[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_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":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6206851,"mediaKeyId","3760247-8fba896ce27fe43293cba5962e653dbe","parentId",3760247,"title","City unveils 'Central Coast Zoo' name; council stresses Charles Paddock legacy amid public concern","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",1589000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3760247-8fba896ce27fe43293cba5962e653dbe&start=1589&end=1589","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3760247-8fba896ce27fe43293cba5962e653dbe/thumbnail_1589000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6206851/Atascadero-City/San-Luis-Obispo-County/California/City-unveils-Central-Coast-Zoo-name-council-stresses-Charles-Paddock-legacy-amid-public-concern","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206851-39ed7077f01d7ce49c90a15c2c09f5a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213454&Signature=fFcK-6JeRKTU6euPbksjBHOeqYCKyIwAvaWG6qzU8Bi~LKWvaTIfd4zIKlbbmCS14pY42Oh~n2Bb4anZlJ81DgghAodGTzHxHytkbLkxVYS8EnPmIeDEjXh1PMXu1V-pFt200FXC2rQvp6wvWR6C7c-sViYhF53D7QkvhXbewtf1iFXSXkSVaE53EsL4~1Zhl0d8X~HzePiFwHp0VZZO~9uD-HT3rJkRwnN90MCSLEEnGB3USsGeNzvwgdMOLEqlBI6AJnCxvtkw9oMTiRdxQAXGEYnfhxwHJYvEZbfv-v6lJ3F2M3vAIt4LMZb6P9p24hV9avt2lNY852k5rEfrAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Atascadero CA","date","2025-06-11T01:02:00Z","article","City Manager J. Lewis told the council the zoo will be referred to as the \"Central Coast Zoo\" going forward, and staff displayed new signage and a logo as part of an accreditation and marketing effort. Lewis said the plaza and the Charles Paddock statue remain on site and the plaza will continue to be named \"Charles Paddock Plaza,\" with interpretive materials preserving his story.

Lewis said the new name was tested with stakeholders and was unveiled during the zoo’s 70th birthday ice cream safari event, attended by more than 250 people. He said staff received positive feedback from accreditation reviewers and stakeholders and that a portion of festival proceeds supports zoo conservation.

During the community forum several residents raised objections. One resident, asking to speak during the public comment period, said he had attended school with the sons of Charles Paddock and expressed concern the rebranding downplayed Paddock’s legacy; another speaker asked who proposed the name change and said the community group they socialize with had not heard of outreach. Mayor and staff responded that prior discussions had taken place, that an earlier suggestion years ago had not moved forward, and that staff would meet with concerned residents to discuss outreach and material showing Paddock’s legacy. Community Services staff and marketing staff were identified as points of contact for follow-up.

Council members said they supported the name change and emphasized the plaza and statue will continue to honor Charles Paddock. Staff asked residents who wanted more details to leave contact information so staff could follow up.

The name change was presented as a marketing decision to \"embrace a larger area\" of zoo visitors and open additional opportunities for the zoo, while retaining the explicit onsite tribute to Charles Paddock.

