HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC_2025-04-08 Regular Meeting Minutes
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MINUTES - MORRO BAY CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
April 8, 2025, 5:30 p.m.
Veterans Memorial Hall
209 Surf St., Morro Bay, CA
Members Present: Mayor Carla Wixom
Council Member Cyndee Edwards
Council Member Jeff Eckles
Council Member Zara Landrum
Council Member Bill Luffee
Staff Present: City Manager Yvonne Kimball
Interim City Attorney Robert Schultz
City Clerk Dana Swanson
Finance Director Emily Conrad
Public Works Director Greg Kwolek
Community Development Director Airlin Singewald
Police Chief Amy Watkins
Fire Chief Dan McCrain
Harbor Vitality Director Chris Munson
Human Resources/Risk Manager Rachael Hendricks
_____________________________________________________________________
1. ESTABLISH QUORUM AND CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Wixom called the meeting to order at 5:36 p.m. with all members present.
2. MOMENT OF SILENCE
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4. REPORTS
4.a Closed Session Report
https://youtu.be/_W68ZFK5JWU?si=6lw_TDtdyrC8ZNkc&t=76
Interim City Attorney Schultz announced no reportable action was taken
pursuant to the Brown Act.
4.b Mayor and Councilmembers' Reports, Announcements and
Presentations
https://youtu.be/_W68ZFK5JWU?si=nVB1M2tzXP74t9BD&t=138
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4.c City Manager Reports, Announcements and Presentations
https://youtu.be/_W68ZFK5JWU?si=AwpZw9k555fcltyZ&t=747
4.d Subcommittee Reports - Verbal Update of Current Subcommittee
Activities
None.
a. Water Reclamation Facility & Morro Bay / Cayucos Sanitary District
JPA
b. Morro Bay Power Plant (Vistra)
c. Offshore Wind Energy
5. RECOGNITION AND PRESENTATIONS
5.a Month of the Child and Child Abuse Prevention Month Proclamation
https://youtu.be/_W68ZFK5JWU?si=QGMMh7-DLPNVSvQJ&t=977
Presented to Jennifer Blackburn, San Luis Obispo County Early Care &
Education Planning Council; Kids Club art contest winners; and Kirk
Carmichael and Angelica Jepsen from the City's Recreation Services
Division.
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
https://youtu.be/_W68ZFK5JWU?si=RNpay1KUVposwBAB&t=1381
Walter Heath, Morro Bay in Bloom, invited community members to the 2nd
Annual "I love Morro Bay" gardening project Saturday, April 19, at 8:30am
at the Triangle Park. Visit morrobayinbloom.org/i-love-mb to pre-register
for the event.
Linda Winters, Morro Bay, provided a Monday Night Dinner update and
introduced Wendy Blacker, 805 Street Outreach, to provide an update on
the shower program.
Wendy Blacker, 805 Street Outreach, announced a private foundation
provided a large donation that will allow her to purchase two vehicles and
a second shower trailer to provide weekly showers for the unhoused
community.
Brandee Puett, Development Director with Lumina Alliance, thanked City
Council for the proclamation recognizing April as Sexual Assault
Awareness Month and announced an upcomin g fundraising event,
Dancing With Our Stars, May 1 - 3, at the Pavilion on the Lake in
Atascadero. Visit luminaalliance.org for more information.
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Janice Peters, Morro Bay, commented on Item 8a, requesting the holding
time for dogs be increased to 7-10 business days. Regarding Item 9b,
she supported hiring an in-house attorney.
David Goad, San Simeon, offered to meet with council members to
discuss methods to repair seawalls and revetments for under $50,000.
David Yohe, Morro Bay, hoped the community would not support
corporations, bonds or individuals who support Israel.
Joe Yukich, Morro Bay, commended the Council for rehiring Mr. Schultz.
Dina Lundquist, Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce CEO, commented on
street improvement construction and plans for improved communication
between City staff, the Chamber and business community going forward.
Dan Sedley, Morro Bay, offered this is not a forum to address national and
world affairs that aren't unique to Morro Bay.
End of public comment.
7. CONSENT AGENDA
https://youtu.be/_W68ZFK5JWU?si=-Dj8xsXvrq1TZM5Q&t=2933
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; seeing
none, the public comment period was closed.
