City Council Special Meeting Minutes April 7, 2026 Page 1 of 6
CITY OF EL PASO DE ROBLES
"The Pass of the Oaks"
Paso Robles City Council Minutes
April 7, 2026, 5:00 PM
April 7, 2026, 6:00 PM
Centennial Park - Norris Room
600 Nickerson Drive
Paso Robles, CA 93446
Councilmembers
Present:
Mayor Hamon, Councilmember Bausch, Councilmember Beal,
Councilmember Gregory, Councilmember Strong
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A. 5:00 PM CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 5:05 PM.
B. ROLL CALL
Councilmember Bausch, Councilmember Beal, Councilmember Gregory, Councilmember Strong, Mayor Hamon
C. CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATIONS Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
Property: Portion of Pioneer Park located at 1910 Riverside Avenue, APN 008- 254-003
Agency Negotiators: Chris Huot, City Manager and Angelica Fortin, Community Services Director
Negotiating Parties: Pioneer Museum Foundation, Don A. Ernst, Esq.
Housing Authority San Luis Obispo, Michelle Pedigo, Executive Director City Attorney Elizabeth Hull indicated that there would be no discussion of the Pioneer Park item in Closed Session.
2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – POTENTIAL INITIATION OF LITIGATION Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4)
Based on existing facts and circumstances: One (1) potential cases Property Address: 2548 Spring Street APN: 008-121-001
Property Owners: Scott Stokes and Harry Hamilton, 2548 Spring LLC D. PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING CLOSED SESSION MATTERS
None.
City Council Special Meeting Minutes April 7, 2026 Page 2 of 6 E. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION
5:06 PM
F. 6:00 PM RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
6:03 PM
G. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
H. INVOCATION
Pastor Pat Sheean, Family Worship Center
I. ROLL CALL
Councilmember Bausch, Councilmember Beal, Councilmember Gregory, Councilmember Strong, Mayor Hamon
J. STAFF INTRODUCTIONS
K. REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATIONS Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
Property: Portion of Pioneer Park located at 1910 Riverside Avenue, APN 008-254-003 Agency Negotiators: Chris Huot, City Manager and Angelica Fortin, Community Services Director
Negotiating Parties: Pioneer Museum Foundation, Don A. Ernst, Esq.
Housing Authority San Luis Obispo, Michelle Pedigo, Executive Director City Attorney Elizabeth Hull reported that there was no discussion of the Pioneer Park item in Closed Session.
2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – POTENTIAL INITIATION OF LITIGATION Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4)
Based on existing facts and circumstances: One (1) potential cases Property Address: 2548 Spring Street APN: 008-121-001
Property Owners: Scott Stokes and Harry Hamilton, 2548 Spring LLC No reportable action.
L. PRESENTATIONS
1. National Library Week Proclamation
Mayor Hamon read a proclamation recognizing April 19-25, 2026 as National Library Week in the City of Paso Robles. The proclamation was received by City Librarian Melissa Bailey.
2. Atascadero Kiwanis / Martin Literacy Scholarship
The Atascadero Kiwanis Club presented a $2,000 scholarship to the Paso Robles Library Foundation. The scholarship was presented by former Atascadero Mayor Tom O'Malley in honor of former Paso Robles Mayor Steve Martin. Mayor Hamon presented Jennifer Martin and Tom O'Malley with Certificates of Recognition in appreciation of the scholarships.
City Council Special Meeting Minutes April 7, 2026 Page 3 of 6
3. Month of the Child Proclamation
Mayor Hamon read a proclamation recognizing April as the Month of the Child and Child Abuse Prevention Month in Paso Robles. The proclamation was received by Special Projects Coordinator Maggie Payne with First 5 San Luis Obispo County.
4. Earth Month Proclamation
Mayor Hamon read a proclamation recognizing April as Earth Month in the City of Paso Robles. The proclamation was received by San Luis Obispo Climate Coalition Impact Engagement Manager Jaybird Blue.
5. Capital Projects Report
Capital Projects Engineer Ditas Esperanza gave an overview of recently completed, in progress, and upcoming projects throughout the city.
6. Legislative Update
Townsend Public Affairs Vice President Casey Elliot provided a presentation highlighting key state legislative items for 2026 including key bills, budget dynamics, federal appropriations, and grant funding updates.
PUBLIC COMMENT: Linda George and Dale Gustin.
M. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS
Linda George, Dale Gustin, and Christine Dawson.
N. AGENDA ITEMS TO BE DEFERRED
Item R2 - Oak Tree Removal Permit 26-05–Request to Remove Oak Tree No. 903 in the Olsen South Chandler Specific Plan (OTR26-05, P26-0028) was deferred to a future meeting.
O. OVERVIEW OF ITEMS ON CONSENT CALENDAR
City Manager Chris Huot provided a brief overview of the items on the consent calendar.
P. CONSENT CALENDAR
PUBLIC COMMENT: Dale Gustin.
Item P6 was pulled by Dale Gustin and was heard after the Public Hearing items.
1. Approval of March 17, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes
2. Receipt of Advisory Body Minutes
3. Approval of a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a Professional Services Agreement with Water Systems Consulting Inc. (WSC) to Perform an Update to the City’s Wastewater Collections System Renewal Strategy and Master Plan
Resolution 26-026
4. Approval of a Resolution Authorizing a Contract with APG-Neuros for Master Control Panel Modifications and Equipment Required for Ammonia-Based Aeration Control at the Paso Robles Wastewater Treatment Plant and City Council Special Meeting Minutes April 7, 2026 Page 4 of 6 Appropriating Funds Therefore
Resolution 26-027
5. Second Reading by Title Only Ordinance No.1167, Approving the Allegretto Resort Expansion, Rezone 25-02, and Borkey Specific Plan Amendment 26-01, and to Amend the Zoning Map of the City of El Paso De Robles for 2700 Buena Vista Drive
6. Approval of a Resolution Authorizing the Removal of a 51-inch Diameter Valley Oak Tree Located at 2400 Golden Hill Road (APN 025-423-023) This item was pulled from the Consent Calendar by Dale Gustin and was heard after the public hearing items and before the discussion item.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
Motioned by Councilmember Gregory, seconded by Councilmember Strong, and passed unanimously to approve Resolution 26-029, authorizing the removal of one 51-inch Valley Oak tree and require mitigation oak trees to be planted.
