City Council Regular Meeting - April 08, 2025
1. ESTABLISH QUORUM AND CALL TO ORDER
Public Comments:
Mayor Wixom called the meeting to order at 5:36 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/_W68ZFK5JWU?si=6lw_TDtdyrC8ZNkc&t=76
Interim City Attorney Schultz announced no reportable action was taken pursuant to the Brown Act.
4.b
Mayor and Councilmembers' Reports, Announcements and Presentations Public Comments:
https://youtu.be/_W68ZFK5JWU?si=nVB1M2tzXP74t9BD&t=138
4.c
City Manager Reports, Announcements and Presentations
Public Comments:
https://youtu.be/_W68ZFK5JWU?si=AwpZw9k555fcltyZ&t=747
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:
5. RECOGNITION AND PRESENTATIONS
Public Comments:
5.a
Month of the Child and Child Abuse Prevention Month Proclamation Public Comments:
https://youtu.be/_W68ZFK5JWU?si=QGMMh7-DLPNVSvQJ&t=977
Presented to Jennifer Blackburn, San Luis Obispo County Early Care & Education Planning Council; Kids Club art contest winners; and Kirk Carmichael and Angelica Jepsen from the City's Recreation Services Division.
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
Public Comments:
https://youtu.be/_W68ZFK5JWU?si=RNpay1KUVposwBAB&t=1381 Walter Heath, Morro Bay in Bloom, invited community members to the 2nd Annual "I love Morro Bay" gardening project Saturday, April 19, at 8:30am at the Triangle Park. Visit morrobayinbloom.org/i-love-mb
to pre-register for the event.
Linda Winters, Morro Bay, provided a Monday Night Dinner update and introduced Wendy Blacker, 805 Street Outreach, to provide an update on the shower program.
Wendy Blacker, 805 Street Outreach, announced a private foundation provided a large donation that will allow her to purchase two vehicles and a second shower trailer to provide weekly showers for the unhoused community.
Brandee Puett, Development Director with Lumina Alliance, thanked City Council for the proclamation recognizing April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and announced an upcoming fundraising event, Dancing With Our Stars, May 1 - 3, at the Pavilion on the Lake in Atascadero. Visit luminaalliance.org
for more information.
Janice Peters, Morro Bay, commented on Item 8a, requesting the holding time for dogs be increased to 7-10 business days. Regarding Item 9b, she supported hiring an in-house attorney.
David Goad, San Simeon, offered to meet with council members to discuss methods to repair seawalls and revetments for under $50,000.
David Yohe, Morro Bay, hoped the community would not support corporations, bonds or individuals who support Israel.
Joe Yukich, Morro Bay, commended the Council for rehiring Mr. Schultz.
Dina Lundquist, Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce CEO, commented on street improvement construction and plans for improved communication between City staff, the Chamber and business community going forward.
Dan Sedley, Morro Bay, offered this is not a forum to address national and world affairs that aren't unique to Morro Bay.
End of public comment.
7. CONSENT AGENDA
Public Comments:
https://youtu.be/_W68ZFK5JWU?si=-Dj8xsXvrq1TZM5Q&t=2933 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 period was closed.
Motion by
Council Member Eckles
Seconded by
Council Member Edwards
Approve consent agenda items 7.a through 7.h 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.
March 25, 2025 - Regular Council Meeting
Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCRM_Mar25_2025 - English.pdf
b.
March 25, 2025 - Special Council Meeting
Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - City Council Special Meeting_Mar25_2025 - English.pdf
7.b
Proclamations
Public Comments:
Approve as submitted.
a.
Proclamation Declaring April 2025 as Month of the Child and Child Abuse Prevention Month Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 7b1 Child Abuse Prevention Month Proclamation 2025.pdf
7.c
Arbor Day Proclamation
Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 7c SR Arbor Day Proclamation 2025.pdf
2. 7c1 Arbor Day Proclamation 2025.pdf
Approve the proposed proclamation in support of Arbor Day and being a Tree City USA community.
7.d
Approval of the Updated Sewer System Management Plan
Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 7d Staff Report SSMP Update 2025.pdf
Approve the updated Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP).
7.e
Adoption of Resolution No. 15-25 Initiating Proceedings to Levy the Annual Assessment for the Cloisters Park and Open Space - Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance Assessment District Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 7e SR Cloisters Initiate Assessment Proceedings and Order Engineers Report.pdf
2. 7e1 Reso 15-25 Initiating assessment for Cloisters LLMAD for FY 25-26.pdf Adopt Resolution No. 15-25 ordering the preparation of an Engineer’s Report detailing the expenses projected for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025/26 for the maintenance of the Cloisters Park and Open Space under the provisions of the “Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972.”
