AGENDA CORRESPONDENCE
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED BY THE
CITY COUNCIL FOR PUBLIC REVIEW
PRIOR TO THE MEETING
AGENDA NO: 9a
MEETING DATE: May 27, 2025
1 Heather Goodwin
From: Metzger Tina
Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2025 1:45 PM
To: Council
Cc: Yvonne Kimball
Subject: 5-27-2025 Council Agenda Item 9.a
CAUTION: This is an external email. Please take care when clicking links or opening attachments. (Please delete my first letter this morning and keep this letter for Public Record.) Honorable Mayor Wixom, and Members of the City Council, RE: May 27, 2025 City Council Agenda Item 9.a
Subject: Reconsideration of Vote on Roundabout Environmental Work and Consideration of Project Next Steps
I strongly agree with Staff Alternative #2 Reaffirm its April 22, 2025, decision to discontinue City Staff work on the roundabout project environmental phase and request SLOCOG not complete and finalize the roundabout project environmental phase.
Reasoning: A roundabout at Hwy 41/Main Street is the wrong solution. For the past 20 years, I have lived close to, and have used the Hwy 41/Main Street intersection a minimum of twice a day. As a professional urban planner, I am intimately aware of the issues at this intersection. I have learned from designing street layouts in many different challenging traffic situations here in California. In addition, I have driven in Europe, Great Britain, Ireland, Australia and have as a driver, negotiated roundabouts in those countries.
A roundabout at this intersection is unnecessary overkill, and would be dangerous to the great number of pedestrians from Morro Bay High School, and the many residents of nearby mobile home parks, who use this intersection to walk to the beach. When I see these pedestrians, I think of the dangerous situation of dodging moving cars and trucks who are negotiating a continuously moving roundabout, drivers looking in one direction to get into the roundabout traffic, negotiating oncoming traffic from many different directions, and then quickly trying to figure out what direction they want to go next. This situation can be fatal to pedestrians.
There are realistic opportunities to simply improve the existing Hwy 41/Main Street intersection, and I would be willing to volunteer to work with planners on an intelligent solution for this intersection.
2 Again, a roundabout is the wrong solution for this intersection.
I ask the Council to vote for Alternative #2 to Reaffirm its April 22, 2025, decision to discontinue City staff work on the roundabout project environmental phase and request SLOCOG not complete and finalize the roundabout project environmental phase.
Sincerely,
Tina Metzger
1 Heather Goodwin
From: Nancy Bast
Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2025 12:24 PM
To: Council
Subject: NEVER A ROUNDABOUT AT MAIN STREET AND HWY 41
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Dear Mayor Wixom and Councilmembers Landrum, Edwards, Eckles, Laffee Please note my earlier emails opposing a roundabout at this complicated intersecƟon.
It is one of only two entrances/exits to MB, so this locaƟon is crucial to visitors and residents alike.
Please consider my opposiƟon in previous emails to the roundabout.
Sincerely,
Nancy Bast
Morro Bay
Sent from my iPad
1 Heather Goodwin
From: Nancy Beattie
Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2025 12:11 PM
To: Council
Subject: Roundabout
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Dear Council Members,
I am not in favor of the 41/Highway 1 roundabout. None of my neighbors to whom I’ve spoken about it are in favor of it either. Please do not vote for it.
Sincerely,
Nancy Beaƫe
Morro Bay
Sent from my iPad
PROTECT OUR CHILDREN
HWY 41/MAIN ROUNDABOUT
A roundabout flips the status of the
vulnerable--our children, our cyclists, and
ADA people—from priority users to
secondary users. They are subordinate to
vehicular movement. A roundabout's job is
to improve the flow of vehicles. The
pedestrian's new job is to “watch for a
break in traffic” then cross. When there are
no mandatory vehicular stops, like in a
roundabout, it's called an “uncontrolled
intersection.” Trucks and cars have the
right-of-way and do not have to stop.
Thank you,
--CAL
Email: [email protected]
Website:
https://calmorrobay.com/
MORRO BAY MATTERS
______________________________________________________________________ Volume 3, Issue 1 May 20, 2025
PROTECT OUR CHILDREN
HWY 41/MAIN ROUNDABOUT
A roundabout flips the status of the
vulnerable--our children, our cyclists, and
ADA people—from priority users to
secondary users. They are subordinate to
vehicular movement. A roundabout's job is
to improve the flow of vehicles. The
pedestrian's new job is to “watch for a
break in traffic” then cross. When there are
no mandatory vehicular stops, like in a
roundabout, it's called an “uncontrolled
intersection.” Trucks and cars have the
right-of-way and do not have to stop.
