[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6080325,"mediaKeyId","2947884-5833e068d59de461ad4a17a46e62d982","parentId",2947884,"title","Residents urge city to invest in youth sports fields, citing lack of soccer fields and accessibility problems","audioSeconds",172,"startMs",1360000,"endMs",1532000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2947884-5833e068d59de461ad4a17a46e62d982&start=1360&end=1532","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2947884-5833e068d59de461ad4a17a46e62d982/thumbnail_1360000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6080325/Atascadero-City/San-Luis-Obispo-County/California/Residents-urge-city-to-invest-in-youth-sports-fields-citing-lack-of-soccer-fields-and-accessibility-problems","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6080325-09046a1a6d1862fc2fc1aea64c066b42/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182600&Signature=ibGeEoTaG0VRsboJBpXD4aAgJkdBQoTqcljZJJ7hnzxZCirMBcJqkT5ayoUNoz0LoIMvqxtRdL~M69VX69QO9AyzBO3L3fX2NehvHw~JYwYNafFo6lawBKhP5iAnS2okRiJohDrsb5rKj8M6OI4zO2Hpa0BLXBEhJg~dxhNBI6Biuis5BDUP0QfONdDKRhaOiTzTDGtF7ZpkKdbIby6F5un0nvCD6hL2koNpRlYxAxCuovE4cb6gTwmeGaxGkWKoH9TgzK2evNXZERzQew5uL-H6LcWnHeLxsOTeAthsSCTpNeSHL4h0wHRYR9UtfOgeuXDwq6yNNurVLPXDfq3rlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Atascadero CA","date","2025-04-10T16:52:06.203Z","article","Residents at the community forum pressed the council to prioritize more and better playing fields for youth sports in Atascadero.

Robbie Busick, a returning resident who said his family has lived in the city for decades, told the council the community lacks adequate soccer fields and other playing surfaces. “Just last year, I think there was over 700 registered youth soccer participants and seeing them play on any available field, lacking size, lacking, you know, the basic needs to have them be successful is something I hope that we can look at,” Busick said. He described Paloma Park as one of the few available sites and called for both short-term improvements to existing fields and a long-term plan for new development, including possible expansion into the state hospital zone that has been discussed in past years.

Busick also raised accessibility concerns: uneven surfaces, holes in playing fields, no nearby sidewalks for elderly grandparents, and limited parking that makes attendance difficult for older family members. He suggested community involvement and volunteer support to help design and fund improvements.

Council members did not take immediate action but heard the concerns and acknowledged the issue’s connection to park planning, funding and long-term development choices.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Atascadero City Council Meeting - April 8, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Longtime and returning residents urged the council to address shortages of playing fields and facilities for youth sports, saying teams are relocating to other cities and that existing fields lack sidewalks, parking and suitable surfaces.","taxTitle","Atascadero City, San Luis Obispo County, California","taxId",68531,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6080330,"City manager highlights Charles Paddock Zoo accreditation, El Camino Real paving and spring events",252,188000,440000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2947884-5833e068d59de461ad4a17a46e62d982&start=188&end=440","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2947884-5833e068d59de461ad4a17a46e62d982/thumbnail_188000.jpg","/articles/6080330/Atascadero-City/San-Luis-Obispo-County/California/City-manager-highlights-Charles-Paddock-Zoo-accreditation-El-Camino-Real-paving-and-spring-events","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6080330-2215d0e95dff7dd9160bdd69ae6df891/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182600&Signature=KhapfrrLRAkrW8YuRlRLZAJ2Q~Nw4enQdCXJcFE3Q69Co2IyxXbU0u-1D8Cuo67fBxsk02SVspIPZOrcbV7YKrS~MDIpU7DIjraXQUNVJ9uWL~iQf2H9F73Vqu6thwJEQ9d1UnddPtEZllm~tYM6-15yqEuWSbvijNwis2P-V0vmWXwxi~SWuFRyA7oHcSZo6VQJyiXZy58HOn8~jfzoxG82iowaD1q5QdR3CzyYsbvjo0lb7rJy7LvHxTWYquWrE7mC-3eCDxZB5yJX9YgiUwzJTpV1PltvdX-cWcHyFy1qFI2InoQxj6XOdC1l7cHVy5x2gVsBMtukP5GU5JG9Ag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Manager Jim Lewis opened his report with an update on the Charles Paddock Zoo and local capital projects and events.