Motion by Council Member Eckles
Seconded by Council Member Edwards
Approve consent agenda items 7.a through 7.h as submitted.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Eckles,
Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee
CARRIED (5 to 0)
7.a Approval of Minutes
Approve as submitted.
a. March 25, 2025 - Regular Council Meeting
b. March 25, 2025 - Special Council Meeting
7.b Proclamations
Approve as submitted.
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a. Proclamation Declaring April 2025 as Month of the Child and Child
Abuse Prevention Month
b. Proclamation Recognizing April 2025 as National Sexual Assault
Awareness Month
7.c Arbor Day Proclamation
Approve the proposed proclamation in support of Arbor Day and being a
Tree City USA community.
7.d Approval of the Updated Sewer System Management Plan
Approve the updated Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP).
7.e Adoption of Resolution No. 15-25 Initiating Proceedings to Levy the
Annual Assessment for the Cloisters Park and Open Space -
Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance Assessment District
Adopt Resolution No. 15-25 ordering the preparation of an Engineer’s
Report detailing the expenses projected for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025/26 for
the maintenance of the Cloisters Park and Open Space under the
provisions of the “Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972.”
7.f Adoption of Resolution No. 16-25 Initiating Proceedings to Levy the
Annual Assessment for the North Point Natural Area - Landscaping
and Lighting Maintenance Assessment District
Adopt Resolution No. 16-25 ordering the preparation of an Engineer’s
Report detailing the expenses projected for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025/26 for
the maintenance of the North Point Natural Area under the provisions of
the “Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972.”
7.g Award of Contract with Newton Construction & Management, Inc., for
the Brackish Water Reverse Osmosis Facility Re-skin and Re-roofing
Project (Project no. MB2024-UT09)
1. Award and authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with
Newton Construction & Management, Inc., for Project No. MB2024-
UT09, Brackish Water Reverse Osmosis (BWRO) Facility Re-skin
and Re-roofing Project (Project) in an amount not-to-exceed
$322,786.20, which includes a 10% Contingency. All agreements
implementing such project work shall be processed and based on
the review of the City Attorney’s Office to be in form and substance
acceptable to City staff and legal counsel.; and
2. Direct staff to transfer $122,786.20 from the Nutmeg Pressure
Zone Project (921-9932) to the BWRO re-skin project account to
add necessary funding.
7.h Approval of Revised Pay Scale and Job Description for Police
Support Services Manager
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Amend the pay schedule for the Police Support Services Manager by
adopting:
1. Resolution No. 17-25 approving Job Description and compensation
range, and
2. Resolution No. 18-25 amending Management Salary and Benefits
2025-27, and
3. Resolution No. 19-25 approving updated FY 2024-25, 2025-26, and
2026-27 Pay Schedules.
8. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
8.a Introduce An Ordinance Repealing and Replacing Title 7 (Animals) of
the Morro Bay Municipal Code
https://youtu.be/_W68ZFK5JWU?si=fVEyjAMf5wE9ekku&t=3002
Police Chief Watkins introduced Eric Anderson, San Luis Obispo County
Animal Services Manager, who provided a presentation on scope of
services and cost allocation methods.
Chief Watkins presented proposed Ordinance No. 669 and responded to
Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened the public hearing and public comment for Item 8.a.
https://youtu.be/_W68ZFK5JWU?si=knTdwYtRa8o7tHoN&t=7789
Valerie Levulett, Morro Bay, spoke on behalf of Betty Winholtz,
requesting the holding period for domestic animals be seven days
and expanding the euthanasia section as requested in agenda
correspondence.
Michelle Leicester-Cadaret, Morro Bay, read a letter on behalf of
Nicole Dorfman, opposing legislation requiring microchipping and
cat vaccinations.
Dan Sedley, Morro Bay, took issue with the 3-day waiting period
and suggested the ordinance require animals be altered unless
you're a licensed breeder.
Margaret Carman, Morro Bay, was opposed to mandated
microchipping and vaccines, noting SB 573 approved in 2020
provided exemptions to microchipping requirements for animals
with medical issues.
End of public comment.
Mayor Wixom closed public comment and the public hearing.
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Dr. Anderson and Chief Watkins responded to additional questions and
the Council was supportive of community requests to increase the holding
period to seven days.
https://youtu.be/_W68ZFK5JWU?si=nzrbkT1RzB3yraWO&t=9398
Council Member Eckles moved to introduce by title only by further reading
waived, Ordinance No. 669 entitled, "An Ordinance of the City Council of
the City of Morro Bay, California, repealing and replacing Title 7 (Animals)
of the Morro Bay Municipal Code to adopt and incorporate by reference
San Luis Obispo County Code Title 9 (Animals) and to retain certain city
requirements regarding animals, and finding the action not subject to
CEQA" with the modification of section 9.04.002 and 9.04.006 to establish
a holding period for a minimum of seven days and to include any other
references to euthanasia to have a minimum of seven days for a holding
period.
