City Council Regular Meeting - February 25, 2025
1. ESTABLISH QUORUM AND CALL TO ORDER
Public Comments:
Mayor Wixom called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m. with all members present.
2. MOMENT OF SILENCE
Public Comments:
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Public Comments:
4. REPORTS
Public Comments:
4.a
Closed Session Report
Public Comments:
https://youtu.be/-Nirv9KAYhI?si=5BqLkD5K2IDTIC3_&t=70
Interim City Attorney Schultz announced no action was taken during Closed Session that required reporting under the Brown Act.
4.b
Mayor and Councilmembers' Reports, Announcements and Presentations Public Comments:
https://youtu.be/-Nirv9KAYhI?si=w-A3Ncv4rYimAZQY&t=107
4.c
City Manager Reports, Announcements and Presentations
Public Comments:
https://youtu.be/-Nirv9KAYhI?si=3BARfkWWnsjXXmkj&t=1157
4.d
Subcommittee Reports - Verbal Update of Current Subcommittee Activities Public Comments:
https://youtu.be/-Nirv9KAYhI?si=Wy4ZRx2WQjRJHZKG&t=1317
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:
5.a
Measure Q/E Report by CFAC Chair Stephen Peck
Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 5a Measure Q-E Report by CFAC Chair_2025.pdf
https://youtu.be/-Nirv9KAYhI?si=9XmFcaa_i8ySyWzJ&t=1355
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
Public Comments:
https://youtu.be/-Nirv9KAYhI?si=41UGjaUd5s4tkSiY&t=2120 Judi Brown, Morro Bay, announced Terry Simon's passing on January 31st and shared a message of hope for a united community.
Shachiko Lamen, Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, announced they are recruiting to fill seats on the National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council. Visit https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/chumash-heritage/advisory/ for more information.
Jeanne Marie Colby, shared a presentation regarding reported health conditions following the Vistra fire at Moss Landing.
Garry Johnson, Morro Bay, commented on his experience researching lithium-ion battery technology and coordinated efforts with other residents to pass Measure A-24. He hoped other communities will do the same.
Barry Branin, Morro Bay, thanked the City for bringing forward an urgency ordinance to prevent BESS project applications in Morro Bay and encouraged the County Board of Supervisors to approve a county-wide moratorium.
Kiernan Cottle, Morro Bay, offered comments.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, displayed her Morro Bay Council season ticket holder t-shirt.
Charlie Clingman, Owner of Forever Stoked, urged the City to acquire Morro Elementary.
Margaret Carman, Morro Bay, commented on importance of not allowing BESS project development in San Luis Obispo County.
Nic De Angelis, Morro Bay, encouraged the Council to uphold City policy prohibiting public comment that has no relevance to City business and urged the Council to be diligent in driving back commitments to the community.
End of public comment.
7. CONSENT AGENDA
Public Comments:
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/-Nirv9KAYhI?si=zPpiw-Injfi9saan&t=3859 Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, commented on Item 7.c., suggesting a 40-year lease term is too long and urged the City reel back the maximum lease term going forward.
Jason Maher opposed Item 7.b and urged the City to support his vision for potential display of the Aquafen in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
End of public comment.
Motion by
Council Member Luffee
Seconded by
Council Member Landrum
Approve consent agenda items 7.a through 7.d as submitted.
Ayes (5)
Mayor Wixom, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Eckles, Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee CARRIED (5 to 0)
7.a
Approval of Minutes
Public Comments:
Approve as submitted.
a.
February 11, 2025 - Regular Council Meeting
Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCRM_Feb11_2025 - English.pdf
7.b
Declaring the Vessel Aquafen Abandoned Property
Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 7b Declaring Aquafen Abandoned.pdf
2. 7b1 Reso 07-25 Declaring Aquafen Abandoned.pdf
3. 7b2 Aquafen Letter - 1.6.25.pdf
4. 7b3 Aquafen Letter - 2.5.25.pdf
Adopt Resolution No. 07-25 Declaring the Vessel Aquafen Abandoned Property Pursuant to Harbors and Navigation Code Section 522 for the purposes of abatement.
7.c
Adoption of Resolution No. 08-25 Approving a New Lease Agreement with California Coastal Investments, LLC, Eric Newton for Lease Site 86/86W, Libertine located at 801 Embarcadero Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 7c SR Libertine New Lease.pdf
2. 7c1 - Reso 08-25 New 86-86W.pdf
3. 7c2 MB Libertine Master Lease Agreement.pdf
4. 7c3 Exhibit A - Libertine Parcel Map.pdf
5. 7c4 Exhbit H - Inspection Check list.pdf
Adopt Resolution No. 08-25, approving 40-year Master Lease Agreement with California Coastal Investments, LLC, Eric Newton for lease site 86/86W, Libertine located at 801 Embarcadero.
