City Council Regular Meeting - March 10, 2026
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 negotiation matters: Lease Site 62 (551 Embarcadero), the former Morro Elementary, and the former wastewater treatment plant. No reportable action was taken on those items. There was also a Public Employee Performance Evaluation for the City Manager with no reportable action taken under the Brown Act.
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:
None.
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:
5. Shared Fire Services
Public Comments:
4. RECOGNITION AND PRESENTATIONS
Public Comments:
4.a
Donation Presentation to the Friends of the Morro Bay Fire Department Public Comments:
4.b
Lifesaving Award Presentation to three Fire Department Personnel Public Comments:
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
Public Comments:
Linda Winters, Morro Bay, commented on past flooding events that occurred on March 10th.
Garry Johnson, Morro Bay, urged residents to support Michael Woody for Supervisor District 2.
Linda Donnelly, Morro Bay, encouraged the Council to approve Item 8d, a purchase and sale agreement for Morro Elementary.
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.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, requested itemized costs incurred to date and anticipated for the Morro Creek stabilization emergency item.
End of public comment.
Council Member Eckles pulled Item 6.e and staff requested to pull Item 6.c. for clarification.
Motion by
Mayor Wixom
Seconded by
Council Member Landrum
Approve Consent Agenda Items 6.a and 6.d as submitted.
Ayes (5)
Mayor Wixom, Council Member Eckles, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee CARRIED (5 to 0)
6.a
Approval of Minutes
Public Comments:
Approve as submitted.
1. February 24, 2026 - Regular Council Meeting
Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCRM_Feb24_2026 - English.pdf
2. February 24, 2026 - Special Closed Session Meeting
Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCCM_Feb24_2026 - English.pdf
6.b
Approval of Proclamations
Public Comments:
None.
6.c
Adopt Resolution No. 11-26 Approving the Morro Bay Seafood Company, LLC Lease Agreement Attachments
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Public Comments
1. 6c SR Approve Morro Bay Seafood Co Lease Agreement.pdf
2. 6c1 Reso 11-26 129W-131W.pdf
3. 6c2 Draft Morro Bay Seafood Company, LLC Lease.pdf
Harbor Director Munson presented two changes to the proposed Lease Agreement for Morro Bay Seafood Company, LLC.
Added Section (page 31):
Section 11.09 Termination due to Incompletion of Improvements If the anticipated funding of $550,000 from granting agencies is not realized or insufficient to complete Priority 1 repairs with TENANT’s agreed contribution, the TENANT reserves the right to terminate the lease agreement prior to commencement of the repairs without penalty or responsibility to complete Priority 1 repairs upon thirty (30) days written notice.
Alternatively, upon mutual agreement, CITY and TENENT may renegotiate terms if the funding of $550,000 from granting agencies is not realized or insufficient to complete Priority 1 repairs.
Correction (page 36):
Section 13.03 Operation of Ice Making Machine
(2) TENANT shall be responsible for ice making machine maintenance and repair costs in an amount of not less than Fifteen
Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) per year. CITY shall be responsible for ice making machine maintenance and repair costs in excess of TENANT’s minimum annual contribution, provided TENANT demonstrates to CITY’s reasonable satisfaction that the ice making machine is being maintained in good working order and repair Motion by
Mayor Wixom
Seconded by
Council Member Luffee
Adopt Resolution No. 11-26 approving a new lease agreement for lease site 129W-131W with Morro Bay Seafood Company, LLC located at 1231 Embarcadero with revised language presented by staff.
Ayes (5)
Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Luffee, and Council Member Eckles CARRIED (5 to 0)
6.d
Status Update and Reconfirm Emergency for the Morro Creek Bank Stabilization Project Attachments
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Public Comments
1. 6d SR Reconfirm Emergency and ECDP for Morro Creek Bank Stabilization.pdf
2. 6d1 Emergency Coastal Development Permit CDP26-005 Final Permit.pdf Receive and file status update and reconfirm the declaration of emergency for the Morro Creek Bank Stabilization Project by four fifths vote.
6.e
Adopt Resolution No. 12-26 Approving the Harbor Director's Working Title and Job Description Attachments
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Public Comments
1. 6e Harbor Vitality Director Staff Report.pdf
2. 6e1 Reso 12-26 Adopting Harbor Director Title and Job Description.pdf
3. 6e2 Harbor Director Job Description.pdf
Council Member Eckles explained his reasoning for requesting this title change and desire to give the position the esteem it deserves.
Motion by
Council Member Landrum
Seconded by
Council Member Eckles
Adopt Resolution No. 12-26 retitling the Harbor Vitality Director Job Title to Harbor Director.
Ayes (5)
Mayor Wixom, Council Member Eckles, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee CARRIED (5 to 0)
7. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
Public Comments:
None.
8. BUSINESS ITEMS
Public Comments:
8.a
San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG) Final Transportation Expenditure Plan for Potential Transportation Sales Tax Measure Attachments
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Public Comments
1. 8a SR SLOCOG Transportation Expenditure Plan.pdf
2. 8a1 Reso 13-26 Support of SLOCOG Draft Transportation Expenditure Plan.pdf
3. 8a2 SLOCOG Final Expenditure Plan.pdf
City Manager Craig introduced James Worthley, Deputy Director of San Luis Obispo Council of Governments, to present the report and respond to Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment on Item 8.a.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, complimented SLOCOG for this measure and encouraged the Council to approve and actively support it.
