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 not considered hotels under city code. Lodging owners will vote only for board members representing their lodging category. Councilmember Funk moved to approve the ordinance; Mayor Pro Tem Dares seconded. Roll call was unanimous: Funk, Newsom, Peake, Dares and Mayor Barbot voted yes.

CDBG recommendations: Public Works Director Nick DeBarr summarized the city’s draft CDBG recommendations. The city recommended using federal HUD-allocated funds for a Via El Camino sidewalk and ADA improvement project (city application $95,248) and awarded funds to two public-service applicants: youth activity scholarships through the Atascadero Recreation Department ($12,520) and ECHO’s homeless shelter operations ($9,460). The total draft recommendation is $146,534; staff noted final awards will be adjusted proportionally if the final HUD allocation differs. Councilmember Funk moved approval of the draft recommendations; Councilmember Peake seconded. Roll call: Funk, Peake, Newsom, Dares and Barbot voted yes.

Transit consolidation with RTA: Public Works Analyst Ryan Betts presented an agreement to consolidate Atascadero’s Dial-A-Ride service into the San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority (RTA). Betts said Dial-A-Ride ridership has fallen since 2019 and operating costs and federal/state reporting requirements have grown more complex; several other county cities have consolidated with RTA. RTA would assume vehicle ownership, maintenance and federal/state reporting, integrate Dial-A-Ride with fixed-route services and handle procurement and compliance; Betts and RTA Executive Director Jeff Straw said local control over service levels, fares and other rider-facing decisions remains with the city. Staff estimated an approximate annual operating budget in the ballpark of $650,000; the contract would begin after a brief implementation period with an anticipated effective date of June 22, 2025, subject to final negotiation and CPI/service-level work. Councilmember Funk moved approval; Mayor Pro Tem Dares seconded. The motion passed unanimously (Funk, Newsom, Peake, Dares, Barbot).

Zoo accreditation and investment plan: Community Services Director Terry Banish and the zoo’s new director described work toward Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) re-accreditation and a multi-year financial plan. The council approved the staff recommendation to expend $1,000,000 in budgeted zoo project funds and to commit up to $340,000 in additional staff costs over an incentive period to hire two full-time positions (a zookeeper and a maintenance worker) intended to expand programs, reduce outsourced maintenance costs and move the zoo toward sustainability. The Friends of the Charles Paddock Zoo leadership said the nonprofit will launch a capital campaign and expand membership and sponsorship activity to accelerate revenue growth. Councilmember Newsom moved approval; Councilmember Funk seconded. Roll call: unanimous yes.

Consent calendar: Council approved the consent calendar (items A1–A4) on a single motion. The motion was made by Councilmember Funk and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Dares; roll call was unanimous.

Why it matters: The ATBID ordinance change narrows voting to within lodging categories and could affect who serves on the tourism advisory board; the CDBG awards direct federal dollars to local sidewalk/ADA work and social services; the RTA consolidation shifts Dial-A-Ride administration and vehicle management to a regional agency while preserving local oversight of service levels; and the zoo investment authorizes material city funds to pursue AZA re-accreditation and a path to reduced operating deficits.

Ending: All five recorded votes were unanimous. Staff will carry the transit agreement to the RTA board for review, the CDBG recommendations to the county for finalization, and the zoo plan into the city’s budget process and future council budget hearings.