HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC_2025-04-22 Regular Meeting Minutes
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MINUTES - MORRO BAY CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
April 22, 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
City Engineer Cindy Cecil
_____________________________________________________________________
1. ESTABLISH QUORUM AND CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Wixom called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m. with all members present.
2. MOMENT OF SILENCE
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4. REPORTS
4.a Closed Session Report
https://youtu.be/UKe6NKfvljc?si=4ozY6kMvthMcG5qs&t=74
Interim City Attorney Schultz announced the Council held a Closed
Session Meeting prior to the Regular Session with evaluation of the City
Manager, (3) Property Negotiations, and Public Employment of the City
Attorney. The only item discussed was evaluation of the City Manager
and no reportable action was taken under the Brown Act. The remaining
items will be continued to a future meeting.
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4.b Mayor and Councilmembers' Reports, Announcements and
Presentations
https://youtu.be/UKe6NKfvljc?si=Vp71di9TdWEPYnF8&t=116
4.c City Manager Reports, Announcements and Presentations
https://youtu.be/UKe6NKfvljc?si=ttbqrD-3PkYHNTlN&t=795
4.d Subcommittee Reports - Verbal Update of Current Subcommittee
Activities
https://youtu.be/UKe6NKfvljc?si=ZEMdvEvawMM5pW4O&t=1136
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 Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Update
https://youtu.be/UKe6NKfvljc?si=tpaXZ7x7h2xOOwb9&t=1204
Presented by Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce CEO, Dina Lundquist.
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
https://youtu.be/UKe6NKfvljc?si=nJ8C5J2nd4ExPviA&t=1702
Scott Schalde, Principal at Morro Bay High School, shared they previously
polled students about the potential for a roundabout and found they were
not concerned about pedestrian safety and would be supportive of a
roundabout if it would improve traffic patterns. He offered seek further
student input, if desired.
Kiernan Cottle, Morro Bay, offered comments.
Sugar Cliff, owner of Grandma's Mercantile on Main, expressed frustration
about the impacts road construction was having on her business.
Joel Silano, Morro Bay, commented on Item 9b, urging the Council to
cease work on the roundabout and redirect funds to revetment repairs and
other waterfront needs.
Linda Winters, Morro Bay, provided an activity update and announced
Fitness Works will be accepting Men's Clothing Donations May 12 - 31.
Morro Bay High School students, John Holguin and Sands Dougherty,
announced an upcoming Casino Night fundraiser to support Morro Bay
Football on Saturday, April 26th, at the Morro Bay Community Center.
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Morro Bay High School student, Ion Patel, requested signage limiting
access to the Cloisters playground equpment to 2 - 5 year-olds be
removed.
Michelle Leicester-Cadaret, Morro Bay, requested consideration of
pedestrian safety improvements at Yerba Buena and Main Streets.
Heide Bea, Morro Bay, registered opposition to the Highway 1 / 41
roundabout, expressing concern about pedestrian safety.
Judy Setting, Morro Bay, shared her appreciation for the students who
attended tonight's meeting.
Robert Dougherty, Morro Bay High School Football Coach and P.E.
teacher, added the April 26th Casino Night fundraiser is to raise money for
the football team's first out of state trip to Maui.
Nattalia Merzoyan, Morro Bay, was concerned the proposed roundabout
might displace the trailer park.
End of public comment.
7. CONSENT AGENDA
https://youtu.be/UKe6NKfvljc?si=MY-ywhr1qdlQ_8P-&t=3298
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 sought Council consensus to pull Item 7.b. from the agenda and
continue it to a future meeting.
The Mayor opened public comment for items on the agenda; seeing none, the
public comment period was closed.
Motion by Council Member Landrum
Seconded by Council Member Luffee
Approve consent agenda item 7.a, 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. April 8, 2025 - Regular Council Meeting
b. April 8, 2025 - Special Closed Session Meeting
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7.b Adoption Resolution No. 22-25 and Limited Duration Interim City
Attorney Employment Agreement for Retired Annuitant
This item was pulled from the agenda and continued to a future meeting.
8. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
8.a Introduce An Ordinance Repealing and Replacing Title 7 (Animals) of
the Morro Bay Municipal Code
https://youtu.be/UKe6NKfvljc?si=Y6NA4JasFjApDxF8&t=3354
Police Chief Watkins presented the report and responded to Council
inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened the public hearing and public comment for Item 8.a.
https://youtu.be/UKe6NKfvljc?si=kQGyIo5kQTcGGPDU&t=4288
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, commented in support of sending a
letter to the Board of Supervisors urging the County to increase the
holding period to seven days.
