Issue 08 | January 13, 2021
Grover Gazette
Message From the City Manager
Greetings City of Grover Beach,

Happy new year to you all. After a very difficult 2020, we all welcomed the new year on January 1 and looked forward to a better and brighter 2021. We knew this transition would not occur immediately given our current COVID-19 situation, but we anticipated seeing an end to this pandemic this year with a readily available vaccine that would allow us to enjoy more normal activities once again. 

January has tested this faith for all of us. Our COVID numbers have continued to rise out of the holiday season with a doubling of cases and hospitalizations since December and most sadly a significant increase in deaths. These are not just numbers, but people affected by this virus and their loved ones. We need to continue following public health requirements for the good of our community including staying home as much as possible, avoiding gatherings outside your household, and wearing a face covering indoors and when you cannot maintain distance outdoors. The events of January 6 at the U.S. Capitol have also tested our faith in our governance and ability to peacefully transition power. This assault on democracy shook me to my core as an American and a career public servant and was a difficult moment to explain to our school-age kids about how our country should function. 

But our country is strong and democracy will prevail. Grover Beach is also strong and we will continue to lead locally with civility, transparency, compassion, and results to improve our community. We will get through COVID and soon begin a vaccination effort that will bring an end of this pandemic and also a sense of normalcy. City government will continue to fix our streets, improve our parks, upgrade our water and sewer lines, support our local businesses, and provide services and activities to help our community prosper. We will be an even better community and work together to continue making Grover Beach a great place to call home, locate a business, or recreate in a beautiful coastal location. 

Lastly as our City Council is considering top priorities for the City to accomplish, your input is important to help understand community interests. We encourage you to take a few minutes and complete a survey to let us know what you would like the City to focus on. The survey is available online through January 22. We will also hold a virtual community forum on January 28 to provide a real-time, interactive format for giving input on priorities with further details available on our website (GroverBeach.org)

Thank you for living, working, investing, or playing in Grover Beach. Let us know what we can do to assist you at (805) 473-4550 or CityHall@GroverBeach.org.

Sincerely,

Matthew Bronson
City Manager
In the News
Apply for the Citizens Oversight Committee
Following the passage of Measure F-20 by Grover Beach voters, the City is seeking to fill three positions on the Citizens Oversight Committee which provides oversight of all City revenue measures. Any resident over the age of 18 who is a registered voter is eligible to apply for a four-year term, with committee meetings to take place at least once annually.
City Launches Additional Business Assistance in Continued COVID-19 Relief Effort
Online applications for microgrants of up to $5,000 are open now through 5 PM on Tuesday, January 19. Businesses which operate in industries most impacted by the State’s Regional Stay Home Order and have not previously received microgrants from the City will be eligible for this fourth round of funding.

Grover Beach Awarded
$3.1 Million in Community Development Block Grant Funds
The funds will be used for water system improvements ($2,600,000) and public services to prevent homelessness among Grover Beach residents ($500,000). Through the CDBG competitive grant program, the City has been awarded a total of $7,500,000 funds since 2013.

City Provides Grant Funds to 49 Local Businesses Given COVID Financial Impacts
Businesses that benefited from this third round of microgrants include restaurants and cafes, breweries, spas, salons, retail shops, and manufacturing businesses throughout the city. Funding was provided through General Fund reserves, which will be replenished by additional general revenues this fiscal year including from recently passed Measure F-20. 

