden Beck
3. Scott Gelotti
4. Joseph Holmes
5. Krista Jeffries
6. Nicole Moore
7. Laura Ochoa
8. Catherine Oden
9. Scott Steele
10. David Swift
11. Jules Tuggle
Attachment 1
Application for Appointment to City Council Page 2
Other relevant experience, education, or training:
What is your understanding of the role and responsibilities of the City Council? Please indicate the reasons for your interest in serving on the City Council.
You may attach additional information that may be beneficial to the City Council when considering your application.
Please be advised that this application may be discussed by the City Council at an open meeting.
Information provided to the City Council at open meetings will be available as public information.
Have you ever attended or watched a meeting of this City Council? Yes No If yes, how many? What led you to attend or watch?
Financial Disclosure: In compliance with state law and the City's Conflict of Interest Code, all City Council Members are required to file a Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700) upon appointment, annually thereafter, and upon leaving office. The Form 700 is a public document regarding personal and business information including sources of income, loans, investments, and interests in real property.
For more information visit: http://www.fppc.ca.gov
Signature:
Your interest in serving the City of Grover Beach is sincerely appreciated! Please submit completed application to:
Office of the City Clerk
154 South 8th Street
Grover Beach, CA 93433
Or via email: [email protected]
I have read the attached policies and am willing to sign and abide by those policies if selected.
It’s understandable to look at the current crop of gentlemen serving as council members and think you don’t have the proper experience for elected office. However, the SAHM is an excellent (dare I say, perfect?) candidate with impeccable qualifications for the position. As much as we love a credentialed expert in his chosen field, a man is limited in how to apply his expertise to areas outside of it. After all, the average local representative tends to be one of two things: highly-salaried at an office in a neighboring city (not all that local), or comfortably retired and free to live life as if every day was Saturday (not all that representative). Whether we’re filling a jury or piloting a new parks and rec program, the goal of local government is to have “normal people” weigh in on the most important matters, to reveal the blind spots that experts leave in their well-intentioned wake. Who is more “normal” than a woman attending to the daily needs of her husband and children?
Your new role as a SAHM will prepare you very well for communicating with voters.
After a 16-hour day of managing little people with big feelings, no patience, and rodent-like attention spans, navigating hard questions from people who want simple answers will be a walk in the park. If you can adequately explain why the tooth-fairy hasn’t yet put money under your first-grader’s pillow, you’re more than ready for a voter who wants to discuss infrastructure costs. It will certainly be much easier than when your eight-year-old asks where babies come from, in the middle of driving the entire ballet class to dress rehearsal.
Forget that bachelor’s degree you went into debt for; the information gleaned from your normal life is more than enough experience to bring to the dais. Where a consultant must derive cause and effect from abstract data sets, you, the SAHM, experience both every day:
When the council rep with a job in the neighboring city may not be aware of how many medical offices closed in the last few years, you, the SAHM, likely know the relative availability of the pediatricians, urgent care centers, and orthodontists in town, whether any of them are close to retirement, and how long it takes at different times of the day.
Where the retired rep might complain about morning neighborhood traffic, you, the SAHM, know that the public school buses have had waitlists for years, forcing hundreds of parents to individually drive their children each morning. That long drop-off line tells you exactly why they’re not walking or biking, either.
Where a city employee sees vandalism in the park, a SAHM knows there aren’t enough activities for teens after school. Where the planning division sees an influx of permits for new gyms, a SAHM knows the neighborhood isn’t safe or pleasant for a daily jog.
Where a consultant sees high property values, a SAHM knows she can’t find regular babysitters.
You couldn’t possibly know all these things if you were forced to work a job! Can you imagine asking a man what grocery stores are in your city, and whether it’s safe to walk there? Do you hire a consulting firm to learn about low-cost activities for residents of all ages, or do you ask the other parents at the PTA meeting? Do you really think that retired architect cosplaying as the mayor would know if your city has activities after 5pm that don’t involve alcohol?
Working men don’t have time to worry their pretty little heads about these things. But you, the full-time homemaker, spend the majority of your day within your own town. You know what needs can be filled in your city boundaries and what you have to find elsewhere. You balance multiple sets of needs and time constraints with your sanity (mostly) intact. Managing budgets, planning projects, and forecasting major expenditures are all in a day’s work. Weighing disparate interests in a way that leaves everyone a little dissatisfied, yet able to move forward? That’s nothing to a mom who has to decide what the family will have for dinner that week. “But the children!” you understandably cry, “Who will care for the children?” Truly what better gift is there, than that of quality time with his progeny? As you bid him goodbye at the door on your way to City Hall, take comfort in the knowledge that he deserves nothing less than the loving embrace of their sticky hands as he unwinds from a long day dealing with adults. Knowing you are soldiering off to be underpaid, overworked, and highly criticized, he will laud you for your selfless service to the broader community.
Though should he, upon your departure, tremble in fear at the complexities of the evening meal, remind him to stay in his lane - and order takeout.
