City Council Regular Meeting - September 22, 2026
1. ESTABLISH QUORUM AND CALL TO ORDER
Public Comments:
Mayor Wixom called the meeting to order at 5:33 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 one item: Public Employee Performance Evaluation of the City Manager. No reportable action was taken 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:
None.
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, provided a Lions' Club activity update regarding Monday Night Dinners and volunteer support for the Avocado Margarita Festival. She also announced the Lions' Club and Morro Bay Police Department are partnering to serve dine-in and home delivery meals for this year's Thanksgiving Dinner on November 25 th
.
Kendall Welch, Morro Bay Maritime Museum, announced Maritime Movie Night, Monday, October 12 th
at 5:30pm at the Bay Theatre. Tickets are available at the Maritime Museum store and morrobaymaritime.org
.
Sydney Ramos, Morro Bay, shared her concerns regarding ALPRs and appreciated the Council adding the discussion item to the October 13 th
agenda.
Michelle Howard-Leicester, Morro Bay, expressed concern about the City's use of ALPR cameras and requested the City terminate the contract and remove the cameras.
Barry Branin, Morro Bay, suggested the City review the fee schedule for water and sewer funds to consider whether the surcharge can be removed.
Margaret Carman, Morro Bay, appreciated the Council's recent discussion and decision to not support the alliance model for emergency medical transport and shared conversations she recently had with retired EMT and fire personnel.
Nicole Dorfman, Morro Bay, encouraged those who haven't visited Morro Elementary to attend the September 23 rd
site tour and appreciated residents who worked to pass Measure A-24.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, appreciated the Sea Otter and Day of Peace Proclamations, and Council's recent discussion of the proposed alliance model for emergency medical transport.
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.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for items on the Consent Agenda:
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, commented on Item 6.c, adding her support for the City of Murietta's resolution and suggested a study session be convened to see how cities can work together to preserve our planning ability.
Nicole Dorfman, Morro Bay, supported the League of California Cities resolution to increase in local control. Regarding Item 6.b, she shared concerns regarding the Day of Peace Proclamation and suggested striking the final whereas statement.
Margaret Carman, Morro Bay, offered comments on Item 6.d.
Ruth Ann Angus, Morro Bay resident and Director of Yes We Can Peace Builders, provided historical context and thanked the Council for issuing the Day of Peace Proclamation for a 3rd time.
End of public comment.
Mayor Wixom pulled Item 6.b.2. Council Member Landrum pulled Item 6.c.
Motion by
Mayor Wixom
Seconded by
Council Member Luffee
Approve Consent Agenda Items 6.a, 6.b.1, and 6.d 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. September 8, 2026 - Regular Council Meeting
Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCRM_Sep08_2026 - English.pdf
2. September 8, 2026 - Special Closed Session Meeting
Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CCCM_Sep08_2026 - English.pdf
6.b
Approval of Proclamations
Public Comments:
1. Sea Otter Awareness Day Proclamation
Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 6b.1 Sea Otter Awareness Week Proclamation 2026 .pdf
2. Day of Peace and Peace/Non-Violence Month Proclamation Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 6b.2 Day of Peace - Peace and Nonviolence Month Proclamation 2026.pdf In light of the concerns raised during public comment, Mayor Wixom suggested removing the last whereas statement and moving approval as amended. Council Member Eckles was not supportive of bringing forward proclamations that touch on global politics and shared concerns about the requesting group's activities.
Motion by
Mayor Wixom
Seconded by
Council Member Luffee
Approve with the last whereas statement removed from the proclamation.
Ayes (3)
Mayor Wixom, Council Member Edwards, and Council Member Luffee Noes (2)
Council Member Eckles, and Council Member Landrum
CARRIED (3 to 2)
6.c
Authorize the City's Voting Delegate and/or Alternate(s) to Vote In Favor of the Resolution being presented at League of California Cities 2026 Annual Conference Business Meeting Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 6c SR LOCC Resolution for Annual Meeting 2026.pdf
2. 6c1 2026-Cal-Cities-Resolution-Packet.pdf
Council Member Landrum wished to clarify approval of this item authorizes the City's voting delegate to vote yes on the proposed Resolution being presented at the League of California Cities Annual Business Meeting.