End of public comment.
Motion by Council Member Eckles
Seconded by Council Member Landrum
Introduce by title only with 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.”
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Edwards, Council Member
Eckles, Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee
CARRIED (5 to 0)
Motion by Council Member Eckles
Seconded by Council Member Landrum
Authorize the Mayor to sign a letter to the San Lus Obispo County Board
of Supervisors expressing the City's desire for the review and changing of
Title 9, Sections 9.04.002 and 9.04.006, requiring Animal Services to
adopt a seven-day holding period of all impounded household pets.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Edwards, Council Member
Eckles, Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee
CARRIED (5 to 0)
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9. BUSINESS ITEMS
9.a City Attorney Recruitment
https://youtu.be/UKe6NKfvljc?si=3ppMKjsyavgCLG1U&t=4773
Interim City Attorney Schultz presented the report and responded to
Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 9.a.
https://youtu.be/UKe6NKfvljc?si=m9Z4oJy3dQN2NV0j&t=5613
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, urged the Council to give as much
respect to the City Attorney pursuit as a City Manager recruitment,
using a hybrid approach that starts with professionals to get the
broadest reach.
End of public comment.
Motion by Council Member Eckles
Seconded by Council Member Landrum
Direct staff to conduct the City Attorney search in-house, and concurrently
seek proposals for professional recruitment firm and bring back proposals
to Council to determine how to move forward.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Edwards, Council Member
Eckles, Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee
CARRIED (5 to 0)
Motion by Council Member Luffee
Seconded by Council Member Landrum
1. Adopt Resolution No. 20-25 approving the new City Attorney Job
Classification and Job Description; and
2. Adopt Resolution No. 21-25 approving updated FY 2024-25, 2025-
26, and 2026-27 Pay Schedules establishing the salary range for
the City Attorney
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Edwards, Council Member
Eckles, Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee
CARRIED (5 to 0)
9.b Receive Status Update and Funding Summary of Roundabout Project
and Provide Direction on Environmental Phase of Project
The City Council took a brief recess at 7:21 p.m.; the meeting reconvened
at 7:29 p.m. with all members present.
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https://youtu.be/UKe6NKfvljc?si=BiFAtgrUvq9Kq91w&t=7046
Public Works Director Kwolek and Caltrans Project Manager, Paul
Valadao, provided the report and responded to Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 9.b
https://youtu.be/UKe6NKfvljc?si=WsYmDUBZ8L0o_NNE&t=9103
Jane Heath, Morro Bay, encouraged the City to move forward with
the roundabout.
Walter Heath, Morro Bay, commented in support of the roundabout,
noting it meets two of the three adopted City Goals.
Cindi Cagle, Morro Bay, opposed the roundabout.
Barry Branin, Morro Bay, opposed the project, suggesting a wider
intersection was needed, similar to the Hwy 41 / 101 interchange in
Atascadero.
Courtney Shepler, Morro Bay, voiced her support for finishing the
work that's underway on the environmental study.
Judy Setting, Morro Bay, opposed the project, expressing concern
for pedestrian safety.
Ryan Pinkerton, Assistant Superintendent for San Luis Coastal
Unified School District, offered student comments were less about
pedestrian safety and more about opportunities for improved
pathways and access. He restated the District's offer to get more
student input and encouraged the City to move forward with the
environmental work.
Michelle Leicester-Cadaret, Morro Bay, opposed the roundabout
project, suggesting a pedestrian bridge or lights and calming strips
at the intersection to improve pedestrian safety would be sufficient.
Nattalia Merzoyan, Morro Bay, on the topic of appearance,
observed one thing that makes things look better is plant life.
Margaret Carman, Morro Bay, opposed the project, voicing
concerns about pedestrian safety and ability for large trucks and
RV's to navigate the roundabout.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, urged the Council to take this project off
the plate for staff and begin discussions about other potential
intersection improvements.
Brian O'Farrell, Morro Bay, opposed a roundabout at this location.
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Betsy Gaudette-Cross, Morro Bay, did not feel a roundabout was
appropriate at this location.
