City Council Regular Meeting - September 24, 2024
1. ESTABLISH QUORUM AND CALL TO ORDER
Public Comments:
Mayor Wixom called the meeting to order at 5:33 p.m. with all but Council Members Barton & Ford present. Council Member Barton arrived at 5:34 p.m.
2. MOMENT OF SILENCE
Public Comments:
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Public Comments:
4. REPORTS
Public Comments:
4.a
Closed Session Report
Public Comments:
City Attorney Neumeyer announced no reportable action was taken in closed session.
4.b
Mayor and Councilmembers' Reports, Announcements and Presentations Public Comments:
https://youtu.be/0eyICLgTJvI?si=3F0_xfdYbTysrKZm&t=128
4.c
City Manager Reports, Announcements and Presentations
Public Comments:
None
4.d
Subcommittee Reports - Verbal Update of Current Subcommittee Activities Public Comments:
None
a.
Water Reclamation Facility & Morro Bay / Cayucos Sanitary District JPA Public Comments:
b.
Morro Bay Power Plant (Vistra)
Public Comments:
c.
Offshore Wind Energy
Public Comments:
d.
Downtown Design District
Public Comments:
5. RECOGNITION AND PRESENTATIONS
Public Comments:
https://youtu.be/0eyICLgTJvI?si=oKpbVA59MTZhfN0d&t=573
5.a
Bird Festival Presentation
Public Comments:
Presented by Robbie and Bob Revel.
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
Public Comments:
https://youtu.be/0eyICLgTJvI?si=eRe46yyG6UpF0DBn&t=1180 Marilyn Harris, Girl Scouts, requested a beach park so that kids can play near the beach like in Cayucos.
Mandy Davis, REACT Alliance, announced upcoming events.
Dan Sedley, Morro Bay, commented on the proposed battery storage facility and encouraged residents to vote yes on Measure A-24.
Norm Williams, Morro Bay, spoke regarding the proposed battery project and urged Council to reject the project.
Jim Gross, Morro Bay, spoke on behalf of the No on Measure A-24 campaign, explaining the financial support received from environmental organizations.
Jeff Heller, Morro Bay, appreciated the City for agendizing these two informational items and urged the audience to ask questions to seek an understanding of the issues.
Linda Winters, Morro Bay, commented on the importance of voter participation in the upcoming election.
Michael Wambolt, Visit Morro Bay, announced the Morro Bay Maritime Festival to be held October 9th - 13th.
Cherise Hansson, Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, announced the Embarcadero After Dark Chamber Mixer to be held October 9th at the HarborWalk Inn.
Kendall Welch, President of Morro Bay Maritime Museum, provided information regarding Maritime Festival events planned for Friday - Saturday, October 11th-12th.
Judy Salamacha, Morro Bay, invited everyone to attend a showing of the 1934 award winning movie, Treasure Island, at the Bay Theatre.
Bill Luffee, Morro Bay, appreciated the Public Works Department for repairing potholes on Kern Street.
Richard Sadowski, Morro Bay, echoed Mr. Heller's comments, encouraged an open dialogue and discussion on how solar and wind energy can complement each other to reduce emissions.
Karen Aguilar, Morro Bay, thanked the Bird Festival for their presentation and commented on the importance of protecting migratory birds.
An unnamed person offered comments.
Cyndi Malmen, Cayucos, asked who would benefit from the offshore wind and battery storage projects and opined the benefit would not outweigh the cost.
Cindy Hathaway, Morro Bay, expressed concern about accommodations (housing) for all these projects.
End of public comment.
Mayor Wixom announced Item 9.b. would be heard before Item 9.a.
7. CONSENT AGENDA
Public Comments:
https://youtu.be/0eyICLgTJvI?si=OVYzvXWK-lbI7luY&t=3318 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; seeing none, the public comment was closed.
Motion by
Mayor Wixom
Seconded by
Council Member Landrum
Approve Items 7.a. through 7.d. as submitted.
Ayes (4)
Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, Council Member Barton, and Council Member Edwards Absent (1)
Council Member Ford
CARRIED (4 to 0)
7.a
Approval of Minutes
Public Comments:
Approve as submitted.
a.
September 10, 2024 - Regular Council Meeting
Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCRM_Sep10_2024 - English.pdf
b.
September 10, 2024 - Special Closed Session Meeting
Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCCM_Sep10_2024 - English.pdf
7.b
Approval of Proclamations
Public Comments:
Receive and file.
a.
Proclamation declaring September 22 - September 28, 2024 as the 20th Annual Sea Otter Awareness Week Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 7b Proclamation Sea Otter Awareness Week 2024.pdf
7.c
FY 2024-25 Budget Amendments for Fire and Police Measures Q & E Allocations Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 7c SR Budget Amendment Fire and PD Measure E.pdf
2. 7c1 Reso 64-24 Amending FY 2024-25 Budget (Fire and Police Requests).pdf Adopt Resolution No. 64-24 authorizing amendments to the adopted Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 Operating & Capital Budget.
7.d
Resolution No. 65-24 Approving the Revised Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF) Transaction Officers Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 7d SR Updating Authorized LAIF Signers.pdf
2. 7d1 Reso 65-24 Updating Authorized LAIF Signers.pdf
Adopt Resolution No. 65-24 approving the revised Local Agency investment Fund (LAIF) Transaction Officers.
8. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
Public Comments:
None.
The Council took a brief recess at 7:28 p.m. and reconvened at 7:44 p.m. https://youtu.be/0eyICLgTJvI?si=Lfm-iul5rBr_L4IG&t=6967 City Manager Kimball made brief announcements regarding Council direction for staff to prepare an RFP for future development of Market Plaza properties.
