HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-26-2026 City Council Minutes - Special Meeting
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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)
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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-
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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
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determine if there are changes that are warranted to clarity and/or
effectiveness. Changes to the fine structure may come forward 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.
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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: 07/21/2026