HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC_2025-09-09 Regular Meeting Minutes
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MINUTES - MORRO BAY CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
September 9, 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: Interim City Manager Andrea Lueker
City Attorney Brian Stack
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
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1. ESTABLISH QUORUM AND CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Wixom called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. with all members present.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. REPORTS
3.a Closed Session Report
City Attorney Stack announced the Council met in Closed Session to
discuss three real property matters involving the Morro Elementary site,
Morro Dunes RV Park, and the former wastewater treatment plant site and
no reportable action was taken under the Brown Act . Mr. Stack was
authorized to disclose the Council directed staff to submit an offer to the
School District for the entire Morro Elementary site and reminded the
public final approval of that agreement would have to be done in an open
and noticed meeting.
3.b Mayor and Councilmembers' Reports, Announcements and
Presentations
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3.c City Manager Reports, Announcements and Presentations
3.d Subcommittee Reports - Verbal Update of Current Subcommittee
Activities
a. Water Reclamation Facility & Morro Bay / Cayucos Sanitary District
JPA
b. Morro Bay Power Plant (Vistra)
c. Offshore Wind Energy
d. Morro Elementary School
4. RECOGNITION AND PRESENTATIONS
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
Will Benedict, San Luis Obispo Bicycle Club, announced the Lighthouse
Century Bicycle Ride on Saturday, September 27th.
Aaron Ochs, Morro Bay, commented on the life and legacy of John Weiss.
Linda Winters, Morro Bay, remembered John Weiss in her comments,
attended the Kent Nagano concert to raise funds for Morro Elementary,
and provided a Monday Night Dinner update.
Penni Dougherty, Morro Bay, expressed concern about fire safety and
need for weed abatement ordinance enforcement, particularly around
State Park.
Linda Donnelly, Morro Bay, stated there were interruptions on the Channel
20 and SLO-Span meeting feeds.
Barry Branin, Morro Bay, urged the City to focus on selling excess
property to fund the purchase of Morro Elementary.
Michelle Leicester-Cadaret, Morro Bay, supported weed abatement efforts
and eliminating wood burning firepits.
End of public comment.
6. CONSENT AGENDA
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.
Dina Lundquist, Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce CEO, commented in
support of the proposed lease agreement for office space at 695 Harbor
Street.
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End of public comment.
Council Member Edwards pulled Item 6.c.
Motion by Council Member Landrum
Seconded by Council Member Luffee
Approve Consent Agenda items 6.a and 6.b as submitted.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Eckles,
Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee
CARRIED (5 to 0)
6.a Approval of Minutes
Approve as submitted.
a. August 26, 2025 - Regular Council Meeting
b. August 26, 2025 - Special Closed Session Meeting
6.b Designation of Voting Delegate and Alternate at League of California
Cities 2025 Annual Conference Business Meeting
1. Select Mayor Wixom as the voting delegate for the upcoming
annual business meeting to be held at the League of California
Cities Annual Conference; and
2. Authorize the City Clerk to complete the League of California Cities’
online submission form attesting that council action was taken and
affirming the selection of the voting delegate.
6.c Approval of a Month-to-Month Lease Agreement with the Morro Bay
Chamber of Commerce for Office Space at 695 Harbor Street
Council Member Edwards commented in support of the continued use of
695 Harbor Street as a collaborative space for the Chamber and Visit
Morro Bay.
Motion by Council Member Edwards
Seconded by Council Member Luffee
Review and approve a month-to-month Lease Agreement for office space
at 695 Harbor Street with the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Edwards, Council Member
Eckles, Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee
CARRIED (5 to 0)
7. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
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7.a Introduction and First Reading of Ordinance No. 672, of the Morro
Bay Municipal Code to amend Chapter 8.12 pertaining to Weeds,
Rubbish, and Defensible Space
Fire Chief McCrain presented the report and responded to Council
inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened the public hearing and public comment for Item 7.a.
Penni Dougherty, Morro Bay, expressed frustration with the lack of
responsiveness by State Parks to weed abatement requests.
Jeff Heller, Morro Bay, spoke in strong support of the proposed
ordinance.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, was concerned the proposed ordinance
would require removal of healthy trees, and wanted a clear
understanding of how parcels were defined.
Betsy Gaudette-Cross, Morro Bay, asked who was responsible for
clearing the area between the fence and the road near the former
Chevron property.
Michelle Leicester-Cadaret, Morro Bay, agreed with the need for
weed abatement around the former Chevron property and
suggested the City emphasize the use of non-corrosive and non-
toxic solutions to remove weeds.
End of public comment.
Mayor Wixom closed the public hearing.
Motion by Council Member Edwards
Seconded by Council Member Luffee
Introduce for first reading by title only, with further reading waived,
Ordinance No.672, “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Morro
Bay, California, Amending Title 8 (“Health and Safety) of the Morro Bay
Municipal Code to amend and rename Chapter 8.12 Weeds, Rubbish and
Defensible Space.”
8. BUSINESS ITEMS
9. COUNCIL DECLARATION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Council Member Eckles proposed and received support for the review of the
City's revenue policy established by Resolution No. 52-21. There was
consensus to bring this back before the next budget cycle, potentially with mid-
year budget review.
10. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 6:57 p.m.
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Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Dana Swanson, City Clerk