Nicole Dorfman, Morro Bay, asked if Morro Bay has sole discretion to determine what projects are funded and whether the money could be used for staff time & project management costs.
End of public comment.
Mr. Worthley was invited to respond to additional questions.
Motion by
Mayor Wixom
Seconded by
Council Member Luffee
Adopt Resolution No. 13-26 approving the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG) Final Draft Transportation Expenditure Plan (Plan) for a potential Transportation Sales Tax Measure.
Ayes (5)
Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Luffee, and Council Member Eckles CARRIED (5 to 0)
8.b
Response to Letter of Interest from Los Osos Community Services District (Los Osos CSD) regarding Shared Fire Protection and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Attachments
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Public Comments
1. 8b SR Approve Response to LOCSD request.pdf
2. 8b1 Letter of Interest MB Fire.pdf
3. 8b2 Proposal to Los Osos CSD for shared fire and EMS services.pdf Fire Chief McCrain presented the report and responded to Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 8.b.
Lucia Stone, Morro Bay and Los Osos property owner, spoke in support of the opportunity for shared fired and EMS services.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, was supportive of providing the information requested but hoped it wasn't assumed the City would move forward should the Los Osos CSD select us.
End of public comment.
Staff and Council confirmed this is just a step in the process and does not bind the City to provide services.
There was Council consensus to deliver the City's response to the letter of interest exploring shared fire and EMS services to the Los Osos CSD.
8.c
Quarterly Update on the Status of City Council 2025-2027 Goals Attachments
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Public Comments
1. 8c SR City Goals Update.pdf
2. 8c1 Goal Status Worksheet.pdf
The Council took a brief recess at 6:59 p.m. and reconvened at 7:08 p.m.
City Manager Craig presented the report and responded to Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 8.c; seeing none, the public comment period was closed.
No formal action was taken by the City Council.
8.d
Recommendation to Approve a Purchase and Sale Agreement with San Luis Coastal Unified School District for the Property Know as Morro Elementary School located at 1130 and 1330 Napa Avenue in Morro Bay, California Attachments
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Public Comments
1. 8d SR Approve Purchase Agreement Morro El 3.10.26.pdf
2. 8d1 Morro Elementary Purchase Sales Agreement.pdf
3. 8d2 Reso 14-26 Approving Purchase and Sale Agreement.pdf
4. 8d3 APN 066-044-011.pdf
5. 8d4 APN 066-280-045.pdf
(APNs 066-280-045 and 066-044-011), take related actions and find the action exempt from CEQA City Manager Craig presented the report and responded to Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 8.d.
Jim Gross, Morro Bay resident and member of the Chamber of Commerce Business Advisory Committee, appreciated staff's response to his written comments with respect to entitlements and hoped future developers would get a strong sense for what type of housing the City desires during the due diligence period.
D'Arcy Castro, Morro Bay resident and Friends of Morro Elementary representative, thanked the Council and subcommittee for making it possible to get to this point and looked forward to hopefully saving this site for community use.
Nicole Dorfman, Morro Bay resident and member of Friends of Morro Elementary, thanked the Council and subcommittee and offered her strong support moving forward.
Courtney Shepler, Morro Bay resident and member of the Chamber of Commerce Business Advisory Committee, appreciated the tremendous amount of work thus far and hoped future discussions would include economic scenarios, funding sources and trade-offs against other priorities. She encouraged broad community outreach to make sure all voices have an opportunity to speak.
Lucia Stone, Morro Bay and Los Osos property owner, thanked the City Council and staff for their perseverance making this happen.
Judy Setting, Morro Bay, extended deep gratitude to the Council and subcommittee for working toward preserving Morro Elementary and this property, and hoped to incorporate housing for seniors and the disabled while preserving the buildings, charter school and sports fields.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, encouraged the City to respond to various questions raised by community members and was disappointed the Naylor Act and soccer fields weren't discussed.
End of public comment.
City Attorney Stack and City Manager Craig responded to questions raised during public comment.
Motion by
Council Member Landrum
Seconded by
Council Member Luffee
Adopt Resolution No. 14-26 approving a Purchase and Sale Agreement and Budget Resolution between the City of Morro Bay (City) and San Luis Coastal Unified School District (District) for the purchase of the property commonly known as Morro Elementary School; Authorize the City Manager to execute the Agreement and related escrow documents, and to negotiate and execute non-substantive amendments consistent with the terms approved by the City Council, subject to review and approval by the City Attorney as to form and legal effect; and Authorize the City Manager to undertake due diligence activities during the due diligence period, including engaging a project manager and specialized consultants, consistent with City procurement requirements and within available appropriations.
Find the action is not a project or in the alternative exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under Guidelines Sections 15378, 15061(b)(3) and 15301.
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 8:07 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Dana Swanson, City Clerk