No formal council action to change the legal name of any city asset was recorded in the meeting minutes; the discussion described and displayed a new marketing identity and associated materials.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Atascadero City Council Meeting - June 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Atascadero officials announced the zoo's new marketing name — Central Coast Zoo — while reaffirming that the Charles Paddock Plaza and statue remain in place. Some residents voiced concern at the community forum about outreach and perceived loss of the Paddock legacy; staff said outreach was conducted and the plaza naming will be preserved.","taxTitle","Atascadero City, San Luis Obispo County, California","taxId",68531,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6206857,"Votes at a glance: council approves consent calendar, BID assessments, assessment districts and other items",286,2259000,2545000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3760247-8fba896ce27fe43293cba5962e653dbe&start=2259&end=2545","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3760247-8fba896ce27fe43293cba5962e653dbe/thumbnail_2259000.jpg","/articles/6206857/Atascadero-City/San-Luis-Obispo-County/California/Votes-at-a-glance-council-approves-consent-calendar-BID-assessments-assessment-districts-and-other-items","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206857-f0f46f47e4125c361307c7686c16073b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213454&Signature=I-~udh72~zf-oicbMi28ZGmy6aUn1UjJVB7Ew7tKlgs~QdhPfhJPhAtmhphlTjBRyvQWRqLPAMIKyZ0UJV7Z77LqpaD7eBrAnbea0XT7GRdWk7L9BLb7TGHxU4UXEFnY6gSjghv7n2uSxCphqfBWx2GhRhMRELPwxEs-P-~KG8HMX7-lu3m4me144cpQi718Qw3ikc-OHSp8Bc30XbysQg82YbxmUfxrlhcZYuO8jdoBkKsjXBfyXfrlx24YaOQNIKf8xSDgGNnsipjXLAlrfin-~JX2Uhevnpvx077Nk0wDsqDDbC80cl3qcznEBYX-iOCjKD3IBZbPNFBtKNZucg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Atascadero City Council took multiple formal actions during its June 10 meeting. Key votes and outcomes are listed below.

- Consent calendar: Motion to approve the consent calendar carried unanimously after a roll call (Council member Funk, Council member Peake, Council member Newsom, Mayor Pro Tem Derez, Mayor Bobo recorded as yes).

- Downtown Parking Business Improvement Area (BIA) annual assessment (FY 2025–26): The council confirmed the annual assessment (a $50 base assessment collected via business license with employee-based supplements) and authorized the city’s contract with the Chamber of Commerce to manage expenditures. Staff estimates annual receipts around $14,500. Motion to adopt passed unanimously.

- Atascadero Tourism Business Improvement District (Tourism BID) annual assessment (FY 2025–26): The council confirmed assessments on lodging businesses for promotional and marketing programs. Staff projected assessment revenue of approximately $510,800 for FY 2025–26 (including a 0.5 percentage-point increase that began Jan. 9, 2025); expenses expected approximately $503,006.80 and work prioritized improvements to the zoo and Lake Park to drive tourism. Motion to adopt passed unanimously.

- Apple Valley Assessment District: The council held the required public hearing and adopted staff’s recommendation to keep levies the same as the prior year ($550 for the benefit assessment and $900 for the Landscape & Lighting District where applicable). Motion passed unanimously.

- De Anza Assessment District: The council held the public hearing and adopted staff’s recommendation; levies include amounts of $342 (area A), $681.50 (area B) for specified street/storm drain coverage and $275 for the lighting and landscape district (a $25 increase from prior year was clarified during the meeting). Motion passed unanimously.

- Las Lomas Assessment District: The council approved levies adjusted by CPI (2.7%): proposed street and storm drain levy $450 and Landscape & Lighting District $337; staff reminded property owners these assessments will not fully fund future major reconstruction when needed and noted a mailed notice and deed recordation inform owners about future funding requirements. Motion passed unanimously.

