[{"_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",6158135,"mediaKeyId","5460046-b36205efe8512df4ea08b7831e1106ef","parentId",5460046,"title","Council hears fire authority and water-advisory updates including weed abatements and habitat-conservation planning","audioSeconds",138,"startMs",1792000,"endMs",1930000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5460046-b36205efe8512df4ea08b7831e1106ef&start=1792&end=1930","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5460046-b36205efe8512df4ea08b7831e1106ef/thumbnail_1792000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6158135/Arroyo-Grande-City/San-Luis-Obispo-County/California/Council-hears-fire-authority-and-water-advisory-updates-including-weed-abatements-and-habitat-conservation-planning","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6158135-4ee5a1169d3aa31c430f55ca694fc173/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199926&Signature=bf8UCxq9UG5FVF1yn9Z4bwHwSeMLZ~QO7AEjuSA46ztH6m-HbNnVQ6EjMADztwCG0fjgkBpe-LVJ1cwkbBKGplFNaOXD-I2p6JXC0hTtkjGVSOKOaRmZQnN4hiAIEOmUaGqXFAAcQ04yDY9Ysd8LpNzMg0zUqiRBLSnnhoOTlEBpa72vP6tdI0Shh-guymprxJ-aCq8bFmZRAKap30qsoO97IlBf9NDUhPDF2HRzHX~HI8jTfbv2eVuJgZonTjDIfANt~NdSeyIEgZMbacXz7~wHdwSSYIl-mRVRL7YFQAFJDs08uhoTa2FlWjRFlaiKbjguUlTmSPsy8FWpKfjDiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Arroyo Grande CA","date","2025-07-23T14:56:43Z","article","Several council members used their reports to update peers on regional public-safety and water-resource work.
Council member Marvilla said the 5 Cities Fire Authority met July 21 and described weed abatement work that resulted in eight assessed properties in Arroyo Grande and four in Grover Beach; the assessed property owners will be billed by the county assessor for contractor and administrative costs. Marvilla also said the fire authority filed its first annual compliance report under Senate Bill 1205, which requires departments to report completion of inspections for state-mandated occupancies (schools, hotels, apartments, hospitals). \"5 Cities Fire was able to inspect almost 100% of all their jurisdictions,\" she said, noting the only missed inspection was a preschool closed for the summer.
Council member Low reported attending the Zone 3 Water Advisory Committee on July 17. Committee members received routine operations and maintenance updates and discussed regional solutions for water going forward. Low said the county is developing a Habitat Conservation Plan and that a fish-passage feasibility study at the dam is under way; the HCP is due to be submitted by Oct. 1, staff said.
Separately, City Manager Matt Downing noted the Trafficway bridge replacement project is progressing, with contractor crews working extended summer hours and completing abutment and creek work ahead of the required in-stream work window. Downing also reported on the city's Buy Local program: a $10,000 phase generated about $90,000 in local sales and Phase 2 is planned for September with the Chamber of Commerce.
The council heard these routine reports with no formal action required at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","07/22/2025 City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Council members reported recent activity from regional public-safety and water bodies: weed abatement assessments and near-complete annual fire inspections under SB 1205 for the 5 Cities Fire Authority, and ongoing habitat-conservation-plan (HCP) work and fish-passage feasibility study for the Zone 3 reservoir.","taxTitle","Arroyo Grande City, San Luis Obispo County, California","taxId",71908,"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},6158140,"Council approves 5% merit raise, extended term in city manager contract",174,5957000,6131000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5460046-b36205efe8512df4ea08b7831e1106ef&start=5957&end=6131","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5460046-b36205efe8512df4ea08b7831e1106ef/thumbnail_5957000.jpg","/articles/6158140/Arroyo-Grande-City/San-Luis-Obispo-County/California/Council-approves-5-merit-raise-extended-term-in-city-manager-contract","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6158140-7b8093034e05c0aaf70d28e94e8fe592/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199926&Signature=j3l1PzH006d88ogSxY4yD~V1xpBTnwthemR6zxIc3icxp8lsJcQUHPl686j73UfpMnbToTRlzjpOtKx8ZFfWyN1w44a~~PRpZ19za~Aq-4~t930QGyss~URxKgG~ORYWwd-OxjYPZ5x5W1NTtVk6BKOpfd2NhxBZqu~DIkeIf2aoKs6jVr-NPiD94cRyRjyqJ6E4MDKamWbG6C68TKUnBQgqAtcAj3rfwOcc-FXb1RBMIbN5txBlDVo2PDYo7VqodoKvabeFe5nZrptVtum3M6gilx7tskvwMkTa9wTE3Tn4LCch~ylIH9mg3z-TqaqyupI25OWfgMydwQnsqFuZCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Arroyo Grande City Council on Tuesday approved a first amendment to City Manager Matt Downing's employment agreement following a properly noticed closed-session negotiation. City staff reported the three components of the amendment in open session before the vote, as required by the Brown Act.
