City Council Regular Meeting - September 09, 2025
1. ESTABLISH QUORUM AND CALL TO ORDER
Public Comments:
Mayor Wixom called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. with all members present.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Public Comments:
3. REPORTS
Public Comments:
3.a
Closed Session Report
Public Comments:
City Attorney Stack announced the Council met in Closed Session to discuss three real property matters involving the Morro Elementary site, Morro Dunes RV Park, and the former wastewater treatment plant site and no reportable action was taken under the Brown Act. Mr. Stack was authorized to disclose the Council directed staff to submit an offer to the School District for the entire Morro Elementary site and reminded the public final approval of that agreement would have to be done in an open and noticed meeting.
3.b
Mayor and Councilmembers' Reports, Announcements and Presentations Public Comments:
3.c
City Manager Reports, Announcements and Presentations
Public Comments:
3.d
Subcommittee Reports - Verbal Update of Current Subcommittee Activities Public Comments:
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:
4. RECOGNITION AND PRESENTATIONS
Public Comments:
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
Public Comments:
Will Benedict, San Luis Obispo Bicycle Club, announced the Lighthouse Century Bicycle Ride on Saturday, September 27th.
Aaron Ochs, Morro Bay, commented on the life and legacy of John Weiss.
Linda Winters, Morro Bay, remembered John Weiss in her comments, attended the Kent Nagano concert to raise funds for Morro Elementary, and provided a Monday Night Dinner update.
Penni Dougherty, Morro Bay, expressed concern about fire safety and need for weed abatement ordinance enforcement, particularly around State Park.
Linda Donnelly, Morro Bay, stated there were interruptions on the Channel 20 and SLO-Span meeting feeds.
Barry Branin, Morro Bay, urged the City to focus on selling excess property to fund the purchase of Morro Elementary.
Michelle Leicester-Cadaret, Morro Bay, supported weed abatement efforts and eliminating wood burning firepits.
End of public comment.
6. 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.
Dina Lundquist, Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce CEO, commented in support of the proposed lease agreement for office space at 695 Harbor Street.
End of public comment.
Council Member Edwards pulled Item 6.c.
Motion by
Council Member Landrum
Seconded by
Council Member Luffee
Approve Consent Agenda items 6.a and 6.b as submitted.
Ayes (5)
Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Luffee, and Council Member Eckles CARRIED (5 to 0)
6.a
Approval of Minutes
Public Comments:
Approve as submitted.
a.
August 26, 2025 - Regular Council Meeting
Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCRM_Aug26_2025 - English.pdf
b.
August 26, 2025 - Special Closed Session Meeting
Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCCM_Aug26_2025 - English.pdf
6.b
Designation of Voting Delegate and Alternate at League of California Cities 2025 Annual Conference Business Meeting Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 6b SR LOCC Voting Delegate 2025.pdf
Select Mayor Wixom as the voting delegate for the upcoming annual business meeting to be held at the League of California Cities Annual Conference; and Authorize the City Clerk to complete the League of California Cities’ online submission form attesting that council action was taken and affirming the selection of the voting delegate.
6.c
Approval of a Month-to-Month Lease Agreement with the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce for Office Space at 695 Harbor Street Attachments
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Public Comments
1. 6c SR Chamber Lease Agreement.pdf
2. 6c1 Chamber Lease Agreement 2025-26 - DRAFT.pdf
Council Member Edwards commented in support of the continued use of 695 Harbor Street as a collaborative space for the Chamber and Visit Morro Bay.
Motion by
Council Member Edwards
Seconded by
Council Member Luffee
Review and approve a month-to-month Lease Agreement for office space at 695 Harbor Street with the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce.
Ayes (5)
Council Member Edwards, Mayor Wixom, Council Member Eckles, Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee CARRIED (5 to 0)
7. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
Public Comments:
7.a
Introduction and First Reading of Ordinance No. 672, of the Morro Bay Municipal Code to amend Chapter 8.12 pertaining to Weeds, Rubbish, and Defensible Space Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 7a SR Weeds Rubbish and Defensible Space ordinance.pdf
2. 7a1 Ord 672 Weed Abatement Ordinance Draft 2025a1.pdf
3. 7a2 Defensible Space Ordinance Presentation.pdf
Fire Chief McCrain presented the report and responded to Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened the public hearing and public comment for Item 7.a.
Penni Dougherty, Morro Bay, expressed frustration with the lack of responsiveness by State Parks to weed abatement requests.
Jeff Heller, Morro Bay, spoke in strong support of the proposed ordinance.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, was concerned the proposed ordinance would require removal of healthy trees, and wanted a clear understanding of how parcels were defined.
Betsy Gaudette-Cross, Morro Bay, asked who was responsible for clearing the area between the fence and the road near the former Chevron property.
Michelle Leicester-Cadaret, Morro Bay, agreed with the need for weed abatement around the former Chevron property and suggested the City emphasize the use of non-corrosive and non-toxic solutions to remove weeds.
End of public comment.
Mayor Wixom closed the public hearing.
Motion by
Council Member Edwards
Seconded by
Council Member Luffee
Introduce for first reading by title only, with further reading waived, Ordinance No.672, “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Morro Bay, California, Amending Title 8 (“Health and Safety) of the Morro Bay Municipal Code to amend and rename Chapter 8.12 Weeds, Rubbish and Defensible Space.”
8. BUSINESS ITEMS
Public Comments:
9. COUNCIL DECLARATION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Public Comments:
Council Member Eckles proposed and received support for the review of the City's revenue policy established by Resolution No. 52-21. There was consensus to bring this back before the next budget cycle, potentially with mid-year budget review.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Public Comments:
The meeting adjourned at 6:57 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Dana Swanson, City Clerk