Krista Jeffries is a Partner Writer for Resident Urbanist. She is a married mother of three currently living by the sweat of her husband’s brow on California’s Central Coast. When he allows her to leave the kitchen, she serves on the board of the local Housing Authority and is one of the founding members of SLO County YIMBY. In between making sandwiches and ensuring her spouse approves of her reading material, she sometimes writes for the San Luis Obispo Tribune and New Times San Luis Obispo.You can follow her on the website formerly known as Twitter, but you have to ask her husband first.
Solo efforts in softcore vandalism
Logistics and time constraints notwithstanding, the most puzzling aspect of this endeavor was how frequently people asked me: “Where did you come up with this? And how did you manage to pull this off?” Gentle reader, I have no better answer than the extreme boredom and under-stimulation that often accompanies stay-at-home parenthood. However, should anyone wish to replicate something of my experience without the lifetime commitment of quitting one’s job and making more human beings, I have compiled a beginner’s guide based on my own first project. If you are seeking a way to spruce up your corner of town in a way that’s engaging, enjoyable, and more than a little chaotic, try Resident Urbanist’s easy new 15-step instructional guide for beautifying your city.
“How To Paint A Wall With a Dozen Strangers” -
No experience needed!*
*Audacity not included. Resident Urbanist and its partner writers are not financially or legally liable for any personal injury or property damage that may result from public art projects. User experience may vary. Reader discretion advised.
Villagers at work
Step Zero: Live in a small town. Find your local municipal code online. Search or [CTRL+F] for several key terms, such as “public art,” or “mural.” When nothing comes up, check it again.
Repeat several times over the next few weeks. When you are confident that the word “mural” does not even appear in the city’s code, decide that it’s better to beg forgiveness than to ask permission. Proceed to step one.
Step One: Walk your neighborhood, slowly. Look around at the homes and businesses that line the sidewalks. Stop and talk to folks outside. Go into a shop and see if the owner can spare a minute to chat. Who do they see every day? What is their street like? Is it noisy, calm, chaotic, or predictable? Do they like doing business here? Repeat this “walk and talk” several times. Try to find someone different with each repetition. Be curious. Have no agenda.
Step Two: Find a blank wall. A big wall. One that is visible from a busy street or pedestrianized area. Bonus points if it’s under two stories, has a parking lot in front of it, and/or is frequently vandalized. If that property is empty, find another one. Landlords don’t let you paint vacant buildings.
Any of these will do.
Step Three: When you find a good wall with an occupied building, speak to someone inside.
Take your time doing so. Let the owner help customers before resuming conversation. Do not be in a rush. Tell them you’re looking to make your neighborhood a little nicer and ask them if they’d like to be involved. They will mention their blank wall outside. Suggest a mural of some sort. They will be uncertain. Tell them to think about it. When they tell you their landlord won’t let them, ask for their contact info. You will handle Landlord.
Step Four: Call Landlord. Call a second time and leave a voicemail. Open with a polite greeting.
Tell them you are organizing a public beautification project and their building is perfect for it.
Sign off by telling them your name and phone number and wishing them a good day. You may have to repeat this step several times before moving onto Step Five.
Step Five: Receive the call from Landlord. Repeat what you said about public beautification.
When they ask if you’re saying their property is ugly, laugh politely and remind them that the most beautiful art in the world only gets put on blank walls (you can also say “Yes,” if the vibes are right). When they ask what it will cost, assure them that paint is cheap. Ask them if they have any concepts or styles already in mind. They will say no. Make an appointment to meet them at their property and discuss the mural.
Step Six: Prep for the meeting. Get a drawing pad. Go to the hardware store and obtain lots of paint color cards. Find concept pictures with a wide range of styles and color schemes. Find ones composed primarily of simple shapes, with few small details. Remember that this wall is highly textured stucco. Random strangers of all ages will be painting this mural; it is not the time for Monet-style impressionism. Alternatively, it could be the perfect time for Monet-style impressionism.
Step Seven, Option A: Meet with Landlord. Ask them their budget. Reassure them that paint is cheap. Show them the concepts and ask them which ones they like best. They will pick three completely different ideas. They will not know which colors they like. Show them your color cards, and go through the concepts again. They may use terms like “perspective” or “gouache” incorrectly, so ask them things like “When you say ‘art deco’ do you mean this?” and show them sample pictures. Draw out concepts while you talk. Repeat this step several times until you are both excited about the mural concept.
Step Seven, Option B: Meet with Landlord. Ask them their budget. Reassure them that paint is cheap. Show them the concepts and ask them which ones they like best. They will present their own concept, drawn to scale, in its finished state. It will be oddly specific and rooted in an obscure facet of local history. You will ask them if you can tweak the design. They will say yes.
When you present it to them again, they will say no. Proceed with original design.
Step Seven, Option C: Meet with Landlord. Ask them their budget. Reassure them that paint is cheap. Have a credentialed, volunteer graphic designer show them a completed design. Amaze Landlord. Proceed to Step Eight.*
*Important Note: It is at this point that the reader should consider reaching out to local government, even if there is no law on the books regarding public art. Cities are more likely to say “Yes” when they have a concept to evaluate, and they are not being asked for money.
