City Council Regular Meeting - June 09, 2026
1. ESTABLISH QUORUM AND CALL TO ORDER
Public Comments:
Mayor Wixom called the meeting to order at 5:32 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 matters: (1) real property negotiations regarding 231 Atascadero Road (the former Teen Center) and (1) potential litigation matter. No reportable action was taken in closed session 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:
1. Water Reclamation Facility & Morro Bay / Cayucos Sanitary District JPA Public Comments:
2. Morro Bay Power Plant (Vistra)
Public Comments:
3. Morro Elementary School
Public Comments:
4. RECOGNITION AND PRESENTATIONS
Public Comments:
None.
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
Public Comments:
Linda Winters, Morro Bay, reported on various activities since the last meeting.
Peggy Rice, Morro Bay, addressed concerns by Cloisters residents regarding the lack of pond maintenance and encouraged the City to dredge the pond and clear drainage culverts to prevent future flooding.
Audrey Gendron, Morro Bay, thanked staff for joining her on a walkthrough of the Cloisters wetlands and shared photos demonstrating her concerns about overgrowth and blocked drainage culvert.
Dawn Beattie, Morro Bay, agreed with her neighbors regarding the need to dredge the pond and clear culverts, suggesting the City bring in an expert to advise next steps.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, supported the request presented by Cloisters residents.
Nicole Dorfman, Morro Bay, appreciated Coleman Park improvements and shared concerns about the playground equipment removal and restroom closure at City Park. She requested an update regarding massage regulations and asked whether the Waterfront Master Plan addresses traffic congestion along the Embarcadero from Morro Rock to Beach Street.
Onan Champi, Morro Bay, thanked City staff for hosting the Morro Bay Watershed Workshop and opportunity to meet regarding the water line improvement project.
Sean Green, Morro Bay, appreciated Linda Winters for her community volunteer efforts and thanked all who had a hand in completing the Coleman Park project.
Lynda Merrill, Morro Bay, shared her appreciation for the Coleman Park project and urged expansion of the restrooms at Morro Rock.
Russ Miyoshi, Morro Bay Odder Club, urged the City to explore grant funding for a disaster preparedness plan that covers Morro Elementary in a resiliency hub.
Betsy Gaudette-Cross, Morro Bay, commented on the importance of providing showers at Coleman Park, questioned whether certain items had been presented to the Public Works Advisory Board, and expressed concern about overgrowth at Morro Creek.
Judy Setting, Morro Bay, requested the Council agendize support for the historic designation of Morro Elementary and appreciated the preparations being done for the 4th of July celebration.
Rich Raub, Morro Bay resident and pickleball coordinator for Morro Bay Active Adults, requested the Council agendize discussion of new pickleball courts at Del Mar Park.
End of public comment.
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.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, restated comments submitted regarding the Conflict of Interest Code and state-mandated training.
End of public comment.
Mayor Wixom pulled Items 6.c. and 6.e.
Council Member Landrum pulled Items 6.d. and 6.f.
Motion by
Council Member Eckles
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.
1. May 12, 2026 - Regular Council Meeting
Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCRM_May12_2026 - English.pdf
6.b
Approval of Proclamations
Public Comments:
Approve as submitted.
1. Proclamation declaring the third Saturday of June 2026 as "Juneteenth Day" Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. Juneteenth Proclamation 2026.pdf
6.c
Adoption of Resolution No. 27-26 Updating the City's Conflict of Interest Code and Resolution No. 28-26 Designating Certain Appointed Bodies and Officials for Applicable Ethics and Fiscal Training Requirements Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 6c SR Updating Conflict of Interest Code.pdf
2. 6c1 Reso 11-24 Adopting Conflict of Interest Code.pdf
3. 6c2 Reso 27-26 Amending and Readopting Conflict of Interest Code_Clean.pdf
4. 6c2.1 Reso 28-26 Designating Officials Subject to State-Mandated Training Req.pdf Staff responded to Council questions regarding the Recreation Division Manager's contract authority.
Motion by
Mayor Wixom
Seconded by
Council Member Luffee
Adopt Resolution No. 27-26 approving amendments to the City’s Conflict of Interest Code and Resolution No. 28-26 Designating Certain Appointed Bodies and Officials for Applicable Ethics and Fiscal Training Requirements.
Ayes (5)
Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Luffee, and Council Member Eckles CARRIED (5 to 0)
6.d
General Municipal Election Resolutions for November 3, 2026 Election Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 6d SR Adopting Resos for General Muni Election.pdf
2. 6d1 Reso 29-26 Calling Election and Requesting Election Consolidation.pdf
3. 6d2 Reso 30-26 Adopting Regs for Candidates for Elective Office.pdf There was brief discussion regarding the potential cost of SLOCOG's half-cent sales tax measure.
Motion by
Council Member Landrum
Seconded by
Council Member Luffee
Adopt Resolution No. 29-26 calling a general municipal election for November 3, 2026, and requesting consolidation of the election with the County, and Resolution No. 30-26 adopting regulations for candidate statements.
Ayes (5)
Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Luffee, and Council Member Eckles CARRIED (5 to 0)
6.e
Approval of Owners Association (Operating) Agreement between City and Visit Morro Bay Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 6e SR Operating Agreement for MBTBID.pdf
2. 6e1 Attach 1 - MDP MBTBID 11-18-25.pdf
3. 6e2 Reso 16-26 Renewing MBTBID.pdf
4. 6e3 Visit Morro Bay - MBTBID Owners Association Contract_2026 Draft.pdf Mayor Wixom offered a reminder the City Council requested Visit Morro Bay move forward with actions to bring RV parks into the TBID.
