Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutSCLCPacket_25-07_3-13-25_1SCLC Agenda Meeting #25-07 March 13, 2025 3:10 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. City Hall Hearing Room 990 Palm Street A. Call to Order B. Introductions C. Approval of Meeting Minutes a) #25-06, February 20, 2025 D. Open Forum E. Reports a) Chair/Vice Chair – Ashleigh Spragins/Lucia Landeros b) San Luis Obispo City Manager – Whitney McDonald c) Neighborhood Wellness Civility Report – Christine Wallace d) Residents for Quality Neighborhoods – Brett Cross e) Community Representative Reports – Abe Lincoln & Mila Vujovich-LaBarre F. Old Business a) None G. New Business a) Community Engagement Survey Updates – Lucia Landeros b) SLO Solutions Annual Report – Nicolina Galante c) St. Patrick’s Day Updates i) Fraternity & Sorority Life – Council President’s (1) Risk procedures related to St. Patrick's Day H. Voting Members Reports (1 minute) I. Announcements J. Adjournment K. Next meeting: April 17, 2025 SCLC Meeting #25-06, February 20, 2025 Location: San Luis Obispo, City Hall Hearing Room 3:10-5:00 p.m. Voting Members Present Ashleigh Spragins - Cal Poly - ASI President, SCLC Chair Lucia Landeros - Cuesta-ASCC President, SCLC Vice Chair Fred Mickel – City of SLO – SLOPD Chief of Police Designee Brett Cross – City of SLO - Residents for Quality Neighborhoods (RQN) Michelle Crawford - Cal Poly-ASI Executive Director Natalie Eckler – United Sorority & Fraternity Life Council President Nicolina Galante - Creative Mediation-SLO Solutions Abe Lincoln – City of SLO – Community Member-at-Large Elias Romero – Cal Poly – Student-at-Large Whitney McDonald - City of SLO - City Manager Katelyn Nightengale – Cal Poly - Panhellenic Council President Designee Jason Mockford - Cal Poly – Dean of Students Designee Christopher Mutshnick – Cuesta College – Director of Student Engagement Maks Velikanovs - Cal Poly – Interfraternity Council President Designee Michelle Shoresman – City of SLO – Mayor Designee Mila Vujovich-LaBarre – City of SLO – Geographic Neighborhoods Association Christine Wallace – City of SLO – SLOPD - Public Affairs Manager Voting Members Absent Elizabeth Coria - Cuesta College – Vice President of Student Success and Support Programs Heather Moreno – County of SLO – Board of Supervisors Roy Murphy – Cuesta - Student-at-Large Erica A. Stewart - City of SLO –Mayor Non-Voting Members Present Elizabeth Aiello-Coppola – Cal Poly – Greek Life Coordinator George Hughes – Cal Poly - University Police Department, Assistant Vice President & Chief of Police of Public Safety Tracy Watson - Cal Poly-ASI Administrative Assistant II, SCLC Support Non-Voting Members Absent None Guests Nicole Aichele – Cal Poly – Leadership & Service Brian Amoroso – City of SLO – Police Department Matthew Armas – Cal Poly – Student Rights & Responsibilities Jen Hawkinger – Cal Poly – Campus Health & Wellbeing Courtney Kienow – Cal Poly – Office of the President Jennifer Kinnear – County of SLO – Board of Supervisors Representative Brad Pulcipher – Cal Poly – Director, Student Rights & Responsibilities Sarah Rudd – City of SLO – Creative Mediation Meghan Schuler-Jones – Cal Poly, Assistant Director, Leadership, Assessment, and DEI Kathie Walker – City of SLO – Resident A. Call to Order a. Ashleigh called the meeting to order at 3:10 p.m. b. Silent roll call was taken and with 17 voting members in attendance, quorum was met. B. Approval of Meeting Minutes - #25-05, January 16, 2025 a. Minutes stand approved as written. C. Open Forum a. None D. Reports a. Chair/Vice Chair, Ashleigh Spragins, Lucia Landeros 1. Ashleigh reported that through student advocacy, Cal Poly has added the suicide phone number to Cal Poly identification cards. She stated that she is serving as the student representative on the Emergency Operations Center committee providing feedback on behalf of the students. 2. Lucia reported that Cuesta participated three Cougar social hours focusing on cultural events. She reported that a groundbreaking on a new building in North County is underway. Cuesta will host the Region 6 Summit for Community Colleges. She stated that she returned from Sacramento advocating on Assembly Bill 1705 (AB1705.) b. City Manager – Whitney McDonald 1. City Council Updates a. Whitney reported that city administration are working on the budgeting process. She stated that it is highly constrained and in deficit cutback mode. 2. Upcoming City Council meeting a. Short Ranch Transit Plan – Special Meeting b. Legislative updates from the State c. Solid waste increase in rates, including increased services for large items. c. Neighborhood Wellness Civility Report – Christine Wallace i. No report d. Residents for Quality Neighborhoods – Brett Cross i. Brett reported that RQN is “cautiously optimistic” about St. Patrick’s Day. He had questions from RQN members that will be addressed during the new business discussion. e. Community Representatives Reports – Abe Lincoln & Mila Vujovich-LaBarre i. Abe commended Ashleigh & Lucia on the Good Morning SLO presentation in front of the SLO business community. He read a prepared statement sharing his perspective of the ongoing discussion of St. Patrick’s day and the recent Daily News that reflects poorly on our city. He urged the committee and all community members to take this moment as an opportunity. Let’s not use media narratives to divide us. Instead, let’s double down on efforts that unite proactive planning, realistic solutions, and respectful dialogue. The actions Cal Poly and the city are taking this year demonstrate what collaboration looks like. It’s a model we should continue to build on. (See full message attached.) ii. Mila mentioned the Sierra Club and the environmental awareness initiative and opportunities for students to volunteer in the community. She expressed her concern with the “satellite versus Illegal fraternities” stating they are plaguing neighborhoods. E. Old Business a. None F. New Business a. Major City Goals Discussion – Whitney McDonald i. Whiteney shared a presentation on the City of San Luis Obispo’s workplan for major city goals for 2025-27. She stated that the goal setting workshop was an opportunity for community members to review and prioritize goals. City goals include: 1. Cultural Vitality, Economic Resilience, and Fiscal Sustainability 2. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 3. Homelessness Response 4. Housing and Neighborhood Livability – Healthy, Safe, and Affordable 5. Infrastructure and Sustainable Transportation 6. Open Space, Climate Action, and Resilience b. St. Patick’s Day Update i. SLO Police Department Updates – Fred Mickel 1. Deputy Chief, Fred Mickel, shared a presentation on plans for St. Patrick’s Day. The Safety Enhancement Zone will run 12:01 a.m. on March 17th until 7:00 a.m. on March 18 and include the two weekends prior to St. Patrick’s Day, beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Friday and ending at 7:00 a.m. Monday morning. He shared the challenges and lessons learned, and improvements and successes. Key strategies for this year will be more proactive based on resources with low to no tolerance for bad behavior. With the number one goal of safety for the entire community and responders, personnel deployment will include foot, bike, and motor units patrol, significant assistance from other agencies, diverting to on-campus event, and fire and medical rescue. 2. Christine reported that communication will include commercials, presentations, flyers, and postcards. She stated that downtown businesses will have more specific messaging. ii. Cal Poly Update – David Groom, Michelle Crawford and George Hughes 1. David Groom, Interim Dean of Students, reported on the key efforts of the Comprehensive Response Plan. a. Proactive outreach students to discourage neighborhood partying and disruptions. b. Security on and off campus, including collaboration with the city and police to maximize enforcement. c. Planning a special event that draws students to campus. d. Targeted communication and outreach. 2. David stated that the zero-tolerance approach in the city will hold students accountable for violations of law and campus policies, and off-campus violations will be reported to the Office of Student Rights & Responsibilities. He reported that on-campus enforcement will include an increased number of officers on campus, no guests allowed in University Housing, ID checks and increased staffing in housing, road closures, parking restrictions, and quite hours strictly enforced. 3. Michelle reported on the on-campus event on March 15 as a significant investment to draw students out of the neighborhoods. The event will include: a. Early-morning event with amplified sound in Sports Complex Lower Fields. b. Ticketed event, 18+ and is open to the public. c. 5,000 attendance capacity. d. IDs will be checked, waivers signed, no bag policy, prohibited items list, and pat downs will occur. 4. George Hughes, Assistant Vice President & Chief of Police, presented on harm reduction and clean up stating that Campus Health & Wellbeing is hosting a Safe Observation Site to assist students experiencing non-life- threatening impacts of drinking. They will provide hydration boxes, overdose education, and food and water stations. Clean up efforts on March 16 is being organized by Fraternity & Sorority Life and the Center for Service in Action. He stated that the top priorities for the weekend include health & safety, minimizing damage and disruptions, and a successful event to keep students on campus. 