City Council Regular Meeting - March 24, 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.
Mayor Pro Tem Eckles participated remotely as noted on the agenda.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Public Comments:
3. REPORTS
Public Comments:
3.a
Closed Session Report
Public Comments:
City Attorney Stack confirmed no closed meeting was held since the last regular 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:
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
Month of the Child and Child Abuse Prevention Month Proclamation Public Comments:
Presented to Shana Paulson, CAPSLO Child Care Resource Connection; Wendy Wendt, First 5 San Luis Obispo County; Kids Club attendees and Angelica Jepsen, City of Morro Bay Recreation Services Coordinator.
4.b
Arbor Day Proclamation
Public Comments:
Presented to Carlos Mendoza, City of Morro Bay Maintenance Division Supervisor.
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
Public Comments:
Nancy Johnson, Morro Bay, announced the 38th Annual AAUW Garden Tour on Sunday, April 26th from 12:00 - 4:00 p.m. Tickets are available at Coalesce Bookstore and my805tix.com
.
Linda Winters, Morro Bay, questioned closure of the hazardous waste disposal facility.
Garry Johnson, Morro Bay, spoke in support of Michael Erin Woody for District 2 Supervisor and invited residents to attend a Meet and Greet on April 1st from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Judy Setting, Morro Bay, congratulated City staff on the tree award and suggested maintenance efforts were needed at the city's entry points and Cloisters Park.
Craig Painter, Morro Bay, commented on paid parking at the Tidelands Launch Ramp.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, opposed Port San Luis's proposal to expand its boundaries and asked the Council to engage with County Library staff regarding recent schedules changes, noting the reduced hours do not meet the needs of our community.
Michael Wambolt, Visit Morro Bay Executive Director, expressed his gratitude for an amazing five years and excitement for the future of Morro Bay.
Nicole Dorfman, Morro Bay, offered suggestions to improve the Citywide Yard Sale and invited residents to attend the REACT Alliance general meeting on April 1st from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at The Benedict.
End of public comment.
The Council and staff responded to questions raised during 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 Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, commented on issues related to the Arbor Day Proclamation and, regarding Item 6.c, questioned whether it's necessary to see this as an emergency item.
Marie Rawlings, Ree's Re-Sail & Curiosities, requested Council approval of the proposed building lease and support to remain at her current location.
Margaret Carman, Morro Bay, spoke in support of the continued operation of Ree's Re-Sail and Curiosities.
End of public comment.
Council Member Luffee pulled Item 6.b and Council Member Landrum pulled Item 6.c.
Motion by
Mayor Wixom
Seconded by
Council Member Luffee
Approve Consent Agenda Items 6.a and 6.d 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.
1. March 10, 2026 - Regular Council Meeting
Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCRM_Mar10_2026 - English.pdf
2. March 10, 2026 - Special Closed Session Meeting
Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCCM_Mar10_2026 - English.pdf
6.b
Approval of Proclamations
Public Comments:
Maintenance Division Manager Mendoza responded to Council questions regarding tree maintenance and re-planting.
Motion by
Council Member Luffee
Seconded by
Council Member Landrum
Approve as submitted.
Ayes (5)
Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Luffee, and Council Member Eckles CARRIED (5 to 0)
1. Proclamation Declaring April 2026 as Month of the Child and Child Abuse Prevention Month Attachments
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Public Comments
1. 6b1 Month of the Child Proclamation_2026.pdf
2. 2026 Arbor Day Proclamation
Attachments
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Public Comments
1. 6b2 SR Arbor Day Proclamation 2026.pdf
2. 6b2.1 Arbor Day Proclamation_2026.pdf
Approve the Arbor Day Proclamation and being a Tree City USA community.
6.c
Status Update and Reconfirm Emergency for the Morro Creek Bank Stabilization Project Attachments
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Public Comments
1. 6c SR Reconfirm Emergency and Project Update for Morro Creek Bank Stabilization.pdf City Manager Craig responded to questions raised during public comment.
Motion by
Council Member Landrum
Seconded by
Council Member Luffee
Receive and file status update and reconfirm the declaration of emergency for the Morro Creek Bank Stabilization Project by four-fifths vote.
Ayes (5)
Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Luffee, and Council Member Eckles CARRIED (5 to 0)
6.d
Adopt Resolution No. 15-26 Approving Ree's Re-Sail & Curiosities Building Lease Agreement Attachments
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Public Comments
1. 6d SR Approve Ree's Re-sail Building Lease Agreement.pdf
2. 6d1 Reso 15-26 Approving Ree's Re-Sail Building Lease, Lease Site 62.pdf
3. 6d2 Lease Site 62 Commercial Building Lease.pdf
Adopt Resolution No. 15-26 approving a new building lease agreement for lease site 62 with Ree’s Re-Sail & Curiosities located at 551 Embarcadero.
7. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
Public Comments:
7.a
Resolution Declaring Results of the Majority Protest Proceedings to Renew the Morro Bay Tourism Business Improvement District Attachments
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Public Comments
1. 7a SR Public Hearing to Renew MBTBID.pdf
2. 7a1 MBTBID Management District Plan_11-18-25.pdf
3. 7a2 Reso 16-26 Renewing MBTBID.pdf
City Manager Craig briefly presented the report and invited Visit Morro Bay Executive Director Michael Wambolt to respond to Council inquiries. Mr. Wambolt committed to engaging with RV Parks in the next 12 months about the possibility of being added to the TBID.
Mayor Wixom opened the public hearing and public comment; seeing none, the public comment period was closed.
Mayor Wixom closed the public hearing.
Motion by
Council Member Landrum
Seconded by
Council Member Edwards
Conduct the Public Hearing, declaring results of majority protest proceedings, and adopt Resolution No. 16-26 renewing the Morro Bay Tourism Business Improvement District for a 10-year Term.
Ayes (5)
Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Luffee, and Council Member Eckles CARRIED (5 to 0)
8. BUSINESS ITEMS
Public Comments:
8.a
Adoption of the Morro Bay Transit 2025 Short Range Transit Plan Attachments
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Public Comments
1. 8a SR Draft Morro Bay SRTP.pdf
2. 8a1 2025 Morro Bay SRTP - Draft Plan 2.10.26.pdf
Management Analyst Burlingame introduced the item and turned to Geoff Straw, RTA Executive Director, to present the report and respond to Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 8.a.
Barry Branin, Morro Bay, offered suggestions for increased trolley ridership, particularly along Morro Strand State Beach.
Michelle Leicester-Cadaret, Morro Bay, asked why the map does not show trolley service to the marina or campgrounds, expressing concern about potentially losing that clientele.
Judy Setting, Morro Bay, agreed with the importance of trolley service for a tourism-based economy and questioned whether designating bus stops as transit stops would tie Morro Bay to housing development incentives.
Kathy Claasen, Morro Dunes RV Park, hoped future plans would resume trolley service to the campgrounds.
End of public comment.
Mr. Straw and Ms. Burlingame responded to questions raised during public comment.
Mayor Wixom asked RTA to consider resuming trolley service to Morro Dunes RV Park.
Motion by
Mayor Wixom
Seconded by
Council Member Luffee
Staff and the Public Works Advisory Board (PWAB) recommend the City Council adopt the Morro Bay Transit Short Range Transit Plan (SRTP).
Ayes (5)
Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Luffee, and Council Member Eckles CARRIED (5 to 0)
8.b
Recommendation to Approve a Purchase and Sale Agreement with the Cayucos Sanitary District for the Jointly Owned Wastewater Treatment Plant Property Located at 160/180 Atascadero Road and 1700 Embarcadero, take related actions and find no further action Attachments
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Public Comments
1. 8b SR Approve Purchase Agreement former WWTP.pdf
2. 8b1 CSD - Draft Purchase and Sale Agreement.pdf
3. 8b2 Reso 17-26 Approving Purchase and Sale Agreement.pdf
4. 8b3 WWTF JPA - Morro Bay and CSD.pdf
environmental review is required under CEQA
The Council took a brief recess at 7:29 p.m. and reconvened at 7:35 p.m. with all members present.
City Manager Craig and City Attorney Stack presented the report and responded to Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 8.b.
Barry Branin, Morro Bay, expressed support and noted the Main Street pipeline was not included in the purchase. He stressed the importance of repair or replacement of the Beachcomber and Main Street sewer lines and hoped that any future revenue from this property would go back into the enterprise fund.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, supported the purchase adding the City should then sell the property and put those funds back into the enterprise fund.
End of public comment.
The Council and staff responded to questions raised during public comment.
Motion by
Mayor Wixom
Seconded by
Council Member Landrum
Adopt Resolution No. 17-26 approving a Purchase and Sale Agreement (Agreement) and Budget Resolution between the City of Morro Bay (City) and Cayucos Sanitary District (CSD) for the purchase by the City of the CSD portion of the jointly owned Former Wastewater Treatment Plant Property (WWTP) located at 160/180 Atascadero Road and 1700 Embarcadero (Property) and other jointly owned assets, in substantially the form attached, subject to review and approval by the City Attorney as to form and legal effect.
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 and City Attorney to undertake due diligence activities during the due diligence period consistent with City procurement requirements and within available appropriations.
Find that no further environmental review is required pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines section 15162.
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 8:06 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Dana Swanson, City Clerk