Motion by
Council Member Landrum
Seconded by
Council Member Luffee
Authorize the City’s Voting Delegate, and/or Alternate(s), to Vote in Favor of the Resolution being presented at League of California Cities 2026 Annual Conference Business Meeting, “A Resolution of the General Assembly of the League of California Cities Calling for a Working Group to Consider a State Constitutional Amendment or Other Form of Initiative to Ensure Final Local Authority Over Housing and Land Use Decisions.” Ayes (5)
Mayor Wixom, Council Member Eckles, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee CARRIED (5 to 0)
6.d
Approval of Resolution No. 49-26 Authorizing Execution of a Deed and Lease Restriction and Certificate of Acceptance for Lease Site 49-52/49W-52W (Bayside Landing Inc. located at 431, 451 and 495 Embarcadero) to Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 6d - SR CCC Deed Restriction.pdf
2. 6d1 - Reso 49-26 Authorizing Execution of Lease - Deed Restriction.pdf
3. 6d2 - Certificate of Acceptance for Lease Site 49-52 49W-52W - Draft.pdf Incorporate California Coastal Commission Permit Conditions Adopt Resolution No. 49-26 conditionally authorizing the City Manager to execute a Deed and Lease Restriction, subject to approval of form by the City Attorney, and Certificate of Acceptance for Lease Site 49-52/49W-52W with Bayside Landing, Inc., located at 431, 451 and 495 Embarcadero Road, in order to incorporate the California Coastal Commission permit conditions for the redevelopment of the site into the property deed and lease.
Authorize staff to perform due diligence to confirm that the deed restriction meets State Lands Commission requirements, does not limit use of the lease site beyond the condition’s intent, and forms are accurate and complete prior to submission to the County Clerk.
7. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
Public Comments:
None.
8. BUSINESS ITEMS
Public Comments:
8.a
Discussion regarding Post-Closing Visioning and Entitlement Process for the Morro Elementary School Property (Section I), pending historic nomination (Section II), and provide direction as necessary Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. 8a SR Morro Elementary.pdf
City Manager Craig and City Attorney Stack presented the report and responded to Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 8.a.
Jim Gross, Morro Bay, supported the Option 3 committee approach including members with expertise to help us understand how we can finance renovation and use the property in various ways without compromising community character. He urged the Council to find a way to meld this option while allowing the subcommittee to remain involved with appropriate admonitions and instructions to avoid violating the Brown Act.
D'Arcy Castro, Friends of Morro Elementary, supported Option 1 with Council Members Landrum and Luffee continuing their work on the subcommittee. She urged the City to submit letter of support for the historic nomination and request the District withdraw its letter of opposition before close of escrow.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, sought clarification on the purpose and anticipated timeline for this next step and hoped the process would consider and balance diverse opinions about how the property should be used.
Barry Branin, Morro Bay, suggested a non-Brown Act committee approach including experienced builders, financing, banking, parks and recreation who would bring recommendations to the City Manager.
Nicole Dorfman, Morro Bay, spoke in support of Option 1 to keep the initial site planning discussion closest to the elected accountability, and was in favor of the City writing a letter in favor of the historic preservation and requesting School District retract their opposition.
Christi VanCleve, Morro Bay resident and licensed architect, supported Option 1 and was committed to continuing to offer her professional advice and bringing other experts to the City as needed on a pro bono basis.
Margaret Carman, Morro Bay, spoke in favor of an approach that provides transparency and comprehensive public input with local control of housing requirements that work for our community.
Judy Setting, Morro Bay, encouraged the City to write a letter of support to State Historic Preservation Office and requested the current subcommittee transition to become members of a City Civic Center Restoration and Adaptive Reuse Oversight Committee made of up to 9 members.
Tunde Banffy-Stapleton, Morro Bay, supported Option 1 with Council Members Landrum and Luffee as subcommittee members, requested the City submit a letter of support to the State Historical Resources Commission and ask the District to kindly withdraw their preliminary letter of opposition.
End of public comment.
The Council took a brief recess at 7:13 p.m. and reconvened at 7:22 p.m. with all members present.
Staff responded to additional Council questions.
There was full Council support to direct staff to prepare and send a support letter for the historic nomination and request the School District withdraw their preliminary letter of objection.
Following discussion, there was Council consensus to have the subcommittee work with staff to develop an outline of the deliverables, proposed schedule, opportunity for public input (in person and online), and regular Council check-ins to the October 13th meeting for discussion and final approval.
Motion by
Council Member Landrum
Seconded by
Council Member Luffee
Move forward with option 1, with Subcommittee Members Landrum and Luffee leading multiple listening sessions with subject matter experts including input from a financer, special events, recreation and parks.
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:
Council Member Landrum requested and received support to direct the Public Works Advisory Board to review the water and sewer fee schedule.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Public Comments:
The meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Dana Swanson, City Clerk