HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 6a. 05-26-2026 City Council Special Meeting Minutes & 06-16-2026 City Council Minutes
1
Council Minutes
May 26, 2026, 5:30 p.m.
Council Chambers, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo
Council Members
Present:
Council Member Mike Boswell, Council Member Jan Marx,
Council Member Michelle Shoresman, Vice Mayor Emily
Francis, Mayor Erica A. Stewart
City Staff Present: City Manager Whitney McDonald, Christine Dietrick, City
Attorney, Teresa Purrington, City Clerk
_____________________________________________________________________
1. CLOSED SESSION (4:45 START)
1.a 1. CALL TO ORDER
1.b CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
ACTION: City Attorney Christine Dietrick reported that the Council met in
Closed Session regarding conference with legal counsel on anticipated
litigation regarding liquidated damages on a construction project details
are on file with the City Clerk’s office and there was no reportable action
taken.
1.c ADJOURNMENT
2. CALL TO ORDER
A Special Meeting of the San Luis Obispo City Council was called to order on
May 26, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. at Council Chambers, 990 Palm Street, San Luis
Obispo, by Mayor Stewart.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Stewart led the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS ON THE AGENDA ONLY
5. STUDY SESSION
5.a CODE ENFORCEMENT PRIORITIES – SAFE AND LIVABLE
NEIGHBORHOODS AND HOUSING (180 MINUTES)
Page 13 of 322
2
Timmi Tway, Community Development Director and Joh Mezzapesa, Code
Enforcement Supervisory provided an in-depth staff report and responded
to Council questions.
Public Comments:
Laurel Smith
Renoda Campbell
Donelle DuFault
Zach Quattrocchi
Dominic Alonso
Alec Sanchez
Ben Pfaff
Matthew Dysart
Nathan Burke
Ashton Robbins
Neal Parthsarathy
Eliran Solmon
Joshua Pinsky
Sofia Zimkowski
Ela Wajewoda
Sue Olivas
Bruno Givffrida
Kari Howell
Brett Cross
Rhianna Duri
Sherry Lin
Lean Burnett
Julia Alber
Terrance Harris
Courtney Kienow
Gerri Clemens
Tyler Coari
Garrett Philbin
Thomas Burt
Lisa Jouet
Jenn Fields
Rachel Whalen
Karen Adler
Tim Townley
Russell Hall
Shannon Larrabee
Kathy Walker
Steve Delmartini
Carolyn Smith
---End of Public Comment-
--
The Council received a presentation on the City’s Code Enforcement
program, took public testimony, and provided the following direction to
staff:
Keep current code enforcement response priorities and goal
timelines in place.
What this looks like: Continuing to prioritize life‑safety issues, safe
housing, and high‑impact cases while maintaining existing service
level targets. Staff will continue to monitor case timelines and
trends.
Consider exploring changes to the code enforcement fine structure
and fines.
What this may look like: Staff will conduct a review of existing fine
structures and fines as well as recent changes in state law to
Page 14 of 322
2
determine if there are changes that are warranted to clarity and/or
effectiveness. Changes to the fine structure may come f orward as
part of a work plan item for next budget cycle. Any changes would
involve public hearings/outreach.
Pursue internal work to identify efficiencies in the code enforcement
team and processes to improve capacity as cases continue to rise
What this may look like: Staff will review workflows to reduce
bottlenecks, identify areas where we can documentation and case
tracking, evaluate technology tools, and assessing staffing
structure to maximize capacity. Staff will identify opportunities to
streamline processes and strengthen consistency, especially
related to some of our most frequently addressed issues (shopping
carts, etc.)
Continue to enforce existing Greek house‑related violations
What this may look like: We will continue to enforce our municipal
code related to Greek housing when we receive complaints and/or
concerns, ensuring consistent application of existing regulations,
and providing clear communication to Greek organizations about
expectations and compliance timelines. We will continue to work
with Cal Poly to determine how to best get information to Fraternity
and Sorority members about how to comply with the code.
