G\T Y OF
PISMO BEACH CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
.o�s'yo Bt Agenda Item #12.0
Meeting Date: January 21, 2025
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 the current budget cycle (Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025), 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 and available budget and set its new goals for the Fiscal Year 2026 and 2027 at a special workshop on January 24, 2025.
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 Council Agenda 1-21-2025 12.C-1
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 Partners 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.
• The property located at 320 Main Street was acquired by the City and is currently being utilized to help support police operations during construction. • The relocation plan has been successfully completed, with police and fire operations now fully relocated to temporary facilities. This ensures uninterrupted service during the demolition of the old facilities and the construction of the new Public Safety Facility.
• The Emergency Operations Center's telephone lines, communication circuits, and technology functions were relocated to the Council Chamber. These telephone lines and communication circuits ensure the City maintains communication with Council Agenda 1-21-2025 12.C-3
the County of San Luis Obispo's Emergency Operations Center and other agencies in the event of an emergency.
• The remodel of the building at 585 Dolliver Street to create a Police Annex has been successfully completed, enhancing the presence of both police and parking services in the downtown area. This project has not only met its operational goals but also restored the historic character of the building, contributing to the charm and vitality of the downtown community.
• Issuance of Public Financing Agency Lease Revenue Bonds Series 2024 for the Public Safety Facility, closing on July 23, 2024, providing $41,000,000 of funds for the project, with the remaining cost of the project to be supported by pay-as-you- go (cash) funds from the General Fund and the Parking Enterprise Fund.
Priority: Prioritize the recruitment and retention of Police personnel • With the Council-approved over-hire program, the Police Department successfully initiated the recruitment process to fill long-term vacancies within the department. • Over the past year, the Police Department successfully filled all dispatcher position vacancies, ensuring full staffing and enhanced support for emergency operations. • 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, which is overseen by one of the Commanders and led by a Sergeant. This program has continued to grow, adding both internal and external support to better serve the police department. Additionally, the City has sent team members to specialized training to enhance their skills and effectiveness. The goal of this program is to ensure officers receive the necessary support when needed.
Priority: Support technology investments that enhance public safety • The City continues to invest in the community camera program, enhancing safety and security throughout the area. As part of the police and parking annex project, six new cameras were installed, providing increased security for the facility and improved surveillance of nearby intersections.
• New cameras have been ordered for the Pier Promenade to provide better coverage and enhance camera capabilities.
• The Police Department's body-worn cameras and in-car video storage systems were updated. These updates allow for the secure sharing of videos with the district attorney's office. Patrol operations have replaced 15 body-worn cameras, which are now actively being utilized in the field. Additionally, as four new patrol vehicles are being outfitted, they will be equipped with next-generation cameras Council Agenda 1-21-2025 12.C-4
fully compatible with the body-worn cameras, further enhancing our video recording capabilities and operational efficiency.
• The City's License Plate Reader (LPR) program continues to be a highly effective investigative tool for both patrol and detectives. In the mid-year budget, the City Council approved the addition of 12 cameras to expand coverage across the city.
Four of these cameras have already been installed and are fully operational, with the remaining cameras scheduled for installation in early 2025.
Goal #2: Water Supply, Conservation and Central Coast Blue Priority: Implement Central Coast Blue
• The City recognizes the continued need for enhanced water supply diversity and reliability and has commissioned this analysis to evaluate the feasibility of an initial phase of the program with a reduced Advanced Water Purification Facility (AWPF) treatment capacity and a single injection well, with the potential for future expansion to a regional project. The analysis and modeling reflect that the City may have a viable project that provides a sustainable water source and reduces sea-water intrusion into the groundwater basin. The cost of the project would need continued support by the federal and state grants.
• Continuing to work with the State Water Board to secure a $3.0 million Water Recycling Funding Program grant.
• Staff implemented the 2nd year of the new five-year rate change to support City of Pismo Beach water and wastewater operation and capital improvements a 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.
• Central Coast Blue staffing is supported by Pismo Beach staff, including the CCB JPA's technology assets and internet presence, clerk, legal, financial, and administrative duties.
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.
• Assess existing wells longevity and treatment options.
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• Search for and assess new well locations.
Priority: Conduct public outreach and education
• Coordination with Central Coast Blue partners to develop information materials 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.
Goal #3: Community Character, Beautification and Quality of Life for Residents Priority: Invest in neighborhoods including road, sidewalk, and park improvements • Construction of the FY 2022-24 Paving Project is well underway. All of the streets in the base bid have been completed.
• Price Street — Constructed a parking median, installed parking meter poles and crack seal and slurry seal the street.
• City Hall Parking Lot— Completed in Fall 2024.
• Wadsworth — Construction crews returned and completed the upper portion of Wadsworth.