DATA People use data to “prove” points
of view. There is a difference between
theoretical data and experimental data. The
former relies on assumptions and computer
modeling. The latter is what really happens.
The former is what should happen when
you roll a dice. The latter is what you
actually roll.
Pedestrian data before 2017 was predominately theoretical. Agencies and consultants continue to generate theoretical
documents. There is also emerging
experimental data that shows the negative
impact of roundabouts on pedestrians and
cyclists from San Diego to Michigan:
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/202
5/05/11/local-stats-show-north-countyroundabouts-perform-poorly/ also
https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/ex/sustain
ablecitiescollective/roundabout-safety-mix
results-pedestrians-cyclists/122461/
Minnesota studies show that given the
same pedestrian enhancements, 4-way
stops are similar in safety to roundabouts.
https://mdl.mndot.gov/items/202336
Does Caltrans need to spend $12M to
theoretically make our kids safer, or can we
spend $90,000 and get the same results?
Yes to safety. Students over vehicles.
Email the City Council at
[email protected]
Attend the City Council meeting May
27, Tuesday, 5:30pm at the Vets Hall on
Surf St.
VIEW THE SCHEMATIC
Come to Spencer's Farmers' Market on
Thursday, May 22, to see a color rendition
of the proposed roundabout. Or, follow this
link to page 59 of 74 to view it online:
https://pubmorrobay.escribemeetings.com/FileStream.
ashx?DocumentId=3210
Notice construction goes beyond the
limits of the roundabout, but not far enough
south to raise the Morro Creek bridge that
floods. Notice new retaining walls to hold
up Hwy 1. Notice the shrinkage of access
to the gas station and liquor store (will this
kill their businesses?). Notice elimination of
parking in front of the mobile home parks.
Notice the barrier to Sunset Avenue.
It is a small circle. It must accommodate
pickups pulling 5th-wheels, 18-wheel semitrucks, and fire engines.
HWY 41/MAIN ROUNDABOUT
COMES AROUND FOR A
FINALE
As reported by resident old-timers, the
idea of 3 roundabouts in Morro Bay was
initiated in the 1990s. The locations were
Morro Bay Blvd/Quintana, Hwy 41/Main,
and San Jacinto/Main.
After much controversy, re-engineering,
and delays, the Morro Bay Blvd/Quintana
roundabout was completed in the early
2000s. The other 2 locations were not
pursued.
In 2014, the Hwy 41/Main roundabout was
resurrected. The City paid for the studies
because Caltrans was not interested. The
studies were completed in 2016, but the
project lacked funding as well as receiving
some negative comments from the
community.
During Covid, Caltrans was successfully
lobbied to be involved. In 2023, City
Council chose between a roundabout,
signalization, and keeping the 4-way stop.
On a 3-2 vote, the roundabout was
selected. An EIS (Environmental Impact
Statement) has been underway to address
design and mitigation of a roundabout only.
ln April, 2025, the City Council voted 3-2
to stop paying for the (EIS). If the study is
completed, the project automatically
belongs to Caltrans who will build it.
On May 27, City Council will vote whether
to retain local control (end the EIS and
project). The City may begin pedestrian
enhancements. Caltrans has scheduled the
roundabout into its 2028-2029 work plan.
CAL supports the no roundabout
option.
2-YEAR MORITORIUM ON
BESS
In the City's words, "The City Council
adopted Ordinance No. 670, placing a
temporary prohibition on grid-scale BESS
[Battery Energy Storage System] projects
while we develop comprehensive safety
and land-use regulations."
Why? Council Members became alert to
the fact that the City has no ordinance to
guide the siting of a BESS. City Council
initiated the moritorium in January, 2025.
Within days, a BESS in Moss Landing
exploded and became national news. This
is the 4th incident at Moss Landing and the
most severe. The literal fallout from that fire
continues to be revealed and evaluated
even as of today.
Recognizing that repercussions from a
BESS meltdown are far-reaching, a group
of residents are lobbying the County Board
of Supervisors to adopt a county-wide
moritorium similar to the one adopted by
Morro Bay until a County ordinance can be
written.