For each item the council recorded unanimous roll-call votes in favor. Several staff presenters answered questions during each hearing and told the council the assessments are restricted to the properties within each district. No formal ballots were required; where Prop 218 procedures applied staff followed the required notice and protest-tabulation practices.","At the June 10 meeting the Atascadero City Council passed the consent calendar and approved a series of annual assessments and district confirmations, including downtown parking BIA, the Atascadero Tourism BID, Apple Valley, De Anza and Las Lomas assessment districts.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6206862,"Council adopts conservative two-year operating budget; reserves remain above policy target",2522,3433000,5955000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3760247-8fba896ce27fe43293cba5962e653dbe&start=3433&end=5955","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3760247-8fba896ce27fe43293cba5962e653dbe/thumbnail_3433000.jpg","/articles/6206862/Atascadero-City/San-Luis-Obispo-County/California/Council-adopts-conservative-two-year-operating-budget-reserves-remain-above-policy-target","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206862-086836d6174c4fc66d27dd7517fa369f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213454&Signature=ZZMZxvmb9yg5tm6MoKfE2US2n0sx45IYec42GoHxTitaRIM1zTsY1gfUC3ldkKqcnaXoQi9QGKTvk7C4sQ2LI6EWZcRXdWJdRF0vUq7jzi71krrndjuA9Lr5kv~~PqCZASCxY3fEOLNf3YbTS0UxkTp~ozlt1Qn5r5-kDQSViIcs8vktsTfPXi9predsfQVwuBGmwsrzKLIKhe6lnEYMBjXlfvPV7Yr6erYccG5nNKzQuU6368Or0Sir5INZZ9n2CrH1xEngvmbDz8d0PA3sI4iVxP3HOIDekw7XJqiom3MuVVFmEn2KzDDBkfYK~1FFbNiPyVABWmb2o38JkuuLuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Atascadero’s City Council unanimously adopted the biennial 2025–27 operating budget after presentations by Administrative Services Director Jerry Rangel and City Manager J. Lewis outlining revenue projections, reserve policy and planned investments.

Staff emphasized the general fund as the focus of the discussion, with property tax the largest single revenue source (projected at about $14 million in 2025–26) and sales tax included in general fund totals. Rangel said sales tax is volatile but staff projects modest growth in Bradley-Burns and Measure D revenues. Transient occupancy tax (TOT) projections were conservative (about 1.5% growth in 2025–26, rising to 4.5% in 2026–27) because of increased lodging supply in the region.

The budget includes no new ongoing general-fund positions; manager Lewis said a previously approved zoo position is funded by a grant. Staff recommended four reclassifications to create supervisory roles in public works (lead operator to lead/supervisor for wastewater operations; lead worker promotions to supervisors in parks and streets) and to reclassify the assistant (deputy) city manager position to assistant city manager to reflect duties while strengthening internal supervision and succession. Lewis framed those changes as improving operational accountability and efficiency.

The draft budget schedules over $58 million in capital investments across the two-year cycle, with major projects identified as downtown infrastructure enhancements, road projects, the public safety center, and wastewater improvements. Staff recommended continued set-asides for replacement reserves (technology, vehicles) and an annual $1.8 million set-aside for public safety facilities. A 7-year projection in the budget keeps general fund reserves above council policy (target 20%) and staff reported projections would not drop below 30.6% during the outlook period.

The budget assumes wastewater user-rate increases (discussed separately at tonight’s Prop 218 hearing) and sets conservative estimates for other variable revenues. Rangel highlighted the city’s conservative budgeting approach and the inclusion of Measure F-14 funds in a separate, transparent section of the budget document.

Council members thanked staff and finance-committee members for extensive pre-meeting review. After public comment — in which residents thanked staff for clear presentation and asked a small number of clarifying questions about utilities and operating items — Council member Funk moved to approve the budget; Council member Newsom seconded. The motion passed unanimously (Funk, Newsom, Peake, Mayor Pro Tem Derez, Mayor Bobo recorded as yes).