Step Eight: Draft an estimate. Send it to Landlord. Find as much good quality paint as you can at places like Habitat for Humanity. Rent scaffolding from the local hardware store. Take stock of all the accumulated supplies stacked in your garage. Buy several five-gallon buckets. Buy more paintbrushes. Buy a few new cans of paint. Save the receipts for Landlord.
Step Nine: Select a weekend to paint the mural, preferably a month or two in advance. Take note of the weather. Forget to note where the sun will be at different times of the day, and plan (unwisely) to be on site from dawn to dusk. Despite your misgivings, use the Nextdoor app to regularly send out calls for artists with the relevant date, time, and location. Collect contact information from those who show interest. Check in with Landlord and/or Business Owner about once a week until Painting Day arrives. Remind them to have the wall pressure-washed.
Pressure-wash the wall yourself, if you have to.
Step Ten: Two weeks before Painting Day, contact everyone on your interest list. Tell them to bring any brushes and dropcloths that they have. Tell them to bring sunscreen, hats, and water.
Ask them to leave any children under 10 at home (they will ignore this).
Step Eleven: On Painting Day, show up an hour ahead of time. Bring all of your supplies to the site. Bring coolers full of ice. Bring a shade tent. Have your partner or friend help you set up the scaffolding after discovering you cannot do it yourself. Field questions from passersby and/or police officers. Turn on the Boom Box. Get stoked. It is Painting Day.
A blank and often-vandalized wall in the author’s neighborhood Step Twelve: Paint the mural. Give each volunteer a concrete task to do. Show them the design.
Give them each their own cup of paint. Answer questions and give them tips when they ask.
Encourage them. Touch up their mistakes. Receive more volunteers. Rotate the first volunteers out and the new ones in. Move ladders. Forget to eat lunch. Enlist a new volunteer who was just walking by that day and decided to help. Adjust scaffolding. Refill water bottles. Offer snacks and Gatorade. Make regular progress checks from the other side of the street. Rinse brushes for volunteers. Dump water buckets. Refill paint cups. Pull a kid’s hands out of the paint. Repeat for nine hours. Be reminded vaguely of herding cats.
Step Thirteen: When the chaos is at a minimum, or at least supervised by someone else, help paint the mural. Pay close attention to how awesome it feels to be part of making something better. Remember this feeling the next time you’re eight feet in the air, exhausted, hungry, and wondering why you’re doing this again.
The author in her natural habitat
Step Fourteen: Finish the mural. Thank every volunteer for their time. Hand them another water bottle. Thank them again. Put all the supplies into giant buckets and plan to clean them tomorrow, or maybe never. Clean up any spills in front of the wall. Show the finished mural to Landlord and/or Business Owner. They will stare a little too long. You will briefly wonder if they hate it. They will exclaim things like “Oh my goodness!” and “What a difference!” They will not hate it. They will love it. They will wonder why they did not do this sooner.
Step Fifteen: Step back and look at the completed project. You did it. You did it. You actually did it. You had an idea and some spare time and you rallied a bunch of neighbors and you did it.
Look at you go. Take two aspirin with an entire pizza. Sleep 13 hours.
A recent picture of the completed mural, based on artwork by local artist and Dunite, Elwood Decker Optional Subsequent Steps
Step Sixteen: Walk, bike, or drive past your completed project daily for three years. Forget that the wall used to be ugly and vandalized. See cracks in the sidewalk, and the loud traffic, and the other blank walls. Grumble about all that is wrong with your neighborhood. Resent that you are not independently wealthy with endless availability to fix everything. You will forget that there is no such thing as an ethical billionaire. You will forget that over a dozen people you didn’t know gave up their Saturday to paint that wall, and that none of them are billionaires.
Step Seventeen: Walk to the hardware store for the garden sale. Look across the street. See new shapes and colors where there used to be nothing.
Formerly nothing
Formerly nothing
Walk to the new mural in your neighborhood. Realize that this happened without you. Rejoice in this fact. Stare at it a little too long. People will wonder if you hate it. Say something like “Oh my goodness!” and “What a difference!”
You do not hate it.
You love it. You. Love it.
You will wonder why they did not do this sooner.
Krista Jeffries is a Partner Writer for Resident Urbanist.
Originally from Virginia Beach she is a married mother of three currently living on California’s Central Coast. Her many adventures have taken her to healthcare, public art, housing advocacy, and four countries on three continents. She currently serves on the board of the local Housing Authority and is one of the founding members of SLO County YIMBY. She has
previously written for the San Luis Obispo Tribune and New Times San Luis Obispo. You can follow her on the website formerly known as Twitter.
Application for Appointment to City Council Page 2
Other relevant experience, education, or training
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,KDYHUHDGWKHDWWDFKHGSROLFLHVDQGDPZLOOLQJWRVLJQDQGDELGHE\WKRVHSROLFLHVLIVHOHFWHG Leadership San Luis Obispo Class 24, with
SLO Chamber of Commerce (January 2015 - October 2015)
Bachelor of Science from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in Parks, Recreation & Tourism Administration (Graduated June 2004)
Represent the constiuents of my district and the greater community as a whole, to advocate for citizens, businesses, and stakeholders to make Grover Beach a more safe, prosperous, and inclusive place to reside, conduct business and recreate on our public lands and spaces.