Motion by
Mayor Wixom
Seconded by
Council Member Landrum
Approve the Operating Agreement between the City and Visit Morro Bay subject to terms set out in the agreement.
Ayes (5)
Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Luffee, and Council Member Eckles CARRIED (5 to 0)
6.f
Water Reclamation Facility Quarterly Report
Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 6f SR WRF Quarterly Report.pdf
2. 6f1 WRF Q3 Report FY25-26 Jan-Mar.pdf
City Manager Craig responded to Council inquiries regarding advisory body input and subcommittee review of the report.
Motion by
Council Member Landrum
Seconded by
Council Member Luffee
Receive and file the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Quarterly Report for January – March for the Water Reclamation Facility Program (WRF Program).
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:
The Council took a brief recess at 6:41 p.m. and reconvened at 6:49 p.m. with all members present.
7.a
An appeal by Solmaz Naghsh of the Planning Commission's approval on April 7, 2026 of a Coastal Development Permit (CDP25-21), Conditional Use Permit (CUP25-01), and Modification Request (MOD26-001) for the Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 7a SR CDP25-021, CUP25-01, MOD26-001 CC Appeal Staff Report.pdf
2. 7a1 Reso 31-26 for the Appeal of CDP25-021, CUP25-01, and MOD26-001.pdf
3. 7a2 Naghsh Appeal_460 Bonita St Fire Station.pdf
4. 7a3 Reso 03-26 460 Bonita Fire Station.pdf
5. 7a4 Response to Bonita FS Appeal.pdf
demolition of the existing single-story
fire station living quarters at 460 Bonita Street, and the construction of a new two-story living quarters totaling 2,431 square feet in its place Community Development Director Singewald presented the staff report.
Council Members Luffee and Eckles disclosed ex parte communications with the Appellant.
Mayor Wixom opened the public hearing and invited Appellant Solmaz Naghsh to provide comments.
Solmaz Naghsh, Morro Bay, commented on the key points of her appeal including project costs, desire for a single-story design, and parking concerns.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 7.a.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, questioned the need for a two-story station and suggested a 2-person station was sufficient.
Judy Setting, Morro Bay, hoped to limit neighborhood impacts and suggested a single-story build with the option to add a second story when needed.
Russ Miyoshi, Morro Bay, stated the fire department upgrade should be part of the disaster preparedness master plan and encouraged utilizing technology to enhance emergency operations.
Betsy Gaudette-Cross, Morro Bay, was not fully supportive of a fire station in north Morro Bay.
Michelle Leicester-Cadaret, Morro Bay, felt the structure was too big and unnecessary for a city that is not growing.
Courtney Shepler, Morro Bay, appreciated the proposed plan was responsive to neighbor feedback with a footprint less intrusive than what zoning would allow for single family home, adding a fire station in north Morro Bay improves our ISO rating and lowers insurance rates.
Mayor Wixom closed public comment and public hearing.
Fire Chief McCrain and Community Development Director Singewald responded to Council questions and issues raised during the public hearing.
Motion by
Mayor Wixom
Seconded by
Council Member Landrum
Adopt Resolution No. 31-26 denying an appeal and upholding the Planning Commission’s April 7, 2026 approval of the proposed project.
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
Resolutions Approving Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27 Operating and Capital Budgets; Investment Policy; and FY 2026-27 GANN Appropriations Limit Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 8a SR FY 2026-27 Budget Adoption.pdf
2. 8a1 Reso 32-26 Adopting FY 2026-27 Budget.pdf
3. 8a1a FY 2026-27 Errata Sheet for Revised Proposed Budget.pdf
4. 8a2 Reso 33-26 Adopting Investment Policy.pdf
5. 8a2a Exhibit A Investment Policy.pdf
6. 8a3 Reso No. 34-26 Appropriations Limit for FY 2026-27.pdf
7. 8a3a FY 2026-27 Calculation of Est Tax Proceeds.pdf
8. 8a3b FY 2026-27 Calculation of Appropriations Limit.pdf
9. 8a3c FY 2026-27 CA Dept of Fin Price Factor and Population Est.pdf Finance Director Conrad presented the report and responded to Council inquiries.
Citizens Finance Advisory Committee Chair Stephen Peck provided comments on behalf of the Committee.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 8.a.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, opined Mr. Peck's comments were not considered a review by the entire Finance Committee and hoped for a response to her written questions and comments.
Courtney Shepler, Morro Bay, encouraged the City to give more attention to capital planning.
End of public comment.
Following Council deliberations, there was consensus to move the expense for the Housing Element Update from the Affordable Housing In-Lieu Fund to the General Fund.
Motion by
Council Member Eckles
Seconded by
Council Member Landrum
Adopt Resolution No. 32-26 adopting the FY 2026-27 Operating and Capital Budgets, amended as discussed moving the expense for the Housing Element Update to the General Fund; and Adopt Resolution No. 33-26 readopting the City’s Investment Policy; and Adopt Resolution No. 34-26 setting the FY 2026-27 GANN Appropriations Limit at $18,802,003
.
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:
Council Member Eckles proposed and received full support for Council discussion of City Park renovations.
Council Member Landrum requested consideration of an appeal process for residents whose properties were down-zoned in the General Plan update. It was suggested Council Member Landrum confer with the City Attorney and Community Development Director then come back with the request at a future meeting.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Public Comments:
The meeting adjourned at 8:43 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Dana Swanson, City Clerk