City Council Regular Meeting - September 08, 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 due to a medical condition which temporarily limits her ability to appear in person.
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 items: (1) real property negotiations matter regarding Morro Dunes RV Park located at 1700 Embarcadero and (1) potential litigation matter. No reportable action was taken under the Brown Act on any item.
3.b
Mayor and Councilmembers' Reports, Announcements and Presentations Public Comments:
The Council took a brief recess at 5:42 p.m. due to technical difficulties and reconvened at 5:55 p.m. with all members present.
Council Member Edwards stated for the record there weree no other adults present at the remote location.
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
National Estuary Program "State of the Bay" Presentation Attachments
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Public Comments
1. 4a NEP State of the Bay_2026.pdf
by Education & Outreach Coordinator, Forest Lurz
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
Public Comments:
Sydney Ramos, Morro Bay, urged the Council to consider eliminating automated license plate reader cameras.
Barry Brannin, Morro Bay, requested an update on the urgency ordinance to ban BESS projects, acknowledged the City's successful effort to obtain grant funding for the police radio infrastructure project, and requested renewed creek clearing efforts along Quintana Road.
Richard Sadowski, Home Front EJ, promoted the Morro Bay Estuary Air Monitoring Project and sought financial support to replace aging CO 2 air monitors.
Jacob Volkov, Morro Bay, expressed support for the sauna business operating at Coleman Beach and hoped they're allowed to expand services to 7 days per week.
Mike Gerson, candidate for Morro Bay City Council, announced he will be at Spencers Farmers Market Thursday afternoon and on the Dave Congelton Show with Michael Woody this Friday.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, asked the City Manager to expand on his comments about the Morro Elementary School item that will be on September 22nd agenda.
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.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for items on the Consent Agenda.
Betty Winholtz, commented on the Quarterly Investment Report and proposed Lease Line Adjustment for Lease Sites 49/49W, 50/50W, 51/51W and 52/52W.
End of public comment.
Motion by
Council Member Luffee
Seconded by
Council Member Landrum
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. August 11, 2026 - Regular Council Meeting
Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCRM_Aug11_2026 - English.pdf
2. August 19, 2026 - Special Council Meeting
Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - City Council Special Meeting_Aug19_2026 - English.pdf
3. August 25, 2026 - Special Closed Session Meeting
Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCCM_Aug25_2026 - English.pdf
4. August 25, 2026 - Regular Council Meeting
Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCRM_Aug25_2026 - English.pdf
6.b
Fourth Quarter Investment Report (period ending June 30, 2026) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 Attachments
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Public Comments
1. 6b SR FY2025-26 Q4 Investment Report.pdf
2. 6b1 FY 2025-26_Q4 Investment Report.pdf
Receive the attached Fourth Quarter Investment Report (period ending June 30, 2026) for FY 2025-26.
6.c
Resolution No. 48-26 Approving Adjustment to Lease Site Maps for Lease Sites 49/49W, 50/50W, 51/51W and 52/52W at 495 Embarcadero Road Attachments
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Public Comments
1. 6c SR Lease Line Adjustments Sites 49-52 - 495 Embarcadero.pdf
2. 6c1 Reso 48-26 Lease Line Adjustments Sites 49-52.pdf
3. 6c2 Attachment A - Legals_Plats Sites 49-52.pdf
Staff recommends the City Council adopt Resolution No. 48-26:
Approve the adjustments to Lease Sites 49/49W, 50/50W, 51/51W, and 52/52W located at 495 Embarcadero.
Authorize the City Manager or his designee to revise the approved Master Lease agreement language to reflect the updated legal descriptions and maps of the lease sites as proposed.
7. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
Public Comments:
None.
8. BUSINESS ITEMS
Public Comments:
8.a
Framework for the Tidelands Business License Program (TBLP) Attachments
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Public Comments
1. 8a SR Framework for the Tidelands Business License Program.pdf Harbor Director Munson presented the report and responded to Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 8.a.
Russ Miyoshi, co-founder of Morro Bay Odder Club, shared the health benefits of cold-water immersion, offered his support for the California Sauna Club, and appreciated staff efforts to move this forward.