A small BESS in Nipomo, near Hwy 101,
finished contruction in April. Nipomo
residents were surprised and furious due to
the lack of notification from the County
during the planning process.
As other BESS projects are in the
planning stages, County supervisors are
not addressing the moritorium request.
CAL supports a County moratorium.
MORRO BAY MATTERS is brought to you by Citizens
For Affordable Living (CAL) to inform Morro Bay
residents regarding current City issues. CAL welcomes
contributions in the form of ideas, distribution, and
printing. Contact CAL and view other issues at
https://calmorrobay.wordpress.com
1 Heather Goodwin
From: Tim
Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2025 12:01 PM
To: Council
Subject: Tonight’s City Council Agenda item 9.a
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I’m urging you all to trust, and one way or the other, commiƫng to finish the process regarding Morro Bay’s second roundabout.
Tim Crowley
2 Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Medical Clinic at Morro
Pacific Central Coast Health Centers
685 Morro Avenue, Suite C
Morro Bay, CA 93442
805-772-7313 (O)
805-772-0395 (F)
[email protected]
Caution: This email is both proprietary and confidential, and not intended for transmission to (or receipt by) any unauthorized person(s). If you believe that you have received this email in error, do not read any attachments. Instead, kindly reply to the sender stating that you have received the message in error.
Then destroy it and any attachments. Thank you.
1 Heather Goodwin
From: debbie highfil
Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2025 11:59 AM
To: Council
Subject: Intersection of Main and 41
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Dear council members, it’s come to my aƩenƟon that people have sent mulƟple emails concerning this issue so I would like to reiterate that the roundabout opƟon is the most disrupƟve for the longest amount of Ɵme during the construcƟon and also the most expensive opƟon.
I urge you to pick a less extensive and expensive opƟon.
Sincerely,
Debbie Highfill
23 year resident of Morro Bay.
2 Belonging // Engagement // Kindness
bekcollective.com
2 layouts in many different configurations, and challenging traffic situations here in California. In addition, I have driven in Europe, Great Britain, Ireland, Australia and have as a driver, negotiated roundabouts in those countries.
A roundabout at Hwy 41/Main Street is the wrong solution.
A roundabout at this intersection is unnecessary overkill, and would be dangerous to the great number of pedestrians from Morro Bay High School, and the many residents of nearby mobile home parks, who walk to the beach. When I see these pedestrians, I think of the dangerous situation of dodging moving cars and trucks who are negotiating a continuously moving roundabout, drivers looking in one direction to get into the roundabout traffic, negotiating oncoming traffic from many different directions, and then quickly trying to figure out what direction they want to go next. This situation can be fatal to pedestrians.
I see lost opportunities to simply improve the existing Hwy 41/Main Street intersection, and I would be willing to volunteer to work with planners on an intelligent solution for this intersection.
Again, I ask the Council to Reaffirm the April 22, 2025, vote to discontinue environmental work on the roundabout, Staff Recommendations # 1 and #2.
Sincerely,
Tina Metzger
2 have had over an 80% reduction in fatal and serious injury crashes. At the time of this report, there still has not been a multi-vehicle fatality in a roundabout in Minnesota. https://www.dot.state.mn.us/roundabouts/safety.html#:~:text=As%20of%20October%202024 %2C%20there,530%20roundabouts%20on%20all%
So I ask - How does halting this project make our city safer? Will we get another chance at this kind of funding? Are we prepared to ignore proven solutions backed by facts and experience? Please ensure the timely completion of the environmental report so the public can provide additional input on the next phase.
Let’s seize this opportunity — for our city, for our kids, and for the future of Morro Bay.
Thank you.
Chris Robles
Sent from my iPhone
1 Heather Goodwin
From: Jean Ryan
Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2025 12:18 PM
To: Council
Subject: Environmental Report/Roundabout 5/27Council Meeting Agenda item 9A [Some people who received this message don't oŌen get email from Learn why this is important at hƩps://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdenƟficaƟon ] CAUTION: This is an external email. Please take care when clicking links or opening aƩachments.
Dear Mayor Wixom and Council Members Eckles,Luffee,Edwards and Landrum Whatever decision you make, please ensure the environmental report will be completed. This way the public can provide input on the next phase.
Thank you for your service to our community.
Jean Ryan
Morro Bay.
