City Council Regular Meeting - September 10, 2024
1. ESTABLISH QUORUM AND CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Wixom established a quorum and called the meeting to order at 5:36 p.m.
2. MOMENT OF SILENCE
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4. REPORTS
4.a
Closed Session Report
https://youtu.be/d3LBaLajf_o?si=ErceJ8Ee11TMT2Mn&t=41
City Attorney Neumeyer announced no statutorily required reportable action was taken in closed session.
At Council's direction, he clarified closed session listings included the phrase "various potentially interested parties" to acknowledge that if the City was to do an RFP for the property, which was under consideration, there would be potentially interested parties, who would be prospectively identified by name if active negotiations occur, and that anyone the City is in active negotiations with now were listed on the agenda.
4.b
Mayor and Councilmembers' Reports, Announcements and Presentations https://youtu.be/d3LBaLajf_o?si=FzXSceRN4J-x3lIi&t=94
4.c
City Manager Reports, Announcements and Presentations
https://youtu.be/d3LBaLajf_o?si=noiaJkWr8WAqXCPG&t=759
4.d
Subcommittee Reports - Verbal Update of Current Subcommittee Activities https://youtu.be/d3LBaLajf_o?si=0LQEZ9MShjd0LoSg&t=853
a.
Water Reclamation Facility & Morro Bay / Cayucos Sanitary District JPA
b.
Morro Bay Power Plant (Vistra)
c.
Offshore Wind Energy
d.
Downtown Design District
5. RECOGNITION AND PRESENTATIONS
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
https://youtu.be/d3LBaLajf_o?si=-XGemeDoQG96LC6s&t=1142 Garry Johnson, Morro Bay, announced he would be on the Rock radio station, 97.3 Saturday morning to talk about the BESS project and battery technology.
Linda Winters, Morro Bay, enjoyed and appreciated the events celebrating Morro Bay's 60th anniversary.
Jon Nowaczyk and Natalie Teichmann, Let's Get Tuned, spoke to the closed session item regarding 781 Market Avenue, shared the benefits their business offers Morro Bay, and asked that Council extend their lease.
Rachel Wilson, Cayucos, commented on the proposed BESS project and urged the Council to prioritize the safety of local residents.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, thanked those who helped with and attended Morro Bay's 60th anniversary parade, invited residents to attend Recreation & Parks Commission meetings the 3rd Thursday of the month, inquired about potential County funding for efforts related to offshore wind, and expressed safety concerns at the intersection of Beach and Main Streets.
An unnamed person offered comments.
Michelle Leicester-Cadaret, Morro Bay, requested the City take action to remedy health and safety concerns related to the burned house on Trinidad.
End of public comment.
7. CONSENT AGENDA
Unless an item is pulled for separate action by the City Council, the following actions are approved without discussion. The public will also be provided an opportunity to comment on consent agenda items.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for items on the Consent Agenda. https://youtu.be/d3LBaLajf_o?si=YmujUM_8Gh-TeC6f&t=2522 Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, raised questions regarding Item 7.d.
An unnamed person offered comments.
Mayor Wixom sought Council concurrence to allow an announcement that had been missed during general public comment.
Mary Ann Gustafson, San Luis Obispo Bicycle Club, announced the 53rd Annual Lighthouse Century Bicycling Event to be held Saturday, September 28th.
End of public comment.
Motion by
Council Member Edwards
Seconded by
Council Member Ford
Approve consent agenda items 7.a through 7.d
Ayes (5)
Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, Council Member Barton, Council Member Edwards, and Council Member Ford CARRIED (5 to 0)
7.a
Approval of Minutes
Approve as submitted.
a.
August 27, 2024 - Regular Council Meeting
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCRM_Aug27_2024 - English.pdf
7.b
Approval of Proclamations
a.
Proclamation recognizing September 15-October 15, 2024 as "National Hispanic Heritage Month"
1. 7b National Hispanic Heritage Month 2024.pdf
Approve as submitted.
