PISMO BEACH CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item #12.A
Meeting Date: January 16, 2024
TITLE:
Progress Report on Fiscal Year 2024 & 2025 City Council Goals RECOMMENDATION:
Receive a progress report on the City Council’s Fiscal Year 2024 &2025 Goals.
DISCUSSION:
The City of Pismo Beach utilizes a thorough and thoughtful planning process to establish the City’s focus and priorities. This process manifests every two years, when the City Council meets to determine goals for the following two-year period and beyond. The goals established by the City Council then drive the priorities outlined in the City budget and provide direction to staff for work plans for the corresponding time period. During the goal- setting process for this budget cycle, five goals were established. Staff has made progress in each of the areas and status reports describing this progress have been given during Capital Improvement Program updates.
The City Council is being asked to receive this comprehensive report regarding the progress made toward accomplishing the City’s goals during the first year of this two-year budget period. This also provides an opportunity for the public to learn of the City’s progress and share input with the City Council on any of the goals prior to new goals being established/reestablished. The City Council will review its current goals at a special workshop on February 16, 2024.
Major City Goals
The City Council has set five goals for the City for the time period of Fiscal Years 2024 & 2025.
Goal #1: Maintain a Focus on Public Safety
Goal statement:
Focus on providing resources toward ensuring the safety of the community.
Priorities for the next two years:
Build a state-of-the-art Public Safety Facility and enhance the Police presence in the downtown area
Prioritize the recruitment and retention of Police personnel Support technology investments that enhance public safety
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Goal #2: Water Supply, Conservation, and Central Coast Blue (Sustainability) Goal statement:
Sustain the City's water supply by completing Central Coast Blue and pursuing access to new, high-quality and reliable water sources; promoting conservation; and conducting public outreach and education.
Priorities for the next two years:
Implement Central Coast Blue, working with partner agencies Promote water conservation
Pursue additional water supplies and options for storage Conduct public outreach and education
Goal #3: Community Character and Quality of Life for Residents Goal statement:
Build on the strength of our local community to preserve the City’s “Classic California” charm and ensure an exceptional quality of life for residents.
Priorities for the next two years:
Invest in neighborhoods including road, sidewalk, and park improvements Continue investments in sports courts and other amenities, including facilitating evening use
Complete updates to the Local Coastal Plan, General Plan, and Zoning Code Implement community beautification strategies
Deliver exceptional services to the public
Invest in coastal access and bluff repair
Goal #4: Traffic, Circulation, and Parking
Goal statement:
Improve traffic flow and parking assets to meet the needs of current and future residents and visitors.
Priorities for the next two years:
Continue to work on downtown parking solutions, including acquiring additional parking assets, and adopt strategies outlined in the Parking Management Plan Complete and implement the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, and maintain existing infrastructure
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Complete the acquisition of Dolliver Street from the state and make circulation improvements in accordance with the General Plan Circulation Element
Goal #5: Housing and Homelessness
Goal statement:
Support regional efforts to address housing needs and homelessness.
Priorities for the next two years:
Complete affordable housing projects
Support and participate in regional efforts in a collaborative manner Invest in housing and homelessness assistance projects where feasible
While each of the goals is large and complex, staff is pleased to report that substantial progress has been made in many areas. This report will break down each goal in detail, outlining the major accomplishments as well as other administrative accomplishments.
Review of Major City Goals
Goal #1: Maintain a Focus on Public Safety
Priority: Build a state-of-the-art Public Safety Facility and enhance the Police presence in the downtown area
City Council awarded a contract to F&H Construction/LDA for the design-build construction of new police and fire stations.
The Council approved an agreement with Interwest Consulting Group, Inc. for plan review and inspection services in support of the construction of the Public Safety Facility.
Following Council direction on the Public Safety Facility, staff processed necessary permits for the entitlement of the facility, which were approved by the Planning Commission on November 28, 2023.
Acquisition of property at 320 Main Street for temporary relocation of the Police Department.
A comprehensive “relocation plan” has been developed and improvements are being made at various locations to house police and fire operations during the demolition of the existing facilities and construction of the new Public Safety Facility. It is anticipated that both police and fire will be relocated by spring 2024. Construction has begun on the police annex building located at 585 Dolliver Street.
This will increase presence in the downtown for both police and parking.
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Priority: Prioritize the recruitment and retention of Police personnel Council approved the Police Officer over-hire program to support current staffing needs.
Council approved a hiring incentive for the vacant dispatcher position. The Police Department formed a team to help focus additional efforts on police officer recruitment. During this time, the Police Department has had one recruit graduate from the police academy, hired a new lateral officer, and a second recruit started the academy this month.
The Police Department has established a new peer support program. This team is overseen by one of the Commanders and lead by a Sergeant. The goal is to ensure officers receive the necessary support when needed.
Priority: Support technology investments that enhance public safety Implemented the Police Department’s new Computer Aided Dispatch and Records Management System (CAD/RMS).
Council approved an agreement with NewTel for the IT Project Management of the Public Safety Project, including the relocation of technology equipment. Added additional community cameras at three key intersections, the St. Jude’s tunnel, and the Police Station to enhance public safety. Developed the Public Safety Facility IT Design Specifications. Updated and replaced Police body cameras and in-car video storage. Added nine License Plate Readers (LPR) throughout the city.