Sent from my iPad
1 Heather Goodwin
From: Mary Kay Stenger
Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2025 12:56 PM
To: Council
Subject: Round about
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Sent from my iPhone please do not put in the roundabout off the 41 in Morro Bay. Mary Kay Stenger.
1 Dana Swanson
From: Karen Aguilar
Sent: Sunday, May 25, 2025 6:41 AM
To: Council
Subject: Roundabout
CAUTION: This is an external email. Please take care when clicking links or opening aƩachments.
The most serious consideraƟon about the Hwy 41 roundabout is the pedestrian and cyclist crossings at a very busy intersecƟon. Not out will motorist have to navigate all the opƟons of this proposed site, but they will also have to look for pedestrians and cyclists.
Is it worth it?
Some have argued about replacing the stop signs lights. I’m not against that but I honestly believe stop signs work well and perhaps, a newly painted corner might be all we need.
As for the MBHS students who don’t yield, perhaps the school district should provide crossing guards at noon and aŌer school.
Does our liƩle town need anything more that that?
Please vote no on this costly circle construcƟon.
Thank you
Karen Aguilar
Morro Bay, CA
Sent from my iPhone
1 Dana Swanson
From: Steve
Sent: Monday, May 26, 2025 3:16 PM
To: Council
Subject: Roundabout
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I’m a reƟred high school principal, and I feel the students at Morro Bay High School are being unfairly represented. Some in the community seem to feel the students are unable to safely cross an intersecƟon. High school students are highly aware of their surroundings and each other. They certainly have the maturity to cross a well marked intersecƟon.
Please give our high school students the credit they deserve. Vote Yes for conƟnuing the roundabout and quit using our students as escape goats.
Thank you,
Steve Barragar
Morro Bay
2 We are writing to respectfully urge you to RECIND the “stop work” order on the environmental study for the State Highway 1/41 roundabout prior to the next council meeting (tomorrow).
In the interest of open and transparent governance, any decision to abandon a long-standing infrastructure safety improvement—particularly on local state highways—should only be made following adequate public notice, sufficient public input, and thorough, open deliberation. (none of which has happened)
In the spirit of true transparency, the public deserves the opportunity to review the study and the information it contains. This data, along with future Caltrans public outreach, will help the community better understand the potential benefits and drawbacks of the project, formulate meaningful questions and concerns, and ultimately provide informed feedback. This input is critical to enable you, as our elected representatives, to make decisions that reflect the best interests of ALL Morro Bay residents.
If the environmental study is halted at ~ 95% completion, the public and council will be deprived of its findings. More concerning, it could limit Morro Bay’s ability to influence the project should SLOCOG and/or Caltrans decide to pick up and move forward with minimal city involvement.
Given the change in funding sources now available, the public and council must have the opportunity to re-evaluate support (or non-support) of this project based on the best information we can gather. This study is a missing piece.
Reconsidering the “stop work” order will:
Foster open and transparent dialogue with ALL Morro Bay residents Provide opportunities for public outreach regarding the project (by the City and CalTrans)
Preserve Morro Bay’s “seat at the table” for any future decisions Sincerely,
David and Cindy Betonte
Residents, Morro Bay
PS: Council Policies and Procedures “Reconsideration” to reconsider your vote prior to the Tuesday, May 13th meeting and allow this study to be completed as planned.
1.2.6 RECONSIDERATION
Reconsideration of issues previously acted upon is discouraged. However, in extraordinary situations, a request to reconsider an action taken by the City Council may be considered. The request must be presented by a Council Member who voted with the majority at the Council meeting at which the original vote was taken. The vote may be reconsidered during that meeting, but no later than the next Council meeting. Debate is limited to the question of whether there is a majority of the Council interested in reconsidering the matter. If a majority of the Council votes to reconsider an action, then the matter can be heard at that same meeting or placed on the next or future agenda, as directed by the Council. Notwithstanding the foregoing, as a governmental legislative body, the Council reserves the right to 3 consider or reconsider any matter within its jurisdiction that a majority of the Council deems appropriate, particularly if new information becomes available or circumstances change.
1 Dana Swanson
From: Colby
Sent: Friday, May 23, 2025 10:31 AM
To: Council
Subject: 5/27 Council Meeting Agenda item 9A
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I urge you to complete the EIR by MB City staff or by county staff. whichever direcƟon you take, please ensure that it is one that will ensure the Ɵmely compleƟon of the environmental report so the public can provide input on the next phase.
