City Council Regular Meeting - June 10, 2025
1. ESTABLISH QUORUM AND CALL TO ORDER
Public Comments:
Mayor Wixom called the meeting to order at 5:34 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/qwtSObCOKtQ?si=xZypxUMN5bqD3sbX&t=87
City Manager Kimball announced no reportable action was taken in closed session that requires reporting pursuant to the Brown Act.
4.b
Mayor and Councilmembers' Reports, Announcements and Presentations Public Comments:
https://youtu.be/qwtSObCOKtQ?si=YFfR4iy8k1gP84S5&t=120
4.c
City Manager Reports, Announcements and Presentations
Public Comments:
https://youtu.be/qwtSObCOKtQ?si=nOX_xEfCwfs0vUBr&t=984
4.d
Subcommittee Reports - Verbal Update of Current Subcommittee Activities Public Comments:
https://youtu.be/qwtSObCOKtQ?si=GGeWbGSQlmSjYB4y&t=1627
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.
Morro Elementary School
Public Comments:
5. RECOGNITION AND PRESENTATIONS
Public Comments:
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
Public Comments:
https://youtu.be/qwtSObCOKtQ?si=vqiT5m2Np24Nwyb5&t=1775 Linda Winters, Morro Bay, commented on recently attended events and announced an upcoming benefit to support the Altadena Senior Center.
Sheri Hafer, Nicole Dorfman, Mandy Davis and Andrea Lueker from REACT Alliance presented information regarding a Coastal Development Permit issued by the California Coastal Commission in July 2024, and requested the City consider a position opposing the potential installation of high voltage cables along Dog Beach.
Kiernan Cottle, Morro Bay, commented in support of the unhoused community.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, announced a screening of "Water's Edge", a documentary celebrating the work of photographer Arthur Tress, on June 21st from 1:00 - 3:00 pm at the Bay Theatre, with a book signing at the San Luis Obispo Historical Society Friday evening.
Betsy Gaudette-Cross, Morro Bay, urged council to reconsider its decision to stop flying the Pride Flag during the month of June.
Margaret Carman, Morro Bay, expressed concern about a proposed project that would require more cell towers and offered to provide information on the detrimental effects of EMFs.
Jamie Irons, Morro Bay, restated concerns submitted as agenda correspondence and asked if there would be clarification regarding the Police Department's role in emergency evacuation procedures.
End of public comment.
7. CONSENT AGENDA
Public Comments:
https://youtu.be/qwtSObCOKtQ?si=Ty6WuW8TLJtDElml&t=3454 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.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, commented on Item 7.d., requesting Waterfront Master Plan Advisory Committee meetings be held on evenings and weekends and commented on the style of workshops she found most beneficial.
End of public comment.
Council Member Eckles pulled Item 7d.
Motion by
Council Member Landrum
Seconded by
Council Member Edwards
Approve Consent Agenda Items 7.a through 7.e as submitted, less Item 7.d.
Ayes (5)
Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Luffee, and Council Member Eckles CARRIED (5 to 0)
7.a
Approval of Minutes
Public Comments:
Approve as submitted.
a.
May 13, 2025 - Regular Council Meeting
Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCRM_May13_2025 - English.pdf
b.
May 27, 2025 - Special Closed Session Meeting
Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCCM_May27_2025 - English.pdf
c.
May 28, 2025 - Special Meeting
Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - City Council Special Meeting_May28_2025 - English.pdf
7.b
Proclamation
Public Comments:
Approve as submitted.
a.
Proclamation declaring the second Saturday of June 2025 as "Juneteenth Day" Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Juneteenth 2025 Proclamation.pdf
7.c
Ordinance No. 671 amending Morro Bay Municipal Code Chapter 14.08.080 to adopt the California State Fire Marshal Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map for Morro Bay Attachments
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Public Comments
1. 7c SR Adopt Ord amending MBMC 14.08.080 (FHSZ Maps).pdf
2. 7c1 FHSZ Ordinance 671.pdf
3. 7c2 FHSZ Map.pdf
Adopt Ordinance No.671, “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Morro Bay, California, Repealing and Replacing Chapter 14.08.080 of Title 14 (“Buildings and Construction”) of the Morro Bay Municipal Code relating to Fire Hazard Severity Zones” with adoption of the California State Fire Marshal Fire Hazard Severity Zone map for the City of Morro Bay as required by senate Bill 63 and Government Code 51178.5.
