Council recognizes budget award and local streets project; staff previews events

The council opened the meeting with staff presentations recognizing recent accolades and previewing community events.

Cindy of the Administrative Services Department announced that Atascadero received an excellence in budgeting award from the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers for the 2025–2027 operating budget; she thanked staff and partners for producing clear financial documents. Public Works Director DeBara announced the Downtown El Camino Real project won a 2026 outstanding local streets and roads project award from statewide associations, noting the project was one of only five statewide winners and praising community input and staff work; Mayor Barbot singled out Ryan Hayes as the project manager.

City Manager Jim Lewis then highlighted several upcoming community engagements: "Coffee with a Planner" on March 19 (an opportunity for residents to consult planners), the ninth annual beerfest in Sutton Garden on March 21, a Downtown walkabout on March 14 celebrating women‑owned businesses, and a spring waste drop‑off/shredding/compost giveaway at 3360 La Cruz Way in April. He also praised police work in apprehending vandals responsible for downtown tagging.

These items were covered near the start of the meeting and preceded the substantive agenda items on sewer rates and the zoning update.