Atascadero council approves consent calendar, lodging board nomination changes, CDBG awards, transit consolidation with RTA and zoo funding plan

The Atascadero City Council on Feb. 11 approved several routine and policy items in unanimous votes that city staff said will affect tourism governance, federal grant allocations, transit operations and the Charles Paddock Zoo’s capital and staffing plans.

Council members voted to adopt changes to the Atascadero Tourism Business Improvement District (ATBID) ordinance that limit lodging-owner ballot eligibility to the lodging category the owner represents. The council also approved the city’s recommended funding allocations for the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, authorized an agreement to consolidate the city’s Dial-A-Ride transit service with the San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority (RTA), and approved an investment plan to support the Charles Paddock Zoo’s path to re-accreditation and financial sustainability.

ATBID ordinance: The council adopted an ordinance to modify the ATBID advisory board composition and the nomination and voting process. Under the revised language explained by Community Services and Promotion Director Terry Banish, the advisory board will have five members: four representing lodging businesses in commercial zones with 25 or more rooms and one representing vacation rentals/bed-and-breakfast/short-term rental properties…