7.d
Award of Consultant Contract to Placeworks, Inc. to prepare an update to the City's Waterfront Master Plan and an Addendum to the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for Plan Morro Bay Attachments
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Public Comments
1. 7d Staff Report for Approval of Placeworks Contract.pdf
2. 7d1 Agreement For Services - PlaceWorks - Unsigned.pdf https://youtu.be/qwtSObCOKtQ?si=eYFDgq_FzFr0st3u&t=3701 Community Development Director Singewald responded to Council questions and acknowledged the scope of work should be revised to include, "incorporating existing information (from other studies) regarding the feasibility of waterfront infrastructure for offshore wind development." This was specified in the Request for Proposals and inadvertently omitted from the proposed scope of work.
Motion by
Council Member Eckles
Seconded by
Council Member Landrum
Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Placeworks, Inc. in the amount of $714,275 to prepare an update to the City’s Waterfront Master Plan and an Addendum to the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for Plan Morro Bay with amended scope as discussed.
Ayes (5)
Mayor Wixom, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Eckles, Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee CARRIED (5 to 0)
7.e
Approve Lease Amendment for Morro Bay Oyster Company
Attachments
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Public Comments
1. 7e SR Lease Amendment for Morro Bay Oyster Co.pdf
2. 7e1 Reso 31-25 Morro Bay Oyster Co.pdf
3. 7e2 Amendment 1 - MBOC Deadline extension_final redline.pdf Adopt Resolution No. 31-25 approving Amendment #1 to the lease agreement for Morro Bay Oyster Company located at 1287 Embarcadero.
8. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
Public Comments:
8.a
Public Hearing to Report on Delinquent Solid Waste Collection Accounts and Adopt Resolution No. 32-25 Authorizing San Luis Obispo County Auditor to assess Amounts Due to Delinquent Solid Waste Collection accounts as Tax Liens Against the Properties Attachments
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Public Comments
1. 8a SR Lien on Delinquent MBGS Accounts.pdf
2. 8a1 Attachment 1 Reso 32-25 Lien Delinquent MBGS Accounts.pdf
3. 8a2 Attachment 2 MBGS Tax Lien Final List.pdf
https://youtu.be/qwtSObCOKtQ?si=NISLEwbRRk_QL0sb&t=4413 Management Analyst Burlingame presented the report and responded to Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened the public hearing and public comment for Item 8.a. https://youtu.be/qwtSObCOKtQ?si=RsZB130Kg5ze2UfG&t=4972 Amber Castro from Waste Connections responded to Council inquiries, clarifying accounts must have a minimum amount of $50 past due and be at least 120 days delinquent to be processed as a tax lien against the property.
End of public comment.
The Council expressed interest in considering different thresholds for processing delinquent accounts as a tax lien against the property. Staff advised any change would come back to Council as a proposed ordinance.
Motion by
Council Member Luffee
Seconded by
Council Member Eckles
Adopt Resolution No. 32-25 authorizing the San Luis Obispo County Tax Auditor to assess amounts due on delinquent solid waste collection accounts as tax liens against the properties.
Ayes (5)
Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Luffee, and Council Member Eckles CARRIED (5 to 0)
9. BUSINESS ITEMS
Public Comments:
The Council took a brief recess at 7:06 p.m and reconvened at 7:16 p.m. with all members present.
9.a
Community Risk Assessment and Standards of Cover for the Morro Bay Fire Department Attachments
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Public Comments
1. 9a Staff Report standards of Cover 2025.pdf
2. 9a1 MBFD Final Report 2-11-25.pdf
3. 9a2 Community Risk Assessment and Standards of Cover.pdf https://youtu.be/qwtSObCOKtQ?si=99PoIH7PBWTL1NZz&t=5452 Fire Chief McCrain presented the report and responded to Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 9.a.
https://youtu.be/qwtSObCOKtQ?si=36_SMHD5SLVRmaxK&t=6570 Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, questioned whether Council's receipt of this report implied agreement with its recommendations.