Goal #2: Water Supply, Conservation and Central Coast Blue
Priority: Implement Central Coast Blue, working with partner agencies Staff worked with permitting agencies to receive approval for consolidated processing of the coastal development permit through the California Coastal Commission.
Staff has worked with the consultant team to prepare materials for entitlement submittal to Coastal Commission for infrastructure in the Coastal Zone and to the City of Grover Beach for the reclamation facility.
The Council adopted an Addendum to the Certified Environmental Impact Report for Central Coast Blue on September 5, 2023, to address revised well locations. Federal Bureau of Reclamation Title XVI grant:
o Secured $16.1 million from the Federal Bureau of Reclamation Title XVI grant to support Central Coast Blue pre-construction and construction costs.
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o City Manager met with Federal Bureau of Reclamation staff with Federal lobbyist to seek an additional $10 million to support up to 25% of Central Coast Blue.
Applied for and received award of $8.0 million Proposition 1 Groundwater Grant for Central Coast Blue.
Department of Water Resources included a final funding recommendation for the Integrated Regional Water Management program for $1.0 million. Staff developed a water and wastewater rates study to support a new five-year rate change to support not only City of Pismo Beach water and wastewater operation and capital improvements, but also the City’s portion of Central Coast Blue construction, debt service, and operating costs. Staff will be returning to the City Council in January 2026 to provide an update and discuss methodology options.
EPA WIFIA Loan:
o Worked with the JPA municipal advisor, the JPA bond counsel, Water Systems Consulting, and the City of Arroyo Grande to apply for an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to support approximately half of Central Coast Blue project.
o City Manager met with EPA WIFIA staff with the City’s federal lobbyist to help ensure financing for Central Coast Blue.
Construction plans have been developed to 90% and each of the member agencies, as well as the JPA, are reviewing the plans and providing input for both the Advanced Treatment Facility as well as the distributive infrastructure and wells.
Priority: Promote water conservation
Staff continues to promote and process applications for water conservation rebates.
Priority: Pursue additional water supplies and options for storage Storage rights have been established at Lopez Lake and staff has been working with the County of San Luis Obispo to purchase additional drought buffer until Central Coast Blue is operational.
Priority: Conduct public outreach and education
Coordination with Central Coast Blue partners to develop information materials for the four agencies. Development of an RFP for enhanced outreach for the project to gain awareness and support during the construction phase. Renewed outreach for rebates and incentive programs following the City Council increasing the budget and expanding options for ratepayers.
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Goal #3: Community Character, Beautification and Quality of Life for Residents
Priority: Invest in neighborhoods including road, sidewalk, and park improvements Construction of the 2022-24 Paving Project is well underway. All of the streets in the base bid have been completed with the exception of Price Street, which was delayed to allow the City to work with the community to find the best options for parking. Major work which still needs to be completed includes:
Price Street – Construct median, install parking meter poles and crack seal and slurry seal the street. Staff is waiting on final engineering drawing of the parking area and median.
City Hall Parking Lot – Tentatively scheduled for Spring of this year. Wadsworth – Construction crews will return to the upper portion of Wadsworth towards the end of January/beginning of February to complete the concrete work, prior to paving in summer 2024.
Boeker and Vista del Mar – Utilities have been lowered on Vista Del Mar Avenue and paving will begin the end of January/beginning of February 2024. Dig outs will be performed on Boeker Street around the same time.
Chumash and Palisades Parks – Playground equipment has been installed at both parks. The contractor is currently making parking lot improvements at both parks and expected to place the softfall material by the middle of February 2024. Purchase and install new light pole banners to beautify and reinforce the stewardship program to our residents and visitors fostering a greater sensitivity and awareness towards the preservation and conservation of the Pismo Beach Community and its cherished natural coastal environment. Continue investments in sports courts and other amenities, including facilitating evening use.
The Ventana Sports Courts project is bid-ready, pending funding.
Priority: Complete updates to the Local Coastal Plan, General Plan, and Zoning Code The Council and Planning Commission continued a series of Joint Study Sessions to systematically review and comment on each of the draft Elements. On August 22, 2023, the Planning Commission recommended the Council adopt the General Plan/Local Coastal Program (GP/LCP) with minor modifications. The GP/LCP is anticipated for Council adoption in 2024.
The City was awarded a $500,000 grant from the Coastal Commission to continue funding the GP/LCP and Zoning Code updates.
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Priority: Implement community beautification strategies James Way Beautification Project – Curb ramp construction is expected to be completed by the end of this month at which time the contractor will start with the landscaping portion of the project.
2023-2027 LBID2 five-year tourism beautification investment generating over seven million dollars to be used for capital improvement and community enhancing projects.
Priority: Deliver exceptional services to the public
Additional funds were budgeted to cover additional services needed to provide “Next-Level” service.
