Paso Robles council approves new solid‑waste rates, orders Fourth of July fireworks and sets special election for CFD

The Paso Robles City Council on Jan. 15 approved a series of measures, including revised solid‑waste rates under Proposition 218, a special election and ordinance steps for Community Facilities District (CFD) Improvement Area 2, authorization to order the city’s July 4 fireworks, and the first reading of updated animal‑control rules.

The actions, taken after staff presentations and brief council discussion, affect city contracting, public utilities and upcoming voter action. The council voted on consent calendar items and separate motions; most measures passed unanimously, while a request to support SLOCOG legislation drew a 3‑2 split.

Citywide context The council approved routine consent items that included contract awards and final payments related to road, drainage and public‑safety projects, and directed staff to defer one consent item for later review. The meeting record shows several large warrant payments on this agenda cycle, including a $400,921.19 payment for an EDA‑funded fiber installation, a $587,392.80 payment to San Luis Obispo County for Nacimiento water operating fund billing, and a $268,884.55 closeout payment for Fire Station 3.

Community Facilities District: special election, results and ordinance Administrative Services Director Ryan Cornell told the council the hearing and related documents satisfied the statutory steps to call a special election for the CFD known in staff materials as Olson South Chandler Ranch (Community Facilities District no. 2022‑1N). Mayor John Hammond moved to call a special election; the motion passed unanimously.

The city clerk then opened the official ballots and reported that every returned ballot supported the proposition. The council adopted a resolution declaring the results and then introduced — by title only — an ordinance to levy the revised special taxes in the district; both measures passed by unanimous votes.

Solid‑waste rates: Prop 218 process concludes, new rates approved Ian Hoover, general manager of Paso Robles Waste and Recycle, summarized the hauler’s five‑year rate review and said rising costs for labor, fuel, landfill tip fees, insurance and recycling processing prompted the request. "To achieve a target return on operations of 10%, we need an 11.96% increase to residential rates, an 11.96% increase to commercial rates, and a 33.9% increase to roll‑off rates," Hoover said during his presentation.

The city completed the Prop 218 notice and protest period; staff reported 13 written protests were received and that 8,568 protests would have been required to constitute a majority protest. With no majority protest, the council adopted the resolution to implement the new rates and authorized the city manager to execute required documents. The motion passed unanimously.

Fourth of July fireworks: council authorizes order and asks for budget follow‑up After a staff report that estimated a 2025 event budget of about $170,000 and described a current shortfall, Council Member Rotem Gregory moved to authorize ordering the fireworks (staff identified a vendor commitment in the range of about $42,000–$45,000). The motion passed unanimously; staff was directed to return at the next meeting with a revised budget and options to reduce costs or identify additional revenue and in‑kind support.

Animal control code: first reading adopted Police/animal services staff presented a countywide‑aligned update to the municipal code (Title 8) to standardize animal licensing, impoundment and other enforcement activities. The draft requires microchipping of dogs and cats, clarifies nuisance and sanitation obligations, and updates penalties. Pro Tem Rotem Gregory moved to introduce an ordinance for first reading by title only; the motion passed unanimously.

Sale of city property at 417 Cool Valley Drive: intent declared, hearing set Public Works Operations Manager David Licaró described a small city lot that has been effectively blocked from public access by an 8‑foot concrete wall and reported negotiations with an adjacent property owner who agreed to purchase the parcel. The council adopted a resolution declaring the city’s intent to convey the parcel, found it exempt from the Surplus Land Act (based on access and parcel size), and set March 4, 2025, as the protest hearing date. The motion passed unanimously.

SLOCOG legislation letter of support: split vote The council considered a staff‑drafted letter supporting state legislation to exempt a future countywide transportation sales‑tax measure from the 2% local sales‑tax cap, preserving an option for SLOCOG to pursue a transportation‑specific sales tax outside that cap. After discussion the council authorized the mayor to sign the support letter. The motion carried 3–2 (Ayes: Council Member Strong, Council Member Beal, Mayor Hammond; Nays: Council Member Bausch, Pro Tem Rotem Gregory).

Video production and chamber improvements: RFP authorized, PEG funds to be used Staff proposed a semi‑automated upgrade to the council chamber audio/video and broadcasting system to provide on‑camera views of speakers (council, staff and members of the public) during meetings. Estimates for the video system were about $225,000. The council authorized staff to proceed with an RFP, appropriate available public/educational/government (PEG) fund balance to buy the system and return with refined budget and scope for optional room improvements (carpet, blackout shades, dais updates). The motion passed unanimously.

Votes at a glance (selected items) - Consent calendar (items 1–6, 8–11; item 7 deferred): motion by Pro Tem Rotem Gregory; second by Council Member Strong. Vote: 5–0, approved. (Included payments and contract awards noted in staff report.) - Call special election for CFD Improvement Area 2 (Olson South Chandler Ranch, CFD 2022‑1N): motion by Mayor Hammond; second by Council Member Strong. Vote: 5–0, approved. - Resolution declaring result of CFD special election: motion by Mayor Hammond; second by Council Member Strong. Vote: 5–0, approved. - Introduce ordinance to levy special taxes for CFD Improvement Area 2 (first reading by title only): motion by Mayor Hammond; second by Council Member Strong. Vote: 5–0, introduced. - Adopt solid‑waste rates after Prop 218 process (Paso Robles Waste and Recycle): motion by Pro Tem Rotem Gregory; second by Council Member Beal. Vote: 5–0, approved. - Authorize commitment to purchase fireworks for July 4 celebration (vendor commitment ~$42,000–$45,000); staff to return with revised budget: motion by Pro Tem Rotem Gregory; second by Council Member Bausch. Vote: 5–0, approved. - Introduce Title 8 (animal control) ordinance — first reading by title only: motion by Pro Tem Rotem Gregory; second by Council Member Bausch. Vote: 5–0, introduced. - Declare intent to sell 417 Cool Valley Drive, set March 4, 2025 hearing, find Surplus Land Act exemption: motion by Pro Tem Rotem Gregory; second by Council Member Beal. Vote: 5–0, approved. - Authorize Mayor to sign letter supporting SLOCOG legislative proposal exempting a transportation sales‑tax measure from the 2% cap: motion by Council Member Strong; second by Council Member Beal. Vote: 3–2 (Strong, Beal, Hammond Aye; Bausch, Gregory No), approved. - Authorize RFP and use of PEG fund balance for semi‑automated chamber video system (estimated $225,000); staff to return with refined scope and optional room improvements: motion by Pro Tem Rotem Gregory; second by Council Member Bausch. Vote: 5–0, approved.

What comes next - Staff will return with a revised budget and cost‑reduction options for the July 4 event (including a requested estimate that was approved to secure fireworks). - The March 4, 2025 hearing is set for protests on the proposed conveyance of 417 Cool Valley Drive. - If the CFD ordinance is finalized at subsequent readings, the revised special tax rate/method will be implemented according to the CFD schedule.

Quotes and attributions in this report come from the meeting record. City Attorney Elizabeth Hall reported on closed session that "there's no reportable action" following the council's review of anticipated litigation. Ian Hoover, general manager of Paso Robles Waste and Recycle, summarized the rate study and cited the company’s revenue shortfall drivers and the percentage changes that led to the requested adjustments. Administrative Services Director Ryan Cornell explained the procedural steps for the CFD election and the clerk’s certification of the special‑election ballots.

Meeting materials and staff reports filed with the clerk list contract and payment details approved on the consent calendar and provide full rate‑study tables, contract memos and staff recommendations for the items above.