HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/4/2025 Item 6a, Tway - Staff Agenda CorrespondenceCity of San Luis Obispo, Council Memorandum
City of San Luis Obispo
Council Agenda Correspondence
DATE: November 4, 2025
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: Timothea Tway, Director of Community Development
VIA: Whitney McDonald, City Manager
SUBJECT: ITEM #6a - FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 YEAR END BUDGET REPORT
On November 2, the City received correspondence from Michael Loew, the City’s former
Chief Building Official, in response to Agenda Item 6a, Fiscal Year 2024 -25 Year End
Budget Report, on the November 4 City Council meeting agenda. Mr. Loew raises
concerns regarding fiscal policy and the work of the Building and Safety division.
Leadership staff discussed these concerns at length with Mr. Loew during his tenure as
Chief Building Official in order to support the Building and Safety division and to provide
responsive and professional service to the community. Decisions related to the allocation
of resources and the work of the Community Development Department are made carefully
and involve the consideration of numerous factors to ensure decisions are aligned with
the goals of the City Council and the best interest of the community.
In addition to receipt of the correspondence on Agenda Item 6a, the City also received a
claim from Mr. Loew seeking monetary damages from the City relating to the assertions
made in his correspondence, which limits the City’s ability to respond further at this time.
However, staff can say that we assess Mr. Loew’s correspondence to include a number
of erroneous factual assumptions, a misapprehension of the Council’s and community’s
roles in setting budget and work plan priorities, and incomplete and/or in accurate
conclusions and assumptions of intent following therefrom.