Sent from my iPhone
1 Dana Swanson
From: Shoosh
Sent: Friday, May 23, 2025 1:48 PM
To: Council
Subject: 5/27 Council Meeting Agenda Item 9SA
CAUTION: This is an external email. Please take care when clicking links or opening aƩachments.
To the Morro Bay City Council for the 5/27/25 meeƟng, AGENDA ITEM 9A:
I urge you to complete the EIR by MB City staff or by county staff.
Whichever direcƟon you take, please make sure that it is one that will ensure the Ɵmely compleƟon of the environmental report so the public can provide input on the next phase of this necessary project.
Sincerely,
Shoosh Crotzer
Morro Bay, CA. 93442
1 Dana Swanson
From: PETER GREGORY
Sent: Saturday, May 24, 2025 9:12 PM
To: Council
Subject: Re: About that pesky traffic circle
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I own a house in Morro Bay. I see you are accepƟng comments about the traffic circle at Main, 41 and 1. Of course, you should put a traffic circle in. That intersecƟon is messed up! It is safer for everyone to have a traffic circle, cars, pedestrians and bicycles. There is no argument that traffic circles are safer, like we know the Earth is round. Bring in the Civil Engineers who study traffic, they will explain it all to you.
Don’t be stupid, put in the traffic circle. Fix the terrible traffic at that intersecƟon.
Peter Gregory
1 Dana Swanson
From: Joseph Ingraffia
Sent: Monday, May 26, 2025 1:23 PM
To: Council
Subject: Roundabout issue
With respect to the roundabout, everything revolves around the issue of pedestrian safety. The truth is that it's not unreasonable to have some reservations about the typical roundabout design suitability for the proposed location in Morro Bay. However, the fact remains indisputable that the current situation is grossly unsafe and that situation will only get worse with the passage of time. Government funding is available now to fix the situation and will not likely be available in the future if we pass on it now. My fear is that the situation will grow to horrendous proportions and/or be ignited by a fatality.
This would be my strategy. Spend the remaining modest amount, so that a fully realized design can be ultimately presented and vetted by experts and by the public. I would be willing to bet that the final design will be found insufficient and that the public will demand changes and additional safeguards.
What do I mean? First, it might be a good idea to simplify the intersection as much as possible by eliminating some of the roadways into the roundabout. Perhaps eliminate the north bound Highway 1 offramp so much used to drop off kids at the high school, as well as the northbound Highway 1 on-ramp.
The existing north on-ramp and off-ramp on Main street a few hundred yards to the south could serve as a convenient replacement with the addition of stop signs and a left turn lane. The added travel time to the high school would be insignificant, but the visual simplification to drivers in the roundabout would be very significant. That would also eliminate the need for two crosswalks at the roundabout intersection. In addition, the north/south cross walk on the westside of HWY 1 and the east/west cross walk on the southside of Main might be eliminated to further reduce the number of pedestrian "moving parts" on which drivers must concentrate as they move through the roundabout. The remaining crosswalks could be kept outside the immediate roundabout perimeter, but still close enough to take advantage of the roundabout-induced reduced speeds. Bulb outs and mid-street islands would also reduce the linear footage and time needed to cross the streets. Blinking lights imbedded in the crosswalks, road bumps, perhaps even pedestrian activated stop lights and permanent, large flashing caution lights like those in place on HWY 46 outside Paso Robles would also measurably reduce the anxiety about pedestrian safety. I'm certainly no expert on these matters and there could be other additions that would be even more useful. The point is if we permit a design to be fleshed out, I'm confident that we could hone that resulting plan to everyone's satisfaction. However, without a detailed civil engineering plan neither the problems nor the solution will ever be addressed.