Per the amendment read into the record, Downing will receive a 5% merit increase to his base salary, bringing annual base pay to $265,661.76 as stated in the staff report. The contract also shifts Downing's annual performance evaluation to occur in or around March each year and extends the initial contract term by one year.
City Manager Downing was present for the report and had no additional public disclosures beyond the oral summary. Council members moved and seconded approval of the amendment in open session; the council recorded the motion and adopted the amendment by roll call vote.
No public speakers addressed the item during the open-session report period, and staff noted the oral summary matched the written amendment on the agenda.","After a closed-session negotiation, the Arroyo Grande City Council approved a first amendment to City Manager Matt Downing's employment agreement: a 5% base-salary increase, a March annual performance-evaluation schedule, and a one-year extension of his contract term.",{"_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},6158144,"Interim chief: Arroyo Grande police will not assist in civil immigration enforcement unless required by law",147,2113000,2260000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5460046-b36205efe8512df4ea08b7831e1106ef&start=2113&end=2260","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5460046-b36205efe8512df4ea08b7831e1106ef/thumbnail_2113000.jpg","/articles/6158144/Arroyo-Grande-City/San-Luis-Obispo-County/California/Interim-chief-Arroyo-Grande-police-will-not-assist-in-civil-immigration-enforcement-unless-required-by-law","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6158144-e794c94c256a203b24ed43bfe638674b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199926&Signature=NqOcBpvNWhKKdQ-tUodn6KXyLlJsbfA2EkCXH1lbsl7HzTytTwt~2BlbKsjq1Mwdlro-sQY6B250VpBRDX3zfjNYjQa-Fr-pniUO10I3KsbNX95Pkd-2OfKOKpEYMK1nHjFpZ1plg0T9EBmawZkorEIEvdNUvTKdS0e0etqeA3YD95~41FwV4~rCQY3b0hL8K6Ukyb3XNOUfB97iYsHjVpwSKtSU3zCojWbq-pp217WNRDSgEXhFN7nnrigfj39X23sqS5mNpNwBg5w0AUa~3SZAL8TJC1mqkJo~7khXP~uZKea96S3EZSmcFvUAEUZx~fUEiBSEgJvSaAfYTy0RDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Interim Police Chief Dave Culver responded to written public comments and questions about alleged unlawful apprehensions, telling the Arroyo Grande City Council the police department is prohibited from assisting in civil immigration enforcement under state law and is committed to serving all residents.
\"Under the California Values Act, local law enforcement agencies are prohibited from assisting federal immigration and customs enforcement (ICE) in civil immigration enforcement actions,\" Culver said. \"Our department is bound by state and federal laws that limit our involvement in immigration enforcement activities. We cannot and will not participate in interfering with federal immigration enforcement operations unless explicitly mandated by law or court order.\"
Culver said the department values open dialogue with the community and thanked residents for bringing concerns forward. He also urged anyone who sees activity that may be outside the bounds of federal enforcement'for example, masked officers or unmarked vehicles'to call 911 so local officers can respond and assess the situation. \"If you see something, call 911. Let us come out and investigate it, and we'll make a determination on scene whether or not they're operating within their legal recourse,\" he said.