Lewis told the council the zoo has been granted full accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) for five years. “We have received a full accreditation, for an additional 5 years,” he said, adding the zoo has been accredited since 1991. Lewis noted the AZA is a benchmark for animal care and that accreditation makes some funding and grant opportunities available.

Lewis also provided a status update on the El Camino Real improvement project, saying staff are working toward a June completion. He described upcoming road milling, paving and concrete work planned to occur during the district’s spring break to minimize disruptions and said detours will be in place and that staff have been meeting with affected businesses to coordinate communications and promotions.

He highlighted community events tied to city departments and partners: a police-photo event with the Easter Bunny, the zoo’s Party for the Planet Earth Day celebration on April 19, a citywide yard sale on April 26 with household registration by April 12, and a voucher-free waste drop-off period at the county transfer station for residents (identification and a copy of a utility bill required).

Council members thanked Lewis for the updates and praised staff for outreach to businesses during paving work. Lewis closed by pointing constituents to visitascadero.com and atascadero.org for more information.","City Manager Jim Lewis announced the Charles Paddock Zoo received a five-year AZA accreditation, provided a progress update on the El Camino Real project with paving planned for spring break, and promoted upcoming community events including the zoo's Party for the Planet.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6080333,"Nonprofits warn of funding cuts; city says opioid settlement funds routed to county",893,668000,1561000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2947884-5833e068d59de461ad4a17a46e62d982&start=668&end=1561","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2947884-5833e068d59de461ad4a17a46e62d982/thumbnail_668000.jpg","/articles/6080333/Atascadero-City/San-Luis-Obispo-County/California/Nonprofits-warn-of-funding-cuts-city-says-opioid-settlement-funds-routed-to-county","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6080333-97288665e352c9c0a46b61b706ab0a8c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182600&Signature=F8GiC4Udpza2RYNbHkTR9dsFA1XfiXbJoheFaAj7qeLxTspWcvU6Ea-WYS~LKZa6xZLZVaJ39K0YHrFzhcvKcsvh5aZItIRtsFKVACCcwyedn2ngi3UrGOIS6C7xFnboodJWH~tBe6J5TpAfiNoeVWkY8bJ3tIEgjkcvHdoXKKfDp5~FdqWFwYIF7UmQFKNvomdEXPZE~Z~PWLvuVAiLwSyrSwYDUJzYBgUANx4cR6pEW1Zbx-~x6W83B3tHOYVrozWN9GxjGUrQEJk6myIHaPGhD7h-iaf~c2ZhTKpXzFUxENPgHzKVyIEKOANZWDWgSqhdvWpPm6ohE7hz2vmwOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Speakers from two local nonprofit providers told the Atascadero City Council they face funding losses that could reduce recovery and domestic-violence services in the area.

Susan Warren of North County Connection said the group’s recent grant that supported two recovery navigators was cut. “We were notified that Sierra Health, which is where we got our grant, has had their funding pulled,” Warren told the council, adding that the navigators intend to continue volunteering while seeking replacement funds. She asked whom in the city could be contacted about opioid-settlement funds to apply for additional support.

Jennifer Adams, CEO of Lumina Alliance, described broader funding erosion for her countywide provider of sexual-assault and domestic-violence services. “47% of our $5,000,000 budget comes from federal funding sources, 2 of which… those grants which we've already lost,” Adams said, adding that the agency has launched a fundraising campaign to offset projected cuts that will affect shelter and transitional-housing services.

On the opioid-settlement question, city staff said the city has deferred its allocation to the county to allow countywide coordination of the funds. Staff member (Miss Rangel) told the council: “That is correct. We have deferred our our those opioid funds to the county because they are better able to use those more efficiently than we would here.” City Manager Jim Lewis added that the annual share for the city was modest: “It was low five figures. It was really it was gonna take us more to process it, frankly, which is why we submitted it back to the county.”