Continue to enhance the Car Show, Fourth of July, Clam Festival and Band Review by incorporating sustainability and stewardship in every City event. Provide access April through October to the Chapman Estate through Open Gates and local resident discounts for family gatherings, reunions, and special occasions. Offer camps, classes, programs, and facility rentals through the Recreation Department that local residents and their families can enjoy year-round. Provide residents enhanced Neighborhood Gathering events throughout the community during the spring, summer and fall.
Staff continues the “My Maintenance” Program to help beautify neighborhoods and provide a concierge level of service.
Priority: Invest in coastal access and bluff repair
Staff worked with the City’s state lobbyist to discuss need for grant funding to address loss and replacement of coastal access points due to increased erosion from winter storms.
Submitted FEMA claims for damage to bluffs as a result of 2023 storm damage. Purchased four new beach wheelchairs.
Goal #4: Traffic, Circulation and Parking
Priority: Continue to work on downtown parking solutions, including acquiring additional parking assets, and adopt strategies outlined in the Parking Management Plan Acquired 320 Main Street for short-term use as part of the Public Safety Facility Project but to increase parking supply long-term.
Staff explored different properties for potential acquisition for development of parking supply.
The Council adopted the updated Parking Management Plan on October 17, 2023. A pilot “double loaded diagonal” parking program was initiated on Price Street in an effort to provide more parking. After community outreach, including meetings
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with business owners on Price Street and the Chamber of Commerce, a modification was made to install a “hybrid” parking arrangement on Price Street, which will include diagonal parking along a center median and parallel parking on the other side of the median alternating on each block, with no curbside parking to make the business fronts more visible and for a safer experience for pedestrians. The consultant team is continuing to work on the plans to signalize the Bello Street/Price Canyon Road intersection. Simultaneously, staff is seeking outside funding to help offset the cost of the required improvements. The Police Department staffed a second motor officer position to focus on traffic issues.
Priority: Complete and implement the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, and maintain existing infrastructure
Staff will be seeking grant funding to support this initiative.
Priority: Complete the acquisition of Dolliver Street from the state and make circulation improvements in accordance with the General Plan Circulation Element Staff continues to work with Caltrans on the final relinquishment agreement, this agreement and a final action by the California Transportation Commission are the last two outstanding items to complete relinquishment. The relinquishment of Highway 1 within the city could be completed by May 2024, pending approval from the City Council to accept the roadway.
The Council authorized consolidation of the Coastal Development Permit for the Five Cities Multimodal Transportation Network Enhancement Project. Concept drawings will come back to the City Council in February 2024. The Council adopted an environmental exemption for the Shell Beach Road Multi- Use Path to be designed and constructed on the ocean side of Shell Beach Road utilizing funds received as part of the Five Cities Multimodal Transportation Network Enhancement Project.
Goal #5: Housing and Homelessness
Priority: Complete affordable housing projects
The City continued supporting the 50-unit affordable housing project on 4th Street and the 25-unit affordable housing project on Shell Beach Road, including providing construction inspections, processing reimbursements for City-provided funding, and similar actions.
Priority: Support and participate in regional efforts in a collaborative manner Staff represented the City as part of the San Luis Obispo County Housing Trust Fund Commission.
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Priority: Invest in housing and homelessness assistance projects where feasible The City continues to provide both General Fund and CDBG funding support to support nonprofit partners.
Other Administrative Accomplishments
In addition to making substantial progress on the City Council’s goals, staff has made noteworthy progress in other administrative areas including:
The Council adopted new regulations regarding short-term rentals to phase out the current licenses over time while not issuing new licenses after adoption of the regulations.
Ongoing work to digitize property development records in the Community Development Department.
Completed and submitted the 2022 General Plan Annual Report. Participated in the Coastal Cities Group Leadership Committee. Preliminary recommendations regarding the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) allocation were made to the County Board of Supervisors. Annual Comprehensive Financial Report: The City issued its FY 2022 Annual Comprehensive Financial Reports (ACFR) and submitted the report to the Government Finance Officers Association for the Excellence in Financial Reporting Award. The City received this award for the FY 2022 ACFR, making it the 20th consecutive year the City has received this prestigious award. City staff and an IT consultant developed a Technology Master Plan that Council approved for the next 5.5 years. Council appropriated funds for the first 2.5 years of the various IT initiatives and projects.
FY 2024 and FY 2025 Adopted Budgets: The Council adopted the FY 2024 and FY 2025 Adopted Budgets, effective July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2025. The budget is structurally balanced and fully funds its reserves. 10-Year CIP: The City Council approved the 10-Year Capital Improvement Program for FY 2024 through FY 2033. This document identifies the immediate needs and seeks to capture the long-term capital needs of the City. The document is an important planning document that is updated biennially and subject to change as the needs of the City become more defined and individual projects move along in their respective planning, budgeting, and construction processes. SCADA Cybersecurity: Staff completed improvements to the City’s SCADA system to ensure more security in the event of a cyber-attack. Creation of the Pismo Beach Stewardship and Educational Outreach Program.
This program offers residents and visitors education on the importance of good stewardship.
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FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with receiving this report as information only. Any fiscal impacts associated with the implementation of City Goals will be analyzed at the time actionable items are brought to the Council for consideration.
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
Submitted by:
Executive Team
City Manager Approval:
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