City Council Regular Meeting - December 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 two real property negotiations matters involving former wastewater treatment plant and the former Morro Elementary site. No reportable action pursuant to the Brown Act was taken in closed session.
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:
Judy Salamacha, Morro Bay resident and member of the Chamber of Commerce, announced upcoming Chamber events.
Linda Winters, Morro Bay, provided an update on the successful transfer of the Community Thanksgiving Dinner from the Lion's Club to the Morro Bay Police Department Volunteers and acknowledged another successful Monday Night Dinner.
Tom Kirschner spoke on behalf of Bayshore Homeowners' Association regarding the seagull depredation permit request, sharing positive results they've had with this program.
Lynda Merrill, Morro Bay, spoke on behalf of Alice Kolb, thanking the Fire Department for responding to the fire at their medical building. She also hoped Item 6.b would be pulled for discussion.
Dina Lundquist, Chamber of Commerce, invited the community to the Shop, Sip & Stroll event this Friday evening.
Susan Stewart, Morro Bay business owner and member of the Chamber's Business Advocacy Committee, offered her thanks for the installation of holiday decorations and tree lights.
D'Arcy Castro, Friends of Morro Elementary, invited community members to a screening of the Botso Koresheli documentary at the Bay Theatre, Monday, December 22nd. Visit friendsofmorroelementary.org
to purchase tickets
Nicole Dorfman, Morro Bay, announced she attended a meeting where it was revealed Clean Energy Terminals had paused private sector offshore wind development due to unprecedented uncertainties.
Linda Donnelly, Morro Bay, urged the City to restore the Channel 20 broadcast.
Margaret Carman, Morro Bay, requested the City restore Channel 20 broadcast of City meetings.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, requested a report on the Veterans Hall A/V improvement project.
Judy Setting, Morro Bay, suggested residents use Zoom to watch City meetings and provide public comment. She also encouraged residents to purchase tickets in advance for the Botso Koresheli film.
End of public comment.
Staff responded to questions related to the Veterans Hall audio/visual system and Channel 20 concerns.
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.
Lynda Merrill, Morro Bay, suggested the Council select members willing to explore this alternative energy source to participate on the Offshore Wind Subcommittee.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, wished to confirm Items 6.j and 6.k were only time extensions, not budget amendments; requested budget meetings be held in the evenings; suggested liaison assignments to advisory bodies be rotated each year; urged Council not to approve Item 6.h; and suggested there were less expensive alternatives than the emergency approach to Morro Creek bank stabilization.
Linda Donnelly, Morro Bay, asked why the WRF Quarterly Report was on the Consent Agenda.
Betsy Gaudette-Cross, Morro Bay, offered alternatives to stabilize Morro Creek.
Bev Shaw, Morro Bay, addressed Item 6.b, suggesting Council consider rotating membership of subcommittees.
Nicole Dorfman, Morro Bay, supported continuity of existing subcommittees for advancement of City goals as set by community members' and voters' intent.
Shirley Fraser, Morro Bay, requested support for Planning Commission amendment to the Zoning Code as presented in Business Item 8.a, including bluff height restrictions previously in the Beach Street Specific Plan.
End of public comment.
Staff responded to questions regarding Item 6.i.
Council Member Eckles pulled Item 6.f. Council Member Edwards pulled Item 6.b. Council Member Landrum pulled Items 6.c and 6.h.
Motion by
Mayor Wixom
Seconded by
Council Member Luffee
Approve Consent Agenda items 6.a, 6.d., 6.e, 6.g, and 6.i through 6.k, as submitted.
Ayes (5)
Council Member Edwards, Council Member Eckles, Council Member Landrum, Council Member Luffee, and Mayor Wixom CARRIED (5 to 0)
6.a
Approval of Minutes
Public Comments:
Approve as submitted.
a.
October 28, 2025 - Regular Council Meeting
Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCRM_Oct28_2025 - English.pdf
b.
November 12, 2025 - Special Closed Session Meeting
Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCCM_Nov12_2025 - English.pdf
c.
November 12, 2025 - Regular Council Meeting
Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCRM_Nov12_2025 - English.pdf
d.
November 14, 2025 - Special Closed Session Meeting
Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCCM_Nov14_2025 - English.pdf
e.
November 15, 2025 - Special Closed Session Meeting
Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCCM_Nov15_2025 - English.pdf
f.
November 18, 2025 - Special Closed Session Meeting
Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - City Council Special Meeting_Nov18_2025 - English.pdf
g.
