City Council Regular Meeting - August 11, 2026
1. ESTABLISH QUORUM AND CALL TO ORDER
Public Comments:
Mayor Wixom called the meeting to order at 5:31 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:
No closed session 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. Morro Elementary School
Public Comments:
4. RECOGNITION AND PRESENTATIONS
Public Comments:
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
Public Comments:
Karen Hammon, Morro Bay, suggested the City offer a sewer lateral repair rebate program to offset the increasing cost for homeowners to replace Orangeburg sewer lines.
Jeff Heller, Morro Bay, appreciated the Mayor and Council for stepping up to serve in public office.
Linda Winters, Morro Bay, commented on recently attended events and welcomed new Public Works Director LaCaro.
Sydney Ramos, Morro Bay, expressed concern about automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras and asked that Council not renew the current contract.
Sean Green, Morro Bay, commented on lease terms provided in Items 6.b and 6.c. Regarding Item 8.a, he opposed the permanent use of porta potties.
Michelle Howard-Leicester, Morro Bay, urged Morro Bay to join other cities in cancelling its ALPR contract.
Nicole Dorfman, Morro Bay, echoed resident concerns about ALPR cameras, requested an update on massage ordinance implementation and, on behalf of REACT Alliance, announced a 3rd offshore wind leaseholder pulled out of the Humbolt area.
Margaret Carman, Morro Bay, agreed with previous speakers' concerns regarding use of ALPRs, thanked Council for consideration of a letter opposing the proposed MPAs, and asked if construction costs for City Hall Annex repairs were covered by insurance.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, announced she is running against Marilyn Roger for Trustee Area 1 on the School District Board.
Dawn Beattie, Morro Bay, looked forward to working with the Public Works Director regarding maintenance of Cloisters' pond and culverts and hoped to resume quarterly meetings with the City.
Alphonsus Rawson offered suggestions to improve the city and agreed with previous comments regarding ALPRs, adding his belief some have been unable to shut off the cameras despite canceling contracts.
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, appreciated Mr. Green's comments on Items 6.b & 6.c, adding her concern about extending leases to a 50-year term.
End of public comment.
Staff commented on Item 6.f noting, in addition to the alternatives provided in the staff report, the Council may choose to leave the PWAB member position vacant for the brief duration of the current term. Regarding Item 6.d, City Manager Craig requested the resolution language be amended to authorize the City Manager or his designee to execute documents related to the grant application.
Mayor Wixom pulled Items 6.e & 6.f. Council Member Landrum pulled Item 6.d.
Motion by
Council Member Landrum
Seconded by
Council Member Eckles
Approve Consent Agenda Items 6.a through 6.c 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. July 28, 2026 - Regular Council Meeting
Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCRM_Jul28_2026 - English.pdf
2. July 28, 2026 - Special Closed Session Meeting
Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCCM_Jul28_2026 - English.pdf
6.b
Adoption of Resolution No. 43-26 Approving a New Lease Agreement with Bayside Landing, Inc. Lease Sites 49-52/49W-52W, Located at 431, 451 and 495 Embarcadero Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 6b SR Bayside Landing Inc. MLA.pdf
2. 6b1 Reso 43-26 49-52 and 49W-52W MLA.pdf
3. 6b2 Bayside Landing Inc DRAFT Lease 041025-PEG-5-22-05.V7.pdf
4. 6b2.1 Exhibit A Bayside Landing Map.pdf
5. 6b2.2 Schedule A-Percentages.pdf
Adopt Resolution No. 43-26, approving a 40-year Master Lease Agreement with Bayside Landing, Inc., (Paul Gillen) for Lease Sites 49-52/49W-52W.
6.c
Adoption of Resolution No. 44-26 approving a Lease Amendment between the City of Morro Bay and THMT, Inc. for Lease Site 122-123/122W-123W located at 1205 Embarcadero (Harbor Hut Restaurant) Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 6c SR Approve Harbor Hut Lease Amendment.pdf
2. 6c1 Reso 44-26 Approving Harbor Hut Amendment 1.pdf
3. 6c2 Lease Amendment 1. LS122.pdf
Adopt Resolution No. 44-26 approving lease amendment for Lease Site 122-123/122W-123W (Harbor Hut) located at 1205 Embarcadero.
6.d
Adoption of Resolution No. 45-26 authorizing application and acceptance for California's Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) Grants for Beverage Container Recycling Grant (BCRG) Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 6d SR CalRecycle Grant Application.pdf
2. 6d1 Resolution 45-26.pdf
City Manager Craig requested resolution be changed to authorize City Manager or designee, rather than Public Works Director, to submit and accept the grant application.