I am passionate about the homelessness issues we are experiencing, creating safe housing for all, and continuing to make the conditions of living healthier and more equal for all residents regardless of income level or any other circumstance that creates inequality throughout in our community. ✔
3 Represented the South
County Chambers of Commerce and partnerships with the Launchpad. ✔
LAURA WILLS OCHOA
.
Grover Beach , CA 93433 Email:
Sales, Marketing, and Strategic Partnerships Executive
Influential department leader with over 25 years of progressive experience in defining, developing, training, and leading sales and strategic marketing initiatives to help organizations implement and execute business growth performance strategies. Proven high performer heavily experienced in customer relations, sales strategies, contract negotiations and people management. Proactive, persuasive and adaptive sales management professional with excellent hands-on experience developing, motivating and leading outstanding sales team performance. Inspire an "outside the box" and contemporary approach to analyzing and addressing the gap between current status and future needs, and then setting the vision and strategy to fill the gap in order to meet the expectations of customers, employees, and business leaders. Specialist is Creating a Growth Mindset Environment in which people can thrive.
Areas of Expertise
Sales Management
Creative, Strategic Problem
Solver
Creation of high performing new
business sales teams
Training and Development
Marketing Design and Planning
Pay Plan Analysis and Creation
Salesforce.com
Strategic Partnerships
Forecasting
Performance Management
B2B Consultative Selling
Public Relations / Customer
Service
Key Skills Assessment
STRATEGIC KEY ACCOUNTS PERFORMANCE – Create and implement strategic and tactical business development, sales, and marketing avenues to aggressively expand major accounts. A proven track record of increasing revenue while partnering with prominent organizations country-wide- private, non-profit, and government.
FULL MARKETING CYCLE PROFICIENCY – From awareness and lead generation through customer acquisition and retention. Committed to quarterbacking internal teams through the exchange of knowledge, experience, and goal sharing to create and execute a comprehensive schedule of campaigns through integrated online, email, print, outdoor, event and social media activities.
Professional Experience
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of San Luis Obispo (2021-Present) Training Manager
Provide all pre-service and continuing education (in-service) trainings for adult volunteer advocates. Develop courseware for all topics relative to the CASA volunteers being able to adequately research the circumstances of abused and neglected minors and non-minor dependents in the juvenile dependency system, report findings to the court, and serve as advocates for the best interests of the child.
WELCOME TO SAN DIEGO REAL ESTATE/COMPASS CALIFORNIA
REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON AND REFERRAL AGENT (2013- PRESENT) 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 SAN DIEGO ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS RECOGNITION OF EXCELLENCE AWARD- (TOP 5% OF ALL RE AGENTS /TEAMS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY BY SALES VOLUME)
AT&T, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, COLORADO, UTAH
SALES OPERATIONS MANAGER, PREMIER CLIENT GROUP (2012 – 2013) Sales and training manager charged with expansion of business development operations in Western Region, while supervising design and research, while developing leads and organizational relationships. Specialist in Selling Voice, Data & Transport, Mobility, Cloud Solutions, Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery, & AT&T Connect (web conferencing); amplifying revenue by $800,000 per year. Worked with Government Agencies and Private Businesses. One of only three managers in Southern California to receive “Exceeds Expectations” performance rating Educated and mentored Sales Managers and Account Executives to improve effectiveness of sales Organized VP presentations and schedules; Retooled client interfacing; hosted all industry trade shows AT&T ADVERTISING SOLUTIONS INC., CALIFORNIA
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA MARKETING MANAGER- (1998 – 2012) Department manager recruited to champion all sales, marketing, training, and business development endeavors in So. Caldeveloping successful sponsorships, tailoring marketing communications to area based on research/risk analysis, and responsible for pricing, promotion, product strategies and public relations. Hosted/managed all industry trade shows and events.
Partnered with organizations like Angel’s Baseball, San Diego Chargers, San Diego Zoo, San Diego State University, San Diego Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, City of San Diego, City of El Cajon, among others. Key developer of personnel. Trained and developed a team of 100+ sales professionals, presenting business improvement and Value Certification seminars as well as instruction for new product and marketing plans.
Delivered new $250,000 revenue stream for sales through creation of new marketing partnerships CEO/VP Support: Author of External/Internal Presentations, Schedule Organization, Event Planning #1 in AT&T Advertising Solutions amongst all 38 U.S. peers for Annual Barter Revenue ($2,546,000). Instrumental in creation and implementation of ‘Click and Prep Made Easy’ sales collateral website tool adapted as best practice standard by all 25,000+ U.S. sales personnel.
PACIFIC BELL, SAN FRANCISCO, SAN JOSE, CA
Manager- Sales Training and Seminar Facilitator (1996-1998) Presented in-depth sales and product training, progress evaluation, testing, and coaching for Sales Associates and customer service employees in order to meet training initiatives. Managed teams of new Sales Associates to ensure performance objectives were achieved.