7.c
Designation of Voting Delegate and Alternate at League of California Cities 2024 Annual Conference Business Meeting
1. 7c SR LOCC Voting Delegate 2024.pdf
2. 7c1 2024-Resolutions Packet.pdf
Select City Manager Kimball, as the voting delegate for the upcoming annual business meeting to be held at the League of California Cities Annual Conference; and Authorize the City Clerk to complete the League of California Cities’ online submission form attesting that council action was taken and affirming the selection of the voting delegate.
7.d
National Opioid Settlement Agreements with Kroger Co.
1. 7d Kroger Opioid Settlement.pdf
2. 7d1 Kroger-Ex.-K-Subdivision-Participation-Form.pdf
3. 7d2 Reso 60-24 Kroger Opioid Settlement.pdf
Approve Settlement Agreements and Participation Forms for the City’s participation in the National Opioid Settlement Agreements with Kroger Co.
Approve the California State-Subdivision Agreements Regarding Distribution and Use of Settlement Funds relating to the National Opioid Settlement Agreements with Kroger Co.
Adopt Resolution No. 60-24 approving and authorizing the City Manager to carry out all necessary acts such that the City can participate in the National Opioid Settlements with Kroger Co., including signing necessary documents and transmittal thereof as necessary.
Approve disbursement of initial partial settlement funds to County (default option) while reserving option for direct distribution of further settlement funds to City later in time.
8. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
None
9. BUSINESS ITEMS
9.a
Advisory Board Interviews and Appointments
1. 9a SR Advisory Board Interviews.pdf
2. 9a1 Advisory Board Applications (2024.09.10)_Redacted.pdf https://youtu.be/d3LBaLajf_o?si=gJajvGLLhLUwSPmU&t=3029 Mayor Wixom invited CFAC applicant Sarah Love to the podium to introduce herself and share the reason for her interest in serving on the Citizens Oversight/Finance Advisory Committee.
The Council interviewed Jennifer Madrid and Christopher DeMoville for consideration of appointment to CTAC and voted by written ballot. Clerk Swanson read the results into the record. Christopher DeMoville received three votes (Council Members Barton, Edwards and Ford) and was appointed as the City's representative to SLOCOG's Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee.
Motion by
Mayor Wixom
Seconded by
Council Member Edwards
Appointed Sarah Love to fill an unscheduled vacancy on the Citizens Oversight/Finance Advisory Committee for a term ending January 31, 2026.
Ayes (5)
Council Member Barton, Council Member Ford, Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Edwards CARRIED (5 to 0)
The Council voted by written ballot to appoint Christopher DeMoville as the City's representative to SLOCOG's Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee for a 4-year term ending October 31, 2028.
Ayes (3)
Council Member Barton, Council Member Ford, and Council Member Edwards Noes (2)
Mayor Wixom, and Council Member Landrum
CARRIED (3 to 2)
9.b
Consolidation of Morro Bay Transit Administration, Operations, and Maintenance into the San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority
1. 9b MBT Consolidation with RTA.pdf
https://youtu.be/d3LBaLajf_o?si=RSzsRzzRLsFgDO3z&t=4462 Public Works Director Kwolek and Management Analyst Burlingame presented the report and, along with RTA Executive Director Geoff Straw, responded to Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 9.b.
https://youtu.be/d3LBaLajf_o?si=APmLm9sI8GT2w03q&t=8607 Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, opposed any form of outsourcing and urged the City to continue in-house management of transit services.
Mary Witkowski, Morro Bay, expressed concern about transferring services to RTA and believed there was a lack of awareness about available services.
Michelle Leicester-Cadaret, Morro Bay, was concerned transferring services to RTA would limit use of the trolley for local events, suggested driving transit vehicles back and forth to San Luis Obispo would increase pollutants, and agreed with the need to advertise and promote available services.
End of public comment.
Ms. Burlingame, Mr. Kwolek and Mr. Straw responded to additional questions.