Staff Spotlight – New Employees
Join us in welcoming the newest employees serving Grover Beach Police Department and the Department of Public Works!
Commander Bryan Millard joined GBPD in October 2020 with 20 years of local law enforcement experience. He previously served as Police Commander for the City of Morro Bay and the Police Chief of Cuesta College. Commander Millard holds a Bachelors Degree in Film Studies and a Masters Degree in Public Administration.
Community Services Technician Randy Gonzales-Esparza joined GBPD as a police officer trainee in December 2019. Upon graduation from the Police Academy, he participated in the field training program until he was assigned to the newly created position of Community Services Technician for the Police Department.
Police Officer Tracey Goldsbary joined GBPD in March 2019 as a Police Dispatcher. In August 2020, she was hired as a Police Officer Trainee and assigned to the Police Academy. Officer Goldsbary completed the Academy in December 2020 and is currently assigned to the field training program for new officers.
Police Officer Kyrstina Salmeri joined GBPD in May 2020 as a Police Officer Trainee assigned to the Police Academy. In December 2020, Officer Salmeri completed the Academy and is currently assigned to the field training program for new officers. Officer Salmeri previously served as a Paramedic in Oregon and she holds an Associates Degree in Emergency Medicine.
Police Officer Roberto Pulido joined GBPD in June 2020 after working for the Santa Barbara Police Department. Officer Pulido is assigned to the patrol bureau and holds an Associates Degree in Administration of Justice.
Police Officer Walid Elsayed joined GBPD in in November 2020 and is currently assigned to the field training program for new officers. Officer Elsayed holds an Associates Degree in the Administration of Justice.
Police Services Analyst Lauren Finkbeiner joined GBPD as a Police Services Analyst in November 2020. This new position is responsible for conducting data analysis on crimes and police department budgets to help provide efficiency in services. Ms. Finkbeiner holds a Bachelors Degree in Forensic Science and Intelligence and National Security and a Masters Degree in Social Data Analytics and Research.
Simon Karapetian was hired as an IT intern in June 2020. Over the past several months, Simon has completed a number of projects, including replacing all computers at City Hall and testing a new cabling system and security features for the Police Department. Simon enjoys motorcycle riding, archery and computer games.
Admir Garcia joined the Public Works Department as a Maintenance Worker in November. During his time away from work, Mr. Garcia enjoys spending time with his wife and two children doing all things outdoors. He is also an avid bowler.
Gabriel Munoz-Morris was hired as Senior Engineer with the Public Works Department in November. He is excited to serve the constituents of Grover Beach by working to plan, design, manage, and maintain the City’s public infrastructure. When he is not working, you can find him surfing, hiking, staying active, enjoying nature and taking walks with his dog.
Erik Ruelas joined the City’s Public Works Department as a Maintenance Worker in November. He is very excited to join the team and assist the city in maintaining its infrastructure. Mr. Ruelas was born and raised in SLO County where he is a single parent to two fantastic kids. He looks forward to getting to know his coworkers and the citizens they serve.
Richard Delira joined the Public Works Department as a Maintenance Worker in October with more than 20 years of experience in the Water Distribution field. Mr. Delira is a Navy Veteran having served in the construction battalion, AKA Fighting SeaBees. He is a married father to three children and loves hunting, fishing and enjoying all that the Central Coast has to offer. 
Upcoming Meetings & Events

Martin Luther King Day - City Hall Closed
January 18, 2021

Parks, Recreation & Beautification Commission Meeting
January 21, 2021 @ 6 p.m.

City Council Meeting
January 25, 2021 @ 6 p.m.

Lincoln's Birthday - City Hall Closed
February 8, 2021

City Council Meeting
February 9, 2021 @ 6 p.m.
Grover Beach Public Art Program

West Grand Avenue is adorned with wonderful art designs from seven local artists. Meander through the City to see the creative designs! Pictured left: Octopus by Scott Lakey.

Holiday Cheer

Winners of the Holiday of Lights Virtual Decorating Contest were recognized at the January 4 City Council meeting. Congratulations to all winners and participants!

Frequently Asked Questions
How can I prepare for the rainy season?
In advance of major storm events, the City of Grover Beach provides empty sandbags and sand at the Sandbag Fill Station located in front of the Public Works Corporation Yard at 1150 Farroll Road.

Residents are asked to bring their own shovel and be prepared to fill the bags they need, up to 20 per household. Residents are responsible for lawfully disposing of the sand and bag when they are no longer needed.

For emergency flooding assistance, call (805) 473-4511.

USING BAGS FOR FLOOD CONTROL

  • Fill bags about ½ full
  • Tie to close near top of the bag
  • Place bags parallel to direction of water flow as a barrier to divert water away from buildings
  • Stack in overlapping pattern with each bag placed atop the unfilled portion of the bag underneath to create a seal
City of Grover Beach
154 S 8th Street
Grover Beach, CA 93433
(805) 473-4550