Motion by
Council Member Landrum
Seconded by
Council Member Luffee
Staff recommends the City Council adopt Resolution No. 45-26 authorizing the City Manager or his designee to:
Submit the application and accept and administer any grant award to CalRecycle for any and all CalRecycle Beverage Container Recycling Grant (BCRG) Program grants; To act as the City’s representative in administration of the grant, including but not limited to, applications, agreements, and amendments that are necessary to implement and secure payment of CalRecycle grants to the City; if the application is successful.
Ayes (5)
Mayor Wixom, Council Member Eckles, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee CARRIED (5 to 0)
6.e
Authorization for the Mayor to Execute and Submit a Letter of Opposition to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and California Fish and Game Commission Regarding Marine Protected Area Petitions 2023-19MPA, 2023-20MPA, and 2023-29MPA Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 6e SR Letter of Opposition.pdf
2. 6e1 City Council Letter of Opposition.pdf
Mayor Wixom pulled the item for brief Council comments and encouraged those with strong feelings on this issue to submit written correspondence.
Motion by
Mayor Wixom
Seconded by
Council Member Luffee
Staff recommends the City Council authorize the Mayor to execute and transmit, on behalf of the City Council, a letter of opposition to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the California Fish and Game Commission (CFGC) regarding Marine Protected Area (MPA) petitions 2023-19MPA (Chitqawi SMCA), 2023-20MPA (Point Buchon SMCA and SMR), and 2023-29MPA (Mishopshno SMCA), requesting denial of petition 2023-19MPA and deferral of petitions 2023-20MPA and 2023-29MPA pending meaningful consultation with the City of Morro Bay and local fishing community stakeholders.
Ayes (5)
Mayor Wixom, Council Member Eckles, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee CARRIED (5 to 0)
6.f
Accept Withdrawal of Public Works Advisory Board Appointee, Lyn Wickham, and Confirm Appointment of Michael Lucas to fill the Unscheduled Vacancy Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 6f SR Appointment of Michael Lucas to PWAB.pdf
Following brief discussion, there was concurrence to leave the position open until the annual recruitment, rather than bring someone up to speed for that short period of time.
Motion by
Mayor Wixom
Seconded by
Council Member Eckles
Accept the withdrawal of Public Works Advisory Board Appointee, Lyn Wickham, due to an unforeseen medical condition, and keep the seat open until the next round of recruitments.
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:
8. BUSINESS ITEMS
Public Comments:
The Council took a brief recess at 7:00 p.m. and reconvened at 7:10 p.m.
8.a
Morro Bay City Park - Discussion of Current Conditions, Community Input, and Direction to Staff Regarding Near-Term Improvements and a Process for Future Planning Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 8a SR City Park Update.pdf
2. 8a1 City Park Report Out by Jeff Eckles.pdf
City Manager Craig introduced the item and turned to Council Member Eckles to present his report.
Staff responded to Council questions.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment.
Betty Winholtz, Chairperson of the Recreation & Parks Commission, hoped the Council would refer the item to the Commission for discussion at its September meeting so they can make recommendations to PWAB and City Council.
Nicole Dorfman, Morro Bay, suggested reimagining the space and making a small portion of the park a beautiful garden that's easy to maintain, then some of the rest could be re-zoned for housing.
Linda Winters, Morro Bay, agreed with the need for improved lighting and welcomed guidance on how she can better help those using the park to contribute in a positive way.
Margaret Carman, Morro Bay, was supportive of additional lighting with an awareness of how the lighting would affect neighbors.
End of public comment.
Following Council discussion, with an overarching goal of "clean, safe and open", there was concurrence on the following next steps:
Short-term items to be completed by staff include improved lighting, new signage (no smoking), working with local grocers to manage shopping carts, and enhanced visibility of law enforcement.
Longer-term items include separate review by the Recreation & Parks Commission and Public Works Advisory Board to evaluate options, receive community input and make recommendations on restroom reopening, programming activities and overall park use, cameras, banners and trees.
No formal action was taken by the Council.
9. COUNCIL DECLARATION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Public Comments:
Council Member Landrum requested Harbor Advisory Board input regarding fueling options on the waterfront.
Council Member Landrum requested a more in-depth conversation of ALPR cameras.
Council Member Landrum requested but did not receive majority support for discussion of traffic control on the Embarcadero during busy weekends. The circulation plan is being reviewed as part of the Waterfront Master Plan Update.
Council Member Landrum suggested forming a steering committee to make recommendations on future use and redevelopment of the former wastewater treatment plant property, including hospitality, developers, RV people, landscape architects, etc. to advise on the project. A majority of Council supported the request if the committee is formed after the Waterfront Master Plan is complete.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Public Comments:
The meeting adjourned at 8:49 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Dana Swanson, City Clerk