Motion by
Council Member Barton
Seconded by
Council Member Ford
Authorize consolidation of Morro Bay Transit (MBT) administration, operations, and maintenance into the San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority (RTA) and direct staff to return to Council with an agreement for provision of MBT services by the RTA for authorization to execute, such agreement pending and conditional upon any required meet and confer or applicable union negotiations; and Direct staff to prepare an amendment with MV Transportation (a third-party vendor providing driver and dispatch services) to extend the current agreement to align with RTA consolidation and return to Council for authorization to execute.
Ayes (4)
Mayor Wixom, Council Member Barton, Council Member Edwards, and Council Member Ford Noes (1)
Council Member Landrum
CARRIED (4 to 1)
9.c
Approval of Updated Harbor Vitality Director Classification and Job Description Revised Pay Schedules, and Amendment to Compensation and Benefits Resolution for City Department Heads to Reflect Updates
1. 9c Harbor Vitality Director Staff Report.pdf
2. 9c1 Reso 61-24 Adopting Harbor Vitality Director Position and Job Description.pdf
3. 9c2 Harbor Vitality Director Job Description 2024.pdf
4. 9c3 Reso 62-24 Adopting Updated FY 2024-25, 2025-26, and 2026-27 Pay Schedules.pdf
5. 9c4 FY 2024-25 Pay Schedule (Exhibit A).pdf
6. 9c5 FY 2025-26 Pay Schedule (Exhibit B).pdf
7. 9c6 FY 2026-27 Pay Schedule (Exhibit C).pdf
8. 9c7 Reso 63-24 amending Department Heads Salary and Benefits 2024-27.pdf The Council took a brief recess at 8:28 p.m. and reconvened at 8:35 p.m. with all members present. https://youtu.be/d3LBaLajf_o?si=AH7A8Q9_OI32pYZx&t=10710 Human Resources/Risk Manager Hendricks presented the report and, along with City Manager Kimball and Fire Chief McCrain, responded to Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 9.c.
https://youtu.be/d3LBaLajf_o?si=XW4_ue9iF73KcPOO&t=12040 Bill Luffee, Morro Bay, stated the job description seemed too broad, mentioned nothing about boating or safety, and questioned whether the Director would handle only lease site negotiations or all City real estate.
Cal Myers, Morro Bay resident and Harbor Advisory Board ("HAB") Chair, noted some HAB members reviewed and provided individual feedback on the proposed job description within Brown Act confines. He opined the position had three big hats: economic development, lease management and harbor patrol, with maintenance as a 4th piece. He expressed concern about the job title and hoped the City was successful in its search.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, echoed comments by previous speakers, understood the economic development piece but had difficulties seeing how harbor patrol fits in. She expressed concern this person would experience conflict balancing the various duties.
Mary Witkowski, Morro Bay, disagreed with the revised title, job description and salary reduction, noting the Director's focus should be on public safety, maintenance of harbor infrastructure and maximizing waterfront assets, seeking grant opportunities for launch ramp and revetment improvements.
Jeff Eckles, Morro Bay, expressed concern about the proposed job title and felt we may be asking too much out of the position, perhaps at the expense of performing traditional duties of a Harbor Master or Harbor Director.
End of public comment.
Staff responded to additional Council questions.
Mayor Wixom sought Council consensus to go past 9:30 p.m. to finish this item.
Motion by
Mayor Wixom
Seconded by
Council Member Barton
Adopt Resolution No. 61-24 updating the Harbor Director Job Description to Harbor Vitality Director; and Adopt Resolution No. 62-24 revising Fiscal Years 24-25, 25-26, and 26-27 pay schedules, decreasing the salary for the Harbor Vitality Director to align with other Morro Bay non-sworn director positions; and Adopt Resolution No. 63-24 amending the previously adopted maximum compensation and benefits for certain City department head positions.
Ayes (5)
Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, Council Member Barton, Council Member Edwards, and Council Member Ford CARRIED (5 to 0)
10. COUNCIL DECLARATION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
None.
11. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:48 p.m.