Joe Ingraffia
2 Report after report has concluded that roundabouts are safe for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. In fact, a recent edition of Morro Bay Matters pointed readers to a “Traffic Safety Evaluation of Pedestrians and Bicyclists at Roundabouts in Minnesota” conducted by the Office of Traffic Engineering at the Minnesota Department of Transportation in October of 2023. By the end of 2022, Minnesota had nearly 450 roundabouts installed. A 2017 study showed a substantial decrease in fatal and serious injury crashes for all users at intersections after installation of a roundabout. The 2023 study specifically looked at 95 roundabouts with higher use by pedestrians and bicyclists. This study states “With the installation of a roundabout, this study finds that the before-after analysis results in a 40% decrease in all severity injury crashes for all roadway users, a 70% decrease in fatal and serious injury crashes for bikes and pedestrians, and a 15% decrease in total pedestrian bike and pedestrian crashes. The results of the comparison analyses suggest roundabouts have better safety performance than through-stop and traffic signal-controlled intersections and similar safety performance to locations with all-way stop control. The results of this evaluation thus indicate that roundabouts can be an effective safety treatment for pedestrian and bicycle crashes.” We currently have all-way stop control at Highway 41 and Main Street, but only through stop at Highway 1 and Highway 41. Thus, one can conclude the proposed roundabout will improve safety while also addressing congestion.
Take the next step, authorize the completion of the Environmental Study. It is a step closer to improving the lives of all residents and visitors.
Monica and Jamie Irons
Morro Bay Residents
2 And, we commend our community’s future leaders – Morro Bay High School students – for their on-going engagement in this community wide discussion. MBHS staff tell us that, when polled, a majority of the students support the roundabout. We are proud of our students, on all sides of this issue, for participating in the conversation, voicing their views, and learning how local government makes decisions on their behalf.
Unfortunately, many comments made in public forums during the roundabout discussion have been derogatory toward the intelligence of our students as being too “stupid” to navigate a roundabout. We will not remain silent when our City’s young people are disrespected and disparaged repeatedly at Public Comment during City meetings.
We hope the City Council will disregard this shameful portrayal of our students in your deliberation on the issue - especially in light of the overall support for the roundabout from students, staff, and trustees at MBHS and SLCUSD.
Very sincerely,
Christine & Lee Johnson
Residents of Morro Bay and proud parents of a 2023 Morro Bay High School graduate
1 Dana Swanson
From: Jody
Sent: Friday, May 23, 2025 7:21 PM
To: Council
Subject: OPPOSED TO ROUNDABOUT!!
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I strongly supported you three at the last elecƟon and canvased my neighbors to gain their support for you (Mayor, Zara, and Jeff) because I knew we held the same visions for Morro Bay and these large proposed upcoming projects. I was stunned by the last “recall“ elecƟon announcement and disappointed by what occurred. I hope each of you will stand strong in your original votes and beliefs regarding this project and end the EIS and Roundabout Project! So much money and Ɵme has already been wasted when a simple traffic light for cars and pedestrians would be quicker, cheaper, and clearly understood by ALL!! No guessing whose turn it is. Lastly, if the high schoolers conƟnue to saunter through while on their phones just as they do now, a roundabout won’t move them along any quicker and the cars may sƟll be held up, or kids may try to beat the traffic! A ROUNDABOUT IS NOT SAFE FOR PEDESTRIANS, CYCLISTS, or ADA PERSONS. I grew up here. I wish MORRO BAY would quit wasƟng money and Ɵme on unnecessary overblown projects, and put the money where it can truly help our community of all ages and needs. I am at this intersecƟon 2-4 Ɵmes daily, depending on the daylight hour there are zero cars to many. If this were an all day busy intersecƟon with no pedestrians, that would be different than what it actually is. Those in support of this project should visit this intersecƟon different hours of the days to realize how many Ɵme there is no one there! This is a completely unnecessary overblown project for this area.
Thank you, I hope to regain trust with the Councils upcoming vital vote and decisions.
I am an involved and caring community member, Jody
1 Dana Swanson
From: Dave Klinzman
Sent: Friday, May 23, 2025 3:21 PM
To: Council
Subject: 5/27 Council Meeting Agenda item 9A
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No maƩer what, you must ensure that the decision on the Hwy 1/41 intersecƟon roundabout will ensure the Ɵmely compleƟon of the environmental report so the public can provide input on the next phase.
The roundabout is the only viable soluƟon to a long standing traffic problem for the City of Morro Bay. Your prompt approval is needed.
Dave Klinzman
Morro Bay, CA 93442
2 pedestrians cannot be harmed while using the islands. There is time for additional features to be considered and added.
It is true that some people are uncomfortable with change in general or roundabouts specifically, but stopping this roundabout will sacrifice an important infrastructure improvement for the sake of people that will be dealing with more roundabouts no matter the future of the Main St./Hwy 41 intersection. Roundabouts are becoming more and more common. The County is replacing 4-way stops and signaled intersections with them. Cities, including San Luis Obispo, are incorporating them into new development. In San Luis Obispo, the last three new neighborhoods - Margarita, Orcutt and Dalidio all contain roundabouts. They are becoming a fact-of-driving, so common getting a drivers’ license requires that you know how to navigate one.