• Vista del Mar Avenue — Vista Del Mar Avenue paving was completed. • Chumash and Palisades Parks— Playground equipment has been installed at both parks. The contractor made parking lot improvements at both parks. Purchase and installed 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 and $2.6 million was appropriated for this project.
Priority: Complete updates to the Local Coastal Plan, General Plan, and Zoning Code • 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 2025.
• The City Council directed staff in May 2024 to proceed with the General Plan update by extracting the Safety Element portion. Separating out the Safety Element allows the City to work with concerned community members on revisions Council Agenda 1-21-2025 12.C-6
to draft hazard policies. In addition, staff has been regularly meeting with Coastal Commission staff to seek grant funding to pursue a comprehensive approach to hazards planning. Otherwise known as neighborhood-based adaptation planning, this approach includes evaluation of conditions of existing seawall and allows a comparative analysis of coastal erosion issues along the City's coastline. The Planning Division is currently in process of developing a grant application which would fund the technical studies necessary to inform the neighborhood-based planning approach.
• The City has been awarded $1,058,643 in grant funding from the Coastal Commission and State Department of Housing and Community Development to fund the GP/LCP and Zoning Code updates.
Priority. Implement community beautification strategies • James Way Beautification Project — Project completed, included the City Council- requested additional of trees on the Canyon side of the street to enhance overall beautification of the corridor.
• 2023-2027 LBID2 five-year tourism beautification investment generating over seven million dollars to be used for capital improvement and community enhancing projects, including: replacements of the beach swings at Main and Addie Streets, purchasing the Pier Plaza/Downtown Street sweeper; and citywide holiday decorations along business corridors.
Priority. Deliver exceptional services to the public
• Additional funds were budgeted to cover additional services needed to provide "Next-Level" service, for example tools in Public Work trucks for operations, a new Recreation transit van to support operations, and additional cost and expansion of sidewalk cleanings, restrooms, and other facilities
• Continue to enhance the Car Show, Fourth of July, Clam Festival, and Band Review by incorporating sustainability and stewardship in every City event. • The 100t" anniversary of the Pier was celebrated with coordinated support between the City, local non-profits and the downtown business community. • 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 to beautify neighborhoods and provide a concierge level of service with the creation and implementation of the Community Enhancement Team.
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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 330 and 320 Main Street for short-term use as part of the Public Safety Facility Project and 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 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.
• In October of 2024 City Council provided direction to reduce parking in-lieu fees from $36,000 to $9,000 per space. Council also directed the following changes be incorporated into the Zoning Code update:
o Reduce overall parking requirements for allowed uses in the downtown o Create parking maximums to go along with the existing minimum parking requirements.
o Allow uses in existing buildings in the downtown to change out without triggering a requirement for additional parking.
o Increase the number of in-lieu parking spaces that can be purchased from 30% to 100% with Planning Commission approval.
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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 2026, 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 People's Self-Help Housing (PSHH) 50-unit affordable housing project on 4th Street and the HASLO 25-unit affordable housing project on Shell Beach Road were completed, including providing construction inspections, processing reimbursements for City-provided funding, and similar actions.
Priority: Support and participate in regional efforts in a collaborative manner • The Community Development Director sits on the San Luis Obispo County Housing Trust Fund Commission.
• Staff represented the City at a stakeholder meeting for a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) evaluation of the Coastal Commission's statewide work related to sea level rise and coastal hazards. The Planning Manager gave a presentation discussing an overview of the City's experience with the Local Coastal Program (LCP) Grant Program and need for continued grant availability to support and complete the LCP and Zoning Code updates. At the annual Statewide Planning (APA) conference, the Community Development Director gave a presentation on impacts related to climate change and sea level rise as it relates to LCP updates.
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Priority. Invest in housing and homelessness assistance projects where feasible • The City continues to provide both General Fund and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding support to support nonprofit partners. • The City submitted an application to the state on behalf of PSHH for funding to rehabilitate the Sea Haven Apartments on Addie Street which provides affordable rental housing to low-income families.
• Staff continue to work with Caltrans and the California Coastal Conservancy regarding possible development of an affordable housing project on the City owned parcel on 4t" Street, south of the People's Self Help Housing project. Property currently is encumbered with deed restrictions associated with grant funding the City received to purchase the property for development of public access improvements for the Pismo Lakes area.
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:
• Successful passage at the November 5, 2024 election of Measure F-24, the City's new 1% Transaction and Use Tax measure to support future infrastructure projects.
• 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. Implementation of the new regulations included updating the application process, providing updated information on the Planning Division website, and developing a new online application portal. The online portal allows for a streamlined application process, reduces paper waste, and includes online payment options.
• Implemented a new software and administration of the City's business licenses, including implementing business licenses for all property owners for all short-term vacation rentals.