AYES: Gregory, Strong, Bausch, Beal, Hamon
Roll Call Vote Passed Unanimously
Q. PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Introduce First Reading by Title Only an Amendment to Chapter 21.52 of the Paso Robles Municipal Code Updating Standards Related to Temporary, Prohibited, and Nonconforming Signs (RZN25-07, P25-0117) PUBLIC COMMENT: Dale Gustin, Linda George, Margaret Holstein, and Jeffry Wiesinger.
Motioned by Councilmember Gregory, seconded by Councilmember Bausch, and passed unanimously to continue this item to the April 21, 2026 meeting.
AYES: Gregory, Bausch, Beal, Strong, Hamon
Roll Call Vote Passed Unanimously
2. Appeal of the Planning Commission’s Decision to Approve an Amendment to the Conditional Use Permit 00-020 and Planned Development 00-023 for the Ravine Water Park at 2301 Airport Road (AMD25-02/P25-0124) Community Development Director Warren Frace gave a detailed presentation regarding the appeal.
John and Gwen Erskine on behalf of the appellant, Ranch & Coast Properties gave an overview of the appeal and provided hard copies of a letter and supporting exhibits. Those documents have been addended to the agenda. Tom Erskine provided additional context to the appellant's intent.
Ian McCarville of Kirk Consulting gave a presentation on behalf of the applicant, the Ravine Waterpark. Brett Butterfield made a brief statement on behalf of the Ravine Waterpark.
City Council Special Meeting Minutes April 7, 2026 Page 5 of 6 PUBLIC COMMENT: Dale Gustin, Linda George, and Mark Perry, Councilmember Gregory disclosed that he had a ex parte communication with the Erskine family and with Brett Butterfield.
Mayor Hamon disclosed that he had an ex parte communication with Tom Erskine and Brett Butterfield.
Motioned by Councilmember Gregory, seconded by Councilmember Bausch, and passed unanimously to deny the appeal and sustain the Planning Commission’s decision with additional Conditions of Approval to be incorporated into Resolution 26-028, approving the amendment to Conditional Use Permit 00-020 and Planned Development 00-023 for the Ravine Water Park, with the addition of the following conditions of approval that must be implemented prior to final approval of building permits:
1. Require the existing detention basin to be regraded to hold 1700 cubic feet of stormwater. The condition should also require the installation of a metered outflow and a secondary overflow, consistent with the original construction plans. The Water Park operation could be required to repair downstream erosion and restore the roadway shoulder caused by unregulated stormwater flow to the satisfaction of the City Engineer.
2. Prohibit the Ravine Water Park from using Paso Robles Boulevard for employee or visitor parking or for access to the Water Park.
3. To the extent permitted by law the applicant shall by accepting these conditions agree to defend (with legal counsel of City’s selection), indemnify, and hold harmless the City and its elected and appointed officials, agents, attorneys, employees and officers, from any action, claim or proceeding brought by any party other than the applicant against the City or its elected and appointed officials, agents, employees and officers to attack, set aside, void, or annul a discretionary land use approval of the City, including but not limited to the approval of this CUP, Planned Development or associated CEQA action, which action is brought within the applicable statute of limitations. The required indemnification shall include damages awarded against the City, if any, costs of suit, attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses incurred in connection with the action.
The City shall promptly notify the applicant of any such claim, action, or proceeding and cooperate fully in the defense.
AYES: Gregory, Bausch, Beal, Strong, Hamon
Roll Call Vote Passed Unanimously
In addition to the approved motion, Council suggested that Mr. Butterfield consider beautification projects that would enhance Airport Road along the Ravine property.
Mayor Hamon called for a break at 9:06 PM. The meeting reconvened at 9:18 PM.
City Council Special Meeting Minutes April 7, 2026 Page 6 of 6 Mayor Hamon requested that Consent Item P6, which was pulled for discussion, be heard ahead of the Discussion item.
R. DISCUSSION ITEMS
1. Progress Update Related to the Paso Robles City Council Vision and Goal Setting PUBLIC COMMENT: Bill Britton, Sawyer Sackett, Maggie Payne, Kymberly Riner, Shana Paulson, Raechelle Bowlay, and Linda George.
2. Oak Tree Removal Permit 26-05–Request to Remove Oak Tree No. 903 in the Olsen South Chandler Specific Plan (OTR26-05, P26-0028) This item was deferred to a future meeting.
S. CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Chris Huot provided an update on current City activities.
T. COUNCIL BUSINESS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councilmembers and the Mayor reported on committee attendance and other City related activities.
As part of his report, Mayor Hamon announced that after careful thought and discussion with his family he will not seek reelection to the City Council in the 2026 election. He read a statement reflecting on his more than forty years of service to the City.
U. UPCOMING EVENTS
V. ADJOURNMENT
Motioned by Councilmember Gregory, seconded by Councilmember Strong, and passed unanimously by voice vote at 11:02 PM to adjourn to the April 21, 2026 regular City Council meeting in honor of Marjorie Hamon.
Submitted by:
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Melissa Martin, City Clerk
Approved: April 21, 2026