City Council - January 13, 2026
1. CLOSED SESSION
1.a
CALL TO ORDER (4:45 PM to 5:30 PM)
Mayor Erica A. Stewart will call the Closed Session of the San Luis Obispo City Council to order at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo.
1.b
CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code § 54956.8
Property: APN 073-321-006
Agency Negotiators: Robert Hill, Greg Hermann,
Freddy Otte, Christine Dietrick,
Whitney McDonald
Negotiating Parties: Sharon Pollard
Under Negotiation: Price and terms of payment.
1.c
ADJOURNMENT
The City Council will hold a Rescheduled Regular Meeting on January 13, 2026 in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo.
2. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Erica A. Stewart will call the Regular Meeting of the San Luis Obispo City Council to order.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Vice Mayor Emily Francis will lead the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. PRESENTATIONS
4.a
NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH - BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY Mayor Stewart will present a proclamation declaring January 2026 as National Mentoring Month.
4.b
NATIONAL ANTI HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION MONTH
Mayor Stewart will present a proclamation declaring January 2026 as National Anti Human Trafficking Month.
4.c
CITY MANAGER REPORT
Receive a brief report from City Manager Whitney McDonald.
5. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Not to exceed 15 minutes. The Council welcomes your input. State law does not allow the Council to discuss or take action on issues not on the agenda, except that members of the Council or staff may briefly respond to statements made or questions posed by persons exercising their public testimony rights (Gov. Code sec. 54954.2). Staff may be asked to follow up on such items.
6. CONSENT AGENDA
Not to exceed 15 minutes. Matters appearing on the Consent Calendar are expected to be non-controversial and will be acted upon at one time. A member of the public may request the Council to pull an item for discussion. Pulled items shall be heard at the close of the Consent Agenda unless a majority of the Council chooses another time. The public may comment on any and all items on the Consent Agenda within the three-minute time limit.
Recommendation:
To approve Consent Calendar Items 6a to 6j.
6.a
WAIVE READING IN FULL OF ALL RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES Recommendation:
Waive reading of all resolutions and ordinances as appropriate.
6.b
MINUTES REVIEW - DECEMBER 2, 2025 AND DECEMBER 15, 2025 COUNCIL MINUTES
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CC_Dec02_2025 - English.pdf
2. Post-Meeting Minutes - CC-S_Dec15_2025 - English.pdf Recommendation:
Approve the minutes of the City Council meeting held on December 2, 2025 and December 15, 2025.
6.c
COUNCIL LIAISON SUBCOMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS FOR 2026
1. Approve 2026 Council Liaison and Subcommittee Assignments.pdf
2. A - Council Subcommittee Liaison Assignments 2026.pdf Recommendation:
Approve the Council Liaison Subcommittee assignments for the 2026 calendar year.
6.d
AUTHORIZE THE TRANSFER OF CAPITAL AND OPERATING FUNDING FOR THE PURCHASE OF AN AUTONOMOUS FIELD STRIPER
1. Authorize the Transfer of Capital and Operating Funding for the Purchase of an Autonomous Field Striper .pdf
2. A - Draft Resolution authorizing the reallocation of funds to purchase an autonomous sports field striper .pdf
3. B - Cost Savings Calculator.pdf
4. C - Tiny Mobile Robot Quote.pdf
Recommendation:
Adopt a draft resolution entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo, California, Authorizing the Transfer of Unused Fleet Capital Funding and Supplemental Salary Savings to the Parks Major Maintenance Capital Account for the Purchase of an Autonomous Sports Field Striper” for the Damon Garcia Sports Complex:
Approve the transfer of $38,000 in available fleet replacement funding from the Fleet Replacement Project (2000520-02.12), originally allocated for the replacement of fleet asset #0849, to the Parks Major Maintenance Capital Account (2001010); and Approve the transfer of $3,640 in Parks Maintenance salary savings to the Parks Major Maintenance Capital Account (2001010).
6.e
APPROVE RELEASE OF A REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR AUDIO-VISUAL SERVICES
1. Approve release of a request for qualifications for Audio Visual Services.pdf
2. A - Draft RFQ for Audio-Visual Services.pdf
Recommendation:
Approve the release of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to establish a list of prequalified Audio-Visual (AV) Service vendors following the expiration of the 45-day notice period in compliance with AB 339 (no earlier than February 5, 2026); and Authorize the Deputy City Manager to execute professional service agreements with the selected consultants; and Authorize the Finance Director to execute and amend purchase orders for individual professional service agreements in an amount not-to-exceed the authorized budget.
