City Council Regular Meeting - July 28, 2026
1. ESTABLISH QUORUM AND CALL TO ORDER
Public Comments:
Mayor Wixom called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. with all members present.
Council Member Edwards announced she was participating remotely under SB 707 "just cause" provisions due to a medical condition and that no other adults were present in the remote location.
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 five (5) matters: two (2) Real Property Negotiations regarding lease sites 49/49W, 50-51/50W-51W & 52/52W located at 431, 451 and 495 Embarcadero Road, and Morro Dunes RV Park located at 1700 Embarcadero; two (2) potential litigation items; and employee performance evaluation of the City Manager. No reportable action was taken on any item under the Brown Act 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:
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:
4.a
Presentation of "Parks Make Life Better" Proclamation
Public Comments:
Presented to Recreation Services Manager Kirk Carmichael.
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
Public Comments:
Linda Winters, Morro Bay, appreciated recent City events and provided a Monday night dinner update.
Tina Clark, Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce, announced upcoming activities and shared the Chamber is accepting nominations for the Annual Awards Gala to be held November 7th. Visit www.morrochamber.org
for more information.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, asked the City to publish information regarding the County-proposed desal plant on its website, and expressed frustration with removal of trees at Del Mar Elementary and postponement of the SHPO Historic Designation hearing regarding Morro Elementary.
Nicole Dorfman, Morro Bay, expressed gratitude for the July 3-4 event and Council Member Luffee's efforts to add beach volleyball. She shared Ms. Winholtz's concerns about the County-proposed desal plant and was disappointed the SHPO hearing regarding Morro Elementary was moved to November.
Nathan Churches, Co-Owner & Operator of Grassy Bar Oyster Co., provided background information and requested approval of a License Agreement that would provide increased nursery space for their oyster farm.
End of public comment.
Staff responded to issues 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, spoke to Items 6.c and 6.d.
Council Member Eckles pulled Item 6.e.
Motion by
Mayor Wixom
Seconded by
Council Member Luffee
Approve Consent Agenda Items 6.a. through 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. May 26, 2026 - Regular Council Meeting
Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCRM_May26_2026 - English.pdf
2. June 9, 2026 - Regular Council Meeting
Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCRM_Jun09_2026 - English.pdf
3. June 23, 2026 - Special Closed Session Meeting
Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCCM_Jun23_2026 - English.pdf
4. June 23, 2026 - Regular Council Meeting
Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCRM_Jun23_2026 - English.pdf
6.b
Proclamations
Public Comments:
1. Proclamation Declaring July 2026 "Parks Make Life Better" Month Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. Parks Make Life Better Proclamation 2026.pdf
6.c
Approval of Lease Agreements with Visit Morro Bay and the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce for the Continued Use of Office Space at 695 Harbor Street Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 6c SR VMB and Chamber Lease Agreements.pdf
2. 6c1 VMB Lease Agreement 2026.pdf
3. 6c2 Chamber Lease Agreement 2026.pdf
Review and approve Lease Agreements for office space at 695 Harbor Street with Visit Morro Bay and the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce.
6.d
San Luis Obispo Urban County 2027-2029 Cooperation Agreements Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 6d CDBG Coop Agreement Staff Report.pdf
2. 6d1 Attachment 1 Marge Castle Email.pdf
3. 6d2 2026.06.12 Cooperation Agreement 2027-2029.pdf
Authorize City Manager to sign the Cooperation Agreement between the County of San Luis Obispo and the City of Morro Bay for joint participation in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, the Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), and the Emergency Solutions Grant Program (ESG) for Fiscal Years 2027 through 2029.
6.e
Approval of a Temporary License Agreement for Grassy Bar FLUPSY on the North T-Pier Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 6e SR Approve Grassy Bar License Agr.pdf
2. 6e1 Grassy Bar License Agreement 2026.pdf
Council Member Eckles raised concern the actual cost of utilities may exceed the flat fees listed in the agreement. Staff presented direct billing alternatives for electrical use, either installing a sub-meter and invoicing the tenant for their share plus a 10% admin fee or having PG&E bill the tenant directly for sub-metered usage. It was anticipated the water usage would be minimal. A majority of Council was supportive of whichever method of metering electrical usage could best be implemented.
Motion by
Council Member Eckles
Seconded by
Council Member Landrum
Approve temporary license agreement for Grassy Bar to dock a FLUPSY and work dock on the North T-Pier for an initial term of 2 years with electricity usage metered in the method preferred by the Harbor Department.
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:
None.
8. BUSINESS ITEMS
Public Comments:
8.a
Advisory Board Interviews and Appointments to Fill Unscheduled Vacancies for terms ending January 31, 2027 on the Citizens Oversight/Finance Advisory Committee and Public Works Advisory Board Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 8a SR Advisory Board Interviews.pdf
2. 8a1 CFAC - Michael Jones_Redacted.pdf
3. 8a2 CFAC - Thomas (Tom) Starnes_Redacted.pdf
4. 8a3 PWAB - Michael Lucas_Redacted.pdf
5. 8a4 PWAB - Wendelyn (Lyn) Wickham_Redacted.pdf
Citizens Oversight/Finance Advisory Committee
The following applicants were interviewed for consideration of appointment to the Citizens Oversight/Finance Advisory Committee: Michael Jones and Tom Starnes.
The Council voted by written ballot and Clerk Swanson read the results into the record. Tom Starnes received three votes (Edwards, Luffee, Wixom) and Michael Jones received two votes (Eckles, Landrum). Mr. Starnes was appointed to the Committee for the remainder of a term ending January 31, 2027.
Public Works Advisory Board
The following applicants were interviewed for consideration of appointment to the Public Works Advisory Board: Michael Lucas and Lyn Wickham.
The Council voted by written ballot and Clerk Swanson read the results into the record. Lyn Wickham received three votes (Eckles, Edwards, Wixom) and Michael Lucas received two votes (Landrum, Luffee). Ms. Wickham was appointed to the Board for the remainder of a term ending January 31, 2027.
9. COUNCIL DECLARATION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Public Comments:
In response to Council Member Landrum's request for information regarding the City's use of license plate reader cameras, City Manager Craig committed to having Police Chief Watkins provide an update at the next meeting.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Public Comments:
The meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Dana Swanson, City Clerk