• Authorized a proposal by Deckard/Rentalscape to update the City's Vacation Rental/Short Term Rental compliance software which would provide ability for City to create a public-facing portal identifying locations citywide as well as a 24/7 complaint hotline feature. Ongoing work currently to implement the contract with updates being posted on the City's website.
• Staff also completed website updates to include information on a Pre-approved Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Plans consistent with new State legislation (AB 1332). The legislation is intended to streamline the permitting of ADUs and increase housing production.
• Staff has begun implementation of a fully online planning permit portal with the goal to streamline the application intake process. The first planning permit types Council Agenda 1-21-2025 12.C-10
now available online include short term rental renewals and vacation rentals. The intent is to add all planning permit application types as an option. In addition, the permit portal will include a permit flowchart and guide to enhance transparency on the permit process to applicants. The goal is to reduce processing times, improve accessibility for applicants, and increase city responsiveness. • Ongoing work to digitize property development records in the Community Development Department.
• As part of the ongoing GIS system upgrades, the City's GIS Contractor has identified and completed over 600 parcel and ownership updates as well as mapping of City planning overlay areas. The updated information serves to provide accurate permitting and mapping information.
• Completed and submitted the 2023 General Plan Annual Report. • Participated in the Local Government Working Group. • Preliminary recommendations regarding the City's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) allocation were made to the County Board of Supervisors. • Maintained a strong financial position during FY 2024, including surplus funding of the City's Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) account. • FY 2024 interest earnings more than doubled compared to FY 2023, marking a change in investment strategy to take advantage of short-term higher yielding securities, including investing in a new higher yielding asset pool. Effective November 2024, the City Treasurer is now working with an investment advisor to support FY 2025 investments.
• Annual Comprehensive Financial Report: The City issued its FY 2024 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 2023 ACFR, making it the 21 st consecutive year the City has received this prestigious award. • Implemented Government Accounting Standards Board pronouncements no. 87 and 96 in FY 2024 ACFR.
• Finance staff cross-training completed: Finance division staff successfully cross- trained major functions for sustainability and staff effectiveness. This effort will help provide stability in the event an employee leaves unexpectedly and tasks still need to be completed for payroll, utility billing, business licenses, accounts payable, and accounts receivable.
• City staff and an IT consultant developed a Technology Master Plan that Council approved for the next 5 years. Council appropriated funds for the first 2.5 years of the various IT initiatives and projects.
o Cybersecurity: Staff completed improvements to the City's SCADA system to ensure more security in the event of a cyber-attack; implemented quarterly phishing tests on all City email users; hardened and protected City systems from Russian cyberattacks.
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o Infrastructure: Replaced fiber internet and cabling at the City's corporation yard; installed new fiber circuits to connect temporary police facilities and upgraded internet capability at City Hall; Relocated the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to the Council Chamber, including successful funding from the County for all the new equipment in the Chamber. o Communication: Implemented Police to the Microsoft Teams Phone System; City staff created and implemented the City's intranet on the SharePoint platform for all employees to access frequently asked questions and consolidate all files to be viewed anywhere via internet. o Technology efficiency for staff effectiveness: City staff created and deployed a new electronic travel authorization and expense process to automate compliance with the City's travel policies and increase staff efficiency; City staff updated and deployed a new purchase order and agreements form to consolidate two separate process and provide more efficiency and effectiveness in enforcing the purchasing policy, guiding users through all necessary steps and information for setting up new vendors.
• Implementation of the Pismo Beach Stewardship and Educational Outreach Program. This program offers residents and visitors education on the importance of good stewardship.
• Staff successfully implemented a new online building permit portal, streamlining the application intake process for building permits. This innovation has improved accessibility for applicants, reduced processing times, and enhanced transparency in permitting operations.
• Staff implemented the SolarAPP+ system to expedite the building permitting process for residential solar installations in compliance with state mandates. This adoption has improved efficiency and ensured regulatory compliance. • Building Division and Code Enforcement staff have been provided with iPads, enabling real-time access to critical information and tools in the field. This enhancement has improved communication, increased productivity, and supported the department's transition to more efficient, tech-driven operations. • Added a part time Permit Technician to assist with the intake and processing of building permit applications to improve responsiveness and review times. • Purchase City's first street sweeper to proactively clean sidewalks, parking lots and the Promenade area downtown.
• Passage of Assembly Bill 2302, co-written by staff and co-sponsored by Assembly Member Addis and Senator John Laird, which, effective January 1, 2025, amends the Brown Act to clarify the requirements for teleconference participation in legislative meetings by the City Council and Advisory Body members. This legislation simplifies compliance for local agencies like Pismo Beach who conduct Closed Session and Special Meetings as separate, legally noticed meetings.
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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:
S
t
Council Agenda 1-21-2025 12.C-13