7.g
Award of Contract with Newton Construction & Management, Inc., for the Brackish Water Reverse Osmosis Facility Re-skin and Re-roofing Project (Project no. MB2024-UT09) Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 7g SR BWRO RESKIN Project Contract Award.pdf
2. 7g1 Contract.pdf
Award and authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Newton Construction & Management, Inc., for Project No. MB2024-UT09, Brackish Water Reverse Osmosis (BWRO) Facility Re-skin and Re-roofing Project (Project) in an amount not-to-exceed $322,786.20, which includes a 10% Contingency. All agreements implementing such project work shall be processed and based on the review of the City Attorney’s Office to be in form and substance acceptable to City staff and legal counsel.; and Direct staff to transfer $122,786.20 from the Nutmeg Pressure Zone Project (921-9932) to the BWRO re-skin project account to add necessary funding.
7.h
Approval of Revised Pay Scale and Job Description for Police Support Services Manager Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 7h SR Police Support Services Manager reclassification.pdf
2. 7h1 Reso 17-25 Approving Updated Job Description and Compensation Range.pdf
3. 7h1a Police Support Services Manager Job Description.pdf
4. 7h2 Reso 18-25 Amending Management Salary and Benefits 2024-27.pdf
5. 7h3 Reso 19-25 Adopting Updated FY 2024-25, 2025-26, and 2026-27 Pay Schedules.pdf
6. 7h3a FY 2024-25 Pay Schedule (Exhibit A).pdf
7. 7h3b FY 2025-26 Pay Schedule (Exhibit B).pdf
8. 7h3c FY 2026-27 Pay Schedule (Exhibit C).pdf
Amend the pay schedule for the Police Support Services Manager by adopting:
Resolution No. 17-25 approving Job Description and compensation range, and Resolution No. 18-25 amending Management Salary and Benefits 2025-27, and Resolution No. 19-25 approving updated FY 2024-25, 2025-26, and 2026-27 Pay Schedules.
8. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
Public Comments:
8.a
Introduce An Ordinance Repealing and Replacing Title 7 (Animals) of the Morro Bay Municipal Code Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 8a Staff Report - Animal Services.pdf
2. 8a4 - SLO County Animal Services Presentation.pdf
3. 8a1 - Ord 669 Amending Title 7 Animal Control Regulations (Repeal and Replace).pdf
4. 8a2 - Comparison document SLO County Code Title 9 and MBMC Title 7.pdf
5. 8a3 - San Luis Obispo County Code Title 9.pdf
https://youtu.be/_W68ZFK5JWU?si=fVEyjAMf5wE9ekku&t=3002 Police Chief Watkins introduced Eric Anderson, San Luis Obispo County Animal Services Manager, who provided a presentation on scope of services and cost allocation methods.
Chief Watkins presented proposed Ordinance No. 669 and responded to Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened the public hearing and public comment for Item 8.a. https://youtu.be/_W68ZFK5JWU?si=knTdwYtRa8o7tHoN&t=7789 Valerie Levulett, Morro Bay, spoke on behalf of Betty Winholtz, requesting the holding period for domestic animals be seven days and expanding the euthanasia section as requested in agenda correspondence.
Michelle Leicester-Cadaret, Morro Bay, read a letter on behalf of Nicole Dorfman, opposing legislation requiring microchipping and cat vaccinations.
Dan Sedley, Morro Bay, took issue with the 3-day waiting period and suggested the ordinance require animals be altered unless you're a licensed breeder.
Margaret Carman, Morro Bay, was opposed to mandated microchipping and vaccines, noting SB 573 approved in 2020 provided exemptions to microchipping requirements for animals with medical issues.
End of public comment.
Mayor Wixom closed public comment and the public hearing.
Dr. Anderson and Chief Watkins responded to additional questions and the Council was supportive of community requests to increase the holding period to seven days. https://youtu.be/_W68ZFK5JWU?si=nzrbkT1RzB3yraWO&t=9398 Council Member Eckles moved to introduce by title only by further reading waived, Ordinance No. 669 entitled, "An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Morro Bay, California, repealing and replacing Title 7 (Animals) of the Morro Bay Municipal Code to adopt and incorporate by reference San Luis Obispo County Code Title 9 (Animals) and to retain certain city requirements regarding animals, and finding the action not subject to CEQA" with the modification of section 9.04.002 and 9.04.006 to establish a holding period for a minimum of seven days and to include any other references to euthanasia to have a minimum of seven days for a holding period.