November 24, 2025 - Special Closed Session Meeting
Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCCM_Nov24_2025 - English.pdf
6.b
Appointment of Mayor Pro Tempore; Appointment of Representatives on Discretionary Boards; approval of Council Liaison Assignments and various Council Sub-Committees for 2026 Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 6.b SR 2026 Mayor Pro Tem and Discretionary Appointments.pdf
2. 6.b1 2026 Council Discretionary Appointments.pdf
Following discussion, the list of Council appointments, liaison assignments and subcommittees was approved as submitted.
Motion by
Mayor Wixom
Seconded by
Council Member Landrum
Appoint Council Member Jeff Eckles as Mayor Pro Tempore for calendar year 2026; confirm representatives to serve on the various County or Regional Discretionary Boards; and approve Council Liaison Assignments and Council Sub-Committees for calendar year 2026 as shown on the attached appointment list.
Ayes (5)
Mayor Wixom, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Eckles, Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee CARRIED (5 to 0)
6.c
Adoption of Resolution No. 61-25 Establishing the 2026 City Council Meeting Calendar and Budget Development Schedule Attachments
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Public Comments
1. 6c Approval of 2026 Meeting Calendar.pdf
2. 6c1 Reso 61-25 Establishing 2026 Meeting Calendar.pdf
3. 6c1.a Exhibit A Meeting Calendar.pdf
4. 6c1.b Exhibit B Budget Schedule.pdf
There was Council consensus to hold CFAC and Council budget meetings in the evening.
Motion by
Mayor Wixom
Seconded by
Council Member Luffee
Adopt Resolution No. 61-25 approving the 2026 City Council Meeting Calendar and Budget Development Schedule.
Ayes (5)
Mayor Wixom, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Eckles, Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee CARRIED (5 to 0)
6.d
Approval of Final Map for Tract 2859 (2783 Coral Avenue) Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 6d Tract 2859 Final Map Staff Report.pdf
2. 6d1 - Reso 62-25 Tract 2859 Final Map.pdf
3. 6d2 - MAJ21-005 Vesting Tentative Map (2021-06-21).pdf
4. 6d3 - Final Map Tract 2859.pdf
5. 6d4 -Subdivision Imp Agreement Tract 2859.pdf
6. 6d5 - CCRs Tract 2859.pdf
7. 6d6 - Stormwater Agmt Tract 2859.pdf
Adopt Resolution No. 62-25:
Approving the Final Map for Tract 2859 (2783 Coral Avenue); Authorizing the Public Works Director and City Engineer to execute a Subdivision Improvement Agreement in a form subject to the approval of the City Attorney; and Directing staff to seek expansion of the existing Cloisters Assessment District incorporating the newly created lots or providing equivalent funding assessment mechanism prior to issuance of building permits.
6.e
Fiscal Year 2026 Quarter 1 Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) Program Quarterly Report Attachments
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Public Comments
1. 6e SR WRF Program FY26 Q1 Report.pdf
2. 6e1 WRF Program FY26 Q1 Report.pdf
Receive and file the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Quarter 1 Report for the period July through September 2025 for the Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) Program.
6.f
Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 Status Report on Receipt and Use of Development Impact Fees (Annual Report and Five-Year Findings re Unexpended Funds) Attachments
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Public Comments
1. 6f SR Development Impact Fees AB 1600 2024-25.pdf
2. 6f1 FY 2024-25 Annual Status Report on Receipt and Use of Development Impact Fees.pdf
3. 6f2 Reso 63-25 FY 2024-25 Findings Development Impact Fees.pdf Council Member Eckles shared information he received from staff in response to his own and other community members' inquiries.
Motion by
Mayor Wixom
Seconded by
Council Member Luffee
Adopt Resolution No. 63-25 accepting the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 status report on receipt and use of Development Impact Fees.
Ayes (5)
Mayor Wixom, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Eckles, Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee CARRIED (5 to 0)
6.g
Authorization for Attendance and Award Acceptance for the CMANC Annual Washington, D.C., "Washington Week" Conference Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 6g SR CMANC Funds Request to Council 2026.pdf
Accept grant of $10,000 from the Central Coast Joint Cable/Fisheries Liaison Committee to be used for attendance and travel expenses for the California Marine Affairs and Navigation Conference (CMANC) meetings in Washington DC and California.
Authorize up to a three-person delegation to attend the CMANC 2026 “Washington Week” Conference in Washington, D.C. slated for February 2026, and to represent the City’s interests in the nation’s capital. It is anticipated this may include the Mayor, the Harbor Vitality Director, and an alternative staff or Council Member.