7.d
Report on attendance at the 2025 C-MANC Washington Week Meetings Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 7d SR - Post-CMANC Trip Report.pdf
2. 7d1 Morro Bay 2025 DC Mtgs Recap.pdf
3. 7d2 CMANC February 2025 DC Agenda.pdf
4. 7d3 DC Leave Behind 2025.pdf
Receive and file.
8. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
Public Comments:
8.a
Consider Adoption of Urgency Ordinance No. 670 extending Urgency Ordinance No. 668 prohibiting applications for grid-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) facilities Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 8a SR BESS Extension.pdf
2. 8a1 10-Day Written Report.pdf
3. 8a2 BESS Urgency Ordinance No. 670 (Extension).pdf
https://youtu.be/-Nirv9KAYhI?si=IvJIMrxZ9rHsHZZO&t=4273 Community Development Director Singewald presented the report and responded to Council inquiries. For the record, Mr. Singewald announced that due to this report being brought forward early, to extend the prohibition a full two years from the date of adoption of the initial Urgency Ordinance, the term for the extension is 23 months and 3 days from the date of adoption.
Mayor Wixom opened the public hearing and public comment period for Item 8.a. https://youtu.be/-Nirv9KAYhI?si=RJUHyC3Llt3FOeEd&t=4981 Barry Branin, Morro Bay, complimented Mr. Singewald on the quality of work and hoped the Council would heed his suggestions.
End of public comment.
Following discussion, there was Council consensus to direct staff to return in 2-3 months with information to facilitate a conversation and seek direction on how to proceed with permanent regulations.
Motion by
Mayor Wixom
Seconded by
Council Member Edwards
Adopt Urgency Ordinance No. 670, entitled “An Urgency Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Morro Bay, California, Extending Urgency Ordinance No. 668 Imposing a Prohibition on the Application Acceptance, Approval, Commencement, Establishment, Operation, Relocation, or Expansion of Grid-Scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) within the City Limits During the Pendency of the City’s Review and Adoption of Regulations of Such Uses; and Finding the Action to be Exempt from CEQA.” Ayes (5)
Mayor Wixom, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Eckles, Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee CARRIED (5 to 0)
9. BUSINESS ITEMS
Public Comments:
The Council took a brief recess at 6:59 p.m. and reconvened at 7:10 p.m. with all members present.
9.a
Fiscal Year 2024-25 Midyear Report
Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 9a SR FY 2025 Mid Year Report.pdf
2. 9a1 Mid Year Report.pdf
3. 9a2 Reso 09-25 FY 24-25 Midyear Budget Amendments.pdf https://youtu.be/-Nirv9KAYhI?si=fy1mluONFDtX8OPU&t=5303 Finance Director Conrad and Administrative Programs Manager Green presented the report and responded to Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 9.a.
https://youtu.be/-Nirv9KAYhI?si=VGlPAqtC8WMZ1ei0&t=7445 Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, appreciated business licensing being brought back in house.
Nic De Angelis, Morro Bay, encouraged the Council to look at increasing revenues and opportunities that help the community continue to develop and grow.
End of public comment.
Motion by
Mayor Wixom
Seconded by
Council Member Luffee
Receive the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 Midyear Budget Report; and Adopt Resolution No. 09-25 authorizing the attached Budget Amendments.
Ayes (5)
Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Luffee, and Council Member Eckles CARRIED (5 to 0)
9.b
Review of Capital Project Prioritization
Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 9b - Capital Projects Prioritization.pdf
2. 9b1 - Project Prioritization List.pdf
https://youtu.be/-Nirv9KAYhI?si=xSP3FzVmdu_BQTgy&t=8321 Public Works Director Kwolek, City Engineer Cecil, Assistant Engineer Della, and Utilities Division Manager Hanson presented the report and responded to Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 9.b.
https://youtu.be/-Nirv9KAYhI?si=lZnfQ34ZR8UNQeve&t=12816 Tina Wener, Morro Bay, suggested projects be evaluated based on where they are in the timeline and asked whether upstaffing had been considered.
Betsy Gaudette-Cross, Morro Bay, asked if harbor projects are under the City's purview and whether damage to Morro Creek bridge would be covered by FEMA.
End of public comment.
Following discussion, there was consensus to refine the report using a criteria matrix, along with in-depth informatioon on the few projects where a decision is needed, for PWAB and Harbor Advisory Board review and bring back recommendations to City Council on which projects to move forward or pause.
10. COUNCIL DECLARATION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Public Comments:
https://youtu.be/-Nirv9KAYhI?si=vouCye7FQWsaHPnR&t=14173 Council Member Landrum requested and received full support for discussion of the Hwy 41/1/Main Street roundabout project to understand the project status and budget.
11. ADJOURNMENT
Public Comments:
The meeting adjourned at 9:27 p.m.