Maxwell Muscavella, Morro Bay, spoke in support of the California Sauna Club.
John Rohner, Morro Bay, echoed his support for the California Sauna Club and was in favor of expanding operations to more than three days per week.
Amanda Keller, Los Osos, support the continuation and expansion of the California Sauna Club.
Darren Leva, owner of California Sauna Club, sought Council support for expanded operating hours and supported the proposed program as fees being asked to apply for a permit through Planning Commission were unreasonable.
Barry Brannin, Morro Bay, questioned whether the operations being discussed were allowed in the Measure D area.
Cal Myers, Harbor Advisory Board Subcommittee Member, shared that their focus was to look at locations that weren't in Embarcadero proper and believed there would be a lot of push back from lease holders if the licensed programs competed with those existing businesses.
End of public comment.
Staff responded to additional questions from Council questions.
Following Council comments and discussion, there was majority support for staff to seek input from the Chamber of Commerce, Master Leaseholder group and Harbor Advisory Board Ad-hoc Committee, incorporate those comments in a report and application to Planning Commission, then return to Council for final approval.
No formal action was taken on this item.
8.b
Support for the City of Paso Robles Bid on the San Luis Obispo County Ambulance Services Contract Attachments
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Public Comments
1. 8b SR EMS RFP Support.pdf
2. 8b1 Reso No. 47-26 EMS RFP Support.pdf
Fire Chief McCrain presented the report and responded to Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 8.b.
Darren Gennuso, Morro Bay, spoke in support of San Luis Ambulance remaining and against the public/private alliance model.
Nick Drake, Morro Bay, highlighted the public benefits of the current 911 ambulance provider.
Terry Tatum, Cayucos, respectfully asked the Council to decline adoption of this resolution.
Serena Gennuso, Morro Bay, expressed opposition to Resolution No. 47-26 and urged the Council to decline adoption.
Tom Sherman, SLO County resident, urged the Council to decline to adopt the Resolution with no further action be taken by staff.
Michelle Amesquiti, Morro Bay, urged Council to decline adoption of Resolution No. 47-26.
Justin Kelton, San Luis Ambulance, asked the Council to not adopt Resolution No. 47-26.
Margaret Carman, Morro Bay, questioned the need to change services that work well and supported the fourth choice to not do anything further.
End of public comment.
Staff responded to additional questions and issues raised during public comment.
Following comments and discussion, there was consensus to decline adoption of Resolution No. 47-26. Should the City of Paso Robles move forward with a proposal and the public/private partner alliance be selected by the Board of Supervisors, it was understood the City would have an opportunity to consider membership in that alliance.
Motion by
Council Member Landrum
Seconded by
Mayor Wixom
Decline to adopt Resolution No. 47-26 expressing support for the City of Paso Robles to submit a bid for the San Luis Obispo County.
Ayes (5)
Mayor Wixom, Council Member Eckles, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee CARRIED (5 to 0)
9. COUNCIL DECLARATION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Public Comments:
At the Mayor's request, City Manager Craig announced he would bring forward an item at the September 22nd Regular Meeting seeking Council direction on how to move forward with site planning and recommended zoning changes following the purchase of Morro Elementary, and to also consider taking a position on the Friends of Morro Elementary application for historic designation.
Council Member Landrum restated her October 2025 future agenda item requests for consideration of a vacant property tax and economic development efforts that would improve the appearance of the City (i.e., spruce up streets, clean sidewalks and weed removal).
Council Member Landrum asked that the previously requested review and consideration of continued use of automated license plate reader cameras be brought forward within the next two meetings.
Council Member Landrum requested consideration of support for the City of Murietta's resolution urging the League of California Cities to form a working group to evaluate and develop a proposed constitutional amendment or other legislative, policy, or ballot-based strategies to restore and strengthen local authority over housing and land use matters including but not limited to: conducting appropriate legal, fiscal, and policy analyses; engaging cities and other stakeholders; and building a statewide coalition of proponent supporters in preparation for the November 2030 General Election.
Council Member Landrum requested but did not receive majority support for consideration of a fee reduction for the California Sauna Club's appeal or permit application.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Public Comments:
The meeting adjourned at 8:57 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Dana Swanson, City Clerk