Council members asked whether the department could post the guidance on the city's website; staff agreed to look into that. No changes to department policy were announced; Culver reiterated the department's commitment to professionalism and to building trust in the community.","Interim Police Chief Dave Culver told the council the department is bound by state law and will not participate in civil immigration enforcement actions with ICE absent a court order or explicit legal mandate. The chief encouraged residents to call 911 if they observe suspected enforcement activity.",{"_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},6158149,"Central Coast Community Energy outlines battery storage, rebates and looming federal incentive deadlines",1180,178000,1358000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5460046-b36205efe8512df4ea08b7831e1106ef&start=178&end=1358","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5460046-b36205efe8512df4ea08b7831e1106ef/thumbnail_178000.jpg","/articles/6158149/Arroyo-Grande-City/San-Luis-Obispo-County/California/Central-Coast-Community-Energy-outlines-battery-storage-rebates-and-looming-federal-incentive-deadlines","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6158149-174b042d52dc648b61a01db5cfb46cb5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199926&Signature=ni5-J6a63q8ztTgo-3XLTjh2PqcKq0WDPLfywo6k92Y~MgzM0FlgQgqvsCvfMc7GVI4qyr4FN9SC2hPx1iJt3~1BAzGYgsBs5KGkTwS4wSpW7fisek~4FiIo4ea-3mp-z6KmMs~Ny054hYC34Ad6otpbKosZ4e3aogmfZ9PBiQQUiOsk~tXFvlSs4f7zx285k-Xw-lcODm50vJ8mK4b4dlfzAjz83W4OxpzsbGsZV4mtQX-QfKOxy-AXfVK-ogtfdTO7990Hw1a32YBFVNmfujck1T6H25BpBsIkJ8~AwaIU7xrF444A5P1eXobuIugQ6EZSl2qJTCsQF2GaK15rqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) senior adviser Doss Williams told the Arroyo Grande City Council on Tuesday that battery storage is \"essential for California's carbon-free energy transition and just as important for customer affordability.\" Williams presented the agency's local programs, procurement progress and warnings about expiring federal incentives.
Williams said 3CE contracts currently supply roughly 409 megawatts of generation and enroll about 1.2 million customers across member agencies. \"We already have secured contracts for 64% of our mix to be from renewables,\" Williams said, noting the proportion of renewables in the portfolio is expected to grow as 3CE issues additional requests for proposals.
Williams emphasized the role of batteries in shifting daytime solar production to evening hours and in providing resource-adequacy (RA) credit to support grid reliability. He illustrated how battery deployments helped California avoid flex alerts during recent heat events by charging during cheap midday solar production and discharging during evening peaks.
He addressed safety concerns about battery-energy-storage systems, saying 3CE does not have power-purchase agreements with large indoor facilities like Moss Landing and that contracted battery projects use containerized systems with fire suppression and the latest codes. \"There's no such thing as 100% safe energy ... but it is getting safer,\" Williams said.
Williams outlined 3CE customer-facing programs available to Arroyo Grande residents: an EV rebate called Electrify Your Ride ($1,000 to $4,000 depending on income, typically paired with a federal incentive), residential and commercial electrification rebates (heat-pump water heaters, home batteries, insulation), a residential battery rebate, agricultural electrification and incentives to replace heavy-duty fleet vehicles with electric models. He said 3CE's Central Coast budget is about $14,000,000 a year and member agencies have been submitting applications at higher rates.
Williams warned of impending changes to federal incentives. He said the $7,500 federal EV tax credit (\"treated as cash at the dealer\" when available) is set to expire on Sept. 30 in the structure he discussed, and that the 30% tax credit for residential and commercial energy-efficiency measures is scheduled to lapse at the end of the year. \"We want people to go out there and use those incentives, as quickly as possible,\" Williams said, pointing to a webinar 11 a.m. Wednesday for business owners on commercial EV charging.
Williams said 3CE also offers bilingual outreach, community workshops and a program to help small member agencies with fleet replacement and fast chargers. He noted 3CE is advocating in Sacramento and Washington on resource-adequacy rules and Western regional market proposals.
