HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC_2025_02_21_22_SP_Minutes.docxAtascadero City Council
February 21 & 22, 2025
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NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING
ATASCADERO CITY COUNCIL
Friday, February 21, 2025, 6:00 P.M.
Saturday, February 22, 2025, 9:00 A.M.
City Hall – Council Chambers
6500 Palma Avenue, Atascadero
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Goal Setting Workshop
MINUTES
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2025, 6:00 P.M.
Mayor Bourbeau called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm
ROLL CALL:
Present: Council Members Funk, Peek, Mayor Pro Tem Dariz, and Mayor
Bourbeau
Absent: Council Member Newsom
Others Present: None
Staff Present: City Manager Jim Lewis, Deputy City Manager/City Clerk Lara
Christensen, Administrative Services Director/City Treasurer Jeri
Rangel, Community Development Director Phil Dunsmore, Community
Services and Promotions Director Terrie Banish, Fire Chief Casey
Bryson, Police Chief Dan Suttles, Public Works Director Nick DeBar,
Deputy City Manager – IT Luke Knight, and Deputy Director of Economic
& Community Development Loreli Cappel
COUNCIL WORKSHOP – STRATEGIC PLANNING
Council Member Newsom arrived at 6:01 p.m.
1. Welcome, Opening Comments, Exercise
After brief introductions and an overview of the meeting, City Manager Lewis led the Council
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February 21 & 22, 2025
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and staff through an exercise to identify expectations for the Workshop and to identify areas of
accomplishment and excitement both past in the future.
2. Public Comment
The following members of the public were present and gave comment throughout the meeting:
Geoff Auslen
3. Attributes of High Performing Cities/Councils
City Manager Lewis led the Council and staff through a self-assessment exercise to identify
what Council Members and staff are doing well and how that aligns with the attributes of high
performing cities/councils. A copy of the article “Attributes of Exceptional Councils” was
provided to the Council (Exhibit A).
Mayor Bourbeau recessed the meeting at 7:24 p.m.
Mayor Bourbeau reconvened the meeting with all present at 7:31 p.m.
4. Review of Council Norms
Deputy City Manager/City Clerk Christensen reviewed the Council Norms. Following
discussion, the Council provided direction on changes to the Norms to be brought back for
adoption at a future meeting.
5. Staff Supporting City Council
Deputy City Manager/City Clerk Christensen briefed the City Council on staff support for the
Council including travel arrangements, Council calendars, and communications with staff.
Deputy City Manager – IT Luke Knight briefed the Council on upcoming technology
upgrades and use of technology by the Council. City Manager Lewis led the Council
through a discussion on scheduling for Closed Session Meetings and Special
Meetings/Study Sessions.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Bourbeau adjourned the meeting at 9:00 p.m. to Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 9:00
a.m. to continue the Goal Setting Workshop.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2025, 9:00 A.M.
Mayor Bourbeau called the meeting to order at 9:01 am
ROLL CALL:
Present: Council Members Funk, Newsom, Peek, Mayor Pro Tem Dariz, and
Mayor Bourbeau
Absent: None
Others Present: None
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February 21 & 22, 2025
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Staff Present: City Manager Jim Lewis, City Attorney Dave Fleishman, Deputy City
Manager/City Clerk Lara Christensen, Administrative Services
Director/City Treasurer Jeri Rangel, Community Development Director
Phil Dunsmore, Community Services and Promotions Director Terrie
Banish, Fire Chief Casey Bryson, Police Chief Dan Suttles, Public Works
Director Nick DeBar, Deputy City Manager – IT Luke Knight, Deputy
Director of Economic & Community Development Loreli Cappel, and
Human Resources Manager Rachel Hunter
COUNCIL WORKSHOP – STRATEGIC PLANNING
1. Welcome
City Manager Lewis gave a brief welcome and overview of the day.
Human Resources Manager Hunter provided an update on staffing and the implementation
of the City’s Mission Statement.
2. Public Comment
The following members of the public were present and gave comment throughout the meeting:
Geoff Auslen, Jacque Fields, Josh Cross and Megan Souza.
3. Goal Setting Exercise
City Manager Lewis gave a brief overview of the process and led the Council through an
exercise to review the 2023-2025 Strategic Priorities and establish the 2025-2027 Strategic
Priorities.
The Council made the following changes to the 2023-2025 Strategic Priorities, establishing
the 2025-2027 Strategic Priorities:
Strategic Priority: Economic and Community Vibrancy
Key Focus Areas:
• Downtown Vibrancy Viability
• Activation of Underutilized Sites and Nodes
• Business Support and Jobs/Housing Balance
• Neighborhood Compatibility and Wellness
Strategic Priority: Fiscal and Infrastructure Efficiency & Sustainability
Key Focus Areas:
• Asset Management/Replacement/Modernization
• Smart and Responsible Financial Strategies
• Transparency and Accountability
Strategic Priority: Ensuring Public Safety and Providing Exceptional City Services
Key Focus Areas:
• Staff and Facilities
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February 21 & 22, 2025
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• Unhoused Population
• Flourishing Community
Mayor Bourbeau recessed the meeting at 10:00 a.m.
Mayor Bourbeau reconvened the meeting with all present at 10:10 a.m
4. Discussion Topics
a. Entertainment Zone Update
Deputy Director of Economic & Community Development Loreli Cappel led the Council
through a discussion on the process for establishment of an Entertainment Zone. The City
Council discussed the pros and cons and requested staff monitor the implementation of
Entertainment Zones in other jurisdictions for possible future discussion.
b. Noticing for Non-Development Items
The City Council discussed expanding notification for projects that impact land use of a
property and directed staff to bring back an amendment to the Zoning Code at a future
meeting.
c. Protocol for Issuance of Proclamations
The City Council discussed the issuance of Proclamations and there was Council consensus
to continue with the current policy.
d. Consideration of Commercial Cannabis
The City Council discussed the potential for commercial cannabis opportunities in the City
and directed staff to bring the issue back at a future meeting for further discussion and public
input.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Bourbeau adjourned the meeting at 12:54 p.m. to the next Regular Session on
Tuesday, February 25, 2025.
MINUTES PREPARED BY:
______________________________________
Lara K. Christensen
Deputy City Manager / City Clerk
APPROVED: 3/11/2025
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