Council members and the mayor thanked the nonprofit speakers and urged staff to follow up with information on county processes and potential application opportunities for local providers.","Speakers from North County Connection and Lumina Alliance told the council recent grant cuts threaten local recovery and shelter services. Staff said the city deferred opioid settlement funds to the county and estimated the city share as 'low five figures.'",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6080337,"Atascadero approves summer aquatics program at high school pool; hires coordinator, seeks D20 funding",1644,3016000,4660000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2947884-5833e068d59de461ad4a17a46e62d982&start=3016&end=4660","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2947884-5833e068d59de461ad4a17a46e62d982/thumbnail_3016000.jpg","/articles/6080337/Atascadero-City/San-Luis-Obispo-County/California/Atascadero-approves-summer-aquatics-program-at-high-school-pool-hires-coordinator-seeks-D20-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6080337-75489699da377483c0d5012c9b943e78/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182600&Signature=Nbzc0dHEIGgVOaFGr3T-2aB~tcRDkYsFnakONa-9-lDeG2IU1uJbmFNyYBHlZgxeFzM7B79yKQ9gV4lKQXC1oy8zYsIEVaL2mimJABZapqIeHPFQWRZEmB3PP08HE7p4gv0v~HOdFbnEXp3QScQ~6nhymQWW27bYeLqVdWxi-k4vlyVtrm71H0XW3XMqbDDw2h9T6SZP64VFpH7CCTxngpkN1pJIYouNUF0WMgX~cVl6WeirA24UZemAJ6Yl0mrZepBS~ps52Qy-LGCkV9p-kfO5HLzf5eaX1m~~E4Y2NmPqIeqFfdekbHA7quqBYRf5aI2qFUvl6we-8MUv2oU9~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Atascadero City Council unanimously approved staff’s plan to resume city-run aquatics programming at the Atascadero High School pool, scheduling lessons, lap swim and recreational swim June 16–Aug. 8 and moving to hire an aquatics coordinator to manage operations.

Recreation staff described a long-standing community demand for swim lessons and open swim. Recreation supervisor Lorice Lopez said the city had relied on the high school pool historically and that the new Atascadero High School aquatic center, completed in spring 2024, allows the city to restart programming. “This summer, we are working to kick off the new aquatics program beginning June 16 and running through August 8,” Lopez said.

Staff told council the program would offer parent-and-me classes, swim lessons (levels from parent/child through advanced), lap swim and open rec swim. The initial schedule under negotiation is Monday through Friday afternoons; staff explained the school district had provided the Monday–Friday window and that weekend hours could be considered in future years if staffing improves.

The city plans to recruit a full-time seasonal aquatics coordinator to oversee lifeguard training, lesson scheduling, safety compliance and operations. Staff said the coordinator will help establish local lifeguard certification pathways with the district and work to build staffing capacity; staff noted lifeguard certification requirements and training costs have historically constrained programs.

On costs, staff presented an estimated general fund expenditure of $41,000 and offsetting revenues of about $30,000 for the 2025 summer program. Lopez said the program is identified as eligible for D20 sales-tax funds. Councilmembers praised the partnership with the Atascadero Unified School District. School board trustee V. Paris said: “We couldn’t do this on our own, and I think this is a wonderful way of how our different organizations and community works together so well.”

Public commenters asked the city to consider later lesson times for working parents and to protect youth water-polo and club use. Recreation staff said they will work with the high school on scheduling to accommodate school teams and youth programs and noted they plan to refine hours as staff capacity increases.