Consider a work plan item for the next budget cycle to explore
changes to Greek house‑related regulations (requires public
meetings and hearings)
What this may look like: This would involve a work plan item to be
considered for next budget cycle. It would include reviewing current
Greek house regulations, identifying gaps or enforcement
challenges, engaging stakeholders, and developing potential
regulatory updates for Council consideration. This would involve
multiple opportunities for public engagement and meetings.
Continue to focus on safe housing issues and address them as a
high priority
What this looks like: Prioritizing inspections and enforcement for
substandard housing when complaints are received. Staff will
continue to push information out about code enforcement as a
resource for safe housing concerns.
Page 15 of 322
3
Consider a future discussion on banning smoking in multifamily
buildings
What this may look like: If resources allow, this may be offered for
consideration for inclusion as a work program item for CDD during
the next budget cycle.
6. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 p.m. The next Regular Meeting of the City
Council will be held on June 2, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City
Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo.
APPROVED BY COUNCIL: XX/XX/202X
Page 16 of 322
1
Council Minutes
June 16, 2026, 5:30 p.m.
Council Chambers, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo
Council Members
Present:
Council Member Mike Boswell, Council Member Jan Marx,
Council Member Michelle Shoresman, Vice Mayor Emily
Francis, Mayor Erica A. Stewart
City Staff Present: City Manager Whitney McDonald, Christine Dietrick, City
Attorney, Teresa Purrington, City Clerk
_____________________________________________________________________
1. CLOSED SESSION (4:00 PM START)
1.a CALL TO ORDER
1.b CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Mayor Stewart declared a conflict on this item. (Due to a potential conflict
of Government Code Section 87100.)
City Attorney Christine Dietrick indicated that the Council met in Closed
Session regarding anticipated litigation and there was no reportable action
taken.
1.c CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
City Attorney Christine Dietrick indicated the Council met in Closed
Session regarding anticipated litigation regarding allegations challenging
the validity of impact fees as noted on the agenda. There was no
reportable action taken, only direction on settlement discussions but no
final action.
1.d CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Council Member Marx declared a conflict on this item. (Due to owning a
mobile home in the city which is occupied by her daughter,)
City Attorney Christine Dietrick indicated that the Council met in Closed
Session regarding anticipated litigation related to various allegations about
Page 17 of 322
2
the applicability and litigation threats regarding retroactivity around our
mobile home park stabilization Ordinance Amendments. There was no
reportable action taken.
1.e CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Vice Mayor Francis declared a conflict on this item. (Due to a potential
conflict under Government Code Section 87100.)
City Attorney Christine Dietrick indicated that the Council met in Closed
Session regarding anticipated litigation and there was no reportable action
taken.
1.f ADJOURNMENT
Closed Session adjournment at 6:00 PM to the Regular City Council
meeting.
2. CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the San Luis Obispo City Council was called to order on
June 16, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 990 Palm Street, San Lu is
Obispo, by Mayor Stewart.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council Member Shoresman led the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. PRESENTATIONS
4.a JUNETEENTH PROCLAMATION
Mayor Stewart read a proclamation declaring June 20, 2026, as
Juneteenth Day.
4.b ADVISORY BODY RECOGNITION
Mayor Stewart presented Certificates of Recognition to Robert Jorgensen,
Planning Commissioner and Tony Skapinsky Citizen Revenue
Enhancement Oversight Commissioner for completing two full terms on
their Advisory Body. Also recognized was Robin Kisinger, Mass
Transportation Committee Member who was unable to attend the meeting.
4.c CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Whitney McDonald provided a report on upcoming projects.
Page 18 of 322
3
5. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Public Comment:
Gerri Clemens
Jesse Arnold
Fitzgerald Kelly
Shawn Harris
Bruce Judson
--End of Public Comment--
6. CONSENT AGENDA
Council Member Shoresman requested that Item 6i be pulled from the Consent
Agenda for discussion.
Public Comment:
Nathan Rubinoff - Item 6c
--End of Public Comment--
Motion By Council Member Marx
Second By Council Member Shoresman
To approve Consent Calendar Items 6a to 6h.
Ayes (5): Council Member Boswell, Council Member Marx, Council Member
Shoresman, Vice Mayor Francis, and Mayor Stewart
CARRIED (5 to 0)
6.a WAIVE READING IN FULL OF ALL RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES
Waive reading of all resolutions and ordinances as appropriate.