The motion was seconded by Council Member Landrum.
Interim City Attorney Schultz noted the City cannot amend sections of Title
9 of the San Luis Obispo County Code and offered alternatives for Council
consideration. The motion was withdrawn.
Motion by Council Member Eckles
Seconded by Council Member Landrum
Direct staff to bring back a revised ordinance, repealing and replacing Title
7 and establishing a holding period for a minimum of seven days and to
include any other references euthanasia to have a minimum of seven days
for a holding period, and continue the item to a date certain, April 22, 2025
for 1st reading.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Edwards, Council Member
Eckles, Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee
CARRIED (5 to 0)
8.b Public Hearing on Vacancies to Comply with Assembly Bill 2561
https://youtu.be/_W68ZFK5JWU?si=vzKim2jTXHTmvx0v&t=9694
Human Resources/Risk Manager Hendricks presented the report and
invited Nicole Bryant, SEIU Local 620 Field Representa tive, to provide
comments.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 8.b.
https://youtu.be/_W68ZFK5JWU?si=6D4ejyrqxUjALUbO&t=10654
Dan Sedley, Morro Bay, appreciated receiving the pa y schedules,
noting it would have been helpful to see comparative pay
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schedules for Morro Bay against other cities in the County to see
that we are competitive enough to hire and retain the best.
Nic De Angelis, Morro Bay, was unsure why conversation was
focused on raising wages, suggesting the value of working in Morro
Bay was enough. He opined the City is top heavy and low turnover
isn't necessarily a good thing.
End of public comment.
Mayor Wixom closed public comment and the public hearing.
No formal action was taken by the City Council.
9. BUSINESS ITEMS
The Council took a brief recess at 8:42 p.m. and reconvened at 8:47 p.m. with all
members present.
9.a Update and Discussion of City Owned Properties (2025)
https://youtu.be/_W68ZFK5JWU?si=4mdtAFYTTBx2jrlo&t=11197
Community Development Director Singewald presented the report and
responded to Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 9.a.
https://youtu.be/_W68ZFK5JWU?si=veKQNAMGYAlPZzeF&t=12117
Onan Champi expressed interest in obtaining 490 Errol and
requested the City keep them informed if any sites that are
designated as surplus property.
Nic De Angelis, Morro Bay, sought clarification on how properties
were deemed developable or not, and extended the offer of a
financial contribution to move things forward.
Barry Branin, Morro Bay, stressed the importance of capitalizing on
underutilized properties.
End of public comment.
No formal action was taken by the City Council on this item.
9.b Analysis of Alternatives for City Attorney Services
Mayor Wixom sought consensus to go past 9:30 to hear this item.
https://youtu.be/_W68ZFK5JWU?si=fF54o8D9UQwG7SR-&t=13418
Interim City Attorney Schultz presented the report and responded to
Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 9.b.
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https://youtu.be/_W68ZFK5JWU?si=shpBR9ijvLAwjk2G&t=15223
Dan Sedley, Morro Bay, commented in support of hiring an in-
house attorney.
Nic De Angelis, Morro Bay, spoke in support of an in-house
attorney.
End of public comment.
Motion by Mayor Wixom
Seconded by Council Member Landrum
Directed staff to prepare a job description, salary range, and recruitment
schedule for an in-house City Attorney.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Edwards, Council Member
Eckles, Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee
CARRIED (5 to 0)
10. COUNCIL DECLARATION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
https://youtu.be/_W68ZFK5JWU?si=CFVHnEh5IeLLGZZL&t=15820
Council Member Landrum proposed consideration of forming a Council
subcommittee for the Morro Elementary School property. Council Members
Eckles, Luffee and Mayor Pro Tem Edwards supported the request.
Council Member Landrum requested consideration to expand the scope of the
BESS ordinance to include all future energy projects within Morro Bay.
Community Director Singewald reminded Council that staff will bring back options
and alternatives at a future meeting, likely within six months.
Council Member Eckles requested and received majority support for
reconsideration of the City's Flagpole Policy established with the adoption of
Resolution No. 103-22 in November 2022.
11. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m.
/s/ Dana Swanson, City Clerk