In closing, the roundabout is the best solution for traffic at the intersection and it can be the safest option for pedestrians and cyclists as well. Please don’t thank me for sharing my feelings, I am sharing facts.
1 Dana Swanson
From: M M
Sent: Saturday, May 24, 2025 6:05 PM
To: Council
Subject: Roundabout
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Hello my name is Mark Murphy and I am a ciƟzen of Morro Bay. Please vote against a roundabout at 41 and Main intersecƟon. Good old fashioned signals would work just fine for traffic and pedestrians.
Thank you.
Mark Murphy
1 Dana Swanson
From: Mark & Patti Mushegan
Sent: Saturday, May 24, 2025 11:24 AM
To: Council
Subject: Yes for Round-about
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Hello,
My name is Mark Mushegan and I own the home on . My wife and I have to travel from Clovis and to Atascadero and then down to Morro Bay. One of the worst parts of our trip is hiƫng Main Street aŌer coming down from Atascadero. A roundabout would be a phenomenal improvement for this parƟcular problem, which will not go away. Please vote yes!
Thank you,
Mark Mushegan
Morro Bay, California
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2 The roundabout design already includes pedestrian refuge areas so a pedestrian only crosses one travel lane at a time rather than three travel lanes with the existing design. Additionally, pedestrian push button activated flashing beacons can be installed at minimal cost to further alert drivers to pedestrians using the intersection.
Thank you for your consideration.
Peggy Mandeville
Morro Bay resident
1 Dana Swanson
From: Pat Reed
Sent: Monday, May 26, 2025 1:25 PM
To: Council
Subject: The Morro Bay Roundabout
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Once again I implore the city council to conƟnue the compleƟon of the environmental review for the roundabout.
Washington DC has used roundabouts since the city was created to keep traffic moving. I certainly found them both logical and safe when my husband and I lived there. Any and all roundabouts can and must be designed to keep pedestrians safe; certainly much safer than the current mess at the rts 41/1. Please vote for progress, not the same old “never change anything” that seems to be the current feeling among some residents, who protested such improvements as the sewer plant and the Morro Bay Blvd roundabout. Patricia Reed Sent from my iPad
1 Dana Swanson
From: Nancy Sadja <
Sent: Monday, May 26, 2025 3:33 PM
To: Council
Subject: Roundabout
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I fully support the decision to reconsider the roundabout at Highway 41 and Main Street, as it is essenƟal for our area's future growth. ConducƟng addiƟonal studies will help ensure pedestrian safety. The latest design includes raised sidewalks, safety zones, and clearly marked crossings. ImplemenƟng pedestrian-acƟvated flashing lights would further enhance safety.
The students at Morro Bay High School are mature young adults and are certainly capable of safely crossing a wellmarked intersecƟon. We need to stop using these students as a reason to delay this much-needed project.
As a wheelchair user, I find the use of roundabout crosswalks effecƟve and safe. I hope this roundabout will successfully and safely contribute to Morro Bay.
Thank you,
Nancy Sadja
Morro Bay, California
2 Resident of North Morro Bay
2 Carole Truesdale
"Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul; living partners!" chef...Andre Simon (1877-1970)
1 Dana Swanson
From: John d Clark
Sent: Monday, May 26, 2025 2:13 PM
To: Council
Subject: 5/27 MB Council Meeting Item 9a
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Thank you all council members who acknowledged my previous pro roundabout opinion. Please commit now to finishing the environmental report so that the project and community opinions can move forward with the roundabout plan.
Melany Walker
1 Heather Goodwin
From: Judith Welch
Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2025 9:44 AM
To: Council
Subject: Roundabout
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Council members,
We have lived in Morro Bay for over forty years.
We are opposing the roundabout project. The proposed locaƟon has many dangerous issues.
The most important is the Morro Bay High School students. Also many pedestrians or bicyclists would find that area difficult to navigate. We feel a beƩer soluƟon would be flashing crosswalks, and enhanced painted crosswalks and beƩer signage.
We walk everyday and appreciate some main streets being repaved and crosswalks painted orange. There are sƟll many streets that need crosswalks repainted at least white all over downtown. A main one is Beach and Market.