6.b MINUTES REVIEW - JUNE 2, 2026 COUNCIL MINUTES
Approve the minutes of the City Council meeting held on June 2, 2026.
6.c 2026 ANNUAL APPOINTMENTS TO CITY ADVISORY BODIES
As recommended by the Council Liaison Subcommittees, make
appointments to the City of San Luis Obispo’s Advisory Bodies and
continue to recruit for any unfilled vacant positions.
6.d REVIEW OF APPLICATION TO DESIGNATE 207 BROAD STREET AS A
HISTORIC LANDMARK
Page 19 of 322
4
Adopt Resolution No. 11659 (2026 Series) entitled “Resolution by the City
Council of the City of San Luis Obispo, California, designating the
Property Located at 207 Broad Street as a Landmark Historic Resource,
called the Gary Cully House and John Wilshusen Patio (Application No.
HIST-0981-2025),” as recommended by the Cultural Heritage Committee.
6.e AUTHORIZATION TO AWARD CALIFORNIA WATERLINE
REPLACEMENT (TAFT TO MILL), SPECIFICATION NO. 2000563
1. Approve the project plans and special provisions for the California
Waterline Replacement (Taft to Mill), Specification No. 2000563;
and,
2. Award a construction contract to Specialty Construction in the
amount of $1,986,673 for the California Waterline Replacement
(Taft to Mill), Specification No. 2000563; and,
3. Authorize the City Engineer to issue Contract Change Orders up to
the available project budget (Account 2000563), and up to any
amended budget subsequently approved by the City Manager per
City Purchasing Policy approval thresholds; and
4. Find the action exempt from the California Environmental Quality
Act.
6.f ADOPT A RESOLUTION CALLING THE NOVEMBER 3, 2026 GENERAL
MUNICIPAL ELECTION AND ADOPTING REGULATIONS
Adopt Resolution No. 11660 (2026 Series) entitled, “A Resolution of the
City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo, California, calling for the
holding of a General Municipal Election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026,
for the election of certain Officers as required by the provisions of the Cit y
Charter, adopting regulations for Candidate Statements, and requesting
the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Luis Obispo to consolidate
a General Municipal Election with the Statewide General Election to be
held on November 3, 2026, pursuant to Section 10403 of the Elections
Code.”
6.g CONSIDERATION OF FUNDING PRIORITIES FOR THE DEI HIGH
IMPACT GRANT
As recommended by the Human Relations Commission, approve the
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion High Impact Grant funding priorities for
future grant cycles including, and starting with, Fiscal Year 2026-27.
Page 20 of 322
5
6.h SAN LUIS OBISPO RAILROAD MUSEUM – AMENDED AND RESTATED
LEASE AGREEMENT
Approve an Amended and Restated Lease Agreement between the City of
San Luis Obispo and the San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum.
6.i AMENDMENT TO MANAGEMENT COMPENSATION RESOLUTION FOR
DEPARTMENT HEAD EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS
City Manager Whitney McDonald provided an overview of the staff report
and responded to Council questions.
Public Comments:
Steve Barasch
Leslie Halls
---End of Public Comment---
Motion By Vice Mayor Francis
Second By Council Member Boswell
1. Adopt Resolution No. 11661 (2026 Series) entitled, “A Resolution of
the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo, California,
approving an amendment to the July 1, 2025, through June 30,
2028, Unrepresented Management Compensation and Benefits
Resolution” authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute
individual employment contracts with Department Heads, providing
variations in one-time compensation and benefits within approved
budgets and within the parameters established by the Resolution,
subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney; with the
changes included in the Staff Agenda Correspondence, and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute an individual employmen t
contract with the Police Chief with recommended changes to
compensation to address compaction that exceeds the proposed
parameters established by the Resolution.
Ayes (4): Council Member Boswell, Council Member Shoresman, Vice
Mayor Francis, and Mayor Stewart
Noes (1): Council Member Marx
CARRIED (4 to 1)
Page 21 of 322
6
7. PUBLIC HEARING AND BUSINESS ITEMS
7.a ADOPT THE MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN (60
MINUTES)
Fire Chief Randy Harris and Emergency Response Manager Joe Little
provided an in-depth staff report and responded to Council questions.