Council and staff emphasized the budget’s conservative assumptions, planned investments in core services, and continued monitoring of reserve levels and revenue performance during the two-year cycle.","The Atascadero City Council unanimously approved the 2025–2027 operating budget after staff described revenue assumptions, reserve projections and limited staffing reclassifications. The city projects stable reserves and plans capital investments while continuing conservative revenue estimates.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6206867,"Council certifies Prop 218 protest and adopts wastewater rate increase to fund plant work",1203,1071000,2274000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3760247-8fba896ce27fe43293cba5962e653dbe&start=1071&end=2274","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3760247-8fba896ce27fe43293cba5962e653dbe/thumbnail_1071000.jpg","/articles/6206867/Atascadero-City/San-Luis-Obispo-County/California/Council-certifies-Prop-218-protest-and-adopts-wastewater-rate-increase-to-fund-plant-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206867-7ffe489498c3823507f6138287224451/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213454&Signature=CsOuhuq67l4XFU0AJL3lzvsrYJbkq7FaDtAsdMlKNd4wLNlFQrrA0A3JZYU6uRDJ1p6y-PJd~EEuX5UvEYyxYed7mu4OrpX1YO2sReuMhQXUBNiSz~lQYkDCWONGMcgf9wyx2t2UVK9wpCHcrj8Ah-c4e8Baub5W3u3LF~0eQbpfn8BVlVfgSVNUXX2Gu~uQ-btHDiAg70IASZY5nyMyA-3d1dFLUAwFq3H4UE~gm4RIikVK3Cfy94l0xdaO-Xp3M4P3LbcSoGVBCKs8i5D2ioiiWg~HVQZfHfQHI1wTURrQ4FAwRsFqFdvOZutL-MOUK6E0kmkiPN~7zzdccjGUcQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Atascadero City Council on a unanimous vote certified the results of a Prop 218 protest process and adopted a proposed wastewater rate increase that raises the single-family equivalent monthly charge from $48.15 to $57.06, effective July 10, 2025.

The action followed a public hearing and a staff presentation by Public Works Director Nick Navarro that explained the proposed increase and the larger capital needs at the City’s wastewater treatment plant. Navarro said notices were mailed to owners of 5,611 parcels and described the Prop 218 majority-protest threshold (more than 50% of affected parcels). City Clerk staff reported six written protests were received, far short of the majority required, so no majority protest existed.

Navarro told council the increases respond to regulatory requirements, capital costs and rising operational expenses tied to needed secondary-treatment improvements. He said the city will undertake preliminary engineering, a user-classification study and a comprehensive wastewater rate study next year; staff also is pursuing regional partnerships and negotiations with the State Water Board about discharge limits. Navarro said negotiations with a large prospective customer, identified in the presentation as “Ash,” estimate that company’s flow and strength at about 913 equivalent dwelling units (EDUs).

Council discussed how capacity charges apply to new customers and changes in use and that any negotiated agreement with a large customer would be expected to include capacity charges to pay for system capacity. Council members also announced the formation of an ad hoc committee to review rates and public engagement that will meet multiple times beginning in July and continue into next year.

After the public comment period — during which one resident questioned the mailing and called the Prop 218 process \"a notification\" rather than a ballot — the City Clerk reported six protests. Mayor Pro Tem moved to certify the non-majority protest; the motion passed unanimously (Council member Funk, Council member Newsom, Council member Peake, Mayor Pro Tem Derez, Mayor Bobo — all recorded as yes). The council then voted unanimously to adopt the resolution approving the rate increase, also effective July 10, 2025.

City staff and council emphasized that even with this increase the wastewater fund balance will continue to be stressed given the scale of required plant upgrades; the rate action is one step in a multi-year program of engineering, partnership negotiations, and further rate work.

The council recorded formal motions to certify the Prop 218 protest results and to adopt the rate ordinance by resolution; both motions passed unanimously.

Looking ahead, Navarro said staff will begin broad public engagement in mid-to-late June, continue engineering design, perform the user-classification study, and incorporate findings into a comprehensive rate study expected to run from late 2026 into early 2027.

Votes at a glance: the council certified a non-majority protest (motion passed unanimously) and adopted the wastewater rate resolution (motion passed unanimously).","After a Prop 218 protest count found six objections — fewer than a majority — the Atascadero City Council certified the results and unanimously adopted a wastewater rate increase that raises the monthly single-family equivalent charge from $48.15 to $57.06 effective July 10, 2025.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City unveils 'Central Coast Zoo' name; council stresses Charles Paddock legacy amid public concern

Votes at a glance: council approves consent calendar, BID assessments, assessment districts and other items

Council adopts conservative two-year operating budget; reserves remain above policy target

Council certifies Prop 218 protest and adopts wastewater rate increase to fund plant work