6.f
AUTHORIZE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO ACCEPT THE PRODUCT OF A FIRE SAFE COUNCIL GRANT, WHICH IS PREPARATION OF A ONE-TIME PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT FOR EVACUATION DATA DEVELOPMENT AND INITIAL MODELING SERVICES FOR CITYWIDE EVACUATION PLANNING
1. Item 6f. Harris and Little - Staff Agenda Correspondence.pdf
2. Authorization for Fire Department to Accept Fire Safe Council Grant.pdf Recommendation:
Authorize the Fire Department to accept the award from the San Luis Obispo County Fire Safe Council for a one-time professional service agreement for evacuation data development and initial modelling services for Citywide evacuation planning with a value of $30,000.
6.g
SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 1753 (2025 SERIES) REPEALING AND REPLACING CHAPTER 14.01 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE (HISTORIC PRESERVATION ORDINANCE) TO INCLUDE RECOMMENDED UPDATES AND AMENDMENTS
1. Council Report - 2nd reading Historic Preservation Ordinance repeal and replacement.pdf
2. A - Ordinance No. 1753 (2025 Series) Historic Preservation Ordinance Update.pdf
3. B - (Exhibit A) Historic Preservation Ordinance Update Chapter 14.01.pdf Recommendation:
Adopt Ordinance No. 1753 (2025 Series) entitled, “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo, California, repealing Chapter 14.01 (Historic Preservation Ordinance) of the Municipal Code in its entirety and introducing and adopting a replacement Chapter 14.01 to include recommended updates and amendments as reflected in the attached Exhibit A (CODE-0758-2025)”
6.h
AWARD CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR SOUTH STREET AND KING COURT CROSSING PROJECT, SPECIFICATION NO. 2001059
1. Award South Street and King Court Crossing Project, Specification No. 2001059.pdf
2. A - Bid Results.pdf
3. B - Draft Agreement with AM Signal - Signed.pdf
Recommendation:
Award a construction contract for the South Street and King Court Crossing Project to JJ Fisher Construction Inc. in the amount of $632,816; and, Authorize the City Engineer to approve Contract Change Orders up to the available project budget, including any amendments authorized by the City Manager; and, Authorize the transfer of $150,000 from the Roadway Sealing 2024 Project (Account 2000615) to the South Street and King Court Crossing Project (Account 2001059); and, Approve a purchase from AM Signal, not to exceed $204,600 total, for the purchase and installation of Emergency Vehicle Preemption (EVP) equipment for San Luis Obispo Fire and Police Department vehicles.
6.i
APPROVAL OF A REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY OF SAN LUIS OBIPSO FOR THE SALINAS DAM FEASIBILITY STUDY
1. Item 6i. Floyd and Boerman - Staff Agenda Correspondence.pdf
2. Salinas Transfer of Ownership Feasibility Study Funding Agreement.pdf
3. A - Salinas Dam Feasibility Study Reimbursement Resolution.pdf
4. B - Salinas Dam Feasibility Study Reimbursement Agreement.pdf
5. C - Salinas Dam Feasibility Study Scope of Work.pdf
Recommendation:
Adopt a resolution entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of San Luis Obispo, California, Approving a Reimbursement Agreement with the San Luis Obispo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District to Support the Salinas Dam Feasibility Study;” and Authorize the City Manager to execute the Reimbursement Agreement and related documents; and Find the action exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act.
6.j
APPROVE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH SLOCOG AND WITH THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA FOR PILOT EXPRESS TRANSIT SERVICES
1. Item 6j. Floyd and Fuchs - Staff Agenda Correspondence.pdf
2. A - Revised Final Draft MOU for Pilot Express Transit Services.pdf
3. MOU with SLOCOG and City of Santa Maria for Pilot Express Transit Service.pdf
4. A - Final Draft MOU for Pilot Express Transit Service.pdf
5. B - April 16, 2024 - City of Santa Maria Staff Report.pdf
6. C - August 6, 2025 - SLOCOG Staff Report.pdf
Recommendation:
Authorize the Mayor to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments and with the City of Santa Maria for Pilot Express Transit Services.
7. PUBLIC HEARING AND BUSINESS ITEMS
7.a
ACCEPTANCE OF THE ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT, FEDERAL SINGLE AUDIT REPORT AND TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT ACT REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 (30 MINUTES)
1. Item 7a. Jackson and Malicoat - Staff Agenda Correspondence.pdf
2. Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, Single Audit and TDA for Fiscal Year 2024-25.pdf
3. A. Annual Financial Report FY 2024-25.pdf
4. B. Single Audit Reports FY 2024-25.pdf
5. C. TDA Reports FY 2024-25.pdf
Recommendation:
Review and accept the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, the Federal Single Audit Report and Transportation Development Act Report for Fiscal Year 2024-25.