Council members had no questions at the meeting; Williams left flyers with program contact information for residents.","A Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) representative briefed the Arroyo Grande City Council on battery storage, local rebate programs and upcoming changes to federal incentives that could affect EV purchases and home electrification.",{"_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},6158153,"Council upholds planning commission, denies subdivision appeal for 444 Lyerly Lane",3019,2613000,5632000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5460046-b36205efe8512df4ea08b7831e1106ef&start=2613&end=5632","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5460046-b36205efe8512df4ea08b7831e1106ef/thumbnail_2613000.jpg","/articles/6158153/Arroyo-Grande-City/San-Luis-Obispo-County/California/Council-upholds-planning-commission-denies-subdivision-appeal-for-444-Lyerly-Lane","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6158153-f8d482861fbcb584be55e6a5b885431c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199926&Signature=lD9660B63RmPqOgbBe7sJIOimjrp8NdOixT3LmIHBxXPgdJnvNlxh-Cll5que7cW4Qy85RTS7PugDw07AbtTP1yrqObHOharc3DKOQzbH6eoLzYA9cQFo2wSKNVC9ewpkxxlOipuFItQC5cbeJhtgAREKADvSLOVL2xF~Fsp2RAW40~rT-b2bEfYFU6xhG0bUz8sPDQydouYlYB1GpY7TjebGODenuhFVBqGx5s29qiKC~jrKl~tie4JhgPfKiqjDzKVQd~uY9~oB6z3L8UjCnqIVLnVfJP4NdmkUEZJrvizAIs8uFl34nVSGOixLrpUgg3C9L-0qshwOFrkcNAiCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Arroyo Grande City Council on Tuesday denied an appeal of the planning commission's decision and rejected a tentative parcel map that would have divided 444 Lyerly Lane into four parcels and a remainder. The council adopted a resolution denying appeal case 24-002 and denying with prejudice tentative parcel map 23-001, and determined the denial is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act.
The denial followed months of hearings and public comment about the site's access. Planning staff advised the council that the proposed eight-foot easement for private-road access is inconsistent with the General Plan circulation element and city standards and contains impediments, including utility poles, a fire hydrant and fences.
The application sought to create four new parcels on a 1.31-acre property at the end of a private roadway. \"The constructed roadway does not align with the location of the easement,\" staff said in its report, and the planning commission concluded it could not make the required findings for approval because the access is substandard and would prevent safe response by emergency vehicles.
Appellant Bruce Vander Veen, who owns the property, urged the council to consider exercising eminent domain to acquire a small strip of neighboring land to widen the access. Vander Veen said he and his clients relied on a 2023 staff advisory email that indicated sufficient access during pre-application meetings and that subsequent surveys revealed the easement location and width issues only later. \"We hired Rob Lewin ... he says this is unsafe,\" Vander Veen said, urging the city to act so the property could be developed and neighborhood safety improved.
Neighbors and property owners who spoke at the hearing opposed overturning the planning commission. Ingrid Kovacs, who said she lives at 307 Myrtle Drive, read a written comment noting the proposed easement is \"only 8 feet wide, well below the 24-foot minimum required by Royal Grande Municipal Code,\" and contended the gravel road in use is not aligned with the recorded easement and crosses property not owned by the applicant. \"This proposal fails to meet multiple findings required for parcel map approval,\" Kovacs said.
Other neighbors described the private drive as a shared driveway and emergency access created for internal circulation of Tract 2653 that does not extend to the proposed lot. Several residents said the neighborhood has repeatedly considered access improvements during prior phases of development and that the applicant had multiple continuances to resolve the issue without success.
Council members said the commission and staff had reviewed the matter extensively and that unresolved access, safety and legal easement questions prevented approval. Council member Guthrie, who moved the denial, said the planning commission could not make the required findings and that the council could not promise to resolve outstanding property-title or access issues without fuller study.
The council's action formalizes the planning commission's October denial and follows multiple continuances and an appeal lodged in November 2024. Staff had recommended adoption of the resolution denying the appeal and map.
No immediate city action on eminent domain occurred; the city attorney explained to council the constitutional process and findings required if the city were ever to pursue acquisition, including a public-interest necessity finding and court proceedings.
The council's vote recorded the motion to deny the appeal as adopted by roll call; the staff report and resolution were entered into the record.","The Arroyo Grande City Council voted to deny an appeal and uphold the planning commission's unanimous decision to reject a tentative parcel map for 444 Lyerly Lane, citing substandard access and public-safety concerns. Appellants urged the city to consider eminent domain; neighbors opposed the project.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council hears fire authority and water-advisory updates including weed abatements and habitat-conservation planning

Council approves 5% merit raise, extended term in city manager contract

Interim chief: Arroyo Grande police will not assist in civil immigration enforcement unless required by law

Central Coast Community Energy outlines battery storage, rebates and looming federal incentive deadlines

Council upholds planning commission, denies subdivision appeal for 444 Lyerly Lane