Paso Robles council approves landfill funding pledge, corporation yard design change and Olson-South Chandler annexation; consent calendar passes

The Paso Robles City Council on Dec. 17 approved a package of ordinances, resolutions and contracts affecting landfill financial assurance, municipal facilities planning and a housing subdivision in the Olson South Chandler ("Veneto") area. Several items passed by unanimous votes; the council also approved the consent calendar and completed procedural actions related to the newly elected council members.

Key votes at a glance

- Certification of consolidated general election results and declaration of winners (treasurer and council districts): Motion to approve a resolution certifying the Nov. 5, 2024 consolidated general election passed unanimously. Council then administered oaths of office.

- Community Facilities District (CFD) annexation and special election (Olson South Chandler Ranch / Veneto Planning Area 9): The council adopted a resolution calling a special election for annexation to CFD No. 2022-2N (Olson South Chandler Ranch – Services), conducted the election for the annexation area (the city clerk reported ballots in favor), declared the results, and introduced by title an ordinance authorizing the levy of special taxes in the CFD including the annexed territory. All related motions passed unanimously.

- Final map, Tract 3149 (Veneto, Planning Area 9): Council approved the final map for Tract 3149 and directed recording of required documents; motion passed unanimously.

- CalRecycle pledge for landfill post-closure and corrective-action assurance: Council approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to enter an agreement with the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) confirming the city's pledge of financial assurance for landfill closure, post-closure maintenance and corrective actions. Adam Spalding (staff) said the city will formalize use of approximately $5 million already set aside from tipping fees to accelerate partial final closure work. The motion passed unanimously.

- Corporation yard design: The council approved a change order to the existing contract with Omni Design Inc. for additional design services tied to a reprogrammed facility scope (three buildings instead of one) in the amount of $159,037, bringing the total contract value to approximately $1,058,490. Public Works Director Freda Berman described that the new plan separates facilities and landscape shop, a metal fleet maintenance building, and a standalone utilities building. The motion passed unanimously.

- City workspace moves and lease savings: As part of workspace planning, the council heard that several departments (administrative services, IT, HR, finance, public works administration) will relocate to city-owned property on Second Wind Way adjacent to the airport; staff said vacating the City Hall annex will save about $120,000 annually in lease costs once moves are complete.

- Consent calendar and other routine actions: The consent calendar (8 items including warrants, treasurer’s report, banking services award to Pacific Premier Bank, and side letters with employee unions) passed unanimously. The council also selected a mayor pro tem and approved assignments to regional bodies and ad hoc committees by unanimous vote.

Items not adopted or continued

- The only item the council postponed was the downtown employee parking permits ordinance (see separate article). That item was continued to the June 17 meeting by a 3-2 vote.

Why these matters matter

- The CalRecycle pledge formalizes the city's financial assurance for landfill closure work and allows using dedicated landfill enterprise funds to advance partial final closure without drawing on the general fund.

- The corporation yard change order commits additional design funds and responds to revised program requirements; it also dovetails with other workspace projects that aim to reduce leased space and centralize operations.

- The CFD annexation, special election and new parcel map are steps in a long-planned specific plan area (Olson South Chandler / Veneto) that will create residential lots and authorize a special-tax levy to fund services in the annexed territory.

What the council voted on (details and roll calls)

1) Resolution certifying consolidated general election results (Nov. 5, 2024) - Motion: Approve resolution reciting facts and declaring results as provided by County Elections Office. - Mover/Second: Roden / Bausch (motion recorded earlier in meeting) - Vote: Unanimous (Ayes: Roden, Bausch, Gregory, Strong, Mayor Hammond)

2) CFD annexation (Olson South Chandler Ranch / CFD No. 2022-2N) - Motions: Adopt resolution calling a special election; conduct special election (city clerk reported all votes in favor for the propositions on the ballot); adopt resolution declaring election results; introduce by title ordinance authorizing levy of special taxes. - Vote: All motions passed unanimously.

3) Final map Tract 3149 (Veneto Planning Area 9) - Motion: Adopt resolution approving final map and direct the city engineer to record required documents. - Vote: Unanimous.

4) CalRecycle agreement — landfill closure/post-closure pledge - Motion: Approve resolution authorizing city manager to execute agreement with CalRecycle confirming the city's pledge of financial assurance for post-closure and corrective-action activities. - Staff notes: Adam Spalding said the city has approximately $5,000,000 in dedicated landfill funds (from tipping fees) available; prior annual set-aside was increased from approx. $180,000 to $250,000. - Vote: Unanimous.

5) Omni Design change order — new corporation yard - Motion: Authorize change order in the amount of $159,037 to Omni Design Inc., bringing total contract to $1,058,490; find action consistent with previously certified environmental review. - Staff notes: New scope creates three buildings (landscape/facilities shop, metal fleet-maintenance shop, standalone utilities building); City Hall remodel and moves to Second Wind Way are related workspace projects. - Vote: Unanimous.

6) Consent calendar (items 1–8 including warrants, treasurer report, banking services, union side letters) - Motion: Approve consent calendar items 1–8. - Vote: Unanimous.

7) Selection of Mayor Pro Tem and committee assignments - Motion: Nominate and elect Councilmember Steve Gregory as Mayor Pro Tem and adopt assignments shown in the staff attachment; council then authorized staff to update outside agencies. - Vote: Unanimous.

Provenance: where to find these actions in the meeting transcript

- Election certification & oaths: transcript 00:10:05–00:13:21 (certification presentation, motion and unanimous vote; oath ceremonies followed) - CFD annexation / special election / ordinance introduction: transcript 01:09:21–01:36:39 (presentation, public hearing, vote sequence and ordinance introduction) - Final map (Tract 3149): transcript 01:36:39–01:52:25 (staff presentation and resolution adoption) - CalRecycle landfill pledge: transcript 01:12:24–01:22:08 (staff report by Adam Spalding and unanimous council approval) - Omni Design change order / corporation yard: transcript 01:22:24–01:36:26 (Public Works presentation by Freda Berman and unanimous approval) - Consent calendar: transcript 00:59:16–01:06:23 (staff summary and unanimous approval)

What to expect next

- Staff will execute the CalRecycle agreement, record the CFD annexation documents and the final map, and proceed with the Omni Design change order work and planning for the corporation yard and related workspace moves. Council asked staff to return on the continued dates for items requiring follow-up, and staff will notify outside agencies and stakeholders as described.