Highest ‘Average Course Evaluation Rating’ in entire Sales Training Dept. of 30 Training Managers Received Pacific Bell Directory “Exceptional Achievement Outstanding Contribution Award’ for facilitating three-day ‘Living Our Values’ workshop given to all 1,000+ Pacific Bell employees. Designed, drafted and implemented company-wide training material such as Sales Mastery Ruler sales collateral tool, Annual Skills Assessment and processing forms, and ‘Understanding Our Business’ course, reaching entire U.S. sales force.
Utilized performance-counseling framework, project testing, and client interfacing to meet goals. Named Human Relations Division Champion for Competition Information Pipeline.
Education & Training
Master of Business Administration, Marketing, Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA Bachelor of Arts, Environmental Studies and Dramatic Art, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA Six Sigma Green Belt Certification
Certified Lean Practitioner- Quality Management System
Certified Small Claims Court Mediator, Conflict Resolution Program of the Central Coast Science of Consultative Selling
Professional Memberships
Board of Directors, Women in Business San Diego Chapter President: Rotary Passport Club of the Central Coast
Vice President, California- Rotary International Travel Hosting Fellowship Board of Directors- Chapman Estate Foundation
President: Board of Directors, La Vita Home Owners Association Board of Directors, Rolling Readers/Words Alive
Awards & Distinctions
Represented AT&T in Washington, D.C. to meet The President Small Business Administration Business Success Forum, Speaker - “Communication/Promotion Strategies” Pacific Bell Directory, Exceptional Achievement Outstanding Contribution Award for Seminar Facilitation Pacific Bell Directory, Council of Leaders Recognition Award – Sales and Leadership Selected as Junior Achievement instructor and branch Job-Shadow coordinator
Other relevant experience, education, or training:
My experience uniquely qualifies me to be an effective candidate for city council. In addition to serving as a legislative assistant to a County Supervisor, I’ve worked on a variety of campaigns and city council debates, where I gained firsthand insight into the complexities of local government and the needs of the community. This experience has deepened my understanding of how important it is to listen to residents and engage with diverse groups to shape policies that benefit everyone. I have also worked for community-based nonprofits, reporting to a board of directors and balancing the diverse goals and needs of members. This taught me how to navigate competing interests and find solutions that serve the broader community, a critical skill when representing the diverse voices in our city. Together, these experiences have equipped me with a strong foundation in community engagement, policy development, and finding common ground, all of which will enable me to serve effectively as a city council member.
What is your understanding of the role and responsibilities of the City Council? A city council member's role is to serve as a representative of their community, ensuring that all voices are heard and considered in the decision-making process. They provide constituent services, while also working to create and pass policies that reflect the values and priorities of the entire city. An effective council member makes informed, thoughtful decisions that balance the needs of various citizens, community groups, and local businesses while advocating for equity and promoting the long-term well-being of the community. Their work requires active listening, collaboration, and a commitment to transparency and accountability.
Please indicate the reasons for your interest in serving on the City Council.
I want to serve on the city council because I am deeply committed to making a positive impact in our community. I believe in the power of local government to create meaningful change, and I want to be part of a team that prioritizes the needs and concerns of residents and local business. I am passionate about creating strong, well-informed policies that foster growth, equity, and sustainability. I believe that effective policy decisions are rooted in collaboration, transparency, and understanding. Good governance is essential for building trust and ensuring that city services are efficient, accountable, and accessible to all. Ultimately, I want to help build a city that reflects our shared values, supports our diverse population, and creates a bright future for everyone who calls it home.
City of Grover Beach
Mayor Kassi Dee Mayor Pro Tem Robert Robert
Council Member Clint Weirick, Council Member Kathy McCorry-Driscoll, Council Member Vacant Matthew Bronson
City Manager
154 South Eighth Street Grover Beach, California 93433 www.groverbeach.org January 6, 2025
{Name}
{Address}
Grover Beach, CA 93433 SENT VIA EMAIL
SUBJECT: APPLICATION TO FILL VACANCY ON THE GROVER BEACH CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 2
Dear ________:
This letter is to confirm receipt of your application of interest to serve our community as an appointed member of the Grover Beach City Council for District 2. The City Council will be conducting interviews of qualified applicants at a public meeting to be held in the Council Chamber at City Hall on Monday, January 13, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. (City Council meetings are televised on Government Cable Access Channel 20 and may be viewed over the Internet at www.groverbeach.org.) A copy of the agenda and staff report will be emailed to you prior to the meeting. If you are not available to attend the meeting and participate in the interviews, please contact the City Clerk’s Office by calling (805) 473-4567 or sending an email to [email protected].
Interview Process:
• In the interest of fairness to all applicants, the order of the interviewees will be randomly selected prior to the meeting. We respectfully request that only the applicant being interviewed be present in Council Chamber, while all other applicants will be in the adjoining Conference Room until called by the Council.
• The interview questions will be the same for all applicants. Applicants will be asked to provide a two-minute overview about themselves and why they are interested in serving on the City Council followed by questions from the Council.