5. Party Prevention – Multi-prong approach to ending the party include: a. Visible presence on campus leading up to and throughout the St. Patrick’s Day weekend. b. Clear communications and messages to all students. c. Meetings with the Fraternity and Sorority Life community. 6. Michelle added that four shuttles will provide rides from University Housing to the event and Lyft & Uber will be available. Cal Poly is seeking faculty and staff to help in University Housing and at the event. iii. St. Patrick’s Day Expectations 1. Members shared their expectations for the upcoming month. Members were optimistic about the plans and will set the path for other events for campus and community by working together. G. Voting Member Reports c. Voting members gave their reports. H. Announcements I. Adjournment - Meeting adjourned at 5:03 p.m. Good afternoon, As a member of the Community at large, I want to share some perspectives of other community members I have engaged with this month regarding the ongoing discussion surrounding student gatherings, notably the St. Patrick's Day event and the recent Daily Mail article that, unfortunately, reflects poorly on our city and, frankly, those who participated in it. While these concerns are understandable and valid, we need to reflect on how these issues are framed. Publicly shaming our city, police, and students through sensational media coverage and adversarial messaging does not lead to progress. Instead, it paints an incomplete picture that undermines the hard work being done to address these challenges. Yes, some of these student events and unsanctioned gatherings can pose significant issues. However, constantly positioning students as the root of the problem and focusing solely on enforcement misses a crucial point—San Luis Obispo is a college town. Students are a vital part of this community, bringing diversity, energy, and innovation. Rather than alienating them, we must find ways to integrate them responsibly into the broader fabric of our neighborhoods. This year, I’m encouraged by Cal Poly and the city’s collaborative efforts with the Morning on the Green – A Mustang Music Festival. This event represents a proactive step forward. Instead of allowing St. Patrick's Day to spill uncontrollably into our streets, the university offers a sanctioned, supervised alternative that balances student culture with community safety. With headlining artists, food, and controlled alcohol sales, this event provides students a legitimate space to celebrate while reducing the potential for neighborhood disruption. Additionally, the Safety Enhancement Zone, guest restrictions in campus housing, and increased fines are realistic measures designed to hold individuals accountable without infringing upon their rights. These strategies acknowledge that containment alone is ineffective—prevention and offering alternatives are key. This balanced approach that respects both the rights of individuals and the needs of the community. However, real change requires more than policies and events. It requires a shift in how we approach these conversations. We must be sure to move away from language suggesting students are unwelcome or inherently problematic. Instead, we must foster mutual respect. If our messaging focuses on “ruining neighborhoods” and finger-pointing, we will only deepen divisions. By embracing a new approach, we can foster hope and optimism for a better future. Let’s also recognize that unrealistic expectations—such as believing we can “shut down” an ingrained cultural event overnight—only set us up for disappointment and conflict. The change will come incrementally through cooperation, not condemnation. I understand the challenges we face and the patience required for this process. I urge this committee and all community members to take this moment as an opportunity. Let’s not use media narratives to divide us. Instead, let’s double down on efforts that unite us—proactive planning, realistic solutions, and respectful dialogue. The actions Cal Poly and the city are taking this year demonstrate what collaboration looks like. It’s a model we should continue to build on. Let us also remember to find the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Thank you. Abe Lincoln 2025 NSPY CITE DAC UTL NV LL UG January 112 12 28 9 60 5 1 2024 NSPY CITE DAC UTL NV LL UG January 115 16 20 6 70 5 0 Yr to Yr January: 2% decrease in NSPY calls, 25% decrease in citations, 40% increase in DAC 2025 Applications Rec’d Approved Denied* Warning Calls Citations January 34 27 7 7 1 *Late applications, ineligible day of the week, satellite house, on “no warning” list