Onan Champi offered no opinion on whether to continue the
environmental work but suggested it may be an opportunity to
extend the project to include flood mitigation.
End of public comment.
Following the motion and prior to Council vote, City Attorney Schultz
explained, based on the motion, staff would discontinue the environmental
work and replace $1.2 million of Measure Q/E funds, effectively stopping
the project from moving forward, but the item will need to come back to
Council to take steps necessary to reject the project and also take a
formal position should SLOCOG choose to take up the project. Mayor
Wixom clarified that discussion could include consideration and funding for
alternative intersection improvements.
Motion by Council Member Landrum
Seconded by Council Member Eckles
Direct staff to discontinue work on the project and retain $1.2 million of the
Measure Q/E funds in the project fund.
Ayes (3): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Eckles, and Council Member
Landrum
Noes (2): Council Member Edwards, and Council Member Luffee
CARRIED (3 to 2)
9.c Review and Discussion of the City of Morro Bay's Flagpole Policy as
established by Resolution No. 103-22
https://youtu.be/UKe6NKfvljc?si=NAzqyIy109ml23Ba&t=12614
City Manager Kimball presented the report and responded to Council
inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment on Item 9.c
https://youtu.be/UKe6NKfvljc?si=O2xCnOIOWPp4RtYv&t=12764
Barry Branin, Morro Bay, urged the City to change the policy to fly
only the United States and State flags.
Michelle Leicester-Cadaret, Morro Bay, quipped the City could fly
the Canadian flag on occasion.
Margaret Carman, Morro Bay, supported an ordinance allowing
only the national and state flags.
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Judy Setting, Morro Bay, supported honoring the national and state
flags.
Nic De Angelis, Morro Bay, agreed with previous speakers.
End of public comment.
Motion by Council Member Eckles
Seconded by Mayor Wixom
Direct staff to bring back a resolution rescinding Resolution No. 103 -22
and come back with the flagpole policy that reflects language that allows
for three flags to be flown officially over the city, which is the United States
of America, State of California and City of Morro Bay.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Edwards, Council Member
Eckles, Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee
CARRIED (5 to 0)
9.d Consideration of forming Council Sub-committee regarding El Morro
Elementary School Property
https://youtu.be/UKe6NKfvljc?si=_m1qfYSyxBDHJcc3&t=13592
City Manager Kimball presented the report. Council Members Landrum
and Luffee expressed interest in serving on the subcommittee.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment on Item 9.d.
https://youtu.be/UKe6NKfvljc?si=fvbggM4h-kPt9Aw2&t=13947
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, noted the citizens group has a lot of
information to offer the City and believes a coordinated effort would
be more efficient.
Nic De Angelis, Morro Bay, shared he met with Council Members
Landrum and Luffee and restated his financial commitment to the
purchase of this property.
End of public comment.
Pursuant to City Council Policies Section 3.13, Council Member landrum
presented the proposed purpose, parameters and anticipated duration of
the subcommittee:
"The purpose of the Morro Elementary School Subcommittee is to unite
the community and City efforts for the accomplishment of the City Council
goal to acquire the Morro Elementary School site and/or work with a
developer on this project. To this end, two council members are
appointed to facilitate communication and cooperation between the
citizen's group, Friends of Morro Elementary, and the Community
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Development Department Director, regarding applicable State law,
potential financial resources, and the San Luis Coastal Unified School
District communications. The City Council as a whole will be kept up to
date weekly, if not more frequently, as events unfold. This subcommittee's
work is complete when an agreement is signed between the School
District and the City, or it is determined that acquisition is beyond the
City's reach. At either conclusion, the City Council will revisit whether the
subcommittee has a related purpose or should be terminated."
Motion by Council Member Landrum
Seconded by Mayor Wixom
1. Establish a Council sub-committee regarding the City’s goal of
acquiring the Morro Elementary School site and/or assisting in the
development of the property.
2. Discontinuing the Downtown Design District subcommittee as their
task is complete.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Edwards, Council Member
Eckles, Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee
CARRIED (5 to 0)
Motion by Council Member Landrum
Seconded by Mayor Wixom
Appoint Council Member Luffee and Council Member Landrum to the
Council Sub-committee regarding Morro Elementary School.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Edwards, Council Member
Eckles, Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee
CARRIED (5 to 0)
11. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
/s/ Dana Swanson, City Clerk