6.h
Adoption of Resolution No. 64-25 Declaring Gulls at Bayshore Village have become so Numerous or Destructive as to Constitute a Menace and Danger to the Public Health, Safety or Property, and Therefore Providing an Exemption from Morro Bay Municipal Code Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 6h SR Gull Removal.pdf
2. 6h1 Reso 64-25 Authorizing Gull Removal.pdf
3. 6h2 Reso 100-20 Gull Removal.pdf
4. 6h3 USFWS Permits.pdf
The Council invited Mr. Kirschner to respond to Council questions.
Motion by
Council Member Eckles
Seconded by
Council Member Luffee
Adopt Resolution No. 64-25 declaring the existence of Gulls at the Bayshore Village have become so numerous or destructive as to constitute a menace and danger to the public health, safety or property, authorizing an exemption for Bayshore Village from Morro Bay Municipal Code (MBMC) section 7.08.015, and authorizing the Homeowner’s Association’s request to haze and harass Gulls, to remove Gull nests from their property and carryout addling of Western Gull eggs.
Ayes (4)
Mayor Wixom, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Eckles, and Council Member Luffee Noes (1)
Council Member Landrum
CARRIED (4 to 1)
6.i
Status Update and Reconfirm Emergency for Morro Creek Bank Stabilization Project Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 6i SR Reconfirm Emergency for Morro Creek Bank Stabilization.pdf Receive and file status update and reconfirm the declaration of emergency for the Morro Creek Bank Stabilization Project by four fifths vote.
6.j
Contract Term Extension for Agreement with Newton Construction & Management, Inc. for BWRO Re-skin and Re-roofing Project Attachments
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Public Comments
1. 6j SR Newton Amendment 1 BWRO Reskin Contract Term Extension.pdf
2. 6j1 Newton Amendment 1 BWRO Reskin Contract Term Extension.pdf Authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 1 extending the term of the agreement with Newton Construction & Management, Inc. for the Brackish Water Reverse Osmosis (BWRO) facility Re-skin and Re-roofing project to June 30, 2026.
6.k
Contract Term Extension for Agreement with Filippin Engineering, Inc. for the Pavement Rehabilitation Project Attachments
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Public Comments
1. 6k SR Filippin Amendment 1_Pavement Rehab Proj Contract Term Extension.pdf
2. 6k1 Filippin Amendment 1_Pavement Rehab Proj Contract Term Extension.pdf Authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 1 extending the term of the agreement with Filippin Engineering, Inc. for the 2024 Pavement Rehabilitation Project to June 30, 2026.
7. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
Public Comments:
None.
8. BUSINESS ITEMS
Public Comments:
The Council took a brief recess at 7:31 p.m. and reconvened at 7:43 p.m. with all members present.
8.a
Receive and file General Plan Annual Progress Report for calendar year 2024; provide direction as necessary regarding the Community Development Department's workload priorities; and review draft amendments to various sections of the City's Zoning Code Attachments
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Public Comments
1. 8a SR General Plan APR.pdf
2. 8a1 General Plan APR Report 2024.pdf
3. 8a2 Historic Preservation Ordinance Outline.pdf
4. 8a3 Zoning Code Amendments Cover.pdf
5. 8a3.a A24 Zoning Code Amendments.pdf
6. 8a3.b Blufftop Height Limit in 17.08.040.pdf
7. 8a3.c Sloping Lot Adjustment in 17.07.030.pdf
Community Development Director Singewald presented the report and responded to Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 8.a.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, requested clarification on proposed bluff height limitations and offered suggestions for timely completion of the historic preservation ordinance.
Shirley Fraser, Morro Bay, encouraged a sense of urgency to implement the proposed zoning code amendments, specifically bluff height limitations.
Margaret Carman, Morro Bay, asked if the phrase 'between Beach & Surf Street' includes the width of Surf Street.
Judy Setting, Morro Bay, stated the California Office of Historic Preservation offers a tool to help cities create their own ordinance and suggested a new advisory committee be formed to assist with that process.
End of public comment.
Following discussion, there was Council consensus to proceed with the proposed Zoning Code amendments and include consultant costs for timely completion of the historic preservation ordinance in next year's budget.
Motion by
Council Member Eckles
Seconded by
Council Member Luffee
Receive and file the attached General Plan Annual Progress Report for calendar year 2024, as discussed.
Ayes (5)
Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Luffee, and Council Member Eckles CARRIED (5 to 0)
9. COUNCIL DECLARATION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Public Comments:
None.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Public Comments:
The meeting adjourned at 8:39 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Dana Swanson, City Clerk