Staff responded to questions raised during public comment.
As a receive and file report, no formal action was taken by the City Council.
9.b
Bonita Street Fire Station Development
Attachments
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Public Comments
1. 9b SR Bonita Fire Station 2 Proposal.pdf
2. 9b1 - Attach 1 Schematic Plans.pdf
3. 9b2 - Attach 2 Schematic Design and Feasibility Analysis.pdf
4. 9b3 - Station 2 presentation 2025.pdf
https://youtu.be/qwtSObCOKtQ?si=fRl5xd4Eelvoqq6E&t=6662 Fire Chief McCrain presented the report, noting a correction to the fiscal impact section. The Development Impact Fee balance available for this project is $77,776, leaving a funding shortfall of $15,414.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 9.b
https://youtu.be/qwtSObCOKtQ?si=_kz2af1xFppqmW0K&t=9063 Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, commented in support of Option C, noting concerns about the ongoing financial commitment to staff a second station.
Margaret Carman, Morro Bay, spoke in support of Option C while expressing concern about neighborhood noise and LED light impacts.
Mike Groves, Morro Bay resident and Vice President of Friends of Morro Bay Fire, shared the Friends' Board of Directors agreed to cover the $15,414 shortfall so there's no extra cost to the City.
Betsy Gaudette-Cross, Morro Bay, commented in favor of having a second station in north Morro Bay.
Judy Setting, Morro Bay, supported a second station but cautioned against overbuilding.
Nattalia Merzoyan, Morro Bay, requested clarification regarding the increase in calls for service mentioned in the presentation.
End of public comment.
Motion by
Mayor Wixom
Seconded by
Council Member Eckles
Affirm that it is intent of the City Council to redevelop and staff, when possible, the Bonita Street Fire Station as City funding and departmental staffing becomes available and consider the options; and Direct the Fire Chief to complete architectural drawings, sufficient to create a “shovel ready” project with the funding and appropriate a total of $93,190 including $77,776 of Fire Department Development Impact Fees to fund the remainder needed to complete these documents; and Authorize the Fire Chief to seek funding sources for construction of a new fire station (Option B), if possible; and Include this project in the City’s Capital Improvement Project list.
Ayes (5)
Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Luffee, and Council Member Eckles CARRIED (5 to 0)
9.c
Consideration of State Water Transfer Policy Update
Attachments
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Public Comments
1. 9c SR Draft Proposed State Water Transfer Policy Update.pdf
2. 9c1 Attach 1 - State Water Policy Document.pdf
3. 9c2 Attach 2 - Supplemental Infomation on Morro Bay Water Supply.pdf https://youtu.be/qwtSObCOKtQ?si=PblyuB89wOYRYFf7&t=11514 Public Works Director Kwolek presented the report and, along with Wes Thompson, Supervising Engineer for County of San Luis Obispo, responded to Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 9.c.
https://youtu.be/qwtSObCOKtQ?si=5kDEyQRFcJL7yzqy&t=13464 Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, urged the City to submit a comment letter to the Board of Supervisors expressing the City's concerns.
End of public comment.
Following discussion, there was Council consensus to provide input to the District, as discussed, generally consisting of the following:
Make sure framework meets the desire to protect our water supply, Given subcontractors have priority, policies should not allow the district to set up new subcontracts, Consider excluding agricultural and private users from prioritization, and Ensure cost recovery to subcontracts for historical capital investments
10. COUNCIL DECLARATION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Public Comments:
https://youtu.be/qwtSObCOKtQ?si=glacacCBBdz2mP4Z&t=15399 Council Members Landrum and Luffee requested discussion of whether the Coastal Development Permit issued by the Coastal Commission to Atlas Wind in July 2024 is within the Dog Beach restrictive covenants and, if so, consider notifying Coastal Commission that installation of high voltage cables would not be allowed.
11. ADJOURNMENT
Public Comments:
The meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.