City Council Regular Meeting - October 28, 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 items: City Manager recruitment, real property negotiations related to the Morro Elementary site, and real property negotiations regarding the former treatment plant site. No reportable action pursuant to the Brown Act was taken on any item.
3.b
Mayor and Councilmembers' Reports, Announcements and Presentations Public Comments:
3.c
City Manager Reports, Announcements and Presentations
Public Comments:
Due to technology issues, a brief recess was taken at 5:50 p.m.; the meeting resumed at 5:53 p.m. with all members present.
3.d
Subcommittee Reports - Verbal Update of Current Subcommittee Activities Public Comments:
1. Water Reclamation Facility & Morro Bay / Cayucos Sanitary District JPA Public Comments:
2. Morro Bay Power Plant (Vistra)
Public Comments:
3. Offshore Wind Energy
Public Comments:
4. Morro Elementary School
Public Comments:
4. RECOGNITION AND PRESENTATIONS
Public Comments:
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
Public Comments:
John Rohner, SoCal Gas Public Affairs Manager, introduced himself as the new Public Affairs Manager for our region, and Morro Bay resident.
Dr. Jill Stearns, Superintendent/President of Cuesta College, commented on the dual enrollment programs offered by Cuesta College, noting the program served 343 Morro Bay High School students from 2021 - 2024.
Linda Winters and Lauren Leidenger announced the annual Morro Bay Community Thanksgiving Dinner to be held Thanksgiving Day.
Lisa Breen Strickland, Lumina Alliance volunteer, appreciated the recognition for the month of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and shared information regarding the programs and services offered.
Dina Lundquist, Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce CEO, shared an update regarding the Chamber Foundation's scholarship program.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, encouraged the City to investigate potential annexation of two properties currently in the sphere of influence.
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 announced Item 6.c. has been pulled from the agenda and will come back at a future meeting.
Paula Juelke Carr, San Luis Obispo resident and architectural historian, commented in favor of Item 6.b.
Bob Fowler, Chamber of Commerce Board and Business Advisory Committee member, supported the approval of an MOU regarding Morro Elementary as it supports the goal of historical preservation and need for workforce housing.
D'Arcy Castro, Morro Bay, spoke on behalf of Friends of Morro Elementary, thanking the City for the hopeful MOU with San Luis School District, and urging the City to allow current tenants to remain on site to support maintenance costs and avoid the property becoming vacant.
Emily Thorne, Morro Bay, supported Item 6.b, and hoped the City will consider retaining the current leases until a decision is made about the property's future.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, commented in support of Item 6.b. and, regarding Item 6.d., sought clarification as to whether the pictures provided are a model of something being considered or an exact representation.
End of public comment.
Mayor Wixom pulled Item 6.d and Council Member Landrum pulled Item 6.a.
Motion by
Mayor Wixom
Seconded by
Council Member Luffee
Approve Consent Agenda Item 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:
Motion by
Mayor Wixom
Seconded by
Council Member Landrum
Approve Items 6.a.1 and 6.a.2 as submitted.
Ayes (5)
Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Luffee, and Council Member Eckles CARRIED (5 to 0)
1. October 13, 2025 - Special Closed Session Meeting
Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCCM_Oct13_2025 - English.pdf
2. October 14, 2025 - Special Closed Session Meeting
Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCCM_Oct14_2025 - English.pdf
3. October 14, 2025 - Regular Council Meeting
Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCRM_Oct14_2025 - English.pdf Council Member Landrum requested review of her future agenda item request during the October 14th Regular Meeting.
6.b
Memorandum of Understanding Between San Luis Coastal Unified School District and City of Morro Bay Attachments
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Public Comments
1. 6b SR - MOU with School District.pdf
2. 6b1 Signed MOU City of Morro Bay.pdf
Approve entering into the Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with San Luis Coastal Unified School District (“School District”) for exclusive negotiations regarding the potential purchase of the Morro Elementary School Property (“Property”).
6.c
Adopt Resolution Nos. 55-25 and 56-25 for Grant Applications for Potential Rancho Colina Utilities Consolidation Attachments
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Public Comments
1. 6c SR - Rancho Colina Modify Resos 51-25 and 52-23.pdf
2. 6c1 Reso 55-25 - CWSRF_Rancho Colina Consolidation Evaluation.pdf
3. 6c2 Reso 56-25 - DWSRF_Rancho Colina Consolidation Evaluation.pdf This item was pulled from the agenda.
6.d
Authorize Purchase of $333,169 for Restroom from CTX for Coleman Park Project Attachments
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Public Comments
1. 6d SR - Coleman Park Restroom.pdf
2. 6d1 Photographs of selected restroom style.pdf
3. 6d2 CTX Ordering Information Packet_Coleman Park DK4 SW Morro Bay.pdf Public Works Director Kwolek and Senior Engineer Della responded to questions raised during public comment, noting adding windows will change the roofline and increase the cost by $8,000.