• Once your interview is concluded, you may remain in the Council Chamber to hear any remaining interviews and the City Council’s deliberations. • If you are unable to attend the meeting in person, you may participate via the Call-In Studio feature for the interviews. Please contact me so we can make the appropriate arrangements.
Appointment:
• Once the City Council reaches a decision regarding the appointment, the Oath of Office will be administered to the appointee at the meeting and the newly appointed Council Member will be seated at the dais.
• Immediately following the appointment process, the Council will make 2025 appointments of Council Members to various external boards, commissions, and committees throughout the county. Each applicant should therefore be prepared to indicate their interest in serving on particular bodies should the applicant be appointed to the Council. Attached is a list of these external boards, commission, and committees for your reference.
Attachment 2
• A new Council Member orientation will be scheduled with the City Manager, City Attorney, and City Directors before the newly appointed Council Member attends the January 27th Council meeting.
• The League of California Cities is hosting its annual New Mayors and Council Members Academy in Sacramento on January 22-24. The appointed Council Member is strongly encouraged to attend this academy to understand the role of local elected officials and connect with other Council Members from cities throughout our region and the state. The cost for the academy is paid by the City. A second academy is also scheduled for January 29-31 in Garden Grove.
• Applicants are encouraged to read an article from the League of California Cities’ Western City magazine, “The golden rules for new council members.” Lastly, pursuant to State law, the applicant appointed to the City Council will be required to file a Statement of Economic Interests (Fair Political Practices Commission - Form 700). The statement requires reporting sources of income or financial interests (for you, your spouse or registered domestic partner, or dependent children) that are located in, doing business in, planning to do business in, or having done business within the City’s jurisdiction during the past two years.
Statements of Economic Interests are public documents. For reference, this form is available in the City Clerk’s office during regular business hours or online at www.fppc.ca.gov. Upon appointment, the Form 700 will be provided to you and must be completed within 30 days.
Please let me know if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you on Monday, January 13, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
Respectfully,
WENDI B. SIMS
City Clerk/Executive Assistant
Attachment: Council Committee Assignments
c: Mayor and Council Members
City Manager Matthew Bronson
City Attorney Rob Lomeli
CITY OF GROVER BEACH
DESCRIPTION OF EXTERNAL BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES
Annually, the City Council makes appointments of City Council members to various external boards, commissions, and committees to ensure adequate representation of elected officials throughout the county. Below is further information about each external body along with assignment requirements and past representatives:
1. Advisory Body Screening Committee
Requirement: Mayor and 1 Council Member (who is selected by random drawing pursuant to Council direction on October 16, 2000.)
This committee serves as an interview board for interviewing prospective candidates for one of the City’s three (3) Advisory Bodies. The committee is comprised of the Mayor, one Council Member, and the Chairperson of the respective Advisory Body.
Meetings: Scheduled only when there are vacancies on an Advisory Body and applicants to be considered for appointment(s).
Estimated time commitment for City representative: Minimal. Primarily agenda review, attending meetings as scheduled to interview applicants, and making recommendation(s) to the City Council.
Stipend: None.
2. Air Pollution Control District (APCD)
Requirement: 1 Council Member and 1 Alternate
This is the County-wide legislative authority which deals with clean air maintenance and attainments. The District Board consists of twelve members: five (5) County Supervisors and one (1) City Council representative from each of the seven (7) incorporated cities. City representation was authorized in 1994. As of January 1, 2010, alternates may also be appointed (Health and Safety Code section 40100.5).
Meetings: The fourth Wednesday of every odd-numbered month at 9 a.m. (with some exceptions) in the County Board of Supervisors Chambers, 1055 Monterey Avenue, San Luis Obispo.
Estimated time commitment for City representative: Agenda review of technical materials / information and attending regular meetings (approx. 3 hours) and special meetings / workshops as needed. May require attendance at out of area meetings, if appointed as the APCD Representative or Alternate to the South-Central Coast Air Basin Control Council.
Stipend: $100 per regular meeting attendance (as of July 2009; no additional stipend for attending special meetings or workshops).
2024 Representatives: Karen Bright, Robert Robert (Alternate)
Exhibit B
Description of External Boards, Commissions & Committees Page 2
3. California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (CJPIA)
Requirement: 1 Council Member and 1 Alternate
Meetings: The Board of Directors consists of one representative selected from the governing body of each member of the Authority. Each July, the entire Board of Directors attends an annual business meeting. At the annual meeting, the president and vice president of the Authority and other members of the Executive Committee are elected, reports of the affairs of the Authority are considered, and any other business may be transacted which is within the powers of the Board of Directors.
Estimated time commitment for City representative: Agenda review and attending the Annual Business Meeting each July.
Stipend: $100.00 per meeting
2024 Representatives: Clint Weirick, Zach Zimmerman (Alternate) Five Cities Fire Joint Powers Authority
(Cities of Grover Beach and Arroyo Grande)
Requirement: 2 Council Members
The Five Cities Fire Authority provides fire protection services through a joint powers agreement with the Cities of Grover Beach and Arroyo Grande. The Authority Board consists of two Council Members from each member agency with the two City Managers serving as the Executive Management of the Authority.