We have almost been hit crossing four Ɵmes!
It is a very busy intersecƟon with three hotels and a mobile home park. Lots of tourists cross to go to Dorn's and shopping and the cars are speeding in both direcƟons.
Thank you,
Judith and Wayne Welch
2 Staff reports that Caltrans will not appeal a denied permit from the City to the CCC. It's possible they would change their mind in 2 years, since they were previously not in favor of a roundabout and now they are.
Regarding SLOCOG, the report states, "Staff believes there is a great likelihood of this [SLOCOG taking over the project] if the City Council endorses the transfer of the roundabout project environmental phase through a Council resolution." The bolding is mind to point out SLOCOG board will be looking for the City Council's acquiescence. I suggest that other cities will be hard pressed to approve a project a member city doesn't want because (1) one of them could use the money, and (2) they may want the same favor in the future, i.e. as Pismo Beach did in the past.
The following is a quote from the June 2023 staff report that is printed under Background:
"The major con of the roundabout alternative is the higher initial construction cost ($8- 12 million estimate). Another con is the increased footprint of disturbance required to build the roundabout, which will require more right-of-way acquisition and likely more time for review and approval. Another con is the timeline to construct a roundabout would be longer and would likely result in more disruption to the community, though the intersection would remain fully open during construction phasing built into the design.
Finally, the roundabout alternative does not provide pedestrians with defined cycles to cross the road which requires drivers to stop and yield by law." Sincerely,
Betty Winholtz
1 Dana Swanson
From: Dick Winiker <
Sent: Monday, May 26, 2025 1:48 PM
To: Council
Subject: Roundabout
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The best thing to happen for Morro Bay in the last 20 years is the roundabout on Morro Bay Blvd. And you’re going to pass up the chance to have a FREE one in place at the second traffic choke point in the city? You can’t be serious!! The students aren’t babies. They will be fine.
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1 Heather Goodwin
From: Tanna Boyd
Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2025 10:15 AM
To: Council
Subject: Hwy 41/Main Roundbout
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Dear City Council Members
Unless a pedestrian over crossing is built at that locaƟon we believe a roundabout at the Hwy 41/Main Street intersecƟon will create more of a safety issue for pedestrians.
Please Vote NO when voƟng on a roundabout at the Hwy 41/Main Street intersecƟon.
Respecƞully
Gene and Tanna Boyd
Sent from my iPad
1 Heather Goodwin
From: June Swall
Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2025 10:25 AM
To: Council
Cc:
Subject: Hwy 41/Main Roundabout
I am support of your prior vote to stop the EIS and to stop further consideraƟon of a roundabout at this intersecƟon.
Adding the confusion of a roundabout is fraught with perils:
1) for pedestrians-no clear stop and go interrupƟon of traffic flow for their passage 2) for longer vehicles-area of circumference requires difficult Ɵght turn 3) for current business establishments and residenƟal areas-complicated access 4) for area under consideraƟon-size not adequate to accommodate number of entries and exits.
Whatever funding ends up being required, 12M+, this intersecƟon is not made safer or easier to navigate by insƟllaƟon of roundabout. Thank you for your diligence in analyzing and thoughƞully considering this proposed project. And thank you for reading my concerns.
June Swall, Morro Bay CiƟzen
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AGENDA CORRESPONDENCE
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED BY THE
CITY COUNCIL FOR PUBLIC REVIEW
PRIOR TO THE MEETING
AGENDA NO: 8b
MEETING DATE: May 27, 2025
2 I didn’t bother to hear the other quote.
I do not now have Homeowners coverage, much less fire insurance! There is a distinction between fire insurance and homeowners insurance that covers the myriad problems that can occur in a home. This mandate should have nothing to do with insuring the myriad homeowners problems, but it is disingenuously lumped together with fire coverage making it unaffordable as well.
What would our counties and cities look like and feel like without the vegetation that is cleaning the polluted air, is beautiful and calming, is habitat for all forms of fauna, is mitigating climate change? Hands off Cerrito Peak!!! It is perfect the way it is!
Save The Park non-profit paid dearly in time, money and court appearances to preserve this special place.
What is this really about? One man’s opinion is causing grief for millions of residents, please do not put another financial burden on residents because of a bureaucratic decree! Sincerely,
Nancy Bast
Morro Bay
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