Council Meeting

Written by

Public Paso

in

Paso Robles City Council Meeting Summary
July 15, 2025

🏛️ Closed Session

  • Existing Litigation:
    • The Tribune v. City of Paso Robles and Councilmember Bausch
    • City of Paso Robles v. Chris Bausch (cross-complaint)

🗒️ No reportable action.

👥 Roll Call

All councilmembers present:

  • Bausch, Beal, Gregory, Strong, Mayor Hamon

🎖️ Presentations & Recognitions

  1. California Mid-State Fair Preview:
    • CEO Colleen Bojorquez shared highlights of the 2025 Fair themed “Off to the Races”.
    • Over 375,000 expected visitors, featuring:
      • Free carnival rides opening day
      • Special admission days for seniors, kids, armed forces
      • Livestock shows, industrial arts auction
      • Major entertainment: Keith Urban, Flo Rida, Cody Johnson, David Lee Roth
    • Fair nominated for ACM Fair/Rodeo of the Year
  2. Parks Make Life Better Month Proclamation:
    • Acknowledged July as a celebration of parks and recreation’s impact on community wellness.
    • Recognized staff for parks maintenance, programming, and recreation services.
  3. Certificates of Recognition:
    • Francisco Vasquez & Emmanuel (Public Works staff) commended for quick action in containing a fire at Sherwood Park before emergency services arrived.
  4. Economic Development Strategic Plan Award:
    • City received an Award of Merit from CALED for its 5-year Economic Development Strategic Plan, highlighting 5 key initiatives and 75 actions to foster growth.
  5. Homelessness Strategy Update:
    • Ashley Hernandez (Homeless Services Manager) provided a strategic update:
      • 70 stakeholders engaged
      • Strengthened partnerships with ECHO shelter, county behavioral health, and police CAT team
      • Resource guide in development to navigate services
      • 600-1,400 families on waitlists for affordable housing sites like Sunrise Villas and Riverwalk Terrace
      • Planning for a North County stakeholder group launch in Fall 2025
      • Next homelessness point-in-time count scheduled for January 2026

🗣️ Public Comment Highlights

  • General Praise for 4th of July: Residents lauded the fireworks, safety, and organization.
  • Homelessness: Linda George noted some feel underserved by ECHO.
  • Cannabis Retail Zoning: Public urged progress on rezoning 1124 Black Oak for cannabis retail. City confirmed a discussion is calendared for August 19, 2025.
  • Infrastructure Concerns:
    • Joe Farley (Fallbrook Court): Voiced frustration over prolonged sewer project impacts: dust, damaged roads, sidewalk deterioration. Requested full street repaving and compensation.
  • Community Recognitions:
    • Support for emergency response and youth CERT (Community Emergency Response Training)
    • Introduction of Mixteco Indigenous Community Organizing Project (MICOP) new Paso office on Spring Street.

✅ Consent Calendar – Items 1-6 & 8 Approved Unanimously

  • $5.4M in warrants/expenses, including:
    • AMI water meters
    • Airport soil work
    • Pickleball courts at Sherwood Park
    • Bond repayments
    • Payments to Visit SLO CAL & Travel Paso
  • Weed Abatement Report: 16 properties abated out of 11,900 inspected
  • Annual Fire Inspections: 100% completion for mandated facilities (schools, apartments, etc.)
  • Van Donation: $73,000 van donated by Arthur & Sarah Ledwick to enhance Play on Wheels recreation outreach
  • Royal Oak Meadows Park Improvements: Accepted completion
  • Public Improvements: Roads (Sherwood, Airport, Len) accepted; Sherwood Road reopening imminent

❌ Item 7 – Pulled for Separate Discussion

Request by Trumark Homes:

  • Proposal to build all-electric homes in Olsen South Chandler development (areas 3, 8, 11, 12) without installing natural gas lines in streets or homes.
  • Developer cited:
    • $1M penalty by CPUC for installing gas lines
    • Market shift to all-electric homes
    • Homes to include solar panels; batteries/power walls optional

Council Concerns:

  • Future homeowner lack of energy source options if grid fails
  • Risks of full electric reliance (esp. for life-saving devices)
  • Market demand vs. buyer freedom of choice
  • Unclear city policy on utility infrastructure requirements

After extensive discussion:

  • Council voted unanimously to continue the item for further information on:
    • Long-term energy policy implications
    • Consumer protections
    • Options for maintaining natural gas availability to the curb

📢 City Manager Report

  • Creston Road Paving Phase 1 underway; targeted completion before school year.
  • Downtown Parking Lot Projects beginning with Riverside lot.
  • $850K federal appropriations approved by House committee for affordable housing project at Pine & 23rd.
  • Rolling Hills Roundabout work to begin early 2026.

🧑‍💼 Council Member Updates

  • Councilmembers reported on:
    • Homelessness initiatives and ECHO updates
    • Attendance at Riverwalk Terrace ribbon cutting
    • Travel Paso and tourism marketing updates
    • Community partnerships, including NCI (developmentally disabled support)
    • Wine festivals, senior advisory, and library meetings
    • Reflection on community support for Templeton fire victims

⚡ Memorial Adjournment

  • Meeting adjourned in memory of Gary Peruzi, a 27-year city employee pivotal to the growth of the Recreation Department, parades, and events in Paso Robles.

✅ Final Takeaways

  • Robust focus on parks, homelessness, economic development, and infrastructure
  • Council exploring energy infrastructure policy before approving all-electric housing proposal
  • Civic pride in public safety, parks, and community events remains strong

More posts