Meetings: The third Monday in January, April, July, and October at 5:00 p.m. at either the Grover Beach or Arroyo Grande Council Chamber, with special meetings scheduled as needed.
Estimated time commitment for City representative: Primarily agenda review and attending regular meetings (approximately 1.5 hours per month) and special meetings, as needed.
Stipend: None
2024 Representatives: Daniel Rushing, Clint Weirick
4. Homeless Services Oversight Council (HSOC)
Requirement: 1 Council Member and 1 Alternate
In 2008, a countywide coalition of cities, agencies, and civic groups formed to improve the County’s approach to homelessness which led to a report entitled A Path to A Home, San Luis Obispo Countywide 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness. The HSOC is an advisory committee formed from this process to discuss the countywide approach to homelessness and services for the homeless, including both housing and supportive services particularly given the County’s updated five-year plan to address homelessness adopted in 2022. Membership is comprised of a broad spectrum of representatives, including the County Board of Supervisors, each City, certain County government departments (health, planning, social services, veteran services, and probation), law enforcement, business organizations, academic institution, faith community, as well as interested community members.
Description of External Boards, Commissions & Committees Page 3 Meetings: Scheduled bi-monthly (six times per year), at a time and date determined by its members and may be changed by a majority vote of the HSOC at any regular meeting. Location varies in San Luis Obispo (County Government Center, San Luis Obispo Veterans’ Memorial Building or the Department of Social Services). The Full HSOC Meetings are held from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. on the 3rd Wednesdays of every other month, with additional meetings for subcommittees.
Estimated time commitment for City representative: Primarily agenda review and attending meetings (approx. 2 hours), as well as special meetings/workshops or events as needed.
Stipend: None.
2024 Representatives: Clint Weirick, Zach Zimmerman (Alternate)
5. Integrated Waste Management Authority (IWMA)
Requirement: 1 City Council Member and 1 Alternate
Responsibility includes preparing an integrated waste management plan implementing state mandated legislation (AB 939). The plan will include elements for recycling, composting, education, and various other waste management areas. The role of the authority member is to guide the reduction of the County’s waste stream.
Meetings: Held at 1:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month at the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors Chambers, 1055 Monterey Street, San Luis Obispo.
Estimated time commitment for City representative: Primarily agenda review and attending regular meetings (approximately 2 hours).
Stipend: $100 per meeting.
2024 Representatives: Robert Robert, Daniel Rushing (Alternate)
6. REACH
Requirement: 1 Council Member and 1 Alternate
REACH (Regional Economic Action Coalition) brings together a cross-section of business, government, education and nonprofit leaders to transform the quality of life on the Central Coast and increase economic prosperity through big thinking, bold action, and regional collaboration.
There are multiple stakeholder meetings throughout the year where the Council representative will hear from a variety of dynamic speakers, engage with a network of peers, make recommendations to the REACH Council on job creation initiatives and participate in the advocacy of the REACH mission.
Meetings: Approximately 2-4 meetings will be held over the year and will be scheduled separately.
Estimated time commitment for City representative: Primarily agenda review and attending regular meetings (approximately 1.5 hours).
Stipend: None.
2024 Representatives: Zach Zimmerman, Robert Robert (Alternate) Description of External Boards, Commissions & Committees Page 4
7. San Luis Obispo County Water Resources Advisory Committee (WRAC) Requirement: 1 Council Member (*recommended) and 1 Alternate
This organization is involved with water supplies and availability of water on a county-wide basis.
The purpose is to advise the County Board of Supervisors concerning all policy decisions relating to water resources of the SLO County Flood Control & Water Conservation District, to recommend specific water resource programs, and to recommend methods of financing water resource programs. (*Appointed representatives are not required to be elected officials, but should be individuals knowledgeable regarding water issues. According to WRAC staff, cities may appoint a Council Member as the lead representative who would be available when policy issues are discussed, with a staff member as the alternate for attending most of the meetings.) Note: Councilappointed representatives require approval by the Board of Supervisors.
Meetings: First Wednesday of each month (except July and August), 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., San Luis Obispo City/County Library Community Room, 995 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo.
Estimated time commitment for City representative: Primarily agenda review of technical materials/information and attending regular meetings (approx. 2.5 - 3 hrs), and special meetings/workshops as needed. Additional time required if volunteering to serve on ad hoc subcommittee assignments approximately six times/year (eg., reviewing biennial water report for County). Ad hoc committee meetings are scheduled as needed.
Stipend: None.
2024 Representatives: Clint Weirick, Robert Robert (Alternate)
8. San Luis Obispo Council of Governments / San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority (SLOCOG / SLO RTA)
Requirement: 1 Council Member and 1 Alternate
SLOCOG is a regional governing body organized through a joint powers agreement that has responsibility for transportation planning, housing and infrastructure planning, and other regional coordination needs.
Meetings: First Wednesday of every month (more frequently, if needed) and start at 8:30 a.m. at the County Board of Supervisors Chambers in San Luis Obispo.
Estimated time commitment for City representative: Primarily agenda review of technical materials/information and attending regular meetings (approximately 4-5 hrs for SLOCOG), and special meetings/workshops as needed.