The motion was seconded by Council Member Landrum.
Interim City Attorney Schultz noted the City cannot amend sections of Title 9 of the San Luis Obispo County Code and offered alternatives for Council consideration. The motion was withdrawn.
Motion by
Council Member Eckles
Seconded by
Council Member Landrum
Direct staff to bring back a revised ordinance, repealing and replacing Title 7 and establishing a holding period for a minimum of seven days and to include any other references euthanasia to have a minimum of seven days for a holding period, and continue the item to a date certain, April 22, 2025 for 1st reading.
Ayes (5)
Mayor Wixom, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Eckles, Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee CARRIED (5 to 0)
8.b
Public Hearing on Vacancies to Comply with Assembly Bill 2561 Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 8b AB2561 Vacancy.pdf
2. 8b1 AB 2561 FY25 Presentation.pdf
https://youtu.be/_W68ZFK5JWU?si=vzKim2jTXHTmvx0v&t=9694 Human Resources/Risk Manager Hendricks presented the report and invited Nicole Bryant, SEIU Local 620 Field Representative, to provide comments.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 8.b.
https://youtu.be/_W68ZFK5JWU?si=6D4ejyrqxUjALUbO&t=10654 Dan Sedley, Morro Bay, appreciated receiving the pay schedules, noting it would have been helpful to see comparative pay schedules for Morro Bay against other cities in the County to see that we are competitive enough to hire and retain the best.
Nic De Angelis, Morro Bay, was unsure why conversation was focused on raising wages, suggesting the value of working in Morro Bay was enough. He opined the City is top heavy and low turnover isn't necessarily a good thing.
End of public comment.
Mayor Wixom closed public comment and the public hearing.
No formal action was taken by the City Council.
9. BUSINESS ITEMS
Public Comments:
The Council took a brief recess at 8:42 p.m. and reconvened at 8:47 p.m. with all members present.
9.a
Update and Discussion of City Owned Properties (2025)
Attachments
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Public Comments
1. 9a SR FNL Update to City Council.pdf
2. 9a1 City-Owned Property Inventory - March 2025.pdf
3. 9a2 2023 Map of City Owned Properties.pdf
4. 9a3 IDs for 2023 Map with Development Annotations.pdf https://youtu.be/_W68ZFK5JWU?si=4mdtAFYTTBx2jrlo&t=11197 Community Development Director Singewald presented the report and responded to Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 9.a.
https://youtu.be/_W68ZFK5JWU?si=veKQNAMGYAlPZzeF&t=12117 Onan Champi expressed interest in obtaining 490 Errol and requested the City keep them informed if any sites that are designated as surplus property.
Nic De Angelis, Morro Bay, sought clarification on how properties were deemed developable or not, and extended the offer of a financial contribution to move things forward.
Barry Branin, Morro Bay, stressed the importance of capitalizing on underutilized properties.
End of public comment.
No formal action was taken by the City Council on this item.
9.b
Analysis of Alternatives for City Attorney Services
Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 9b SR Legal Services Analysis.pdf
Mayor Wixom sought consensus to go past 9:30 to hear this item. https://youtu.be/_W68ZFK5JWU?si=fF54o8D9UQwG7SR-&t=13418 Interim City Attorney Schultz presented the report and responded to Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 9.b.
https://youtu.be/_W68ZFK5JWU?si=shpBR9ijvLAwjk2G&t=15223 Dan Sedley, Morro Bay, commented in support of hiring an in-house attorney.
Nic De Angelis, Morro Bay, spoke in support of an in-house attorney.
End of public comment.
Motion by
Mayor Wixom
Seconded by
Council Member Landrum
Directed staff to prepare a job description, salary range, and recruitment schedule for an in-house City Attorney.
Ayes (5)
Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Luffee, and Council Member Eckles CARRIED (5 to 0)
10. COUNCIL DECLARATION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Public Comments:
https://youtu.be/_W68ZFK5JWU?si=CFVHnEh5IeLLGZZL&t=15820 Council Member Landrum proposed consideration of forming a Council subcommittee for the Morro Elementary School property. Council Members Eckles, Luffee and Mayor Pro Tem Edwards supported the request.
Council Member Landrum requested consideration to expand the scope of the BESS ordinance to include all future energy projects within Morro Bay. Community Director Singewald reminded Council that staff will bring back options and alternatives at a future meeting, likely within six months.
Council Member Eckles requested and received majority support for reconsideration of the City's Flagpole Policy established with the adoption of Resolution No. 103-22 in November 2022.
11. ADJOURNMENT
Public Comments:
The meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m.