7.b
INTRODUCE AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING CITYWIDE SINGLE VOTE FOR COUNCIL ELECTIONS IN 2026 AND SUBSEQUENT ELECTIONS (60 MINUTES)
1. Item 7b. Dietrick and Zion - Staff Agenda Correspondence.pdf
2. A - Revised Draft Ordinance adopting Citywide Single Vote.pdf
3. INTRODUCE AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING CITYWIDE SINGLE VOTE FOR COUNCIL ELECTIONS IN 2026 AND SUBSEQUENT ELECTIONS.pdf
4. A - Draft Ordinance Adopting Citywide Single Vote.pdf Recommendation:
Adopt an ordinance adding chapter 2.38, entitled “Citywide Single Vote Method of Electing City Councilmembers” to the San Luis Obispo Municipal Code, implementing a new method for elections of City Councilmembers and adopting regulations providing for the administration of City Council elections by Citywide Single Vote beginning in November 2026
7.c
2026 COUNCIL COMPENSATION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS (60 MINUTES)
1. Item 7c. Hermann and Purrington - Staff Agenda Correspondence.pdf
2. 2026 Council Compensation Committee Recommendations.pdf
3. A - Draft Resolution 2026 biennial setting new salaries for Council.pdf Recommendation:
As recommended by the Council Compensation Committee:
Adopt a Resolution entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo, California, setting new salaries for the Mayor and Council Members and reaffirming compensation for Planning Commission and Architectural Review Commission and amending Council’s Policies and Procedures,” increasing the monthly compensation for the Mayor from $2,923 to $4,169 per month and Council Member from $2,319 to $2,780 per month, and provide a $160 per month stipend for any Council Member or Mayor who is appointed to a statewide board or policy committee for the duration of their appointed term, effective the first full pay period in January 2027; and renaming Professional Development funding to Reimbursable Professional Expenses funding; and Increase the Reimbursable Professional Expenses funding amount for Mayor from $3,600 to $4,400 annually and for Council Members from $2,700 to $3,300 annually. Also, automatically roll over any remaining Reimbursable Professional Expenses funds from the first year of a Financial Plan to the second year; and Establish an annual $1,000 reimbursement allowance for any Council Member or Mayor who is appointed to a statewide board or policy committee for travel expenses related to statewide meetings; and Direct staff to explore the feasibility of an "opt-in" pilot-program to provide $25 per meeting for all City Advisory Bodies, not including the Architectural Review Commission (ARC) and Planning Commission (PC), with a cap of three meetings a month, totaling $75 per month. The ARC and PC compensation would remain at the same amount of $86 per meeting with a cap of $344 per month.
8. LIAISON REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Not to exceed 15 minutes. Council Members report on subcommittee assignments, listed below, and other City activities. At this time, any Council Member or the City Manager may ask a question for clarification, make an announcement, or report briefly on their activities. In addition, subject to Council Policies and Procedures, they may provide a reference to staff or other resources for factual information, request staff to report back to the Council at a subsequent meeting concerning any matter or take action to direct staff to place a matter of business on a future agenda. (Gov. Code Sec. 54954.2) Mayor
Stewart
Vice Mayor Shoresman
Council Member Boswell
Council Member Francis
Council Member Marx
SLO Council of Governments
Zone 9 Advisory Committee
Airport Land Use
Nacimiento Water Project
Air Pollution Control District
Regional Economic Action Coalition
Downtown Association Board
SLO Climate Coalition
Community Action Partnership
Integrated Waste Management Authority
CA Men’s Colony Advisory Committee
Homeless Services Oversight Committee
Local Agency Formation Commission
County Water Resources Advisory Committee
Performing Arts Center Commission
CP Campus Planning Committee
SLO Regional Transit Authority
Visit SLO County Advisory Committee
Central Coast Clean Energy
9. ADJOURNMENT
The next Regular Meeting of the City Council will be held on January 20, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo.
LISTENING ASSISTIVE DEVICES
for the hearing impaired - see the Clerk.
The City of San Luis Obispo wishes to make all of its public meetings accessible to the public. Upon request, this agenda will be made available in appropriate alternative formats to persons with disabilities. Any person with a disability who requires a modification or accommodation in order to participate in a meeting should direct such request to the City Clerk’s Office at (805) 781-7114 at least 48 hours before the meeting, if possible. Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (805) 781-7410.
City Council meetings are televised live on Charter Channel 20 and the City's YouTube Channel:
www.youtube.com/CityofSanLuisObispo
. Agenda related writings or documents provided to the City Council are available for public inspection in the City Clerk’s Office located at 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California during normal business hours, and on the City’s website https://www.slocity.org/government/mayor-and-city-council/agendas-and-minutes . Persons with questions concerning any agenda item may call the City Clerk’s Office at (805) 781-7114.