Stipend: $100 per meeting.
SLO RTA is operated through a joint powers agreement with SLOCOG to oversee the countywide transit system. The representative is usually the same representative as the SLOCOG representative as SLORTA meetings start either before or after SLOCOG and has the same Board.
Meetings: First Wednesday of every month either before or after the SLOCOG meeting.
Description of External Boards, Commissions & Committees Page 5 Location: County Board of Supervisors Chambers in San Luis Obispo.
Estimated time commitment for City representative: Primarily agenda review of technical materials/information and attending regular meetings (approximately 1.5 - 2 hours for SLORTA), and special meetings/workshops as needed.
Stipend: None.
2024 Representatives: Daniel Rushing, Karen Bright (Alternate)
9. South County Transit Committee (SCTC)
Requirement: 1 Council Member and 1 Alternate
This committee is an advisory body to the San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority Board and is tasked with providing a recommendation to the Board on the budget and services provided to the South County area in the subsequent fiscal year. The Cities of Grover Beach, Arroyo Grande, and Pismo Beach are represented on the Committee along with the County. The SCTC representative would be the representative of the SLOCOG/RTA.
Meeting: Held annually prior to May 1st at the Board of Supervisors’ Chambers.
Estimated time commitment for City representative: Primarily agenda review and attending regular meetings (approx. 1 – 1.5 hours) and special meetings as needed.
Stipend: None.
2024 Representatives: Daniel Rushing, Karen Bright (Alternate)
10. South County Chambers of Commerce
Requirement: None.
The Council annually designates a City Council representative to attend Chamber events and meetings of the Chamber’s Grover Beach Steering Committee and Government Affairs Committee. The City Manager, or designee, is the staff liaison and program manager for operational agreements and work efforts between the City and the Chamber.
Meetings: The Chamber holds monthly events for the entire membership - lunches, educational workshops, mixers, special events, ribbon cuttings, etc.
Estimated time commitment for City representative: Attending Chamber events, as scheduled and Government Affairs meeting (approx. 1-3 hours).
Stipend: None.
2024 Representatives: Zach Zimmerman, Daniel Rushing (Alternate) Description of External Boards, Commissions & Committees Page 6
11. South San Luis Obispo County Sanitation District (SSLOCSD) Requirement: Mayor or Mayor’s Designee and 1 Alternate
The City contracts with the Sanitation District for wastewater collection and treatment. The District is governed by a Board of Directors composed of the presiding officer from the Cities of Grover Beach and Arroyo Grande and the Oceano Community Services District, or their respective alternates (per Memorandum of Understanding between the City and the Sanitation District, as well as Health and Safety Code sections 4730-4735)
Meetings: The first and third Wednesdays of each month at 6:00 p.m. Location rotates between member agencies - Arroyo Grande and Grover Beach Council Chambers, and the Board Chamber for the Oceano Community Services District.
Estimated time for City representative: Primarily agenda review and attendance at regular meetings (average 2-4 hours) with special meetings/workshops, as needed.
Stipend: $100 per meeting (2 meetings held/month)
2024 Representatives: Karen Bright, Clint Weirick (Alternate)
12. Visit SLO CAL - Advisory Committee
Requirement: 1 City Council Member and 1 Alternate (non-voting capacity)
Visit SLO County promotes countywide tourism opportunities and complements the efforts of local communities and organizations. It is a private, non-profit organization with membership comprised of local businesses, chambers of commerce, County government, and most incorporated cities in the County.
With the formation of the Tourism Marketing District in 2015 and district renewal in 2020, voting members of the Board of Directors must be a representative of an assessed lodging business, except for the County representative. During formation of the Tourism Marketing District, an Advisory Committee was established. The Advisory Committee is made up of one elected official and the city manager from each jurisdiction, and a representative of the County.
Meetings: Twice annually (May and December).
Estimated time commitment for City representative: Consists primarily of agenda review and attending meetings and workshops, as needed. (approximately 1.5 - 2 hours).
Stipend: None
2024 Representatives: Zach Zimmerman, Robert Robert (Alternate) Description of External Boards, Commissions & Committees Page 7
13. Zone Three Advisory Committee
Requirement: 1 Council Member and 1 Alternate
This is a County-organized committee to handle the operation of Lopez Lake for both recreation and water facilities. The Advisory Committee works closely with the Zone 3 Technical Advisory Committee. Council-appointed representatives require final approval by the Board of Supervisors.
Meetings: Scheduled on the third Thursday of every odd numbered month (Jan, Mar, May, etc.) at 6:30 p.m., and held in the Council or Board Chamber of the local member agencies on a rotating basis - Grover Beach, Arroyo Grande, Oceano, and Pismo Beach.
Estimated time commitment for City representative: Primarily agenda review of technical materials/information and attending regular meetings (approx. 2 hours) and special meetings/workshops as needed. May occasionally require additional time to meet with City staff, depending upon the complexity of the agenda item(s).
Stipend: None.
2024 Representatives: Daniel Rushing, Karen Bright (Alternate)