Public Comments:
None
---End of Public Comment---
Motion By Council Member Shoresman
Second By Vice Mayor Francis
Adopt Resolution No. 11662 (2026 Series) entitled “A Resolution of the
City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo, California, Approving the
County of San Luis Obispo Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan
2025 Update.”
Ayes (5): Council Member Boswell, Council Member Marx, Council
Member Shoresman, Vice Mayor Francis, and Mayor Stewart
CARRIED (5 to 0)
7.b ADOPTION OF THE 2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN, 2025
(30 MINUTES)
Assistant Utilities Director Shawn Scott and Deputy Director - Water
Mychal Boerman provided an in-depth staff report and responded to
Council questions.
Public Comments:
None
---End of Public Comment---
Motion By Council Member Shoresman
Second By Council Member Marx
1. Adopt Resolution No. 11663 (2026 Series) entitled “A Resolution of
the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo, California, adopting the
2025 Urban Water Management Plan”;
Page 22 of 322
7
2. Adopt Resolution No. 11664 (2026 Series) entitled “A Resolution of
the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo, California, adopting the
2025 Water Shortage Contingency Plan”;
3. Receive and file the City’s 2026 Water Supply and Demand
Assessment; and
4. Find that adoption of the 2025 Urban Water Management Plan and
2025 Water Shortage Contingency Plan is exempt from CEQA
pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15282(v) and
California Water Code Section 10652, and that receiving and filing
the 2026 Water Supply and Demand Assessment is exempt
pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3).
Ayes (5): Council Member Boswell, Council Member Marx, Council
Member Shoresman, Vice Mayor Francis, and Mayor Stewart
CARRIED (5 to 0)
7.c ANNUAL UPDATE ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DIVERSITY,
EQUITY, AND INCLUSION STRATEGIC PLAN (45 MINUTES)
Matt Pennon, DEI Manager and Samantha Vethavanam, Admin Specialist
provided an in-depth staff report and responded to Council questions.
Public Comments:
None
---End of Public Comment---
Motion By Council Member Marx
Second By Vice Mayor Francis
Receive and file the annual update on the implementation status of the
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategic Plan.and directed staff to
provide Council with a memo regarding what visible representation,
focused specifically around Pride, that would be most meaningful to
the community.
Ayes (5): Council Member Boswell, Council Member Marx, Council
Member Shoresman, Vice Mayor Francis, and Mayor Stewart
CARRIED (5 to 0)
Page 23 of 322
8
7.d SOUTH STREET AND KING COURT CROSSING PROJECT
MODIFICATION, SPECIFICATION NO. 2001059 (30 MINUTES)
Luke Schwartz, Transportation Manager provided an in-depth staff report
and responded to Council questions.
Public Comments:
Kristen Kent
Roberto Ponte
Aleksandra Wydzga
Shawn McNabb
Arora Wilcox
Dustin Hiatt
Daniel See
Gary Clay
Helene Finger
---End of Public Comment---
Motion By Mayor Stewart
Second By Council Member Shoresman
1. Approve a modification to the South Street and King Court
Crossing Project (Specification No. 2001059), authorizing
installation of a standard traffic signal in lieu of a pedestrian hybrid
beacon; and,
2. Authorize the City Engineer to approve modifications to project
plans and specifications and approve associated construction
Contract Change Orders as needed to facilitate project
modifications up to the available project budget and consistent with
California Public Contract Code, including any amendments
authorized by the City Manager.
Ayes (5): Council Member Boswell, Council Member Marx, Council
Member Shoresman, Vice Mayor Francis, and Mayor Stewart
CARRIED (5 to 0)
8. LIAISON REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Council Liaison reports were continued to the next meeting.
Page 24 of 322
9
9. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 p.m. The next Regular Meeting of the City
Council will be held on July 21, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at
City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. The Regular Meeting of July 7,
2026 will be cancelled, as approved by Council on November 4, 2025 during their
annual review of the 2026 meeting calendar.
APPROVED BY COUNCIL: XX/XX/202X
Page 25 of 322