SLO Reporter

The San Luis Obispo City Council held its regular public meeting on Tuesday, February 7, 2023 and discussed a variety of issues and made decisions on important topics that impact and benefit the community in many ways. 

Update on the City’s Largest-Ever Construction Project (Item 4.a):

 The City Council received an update on upgrades at the Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF), which treats all wastewater in the City, including Cal Poly and the SLO County Regional Airport. This project is the City’s single largest construction project ever, requiring an investment of about $140 million. Once this project is complete in December 2023, the WRRF will produce higher quality recycled water, use less chemicals for treatment, increase onsite energy generation, and have reduced odor. Staff reported that the project is currently operating within budget and has a perfect safety record, even with over 300,000 hours of labor completed. Additionally, most of those working on the project are local community members (this project has a local labor hire rate of 83%, far exceeding the established Community Workforce Agreement goal of 30%) and the project offers a robust Apprenticeship Program. For more information on the project and future benefits, visit www.slowrrfproject.org.

Council Reviews Budget Halfway Through Fiscal Year (Item 7.a):

The City Council approved the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Mid-Year Budget Review on Tuesday. Staff reported that major tax revenues are higher than expected and have been adjusted upward accordingly. However, the City now expects to spend millions of dollars on storm-related repairs, maintenance, and debris removal to get San Luis Obispo back to pre-January storm conditions. The five-year forecast for the City budget has been revised to include this cost and the anticipated reimbursement by federal and state programs. However, given the magnitude of storm damage, the City Manager has activated the Fiscal Health Contingency Plan to ensure that the City allows for continued operations and projects even as it responds to the short-term fiscal impacts caused by recent storms. The last time this plan was activated was March 23, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. At a later date, Council will decide whether some one-time budget allocations will become ongoing cost to support many departments within the City.

City’s Drafts Framework for First Homelessness Response Strategic Plan (Item 8.a):

 The City Council held a study session to discuss the draft framework for the City’s first ever Homelessness Response Strategic Plan, which is expected to be available for public input soon. Homelessness is an issue that touches every part of the community. The City’s proposed framework outlines goals for five main areas of focus: improving communications, streamlining and collecting data, piloting programs that the County and other Cities can then replicate, identifying and seeking funding opportunities, and improving resources through regional collaboration and engagement. One of San Luis Obispo’s Major City Goals is to address Housing & Homelessness, and the Strategic Plan for Homelessness Response is integral to reducing and preventing homelessness in San Luis Obispo. For more information about the City’s response to homelessness, visit www.slocity.org/Homelessness.

SLO in Motion – New Neighborhood Park Coming Soon:

The City Council approved project plans for the new North Broad Street Neighborhood Park, a project that will transform the existing community garden at 533 Broad Street into a safe and inviting park for residents within walking distance to enjoy. City staff will soon begin advertising for bids to construct the park. This neighborhood currently doesn’t have a park nearby and this new space will provide a walking path with lighting, a playground, shaded gathering spaces, community garden planter boxes and more. For more information about Neighborhood Improvement projects, visit www.slocity.org/SLOinMotion.

Council also gave the green light to begin repair of the creek bank on Johnson and Pismo Streets and received an update on the City’s approach to maximizing recycled water in SLO.

City Manager Derek Johnson also gave an update on City operations and happenings, including a recap of the City’s 2023 Community Forum; an update on the success of the City’s Eat Local Bonus program, which sold out early; updates on SBA (Small Business Administration) disaster loans; and more.

Review the full meeting video recording on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/RiXWDQ1YYrQ?feature=share

The City has returned to in-person meetings. Zoom participation will not be supported. Generally, City Council meetings are held on the first and third Tuesday of every month. The next City Council meeting will be held on February 11, 2023 as a special meeting at 9 a.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. The next regular City Council meeting will be held on February 21, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. Find meeting agendas and packets at www.slocity.org/agendas.

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Original source can be found here.