Following Council questions and comments, there was consensus to approve the contract with the addition of windows.
Motion by
Mayor Wixom
Seconded by
Council Member Luffee
Authorize the City Manager to purchase and a restroom from CXT for the Coleman Park Project in the amount of $341,169 with the addition of windows.
Ayes (5)
Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Luffee, and Council Member Eckles CARRIED (5 to 0)
7. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
Public Comments:
7.a
Ordinance No. 673, repealing and reenacting multiple chapters of Title 14 (Buildings and Construction) of the MBMC to incorporate the 2025 California Building Standards Code, including the 2025 Wildland-Urban Interface and related local amendments, Attachments
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Public Comments
1. 7a SR 2025 Code Adoption.pdf
2. 7a1 Ord 673 2025 Building Code Update.pdf
Community Development Director Singewald and Fire Chief McCrain presented the report and responded to Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened the public hearing and public comment on Item 7.a.
Barry Branin, Morro Bay, commented regarding fire concerns near Morro Strand Campground.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, appreciates the ban on safe and sane fireworks and appreciated clarification regarding battery storage.
End of public comment.
The public hearing was closed.
Chief Plans Examiner, Chad Ouimet, responded to Council questions regarding the requirements for electric-ready (pre-wired) kitchen and bicycle parking in non-residential, residential, multi-family developments.
Motion by
Council Member Eckles
Seconded by
Council Member Luffee
Introduce for first reading by title only and with further reading waived, Ordinance No. 673: “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Morro Bay, California, repealing, amending and reenacting Chapters 14.01 – 14.12 of Title 14 (Buildings and Construction) of the Morro Bay Municipal Code, thereby adopting by reference and amending the 2025 California Building Code (Volumes 1 and 2), Residential, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy, Historical Building, Fire, Existing Building, Green Building, Administrative, and Reference Standards Codes, the 2021 International Property Maintenance Code, the 1997 Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Building Code, and the 2025 Wildland-Urban Interface Code.” Ayes (5)
Mayor Wixom, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Eckles, Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee CARRIED (5 to 0)
8. BUSINESS ITEMS
Public Comments:
8.a
Determination of Public Convenience or Necessity for ABC License - 640 Quintana Road, Morro Bay Cigarettes Attachments
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Public Comments
1. 8a SR - Morro Bay Cigarettes LLC Determination of PCN.pdf
2. 8a1 Draft Letter from Chief Watkins - Morro Bay Cigarettes Alcohol Letter.pdf Police Chief Watkins presented the report and responded to Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 8.a.
Feras Mawas, owner of Morro Bay Cigarettes, stated he was not trying to add a liquor license in town and understood he purchased the Morro Bay Rite Aid license.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, suggested the Council consider a one-year conditional approval to see what effect, if any, it had on the crime rate.
Council Member Luffee invited Mr. Mawas to the podium to respond to Council questions.
End of public comment.
Motion by
Council Member Luffee
Seconded by
Council Member Edwards
Make the Determination of Public Convenience or Necessity and approve the request to allow sales of alcohol for an off sale general Type 21 license at 640 Quintana Road with certain conditions placed on approval, including a written agreement between the city and the business owner stating no alcohol sales will take place on the premises and the alcohol license will be surrendered to ABC for a period of one year.
Ayes (2)
Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Edwards
Noes (3)
Mayor Wixom, Council Member Luffee, and Council Member Eckles FAILED (2 to 3)
Motion by
Mayor Wixom
Seconded by
Council Member Luffee
Take no action, deny the request and adhere to recommendations of the Police Chief Ayes (4)
Mayor Wixom, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Luffee, and Council Member Eckles Noes (1)
Council Member Landrum
CARRIED (4 to 1)
8.b
Quarterly Update on the Status of City Council Goals
Attachments
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Public Comments
1. 8b SR City Council Goals Update 10.28.25.pdf
2. 8b1 Goal Status Worksheet 10.28.2025.pdf
The Council took a brief recess at 7:38 p.m. and the meeting reconvened at 7:50 p.m. with all members present.
Interim City Manager Lueker presented the report and responded to Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 8.b.
Dina Lundquist, Morro Bay Chamber CEO, commented on City's Economic Vitality / Fiscal Health goal.
Susan Stewart, Morro Bay business owner and Chamber member, stated her desire to have a point of contact for economic development, implementation plan and measurements for success.
End of public comment.
As a receive and file report, no formal action was taken by the City Council.
9. COUNCIL DECLARATION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Public Comments:
Council Member Landrum requested support for discussion of listing pending future agenda items on the bottom of the agenda.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Public Comments:
The meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Dana Swanson, City Clerk