The council voted to approve the aquatics implementation plan and associated staffing and budget actions on a unanimous roll call.","Council approved a summer aquatics program to run June 16–Aug. 8 at Atascadero High School pool, directed staff to hire an aquatics coordinator and noted estimated general-fund costs of $41,000 offset by $30,000 in revenues; funding may be supported by sales tax measure D20.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6080343,"Atascadero council introduces ordinance to regulate extended-stay hotels, adopts 3% administrative fee",1342,1661000,3003000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2947884-5833e068d59de461ad4a17a46e62d982&start=1661&end=3003","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2947884-5833e068d59de461ad4a17a46e62d982/thumbnail_1661000.jpg","/articles/6080343/Atascadero-City/San-Luis-Obispo-County/California/Atascadero-council-introduces-ordinance-to-regulate-extended-stay-hotels-adopts-3-administrative-fee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6080343-1dd9e92917fe31985e26c1e7c860f42e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182600&Signature=Q466sWgD8HSY5-1Nq1yYQTsoJqlYAfpuZb3xEfhs70ZVUbGpggAmFZ~~R9LZUNPs0-8bl2zwlRTFxpoaSZs1o5h-EBkGQ1i99r0m8LhQ5gHiVX1bY69cFot3Q6aVt6Fizj7qDNV4YbwCXvhgFpn5oY5oPWh7C-g94HbiwOE0rZv~JgXFcR9zB15zxYpSNhy6T0Vv2zRRx9p-2IB2xIfZG9fbRLljNGLtgpMessQ0tDGrY0kevm5fZEnh9tk1XnHzMOWcxqbKkC1gJTHEjIAVp5kgL3zEoInCXTGtaqnGEzQvnsjPs2UfB51Fe29Li3FBjeWNSQzWdkj3C5y3SSgPaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Atascadero City Council on a unanimous vote moved to introduce an ordinance to define and regulate extended-stay hotels and motels and adopted a companion resolution establishing a 3% administrative fee on those units.

City planning staff told the council that the change is meant to address an increase in hotel stays that exceed 30 days and the resulting loss of transient-occupancy tax (TOT) revenue. Community Development Director Phil Dunsmore said the proposed code changes would create a new land use category—an “extended occupancy hotel, motel”—and an administrative use-permit process with standards, limits and penalties recorded against the property.

Dunsmore summarized the policy rationale: “When these days do exceed that 30 days, essentially, what that is is an apartment building. It’s something that really is a different animal. It’s a different land use, and we have to acknowledge that.” He told the council the permit would include conditions such as limits on the share of long-term stays, caps on units with kitchens under the standard hotel rules, monitoring requirements and a small ongoing fee to offset regulatory costs.

Under the proposal discussed at the hearing, the city would keep existing rules for standard hotels and motels and add a regulated path for properties that need longer-term stays to remain economically viable. Dunsmore described three tiers in the draft language: a baseline allowance, higher allowances under a discretionary use permit, and a formal extended-occupancy designation that would be reviewed administratively and come with an agreement recorded against the property. He said the ordinance as drafted authorizes an operator agreement that “sets forth the conditions of extended occupancy that includes, but is not limited to, an extended occupancy fee payable by the operator… penalties for noncompliance, and maximum length of occupancy. The agreement will be recorded against the property.”

Council members pressed staff on how the limits would work in practice. Dunsmore clarified that the draft contains caps on kitchens for standard hotels (a 10% allowance without a use permit and up to 25% with a permit) and a separate cap on the overall number of long-term stays allowed through the use-permit process. He also said that if a property applies for the extended-occupancy designation under the new code, the kitchen cap would not be the same constraint as for standard hotels. On enforcement, staff said standard code-violation procedures would apply and that audits and voluntary compliance were the first-line approaches given the city’s prior findings of noncompliant long-term use.

The council adopted, on introduction, a draft ordinance amending Title IX to add the new land use and definitions and a draft resolution creating a 3% administrative fee on the extended-occupancy units. Staff and council repeatedly described the fee as far smaller than the TOT the city would have collected on a standard short-term stay: “That 3% fee is quite small; it doesn’t come anywhere near making up for what would be the transient occupancy tax,” Dunsmore said.

The ordinance was introduced for first reading and the accompanying resolution was adopted on unanimous roll call. The ordinance’s final numeric caps, operational thresholds and any recording requirements will be set in the adopted version after the process for second reading and final action.

Implementation and next steps noted at the hearing include recordation of an operator agreement if the use is approved, an administrative monitoring process, and a fee schedule amendment to be adopted by resolution.","The council introduced an ordinance to create a new “extended occupancy” hotel/motel land use, establish an administrative-use-permit process, limit certain long-term-stay features and adopt a 3% ongoing fee; the motion passed unanimously on first reading.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge city to invest in youth sports fields, citing lack of soccer fields and accessibility problems

City manager highlights Charles Paddock Zoo accreditation, El Camino Real paving and spring events

Nonprofits warn of funding cuts; city says opioid settlement funds routed to county

Atascadero approves summer aquatics program at high school pool; hires coordinator, seeks D20 funding

Atascadero council introduces ordinance to regulate extended-stay hotels, adopts 3% administrative fee