9. BUSINESS ITEMS
Public Comments:
9.a
Vistra Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) Project - Status Update Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 9a Vistra BESS Status and Timeline Update.pdf
2. 9a1 Attach 1 OCA presentation MBFD 2024.pdf
3. 9a2 Attach 2 AB 205 - Bill Text - AB-205 Energy.pdf
4. 9a3 Attach 3 AB 205 - CEC Summary - Opt-in Certification Program.pdf
5. 9a4 Attach 4 AB 205 - CCC letter re BESS 8.2.2024.pdf https://youtu.be/0eyICLgTJvI?si=q0dQwuWQlZfU6Yoi&t=7040 Community Development Director Singewald, Fire Chief McCrain and City Attorney Neumeyer presented the report for Item 9.a. and responded to Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 9.a.
https://youtu.be/0eyICLgTJvI?si=-yyrxODaeTSmrMom&t=11700 Debi Thoresen, Morro Bay, thanked the Fire Chief for the comprehensive evaluation and update but was concerned the offsite analysis didn't address water for fire suppression and decontamination.
Rachel Wilson, Cayucos, question the Windrose Plot data in the Ramboll report.
Judy Setting, Morro Bay, appreciated the presentation on AB 205 and urged the City to address public safety and health concerns before moving forward.
Jim Warner, Morro Bay, was concerned about environmental impacts and asked who would be responsible for decontamination should a fire occur.
Linda Donnelly, Morro Bay, raised various questions about the California Energy Commission's (CEC) potential review of Vistra's application under AB 205.
Nattalia Merzoyan, Morro Bay, suggested the City protest the CEC approval process and read a statement on behalf of another resident.
Jeff Eckles, Morro Bay, took exception to the City Attorney's comments regarding the City's ability to negotiate a community benefit agreement under AB 205 and was confident any benefit agreement would be entered into with local elected representatives.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, sought clarification as to whether the EIR had to cover both the amendment and CDP, whether staff would make a recommendation regarding approval of the amendment, and whether the CEC or Coastal Commission would have approval authority.
Cindy Hathaway, Morro Bay, wished to understand what economic benefit of the proposed project and expressed concern about safety of nearby animals and birds.
Margaret Carman, Morro Bay, expressed concern about the time it would take to evacuate the Rock parking lot if a fire occurred.
End of public comment.
Staff responded to questions raised during public comment.
No action was taken by the City Council on this item.
9.b
Approval of Offshore Wind (OSW) sub-recipient agreement with San Luis Obispo County Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 9b SR Approval of OSW subricipient agreement.pdf
2. 9b1 Attach 1 - OSW Grant Subrecipient Agreement_with exhibits.pdf
3. 9b2 Attach 2 - Earmark Distribution Notice.pdf
4. 9b3 Attach 3 - SLO BOS meeting_9.10.2024-Staff memo.pdf https://youtu.be/0eyICLgTJvI?si=b9_OcrNr6JteJIw6&t=3380 City Manager Kimball presented the report and responded to Council inquiries.
Supervisor Bruce Gibson commented on the scope of work for the study; understood the community had questions about the potential impacts and how this effort interacts with other actions in Port San Luis; and noted cooperation between Morro Bay, Port San Luis and Cal Poly was critical.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 9.b.
https://youtu.be/0eyICLgTJvI?si=zoB7wKOyAb22BFOJ&t=3933 Sheri Hafer, Atascadero, raised concerns about potential impacts offshore wind would have on residents, the commercial fishing community, the environment and economy.
Ted Key, Cambria, felt it was important information regarding town halls be mailed to constituents and suggested both sides of the issue have an opportunity to speak at the same time.
Joe Silano, Morro Bay, was opposed to offshore wind and industrialization of the ocean.
Cindy Hathaway, Morro Bay, appreciated the City received funds to do its own study and shared concerns Mott MacDonald was not a neutral party.
Mandy Davis, REACT Alliance, felt another study was unnecessary and opined offshore wind has no beneficial effect on climate change or global warming.
David Yohe, Morro Bay, shared his impressions of comments made at a recent Board of Supervisors' Meeting.
Judy Setting, Morro Bay, was opposed to offshore energy development near Morro Bay.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, encouraged the Council to accept the money and use it wisely for the community's benefit.
Nattalia Merzoyan, Morro Bay, commented on contributions made by environmental organizations to the No on Measure A-24 Committee.
Margaret Carman, Morro Bay, added comments regarding environmental organization contributions.
Cyndi Malmen, Cayucos, raised various questions about the potential impacts of offshore wind.
Nicole Dorfman, Morro Bay, raised various questions about the Mott MacDonald study.
Paul Gallo, Los Osos, appreciated the City's transparency and spoke in opposition to offshore wind development.
Richard Sadowski, Morro Bay, supported approval of the agenda item and looked forward to more dialogue.
End of public comment.
Mayor Wixom asked SLO County Acting County Administrator Rebecca Campbell to respond to questions regarding the selection of Mott MacDonald and scope of work raised during public comment.
Staff responded to additional Council inquiries.
Motion by
Council Member Barton
Seconded by
Council Member Edwards
Approval of the agreement and authorize the City Manager to execute the funding sub-recipient agreement with the County of San Luis Obispo. The fund supports staffing costs associated with development of the joint Operations and Maintenance Waterfront Infrastructure Facility Siting Study and Site Readiness Plans.
Ayes (4)
Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, Council Member Barton, and Council Member Edwards Absent (1)
Council Member Ford
CARRIED (4 to 0)
10. COUNCIL DECLARATION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Public Comments:
None.
11. ADJOURNMENT
Public Comments:
The meeting adjourned at 9:33 p.m.